July 24 2016 Strong Families (Part One)

Ten Values That Build Strong Families - Part 1

"Never forget these commands that I am giving you. Teach these to your children..." Deut. 6:6-7a (GN)

I. THE FOUNDATION FOR A STRONG FAMILY

"You shall have no other gods before me" Ex 20:2

The Principle: PUT GOD FIRST

The Promise: SUCCESS IN LIFE

"In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success." Prov. 3:6 (LB)

II. HOW DO I PUT GOD FIRST?

Give God priority in 5 areas

F - Finances

"Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns... to

overflow..." Prov 3:9-10 (LB)

"The purpose of tithing is to teach you to put God first in your lives." Deut. 14:23 (LB)

I - Interest

"Whatever you do, do it all for God's glory." I Cor. 10:31 (GN)

"Talk with each other much about the Lord." Eph. 5:19 (LB)

R - Relationships

"...what a man is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." Prov. 27:19 (LB)

S - Schedule

"Make the best use of your time ... grasp firmly what you know to be the will of the Lord."Eph. 5:16-17 (Ph)

"Very early in the morning ... Jesus got up and went off to a solitary place where he prayed." Mark 1:35

T - Trouble

"Call upon Me in your day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will honor Me." Ps. 50:15

Joshua's Commitment: "As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." Jos. 24:15 (LB)

August 30 & September 6 2015 How Jesus Handles Stress

HOW JESUS HANDLED STRESS

The Jesus Model - Part 3

1. IDENTIFICATION: Know who you are

John 8:12, Mark 14:62, John 14:6, John 6:35 “I am ...the Light of the world... the Son of God...the Way, the Truth and the Life...the Bread of life...” 

John 8:18 (TEV)“I testify on my own behalf.” 

2. MOTIVATION:  Know what you’re living for 

John 5:30 (TEV) “I am not trying to do what I want, but only what my Father who sent me wants.”

John 8:29 (NLT) “ I always do those things that are pleasing to Him.”  

Luke 16:13 (NIV) “No one can serve two masters...” 

3. CONCENTRATION: Focus on what matters most. 

Luke 9:51 (LB) “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will.” 

Luke 9:62 (LB) “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” 

1 Corinthians 10:23 (Amplified) “We are free to do anything but not all things are helpful or profitable or wholesome or constructive to your character and spiritual life.”

4. MEDITATION: Listen to God

Mark 1:35 (NIV) “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”  

Luke 5:15-16 (NCV) “News about Jesus spread even more. Crowds came to hear him and to be healed...but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.” 

Colossians 2:7 (CEV) “Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life.” 

5. COLLABORATION: Join a small group

Mark 3:14 (NIV)“He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with him…”

Matthew 26:38 (NIV) “Jesus said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 

6. RECREATION: Take time to recharge

Mark 6:31 (NCV)“Crowds of people were coming and going so that they did not even have time to eat. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves, and we’ll go to a lonely place to get some rest.’”  

Matthew 11:19 (Ph) “Jesus came enjoying life...” 

7: SALVATION: Give It All to Jesus

Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)  “Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.”

March 1 2015 Thirty Days To A No Regrets Life part 2

Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life (Part 2)

Mark 12:30 (Msg)"So love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy."

Romans 12:11 (NIV)"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

1. DO SOMETHING DRASTIC

Luke 5:18-20; 24-26 (NIV)"Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven... But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins... He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. 'Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, 'We have seen remarkable things today.'"

The Clarifying Question: "If you knew you had one month to live, how would you live your life?"

Realize what's important

Remove the obstacles

2. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Luke 5:20 (NIV)"When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.

3. CREATE GOD SPACE

Luke 5:19b (NIV)"... into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus."

Mark 1 :35-38a (NIV)"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: 'Everyone is looking for You!' Jesus replied, 'Let us go somewhere else.

Proverbs 10:27 (LB)"Reverence for God adds hours to each day”

4. KEEP A CONSTANT REMINDER

Luke 5:24b (NIV)"... He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.'''

Luke 5:25 (NIV)"Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

December 20 2012 How To Set Your Priorities

HOW TO SET YOUR PRIORITIES
Exodus 20:1-3

Just as a new mower comes equipped with an owner’s manual, explaining how to get maximum performance with minimum wear and tear, God has given us the Ten Commandments as instructions for life as it’s meant to be.

I. Why God gave us the Ten Commandments.
God’s motive: He Loves Us.

II. Step #1 to the Better life
Verse 3 - You shall have no other gods before me.

1. The principle God must have First place.

Definition of a “god.” Anything that has first place In your life.

Key to freedom: Choosing the best Master.

2. The promise He’ll take care of you.

Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

3. The procedure Give our whole life to God.
How do I make God the #1 priority of my life?

F. First in our Finances.
Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your bats will brim over with new wine.
1 Corinthians 16:2 - The purpose of tithing is to teach you to put God first in your lives.

I. First in your Interest.
1 Corinthians 10:31 - So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

R. First in our Relationships.
Proverbs 27:19 - What a man is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.

Joshua 24:15 - As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

S. First in your Schedule.
Psalm 55:17 - I will pray morning, noon, and night and He will hear and answer me.

Mark 1:35 - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went off to a solitary place where He prayed.

T. First in your Troubles.
Psalm 50:15 - Call upon me in your day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will honor Me.

Colossians 1:18 - (Christ) was raised from death in order that He alone might have first place in all things.

September 26 2010 The Magic Of Christ's Presence

The Magic of Christ's Presence

(Mark 1:29-31 & 35 - As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.)

When Christ was present, the impossible seemed to always happen.

1. His presence will bring serenity & calmness to your life

(Verse 31 - So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.)

2. His presence will bring strength to your life

(Verse 31 - took her hand and helped her up)

(Philippians 3:10 - I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death)

(Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.)

3. His presence gives us a heart for service

(Verse 31 - she began to wait on them)

4. His presence gives us good Christian friends

(Verse 31 - on them)

5. His presence is a life changing presence

(Verse 35 - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.)