September 25 2016 Winning Through Persistence

WINNING THROUGH PERSISTENCE

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

One of the most essential qualities for success is persistence.  Paul was a man of incredible endurance.  In this passage, Paul shares his …….

Seven Secrets For Persistence

1. Remember that God loves you.

Verse 1 – Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

1 Corinthians 15:10 – Talks about God’s grace.

Grace says:

• I don’t have to prove my worth.
• Gives energy to start over when we fail.

2. Maintain a clear conscience.

Verse 2 – Rather we have renounced secret and shameful ways, we do not use deception, nor do we distort the Word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience.

1 Timothy 1:19 – Holding on to faith and a good conscience, some have rejected those and so have shipwrecked their faith.

Proverbs 10:9 – The man of integrity walks securely.

3. Have the right motivation.

Verse 5 – For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Verse 11 – For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake.

Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.

4. I must accept my limitations.

Verse 7 – But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Exodus 23:29-30 – Drove enemy out little by little.

Hebrews 12:1 – Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

5. Love other people.

Verse 15 – All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

6. Take time to recharge.

Verse 16 – Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

List The Things That Can Renew You:

• A place to dump your worries.
• A time to play with family.
• Physical exercise.
• Bible reading and prayer.
• A strategy for daily renewal.

Psalm 119:50 – Your promise renews my life.

7. Keep your eye on the goal.

Verses 17-18 – For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

November 9 2014 Fully Engaged In Friends

Fully Engaged in My Friends

The eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His.– 2 Chronicles 16:9

““Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father's.  Then in your time of need, you won't have to ask your relatives for assistance.  It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away.” – Proverbs 27:10

FOUR ACTIONS TO ENGAGE MY FRIENDS THIS WEEK

1. Provide Encouragement

“For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’).” – Acts 4:26

• Through my words (see Matthew 12:36-37)
• Acts of kindness.
• Just listening.         

2. Play together.

“So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them.” – Ecclesiastes 8:15

3. Pray specifically for my friends.

“God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God.” – Romans 1:9

(See other of Paul’s prayers for friends in Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4;

4. Pursue an opportunity to talk about God.

“If you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16

Memory Verse: “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.” – John 15:12-13

June 19 2011 Discovering God's Purpose For Your Home

Discovering God's Purpose For Your Home

Genesis 2:18 & 24: The Lord God said, it is not good for man to be
alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. Therefore, a man will
leave his father and mother and be united to his wife.

GOD’S PURPOSE FOR THE FAMILY

I. A family is a shelter in the storm.
Proverbs 14:26 - reverence for the Lord gives a man deep strength,
his children have a place of refuge and security.

TYPES OF STORMS

1. change
2. failure
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 -Two are better than one, if one of them falls
down the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls,
it’s just too bad because there’s no one to help him.
3. rejection
Ecclesiastes 4:12 - One standing alone can be attacked and
defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.
My Response:

II. A family is a learning center for life.
Psalm 144:12 - May our sons in their youth be like plants that grow
up strong.
Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers, don’t exasperate your children, instead
bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Luke 2:52 - Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with
God and with man.

Things you always leave home with:
1. Relationships
2. Character
3. Values
Isaiah 38:10 - One generation makes known your faithfulness to
the next.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7- These commandments, impress them upon
your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when
you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.

III. A family is a place to play.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 - Enjoy life with your wife whom you love.
Proverbs 5:18 - Be happy with your wife and find your joy with the
girl you married.
Psalm 127:3 - Children are a gift from God, they are his reward.
My Response:

IV. A family is a launching pad for ministry.
I Corinthians 16:15 - Stephanas and his family were the first to
become Christians in Greece and they are spending their lives
helping and serving Christians everywhere.
Acts 16:33 - The whole family was filled with joy because they had
come to believe in God.
Romans 12:13 - When God’s children are in need, help them out!
Get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner, or if they
need lodging for the night.
My Response:

John 1:12 - All who received Him, He gave the right to become
children of God.