March 6 2016 Daring To Wait On God

DARING TO WAIT ON GOD

Daring Faith: The Key To Miracles – Part 9

“God does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is

WHAT TO REMEMBER WHILE WAITING ON GOD

1. REMEMBER THERE’S A NATURAL DELAY BETWEEN PLANTING & HARVESTING!

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven . . . A time to plant and a time to harvest . . . a time to scatter and a time to gather . . .” 

2. REMEMBER THERE’S AN UNSEEN BATTLE GOING ON.

“We are not struggling and fighting against human beings but against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm—the rulers, authorities, and powers of darkness.” 

3. REMEMBER GOD IS PREPARING ME FOR HIS BLESSING

“There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These troubles test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure, just as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold.” 

“Waiting does not diminish us any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We don’t see what is enlarging us, but the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, when we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He prays in us and for us . . .He knows us far better than we know ourselves, and knows our pregnant condition . . . That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Romans 8:24-28

4. REMEMBER I’M IN GOOD COMPANY WHEN WAITING ON GOD

 “People who lived in the past became famous because of their faith.”

5. REMEMBER GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES!

God says, “At the time I have decided, my words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting—it will happen!” Habakkuk 2:3 (CEV) 

WHAT TO DO WHILE WAITING ON God

1. WRITE DOWN THE LESSONS I’M LEARNING

“At the Lord’s direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress.” Numbers 33:2a (NLT)

“Remember what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him.” Deuteronomy 11:2a (TEV) 

2. ACT AS THOUGH I ALREADY HAVE IT

Jesus said, “I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 (NIV) 

3. IMITATE THE HABITS THAT GROW STRONG FAITH

“We do not want you to become lazy, but to IMITATE those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:12 (NIV) 

Paul: “KEEP ON putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing.”  Philippians 4:9a (NLT) 

DON’T put my life on hold.

• KEEP ON  PRAYING

“Keep on asking, and you WILL be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you WILL find. Keep on knocking, and the door WILL be opened!” Matthew 7:7 (NLT) 

• KEEP ON SERVING

“Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.”  Romans 12:11 (NLT)

• KEEP ON GOING TO CHURCH

“Don’t give up your habit of meeting with other believers. Instead keep on encouraging each other!” Hebrews 10:25 

• KEEP ON SOWING

“Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which ones will grow—perhaps they all will!” Ecclesiastes 11:6 (LB)

• KEEP ON BELIEVING

“You must keep on believing the things you have been taught. You know they are true . . .” 2 Timothy 3:14 (LB)

TRUST GOD INSTEAD OF PANICKING

“Even when I am afraid, I keep on trusting you.” Psalm 56:3 (CEV)

November 15 2015 The Prayer Of Fulfillment

THE PRAYER OF FULFILLMENT

Matthew 6:13 – For thine is the Kingdom and the power, and the glory forever.

God’s Kingdom is His plan.

God’s Power is His program.

God’s Glory is His purpose.

Romans 11:36 – Everything comes from God alone.  Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.

REAL FULFILLMENT COMES THROUGH

1. Living in God’s Kingdom.

1 Thessalonians 2:1 - You should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into His Kingdom and glory.

Matthew 6:33 – God will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

First in your finances.
Interest
Relationships
Schedule
Troubles

2. Live by God’s power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 – For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God’s power.

Ephesians 3:20 – By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.

BY praying.

BY taking a risk.

BY not giving up.

3. Live for God’s glory.

Romans 6:10-11 – Jesus died to defeat sin and now He lives for the glory of God.  So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.

HOW:

• Show love to everybody.

Romans 15:7 – Warmly welcome each other into the Church, just as Christ has warmly welcome you; then God will be glorified. 

• Use your abilities to serve everybody.

1 Peter 4:10-11 – God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other so that God will be glorified.

• Share the good news about Jesus with everyone.

2 Corinthians 4:15 – As God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ.  God will receive more and more glory!

• You should join the Church.

Ephesians 3:21 – To God be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen

April 7 2013 Enjoying The People In Your Life

ENJOYING THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE
Philippians 1:3-11

FOUR KEYS TO ENJOYING PEOPLE

I. The first key, be grateful for the good in people.
Vs. 3 - I thank my God every time I remember you.

BACKGROUND ACTS 16
Lesson No. 1: Remember the best & forget the rest.
Vs. 5 - You have helped me from the very first day until now.


II. The second key, picture positive praying. 
Vs. 4 - In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Lesson No. 2: Start thanking God in prayer for these people.
Col. 4:2-3 - Devote yourself to prayer and pray for us too.
Eph. 6:18 - Keep on praying for all the saints.
Vss. 9-11- And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

What to pray for others: Pray they will
That they will grow in love. Vs. 9
That they make wise choices. Vs. 10 a
That they would do the right thing. Vs. 10 b
That they would live for God’s Glory. Vs. 11

III. The third key, be patient with their progress.
Vs. 6 - Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Lesson No. 3: God is not finished with His people.
Our Mistake: We judge others by how far they have to go, rather than how far they have already come

IV. The fourth key, love people from the heart. 
Vss. 7-8 - It is right for me to feel this way about all of you since I have you in my heart.

God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:5 - God has poured out His love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us.

Lesson No. 4
The secret to enjoying the people in my life is to be filled with God’s love.

February 17 2013 Keeping Your Peace Of Mind While Getting Ahead

KEEPING YOUR PEACE OF MIND WHILE GETTING AHEAD
Exodus 20:15 - You shall not steal.
Proverbs. 10:2 - Ill gotten gain brings no lasting happiness, but right living does.

I. Wrong ways to get ahead:

1. Dishonesty.
Proverbs 16:11 - The Lord wants weights and measures to be honest and every sale to be fair.
Proverbs 20:14 - It’s no good: It’s no good, says the buyer, then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.

2. Defrauding people.
Leviticus 19:13 - Don’t hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.
Colossians 3:22 - Obey your human masters, not only when they are watching you because you want their favor, but do it with a sincere heart in reverence for the Lord.

3. Getting ahead by default.
Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding.
Psalm 37:21 - The wicked borrow and do not repay.

4. Depending on luck.
Proverbs 28:20 & 22 - The man who wants to get rich quick will quickly fail. Trying to get rich quick is evil and leads to poverty.
Proverbs 28:19 - He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will end in poverty.

5. Dishonoring others.
Proverbs 10:18 - Whoever spreads slander is a fool.

II. The right way to get ahead:

1. Hard work.
Proverbs 14:23 - Hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

2. Saving and investing.
Proverbs 21:5 - The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends all he can get.
Proverbs 13:11 - Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers little by little makes it grow.

3. Praying.
Matthew 7:11 - If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him.

4. Giving.
Proverbs 11:24-25 - Be generous and you will be prosperous. Help others and you will be helped.

III. Peace of mind while getting ahead:

• Be honest with people.
Proverbs 15:27 & 19:1

• Be honest with the government.
Romans 13:7, Matthew 22:21

• Be honest with God.
MalachI 3:8-10

November 4 2012 The Choice Of Purity

THE CHOICE OF PURITY

Matthew 5:8 - Happy are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Pure in Heart:

Matthew 6:1 - Be careful not to parade your good deeds before others to attract their notice, or you will lose all reward for your Father in heaven.

How to Develop a Pure Heart (Matthew 6)

1. Remember God sees everything.
Vs. 4, 6, 18 - Your Father sees what is done in secret.

Hebrews 4:13 - Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

2. Review my motives.
Proverbs 24:21 - God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch over you. He knows, and He will reward you according to what you do!

• Giving (vs. 2-4)
• Praying (vs. 5-15)
• Fasting (vs. 16-18)

1 Thessalonians 2:4 - We do not aim to please others, but to please God who knows us through and through.

3. Realign your priorities.
Exodus 20:3 - You shall have no other gods before Me.

Three Tests

• Look at my activities.
Matthew 6:19 - Don’t pile up treasures on earth, but keep your treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, your heart will be also.

• Look at my anxieties.
Matthew 6:25 - Therefore, I tell you, don’t worry about your life.

• Look at my ambitions.
Matthew 6:31-33 - Don’t worry about (these things), this is what pagans are always looking for, your heavenly Father knows you need them. Instead, set your heart first on His Kingdom, and His goodness and all those things will come to you as a matter of course.

Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.