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)

October 11 2015 The Prayer Of Dependance

The Prayer Of Dependance

Matthew 6:11 – Give us today our daily bread.

Bread Represents

• The Necessities in Life

Psalm 104:25-28

• The Word of God

Deuteronomy 8:3

• God’s Family and Fellowship

1 Corinthians 1:16

• Represents our Salvation

Luke 22:19

Matthew 6:11 – This is how you should pray: Give us today our daily bread.

I. First of all it means: Trusting Him for today.

• Give us today our daily bread.
• James 4:2 – You do not have, because you do not ask God.

HOW DO WE TRUST GOD FOR TODAY?

1. God’s purpose is to give us what we need.

Matthew 7:11 – If you were asked by your son for bread, would you give him a stone/  How much more likely is it that your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask Him.

EXAMPLES

• Good Company
• Father & Mother

2. God is always our source.

Numbers 16:32 – God is the source of all life.

3. God is always available.

Psalm 53:17 – I will pray morning, noon, and night, pleading aloud with the Lord.

II. Depending on God means: Seeing Him as my source.

A) Give us today our daily bread.

HERE’S HOW

1. Trust Him with all necessities,

Philippians 4:19 – God will supply all you ever need from His glorious resources in Christ Jesus.

2. Look to the Son Jesus.

Romans 8:31 – Since God didn’t spare even His own Son for us, but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also surely give us everything else?

III. Depending on God means: Trusting God’s timing.

A) Give us today our daily bread.

1. We must have faith.

Matthew 6:34 – Don’t be anxious about tomorrow.  God will take care of your tomorrows too.  Live one day at a time.

2. Let God carry the load.

Psalm 68:19 – Praise the Lord who daily bears our burdens.

IV. Finally, depending on God means: Giving God complete control.

A) Give us today our daily bread.

HOW TO GIVE HIM COMPLETE CONTROL

1. Put Him first in your life.

Matthew 6:32-33 – Don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing, your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them and He will give them to you if you give Him first place in your life.

2. Be generous in your giving.

• Bible says – Give and it will be given to you.
• It is more blessed to given than to receive.

April 14 2013 How To Have Joy In Every Circumstance

HOW TO HAVE JOY IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE
Philippians 1:22-26

I rejoice, and I will continue to rejoice.

Four Secrets For Joyful Living

I. I need a perspective to live from.

Paul’s view of his circumstances:
Vs. 12 - Now, I want you to know brothers, that what happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

Face Problems Joyfully

It caused a chain reaction Vs. 13
It has encouraged others Vs. 14
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.

LESSON: God has a purpose behind everyone of my problems.

II. I need a priority to live by.

Paul’s response to his critics:

Vs. 18 - But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached, and because of this, I rejoice.
Proverbs 3:6 - In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.

LESSON: Focus on what really counts and let the rest go.

III. I need a power to live on.

Paul’s source of strength:

Vs. 19 - I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed.
Philippians 4:13 - I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

LESSON: With God’s power nothing can devastate me.

IV. I need a purpose to live for.

Paul’s reason for living:

Vs. 21 - For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 3:13-14 - Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s concern:
Vs. 22-26

LESSON: 
Jesus first.

Others second.

Yourself third.

For me to live is ____

HOW WOULD YOU FILL IN THE BLANK?

January 8 2012 How To Live Effectively Through Prayer

How To Live Effectively Through Prayer

Nehemiah 1:4-11

Ezekiel 22:30 - I (God) looked in vain for anyone who would build again the wall of righteousness that guards the land, who could stand in the gap…but I found not one.

The effectiveness of my public life is determined by my private life.

Three Key Questions:

I. When should I pray?

Answer: before I do anything else. (verse 4)
An effective person does more than pray, but he doesn’t do anything else until he prays.

He prays:
• Effective people make prayer a first priority.
• Ineffective people make prayer a last resort.

When Nehemiah used prayer:
1:4-11
6:9
2:4
13:29
4:4,5
5:19
4:9
13:14,22,31

II. Why should I pray?

1. It shows I’m depending on God.
John 15:1-8
Matt. 5:3

2. It lightens my load.
Isaiah 40:31 - They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they Shall walk and not faint.

Effective people find their strength on their knees.

3. It releases God’s power.
Jer. 33:3 - (God says) Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you know not.

III. How should I pray?

Example of effective praying - verses 5-11.

Key question to ask myself:

How we should pray.

Four Secrets To Answered Prayer

1. Base your request on God’s character.

What Nehemiah said about God (verses 5-6)

* You’re a faithful God
* You’re a great God
* You are a God of love

2. Confess the sins of Israel and himself. (vs. 6b-7)

Effective people accept the blame. Losers pass the buck.

3. Claim the promises of God.
(vs. 6b-8) Nehemiah reminded God.

Prayer transforms God’s promises into performance!

The strength of my prayer life is determined by how well I know the promises of God.

4. Be very specific in what you ask. (vs. 10)

If I can’t ask God to bless what I’m doing, then I’d Better start.

Summary: The Type of Prayer God Answers:

* A prayer of conviction. (of who God is)
* A prayer of confession. (of what I am)
* A prayer of confidence. (in what God has promised)
* A prayer of commitment. (I’m willing to be a part of the answer)