April 19 2015 When You Feel Like You're Stuck

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE STUCK

Psalm 145:14 – God gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.

Mark 10:46 – Sitting beside the road.

Mark 10:52 – Following Jesus on the road.

HOW DO I GET UNSTUCK

SEIZE the moment when it comes.

Mark 10:46 – As Jesus and His disciples left town, a great crowd was following.  A blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road as Jesus was going by.  When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout out, “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Luke 9:62 – Jesus said, “No procrastination.  No backward looks.  You can’t put God’s Kingdom off till tomorrow.  Seize the day.”

TAME your fears.

Mark 10:48 – Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet.  But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

John 6:37 – I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.

Proverbs 29:25 – The rear of human opinion disables you, trusting in God protects you from that.

ANNOUNCE your faith.

Mark 10:51 – Jesus asked him “What do you want me to do for you?”  The blind man answered, “Teacher, I want to see.”

Galatians 3:27 – Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start.  It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe, Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.

RECEIVE God’s grace.

Mark 10:52a – Jesus said to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.”  And immediately he gained his sight.

Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

TAKE the next step.

Mark 10 52b – He regained his sight and began following Jesus on the road.

James 2:14 – If people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing.

1 Corinthians 1:30 – Everything that we have, right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start, comes from God by way of Jesus Christ

February 15 2015 Getting Unstuck In My Future

Getting Unstuck In My Future

FOUR APPROACHES TO MY FUTURE THAT LEAD TO BEING STUCK:

• WORRY
• ASSUMPTIONS
• PLANNING WITHOUT PRAYER
• PROCRASTINATING

Definition of UnStuck: Moving forward in my life because I am willing to give God complete control.

HOW TO GET UNSTUCK IN MY FUTURE:

1. RECOGNIZE THAT I AM STUCK.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” – 1 John 1:9

“...We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.” – 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

2. REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN MY PAST.

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you...” I will put my hope in God! – Psalm 42:5-6

“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” – Deuteronomy 7:9

3. REFOCUS MY MIND ON THE HOPE OF HEAVEN.

““Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” – Colossians 3:2

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Philippians 4:8

4. RESPOND OBEDIENTLY TO GOD’’S DIRECTION.

““The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.

But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:12

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”” – Matthew 6:33

5. REPLACE MY THOUGHTS WITH GOD’S THOUGHTS.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” – Romans 12:1-2

Memory Verse: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’’” – Jeremiah 29:11

December 29 2013 Mistakes To Avoid In 2014

Mistakes To Avoid In 2014

"Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow." Joshua 7:13 (NIV)

FOOLISH MISTAKES TO AVOID

1. USELESS WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE

Matthew 6:27 (NIV)"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Matthew 6:30b-33 (NCV)"... Don't have so little faith! Don't worry and say, `What will we eat... or drink...or wear?' The people who don't know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you."

Matthew 6:3 (LB)"So don't be anxious about tomorrow -- God will take care of your tomorrow, too. Live one day at a time."

THE WISE WAY: TRUST GOD

2. ARROGANT ASSUMING.

Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."

Isaiah 56:12"’Come,’ each one cries, ‘... Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even better!’"

James 4:14 & 16 (NIV)"Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."

Proverbs 22:3 (LB) "A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."

THE WISE WAY: PREPARE

3. FAULTY PLANNING.

James 4:13 (NIV)"Now listen, you who say, `Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.’"

Ecclesiastes 8:7 (NIV) "Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?"

James 4:15 (NIV) "Instead, you ought to say, IF it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

THE WISE WAY: PRAY AS YOU PLAN

Proverbs 16:1 (GN) "We may make our plans, but God has the last word."

Proverbs 16:9 (LB) "We should make plans – counting on God to direct us."

4. LAZY PROCRASTINATING.

James 4:17 (NIV) "Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins."

Proverbs 3:27-28 (NIV)"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, `Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow' -- when you now have it with you."

THE WISE WAY: DO IT NOW

1 John 2:3-4 (NIV)"We can be sure we know Christ if we obey His commands. The one who says `I know Him' but doesn't do what He commands is a liar."

2 Corinthians 6:2 (LB)"RIGHT NOW God is ready to welcome you. TODAY He is ready to save you!

May 29 2011 When You Need A Fresh Start

WHEN YOU NEED A FRESH START

Psalm 145:14 – God gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
Mark 10 :46 – Sitting beside the road.
Mark 10:52 – Following Jesus on the road.

WHAT KEEPS ME FROM SEEING LIFE CLEARLY?

SEIZE THE MOMENT!
(Mark 10:46 – As Jesus and His disciples left town, a great crowd was following. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road as Jesus was going by. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout out, “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me!”)
(Luke 9:62 – Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”)

TAME YOUR FEAR!
(Mark 10:48 – Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
(John 6:37 – I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.)
(Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of human opinion disables you, trusting in God protects you from that.)

ANNOUNCE YOUR FAITH!
(Mark 10:51 – Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you? The blind man answered, “Teacher, I want to see.”)
(Galatians 3:27 – Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe, Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.)

RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE!
(Mark 10:52a – Jesus said to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” And immediately he regained his sight.)
(Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.)

TAKE THE NEXT STEP!
(Mark 10:52b – He regained his sight and began following Jesus on the road.)
(James 2:14 – If people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing.)
(I Corinthians 1:30 – Everything that we have, right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start, comes for God by way of Jesus Christ.)

July 25 2010 How To Handle Life When It Comes Up Empty

How To Handle Life When It Comes Up Empty

(Mark 6:34-44 - When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five—and two fish." Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.)

When there is a need, sensed by a few, and each individual accepts his responsibility to do what he can with what he has, regardless of the odds, God works a miracle.

What Are The Four Steps To A Miracle?

I. Identify the problem

A) Verses 34-36 - When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat."

*Every miracle begins with: a problem

B) How do we identify the problem?

1. Decide what is causing discontent in your life

2. Decide what needs to be changed in your life

a) Matthew 20:32 - What do you want me to do for you?

II. We need to accept responsibility for our problem

A) Verse 35 - By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late."

1. John 6:6 - He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

2. Verse 37 - But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?"

How To Assume Responsibility

1. Don't procrastinate

a) Verse 35 - By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late.

b) Ephesians 5:16 - making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil

2. Don't "pass the buck"

a) Verse 36 - Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat."

3. Don't worry about it

a) Verse 37 - But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?"

III. Begin with what you have

A) Verse 38 - "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five—and two fish."

How Do We Begin?

1. Be available

a) A Lesson.

2. Give everything

a) 2 Corinthians 8:12 - For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

3. Give immediately

*Examples: David & Goliath - Elijah

IV. Expect a miracle

A) Verse 41 - Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.

1. Matthew 9:29 - Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"

How Do We Expect A Miracle?

1. You can't out-give God

a) Verse 43 - and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.

2. Faith knows God wants to work through us

3. God's resources are always adequate

a) Wedding feast.

You can handle the empty side of life.