October 18 2015 Wise Up

Wise Up!

Proverbs 4:7-8 (GN) "Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight! Love wisdom and she will make you great!

1. What is it?
Wisdom: Seeing and responding to life from GOD’S PERSPECTIVE

Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death. 

2. What will it do for me?
 
Proverbs 3:14-18 (NCV) Wisdom is worth more than silver; it brings more profit than gold.  Wisdom is more precious than rubies;  nothing you could want is equal to it. With her right hand wisdom offers you a long life,  and with her left hand she gives you riches and honor.  Wisdom will make your life pleasant and will bring you peace. As a tree produces fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it,  and everyone who uses it will be happy.

Six Benefits

1. LONGER LIFE
2. WEALTH
3. HONOR
4. PLEASURE
5. SECURITY
6. HAPPINESS

3. How can I get it?

• READ GOD’S WORD

Proverbs 1:2 (LB) "(Solomon) wrote these Proverbs to teach his people how to live - how to act in every circumstance. "

Proverbs 1:3 (GN) "They can teach you how to live intelligently  

• DO WHAT IT SAYS

Proverbs 7:1-2 (GN)  Never forget what I tell you to do. Do what I say  and you will live.  Be careful to follow it. . . "

• GET TO KNOW GOD

Proverbs 1:7 (LB)"How does a person become wise? Ae first step is to trust and revere the Lord "

Proverbs 9:10 (LB)"For the reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom.  Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding.  

Make Wisdom a Life Goal!

January 4 2015 Getting Unstuck In My Faith

GETTING UNSTUCK IN MY FAITH

PETER’S STORY OF GETTING UNSTUCK
John 13:38; 18:25-27; 21:1-19

“And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” – Romans 6:4

HOW TO GET UNSTUCK IN MY FAITH
( 3 LESSONS FROM PETER’S STORY )
JOHN 21:1-12

1.  Admit THAT I AM Stuck.

“Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee.  This is how it happened.  Several of the disciples were there - Simon Peter, Thomas. . . .  Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ ‘We’ll come, too,’ they all said.  So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.” – John 21:1-3

“When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.” – James 4:10

2.  BE Open  TO God’s Voice.

“At dawn the disciples saw Jesus standing on the beach, but they couldn’t see who he was.  He called out, ‘Friends, have you caught any fish?’’  ‘No,’ they replied.  Then he said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of fish!’  So they did, and they couldn’t draw in the net because there were so many fish in it.” – John 21:4-6

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”” – Proverbs 14:12

“‘My thoughts are completely different from yours,’’ says the LORD.  ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’” – Isaiah 55:8

3.  Commit TO God’s Plan.

“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’  When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and swam ashore.  The others stayed with the boat. . . . When they  got there, they saw that a charcoal fire was burning and fish were frying over it, and there was bread. . . .  ‘Now come and have some breakfast!’ Jesus said.” – John 21:7-12

“‘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

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

Unstuck is simply moving forward in my life because I’m willing to give God

Memory Verse: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?  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 know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” – Romans 12:1-2

February 23 2014 How The Bible Changes Us

How The Bible Changes Us 

Psalm 33:6 “The Lord merely spoke and the heavens were created. He breathed the word and all the stars were born.”

John 6:63 “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”

The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge; the Bible was given to change our lives. -D.L. Moody

SIX WAYS GOD WANTS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE WITH IS WORD.

1. God’s Word recreates my life.

James 1:18 “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth…

1 Peter 1:23 “You have been born, again not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.”

2. God’s Word eradicates my guilt.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins to God he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Romans 8:1 that says “There is now no condemnation no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 5:25-26 “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.”

3. God’s Word activates my faith.

Romans 10:17, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” 2

Exodus 23:29-30

4. God’s Word stimulates my growth.

Acts 20:32 “I commit you to God and to the Word of his grace,which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17“All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

5. God’s Word elevates my mood.

Romans 15:4 “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

6. God’s Word liberates my potential.

John 8:31-32 “If you continue in my Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!”

HOW DO I GAIN THESE BENEFITS?

1. I’ve got to learn it.

Mark 12:24 “Your trouble is that you don’t know the Scriptures…”

Proverbs 14:12 “There’s a way that seems right to men but it always ends in death.”

2. I have to accept it.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “When you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, – the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”

3. I have to act on it.

John 13:17 “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” 3

Memory Verse: Psalm 119:18. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

August 11 2013 Beyond GPS: Learning To Trust

LEARNING TO TRUST
 

Memory Verse: James 1:5“If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.”

HOW TO TRUST GOD WHEN HE SPEAKS:

1. Confirm the it truly is God's voice

Proverbs 14:12“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

Proverbs 12:28“The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.” 

How God Speaks:

• Through the Bible (primary)
• Through His Holy Spirit
• Through Prayer
• Through Other Christians
• Through Circumstances

John 10:27(Jesus) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

2. Remember God's faithfulness in my past

Deuteronomy 7:18“But don't be afraid of them! Just remember what the LORD your God did . . .”

Psalms 143:5“I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works. I think about what you have done.”

3. Take a step forward in faith

Hebrews 11:6“So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Hebrews13:20-21“Now may the God of peace—equip you with all you need for doing his will.”

Take a Step . . .Evaluate . . . Retreat or Repeat

4. Stay focused on your relationship with God...not the end result

James 4:8“Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.”

Isaiah 26:3-4“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: "The Best Question Ever" By Andy Stanley