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)

November 22 2015 Cultivating My Friendships

CULTIVATING MY FRIENDSHIPS

Wiser- Part 6

Proverbs 27:19 (LB) "A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.  "

SIX MARKS OF A REAL FRIEND

1. I must be COMMITTED

Proverbs 18:24"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."            

Proverbs 18:24 (GN)"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.  "

2. I must be CONSIDERATE

Proverbs 19:22 (LB) "Kindness makes a man attractive. 

Proverbs 17:9 (LB)  "Love forgets mistakes.  Nagging about them parts the best of friends.  "

3. I must be CONFIDENTIAL

Proverbs 11:13 "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.  "

4. I must be CANDID        

Proverbs 27:5-6 "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds  from a friend can be trusted "

Proverbs 24:26 (GN) An honest answer is the sign of a true  friendship.  "

5. I must be CONSTRUCTIVE

Proverbs 27:17 (Knox)"As iron sharpens iron, friend shapes friend    

1 Thessalonians 5:11

6. I must be CONSISTENT

Proverbs 17:17  "A friend loves at ALL times, and a brother is born for adversity. 

Romans 5:11 (LB)"Now we can rejoice in our wonderful relationship with God  all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done in dying for our sins - making us friends with God!"

December 20 2012 How To Set Your Priorities

HOW TO SET YOUR PRIORITIES
Exodus 20:1-3

Just as a new mower comes equipped with an owner’s manual, explaining how to get maximum performance with minimum wear and tear, God has given us the Ten Commandments as instructions for life as it’s meant to be.

I. Why God gave us the Ten Commandments.
God’s motive: He Loves Us.

II. Step #1 to the Better life
Verse 3 - You shall have no other gods before me.

1. The principle God must have First place.

Definition of a “god.” Anything that has first place In your life.

Key to freedom: Choosing the best Master.

2. The promise He’ll take care of you.

Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

3. The procedure Give our whole life to God.
How do I make God the #1 priority of my life?

F. First in our Finances.
Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your bats will brim over with new wine.
1 Corinthians 16:2 - The purpose of tithing is to teach you to put God first in your lives.

I. First in your Interest.
1 Corinthians 10:31 - So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

R. First in our Relationships.
Proverbs 27:19 - What a man is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.

Joshua 24:15 - As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

S. First in your Schedule.
Psalm 55:17 - I will pray morning, noon, and night and He will hear and answer me.

Mark 1:35 - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went off to a solitary place where He prayed.

T. First in your Troubles.
Psalm 50:15 - Call upon me in your day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will honor Me.

Colossians 1:18 - (Christ) was raised from death in order that He alone might have first place in all things.