February 14 2016 Daring To Commit

DARING TO COMMIT

Romans 6:13 (LB) "Give yourselves completely to God—every part of you—for you have been brought back to life, and you want to be tools in the hands of God, used for his good purposes."

FIVE COMMITMENTS

1. TO STRENGTHEN MY FAITH . . .

I MUST unite with others in worship

Isaiah 40:31 "Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

Psalm 100:2 (NLT) "Worship the Lord with gladness! Come before him, singing with joy!"

2. TO DISCOVER MY IDENTITY & PURPOSE . . .

I MUST connect with others in fellowship

Romans 12:4­5 (Mes)"We are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from Christ’s Body as a whole, not the other way around. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped­off finger or cut­off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we?"

Ephesians 2:16 (Mes) "Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility."

2 Corinthians 5:18­-19 (NIV) "Now God had reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...and the message of reconciliation."

3. TO DEVELOP MY POTENTIAL . . .

I MUST learn from others to grow

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)"Christ’s Body is fitted TOGETHER perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow . . ."

4. TO EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANCE . . .

I MUST serve with others in ministry

1 Peter 4:10 (NCV) "Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good Servants of God’s various gifts of grace."

Mark 8:35 (NLT) "If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life."

Ecclesiastes 4:9­-12 (NCV & LB) "Two people are always better than one, because they get more done by working TOGETHER. If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help. If two lie down TOGETHER, they can share the same blanket and stay warm, but a person alone will not be warm. An enemy might defeat one person, but two people TOGETHER can defend themselves. And a rope that is woven of three braids is hard to break."

WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER . . .

• WE maximize our impact (vs 9)
• WE minimize our failure (vs 10)
• WE mobilize our resources (vs 11)

Memory Verse: Matthew 25:40 (NIV) "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me."

5. TO MAKE AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE . . .

I MUST join with others on mission

Matthew 28:19­-20 (NIV)"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to do everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you . . ."

June 1 2014 Building Confidence In God's Presence

Building Confidence In God's Presence

Jeremiah 23:23 – I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth?

God’s Omnipresence God is everywhere.
It does not mean that God is everything.

Acts 17:28 – He is not far from us, for in Him we live and move and have our being.

Fact: God is always with me. I just need to recognize it.

How God’s Presence Brings Confidence To My Life

1. When I am lonely God’s presence is my companion.

Psalm 25:16 – Turn to me Lord and be merciful, because I am lonely.

Hebrews 13:5 – God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!”

John 14:5 – I call you friends.

Psalm 16:11 – (David) your presence fills me with joy.

Confidence Builder: God’s presence cheers me up.

2. When I am worried, God is my foundation.

Isaiah 43:2-3 – When you go through deep waters and great troubles, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you won’t drown! When you walk through the fires of oppression, you won’t be burned up.

Psalm 16:8-9 – I am always aware of the Lord’s presence. He is near, and nothing can shake me. I’m so thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure.

Confidence Builder: God’s presence calms me down.

Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

3. When I am tempted, God is my Counselor.

2 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Confidence Builder: God’s presence helps us maintain control.

Job 13:27 – You (God) keep a close watch on all my paths.

4. When I am discouraged, God is my comforter.

Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to those who are discouraged. He saves those who have lost hope.

(The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.)

Psalm 116:8-11 – The Lord stopped my tears and kept me from defeat. So I walk in the presence of the Lord. I kept on believing, even when I said, I’m completely crushed and even when I was afraid and said, no one can be trusted.

Confidence Builder: God’s presence sees me through.

How to Practice God’s Presence:

Revelation 3:20 Invite Jesus into your life.

Psalm 46:10 Be quiet.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Talk to God about everything.

Psalm 100:4 Develop the habit of praise.

September 22 2013 The Art Of Gratefulness

THE ART OF GRATEFULNESS

Luke 17:11-19

FOUR TRUTHS ABOUT GRATEFULNESS FROM LUKE 17

1. It’s easy to forget about God during the good times. (v. 17)

2. God blesses the grateful and the ungrateful alike. (v. 14)

3. It matters to Jesus whether or not I say Thank You. (vv.17-18)

4. Grateful words reflect greater faith. (v. 19)

FOUR STEPS TO DEVELOPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

1. PRAISE God first thing in the morning

Psalm 59:16 ““But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love.”

2. REMOVE all complaints from my life.

Memory Verse: “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing.” Philippians 2:14

3. SAY thank you to those who bless me. 

Luke 17:15-16 ““One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!" fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done.”

4. ENJOY today as if I were on vacation

Ecclesiastes 3:22 “There is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why they are here! No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future.”

Psalm 100 (A Psalm of Thanksgiving) Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”

November 20 2011 The Art Of Gratefulness

The Art Of Gratefulness

Luke 17:11-19 “As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, ‘‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ He looked at them and said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, their leprosy disappeared. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God, I'm healed!’ fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?’ And Jesus said to the man, ‘Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well.’”

Four Truths About Gratefulness From Luke 17

1. It’s easy to forget about God during the good times. (v. 17)

2. God blesses the grateful and the ungrateful alike. (v. 14)

3. It matters to Jesus whether or not I say Thank You. (vv.17-18)

4. Grateful words reflect greater faith. (v. 19)

Four Steps To Developing An Attitude of Gratitude

1. PRAISE God first thing in the morning
(Psalm 59:16 ““But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love.”) 

2. REMOVE all complaints from my life.

3. SAY thank you to those who bless me
(Luke 17:15-16““One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!" fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done.”) 

4. ENJOY today as if I were on vacation
(Ecclesiastes 3:22“There is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why they are here! No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future.”)
(Psalm 100““(A Psalm of Thanksgiving) Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”)

November 20 2011 The Art Of Gratefulness

The Art Of Gratefulness

Luke 17:11-19 “As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, ‘‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ He looked at them and said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, their leprosy disappeared. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God, I'm healed!’ fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?’ And Jesus said to the man, ‘Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well.’”

Four Truths About Gratefulness From Luke 17

1. It’s easy to forget about God during the good times. (v. 17)

2. God blesses the grateful and the ungrateful alike. (v. 14)

3. It matters to Jesus whether or not I say Thank You. (vv.17-18)

4. Grateful words reflect greater faith. (v. 19)

Four Steps To Developing An Attitude of Gratitude

1. PRAISE God first thing in the morning
(Psalm 59:16 ““But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love.”) 

2. REMOVE all complaints from my life.

3. SAY thank you to those who bless me
(Luke 17:15-16““One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!" fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done.”) 

4. ENJOY today as if I were on vacation
(Ecclesiastes 3:22“There is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why they are here! No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future.”)
(Psalm 100““(A Psalm of Thanksgiving) Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”)