October 4 2015 The Prayer Of Surrender

THE PRAYER OF SURRENDER

Matthew 6:10 – Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

SOURCES OF STRESS:

• Uncontrollable circumstances.
• Uncooperative people.
• Unexplainable pain.

God’s Kingdom is Wherever Jesus is King.

Surrendering to Jesus means:

1. Letting go of control.

Psalm 46:10 –Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

The Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time accepting hardship as a pathway to peace taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to your will so that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with You forever in the next.  Amen. (Reinhold Niebuhr)

Romans 8:6 – The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

2. Learning to be content.

Philippians 4:11-13 – I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens.  I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens.  I can do all things through Christ because he gives me strength.

Psalm 37:7a – Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.

3. Laying down my plans.

1 John 3:16 – This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Romans 6:13 – Give yourselves to God.  Surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes.

Matthew 6:33 – God will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

4. Leave the future to God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.

Psalm 37:18-19 – The Lord takes care of those who obey Him, and gives them eternal rewards that last forever.  They will survive through hard times and will have more than enough even in a time of famine.

Luke 14:33 – Jesus said, “You must give up everything you have to be My follower”.

Mark 10:29-30 – But let Me assure you that no one has ever given up anything for love of Me and to tell others the Good News, who won’t be given back, a hundred times over, and in the world to come he shall have eternal life.

March 1 2015 Thirty Days To A No Regrets Life part 2

Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life (Part 2)

Mark 12:30 (Msg)"So love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy."

Romans 12:11 (NIV)"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

1. DO SOMETHING DRASTIC

Luke 5:18-20; 24-26 (NIV)"Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven... But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins... He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. 'Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, 'We have seen remarkable things today.'"

The Clarifying Question: "If you knew you had one month to live, how would you live your life?"

Realize what's important

Remove the obstacles

2. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Luke 5:20 (NIV)"When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.

3. CREATE GOD SPACE

Luke 5:19b (NIV)"... into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus."

Mark 1 :35-38a (NIV)"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: 'Everyone is looking for You!' Jesus replied, 'Let us go somewhere else.

Proverbs 10:27 (LB)"Reverence for God adds hours to each day”

4. KEEP A CONSTANT REMINDER

Luke 5:24b (NIV)"... He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.'''

Luke 5:25 (NIV)"Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

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.

March 2 2014 How To Experience Peaceful Living

How To Experience Peaceful Living 

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Proverbs 14:30 – A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Three Kinds Of Peace:

1. Spiritual peace.

Romans 5:1 – Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Emotional peace.

Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since you were called to peace.

3. With people around us.

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

God’s Promise: John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Five Keys To God’s Peace:

1. Obey God’s principles.

Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have they who love your law.

2. Accept God’s pardon.

Micah 7:18 – Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression

I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.

3. Focus on God’s presence.

Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast.

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

• Be still.
• Realize that God is God.

Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.

Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4. Trust God’s purpose.

Proverbs 35:6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

• Trust.
• Acknowledge.

Philippians 4: 12, 13 – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed, or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

5. Ask for peace.

Philippians 4:6,7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your request to God, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 8:14 – The seen that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries.

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.