May 5 2013 How To Replace Discouragement With Joy

How To Replace Discouragement With Joy
Psalm 43:4 - I will go to God, the source of all my joy.

6 Ways To Conquer Discouragement

1.  Set aside all regrets.
Philippians 3:13 b - One thing I do is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead.

Isaiah 43:18-19 - Forget what happened in the past and don’t dwell on the events from long ago because I’m going to do something new.

2.  Stop all worries about the future.
Philippians 4:6 - Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.

3.  Surrender yourself to God’s purpose.
Philippians 1:21 - For me to live is Christ.

2 Timothy 1:3 - My only purpose in life is to please Him.

Romans 6:13 - Give yourself completely to God, every part of you to be tools in the hands of God to be used for His good purpose.

4.  Focus on what’s good.
Philippians4:8 - Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable and right.  Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

5.  Use your life to help others.
Philippians 4:1 - Dear brothers and sisters, I love you and I long to see you, for you are my joy and the reward of my work.

Philippians 3:21-24 - For me, living means opportunity for Christ, and dying, well, that’s better yet!  But, if living will give me more opportunities to win people to Christ, then I really don’t know which is better, to live or die, sometimes I want to live and at other times I don’t, for I long to go and be with Christ.  How much happier for me then living here, but the fact is, that I can be of more help to you by staying.

6.  Learn to be content.
Philippians 4:11 - I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.

2 Corinthians 11:23 - I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely and been exposed to death again and again.

June 10 2012 Healing For Hurting Parents

Healing For Hurting Parents

Luke 15:11-24

Jesus' beautiful story of the Prodigal Son is more than a lesson about God's love. It also illustrates some powerful principles for parenting. We see 3 stages in this parent-child conflict.

STAGE ONE: REBELLION (verses 11-16)

"... give me..."

What to do:

1. Let them go.
"... the younger son... set off for a distant country..."

2. Let them make their own mistakes.
"... and there squandered his wealth in wild living..."

3. Let them suffer the consequences of their choices.
"... after he spent everything... he began to be in need"

STAGE TWO: RE-EVALUATION & REGRET
(vs. 17-19)

"When he came to his senses... I will go back..."

What to do:

* You Pray.

* Commit them to God.

* Wait Patiently.

STAGE THREE: THE RETURN (vs. 20-24)

What to do: 

1. Love them faithfully
"... his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him..." 

2. Accept them unconditionally.
"... he threw his arms around him and kissed him."

THE SON'S CONFESSION: (Vs 21)

3. Forgive them completely.
"Bring the best robe... put a ring on his finger... and sandals on his feet."

"For this son of mine was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found!