March 26 & April 2 2017 The Kind Of Work God Blesses

THE KIND OF WORK GOD BLESSES

Prov. 22:29 "When you see people skilled in their work, you know that they will end up standing before kings, not working for ordinary people."

SEVEN KEYS TO SUCCEEDING AT WORK

1. Start working enthusiastically wherever I am.

Memory Verse: Eccl. 9:10 (NIV)"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."

Three Things To Remember

1. This is a test from God.

Luke 16:10-12(NIV)"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much... But if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?"

2. God is watching.

3. My attitude determines my joy.

Proverbs 12:24 (MSG) "The diligent find freedom in their work, while the lazy are oppressed by work"

Rom. 12:11 (NLT)"Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically."

2. Understand who I'm really working for.

Col. 3:23-24 (NLT)"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ."

I Cor. 10:31 (NIV)"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it allfor the glory of God."

3. Concentrate on building my character.

Rom. 5:3-4 (NLT)"We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, because we know that they are good for us- they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation."

Prov. 12:24 (CEV) Work hard, and you will be a leader; be lazy, and you will end up a slave.

4. Care about those I work with.

1 Cor. 16:14 (NLT)"Everything you do must be done with love."

Eph. 4:2 (TLB)"Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's ftiults because of your love. "

5. Exceed what is expected of me.

Col. 3:22 (MSG)"Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best."

Matt. 5:41 (NIV)"If someone demands you to go one mile, go with him two miles."

6. Expand my skills with continual learning.

Eccl. 10:10 (NIV)"If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success."

Prov.19:8 (TEV)"Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper."

7. Dedicate my work to be used for God's purposes.

Eph. 1:3 (TEV)"We are Christ's ambassadors; and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, 'Be reconciled to God! "

2 Cor. 5:20 (NLT)"Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world."

April 17 2016 Breaking Free From Debt

BREAKING FREE FROM DEBT

Proverbs 21:20 & Selected - When your outgo exceeds your income your upkeep will be your downfall.

Proverbs 21:20 (Living Bible) "The wise man saves for the future but the foolish man spends whatever he gets. "

(The Good News) "Stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.,,

Proverbs 27:20 (Good News) "Human desires are like the world of the dead - there is always room for more. "

1. Having more things will make me MORE HAPPY.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 "He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! The more you have, the more you spend... " 

Ecclesiastes 6:9 "It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else. " 

2. Having more things will make me MORE IMPORTANT

Luke 12:15 "Be on your guard against greed in any shape or form. For a man's real life in no way depends on the number of his possessions."

3. Having more things will make me MORE SECURE

Proverbs 11:28 "Those who depend on their wealth will fall like the leaves of autumn. " 

Proverbs 19:18 (Living Bible) "The rich man think of his wealth as an impregnable defense, a high wall of safety. What a dreamer!"

1 Timothy 6:9 "When we long to be rich we are a prey to temptation We get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge us into ruin. '

HOW DO YOU ENJOY LIFE MORE ON LESS?

1. I find my happiness in HELPING OTHERS.

Acts 20:35 "Jesus said, 'There's more happiness in giving than in receiving"'.

Matthew 5:6 "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God -will satisfy them fully. "

2. I find my self-worth in KNOWING GOD.

Isaiah 43:4 "God says, 'You are precious in my sight!"' 

Matthew 6:26""Your heavenly Father feeds the birds. Are you not more valuable then they?',

Romans 5:8 "The proof of God’s amazing love is this: while -we were sinners Christ died for us. .

3. I find my security in TRUSTING GOD.

Hebrews 13:5 (Good News) "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, I will never leave you nor abandon you. "

March 13 2016 The Word Of Victory

THE WORD OF VICTORY

John 19:30-37

Verse 30 – It is finished.

1. The Work of Christ as Prophet ended.

John 6:38 – I came down from Heaven, not to do my Own will but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 3:34 – My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me.

John 14:9 – He that hath seen Me has seen the Father.

Romans 5:8 – While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2. The Work of redemption was completed.

John 1:29 – Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

Several Things To Remember

• The suffering of Christ had ended.
• Separation was ended.
• The power of sin was broken.

Hebrews 10:24 – By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.

• His death satisfied the law.

Colossians 2:14 – He canceled the record that contained the charges against us.  He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross.

Romans 10:4 – Christ ended the law so that everyone who believes in Him may be right with God.

3. The Way to God was opened up.

Matthew 27:51 – At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God, one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 – I am confident of this one thing, He that hath begun a good work in you will bring it on to completion in the day of Christ.

February 28 2016 The Word Of Substitution

THE WORD OF SUBSTITUTION

Matthew 27:39-49

Verse 46 – My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

What does it Teach Us?

1. That God is Holy.

Revelation 4:5 – Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is and is to come.

Habakkuk 1:13 – Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, you cannot tolerate wrong.

2. The setting is loneliness.

Hebrews 2:18 – Because He himself suffered being made like His brothers in every way, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

Proverbs 18:24 – But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

3. The cross speaks about lostness.

Verse 46 – Why has Thou forsaken Me?

• Sin alienates.

Isaiah 59:2 – Your evil has separated you from your God and your sins have caused Him to turn away from you, so He does not hear you.

• Sin causes distress.

Psalm 38:4 – My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

• Sin condemns.

Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is death.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – He made Him, to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

4. The cross speaks about lessons for living.

Verse 46 – My God, My God.

Job 13:15 – Though He slay Me, yet I will trust in God.

Mark 16:7 – Go tell His disciples and Peter.

How Should We Respond

1. Turn from sin to Christ.

Romans 3:22 – We are mead right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.  And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.

2. Live in a state of gratitude.

Romans 5:11 – Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us, making us friends with God.

3. Remember what Christ has done when tempted.

1 Peter 1:18-19 – God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors, He paid for you the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

4. Tell others the good news.

February 21 2016 The Word Of Comfort

THE WORD OF COMFORT

John 19:25-27

Verse 26 – Dear woman here is your Son and to the disciple here is your Mother.

Isaiah 40:1 – Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

1. Comfort in suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:5 – For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort over flows.

Romans 5:5 – God has poured His love into our hearts by The Holy Spirit Whom He has given to us.

Philippians 2:5 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 4:1 – Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude He did.  You must be ready to suffer too.

Exodus 20:12 – Honor thy Father and thy Mother.

2. Comfort in sorrow.

Verse 26 – Here is your Son.

2 Timothy 4:9-10 – Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me.

John 14:16 – I will give you another counselor. (Comforter)

Luke 1:38 – I am the Lord’s servant; may it be to me as you have said.

3. Comfort in service.

Verse 27 – Here is your Mother.

Matthew 28:20 – And surely I will be with you always.

Romans 15:3 – Each of us should please his neighbor, for it’s good to build him up.

REMEMBER IF YOU ARE IN PAIN

• Jesus cares about your pain.
• Don’t handle pain alone.
• Find someone to help.
• Look up to Jesus.