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 15 2015 The Prayer Of Fulfillment

THE PRAYER OF FULFILLMENT

Matthew 6:13 – For thine is the Kingdom and the power, and the glory forever.

God’s Kingdom is His plan.

God’s Power is His program.

God’s Glory is His purpose.

Romans 11:36 – Everything comes from God alone.  Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.

REAL FULFILLMENT COMES THROUGH

1. Living in God’s Kingdom.

1 Thessalonians 2:1 - You should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into His Kingdom and glory.

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.

First in your finances.
Interest
Relationships
Schedule
Troubles

2. Live by God’s power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 – For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God’s power.

Ephesians 3:20 – By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.

BY praying.

BY taking a risk.

BY not giving up.

3. Live for God’s glory.

Romans 6:10-11 – Jesus died to defeat sin and now He lives for the glory of God.  So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.

HOW:

  • Show love to everybody.

Romans 15:7 – Warmly welcome each other into the Church, just as Christ has warmly welcome you; then God will be glorified. 

  • Use your abilities to serve everybody.

1 Peter 4:10-11 – God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other so that God will be glorified.

  • Share the good news about Jesus with everyone.

2 Corinthians 4:15 – As God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ.  God will receive more and more glory!

  • You should join the Church.

Ephesians 3:21 – To God be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen

November 1 2015 Surviving My Schedule

Surviving My Schedule

Wiser- Part 3 

The book of Proverbs gives three keys to reducing the stress of my schedule:

1. Line up MY PRIORITIES

Proverbs 17:24 (GN)"An intelligent person aims at wise actions, but a fool starts off in many 

Proverbs 12:11 (GN) It is stupid to waste time on useless projects."

Proverbs 16:9 (GN) "We should make plans, counting on God to direct its.  "

How clear are my priorities? 

2.  Lighten up MY ATTITUDE

Proverbs 12:25 (Ber) "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down. 

Proverbs 14:30 (LB)   "A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life. 

Proverbs 17:22 (GN) "Being cheerful keeps you healthy.  It is a slow death to be gloomy all the 

How positive is my attitude? 

3. Lookup TO GOD

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

Proverbs 14:26 (LB) "Reverence for God gives a man deep strength.  "

Proverbs 3:5-6 (LB) "Trust the Lord completely... in everything you do, put God and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.  "

How deep is my relationship to God?

Jesus: "What will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  Mark 8:3 7

September 13 2015 Game On

Game on

Memory Verse: “Jesus prayed to the Father: ‘In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.’” - John 17:18

BEFORE I ASK GOD TO USE ME, I MUST:

1. PURIFY MY Heart.
“Joshua told the people, ‘Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.’” - Joshua 3:5

2. DEDICATE MY Body.
“Athletes practice discipline and self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” - 1 Corinthians 9:25

3. SIMPLIFY MY Schedule.
“As Christ’s soldier, don’t let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army.” - 2 Timothy 2:4

4. FORTIFY MY Faith.
“Strengthen yourselves so that you will live here on earth doing what God wants, not evil things people want.” - 1 Peter 4:1-2

HOW DOES GOD WANT TO USE ME?

  • IN MY Family.

“But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve...But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:15

  • IN MY Church.

“Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” - Ephesians 4:16

  • IN MY Work.

“In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.” - Colossians 3:23

  • IN MY Entire World.

(Jesus) ““But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” - Acts 1:8

  • FOR HIS Glory.

“So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.” - Romans 6:11

MY PRAYER FOR GOD TO USE ME: “Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send…? Who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘‘Lord, I’ll go! Send me.’” - Isaiah 6:8

October 19 2014 Establishing Stability

Establishing Stability

Psalm 127:2 – It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning ‘til late at night, God wants His loved ones to get their proper rest.

1. BUILD MY LIFE AROUND CHRIST.

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.

2. ACCEPT MY HUMANITY.

Ecclesiates 10:15 – Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work.

Psalm 119:73 – You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws.

3. LIMIT MY LABOR.

Exodus 20:9 – You have six days in which to do your work, but the 7th day is to be a day of rest dedicated to Me.

Sabbath means: day of rest,

4. ADJUST MY VALUES.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 – I’ve learned why people work so hard to succeed; it’s because they envy the things their neighbors have.

Mark 8:36 – What good is it for man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Ecclesiastes 4:6 – It is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time.

5. NOURISH MY INNER LIFE.

Song of Solomon 1:6 – I had no time for myself.

Psalm 119:16 – I will not neglect your Word.

Luke 5:15 & 16 – Jesus often slipped away to be alone so He could pray.

6. COMMIT MY SCHEDULE TO GOD.

Psalm 31:15b – My times are in your hands.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – There is a time and a season for everything under Heaven.

7. ENJOY EACH MOMENT.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 – All of us should enjoy what we have worked for. It’s God’s gift.

Proverbs 14:30 – A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life.

Matthew 11:28 & 29 – Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest, the load I give you to carry is light.