September 18 2016 How To Manage Life's Crises

HOW TO MANAGE LIFE’S CRISES

How Do We Manage Life’s Crises?

I. Remember the variety of crises or storms we may face.

A. Crises can be of a situational nature.

Proverbs 1:27 – When calamity overtakes you like a storm.

B. Crises can be relational.

Psalm 102:7-9 – I have become like a bird alone on a house top, I lie awake all day long, my enemies taunt me, those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

C. Crises might be emotional.

Job 30:22 – You snatch me up and drive me before the wind, you toss me about in the storm.

II. Know the facts about crises or storms.

A. Storms are inevitable.

James 1:2 – When you face trials.

B. Crises are unpredictable.

Without warning a furious storm came up.

C. Crises are impartial.

Matthew 5:45 – He sent rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

III. There are two possible reactions.

A. I can be filled with panic.

Verse 25 – The disciples went and woke Him saying, “Lord save us, we’re going to drown.”

B. I can be filled with peace.

Verse 24b – But Jesus was sleeping.

IV. Let’s look at how to manage the crisis.

A. Remember God’s closeness.

1. Verse 23 – Then He (Jesus) got into the boat and His disciples followed Him.

2. Isaiah 43:1-2 – Fear not, for I have redeemed you.  I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

LESSON #1 – When you’re in the crises, remember Jesus is with you.

B. Relax in God’s care.

1. Mark 4:38 – The disciples said to Him, “Teacher don’t you care if we drown?”

LESSON #2 – God cares about what you’re going through.

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

C. Rely on God’s control.

1. Mark 4:39 – Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Be quiet! Be Still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
 
LESSON #3 – God is in control; you don’t have to be.

2. Jeremiah 32:17 – Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arms.  Nothing is too hard for you.

YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR CRISES

June 28 2015 Making Freedom Last

MAKING FREEDOM LAST

Luke 8:39 - Return home and tell how much God has done for you.

FOUR WAYS TO MAKE FREEDOM LAST

I. Stop thinking your present position cannot be changed.                                

A) Verse 27 - For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tomb.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR THINKING

1.  Stop listening to the voice of the past.

Philippians 3:13 - Forgetting those things which are behind.

2. Decide to break out of the rut.

Philippians 3:13 & 14 - Strain towards what is     ahead and press on toward the goal.

EXAMPLES

Peter - Matthew 26:75

Samson

II. Start to understand your personal value.

A)  Verse 30 - Jesus asked him what is your name?

HOW TO SEE PERSONAL VALUE

1.  Listen to what God says.

Matthew 10:30-31 - The hairs of your head are all numbered.  You are worth more than many sparrows.

2.  Listen to your friends.

Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times.

III. Step into the power of Christ.

A)  Verse 28 - When he saw Jesus, he cried and fell at His feet.

Verse 30 - My name is Legion.

HOW TO STEP INTO POWER

1.  Confess our need.

1 John 1:9

2. Surrender to the authority of Christ.

Romans 12:1 & 2

IV. Shoulder the price of permanent change.

A)  Verse 39 - Jesus sent him away saying, return home and tell how much God has done for you, so the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

HOW TO MAINTAIN THE NEW POSITION

1.  Replace old habits with new ones that help.

Romans 12:21 - Overcome evil with good.

2.  Let discomfort become part of your life.

Nehemiah

3. Double up.

Hebrews 10:25 - Let us consider and give attentive courteous care to watching over each other, studying how we may stimulate each other to helpful deed and noble activities.

4. Determination.

5. Depend on God.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit that God has given us fills us with power, love and self-control.

Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve His purpose.

July 11 2010 Handling Life's Pressures

Handling Life's Pressures

(John 2:1-11 - On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drinkbut you have saved the best till now." This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.)

Without Mary's faith, the compassion and power of God would never have been released into people's lives.

The Steps of Faith

1. Understand the situation
(Verse 3 - When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine.")

This is not reality, that our best attempts have not led to God, but to lives where the wine of living has run out.

2. Understand the solution
(Verse 5 - His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you.")

You can go to Jesus with the confidence that His life will always be enough for you.

3. Notice the sufficiency of Christ
(verses 6 & 7 - Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.)

Lesson - No matter how deeply you draw on Jesus for power to live, you cannot
*Paul
*Peter
*Stephen

4.Enjoy great satisfaction
(Verse 10 - "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.")

God can be found. He is the resting place you need.