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

December 20 2015 Revealing The Purpose Of Christmas

REVEALING THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:10 – I bring you good news of great joy.

Five Wonderful Purposes of Christmas:

1. God reaches out to every person.

Verses 8-9- And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them.

Job 36:7 – He does not take His eye off the righteous.

Isaiah 64:8 – We are all the work of God’s hand.

2. God releases your fears.

Verses 10-11 – Do not be afraid, A Saviour has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.

Examples:

• Storm tossed sea Matthew 14:27
• At His resurrection Matthew 28:10
• At the last supper John 14:27

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

John 16:33 – But take heart, I have overcome the world.

Matthew 6:33 – Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all those things will be given to you as well.

3. God recovers your lost condition.
Verse 11 – A Saviour has been born to you.

Luke 19:10 – Jesus said, for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

Matthew 20:28 – I did not come into the world to be served, but to serve and give My live a ransom for many.

John 12:47 – I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.

4. God reproduces His life in you.
Verse 14 – Peace to men on whom His favor rest.

John 10:10 – Jesus said, I have come that you might have life and have it to the fullest.

2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

5. God needs your response.

Verses 16-17 – So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a manger.  When they had seen Him they spread the word.

John 6:47 – I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

June 29 2014 Confidence In The Storm

Confidence In The Storm

Three kinds of crises or storms:

1. Storms we bring on ourselves.

2. Storms that God allows to come our way.

3. Storms that other people cause.

Three responses to remember:

1. Trouble comes when we listen to the wrong people.

Verse 11 – But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot of the owner of the ship.

Proverbs 21:16 – A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.

2. Trouble comes listening to the popular crowd.

Verse 12 – The majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there.

Proverbs 18:24 – A man of many companions may come to ruin.

3. Trouble comes by relying on wrong circumstances.

Verse 13 – When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted.

Responses that are wrong in the storm:

1. We are tempted to drift.

Verse 17 – The sailors let the ship be driven along.

2. We start discarding important things.

Verse 18-19 – We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.

Verse 43-44:

3. We’re tempted to give up hope.

Verse 20 – When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

Responses that bring confidence in the storm:

Verse 29 – Fearing that we should be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.

Psalm 125:1 – He who puts his trust in God is immovable like mount Zion.

1. You need to stand in the presence of God.

Verse 23 – Last night an angel of the God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me.

Hebrews 13:5 – Never will I forsake you.

Matthew 28:28 – Surely I will be with you.

2. You can depend on God’s purpose.

Verse 24 – Do not be afraid Paul, you must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.

3. God’s promise can become an anchor of confidence.

Verse 25 – Keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me.

4. Learn to pray for daylight.

Verse 29 – Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.

Abraham: DAYLIGHT WILL COME!

April 15 2012 Six Ways To Grow A Healthy Family

Six Ways To Grow A Healthy Family

1. (F) Fun

Ecclesiastes 9:9 - Enjoy life with your wife.

Proverbs 5:13 - Be happy with your wife and find joy with the girl you married.

Psalm 127:3 - Children are a gift from God.

2. (A) Attention

Philippians 2:2-4 - When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide.  Be humble and give more honor to     others than yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.

Philippians 2:5-7 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.

Romans 12:10 - Love one another, out do one another in     showing honor.

3. (M) Ministry


1 Corinthians 16:15 - Stephanas and his family were the first to become Christians in Greece, and they are spending their lives helping and serving Christians everywhere.

Acts 16:33 - The whole family was filled with joy because they had come to believe God.

Romans 12:13 - When God’s children are in need, help them out.  Get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner, of if they need lodging for the night.

4. (I) Insulate the members from the storms of life

Proverbs 14:26 - Reverencefor the Lord gives a man deep strength, his children have a place of refuge and security.

3 Kinds Of Storms

1. Change.

2. Failure.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - Two are better than one, if one of them falls down the other can help him up, but if someone is alone and falls, it’s just too bad because there is no one to help him

3. Rejection

5. (L) Learning Center

Psalm 14:12 - May our sons, in their youth, be like plants that grow.

Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers, don’t exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the     Lord.

Luke 2:52 - Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with man.

Isaiah 38:19 - One generation makes known your faithfulness to the next.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - These commandments impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

6. (Y) Yield to God

Joshua 24:25 - Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of your forefathers or the gods of the Amorites, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Philippians 4:8 - Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and dwell on the fine, good things in others.

June 26 2011 When You Feel You're Sinking

When You Feel You're Sinking

Matt. 14:22-32
Verse 30 -But when he saw he wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, Lord save me.

LESSONS FROM JESUS WHEN I'M SINKING

1. Storms come to God's best people.

Verse 22 – Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side.

2. The Lord of the storm is praying.

Verse 23 – He went up into the hills by Himself to pray.

John 17:9 – I pray for them.

3. He is watching.

Verse 24 – The boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves.

Matt. 10:30 – Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

4. He will also come to us. 

Verse 25 – During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

5. He will help us.

Verse 32 – When He climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

Heb. 13:5 – Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.

John 14:1 – Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I'M SINKING

1. Have courage.

Mark 6:50 – Jesus said to them, take courage, it is I, don't be afraid.

2. Take a risk in Faith.

Verse 28-29 – Lord, if it is You , Peter replied, tell me to come to You on the water. Come, Jesus said. So Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came to Jesus.

3. Stay focused on Jesus.

Verse 30 – But when Peter looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. Save me Lord, he shouted.

4. Don't doubt.

Verse 31 – Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. You of little faith He said, why did you doubt?