April 19 2015 When You Feel Like You're Stuck

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE STUCK

Psalm 145:14 – God gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.

Mark 10:46 – Sitting beside the road.

Mark 10:52 – Following Jesus on the road.

HOW DO I GET UNSTUCK

SEIZE the moment when it comes.

Mark 10:46 – As Jesus and His disciples left town, a great crowd was following.  A blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road as Jesus was going by.  When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout out, “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Luke 9:62 – Jesus said, “No procrastination.  No backward looks.  You can’t put God’s Kingdom off till tomorrow.  Seize the day.”

TAME your fears.

Mark 10:48 – Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet.  But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

John 6:37 – I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.

Proverbs 29:25 – The rear of human opinion disables you, trusting in God protects you from that.

ANNOUNCE your faith.

Mark 10:51 – Jesus asked him “What do you want me to do for you?”  The blind man answered, “Teacher, I want to see.”

Galatians 3:27 – Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start.  It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe, Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.

RECEIVE God’s grace.

Mark 10:52a – Jesus said to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.”  And immediately he gained his sight.

Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

TAKE the next step.

Mark 10 52b – He regained his sight and began following Jesus on the road.

James 2:14 – If people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing.

1 Corinthians 1:30 – Everything that we have, right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start, comes from God by way of Jesus Christ

February 15 2015 Getting Unstuck In My Future

Getting Unstuck In My Future

FOUR APPROACHES TO MY FUTURE THAT LEAD TO BEING STUCK:

• WORRY
• ASSUMPTIONS
• PLANNING WITHOUT PRAYER
• PROCRASTINATING

Definition of UnStuck: Moving forward in my life because I am willing to give God complete control.

HOW TO GET UNSTUCK IN MY FUTURE:

1. RECOGNIZE THAT I AM STUCK.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” – 1 John 1:9

“...We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.” – 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

2. REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN MY PAST.

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you...” I will put my hope in God! – Psalm 42:5-6

“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” – Deuteronomy 7:9

3. REFOCUS MY MIND ON THE HOPE OF HEAVEN.

““Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” – Colossians 3:2

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Philippians 4:8

4. RESPOND OBEDIENTLY TO GOD’’S DIRECTION.

““The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.

But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:12

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”” – Matthew 6:33

5. REPLACE MY THOUGHTS WITH GOD’S THOUGHTS.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” – Romans 12:1-2

Memory Verse: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’’” – Jeremiah 29:11