January 29 2017 The Life God Blesses

THE LIFE GOD BLESSES

Decade of Destiny - Part 3

FOUR PITFALLS ON YOUR JOURNEY

1. Cultural Distractions.

2. Voices of Doubt

3. Tempting Shortcuts.

4. Discouraging Delays

LESSONS FROM NOAH: GENESIS 6-9

1. I must dare to be different from my culture.

Genesis 6:12 (NLT)"God observed all the corruption in the world, and he saw violence and depravity everywhere. "

Genesis 6:5-6 (LB)'When God saw the extent of human wickedness, and that the trend and direction of men's lives were only towards evil, he was sorry he had made them. It broke his heart"

Genesis 6:8 (MSG)"But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah."(LB) "Noah was a pleasure to the Lord"

Genesis 6:9a (LB)"Noah was the only truly righteous man living on the earth at that time.

2. I must listen to the voice of God, not the voices of doubt.

Hebrews 11:7a (NCV)"It was by faith that Noah heard God's warnings about things he could not yet see."

Hebrews 11:7b (LB)"Noah's belief in God was in direct contrast to the disbelief of tile rest of the world..."

Genesis 6:9c (NIV)"Noah walked with God."

3. I must do exactly as God tells me to do.

Genesis 6:9b (LB) "Noah always tried to conduct his affiuirs according to God's will."

Genesis 6:22 & 7:5 (NLT) "Noah did eveiy!hing exactly as God had commanded him."

Hebrews 11:7b (NCV)"Noah obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family."

4. I must refuse to give up on the dream God gives me.

Hebrews 11 :7a (LB)"Noah trusted God. When he heard God's warning about the future, Noah believed him even though there was no sign of a flood..."

Hebrews 11 :7b (NCV)'...By his flu/h, Noah showed that the world was wrong, and he became one of those who are made right with God through flu/h."

Genesis 6:8 (KJV)"Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."

Memory Verse: 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB) "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

September 4 2016 Affair-Proofing Your Marriage

Affair Proofing Your Marriage

Memory Verse: Exodus 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery."

How to Affair Proof Your Marriage

1. MAKE A COMMITMENT TO GOD'S STANDARDS

Psalm 119:9 "How can a (person) keep his way pure? By living according to your Word."

Proverbs 5:15 (GN) "Be faithful to your own wife and give your love to her alone."

2. MAGNIFY THE CONSEQUENCES

Proverbs 6:32 (GN)"The one who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys his own soul."

3. MAINTAIN MY MARRIAGE

1 Corinthians 7:3 (GN)" A man should fulfill his duty as a husband and a woman should fulfill her duty as a wife, and each should satisfy the other's needs."

The top five needs of most men are:

1. Sexual fulfillment
2. Recreational companionship
3. An attractive spouse
4. Domestic support
5. Admiration

The top five needs of most women are:

1. Affection
2. Conversation
3. Honesty and openness
4. Financial support
5. Family commitment

1 Corinthians 7:5 (Ph)"Do not cheat each other of normal sexual intercourse ... or you will expose yourselves to the obvious temptation of Satan."

4. MANAGE MY MIND

How Affairs Develop

1. Accepting sinful thoughts in my mind
2. Emotional, non-physical involvement
3. Physical involvement
4. Rationalizing the affair

James 1:14-15 (LB) "Temptation is the pull of a person's own evil thoughts and wishes. These evil thoughts lead to evil actions and afterwards to death."

2 Timothy 2:22 (Ph)"Turn your back on lustful desires and give your positive attention to goodness, integrity, love, and peace..."

Romans 16:19 "I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about evil."

5. MAINTAIN PROPER RELATIONSHIPS

Ephesians 5:3 "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality."

6. MINIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITY

1 Corinthians 10:12 (LB)"So be careful! If you are thinking, `Oh, I would never behave like that - let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin."

1 Corinthians 15:33 "Bad company corrupts good character."

Malachi 2:15 "Guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with your wife."

THE PATHWAY BACK TO PURITY

1. Acknowledge the sin (Psalm 51:1-4)
2. End the relationship immediately
3. Avoid ALL contact with the person from now on. Do whatever it takes to do this!

August 9 2015 Trusting God For Every Need

TRUSTING GOD FOR EVERY NEED

God's Answer to Your Needs ­ Part 8 of 8

Matthew 6:9­ "This, then, is how you should pray: "‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

­ God is waiting for you to ask!

GOD'S ANSWER TO ...

1. My inferiority: His PERSON

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. . .

2. My confusion: His  PLAN

"Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

3. My worry­ His PROVISION

"Give us today our daily bread.

4. My guilt: His  PARDON

"Forgive us our debts. . .

5. My strained relationships: His PEACE

... as we forgive our debtors.

6. My temptations: His PROTECTION

"And lead us not into temptation. . .

7. My fear: His POWER

"but deliver us from evil"

PRAYING THE LORD'S MODEL PRAYER

I can't say "OUR FATHER" unless I've been born again into God's family. (John 1: 12)

I can't say "HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME" unless Christ has first priority in my own life.

I can't say "YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH" unless I am committed to doing his will all the time.

I can't say "GIVIE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD" without a willingness to share it with those in need around the world.

I can't say "FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS" if I am holding onto an unforgiving attitude toward others.

I can't say "LEAD US NOT INTO TENDTATION" if I continue to expose myself to compromising situations.

I can't say "DELIVER US FROM EVIL" unless I really desire to walk with integrity and purity.