April 3 2016 Your Future And God's Faithfulness

YOUR FUTURE AND GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Psalm 34:4 – I sought the Lord and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 145:13 – The Lord is faithful to all His promises.

GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

1.  Helps me keep standing when I’m tempted.

1 Peter 5:8 - Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.  Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - The temptations that you have are the same ones that all people have.  But you can trust God.  He will not let you be tempted more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape.  Then you will be able to stand it.

2.  Helps me keep standing when I’m overwhelmed.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - It is God who gives us the ability to stand firm for Christ.  He has commissioned us, and He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

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

3.  Helps me keep standing in the storm.

Isaiah 41:10 - So don’t worry, because I am with you.  Don’t be afraid, because I am your God.  I will make you strong and will help you.  I will support you with my right hand that saves you.

Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S STRENGTH

1.  Call out to God.

James 4:6-8 - God gives grace to the humble.  So give yourselves completely to God.  Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.

2.  Fill your mind with God’s Word.

Psalm 119:25 - I am completely discouraged; revive me by your Word.

3.  Accept support from God’s people.

Galatians 6:2 - By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ.

4.  Hold on to God’s promises.

Isaiah 40:29-31 - He gives strength to the wary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

2 Corinthians 4:18 - So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen.  For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

Philippians 4:13 – I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me.  I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me.

February 28 2016 The Word Of Substitution

THE WORD OF SUBSTITUTION

Matthew 27:39-49

Verse 46 – My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

What does it Teach Us?

1. That God is Holy.

Revelation 4:5 – Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is and is to come.

Habakkuk 1:13 – Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, you cannot tolerate wrong.

2. The setting is loneliness.

Hebrews 2:18 – Because He himself suffered being made like His brothers in every way, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

Proverbs 18:24 – But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

3. The cross speaks about lostness.

Verse 46 – Why has Thou forsaken Me?

• Sin alienates.

Isaiah 59:2 – Your evil has separated you from your God and your sins have caused Him to turn away from you, so He does not hear you.

• Sin causes distress.

Psalm 38:4 – My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

• Sin condemns.

Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is death.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – He made Him, to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

4. The cross speaks about lessons for living.

Verse 46 – My God, My God.

Job 13:15 – Though He slay Me, yet I will trust in God.

Mark 16:7 – Go tell His disciples and Peter.

How Should We Respond

1. Turn from sin to Christ.

Romans 3:22 – We are mead right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.  And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.

2. Live in a state of gratitude.

Romans 5:11 – Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us, making us friends with God.

3. Remember what Christ has done when tempted.

1 Peter 1:18-19 – God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors, He paid for you the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

4. Tell others the good news.

June 8 2014 Building Confidence In God's Power

Building Confidence In God's Power

Job 6:10 – At least I can take comfort in this, despite the pain. I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

1 Corinthians 4:20 – The Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk. It is living by God’s power.

Psalm 68:35 – God is awesome, He gives power and strength to His people.

WHEN TO EXPECT GOD’S POWER

1. When I’m tired.

Isaiah 40:28 & 31 – The Lord is the everlasting God. He never grows tired or weary. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Those who trust the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out, He offers strength to the weak.

2. When I’ve nothing to offer.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – My power shows up best in weak people. Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am, I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own powers and abilities.

3. When I’m in pain.

Psalm 41:3 – The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain.

4. When I’m tempted.

Romans 7:18 – I often find that I have the will to do good, but no power.

2 Corinthians 10:13 – Every temptation that has come your way is the kind that normally comes to people. But god keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist, at the time you are tempted, He will give you strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

Philippians 4:13 – I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

HOW TO BUILD CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S POWER

1. Admit your need for help.

Proverbs 29:23 – Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

2. Get connected.

John 15:5 – I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in Me and I in them, will produce much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

2 Timothy 1:7 – For the Spirit that God gives us does not make us timid. Instead His Spirit fills us with power.

3. Choose God’s way with faith that God’s power will show up.

Hebrews 11:1 – What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.

Isaiah 40:31 – Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.

Romans 8:17 – And since we are His children, we will share His treasure. For everything God gives to His Son, Christ, is ours too.

June 1 2014 Building Confidence In God's Presence

Building Confidence In God's Presence

Jeremiah 23:23 – I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth?

God’s Omnipresence God is everywhere.
It does not mean that God is everything.

Acts 17:28 – He is not far from us, for in Him we live and move and have our being.

Fact: God is always with me. I just need to recognize it.

How God’s Presence Brings Confidence To My Life

1. When I am lonely God’s presence is my companion.

Psalm 25:16 – Turn to me Lord and be merciful, because I am lonely.

Hebrews 13:5 – God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!”

John 14:5 – I call you friends.

Psalm 16:11 – (David) your presence fills me with joy.

Confidence Builder: God’s presence cheers me up.

2. When I am worried, God is my foundation.

Isaiah 43:2-3 – When you go through deep waters and great troubles, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you won’t drown! When you walk through the fires of oppression, you won’t be burned up.

Psalm 16:8-9 – I am always aware of the Lord’s presence. He is near, and nothing can shake me. I’m so thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure.

Confidence Builder: God’s presence calms me down.

Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

3. When I am tempted, God is my Counselor.

2 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Confidence Builder: God’s presence helps us maintain control.

Job 13:27 – You (God) keep a close watch on all my paths.

4. When I am discouraged, God is my comforter.

Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to those who are discouraged. He saves those who have lost hope.

(The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.)

Psalm 116:8-11 – The Lord stopped my tears and kept me from defeat. So I walk in the presence of the Lord. I kept on believing, even when I said, I’m completely crushed and even when I was afraid and said, no one can be trusted.

Confidence Builder: God’s presence sees me through.

How to Practice God’s Presence:

Revelation 3:20 Invite Jesus into your life.

Psalm 46:10 Be quiet.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Talk to God about everything.

Psalm 100:4 Develop the habit of praise.

April 6 2014 Getting A Grip On Self Control

Getting A Grip On Self Control 

Galatians 5:22 – The fruit of the Spirit is self-control.

Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

1 Corinthians 9:25 – Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Seven Steps to Self-Control

1. Recognize your problem.

James 1:14 – Each one is tempted, when by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

2. Put your past behind you.

Philippians 3:13-14 – Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal.

3. Challenge your feelings.

Titus 2:11-12 – For the grace of God teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passion and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives.

4. Believe you can change.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when you are tempted, He will also provide a way so that you can stand up under it.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Mark 9:23 – Jesus said, “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

5. Make yourself accountable.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 – Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone.

Galatians 6:2 – Share each other’s troubles and problems and so obey our Lord’s commands.

6. Deploy common sense.

Ephesians 4:27 – Don’t give the devil a chance.

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

7. Depend on Christ’s power.

Galatians 5:16 - Let the Spirit direct your lives and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.

Philippians 2:13 – For God is at work within you, helping you to want to obey Him and then helping you to do what He wants.