May 10 2015 Freedom In Communication

FREEDOM IN COMMUNICATION

Proverbs 15:2 – When wise men speak, they make knowledge attractive.

SEVEN STEPS TO FREEDOM IN COMMUNICATION

I. Step One: Choose the right time.

Ecclesiastes 8:6 – There is a right time and right way to do everything.

II. Step Two: Plan the presentation.

Proverbs 16:23 – Intelligent people think before they speak.  What they say is then more persuasive.

TWO THINGS TO PLAN

1. Introduction.
2. Illustrations.

III. Step Three: Begin with their needs.

Ephesians 4:29 – Speak only what is helpful for building up others.

IV. Step Four: Learn to listen first.

Proverbs 18:63 – Listen before you answer.  If you don’t you’re being stupid and insulting.

James 1:19 – Be quick to listen, and slow to speak.

V. Step Five: Say things positively.

Proverbs 16:21 – A mature person is known for his understanding.  The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.

VI. Step Six: Clarify your conclusions.

Philippians 4:2 – Agree with each other in the Lord.

VII. Step Seven: End with encouraging words.

Proverbs 12:25 – A word of encouragement does wonders.

REAFFIRM THREE THINGS

1. Your commitment.
2. Your love.
3. A sense of Optimism.

July 21 2013 Trusting God When It's Hard To Hear Him

Trusting God When It's Hard To Hear Him

Ver. 9 - But they did not listen to Him.

INTRODUCTION:

What I know about discouragement:
1. Everyone gets discouraged.
2. Is contagious.
3. Keeps us from being effective.
“Neither God nor man can use a discouraged person.”
Mary McLeod Bethune
4. It comes from a loss of perspective.
5. Often comes before God’s blessings.

Why did the Israelites feel so bad?
1. Their situation seemed hopeless.
Ver. 1 - For with a strong hand He will let them go.
2. They hadn’t experienced God’s deliverance personally.
Ver. 3 - May name Lord.
3. Their problem had lasted many years.
Ver. 5 - Egyptians keep in bondage.
4. They were exhausted.
Ver. 9 - They did not heed Moses because of anguish of Spirit.

Un-listened to Lessons of Exodus 6
1. God hears us when we’re hurting.
Ver. 5 - Moreover I have heard the groaning of the Israelites.

Four Reasons We Often Fail To Sense God’s Help:
(1.) We may have a pain problem.
(2.) We may have a timing problem.
(3.) We may have a attitude problem.
God chooses what we go through.
We choose how we go through it.
(4.) We may have a faith problem.
Unbelief puts our circumstances between us and God.
Faith puts God between us and our circumstances.

2. Helps us to respond to God in a greater way.
Ver. 3 - I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and to Jacob as God
almighty, but my name , The Lord, I did not make myself known to
them.

God is God, but at different places in our journey, He reveals
Himself to us in new ways. Most of these revelations come a
difficult times in our lives.

We off God our problems and He offers us Himself.

Closing Comments:
1. Look and listen for what God is teaching you.
2. Choose to make this difficult time in your life a time for
growth.
3. Focus on God, not your problems.
4. Take action now!