August 14 2016 Ten Values That Build Strong Families

Ten Values That Build Strong Families

Memory Verse: "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God" - Exodus 20:7

What's in a Name?

• Reputation
• Character
• Authority

I. WAYS GOD'S NAME CAN BE MISUSED

• Using God's name to INSULT
• Using God's name to INDULGE

Leviticus 19:12 (GN) "Do not make a promise in my name if you do not intend to keep it. That brings disgrace on my name."

•  Using God's name to INTIMIDATE
• Using God's name to IMPRESS

Titus 1:16 "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him."

•  Using God's name to IMPULSIVELY

Isaiah 29:13 "These people worship me with their lips ... but their hearts are far from me."

Matthew 6:7 (GN)"When you pray, don't use a lot of meaningless words..."

Exodus 20:7b"...I the Lord will punish anyone who misuses my name!"

II. HOW CAN I USE GOD'S NAME CORRECTLY?

1. REVERENCE GOD'S NAME CONTINUALLY.

Psalm 29:2 "Give to the Lord the glory due his name."

Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name will trust in you..."

Psalm 61:5 (LB) "You (God) have given me the blessings you reserve for those who reverence your name."

2. REPRESENT GOD'S NAME CLEARLY.

2 Timothy 2:19 (LB)"A person who calls himself a Christian should not be doing things that are wrong."

Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus."

3. RELY GOD'S NAME COMPLETELY.

Psalm 33:21 (LB)"No wonder we are happy in the Lord! ... We trust his holy name."

Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven ... by which we must be saved."

John 20:31 "... Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name."

Luke 6:45 (GN) "The mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

August 7 2016 Taking God Seriously

Taking God Seriously

Memory Verse: "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God" Exodus 20:7

What's in a Name?

• Reputation
• Character
• Authority

I.  WAYS GOD'S NAME CAN BE MISUSED

• Using God's name to INSULT
• Using God's name to INDULGE

Leviticus 19:12 (GN) "Do not make a promise in my name if you do not intend to keep it.  That brings disgrace on my name."

• Using God's name to INTIMIDATE
• Using God's name to IMPRESS

Titus 1:16"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him."

• Using God's name to IMPULSIVELY

Isaiah 29:13"These people worship me with their lips ... but their hearts are far from me."

Matthew 6:7 (GN)"When you pray, don't use a lot of meaningless words..."
    
Exodus 20:7b"...I the Lord will punish anyone who misuses my name!"
    
II.  HOW CAN I USE GOD'S NAME CORRECTLY?

1. REVERENCE GOD'S NAME CONTINUALLY.

Psalm 29:2 "Give to the Lord the glory due his name."

Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name will trust in you..."
    
Psalm 61:5 (LB) "You (God) have given me the blessings you reserve for those who reverence your name."

2. REPRESENT GOD'S NAME CLEARLY.

2 Timothy 2:19 (LB)"A person who calls himself a Christian should not be doing things that are wrong."

Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
    
3. RELY GOD'S NAME COMPLETELY.

Psalm 33:21 (LB)"No wonder we are happy in the Lord! ... We trust his holy name."

Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven ... by which we must be saved."

John 20:31"... Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name."

Luke 6:45 (GN) "The mouth speaks what the heart is fullof."

January 25 2015 Getting Stuck In My Career - Parts 1 and 2

GETTING UNSTUCK IN MY CAREER

So I decided there is nothing better than to... find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that this pleasure is from the hand of God. Ecclesiastes 2:24    

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

THE STORY OF MARK
(Acts 13:4-5; 13-14; 15:36-40)

So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit.  They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.  There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God.  John Mark went with them as their assistant. Acts 13:4-5

Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.  But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia. Acts 13:13-14

THE STORY OF MARK (contd)
(Acts 13:4-5; 13-14; 15:36-40)

After some time Paul said to Barnabas, >Let's go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing. Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark.  But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted
them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.  Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated.  Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.  Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord's gracious care.  Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. Acts 15:36-40
    
4 CHOICES TO GETTING UNSTUCK IN MY CAREER:

1)  CHOOSE TO MAKE GOD MY BOSS.

In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Colossians 3:23

• Love God & Others (see Matthew 22:37-39)
• serve my co-workers. (see Matthew 23:11-12)
• find a Godly mentor.  

(Paul) Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

2)  CHOOSE TO SEPARATE who I am FROM what I do.

For we are God's masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

• Daily Quiet Time
• A Weekly Sabbath

(Jesus) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36

3) CHOOSE TO BE FAITHFUL IN THE SMALL THINGS

His master replied, >Good job!  You=re a good and faithful servant!  You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount.  I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master=s happiness. Matthew 25:23

Whatever presents itself for you to do, do it with all your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10

4) CHOOSE TO PERSEVERE EVEN WHEN I FEEL STUCK

We were under great pressure; far beyond our ability to endure As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened.  Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally B not a bad idea since He=s the God who raises the dead! 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Timothy, please come as soon as you can.  Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica.  Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.  Only Luke is with me.  Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 2 Timothy 4:9-11 (see also Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24)
                     
Memory Verse: It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

April 13 2014 The Prayer Jesus Prayed

The Prayer Jesus Prayed 

John 17:1 (NCV)“He looked toward heaven and prayed…”

Jesus’ prayer shows HIS HEART

Jesus’ prayer shows OUR HOPE

John 17:20 (NLT)“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me because of their testimony.”

Romans 8:34 (CEV)“Christ died and was raised to life, and now He is at God's right side, speaking to Him for us.”

FOUR WAYS JESUS PRAYED (AND IS STILL PRAYING) FOR YOU:

I. GIVE THEM PROTECTION.

John 17:15 (NLT) “I'm not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.”

Matthew 6:13 (NIV) “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

II. GIVE THEM UNITY.

John 17:21 (TLB) “My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father.”

John 13:35 (Msg) “This is how everyone will recognize that you are My disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

Romans 15:5 (NIV)“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among ourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.”

III. GIVE THEM PURITY.

John 17:17 (NLT)“Make them pure and holy by teaching them Your words of truth.”

John 17:19 (TEV) “And for their sake I dedicate Myself to You, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to You.”

Titus 1:15 (TLB) “A person who is pure of heart sees goodness and purity in everything; but a person whose own heart is evil and untrusting finds evil in everything, for his dirty mind and rebellious heart color all he sees and hears.”

IV. GIVE THEM A MISSION.

John 17:18 (Msg) “In the same way that You gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.”

John 17:23 (NCV) “Then the world will know that You sent Me and that You loved them just as much as You loved me.”

John 17:24 (NCV) “Father, I want these people that You gave Me to be with Me where I am.”

John 17:3 (NLT) “And this is the way to have eternal life—to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one You sent to earth.”

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.