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.

Establishing Faithfulness 

Galatians 5:22 – The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness.

Proverbs 20:6 – Who can find a faithful man? Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful hi is, but just try to find someone who really is.

Three Reasons for Faithfulness:

1. Because God is Faithful.

Psalm 33:4 – He is faithful in all He does.

2. Makes life much easier.

Proverbs 25:19 – Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.

3. God rewards it.

Seven Characteristics of Faithfulness:

1. Keep your promises.

Proverbs 25:14 – Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.

Proverbs 20:25 – It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.

2. Honor your marriage.

Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage should be honored by all.

3. Use your talents.

1 Peter 4:10 – Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in various forms.

4. Stand by your friends.

Proverbs 17:7 – A true friend is always loyal and a brother is born to help in time of need.

5. Learn to manage your money.

Luke 6:11 – If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches.

1 Corinthians 16:2 – On every Lord’s Day, each of you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week and use it for this offering.

Three Things About Faithfulness:

1. Give regularly.

2. Giving should be planned.

3. Giving is proportional.

6. Do your best at work.

Luke 16:10 – Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.

Luke 16:12 – And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property on your own.

Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.

7. Commit yourself to your Church.

Romans 12:5 – So in Christ, we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others.

John 13:35 – By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you love one another.

March 23 2014 Learning To Live The Good Life

Learning To Live The Good Life 

Galatians 5:22 – The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness.

Thoughts about the good life:

• Looking good.
• Feeling good.
• Having the goods.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works.

Six Steps To Goodness:

1. You must receive the gift of God.

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Regeneration means: To receive new life.

Romans 6:23 – The Gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. You must master your Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16 – The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives, it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.

3. You must learn to control your thought life.

Matthew 6:22 – The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.

Verse 23 – But if your eye is clouded with evil thoughts and desires, you are in deep spiritual darkness.

Philippians 4:8 – If you want to do good, think about good, positive and uplifting things, things that are true, honest, pure and of good report.

4. You must develop some convictions.

Matthew 6:22 & 23 – The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light, if your eye is clouded with evil thoughts and desires you are in deep spiritual darkness.

Opinion is something you hold.

Conviction is something that holds you.

Romans 12:9 – Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.

2 Peter 2:19-20 – It’s better to suffer for doing good than doing evil.

2 Timothy 3:1-3 – There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves.

5. You must have the courage to be different from your culture.

3 John 11 – Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.

Romans 15:14 – You are full of goodness.

6. You must develop the habit of meeting with other believers.

Hebrews 10:24 – Consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, let us not give up meeting together, but let us encourage one another.

John 17:15 – My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one.

Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

March 16 2014 Growing The Character Of Kindness

Growing The Character of Kindness

Galatians 5:22 – The Fruit of the Spirit is kindness.

Colossians 3:12 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Two Reasons For Kindness:

1. God is kind to us.
2. We want people to be kind to us.

Five Characteristics Of Kindness:

1. A kind person is sensitive to others.

Philippians 2:4 – Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.

David: Kind to Saul’s grandson.

2. A kind person is supportive.

Proverbs 15:4 – Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

Proverbs 10:32 – Righteous people know the kind thing to say, but the wicked are always saying things that hurt.

3. A kind person is sympathetic.

Romans 12:15 – When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.

John 11:35 – Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

4. A kind person is straight forward.

Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend are better that kisses from an enemy.

5. A kind person is spontaneous.

Galatians 6:10 – As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.

The Number One Enemy Of Kindness Is: BUSYNESS!!!

A Project For This Week: Write down seven people you want to show kindness to this week. List the ways you can do it. Ask God to give you the opportunity to show kindness to one of them each day.

March 9 2014 How To Increase Your Patience

How To Increase Your Patience 

Galatians 5:22 – The fruit of the spirit is patience.

Proverbs 16:32 – Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper, than one who takes a city.

Four Ways To Test Your Patience

1. Interruption

Matthew 19:13-14 – Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

2. Inconvenience

Luke 10:40 – Lord don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!

3. Irritations

Some Irritations

• Long lines.
• Misplaced items.
• Cold food at a restaurant.

Numbers 20:10-11 – Moses was irritated.

The Oyster: Turn irritations into pearls.

4. Inactivity

Job 14:14 – All the days of my hard service, I will wait for my reward to come.

Proverbs 19:2 – It is not good to be hasty and miss the way.

The cause of impatience is a lack of peace.

Four Steps To Increase Your Patience

Step one Develop a new perspective.

Proverbs 19:11 – A man’s wisdom gives him patience. It is his glory to over-look an offence.

Proverbs 20:24 – A man’s steps are directed by the Lord.

Proverbs 14:29 – A patient man has great understanding, but a quick tempered man displays folly.

Step two Develop a sense of humor.

Proverbs 14:3 – A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life.

Psalm 2:4 – The one enthroned in heaven laughs.

Proverbs 17:22 – A cheerful heart does good like medicine.

Step three deepen your love.

1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love is patient.

Ephesians 2:4 – Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Step four depend on God.

Bible Characters of Patience:

• Noah waited 120 years.
• Moses waited 80 years.
• Abraham waited 100 years.
• God’s Old Testament folks waited for Jesus.
• Disciples waited in the upper room.

Psalm 37:7 – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

2 Peter 3:15 – Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.