Storyside Church

Revelation 3

14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!

16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

17 For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

The Amen

The Faithful and True Witness

The Beginning

I know…

Laodicea

Hierapolis

Colossae

Colossians 4:13 — I can tell you this about Epaphras: He has worked very hard for you, and also for the people at Laodicea and at Hierapolis.

Colossians 4:16 — And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

Water

It’s not flowing like it should.

Lukewarm (Chliaros)

You became warm

You fluctuated

You say…

Sometimes self-assessment is the most dangerous assessment.

Wealth

Wretched / Talaipōros

Pitiable / Eleeinos

Poor

Blind

Naked

Eleeinos

1 Corinthians 15:19 — If our hope in Christ is for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone else in the world.

Hold loosely to the things of this life, so that if God requires them of you, it will be easy to let them go.

— Corrie ten Boom

I counsel you…

Do I do business with God?

Wool

Salve / Ointment

You left me out of it all.

Knock Knock

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PC Sermon Notes 7/12/26 - Church in Philadelphia

SOME DOORS LEAD TO ANOTHER ROOM

OTHER DOORS LEAD TO AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT FUTURE

AM I GOING TO WALK THROUGH IT?

GOD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OPENING THE DOOR

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WALKING THROUGH IT

REVELATION 3:7–13 ESV

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

8 I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

BROTHERLY LOVE

EARTHQUAKES

What made them faithful?

STAY FAITHFUL IN SERVING

STAY FAITHFUL IN SHARING

"Christ has the keys and He opens the doors."

John Stott

"There are things which can only happen when a man sees the open door and has the courage to go through it."

WILLIAM BARCLAY

STAY FAITHFUL IN SUFFERING

STAY FAITHFUL IN SCRIPTURE

FAITHFULNESS DOESN’T BEGIN WITH OPPORTUNITY

FAITHFULNESS BEGINS WITH OBEDIENCE

I WANT TO STAY FAITHFUL IN MY _____________________.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO OPEN THE DOOR

JESUS ALREADY DID THAT

YOU HAVE TO WALK THROUGH IT

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Revelation 3

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Isaiah 11:2 — And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

The Spirit of the Lord

The Spirit of Wisdom

The Spirit of Understanding

The Spirit of Counsel

The Spirit of Might

The Spirit of Knowledge

The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

Unguarded Paths

What are the unguarded paths in my life?

The Titanic tragedy served as a wake-up call for the shipping industry, highlighting the importance of safety and preparedness at sea.

The Careless Church

The Complacent Church

The Overconfident Church

I know…

Would God agree with my reputation?

Wake up!

If you will not wake up…

What is left in my life?

When is a revival needed? When carelessness and unconcern keep the people asleep.

— Billy Sunday

People are often ashamed to admit that they need revival.

— Mordecai Ham

If we want revivals, we must revive our reverence for the Word of God.

— Charles Spurgeon

Revival is the visitation of God which brings to life Christians who have been sleeping and restores a deep sense of God's near presence and holiness. This reviving brings a vivid sense of sin, repentance, praise, and love, with an evangelistic outflow.

— J.I. Packer

Revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. It is giving up one's will to God in deep humility.

— Charles Finney

Revival is a divinely initiated work in which God’s people pray, repent of their sin, and return to a holy, Spirit-filled, obedient, love-relationship with God.

— Henry Blackaby

A revival is the church falling in love with Jesus Christ all over again.

— Vance Havner

Maybe you are the key to revival in your church.

— Leonard Ravenhill

Wake-Up _______________________________.

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Revelation 2

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,

23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.

25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.

26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,

27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.

28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Vulnerable

Exposure

The Compromised Church

The Corrupted Church

I know…

Outside

Inside

You tolerate Jezebel.

Silences

Substitutes

Tolerate

I've noticed that there's nothing as intolerant as the intolerance of the tolerant against the intolerance of the intolerant.

— Adrian Rodgers

What do we tolerate?

Why do we tolerate it?

Do I redefine biblical truth to fit culture?

Do I excuse sin in the name of tolerance?

Do I cave to the pressure of political correctness?

Am I aware that He knows and that He sees the deep things in my life?

Guild > God

We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.

— A.W. Tozer

Revelation 2:21 — I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

I gave _______________ time to repent.

The REJECTION of REPENTANCE.

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Revelation‬ ‭2‬

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

13 I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’”

Emperor Worship

Altar of Zeus

The Asclepion

Temple of Athena

Temple of Dionysus

“I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.”

Do I recognize Satan working in the world around me?

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬

13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.’”

“Hold Fast”

“Teaching of Baalam”

“Teaching of the Nicolaitans”

What teaching have I started listening to?

What teaching has caused me to stumble?

Am I willing to repent?

What is the Spirit speaking to me?

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Revelation 2

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

The Persecuted Church

The Crushed Church

Death does not have the last word.

I know…

Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

— C.S. Lewis

I thought my pain and suffering had taken me to a place where God could never be found; instead, it was a place where He became more real to me than I had ever known Him to be.

— Annette

Don’t be so quick to get out of hard times that you don’t get anything out of them.

— Mark Batterson

John 16:33 — I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!

_________________________ Trouble

Keep The Faith

Am I faithful?

Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?

— Polycarp

Mark 15:39 — And when the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

Will people watch my final breath and be moved by my faith all the way to the finish?

2 Timothy 4:7 — I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Mark 13:13 — All people will hate you because you follow me. But those who remain faithful to the end will be saved.

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,

5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet

11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,

13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.

14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,

15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.

16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face iwas like the sun shining in full strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 2

1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

I know…

There are three persons living in each of us: the one we think we are, the one other people think we are, and the one God knows we are!

— Leonard Ravenhill

Lost

Left

Our ministry success can potentially hide our spiritual decline.

Do I still love Jesus deeply?

Is Jesus still my first focus?

How does our first love fade?

Revelation

Remember

Repent / Return

Repeat / Restore

Ephesians 6:24 — Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.

— John Wesley

Repent

Sincere repentance is continual. Believers repent until their dying day.

— Charles Spurgeon

What would God call me to return to?

O God, when my faith gets overladen with dust, blow it clean with the wind of your Spirit. When my habits of obedience get stiff and rusty, anoint them with the oil of your Spirit. Restore the enthusiasm of my first love for you.

— Eugene H. Peterson

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Just because the truth is unpopular doesn't mean that it should not be proclaimed.

— Billy Graham

Luke 15

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.

12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.

13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’

20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Life’s Lies

Lie’s Lessons

Where have your lies taken you in life?

Moment Of Truth

Stop waiting on handouts.

My life is worse off than it has to be.

I’ll perish if I stay in this place.

I need to get up.

You cannot go with God and stay where you are.

— Henry Blackaby

My next move matters.

Am I willing to admit it and own it?

If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.

— Vance Havner

Talk to me truth!

John 8:32 — You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 5:39-40 — You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your grace. Your forgiveness is SO good that I struggle with believing it at times. Thank You for rescuing me from myself and giving me Your Holy Spirit.

— Francis Chan

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I CAN handle the truth.

We live in a day when we are more afraid of holiness than we are of sinfulness.

— Leonard Ravenhill

John 8:32 — You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Do I believe there is a God?

If God is real, don't assume he will perfectly align with your views. If he never challenges your assumptions you may have a made-up God. We should expect God to challenge us on what we think is right somewhere in our lives economically, socially, sexually, and personally.

— Author Tim Keller

Do I believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Hebrews 11:6 — Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.

Psalm 131:1-2 — Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Mysticism

Moralism

Emotionalism

Mysticism — An experience where the soul reaches its highest degree of union with the sacred during our earthly existence.

Truth is not still being discovered.

John 14:6 — I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.

Mysticism is dangerous because it is always looking to elevate a spiritual experience or new enlightenment over what God has already established.

Galatians 1:8 — Nobody should ever teach a message that is different from the good news that we taught you. Neither we ourselves, nor even an angel from heaven, should ever teach a different message. If anyone does that, I pray that God would curse him.

Moralism — A personal moral code. Moralism is a belief that being a good person is often the most important thing.

87%

100%

Morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Jesus Christ to keep you out of hell.

— Charles Spurgeon

Galatians 5:16 — So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants.

1 Timothy 1:15 — Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Moralism is dangerous because it ultimately removes our need for salvation through Jesus Christ.

Emotionalism is when I let truth be determined and decided by how I feel.

Colossians 2:8 — Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual principles of this world, rather than from Christ.

Jeremiah 17:9 — The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

Proverbs 4:23 — Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

1 John 3:20 — That’s how we know we belong to the way of truth. And when our hearts make us feel guilty, we can still have peace before God, because God is greater than our hearts. He knows everything.

Pleasure / Pain

Yes / No

Matthew 16:24 — Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.

Mysticism

Moralism

Emotionalism

We want to align our lives to the Bible, not align the Bible to our lives.

Am I obeying what I already know?

Acts 26:18 — You will make them able to understand the truth. They will turn away from darkness to the light. They will turn away from the power of Satan, and they will turn to God. Then their sins can be forgiven, and they can be given a place among God’s people — those who have been made holy by believing in me.

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When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.

What is truth speaking to me?

Bad Behavior

Bad Beliefs

“What is truth?”

— John 18:38

Proverbs 14:12 — There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

My Truth / Your Truth

Fads

Family

Friends

Feelings

Failures (Sin)

Galatians 1:6-7

I am shocked that you have so quickly turned from God, who chose you with his gift of undeserved grace. You have believed another message, when there is really only one true message. But some people are causing you trouble and want to make you turn away from the good news about Christ.

We don’t plant weeds — We pull weeds.

Romans 1

18 The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth through unrighteousness.

21 Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him or give thanks to Him as God, but became futile in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools.

23 They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, birds, four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies among themselves.

25 They turned the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Turned the Truth

Twisted the Truth

Error indeed is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should not at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperienced more true than truth itself.

— Irenaeus

11%

Inconvenience

Inaccuracy

Authoritative Scripture

John 21:25 — Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

The Holy Bible

2 Timothy 3

12 Everyone who wants to live showing true devotion to God in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

13 People who are evil and cheat others will become worse and worse. They will fool others, but they will also be fooling themselves.

14 But you should continue following the teaching you learned. You know it is true, because you know you can trust those who taught you.

15 You have known the Holy Scriptures since you were a child. These Scriptures are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live.

17 Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work.

We want to align our lives to the Bible, not align the Bible to our lives.

The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach to-day, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox's gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again.

— Charles Spurgeon

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2 Timothy 1:6 — This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians in England.

— John Wesley

All that I have ever accomplished in life I owe to my mother.

— Dwight L. Moody

You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, training them up in God’s fear, minding the house, and making your household a church for God as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts.

— Charles H. Spurgeon

The memory of my sainted mother is the brightest recollection of my early years.

— Henry Ward Beecher

Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.

— C.S Lewis

62% of parents say that being a parent has been at least somewhat harder than they expected.

— Pew Research

Children often remember emotional atmosphere more than the exact events.

Infants experience an automatic calming reaction when they are being carried.

— Psychology Today

Secure Attachment

Babies begin learning emotional regulation by “borrowing” calm from their caregivers through touch, tone, and facial expressions.

Give (Blessing)

“Grieve not, then, if your son seem to desert you, but rejoice, rather, seeing the will of God done gladly. Remember how the Psalmist described children? He said that they were as a heritage from the Lord, and that every man should be happy who had his quiver full of them. And what is a quiver full of but arrows? And what are arrows for but to shoot? So, with the strong arms of prayer, draw the bowstring back and let the arrows fly — all of them, straight at the enemy’s hosts.”

Guidance

Proverbs 22:6 — Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.

Proverbs 22:15 — Children do foolish things, but if you punish them, they will learn not to do them.

Begin early to teach, for children begin early to sin.

— Charles Spurgeon

Ephesians 6:4 — Fathers, do not do things that make your children angry. Instead, teach them carefully as they grow up. Help them to understand the message of the Lord, and help them to obey it.

Help them!

Guard/Guardian

Generosity

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.

— John Bunyan

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. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

2 Corinthians 9:7 — Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.

God/Godliness

Acts 2

38 Peter said to them, ‘Each of you must stop doing wrong things. You must change how you live. If you believe in Jesus Christ, then we will baptize you. God will forgive you for the wrong things that you have done. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to you.

39 God has promised to do all this for you and your children. He has also promised this to people who live far away in other places. The Lord our God will do it for all the people that he has called to come to him.’

My Children

Parents, what are your children learning from your worship? Do they see the same excitement as when you go to a game? Do they see you prepare for worship as you do for a vacation? Do they see you hungry to arrive, seeking the face of the Father? Or do they see you content to leave the way you came? They are watching. Believe me. They are watching.

— Author Max Lucado

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Can I model hope to my family?

The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem much worse, but in the end it’s going to be a lot better and a lot bigger.

— Elisabeth Elliot

Lamentations 3

18 All hope is gone; my strength has turned to water, for the Lord has left me.

19 Oh, remember the bitterness and suffering you have dealt to me!

20 For I can never forget these awful years; always my soul will live in utter shame.

What have been the worst years of your life?

Lamentations 3:20 — It’s always on my mind, it’s why I’m so depressed.

Lamentations 3:20 — I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.

Lamentations 3:20 — I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom.

Lamentations 3:20 — My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.

Lamentations 3:20 — My mind keeps reflecting on it, and I become depressed.

Sometimes, questions are more hurtful than insults.

— Author Mitch Albom

Life is not always what we had in mind.

Inadequate

Ashamed

Don't let the hurt of today blind you to the hope of tomorrow.

— Lysa TerKeurst

Lamentations 3

18 All hope is gone; my strength has turned to water, for the Lord has left me.

19 Oh, remember the bitterness and suffering you have dealt to me!

20 For I can never forget these awful years; always my soul will live in utter shame.

21 Yet there is one ray of hope:

22 his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction.

23 Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day.

24 My soul claims the Lord as my inheritance; therefore I will hope in him.

25 The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him, to those who seek for him.

26 It is good both to hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Psalm 103:1-2 — Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

If we can overthink the worst, why can't we overthink the best?

Ecclesiastes 9:4 — Anyone who is alive in the world has some hope for good things in the future. It is better to be a dog that is alive than to be a lion that is dead.

I have never known more than fifteen minutes of anxiety or fear. Whenever I feel fearful emotions overtaking me, I just close my eyes and thank God that He is still on the throne reigning over everything and I take comfort in His control over the affairs of my life.

— John Wesley

Can I model hope to my family?

Don’t wish for it, work for it.

Matthew 6

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who have trespassed against us.

John 19:30 — Jesus tasted the vinegar. Then he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head and died.

It is finished.

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“I must master it.”

Genesis 4

1 Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!”

2 Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground.

3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord.

4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift,

5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?

7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

8 One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.

Genesis 4:14 — Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

Villain

Victim

Repair After Rupture

What do I give to God?

Rejection

Loss Aversion — The pain of losing is often at least 2x more difficult as the joy of winning.

7 Grudges

3% - 5% (Negativity)

Proverbs 18:19 — Winning over an offended brother is harder than breaching a strong city’s defenses; such fights are as tough as the iron gates of a castle.

James 3:14 — But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

Refusal

Genesis 4:7 — You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.

Rāḇaṣ — To crouch, lie, brood, or lurk.

HURT wants to HAVE you.

Responsibility

You MUST subdue it!

Will I rule over my hurt?

Or will my hurt rule me?

Proverbs 4:23 — Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Reactions

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

— Author Charles R. Swindoll

Am I letting __________________ get into my ground?

Restless

How am I handling my hurt?

Am I allowing it to harbor in my heart?

What is currently crouching at my door?

Am I taking responsibility to guard my heart?

Am I guarding the ground in my life?

Forgiveness is not a feeling.

My hurt will not have the last word.

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“BRUISED REEDS”

Some are bruised by Ancestral Sins.

1 John 1

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

‭‭

John 9

25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

‭‭

Some are bruised by Personal Sin.

Romans 3

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Some are bruised by the Sins of Society.

Matthew 27

29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

Luke 4

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised …”

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“Dying of Despair”

Over a ten-year span, it turns out that the one factor most strongly predictive of suicide is not how sick the person is, nor how many symptoms he exhibits, nor how much physical pain he is suffering, nor whether he is rich or poor. The most dangerous factor is a person's sense of hopelessness. The man without hope is the likeliest candidate for suicide. We cannot live without hope.

Hope isn’t just an emotion but an essential life tool.

— Dr. Shane Lopez

Hope After ___________________ Hurt.

We often get stuck in the most painful part of our story.

Handle

Mishandle

Where does it hurt?

Injury

Infection

Romans 12:19 — Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

Ephesians 4:31 — Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Hebrews 12:15 — Be careful that no one fails to get God’s grace. Be careful that no one loses their faith and becomes like a bitter weed growing among you. Someone like that can ruin your whole group.

1 Samuel 1

2 Elkanah had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord.

4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters.

5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.

6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.

7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.

8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord.

10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.

11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.

13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman.

14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.”

15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord.

16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.”

17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.”

18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.

20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”

How do I handle what I don’t have?

How do I handle being provoked/irritated?

How do I handle the times when my hurt affects others around me?

Hurting people hurt people.

— John Maxwell

How do I handle being misunderstood?

How do I handle when I have to wait?

Galatians 6:9 — And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

What still needs birthed in my life?

“You know we are going to die right?”

“Maybe. But if we die, we're going to die walking."

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Emmanuel. God with us. He who resided in Heaven, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, willingly descended into our world. He breathed our air, felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins. He didn’t come to frighten us, but to show us the way to warmth and safety.

— Author Chuck Swindoll

John 3

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 10

9 I am the Door.

Matthew 24

37-39 When the Son of Man comes, it will be the same as what happened during Noah’s time. In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married right up to the day Noah entered the boat. They knew nothing about what was happening until the flood came and destroyed them all. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes.

Genesis‬ ‭7‬

‭16‬ Then the Lord closed the door behind them.

Mark 16

4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.

5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked,

6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.”

Luke 1

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,

40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,

42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

Luke 19

1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.

2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.

3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.

4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

What if I told you that Jesus wants to enter your _______________________ today?

Luke 10

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.

40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Many Things

One Thing

How will I handle His entrance?

Will my life story be that I was too busy for Jesus?

He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent.

John 3

5 Jesus answered, “Believe me when I say that everyone must be born from water and the Spirit. Anyone who is not born from water and the Spirit cannot enter God’s kingdom.”

Matthew 25 — Well done, enter…

He who is born once will die twice.

He who is born twice will die once.

— D.L. Moody

Revelation 3

20 I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.

Is Jesus calling your name today?

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Matthew 21:12-13 — And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

Consumer Christianity

1 Corinthians 6:19 — Remember this: Your body is the home of God's Holy Spirit. God gave his Holy Spirit to you and he lives in you. You do not belong to yourselves any longer.

What have I allowed into my temple?

Matthew 26

6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,

7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.

8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?

9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”

10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.

11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.

12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.

13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Costly Christianity

Suppose you could gain everything in the whole world, and you lost your soul.

Was it worth it?

— Billy Graham

Would I give my very costly ____________________ to God?

Mark 11:25 — And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Clean Christianity

We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it. To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.

— C.S. Lewis

Luke 22

24 Later, the apostles began to argue about which one of them was the most important.

25 But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the world rule over their people, and those who have authority over others want to be called ‘the great providers for the people.’

26 But you must not be like that. The one with the most authority among you should act as if he is the least important. The one who leads should be like one who serves.

Comparing Christianity

Luke 21:20-22

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

Mark 11:22 — Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.”

Courageous Christianity

Luke 22

31 “Satan has asked to test you men like a farmer tests his wheat. O Simon, Simon,

32 I have prayed that you will not lose your faith! Help your brothers be stronger when you come back to me.”

Comeback Christianity

Don’t let your life’s lowest moment write your story.

— Tim Tebow

What needs to make a comeback in my life?

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Romans 4

19 Abraham was almost one hundred years old, so he was past the age for having children. Also, Sarah could not have children. Abraham was well aware of this, but his faith in

God never became weak.

20 He never doubted that God would do what he promised. He never stopped believing. In fact, he grew stronger in his faith and praised God. [ERV]

Don’t Stop Believing

Romans 4

19 Abraham was almost one hundred years old...

Don't stop believing because of logic.

Logic isn't always logical.

Romans 4

19 ...so he was past the age for having children.

Don't stop believing because you think it's too late.

Satan always wants to show you signs that it’s too late.

Romans 4

19 ...also, Sarah could not have children.

Don't stop believing because of limitations.

Everyone is left with some limitation to lead them to lean on God.

John 11

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. [KJV]

Don't stop believing because of Lazarus.

Sometimes when the enemy can’t attack you, he attacks your Lazarus.

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2 Timothy 1:7 — For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

What are some boundaries that are needed in your life?

1 Kings 19

3 Elijah was afraid. He got up and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba of Judah, he left his servant there.

4 But he himself traveled for a day into the desert. He came and sat down under a juniper tree. There he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough now, O Lord. Take my life. For I am not better than my fathers.”

5 When he lay down and slept under the juniper tree, an angel touched him. The angel said to him, “Get up and eat.”

6 Then Elijah looked and saw by his head a loaf of bread made ready on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again.

7 The angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him, and said, “Get up and eat. Because this traveling is too hard for you.”

8 So he got up and ate and drank. And he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

9 He came to a cave, and stayed there. The word of the Lord came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it.

— Coach Lou Holtz

What is a step you’re sensing to take?

You are not the thoughts you think.

You are the thoughts that you believe.

— Author Jon Gordon

There are two extremes to avoid: being completely absorbed in your pain, and being distracted by so many things that you stay far away from the wound you want to heal.

— Henri Nouwen

Get up, before you get too comfortable being down.

— Pastor Lonnie Keene

Rest

1 Kings 19:5-6

Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.

Am I stewarding my sleep?

God instituted rest into our life’s rhythms.

Even the most dedicated servants of God need physical rest and spiritual renewal. Taking time to recharge is not a sign of weakness but a necessary step to continue our journey with strength and purpose.

Matthew 11:28 — Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Reset (Restart/Refresh)

1 Kings 19:7 — Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Return

1 Kings 19:15-16

Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.

Then the Lord did what perhaps was best of all for Elijah, he gave him some more work to do. He sent him off about his Master’s business again.

— Spurgeon

Reality (Truth)

1 Kings 19

14 Elijah said, “Lord God All-Powerful, I have always served you the best that I can, but the Israelites broke their agreement with you. They destroyed your altars and killed your prophets. I am the only prophet left alive, and now they are trying to kill me.”

18 I still have 7000 people in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed that idol.

Relationships

1 Kings 19:15-16

Feeling disconnected is strongly associated with depression.

Something in our nature cries out to be loved by another. Isolation is devastating to the human psyche. That is why solitary confinement is considered the cruelest of punishments.

— Author Gary Chapman

(The Five Love Languages)

Some Christians try to go to heaven alone, in solitude. But believers are not compared to bears or lions or other animals that wander alone. Those who belong to Christ are sheep in this respect, that they love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God's people.

— Charles Spurgeon

Racists are not born, they are raised. Isolation is the breeding ground for racism. The more you come to know the world around you and people different than you the less likely you will become an extremist. The Church needs to bring the world together.

— Author Erwin McManus

No matter how low down you are; no matter what your disposition has been; you may be low in your thoughts, words, and actions; you may be selfish; your heart may be overflowing with corruption and wickedness; yet Jesus will have compassion upon you.

— Dwight L. Moody

Avoid the quicksand that bears the marker "God has left you!" Don't indulge this lie. If you do, your problem will be amplified by a sense of loneliness. It's one thing to face a challenge, but to face it all alone? Isolation creates a downward cycle of fret.

— Author Max Lucado

You need to come out of the cave.

Other people need you to come out of the cave.

God can find your cave!

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1 Kings 19

1 When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal.

2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”

3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.

2 Timothy 1

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

F.E.A.R:

False

Evidence

Appearing

Real

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength.”

Corrie Ten Boom

“Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

Corrie Ten Boom

Matthew 6

34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Philippians 4

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

"10,000 thoughts a day pass through our minds and they try to predict what we will become.”

AW Tozer

"My mind is a bad neighborhood and I try not to go into it alone."

Anne Lamont

1 Kings 19

3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.

Exodus 2

21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

1 Peter 5

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Luke 2:9

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

1 Corinthians 13

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Romans 12

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

2 Corinthians 10

5 ...bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

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Biological

Psychological

Social

Spiritual

Even strong people struggle some times.

Cognitive Security

We built walls to protect our cities, developed locks to secure our homes, and created firewalls to guard our data. But what about protecting our minds?

Seasons

Exposure

Threats

Impulses

Isolation

Insecurities

1 Kings 19

1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.”

3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

Impulses (Impulsive)

Are you running from something or to something?

What can cause me to be reactionary?

KJV — And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

CJB — On seeing that, he got up and fled for his life. When he arrived in Be’er-Sheva, in Y’hudah, he left his servant there.

Isolation

According to the Surgeon General we are facing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation.

Without normal and predictable sleep patterns, sunlight, and relationships, the human mind begins to breakdown.

Before God dealt with sin, He dealt with solitude.

— Chris Hodges

Matthew 26:37-38

He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Insecurity / Comparisons

Comparison is the death of joy.

— Mark Twain

Social comparisons can often trigger anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, particularly when you feel you fall short.

Self-Rating — We define our self-worth based on what we have or what is currently happening in our life.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 — It is better to be satisfied with the few things you have than to always be struggling to get more.

The Curse Of Comparison

Comparison is the crush of conformity from one side and competition from the other – it’s trying to simultaneously fit in and stand out. Comparison says, ‘Be like everyone else, but better.’

— Brené Brown

Social media platforms — especially image-based platforms like Instagram — have very harmful effects on teen mental health, especially for teens struggling with body image, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Social media algorithms can lead “vulnerable teens into a dangerous spiral of negative social comparison.”

— Harvard Study

Galatians 6:4 — Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.

Sound Mind Steps:

Impulsive — Breathe / Time / Rest

Isolation — Connect / Community

Insecurities — Who am I in Christ?

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Seasons of Life

Exposure / Experiences

Threats / Tomorrow

1 Kings 18:1 — After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.”

1 Kings 18:21-22

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men.

1 Kings 18

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”

40 And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.

I Kings 18:45-46

After a short time the sky was covered with dark clouds. The wind began to blow, and a heavy rain began to fall. Ahab got in his chariot and started back to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came to Elijah. He used his belt to hold up the bottom of his robe away from his feet. Then he ran ahead of King Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

1 Kings 19

1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.”

3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

Biological

Psychological

Social

Spiritual

I was crying and I was emotionally out of control. I called off of work, and I came in and talked to you. You shared some other stories that you were aware of and encouraged me to check into it.

I went to the emergency room and they made sure that I wasn’t having any thoughts to harm myself.

We made an appointment with my doctor and they found that my thyroid was under active, and diagnosed it as Hashimoto’s disease. The doctor prescribed a thyroid medication and I have been good since.

— Julie

Jeremiah 20:14 — Curse the day that I was born! Don’t bless the day my mother had me.

Job 3:11 — Why didn’t I die when I was born? Why didn’t I die as I came from my mother’s womb?

Even strong people struggle some times.

Seasons of Life

Highs

Lows

The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'

— Billy Graham

How do we handle our highs?

How do we live with our lows?

Exposure / Experiences

What have you watched in your life?

What have you walked through in your life?

Threats / Tomorrow

No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow's burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can seemingly bear.

— George Macdonald

Matthew 6:33-34

What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries.

If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.

— Author Scott Adams

1 Kings 19:5 — Then Elijah lay down under the tree and slept. Suddenly an angel came to him and touched him. The angel said, “Get up and eat.”

2 Timothy 1:7 — For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

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Pith’owm

Exaiphnēs

Acts 7:58-59

Then they cast him (Stephen) out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Acts 8:1 — And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 9

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.

4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,

12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.

14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized.

Acts 22:16 — What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord.

Acts 22:4 — I made trouble for everyone who followed the Lord's Way, and I even had some of them killed. I had others arrested and put in jail. I didn't care if they were men or women.

God stops Saul.

Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone — except God.

God speaks to Saul.

Only God can change the heart of someone who is in rebellion against Him. No matter how logical our arguments or how fervent our appeals, our words will accomplish nothing unless God's Spirit prepares the way.

— Billy Graham

God saves Saul.

Can anyone see that Saul isn’t the same person anymore?

1 Corinthians 6

9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,

10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

We should never underestimate what God can do between one day and the next.

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If everything’s important, nothing’s important. If everything’s a priority, nothing’s a priority.

— Craig Groeschel

You must have a strategy or a plan.

Keep your goals a priority in your life.

Addition / Subtraction

Calendar / Schedule

62%

“My mother was the making of me. She was so true, so sure of me: and I felt I had something to live for, someone I must not disappoint.”

Who we are influenced by really matters.

How they influence us really matters.

What am I called to influence?

Who am I called to influence?

Deuteronomy 7

1 The Lord your God will bring you into the land. You are entering that land to own it. As you go in, he will force out these nations: the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. These seven nations are stronger than you.

2 The Lord your God will hand these nations over to you. You will defeat them. You must destroy them completely. Do not make a peace treaty with them. Do not show them any mercy.

3 Do not marry any of them. Don’t let your daughters marry their sons. And don’t let your sons marry their daughters.

4 Those people will turn your children away from me. Your children will begin serving other gods. The Lord will be very angry with you. And he will quickly destroy you.

5 This is what you must do to those people: Tear down their altars. Smash their holy stone pillars. Cut down their Asherah idols and burn their idols in the fire.

6 You are holy people. You belong to the Lord your God. He has chosen you from all the people on earth. You are his very own.

The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other.

You are not strong enough on your own.

You must ________________________.

This radical, complete destruction was important because of the depraved nature of the worship of the Canaanites, who worshipped male and female gods of sex and who presented their children for human sacrifice.

Asherah was also the name of the mother goddess of the Canaanite pantheon, the deity responsible for fertility and the productivity of soil, animals, and humankind. Prominent in its services was sacred prostitution involving priests and priestesses who represented the male and female deities.

Each generation will reap what the former generation has sown.

2 Corinthians 6:14 — Don’t develop partnerships with those who are not followers of Jesus’ teachings. For what real connection can exist between righteousness and rebellion? How can light participate in darkness?

Those people will turn your children…

If we never have headaches through rebuking our children, we shall have plenty of heartaches when they grow up.

— Charles H. Spurgeon

The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.

— G.K. Chesterton

Where does God want to take me?

On my own, I am not enough.

We will defeat them.

What is a must for me in 2026?

I’m fighting for more than just myself.

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What comes to your mind when I say Christmas time?

“We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of Him who made it."

Celebrate Christ’s Birth

Celebrate Christ’s Death

Romans 12:18 — If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

As much as it depends on ME.

The Gift of Serving

Philippians 2:4 — Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.

Romans 12:13 — When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

1 Peter 4:10 — God has shown you his grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other.

The Gift of Presence

6 Days / Month

70 Days / Annually

Places don’t matter to people any more. Places aren't the point. People are only ever half present where they are these days. They always have at least one foot in the great digital nowhere.

The Gift of Grace

The Gift of Flexibility

Hold your plans loosely so you can hold people tightly.

The Gift of Forgiveness

Mark 11:25 — And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

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

Colossians 3 — So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

The GIFT of SERVING

The GIFT of PRESENCE

The GIFT of GRACE

The GIFT of FLEXIBILITY

The GIFT of FORGIVENESS

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Ephesians 5:19-20

Encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Always Thankful

We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary.

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gratitude is the memory of the heart. We give thanks not because life is easy, but because God is good.

The world is full of God’s wonders, but only the grateful see them.

— G.K. Chesterton

Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer.

— John Wesley

There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Philippians 4:4 — Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy.

Philippians 4:4 — Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Always Rejoice

(Joy)

2 Corinthians 9:8 — And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Always Generous

“When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart.”

Earn all you can.

Save all you can

Give all you can.

Luke 18:1 — One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

Always Pray

Never Give Up

Acts 24:16 — So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Acts 24:16 — And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offense toward God, and toward men.

Always Clear (Offense)

People who wish to be offended will always find some occasion for taking offense.

— John Wesley

Towards God

Towards Men

Matthew 11:6 — And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.

It’s a poor sermon that gives no offense; that neither makes the hearer displeased with himself nor with the preacher.

— George Whitefield

Diapontos — Constantly/Continual

Be Slow To Anger — James 1:19

Overlook Offense — Proverbs 19:11

Keep No Record Of Wrongs — I Corinthians 13:5

Forbear/Forgive — Colossians 3:13

The Benefit Of The Doubt — Luke 23

Surreal how many folks are hunting for things to be offended by. How about we start a "benefit of the doubt" movement?

— Author Scott Sauls

1 Corinthians 15:58 — So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.

Always Give Yourself Fully

10 Minutes

Always Thankful

Always Rejoice

Always Generous

Always Prayerful

Always Clear (Offense)

Always Fully Following

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Matthew 28:20 — Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time.

Psalm 139

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you’re there! If I go underground, you’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, You’d find me in a minute— you’re already there waiting! Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I’m immersed in the light!” It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.

Broken Places

Psalm 34:18 — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 34:18 — If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

Empty Places

1 Kings 19:3-4

When Elijah heard this, he was afraid. So he ran away to save his life. He took his servant with him, and they went to Beersheba in Judah. Then Elijah left his servant in Beersheba and walked for a whole day into the desert. Then he sat down under a bush and asked to die. He said, “I have had enough, Lord! Take my life. I am no better than my ancestors.”

Unworthy Places

Luke 15:17-19

The son realized that he had been very foolish. He thought, ‘All my father’s hired workers have plenty of food. But here I am, almost dead because I have nothing to eat. I will leave and go to my father. I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against God and have done wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But let me be like one of your hired workers.’

Impossible Places

Luke 1:37 — For nothing will be impossible with God.

We have a God who delights in impossibilities.

— Billy Sunday

Intimidating Places

Daniel 3

13 King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. So he sent for the three young men and said,

14 “I hear that you refuse to worship my gods and the gold statue I have set up.

15 Now I am going to give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue when you hear the music, everything will be all right. But if you don't, you will at once be thrown into a flaming furnace. No god can save you from me.”

16 The three men replied, “Your Majesty, we don't need to defend ourselves.

17 The God we worship can save us from you and your flaming furnace.

18 But even if he doesn't, we still won't worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up.”

Daniel 3:24-25

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste and spoke and said unto his counsellors, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

The best of all is, God is with us.

— John Wesley

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“I’m thankful for — The Church”

The Church is a place where broken people find a perfect Savior.

Matthew 16:18-19

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

1 Timothy 3:14-15

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Mathew 18:20 — Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.

Acts 2:44-46

All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever was in need. Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely, while praising God.

Acts 4:31 — And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

1 Corinthians 11:18 — For, in the first place, when you come together as a church…

1 Corinthians 11:20 — When you come together…

1 Corinthians 11:23 — So then, my brothers, when you come together…

1 Corinthians 14:23 — If, therefore, the whole church comes together…

1 Corinthians 14:26 — What then, brothers? When you come together…

Acts 14:27 — When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 15:30 — So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.

Ephesians 5:19 — When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart.

Colossians 3:16 — Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and strengthen each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Hebrews 10

21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house,

22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Let Us — The Presence Of God

The presence of God is the central fact of Christianity. At the heart of the Christian message is God Himself waiting for His redeemed children to push in to conscious awareness of His presence.

— A.W. Tozer

To be in the presence of God is to be where we were created to be.

— R.C. Sproul

The presence of God is the sweetest treasure we can know on earth.

— John Piper

Nearness to God brings likeness to God. The more you see God, the more of God will be seen in you.

— Charles Spurgeon

You’ll get through this. Not because you’re strong, but because God’s presence is stronger than your storm.

— Max Lucado

There is nothing impossible when you are in the presence of God.

— Smith Wigglesworth

Let Us — Hold Tight / Hold Fast

Colossians 2:6-7

You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.

Let Us — Love / Good Works

Let Us — Assemble / Meet

The Church is the dearest place on earth. If I had never joined a church till I found one that was perfect, I would never have joined one at all.

— Charles Spurgeon

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The Gift Of God

John 3:16 — For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 — God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Matthew 1:21 — She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

The Gift Of Salvation

Chata

Hamartia

James 4:17 — So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Proverbs 5:21-23

The Lord clearly sees everything you do. He watches where you go. The sins of the wicked will trap them. Those sins will be like ropes holding them back. Evil people will die because they refuse to be disciplined. They will be trapped by their own desires.

Isaiah 59:2 — It is your sins that separate you from your God. He turns away from you when he sees them.

Separation

Romans 3:23 — For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Shortcoming

John 8:34 — Jesus said, The truth is, everyone who sins is a slave—a slave to sin.

Sin’s Slavery

James 1:15 — When a person is carried away with desire, lured by lust, and when desire becomes the focus and takes control, it gives birth to sin. When sin becomes fully grown, it produces death.

John 8:24 — I told you that you would die in your sins. Yes, if you don’t believe that I Am, you will die in your sins.

The sin of today is the sorrow of tomorrow.

— Billy Sunday

Sin is a deadly thing; it is worse than poverty, worse than disease, worse than any worldly misfortune. Sin may promise pleasure, but it delivers only pain and regret. All sin is a desertion of God. Every sin is a turning away from God and a running after something else instead of Him.

— Charles Spurgeon

Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.

— Billy Graham

Romans 5:8 — But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Romans 6:23 — For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:8 — For salvation that comes from trusting Christ, which is what we preach— is already within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths.

Acts 4:12 — Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save anyone. We must be saved through him!

1 John 1:8-9 — If we say that we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.

Romans 10:9-10 — If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

2 Corinthians 5:17 — When anyone belongs to Christ, they become a new person. Their old way of life has gone. Their new life has begun!

Colossians 1

20 It was through what his Son did that God cleared a path for everything to come to him—all things in heaven and on earth—for Christ’s death on the cross has made peace with God for all by his blood.

21 This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies and hated him and were separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, yet now he has brought you back as his friends.

Celebrated Cracks

The Golden Repair

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We are ALL givers.

There are two great days in a person’s life — the day we are born and the day we discover why.

Am I generous with my time?

Am I generous with my words?

Am I generous with my talents?

Am I generous with my finances?

Am I generous with grace/forgiveness?

Standard of Living

Standard of Giving

Proverbs 11:25 —The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Am I generous with my time?

You are not here in the world for yourself. You have been sent here for others. The world is waiting for you!

— Catherine Booth

Co-Founder Salvation Army

Am I generous with my (life-giving) words?

Ephesians 4:29 — Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Caring

Compliment

Courageous

Communication

Proverbs 12:25 — Worry takes away your joy, but a kind word makes you happy.

Am I generous with my talents?

1 Peter 4:10 — God has helped each of you in a certain way. Think carefully about how to use that gift from God well. Remember that God has given many different gifts to his people so that they can help each other.

Am I generous with my finances?

A faith that hasn’t reached your wallet probably hasn’t reached your heart.

— Adrian Rogers

Matthew 6:24 — No one can be a slave to two masters. He will hate one master and love the other. Or he will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. So you cannot serve God and money at the same time.

1 Timothy 6:10 — For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

It’s never enough.

My feelings fluctuate with my finances.

My mood is tied to my money.

I’m sensitive about the subject.

I only ask for God’s help in crisis or when I’m in a financial dilemma. I don’t include Him in my financial decisions, donations, and overall financial direction.

I can’t keep consistency in my giving.

I don’t have joy when it comes to my giving.

Matthew 6:33 — The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you.

Proverbs 3:9 — Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.

We are wealthy.

Does God get my first and best?

Luke 12

15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.

17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’

18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.

19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

What is my first thought when it comes to my finances?

The foolishness was not necessarily that he had accumulated wealth, it’s that he didn’t know why he had wealth.

“The world asks, ‘What does a man own?’ Christ asks, ‘How does he use it?’”

— Andrew Murray

The rich man ran out of time before he ran out of money.

Am I generous with grace?

Am I generous with my forgiveness?

Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.

God was so generous with His grace in my life.

Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part.

— Author Philip Yancey

God answers the mess of life with one word: grace.

— Author Max Lucado

I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be; but I am not what I once was, and by the grace of God I am what I am.

— Songwriter John Newton

(Amazing Grace)

Am I generous with my time?

Am I generous with my words?

Am I generous with my talents?

Am I generous with my finances?

Am I generous with grace/forgiveness?

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Luke 10

25 Then an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. He said, “Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”

26 Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you understand from it?”

27 The man answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ Also, ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’”

28 Jesus said, “Your answer is right. Do this and you will have eternal life.”

29 But the man wanted to show that the way he was living was right. So he said to Jesus, “But who is my neighbor?”

30 To answer this question, Jesus said, “A man was going down the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Some robbers surrounded him, tore off his clothes, and beat him. Then they left him lying there on the ground almost dead.

31 “It happened that a Jewish priest was going down that road. When he saw the man, he did not stop to help him. He walked away.

32 Next, a Levite came near. He saw the hurt man, but he went around him. He would not stop to help him either. He just walked away.

33 “Then a Samaritan man traveled down that road. He came to the place where the hurt man was lying. He saw the man and felt very sorry for him.

34 The Samaritan went to him and poured olive oil and wine on his wounds. Then he covered the man’s wounds with cloth. The Samaritan had a donkey. He put the hurt man on his donkey, and he took him to an inn. There he cared for him.

35 The next day, the Samaritan took out two silver coins and gave them to the man who worked at the inn. He said, ‘Take care of this hurt man. If you spend more money on him, I will pay it back to you when I come again.’”

36 Then Jesus said, “Which one of these three men do you think was really a neighbor to the man who was hurt by the robbers?”

37 The teacher of the law answered, “The one who helped him.” Jesus said, “Then you go and do the same.”

The Road

What are the most dangerous (damaging) roads that you have travelled in your life?

The Response

You can no more pray effectively and hate your neighbor than you can walk north and south at the same time.

You may choose to look the other way, but you can never again say that you did not know.

— William Wilberforce

“The first question the priest and Levite asked was, ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’”

The Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’”

The Reasons

The Good Samaritan Experiment

A. You have plenty of time, and you are early.

B. You are on-time, but you should head over now so as not to be late.

C. You are running late, and you really need to go.

The Good Samaritan Experiment

63% of participants in the “you are early” category stopped to help the stranger.

45% of participants in the “you are on-time” category stopped to help the stranger.

10% of participants in the “you are late” high hurry category stopped to help the stranger.

Hurry overrides our moral values.

Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

We are so busy chasing the extraordinary that we forget to notice the ordinary.

The key to success is not in doing more, but in doing what matters most.

If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.

— Corrie ten Boom

What are my reasons for not stopping?

Christ’s love is a costly, serving, healing love that reaches into the deepest wounds and darkest places.

— Tim Keller

The Robbers — What’s yours is mine.

The Priest/Levite — I’ll keep mine.

The Samaritan — What’s mine is yours.

Author John Maxwell

Matthew 9:36 — When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

1 John 3:18 — Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

God help me to SEE, STOP, and SERVE the people in my path this week.

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What In The World?

Matthew 5

13 You are the world’s seasoning, to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world? And you yourselves will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

14 You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see.

15-16 Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.

You are…

Light of the World

Your Light

Where has God positioned me to shine?

Where is the darkness dominating?

Does my light make a difference?

The light of Jesus penetrates every shadow, offering hope and salvation to all who believe.

— C.H. Spurgeon

Philippians 2

14-15 In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights,

16 holding out to them the Word of Life. Then when Christ returns, how glad I will be that my work among you was so worthwhile.

Salt serves a bigger purpose than itself.

We all have a ME Monster.

Philippians 2:3-4

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

James 3:14-16

But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

Palatable

Colossians 4:5-6

Be wise when you engage with those outside the faith community; make the most of every moment and every encounter. When you speak the word, speak it gracefully (as if seasoned with salt), so you will know how to respond to everyone rightly.

Preservation

In what areas of my _______________________ am I preserving Godly values?

Purification

Psalm 147:3 — He heals the broken hearted, and he binds up their wounds.

It is often in our brokenness that God does His best work.

— Max Lucado

Brokenness is a doorway that opens us up to God’s deepest work.

— Brennan Manning

The broken heart is the altar upon which God offers His healing.

— Timothy Keller

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1 Peter 5:8

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:3-4

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:3-4 (NIV)

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Ephesians 6:10-11

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

BE ALERT

AM I ALERT?

AM I WATCHING?

Ephesians 6:12-18

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

The Belt of Truth

John‬ ‭8‬:‭44‬-‭47‬

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.

46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." ‭‭

John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭32‬

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

The Breastplate of Righteousness

1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Romans 5:19

For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

Shoes for your feet - Readiness from the Gospel of Peace

The Shield of Faith

The Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God

1 Be Alert

2 Put on the Whole Armor of God

3 Stand Firm

Hebrews 10:39

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

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1 Corinthians 13

11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

How am I spiritually growing?

CJB — But for now, three things last — trust, hope, love; and the greatest of these is love.

ESV — So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

NLT — Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

FAITH

The Greek term often translated as “faith” (pistis) implies belief, trust, and fidelity.

Biblical faith is a trusting reliance on the God revealed in Scripture, evidenced by obedience that springs not from fear, but from confidence in Him. It is well-rooted in both the historical record of God’s works and the transforming power of His Word.

Biblically, faith is not “blind.” It includes reasoned confidence in God’s Word and actions throughout history. Scripture portrays faith as an active reliance upon God, anchored in divine revelation and confirmed by changed lives, miracles, and historical testimonies.

Romans 10:17 — Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

2 Corinthians 5:7 — We walk by faith, not by sight.

James 1:2-4

My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be.

Faith doesn't always know where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.

— Oswald Chambers

When it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who hasn’t surrendered His authority.

— A.W. Tozer

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

— Corrie ten Boom

HOPE

Because of Jesus, we can have a hope that is not based on circumstances but rooted in the character of God.

— Tim Keller

Hebrews 6:19(a) — This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

Hope means hoping when things are hopeless.

— G.K.Chesterton

Disappointment is inevitable. But to become discouraged, there’s a choice I make. God would never discourage me. He always guides me to Himself, so I choose hope.

— Charles Stanley

Relying on God has to begin all over again every day.

— C.S. Lewis

Hope has a thick skin and will endure many a blow. It will keep it alive, even when reason and sense would faint.

— John Bunyan

Even in those terrifying conditions, the miners refused to give up hope.

“Estamos bien en el refugio los 33.”

Their story is one of endurance, unity, and above all — hope that would not die.

LOVE

1 John 4:8 — God is love.

John 13:35 — In this way, everyone will know that you are my disciples. They will know it, if you really love each other.

1 John 4:7 — Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better.

"Dear Paco, meet me in front of the newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your father."

Never worry about numbers. Help one at a time, and start with those nearest you.

— Mother Teresa

Romans 8

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Faith

Hope

Love

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What is the Holy Spirit stirring in me?

1 Samuel 17:29 — David said, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”

Revival is not churches filled with people, but people filled with the Holy Spirit.

We might as well try to hear without ears or breathe without lungs, as to try to live a Christian life without the Spirit of God in our hearts.

— D.L. Moody

A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

— Charles Finney

Ephesians 3:16-17 — I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

With the Holy Spirit, we have everything we need to face anything that comes.

How important was the Spirit to Jesus?

John 14:16-17

Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don't see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.

Acts 1:4 — While he was still with them, he said: Don't leave Jerusalem yet. Wait here for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit, just as I told you he has promised to do.

How important was the Holy Spirit to the early church?

Acts 1:8 — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 2

1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.

3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.

4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Acts 2:38-39

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away, all who have been called by the Lord our God.

Acts 5:32 — We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.

Acts 11:12(a) — The Holy Spirit told me to go with them and not to worry that they were Gentiles.

Acts 11:28 — One of these men was called Agabus. The Holy Spirit gave him a message from God. He stood up and he said to the people there, ‘Soon people will be very hungry all over the world because there will be no food.’ (That happened when Claudius ruled the Roman world.)

Acts 13:4 — 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.

Acts 15:28(a) — The Holy Spirit has shown us what we should do. We also think that this is the right thing to do.

Acts 16:6-7

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.

Acts 20:23 — I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit has warned me that prison and troubles wait for me.

Acts 20:28 — So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood — over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.

Romans 8:1-2

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:14 — For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:26-27

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

The Holy Spirit is a Person. He can be grieved. He can be quenched. He can be obeyed. He can be followed.

— A.W. Tozer

How do I respond to the Holy Spirit?

Acts 2:12 — Everyone was excited and confused. Some of them even kept asking each other, “What does all this mean?”

Am I curious to know/want more?

Acts 2:13 — Others made fun of the Lord's followers and said, “They are drunk.”

Do I mock (make fun of) the Holy Spirit?

Acts 7:51 — You stubborn and hardheaded people! You are always fighting against the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors did.

Do I fight against the Holy Spirit?

1 Thessalonians 5:19 — Quench not the Spirit.

Do I quench the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 4:29-32

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Do I grieve the Holy Spirit?

Matthew 12:31 — So I tell you, people can be forgiven for every sin and everything they say against God. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Do I speak against the Holy Spirit?

Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.

— Corrie ten Boom

How will the Holy Spirit help me?

He will help me to be Christ-like.

He will empower me. (Luke 24)

He will teach me. (John 14)

He will comfort me. (John 14)

He will convict me. (John 16)

He guides me to truth. (John 16)

He will help me to fight my flesh. (Galatians 5)

He will help me to share my faith. (Acts 1)

He will help me to pray God’s will. (Romans 8)

What is the Holy Spirit stirring in me?

Ephesians 6:18 — Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.

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Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Every evil act tends to harden man’s heart, that is, to make him more evil.

— C.S. Lewis

Romans 12:21 — Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Genesis 1:1 — In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Hebrews 11:3 — We believe in God, so that is how we know that God made the world by his word. The things we see were made out of things that cannot be seen.

Psalm 14:1 — Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!

God

No God

Godly

Ungodly

With God

Without God

Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil – it has no point.

— Billy Graham

Genesis 3

1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied.

3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.

5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

2 Timothy 3

1 Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days.

2 People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious;

3 they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good;

4 they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God;

5 they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.

We’re living in an unprecedented day (when) evil is no longer evil. We’ve changed the terminology — iniquity is now infirmity; wickedness is now weakness; devilry is now deficiency.

— Leonard Ravenhill

Romans 1

24 People wanted only to do evil. So God left them and let them go their sinful way. And so they became completely immoral and used their bodies in shameful ways with each other.

25 They traded the truth of God for a lie. They bowed down and worshiped the things God made instead of worshiping the God who made those things. He is the one who should be praised forever. Amen.

26 Because people did those things, God left them and let them do the shameful things they wanted to do. Women stopped having natural sex with men and started having sex with other women.

27 In the same way, men stopped having natural sex with women and began wanting each other all the time. Men did shameful things with other men, and in their bodies they received the punishment for those wrongs.

28 People did not think it was important to have a true knowledge of God. So God left them and allowed them to have their own worthless thinking. And so they do what they should not do.

29 They are filled with every kind of sin, evil, greed, and hatred. They are full of jealousy, murder, fighting, lying, and thinking the worst things about each other. They gossip

30 and say evil things about each other. They hate God. They are rude, proud, and brag about themselves. They invent ways of doing evil. They don’t obey their parents,

31 they are foolish, they don’t keep their promises, and they show no kindness or mercy to others.

32 They know God’s law says that anyone who lives like that should die. But they not only continue to do these things themselves, but they also encourage others who do them.

Genesis 6

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

Proverbs 8:13 — The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 6:16-19

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Ephesians 6:12 — For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Romans 12:9 — Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 — Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Timothy 6:10 — For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Romans 12:21 — Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We The People (Rights)

Be The People (Responsibilities)

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

— Martin Luther King Jr

The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.

— Martin Luther King Jr

Psalm 23:4 — Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 119:133 — Guide me, as you promised. Don’t let evil rule over me.

Matthew 6:13 — And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

2 Timothy 3

12 Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted;

13 and evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.

14 But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were,

15 and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

As for me…

Continue

Firmly Believe

Holy Scriptures

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Colossians 2:7 — Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him.

We were never meant to just visit God’s presence — we were meant to be planted in His presence.

Mark 4

3 “Listen! And take note: A sower went out to sow.

4 As he sowed, some seed fell beside the path, and the birds of the air came and devoured it.

5 Some seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and soon it sprang up because it did not have deep soil.

6 But when the sun rose, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.

7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.

8 And other seed fell on good ground, and it yielded grain that sprang up and increased by thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much.”

14 The sower sows the word.

15 These are those beside the path, where the word is sown. But when they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word which is sown in their hearts.

16 Others, likewise, are seed sown on rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness,

17 but have no root in themselves, and so endure for a time. Afterward, when affliction or persecution rises for the word’s sake, immediately they fall away.

18 And others are seed sown among thorns, the ones who hear the word.

19 But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

20 Still others are seed sown on good ground, those who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit: thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much.”

I want to be rooted.

Roots aren’t very visible but they are very valuable.

A strong tree typically survives storms not because of its branches, but because of its roots.

The Chinese Bamboo

The Pando

The Redwoods

The Banyan Tree

The Mangroves

Mangroves take in extra oxygen and remove salt, allowing them to tolerate conditions that kill most plants.

The Olive Trees

Wild Fig Trees

The Shepherd’s Tree

This tree can survive in harsh conditions and dry climates. It sends roots deep down to reach water no other plants access.

The Tamarisk Tree

Genesis 21:33 — Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.

Its root system is highly developed, with deep roots that allow it to access groundwater and withstand prolonged droughts.

The Baobabs

31,700 Gallons

Planted people don’t panic —

Planted people persevere.

Mark 4:20 — Still others are seed sown on good ground, those who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit: thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much.

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Luke 5:11 — And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

We must FORSAKE and FOLLOW.

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give; 

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender, 

Humbly at His feet I bow; 

Worldly pleasures all forsaken, 

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender, 

Make me, Savior, wholly Thine; 

Let me feel the Holy Spirit, 

Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Lord, I give myself to Thee; 

Fill me with Thy love and power, 

Let Thy blessing fall on me.

All to Jesus I surrender, 

Now I feel the sacred flame;

Oh, the joy of full salvation! 

Glory, glory, to His Name!

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

Revelation

Response

Rejection

Reception

Repentance

Removal

Revival

Acts 19

10 This continued for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

11 God worked powerful miracles by the hands of Paul.

12 So handkerchiefs or aprons he had touched were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists invoked the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We command you to come out in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.”

14 There were seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva doing this.

15 The evil spirit answered, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?”

16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was jumped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled from that house naked and wounded.

17 This became known to all Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus. And fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18 Many who believed came confessing and telling their deeds.

19 Many who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them before everyone. They calculated their value, which equaled fifty thousand drachmas.

20 So the word of the Lord powerfully grew and spread.

Some people do not like to hear much of repentance; but I think it is so necessary that if I should die in the pulpit, I would desire to die preaching repentance, and if out of the pulpit I would desire to die practicing it.

— Matthew Henry

I will kill you if you ever come near me again.

Jesus loves you Nicky.

We must know Jesus for ourselves.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 — When the wicked one appears, Satan will pretend to work all kinds of miracles, wonders, and signs. Lost people will be fooled by his evil deeds. They could be saved, but they will refuse to love the truth and accept it.

Came

Confessed

Brought

Burned

1 John 1:9 — If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

People who cover their faults and excuse themselves do not have a repentant spirit.

— Watchman Nee

The recognition of sin is the beginning of salvation.

— Martin Luther

Proverbs 28:13 — Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Ephesians 4:31 — Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Colossians 3:8 — But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

James 4:8 — Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Hebrews 12:1 — Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

What needs thrown off/away in my life?

We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road. The man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.

— C.S. Lewis

I surrender all to Jesus Christ.

Acts 19:20 — So the word of the Lord powerfully grew and spread.

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Acts 19:11 — God worked powerful miracles by the hands of Paul.

Revelation

Response

Rejection

Reception

Am I open to God in my life?

Am I open to MORE of God in my life?

Acts 18

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, born in Alexandria, who was an eloquent man and powerful in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John, but being fervent in spirit, he accurately spoke and taught the things concerning the Lord.

26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him and explained the way of God more accurately.

Acts 19

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples

2 and said to them, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” They said to him, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 He said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”

4 Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Christ Jesus.”

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.

7 There were about twelve men in all.

8 He went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, lecturing and persuading concerning the kingdom of God.

9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the crowd, he withdrew from them and took the disciples, lecturing daily in the school of Tyrannus.

10 This continued for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

11 God worked powerful miracles by the hands of Paul.

12 So handkerchiefs or aprons he had touched were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Have you received ______________________ since you believed?

Revelation (Baptism/Re-Baptism)

Infancy

Understanding

Immersion

Pressure/Pleasing

Christ/Christian

Revelation (Holy Spirit)

Response

Am I open to MORE of God in my life?

Rejection

The only sin God cannot forgive is the sin of rejecting Christ.

— Billy Graham

To reject Christ is to choose hell.

— Charles Spurgeon

“Hell is truth known too late.”

The greatest tragedy is not the death of the body, but the death of a soul still alive in rebellion against God.

— Leonard Ravenhill

The greatest sin is not the sin you commit, but the rejection of the Savior who died for those sins.

— Watchman Nee

Luke 11:52 — “Woe to you experts in religion! For you hide the truth from the people. You won’t accept it for yourselves, and you prevent others from having a chance to believe it.”

Reception/Receiving

1 Corinthians 2:14 — Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis.

Luke 13:34 — Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. You stone to death the people God has sent to you. How many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me.

Revelation

Response

Rejection

Reception

John 1:10-12

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Those who have God, have everything; those who reject Him, have nothing.

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Matthew 9:28-29

Jesus went inside, and the blind men went with him. He asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to make you see again?” They answered, “Yes, Lord, we believe.” Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “You believe that I can make you see again, so it will happen.”

Luke 5:13 — Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.

Matthew 20:34 — So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Luke 13:12-13

When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

Matthew 8:2-3

Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.

Luke 14:3-4

Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away.

Mark 8

22 When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him.

23 Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?”

24 The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.”

25 Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.

We are all blind.

Mark 8:18 — ‘You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?’ Don’t you remember anything at all?

Revelation 3:17 — You say you are rich. You think you have become wealthy and don’t need anything. But you don’t know that you are really miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

With spiritual apathy and blindness, the only reason we don’t have revival is because we are willing to live without it.

— Leonard Ravenhill

The natural man is not only blind, but he loves his blindness; he resists the light because it exposes the things he loves in darkness.

— Jonathan Edwards

The worst thing a man can do is to remain blind to his blindness.

— Charles Spurgeon

At some point, if you want to see, if you want a miracle, if you want to change, you have to let God touch your life!

Jesus led him out…

What is God wanting to lead you out of?

Transparency/Truthfulness

The Second Touch

Don’t Touch Me — Touch Me

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2 Thessalonians 1:3 — We thank God for you always. And that’s what we should do, because you give us good reason to be thankful: Your faith is growing more and more. And the love that every one of you has for each other is also growing.

Is God getting bigger in my life?

Is God getting smaller in my life?

Is my faith increasing?

Is my faith decreasing?

Do I believe more in God?

Do I believe less in God?

Is God’s grace growing in my life?

Is God’s grace diminishing in my life?

Is God’s love more visible in my life?

Is God’s love less visible in my life?

Do I care more about the Great Commission?

Do I care less about the Great Commission?

Am I more in love with His Church?

Am I less in love with His Church?

Is my heart to give (generosity) more or less?

Is my heart to serve more or less?

75%

What causes my faith to fail?

Luke 22:32 — But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. So when you recover, strengthen the other disciples.

What causes my faith to fluctuate?

Mark 4

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

37 A furious windstorm arose, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was close to being swamped.

37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

37 A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water.

37 A very strong wind began to blow. Water came in the boat. It began to fill up with water.

The ship doesn’t sink because of the water around it; it typically sinks because of the water that gets in it.

When I wake up, I pray that God gets in my head before I do.

Psalm 42:11 — Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Jonah 2:7 — When my soul fainted within me…

Psalm 51:10 — Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

2 Corinthians 7:5 — For when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, and we were troubled on every side. On the outside were conflicts; on the inside were fears.

Psalm 109:22 — For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

Psalm 94:19 — When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

What has gotten into you?

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Does God care?

What > Who

Peace is not the absence of the storm — Peace is the presence of Jesus Christ in it.

Who > What

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John 12:1-11 (NIV)

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint a of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, c but you will not always have me.” 9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

The most incredible thing about miracles is that they happen

GK Chesterton

John 11:1 A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days.

John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down ones life for ones friends.

Romans 5:6-8 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

James 2:23 (NIV)

23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

John 14:18 (NLT)

18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans, I will come to you.

Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 12:10-11 (NIV)

10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

John 11:35 (NIV)

35 Jesus wept.

John 12:1-3 (NIV)

Habakkuk 3:2 (NKJV)

2 O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.

Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

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Mark 5

22 One of the rulers of the synagogue, named Jairus, saw Jesus and came and fell at His feet

23 and earnestly asked Him, “My little daughter is lying at the point of death. I ask You, come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be healed. And she will live.”

24 So Jesus went with him. And many people followed Him and pressed in on Him.

25 And a certain woman had a hemorrhage for twelve years,

26 and had suffered much under many physicians. She had spent all that she had, and was not better but rather grew worse.

27 When she had heard of Jesus, she came in the crowd behind Him and touched His garment.

28 For she said, “If I may touch His garments, I shall be healed.”

29 And immediately her hemorrhage dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

30 At once, Jesus knew within Himself that power had gone out of Him. He turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?”

31 His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing against You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”

32 And He looked around to see her who had done it.

33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the entire truth.

34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Daughter

Tried

Leviticus 15:25 — And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.

Told/Tell

What if someone’s life could be changed simply by you telling them about Jesus Christ?

Timing

Thought

Touch

God’s touch can calm the loudest and the strongest storms in our lives.

When the Lord touches a man, he is never the same again. The leper is cleansed, the blind see, the dead live. When God lays His hand upon a man, it is not to crush but to create - not to condemn, but to call.

— Charles Spurgeon

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Truth

Mark 5:33 — But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the entire truth.

Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.

Tell the truth.

Your soul will sigh in relief.

Telling the truth is not just about honesty — it’s about honoring the God who is Truth. When you speak truth, you align your mouth with Heaven.

Truth is not just a value — it’s a weapon. Every time we tell the truth, we push back the kingdom of darkness.

The closer you walk with God, the harder it is to live with a lie.

Sometimes our miraculous moments includes us telling the truth.

Thank God that He can meet us where we are at in life.

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2 Kings 4

1 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.”

2 And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”

3 Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few.

4 Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.”

5 So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her.

6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

7 She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

God will often use what you already have.

God won’t bless what’s not surrendered.

2 Kings 4:6

When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

What does my gathering say about my faith?

Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ‭‭

2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬

For we walk by faith, not by sight. ‭‭

James‬ ‭2‬

17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. ‭

What are you believing for in your life?

Who are you believing for in your life?

What are you believing for in our church?

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Miracle — A natural or supernatural event with precise timing.

Miracle — A divine intervention in human affairs.

Miracle — A surprising event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of the divine.

Have you ever experienced a miracle?

We should always endeavor to wonder at the permanent thing, not the exception.

— G.K. Chesterton

Psalm 139:13-14 — You formed the way I think and feel. You put me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way. I know how amazing that was!

We are breathing in roughly 25 sextillion molecules every time we take a breath.

— National Geographic

Have you ever experienced a miracle?

There is only 2 ways to live your life: one is as if nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is a miracle.

— Einstein

Psalm 150:6 — Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

We should always endeavor to wonder at the permanent thing, not the exception.

— G.K. Chesterton

Do I live my life as if it is a miracle?

Praise

Positivity

Pleasing God

Gratitude/Gratefulness

What will I do with my miracle?

Time

Talent

Treasure

Philippians 4:7 — And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:13 — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Acts 2

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

2 Suddenly a noise came from heaven. It sounded like a strong wind blowing. This noise filled the whole house where they were sitting.

3 They saw something that looked like flames of fire. The flames were separated and stood over each person there.

4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages. The Holy Spirit was giving them the power to do this.

Acts 4

29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.

30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Acts 13:52 — And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 — Don’t be drunk with wine, which will ruin your life, but be filled with the Spirit.

What the church needs today is not more strategies, but more of the Holy Spirit.

— Jim Cymbala

The Spirit-filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people.

— A.W. Tozer

If I were Satan and my ultimate goal was to thwart God’s kingdom and purposes, one of my main strategies would be to get churchgoers to ignore the Holy Spirit.

— Francis Chan

You will do more in one year if you are really filled with the Holy Ghost than you could do in fifty years apart from Him.

— Smith Wigglesworth

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just want to visit you on Sundays; He wants to move in and live with you every day.

— Author John Bevere

You might as well try to see without eyes, hear without ears, or live without breath, as to try to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit.

— D.L. Moody

— Corrie ten Boom

Revival is not churches filled with people, but people filled with the Holy Ghost.

Mark 12:30 — Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

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The greatest miracle is a heart fully surrendered to God.

— Andrew Murray

Miracle — A natural or supernatural event with precise timing.

Miracle — A divine intervention in human affairs.

Miracle — A surprising event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of the divine.

John 2

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and

2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.

3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They don’t have any wine.”

4 Jesus replied, “Woman, what does that have to do with me? My time hasn’t come yet.”

5 His mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby were six stone water jars used for the Jewish cleansing ritual, each able to hold about twenty or thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some from them and take it to the headwaiter,” and they did.

9 The headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine. He didn’t know where it came from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. The headwaiter called the groom

10 and said, “Everyone serves the good wine first. They bring out the second-rate wine only when the guests are drinking freely. You kept the good wine until now.”

11 This was the first miraculous sign that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

John 2:11 — This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The Beginning

What if we underestimate when and where God can do something supernatural?

The Invitation

Revelation 3:20 — Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me.

Do I invite Jesus into ______________________?

Go to God

Psalm 46:1 — God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Matthew 11:28 — COME to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

1 Peter 5:7 — CAST all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Psalm 55:22 — TAKE your problems to the Lord. He will take care of you. He will never let his own people fall.

God can do a NEW thing in your life.

God can do a NOW thing in your life.

God can do a NEW thing in their life.

Who needs to witness what God can do?

Acts 2:2 — Suddenly

Acts 9:3 — Suddenly

Acts 16:26 — Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s shackles were loosened.

Earthquake

Foundations

Doors Opened

Everyone

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Miracle — A divine intervention in human affairs.

Miracle — A surprising event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of the divine.

Anything God has ever done anywhere, He can do here. Anything God has ever done for anyone, He can do for you.

— A.W. Tozer

Luke 6

6 On another Sabbath, when He entered the synagogue and taught, there was a man whose right hand had withered.

7 The scribes and the Pharisees watched Him to see whether He would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against Him.

8 But He knew their thoughts, and He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise and stand in front.” So he rose and stood in front.

9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

10 Then looking around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.

11 But they were filled with madness and discussed with each other what they might do to Jesus.

The Man With ___________________________.

Jesus entered…

Miracles are not about God showing off.

They are about God showing up.

— N.T. Wright

They watched…

Mark 3:5 — Jesus was angry as he looked around at the people. Yet he felt sorry for them because they were so stubborn. Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did, and his bad hand was healed.

Mark 3:5 — And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Do not quench the Spirit.

— I Thessalonians 5

Do not grieve the Spirit.

— Ephesians 4

Acts 7:51 — Then Stephen said, You stubborn Jewish leaders! You refuse to give your hearts to God or even listen to him. You are always against what the Holy Spirit wants you to do. That’s how your ancestors were, and you are just like them!

Matthew 12:11-13

Jesus answered, “If one of your sheep fell into a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn't you lift it out? People are worth much more than sheep, and so it is right to do good on the Sabbath.” Then Jesus told the man, “Hold out your hand.” The man did, and it became as healthy as the other one.

Luke 6:6 — On another Sabbath, when He entered the synagogue and taught, there was a man whose right hand had withered.

“My sins are more than I can bear.”

— Prisoner

“Thank God that I can point someone to the saving power of Jesus Christ.”

— D. L. Moody

I’m not asking for your good hand.

I need you to give me what’s withered.

God can do more in five minutes than man can do in fifty years.

— Welsh Revival

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“It didn’t matter how big our house was; it mattered that there was love in it.” — Peter Buffett

"To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there." — Barbara Bush

The most important thing in the world is family and love.” – John Wooden

John 19:26-27 (NLT)

26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

“Show me your friends and I will show you your future.” - Grandma

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future. The people you’re hanging out with today are shaping the person you will become tomorrow.” ― Pastor Craig Groeschel

2 Samuel 13:1-3 (NLT)

1 Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. And Amnon, her half brother, fell desperately in love with her. 2 Amnon became so obsessed with Tamar that he became ill. She was a virgin, and Amnon thought he could never have her. 3 But Amnon had a very crafty friend—his cousin Jonadab…

2 Kings 24:14 (NIV)

14 He carried all Jerusalem into exile: all the officers and fighting men, and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest people of the land were left.

Psalms 79:1 (NIV)

1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

Jeremiah 31:16 (NIV)

This is what the LORD says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the LORD. “They will return from the land of the enemy.

Jeremiah 31:1 (NIV)

1 “At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.O;

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My family puts the fun in dysfunctional.

There are no perfect families.

Genesis 5:1 — This is the written account of Adam’s family line.

Genesis 6:9 — This is the account of Noah and his family.

Genesis 11:10 — This is the account of Shem’s family line.

Genesis 11:27 — This is the account of Terah’s family line.

Genesis 25:12 — This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Ishmael…

Genesis 25:19 — This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Isaac.

Genesis 36:1 — This is the account of the family line of Esau (that is, Edom).

Genesis 37:2 — This is the account of Jacob’s family line.

What will be the account of my family?

May our family live in the love of the Lord.

Psalm 103:17 — But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.

Teach your children to walk with God, and they will never walk alone.

May we be remembered as a forgiving family.

Colossians 3:13 — Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you.

Every time we forgive, we declare that the cross is enough — not just for us, but for them too.

May we be remembered as a praying family.

Acts 10:2 — He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

May our family be a God-centered and faith-focused family.

Chick-fil-A likely loses out on more than one billion dollars in sales every year by closing on Sundays.

— Business Insider

Closing our business on Sunday, the Lord's Day, is our way of honoring God and showing our loyalty to Him.

— Truett Cathy

Joshua 24:15 — If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

As for the ___________________ family…

May we be remembered as a comeback kind of family.

Luke 15

“While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him coming and felt sorry for him. So he ran to him and hugged and kissed him. The son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and have done wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father…”

A Loving Family

A Praying Family

A Faith Focused Family

A Forgiving Family

A Comeback Family

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Luke 2:48 — His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

Luke 2:49 — And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Luke 2:49 — Jesus said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? You should have known that I must be where my Father’s work is.”

"The solitary floweret out of the enclosed garden of thirty years."

We see what will ultimately sway the Savior.

MUST

Luke 4:43 — But Jesus said, “People in other towns must hear the good news about God's kingdom. This is why I was sent.”

John 9:4 — While it is still day, we must continue to work. God has sent me and we must do his work. We must work now because it will be night soon. Then nobody can work.

Luke 19:5 — When Jesus came to where Zacchaeus was, he looked up and saw him in the tree. Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, hurry! Come down! I must stay at your house today.”

John 4:4 — And he (Jesus) must needs go through Samaria.

Mark 8:31 — Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things. He taught that the Son of Man would not be accepted by the Jewish elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the law. He taught that the Son of Man must be killed and then rise from death after three days.

Mark 13:10 — Before the end comes, the Good News must be told to all nations.

What is a MUST in my life?

John 3

3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.

6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’

Acts 16:30-31

Then he brought them outside and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all who live in your house.”

Acts 4:12 — Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save anyone. We must be saved through him!

John 3:30 — He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

Matthew 16

22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

John 4:24 — For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.

Hebrews 11:6 — Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him.

2 Corinthians 5:10

We must all stand before Christ to be judged. Everyone will get what they should. They will be paid for whatever they did—good or bad—when they lived in this earthly body.

What is the MUST that God is speaking to you in this moment?

The difference between the Apostle Paul and the modern church is that the Apostle Paul never tried to adjust his message to the world, but rather he adjusted his life to the message.

— Leonard Ravenhill

I must…

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Let Go

Let God

Anger is a violent emotion, vindictive, and as dangerous to he who is driven by it as to anyone on whom it is turned.

Colossians 3:8-9

But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Vindictiveness usually comes from anger, low self-esteem, trust issues, or an inability to forgive.

Malice: A desire to cause hurt or pain to someone. A desire to see ill-will come to someone.

50,000

Spitefulness attempts to even the score through retaliation.

I’ve never seen anyone carry around a grudge like that for 30 yrs…it’s bizarre.

— Law Enforcement Investigation

Spitefulness is like a spiritual cancer.

1 Peter 3:9 — Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.

How have I been spiteful?

Am I being spiteful?

Revenge is the most worthless of causes.

Ephesians 4:30-32

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Let Go

We need the Holy Spirit.

Lord I forgive ________________ for _______________ which made me feel _______________.

Romans 12:19 — Never take vengeance into your own hands, my dear friends: stand back and let God punish if he will. For it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine. I will repay’.

Let God

Matthew 5:43-44

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…

Titus 3

3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them.

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed,

5 he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us.

6 God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for.

But God

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Anger is one letter short of danger.

Proverbs 19:3 — People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.

1 Timothy 2:8 — In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

Did I lift my hands free from anger today?

When you experience anger, your prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for decision-making and logical thinking, can become impaired. In fact, research has shown that your IQ can drop by up to 15 points when you’re in a fit of rage.

Proverbs 22:24-25

Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

It’s ok to get mad: If you have been wronged, treated unfairly, or provoked, you should get angry, but express it assertively instead of aggressively.

Diet

Food

Humor

Walking

Sleeping

Distance

Breathing

Relaxation

Activity/Exercise

Conflict Resolution

Matthew 5:22 — But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

Matthew 5:23-24

So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Genesis 4:6 — “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?

Why am I angry?

We will often find that what was said or done was affecting our ego, our pride, or our self-esteem.

— Author Tim Keller

Anger becomes fear and shame’s bodyguard.

— Dr. Caparelli

Jonah 4

1 This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry.

2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.

3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”

4 The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”

Is it right for me to angry?

Is it beneficial/good for me to angry?

If anger is not managed effectively, it can lead to long-term health problems. The human body is not built to handle prolonged or regular exposure to high levels of adrenaline and cortisol.

Erosive

Explosive

Genesis 45

4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt.

5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.

Revealing

Releasing

Reframing

Venting to reduce anger is like using gasoline to put out a fire — it only feeds the flame. By venting, you keep angry feelings alive and you end up angrier, not less angry.

— Dr. Brad Bushman

Instead of venting, try validating your anger and then letting it go. This means acknowledging that your angry feelings are normal and understandable, but also recognizing that dwelling on them is not productive.

Ephesians 4:26-27

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Anger

Wrath

What is building up?

What am I tucking away?

Am I amassing anger?

Do I have a portfolio of pain?

Ephesians 4:31 — Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

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Exodus 1

15 Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah:

16 “When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.”

17 But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.

The Fear of The Lord

Exodus 2

1 About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married.

2 The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months.

3 But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River.

4 The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him.

The Basket

84%

Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise.

What will happen?

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.

— Author Chuck Swindoll

Protest Pharoah

Mentor Moses

Exodus 2:23 — Many years later, Egypt’s king died. The Israelites continued to moan because of their bondage, and they cried out to be rescued from their oppression. Their cry for help ascended to God.

Many years later…

Exodus 3

1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to the mountain of God, to Horeb.

2 The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush, and he looked, and the bush burned with fire, but the bush was not consumed.

3 So Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.”

4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him from out of the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses.”

And he said, “Here am I.”

5 He said, “Do not approach here. Remove your sandals from off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

6 Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

I am the God of your father.

Moses’ father appears to have been just an ordinary man whose faith in God and love for his infant son caused him to defy the king of Egypt.

The Presence Of God

The Voice Of God

The Fear Of God

Hebrews 11

23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.

26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.

27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.

Verse 23 — They were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

Verse 27 — Moses did not fear the king’s anger.

We will believe in the baby in the basket.

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Children

Exodus 1

8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.

11 So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king.

12 But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became.

13 So the Egyptians worked the people of Israel without mercy.

14 They made their lives bitter, forcing them to mix mortar and make bricks and do all the work in the fields. They were ruthless in all their demands.

15 Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah:

16 “When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.”

17 But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.

18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives. “Why have you done this?” he demanded. “Why have you allowed the boys to live?”

19 “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women,” the midwives replied. “They are more vigorous and have their babies so quickly that we cannot get there in time.”

20 So God was good to the midwives, and the Israelites continued to multiply, growing more and more powerful.

21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live.”

Exodus 2

1 About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married.

2 The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months.

4 The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him.

Hebrews 11:23 — It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

Pharoah’s Fears

Exodus 1:11 — They hoped to wear them down.

17 But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.

The fear of God

Acts 5:29 — But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

Mid-Wives — They refused to obey.

Parents — They were not afraid to disobey.

What am I willing to risk?

Could baby Moses count on me?

I will help build baskets.

You don’t trust me!

I don’t trust Pharoah!

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

“Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me.”

— William Wilberforce

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2 Samuel 13

37 And David mourned many days for his son Amnon. Absalom fled to his grandfather, Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur.

38 He stayed there in Geshur for three years.

39 And King David, now reconciled to Amnon’s death, longed to be reunited with his son Absalom.

2 Samuel 14

23 Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.

24 But the king gave this order: “Absalom may go to his own house, but he must never come into my presence.” So Absalom did not see the king.

2 Samuel 14:25 — Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot.

We all need someone who can see our shortcomings.

Absalom needed challenged for what was on the other side of his appearance.

2 Samuel 14:28 — Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years, but he never got to see the king.

2 Samuel 14:33 — So Joab told the king what Absalom had said. Then at last David summoned Absalom, who came and bowed low before the king, and the king kissed him.

2 Samuel 15

1 After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him.

2 He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe.

3 Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it.

4 I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!”

5 When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them.

6 Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.

Absalom capitalizes on controversy.

10 But while he was there, he sent secret messengers to all the tribes of Israel to stir up a rebellion against the king. “As soon as you hear the ram’s horn,” his message read, “you are to say, ‘Absalom has been crowned king in Hebron.’”

11 He took 200 men from Jerusalem with him as guests, but they knew nothing of his intentions.

12 While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum.

13 A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!”

30 David walked up the road to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and his feet were bare as a sign of mourning. And the people who were with him covered their heads and wept as they climbed the hill.

2 Samuel 17

1 Ahithophel also said to Absalom, “Now, let me choose 12,000 men to chase David tonight.

2 I will catch him while he is tired and weak. I will frighten him, and all his people will run away. But I will kill only King David.

2 Samuel 17:12 — We will catch David wherever he is hiding and attack him with so many soldiers that they will be like the dew that covers the ground. We will kill David and all of his men—no one will be left alive.

2 Samuel 18:5 — And the king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom.” And all the troops heard the king give this order to his commanders.

2 Samuel 18

15 Ten of Joab’s young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him.

17 They threw Absalom’s body into a deep pit in the forest and piled a great heap of stones over it. And all Israel fled to their homes.

33 The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.”

Psalm 3

1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

The Lord sustained me.

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Colossians 3:2 — Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

We have an average of 6.5 thought transitions per minute, and we can typically only think about 4 things.

It’s possible that you could be repeating the same negative thoughts to yourself more than 5000 times a day.

Come

Consume

We will control our thoughts —

Or our thoughts will control us.

Romans 8

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.

6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Where am I being led?

Who has access to your mind?

FAITH

F — Focus on the positives

A — Affirm yourself

I — Imagine God doing something good

T — Trust God always

H — Hope for the best

Mindfulness

Mindfulness helps us to stay in the moment.

ABC’s

A — Action (Activating Event)

B — Belief

C — Consequence (Feeling)

Our BELIEF needs to be challenged.

Philippians 4:8 — Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things.

Is it true?

If we take this thought to court, do we have enough evidence to win our case?

Is my thought based on facts or feelings?

Am I taking this personally?

Am I jumping to conclusions?

Isaiah 26:3 — Lord, you keep those people safe who continue to trust in you. You give them peace in their minds, because they believe in you.

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God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, "I love you."

— Billy Graham

Luke 19:10 — The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.

Proximity: To be close.

Luke 23

41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Can you remember the day that Jesus saved you?

Luke 19

1 Jesus was going through the city of Jericho.

2 In Jericho there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a wealthy, very important tax collector.

3 He wanted to see who Jesus was. There were many others who wanted to see Jesus too. Zacchaeus was too short to see above the people.

4 So he ran to a place where he knew Jesus would come. Then he climbed a sycamore tree so he could see him.

5 When Jesus came to where Zacchaeus was, he looked up and saw him in the tree. Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, hurry! Come down! I must stay at your house today.”

John 4

5 In Samaria Jesus came to the town called Sychar, which is near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6 Jacob’s well was there. Jesus was tired from his long trip, so he sat down beside the well. It was about noon.

7 A Samaritan woman came to the well to get some water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”

9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.

16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband.

18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

Mark 2

1 A few days later, Jesus came back to Capernaum. The news spread that he was back home.

2 A large crowd gathered to hear him speak. The house was so full that there was no place to stand, not even outside the door. While Jesus was teaching,

3 some people brought a paralyzed man to see him. He was being carried by four of them.

4 But they could not get the man inside to Jesus because the house was so full of people. So they went to the roof above Jesus and made a hole in it. Then they lowered the mat with the paralyzed man on it.

5 When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the paralyzed man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”

Jesus came…

God can give you MORE than what you came for today.

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Luke 8

40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him.

41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house,

42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him.

43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.

44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased.

45 And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!"

46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me."

47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.

48 And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more."

50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well."

51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.

52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, "Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping."

53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.

54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise."

55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat.

56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Don’t walk away.

What voices do I listen to?

What voices do I value and prioritize?

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life.

"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer." - Corrie ten Boom

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1 Timothy 1:15 — Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them.

1 Timothy 1:15 — So here is a statement you can trust, one that fully deserves to be accepted: the Messiah came into the world to save sinners, and I’m the number one sinner!

Romans 8

1 Saul approved the stoning of Stephen. Some faithful followers of the Lord buried Stephen and mourned very much for him.

2 At that time the church in Jerusalem suffered terribly. All of the Lord's followers, except the apostles, were scattered everywhere in Judea and Samaria.

3 Saul started making a lot of trouble for the church. He went from house to house, arresting men and women and putting them in jail.

Acts 9:1-2

Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord's followers. He even went to the high priest and asked for letters to the leaders of the synagogues in Damascus. He did this because he wanted to arrest and take to Jerusalem any man or woman who had accepted the Lord's Way.

Acts 9

3 So Saul went to Damascus. When he came near the city, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shined around him.

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

5 Saul said, “Who are you, Lord?”

The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.

Romans 8:3 — Saul was making trouble for the church…

Philippians 3:8-9

Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ.

1 Timothy 1:15 — Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them.

Christ came to save sinners.

I am the worst.

The recognition of sin is the beginning of salvation.

— Martin Luther

Romans 3:23 — All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

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

The gospel is open to all; the most respectable sinner has no more claim on it than the worst.

Romans 10:9 — Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me.

— Tim Keller

1 Corinthians 6

10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

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Psalm 23:6 — Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I believe that every Christian ought to be joined to some visible church; that is his plain duty, according to the Scriptures. God’s people are not dogs, else they might go about one by one; but they are sheep, and therefore they should be in flocks.

— Charles Spurgeon

The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ.

— C. S. Lewis

What has the church done for me?

What WILL I do for God’s house?

If everyone in this church were just like me, what kind of church would this church be?

I will HONOR God’s house.

Haggai 1:4 — You people are living in beautiful houses. But my temple is still just a heap of stones! It is time for you to do something about it!

I will SERVE God’s house.

There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things.

— Dwight L. Moody

I will WORSHIP in God’s house.

Psalm 5:7 — But by your great mercy, I can enter your house. I can worship in your holy Temple with fear and respect for you.

Psalm 122:1 — I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

Romans 1

24 People wanted only to do evil. So God left them and let them go their sinful way. And so they became completely immoral and used their bodies in shameful ways with each other.

25 They traded the truth of God for a lie. They bowed down and worshiped the things God made instead of worshiping the God who made those things. He is the one who should be praised forever. Amen.

I will GIVE to God’s house.

Money is not good or evil.

It has no morals or intentions on its own.

Money reflects the character of the user.

20%

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

You don’t even have to push me…

I will DWELL in God’s house.

Misunderstandings

2 Peter 3:16

Expectations

Philippians 2

Abandonment

2 Timothy 4

Criticisms/Skepticisms

Disagreements

Acts 15

Disappointments

2 Corinthians 11:22-29

Don’t let anything change you.

Scripture — stories of people who changed…

Give Yourselves

Never Wasted

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Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey

into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent

all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

Jacked Up -

Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no

man gave unto him.

Fed Up -

don't resent successful people simply because you put up with what their fed up with.

Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's

have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

Wake Up -

Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against

heaven, and before thee,

Get Up -

Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Grow Up -

Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight,

and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Speak Up -

Luke 15: 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and

put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and

let us eat, and be merry:

Make Up -

God will make up for what you lost.

God will make up for what you lack.

God will make up for what you left.

Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they

began to be merry.

Live Up -

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Matthew 6

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread,

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Debts

Debtors

Romans 3:23 — For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

We are chargeable with debts—debts of every description: original, imputed, inherent; [and] actual, debts of omission and commission, of ignorance, infirmity, and deliberate wickedness, without limits and without number.

— Herman Witsius

95% of my clients have unresolved guilt.

1 John 1:8-9 — If we say that we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done.

Colossians 1:13-14 — God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.

The voice of sin is loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder.

— Dwight L. Moody

We do not really know how to forgive until we know what it is to be forgiven.

— Thomas Merton

One-Sided Forgiveness

Two-Sided Forgiveness

Every one says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.

Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.

— C.S. Lewis

Genesis 45

1 Joseph could not control himself any longer. He cried in front of all the people who were there. Joseph said, “Tell everyone to leave here.” So all the people left. Only the brothers were left with Joseph. Then he told them who he was.

2 Joseph continued to cry, and all the Egyptian people in Pharaoh’s house heard it.

3 He said to his brothers, “I am your brother Joseph. Is my father doing well?” But the brothers did not answer him because they were confused and afraid.

4 So Joseph said to his brothers again, “Come here to me. I beg you, come here.” When the brothers went to him, he said to them, “I am your brother Joseph. I am the one you sold as a slave to Egypt.

5 Now don’t be worried. Don’t be angry with yourselves for what you did. It was God’s plan for me to come here. I am here to save people’s lives.

Joseph excused the Egyptians.

Joseph called them close.

Joseph asked that his brothers wouldn't be angry with themselves.

Genesis 50:20 — You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that he could save all these people, as he is now doing.

Joseph acknowledged that God was working in and through his life experiences.

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Luke 11

1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

One of the great uses of social media will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time.

85% of people are affected by low self-esteem in the world today.

— Dr. Joe Rubino

Studies show that social media can cause low self esteem and negative thinking.

— Digital Information World

Companies like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook are fueling a mental health crisis by designing their platforms with addictive and dangerous features.

— 1/25/2024

Just as the [U.S.] surgeon general did with tobacco and guns, we are treating social media like other public health hazards.

— 1/25/2024

60% of people wished they had more respect for themselves.

— Self Love Index Studies

Low self-esteem is linked to violence, school dropout rates, teenage pregnancy, suicide, and low academic achievement.

— Misetich & Delis-Abrams

Rates of anxiety and depression have increased 70% in the past 25 years.

— Royal Society for Public Health, 2022

The average child hears 432 negative statements per day, but only 32 positive statements each day.

— University of Iowa

80 percent of children entering the first grade scored high on the self-esteem inventory. By the fifth grade only 20 percent of the children were scoring high. And by the time they graduated from high school that number was down to just 5 percent.

— Jack Canfield, Chicken Soup for the Soul

Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.

— Author Max Lucado

The GOAL is not to get GOOD at prayer.

The GOAL is to spend time with GOD in prayer.

Pray, and let God worry.

— Martin Luther

The value of prayer is not only that God will hear us, but that we will hear Him.

“Our Father”

Prayer helps me to see God relationally.

Matthew 26

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye hear, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Luke 23:46 — And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Fathers

Provide

Protect/Watch

Encourage/Uplift

Comfort

Correct (Discipline)

Our Father Provides

Philippians 4:19 — But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Our Father Protects/Watches

Matthew 10:29-31

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Our Father Encourages/Uplifts

Psalm 40:2 — He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

Our Father Comforts

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Our Father Corrects/Disciplines

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Hebrews 12:9 — We have all had fathers here on earth who corrected us with discipline. And we respected them. So it is even more important that we accept discipline from the Father of our spirits. If we do this, we will have life.

Provide

Protect/Watch

Encourage/Uplift

Comfort

Correct (Discipline)

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John 1:6-7 — God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.

John 1:15 — John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

John 1

29 The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

30 He is the one I told you about when I said, “Someone else will come, who is greater than I am, because he was alive before I was born.”

31 I didn't know who he was. But I came to baptize you with water, so that everyone in Israel would see him.

32 I was there and saw the Spirit come down on him like a dove from heaven. And the Spirit stayed on him.

33 Before this I didn't know who he was. But the one who sent me to baptize with water had told me, “You will see the Spirit come down and stay on someone. Then you will know that he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.”

34 I saw this happen, and I tell you that he is the Son of God.

John 3:23-24 — At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. This was before John was thrown into prison.

Before

Matthew 11

1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

How did I get here?

Luke 7

19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Try hard not to offend others.

Try even harder not to be offended.

Our people die well.

— John Wesley

We teach Christians how to die with their faith strong until the very end.

— John Wesley

In that same hour…

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Matthew 15

21 Then Jesus went from there and departed into the regions of Tyre and Sidon.

22 There, a woman of Canaan came out of the same regions and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David. My daughter is severely possessed by a demon.”

23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and begged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”

24 But He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

25 Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

26 But He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and to throw it to dogs.”

27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Even: In the highly unlikely case or condition.

God, will you work with what’s left?

God, will you work where I’m at in my life?

Psalm 27:10 — Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.

Even if…

Psalm 139

8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.

9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

Even there…

God knows WHERE you are.

God can meet you THERE.

Psalm 23:5 — You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

We can attempt to get even with our enemies or we can eat at His table.

We can try to get revenge or we can get refreshed.

We can focus on our adversary or we can ask God to anoint our head.

We can let life drain us or we can ask the Lord to overflow us.

Ephesians 2

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Even when…

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2 Samuel 4:4 — There was a little lame grandson of King Saul’s named Mephibosheth, who was the son of Prince Jonathan. He was five years old at the time Saul and Jonathan were killed at the battle of Jezreel. When the news of the outcome of the battle reached the capital, the child’s nurse grabbed him and fled, but she fell and dropped him as she was running, and he became lame.

Childhood

The Fall

The Drop

And he became…

2 Samuel 9:3 — The king said, “Is there anyone left in Saul’s family? I want to show God’s kindness to this person.” Ziba said to King David, “Jonathan has a son still living. He is crippled in both feet.”

2 Samuel 9:3 — David asked, “Are any of Saul's family still alive? If there are, I want to be kind to them.” Ziba answered, “One of Jonathan's sons is still alive, but he can't walk.”

But…

2 Samuel 9:4 — The king said to Ziba, “Where is this son?” Ziba said to the king, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

Where is this son?

Where is this ________________?

Men may flee from the sunlight to dark and musty caves of the earth, but they cannot put out the sun. So men may in any dispensation despise the grace of God, but they cannot extinguish it.

— Aiden Wilson Tozer

2 Samuel 9

7 David said to Mephibosheth, “Don’t be afraid. I will be kind to you because of your father Jonathan. I will give back to you all the land of your grandfather Saul. And you will always be able to eat at my table.”

8 Mephibosheth bowed to David again and he said, “I am no better than a dead dog, but you are being very kind to me.”

9 Then King David called Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given Saul’s family and everything he owns to your master’s grandson, Mephibosheth.

10 You will farm the land for Mephibosheth. Your sons and servants will do this for him. You will harvest the crops. Then your master’s grandson will have plenty of food to eat, but Mephibosheth will always be allowed to eat at my table.” Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants.

11 He said to King David, “I am your servant. I will do everything that my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. All the people in Ziba’s family became Mephibosheth’s servants.

13 Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem. He was crippled in both feet, and every day he ate at the king’s table.

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

Ephesians 2:13 — Yes, at one time you were far away from God, but now in Christ Jesus, you are brought near to him. You are brought near to God through the blood sacrifice of Christ.

Fall

Far

I once was lost, but now am found.

— John Newton

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Matthew 26

20 In the evening Jesus was sitting at the table with his 12 followers.

21 They were all eating. Then Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. One of you 12 will turn against me.”

22 This made the followers very sad. Each one said to Jesus, “Surely, Lord, I am not the one who will turn against you. Am I?”

22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

Table: A piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, providing a level surface on which objects may be placed, and that can be used for such purposes as eating, writing, working, or playing games.

70% of meals in America are eaten outside of the home.

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live.

— Jim Rohn

80% of teenagers claim family dinner is the time they are most likely to converse with their parents.

90 Minutes

12 Minutes

38.5 Minutes / Week

America’s drug problem is not going to be solved in courtrooms or legislative hearing rooms by judges and politicians. It will be solved in living rooms and dining rooms and across kitchen tables – by parents and families.

All great change in America begins at the dinner table.

— Ronald Reagan

Family Dinners

— Charles H. Spurgeon

The goal of parenting isn’t to create perfect kids. It’s to point our kids to the perfect God.

There is a 0.0296% chance that your child will become a professional athlete.

There is a 0.0086% chance that your child will become a famous celebrity.

There is a 100% certainty that your child will stand before Jesus.

Psalm 90

10 Our lifetime is seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. But the years are full of hard work and pain. They pass quickly, and then we are gone.

12 Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise.

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What does Satan say to you?

What do others say to/about you?

What do you say to yourself?

What does God say to/about you?

What does Satan say to (about) you?

John 8:44 — Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies.

1 Peter 5:8-9 — Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord's followers are suffering just as you are.

What do others say to you?

You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.

— Zig Ziglar

Ephesians 4:29 — Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

1 Corinthians 14:26 — Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.

What do you say to yourself?

Impulse

Emotion

Logic

Matthew 9

20 A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and barely touched his clothes.

21 She had said to herself, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, “Don't worry! You are now healed because of your faith.” At that moment she was healed.

What does God say to you?

S – SCRIPTURE

O – OBSERVATION

A – APPLICATION

P – PRAYER

Is there any example for me to follow?
Is there a command for me to obey?
Is there any error for me to avoid?
Is there any sin for me to forsake?
Is there any promise for me to claim?
Is there any new thought about God?

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Live For Jesus

Love People

Share Your Faith

Come To Church

Value Serving

Keep Unity

Give To The Vision Offering

Matthew 7:1 — Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

Romans 14:10 — So why do you judge your brother or sister in Christ? Or why do you think that you are better than they are? We will all stand before God, and he will judge us all.

2 Corinthians 5

9 Our only goal is to always please the Lord, whether we are living here in this body or there with him.

10 We must all stand before Christ to be judged. Everyone will get what they should. They will be paid for whatever they did—good or bad—when they lived in this earthly body.

Romans 1

25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.

27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.

29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.

30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.

31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.

32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

Romans 1:32 — Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Hebrews 9:27 — Everyone must die once. Then they are judged.

Everyone

Matthew 10:28 — Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. The only one you should fear is God, the one who can send the body and the soul to be destroyed in hell.

John 8:24 — That is why I said that you will die in your sins. If you do not believe that I am the Christ, you will die in your sins.

Where will you go when you die?

John 14

1 Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me.

2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am.

Promise

Place

Person(s)

Acts 24

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.

25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

Felix was afraid…

Convenient Christianity

John 3

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

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What does God say about — Divorce?

1 Corinthians 7

8 Now for those who are not married and for the widows I say this: It is good for you to stay single like me.

9 But if you cannot control your body, then you should marry. It is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.

10 Now, I have a command for those who are married. Actually, it is not from me; it is what the Lord commanded. A wife should not leave her husband.

11 But if a wife does leave, she should remain single or get back together with her husband. And a husband should not divorce his wife.

Mark 10

2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied.

4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied.

6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’

7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

The United States of America has a higher divorce rate than many parts of the world.

64% of men and 52% of women get married again.

67% — Second Marriages

73% — Third Marriages

Couples who live together before marriage are more likely to divorce.

75% — A lack of Commitment

60% — Infidelity

58% — Conflict/Communication

45% — Youthfulness

38% — Finances

Around 70% of divorces are initiated by women.

Couples who have friends that divorce have a 75% increase in the risk of their own marriage ending.

Motherless Children

Fatherless Children

The greatest gift you can give your family and friends is a healthy you.

Deuteronomy 24

1 Suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him. Having discovered something wrong with her, he writes a document of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house.

2 When she leaves his house, she is free to marry another man.

Matthew 5

31 “Remember the Scripture that says, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights’? Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are ‘legal.’

32 Please, no more pretending. If you divorce your wife, you’re responsible for making her an adulteress (unless she has already made herself that by sexual promiscuity). And if you marry such a divorced adulteress, you’re automatically an adulterer yourself. You can’t use legal cover to mask a moral failure.”

What makes love last?

What is your offense?

What is your defense?

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What does God say about family?

Genesis 2:7 — Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.

Genesis 2:18 — Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

Genesis 2:21-22 — So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.

Matthew 19:5 — And God said, ‘That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two people will become one.’

Ecclesiastes 11:5 — As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Jeremiah 1:5 — “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Psalm 139:13 — For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 127:3 — Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

There is no perfect family.

What can I do with my imperfect family?

Love them.

Pray for them.

Point them to God’s perfection.

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Questions

Hebrews 11:3 — Faith helps us understand that God created the whole world by his command. This means that the things we see were made by something that cannot be seen.

What did God say about sin?

Romans 3:23 — All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

1 John 3:4 — Anyone who sins breaks God’s law. Yes, sinning is the same as living against God’s law.

“Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, and takes off the relish of spiritual things—that to you is sin."

— Susannah Wesley

Mark 7

20 And Jesus said, “The things that make people wrong are the things that come from the inside.

21 All these bad things begin inside a person, in the mind: bad thoughts, sexual sins, stealing, murder,

22 adultery, greed, doing bad things to people, lying, doing things that are morally wrong, jealousy, insulting people, proud talking, and foolish living.

23 These evil things come from inside a person. And these are the things that make people unacceptable to God.”

Romans 6:23 — For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 7

21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

22 I love God’s law with all my heart.

23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

Remember that if you are a child of God, you will never be happy in sin.

— Charles Spurgeon

John 1:29 — The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John 8:24 — If you don't have faith in me for who I am, you will die, and your sins will not be forgiven.

1 John 1

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us.

9 But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

You may think you can live without Christ, but you cannot afford to die without Him.

Ephesians 2

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,

5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Church is not a group of perfect people.

Church is a group of changing people.

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What Does God Say About ______________?

Matthew 4:4 — Jesus answered him, “The Scriptures say, ‘It is not just bread that keeps people alive. Their lives depend on what God says.’”

Does God really speak?

Would you like God to speak to you?

Will I listen?

2 Timothy 3

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

40+ Authors

3 Different Languages

3 Different Continents

1500+ Years

2000+ Prophecies/Promises

Luke 24:27 — Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Isaiah 7:14 — The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Matthew 1:22-23 — All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

Micah 5:2 — But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, are the smallest town in Judah. Your family is almost too small to count, but the “Ruler of Israel” will come from you to rule for me. His beginnings are from ancient times, from long, long ago.

Matthew 2:1 — Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.

Isaiah 40:3 — A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Matthew 3:1-2

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Zechariah 9:9 — Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Luke 19:35 — So the followers brought the donkey to Jesus. They put their coats on its back. Then they put Jesus on the donkey.

Isaiah 53:12 — Therefore will I give him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was counted with the transgressors, and he bare the sin of many, and prayed for the trespassers.

Matthew 27:38 — Two thieves were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left.

Amos 8:9 — Here is what will happen on that day, declares the Lord God: I will make the sun set at noon, and I will bring darkness on the earth when it should be light.

Matthew 27:45 — At noon the whole country became dark. The darkness continued for three hours.

I will trust God and His Word.

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John 4

46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.

47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.

52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”

53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

Cana in Galilee

Where He had…

Before

Who are you fighting for?

Jesus came again.

Luke 11:13 — Even though you’re evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. So how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

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Stay where your presence is valued.

“If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.”

— AW Tozer

Acts 2

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

38 Peter said to them, “Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Then God will forgive your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 This promise is for you. It is also for your children and for the people who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to himself.”

The promise is for ________________________.

Acts 10

24 The next day they came to the city of Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had already gathered his relatives and close friends at his house.

25 When Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him. He fell down at Peter’s feet and worshiped him.

26 But Peter told him to get up. Peter said, “Stand up! I am only a man like you.”

27 Peter continued talking with Cornelius. Then Peter went inside and saw a large group of people gathered there.

28 Peter said to the people, “You understand that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone who is not a Jew. But God has shown me that I should not consider anyone unfit or say they are not pure.

29 That’s why I didn’t argue when your men asked me to come here. Now, please tell me why you sent for me.”

30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was praying in my house. It was at this same time—three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly there was someone standing before me wearing bright, shiny clothes.

31 He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and has seen your gifts to the poor. He remembers you and all you have done.

32 So send some men to the city of Joppa and tell Simon Peter to come. He is staying with another man named Simon, a leatherworker who has a house beside the sea.’

33 So I sent for you immediately. It was very good of you to come here. Now we are all here before God to hear everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

34 Peter began to speak: “I really understand now that God does not consider some people to be better than others.

35 He accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what nation they come from.

36 God has spoken to the people of Israel. He sent them the Good News that peace has come through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all people.

37 “You know what has happened all over Judea. It began in Galilee after John told the people they needed to be baptized.

38 You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Messiah by giving him the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went everywhere doing good for people. He healed those who were ruled by the devil, showing that God was with him.

39 “We saw all that Jesus did in Judea and in Jerusalem. But he was killed. They put him on a cross made of wood.

40 But on the third day after his death, God raised him to life and let him be seen openly.

41 He was not seen by everyone, but only by us, the ones God had already chosen to be witnesses. We ate and drank with him after he was raised from death.

42 “Jesus told us to go and speak to the people. He told us to tell them that he is the one God chose to be the Judge of all who are living and all who have died.

43 Everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name. All the prophets agree that this is true.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to his speech.

We often want the Holy Spirit to serve our interests but we don’t always want to serve the Holy Spirit's interests.

45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the Holy Spirit had been poured out as a gift also to people who were not Jews.

46 They heard them speaking different languages and praising God. Then Peter said,

47 “How can anyone object to these people being baptized in water? They have received the Holy Spirit the same as we did!”

48 So Peter told them to baptize Cornelius and his relatives and friends in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Acts 19

1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.

2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.”

4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”

5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Do you remember when someone told you about Jesus?

Am I open to my life being led by the Holy Spirit?

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“What’s that noise?”

Everybody knows how to raise children, except the people who have them.

There really are places in the heart that you don’t even know exist until you love a child.

2 Timothy 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, a beloved son:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,

4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,

5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Christos

LOVE

PRAYER

FAITH

Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion that Sunday School is intended to ease them of their personal duties. The first and most natural condition of things is for Christian parents to train up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

— Charles Haddon Spurgeon

What’s that noise?

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John 1:29-37

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’

31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.

33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,

36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

Romans 5:12

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death…

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Hebrews 9:22

… and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

1 Corinthians 5:7

Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

1 Peter 1:18-19

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Mark 14:22-24

22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”

23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.

24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

Revelation 5:6

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain…

Revelation 5:9-13

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,

12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

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John 19:18 — There they nailed Jesus to the cross. They also nailed two other men to crosses. They put them on each side of Jesus with him in the middle.

1 Timothy 2:5 — There is only one God, and Christ Jesus is the only one who can bring us to God. Jesus was truly human, and he gave himself to rescue all of us.

John 20

19 The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders, and on the evening of that same Sunday they locked themselves in a room. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the middle of the group.

20 He greeted them and showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they became very happy.

21 Then Jesus said again, “Peace be with you. It was the Father who sent me, and I am now sending you in the same way.”

26 A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples

27 and said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!”

Face Your Fears

Find The Wall

Fear / Unknown

Disappointment

Past / Failure

Mistrust / Betrayal

Abandonment

Conclusion: losses loom larger than gains.

Protection

Unbelief

Never trade what you do know for what you don’t know.

— Pastor Chuck Smith

God knows how to walk through walls.

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Palm Sunday Scriptures:

Matthew 21:1-11

Mark 11:1-11

Luke 19:28-40

John 12:12-19

Luke 19:28-40

28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples,

30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here.

31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’”

32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them.

33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.”

35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.

36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.

37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,

38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”

40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Zechariah 9

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

John 12:16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.

“The Lord has need of it”

Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Worship

Giving

Malachi 3:10

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Invites / Influence

7 out of 10 people (70%) will live their lives and never be invited to church one time.

What initially brought you to church?

6-8% - Walked in by own initiative.

2-3% - Liked a program offered.

8-10% - Liked the pastor.

3-4% - The church had met or assisted their needs.

70-85% - Invited by a relative or friend!

Time

Ephesians 5

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

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No More

Nearby

Now

John 2

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,

2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so,

9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside

10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

No More

What has ran out in my life?

I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages.

— Charles Spurgeon

Why do (don’t) you involve me?

Nearby

Now

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2 Samuel 23:11-12 NLT

11Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, 12but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

When we fail to value something, we are vulnerable to losing it.

2 Samuel 23:12 NLT

but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines.

Hold your ground.

Fight your fight.

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John 9

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.

2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.

7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?”

9 Some claimed that he was.

Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”

But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said.

15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”

16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.

17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”

18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents.

19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”

20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind.

21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.”

22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.

23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”

25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

Why?

What is God asking me to do?

What am I afraid of?

Matthew 10

32 If you stand before others and are willing to say you believe in me, then I will tell my Father in heaven that you belong to me.

33 But if you stand before others and say you do not believe in me, then I will tell my Father in heaven that you do not belong to me.

Am I willing to boldly take a stand for Jesus?

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WHEN REVIVAL CALLS

Joel 2:28-32
Exodus 3:1-10

WHEN REVIVAL CALLS

“The” Revival

There are four critical questions when revival calls.

Will you turn?

– Exodus 3:2-4

Will you take off your shoes?

– Exodus 3:4-5

(3. Will you go?

– Exodus 3:7-10

What’s in your hand?

– Exodus 4:1-2

– Psalm 145:4

WHEN REVIVAL CALLS

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Psalm 133

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Precious

Acts 2

1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.

3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.

4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

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Romans 6

20 In the past you were slaves to sin, and you did not even think about doing right.

21 You did evil things, and now you are ashamed of what you did. Did those things help you? No, they only brought death.

22 But now you are free from sin. You have become slaves of God, and the result is that you live only for God. This will bring you eternal life.

23 When people sin, they earn what sin pays—death. But God gives his people a free gift—eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The righteous and wicked contrasted.

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man that does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law he meditates day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Blessed

The Ungodly

The Righteous

“Love means to honor and celebrate another’s choices. Love should make you feel good.”

Walk

Stand

Sit/Seat

There are byproducts to our beliefs.

Positioned

Planted

Productive

Prospers

Where am I positioned?

Am I planted?

Am I getting enough water?

What is my life producing?

The Way Of The Righteous

The Way Of The Ungodly

Matthew 7

13 Go in through the narrow door. The door is wide and the road is easy that leads to hell. Many people are going through that door.

14 But the door is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life that lasts forever. Few people are finding it.

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The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

— Aaronic Blessing

“Baruch Ata Adonai”

Psalm 34

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good! How blessed is the person who trusts in him!

All Times

Perilous Times

Matthew 24

10 During that time many believers will lose their faith. They will turn against each other and hate each other.

11 Many false prophets will come and cause many people to believe things that are wrong.

12 There will be so much more evil in the world that the love of most believers will grow cold.

Invisible Times

Tough Times

James 1:12 — Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Philippians 4

12 I know both how to face humble circumstances and how to have abundance. Everywhere and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me.

Can I bless God in my abundance?

Can I bless God in my suffering?

I will bless the Lord at all times.

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Chance Barnett

What habits would God like to change in my life?

Psalms 139

23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting

Joel McKenzie

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Jeff and Terri Sayers

Proverbs 4:23

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.

Colossians 3:13

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Eli Roseberry

What are some of the things that we worry about?

What does Jesus say about worry?

Matthew 6:25-27

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

James 4:14

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog- it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

Alyssa Overholt

Proverbs 3

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Jeremy Overholt

1 Thessalonians 5:17

pray without ceasing

Regina Powers

Identify what you want to change – Own it.

Psalms 139

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;

24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Identify yourself with truth – who does God say you are?
Changing from the inside out.
Change your environment.
Habit- to be present, to be still in God’s presence.

Zeph 3:17

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

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I am changed.

I am being changed.

I will be changed.

James 1

22 Obey the Word of God. If you hear only and do not act, you are only fooling yourself.

23 Anyone who hears the Word of God and does not obey is like a man looking at his face in a mirror.

24 After he sees himself and goes away, he forgets what he looks like.

Who have I hurt?

Who has hurt you?

Are you paranoid about your past?

Have you made peace with your past?

Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.

Thank God for His forgiveness.

Matthew 5:23-24 — So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and then discover that the prisoner was you.

Matthew 6:14-15 — Jesus says “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

One of the most significant tests in life is how you will handle the people who mishandled you.

How are you handling it?

What is it that you can’t let go of?

Hebrews 12

1 Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us.

2 We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God's throne!

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I am changed.

I am being changed.

I will be changed.

2 Corinthians 5:17 — When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!

1 Peter 2:2 — Now that you realize how kind the Lord has been to you, put away all evil, deception, envy, and fraud. Long to grow up into the fullness of your salvation; cry for this as a baby cries for his milk.

Philippians 1:6 — And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15

51 But listen, I tell you this secret: We will not all die, but we will all be changed.

52 It will only take the time of a second. We will be changed as quickly as an eye blinks. This will happen when the last trumpet blows. The trumpet will blow and those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we will all be changed.

Psalm 139

1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Search ME

Test ME

Know ME/MY

Lead ME

Is there ANY offensive way in me?

Do I need God to heal my heart?

What if God helped me with my thoughts?

I don’t want to harbor offense in my heart.

Lead ME in the way everlasting.

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Change: To become or make different. To give a different position, course, or direction to.

What would I like to see change in my life?

Daniel 6

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.

12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.”

14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed.

18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.

20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!

22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

It’s only…

What is the enemy trying to minimize in my life?

Guard against getting in wrong groups.

Unchangeable — not capable of changing or being changed.

God sent…

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Luke 2:1 — And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

Luke 2:7 — And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7 — And she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters.

Have you ever been too busy for God?

Have you ever had no space for the Savior?

Micah 5:2 — “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Rejection

How do I handle rejection?

Why?

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

— Charles R. Swindoll

Thank God for the miracle in the manger.

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Luke 2:1 — And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

Luke 2:7 — And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7 — And she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters.

Have you ever been too busy for God?

Have you ever had no space for the Savior?

Rejection

How do I handle rejection?

Why?

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

— Charles R. Swindoll

Thank God for the miracle in the manger.

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Luke 2

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,

7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Mathew 1

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

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Story: An account of incidents or events.

Luke 1

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Matthew 1

1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias…

16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Sin

Separation

Son

Sacrifice

Salvation

Ephesians 2:8 — For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

Romans 5:8 — But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Acts 4:12 — And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

1 John 1:9 — If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 10:9 — Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

2 Corinthians 5:17 — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Spirit

John 14:17 — The Helper is the Spirit of truth. The people of the world cannot accept him, because they don’t see him or know him. But you know him. He lives with you, and he will be in you.

Romans 8:11 — If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you.

Sin

Separation

Son

Sacrifice

Salvation

Spirit

You may think you can live fine without Christ, but you cannot afford to die without Him.

— Charles Spurgeon

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Ephesians 4:15 — But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ…

Ephesians 6

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The Adversary

The Agenda

Satan has a strategy.

Ephesians 4:27 — Neither give place to the devil.

What are the wiles in your life right now?

Where is the place that the devil is positioning himself?

Stand

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened. — Billy Graham

1 John 4:4 — Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

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Hebrews 2:1 — Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

We Preach Christ Crucified

We Preach Christ

We Preach

Ephesians 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints…

Acts 19

1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Ephesians 3

13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 4

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 5

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 6

23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Dei Sub Numine Viget

Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae

Time can take a toll.

Revelation 2

1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

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Ephesians 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 5:14 — Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Jesus came to give us life.

Ephesians 2

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world…

God gave us a pathway to make peace with our past.

Ephesians 2:11 — Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past…

Ephesians 2

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God…

Ephesians 5:8 — For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light…

Now

Ephesians 2:16 — And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross…

Thank God for the cross!

I am blessed.

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Mark 12

29 Jesus replied, “The most important one is this: ‘Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord.

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’

31 The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment more important than these two.”

53% of adults feel their self-esteem is worse since the pandemic.

85% of people are affected by low self-esteem in the world today. — Dr. Joe Rubino

60% of people wished they had more respect for themselves. — Self Love Index Studies

1 in 5 women feels confident in their appearance.

Issues with body image can cause men to suffer from depression, anxiety, social isolation and low self esteem. — Bradley University

Research shows Instagram to be the most damaging social media platform for self-esteem. — RSPH

Nearly eight out of ten women expressed trouble with their self-esteem. — The WealthiHer Network

94% of teen girls in the US have been shamed for their body size. — Yahoo Health

Male cosmetic surgery has increased approximately 325%.

72% of girls feel excessive pressure to be attractive. — Dove’s Self Esteem Project

Studies show that social media can cause low self esteem and negative thinking. — Digital Information World

By age 13, 53% of American girls are unhappy with their bodies. — National Institute on Media and Family

4 in 5 men would not describe themselves as attractive. — GH Study

Low self-esteem is linked to violence, school dropout rates, teenage pregnancy, suicide, and low academic achievement. — Misetich & Delis-Abrams

Absent fathers, poverty, and a low-quality home environment have a negative impact on self-esteem. — Orth, 2018

Rates of anxiety and depression have increased 70% in the past 25 years. — Royal Society for Public Health, 2022

Studies have shown that social media has the power to be more addictive than alcohol or cigarettes.

Seven out of 10 young people report experiencing cyber-bullying through social media. — Royal Society for Public Health, 2022

Young people who use social networking sites for more than two hours per day are more likely to report poor mental health, including psychological distress. — Royal Society for Public Health, 2022

Low self-esteem has been associated with a number of psychological, physical, and social consequences that may influence successful adolescent development and the transition to adulthood, including depression, anxiety, suicide and disordered eating, violent behavior, earlier initiation of sexual activity, and substance use. — Auden C. McClure, MD — Susanne E. Tanski, MD — James D. Sargent, MD

50% of men surveyed said they don’t believe they are intelligent. — GH Study

55% of men don’t think they are liked by others. — GH Study

The average child hears 432 negative statements per day, but only 32 positive statements each day. — University of Iowa

Hebrews 10:35 — So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Psalm 139:13-14 You formed the way I think and feel. You put me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way. I know how amazing that is!

Philippians 1:6 — I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again.

2 Timothy 1:7 — The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.

Philippians 4:13 — I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

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“Can God fix a broken heart? If you give Him all of the pieces.” - Paul Harvey

John 3:16 NLT John 15:13 NLT John 8:5 NLT

Many people have difficulty distinguishing love from caretaking. When someone fails to rescue them from irresponsibility, they feel unloved. In reality, it is loving to allow someone the space to take responsibility for themselves, even if that means letting them fail. — Dr. Henry Cloud

Hebrews 12:6 NIV Romans 8:1 NLT Romans 8:28 NLT Psalms 34:7 NLT Hosea 1:2 NLT Hosea 3:1 NLT

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Do you love me?

Psalm 35:18 — I will give you thanks in the great assembly, I will give you praise among huge crowds of people.

Luke 14:25 — Large crowds were traveling with Jesus…

Matthew 8:1 — When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.

John 6:5 — Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him…

Matthew 4

24 News about Jesus spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.

25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Luke 5:15 — News about Jesus kept spreading. Large crowds came to listen to him teach and to be healed of their diseases.

Matthew 13:2 — And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.

Acts 2:6 — A large crowd came together because they heard the noise. They were surprised because, as the apostles were speaking, everyone heard in their own language.

Revelation 7 — I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing: Salvation to our God on his Throne! Salvation to the Lamb!

Who is in my crowd?

80,000

8,000 - 10,000

300 - 600

51,127

9,964

3,796

10,318

Do I care about my crowd?

Matthew 9

36 Whenever crowds came to Him, He had compassion for them because they were so deeply distraught, malaised, and heart-broken. They seemed to Him like lost sheep without a shepherd.

37 Jesus understood what an awesome task was before Him, so He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

38 Ask the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into His harvest field.”

Who were the people in Christ’s crowds?

Compassion

Jesus was able to see people’s lives through the lens of the cross.

Do I see the people or do I see the problems?

Do I see the problems or do I see the potential?

Do I have compassion for my crowd?

Can I see the crowd through the cross?

Am I willing to be part of the solution?

If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped around their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for. — Charles Spurgeon

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John 14:15 If you love me, keep my commands.

Do my ACTIONS say that I love God?

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 1:6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

Does my HEART say that I love God?

Matthew 15:8 “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Do my THOUGHTS say that I love God?

Do my PRAYERS say that I love God?

Matthew 5 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Does my GIVING say that I love God?

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?

Does my SERVING say that I love God?

Mark 10:43-45 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 22 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Do my ACTIONS say that I love God? Does my HEART say that I love God? Do my THOUGHTS say that I love God? Do my PRAYERS say that I love God? Does my GIVING say that I love God? Does my SERVING say that I love God?

*(one slide only to recap all the questions, do not build on multiple)

What are the action steps that you want to take in your life?

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John 1:42 — Then Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, the son of John. You will be called Cephas.” (“Cephas” means “Peter.”)

Matthew 16

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

Do you know who Jesus is?

John 13

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I am ready to die for you!”

38 Jesus answered, “Will you really give your life for me? The truth is, before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.”

Peter is making promises that he won’t keep.

Peter underestimates the power of peer pressure.

How do you handle broken promises?

How do you treat people who fail?

Luke 22

61 Then the Lord turned and looked into Peter’s eyes. And Peter remembered what the Lord had said, “Before the rooster crows in the morning, you will say three times that you don’t know me.”

62 Then Peter went outside and cried bitterly.

Mark 16

5 The women walked into the tomb and saw a young man there wearing a white robe. He was sitting on the right side of the tomb. The women were afraid.

6 But the man said, “Don’t be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, the one who was killed on a cross. He has risen from death! He is not here. Look, here is the place they put him when he was dead.

7 Now go and tell his followers. And be sure to tell Peter. Tell them, ‘Jesus is going into Galilee and will be there before you come. You will see him there, as he told you before.’”

John 21

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Do you love me?

Has God ever had to ask you the same thing twice?

What is it that God is asking of you right now?

Simon must see beyond selfishness.

Jesus calls Simon Peter (again) to Kingdom involvement.

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Am I trustworthy?

Do I trust those around me?

Where do I place my trust?

Psalm 20:7 — Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Do I trust God?

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

What is the area in your life that you are struggling to trust God?

Mark 9:24 — The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Our trust is often tested in loss.

Job 1:21 — “When I was born into this world, I was naked and had nothing. When I die and leave this world, I will be naked and have nothing. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord!”

Our trust is often tested with timing.

Our trust is often tested with outcomes.

“I will pray that you trust God.” — Mother Teresa

Romans 15:13 — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Psalm 150

1 Praise the Lord!  Praise God in his Temple! Praise him in heaven, his strong fortress!

2 Praise him for the great things he does! Praise him for all his greatness!

3 Praise him with trumpets and horns! Praise him with harps and lyres!

4 Praise him with tambourines and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes!

5 Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with crashing cymbals!

6 Everything that breathes, praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Revelation 21:4 — He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

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Who are your friends? What is a friend? Why do you need friends? Are you a good friend? Are you friendly?

Proverbs 12:26 — Good people are careful about choosing their friends, but evil people always choose the wrong ones.

James 4:4 — You people are not faithful to God! You should know that loving what the world has is the same as hating God. So anyone who wants to be friends with this evil world becomes God’s enemy.

A friend loves you.

Proverbs 17:17 — A friend loves you all the time, but a brother was born to help in times of trouble.

A friend helps you.

Ecclesiastes 4

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

A friend doesn’t leave you in the low points of life.

A friend knows how to forgive.

Proverbs 17:9 — Forgive someone, and you will strengthen your friendship. Keep reminding them, and you will destroy it.

A good friend helps you become…

Proverbs 13:20 — Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise. Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble.

A good friend has faith in you and for you.

Mark 2

3 Four men tried to bring a crippled friend to Him;

4 but since the crowd prevented their carrying him close enough to get Jesus’ attention, they climbed up onto the roof, opened a hole in it, and lowered the paralyzed man on his mat down to Jesus.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Sin Pain Grief Trials Heavy Sorrow Trouble Forsaken Despised Weakness Temptations Discouragement

Can we find a friend so faithful?

A friend that loves me.

A friend that helps me.

A friend that doesn’t leave me in the low points of life.

A friend that knows how to forgive me.

A friend who helps me become…

A friend who believes in me.

What a friend we have in Jesus.

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Storms can get our attention.

Storms can show us the fragility of life.

Storms can help shape our lives.

Luke 15

4 If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?

8 Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it?

24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate.

Some leave by circumstance. Some leave by choice.

Some people are saved by the search. Some people are saved by searching.

Sometimes we are found by others. Sometimes we need to find ourselves.

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.

12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “A few days later the younger son gathered up all that he had and left. He traveled far away to another country, and there he wasted his money living like a fool.

Far away…