October/30/ 2016 Filed in:
i_like_givingI Like Giving
Part 1
I Like Giving Eternally
Giving is not something we do, generous is who we are….
2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
3 things that Jesus teaches us to do with our treasure.
- Store your treasure in the right place.
2 things about things…
- Things are just things.
B. Things are just temporary.
2. See your treasure in the right light.
Matthew 6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[b] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Most people see money in one of 3 ways.
- Money will make me satisfied
B. Money will make me more significant.
C. Money will make me more secure.
What is the right way to see money? 3 things.
- Money is a trust
B. Money is a tool
C. Money is a test
3. Seek it in the right order
Matthew 6:31-33 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive”
October/16/ 2016 Filed in:
MadMad
Part 5
Mad at Myself
Psalm 32:1-5 NLT “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.”
4 typical reactions toward guilt.
- Disguise.
verse 5 “I was trying to hide my guilt”
2 problems with trying to disguise our guilt.
a. God still sees
b. No matter how deep you bury it, it always seems to resurface
Luke 8:17 “for there is nether that is hidden that will not be disclosed”
2. Rationalize.
Rationalize = rational lies
3. Agonize.
Verse 3-4 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.”
Psalm 38-1-4 “Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.”
4. Compromise.
“Commit a sin twice and its not longer a sin.” Chinese Proverb
1 Timothy 4:2 “their consciences became seared as with a hot iron…”
So what do we do with our guilt? 3 things from this passage.
- Admit it
verse 5 “finally I confessed all my sin to you and stopped trying to hide it.”
Proverbs 28:13 NCV “If you hide your sins you will not succeed. If you confess and reject them you will receive mercy. “
2. Ask God to forgive it.
I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Romans 3:23-24 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Your forgiveness is not based on what you do, but on what He has already done.
3. Accept it and move on
Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…”
John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Justified = just as if you never sinned.
October/09/ 2016 Filed in:
MadOne survey revealed that 62 percent of people on occasion were admittedly angry at God. Among college students, 87 percent of believers reported feeling negative emotions about God after a personal setback or loss.
4 reasons we might find ourselves mad at God.
1. Wrong teaching
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.”
John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:35-37 “Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?… 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
2. Wrong thinking
I Peter 1:16 “For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
3. Wrong timing:
John 11:21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
4. Wrong living
Proverbs 19:3 “A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD.”
What do I do if I find myself MAD at God?
- Search it inwardly
2. Say it honestly
I Peter 5:7 NKJV “Cast all your cares on the Lord for He cares for you.”
3. Surrender it fully
Psalm 73:2 NCV “I had almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith
3 because I was jealous of proud people. I saw wicked people doing well.
4 They are not suffering; they are healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like the rest of us; they don’t have problems like other people.”
verse 16 “I tried to understand all this, but it was too hard for me to see
17 until I went to the Temple of God. Then I understood what will happen to them.
18 You have put them in danger; you cause them to be destroyed.
19 They are destroyed in a moment; they are swept away by terrors.
20 It will be like waking from a dream. Lord, when you rise up, they will disappear.”
October/02/ 2016 Filed in:
MadMad at My Sister
The Expectation Gap: When what I expect doesn't match up with what I experience, the GAP is filled with frustration.
Luke 10:38 “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
4 things that help us to close the expectation gap.
- Speak up.
I cannot expect what I do not express.
2. Lighten up.
I should never expect others to express themselves in the same way as me. 3. Check up.
Luke 10:41 “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only
one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Galatians 6:4-5 MSG "
Make a careful exploration of who you are and
the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can
with your own life."
4. Look up.
Proverbs 18:24 (ESV) “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but
there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
