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Power of Spiritual Thinking - Rest of the Story The first person who presents a case - seems right - Proverbs 18:17
- Marriage counseling - one view, then a different view
- Forming opinion without all the background information
- Good leader - realizing he does not know everything about every subject
- Been hurt by others - assume others are the same way
Good thing to say: "I have seen something which concerns me, but I haven't heard your side yet"
Involving everyone on a decision will help others to feel valued and for you to consistently have good decisions
We have trouble listening to other opinions besides our own
Can you get hurt by other that love you? Yes
- Double indemnity insurance policy against unresolved issues (Matthew 18:15-17 and Matthew 5:23-24)
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Power of Spiritual Thinking - Ambition: from God or Satan Depending on the motive:
There is positive ambitions - Romans 15:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:11
There is negative ambitions - Galatians 5:20
There is pure spiritual ambitions with bad motives:
Matthew 20:20-28 - wanted their shot at the left and right seats of Jesus
We often want the right things for the wrong reasons
- Too focused on positional goals in the church
- Excel at work or school - not working for the Lord but working for self - Colossians 3:23
- Too much pressure for a child to succeed - Train a child in the way he should go - Proverbs 22:6
- Allowing secondary motivation become the primary motivation
Examples of primary and secondary motivations:
| Subject |
Primary |
Secondary |
| Job |
Glorify God |
Make money; Career |
| Following God |
Love God with everything we have |
Learning Bible facts, being disciplined, spiritual goals |
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Purpose Driven Life - Cultivating Community Community requires commitment
Only the Holy Spirit can create real fellowship between believers
Cultivating community takes...
...Honesty
Silent when someone sins - not loving thing to do
Means caring enough to lovingly confront - Proverbs 24:26
A group will remain superficial because they are afraid to conflict
It is where gossip thrives
Corinth church was allowing sexual immorality because no one had the courage to say anything.
...Humility
Pride builds walls between; humility builds bridges
Being prideful is living in opposition to God - 1 Peter 5:5
Develop humility by: admitting weakness, being patient with other's weakness, being open to correction, pointing the spotlight on others
...Courtesy
Nothing to do with compatibility
Basis of our fellowship is our relationship to God - We are family
...Confidentiality
Does not mean keeping silent about sin
Means - stays within the group - Proverbs 16:28
...Frequency
You need to spend time - make it a habit - Hebrew 10:25
Community is not built on convenience - "Let's get together sometime"
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Purpose Driven Life - Cultivating Community Community requires commitment
Only the Holy Spirit can create real fellowship between believers
Cultivating community takes...
...Honesty
Silent when someone sins - not loving thing to do
Means caring enough to lovingly confront - Proverbs 24:26
A group will remain superficial because they are afraid to conflict
It is where gossip thrives
Corinth church was allowing sexual immorality because no one had the courage to say anything.
...Humility
Pride builds walls between; humility builds bridges
Being prideful is living in opposition to God - 1 Peter 5:5
Develop humility by: admitting weakness, being patient with other's weakness, being open to correction, pointing the spotlight on others
...Courtesy
Nothing to do with compatibility
Basis of our fellowship is our relationship to God - We are family
...Confidentiality
Does not mean keeping silent about sin
Means - stays within the group - Proverbs 16:28
...Frequency
You need to spend time - make it a habit - Hebrew 10:25
Community is not built on convenience - "Let's get together sometime"
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Purpose Driven Life - How We Grow
God wants you to grow up - some grow older but never grow up (Ephesians 4:14-15)
Nothing shapes your life than the commitments you make
Many are afraid to commit to anything and drift through life
God's part and your part
Our part is to: Continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling - Philippians 2:12-13
Our role = "work out" salvation (grow - in a body workout we have our body but we make it better)
God's role = "work in" us
Changing your autopilot
Becareful what you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts - Proverbs 4:23
Changing what you think, changes you
Going on a diet, exercising does not work if you do not change your thinking - "I am going on a diet"
The way you think determines the way you feel - which influences how you act - Ephesians 4:23
Babies by nature are completely selfish
Many never grow beyond that kind of thinking
It is not the amount of biblical information and doctrine you know
Deeds must be constant with our creeds / Beliefs backed up with Christlike behavior
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Purpose Driven Life - Defeating Temptation
There is always a way out
He will not permit any temptation that you could not overcome - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Refocus attention on something else
By resisting, you actually reinforce it
Don't fight the though, change the channel
Power of suggestion - the more you think about something, the stronger it takes hold of you
Temptation begins by capturing your attention - Satan can't get your attention when you are focused on something else
Reveal your struggle to a gold friend or support group
If you fall, a friend can help you up - Eccelesiastes 4:9-10
Hiding your hurt intensifies it
Satan wants you to think that your temptation is unique - We all fight the same temptations - 1 Corinthians 10:13
The reason we hide our faults is pride - everything is under control
Resist the Devil
He will flee when you resist - James 4:7
Without Christ we are defenseless against the Devil
Satan can not make you do anything, he can only suggest
Use the Word of God as your weapon against Satan - Jesus simply answered Satan with scriptures
Don't ever try to argue with Satan - he better at it
Realize your vulnerabilities
The heart is deceitful above all things- Jeremiah 17:9
Don't carelessly place yourself in tempting situations, avoid them - Proverbs 14:16
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Purpose Driven Life - Overcoming Temptation Refuse to be intimidated
You will never outgrow temptation
Temptation is a sign that Satan hates you
Paul says, "WHEN you are tempted..." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Jesus was tempted, but never sinned - Hebrews 4:15
The closer you grown to God, the more Satan will try to tempt you
Recognize your pattern of temptation
Know what exactly what trips you up - Stay alert, Satan waits til you are napping - Matthew 26:41
- When am I most tempted?
- Where am I most tempted?
- Who is with me went I am tempted?
Don't give the Devil a chance - Ephesians 4:27
Plan carefully what you do... - Proverbs 4:26-27
Request God's Help
Call on God in times of trouble - Psalms 50:15
Jesus is sympathetic; he understands our weakness - Hebrews 4:15
We can be embarrassed to ask God for help after failing over and over again, but let us have confidence when approaching - Hebrews 4:16
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Purpose Driven Life - Overcoming Temptation Refuse to be intimidated
You will never outgrow temptation
Temptation is a sign that Satan hates you
Paul says, "WHEN you are tempted..." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Jesus was tempted, but never sinned - Hebrews 4:15
The closer you grown to God, the more Satan will try to tempt you
Recognize your pattern of temptation
Know what exactly what trips you up - Stay alert, Satan waits til you are napping - Matthew 26:41
- When am I most tempted?
- Where am I most tempted?
- Who is with me went I am tempted?
Don't give the Devil a chance - Ephesians 4:27
Plan carefully what you do... - Proverbs 4:26-27
Request God's Help
Call on God in times of trouble - Psalms 50:15
Jesus is sympathetic; he understands our weakness - Hebrews 4:15
We can be embarrassed to ask God for help after failing over and over again, but let us have confidence when approaching - Hebrews 4:16
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Purpose Driven Life - Shaped for Serving God Before God created you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on earth
You were made for a specific ministry.
Created in Christ to do good works - Ephesians 2:10
God does not make junk
God never wastes anything - he did not give you talents and gifts unless he intended for you to use them for his glory
God shapes us:
Spiritual Gifts
Heart
Abilities
Personality
Experience
We will look at spiritual gifts and heart today:
SHAPE: Spiritual Gifts
He alone decides which gift each person should have - 1 Corinthians 12:11
If you had them all, you would not need others; teaches us to love and depend on each other
Given gifts for the benefit of others
Gift given as a means of helping the entire church - 1 Corinthians 12:7
Two gift problems:
- Gift-envy - wanting a gift that someone else has
- Gift-projection - expect others to the same gifts as we do
SHAPE: Heart
Heart = desires, hopes, interest, ambition, dreams, and passion
Heart reflects the person - Proverbs 27:19
You may have interest that no one else has - from God
Don't ignore your interest; consider how they might be used by God
Serve the Lord with all of your heart - Deuteronomy 11:13
How do you know if you are serving the Lord with all of your heart?
- Enthusiasm - what you love to do; no one has to motivate
- Effectiveness - passion drives perfection
A simple life is better than a rich life with headaches - Proverbs 15:16
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Purpose Driven Life - Real Servants (part 1)
We server God by serving others
Everyone wants to lead; not many want to follow - we would rather be generals than privates
How can you know if you have the heart of Jesus?
You can tell what they are by what they do - Matthew 7:16
Real Servants make themselves available to serve
Like a soldier, always by for duty - 2 Timothy 2:4
- Do what is needed
- Do it when it is inconvenient
- Gives up control of their schedule
- Not frustrated because it is whatever God wants
Real servants pay attention to needs
Always looking out for ways to help others
Great opportunities to serve never last for long
Never tell your neighbor to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now - Proverbs 3:28
Real servants do their best with what they have
Servant never make excuses, procratinate, wait for better circumstances
If you wait for the perfect conditions, you will never get anything done - Ecclesiates 11:4
Less-than-perfect service is better than the best intention
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Purpose Driven Life - Balancing Your Life (part 1) God 5 purposes for your life:
- Love God with all your heart
- Love your neighbor as yourself
- Go and make disciples
- Baptize them
- Teach them to do all things
We tend to overemphasize the purposes we feel most passionate about
Churches do the same thing
Habits to stay on track:
Talk it through in a spiritual group
Helps you to internalize information
Helps with accountability - Iron sharpens iron - Proverbs 27:17
Helps you put in the practice what you learned - Philippians 4:9
Helps encourage each other - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Give yourself a regular checkup
Test yourself - 2 Corinthians 13:5
Take a look at the way you are living - Lamentations 3:40
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Purpose Driven Life - Balancing Your Life (part 2) Write down your progress in a journal
We remember what we record
Writing helps clarify what God is doing in your life
Moses kept a written record of their progress - Numbers 33:2 (NLT)
Moses recorded the stages in their journey - Numbers 33:2 (NIV)
Don't just record the good things
David recorded his fears, doubts, and struggles with God
Write down for the coming generations what the Lord has done - Psalms 56:8
Pass on what you know to others
He who blesses others is abundantly blessed - Proverbs 11:25
Paul told us spiritual things so we tell others - 2 Timothy 2:2
Knowledge increases responsibility - James 4:17
Teaching other followers = a good servant of Christ - 1 Timothy 4:6
We learn for God's glory and the growth of the kingdom
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Teach Us To Pray - Changes in Character Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place - Psalms 51:6
Character can grow if we take a sober gut-level check look at who we are
Too often we pray:
- Help me be a better person
- Help me to change
- Help me to love you more
We don;t know specifically what we need to change
When we aim at nothing, that is what we hit
The word of God discerns the thoughts and intentions of our heart - Hebrews 4:12-13
Like a mirror reflecting how we look spiritually - James 1:23-25
We also learn the truth about ourselves from other people in our lives - Proverbs 20:5
Ask God to help you see what you need to change
Ask others what things they see in your sinful nature
How badly do you want to change?
It will show by the way you pray
My power is made perfect in weakness - 2 Corinthians 12:9
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Raising Awesome Kids - Provision and Protection If anyone does not provide for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever - 1 Timothy 5:8
Our families should never have to worry about where the next meal is coming from
Our Heavenly Father provides for all our physical needs - Matthew 6:25-34
We should not imitate him in caring for my children?
He works his land , will have abundant food - Proverbs 28:19
Get adequate medical insurance - so you do not burden your family will major costs
Takes care of things around the house
Do the repair jobs and maintenance work
Husbands who are lazy - kids will see this and either disrespect us or gladly imitate us in it
Fathers are protectors
If any family member is in a situation where they are being beaten down, overwhelmed - this is the time to act
Should not shield them from the realities of life, but from the forces from which they become helpless
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Raising Awesome Kids - Liberty and Justice His brothers saw that their father loves him more and hated him - Genesis 37:4
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent - the Lord detests both - Proverbs 17:15
We fathers must see that there is respect given to all
Must rule justly in any areas of dispute
Playing favorites is deadly
Who must be respected?
Mother - besides watch the children's respect, we must watch how we communicate with our spouse
Younger and weaker children - Your role as dispenser of justice starts from day one and it is one of your most vital roles
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Raising Awesome Kids - Winning Obedience from Children (part 1)
Discipline your son and he will give you give - Proverbs 29:17
From the very beginning children should learn to obey
Should be a habit and a pattern = happy family
Our will and word will be supreme
We should not expect to have to tell them again
Repeating ourselves and louder each time is not true obedience - find ourselves frustrated, weary, and resentful
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Raising Awesome Kids - Power of Discipline (part 3)
What does the Bible say about spanking?
He who spares the rod hates his son - Proverbs 13:24
The rod of discipline will drive folly far away - Proverbs 22:15
If you punish with the rod, they will not die - Proverbs 23:13-14
Message is clear - Spanking is vaild, employed with wisdom and love
- Spanking should be an event
- Explain beforehand the reason for the spanking
- Cool off before spanking a child - must be complete self-control and not retaliatory
- Use a designate paddle - do not hand spank - too personal
- Spanking must result in change, contrite heart
- Bring things to resolution
- Do not spank for every offence - children in elementary years, spanking is less appropriate
- Spank on the safe backside or thigh
- Start as soon as the child begins to understand the word no; about 14 months
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Raising Awesome Kids - Power of Discipline (part 3)
What does the Bible say about spanking?
He who spares the rod hates his son - Proverbs 13:24
The rod of discipline will drive folly far away - Proverbs 22:15
If you punish with the rod, they will not die - Proverbs 23:13-14
Message is clear - Spanking is vaild, employed with wisdom and love
- Spanking should be an event
- Explain beforehand the reason for the spanking
- Cool off before spanking a child - must be complete self-control and not retaliatory
- Use a designate paddle - do not hand spank - too personal
- Spanking must result in change, contrite heart
- Bring things to resolution
- Do not spank for every offence - children in elementary years, spanking is less appropriate
- Spank on the safe backside or thigh
- Start as soon as the child begins to understand the word no; about 14 months
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Raising Awesome Kids - Power of Discipline (part 3)
What does the Bible say about spanking?
He who spares the rod hates his son - Proverbs 13:24
The rod of discipline will drive folly far away - Proverbs 22:15
If you punish with the rod, they will not die - Proverbs 23:13-14
Message is clear - Spanking is vaild, employed with wisdom and love
- Spanking should be an event
- Explain beforehand the reason for the spanking
- Cool off before spanking a child - must be complete self-control and not retaliatory
- Use a designate paddle - do not hand spank - too personal
- Spanking must result in change, contrite heart
- Bring things to resolution
- Do not spank for every offence - children in elementary years, spanking is less appropriate
- Spank on the safe backside or thigh
- Start as soon as the child begins to understand the word no; about 14 months
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Raising Awesome Kids - Power of Discipline (part 3)
What does the Bible say about spanking?
He who spares the rod hates his son - Proverbs 13:24
The rod of discipline will drive folly far away - Proverbs 22:15
If you punish with the rod, they will not die - Proverbs 23:13-14
Message is clear - Spanking is vaild, employed with wisdom and love
- Spanking should be an event
- Explain beforehand the reason for the spanking
- Cool off before spanking a child - must be complete self-control and not retaliatory
- Use a designate paddle - do not hand spank - too personal
- Spanking must result in change, contrite heart
- Bring things to resolution
- Do not spank for every offence - children in elementary years, spanking is less appropriate
- Spank on the safe backside or thigh
- Start as soon as the child begins to understand the word no; about 14 months
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Raising Awesome Kids - Work Ethic and responsibility Hard work and a sense of responsibility can be trained into a child
Laziness is a flaw
Sluggard finds nothing at harvest time - Proverbs 20:4
Sluggard says there is a lion road - Proverbs 26:13
Sluggard is a door on hinges - Proverbs 26:14
Stress loving hard work
School work is character issue
- Are they giving their all?
- Are they working hard?
Grade only is the wrong focus
Instead, make diligence and excellence the issue
It helps immensely if the oldest child is well trained
Give appropriate jobs and responsibilities around the house
- Don't let your kids do all the work for other
- Don't do all the work for them
- Give allowances apportioned to age, responsibilities, and faithfulness in carrying them out
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Raising Awesome Kids - Work Ethic and responsibility Hard work and a sense of responsibility can be trained into a child
Laziness is a flaw
Sluggard finds nothing at harvest time - Proverbs 20:4
Sluggard says there is a lion road - Proverbs 26:13
Sluggard is a door on hinges - Proverbs 26:14
Stress loving hard work
School work is character issue
- Are they giving their all?
- Are they working hard?
Grade only is the wrong focus
Instead, make diligence and excellence the issue
It helps immensely if the oldest child is well trained
Give appropriate jobs and responsibilities around the house
- Don't let your kids do all the work for other
- Don't do all the work for them
- Give allowances apportioned to age, responsibilities, and faithfulness in carrying them out
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Raising Awesome Kids - Work Ethic and responsibility Hard work and a sense of responsibility can be trained into a child
Laziness is a flaw
Sluggard finds nothing at harvest time - Proverbs 20:4
Sluggard says there is a lion road - Proverbs 26:13
Sluggard is a door on hinges - Proverbs 26:14
Stress loving hard work
School work is character issue
- Are they giving their all?
- Are they working hard?
Grade only is the wrong focus
Instead, make diligence and excellence the issue
It helps immensely if the oldest child is well trained
Give appropriate jobs and responsibilities around the house
- Don't let your kids do all the work for other
- Don't do all the work for them
- Give allowances apportioned to age, responsibilities, and faithfulness in carrying them out
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Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk Reckless words pierce like a sword - Proverbs 12:18
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor - Proverbs 11:12
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your months - Ephesians 4:29-32
So thing we just plain need to get rid of:
Harsh words
Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken - Matthew 12:36-37
Name calling
Would you use the same words if Jesus was in the room? Let that be the test.
Rudeness
Love is not rude - 1 Corinthians 13:5
Get rid of all actions, looks, and expression related
God hate haughty eyes - Proverbs 6:16-17
These are signs of disrespect
Recognize > Confront > Eliminate from their behavior
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Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk Reckless words pierce like a sword - Proverbs 12:18
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor - Proverbs 11:12
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your months - Ephesians 4:29-32
So thing we just plain need to get rid of:
Harsh words
Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken - Matthew 12:36-37
Name calling
Would you use the same words if Jesus was in the room? Let that be the test.
Rudeness
Love is not rude - 1 Corinthians 13:5
Get rid of all actions, looks, and expression related
God hate haughty eyes - Proverbs 6:16-17
These are signs of disrespect
Recognize > Confront > Eliminate from their behavior
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Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk Reckless words pierce like a sword - Proverbs 12:18
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor - Proverbs 11:12
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your months - Ephesians 4:29-32
So thing we just plain need to get rid of:
Harsh words
Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken - Matthew 12:36-37
Name calling
Would you use the same words if Jesus was in the room? Let that be the test.
Rudeness
Love is not rude - 1 Corinthians 13:5
Get rid of all actions, looks, and expression related
God hate haughty eyes - Proverbs 6:16-17
These are signs of disrespect
Recognize > Confront > Eliminate from their behavior
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Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk Reckless words pierce like a sword - Proverbs 12:18
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor - Proverbs 11:12
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your months - Ephesians 4:29-32
So thing we just plain need to get rid of:
Harsh words
Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken - Matthew 12:36-37
Name calling
Would you use the same words if Jesus was in the room? Let that be the test.
Rudeness
Love is not rude - 1 Corinthians 13:5
Get rid of all actions, looks, and expression related
God hate haughty eyes - Proverbs 6:16-17
These are signs of disrespect
Recognize > Confront > Eliminate from their behavior
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Raising Awesome Kids - Genuine Appreciation
Appreciation for one another does not come about by accident
Must teach it, talk about it, show it and confront the ways the kids are not expressing it - only way
Cultivate appreciation by creating as many situations as possible where it expressed in words
Build up one another sessions - each person encouragees every other person specifically
Thank you nights - give thanks for different things other family members have said and done
Encourage your family to begin expressing respect, appreciation, and encouragement - whole atmosphere will change
Pleasant words are sweet to the soul - Proverbs 16:24
Teach your older children how to lead and teach your younger ones how to follow
Children's weaknesses tend to come out more with each other than with us
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Raising Awesome Kids - Atmosphere (part 2)
If we can laugh together, then we like being together, which adds up to unity
Idea: have a "joke night" - everyone tell jokes
Happy heart makes the face cheerful - Proverbs 15:13
Cheerful heart has a continual feast - Proverbs 15:15
Cheerful look brings joy to the heart - Proverbs 15:30
Cheerful heart is good medicine - Proverbs 17:22
The phyical environment need to be pleasant
Dirt, filth, and clutter do not create an atmosphere of closeness
The environment says, "we don't care", then people stop caring about each other
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Raising Awesome Kids - Atmosphere (part 2)
If we can laugh together, then we like being together, which adds up to unity
Idea: have a "joke night" - everyone tell jokes
Happy heart makes the face cheerful - Proverbs 15:13
Cheerful heart has a continual feast - Proverbs 15:15
Cheerful look brings joy to the heart - Proverbs 15:30
Cheerful heart is good medicine - Proverbs 17:22
The phyical environment need to be pleasant
Dirt, filth, and clutter do not create an atmosphere of closeness
The environment says, "we don't care", then people stop caring about each other
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Raising Awesome Kids - Atmosphere (part 2)
If we can laugh together, then we like being together, which adds up to unity
Idea: have a "joke night" - everyone tell jokes
Happy heart makes the face cheerful - Proverbs 15:13
Cheerful heart has a continual feast - Proverbs 15:15
Cheerful look brings joy to the heart - Proverbs 15:30
Cheerful heart is good medicine - Proverbs 17:22
The phyical environment need to be pleasant
Dirt, filth, and clutter do not create an atmosphere of closeness
The environment says, "we don't care", then people stop caring about each other
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Raising Awesome Kids - Atmosphere (part 2)
If we can laugh together, then we like being together, which adds up to unity
Idea: have a "joke night" - everyone tell jokes
Happy heart makes the face cheerful - Proverbs 15:13
Cheerful heart has a continual feast - Proverbs 15:15
Cheerful look brings joy to the heart - Proverbs 15:30
Cheerful heart is good medicine - Proverbs 17:22
The phyical environment need to be pleasant
Dirt, filth, and clutter do not create an atmosphere of closeness
The environment says, "we don't care", then people stop caring about each other
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Promises of God - The Problem is Me Deuteronomy 4:29 - Find God when we seek him with all of our heart
Repentance must be proven by our deeds - Acts 26:20
Praise God for his faithful correction - Proverbs 3:11-12
God hates sin, takes sin of idolatry, personally - Deuteronomy 6:15
Sin comes when we lower the standard of commitment in our lives and allow ourselves to become lazy, selfish and self-indulgent
Being idolatrous and lukewarm is a serious sin against God - Revelation 3:16
Against God, his church, and the souls that are not saved as a result
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Promises of God - The Problem is Me Deuteronomy 4:29 - Find God when we seek him with all of our heart
Repentance must be proven by our deeds - Acts 26:20
Praise God for his faithful correction - Proverbs 3:11-12
God hates sin, takes sin of idolatry, personally - Deuteronomy 6:15
Sin comes when we lower the standard of commitment in our lives and allow ourselves to become lazy, selfish and self-indulgent
Being idolatrous and lukewarm is a serious sin against God - Revelation 3:16
Against God, his church, and the souls that are not saved as a result
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Promises of God - Lord Delivers May have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all - Psalms 34:19
Three types of trouble:
- Caused by our own bad behavior - the wicked have their fill - Proverbs 12:21
- Comes from doing what is right - Persecution because of the Word - Matthew 13:21
- Trouble that we all face because we live in this world
- Each day will be trouble - Matthew 6:34
- In this world you will have trouble - John 16:33
It is not about taking trouble away but overcoming trouble
Our job is to trust God - John 14:1, 27
He may deliver us from trouble or he may deliver us by using the trouble to teach us important lessons
Our eternal glory far out weights our momentary troubles - 2 Corinthians 4:17
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Wild at Heart - False self (part 1) Place of our woundedness we construct a false self
People can shutdown their heart and focus on what they are good at - Spock like
Can become a perfectionist
An impostor - don’t ever be your real self anymore because nobody likes you as you are
As a defense against pain
It becomes OUR plan for salvation - will fail time and time again until we give up
God must take it away
Those plans to protect and save us will actually destroy us - leads to death - Proverbs 16:25
Seems right to shield ourselves from pain and to save a little love
There is a critical point in every man’s life
True test of a man is when he starts to longer rely on what he’s used all his life
Not women want a man that just exists
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Wild at Heart - Offering our Strength (part 1) Man come to offer his strength, woman invites the man into herself
Requires courage and vulnerability and selflessness for both of them
Man must rise to the occasion, must move, women opens herself in stunning vulnerability
Man spills himself - sweet is the death
Life is created
When a man withholds himself from his woman, he leaves her without the life only he can bring
She is made for and craves words from him - Proverbs 18:21
If a man refuses to offer himself, then his wife will remain empty and barren
Silent man starves his wife
A man who leaves - he sacrifices them (wife and children) rather than for them
Examples:
- Maximus
- William Wallace
- Life of Joseph, husband of Mary – was heroism
Cost him his reputation
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First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 1) Seemingly contradictory statements:
God wants all men be saved - 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Road to God is narrow and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:13-14
Both are true
God shows he wants all me to be saved
He sent his son who spoke clearly and plainly about what it takes
The broad road says - I know better than God what life and eternity are all about
On the broad road - so many people and so many standards
Bible warns those on the broad road will face terrors and traps of many kinds - Proverbs 4:10-19
Many agree that the narrow road teaching Jesus describes is one of the most difficult
Can not be faithful to Jesus' message and teach anything but the narrow road
Only a few find = fact is that only a few search
Everyone who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
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First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 1) Seemingly contradictory statements:
God wants all men be saved - 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Road to God is narrow and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:13-14
Both are true
God shows he wants all me to be saved
He sent his son who spoke clearly and plainly about what it takes
The broad road says - I know better than God what life and eternity are all about
On the broad road - so many people and so many standards
Bible warns those on the broad road will face terrors and traps of many kinds - Proverbs 4:10-19
Many agree that the narrow road teaching Jesus describes is one of the most difficult
Can not be faithful to Jesus' message and teach anything but the narrow road
Only a few find = fact is that only a few search
Everyone who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
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First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 1) Seemingly contradictory statements:
God wants all men be saved - 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Road to God is narrow and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:13-14
Both are true
God shows he wants all me to be saved
He sent his son who spoke clearly and plainly about what it takes
The broad road says - I know better than God what life and eternity are all about
On the broad road - so many people and so many standards
Bible warns those on the broad road will face terrors and traps of many kinds - Proverbs 4:10-19
Many agree that the narrow road teaching Jesus describes is one of the most difficult
Can not be faithful to Jesus' message and teach anything but the narrow road
Only a few find = fact is that only a few search
Everyone who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
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First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 1) Seemingly contradictory statements:
God wants all men be saved - 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Road to God is narrow and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:13-14
Both are true
God shows he wants all me to be saved
He sent his son who spoke clearly and plainly about what it takes
The broad road says - I know better than God what life and eternity are all about
On the broad road - so many people and so many standards
Bible warns those on the broad road will face terrors and traps of many kinds - Proverbs 4:10-19
Many agree that the narrow road teaching Jesus describes is one of the most difficult
Can not be faithful to Jesus' message and teach anything but the narrow road
Only a few find = fact is that only a few search
Everyone who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
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First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 1) Seemingly contradictory statements:
God wants all men be saved - 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Road to God is narrow and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:13-14
Both are true
God shows he wants all me to be saved
He sent his son who spoke clearly and plainly about what it takes
The broad road says - I know better than God what life and eternity are all about
On the broad road - so many people and so many standards
Bible warns those on the broad road will face terrors and traps of many kinds - Proverbs 4:10-19
Many agree that the narrow road teaching Jesus describes is one of the most difficult
Can not be faithful to Jesus' message and teach anything but the narrow road
Only a few find = fact is that only a few search
Everyone who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
|
First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 1) Seemingly contradictory statements:
God wants all men be saved - 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Road to God is narrow and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:13-14
Both are true
God shows he wants all me to be saved
He sent his son who spoke clearly and plainly about what it takes
The broad road says - I know better than God what life and eternity are all about
On the broad road - so many people and so many standards
Bible warns those on the broad road will face terrors and traps of many kinds - Proverbs 4:10-19
Many agree that the narrow road teaching Jesus describes is one of the most difficult
Can not be faithful to Jesus' message and teach anything but the narrow road
Only a few find = fact is that only a few search
Everyone who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
|
First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 1) Seemingly contradictory statements:
God wants all men be saved - 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Road to God is narrow and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:13-14
Both are true
God shows he wants all me to be saved
He sent his son who spoke clearly and plainly about what it takes
The broad road says - I know better than God what life and eternity are all about
On the broad road - so many people and so many standards
Bible warns those on the broad road will face terrors and traps of many kinds - Proverbs 4:10-19
Many agree that the narrow road teaching Jesus describes is one of the most difficult
Can not be faithful to Jesus' message and teach anything but the narrow road
Only a few find = fact is that only a few search
Everyone who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
|
First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 1) Seemingly contradictory statements:
God wants all men be saved - 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Road to God is narrow and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:13-14
Both are true
God shows he wants all me to be saved
He sent his son who spoke clearly and plainly about what it takes
The broad road says - I know better than God what life and eternity are all about
On the broad road - so many people and so many standards
Bible warns those on the broad road will face terrors and traps of many kinds - Proverbs 4:10-19
Many agree that the narrow road teaching Jesus describes is one of the most difficult
Can not be faithful to Jesus' message and teach anything but the narrow road
Only a few find = fact is that only a few search
Everyone who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
|
First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 1) Seemingly contradictory statements:
God wants all men be saved - 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Road to God is narrow and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:13-14
Both are true
God shows he wants all me to be saved
He sent his son who spoke clearly and plainly about what it takes
The broad road says - I know better than God what life and eternity are all about
On the broad road - so many people and so many standards
Bible warns those on the broad road will face terrors and traps of many kinds - Proverbs 4:10-19
Many agree that the narrow road teaching Jesus describes is one of the most difficult
Can not be faithful to Jesus' message and teach anything but the narrow road
Only a few find = fact is that only a few search
Everyone who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
|
First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 1) Seemingly contradictory statements:
God wants all men be saved - 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Road to God is narrow and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:13-14
Both are true
God shows he wants all me to be saved
He sent his son who spoke clearly and plainly about what it takes
The broad road says - I know better than God what life and eternity are all about
On the broad road - so many people and so many standards
Bible warns those on the broad road will face terrors and traps of many kinds - Proverbs 4:10-19
Many agree that the narrow road teaching Jesus describes is one of the most difficult
Can not be faithful to Jesus' message and teach anything but the narrow road
Only a few find = fact is that only a few search
Everyone who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
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One Another - Bearing With Another (part 1) How are we to bear with someone sin?
- Action should be done with prayer
- Listen and understand as fully as possible - Proverbs 18:13
- Relate to them, gently - described as a surgeon realigning a broken bone
- Point to scripture, scripture needs to train, not you - 2 Timothy 3:17
- Help them evaluate their heart with Godly sorrow - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
- Ask them what they see in needed to demonstrate repentance
- Take them all the way to the cross - to the place where sin dies, only way to be free
- Assure them of your support then give it to them
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One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 3)
Examples of Conflict in the Bible
Euodia and Syntyche - Philippians 4:2-3
1. Conflict happens - normal part of a relationship
Its ultimate effect depends on our response to it
Are we sharping each other or making each other more dull - Proverbs 27:17
2. The goal is to agree
3. We may need help from a third party
David and the jealous king Saul - 1 Samuel 24:8-22
David's conduct with Saul was above reproach; He did everything he could to work things out
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people - Romans 12:18
Peace requires both parties to desire it
There are things that depend on us and others that are out of our conotrl
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Life to the Full - Crown not Frown (part 2) Poor and rich people need to watch their step - James 1:9-11
Proverbs teach us that the middle way between poor and rich is best - Proverbs 30:7-9
The crown of life is not received quickly nor cheaply - James 1:12
There are too many rationals to go the easy way:
- My upbringing is less than perfect
- I'm different
- I need lots of sleep
- I am a young Christian
- I am an old Christian
- I used to be worse
We can not become more dependent on explanations than on God
You always find a reason why you can not persevere
We are not victims, by God's power we can be victors
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Life to the Full - Crown not Frown (part 2) Poor and rich people need to watch their step - James 1:9-11
Proverbs teach us that the middle way between poor and rich is best - Proverbs 30:7-9
The crown of life is not received quickly nor cheaply - James 1:12
There are too many rationals to go the easy way:
- My upbringing is less than perfect
- I'm different
- I need lots of sleep
- I am a young Christian
- I am an old Christian
- I used to be worse
We can not become more dependent on explanations than on God
You always find a reason why you can not persevere
We are not victims, by God's power we can be victors
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Life to the Full - Crown not Frown (part 2) Poor and rich people need to watch their step - James 1:9-11
Proverbs teach us that the middle way between poor and rich is best - Proverbs 30:7-9
The crown of life is not received quickly nor cheaply - James 1:12
There are too many rationals to go the easy way:
- My upbringing is less than perfect
- I'm different
- I need lots of sleep
- I am a young Christian
- I am an old Christian
- I used to be worse
We can not become more dependent on explanations than on God
You always find a reason why you can not persevere
We are not victims, by God's power we can be victors
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Life to the Full - Macho Mist (part 2) Spiritual adultery - How easy it is to flirt with the world if we fail to guard our hearts - Proverbs 4:23
In Jewish law, adultery is grounds for divorce
The Spirit cause to live within us envies intensely - James 3:5
The nature of God: He will tolerate no rivals for his love
God is a jealous God - Exodus 34:14
One of the quoted OT verse in the the NT is about pride - Proverbs 3:34
Much of the pride mention in the NT is bad: Pride goes before the fall - Proverbs 16:18
Pride mentioned in the NT is usually good: I take great pride in you - 2 Corinthians 7:4
It depends on where the pride is rooted and the attitude behind it
If you feel ineffective, frustrated, unproductive, opposed - it might be because God is opposing you because of your pride
He is trying to get your attention so you will turn back to him
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Life to the Full - Macho Mist (part 2) Spiritual adultery - How easy it is to flirt with the world if we fail to guard our hearts - Proverbs 4:23
In Jewish law, adultery is grounds for divorce
The Spirit cause to live within us envies intensely - James 3:5
The nature of God: He will tolerate no rivals for his love
God is a jealous God - Exodus 34:14
One of the quoted OT verse in the the NT is about pride - Proverbs 3:34
Much of the pride mention in the NT is bad: Pride goes before the fall - Proverbs 16:18
Pride mentioned in the NT is usually good: I take great pride in you - 2 Corinthians 7:4
It depends on where the pride is rooted and the attitude behind it
If you feel ineffective, frustrated, unproductive, opposed - it might be because God is opposing you because of your pride
He is trying to get your attention so you will turn back to him
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Life to the Full - Macho Mist (part 2) Spiritual adultery - How easy it is to flirt with the world if we fail to guard our hearts - Proverbs 4:23
In Jewish law, adultery is grounds for divorce
The Spirit cause to live within us envies intensely - James 3:5
The nature of God: He will tolerate no rivals for his love
God is a jealous God - Exodus 34:14
One of the quoted OT verse in the the NT is about pride - Proverbs 3:34
Much of the pride mention in the NT is bad: Pride goes before the fall - Proverbs 16:18
Pride mentioned in the NT is usually good: I take great pride in you - 2 Corinthians 7:4
It depends on where the pride is rooted and the attitude behind it
If you feel ineffective, frustrated, unproductive, opposed - it might be because God is opposing you because of your pride
He is trying to get your attention so you will turn back to him
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7 Habits of Highly Effective Children
Preached by Dan Rice (2005-06-26)
Mark 10:13 - We must have a child like heart to make it to heaven
Children Love Life
John 10:9 - Jesus says we can live life to the full
Children Want to Grow
2 Peter 3:18 - They were eager to learn
Children Change Fast - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
Children Take Risk - Care less about what people think about them. John 12:42-43
Children are quick to trust
John 14:1-4 - Jesus has our best interest at heart
Numbers 20:12 - Moses and Aaron did not trust
Deuteronomy 1:29-35 - Israel did not trust
Psalms 20:7-8 Psalms 22:4-5 Psalms 44:16-17 Psalms 49:13-14 Proverbs 3:5
Children are Idealist - they dream; it is better than synical
Children are faithful - John 3:16 - They did not many reasons like we do.
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Desire's Journey - Our Heart's Deepest Secret But I still haven't found what I am looking for - U2
We have a secret desire for life as it was meant to be
Again and again the yearning of our heart cries for this life
Life comes to all of us as a mystery
We long to live a life we are not sure where to find
The greatest human tragedy is to give up the search for life.
Nothing is of greater importance than the life of our deep heart
To lose heart is to lose everything - Proverbs 4:23
Who we really are and why we are here comes to us through our heart's desire
Our heart yearns for things to be right is so strong that it overrides the logic and hopes against hope every time
The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of - Proverbs 20:5
There are two things that pierce the human heart:
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Desire's Journey - Our Heart's Deepest Secret But I still haven't found what I am looking for - U2
We have a secret desire for life as it was meant to be
Again and again the yearning of our heart cries for this life
Life comes to all of us as a mystery
We long to live a life we are not sure where to find
The greatest human tragedy is to give up the search for life.
Nothing is of greater importance than the life of our deep heart
To lose heart is to lose everything - Proverbs 4:23
Who we really are and why we are here comes to us through our heart's desire
Our heart yearns for things to be right is so strong that it overrides the logic and hopes against hope every time
The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of - Proverbs 20:5
There are two things that pierce the human heart:
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Desire's Journey - The Dilemma of Desire We can not live without yearning, yet the yearning sets us up for disappointment
Because of its vulnerable nature, desire begins to feel like our worst enemy
Despair is the fate of the desiring soul - Sam Houston
Hope deferred make the heart sick - Proverbs 13:12
How awful it feels to open our hearts to joy, only to have grief come in
How do we live in a world with desire so deep in us and disappointment lurking behind every corner?
Are a few arrows, dare we even desire?
Do we refuse to love because we may hurt? possibility of pain?
Shutting down our hearts is to die altogether
Hope deferred make the heart sick... but when dreams come true, there is life and joy
Most of us have chosen to reduce our desire to a more manageable size
We allow it only in small doses:
- Dinner out
- Vacation
- A new ______
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Take the test (part 1) By Curt Simmons in 2002
Test Time
Tests are given in many of life's situations:
- driving test
- drug test
- citizen test
- emission test
- products test
- work test
We need tests to see where we are.
Deuteronomy 8:1-2 - what is really in your heart?
Judges 2:20-FF
- Your character needs to be tested
- "I want to be molded"
2 Chronicles 29:14-17
- Tested in how you give
- Test in what makes you happy
Proverbs 17:3 - The Lord tests the heart
1 Peter 1:3-6
- Prove to you and him that your faith genuine
- We need to stop fighting God
- We will have challenges with:
- character
- commitment
- hurt
- weakness in the church
- close friends leaves
- persecution
- death
- illness
- finances
- relationships
- dating
- family not open
- spouse
- happiness
- children
- friends
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Waking Dead - Heart of All Things
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life - Proverbs 4:23
Tin man had once been a real man
- Wicked witch cause the man injury
- One by one the man replaced his limbs with artificial ones
- Seems like an advantage at first - Witch can not hurt him
- Lost his heart in the process
After a series of blows, his humanity was reduced to efficiency
He did not even notice
If we can disable or deaden your heart, then we have effectively foiled the plan of God
Plan of creating a world where love reigns
By taking your heart out, the enemy takes you out
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Waking Dead - Heart is Central
The heart is central
The need to even to be remined of this show how far we have fallen from the life we were meant to have
The heart is addressed in the Bible more than any other topic
Love the Lord your God with all your heart - Deuteronomy 6:5
Man looks at the outward appearance, Lord looks at the heart - 1 Samuel 16:7
Where your teasure is, there your heart will be also - Luke 12:34
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart - Proverbs 3:5
These people honor me from their lips but their hearts are far from me - Matthew 15:8
The Lord weighs the heart - Proverbs 21:2
The heart can be:
- Trouble, wounded, pierced, grieved, even broken
- Cheerful, glad, merry, joyful, rejoicing
- Whole or divided
- Wise or foolish
- Steadfast, true, upright, stout, valiant
- Frightened, faint, cowardly
- Wandering, forgetful, dull, stubborn, proud, hardened
The heart can be unpredictable but it is central to our being
The heart answers a lot of questions:
- Why did my relationship fail? One or both don't have to heart to make it work
- Why are some many struggling with depression and discouragement? They have lost heart
- Why can I not break free from our addiction? We gave our heart away and need to get it back
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Waking Dead - Heart is Central
The heart is central
The need to even to be remined of this show how far we have fallen from the life we were meant to have
The heart is addressed in the Bible more than any other topic
Love the Lord your God with all your heart - Deuteronomy 6:5
Man looks at the outward appearance, Lord looks at the heart - 1 Samuel 16:7
Where your teasure is, there your heart will be also - Luke 12:34
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart - Proverbs 3:5
These people honor me from their lips but their hearts are far from me - Matthew 15:8
The Lord weighs the heart - Proverbs 21:2
The heart can be:
- Trouble, wounded, pierced, grieved, even broken
- Cheerful, glad, merry, joyful, rejoicing
- Whole or divided
- Wise or foolish
- Steadfast, true, upright, stout, valiant
- Frightened, faint, cowardly
- Wandering, forgetful, dull, stubborn, proud, hardened
The heart can be unpredictable but it is central to our being
The heart answers a lot of questions:
- Why did my relationship fail? One or both don't have to heart to make it work
- Why are some many struggling with depression and discouragement? They have lost heart
- Why can I not break free from our addiction? We gave our heart away and need to get it back
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Waking Dead - Our Story (part 1) Our life is a story
We need someone to walk with us
God has given us the Counselor - the Spirit of truth - John 14:16-17
We need someone that makes thing clear and true
Not just an annual checkup but all the time
The purpose of the Christian life is that our hearts might be restored and set free
That is what Jesus came to do
All sorts of damage has been done to your heart
- by sin
- by others
- by the enemy
At best, we have hope deferred that is making us sick - Proverbs 13:12
Even our laughter is out of heartache - Proverbs 14:13
We are told to trust in the Lord (Proverb 3:5) - it is second nature to worry
We are told to love one another deeply (1 Peter 1:22) - that is very rare
The answers lie deeply in our heart
The heart of a man is deep waters, but a man of understanding draws him out - Proverbs 20:5
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Waking Dead - Our Story (part 1) Our life is a story
We need someone to walk with us
God has given us the Counselor - the Spirit of truth - John 14:16-17
We need someone that makes thing clear and true
Not just an annual checkup but all the time
The purpose of the Christian life is that our hearts might be restored and set free
That is what Jesus came to do
All sorts of damage has been done to your heart
- by sin
- by others
- by the enemy
At best, we have hope deferred that is making us sick - Proverbs 13:12
Even our laughter is out of heartache - Proverbs 14:13
We are told to trust in the Lord (Proverb 3:5) - it is second nature to worry
We are told to love one another deeply (1 Peter 1:22) - that is very rare
The answers lie deeply in our heart
The heart of a man is deep waters, but a man of understanding draws him out - Proverbs 20:5
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Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 6) We must be careful that the religious does not turn discipleship into a soul-killing exercise
Counseling "medicine" for the sick patients can cause an endless cycle of always relying on the meds instead of focusing on a solution
Hope deferred makes the heart sick - Proverbs 13:12
So the wounds of the heart are never healed
A religious spirit makes it next to impossible foe a person to break free by spreading the belief there is no war
- What group did Jesus tangle with the most?
- Who start the rumors about Jesus to discredit him?
- Where did the open opposition to Christ come from?
- Who paid the 30 pieces of silver for Jesus' capture
- Who got the crowd to start yelling Barabbas when Pilot was ready to let Jesus go?
If it does not bring freedom and life, then it is not Christianity
If it does not restore the image of God and rejoice in the heart, it is not Christianity
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Waking Dead - Heart of Treasure Above all else, guard your heart - Proverbs 4:23
Having so long believed our hearts are evil, we assume the warning is to keep us out of trouble
So we lock up our hearts and throw away the key and try to get on with our living
It does say guard your heart because it is criminal but because it is the wellspring of of life
It is treasure - everything else depends on it
Above all else?
We don't even do it once in a while - we careless with our hearts
What if we were careful?
Faith would be must deeper
Relationships so much better
We live completely backwards
"All else" is above our hearts
What do you do on a monthly basis to take care of your heart?
God intends that we treat our hearts as treasures
They were ransomed at a tremendous cost
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Dealing With Your Heart (Part III)
- The Obstacle of Worry - Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:4-9
- As disciples, we sin when we worry about finances.
- Worry is a result of a lack of faith.
- Ways to overcome worry:
- Prayer
- Rejoice always
- Be thankful in all situations
- The Obstacle of Laziness - Signs of Laziness According to Solomon
- The Sluggard
- Proverbs 6:9-11, 19:15, 20:13, 26:14
Oversleeping and eating too much
- Proverbs 13:4, 15:19
Not accomplishing goals, something always getting in the way
- Proverbs 19:24, 26:13
Making excuses
- Proverbs 20:4
Unwilling to work hard
- Results of Laziness: Poverty - Proverbs 10:4, 12:24
- Overcome laziness by hard work - Proverbs 14:23
QUESTIONS
- What do I worry about? How will I overcome it?
- How does worry affect my relationship with God?
- What signs of laziness do I need to overcome? Be Specific.
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Dealing With Your Heart (Part III)
- The Obstacle of Worry - Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:4-9
- As disciples, we sin when we worry about finances.
- Worry is a result of a lack of faith.
- Ways to overcome worry:
- Prayer
- Rejoice always
- Be thankful in all situations
- The Obstacle of Laziness - Signs of Laziness According to Solomon
- The Sluggard
- Proverbs 6:9-11, 19:15, 20:13, 26:14
Oversleeping and eating too much
- Proverbs 13:4, 15:19
Not accomplishing goals, something always getting in the way
- Proverbs 19:24, 26:13
Making excuses
- Proverbs 20:4
Unwilling to work hard
- Results of Laziness: Poverty - Proverbs 10:4, 12:24
- Overcome laziness by hard work - Proverbs 14:23
QUESTIONS
- What do I worry about? How will I overcome it?
- How does worry affect my relationship with God?
- What signs of laziness do I need to overcome? Be Specific.
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Planning and Budgeting
- Introduction
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail"
As Christians, we often fail to have a plan for our finances. Prior to doing this study, you may have even thought it unspiritual to spend time focusing on your finances. Hopefully, by now you have developed convictions as to God's plan for your finances. In this study, we will look at the need for us to establish a budget for our spending. A budget is a reasonable written plan for your giving, spending, and saving based on your income. It is a tool to help you to be a good steward of that which God has entrusted to you.
- The Need for a Budget
- God expects you to know the condition of your flocks and herds (money, possessions, debts) Proverbs 27:23
- We must have a plan and commit it to God. Proverbs 16:3, 3:9
- Jesus teaches us to know the cost of something before we begin. It is foolish not to budget. Luke 14:28-30
- Guidelines
- Plan first to give to God.
- Plan to live sacrificially, not beyond your means.
- Plan to have something to share, to be able to be generous with others.
- Plan to save for occasional or emergency expenses (e.g. special contributions, auto repairs, medical expenses, family trips).
- Plan to eliminate debt - Romans 13:8
QUESTIONS
- Do I have a written budget that I use to plan my giving, spending, and saving?
- Do I compare my actual spending to my budget?
- Have I adopted a standard of living that enables me to stay out of debt and have enough to be generous with others?
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Hunger for Christ Preached by Mike Gross
Nearly 1 Billion people in the world do not get enough food
25,000 die every day because of starvation
Are you hungry?
John 6:22-28
- Just witnessed 5,000 people being feed
- They were looking for free food but in reality they had to work at it find it
- The bread they needed was to spend time to know about Jesus - the bread of life
- Are you searching for the right kind of bread?
- The search and hunger for God does not end when we are baptized, it only begins
Proverbs 2:1-5
- We need to find God like hidden treasure
- God does not change but our viewpoint changes
- Example - Engagement ring to a couple verse the a jewelery store owner
Food Poising
Mark 4:18-19
- Money, worries, wasted time choke out our hunger for him
- During the holidays this becomes a bigger issue
Hunger for the bread of life
John 6:28-40
- They asked for a miracle but they had already forgotten about the miracle they just saw - feeding the 5,000
- The work is to believe - it takes work to believe
- NOT working to get salvation but we need to work at our salvation
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Hunger for Christ Preached by Mike Gross
Nearly 1 Billion people in the world do not get enough food
25,000 die every day because of starvation
Are you hungry?
John 6:22-28
- Just witnessed 5,000 people being feed
- They were looking for free food but in reality they had to work at it find it
- The bread they needed was to spend time to know about Jesus - the bread of life
- Are you searching for the right kind of bread?
- The search and hunger for God does not end when we are baptized, it only begins
Proverbs 2:1-5
- We need to find God like hidden treasure
- God does not change but our viewpoint changes
- Example - Engagement ring to a couple verse the a jewelery store owner
Food Poising
Mark 4:18-19
- Money, worries, wasted time choke out our hunger for him
- During the holidays this becomes a bigger issue
Hunger for the bread of life
John 6:28-40
- They asked for a miracle but they had already forgotten about the miracle they just saw - feeding the 5,000
- The work is to believe - it takes work to believe
- NOT working to get salvation but we need to work at our salvation
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Hunger for Christ Preached by Mike Gross
Nearly 1 Billion people in the world do not get enough food
25,000 die every day because of starvation
Are you hungry?
John 6:22-28
- Just witnessed 5,000 people being feed
- They were looking for free food but in reality they had to work at it find it
- The bread they needed was to spend time to know about Jesus - the bread of life
- Are you searching for the right kind of bread?
- The search and hunger for God does not end when we are baptized, it only begins
Proverbs 2:1-5
- We need to find God like hidden treasure
- God does not change but our viewpoint changes
- Example - Engagement ring to a couple verse the a jewelery store owner
Food Poising
Mark 4:18-19
- Money, worries, wasted time choke out our hunger for him
- During the holidays this becomes a bigger issue
Hunger for the bread of life
John 6:28-40
- They asked for a miracle but they had already forgotten about the miracle they just saw - feeding the 5,000
- The work is to believe - it takes work to believe
- NOT working to get salvation but we need to work at our salvation
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Hunger for Christ Preached by Mike Gross
Nearly 1 Billion people in the world do not get enough food
25,000 die every day because of starvation
Are you hungry?
John 6:22-28
- Just witnessed 5,000 people being feed
- They were looking for free food but in reality they had to work at it find it
- The bread they needed was to spend time to know about Jesus - the bread of life
- Are you searching for the right kind of bread?
- The search and hunger for God does not end when we are baptized, it only begins
Proverbs 2:1-5
- We need to find God like hidden treasure
- God does not change but our viewpoint changes
- Example - Engagement ring to a couple verse the a jewelery store owner
Food Poising
Mark 4:18-19
- Money, worries, wasted time choke out our hunger for him
- During the holidays this becomes a bigger issue
Hunger for the bread of life
John 6:28-40
- They asked for a miracle but they had already forgotten about the miracle they just saw - feeding the 5,000
- The work is to believe - it takes work to believe
- NOT working to get salvation but we need to work at our salvation
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Hunger for Christ Preached by Mike Gross
Nearly 1 Billion people in the world do not get enough food
25,000 die every day because of starvation
Are you hungry?
John 6:22-28
- Just witnessed 5,000 people being feed
- They were looking for free food but in reality they had to work at it find it
- The bread they needed was to spend time to know about Jesus - the bread of life
- Are you searching for the right kind of bread?
- The search and hunger for God does not end when we are baptized, it only begins
Proverbs 2:1-5
- We need to find God like hidden treasure
- God does not change but our viewpoint changes
- Example - Engagement ring to a couple verse the a jewelery store owner
Food Poising
Mark 4:18-19
- Money, worries, wasted time choke out our hunger for him
- During the holidays this becomes a bigger issue
Hunger for the bread of life
John 6:28-40
- They asked for a miracle but they had already forgotten about the miracle they just saw - feeding the 5,000
- The work is to believe - it takes work to believe
- NOT working to get salvation but we need to work at our salvation
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Trusting God - Samuel Preached by Rob Milner
Read 1 Samuel 13
Following God's instruction is the key to our success
1 Samuel 10:8 - Go to Gilgal and wait for 7 days and then we will sacrifice
Samuel was the judge before their were kings
Saul waited for 7 days but did not wait to do the burnt offerings
He did not follow God's instructions exactly
How long before we stop waiting?
Ever wanted to take matters into our own hands?
There is nothing as good as trusting and then God fulfilling his promise
There are two battles:
- Battle between good and evil
- Battle between faith and action
James 2:18-24
- v22 - Faith and works - work together
- Faith without deeds is dead
- Where am I not following exactly?
- What am I not submitting to God's will?
James 4:7-8 - God calls us to submit to him fully
Trust in God and not your situation
1 Samuel 13:11-12 - Saul doubted that Samuel was coming
James 1:5-8 - we should believe and not doubt
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in God and not on one's own understanding
Depending on one's own understanding creates:
- Pride
- Controlling person
- Self-reliant
- Unreliable - allows our situations to change us
- Lose of conviction
Psalms 118:8 - Better to rely on God than man
Protect your blacksmiths or you will be found defenseless
1 Samuel 13:19-21
What are the blacksmiths of our lives?
- Knowledge of the Bible
- Daily prayer/walk with God
- Brotherly fellowship
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Followup - Being Discipled: Initiation (part I) Must desire to be discipled - No one will make you.
Example: Going to the doctor - no one can make you, but you desire to get better
Do you want to become like Jesus?
- Initiate in questions
- Seek advise - finances, dating, school, home, family
- Proverbs 12:15 - many advisors make a victory sure!
- Reasons we don’t:
- Initiate in openness – confession – Proverbs 28:13
- Sin, temptations, feelings, attitudes
- Disciples should never have to guess about what’s going on.
- Share fears, desires, dreams, embarrassments,joys, sorrows…
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Followup - Being Discipled: Initiation (part I) Must desire to be discipled - No one will make you.
Example: Going to the doctor - no one can make you, but you desire to get better
Do you want to become like Jesus?
- Initiate in questions
- Seek advise - finances, dating, school, home, family
- Proverbs 12:15 - many advisors make a victory sure!
- Reasons we don’t:
- Initiate in openness – confession – Proverbs 28:13
- Sin, temptations, feelings, attitudes
- Disciples should never have to guess about what’s going on.
- Share fears, desires, dreams, embarrassments,joys, sorrows…
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Followup - Being Discipled: Imitation & Indignation Imitation
Hebrews 13:7; Philippians 4:9 - Imitate your leaders
- Purpose
- Faith - reliance on God
- Love - warmth and encouragement
- Endurance - even-temperedness and stability, keeping head in all situations
Indignation
Sin is what keeps us from being a great disciple
- Pride - Proverbs 26:12 - “I can make it on my own”
- No you can’t! - James 4:6 - God opposes the proud
- Selfishness - Philippians 2:1-8 - Jesus made himself nothing
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Followup - Evangelism Tact
Evangelism Tact
Principles
- 1 Peter 3:15-16 - Be prepared
- Matthew 7:6 - Be discerning
- Proverbs 15:1 - Not harsh
- Proverbs 17:27, 29:20 - Not hasty
Practicals
- Don’t argue doctrine
- Share about how Christ has changed your life
- Solicit responses and LISTEN
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Followup - Heart Issues The Examination
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else guard your heart.
Psalms 139:23 - Open your heart to God.
Hebrews 4:13 - God cuts with His sword and sees everything.
Types of Heart Disease
Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 14:12 - Deceit
Deuteronomy 29:26-31 - Idolatry
Deuteronomy 8:10-18, Proverbs 18:12 - Pride
Hebrews 3:12-19 - Unbelief (hardness, rebellion, disobedience)
Hebrews 12:3-12 - Weariness
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Followup - Heart Issues The Examination
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else guard your heart.
Psalms 139:23 - Open your heart to God.
Hebrews 4:13 - God cuts with His sword and sees everything.
Types of Heart Disease
Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 14:12 - Deceit
Deuteronomy 29:26-31 - Idolatry
Deuteronomy 8:10-18, Proverbs 18:12 - Pride
Hebrews 3:12-19 - Unbelief (hardness, rebellion, disobedience)
Hebrews 12:3-12 - Weariness
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Followup - Heart Issues The Examination
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else guard your heart.
Psalms 139:23 - Open your heart to God.
Hebrews 4:13 - God cuts with His sword and sees everything.
Types of Heart Disease
Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 14:12 - Deceit
Deuteronomy 29:26-31 - Idolatry
Deuteronomy 8:10-18, Proverbs 18:12 - Pride
Hebrews 3:12-19 - Unbelief (hardness, rebellion, disobedience)
Hebrews 12:3-12 - Weariness
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Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness.
Laziness
Hebrews 6:1
- Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
- Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.
Proverbs 6:6-11 - Self motivation; sleeping
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard
Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard
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Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness.
Laziness
Hebrews 6:1
- Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
- Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.
Proverbs 6:6-11 - Self motivation; sleeping
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard
Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard
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Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness.
Laziness
Hebrews 6:1
- Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
- Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.
Proverbs 6:6-11 - Self motivation; sleeping
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard
Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard
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Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness.
Laziness
Hebrews 6:1
- Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
- Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.
Proverbs 6:6-11 - Self motivation; sleeping
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard
Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard
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Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness.
Laziness
Hebrews 6:1
- Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
- Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.
Proverbs 6:6-11 - Self motivation; sleeping
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard
Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard
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Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness.
Laziness
Hebrews 6:1
- Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
- Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.
Proverbs 6:6-11 - Self motivation; sleeping
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard
Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard
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Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness.
Laziness
Hebrews 6:1
- Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
- Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.
Proverbs 6:6-11 - Self motivation; sleeping
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard
Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard
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Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness.
Laziness
Hebrews 6:1
- Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
- Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.
Proverbs 6:6-11 - Self motivation; sleeping
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard
Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard
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Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness.
Laziness
Hebrews 6:1
- Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
- Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.
Proverbs 6:6-11 - Self motivation; sleeping
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard
Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard
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Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness.
Laziness
Hebrews 6:1
- Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
- Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.
Proverbs 6:6-11 - Self motivation; sleeping
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard
Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard
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Followup - Laziness (part II) Idleness
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
- Being constructive members of society and of the church.
- Thus win the respect of others and make the gospel attractive - Titus 2:10
- Try not to be dependant of anybody
1 Thessalonians 5:14 - Warn those who are idle; this is serious!
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
- If he/she does not listen to the warning, keep away from him/her
- Again, follow the example of the disciplines
- Some people tend to be “busybodies”
Discipline
- Hebrews 12:11 - No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but afterwards the pay-off is substantial
- Proverbs 12:1 - And so it is the intelligent thing to love discipline
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Fearing God - Glorious Truth (part I) Christianity means a relationship with God
How can you have a relationship with someone you fear?
There was a time when committed Christians were known as God-fearing people
God delights in those who fear him
What is the fear of God?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge - Proverbs 1:7
Wisdom and knowledge are not the same
Knowledge is the accumulation of information
Two people can have the same knowledge and but do different times with them
- Doctor that performs abortions
- Doctor that helps saves babies
Knowledge can puff up - 1 Corinthians 8:1
Knowledge can lead to righteousness - Titus 1:1
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Fearing God - Glorious Truth (part I) Christianity means a relationship with God
How can you have a relationship with someone you fear?
There was a time when committed Christians were known as God-fearing people
God delights in those who fear him
What is the fear of God?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge - Proverbs 1:7
Wisdom and knowledge are not the same
Knowledge is the accumulation of information
Two people can have the same knowledge and but do different times with them
- Doctor that performs abortions
- Doctor that helps saves babies
Knowledge can puff up - 1 Corinthians 8:1
Knowledge can lead to righteousness - Titus 1:1
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Fearing God - Glorious Truth (part III) Wisdom is commonly defined as good judgment
In the Bible, it also has a strong ethical content
Example
The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delights - Proverbs 11:1
Honest is the best policy in business
Biblical wisdom always factors God into the equation
- Society might cut corners just enough so it won't hurt business
- The person who fears the Lord strives to be honest all the time
- God-fearing more concerned about pleasing God than what is good for business
Honesty is the best policy but its wisdom has the wrong foundation.
It is essentially self-serving
Example
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil - Proverbs 15:16-17
This kind of wisdom can only come from the Lord
All levels of our society base their supposed happiness on their ability to acquire the possession they want
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Fearing God - Glorious Truth (part III) Wisdom is commonly defined as good judgment
In the Bible, it also has a strong ethical content
Example
The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delights - Proverbs 11:1
Honest is the best policy in business
Biblical wisdom always factors God into the equation
- Society might cut corners just enough so it won't hurt business
- The person who fears the Lord strives to be honest all the time
- God-fearing more concerned about pleasing God than what is good for business
Honesty is the best policy but its wisdom has the wrong foundation.
It is essentially self-serving
Example
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil - Proverbs 15:16-17
This kind of wisdom can only come from the Lord
All levels of our society base their supposed happiness on their ability to acquire the possession they want
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Fearing God - Glorious Truth (part III) Wisdom is commonly defined as good judgment
In the Bible, it also has a strong ethical content
Example
The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delights - Proverbs 11:1
Honest is the best policy in business
Biblical wisdom always factors God into the equation
- Society might cut corners just enough so it won't hurt business
- The person who fears the Lord strives to be honest all the time
- God-fearing more concerned about pleasing God than what is good for business
Honesty is the best policy but its wisdom has the wrong foundation.
It is essentially self-serving
Example
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil - Proverbs 15:16-17
This kind of wisdom can only come from the Lord
All levels of our society base their supposed happiness on their ability to acquire the possession they want
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The Church - Kansas City (part III) 1 Corinthians 12:21-26
- Each disciple is different but each disciple is valuable to God and the body
- Just as your foot can't live without the body neither can a disciple live without the body
- The relationships in the church are very important. You have an opportunity to be close to a lot of people
- Question: How do you feel about the opportunity to be close friends with so many different types of people?
Proverbs 12:1 - It is important and smart for us to seek out and accept correction.
Proverbs 15:22
- God wants us to be successful but it's up to us to seek advice and apply it to our lives
- Question: What area in your life do you need to seek advice in?
- Question: Why is it important to seek advice? So we don't give Satan a foothold.
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The Church - Kansas City (part III) 1 Corinthians 12:21-26
- Each disciple is different but each disciple is valuable to God and the body
- Just as your foot can't live without the body neither can a disciple live without the body
- The relationships in the church are very important. You have an opportunity to be close to a lot of people
- Question: How do you feel about the opportunity to be close friends with so many different types of people?
Proverbs 12:1 - It is important and smart for us to seek out and accept correction.
Proverbs 15:22
- God wants us to be successful but it's up to us to seek advice and apply it to our lives
- Question: What area in your life do you need to seek advice in?
- Question: Why is it important to seek advice? So we don't give Satan a foothold.
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Old Testament - Seeking God Old Testament Seeking God study
- Isaiah 1:2 - God created us and cared for us but we rebelled agianst him
- Jeremiah 29:11-14 - Will find God if you seek me with all your heart and soul
- Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is supreme but it will cost you all you have
- Psalms 10:4 - The arrogent say 'God won't hold me accountable'
- Psalms 42:1-2 - David thirst for God
- Psalms 62:1 - David waited patiently for God
- Psalms 63:1 - He longed, thristed, yearned for God
- Psalms 61:2 - He called out to God in despair
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Old Testament - Sin
Old Testament scriptures about sin
- Ecclesiastes 7:20 - There is not a righteous man on earth
- Leviticus 18 - If a persons sins, he will be cut off
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 - Achievement will not get get us to heaven
- Genesis 4:7 - if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door
- Proverbs 6:16-19 - God hates sin
- Isaiah 59:1-3 - Sin separates us from God
- Psalms 26:1-2 - We need to turn from our ways and live blamelessly
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Old Testament - Sin
Old Testament scriptures about sin
- Ecclesiastes 7:20 - There is not a righteous man on earth
- Leviticus 18 - If a persons sins, he will be cut off
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 - Achievement will not get get us to heaven
- Genesis 4:7 - if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door
- Proverbs 6:16-19 - God hates sin
- Isaiah 59:1-3 - Sin separates us from God
- Psalms 26:1-2 - We need to turn from our ways and live blamelessly
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Old Testament - Sin
Old Testament scriptures about sin
- Ecclesiastes 7:20 - There is not a righteous man on earth
- Leviticus 18 - If a persons sins, he will be cut off
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 - Achievement will not get get us to heaven
- Genesis 4:7 - if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door
- Proverbs 6:16-19 - God hates sin
- Isaiah 59:1-3 - Sin separates us from God
- Psalms 26:1-2 - We need to turn from our ways and live blamelessly
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Old Testament - Sin
Old Testament scriptures about sin
- Ecclesiastes 7:20 - There is not a righteous man on earth
- Leviticus 18 - If a persons sins, he will be cut off
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 - Achievement will not get get us to heaven
- Genesis 4:7 - if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door
- Proverbs 6:16-19 - God hates sin
- Isaiah 59:1-3 - Sin separates us from God
- Psalms 26:1-2 - We need to turn from our ways and live blamelessly
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Old Testament - The Word
Old Testament scriptures about the Word
- Jeremiah 23:29 - God's word is like a fire and hammer
- Hosea 4:6 - People are destroyed from lack of knowledge
- Jeremiah 8:7 - Animals obey God but His people pay no attention
- Psalms 12:6 - LORD's words are absolutely reliable
- Proverbs 30:5-6 - Every word of God is flawless
- Deuteronomy 4:2 - Keep the commandments of the LORD your God; do not add or take away from it
- Psalms 119 - God's Word should be held in the highest reguard
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Old Testament - The Word
Old Testament scriptures about the Word
- Jeremiah 23:29 - God's word is like a fire and hammer
- Hosea 4:6 - People are destroyed from lack of knowledge
- Jeremiah 8:7 - Animals obey God but His people pay no attention
- Psalms 12:6 - LORD's words are absolutely reliable
- Proverbs 30:5-6 - Every word of God is flawless
- Deuteronomy 4:2 - Keep the commandments of the LORD your God; do not add or take away from it
- Psalms 119 - God's Word should be held in the highest reguard
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Old Testament - Evangelism
Old testament evangelism scriptures
- Exodus 19:6 - You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation
- Isaiah 49:6 - I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth
- Proverbs 11:30 - The one who is wise saves lives
- 2 Kings 7:3-9 - This is a day of good news; we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us
- Esther 4:14 - For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place
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Old Testament - Baptism
Baptism OT scriptures:
- Proverbs 30:12 - There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not washed from their filthiness
- 2 Kings 5:1-15 - Dipped in the Jordan seven times and was healed
- Leviticus 14:1-7 - Seven times he shall sprinkle the one to be cleansed of the defiling disease
- Isaiah 1:18-20 - Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow
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Names of Jesus (part XVII) Names of Jesus, one scripture at a time:
- True God - 1 John 5:20
- True Light - John 1:9
- True Vine - John 15:1
- Truth - John 14:6
- Way - John 14:6
- Wisdom - Proverbs 8:12
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Righteousness not easy but valuable Righteousness not easy but valuable
2 Timothy 4:16-17
- How closely are you looking at how you live?
- Why should you always watch what you are doing?
- How would your life change if you were always watchful?
Proverbs 21:3
God values righteousness over the sacrifice of
- Your time
- Your money
- Your feelings
- Anything else of yours that you value
But he delights in us being righteous even more
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Mind of Christ - Intro (part III) The heart is the source which continuously supplies your life with the kind of person you are.
- The source of your behavior - Proverbs 4:23
- The source of your speech
- Out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks - Luke 6:45
- How can you who are evil say anything good? - Matthew 12:33-37
- The source of all evil behavior
- What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean' - Mark 7:20-23
- Every inclination of the thoughts of his heart were evil - Genesis 6:5
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Mind of Christ - Intro (part V) The heart is the source of obedience
- You wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted - Romans 6:17
- Obey masters is doing the will of God from your heart - Ephesians 6:6
The heart is the source of your character
- "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you - Proverbs 23:7
- The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart - Luke 6:43-46
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Mind of Christ - About Self (part II) The self-centered life (continued):
3. His worship is direct toward himself
- Luke 18:11 - Prayer: I thank you that I am not like other men
- Philippians 3:19 - Their god is their stomach
- 2 Timothy 3:2 - People will be lovers of themselves
4. His pleasure is to fulfill himself
- 2 Timothy 3:4 - Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
- Proverbs 21:17 - He who loves pleasure will become poor
- 1 Timothy 5:6 - But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead
5. His sinful nature is expressed through the gratification of self
- Galatians 5:16 - Live by the Spirit and not our sinful desires
- Ephesians 4:19 - Lost all sensitivity
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Fearing God - Control of Rulers
Kings and emperors are reduced to nothing before God and are completely subject to His sovereign power - Isaiah 40:23
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; directs it where ever he please - Proverbs 21:1
He controls the destinies of rulers as well as their actions:
- Nebuchadnezzar - king of Babylonian Empire / was driven insane and ate grass as cattle do for 7 years
- Alexander the Great - conquered the known world / died when he was 32 years old
- Napoleon - conquered all of Europe / died in excile
- Hitler - conquered all of Europe / died in a besieged bunker
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Daughter Needs - Stumbling or Building block? Are we a stumbling or building block for our daughter?
Men have been looking out for number one at rates that are alarming
61.7% live with their biological father
82.4% live with their dad in 1960
Realize that God does measure success based on the world's standards
God calls us to raise our daughters int he nurture and admonition of the Lord - Ephesians 6:4
Then our daughters will give us peace and delight to our souls - Proverbs 29:17
Our role in our daughter's life will shape the idea of her husband and view of the heavenly Father
We have no excuse to be satisfied with mediocrity
Consider the 6 stumbling block fathers...
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Followup: Humility I (part I) Humility is essential in beginning and maintaining a relationship with God. Pride, the opposite of humility, is often difficult to see in yourself and difficult to define in one’s character. It can be described as stubbornness toward God and his Word as well as others, or as independence from God and/or others.
Let’s look at a few examples of what humility is NOT.
- Stubborn: Pharaoh was stubborn towards the Lord’s will - Exodus 13:15
- Pride: It’s hard to see your own pride but others can easily - Psalms 73:6
- Arrogance: God hates arrogance - Proverbs 8:13
Let’s look at what examples of humility truly looks like.
- Proverbs 15:33 - fear of God brings about wisdom and humility
- Proverbs 16:3 - put God first and you will be successful
- Philippians 2:3 - putting others before yourself
- Colossians 3:12 - we are to put on humility daily
- 1 Peter 5:5 - respect others and clothe yourself with humility
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Followup: Humility I (part I) Humility is essential in beginning and maintaining a relationship with God. Pride, the opposite of humility, is often difficult to see in yourself and difficult to define in one’s character. It can be described as stubbornness toward God and his Word as well as others, or as independence from God and/or others.
Let’s look at a few examples of what humility is NOT.
- Stubborn: Pharaoh was stubborn towards the Lord’s will - Exodus 13:15
- Pride: It’s hard to see your own pride but others can easily - Psalms 73:6
- Arrogance: God hates arrogance - Proverbs 8:13
Let’s look at what examples of humility truly looks like.
- Proverbs 15:33 - fear of God brings about wisdom and humility
- Proverbs 16:3 - put God first and you will be successful
- Philippians 2:3 - putting others before yourself
- Colossians 3:12 - we are to put on humility daily
- 1 Peter 5:5 - respect others and clothe yourself with humility
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Followup: Humility I (part I) Humility is essential in beginning and maintaining a relationship with God. Pride, the opposite of humility, is often difficult to see in yourself and difficult to define in one’s character. It can be described as stubbornness toward God and his Word as well as others, or as independence from God and/or others.
Let’s look at a few examples of what humility is NOT.
- Stubborn: Pharaoh was stubborn towards the Lord’s will - Exodus 13:15
- Pride: It’s hard to see your own pride but others can easily - Psalms 73:6
- Arrogance: God hates arrogance - Proverbs 8:13
Let’s look at what examples of humility truly looks like.
- Proverbs 15:33 - fear of God brings about wisdom and humility
- Proverbs 16:3 - put God first and you will be successful
- Philippians 2:3 - putting others before yourself
- Colossians 3:12 - we are to put on humility daily
- 1 Peter 5:5 - respect others and clothe yourself with humility
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Followup: Humility I (part II) What humility is not:
- Being wimpy and letting people walk over you: Jesus was no wimp - John 2:15
- Have no opinions, become a spiritual robot: Paul pleased God not man - Galatians 1:10
What humility is:
- Getting and applying input - Proverbs 19:20
- Taking correction - Proverbs 12:1
Philippians 2:5-8
How was Jesus humble?
- He was God but left heaven to become man (like you becoming an ant)
- He gave up being a king to serve those who didn’t love or respect him.
- He died for you and me.
Question: Is there anyone in your life difficult for you to be humble towards?
Question: What would Jesus advise you to do with that situation?
To be like Jesus is to be humble
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Followup: Humility I (part II) What humility is not:
- Being wimpy and letting people walk over you: Jesus was no wimp - John 2:15
- Have no opinions, become a spiritual robot: Paul pleased God not man - Galatians 1:10
What humility is:
- Getting and applying input - Proverbs 19:20
- Taking correction - Proverbs 12:1
Philippians 2:5-8
How was Jesus humble?
- He was God but left heaven to become man (like you becoming an ant)
- He gave up being a king to serve those who didn’t love or respect him.
- He died for you and me.
Question: Is there anyone in your life difficult for you to be humble towards?
Question: What would Jesus advise you to do with that situation?
To be like Jesus is to be humble
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Proverbs on Integrity (part I) Proverbs 19:22 - Poor person is better than a liar
Proverbs 20:17 - Gains by fraud ends up being worthless
The 1996 New York Times had a story on a golfer named Jeff Sluman.
- Jeff was playing in the Bay Hill Invitational and he hit his ball in the water.
- He then took a drop (drop your ball near the place it went in the water) and he added a penalty stroke
- During the night he began to question whether his drop was legal or illegal.
- He couldn’t sleep that night and the next morning called the golfing officials and told them what happen.
- Before the officials even made a decision, Jeff disqualified himself.
- Jeff said, “I’m not sure if what I did was right, and if I’m not sure then I couldn’t live with myself and keep playing. What if I won? It would be a curse.”
Not many people today have the attitude of Jeff Sluman.
- In most sports today the rule is to see what you can get away with (as long as you don’t get caught then its O.K.)
- But for the person of integrity cheating/deceit is never okay (its never an option)
We live in a world of deceit
- Politicians break campaign promises continually
- Parents laugh at little “Billie” when he cheats at pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey)
- Businesses lie just to sale a product (on and on)
Dictionary defines integrity as = adherence to a moral or ethical code, soundness of moral character
When someone is a person of integrity he/she is someone that has wholeness about him either.
- Many people in the world today are two-faced (their life doesn’t match their doctrine)
Why do we lose our integrity?
- Peer Pressure - Matthew 27:19-24
- Pilate lacked integrity, he made decisions based on what other people thought and said.
- He didn’t want to take responsibility
- Pride - Exodus 8:8-15
- Pharaoh wanted to be in control and not take advice from others
- In the end Pharaoh’s pride led to his firstborn son dieing (all the 1st born sons of Egypt)
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Proverbs on Integrity (part I) Proverbs 19:22 - Poor person is better than a liar
Proverbs 20:17 - Gains by fraud ends up being worthless
The 1996 New York Times had a story on a golfer named Jeff Sluman.
- Jeff was playing in the Bay Hill Invitational and he hit his ball in the water.
- He then took a drop (drop your ball near the place it went in the water) and he added a penalty stroke
- During the night he began to question whether his drop was legal or illegal.
- He couldn’t sleep that night and the next morning called the golfing officials and told them what happen.
- Before the officials even made a decision, Jeff disqualified himself.
- Jeff said, “I’m not sure if what I did was right, and if I’m not sure then I couldn’t live with myself and keep playing. What if I won? It would be a curse.”
Not many people today have the attitude of Jeff Sluman.
- In most sports today the rule is to see what you can get away with (as long as you don’t get caught then its O.K.)
- But for the person of integrity cheating/deceit is never okay (its never an option)
We live in a world of deceit
- Politicians break campaign promises continually
- Parents laugh at little “Billie” when he cheats at pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey)
- Businesses lie just to sale a product (on and on)
Dictionary defines integrity as = adherence to a moral or ethical code, soundness of moral character
When someone is a person of integrity he/she is someone that has wholeness about him either.
- Many people in the world today are two-faced (their life doesn’t match their doctrine)
Why do we lose our integrity?
- Peer Pressure - Matthew 27:19-24
- Pilate lacked integrity, he made decisions based on what other people thought and said.
- He didn’t want to take responsibility
- Pride - Exodus 8:8-15
- Pharaoh wanted to be in control and not take advice from others
- In the end Pharaoh’s pride led to his firstborn son dieing (all the 1st born sons of Egypt)
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Proverbs on Integrity (part II) Examples of great integrity.
- Joseph - Genesis 39:8-10
- Joseph did not give into the impure temptations that were put before him.
- He honored God with his purity and he honored his master
- Jesus - Matthew 26:57-60
- They couldn’t find anything against Jesus (false witnesses came forward “people started lying” but they didn’t make sense either)
- Mark 7:36-37 - Jesus did everything well (integrity)
Today we need to be examples of men/women of integrity. - Proverbs gives us a lot lessons on integrity
#1. Integrity last forever
Proverbs 12:19 - Truthful lips endure forever
Integrity last forever (people lie to escape something) but no one can run from the truth
- People lie to appear better than they are
- When we lie we feel clever and in control but one lie leads to other lies (then were like a dog chasing its tail)
- Many times people lie and may not ever be discovered but remember no one can fool God
Hebrews 4:13 - Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.
Whenever we lie we ruin a part of our character.
- The more we lie the easier it becomes thus it eventually becomes our nature.
- You may escape the lie but you can not escape how it changes your character
Proverbs 28:13 - He who conceals his sins does not prosper
Men and take many things away from us but no one can take our integrity (its our choice).
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Proverbs on Integrity (part II) Examples of great integrity.
- Joseph - Genesis 39:8-10
- Joseph did not give into the impure temptations that were put before him.
- He honored God with his purity and he honored his master
- Jesus - Matthew 26:57-60
- They couldn’t find anything against Jesus (false witnesses came forward “people started lying” but they didn’t make sense either)
- Mark 7:36-37 - Jesus did everything well (integrity)
Today we need to be examples of men/women of integrity. - Proverbs gives us a lot lessons on integrity
#1. Integrity last forever
Proverbs 12:19 - Truthful lips endure forever
Integrity last forever (people lie to escape something) but no one can run from the truth
- People lie to appear better than they are
- When we lie we feel clever and in control but one lie leads to other lies (then were like a dog chasing its tail)
- Many times people lie and may not ever be discovered but remember no one can fool God
Hebrews 4:13 - Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.
Whenever we lie we ruin a part of our character.
- The more we lie the easier it becomes thus it eventually becomes our nature.
- You may escape the lie but you can not escape how it changes your character
Proverbs 28:13 - He who conceals his sins does not prosper
Men and take many things away from us but no one can take our integrity (its our choice).
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Proverbs on Integrity (part III) #2. Integrity pleases God
Proverbs 12:22 - The Lord delights in men who are truthful
God hates lies and loves the truth. God has never lied.
- Lying is against God’s nature (character)
- His enemy (Satan) is the Father of lies (John 8:44)
Lies are apart of Satan’s character (its his weapon)
- When we lie we are using Satan’s weapons
- When we decide to tell the truth over lies we are choosing God over Satan
Choose to please God (tell the truth)
#3. Deception (lies) end in destruction
Proverbs 17:20 - A man of perverse heart does not prosper
Proverbs 19:5 - A false witness will not go unpunished
At some point our lies will find us out, it might not happen in this life but it will happen. - 1 Timothy 5:24-25
Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira lied not only to God but to the people (church)
Lessons:
- We should never make pack (agreement) to conceal the truth
- We should strive to please God (speak the truth) not Satan (lie)
- If you tell the truth you don’t have to have a good memory (lies create more lies)
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Proverbs on Integrity (part III) #2. Integrity pleases God
Proverbs 12:22 - The Lord delights in men who are truthful
God hates lies and loves the truth. God has never lied.
- Lying is against God’s nature (character)
- His enemy (Satan) is the Father of lies (John 8:44)
Lies are apart of Satan’s character (its his weapon)
- When we lie we are using Satan’s weapons
- When we decide to tell the truth over lies we are choosing God over Satan
Choose to please God (tell the truth)
#3. Deception (lies) end in destruction
Proverbs 17:20 - A man of perverse heart does not prosper
Proverbs 19:5 - A false witness will not go unpunished
At some point our lies will find us out, it might not happen in this life but it will happen. - 1 Timothy 5:24-25
Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira lied not only to God but to the people (church)
Lessons:
- We should never make pack (agreement) to conceal the truth
- We should strive to please God (speak the truth) not Satan (lie)
- If you tell the truth you don’t have to have a good memory (lies create more lies)
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Proverbs on Integrity (part III) #2. Integrity pleases God
Proverbs 12:22 - The Lord delights in men who are truthful
God hates lies and loves the truth. God has never lied.
- Lying is against God’s nature (character)
- His enemy (Satan) is the Father of lies (John 8:44)
Lies are apart of Satan’s character (its his weapon)
- When we lie we are using Satan’s weapons
- When we decide to tell the truth over lies we are choosing God over Satan
Choose to please God (tell the truth)
#3. Deception (lies) end in destruction
Proverbs 17:20 - A man of perverse heart does not prosper
Proverbs 19:5 - A false witness will not go unpunished
At some point our lies will find us out, it might not happen in this life but it will happen. - 1 Timothy 5:24-25
Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira lied not only to God but to the people (church)
Lessons:
- We should never make pack (agreement) to conceal the truth
- We should strive to please God (speak the truth) not Satan (lie)
- If you tell the truth you don’t have to have a good memory (lies create more lies)
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Proverbs on Pride (part III) Proverbs 13:10 - wise men and women listen to each other's counsel
Proverbs 18:11 - The rich think their wealth protects them
Illustration:
- I read that when a caterpillar exists in its lowly state it can get as close as it wants to other caterpillars.
- They climb all over each other and share grounds selflessly.
- But as soon as the caterpillar spreads its wings and takes flight, it can never again get close as it once did to other creatures.
- The beauty of its wings is the very thing that prevents it from getting close.
- When we puff ourselves up with pride, we cannot get close to people around us.
- We beat our wings against theirs and we both are destroyed.
The most deadly attribute of pride in a relationship is selfishness.
- It takes humility to have truly great relationships
- When we are selfish we refuse to share what we have with others (time, possessions, self)
- If we fail to share ourselves, then on one will really know us.
- It is impossible to be really close to people and be selfish
#2. Pride kills self-esteem (Proverbs 26:12)
- Pride blinds us to who we really are
- We get a false image of ourselves and cling to that image instead of the truth
- Underneath our arrogance and pride are feelings of self-loathing and extreme neediness
- In order to overcome we puff ourselves up, we act as if we have it together
- Unfortunately we only fool & hurt ourselves because others can see through it.
- This shell of pride can also keep others away as we duck our heads back in (turtle)
- As long as we stay in our shell we are prisoners of our own pride, destine to live a lonely life
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Proverbs on Pride (part III) Proverbs 13:10 - wise men and women listen to each other's counsel
Proverbs 18:11 - The rich think their wealth protects them
Illustration:
- I read that when a caterpillar exists in its lowly state it can get as close as it wants to other caterpillars.
- They climb all over each other and share grounds selflessly.
- But as soon as the caterpillar spreads its wings and takes flight, it can never again get close as it once did to other creatures.
- The beauty of its wings is the very thing that prevents it from getting close.
- When we puff ourselves up with pride, we cannot get close to people around us.
- We beat our wings against theirs and we both are destroyed.
The most deadly attribute of pride in a relationship is selfishness.
- It takes humility to have truly great relationships
- When we are selfish we refuse to share what we have with others (time, possessions, self)
- If we fail to share ourselves, then on one will really know us.
- It is impossible to be really close to people and be selfish
#2. Pride kills self-esteem (Proverbs 26:12)
- Pride blinds us to who we really are
- We get a false image of ourselves and cling to that image instead of the truth
- Underneath our arrogance and pride are feelings of self-loathing and extreme neediness
- In order to overcome we puff ourselves up, we act as if we have it together
- Unfortunately we only fool & hurt ourselves because others can see through it.
- This shell of pride can also keep others away as we duck our heads back in (turtle)
- As long as we stay in our shell we are prisoners of our own pride, destine to live a lonely life
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Proverbs on Pride (part IV) HUMILITY
#1. Humility heals our relationship with God - Proverbs 3:34
- God honors humility
- When we become humble we become more like God himself.
Philippians 2:8-11 - God honors humility (this is the 1st step to having a relationship with God)
James 4:8-10 - Humility isn’t a one time thing, we must continue to humble ourselves before God daily
#2. Humility heals our relationship with Others - Proverbs 6:3
To heal a relationship someone must take the first step - Christ did this for us
- Best example is in a marriage (someone has to start with “I’m sorry”)
- Jesus said “blessed are the peacemakers” not “blessed is the one who wins the argument”
One purpose of a Christian relationship is to remove the pride from each other’s life (so we can get to heaven)
Colossians 1:28-29 - We must work to help each other be humble
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Proverbs on Pride (part IV) HUMILITY
#1. Humility heals our relationship with God - Proverbs 3:34
- God honors humility
- When we become humble we become more like God himself.
Philippians 2:8-11 - God honors humility (this is the 1st step to having a relationship with God)
James 4:8-10 - Humility isn’t a one time thing, we must continue to humble ourselves before God daily
#2. Humility heals our relationship with Others - Proverbs 6:3
To heal a relationship someone must take the first step - Christ did this for us
- Best example is in a marriage (someone has to start with “I’m sorry”)
- Jesus said “blessed are the peacemakers” not “blessed is the one who wins the argument”
One purpose of a Christian relationship is to remove the pride from each other’s life (so we can get to heaven)
Colossians 1:28-29 - We must work to help each other be humble
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Proverbs on Advice - Seek Help Proverbs 15:22 - Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War.
- It was the Union’s first decisive victory over the Army of Virginia led by General Robert E. Lee.
- He had led his forces into the northern states taking an offensive posture in the war.
- When the Union army followed him into Pennsylvania, he found a spot on the map where several roads joined at an intersection called Gettysburg.
- General Lee did not know the number of Union soldiers he was facing.
- These numbers should have been discovered and reported by his cavalry leader Jeb Stuart, but he was nowhere to be found.
- Stuart, without orders from General Lee, had decided to go on a raiding expedition.
- The cavalry was the eyes of the army. Without the counsel of his cavalry leader Lee was blind.
- Unprepared, Lee went on to lose the battle at Gettysburg. It was just the victory Lincoln had been looking for
Proverbs 11:14 - For lack of guidance a nation falls but many advisers make victory sure.
In the life of a disciple we need eyes all around us (we are in a spiritual battle, not against flesh and blood but against the dark forces of this world).
- We need our cavalry “brothers & sisters” giving us advice and counsel
- They tell us where the enemy is and how strong his forces are.
- They help equip us to do battle with the enemy.
- They fortify us when we’re lacking in zeal
- We need these people in our lives.
Five lessons to learn about advice...
1. Seek Advice
Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death
Proverbs 18:15 - The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, the ears of the wise seek it out
If we were going to buy a car for the 1st time, most of us would seek a lot of advice.
- We would ask others what kind of interest rate we should look for, how many miles per gallon, the resale value, look at consumer reports, etc…
- We go to counselors for help (family & career), therapist, on and on
Question: Why do we seek out spiritual help in our lives like we do in so many other areas?
If we need help in other areas (that’s good) surely our spiritual life is more important because it has an eternal destination (good or bad)
- We need to find people who are spiritually mature and gone through such experiences in life
- These men and women can give us godly advice that will help us mature spiritually
Discipling relationship isn’t just a good idea it’s one key to our spiritual victory
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Proverbs on Advice - Advisors bring victory 2. Advisors bring victory
Proverbs 11:14 - For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure
Proverbs 25:12 - Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear
We all want to succeed; we all want to be winners.
- The Bible gives us the formula for success - - - “seek advice”
Question: If Jesus didn’t try to do it on his own why do we think we can?
- Jesus spent time (transfiguration) with Moses & Elijah
- Jesus spent time with his father daily (early in the morning and late at night)
- Jesus even had 12 disciples around him for years
Note: The best athletes in the world need coaches and trainers
- Baseball = the pitching coach can look at a picture throw and determine mistakes on sight
- Football = you have a specialty coach for every position
- School = tutors for different subjects
Victory comes from seeking and accepting advice
3. Without instruction, bad things happen
Proverbs 19:27 - Stop listening to instruction my son and you will stray from the words of knowledge
Proverbs 21:16 - A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead
Sometimes were just think-headed (we know what’s best)
- We have to learn things the hard way.
- People can warn us that we’re headed down the wrong path but we just have to journey that path for ourselves before we learn
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Proverbs on Advice - Advisors bring victory 2. Advisors bring victory
Proverbs 11:14 - For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure
Proverbs 25:12 - Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear
We all want to succeed; we all want to be winners.
- The Bible gives us the formula for success - - - “seek advice”
Question: If Jesus didn’t try to do it on his own why do we think we can?
- Jesus spent time (transfiguration) with Moses & Elijah
- Jesus spent time with his father daily (early in the morning and late at night)
- Jesus even had 12 disciples around him for years
Note: The best athletes in the world need coaches and trainers
- Baseball = the pitching coach can look at a picture throw and determine mistakes on sight
- Football = you have a specialty coach for every position
- School = tutors for different subjects
Victory comes from seeking and accepting advice
3. Without instruction, bad things happen
Proverbs 19:27 - Stop listening to instruction my son and you will stray from the words of knowledge
Proverbs 21:16 - A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead
Sometimes were just think-headed (we know what’s best)
- We have to learn things the hard way.
- People can warn us that we’re headed down the wrong path but we just have to journey that path for ourselves before we learn
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Proverbs on Advice - Advisors bring victory 2. Advisors bring victory
Proverbs 11:14 - For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure
Proverbs 25:12 - Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear
We all want to succeed; we all want to be winners.
- The Bible gives us the formula for success - - - “seek advice”
Question: If Jesus didn’t try to do it on his own why do we think we can?
- Jesus spent time (transfiguration) with Moses & Elijah
- Jesus spent time with his father daily (early in the morning and late at night)
- Jesus even had 12 disciples around him for years
Note: The best athletes in the world need coaches and trainers
- Baseball = the pitching coach can look at a picture throw and determine mistakes on sight
- Football = you have a specialty coach for every position
- School = tutors for different subjects
Victory comes from seeking and accepting advice
3. Without instruction, bad things happen
Proverbs 19:27 - Stop listening to instruction my son and you will stray from the words of knowledge
Proverbs 21:16 - A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead
Sometimes were just think-headed (we know what’s best)
- We have to learn things the hard way.
- People can warn us that we’re headed down the wrong path but we just have to journey that path for ourselves before we learn
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Proverbs on Advice - Advisors bring victory 2. Advisors bring victory
Proverbs 11:14 - For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure
Proverbs 25:12 - Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear
We all want to succeed; we all want to be winners.
- The Bible gives us the formula for success - - - “seek advice”
Question: If Jesus didn’t try to do it on his own why do we think we can?
- Jesus spent time (transfiguration) with Moses & Elijah
- Jesus spent time with his father daily (early in the morning and late at night)
- Jesus even had 12 disciples around him for years
Note: The best athletes in the world need coaches and trainers
- Baseball = the pitching coach can look at a picture throw and determine mistakes on sight
- Football = you have a specialty coach for every position
- School = tutors for different subjects
Victory comes from seeking and accepting advice
3. Without instruction, bad things happen
Proverbs 19:27 - Stop listening to instruction my son and you will stray from the words of knowledge
Proverbs 21:16 - A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead
Sometimes were just think-headed (we know what’s best)
- We have to learn things the hard way.
- People can warn us that we’re headed down the wrong path but we just have to journey that path for ourselves before we learn
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Proverbs on Advice - Without Instruction 4. Without instruction, you hurt others
Proverbs 10:17 - He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray
John Donne wrote, “No man is an island entirely to himself, every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main”
When (in our independence) we disregard godly advice, we hurt others as well as ourselves. We set an example which by action and attitude say that we do not need others in our lives
5. Without instruction we are stupid
Proverbs 12:1 - Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid
The Bible uses the word “stupid”. It’s found only four times in the NIV (Job 18:3, Proverbs 12:1, Ecclesiastes 10:3, 2 Timothy 2:23)
- In proverbs it refers to the person who hates correction (pride makes us stupid)
- When we are unwilling to receive godly correction we are trusting our own way over that of our advisors (this type of pride makes us stupid)
Example:
- Physically: We have an illness = we go see an expert doctor, to ignore his advice and handle the situation on our own would be stupid
- Spiritually: We face temptations and challenging situations = we should seek advice from spiritually minded people (they may advice us something simple like, read these scriptures or something radical like change jobs) but to ignore experienced spiritual advice would be stupid. Even if you don’t like it (pray about it, get another “experienced” opinion)
Victory comes from this approach to solving our spiritual problems.
Challenge: How do you respond when someone challenges you?
- Type A: Listens on the outside (even nod your head “yes”) but on the inside all systems are shut down.
- Type B: You are calm on the outside but on the inside you’re steaming mad ready to explode and interrupt (who do they think they are)
- Type C: Listens and really tries to understand (learn) not just say OK but embrace the input to become a better disciple
Proverbs 27:5, Proverbs 15:31, Proverbs 29:1
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Proverbs on Laziness (part I)
Proverbs 18:9 - One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys
A three (3) toed sloth is one of the ugliest creatures in the world.
- It spends most of its time hanging from a tree
- It’s as slow as molasses in winter (ultimate example of laziness)
The sluggard is the spiritual three (3) toed sloth. The Bible has nothing good to say about the sloth.
Laziness comes in little spurts.
- Little amounts of unproductiveness
- Spurts of lost time adds up to a lot of lost time (time that can never be regained)
Proverbs 26:14 - As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed
A sluggard has a difficult time getting out of bed, and loves the snooze button. It caters (snooze button) to those that can’t begin the day on time.
Proverbs 26:15 - The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth
Here is another picturesque description of the sluggard. His is so lazy that he needs someone to spoon him his meal. This description should warn us of how disgusting laziness is to God.
Proverbs 26:16 - The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly
One of the saddest things about a sluggard is that most of the time he doesn’t even realize how lazy he really is.
- He looks at his unproductive day and actually believes he had no control over his lack of productivity.
- He blames it on other things (parent’s, kids, spouse, work, weather, health, etc.)
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Proverbs on Laziness (part I)
Proverbs 18:9 - One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys
A three (3) toed sloth is one of the ugliest creatures in the world.
- It spends most of its time hanging from a tree
- It’s as slow as molasses in winter (ultimate example of laziness)
The sluggard is the spiritual three (3) toed sloth. The Bible has nothing good to say about the sloth.
Laziness comes in little spurts.
- Little amounts of unproductiveness
- Spurts of lost time adds up to a lot of lost time (time that can never be regained)
Proverbs 26:14 - As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed
A sluggard has a difficult time getting out of bed, and loves the snooze button. It caters (snooze button) to those that can’t begin the day on time.
Proverbs 26:15 - The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth
Here is another picturesque description of the sluggard. His is so lazy that he needs someone to spoon him his meal. This description should warn us of how disgusting laziness is to God.
Proverbs 26:16 - The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly
One of the saddest things about a sluggard is that most of the time he doesn’t even realize how lazy he really is.
- He looks at his unproductive day and actually believes he had no control over his lack of productivity.
- He blames it on other things (parent’s, kids, spouse, work, weather, health, etc.)
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Proverbs on Laziness (part I)
Proverbs 18:9 - One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys
A three (3) toed sloth is one of the ugliest creatures in the world.
- It spends most of its time hanging from a tree
- It’s as slow as molasses in winter (ultimate example of laziness)
The sluggard is the spiritual three (3) toed sloth. The Bible has nothing good to say about the sloth.
Laziness comes in little spurts.
- Little amounts of unproductiveness
- Spurts of lost time adds up to a lot of lost time (time that can never be regained)
Proverbs 26:14 - As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed
A sluggard has a difficult time getting out of bed, and loves the snooze button. It caters (snooze button) to those that can’t begin the day on time.
Proverbs 26:15 - The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth
Here is another picturesque description of the sluggard. His is so lazy that he needs someone to spoon him his meal. This description should warn us of how disgusting laziness is to God.
Proverbs 26:16 - The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly
One of the saddest things about a sluggard is that most of the time he doesn’t even realize how lazy he really is.
- He looks at his unproductive day and actually believes he had no control over his lack of productivity.
- He blames it on other things (parent’s, kids, spouse, work, weather, health, etc.)
|
Proverbs on Laziness (part I)
Proverbs 18:9 - One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys
A three (3) toed sloth is one of the ugliest creatures in the world.
- It spends most of its time hanging from a tree
- It’s as slow as molasses in winter (ultimate example of laziness)
The sluggard is the spiritual three (3) toed sloth. The Bible has nothing good to say about the sloth.
Laziness comes in little spurts.
- Little amounts of unproductiveness
- Spurts of lost time adds up to a lot of lost time (time that can never be regained)
Proverbs 26:14 - As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed
A sluggard has a difficult time getting out of bed, and loves the snooze button. It caters (snooze button) to those that can’t begin the day on time.
Proverbs 26:15 - The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth
Here is another picturesque description of the sluggard. His is so lazy that he needs someone to spoon him his meal. This description should warn us of how disgusting laziness is to God.
Proverbs 26:16 - The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly
One of the saddest things about a sluggard is that most of the time he doesn’t even realize how lazy he really is.
- He looks at his unproductive day and actually believes he had no control over his lack of productivity.
- He blames it on other things (parent’s, kids, spouse, work, weather, health, etc.)
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Genesis 4 - Cain Murders Abel
Summary
Eve's sons made offerings to God. Only Abel's was acceptable, so Cain killed him. Abel's blood cried out and God sent Cain away.
Observations
Genesis 4:7 - if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door
The sins of omission are very related to the sins of commission. If you are sitting on the sidelines, you have time (maybe considered laziness) and you will give Satan time to put all sorts of temptations in your head. A lazy person bring is a good friend to the evil one and is considered a brother [Proverbs 18:9].
Genesis 4:9 - Am I my brother's keeper?
The Christian walk is more than God and us. It is also the people around us. We learn about relationships from others. We learn about ourselves and get feedback on how we are doing - and give it as well. Without others we would have been pointed the way to God and we could not reach others with the gospel.
Genesis 4:12 - You will be a restless wanderer on the earth
Without God in our lives, we are a restless wander. Our thoughts, emotions, and desires become our direction and we walk aimlessly - not knowing where we are, where we came from, or where we are going.
Genesis 4:26 - At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD
Since the beginning of time men began call for for God. It is built into the nature of our being. Time after time he has answered no matter how far away we go. But when he calls for us, will be answer? Will we let it go to voicemail? Are we screening our calls from Him and only answer the calls that are easy to take?
Personal Application
I wonder sometimes if I have my "ringer" loud enough for me to hear when God calls. A lot of times I look back on important events in my life and realize that I missed another lesson God was trying to teach me but I was not listening. I feel embarrassed that I was so selfish during that times. I want to listen voice from God more intensely.
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Mind Change - Simplicity Be thankful. Laugh. Sing. Trust God.
Apply this today. Apply it every day.
Yes, even with what is happening today.
Don’t let any new development stop you.
Proverbs 31:25 - A noble woman can laugh in her days to come
Psalms 147:7 - Sing praises to our God
John 14:1 - You believe in God - no distress
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Getting Advise (part I) One of the greatest advantages you have as a disciple is the wealth of knowledge, insight and experience available from all the other disciples in the church. These individuals have experienced a lot personally or have helped many people through tough or challenging situations in life and want to be there to offer help (or advise) to you. We came to God by letting Him use others to help us see the truth, and we will grow stronger and closer to God by letting others continue to help us. Getting advise will be of tremendous help to you in your Christian walk. This study will help you see how God uses advise to help you grow and your best for Him.
Our feelings and emotions can often mislead us and hurt us
- Proverbs 16:25 - What seem or feels right is not always right; others can help you see that
- Proverbs 19:2 - Be zealous, but make sure you have the correct information
We need to realize our weaknesses and limitations
- Proverbs 12:15 - Wise people let others in their lives and listen to input
- Proverbs 12:1 - Getting advise and being corrected in your thinking is very wise
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Getting Advise (part I) One of the greatest advantages you have as a disciple is the wealth of knowledge, insight and experience available from all the other disciples in the church. These individuals have experienced a lot personally or have helped many people through tough or challenging situations in life and want to be there to offer help (or advise) to you. We came to God by letting Him use others to help us see the truth, and we will grow stronger and closer to God by letting others continue to help us. Getting advise will be of tremendous help to you in your Christian walk. This study will help you see how God uses advise to help you grow and your best for Him.
Our feelings and emotions can often mislead us and hurt us
- Proverbs 16:25 - What seem or feels right is not always right; others can help you see that
- Proverbs 19:2 - Be zealous, but make sure you have the correct information
We need to realize our weaknesses and limitations
- Proverbs 12:15 - Wise people let others in their lives and listen to input
- Proverbs 12:1 - Getting advise and being corrected in your thinking is very wise
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Getting Advise (part I) One of the greatest advantages you have as a disciple is the wealth of knowledge, insight and experience available from all the other disciples in the church. These individuals have experienced a lot personally or have helped many people through tough or challenging situations in life and want to be there to offer help (or advise) to you. We came to God by letting Him use others to help us see the truth, and we will grow stronger and closer to God by letting others continue to help us. Getting advise will be of tremendous help to you in your Christian walk. This study will help you see how God uses advise to help you grow and your best for Him.
Our feelings and emotions can often mislead us and hurt us
- Proverbs 16:25 - What seem or feels right is not always right; others can help you see that
- Proverbs 19:2 - Be zealous, but make sure you have the correct information
We need to realize our weaknesses and limitations
- Proverbs 12:15 - Wise people let others in their lives and listen to input
- Proverbs 12:1 - Getting advise and being corrected in your thinking is very wise
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Getting Advise (part I) One of the greatest advantages you have as a disciple is the wealth of knowledge, insight and experience available from all the other disciples in the church. These individuals have experienced a lot personally or have helped many people through tough or challenging situations in life and want to be there to offer help (or advise) to you. We came to God by letting Him use others to help us see the truth, and we will grow stronger and closer to God by letting others continue to help us. Getting advise will be of tremendous help to you in your Christian walk. This study will help you see how God uses advise to help you grow and your best for Him.
Our feelings and emotions can often mislead us and hurt us
- Proverbs 16:25 - What seem or feels right is not always right; others can help you see that
- Proverbs 19:2 - Be zealous, but make sure you have the correct information
We need to realize our weaknesses and limitations
- Proverbs 12:15 - Wise people let others in their lives and listen to input
- Proverbs 12:1 - Getting advise and being corrected in your thinking is very wise
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Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
- Proverbs 11:14 - Many advisers bring victory in your daily life
- Proverbs 15:22 - Allow others to be a part of your planning; they will help you succeed
- Proverbs 19:20 - Advise will make you wiser than ever
Before big decisions, you should seek advise
- Proverbs 20:18 - Get advise before the challenging battles you will be facing
- Proverbs 24:5-6 - Young disciples need older soldier’s guidance on waging spiritual battles
Only pride will keep you from seeking advise
- Proverbs 15:12 - Be open to the possibility that your plans may be wrong or not the best
- Proverbs 16:18 - You may fall simply because you refused to get input in your life
- Proverbs 18:12 - Humility leads to advise, advise leads to victory, victory leads to honor
Do your best to make it a regular practice to get a lot of advise in your life – the more the better. God has always used other godly people to guide His people to a better life. Don’t wait for someone to ask you the right questions about your plans. Instead, go to them and seek their help and guidance. You’ll be amazed how much trouble you can avoid and how much good can come your way if you stay open to getting advise.
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Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
- Proverbs 11:14 - Many advisers bring victory in your daily life
- Proverbs 15:22 - Allow others to be a part of your planning; they will help you succeed
- Proverbs 19:20 - Advise will make you wiser than ever
Before big decisions, you should seek advise
- Proverbs 20:18 - Get advise before the challenging battles you will be facing
- Proverbs 24:5-6 - Young disciples need older soldier’s guidance on waging spiritual battles
Only pride will keep you from seeking advise
- Proverbs 15:12 - Be open to the possibility that your plans may be wrong or not the best
- Proverbs 16:18 - You may fall simply because you refused to get input in your life
- Proverbs 18:12 - Humility leads to advise, advise leads to victory, victory leads to honor
Do your best to make it a regular practice to get a lot of advise in your life – the more the better. God has always used other godly people to guide His people to a better life. Don’t wait for someone to ask you the right questions about your plans. Instead, go to them and seek their help and guidance. You’ll be amazed how much trouble you can avoid and how much good can come your way if you stay open to getting advise.
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Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
- Proverbs 11:14 - Many advisers bring victory in your daily life
- Proverbs 15:22 - Allow others to be a part of your planning; they will help you succeed
- Proverbs 19:20 - Advise will make you wiser than ever
Before big decisions, you should seek advise
- Proverbs 20:18 - Get advise before the challenging battles you will be facing
- Proverbs 24:5-6 - Young disciples need older soldier’s guidance on waging spiritual battles
Only pride will keep you from seeking advise
- Proverbs 15:12 - Be open to the possibility that your plans may be wrong or not the best
- Proverbs 16:18 - You may fall simply because you refused to get input in your life
- Proverbs 18:12 - Humility leads to advise, advise leads to victory, victory leads to honor
Do your best to make it a regular practice to get a lot of advise in your life – the more the better. God has always used other godly people to guide His people to a better life. Don’t wait for someone to ask you the right questions about your plans. Instead, go to them and seek their help and guidance. You’ll be amazed how much trouble you can avoid and how much good can come your way if you stay open to getting advise.
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Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
- Proverbs 11:14 - Many advisers bring victory in your daily life
- Proverbs 15:22 - Allow others to be a part of your planning; they will help you succeed
- Proverbs 19:20 - Advise will make you wiser than ever
Before big decisions, you should seek advise
- Proverbs 20:18 - Get advise before the challenging battles you will be facing
- Proverbs 24:5-6 - Young disciples need older soldier’s guidance on waging spiritual battles
Only pride will keep you from seeking advise
- Proverbs 15:12 - Be open to the possibility that your plans may be wrong or not the best
- Proverbs 16:18 - You may fall simply because you refused to get input in your life
- Proverbs 18:12 - Humility leads to advise, advise leads to victory, victory leads to honor
Do your best to make it a regular practice to get a lot of advise in your life – the more the better. God has always used other godly people to guide His people to a better life. Don’t wait for someone to ask you the right questions about your plans. Instead, go to them and seek their help and guidance. You’ll be amazed how much trouble you can avoid and how much good can come your way if you stay open to getting advise.
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Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
- Proverbs 11:14 - Many advisers bring victory in your daily life
- Proverbs 15:22 - Allow others to be a part of your planning; they will help you succeed
- Proverbs 19:20 - Advise will make you wiser than ever
Before big decisions, you should seek advise
- Proverbs 20:18 - Get advise before the challenging battles you will be facing
- Proverbs 24:5-6 - Young disciples need older soldier’s guidance on waging spiritual battles
Only pride will keep you from seeking advise
- Proverbs 15:12 - Be open to the possibility that your plans may be wrong or not the best
- Proverbs 16:18 - You may fall simply because you refused to get input in your life
- Proverbs 18:12 - Humility leads to advise, advise leads to victory, victory leads to honor
Do your best to make it a regular practice to get a lot of advise in your life – the more the better. God has always used other godly people to guide His people to a better life. Don’t wait for someone to ask you the right questions about your plans. Instead, go to them and seek their help and guidance. You’ll be amazed how much trouble you can avoid and how much good can come your way if you stay open to getting advise.
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Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
- Proverbs 11:14 - Many advisers bring victory in your daily life
- Proverbs 15:22 - Allow others to be a part of your planning; they will help you succeed
- Proverbs 19:20 - Advise will make you wiser than ever
Before big decisions, you should seek advise
- Proverbs 20:18 - Get advise before the challenging battles you will be facing
- Proverbs 24:5-6 - Young disciples need older soldier’s guidance on waging spiritual battles
Only pride will keep you from seeking advise
- Proverbs 15:12 - Be open to the possibility that your plans may be wrong or not the best
- Proverbs 16:18 - You may fall simply because you refused to get input in your life
- Proverbs 18:12 - Humility leads to advise, advise leads to victory, victory leads to honor
Do your best to make it a regular practice to get a lot of advise in your life – the more the better. God has always used other godly people to guide His people to a better life. Don’t wait for someone to ask you the right questions about your plans. Instead, go to them and seek their help and guidance. You’ll be amazed how much trouble you can avoid and how much good can come your way if you stay open to getting advise.
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Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
- Proverbs 11:14 - Many advisers bring victory in your daily life
- Proverbs 15:22 - Allow others to be a part of your planning; they will help you succeed
- Proverbs 19:20 - Advise will make you wiser than ever
Before big decisions, you should seek advise
- Proverbs 20:18 - Get advise before the challenging battles you will be facing
- Proverbs 24:5-6 - Young disciples need older soldier’s guidance on waging spiritual battles
Only pride will keep you from seeking advise
- Proverbs 15:12 - Be open to the possibility that your plans may be wrong or not the best
- Proverbs 16:18 - You may fall simply because you refused to get input in your life
- Proverbs 18:12 - Humility leads to advise, advise leads to victory, victory leads to honor
Do your best to make it a regular practice to get a lot of advise in your life – the more the better. God has always used other godly people to guide His people to a better life. Don’t wait for someone to ask you the right questions about your plans. Instead, go to them and seek their help and guidance. You’ll be amazed how much trouble you can avoid and how much good can come your way if you stay open to getting advise.
|
Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
- Proverbs 11:14 - Many advisers bring victory in your daily life
- Proverbs 15:22 - Allow others to be a part of your planning; they will help you succeed
- Proverbs 19:20 - Advise will make you wiser than ever
Before big decisions, you should seek advise
- Proverbs 20:18 - Get advise before the challenging battles you will be facing
- Proverbs 24:5-6 - Young disciples need older soldier’s guidance on waging spiritual battles
Only pride will keep you from seeking advise
- Proverbs 15:12 - Be open to the possibility that your plans may be wrong or not the best
- Proverbs 16:18 - You may fall simply because you refused to get input in your life
- Proverbs 18:12 - Humility leads to advise, advise leads to victory, victory leads to honor
Do your best to make it a regular practice to get a lot of advise in your life – the more the better. God has always used other godly people to guide His people to a better life. Don’t wait for someone to ask you the right questions about your plans. Instead, go to them and seek their help and guidance. You’ll be amazed how much trouble you can avoid and how much good can come your way if you stay open to getting advise.
|
Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
- Proverbs 11:14 - Many advisers bring victory in your daily life
- Proverbs 15:22 - Allow others to be a part of your planning; they will help you succeed
- Proverbs 19:20 - Advise will make you wiser than ever
Before big decisions, you should seek advise
- Proverbs 20:18 - Get advise before the challenging battles you will be facing
- Proverbs 24:5-6 - Young disciples need older soldier’s guidance on waging spiritual battles
Only pride will keep you from seeking advise
- Proverbs 15:12 - Be open to the possibility that your plans may be wrong or not the best
- Proverbs 16:18 - You may fall simply because you refused to get input in your life
- Proverbs 18:12 - Humility leads to advise, advise leads to victory, victory leads to honor
Do your best to make it a regular practice to get a lot of advise in your life – the more the better. God has always used other godly people to guide His people to a better life. Don’t wait for someone to ask you the right questions about your plans. Instead, go to them and seek their help and guidance. You’ll be amazed how much trouble you can avoid and how much good can come your way if you stay open to getting advise.
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God (part I) Though it sounds so simple, understanding the true nature of God can be very challenging. Many of us were raised with false perceptions of God – inappropriate and incomplete. Unfortunately, those views caused us to act in certain ways, most of which were ungodly. In this study we will learn a few of the problems connected with false views about God and how to make sure we know the real God.
God has been misrepresented
- Romans 2:17-24 - Hypocrisy in religion has turned many away from the real God
- Matthew 23:1-4 - Ungodly authorities can cause us to view God in similar ways
- Deuteronomy 4:4-8 - Those who could have taught us did not, or they did it incorrectly
We were led down a wrong path
- John 4:21-24 - We didn’t know what the Bible said
- 2 Timothy 4:1-4 - We were looking for the easy way, not the right way
- Proverbs 14:15 - We were too simple and believed things too quickly and easily
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Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
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Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
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Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
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Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
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Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
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Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
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Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
|
Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
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Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
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Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.
We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
- Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
- Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
- Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
- Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
- Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
- 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak
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Guarding Your Heart (part II) Being open and vulnerable will help keep your heart healthy
- Proverbs 28:13 - You will always prosper and find mercy from God and other people
- Hebrews 3:13 - Talk with others daily to receive the encouragement needed
- James 5:16 - Healing will come to your heart when you confess to others
Develop a “play-it-safe” mentality with your heart
- Deuteronomy 11:16 - Satan will always be trying to entice you to return to your life of sin
- Psalms 101:2 - Be careful every day and in every situation
- 1 Corinthians 10:6-12 - Don’t be over-confident; even the greatest have fallen
- Ephesians 5:15-17 - Don’t be careless with your life; take the time to think about all you do
- Hebrews 2:1 - Lack of Being careful will cause you to drift from God
Your salvation is a priceless gift and your most important possession. Guard it with great care and do whatever you can to keep the number one killer of Christians out of your life - sin!! Satan will work to steal you away from God but God has given you the information and the power to overcome all of his efforts. (Ephesians 6:10-18) Heaven is too great a reward to not do all you can to guard your salvation.
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Day 23 - Confessing Sin Psalms 32:1-7
- 1. How do we feel when we are hiding/not confessing sin?
- 2. Have you felt this way since your baptism? Are there any sins you have been afraid to confess?
Proverbs 28:13
- Can we conceal our sins from God?
- Who do we need to confess our sins to besides God?
- What effect will unconfessed sin have in our life?
Luke 8:17 - Why is it foolish to try to keep our sins hidden?
Psalms 66:18-19 - What else happens if we conceal or cherish sin?
Application: Take some time to think about any sins - attitudes, action, thoughts - that are troubling you because you haven't shared them. Write them down and make sure you talk about them even today!
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Day 25 - Being Open John 15:15
- What did Jesus share with his disciples?
- Are you this kind of a friend to other Christians?
- Do they really know all about your life?
2 Corinthians 6:11-13
- What does it mean to speak freely?
- Are you opening your heart to others?
- What are some feelings you aren't expressing to anyone?
Proverbs 20:5 - Are you helping others to disciple you by being open or does someone have to "draw you out" by asking many questions?
Application: Spend some time today writing down some feelings/plans/secret sins that you haven't been sharing. Discuss these things with another Christian this week. Be open!
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Day 34 - Taking Correction Galatians 2:11-16
- What was Peter's sin?
- Why did Paul correct him publicly?
2 Corinthians 7:8-13
- Why did Paul correct and challenge the Corinthians?
- How does God want you to respond to correction?
- Has anyone corrected you lately?
- How did you respond?
- Were they encouraged by your response?
Galatians 6:1-5
- What obligation do we have to help one another?
- How can pride keep you from taking correction?
- Why is it dangerous to compare ourselves to others?
Proverbs 15:31-32 & Proverbs 16:18 - Which one describes you?
Application: Ask the person teaching you how you take correction. Do you need to repent?
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Day 34 - Taking Correction Galatians 2:11-16
- What was Peter's sin?
- Why did Paul correct him publicly?
2 Corinthians 7:8-13
- Why did Paul correct and challenge the Corinthians?
- How does God want you to respond to correction?
- Has anyone corrected you lately?
- How did you respond?
- Were they encouraged by your response?
Galatians 6:1-5
- What obligation do we have to help one another?
- How can pride keep you from taking correction?
- Why is it dangerous to compare ourselves to others?
Proverbs 15:31-32 & Proverbs 16:18 - Which one describes you?
Application: Ask the person teaching you how you take correction. Do you need to repent?
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Day 34 - Taking Correction Galatians 2:11-16
- What was Peter's sin?
- Why did Paul correct him publicly?
2 Corinthians 7:8-13
- Why did Paul correct and challenge the Corinthians?
- How does God want you to respond to correction?
- Has anyone corrected you lately?
- How did you respond?
- Were they encouraged by your response?
Galatians 6:1-5
- What obligation do we have to help one another?
- How can pride keep you from taking correction?
- Why is it dangerous to compare ourselves to others?
Proverbs 15:31-32 & Proverbs 16:18 - Which one describes you?
Application: Ask the person teaching you how you take correction. Do you need to repent?
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Fear of Failure - Openness Leads to Success by Bernard Jones, San Francisco Church of Christ
1 John 1:5-9; Proverbs 28:13
One of my biggest fears as a disciple is being totally open with my life. I am afraid that if people know me they will not want to be around me. For the last two years I have been deceitful about the condition of my marriage, finances, and my life. This has led me to feel discouraged and despondent. Many times I tried to fix the problem by transferring balances on credit cards, discipling myself, etc. I did all this because I didn't want people to see the true me. Being in the ministry can be a temptation to pretend to be someone I am not. One decision I have made is to be completely open about everything that is going on. Like Proverbs 28:13 says, if you are open, you will prosper. Since I have become repentant, I have seen my marriage grow, have been personally fruitful three times, and have a plan to be totally debt free in four years. I have realized that when I am open and real, God can use me to do great things.
Is there anything you haven't been open about?
Make a decision to be open today so God can bring prosperity to your life!
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Fear of Failure - Openness Leads to Success by Bernard Jones, San Francisco Church of Christ
1 John 1:5-9; Proverbs 28:13
One of my biggest fears as a disciple is being totally open with my life. I am afraid that if people know me they will not want to be around me. For the last two years I have been deceitful about the condition of my marriage, finances, and my life. This has led me to feel discouraged and despondent. Many times I tried to fix the problem by transferring balances on credit cards, discipling myself, etc. I did all this because I didn't want people to see the true me. Being in the ministry can be a temptation to pretend to be someone I am not. One decision I have made is to be completely open about everything that is going on. Like Proverbs 28:13 says, if you are open, you will prosper. Since I have become repentant, I have seen my marriage grow, have been personally fruitful three times, and have a plan to be totally debt free in four years. I have realized that when I am open and real, God can use me to do great things.
Is there anything you haven't been open about?
Make a decision to be open today so God can bring prosperity to your life!
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Teach Them to Fear the Lord (part II)
The fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil - Proverbs 16:6
How one may avoid the snares of death - Proverbs 14:2
Fear of the Lord causes our other fears to go away
- Wisdom, counsel, and understanding begin with the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 8:14
- Wealth, honor, and fruitfulness follow the fear the Lord - Proverbs 8:17-19
- The fruits of humility and a proper hatred of pride and evil from this fear - Proverbs 8:13
How blessed is the man who fears the LORD - Psalms 112:1-2
Prayerfully ask God to help us develop a strong fear of the Lord
Training them to fear the Lord sets them up to live with incredible wisdom and success:
- He is omniscient and always watching them - Proverbs 15:3
- They will reap what they sow - Galatians 6:7
- He will judge them one day - Romans 14:12
- He is a great rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and obey Him - Hebrews 11:6
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Teach Them to Fear the Lord (part II)
The fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil - Proverbs 16:6
How one may avoid the snares of death - Proverbs 14:2
Fear of the Lord causes our other fears to go away
- Wisdom, counsel, and understanding begin with the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 8:14
- Wealth, honor, and fruitfulness follow the fear the Lord - Proverbs 8:17-19
- The fruits of humility and a proper hatred of pride and evil from this fear - Proverbs 8:13
How blessed is the man who fears the LORD - Psalms 112:1-2
Prayerfully ask God to help us develop a strong fear of the Lord
Training them to fear the Lord sets them up to live with incredible wisdom and success:
- He is omniscient and always watching them - Proverbs 15:3
- They will reap what they sow - Galatians 6:7
- He will judge them one day - Romans 14:12
- He is a great rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and obey Him - Hebrews 11:6
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Teach Them to Fear the Lord (part II)
The fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil - Proverbs 16:6
How one may avoid the snares of death - Proverbs 14:2
Fear of the Lord causes our other fears to go away
- Wisdom, counsel, and understanding begin with the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 8:14
- Wealth, honor, and fruitfulness follow the fear the Lord - Proverbs 8:17-19
- The fruits of humility and a proper hatred of pride and evil from this fear - Proverbs 8:13
How blessed is the man who fears the LORD - Psalms 112:1-2
Prayerfully ask God to help us develop a strong fear of the Lord
Training them to fear the Lord sets them up to live with incredible wisdom and success:
- He is omniscient and always watching them - Proverbs 15:3
- They will reap what they sow - Galatians 6:7
- He will judge them one day - Romans 14:12
- He is a great rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and obey Him - Hebrews 11:6
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Teach Them to Fear the Lord (part II)
The fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil - Proverbs 16:6
How one may avoid the snares of death - Proverbs 14:2
Fear of the Lord causes our other fears to go away
- Wisdom, counsel, and understanding begin with the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 8:14
- Wealth, honor, and fruitfulness follow the fear the Lord - Proverbs 8:17-19
- The fruits of humility and a proper hatred of pride and evil from this fear - Proverbs 8:13
How blessed is the man who fears the LORD - Psalms 112:1-2
Prayerfully ask God to help us develop a strong fear of the Lord
Training them to fear the Lord sets them up to live with incredible wisdom and success:
- He is omniscient and always watching them - Proverbs 15:3
- They will reap what they sow - Galatians 6:7
- He will judge them one day - Romans 14:12
- He is a great rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and obey Him - Hebrews 11:6
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Teach Them to Fear the Lord (part II)
The fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil - Proverbs 16:6
How one may avoid the snares of death - Proverbs 14:2
Fear of the Lord causes our other fears to go away
- Wisdom, counsel, and understanding begin with the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 8:14
- Wealth, honor, and fruitfulness follow the fear the Lord - Proverbs 8:17-19
- The fruits of humility and a proper hatred of pride and evil from this fear - Proverbs 8:13
How blessed is the man who fears the LORD - Psalms 112:1-2
Prayerfully ask God to help us develop a strong fear of the Lord
Training them to fear the Lord sets them up to live with incredible wisdom and success:
- He is omniscient and always watching them - Proverbs 15:3
- They will reap what they sow - Galatians 6:7
- He will judge them one day - Romans 14:12
- He is a great rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and obey Him - Hebrews 11:6
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Teach Them to Fear the Lord (part II)
The fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil - Proverbs 16:6
How one may avoid the snares of death - Proverbs 14:2
Fear of the Lord causes our other fears to go away
- Wisdom, counsel, and understanding begin with the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 8:14
- Wealth, honor, and fruitfulness follow the fear the Lord - Proverbs 8:17-19
- The fruits of humility and a proper hatred of pride and evil from this fear - Proverbs 8:13
How blessed is the man who fears the LORD - Psalms 112:1-2
Prayerfully ask God to help us develop a strong fear of the Lord
Training them to fear the Lord sets them up to live with incredible wisdom and success:
- He is omniscient and always watching them - Proverbs 15:3
- They will reap what they sow - Galatians 6:7
- He will judge them one day - Romans 14:12
- He is a great rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and obey Him - Hebrews 11:6
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Teach Them to Fear the Lord (part II)
The fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil - Proverbs 16:6
How one may avoid the snares of death - Proverbs 14:2
Fear of the Lord causes our other fears to go away
- Wisdom, counsel, and understanding begin with the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 8:14
- Wealth, honor, and fruitfulness follow the fear the Lord - Proverbs 8:17-19
- The fruits of humility and a proper hatred of pride and evil from this fear - Proverbs 8:13
How blessed is the man who fears the LORD - Psalms 112:1-2
Prayerfully ask God to help us develop a strong fear of the Lord
Training them to fear the Lord sets them up to live with incredible wisdom and success:
- He is omniscient and always watching them - Proverbs 15:3
- They will reap what they sow - Galatians 6:7
- He will judge them one day - Romans 14:12
- He is a great rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and obey Him - Hebrews 11:6
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Teach Them to Fear the Lord (part II)
The fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil - Proverbs 16:6
How one may avoid the snares of death - Proverbs 14:2
Fear of the Lord causes our other fears to go away
- Wisdom, counsel, and understanding begin with the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 8:14
- Wealth, honor, and fruitfulness follow the fear the Lord - Proverbs 8:17-19
- The fruits of humility and a proper hatred of pride and evil from this fear - Proverbs 8:13
How blessed is the man who fears the LORD - Psalms 112:1-2
Prayerfully ask God to help us develop a strong fear of the Lord
Training them to fear the Lord sets them up to live with incredible wisdom and success:
- He is omniscient and always watching them - Proverbs 15:3
- They will reap what they sow - Galatians 6:7
- He will judge them one day - Romans 14:12
- He is a great rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and obey Him - Hebrews 11:6
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Train Them to Honor Authority (part I)
Honor is attractive
- It doesn’t demand respect; it quickly earns it.
- Fear grounds us.
- Honor inspires us.
The whole concept of authority comes from God.
Earthly authority is His design and tool for creating order and for keeping us accountable and responsible, for honoring good and for punishing evil - Romans 13:1-4
Authorities on earth help keep us mindful of His superior, eternal authority
God can turn the heart of anyone in a leadership position in any direction - Proverbs 21:1
We should be like Jesus and submit to our imperfect, human authorities knowing that God uses them to carry out His purposes - John 19:11
The only time we should not submit to them is when they are asking us to disobey God and sin - Acts 5:29
Notice that Scripture does not tell us to obey them only if we agree with their judgment - Hebrews 13:17-18
When dishonoring authority, you are not rebelling against an individual but against God Himself.
Handling and responding to authority is serious business.
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Disciplining Your Children (part I)
A major part of your role as a father is to disciple your kids
Discipling your kids requires discipline on our part
Discipline doesn’t feel good, nor should it - Hebrews 12:11
Discipline should be more on the father’s shoulders than the mother’s because of who we represent.
Loving discipline prepares our kids to respect and obey their heavenly Father
We had earthly fathers to discipline us, for they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good - Hebrews 12:9-10
It is the father’s job is to take the long view, not the short one.
Withheld discipline may seem momentarily pleasant to the child and the parent but it takes no skill or courage to be a passive father
Not disciplining guarantees that uncorrected sin will follow his child into adulthood and follow his family into the coming generations
Its momentary discomfort - knowing that sin will harm a child in far worse ways than even the painful discipline of a loving father.
He who loves him disciplines him promptly - Proverbs 13:24
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it - Proverbs 22:6
IT is a lie from the Enemy to believe that rebelling against and dishonoring authority brings more freedom and peace
Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord - Ephesians 6:4
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Disciplining Your Children (part I)
A major part of your role as a father is to disciple your kids
Discipling your kids requires discipline on our part
Discipline doesn’t feel good, nor should it - Hebrews 12:11
Discipline should be more on the father’s shoulders than the mother’s because of who we represent.
Loving discipline prepares our kids to respect and obey their heavenly Father
We had earthly fathers to discipline us, for they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good - Hebrews 12:9-10
It is the father’s job is to take the long view, not the short one.
Withheld discipline may seem momentarily pleasant to the child and the parent but it takes no skill or courage to be a passive father
Not disciplining guarantees that uncorrected sin will follow his child into adulthood and follow his family into the coming generations
Its momentary discomfort - knowing that sin will harm a child in far worse ways than even the painful discipline of a loving father.
He who loves him disciplines him promptly - Proverbs 13:24
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it - Proverbs 22:6
IT is a lie from the Enemy to believe that rebelling against and dishonoring authority brings more freedom and peace
Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord - Ephesians 6:4
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Just Enough
Give me neither poverty nor riches - Proverbs 30:8-9
Agur understood "The Law of Just Enough"
Feeling of discontent will cause a man to do strange things
- Rich tend to be self-sufficient, self-indulgent, and self-satisfied and forget their need for God
- Poor tend to get desparate to the point of doing foolish things that would dishonor himself and GOd
Having just enough to feel satisfied but not so much that they neglect their provider
Failure to be content with whatever God gives you can lead to a boatload of trouble - 1 Timothy 6:6-10
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Just Enough
Give me neither poverty nor riches - Proverbs 30:8-9
Agur understood "The Law of Just Enough"
Feeling of discontent will cause a man to do strange things
- Rich tend to be self-sufficient, self-indulgent, and self-satisfied and forget their need for God
- Poor tend to get desparate to the point of doing foolish things that would dishonor himself and GOd
Having just enough to feel satisfied but not so much that they neglect their provider
Failure to be content with whatever God gives you can lead to a boatload of trouble - 1 Timothy 6:6-10
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Learn to Listen
Fools think their own way is right - Proverbs 12:15
David advised Solomon to observe the requirements of the Lord and follow all his ways - 1 Kings 2:3-4
Solomon may have spoken words of wisdom but his life ended in foolishness:
- Took 700 wives
- 300 mistresses
- Some of the woman were from outside his nationality and religon
Solomon's failure to practice what he preached led to his downfall
His wives turned his heart away from God and toward idol worship
You will save yourself a lot of trouble by knowing the Word of God and doing what is says
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Guard Your Heart
He noticed a woman of unusual beauty - 2 Samuel 11:2
Our enemy knows our weakness and it often comes to us through what we see
David fell because he allowed himself to stare lustfully and sinful thought quickly turned into a sinful action
He apparently learned from his blunder, he later wrote: "I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar - Psalms 101:3
Have you learned to safeguard your heart by safeguarding your eyes?
Can a man walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? - Proverbs 6:28
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Miracle vs Non-miracle
A miracle is a devine act:
- Instanteous beginning of a powerful act
- Intelligent design and purpose (not entertainment)
- Promotes good and right behavior
- Can not be explained naturally
- Can not be connected with error or immorality
- Used to confirm the word of God
Other unusal event categories:
Providence - can done with natural law but God may have been behind it undirectly. Answered prayer and unlikely but benefical happensing can be examples.
Statanic Signs - With limited power and free will but for evil purposes.
Example: pharoh's magicians replicated the first two miracles but could not do the third - Exodus 8:7
Satan can do limited counterfiet miracles - 2 Thessalonians 2:9
Psychosomatic - our mental state can have affect on our physical health but it is not a miracle in of itself - Proverbs 17:22
Magic - A sleigh tof hand or misleading the mind is entertainment not a miracle
Anomalies - are not connected with interlligent truth claims and lack moral and theological dimension
Miracles today?
About 250 miracles in the Bible during a short time window when God was confirming triuth
God is not confirming any new revelation today - like a house, the foundation only needs to be laid once
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