tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72161736624016237422024-02-20T05:16:18.305-05:00Find Practical Life Understanding From The Bible by Pastor Rich MiddletonPractical, interesting, literal, exciting, life changing advice from the Bible. Understanding Biblical truth and applying it to your life is not that hard. God's intent is to use the Bible to show you how to live the most fulfilling, exciting, encouraging, adventure possible. I have desired to bring practical truth alive for some time and my desire is that you would discover God's life changing words and see them fulfilled in your life.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10143287863436924930noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7216173662401623742.post-83179176045429645782012-03-28T00:34:00.000-04:002012-03-28T00:34:27.185-04:00It Gets Better As Time Goes By<div class="MsoNormal">Ecclesiastes 3:1</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is a time for everything is what Ecclesiastes tells us.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We have to deal with it, you can’t push or change God’s time.</div><div class="MsoNormal">But in Psalms 37:25 David said <sup>25</sup> I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. </div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->With Age & Experience We Get Better With God’s Timing</div><div class="MsoNormal">Because we experience His timing.</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is a lot we don’t know or understand along the journey because the present and what’s ahead is so compelling.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s what we fixate on and that’s the journey that all humans take.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s very difficult not to fixate on the present and what lies ahead.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The more we go the more of God’s timing we witness.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Until we get to the place this verse speaks about.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was young and now I am old but I have never seen </div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s doesn’t necessarily indicate age only, this is experience.</div><div class="MsoNormal">As we become mature spiritually, as we experience stuff with Him, we learn from experience that</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->it’s not a matter of whether God will answer your prayers.</div><div class="MsoNormal">So unless the answer is no then it’s only a matter of timing.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s not a matter of whether God will answer our prayers.<br />
The quicker we get there the greater and sooner our faith can be now.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Because doubting is just a faith killer.</div><div class="MsoNormal">David said this works, it worked when I was young (inexperienced, you can be older but inexperienced) and it works now while I am old (experienced) God’s timing is perfect.<br />
It’s profound.</div><div class="MsoNormal">David knew that God’s takes care of His children and his declaration is they just never go without.</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is a very important companion principle that goes with that thought.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We have to focus on the guaranteed promises. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The guaranteed provisions are the ones that He’s promised to make, which is a lot.</div><div class="MsoNormal">But here’s a complicating part of the process, we can be sure that our wants and desires, what we pray about will exceed what He has guaranteed to provide.</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s where we can get discouraged with our prayers and God’s provision.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s an example of the guaranteed promises Matt 6:33</div><div class="MsoNormal">Don’t get discouraged by lack of provision of the non guaranteed.<br />
He has a better provision covered under his guaranteed promises that is just what the doctor ordered.</div><div class="MsoNormal">If your fixation is on the nonguaranteed promises it’s easy to begin to think He isn’t engaged, doesn’t care, isn’t paying attention.</div><div class="MsoNormal">At work on last Monday DC was on in the Breakroom.</div><div class="MsoNormal">There was a married couple on the show and the husband couldn’t accept that his wife wanted a divorce.</div><div class="MsoNormal">An associate passed the tv headed to his locker.</div><div class="MsoNormal">He didn’t seem to be paying attention to the program that was on.<br />
After he got in his locker he was walking out of the room and the judge had just gone over some reasons why the guy need to accept the divorce.<br />
The associate turned and looked at the tv from the door and said she doesn’t love you.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I didn’t think he was engaged, paying attention but he was he was taking it in and listening.</div><div class="MsoNormal">God is the same way, don’t ever believe that He is disinterested or disengaged or not listening.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Young or old the principles are good, he will not leave you without provision.<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10143287863436924930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7216173662401623742.post-35132941717768304092012-03-28T00:28:00.000-04:002012-03-28T00:28:31.830-04:00Hear The Word<div class="MsoNormal">Romans 10:17</div><div class="MsoNormal">We are going to talk turkey about faith today.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s important for sure.<br />
Romans talks about it in the context of the gospel.</div><div class="MsoNormal">How do people get saved?</div><div class="MsoNormal">But an expanded question is how is faith developed?</div><div class="MsoNormal">God would not make you just believe without help.</div><div class="MsoNormal">He has given us a big assist.</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->People Have To Hear</div><div class="MsoNormal">Without someone to tell them, they are obviously not going to be saved.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Romans 10:14-15</div><div class="MsoNormal">But they have to hear very specifically in order for faith to be born.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Faith is born by hearing the words of Christ.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Very specific faith comes by hearing, not just any words but the words of Christ.<br />
For the lost we have to have unflinching believe in the power of those words.<br />
They provoke people to faith,</div><div class="MsoNormal">So what do you do for anyone lost in your life that you care about, find a way to speak the words of Christ to them.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Those words when heard are life changing.<br />
What is heard (they have to penetrate, take root, begin to grow) <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">So we keep speaking until some word gets into the soil and survives the onslaught of everything they have to endure until they produce faith.</div><div class="MsoNormal">So focus on the words of Christ, it’s worked for 2000+ years why not today?</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The Words Continue To Produce Faith.</div><div class="MsoNormal">After saving faith, they create healing faith, they create provisional faith, it’s no different after we are saved.<br />
There is saving faith but there is also living faith.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Who did the writer of Hebrews tell them to focus or fix on right after the Hebrews 11 faith chapter? Jesus of course, why Jesus?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hebrews 12:1-2</div><div class="MsoNormal">He is the author and the finisher of our faith. </div><div class="MsoNormal">He is personified in His words to us.</div><div class="MsoNormal">John 1:14</div><div class="MsoNormal">His words are what we have and so we need to access those words as often as possible.</div><div class="MsoNormal">You want greater faith?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Allow His words to penetrate, take root, get into the ground of your heart where there is good soil that they can grow in.</div><div class="MsoNormal">This tells us something:</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->We Have To Take Ourselves Out Of The Equation.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Your great words do not inspire people to salvation and they don’t inspire faith.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Was your prayer good bad indifferent ugly immature, doesn’t matter.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The words of Christ matter, He said he was the healer, the life giver, the provider, </div><div class="MsoNormal">To much focus on us is faith killing.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We’re weak, power drained, limited.<br />
Just simplify, take the word of Christ and begin to claim them, stand on them, put them into practice, try to apply them.</div><div class="MsoNormal">If His words get into your heart they will produce the fruit promised.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The words of Christ when heard produce faith.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10143287863436924930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7216173662401623742.post-90905958032381902142012-03-11T22:39:00.000-04:002012-03-11T22:39:27.149-04:00Stuck In The 70's<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8549028493906424732" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; width: 580px;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Philippians 3:13-14 Forgetting what is behind, I fix my eyes on Jesus</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">God is teaching a very specific view of how life is to be lived and Paul brings it to life in Philippians 3.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p style="background-color: white;"><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p>1. </o:p><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We Can’t Live In The Past</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">God doesn’t not want you to live in the past, today is a whole new day in God’s economy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">The past is something that God does not want us to focus on.<br />
If you take this verse as literal as possible the past is just a few minutes ago.<br />
It’s behind.<br />
There are a number of issues related to the past that this verse applies to:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Things we are holding onto</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">They are comfort zones, things we haven’t gotten over (unforgiveness), Things we want</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Past Successes</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Take pride in this feed off of them</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Excuse lack of present progress because of past successes</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Past Failures</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Our fears are alive and well today.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Self esteem still diminished.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">I mean 30 years ago is a long time until you start talking about a past failure</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Ideals are in the past</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">There were perfect moments in time, in the past, and they can’t be recreated.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Pauls says we have to forget what is behind.<br />
Do you have to put them out of our mind so thoroughly that we don’t even know they were there?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">No, this is making the choices to let go of them and let them be in the past instead of trying to revive them, relive them, recreate them in the present.<br />
It is counterproductive to the now and the future and the now the future is where God is. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">2<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">God Is In The Now And Tomorrow</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Paul said after he has forgotten what is behind, He presses on towards the high calling In Christ Jesus.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">How do you do that? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">You fix your eyes on Jesus.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Why is that important.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">We’re Following Him and nothing else.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">He is the source of real success.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If we don’t get our eyes fixed on Him and keep them fixed on Him we will never put an end to the distractions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Pressing forward is important to you also because you are a different person today.<a href="http://sharethefamilyfun.blogspot.com/" name="_GoBack" style="color: #4d469c; text-decoration: none;"></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">And because of who you are now, God is now able to do new things, more things, different things, more mature works and so with all that He can do, you haven’t got time for the past.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">He couldn’t do what He is doing today at another time.<br />
The timing wasn’t right, you were in a different place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">And today is a new day, as Lincoln Brewster writes and that is not just about forgiveness.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">Even if you just get it today, it is true and it’s time to get started moving.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">If you are VERY mature it is true and it’s time to get moving forward.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">So we have to forget what is behind, let go of it, get over it, and move on!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;">There is work to be done in this heavenward journey.</span></div></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10143287863436924930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7216173662401623742.post-434292307916177942012-03-11T22:37:00.001-04:002012-03-11T22:43:18.070-04:00Don't Let The Devil Finish Your Sermons<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"> 1. The Devil Is A Created Being<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> The Devil in reality is a created being who uses a lot of smoke and mirrors to get this work done.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Don’t underestimate that he is a powerful created being that operates on the other side of the vail of eternity.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">What keeps him in check is that he operates within the perameters that God has established and even though he’s in rebellion against God he can’t violate those perameters without God’s permission.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">So to compensate he uses smoke and mirrors, tricks, he uses tactics to take advantage of our humanity.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is linked to the sermon I preached a recently to him who has ears.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">One of the categories of people who have hearing problems are people that don’t know how to hear through the smoke and mirror tactics of the devil.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">To hear through those tactics you have to obey James 4:7, Resist the devil and he will flee from you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Today we are going to talk about one of those areas: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">2. <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">You Have To Resist By Controlling What You Hear</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">We do that by working to keep the devil from finishing our sermons for us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">What does that mean?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">He wants to finish your sentences for you.<br />
Sentences that are forming in your head because of what you have heard preached and from what you have read in the Scripture.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">What are the sentences you are forming:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:8</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus who strengthens me Ro. 8:37</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>If God is for me who can be against me Ro. 8:31</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>No weapon formed against me can prosper Is. 54:17 </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>By His stripes I am healed Is. 53:4-5</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Thank you for the peace of God that passes understanding Phil. 4:7</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>God loves me unconditionally Ro. 8:38-39</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background-color: white;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>His grace is sufficient for me 2 Cor. 12:9</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">God is speaking life to His people through the input that He is exerting into our lives because we know Him and love Him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Matthew 4:4</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">3. <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Devil Wants To Finish Your Sentences</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">He wants to write the end to the sermons for you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">He is not called the accuser of the brothers for no reason.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">He is an expert accuser.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">I can do all things, no you can’t, you’re weak, you’re a failure, you deserve the problems you are having.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">He doesn’t hear your prayers He’s mad at you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">You’ve messed up to much.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">What about the prayers He hasn’t answered, there’s a reason, you deserve the problems.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">God doesn’t like you as much as you think.<br />
Plus you are misinterpreting the Scripture, He’s not as powerful as you think.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">There’s a reason that He hasn’t heard you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">You’re a failure.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">You have a lot of success but what about all those problems? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">4. <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We Have To Resist Him</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">You do that by beginning to stop him from finishing your sentences.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">He doesn’t have personal information about your relationship with God.<br />
God is the originator of keeping your information private.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">He only knows stuff about people in general that He uses on you, trying to find something that works.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">He thinks like he is seen in the book of job.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Give him enough suffering, take away his health, let his family suffer and lets see how his relationship goes from that point.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Job 1:22</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Here’s Job resisting in everything he did not sin by accusing God of wrong doing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;">He wasn't about to let the devil finish his sentences.</span></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10143287863436924930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7216173662401623742.post-71157905345397781182012-02-20T09:23:00.001-05:002012-02-20T11:01:11.598-05:00Plug Into His Power<div class="MsoNormal">Making Your Election Sure By Getting Plugged In!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This Is How To Get To Heaven In Style, Strong, Prepared! God would not make you guess about something this important. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The Assumption being made here is, you want everything about how to live a life that is pleasing to Him.</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 Peter 1:3-11 tells us about this point. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">1. <span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">His Diving Power Is The Starting Point Of Everything vs. 3</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is the juice that makes everything happen. It’s how the Scripture counsels us to live. It tells us that we must live by His power. The Scripture says it this way in Zechariah 4:6 It's not by might not power but by my Spirit says the Lord. Not in my own strength but His. How do we know about plugging into this power that we are talking about this morning.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2. </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We Know Because Of His Precious Promises vs. 4</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">They are not lightly made promises, they are treasured, precious, valuable, power creating, instructional promises. Promises that God has given us to empower us with the knowledge of how to get to heaven in style, strong, alive, prepared, in victory. We are not told that we will just barely make it in and have to hope that everything will be okay. This is what it tells us God is going to do through those promises.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3. </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">It Teaches Us How To Participate In The Divine Nature vs. 4</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"> From the Scriptures we learn how to plug into His power to become holy. 1 Peter 1:16 says, Be holy as I am holy. Matthew 5:48 says, Be perfect just like your Father in heaven is perfect. You can’t do that unless God helps you through the power of the Holy Spirit. To do that takes hard work across a lifetime of living.<span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">4. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We Have To Make Every Effort To Add vs. 5-8</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It doesn’t happen automatically but it tells us what to do in order to become Holy. We have to make EVERY effort to make sure that there is addition going on in our lives toward these goals.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It gives some great suggestions: To faith add goodness to goodness add knowledge To knowledge add self control to self control add perseverance to perseverance add godliness to godliness add brotherly kindness to brother kindness add love. And we can't ever stop working on adding because it says that we need them in increasing measure to stay strong, triumphant, victorious, prepared, alive, vigorous. By doing this here's what happens.</div><div class="MsoNormal">5. <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We Make Our Elections Sure vs. 10</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">It says something really cool, if we follow these directions we won’t fall. This is the perspective this text takes, we don’t want to become imprisoned again by falling into a trap. 1 Peter 5:8 says, be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. We can't allow ourselves to fall into his trap and become ensnared again. Galatians 5:1 says, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery. That is what the adding process is helping us avoid so that we can can reach our goal. And here's the ultimate goal and the really coll part.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">6. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We Will Be Welcomed Into Heaven With Great Fanfare vs. 11</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">He’s going to get the party started when you arrive. We are going to be welcomed into heaven with great fanfare. It's going to be a great celebration. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Weekly Verse: 2 Peter 1:5-8</div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10143287863436924930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7216173662401623742.post-36371626562994832012-02-12T21:13:00.001-05:002012-02-12T21:16:13.485-05:00Are You A Humanitarian Or A Missionary<div class="MsoNormal">Sunday Service February 12, 2012</div><div class="MsoNormal">Humanitarian or Missionary?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today we are going to talk about the difference between a humanitarian and a missionary.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Matthew 5:16</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is How I’m Defining A Humanitarian </div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>A Person Who Does Good Deeds Just To Do Them!</div><div class="MsoNormal">So a humanitarian is a nice person.<br />
It’s a person who does good simply to do good.</div><div class="MsoNormal">They make the world a better softer place.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Absolutely nothing wrong with that especially when you consider the alternative to making the choice to be a nice people and to do good things for other people.</div><div class="MsoNormal">There’s plenty of room for humanitarian acts between people.</div><div class="MsoNormal">And you will reap the benefits of that choice, people will think you are nice and they like you.</div><div class="MsoNormal">You will like yourself a lot more also because it feels good to be nice to people.</div><div class="MsoNormal">You will have the satisfaction of knowing they have made others feel better.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now The Missionary Has a totally different motivation.</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>The Missionary Does Good For A Purpose</div><div class="MsoNormal">A Missionary Is A Person Who Does Stuff Because of The Mission.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Missionary is looking to establish a connection with people on purpose.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The missionary wants to establish a connection with people so that they might establish a connection with God.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The missionary is intentional about this uses the opportunities that arise out of the good act to point people to a relationship with God.</div><div class="MsoNormal">So the Missionary looks to capitalize on those opportunities.</div><div class="MsoNormal">So if you are going to be a missionary doer of good, you have to study up on the skills that you will need to capitalize on those opportunites.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>You have to know some key scripture</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>How To Explain The Gospel</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>You have to have the boldness to launch onto a bridge that the good work has built.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>You Have to be prayed up.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>You have to really believe the message.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s the great point of it.</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>You Never Run Out Of Ammunition</div><div class="MsoNormal">The only limit that you have is the limits you place on yourself.</div><div class="MsoNormal">You can do this as much as your heart desires.</div><div class="MsoNormal">And there are an unending amount of options for creativity, for doing stuff that fits your personality, financial ability, skills and talents.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> And it works because God is right there with you when it comes to these efforts.</div><div class="MsoNormal">He doesn’t 1 person to perish without knowing Him.</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 Peter 3:9</div><div class="MsoNormal">So He is going to work through your efforts.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wouldn’t it be cool to make that connection with someone and help them establish their relationship with Christ?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes it would.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Matthew 5:16 says what these good works are about, it is so that people will see your good works and praise your Father.</div><div class="MsoNormal">And Here’s What Happens For You </div><div class="MsoNormal">Hebrews 13:<sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">16</span></sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7216173662401623742&postID=3637162656299483" name="_GoBack"></a></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10143287863436924930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7216173662401623742.post-71960544189800851072012-02-08T00:05:00.000-05:002012-02-08T00:05:28.865-05:00What Are We Fixed On?<span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a great verse of Scripture that I have been concentrating on today. It's </span><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 4:</span><sup class="versenum" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">16</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28877" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">17</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28878" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">18</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Everything seen is temporary but there is an unseen side of life that is eternal and that will last forever. The Scripture gives us an eternal reference point that reminds us what to focus on. This is a practical application of how to do what Hebrews 11 says about faith. Hebrews 11:1, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular;">Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> We have to focus on the unseen side of life more than the seen. What we see can be very discouraging. What's seen can be such as strong foe that it can affect our ability to have faith as we persevere in the midst of our circumstances. But there is something far better to focus or fix upon, that is the unseen. What is the unseen? It is what God is up to. It is what God has to say about our circumstances. It is what we know about Him because of what we have experienced. It is what He is doing and has promised that we can't necessarily see at work. So make an important decision. Decide to focus on something that is far better than what you can see. Focus on Him and His unseen eternal work. It is a foundation to stand upon. It is strength beyond the circumstances.</span>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10143287863436924930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7216173662401623742.post-21615959148816090202012-02-05T18:47:00.001-05:002012-02-05T19:08:57.111-05:00How Does A Person Change?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday Service February 5, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How Does A Person Change? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to be your best cheerleader for change. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can do it! Y</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ou can make changes! T</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">here is a clear path to change. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is a change agent. 2</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Cor. 5:17 says God intends to make you into a new creation. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Quote:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Change Is Possible Because God Is Faithful. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Say it with me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Change Is Possible Because God Is Faithful.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But how does a person change? Philippians 4:13, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make The Decision<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How motivated are you to change. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Making up your mind is very important. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Change Must Be A Cognizant Process. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Change is something you need to intellectualize. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a thoughtful process to change based on God’s direction.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Philippians 4:7-8<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start Making Switches<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You have to change ingrained behaviors. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many of those behaviors are attached to something else.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> a.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Long held habits<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">b.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Things you were taught<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">c.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Self defense mechanisms<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">d.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coping skills<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">e.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Things you enjoy<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">f.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Difficult situations that occurred In your life<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">g.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Circumstances that you have put yourself in<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what are the switches that I am talking about?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You Need A Plan Or You Won’t Change<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.75in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">a.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You need something to substitute <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">b.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s important to Avoid activities that trigger the behavior you are trying to change.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">II Timothy 2:22 says to Flee Youthful lusts. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is in the mind renewal business all you have to do is provide Him the resources. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may have to sever ties with old pals. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s hard but the question is; “How bad do you want to make change”?<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">c.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be ready for the expected difficulties<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You make a lot of changes in your life even if they are just the ones that you are forced into. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you boss says change or go bye bye I bet you change. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So you have experience with the difficulties and they are expected.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">d.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Develop accountability<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Cororthians 11:1 <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul said follow me as I follow Christ and He checked up on the progress. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s accountability.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Weekly Verse:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romans 12:1-2 <o:p></o:p></span></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10143287863436924930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7216173662401623742.post-18914196633044272182011-10-27T22:28:00.000-04:002011-10-27T23:37:32.617-04:00Ephesians 4:29 Getting Rid Of Bad Words<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29302" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">Ephesians 4:</span>29</sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> NIV says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This is my number 1 live verse. Although I may not be 100% there, this has been a relationship changing verse. It is also one of the most challenging verses to apply. It is an example of how much understanding the Bible can change your life and how much it applies to daily living. This verse breaks down into a few practical life changing points:</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">- Don't let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth regarding another person.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">- Only say what will build them up according to what they need.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have an unending number of opportunities to apply this verse every day. Each time I do it, I get better and I help others and I improve my relationship with them. In a world where much of life is about me, this verse reminds me that God wants it to be about others and He wants me to use the words that come out of my mouth for some good. </span><br />
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