Sunday January 23, 2010

Next in the series: Don’t spend your life, Invest your life!

Genesis 1:28-31

And God blessed them.  And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the  fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. ‘You shall have them for food.  And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.”  And it was so.  And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.  And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

What prevents us from experiencing abundance?

• Blindness to what we actually have
• Worrying
• Not trusting God with our money
• Losing perspective on why we’re alive

Matthew 6:25-33

“So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life– whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes.  Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing?  Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them.  And you are far more valuable to him than they are.  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. “And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow.  They don’t work or make their clothing, yet  Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! “So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing.  Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things?  Your heavenly Father alreadyknows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the kingdom of God your primary concern.

Haggai 1:5-6,10-11

Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.  You have planted much, but have harvested little.  You eat, but never have enough.  You drink, but never have your fill.  You put on clothes, but are not warm.  You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it….Because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops.  I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands.

Proverbs 3:9-10

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Remember this — a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop.  But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.  You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give.  Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure.  For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.  And god will generously provide all you need.  Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Sunday January 9, 2011

from the series: Don’t spend your life, invest your life!

2 Kings 13:14-21

When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Isreal visited him and wept over him. “My father! My father! The chariots and charioteers of Isreal!”  he cried. Elisha told him, “Get a bow and some arrows.” And the king did as he was told.  Then Elisha told the king of Isreal to put his hand on the bow, and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands.  Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it.  Then he said, “Shoot!” So he did. Then Elisha proclaimed, “This is the Lord’s arrow, full of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameaans at Aphek.  Now pick up the other arrows and strick them against the ground.”  So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times.  But the man of God was angry with him.  “You should have struck the ground five or six times!” he exclaimed.  “Then you would have beaten Aram until they were entirely destroyed.  Now you will be victorious only three times.”   Then Elisha died and was buried.  Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring.  Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders.  So they hastily threw the body they were burying into the tomb of Elisha.  But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!

Hebrews 11:8-10

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance.  He went without knowing where he was going.  And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—- for he was like a foreigner, living in a tent.  And so did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God gave the same promise.  Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by god.

If you’ve given yourself to following Jesus, ask yourself if you feel under obligation—enslaved!— towards all people that they might encounter God.

If so, how do you feel about that?  Does that feel like good news or bad news?

If not, how do you fell about that? Does that feel like good news or bad news?

If so, is God calling you into bold steps of faith—things outside of your comfort zone?  How do you feel about those things? Do you see them as sacraments or do they need to pay off soon or you’re out of there?

Have you tried bold things for God in the past that haven’t, on the surface, seemed to pay off, How do you feel about those things now?  Might they be sacraments that are now or will soon reap a harvest?

What fresh, bold, sacramental step is God calling you into now that all might encunter God?

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Sunday January 2, 2011

Psalm 16

A miktam of David

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.  I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”  I say of the godly who are in the land, “They are the noble people in whom is all my delight.”  Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.  I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.  LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.  I will praise the LORD who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I keep my eyes always on the LORD.  With him at my right hand,  I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heard is glad and my tounge rejoices; my body will also rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.  You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

How might we take stock of our year?

1. Reflect on “apart from you I have no good thing.”

2. Reflect on “the godly people who are in the land.“

3. After doing steps 1 and 2, reflect on your whole life.

4. Go to bed blessing Jesus.

5. Reflect on your happy future.

Sunday December 26, 2010

Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was govonor of Syria.  And everyone went to their own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from te town of Nazareth in Gailee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house an line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.  And there were sheperds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising god and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the sheperds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see his thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the sheperds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The sheperds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Micah 5:2-5a

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Isreal, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”  Therefore Isreal will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Isrealites.  He will stand and sheperd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.  And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth  And he will be our peace.

Isaiah 6:1-3

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.  Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.  And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Malachi 4:2

But for you who fear my name, and the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.  And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

Sunday December 19, 2010 week 4 of the series

Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth will be fille with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Luke 2:8-20

And there were seprds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to thoseon whom his favor rests.”  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepards said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the sheperds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The sheperds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the hings they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Isaiah 40:3-5

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain an hill mae low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.  And the glory of the LORD will be revealed and all people will se it together.  For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Hebrews 10:19-21

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurane of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

How can you encounter God’s glory this Christmas?

1. Recalibrate your expectations.

2. Enter the Most Holy Place.

A lot.

With expectation.

And gratitude.

3. Do what God tells you.

4. Prize the journey with God as being the gift your looking for.

5. Enjoy every aspect of Christmas.

Sunday December 19, 2010 week 3 of a series

Malachi 4:5-6

“Look, I am sending te prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives.  His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers.  Otherwise I will come and strike theland with a curse.”

Luke 1:8-20, 57-64, 67-68, 76-79

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was surving as a priets before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incene.  And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.  Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.  When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.  But the angel said to him:”Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.  He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.  He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled wit the Holy Spirit even before he is born. Many of the people of Isreal will he bing back to the Lord their God.  And he will go one before the lord, in the spirit and  power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisom of the righteous– to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.  And now you will be silent and not be able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”… When it was time for Elizabeth  to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.  Her neighbors an relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.  On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to nme him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”  They said to her, ” There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”  Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.  He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”  Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God…. Hos father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, th God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.  .. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy o our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to the shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

What’s the greatest gift you can offer your relatives this Christmas season?

1. Embrace the role of intercessor.

What can we learn from Zechariah about interceding for our relatives?

1. Expect God to speak as yo intercede for your relatives

2. Draw unreasonable faith from what god says.

3. Pray prophetic blessings over their lives.

Sunday December 5, 2010

Second in the series: How to Plan for the best Christmas possbile

Exodus 12: 1-4, 7-8, 25-27

While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the Lord gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: “From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you.  Announce to the whole communtiy of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household.  If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood.”  “They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal.  That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast. ” Eat the meal with ugency for this is the Lord’s Passover.  On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt.  I will execute judgement against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign marking te houses where you are staying.  When I see the blood, I will pass over you.  This plague of death will not touch you when i strike the land of Egypt.  “This is a day to remember.  Each year from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord.  When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony.  Then your children will ask, “What does this ceremony mean?’ And you will reply ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord,  for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt.  And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.'”  When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped.

Psalm 78: 1-13

O my people, listen to my instructions.  Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable.  I will teach you hien lessons from our past— stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors haned own to us.  We will not hide these truths from our chilren; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his instructions to Israel.  He commaned our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation migh know them—- even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children.  So each generation should set it’s hope ane on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his stubborn rebellous, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.  The warriors of Ephriam,  though armed with bows, turne their backs and fled on the day of battle.  They did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his instructions.  They forgot what he had done—— the great wonders he had shown them, the miracles he did for their ancestors on the plain of Zoan in the land of Egypt.  For he divided the sea and led them through, making the water stand up like walls!

Three words from Passover that might describe Christmas:

1. Gather

2. Feast.

3. Recall

How might we respond to our Christmas gathering?

1. Enjoy.

2. Appreciate.

3. Thank.

4. Invite.

Sunday November 28, 2010 – First Sunday of Advent – First in the series: How to Plan for the Best Christmas Possible.

Opportunities for ___________________________-and _________________, are both part of our deep longing with the living God.

Two ways you can plan for a Christmastime you’ll love:

1. Try the                    (less is more)                           approach.

                a.  In peace we find the God who is

                                         (intimate with us/ loves us)                 

2.  Try the                               (more is more)                                approach.

                 a. In celebration we encounter the God who is

Micah 5:2,4

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Isreal, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.”  He will stand and shepard his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.  And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

Luke 15

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”  “The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy bo be called son.” ” But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it.  Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.

Sunday November 7, 2010

Numbers 6:22-26

The LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites.  Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Psalm 29:11

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Romans 15:13

May the god of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How can you trade anxiety for joy?

 1. Look at _________________, not_________________

Matthew 14:22-31

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.  When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind  was against it.  Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake,  they were terrified.  “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  “Lord, if it’s you,: Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.  “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

2. _____________________________________

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

3. Redirect your___________________ into_______________

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4. Remember the laws of __________________________ and ________________.

Proverbs 26:2

Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.

Sunday October 31, 2010

Psalm 112

Happy are those who fear the Lord.  Yes happy are those who delight in doing what he commands.  Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.  They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will never be forgotten.  When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in.  They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.  All goes well for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.  Such people will not be overcome by evel circumstances.  Those who are righteous will be long remembered.  They do not fear bad news; they confidenly trust the Lord to care for them.  They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.  They give generously to those in need.  Their good deeds will never be forgotten.  They will have influence an honor.  The wicked will be infuriated when they see this. They will grind their teeth in anger; they wll slink away, their hopes thwarted.

Proverbs 22:11

Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech will have the king as a friend.

Proberbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, an a brother is born for a time of adversity.

John 3:16

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.