NEW YEAR'S SERVICE - "10 IMPERATIVES FOR DISCIPLES FOR 2010" - 1-1-10

“10 IMPERATIVES FOR DISCIPLES FOR 2010” 

AU NEW YEARS SERVICE

1) DISCIPLES ARE CALLED

• Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

2) DISCIPLES ARE SENT

• Matthew 10:5 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3) DISCIPLES ARE RISK TAKERS

• Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

4) DISCIPLES WALK BY FAITH

• Matthew 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10. Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

5) DISCIPLES ARE WISE 

• Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

6) DISCIPLES ENDURE HARDSHIPS 

• Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

7) DISCIPLES ARE VALUABLE

• Matthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

8) DISCIPLES ARE WITNESSES

• Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

9) DISCIPLES FOLLOW CHRIST

• Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

10) DISCIPLES LET GO

• Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 40. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

UNSTUCK IN LOVE – VALENTINE’S DAY 2-14-10

GETTING UNSTUCK IN LIFE

Much like the child of Israel we can get stuck on issues that hold us back from our full potential. Have you ever watched kids in a mall get stuck in a revolving door? It’s funny at first then after a few minutes they start to get frustrated and one of the children begins to cry. If we are not careful we can get stuck in the revolving door of life and miss the full potential of what God is attempting to do in our lives.

U.NCONDITIONAL DEVOTION

Ø Matthew 19:5 "for this cause shall a man leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wife." 

o The partnership of marriage "cleave" i.e. glue, as a gift consecrated to God, so the husband gives himself completely to his wife, and the wife to her husband - consecrate to each other

Ø My Father used to always tell my mother, “Linda if you ever leave me pack my suitcase because I am going with you.”

Ø Never use the “D” word. Using the word “divorce” as a manipulation tool will destroy a marriage.

N.EVER STOP GROWING

Ø 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Ø FAMILY SEMINAR - FEBRUARY 28th ~ Counselor Rev. Stan Russell: 12:30pm - 3:00pm

§ SESSION 1: LOVE AND LOGIC - ”Parenting skills”

§ SESSION 2: DOING MARRIAGE GOD’S WAY –  “Marriage Tips"

S.TIR IT UP

Ø 2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee. 

o If you always do what you’ve always done, then you will always get what you’ve always got 

o DEFINITION OF INSANITY: Keep doing the same thing and expect different results

WAYS TO STIR IT UP

Ø 1) Make a homemade card with a picture of the two of you on the cover.

Ø 2) Write a poem. It doesn't have to rhyme.

Ø 3) Send a love letter listing the reasons "Why I love you so much."

Ø 4) Make a coupon book and include coupons for a back rub, a compromise when about to lose an argument, a listening ear when needed, and doing the dishes.

Ø 5) Endeavor to change a habit that would improve your relationship.

T.RUST 

Ø 1) CONSISTENCY - People will trust each other if, time after time, they see you responding in a consistent and reasonable manner.

Ø 2) LOYALTY - Defend each other!

U.NDERSTANDING

Ø “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”

Ø “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a LISTENING EAR, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” 

C.OMMUNICATE

Ø The Story has been told of an elderly couple sitting on the porch in rocking chairs and the woman says, “Paw, how come you never tell me you love me?” He responded by saying, Maw, I told you I loved you at the altar when we were married 50 years ago and if anything changes I’ll tell you!”

K.EEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING

Ø Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

GRADUATION SUNDAY “OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO” – 6-13-10

I. GETTING STARTED

Ø  “Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places!  You’re off and away.”

Ø  “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW.  And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

II. FLYING HIGH – GOOD TIMES

Ø  Quick mention of Job when EVERYTHING was going His way.

Ø  He HAD everything: 7 sons, 3 daughters, 7 thousand sheep, 3 Thousand Camels, 5 Hundred Oxen, and 5 Hundred Donkeys.

Ø  The Bible describes Job as:                                                                                    

o   “A perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and shuns evil. (Job 1:8)

Ø  You are going to do great things in your life & everything is going to go great.           

Ø  “Except when you don’t. Because sometimes, you won’t.”

III. IN A SLUMP

Ø  Quick mention of Job when nothing was going His way.

Ø  He LOST everything: 7 sons, 3 daughters, 7 thousand sheep, 3 Thousand Camels,     5 Hundred Oxen, and 5 Hundred Donkeys.

§  “And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

Ø  When you’re in a slump that’s where your integrity & character are made.

Ø  When you’re in a slump lift up your eyes.

§  “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD.”  (Psalm 121:1-2)

§  “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise.”  (Micah 7:8)

§  “In all of this Job sinned not.”  (Job 1:22)

Ø  Because Job trusted in God and did not sin. God doubled everything that He took away from Job.

Ø  7 Sons, 3 daughters, 14 Thousand Sheep, 6 Thousand Camels, 1 Thousand Oxen, 1 Thousand Donkeys.

IV. CHOICES

Ø  “You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!

Ø  Do you dare to stay out?  Do you dare to go in?  How much can you lose? How much can you win?”

Ø  “And if you go in, should you turn left or right . . . or right-and-three quarters?

Ø  Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper-to make up his mind.”

§  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

Ø  You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race

Ø  down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace

Ø  and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,

Ø  headed for, I fear, towards a most useless place.   THE WAITING PLACE . . .

V. THE WAITING PLACE

Ø  “ . . . for people just waiting. Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a yes or a no or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.”

Ø  “Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for the wind to fly a kite or waiting around for a Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a better break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or another chance. Everyone is just waiting.”

§  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

VI. ON YOU WILL GO

Ø  “No! That’s not for you! Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where the boom bands are playing.”

Ø  “On you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneaker may leak.”

Ø  “On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.”

Ø  “You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.”

§  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  14.  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

VII. YOU WILL SUCCEED!

Ø  “And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

Ø  Class of 2010, you’ll move mountains.”

Ø  So . . . Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray, or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’shea,

Ø  You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting.  So… get on your way!”

IT’S RALLY TIME – FATHER’S DAY – 6.20.10

Today we are going to look at a common household item to use as a comparison to the roles of a father. We will examine many of the uses of a towel as a barometer of how we should be as men.

1) NEVER THROW IN THE TOWEL

There is more pressure on men today than ever before. 

    Ø  THROW IN THE TOWEL: To quit. This phrase comes from boxing. When a boxer is too beat up to continue, his coach throws a towel into the ring to signal that the fight is over.

    Ø  Never, never, never, never give up. Winston Churchill

   Ø  Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Ø  JOSEPH: The reverberating effects of one man saved a family, saved a nation, and saved the world. Who would have known when Rachel, Jacobs wife, finally had a son, that this little seemingly spoiled brat would become someone of such consequence.

· His dreams · His brothers · The Betrayal  

The Pit · The Lie · The Prison · Being forgotten

He never gave up and his persistence led to the fulfillment of his dreams!

His desire led him from the pit to the prison to the palace.

2) WASH YOUR HANDS

   Ø  Psalms 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

   Ø  Psalm 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

3) WORK HARD

   Ø  Genesis 3:17 Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

4) PLAY HARD

   Ø  2 Samuel 6:21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

   Ø  Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5) SURRENDER TO GOD

   Ø  Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

6) IT’S RALLY TIME – THE ROLE OF THE ENCOURAGER

   Ø  1 Samuel 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; 2. And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. 3. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 6. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: BUT DAVID ENCOURAGED HIMSELF IN THE LORD HIS GOD. 7. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. 8. And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE 11.21.11

Today we are talking about a thankful heart for what God has done for us. When we talk about thankfulness, it is all about perspective. I know the following illustration oversimplifies the point but I laugh every time I think of the differences between cats and dogs and how it relates to us:

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY – DAY #180

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

EXCERPTS FROM A CAT’S DIARY

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. 

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The Dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird on the other hand has got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue (something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the hanging metal room, he is safe. But I can wait, it’s only a matter of time.

1) THE STORY OF THE TEN LEPERS 

Ø Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 

2) THE TRUTH ABOUT LEPROSY 

Ø Today leprosy is called Hansen’s Disease, after the Norwegian doctor who in 1873 discovered the bacterium that causes the disease. There are actually several kinds of leprosy, and we know today that the Bible words translated “leprosy” actually cover a broad range of skin diseases, which is why some modern translations use a phrase such as “eruptive skin disease.” The worst kind of leprosy follows this general pattern:

§ —First, skin is discolored. It occurs on the brow, nose, ear, cheek or chin.

§ —Second, the patch turns white or pink and begins to spread in all directions.

§ —Third, the disease spreads to various internal organs. The eyebrows may disappear and spongy tumors appear on the body. 

§ —Fourth, tissue begins to disintegrate causing hands and feet to deform.

§ —Fifth, the nerve endings of the body are destroyed. This is the most critical and dangerous stage of leprosy because it means that the afflicted person loses the ability to feel pain. Thus a rat might chew off a finger at night and the person would never feel it. Or they might touch a flame and feel no pain.

It was feared by the ancients because it produced such terrible results, because it was contagious, and because it could not be cured by man. 

3) THE LEPERS CAME TO JESUS 

Ø Luke 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

§ These lepers were, in all, a good bunch. They were obeying the laws:

§ They stayed out of the city and did not approach Jesus or his followers. 

§ They believed in Jesus' ability to heal.

4) THE LEPERS WERE SENT TO THE PRIEST

Ø Luke 17:14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

§ They were healed as they went. Not before. Not after. But in the act of going they were healed. Why? Because it was the act of going that was the act of faith. 

§ When Jesus said, “Go show the priest” he was really saying, “Act as if you are already healed.”

5) ONE LEPER RETURNED TO THANK JESUS 

Ø Luke 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

§ —All had leprosy.
§ —All were outcasts from society.
§ —All were determined to do something about it.
§ —All had heard about Jesus and believed he could help them.
§ —All appealed to him.
§ —All obeyed his word.
§ —All were healed.
§ —ONLY ONE RETURNED.
6) THE MULTIPLIED BLESSING

Ø Luke 17:18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

§ Ten men were healed that day, but only one came back to give thanks. Are you living with the nine or with the one? Far too many of us take our blessings for granted and groan about duties. Does that sound like you? It doesn’t have to be that way.

PRAISE IS A CHOICE. A thankful heart is a choice you make. No one is forced into bitterness. You choose the way you live. The one who returned to give thanks chose not to forget what Jesus had done for him. THE SECRET OF A THANKFUL HEART IS A CONSCIOUS CHOICE not to forget what God has done for you.

WE CHOOSE to praise 
WE CHOOSE to give 
WE CHOOSE to sing 
WE CHOOSE to tell 
WE CHOOSE to serve 
WE CHOOSE to love 

Ø 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Ø 1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Ø Psalm 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

Ø Psalm 26:8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

Ø Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Ø Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Ø Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.