Meeting Times

Sundays: 10:30am
West Coast Word Church
425 East Spruce St.
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
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Notes

Looking for the 2009 notes? Click here to go to the archives.

RELATIONSHIPS: Virgins ‘R' Us Virgin is Not a Dirty Word

HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?

　

1st base? 2nd base? 3rd? Is it okay to hold hands? Kiss? arm on the shoulder? Where is the line?

 1.

Matthew 5:28
 
(NCV)But I tell you that if anyone looks at a woman and wants to sin sexually with her, in his mind he has already done that sin with the woman.

 

Here, Jesus is saying if you are "doing it" in your mind, you have already gone too far."The line" begins in your thought life.

 

2.God’s laws are not meant to cause us pain and bondage, but to stop pain and bondage from coming on you!

What kind of pain? To name a few: feeling used, AIDS, STDs, pregnancy and emotional wounds.

 

3.How should we treat the opposite sex?

 

4.

1 Timothy 5:1b-2
 
 (NLT)Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.

 

5.The final test: If I, or  Pastor Aaron were with you on your date, what would you do?

SAVING FOR THE WEDDING DAY

 

1. How are you going to present yourself to your mate? Are you going to say, "Hey baby, I got one good swig left for you"? Or, will you say, "I’ve been saving myself for you!"

 

2. 

1Cointhians 6:13
 
b(NLT) Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that's no excuse for stuffing your body with food, or indulging it with sex. Since the Master honors you with a body, honor Him with your body!

 

3. Faithfulness to your husband or wife begins right now, not at the altar.

 

4.1 Corinthians 6:15

 
  (NLT)Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never!

 

5.If a guy/girl has been physically active with multiple people, what makes you think they will ever be faithful to you?

 

6. 1 Corinthians 6:16

 
(NLT)And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.”

 

Think about it: The person you are with right now is someone else’s marriage partner.

 

7. Virginity is an once-in-a-lifetime gift for you to present to the man or woman of your dreams on your wedding night.

 

8.1

 
Corthians 6: 18 (NLT)Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body

 

Live a life today that you won’t regret tomorrow.Predetermine your standards, boundaries, and limitations.The time to decide what your line is going to be is now—not in the heat of the moment.

 

Something to Think About:VIRGIN: IT’S NOT A DIRTY WORD

"Romantic Relationships." Staying away from the Danger Zones(Part 3)

Danger Zone#1. OUT OF LINE PRIORITIES

Danger Zone# 2.OVER-COMMITMENT

Danger Zone#3. LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS

Danger Zone #4.False Pretenses

Danger Zone #5. ROMANTIC COLOR BLINDNESS

 

Danger Zone #6. MISSION TRIPS

 

a. "I’m dating this guy/girl in hopes of leading them to Christ."

 

"If their not quite, their not right"

 

Malachi 2:11

 
(MSG) Judah has cheated on God—a sickening violation of trust in Israel and Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the holiness of God by falling in love and running off with foreign women, women who worship alien gods

 

b. If your reason is so pure, why don't you ever try to win the ugly and fat people to the Lord as well? OUCH!

 

 

Danger Zone #7. ALLOWING THE PHYSICAL TO DOMINATE

 

 1 Cor. 6:14-15

 
(MSG) God honored the Master's body by raising it from the grave. He'll treat yours with the same resurrection power. Until that time, remember that your bodies are created with the same dignity as the Master's body. You wouldn't take the Master's body off to a whorehouse, would you? I should hope not.

 

 

a. Be friends—not lovers.

 

b. Pursue friendships, not physical relationships.

 

c. FRIENDS                                LOVERS

"I like you as a person."             "I like your body."

"I enjoy hanging out with you." "I enjoy making out with you."

"What can I do for you?"           "What will you let me do?

 

 Heb 13:4

 
(MSG)Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.

RELATIONSHIPS: How They Work; "RomanticRelationships." Staying away from the Danger Zones(Part 2)

 Danger Zone #4.False Pretenses

 

Judges 14:3

 
b (NLT)But Samson told his father, “Get her for me! She looks good to me.”

 

a. Is he or she a trophy? Are you just saying, "Look what I got"?

 

Romans 12:2

 
(GW)Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.

 

b. Are you getting involved with someone due to peer pressure? Are you thinking,"I’m the only one without a boyfriend or girlfriend"?

 

 Colossians 2:7

 
  (NLT)Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

 

c.Relationships shouldn’t be rooted in insecurities. Don’t be dependent on someone else to make you happy. You will always be disappointed.

 

 Danger Zone #5. ROMANTIC COLOR BLINDNESS

 

John 7:24

 
(NLT)Don't judge by appearances. Judge by what is right.

 

a. Symptoms of this danger zone include: the tendency to overlook obvious faults,weaknesses, and character flaws of others because you’re "in love."

 

1 Samuel 16:7

 
(MSG)But God told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart."

 

b. Someone with this problem is so attracted to outward appearance that they can’t recognize negative inward traits.

 

Relationships: Romantic Relationships -- Staying away from the 7 Danger Zones (Part 1)

The Bible is silent on the subject of dating because it has developed only recently in our culture. Prior to that, marriages were pre-arranged by both sets of parents—a practice which still goes on in some cultures today.

However, there are many biblical guidlines that apply to romantic relationships.The actual issue of dating in your life is something that you and your parents need to decide—I am not saying it is good or bad, but I am offering guidelines for when the "love bug" strikes.

　

1. OUT OF LINE PRIORITIES

a. What was building block #1 ? Build a strong foundation When a guy or girl comes along we tend to dump everything and everybody else and hail this person as king or queen of our life.

Matt. 6:33

 
(NLT)

b. If your relationship with Jesus suffers due to a romantic relationship then something is wrong!

c. Matthew 22:37-38

 
: ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’"

d. Your first love should always be Jesus Christ. Never let anyone steal His place.(Matt. 6:33

 
)

2. OVER-COMMITMENT

a. An exchange of tokens: rings, necklaces, jackets, t-shirts, earrings, nose rings, etc.

What are we imitating?

b.People are having mini ceremonies and exchanging tokens of love. Sounds a lot like marriage to me.

c.But at age 12, it’s not going to last! Now it sounds a lot like divorce.

The Romantic Dream = Tunnel Vision.

 

d.I believe this is one of the reasons we have so many divorces today. People have developed this habit in relationships and so the commitment of marriage is not seen as any more important than any of our other relationships.

e. Keep your relationship in perspective. It is temporary.

　

3. LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS

a. Long-term commitments must be reserved for marriage.

Gen. 2

 
:24 

b. People in long-term relationships usually cut themselves off from other friends and God, and the level of physical activity always increases.

Colossians 3:15-17

 
  (NLT)

 

Seven Building Blocks for Healthy Relationships (Part 2)

OVERVIEW: This is the second part of a multi-part series on relationships. This lesson will teach students to carefully consider their role in the relationships they have with family and friends.

 

1.Build a Strong Foundation

2.Be a Giver,Not a Taker.

3.Speak and Think the Best.

4.Love as Christ has Loved you

 

5. INVEST IN PRAYER.

1 Tim. 2:2

 
(NLT) I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks.

Keep a list of family members and friends and pray for them daily.

· Pray for their health, protection, growth in Christ, victory over sin, and the specific needs in their lives.

· If you had three family members and six close friends praying for you on a daily basis, what kind of difference would it make in your life?

6. BE QUICK TO FORGIVE.

a. Real friends are those who don’t think you have done permanent damage when you make a fool of yourself.

 

John 20:23
 
(NLT) says, If you forgive anyone sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven.

b. Unforgiveness is like a cancer. It can easily be stopped in the initial stages, but it can kill and destroy a relationship if left untreated.

7. PUSH, PROMOTE, AND PROD OTHERS IN THEIR WALKS WITH CHRIST.

a. When people are around you, are they influenced to be more like Jesus? Are they stronger in their faith because of their relationship with you?

b. It is sad to say, but often the first person to tempt Christian young people to sin is their Christian friends! They say, "Come on, let’s try this!"

 

Deuteronomy 13:6-11
 
 (NLT)says, "Suppose someone secretly tempts you-even your brother,your son or daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend- and says" Let us go worship other gods"- gods the neither you nor your ancestors have known. They might suggest that you worship the gods of people you live nearby or who come from the ends of the earth. But do not give in or listen. Have no pity, and do not spare or protect them.You must put them to death! Strike the first blow yourself, and then all the people must join in. Stone the guilty ones to death because they have tried to draw you away from the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of slavery, (hell, the devil).Then all Israel(christians) will hear about it and be afraid , and no one will act so wickedly again."

Thank God we don’t live under the Old Covenant. I’m not sure any of us would be around. But the seriousness of the offense is still the same today.

Seven Building Blocks for Healthy Relationships (Part 1)

1. BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION.

 

1 Corinthians 3:10-11
 
 (NLT) Because of God's grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder.Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one we already have- Jesus Christ.

a.  Before you can ever have successful relationships with others you must first have a solid relationship with Christ.

 

Matthew 6:33
 
 (NLT) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

(

I Samuel 20:42
 
, NLT).Jonathan said to David" The Lord is the witness of a bond between us"


2. BE A GIVER, NOT A TAKER.

a. Most people are only interested in what they can get out of the relationship. We should focus on what we can give to the relationship.

 

John 3:16
 
(AMP)For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son,

 

 b. If you really want healthy relationships, you need to invest, serve, and always look for ways to be a blessing.

 1 Samuel 20:4

 
(NLT) Jonathan said to David, "Tell me what I can do to help you.’"

How much would your relationship with your parents improve if we had the same kind of attitude that Jonathon did?

3. SPEAK AND THINK THE BEST.

How many times has our mouth hurt someone close to us? If we guard our thoughts, our mouths won’t get us into as much trouble.


 

Ephesians 4:29
 
(NLT) says, "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

 

Proverbs 17:9
 
(NLT)  Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it seperates close friends

Here is a prescription for your thought life:

 

Philippians 4:8
 
 (NLT)And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable,and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

　

4. LOVE AS CHRIST HAS LOVED YOU.

 

Jesus said in

John 13:34
 
(NLT), "So now I am giving you a new commandment, Love each other. Just as  loved you, you should love each other. ."

a.True love is a decision, not a feeling.

 

The only chance of survival for endangered relationships is for God’s kind of love to be in action.

Relationships: How they Work The Holy Spirit and Me

 2 Cor. 13:14

 
  (MSG)The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

1. I'm Here for You

Acts 2:3-4

 
(MSG) Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

 Acts 2:33

 
  (NLT)Now He is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.

2.Get to Know Me

Acts 2:38

 
(GW)Peter answered them, “All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.

Acts 6:5

 
a (GW)The suggestion pleased the whole group. So they chose Stephen, who was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,

3.Let 's Chill Together

1 Cor. 3:16

 
  (NLT) Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in[you?

1 Cor 6:19

 
  (NLT)Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

Something To Think About: An unopened gift is useless

 John 16:24

 
  (NLT)You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

Relationships: How They Work Jesus and Me

2 Cor 5:20-21
 
(MSG)We're Christ's
representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. How? you say. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.
 
1. Because of Jesus
 
  John 10:9
 
(KJV)The Door
  John 14:6
 
(NLT)The Way
 
John 14:6
 
(MSG)Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me.
 
 
2. You Are Forgiven
 
Romans 5:18
 
(NLT)Right relationship with God
  Colossians 2:14-15
 
  (NLT)Victory in the Cross
 
3. You Are Identical

1 Corinthians 6:16

 
  (NLT) Twins(Jesus and me)

1 John 4:17

 
  (NLT)I look like Jesus

Something to Think About:

1 Timothy 2:5-6

 
  (NLT)Jesus bought us FREEDOM (His LIFE)

Relationships: How They Work! God and Me

2 cor 5:21

 
  (AMP)For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

 Righteous-free for guilt or sin,

1. God Opened the Door

Genesis 1:26-28

 
  (NLT)

Blessed- to kneel,congratulate,praise,salute.

God made us to have a relationship with us.

Rev 4:11

 
  (KJV)Pleasure-chose,prefer,delight in,LOVE,to take for oneself,

2. We Locked the Door

 Gen. 3:23-24

 
  (NLT)(Gen 3:6
 
)

Romans 3:23

 
  (NLT)

 Romans 8:7

 
  (NLT)

3.Jesus Destroyed the Door

Col. 2:13-15

 
   (CEV)You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins. God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.

1 Corinthians 6:17

 
  (NLT)One and the same

2 Cor 6:16

 
  (NLT)We are God's house

Something to Think About:

1 John 4:17

 
  (NLT)"The spitting image"

God does not respond to us based on what we do,He responds to us based on what Jesus did.

 

Unstoppable:The Life of YOU

1. You are a Winner

1 John 5:4

 
  (NLT) For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

1 cor 15:57

 
  (NLT)But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. You are a Champion

2 Cor. 2:14

 
  a (GW)But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ.

1 John 2:13

 
  b(CEV)Young people, I am writing you,because you have defeated the evil one.

1 John 2:14

 
  c (GW)I’ve written to you, young people, because you are strong and God’s word lives in you. You have won the victory over the evil one.

3. You are Unstoppable

James 4:7

 
  (NLT) So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

Flee -drive away,run away,hide,to change one's residence.

Something to Think About

Romans 8:37-39

 
  (NLT) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Unstoppable:The Life of Paul

1. Saul the Destroyer

Acts 8:3

 
  (NLT)But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

Acts  9:1

 
  (NLT)Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.

2. Paul the Builder

 
 
 
Acts 9
 
:17  (NLT)So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 9:20

 
  (NLT)And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”

 

3. Paul the Forgiven

Philippians 3:13-14

 
  (NLT)No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Romans 4:7

 
  (NLT)“Oh, what joy for thosewhose disobedience is forgiven,whose sins are put out of sight.

Col 2:13

 
 

(NLT)You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.

Something to Think About:

Phil. 4:13

 
  (NLT)For I can do everything through Christ,who gives me strength.

 Phil 4:13

 
  (CEV)Christ gives me the strength to face anything.

Phil. 4:13

 
  (NIV)I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Unstoppable:The Life of David

1. Goliath Thought He was Unstoppable

 1 Samuel 17:4

 
  (NLT)Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall!

ILL. Ladder(9 feet 9Inches)

1 Samuel 17:8-11

 
  (NLT)Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! 9 If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! 10 I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” 11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.

2. David Knew He Was Unstoppable

1Samuel 17:26

 
  (NLT)

David asked some soldiers standing nearby, "What will a man get for killing this Philistine and stopping him from insulting our people? Who does that worthless Philistine think he is? He's making fun of the army of the living God!"

1Samuel 17:32

 
  (NLT)Your Majesty," he(David) said, "this Philistine shouldn't turn us into cowards. I'll go out and fight him myself!"

1 Samuel 17:33

 
  (NLT)"You don't have a chance against him," Saul replied. "You're only a boy, and he's been a soldier all his life."

1 Samuel 17:34-37

 
  (NLT)But David told him:

   Your Majesty, I take care of my father's sheep. And when one of them is dragged off by a lion or a bear, 35I go after it and beat the wild animal until it lets the sheep go. If the wild animal turns and attacks me, I grab it by the throat and kill it.

    36Sir, I have killed lions and bears that way, and I can kill this worthless Philistine. He shouldn't have made fun of the army of the living God! 37The LORD has rescued me from the claws of lions and bears, and he will keep me safe from the hands of this Philistine.

   "All right," Saul answered, "go ahead and fight him. And I hope the LORD will help you."

3. David  Was Unstoppable and Won 

 1 Samuel 17:40-51

 
  (NLT)He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.

 41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.

 45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

 48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.

 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.

Something To Think About:

1Samuel 17:45-46(NCV)But David said to him, "You come to me using a sword and two spears. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel! You have spoken against him.46 Today the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll kill you and cut off your head. Today I'll feed the bodies of the Philistine soldiers to the birds of the air and the wild animals. Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel!

Unstoppable:The Life of Joseph

1. Joseph was Challenged

Genesis 37:3-4

 
  (NLT)Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe.But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.

Genesis 37:6-8

 
  (NLT)“Listen to this dream,” he said.“We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.

Genesis 37:9-10

 
  (NLT)Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?”

Gen 37:18

 
  (NLT)When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him.

Gen 37:23-24

 
  (NLT)So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

Gen 37:27-28

 
  (NLT) Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.

(todays price $150, or about $13 per brother)

2. Joseph was Unstoppable

Gen 39:2-4

 
  (NLT)The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.

Gen 39:5-6

 
  (NLT)From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man,

Gen 39:21-23

 
  (NLT) But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

3. Joseph was Focused

Gen 39:7-10

 
  (NLT)and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

Gen 41:38

 
  (NLT)So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?”

Gen 41:51

 
 

(NLT)Joseph named his older son Manasseh,for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.

 

Gen 42:6

 
  (NLT)Since Joseph was governor of all Egypt and in charge of selling grain to all the people, it was to him that his brothers came. When they arrived, they bowed before him with their faces to the ground.

Something to Think About:

Gen 39:3

 
  (NLT)Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.

"Lord was with Joseph"

God never leaves us Heb. 13:5

 

He will always be with us, but we can leave Him, we should stay FOCUSED just like Joseph did, then we will be UNSTOPPABLE!

Unstoppable:The Life of Gideon

1.Gideon had no Plan

 
 
Judges 6
 
:13  (NLT)“Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”

Judges 6:14

 
  (NLT) Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”  

Judges 6:15

 
  (NLT)“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”  

2.Gideon got the Plan

Judges 7:16

 
  (NLT)He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it.  

Judges 7:17

 
  (NLT) Then he said to them, “Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do.  

Judges 7:18

 
  (NLT)As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’”  

3. Gideon used the Plan

Judges 7:19

 
  (NLT)It was just after midnight,[a
 
] after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams’ horns and broke their clay jars.

Judges 7:20

 
  (NLT)Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”  

Judges 7:21

 
  (NLT)Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape.  

Judges 7:22

 
  (NLT) When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.  

Something To Think About:Judges 6:12

 
(AMP)And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage.

 

Unstoppable:The Life of Joshua

1. Joshua was Faithful

Exodus 17:10

 
  (NLT)So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill.  

Exodus 24:13

 
  (NLT)So Moses and his assistant Joshua set out, and Moses climbed up the mountain of God.  

Exodus 32:17

 
Numbers 11:28
 
Numbers 14:6-10
 
Numbers 14:30
 
Numbers 14:38
 
Numbers 26:65
 
   

Numbers 32:12

 
 

2. Joshua got Promoted

Deuteronomy 31:14

 
    

(CEV)The LORD told Moses, " You will soon die, so bring Joshua to the sacred tent, and I will appoint him the leader of Israel."

 

 
 
Deuteronomy 31
 
:23  (CEV) The LORD told Joshua, " Be brave and strong! I will help you lead the people of Israel into the land that I have promised them."

 3. Joshua was Unstoppable!

Joshua 1:3

 
  (NLT)I(God) promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—  

Joshua 6:16

 
  (NLT)The seventh time around, as the priests sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the town!  

 Joshua 6:20

 
  (NLT)When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it.  

Joshua 6:27

 
  (NLT)So the Lord was with Joshua, and his reputation spread throughout the land.  

Something to Think about:

Joshua 1:8

 
    

(NLT)Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

 

Release the POWER!

1. I Got The Power

Ephesians 3:20

 
  (NLT)Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  

2Timothy 1:7

 
  (NLT)For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

 Power-dynamis-dynamite

miraculous power,ability,strength

2. I Respect The Power

Acts 2:1

 
(KJV)And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 2:42-43

 
(NLT)All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.

 

 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

 

Devoted-To give or apply (one's time, attention, or self) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person.

3. I Use The Power

Acts 2:4

 
(AMP)And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words].

Acts 2:4

 
(MSG)Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

Something to Think About:1 Cor. 4:20(NLT)For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power

Hello I'm the Holy Spirit and I'm Your Source

 John 16:7
 
(AMP) However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable,good, expedient, advantageous, for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter ,Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby will not come to you, into close fellowship with you; but if I go away, I will send Him to you to
be in close fellowship with you.

1. He is the Source

1 Cor 4:20

 
  (MSG)God's Way is not a matter of mere talk; it's an empowered life.  

Romans 1:16

 
  (GW)I’m not ashamed of the Good News. It is God’s power to save everyone who believes, Jews first and Greeks as well.  

2. Plug into the Source

Acts 1:8

 
  (AMP)But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.  

John 6:63

 
  (NLT)The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

 
3.Unlimited With the Source

Matthew 19:26

 
  (NLT)Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”  

Mark 10:27

 
  (NLT)Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”  

Luke 1:37

 
  (NLT)For nothing is impossible with God  

Luke 18:27

 
  (NLT)He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”  

Something To Thinl About:

John 5:26

 
  (NLT) The Father is the source of life, and he has enabled the Son to be the source of life too.      

The Holy Spirit is our

1. Encourger Romans 15:4

 
  (NLT)  

2. Teacher John 14:26

 
  (NLT)  

3. Helper Hebrews 13:6

 
  (NLT)  

4. #1 Fan Luke 12:7

 
  (NLT)  

5. Enforcer 1 Corinthians 15:57

 
  (NLT)  

6. Friend Proverbs 18:24

 
  (KJV)  

7. Source John 5:26

 
  (NLT)  

 

Hello I'm the Holy Spirit and I'm Your Friend

John 16:7(AMP) However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable,good, expedient, advantageous, for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter ,Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby will not come to you, into close fellowship with you; but if I go away, I will send Him to you to be in close fellowship with you.
 
1. Through Thick or Thin

Heb 13:5(MSG)  Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"
 
Joh 14:16(MSG)  I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.


2.Can't Ditch Him

Romans 8:38 (NLT)And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
 
Psalms 41:12 (NLT)You have preserved my life because I am innocent;you have brought me into your presence forever.
 

 3.Till the End

Matthew 28:20 (NLT)Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Heb 13:6(NLT)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.


Something To Think About: Proverbs 18:24(CEV)Some friends don't help, [a] but a true friend is closer than your own family.

 

Thank You Mom

Eph 4:7 Each one of us has received a special gift in proportion to what Christ has given.

Today is Mother's Day. None of us would be here with out our Moms.
3 things we should do for our Moms

1. We should obey our Moms

Eph 6:1  Children, you belong to the Lord, and you do the right thing when you obey your parents. The first commandment with a promise says,

Eph 6:2  "Obey your father and your mother,

2. We should pay attention to our Moms

Pro 1:8  My child, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you.

3. We should give our Moms  treasures!

Luk 2:51  So Jesus went back with them to Nazareth, where he was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Bottom Line: We are going to give our Moms a treasure today!

Hello I'm the Holy Spirit and I'm Your Enforcer

John 16:7(AMP) However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable,good, expedient, advantageous, for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter ,Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby will not come to you, into close fellowship with you; but if I go away, I will send Him to you to be in close fellowship with you.
 
 Advocate-one who pleads another's cause, who helps another by defending or comforting him
 
1. He Enforces Your Victory
 
1 Cor 15:57 (NLT)But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Romans 8:37 (AMP)Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
 

 
2. He Enforces Your Healing
 
1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
 By his wounds you are healed.
 
 Matt. 8:17 (NLT)This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesse and removed our diseases.”
 

 3. He Enforces Your Supply
 
2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
 
Philippians 4:19 (NLT)And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
 
 
Something to Think About:
John 15:5 (NLT)“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Hello I'm the Holy Spirit and I'm Your #1 Fan

John 16:7

 
(AMP)However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

 to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly, a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc,a person who pleads for or in behalf of another

1. He Knows About You!

 Luke 12:7

 
  (MSG)And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries.  

 2 Cor 6:16

 
  (NLT)And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them.I will be their God,and they will be my people.  

2. He Cheers for You!

Heb. 12:1

 
  (MSG)Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.  

3. He Lives With You!

Romans 6:8

 
  (NLT)And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.

 

Gal 2:20

 
  (NLT)My old self has been crucified with Christ.It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  

Something to Think About: John 3:16

 
  (AMP)For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a
 
]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.



 
 
 
 
 

Hello I'm the Holy Spirit and I'm Your Helper

John 16:7

 
(AMP) However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable,good, expedient, advantageous, for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter ,Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby will not come to you, into close fellowship with you; but if I go away, I will send Him to you to be in close fellowship with you.

 1. He Desires to help

Heb 13:6

 
  (NLT)So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper,so I will have no fear.What can mere people do to me?”

 

Psalms 46:1

 
  (NLT)God is our refuge and strength,always ready to help in times of trouble.

2. Let Him Help You

Heb 4:16

 
  (NLT)So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

 

Romans 8:26

 
(NLT)And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

3.Together We Will Win!

 Jer 20:11

 
  (NLT)But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior.Before him my persecutors will stumble.They cannot defeat me.They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated.Their dishonor will never be forgotten.

 

Psalms 56:9

 
  (NLT)My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.This I know: God is on my side!

 

Something to Think About:

Isaiah 41:10

 
(NLT)Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you.I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

 

Hello, I'm the Holy Spirit. I'm Your Teacher(Counselor)

　John 16:7

 
(AMP)However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

1. I am His Student

John 14:26

 
(NLT)But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

1 Cor.2:10

 
(CEV)God's Spirit has shown you everything. His Spirit finds out everything, even what is deep in the mind of God.

2. I will pay Attention

Psalms 119:44

 
(NLT)I will keep on obeying your instructions

forever and ever.

Psalms 119:59

 
(GW)I have thought about my life, and I have directed my feet back to your written instructions.

3. I Pass the Test

2 Cor. 2:14

 
(GW)But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It's like a fragrance that fills the air.

Romans 8:37

 
(NLT)No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Something to Think About:

Romans 8:6

 
(NLT)So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

 

Thank You, Jesus

1. Somebody had to die

Rom 6:23  The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. He loves us

Heb 12:2  We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God.

3.To set us free

Joh 8:32  You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Joh 8:36  So if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free.  
 
Bottom Line: It had to be done

Rom 5:18  So then, as the one sin condemned all people, in the same way the one righteous act sets all people free and gives them life.  

Rom 5:18(MSG)  Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life!  

Hello, I"m the Holy Spirit I"m Your Encourager(Comforter)

 John 16:7(AMP) However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable,good, expedient, advantageous, for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter ,Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby will not come to you, into close fellowship with you; but if I go away, I will send Him to you to be in close fellowship with you.


 1.You Can Do It!
 Acts 9:31 (NLT)The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.


 Judges 6:12(NLT)The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”


 2. Keep It Up!
 Romans 15:4(NLT)Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled


 1 Kings 19:14(NLT)He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”


 1Kings 19:18(NLT)Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”


 3. Way To Go!
 2 Cor. 1:3(AMP)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy and mercy and the God, Who is the Source of every comfort, consolation and encouragement


 Matthew 25:21(NLT)“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!


 Something To Think About:
 Luke 1:37(NLT)For nothing is impossible with God.
 
Encouragement Verses:
 
Philippians 4:13(NLT)For I can do everything through Christ,who gives me strength.
 
Romans 8:37(NLT)No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
 
Ephesians 2:10(NLT)For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
 
2 Corinthians 2:14(GW)But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It's like a fragrance that fills the air.

Hello, I'm the Holy Spirit

John 16:7 (CEV)But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.
1. I'm Here for You
Acts 2:3-4
 
(MSG) Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
Acts 2:33
 
(NLT)Now He is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.
2.Get to Know Me
Acts 2:38
 
(GW)Peter answered them, “All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.
Acts 6:5
 
a (GW)The suggestion pleased the whole group. So they chose Stephen, who was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,
3.Let 's Chill Together
1 Cor. 3:16
 
(NLT) Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in[you?
1 Cor 6:19
 
(NLT)Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
Something To Think About: An unopened gift is useless
John 16:24
 
(NLT)You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have


How to Have a Perpetual Relationship with Jesus (Walk in His Power)

Why should we have a perpetual relationship with Jesus?
 
John 10:10(NLT)The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
 
1. Peter the Wimp
Matthew 26:69-70 (NLT)Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”
But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
Matthew 26:72(NLT)Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.
 
Matthew 26:74(NLT)Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.

 
2. Peter the Powerful
Acts 2:14(NLT)Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this.

Acts 2:17,18 (NLT)‘In the last days,’ God says,‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy.Your young men will see visions,and your old men will dream dreams18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.

Acts 2:41 (NLT)Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
 
What Happened to Peter, from being afraid of a little girl, to boldly speaking the Word of God to atleast 3000 people
 
 
3. What's the Difference
 
Acts 2:2-4(NLT)Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
 
 
 Something to think about:
Acts 1:8(NLT)But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
 
Holy Spirit Verses
John 16:7 (KJV)7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter(Holy Spirit) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
 
Matthew 3:11(NLT)“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
 
Matthew 28:19 (NLT)Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
 
Mark 1:8 (NLT)I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

How to Have  a Perpetual Relationship With Jesus (Live for His Praise)

1. It's Your Choice

Matthew 23:37(NLT) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.

Revelation 3:20 (NLT) Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

When you are concerned with what others think about you, it hinders your walk with Christ. Many things we do—the way we act, dress, talk, walk—is motivated by our desire to receive the praises of people. The result is that those individuals are controlling our life instead of Jesus Christ!

2.Choose or Lose

John 12:42-43(NLT) Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

1 Cor. 1:18(NLT) The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

3. Safe or Sorry

Prov 29:25(GNB) It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, you are safe.
Prov 29:25  The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in GOD protects you from that.

Our goal in life should be to please God not man. The cool part is when you live a life pleasing to God it will  be beneficial to those around you.


Something to Think About.....
John 15:6  Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.
John 15:7  But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon

How to Have a Perpetual Relationship With Jesus (Follow His Plan)

God has a specific plan for each one of us to follow in our lives. It is up to you and I whether or not we follow the plan.

1.Trust in God
Proverbs 3:5(NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart;do not depend on your own understanding.

Romans 15:13(NLT) I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

2.Don't trust yourself

1 Cor. 2:4-5(NLT) And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

Proverbs 3:7(NLT) Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

3.Follow His Plan
Proverbs 3:6(NLT)Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take.

Eph. 2:10(NLT) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Bottom Line:  Romans 12:2(NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

How to Have  a Perpetual Relationship With Jesus


The word perpetual means continuing or enduring forever, lasting an indefinitely long time, continuing without interruption.

1.  Invite Him to Come!
Acts 2:21(NLT)But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!

Romans 10:13(NLT)For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

2. Focus on His Word!
Psalms 119:162(NLT)I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.

Job 23:12(NLT)I have not departed from his Commands(His Word), but have treasured his words more than daily food.

3. Be at His House!
Hebrews 10:25(NLT)And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Ecclesiastes 4:12(NLT)A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.


Bottom Line:Heb 13:5b(AMP)God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you, nor give you up, nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree, leave you helpless,nor forsake, nor let you down,or relax My hold on you! Assuredly not!!

The Truth About You

1Th 5:23(MSG)  May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together--spirit, soul, and body--and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.


Heb 4:12(GW)  God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions.


1. You are a Spirit
Gen. 1:27. John 4:24

Pro 18:14(MSG)  A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?

1Co 2:11(GNB)  It is only our own spirit within us that knows all about us; in the same way, only God's Spirit knows all about God.

2.You hve a Soul

Mar 8:36(KJV)  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Rom 12:2(GW)  Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect.


3.You Live in a Body

Rom 12:1(GW)  Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you.

2Co 4:16(GNB)  For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day.


Bottom Line:1Th 5:23(MSG)  May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together--spirit, soul, and body--and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.

1/24 It's a War in There

1. There is a fight


1 Tim. 6:12(NLT) 
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.


Eph. 6:12(NLT)For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.


2. It's an inside Job 


2 Cor.10:3-5(NLT)
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.


3.The majority wins


Mark 14:38(NLT)
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Eph. 4:17-18(NLT)
 17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.

BOTTOM LINE:  2 Tim 4:7(NLT)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

1/17 The God Kind of Faith

1. We have God's Faith

Mat. 11:22(BBE)And Jesus, answering, said to them, Have God's faith.

Mat. 11:22(LITV)And answering, Jesus said to them, Have the faith of God.

2. How do we unlock it

Mar 11:23-24(BBE)  Truly I say to you, Whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and be put into the sea; and has no doubt in his heart, but has faith that what he says will come about, he will have his desire.


For this reason I say to you, Whatever you make a request for in prayer, have faith that it has been given to you, and you will have it.

We unlock it by what we believe and say

3.We keep it open

Gal. 2:20(KJV)I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Bottom Line:1 John 4:17(NLT) And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

1/10 Paid in Full

1. The Price was to high for you

Romans 3:23(NLT)For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Rom 5:12  You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we're in--first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death.

2. So Jesus paid the price for you

Rom 5:8  But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

Rom 5:17  If death got the upper hand through one man's wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?

3. You owe nothing

Rom 5:18  Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life!
Rom 5:19  One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.

Bottom Line:Rom. 8:29(NLT)For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

2 Cor. 5:17(NLT)This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!