Blog Archives

"IT'S A MAD, MAD WORLD"

9/27/2020

Ephesians 4:25-32

Anger is a physiological response that arises when we are hurt, frustrated, or afraid.

Inappropriate expressions of anger
1. Explode
2. Take it out on our bodies.
3. Punish ourselves
4. Underhanding
examples: a. gossip
b. pouting
c. sarcasm

Steps to handling anger
1. Face the fact that you are angry.
2. When the anger is fierce, the thing to do is to not do anything.
3. Pray.
4. Think.
5. Find an alternative to express your anger.
a. direct confrontation
b. plain forgiveness

The only way for someone to effectively deal with their feelings of anger is to know God and experience His unconditional love through Jesus Christ.

"THE DRIVEN AND THE CHOSEN"

9/20/2020

I Samuel 13:13-14

Characteristics of a driven person- Saul
1. gratified only by accomplishment
2. preoccupied with the symbols of accomplishment
3. caught up in the uncontrolled pursuit of expansion
4. limited regard for integrity
5. highly competitive
6. volcanic force of anger
7. abnormally busy

Characteristics of a chosen person -John the Baptist
1. motivated by an inward strength (John 3:26-30)
2. understands stewardship
3. knows who he is (John 3:15)
4. unwavering sense of purpose

"LEARNING TO GIVE"

9/13/2020

Acts 4:32-35

The first step to making a difference is learning to give.
1. Emotionally, let go of possessions. (32)
“Misery” begins with “miser.”

2. Invest in people, rather than possessions. (34)
It is better to change lives than it is to own things.
The giving of the early Church was completely voluntary.

3. Look for opportunities to give.
When you are the one who goes out and looks for someone or something to give to, it is much more of a personal investment.
It's not just money we must give, we give ourselves.
“Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her.” (Eph. 5:25)
Matthew 10:8: “Freely you have received, freely give.”
II Corinthians 8:7 “But just as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us, see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

"IT'S OFF TO WORK WE GO"

9/6/2020

Ecclesiastes 3:12-14

Questions to ask yourself about your job
1. Does this job provide enough to meet my needs?
Salary should never be the primary factor in considering a job.
Christians who tithe their income are the ones who usually feel they have enough to meet their needs.

2. Does this job give me the opportunity to do good?
Some jobs are service-oriented.
Some jobs have much contact with people.
Some jobs provide the income to be the means by which you do good.
Some work schedules permit you to give extra time.

3. Does this job give me a sense of fulfillment?
An easy job probably isn't the best job.
Work is not a punishment, it is a blessing.

4. Is God a part of my job?
Without God, everything we do is meaningless.
Consider that Jesus is standing right alongside you as you do your daily work.