The Key to not Getting Locked Out

(By Dr. Wayman Ming Jr.)

Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (NKJV)

1. Husband, “So” Love Your Wife

Optimum Question: How should I love my wife?

Ephesians 5:28-29

So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the

church. (NKJV)

(1) Nourish and Cherish her!

Ephesians 5:26-27

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify (complete) and cleanse (purify) her with the washing of water by the word (spoken rhema), that He might present her (near) to Himself a glorious (and magnificently extraordinary)

church, not having spot (stain) or wrinkle (alignment issues) or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish (shame or reproach). (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. (NKJV)

(2) Give your Entire Self!

Jesus didn’t just give the things; He gave Himself!

Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (NKJV)

2. Wife, Respect Your Husband…

Respect – To esteem or value the worth of a person. (dictionary definition)

Respect – To esteem or value the worth of a person more than yourself. (biblical definition)

Ephesians 5:31

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall be become one flesh.

(1) Respect for “leaving father and mother.”

Ephesians 5:31 – For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall be become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

(2) Respect for “joining with you.”

Genesis 1:26

Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. (NKJ)

Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let

the wife see that she respects her husband. (NKJV)

Application: The Key to not Getting Locked Out is…

Husband…So Love your Wife!

Wife…Respect your Husband!

Malachi 3:8-11

Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. (KNJV)

How Can I Be Generous?

Generous People Plan

A. Isaiah 32:8

…generous people plan to do what is generous and they stand firm in their generosity. (NLT)

Be Generous With your Treasure

A. 1 Timothy 6:18

Tell them to use their money to do good… an be generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. (NLT)

Be Generous With Your Time & Talents

A. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Teach those who are rich in this world… 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. (NLT)

Why Should I Be Generous?

Generosity Is The Best Investment Policy

A. 1 Timothy 6:19

By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. (NLT)

Generosity Is The Way To Really Live

1 Timothy 6:19

By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good

foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. (NLT)

Studies show- Giving/Acts of kindness release serotonin, feel-good Chemical!

5 acts of kindness, giving- can last for 3 months!

It feels good, you really live!

People Will Thank You In Heaven

2 Corinthians 9:11

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

What Is The Tithe?

Malachi 3:8-11
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in
your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty.(NKJV)

The Percentage -10%

The Order- The First born, First fruits!

Why Should I Tithe?

JESUS SAYS YOU SHOULD

Luke 11:42
“What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. (NLT)

YOU SHOW GOD HONOR!

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine.(NIV)

Why Does God Want Me To Tithe?

It Teaches Dependence Upon God

It Positions Us To Experience God’s Biggest Blessing

Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

To Bring Protection Over Your Home & Finances

Malachi 3:11
I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty.(NKJV)

It’s The Best Way For Home Improvement

Hagaiah 1:9
You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. (NLT)

Parent’s Prepare The Way First

Luke 1:17
…He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord…(NLT)

IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU!

Parents Teach Repentance First

Luke 1:17
“…He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”(NLT)

Luke 3:8-9
Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham… 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”(NLT)

People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care!

Parents Model Generosity First

Luke 3:10-14
…“What should we do?” 11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” 12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” 14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

Hebrews 6:10-12
For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers… 11 …keep on loving others as long as life lasts… 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.(NLT)

Prayer Refreshes You: Pray In Private

Pray In Your Prayer Place

Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and
pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.(NLT)

Pray With A Routine

Matthew 6:7-9
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other
religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this…(NLT)

Matthew 6:13
Our Father In Heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.(NKJV)

CONNECT RELATIONALLY
EMBRACE HIS NAME
PRAY HIS AGENDA FIRST
KEEP YOUR HEART RIGHT
DEPEND ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING
STAND AGAINST THE ENEMY
WORSHIP WITH CONFIDENCE

1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.(TNIV)

Pray With Your Words

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.(NIV)

PRAY IN ENGLISH
PRAY IN TONGUES

Pray With Your Ears

Isaiah 40:3
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall
mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.(NIV)

READ THE WORD

Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(NKJV)

QUIET YOUR MIND
LISTEN FOR HIS VOICE
JOURNAL

Prayer Refreshes You

Acts 3:20
…times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord…

Pray In A Row

Acts 1:12-14
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet,
which is near Jerusalem… 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room…. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication…with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.(NKJV)

Acts 2:1-4
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting… 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…(NKJV)

Acts 1:8
…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (NIV)

Prayer Should Be Loud

James 5:16
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.(NKJV)

Prayer is meant to be heard!

Prayer Should Be United

Acts 1:14
These all continued with one accord in prayer…

Prayer Should Be Physical

Lifting Hand In Prayer:

1 Timothy 2:8
I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy
hands…(NLT)

Laying On Of Hands In Prayer:

James 5:13-14
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray… 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.(NLT)

Kneeling In Prayer:

Psalm 95:5
Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.(NLT)

Joining Hands In Prayer:

Matthew 18:19-20
“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among
them.”(NLT)

Christmas Brings Confirmation Down To Earth

Why did she immediately go to see Elizabeth?

Why did the Angel tell her about Elizabeth?

Luke 1:36-37
What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.”(NLT)

Proverbs 15:22
Without counsel, plan go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are
established. (NIV)

Luke 1:41-45
At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the
Lord would do what he said.” (NLT)

Circumstances Bring Confirmation

Spiritual Experiences Bring Confirmation

Luke 1:41
At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.(NLT)

Prophetic Words Bring Confirmation

Luke 1:42-43
Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?

Christmas Brings Direction Down To Earth

“you are to name him Jesus, for he was save his people…

Circumstance Surrounding The Birth

Describe The Child

Declaration Of Faith

Declares The Essence/Character/Identity Of The Named! ….

Psalm 127:4
Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.(NLT)

Proverbs 22:6
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.(NLT)

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us to enter him into the Covenant of Abraham our Father

Luke 2:4-6
And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. (NLT)

Christmas Brings Protection Down To Earth

In order to protect others, you must be with others.
L.O.V.E
T.I.M.E

Christmas Brings Righteousness Down To Earth

Matthew 1:19
Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.(NLT)

“mohar”
“mattan”
“ketubah”

RIGHTEOUSNESS SACRIFICES FOR OTHERS!

Christmas Brings God’s Mission Down To Earth

Matthew 1:20-21
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”(NLT)

Christmas Brings Obedience Down To Earth

Matthew 1:24
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

The immediacy of the response is of the utmost importance!

Show Up To Church

John 5:1-4
Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy
days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.(NLT)

4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was make well of whatever
disease he had.(NKJV)

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.(NIV)

James 5:16
…confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that
you may be healed.(NIV)

Show Up With Your Matt

John 5:5-10
One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”(NLT)

MAT- Comfort- “Would you like to get well?”

Before you can change, you must decide that you want to change!

MAT- Excuses- “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said.

MAT- Fragrance- “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

Show Up Hungry

Luke 9:11
But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.(NLT)

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they
will be filled.(NIV)

Psalm 37:25
I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. (NIV)

Show Up Willing

Mark 6:35-41
Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. 36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.” 37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” 38 “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.”

Mark 6:38-40
…They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.” 39 Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred (NLT)

Show Up Sharing

Mark 6:41-45
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward
heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. 42 They all ate as much as they wanted, 43 and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. 44 A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed.(NLT)

HE WANTED THEM TO SEE THEIR LACK, SO THAT THEY COULD
EXPERIENCE HIS PLENTY!

God can’t bless what hasn’t been given. God can multiply what hasn’t
been blessed.

GOD WILL ALWAYS PROVIDE ENOUGH FOR YOU TO FEED and
FOR YOUR NEED!

Show Up With Your Questions

Nehemiah 1:1-3
In late autumn,…I was at the fortress of Susa. 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem
has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION FOR GOD TO USE YOU!

Show Up With Your Prayers

Nehemiah 1:4-11
When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. 5 Then I said,… 6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel…. 8 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses… 11 O Lord, please hear my prayer… Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” (NLT)

Show Up With Your Message

Nehemiah 2:1-4
Early the following spring,…I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. 2 So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, 5 I replied, “If it
please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” (NLT)

Show Up With Your Giving

Nehemiah 2:7-8
…I also said to the king.. 8 please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me. (NLT)

Worship Is A Weapon

2 Chronicles 20 21-24

…the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor…. 22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves… 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.(NLT)

Joshua 6:20

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.

Isaiah 30:32

Every stroke the LORD lays on them with his punishing club will be to the music of timbrels and harps, as he fights them in battle with the blows of his arm.(NIV)

Worship Builds A Wall

Psalm 8:1-2

Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. 2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.(NIV)

2 Corinthians 10:3-4

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… (NLT)

Job 1:9 Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does.(NLT)

Psalm 18:2

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.(NLT)

A Window Makes A Difference

Acts 16:24
So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.(NLT)

I may not be able to change my location but I can change my perspective

Worship Opens A Window

Acts 16:26-29
Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.(NLT)

Ps. 73:16-17
When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for
me— 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.(NKJV)

Windows Open Up Access

Acts 16:30-34
Then he brought them… 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

It’s A Party

John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (NKJV)

Everyone’s Invited

Matthew 22:3-6
When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who
were invited. But they all refused to come! 4 “So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ 5 But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. (NLT)

Matthew 22:8-14
And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the
guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor 9 Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ ’ 10 So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding.
12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. 13 Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”(NLT)

Bring Somebody To The Party

Matthew 22:8-9
And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the
guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. 9 Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’(NLT)

A Kingdom Of Workers

Matthew 20:1

“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard…. God is looking for people to use their talents for his kingdom!

Luke 10:1-2

The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead

in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. (NLT)

God always rewards workers in his Kingdom

Matthew 20:8

“That evening he told the foreman…pay them, beginning with the last

workers first… (NLT)

A Kingdom Without Jealousy

Mt. 20:15 …Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’

James 3:13-16 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life… 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of

every kind. (NLT)

Rom. 12:15-16 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. (NLT)

A Kingdom Of Opposites

Matthew 20:16

“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” raised from the dead.” (NLT)

Ephesians 5:25

If we living in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (KJV)

Matthew 8:23-24

Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.

Matthew 8:25-26

Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”

Matthew 8:26-27

Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the seas obey Him?”

DEVELOP A NEW WAY OF SEEING!

God allows adversity to make us better!

Psalm 20:7

“Some trust in chariots (what they build), some trust in horses (what they control), but we trust in the name of our Lord God.”

DEVELOP A NEW WAY OF THINKING!

Matthew 14:22-23

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came…

Matthew 14:23-25

…He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.

Matthew 14:26-27

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Matthew 14:28-29

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

You can’t walk in a new spiritual dimension and still have the old way of thinking!

The beginning place for a new way of thinking is to begin thinking a new way!

Matthew 14:30

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

Matthew 14:31-32

And immediately Jesus stretched out His and and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

How do you overcome fear? With Love!

How do you overcome doubt? With Trust!

DEVELOP A NEW WAY OF TRUSTING!

How many times do we miss out on a  NEW SPIRITUAL DIMENSION because we start looking for problems we can’t see?

If you can see it, you can be it!

Expect To Do Your Part

Genesis 22:6
So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s
shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife.(NLT)

Luke 16:10-11
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones… 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? (NLT)

Do your best and God will do the rest!

Expect There Will Be Teaching Moments

Genesis 22:6-8
…As the two of them walked on together, 7 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” 8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together…

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.(NLT)

Expectation Comes Through Relationship

Genesis 22:8-10
“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,”
Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. 9 When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice.(NLT)

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.(NIV)

When you know Him, you can trust Him.

Roman 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God.(KJV)

Expect That God Will Provide

Genesis 22:10-14
And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. 11 At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” 12 “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” 13 Then Abraham looked up and
saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the LORD will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

…To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided

John 8:55-56
…you don’t even know him. I know him… 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”(NLT)

Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed

God wants you to…

Expect To Leave Some Behind

Genesis 22:5-6

“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” (NLT)

Genesis 12:1

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your

relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.(NLT)

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he mediates day and night. 2 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth it’s fruit in it’s season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and what ever he does shall proper. (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 15:33

…for “bad company corrupts good character.” (NLT)

Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future

Expect That Worship Requires A Sacrifice

Genesis 22:5-6

“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there…

Hebrews 13:15

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.(NLT)

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.

Expect God Can Get Outside The Box

Genesis 22:5

…Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther.

We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

Hebrews 11:17-19

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again…(NLT)

Expect There Will Be Some Tests

Genesis 22:1-3
Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God
called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” 2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” (NLT)

Genesis 22:2
“Take your son, your only son-yes, Isaac, whom you love so much…

THIS IS THE FATHER TEST!

Genesis 22:16-18
…Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that 17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants…Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. 18 And…all the nations of the earth will be blessed…”(NLT)

God is not testing you to torture you. God is testing you to teach you.

Expect Limited Communication During The Test

Genesis 22:2-3
…Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you. 3 ”The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. (NLT)

The Teacher Never Talks During The Test!

THIS WAS A TRUST TEST!

Faith does not demand an explanation. Faith rests in the promise!

Expect It Will Take Some Time

Genesis 22:4
On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw
the place in the distance.

THIS WAS A TIMED TEST

It takes time to be excellent!

Genesis 22:5
“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”(NLT)

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.(NKJV)

Model Hope

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18
… For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life
again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died… 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout…First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.(NLT)

CHRIST’S RETURN
RESURRECTION
RAPTURE
REUNION

Model Readiness

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6
For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night… 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded… (NLT)

HONOR LEADERSHIP

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work… 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.(NLT)

VALUE OTHERS

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
…we urge you to warn those who are lazy, encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each
other… (NLT)

KEEP THE RIGHT ATTITUTDE

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (NLT)

HONOR GOD’S GIFTS

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test
everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.(NLT)

Model Purity

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Finally,… we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— 5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways… 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. 8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God….(NLT)

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the
Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. (NLT)

1 Corinthains 6:18-21
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. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit…You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God
bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.(NLT)
Model Hard Work

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another… 11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

Proverbs 22:13
The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I
might be killed.”(NLT)

Organized people are just too lazy to look for things!

“Why make your bed when you are just going to get in again.”

The father away the remote is, the more you like what is already on TV.

When you get excited about cancelled plans.

When you drop an ice cube you just kick it under the fridge.

Lazy People Fact #347598621908

You were too lazy to read that number

GOD VALUES HARD WORD!

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
…stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us…. 14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.(NLT)

1 Thessalonians 4:1
…Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business…

2 Thessalonians 3:11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business… 1 Tim. 5:13 And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t.(NLT)

GOD BLESSES HARD WORK

Proverbs 13:4
Lazy People want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.(NLT)

1 Thessalonians 4:12
Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live.

Hebrews 2:1
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

If we don’t align ourselves properly, we will drift away.

Ephesians 5:15-16
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Intentionality is the opposite of drift.

Philippians 3:13
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, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

People don’t drift from God because of bad intentions, it’s because of no intentions.

Hebrews 6:19
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

•Church
•Bible,
•Prayer,
•Worship,
•Giving
•Serving
•Circles

THESE BUILD UPON EACH OTHER

God Made You!
God Is For You!
God Is Always With You!
God Will Always Love You!
God Made Your For A Reason!

Ephesians 2:10
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.(NLT)
You Were Built Intentionally

Psalm 139:14
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your
workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.(NLT)

Romans 9:20
No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”

You were born an original, don’t die a photocopy

Your value is not based by what you’ve accomplished, Your value is based by who created you!

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw
the light of day, I had holy plans for you…(Message)

You Were Built With Purpose

Ephesians 2:10
….He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.(NLT)

Jeremiah 18:3-4
So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. 4 But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. (NLT)

John 10:10
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.(NLT)

Ephesians 1:18-19
…the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe…(NKJV)

Model Encouragement

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you”

Proverbs 10:21
The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.(NLT)

Model Strength

1 Thessalonians 3:2-5
…We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, 3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. 4 Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. 5 That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.

John 16:33
“… Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”(NLT)

1 Thessalonians 3:6-9
But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. 7 So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. 8 It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence.

Model Leadership With Courage

1 Thessalonians 2:2,4
You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition… 4 For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people.

“When You Become a People Pleaser You Will Struggle To Be A God Pleaser”

Ephesians 4:15
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Model Leadership With Pure Motivation

1 Thessalonians 2:3-6
So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery. 4 …He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! 6 As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.

Authentic Christianity is a product of Authentic Leadership

Model Leadership With Transparency

1 Thessalonians 2:8-10
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. 9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you. 10 You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God—that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers.

Model Leadership By Parenting

1 Thessalonians 2:7,11-12
As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children… 11 And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. 12 We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy….

Parents Feed

Parents Shape

Parents Teach

Parents Keep Watch

1 Thessalonians 2:13
Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us…

Parents Brag

1 Thessalonians 2:19
After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20 Yes, you are our pride and joy. (NLT)

1 Thessalonians 1:3
As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have…(NLT)

Model Acceptance

1 Thessalonians 1:5-6
For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true… 6 So you received the message…(NLT)

Model Joy

1 Thessalonians 1:6
So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you.

Model Hospitality

1 Thessalonians 1:8-9
…for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us…(NLT)

Model Repentance

1 Thessalonians 1:9
…for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.

Model Readiness

1 Thessalonians 1:10
And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven…(NLT)

GOD LESSON #1: Run toward God!

 Commitment alone won’t keep you; commitment to God

will keep you.

GOD LESSON #2: Ignore the Critics!

 Let’s change the title of our message from “Sinners in the

Hands of an Angry God” to “Sinners in the Hands of a

Loving God.”

GOD LESSON #3: Love the Unlovely!

 Godly love is not withheld because of an elbow to the ribs.

GOD LESSON #4: Forgive the Unlovely!

 Forgiveness flows out of authentic “Oh my God”

moments!

OUR RESPONSE:

 Run toward God

 Ignore the Critics

 Love the Unlovely

 Forgive the Unlovely

1. Christ-Followers should be the most non-judgmental people in the world.

Matthew 7:1
Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

2. Christ-Followers should be OUT THERE, not just IN HERE.

The Gospels recorded 132 contacts Jesus had with people
6 were in the Temple.
4 were in Synagogues.
122 were with people in their daily walks of life- homes, marketplaces, mountains, lakes, roads, etc.

Don’t invite people to church- invite yourself to leave the church and be with people.

Isaiah 53:2
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

Galatians 2:11-14
11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

ὀρθοποδέω orthopodeō
to walk in a straight course
metaph. to act uprightly

3. Christ-Followers should be known by their love for others.

Colossians 3:14- Above all else- clothe yourselves in love.

Forward Presence

Acts 2:1,4
On the day of Pentecost…. 4 …everyone present was filled with the

Holy Spirit…

John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.(NLT)

Forward Perspective

John 16:13
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.(NLT)

Acts 2:14-41
Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, … 16 …what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people…(NLT)

Forward Power

Acts 1:8
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.”(NLT)

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through.(NKJV)

Acts 1:8
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.”(NLT)

Discouragement Can Deform Our Character

Genesis 16:4-6
…when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt… 6 Abram replied, “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away. 7 The angel of the LORD found Hagar …in the wilderness, along the road to Shur… 9 The angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.” 10 Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.”

God will use what drives you away to drive you towards His purpose

The path to God’s blessing is through the door of submission.

The path to God’s blessing is through the door of submission.

Romans 5:3-5
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us…(NLT)

Discouragement Can Diminish Our Compassion

Genesis 21:16-18
Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. “I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears. 17 But …the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Go to him and comfort him…(NLT)

1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous… that you may inherit a blessing.(NKJV)

Discouragement Can Distort Our Vision

A. …and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba…

B. …Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water…

C. …Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness….(NLT)

Forward Progress

… 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. (NLT)

Change is inevitable, Progress is a choice

Forward Effort

Phil. 3:12

…I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me…. (NLT)

VIDEO- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwaxrgb0iOg

1 Tim. 4:14-15

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received… 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.

Forward Vision

Phil. 3:13-14

…but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…and receive the heavenly prize for which God…is calling us.

EFFORT PLUS DIRECTION = PROGRESS

Phil. 3:13-14

…I focus on this one thing:… looking forward to …receive the heavenly prize for which God…is calling us.(NLT)

You can’t move forward if you don’t know which way is forward!

Prov. 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish…(KJV)

God See’s Every Moment

1 Samuel 1:19

…Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the LORD remembered her plea…(NLT)

God See’s Every Movement

1 Samuel 1:7-9

year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle… 9 Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray.(NLT)

James 4:8

Come close to God, and God will come close to you.(NLT)

Be Faithful In The Heat Of The Moment

1 Samuel 1:15-20

“Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD. 16 Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” 17 “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him… 20 and in due time she gave birth to a son.

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.(NIV)

Ephesians 6:2-3

“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”(NLT)

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