I AM HUNGRY

I AM HUNGRY TO REACH PEOPLE

 

Romans 12:11-13   Stay excited about your faith as you serve the Lord. 12 When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes.    NIRV

 “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”    1 Corinthians 9:22    New Living

 

We connect outward because:

GOD LOVES PEOPLE.

 

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."   NIV

 

Because people matter to God, people should matter to us.

 

OUR RESPONSE SHOULD BE TO:   PRAY – SERVE – TELL – INVITE – GIVE

 

GOD TRUSTS US TO REACH THEM.

 

Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."   NIV

 

God could choose any way to reach people, but He chooses us.

 

HOW DO WE REACH PEOPLE 

 

1. LET GOD’S LIGHT SHINE THROUGH YOU.

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit."   NIV

 

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."    NIV

 

PEOPLE AREN’T LOOKING FOR YOU TO BE PERFECT, JUST LET GOD’S LIGHT SHINE THROUGH YOU.

 

2. CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE GOD HAS PLACE AROUND YOU.

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."    NIV

 

Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."    NIV

 

BUILD A BRIDGE FROM OUR HEARTS TO THEIRS THAT JESUS CAN WALK ACROSS

 

3. BE BOLD.

Romans 1:16 "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes."     NIV

 

Boldness is seizing the opportunity that God sets before you.   IF YOU HAVE MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP – LEARN FROM IT

 

Ephesians 6:19 "And don't forget to pray for me.  Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time." Message

I AM HUNGRY                                                                      

THINGS THAT WILL STEAL YOUR HUNGER

Romans 12:11-13   Stay excited about your faith as you serve the Lord. 12 When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes.    NIRV

COMPLACENCY

Luke 12:16-21  Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’  20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’  21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”   NLT

PERSECUTION

1 Peter 4:12-14   Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God[a] rests upon you.   NLT

DISTRACTIONS

Matthew 14:24-33  Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong[c] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.   NLT

SIN

James 4:8-10   So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.   Message

I AM HUNGRY!!!                                                                                                  

I am hungry for more of God!!

Romans 12:11-13  Stay excited about your faith as you serve the Lord. 12 When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes.   NIRV

HOW TO GROW YOUR HUNGER FOR GOD!!!

HEARTFELT REPENTANCE  

Romans 2:4  Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?  New Living

2 Corinthians 7:10- 11 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.   New Living

 

COMPLETE SURRENDER     

John 3:30   He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.    New Living

 

Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  NIV

 

BE SET APART

John 15:18-19   If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.    NIV

 

HANG AROUND THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY

Proverbs 12:26   The righteous choose their friends carefully,     but the way of the wicked leads them astray.  NIV

 

HAVE A DESIRE FOR MORE

Psalm 63:1  O God, you are my God;     I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you;     my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land     where there is no water.  New Living

HAPPILY EVER AFTER TAKES A LOT OF WORK                             

Intimacy is God’s Plan

Genesis 2:18-25   Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man[a] to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. 20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.  21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs[b] and closed up the opening. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. 23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone,     and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’”  24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. 25 Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.   New Living

INTIMACY MEANS BEING SPIRITUALLY UNITED.                      

Genesis 2:18  Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.   New Living

Helper - Eezer  knegndow – a helper who is suitable – called along to complete or compliment – opposite – a match.

Exodus 18:4   His second son was named Eliezer,[a] for Moses had said, “The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.”   New Living

PRAY TOGETHER – DO A DEVOTIONAL TOGETHER – GO TO CHURCH TOGETHER – SERVE THE LORD TOGETHER

Matthew 6:21  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.    NIV

INTIMACY MEANS BEING EMOTIONALLY AVAILABLE.              

Genesis 2:25  Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.    New Living

1 Peter 3:8-9  Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.   NIV

INTIMACY MEANS BEING PHYSICALLY CONNECTED.               

Genesis 2:21-23 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs[b] and closed up the opening. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. 23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone,     and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’    New Living

Proverbs 5:18-19  May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.   NIV

HAPPILY EVER AFTER TAKES A LOT OF WORK                                 

Committed To Love

John 13:34-35 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” NIV

Three Steps Towards Commitment

 

1.Make God our first priority. 

 

Matthew 22:36-39  Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.” NIV

2. Keep no records of wrong. 

 

1 Corinthians 13:5   It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. NIV

 

3. Start NOW. 

1 John 3:18   Let us stop just saying we love each other, let us really show it by our actions. NLT

How Do I Start?

When you think something good, say it. 

When you think something special, do it. 

When you want something different, be it.

 

Commitment means staying loyal to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in left you. 

Commitments To Make Today

 

1.I commit to work with you. 

Ephesians 4:2-3   2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. NIV

 

Proverbs 17:17    17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. NIV

 

2. I commit to sacrifice for you. 

 

1 John 3:16   This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. NIV

 

3. I commit to love you unconditionally. 

 

1 John 4:9-11    9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. NLT

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

HAPPILY EVER AFTER TAKES A LOT OF WORK                                 

How to Handle Conflict in Marriage

 

James 1:19-20 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.    New Living

 

 

1.  TUNE IN    James 1:19   Be quick to listen... 

 

Proverbs 25:12   To one who listens, valid criticism     is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.    New Living

 

Learn to listen. You don’t do it automatically; we must train ourselves to listen to what the other person is saying. All of us can learn to be good listeners

 

How We Should Listen 

 

Observe 

Concentrate 

Consider 

Clarify 

God gave us two ears and only one mouth so we would listen twice as much as we speak. 

 

2.  TONE DOWN       James 1:19  Be slow to speak... 

 

Proverbs 21:23   Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.   New Living

 

Proverbs 15:1   A gentle answer deflects anger,  but harsh words make tempers flare.  New Living

 

Two questions to ask:  Should it be said?  Should it be said now?

 

THINGS NOT TO DO                                                               

Never call names.

Never raise your voice.

Never get historical.

Never say never or always.

Never threaten divorce.

 

 3. LIGHTEN UP     James 1:19   Be slow to get angry... 

Ephesians 4:26-27  And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.    New Living

SIGNS THAT YOU AREN’T FIGHTING FAIR

Criticizing

Contempt

Defensiveness

Stonewalling

1 Corinthians 13:4-7  Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  New Living

HAPPILY EVER AFTER TAKES A LOT OF WORK                                  

Contract or Covenant

Contract: We protect our rights and limit our responsibilities. 

Covenant: We give up our rights and pick up our responsibilities. 

RIGHTS WE GIVE UP 

Genesis 2:21-25 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.   NIV

 1. Priority.                                                                                       

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.    NIV

2. Ownership.                                                                                                

1 Corinthians 7:4 The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.     NIV

3. Privacy.                                                                                                

John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.   NIV

RESPONSIBILITIES WE PICK UP 

Ephesians 5:22-33 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church--for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.    NIV

 1. Love unconditionally.                                                                     

Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

2. Honor respectfully.                                                                                 

1 Peter 3:5-6  For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master.    NIV

1 Peter 3:7  Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.   NIV

3. Submit mutually.                                                                              

Ephesians 5:21  Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  NIV

I HAVE FALLEN AND CAN GET UP                                                          Show Me Your Friends

Romans 12:2  Fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.   Message

THE PATH TO RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS

Choose my relationships carefully. 

Proverbs 12:26   The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.    NKJV

Nurture my important relationships. 

1 Peter 4:7-8   The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  NIV

Restore my broken relationships. 

Colossians 3:13   Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.   NIV

Sever any harmful relationships. 

Proverbs 13:20  He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.   NIV

Initiate some meaningful relationships. 

Hebrews 10:25  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.   NIV

DEVELOPING THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS

1. Develop my relationship with my church. 

Ephesians 2:19-20   So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.      New Living

2. Develop my relationship with godly friends.

Acts 2:44    And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.     New Living 

3.  Develop my relationship with a team. 

Ecclesiastes 4:8-9   There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.    NIV

 4. Develop my relationship with God. 

Jeremiah 29:13   If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.    New Living

I’VE FALLEN BUT I CAN GET UP                                                          

DEFINING MOMENT

Joshua 1:1-5    After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.' 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.     New Living 

DON’T DWELL IN THE WILDERNESS OF THE PAST.

Joshua 1:1-2  After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.    New Living

Philippians 3:13   Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,    NIV 

STEP INTO YOUR PROMISED LAND.

Joshua 1:3   I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—   New Living

The land of Victory for all the lost causes.                                          

Joshua 1:5  No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live.                            

The land of Strength for the weary.                                                          

Joshua 1:5   For I will be with you as I was with Moses.                                           

The land of Never Alone for the lost and lonely.                                                                      

Joshua 1:5    I will not fail you or abandon you.   

  GO THROUGH THE RIVER OF SURRENDER.

Joshua 3:14-16   So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. 15 It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river's edge, 16 the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.   New Living 

SEIZE YOUR GOD MOMENT.

Joshua 1:7-9   Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 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. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.   New Living

I HAVE FALLEN BUT CAN GET UP                                                      

WATCH YOUR MOUTH

Ephesians 4:29   Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  NIV

OUR WORDS BRING LIFE OR DEATH.

Proverbs 18:20-21   From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.    NIV

 

OUR WORDS SHOW WHERE OUR HEART IS.

Matthew 12:33-36    "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.   NIV

 

OUR WORDS CAN CHANGE OUR ATTITUDE.

Proverbs 16:24  Kind words are like honey—    sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.   New Living

OUR WORDS FRAME OUR WORLD.

Genesis 1:3    And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.   NIV

Genesis 1:27   So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.     NIV

Hebrews 11:3   By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.      NIV

 

OUR WORDS HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE OUR WORLD.

Romans 4:17   As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed — the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.    NIV

 

OUR WORDS TAKE DOWN MOUNTAINS.

Mark 11:22-23   Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.    NIV