Impact Christian Church

“An intelligent person aimsat wise actions, but a foolstarts off in manydirections.”Prov. 17:24

1. Assume Responsibility for My Life

“Each person must be responsible for himself.” Gal 6:5

2. Believe with God’s Help I Can Change

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13

CLARIFY WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND

WHAT ISN’T

3. Clarify what Is and Isn’t Important

“We can choose the sounds we want to listen to; we can choose the taste want in food, and we should choose to follow what is right. But first of all we must define…what is good.” Job 34:3-4

“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial.” 1 Cor. 10:23

DON’T WAIT TO BEGIN!

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” Eccl. 11:4

4 QUESTIONS THAT CAN BRING GROWTH

Wisdom: What do I want to learn?

Physical: What will improve my health?

Spiritual: What will deepen myrelationship to God?

Social: What will be my ministry toothers?

“Jesus grew in wisdomand in stature, and in favorwith God and favor withmen.”

Luke 2:52

“Your strength mustcome from the Lord’smighty power withinyou.”

Eph. 6:10

“When Christ died, He died todefeat the power of sin…[Now] see yourselves as beingdead to the power of sin andalive with God…”

Rom. 6:10-11

New Year’s Notes

God is taking me through a process. I am notcomplete until I reach Glory.

All other people in my life are also goingthrough God’s process.

I cannot expect out of others what I’m capableof doing only at Glory.

The post Aiming for Growth in Me: The Process appeared first on Impact Christian Church.

December 18th, 2022

Angels:

“You’ll find the baby… lying in amanger.”

Shepherds:

“Let’s go and see!”

Luke 2:12+25

“Wise men came from the eastasking, `Where is the baby…?We have come to worshipHIM.”

Mattthew 2:1-2

“Seek and YOUwill find”

Matthew 7:7

1.BECAUSE OF BABY JESUS WE CAN RECEIVE FORGIVENESS

“Today your Savior was born… He is Christ, the Lord!” Luke 2:11

“… All who believe in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins through his name.” Acts 10:43

2.BECAUSE OF BABY JESUS WE CAN HAVE PEACE OF MIND

“Those who love your teachings will find true peace…” Ps. 119:165

(Jesus) “Learn from me… you will find rest for your lives.” Matt. 11:29

3.BECAUSE OF BABY JESUS WE CAN FIND ETERNAL LIFE

“God makes us ready for heaven… when we put our faith in Christ to save us… The one who finds life sill find it through trusting God.” Rom. 1:17

“Christ, God’s Son, has come to help us understand and find the true God.” 1 John 5:20

“You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13

The post Surprised by a Baby appeared first on Impact Christian Church.

December 11th, 2022

“Always be joyful.”

I Thessalonians 5:16

3 Ways To Live Out The Surprise

1. Listen and respond to the good news.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all he people.”” Luke 2:10

“I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is God’s powerful method of bringing all who believe it to heaven … now everyone is invited to come to God in this same way.” Romans 1:16

“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2-3\

“You even had joy when all that you owned was taken from you, because you knew you had something better and more lasting.”Hebrews 10:34

2. Do What God Says:

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’” Luke 2:15

“The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life.” Psalm 19:8

“Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right.” Psalm 97:11

3. Spread the Joy

“When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child…” Luke 2:17

“With joy they should tell what He has done.” Psalm 107:22

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:5

“Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.” Philippians 4:4

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November 27th, 2022

“But in your hearts honor Christ theLord as holy, always being preparedto make a defense to anyone whoasks you for a reason for the hopethat is in you; yet do it withgentleness and respect”I Peter 3:15

4 Truths To Sharing What You Have

Our hope has to be laser focused

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. “Peter 3:15

What we share: Hope is an optimistic outlook based on powerful promises.

Our hope is to share

Vs15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Our hope is to be naturally shared

vs15 “But do this with gentleness and respect keeping a clear conscious

Our hope is steeped in God-Confidence

“in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits inprison, because they formerly did not obey, whenGod’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while theark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eightpersons, were brought safely through water.” 1 Peter 3:19

120 years of sharing from Noah’s Zooproduced (0) converts

If Noah had God with him, so do we.

If Noah didn’t have to produce results, neither do we. Fixate on this: it’s my job to speak, it’s God’s job to save

If Noah can handle the insults and the persecution, so can we.

This Christmas Someone is reaching for you, are you noticing?

The post Sharing Your Hope Should Come as No Surprise appeared first on Impact Christian Church.

Developing Trust in any relationship 

The person you’re going to trust must tell you the truth.The person must be fair, they must do what’s right, just.The person must be reliable and  dependable if you’re going to develop a relationship of trust

“For the word of the Lord is right and true. He is faithful in all He does” Psalm 33:4

3 things God can’t do

God cannot do wrong. God cannot lie. God cannot break a promise

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”Joshua 21:45

“The Lord is faithful to all his promises.”Psalm 145:13

5 ways to trust God

TRUST HIM TO FORGIVE YOU“If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find him reliable and just.  He forgives us and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.” I John 1:9TRUST HIM TO GUIDE YOU“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Never rely on what you think you know.  Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” Proverbs 3:5-6TRUST GOD TO SETTLE YOUR SCORE“Dear friends, never avenge yourselves.  Leave that to God, for he has said he will repay those who deserve it.” Romans 12:19TRUST GOD TO REWARD MY GIVINGLuke 6:38 “Give and it will be given to you.  For with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.”TRUST GOD TO REMEMBER MY SERVICEHeb. 6:10“God is not unfair; He will not forget all that you have done, nor the loving labor which you have shown for his sake in looking after fellow Christians.” “. “God is not unfair; He will not forget all that you have done, nor the loving labor which you have shown for his sake in looking after fellow Christians.” Hebrews 6:10

One of the marks of a mature Christian, is to trust the faithfulness of God.

Will you trust Him?

The post Experiencing God: You Can Trust Him appeared first on Impact Christian Church.

“Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom.  We adore you as being in control of everything.”I Chronicles 29:11

Sovereignty:

God is in control“GOD IS SO BIG”  What does that mean for me?

1.Because God is big, He is in control of my journeys

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

2. Because God is big, He is in control of my problems

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1: 6-7

God allows. God permits problems. And then He uses them for a greater purpose.  

“This is the reason we never lose heart.  These troubles (which are temporary) are winning for us a permanent, glorious, and solid reward out of proportion to our pain.” 2 Corinthians. 4:16-17

3. Because God is so big, my prayers make an impact

Ephesians 3:20 “God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” 

Question: How big do you think God is?

The post Experiencing God: God is So Big appeared first on Impact Christian Church.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”James 1:17

God is immutable. He does not change.

Take this to the bank:

His love for me never changes“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3So What: I never need to doubt God’s love.2. His Word never changesIsaiah 40:8 “The grass withers and flowers fade, but the Word of our God shall stand forever.”Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will never pass away.” Matthew 5:24 “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”So What? Life stability comes from building my life on God’s unchangeable word3. His purpose for your life will never change.Isaiah 14:24 “The Lord Almighty has sworn, `Surely as I have planned it, so it will be, and as I have purposed so  it will stand.’Psalm 33:11  “His plans endure forever; His purposes last eternally.”God never changes His will, but He does will a change. “I have come that you might have life” John 10:10“Those who trust in the Lord are as steady as Mount Zion, unmoved by any circumstance Psalm 125:1 SO WHAT? Security, stability, confidence come from being anchored in an unchanging God

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“Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17

Omni=“all”   

Potent=“having great power or influence”

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God.” Psalm 19:1-2

Prayer for today’s service:

“I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great His power is to help those who believe Him the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.” Ephesians 1:20

We are pretty short on power in the Church

The power of getting started“I often find that I have the will to do good, but not the power!” Romans 7:18 “For God is at work within you.” Philippians 2:13 The power of keeping on keeping on“I am worn out, O Lord.  Give me strength; I am completely exhausted, and my whole being is deeply troubled. Psalm 6:2-3“The Lord is the everlasting God.  He never grows tired or weary.  He strengthens those who are weak and tired.  Isaiah 40:28-31

JUMP START YOUR SPIRITUAL ENERGY

The power of keeping on keeping on“I am worn out, O Lord.  Give me strength; I am completely exhausted, and my whole being is deeply troubled. Psalm 6:2-3“The Lord is the everlasting God.  He never grows tired or weary.  He strengthens those who are weak and tired.  Isaiah 40:28-312. Let your faith flag loose“Everything is possible for him who believes” Matt. 9:29 “According to your faith it will be done to you.” Mark 9:23Let your words speak of your faith It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,” 2 Cor. 4:13    “God wants you to take action before you feel anything.”  -Jeff “You cannot feel your way into an action but you can act your way into a feeling”- Someone Smart

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“Where can I go from Your spirit?  Where can I flee from Your presence?  If I go up to heaven, You’re there.  If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn and if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide “Psalm 139.  v. 7

What does that do for me today?

When I’m lonely, the bible says, God is my friend.Hebrews 13:5 “God has said, `Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you!’MY RESPONSE: When I’m lonely, God’s presence brings me comfortWhen I’m worried, God is going through it with me.

When I’m worried, God is going through it with me Isaiah 42:2-3 “When you go through deep waters and great troubles, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you won’t drown.  When you walk through the fires of oppression, you won’t be burned . MY RESPONSE when I’m worried I have a God who walks  through my best & worst moments with me.When I’m tempted, God is my way out. 2 Cor. 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.Psalm 139:11 “If I say surely the darkness will hide me and the light of the night becomes night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to You for the night will shine like the day for darkness is as light to You.”   MY RESPONSE: I must give Him more control.  When I’m discouraged, God is my encourager. Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to those who are discouraged.  He saves those who have lost all hope.” Psalm 116:8-11 “The Lord stopped my tears and kept me from defeat.  So I walk in the presence of the Lord.  I kept on believing, even when I said, `I’m completely crushed’ and even when I was afraid and said, `No one can be trusted.'” MY RESPONSE I must be aware and tune into Him.

Practical ways to practice His presence:

Invite Him into your moments.Be quiet and listen.Tell Him everything.Praise Him no matter what.

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“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare to Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:14

 omniscience =GOD knows everything. 

WHAT GOD KNOWS:

God knows all about Himself.God knows all about creation.God knows all about history.

What does God know about me?

GOD KNOWS ALL ABOUT MY FAULTS AND FAILURESPsalm 69:5 “My sins, O God, are not hidden from you; you know how foolish I have been.” Proverbs 5:21 “For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths.” MY RESPONSE: Admit them but don’t be defined by themGOD KNOWS ALL MY FEELINGS AND FRUSTRATIONSPsalm 31:7 “… you God have listened to all my troubles and have seen the crisis in my soul.” MY RESPONSE: If He sees all my hurts, give them to HimGOD KNOWS MY FUTUREPsalm 139:16 “The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book before any of them ever began.”MY RESPONSE:  I should ask for direction dailyGOD KNOWS ALL MY FEARS Matthew 6:8 “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” MY RESPONSE:  I TRULY TRUST HIMGOD KNOWS ALL ABOUT MY FAITHFULNESS Matthew 6:1&4, “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them.  Then your  Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” MY RESPONSE: Don’t’ live in discouragement.

Thought for today:

The most amazing thing in life is, God knows. Nobody knows me like God does.He knows me better than I know myself and yet nobody loves me like God does. 

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