Be Strong and Courageous

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NLT) "Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths"

2 Timothy 3:2-5 (NLT) "For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. they will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!"

Numbers 13:27-28(NLT) "This was their report to Moses: "We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country - a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!"

Numbers 13:30-32 (NLT) "But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. "Let's go at once to take the land," he said. "We can certainly conquer it!" But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. "We can't go up against them! They are stronger than we are!" So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites:"

Joshua 1:1-5 (ESV) "After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you."

Joshua 1:6 (ESV) "Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them." 

1. BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS BECAUSE OF THE PROMISES OF GOD

2. BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS BECAUSE OF THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD

Joshua 1:7-8 (ESV) "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

Romans 8:11 "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you." 

3. BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU

Joshua 1:9 (ESV) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." 

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Dating/Engaged

Sunday, MARCH 5th 2023

Genesis 2:18-23 (NLT) 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.”

Genesis 2:19 God made the animals and the birds of the sky.

Genesis 2:20 But still there was no helper just right for Adam.

Genesis 2:23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone,

soul: invisible, intangible, psychological, and emotional part of our existence

Mark 8:37 (NLT) “Is anything worth more than your soul?”

3 John 1:2 (NIV) Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

soulmate: someone you’re attracted to physically, who shapes you emotionally and is suited for you purposefully

DATE WITH:

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking …

Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) Speak the truth in love ...

Proverbs 24:26 An honest answer is a kiss on the lips.

1 Corinthians 13:7 LOVE: always protects. Always trusts. Always hopes, and always perseveres.

Romans 1:18-32

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: It’s Complicated

Sunday, February 26th 2023

John 13:34-35 “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.”

Matt 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…

Mark 2:1-12

HOW IS TECHNOLOGY CHANGING RELATIONSHIPS?

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT) Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF BEING PRESENT.

Philippians 2:1-5 (NIV) If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

February 19th, 2023

Guest speaker, Dr. Grant Jones, speaks on "Regret" at The Bridge Maryville. 

Find Dr. Jones' PowerPoint here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iH8bmVH5cw6HoQOptLSwSgReJrR1hkbm?usp=sharing

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: MARRIED

Sunday, February 12th 2023

James 1:19-20… Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

GOD’S RULES FOR FIGHTING FAIR

James 1:19…Everyone should be quick to listen…

Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

James 1:19 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…

Proverbs 21:23 (NLT) Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

James 1:19… Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…

Ephesians 4:26-27"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

2 WAY TO PRAY FOR YOUR MARRIAGE

1. GOD CHANG ME

Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me God, and know my heart. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

2. GOD CHANGE THEM

5 NEVERS IN FIGHTING FAIR:

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: SINGLE

Sunday, February 5th 2023

Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT)

4 THINGS GOD GAVE ADAM WHILE HE WAS SINGLE.

Genesis 2:8 (NLT) Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made.

Hebrews 12:1 (TLB) “…Let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.”

Genesis 2:15 (NLT) The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.

Genesis 1:26 (NIV) Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…

1 Samuel 18:5-9 (MSG)

Genesis 2:15-17 (NLT) The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—17 EXCEPT the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

1 Corinthians 10:23 (NLT)

2 Peter 1:3  (NLT)

Genesis 2:18 (NLT) 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.”

JUST SAY IT

(DIY PRAYER)

Sunday, January 29th 2023

Habakkuk 1:1-4 The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. 2 How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. 4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

HABAKKUK’S PROBLEMS WITH GOD

James 1:2-4

Habakkuk 1:5-11 (God’s Response)

Habakkuk 1:12-13  (Habakkuk’s 2nd Prayer)

Habakukk 2:1-3

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (TLB) (God’s Response)

1. LISTEN

Habakkuk 2:1b I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me…

2. WRITE

Habakkuk 2:2 Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.

3. WAIT

Habakkuk 2:3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

James 1:2-4

Habakkuk 3:2

4. REMEMBER

Habakkuk 3:3 God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.

Habakkuk 3:4-6

5. TRUST

Habakkuk 3:16-18 Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.  Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,  yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

PRAYING FOR OTHERS

(DIY PRAYER)

Sunday, January 22nd 2023

Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV)

Colossians 1:9-14 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:3-6

5 THINGS WE PRAY FOR OTHERS:

1. PRAY THAT THEY MAY KNOW GOD’S WILL

3 THINGS WE KNOW ARE GOD’S WILL FOR US:

2. PRAY THAT THEY MAY LIVE A LIFE PLEASING TO GOD.

3. PRAY THAT THEY WILL BEAR GOOD FRUIT

John 15:1 “I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

4. PRAY THAT THEY WILL GROW IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. (vs. 10c)

5. PRAY THAT THEY WILL BE FILLED WITH THE POWER OF GOD. (vs. 11)

Matthew 6:9-13 “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 today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

The Lord’s Prayer can be divided into two parts, each with 3 elements.

The Lord’s Prayer broken down into 7 parts:

1. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

“Our Father in Heaven”

Romans 8:15 We receive the Holy Spirit who makes us children of God, “and by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”

2. WORSHIP TO GOD

“Hallowed by your name.”

To make something “hallow” carries two basic ideas in the Greek.

3. WE SUBMIT TO GOD’S AGENDA

“Your kingdom come, your will be done”

4. PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS

“Give us today our daily bread”

5. DEAL WITH THE SIN IN YOUR LIFE

“Forgive us our debts,”

Romans 5:8 there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

6. PRAY FOR GOD TO HELP YOU FORGIVE OTHERS

“as we also have forgiven our debtors”

Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.”

7. PRAY FOR PROTECTION

“lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

NEW YEAR, FRESH START

(PRAY FIRST)

Sunday, January 8th 2022

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Genesis 1:27,31 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ... 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Matthew 3:16-17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

INCLUDE REST IN YOUR