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Complaining
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation…
Philippians 2:14-15

OK.  Everything!  Really?  Everything, without complaining.  Now I've got something to complain about!  How do I do that?

Wlecome to our first lesson on Zip It!  Our new series looking at the power of our words.
 
Did you know that........................................................................
YOUR WORDS REVEAL THE CONDITION OF YOUR HEART.

…For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 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. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."  Matthew 12:34-37

So our words directly tell everyone the condition of our heart.  I'm talking about what's on the inside of you.  Do you find yourself complaining about everything around you all the time?  That's a heart condition.  Do you argue with everyone around you?  Your parents, teachers, youth pastors....?  It's a heart condition.  Complaining!!  Yuck!

There was a woman that walked into the grocery store to get a head of lettuce but she only wanted half of it because she lived alone and would never finish the whole thing by herself before it went bad.  So she asked the clerk, "Can I buy just one half?"  The clerk argued, "No."  But after a minute he went to the back and began to cut the head of lettuce in half.  One of the co-workers asked, "What in the world are you doing?"  He responded, "Some old hag out there wants us to cut this in half just to save a buck!"  Then he noticed her standing there listening behind them and he said, "..and this nice lady want's to buy the other half."

We complain so much about the little things, like trimming off some lettuce.  God wants us to speak words of life.  Our tongue is a powerful tool.

·        From a negative heart overflows negative words which generally become negative actions resulting in a miserable life.

Have you ever seen a happy complaining person?  They always seem down or irritated.  They act out their hearts!

If I always complained to my wife, she would hate me.  One day you will be married guys.  This verse is for you! 
 
It is better to live alone in the desert than with a crabby, complaining wife.
Proverbs 21:19 NLT

....and friom the book of Shawn, for the ladies......."It is better to live with an ice pick in your eye than with a manipulative, controlling jerk!

Ladies if he complains that he is not getting enough of this and that or that you are'nt skinny enough or giving enough.  If all he talks about is you changing, then he is right.  Change guys!  He is not the one for you!  (Whole other thing, let's move on) 

If you are constantly complaining, ask yourself, “What is in my heart?”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
SAME EVENT, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
 

·        The Same Old Manna: Num 11:1-6  The people of Israel are complaining about the food God provides for them, but Moses says, "In Egypt, you were a slave but God provided a way out and now you are free.  Stop comlaining!"-Same event, different perspective.

·        The Expensive Perfume: Matt 26:8-10  Mary annoints Jesus with this expensive perfume that was worth a lot of money.  One years salary for some!  Judas gets irritated and complains that she could have used it for better purposes.  But Jesus says, "What she is doing is beautiful and true.  You should not put riches and things in a higher place than worshipping me!  Stop complaining!  Zip it!-Same event, different perspective.

·        The Overwhelmed Host: Luke 10:38-42 Mary is Ms. Busy body and is trying to make everything perfect at the house while Jesus visits and her friend is just sitting there at Jesus' feet.  She complains, "She's being lazy, tell her to help me here!"  Jesus says, "What she is doing is most important.  Don't be too busy to spend time with me.  Make time for our relationship.  I don't care about how orderly your life is.  I'm giving you my life the least you could do is spend some time."  Zip it!  Stop complaining!-Same event, different perspective.
  
·        The Worshiping Prisoners: Acts 16:25-34  Paul and Silas get thrown into prison for proclaiming Jesus as King!  All the other prisoners are complaining and blaming others.  Paul and Silas began to praise God and sing in the midst of their trial.  God Saves them.  Same event, different perspective. 
 
We need to make some positive promises to God on how we can stop complaining.  Here they are.
 
POSITIVE PROMISES
 
1)      I WILL NOT HANG OUT WITH NEGATIVE PEOPLE.
…"Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Corinthians 15:33

When I got saved I had to stop hanging out with all my negative friends.  What would happen is, you know, you get into a conversation about someone else.  They start to complain and critique that person behind their backs.  Pretty soon you find yourself like, "That's right, she is stupid, or fat, or irritating, or this...or that!  Look Zip It!  Stop being negative.  Lost the negative friends.  Be a leader with your tongue. 

2)      I WILL SPEAK WORDS OF LIFE.
The tongue has the power of life and death. Proverbs 18:21
 
If I came home and ripped my wife apart for how dirty the house was and complained all the time, why would she become a great wife.  But if I spent my words encouraging her, building her up and complementing her strengths, why would she not.  She is amazing!  The way she gave birth to Allie, I would have been crying in the corner sucking my thumb.  What a strong woman she is.  She loves so unconditionally.  She is so beautiful to me.  Encouragement!  Words of life!

Even in our own lives we should be careful.  If you contstantly say things like, "I hate school!", "My parents just don't understand me!", "I can't!"  Then you never will see a blessing from those things.  Speak words of life into your life!  Say, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  "I know my parents sometimes give me a hard time, but it's because they love me and I am so lucky to have parents." 
 
3)      I WILL BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE.
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

One of the biggest issues people have as Christians is the question, "What is God's will for my life?"  Well, say it loud and say it proud with me.  Are you ready?  Wait for it?  Wait for it?...................................
God's will is for us to be thankful in all circumstances!

Wow!  How amazing is that.  So why don't we constantly be thankful?  Of course it's hard, but faith says otherwise.

I am thankful for my daughter, my wife, my church, my Jesus!  God has blessed me if anything with the breath of life.  His impact on my life is eternal!  Why complain?
 
As you meditate on this word consider the following:
Life Group Discussion Questions:
 
1)      What do your words reveal about your heart?
 
2)      What positive promise do you need to make and keep?
 
Be blessed!

Pastor Shawn]]> 2009-02-18T00:00:00-05:00 HOSTAGE http://www.notw.biz/n/hostage.html http://www.notw.biz/n/hostage.html
Being held hostage by BITTERNESS!
Bitterness!

You know what?  We used to be best friends until she said what she said.  I mean, I can't believe she did that to me.  How could she.  Just look at her thinking she knows it all!  How dare she act like nothing ever happened.  I mean, it's been three years and she has never once apologized for doing that!................

Maybe you can relate to some of that line of thought.  It could be a number of situations we get involved with everyday between us and others, us and the world and us and ourselves.  Bitterness can come in out of some type of loss in our lives and take root!  We lose a friend and hate the other person, we lose a good grade and have resentment towards a teacher or we lose time for ourselves because we are grounded by our parents and hold a grudge.  Whatever it is caused from, bitterness is a nasty mental sin that holds us HOSTAGE and grows within taking hold of our lives. Even towards those who have hurt us extremely in situations like abuse or addiction or violence, we can hold on to bitterness and resentment and it becomes a poison that touches not just us but also those around us.

Have you ever tasted something BITTER like sour patch kids or warheads candy and your face does that shriveled look like your lips want to squeaze up inside your mouth?  You know what I'm talking about.  That bitter taste.  Well, that's how we look to others when we hold on to bitterness in our lives. 

Hebrews 12: 14-15 says, "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord.  See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

My yard gets these weeds.  They keep coming up in my yard over and over even after I trim them down.  I have learned the probelm is that because these weeds have taken root, they tend to hold on and keep growing in the dirt.  I have to pull them up by the roots to kill them.  Killing the root system keeps the weed from coming back.  Well, bitterness too has a dangerous root that seems to take hold of us in hurtful situations with others.  As Christians and DISCIPLES of Christ we have to learn how to pull Bitterness up by the roots and kill the whole weed. 

"See to it that...no bitter root grows up..." Heb 12:15

Maybe you have seen a driveway at someones house that has been cracked underneath.  What happens is the roots from th trees in their yard can sometimes grow out of the ground too much and fracture the cement.  It can even cause the foundation of the house to crack in some cases.  We must be careful to build our foundation on forgiveness.  Christ's forgiveness!  Upon this foundation, bitter roots can cause no damage. 

Bitterness also produces a POISONOUS FRUIT!  In the NLT of Heb 12:15, it says..."whenever (the bitter root) springs up, many are corrupted by it's POISON!"  Have you ever noticed, maybe youhave a teacher who just seems bitter towards kids and it changes the atmosphere around you and the class.  Maybe they have been hurt by a student before and just never let it go.  But their bitter attitude makes them a hard teacher to work with.  Or maybe it is turned around.  You hate teachers because one of them along the way gave you a hard time or a bad grade or a refferal and you just choose to rebel against any teacher you come in contact with now.  The teachers all talk about you as the bad kid now because you never let it go!  That's how the poison of bitterness can bear fruit.  Now you get everyone around you with that pucker face eating the bitter candy!

So I want to look at 5 traits of Bitter People!

1.  Bitter people tend to Justify their bitterness!  They are the victim and have been wronged.  "I deserve my revenge!"  "I have every right to feel this way."  "After what they did to me!"
2.  Bitter people tend to become overly critical!  "Who does she think she is trying to tell me what to do?"  "Men are just so stupid!" 
3.  Bitter people tend to secretly celebrate misfortune!  "Ha, that's just God eve-ning out the score."  "He got what he deserved!"
4.  Bitter people tend to write-off entire groups o people! "All men are jerks!"  "All women are just crazy!"  "Parents just don't understand."  
5.  Bitter people struggle to see bitterness in the mirror!  Not me.  But so and so should be listening to this!

So the question is asked-With whom or at what are you bitter? 
Think for a moment.  Who do you have issue with for a while now or maybe you can see it sprouting up recently?  God-open our eyes to see.  Maybe you are bitter even with yourself.  "I should have done better!"  "How could I do that!"

Wel, hopefully we can identify the perpetrator trying to hold us hostage!  So how do we kill the root of bitterness and pull all the roots!  It's simple o say but hard to do-FORGIVENESS!!!!

-KILL BITTERNESS WITH FORGIVENESS!
Eph 4:31-32, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other , just as in Christ forgave you.

Now I know some of us have been so hurt before.  How can we forgive someone who hurt us with something like, abuse, addiction, lies, being wrongly accused, betrayed.  Worse, how can we forgive someone who hurt a loved one.  Maybe you're thinking, "I don't want to forgive!"  Ask yourself....What did that person do to me?  Picture it in your mind.  Now ask yourself, what have I ever done against God?  Make that long list.  Now, What has God forgiven you for?  Forgive others, according to how God forgave you.  The bible says that LOVE holds no records of wrongs. 

Matt 6:14-15 ays this, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."  It's that serious.

At whom or what are you bitter towards?

Prayer-God, I admit that I've allowed a root of bitterness to grow against_________.  Please forgive me of this sin.  By your power, give me a heart of compassion and forgiveness toward this person.  I pray you would restore my wounded relationship(s).  In Jesus' name, Amen.


]]> 2009-04-08T00:00:00-05:00 30 Days To Live http://www.notw.biz/n/30_days_to_live.html http://www.notw.biz/n/30_days_to_live.html Living In the Moment! Recently a young girl at Countryside High School tragically passed.  The student body was affected.  The family was affected.  Our church was affected.  Life that was there is now gone.  How can we understand death at such a young age? 

My senior year of high school was back in 1992. (yes, I am that old)  It was kind of a weird year that year.  We had 12 students die that year.  Twelve.  Some were accidents and some were from violence or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Some were drug related or alcohol related.  Life within the student body though would change.  Life all of a sudden was faced with death.  For the first time we came to understand how brief life on earth really can be.    

Psalm 39: 4-5  says,
"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath."

If God is reminding us how brief our moments on earth are, what are you spending your moments doing? 

I thought about the recent event and looked for clarity in the word of God.  The question came to mind, What if I found out I had only 30 Days to Live?  What would become important?  What would become unimportant?  How would I act towards my family, my friends and my aquantances?  How would the fact of knowing my moments in this life were fleeing away and that my human existence is but a few breaths away from leaving this earth change me?  

I want to give you three points on how we should live in the moment!

1.  Turn your When into Now!
So many of us wish life away saying things like, "When I have money, then I'll be happy" or "When I have the boyfriend/girlfriend like others do, then I'll be satisfied" or "When they apologize, then I'll forgive them" or "When I find the perfect church, then I'll really get involved", "When I graduate, then I'll have time to go to church."  When this happens, then....................."when, then"...................................................................................

The problem is our then's rarely come along!

Psalm 118:24 says,
"This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

What about now?  Where does God have you now?  What church, family, school, job, situation are you in now?  Live in the moment.  Rejoice in this day.  Turn your When into Now!  Life is fleeing away.

Prov 27:1 says, 
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Prov 27:1

Tomorrow is not guaranteed.  Live for this moment.  For such a time as this.  This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us be glad and rejoice in it!

The second point is:
2.  Turn your Intentions into Actions!

James 4:17 says,
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. James 4:17

So many people have the best intentions of living this life.  They talk a big talk but never get around to the abundance of life given to us by God.  Christians are the worst sometimes.  We intend to do so much for God but fall so short of acting out our faith.  Like James says, if we know better but our actions speak differently, then we sin.  Sin!  By not acting out what we know we should do.  

The bible says, Obedience is better than sacrifice.  What intentions do you have that God has been trying to get you to turn into actions?  What has he been spaking to you about?  Are you listening?

Proverbs 3:27 says,
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor," Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" — when you now have it with you. Proverbs 3:27

God has blessed us with an abundant life through Jesus Christ.  Who has he told you to share that with that you have never witnessed too?  Maybe you intended to pray more for that friend who is struggling and an unbeliever, but you kind of put it on the back burner because you just have too much to do.  What are you doing with the blessings God has given you?  Are you using your gifts or intending too?

The #1 worst thing we can do is miss out on an active life with the creator of the universe because we are all inention and no action.  Be a disciple not a so called "Christian" that talks the talk but never walks the walk.  Become a man or woman of action.  Turn your intentions into actions!  
 
Thirdly,
3.  Turn your whole heart towards Jesus!

He wants it all.

When you go get a flu shot at the doctor each year, he gives you a little bit of the flu.  Why?  So you can built up a tolerance to the flu itself.  You become resistant to the flu?  What happens as Christians sometimes is we get a little bit of Christ but resist the hard parts.  We choose to read what we believe instead of believing what we read.  We try to form God into what we want instead of giving him our whol heart and becoming what he made us to be.  We seek our selfish desires first instead of the kingdom first.

In Mark chapter 12, Jesus is speaking to a quesion about "What is the greatest commandment?" and he says, "To love God wth all your heart, all your mind and all your soul.  And also to love your neighbor as yourself."  One of the men there says basically sure, I can agree with that.  Jesus recognizes that the man is wise but also not quite getting this and says:

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." Mark 12:34
 
 "Not far."  But not there yet either.  My fear is that too many Christians become resistant to living for Christ that they go through life close but not in the kingdom.  They choose to watch the game but not play.  

We must give ur whole heart to Jesus.  Let him be Lord of all.  

In closing, think and discuss the following questions,

  
1)      What is your biggest “When—Then?” Be honest and identify how you are missing the moment by hoping for some future event.
 
  
2)      Read James 4:17. What is the good intention you have that God wants to turn into a good action? Share specifically what you need to do and when you will do it.
 

3)      Knowing that life is brief, what spiritual changes do you need to make?
 

Father, help us to turn our when into now,  to turn our intentions into actions, and our whole heart towards you.  We need you in this life.  You are our Lord and we are your people.  Change our hearts to always know how much life is brief and to live for each moment yu have given to us.  Let your kingdom come first in our lives. 
In Jesus name-
Amen

]]> 2008-10-08T00:00:00-05:00 SEPTEMBER 11TH http://www.notw.biz/n/september_11th.html http://www.notw.biz/n/september_11th.html WHERE WAS GOD? I HAVE OFTEN BEEN ASKED SINCE THE ATTACKS ON 9-11, "HOW COULD GOD LET THIS HAPPEN?"  "WHERE WAS GOD?"  GOD, IN HIS WORD, WRITES THAT HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE
US.

HBR 13:5-“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

SO I BELIEVE THAT GOD WAS PRESENT HERE IN THE MIDST OF ONE OF THE SINGLE MOST DEFINING MOMENTS IN OUR AMERICAN LANDSCAPE.  HE WAS THE COURAGE REPRESENTED IN THE FIREMAN, POLICE AND RESCUE PERSONNEL WHO CHARGED UP A FIREY BUILDING TO SAVE THOSE STUCK AT THE TOP.  HE WAS WITH THE FAMILIES WHO LOOKED FOR HOPE IN HEARING ABOUT THE WELL BEING OF THEIR LOVED ONES.  HE WAS REPRESENTED IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE WHO DAY AFTER DAY CAME TO THE SITE OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTERS DEVESTATION TO HELP FEED, ENCOURAGE, HOUSE AND CONSOLE THE BROKEN HEARTED AND THE WORKERS SEARCHING FOR A GLIMPSE OF LIFE WITHIN THE WRECKAGE.  JESUS SAID, WHATEVER YOU DO FOR THE LEAST OF THESE YOU DO TO ME.   

MARK 9:41-"I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."

HE IS EVEN NOW, ALL OVER THE EARTH IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO SEEK TO FIGHT AGAINST AND END THE TERROR AND EVIL OF THIS DAY. 

MATT 16:18-.......upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

HELL CAN NEVER DEFEAT THE PRESENCE OF AN ALL MIGHTY GOD.  MORE SO, BECAUSE GOD NEVER LEAVES US NOR FORSAKES US, HELL'S GATES CAN NOT KEEP OUT THE VICTORY SOUGHT BY THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO GIVE OF THEMSELVES TO END TERROR IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.  

THE TIMES WE LIVE IN CALL FOR A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK ON THIS PRECIOUS LIFE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US AND BEEN PRESENT THROUGHOUT.  IF WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF THE ONE WHO NEVER LEAVES US, WE CAN CHANGE A WORLD.  BY HIS STRENGTH, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ALL THINGS.

Phl 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

SO, AS A GENERATION REMEMBERING THE PEARL HARBOR OF OUR TIME, HOW DO WE REACT.  FOR ME, IT IS NOT ABOUT THE EVIL OR THE TERROR AND HOW MUCH DEVESTATION IT CAUSED.  FOR ME, IT IS HOW WE REACT THAT REMAINS IMPORTANT.  DO WE CONTINUE IN OUR DAILY LIVES AND REMAIN SILENT ABOUT GODS PRESENCE?  OR DO WE LIVE OUT LOUD HIS PRESENCE IN US AND WITH US IN FRONT OF THE WORLD FOR ALL TO SEE?  FOR ALL TO KNOW THAT FEAR HAS NOT WON.  THE HOPE IN OUR GOD, OUR NATION AND OUR FELLOW MAN WILL PREVAIL, BECAUSE WE ARE FREE.  NOT JUST FREE TO SPEAK OUR MINDS, OR VOTE, OR WORK TO START A NEW BUSINESS.  NOT JUST FREE TO BUY A HOME, GO TO A GROCERY STORE FULL OF FOOD OR DRIVE WHENEVER WE WANT.  NOT JUST FREE TO LIVE IN AMERICA.  BUT FREE TO WORSHIP AN ALL MIGHTY, ALL KNOWING, EVER PRESENT GOD.  FREE TO SHOW LOVE TO THE WORLD.  FREE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US.

HOW DO WE REACT? 

 

]]> 2008-09-11T00:00:00-05:00 Spiritual Gifts http://www.notw.biz/n/spiritual_gifts.html http://www.notw.biz/n/spiritual_gifts.html Where Do I Fit In?
 
WHERE DO I FIT IN?
 
#1 -- Realize that you have a gift from God. (I Cor. 12:4-7)
 
#2 – Understand that there are varieties of gifts. (Romans 12:4-6; I Cor. 12:4-6)
 
#3 – Remember that your gift is important. (I Cor. 12:14-26)
 
#4 – Go on a gift hunt!
 
A. pray for wisdom (James 1:5)
B. serve now in as many ways as you can (Mat. 28:18-20)
C. Note what you enjoy (Ps. 37:4, 84:11)
D. Note where you excell
 
List of things I enjoy, that god might use:
1-
2-
3-
4-
 
E. Get wise counsel from others (Prov. 15:22)
 
#5 -- Develop your gifts
 
          Give it time!
          Work hard!
 
]]> 2008-09-03T00:00:00-05:00 Handling Peer Pressure http://www.notw.biz/n/handling_peer_pressure.html http://www.notw.biz/n/handling_peer_pressure.html Spiritual Stubborness
SPIRITUAL STUBBORNNESS
(WEEK ONE)
 
              INTRODUCTION
“The Power of Peer Pressure”
 
 
                       THE HEAT IS ON
 
How do you respond…
 
A.     …WHEN THE SETTING IS INTIMIDATING (DANIEL 3:1)
 
“A Day in Babylon”
 
 
B.     …WHEN EVERYBODY’S DOING IT? (DANIEL 3:2,3)
 
 
C.    …WHEN THE PRESSURE GETS PERSONAL (DANIEL 3:8-15)
 

 
FACING THE HEAT
 
A. THE STAND IS TAKEN (DANIEL 3:16-18)
 
B.   GOD COMES THROUGH (DANIEL 3:19-23)          
 
ACTION POINTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SPIRITUAL STUBBORNNESS
(WEEK TWO)
 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1.      GIVE YOUR SELF ESTEEM A BOOST (PSALM 8)
 
It’s OK to be Clark Kent. You know how strong you are through GOD!
 
2.      CHOOSE YOUR MOST INFLUENTIAL PEERS CAREFULLY (I Cor. 15:33)
 
 
3.      SET SOME NON-NEGOTIABLES
 
“Would you…for $1,000,000.00?”
 
4.    SEE THROUGH THE DECEPTION (Psalm 84:11)
 
 
ACTION POINTS
 
What can you do to take action and apply this to your life today?
 
 
SPIRITUAL STUBBORNNESS
 (WEEK THREE)
INTRODUCTION
5.      BE PREPARED (Eph. 4:27; II Cor. 2:11)
 
 
STEP #1: BE ALERT! (Proverbs 5:8)
A RED LIGHT SHOULD BEGIN FLASHING IN YOUR HEAD WHEN YOU SEE OR HEAR:
·        Older guys taking a special interest in younger girls.
·        People dressing or acting in rebellious ways.
·        People hanging out in places where no one can see what they are doing.
·        Constant negative conversation.
·        A gut feeling that something’s not right.
·        Excitement over disobedience to authority.
·        People trying to manipulate you with their words.
 
STEP #2: BE WISE! (Gal. 6:7)
                       FOUR QUESTIONS FOR A QUICK
                       DECISION:
                              A. WOULD JESUS DO IT?
                              B. DOES IT BREAK THE LAW?
                                  (Romans 13:1-7)
                              C. WILL IT MAKE AN AUTHORITY
                                   ANGRY? (Ephesians 6:1-3)                              
                  D.COULD SOMEONE GET PHYSICALLY
                      OR EMOTIONALLY HURT? (Mt. 7:12)
 
SPIRITUAL STUBBORNNESS
 (WEEK FOUR)
INTRODUCTION
           STEP #3: BE BOLD! (Daniel 3:18)
BRAINSTORM!!! HOW CAN WE RESPOND?
 *“NO/ I’ll pass/ No way.” (It’s direct, honest, courageous, and doesn’t leave               much room for discussion. Think: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)
 *Leave without saying anything. (Think: Joseph. “And she caught him by his             garment, saying, ‘Lie with me.’ And he left his garment in her hand and fled…”. [Gen. 39:12])
 *Ignore. (Can be effective when a person whispers to you in class that they want to cheat off of your paper.)
 *Give a good reason why you can’t. 
“I’ve got homework.”
“I have other                         responsilities.”                                                                                     
“My dad would strangle me.”
“A couple of years ago, I might have gone along. But I put my life in God’s              hands. He’s never let me down, and I don’t want to let Him down.” (Joseph: “How could I do this great evil, and sin against God?” [Gen. 39:9])
    *Disarm them with humor.
                  “Drat! That’s the same night as my Hollywood screen test.”
                  “I’d love to, but I promised my dog I’d brush her teeth tonight.”
                  “Is that a low-tar joint? I only smoke low tar.”
                  “I’m waiting for the Surgeon General’s report.”
                   “I just popped a few M and M’s; I can’t handle any more today.”       
        “When asked to drink… “Sure, if you don’t mind my barfing all over your couch (in your          car.)”
     *Mix your response with a compliment, to soften the blow.
                  “You’re too important to me to let you do that.”
                  “You’re too smart to really mean that.”
“You’re too good a friend; I don’t want to see you hurt (“get in trouble,” “make trouble,” etc.).
                  “I know you can come up with something better than that idea!”
                  “If we got caught, my parents wouldn’t let me do things with you anymore.  
                       I’d hate that.”
     *The better idea. “Why don’t we go ride bikes/ visit a friend/ go get a
        snack instead?”
     *When they won’t take “no” for an answer…
 
 
 
        Q. “Are you chicken?” A1. Yea, so what? A2. Right.
 
          Q.  “Aren’t you my friend?” A1. Sure, that’s why I don’t want to do this with you.” 
           A2. If you’re really my friend, you won’t pressure me to do something I don’t want
                   to do, or something I don’t believe is right.”
 
6. SETTLE THE LORDSHIP ISSUE (Luke 9:23; Mt. 6:24)
ACTION POINTS
 
      How can I apply this to my life today?
 
]]> 2008-09-03T00:00:00-05:00 Solid Rock-How to remain stone strong http://www.notw.biz/n/solid_rock-how_to_remain_stone_strong.html http://www.notw.biz/n/solid_rock-how_to_remain_stone_strong.html Dealing With Peer Pressure Pressure, Pressure, Pressure comes from everywhere!  Friends, the media, school, work...the entire World!  It seems as if we are under a lot of heat to fit in with the crowd or be popular.  In the bible, the book of Daniel shows us the story of three young men who refused to bow down to the image that everyone else was worshipping.  Even when the King commanded them to bow down or face punishment of "death by furnace", they chose to remain Stone Strong in their faith and chose to believe in God's direction.  They chose to face the heat!

Maybe you're a virgin and you are facing ridicule at school from your friends who keep pushing you to "Give it up!"  Maybe you go to the parties where your "Friends" are pushing you to take one sip, one toke, one pill.  "Everybody's doing it!"  What are you doing when the heat is on?  When you face doing right or doing wrong. 

Peer pressure is real, but God is much stronger if you remain under his direction.  It is time to stand up to the fire just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego!  Life is all about choices and the choices we make will decide what our life becomes.  Be strong and choose the narrow path.  Anybody can follow the crowd!

Next time you are faced with peer pressure, let God be your strength.  Tell the sexual peer pressure bandits that sex is for marriage.  If they are having sex, anybody can become them in the back seat of a car, but they can never become you as hard as they try!  Be a difference maker.  Tell the Party people that there is more to life than flooding your body with garbage and that you would much rather overflow with the Holy Spirit of God!  Be Jesus to your generation!  Be different and radical!  Be who God made you to be!  That is true success and how you stay Stone Strong on a solid foundation.

God bless,
Pastor Shawn
See you at Club-D!]]> 2008-05-08T00:00:00-05:00 URBAN LEGND #1-THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO GOD! http://www.notw.biz/n/urban_legnd_1-there_is_more_than_one_way_to_god.html http://www.notw.biz/n/urban_legnd_1-there_is_more_than_one_way_to_god.html JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY Do you think that there are several ways to God?  To heaven?  Jesus specifically says in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  Do we believe as Christians that he is the way?  Do we believe in our actions and in our conversation?  Do we make him known, by our lives, that he is the only way to the Father.

Why would 11 men go through persecution and suffering, even death for a message unless they believed he was the Son of God.?  Are there many way's to God?

Buddha, Confucious, Muhammad....they all claim to be teachers, but never claimed to be the Son of God!  Jesus is completely different in his claim.  Nobody really debates his existence.  Nobody really debates that he was a great teacher!  The debate began when he claimed to be the Son of God.  So is he?

I believe he is.  His miracles spoke to the world.  His existence split time in two! (BC and AD).  His life and message was all about love!  If he was pulling a sham, at some point he would have said, "You know, this really went a little furtherthan I thought!"  I mean, maybe it would have been while he was being spit on or run out of his own town.  Or maybe it was when they tried him in front of the religious leaders or had him beaten while flesh was pulled off his body by the whips!  Maybe while they were nailing him to the cross he might have said, "Hey, I was just messing around!"  

I know the disciples only believed because of how much they gained with followinghim.  All the times they were persecuted and slept outside with no place to call home.  I am sure they were feeling blessed.  No, they understood who he was.  The Son of God.  The only way to the Father.  Jesus Christ. ]]> 2008-02-22T00:00:00-05:00 Jonah http://www.notw.biz/n/jonah.html http://www.notw.biz/n/jonah.html Jonah Chapter 1

God will always send a word but we don't always accept it.  Jonah chose to run.  When we run from God we can always find a boat going in the wrong direction.  Usually three or four.  Then God sometimes will send a storm or a message from other people to grab our attention.  Sometimes it is our worst nightmare that finally grabs our attention.  Always remember that God never leaves us.  Never forsakes us.  No matter how far you run, he is still there.  Trying to grab your attention.  Are you listening?

Jonah Chapter 2

NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION!  The thing about rebellion is that it will eat you alive.  In Jonah's case, literally.  When we decide to run in the other direction, God will not force us, but will make it difficult on us so that we turn back to him.  Why?  Because he loves us.  In Jonah 2, we find Jonah finally crying out to God.  He had run pretty far but found no place to hide.  After several attempts to reach Jonah through word, situations and other people, God sends his worst nightmare in the form of a big fish.  When Jonah cries out, God responds and saves his prophet.  Have you been in rebellion and realize God is there.  In the midst of the storm.  In the belly of the fish.  Pray to him today and began a new life in obedince to him.  All he wants is for you to talk to him, accept his word and be who he made you to be.





Jonah Chapter 3

Have you been forgiven before by a friend, your parents, your teacher or your God.  Jonah has been forgiven and the word comes a second time from God.  Go!  Go, Jonah!  Go tell Ninevah that in 40 days they will either be overthrown and changed forever or overthrown and destroyed.  Go!  God is the God of second chances.  He will send his word again and again.  He loves us.  But that same love and forgiveness must be extended to even the worst crowds or the darkest sinners.  Jesus came for all!  Do you hold on to unforgiveness in your heart?  Consider God forgiving Jonah for his betrayal and disobedience.  Consider God forgiving Ninevah.  An evil city!  Consider God forgiving you.  Let go of unforgiveness and grab hold of the blessings of God.

FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

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