Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Why #iamblessed?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

You ever wonder what is God's will in your life? The Bible says that God's will is that you give thanks in every thing. Recently, the twitter trend of #iamblessed reminds us to take a moment and think about what God has done in your life. If you think about it, if you have said to Jesus Christ, thank you for dying on the cross for my sin and I want you to rule in my heart, then no matter what situation you find yourself in - you are very blessed!!

1. Cos you're not going to hell
You have eternal life in Jesus Christ and there is nothing that will change that!

John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Even if you lost your house, your family has turned against you and your children despise you, you are still saved.

2. Cos you have a God that loves you, and doesn't change
It's nice to know that the God of the universe seeks you out in love.

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

3. And even if you don't have 1 & 2, you still can
There is a good chance that you reading this was because God knew you have been thinking about life, sin and enternity. You are looking for answers. God said in the Bible that he wants you to have eternal life. He wants you to be in the right relationship with him. His death on the cross has taken away your sins.. u just need to receive him now.. this is what he says:

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Talk to him now.. and make a decision to be blessed :)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Do you have the Essentials of Christian Character?

2 Peter 1:5-8 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How do you add to Faith --> Virtue --> Knowledge --> Temperance --> Patience etc? It is one of those passages that many of us read through, shrug our shoulders and continue reading. Jim Berg's two free messages on Essentials of Christian Character show that we cannot ignore this passage as it is essential to new believers to know how to grow in Christ and live for Christ in the right order.

You can get a PDF summary of each word defined and how they build on each other here.

You can listen to these messages here under Cultivating Christian Character and I should recommend the book as well here. Post up what you learn in the comment section.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Bible Study: The Sovereignty of God 2

Bible Study: The Sovereignty of God 2

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
-- Psalms 46:10

PART ONE HERE

What does the Bible say about the extent of God’s sovereignty?

  • Ephesians 1:11

  • Hebrews 1:3

  • Phil 3:20,21, Psalm 119:91b

Does the Sovereignty of God mean we should not pray?

  • King Hezekiah – see 2 Kings 20:1-6
  • Israel and Moses – see Numbers 21:1-3, 5-9

What impact does knowing God’s sovereignty have on our response to suffering for righteousness sake? Genesis 50:15-21, 1 Samuel 24:1-8

Why is just knowing God’s sovereignty not enough to be of comfort to us? See Romans 8:31-32 & 37-39

What are some responses to God’s sovereignty that will give him glory?

  • Heb. 10:36, Isa. 30:15, Psalm 37:7, Lam 3:25,26

  • Matt 26:39

  • Lamentations 3:40-41, 2 Chronicles 7:14

What is the biggest lesson that God is teaching tonight about his sovereignty over outcomes, death, leadership and the response He desires from you?

Write down one theme verse to memorize from the verses mentioned in this Bible study.

Bible Study on Sovereignty of God

Bible Study: The Sovereignty of God

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
-- Psalms 46:10


What does sovereignty mean to you?

Look at 1 Chronicles 29:11-13. List the various things that are mentioned in this passage that God has power over and belongs to Him.

Sovereignty of God is holding power that cannot be overruled. Read Daniel 4:35, Revelation 3:7, Acts 5:38-39 and 2 Chronicles 20:6. What situations in your life are you reminded of, where God’s sovereignty is demonstrated in spite of what man does?

Four books of the Bible accounts for much of Israel’s Old Testament History. Read the following passages in Kings & Chronicles, to see God’s sovereignty at work

  • Why did King Jehu suffer defeat?
    2 Kings 10:30-32

  • Why did King Asa have peace in all the land? 2 Chronicles 14:2-6
  • Why was King Ahaz defeated? 2 Chronicles 28:1-5

What factors, other than their level of obedience, caused each King’s victory or defeat?

If God is sovereign, why do bad things happen to good people? 1 Peter 1:7

What things in your life do you struggle to admit God’s sovereignty is involved?

What is the biggest lesson that God is teaching you tonight about the sovereignty of God?

Write down one theme verse to memorize from the verses mentioned in this Bible study.

Part 2 HERE