Matthew 26:38-40 NIV - Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.

The Illusion of Control: The cognitive bias that leads us believe we have control over outcome when in reality we don’t.

More we try to control - More we’re afraid of losing control. More we’re afraid - More we try to control.

Matthew 26:42 NIV - He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

You don’t always have the power to control, but you always have the power to surrender.

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism - “A mostly uninvolved God exists to make our lives better!”

God’s will is rarely easy but it’s always good.

What are you trying to control that you need to surrender?

Matthew 26:39 NIV - Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Real faith starts between the IF and the YET!

Matthew 10:39 NLT - If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

We spend too much effort trying to control things beyond our control!

Surrender isn’t a one-time event. Surrender is a daily choice.

God can do way more with your surrender than you can do with your control.

All Dressed Up and Everywhere to Go

Isaiah 61:1-7 NKJV - “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, they shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs.

Isaiah 61:10 NKJV - I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Tehillah - Tehillah is to praise God. It's proclaiming excellence, its renown, glorifying a person or an object. It's a hymn. It's a song that contains that praise. It's sincere and deep thankfulness, gratitude, and/or the satisfaction that comes when you laud or when you lift up the superior qualities of, or great acts of, the object.

Exodus 15:11 NKJV - “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Psalm 145:1 NKJV - I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever.

Isaiah 43:21 NKJV - This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.

Psalm 100:4 NKJV - Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

6 Things That Praise Will Clothe You In Praise

1. The Newness of Praise

Psalm 40:3 NKJV - He has put a new song in my mouth - praise to our God; many will see it and fear and will trust in the Lord.

Revelation 5:9-10 NKJV - And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”

2. The Nearness of Praise

Psalm 22:3 NKJV - But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.

Praise allows the always there God to come near.

CS Lewis said, "It is in the process of being worshiped that God communicates his presence to men."

3. The Happiness of Praise

CS Lewis says, "I think, we delight to praise what we enjoy because praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment. It is its appointed consummation. It is not out of a compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are, the delight is incomplete until it is expressed. So, in commanding us to glorify him, God is inviting us to enjoy him."

4. The Friendliness in Praise

5. The Persuasiveness of Praise

6. The Lightness of Praise

Isaiah 61:10 NKJV - I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara.

Where History is Heading

Psalm 103:1-22 NKJV - Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them. The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

First phase - David begins to think right

Second phase - he's now able and positioned to interact with other people rightly / correctly

Third phase - he takes his rightful place in the universe

You'll never be over what God wants under you until you come under what God has put over you.

Barak - to kneel down to bless as an act of adoration specifically. It means to praise. It means to salute or to pronounce good things upon the recipient.

Psalm 103 actually reads: Praise the Lord oh, my soul. All that is within me, praise his Holy name. Praise the Lord all ye angels. Praise the Lord ye heavenly host.

Ephesians 3:14-16 NKJV - For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

1 Kings 19:18 NKJV - Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Exodus 20:4-5 NKJV - “You shall not make for yourself a carved image - any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

James 4:6 NKJV - But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Luke 22:41 NKJV - And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,

1. Who He Is?

2. What He has done?

3. What are God's promises?

Genesis 1:21-22 NKJV - So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”

Genesis 2:3 NKJV - Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

Genesis 12:2 NKJV - I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.

Revelation 7:9-11 NKJV - After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

Revelation 7:12 NKJV - saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Philippians 2:10-11 NKJV - that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Change Your Mood by Changing Your Music

Psalm 98:1-9 NKJV - Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Sing to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm, with trumpets and the sound of a horn; shout joyfully before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it; let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, and the peoples with equity.

Zamar is to celebrate in song and music, involving the touching of strings or parts of a musical instrument.

Ephesians 5:19 NKJV - speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

The Power of Music

1. It softens hard hearts

2. It soothes our souls

1 Samuel 16:16-18 NKJV - Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.” So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.” Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him.”

2 Samuel 23:1 NKJV - Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; thus says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel:

3. Music is powerful because it switches our frequencies.

2 Kings 3:9-11 NKJV - So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, and they marched on that roundabout route seven days; and there was no water for the army, nor for the animals that followed them. And the king of Israel said, “Alas! For the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?”

So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured[a] water on the hands of Elijah.”

2 Kings 3:12 NKJV - And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

2 Kings 3:13-14 NKJV - Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.” But the king of Israel said to him, “No, for the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you.

2 Kings 3:15 NKJV - But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.

Matthew Henry said "Those that expect God's blessing must prepare room for them."

4. Praise psychs us up

Bono once said, "In the dressing room before the U2 shows, me and the guys would get together and read Eugene Peterson Psalms as a band. And then we would be ready to walk out into arenas and stadiums. The words of that hero igniting us, inspiring us."

5. Music is medicine

The Past of Music

Job 38:7 NKJV - When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Proverbs 8:30-31 NKJV - Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him, rejoicing in His inhabited world, and my delight was with the sons of men.

The Future of Music

What is it Good For?

Psalm 63:3-5 NKJV - Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

Psalm 145:1-21 NKJV - I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.  I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and talk of Your power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh shall bless His holy name forever and ever.

Luke 17:11-19 NKJV - Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Don't let your prayer be louder than your praise.

Shabach - What is it Good For?

1. The roar of worship soothes our aching hearts.

    2 Chronicles 15:14-15 NKJV - Then they took an oath before the Lord with a loud voice, with shouting and  

    trumpets and rams’ horns. and all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought

    Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around. 

2. The roar of worship synchs our hearts with Heaven.

    Revelation 5:11-12 NKJV - Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living

    creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of

    thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and

    wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

3. The roar of worship sends us into battle.

    Joshua 6:20 NKJV - So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the  

    people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat.

    Ephesians 6:12-13 NKJV - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against

    powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the

    heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and

    having done all, to stand.

4. The roar of worship spreads hope to a hurting and hopeless world.

    Psalm 100:1 NKJV - Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

    Isaiah 12:4-6 NKJV - And in that day you will say: “Praise the Lord, call upon His name; declare His deeds among

    the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things; 

    this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your

    midst!”

5. The roar of worship strengthens the next generation.

    Psalm 145:4-6 NKJV - One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will

    meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of

    Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness.

6. The roar of worship scares the enemy.

7. The roar of worship sets God in His right place in our hearts and on His throne.

    Psalm 47:1-2 NKJV - Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord

    Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.

The Sound of a Healthy Soul

Psalm 42:1-8 KJV - As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

What does a healthy soul sound like? It sounds like praise!

Todah - to offer praise or adoration to God (with hands extended) in confession or thanksgiving.

Isaiah 35:3 NKJV - Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.

Psalm 100:4 KJV - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Enter the password - "thank you"

Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank Him. Worship Him.

If you do what he has revealed, He will lead you in what He hasn’t revealed.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV - in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We give thanks for the past with appreciation.

Psalm 42:4 NKJV - When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

Any blessing not turned back to praise has the risk of becoming an idol.

We give thanks for the future with expectation.

2 Kings 20:1 NKJV - In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’ ”

2 Kings 20:5 NKJV - “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.

Psalm 42:8 NKJV - The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me - a prayer to the God of my life.

Jeremiah 17:26 NKJV - And they shall come from the cities of Judah and from the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from the lowland, from the mountains and from the South, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, bringing sacrifices of praise to the house of the Lord.

Worship that cost you nothing accomplishes nothing.

Hebrews 13:15 NKJV - Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

We give thanks in the present to stay on mission.

Psalm 42:4 NKJV - When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

Proverbs 28:13 NKJV - He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

1 John 1:9 NKJV - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We confess to be restored relationally.

We confess to be reunited internally.

I don't run from Him - I run to Him.

Psalm 86:11 NKJV - Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.

We confess to be healed effectively.

James 5:16 NKJV - Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

We confess to experience His glory.

William Mounce - for He is a God of unfailing love and mercy, and He will forgive our sins. Involved in that process is confessing the name of the Lord, acknowledging that from Him alone is forgiveness possible.

And They Stay There

Psalm 44:1-9 NKJV - We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, the deeds You did in their days, in days of old: You drove out the nations with Your hand, but them You planted; You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out. For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them. You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob. Through You we will push down our enemies; Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies and have put to shame those who hated us. In God we boast all day long and praise Your name forever.

Dr. Martin Jones, famed British preacher, once said that a dislike of enthusiasm is one of the greatest hindrances to revival.

Yadah is to revere or worship with the hands raised.

Psalm 63:3 NKJV - Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.

Psalm 141:2 NKJV - Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

1. This is Biblical

Psalm 28:2 NKJV - Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

1 Timothy 2:8 NKJV - I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

2. It's a Universal Response to Celebration

And they stay there!

1 Kings 8:22 NKJV - Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven;

Nehemiah 8:6 NKJV - And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

3. It's a Portrait of Submission

Psalm 25:1 NKJV - To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

4. It's Something that we Resort to in Times of Confusion

Psalm 143:5-6 NKJV - I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.

5. It Also Brings God's Attention to You

6. It Shows Desperation

Psalm 44:8 NKJV - In God we boast (Halal) all day long and praise (Yadah) Your name forever.

Psalm 88:6 NKJV - You have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the depths.

Psalm 88:9 NKJV - My eye wastes away because of affliction. Lord, I have called daily upon You; I have stretched out my hands to You.

Lamentations 3:41 NKJV - Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven.

7. It Brings Submission

Hebrews 10:10 NKJV - By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:11-14 NKJV - And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Finding the Right Person vs Becoming the Right Person

You can’t marry the right person if you’re dating the wrong one.

You don't attract what you want. You attract what you are.

Become the type of person the person you’re looking for is looking for.

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 NIV - Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.  But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. 

To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 

But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 

Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you - although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 

Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs - how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world - how he can please his wife - and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world - how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 

If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin - this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. 

A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is - and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Being married is not our purpose in life.

I Corinthians 7:7-8 NIV - I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.

I Corinthians 7:35 NIV - I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

Our purpose in life is to live with undivided devotion to Jesus.

Look for the right person - become the right person.

3 qualities you need before marriage:

1. Secure in Christ - if you want to end up married and happy, start out single and secure. Insecure people need more and settle for less. Secure people need less and expect more. Colossians 2:9-10 BSB - For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. And you have been made complete in Christ.
2. Strong in Character - You don’t build a life of righteousness on a foundation of sin. 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV - Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
3. Planted in Community - The strength of your community will shape the quality of your marriage. Proverbs 13:20 NIV - Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Why Most Marriages Won't Work

Proverbs 18:22 NLT - The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 27:15 NLT - A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day.

1 Ben 4:9 SBIB - It’s better to step in warm dog poop or to pass a kidney stone than to marry a man who is a self-centered, narcissistic jerk.

How do I find the right person?

How do I become the right person?

What is marriage?

How you see marriage shapes how you approach relationships.

Matthew 19:4-6 NIV - “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

A contract is based on mutual distrust.

The percentage of adults cohabiting more than doubled.

80% of teenagers expect to cohabitate.

Fully entangled - not fully committed.

How you see marriage shapes how you approach relationships.

A covenant is based on mutual commitment.

Berith - cutting - shedding of blood

Chuppah - bridal chamber

Women think about food more than sex.

Men think about sex more than women think about food.

How do we live with sexual integrity in culture of sex brokenness?

How you see marriage shapes how you approach sex.

Ephesians 5:3 NIV - But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

Proverbs 5:19 NIV - A loving doe, a graceful deer - may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.

Song of Solomon 7:8 NIV - I said, “I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit.” May your breasts be like clusters of grapes on the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples,

How you see marriage shapes how you approach relationships.

Identity Theft

2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB - Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Luke 24:45 NASB - Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

Matthew 22:37 NASB - And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 

Philippians 4:7 NASB - And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:2 NASB - Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

Romans 8:6 NASB - For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

Romans 12:2 NASB - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Corinthians 2:16 NASB - For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Philippians 2:5 KJV - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

I can't afford to have one thought about me that God doesn't have about me.

Identity Theft

Genesis 1:27 NLT - So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Numbers 12:3 NLT - (Now Moses was very humble - more humble than any other person on earth.)

Humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is thinking of yourself less.

Matthew 18:1-4 NLT - About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Greatness in the kingdom is measured differently than the way we measure it.

1 Corinthians 4:5-7 NASB - Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God. Now these things, brothers and sisters, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos on your account, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. For who considers you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

When did worship become about the one worshipping and stop being about the One being worshiped?

John 3:30 NLT - He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

All of you in all of me.

I can't afford to have one thought about me that God doesn't have about me.

Identity Theft

1 Samuel 10:25 AMP - Then Samuel told the people the requirements of the kingdom, and wrote them in a book and placed it before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT - This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

John 8:11 NLT - “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Proverbs 18:21 NLT - The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

When we are saved, does Holy Spirit comes to live in us? Why would we think He would live in sin?

Genesis 1:1-2 NLT - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Genesis 1:3 NLT - Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

God is not scared of our issues.

Ezekial 37:1-4 KJV - The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.

Ezekial 37: 7-10 KJV - So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’” So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet - a great army.

1 Timothy 2:14 NLT - And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result.

Let there be light!

Matthew 21:21-22 NASB - And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive it all.”

Identity Theft

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT - For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

God's plans trump the enemy's plans - his bad plans cannot overrun God's good plans.

1 Samuel 10:25 AMP - Then Samuel told the people the requirements of the kingdom, and wrote them in a book and placed it before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home.

Even though greatness is inside every one of us, we have to be taught how to develop it!

I propose the problem is not that I don't know who your daddy is. The problem is you don't know who your daddy is.

Proverbs 30:21-22 NASB - Under three things the earthquakes, and under four, it cannot endure: under a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is satisfied with food,

Romans 12:3-8 NLT - Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Numbers 12:3 NLT - (Now Moses was very humble - more humble than any other person on earth.)

Identity Theft

Hebrews 1:3 KJV - Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

Church is family - not a business!

Nehemiah 4:6-14 NLT - At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves. Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.” Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.” The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!” So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows. Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

1 Samuel 18:1-4 NLT - After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.

Luke 7:37-45 NLT - When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people - 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet.

Hebrews 8:7-13 NLT - If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. But when God found fault with the people, he said: “The day is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt. They did not remain faithful to my covenant, so I turned my back on them, says the Lord. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already. And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.

Church is family - not a business!

Luke 1:1-4 NIV - Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke 1:26-37 NIV - In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”

  1.  On occasion, God dropped directly into the lives of men and women to push the flywheel of his plan.

  2. For the most part, our days seem to be made up of mostly random events.

  3. Perfect faith is to respond to the seemingly random events of life as if they are part of the perfect plan of God.

Ephesians 1:11 NIV - In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Luke 1:38 NIV - “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

God has never interrupted his plans - only ours.

Christmas is God inviting us to His family table.

2 Samuel 9:1 NLT - One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive - anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

2 Samuel 9:2-13 NLT - He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.

5 Reasons We Are Like Mephibosheth

    1.  Life hadn't gone according to plan

    2. People he trusted let him down.

 2 Samuel 4:4 NLT - (Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.)

Romans 3:23 NIV - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

    3. He was in danger and there was no way to run.

Luke 2:9-11 NLT - Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

    4. There was a good king who wanted to show him kindness.

NT Wright says, Christmas is not a reminder that the world is really quite a nice old place. It reminds us that the world is a shockingly bad old place where wickedness flourishes unchecked, where children are murdered, where civilized countries make a lot of money by selling weapons to uncivilized ones so they can blow each other apart. Christmas is God lighting a candle, and you don't light a candle in a room that's already full of sunlight. You light a candle in a room that's so murky that the candle, when lit, reveals just how bad things really are. The light shines in the darkness, says St. John, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

    5. He was given a seat at the royal table.

Ephesians 2:1 ESV - And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

Ephesians 2:4-6 ESV - But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Luke 22:29-30 NLT - And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Christmas is God inviting us to His family table.

When You're Disappointed by God

Luke 2:10-12 NLT - but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:13-14 NLT - Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven - praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When you're disappointed by God - pray!

Matthew 1:18-19 NIV - This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Don't have to understand the plan when you trust God has a purpose.

Matthew 1:21 NIV - She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Why Is God Making Me Wait?

Matthew 1:20-23 NIV - But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

In Genesis 3 - seed of woman crush serpent's head.

Just because God feels silent, doesn't mean God is absent. While you are waiting, God is working.

Galatians 4:4-5 NIV - But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Pleroma Chronou means complete, full measure, the perfect time.

HELP, THESE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY!

If you are on a continuous search to be offended, you will always find what you are looking for!

Being offended is inevitable. Living offended is a choice.

The missing piece? Help, these people are driving my crazy - PRAY!

Romans 12:14-18 NIV - Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Bless - Eulogeo (yoo-log-eh'-o) - to speak well of, to wish the best blessings for someone.

Be a continual blessing to those who are a continual problem.

Romans 12:1 NIV - Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:16 NIV - Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Jesus didn't tell us to be right. He told us to be loving.

Stop listening to respond - listen to understand.

Ephesians 4:2 NLT - Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Your life is too short and your calling too great to be offended by something small!

Being offended is inevitable. Living offended is a choice.

Proverbs 19:11 NIV - A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

Conscious decision to LET IT GO - form of forgiveness.

Hebrew word avor means to "pass over." Choose to pass over it - I'm over it!

Love doesn't seek to win the argument. Love seeks to protect the relationship.

Romans 12:18 NIV - If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Life is too short - calling is too great - offended small.

Being offended is inevitable. Living offended is a choice.

IS PEACE EVEN POSSIBLE IN 2022?

Isaiah 26:1-4 NLT - In that day, everyone in the land of Judah will sing this song: Our city is strong! We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation. Open the gates to all who are righteous; allow the faithful to enter. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. 

You will be kept in perfect peace!

Shalom - wholeness, completeness, fullness of peace. Be kept in shalom - shalom.

Peace isn't found in the absence of problems.

True peace is found in the presence of God.

The battle for peace begins in our minds.

Isaiah 26:3 NLT - You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 NIV - You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Samak - to lean on completely, to full rest oneself.

Philippians 4:8-9 NLT - And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me - everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

John 14:27 NIV - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Jesus said, MY peace I give to you! Not giving you "A" peace but giving you "MY" peace!

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace isn't found in the absence of problems.

True peace is found in the presence of God.

4 Truths - Who You Are in Christ

1. I'm invited
2. I'm invaluable
3. I'm influential
4. I'm invested

4 Truths - Who You Are in Christ

1. I'm invited
2. I'm invaluable
3. I'm influential
4. I'm invested

4 Truths - Who You Are in Christ

1. I'm invited
2. I'm invaluable
3. I'm influential
4. I'm invested

4 Truths - Who You Are in Christ

1. I'm invited
2. I'm invaluable
3. I'm influential
4. I'm invested

Beating Burnout

More than half of workers feel burned out as a result of their job demands.

Stress is generally short-lived and related to a temporary project or event.

Burnout is chronic stress that feels never-ending.

1 Kings 19:3-5 NIV - Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”

3 Signs of Burnout

1. Physical - we run ourselves into the ground.  
        1 Kings 19:3 NIV - Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.
2. Mental - We try to do it all on our own.  
        1 Kings 19:3 NIV - When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there
3. Emotional - We dwell on the negative. 
        1 Kings 19:4 IV - “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

3 Ways to Seek Healing from Trauma

Trauma is a response to deeply disturbing or distressing event.

The wounds you can’t see can hurt as much as the ones you can see.

Romans 8:28 NIV - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

3 types of trauma

1. Acute—Response from a one-time traumatic event
2. Chronic—Long-term response from prolonged or repeated events
   
3. Complex—Response to multiple and ongoing events
   

Step 2: 

We prayerfully press into God with our trauma.

2 Corinthians 2:8 NIV - Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

2 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Nothing can change your past. 

But God can heal your broken heart.

Psalm 34:18 NIV - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Step 3: 

We pursue purpose in our trauma.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Silence Your Negative Thoughts

Proverbs 4:23 GNT - Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

Why Do I Always Worry

About 60% of adults in the United States struggle with worry and stress daily.

We tend to experience worry in our minds.

We generally experience anxiety in our bodies.

Matthew 6:25 NIV - “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Matthew 6:24 NIV - “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:34 NIV - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:26 NIV - Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Concern focuses on challenges and moves you to action.

Worry focuses on what’s beyond our control and results in inaction.

Matthew 6:27 NIV - Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Two Truths to Remember When You’re Battling Depression

Proverbs 12:23 NKJV - Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.

Four Root Causes of Depression

• Biological
• Relational
• Circumstantial
• Spiritual

Heal My Anxious Mind

Philippians 4:4-6 NIV - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

In 2019, two out of three Americans said they were anxious or extremely anxious.

91% of high school and college students report consistent and significant levels of anxiety associated with stress.

Anxiety isn't a sin.

It's time to pray.

2 Chronicles 20:3 NLT - Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.

The Most Dangerous Myths of Mental Health

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV - May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Talking about mental health - includes Emotional - Psychological - Social Well-Being

Myth #1 - Christians shouldn't struggle with mental health

Xian says, "Ya need more of God."

Myth #2 - God doesn't care about your mental health

• Great wisdom (1 Kings 4:31 NIV - He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.)
• Musical ability (1 Chronicles 6:33 NIV - Here are the men who served, together with their sons: From the Kohathites: Heman, the musician, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,) (1 Chronicles 16:41-42 NIV - With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, “for his love endures forever.” Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.)
• Committed parenting - (1 Chronicles 25:5-6 NIV - (All these were sons of Heman the king’s seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.)

  All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king.)

• Service to king (1 Chronicles 25:6 NIV - All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king.)

Exodus 3:15 NIV - God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.

Exodus 33:9-11 NKJV - And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Mark 4: 41-42 NIV - It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

Luke 1:26-28 NIV - In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Luke 1:38-41 NIV - “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

I Corinthians 6:12 NIV - “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

Top 7 Ways to Know You Might be Addicted to Social Media

     2. Make A Plan

          Proverbs 13:16 TLB - A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t and even brags about it!

Your Defensive Plan                                               Your Offensive Plan

     1.                                                                                   1.

     2.                                                                                  2.

     3.                                                                                  3.

Jeremiah 6:16 NIV - This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls...

How does technology cause us to care less?

     1. We're more obsessed with ourselves.

     2. Overwhelming exposure to suffering desensitizes us.

     3. Lack of personal interaction makes it easier not to care.

True compassion demands action.

To say you care but not act is to not care at all.

Mark 1:40-41 NLT - A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”

Matthew 14:14 NIV - When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

How is technology changing relationships?

People are starting to fear and avoid unfiltered communication.

2 Corinthians 3:13-18 NIV - We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

What veil are you wearing?

2 Corinthians 3:15 NIV - Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.

A veil that first covers the face eventually covers the heart.

Living for likes - longing for love.

Impress people with our strengths - connect with people thru weaknesses.

Only Christ can remove the veil.

2 Corinthians 3:16 NIV - But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

My identity is not in your likes but in His love.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV - Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

When you wear a veil:

• you can't see others as they really are
• you can't see yourself as you really are
• you can't see God as He really is

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

How is technology changing relationships?

• The term friend is evolving
• We're becoming addicted to immediate affirmation - living for likes and longing for love
• We have the power to do friendship on our own terms

Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT - Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

God didn't shout his love from Heaven, but He showed us on earth!

Let's Get Practical

1. Be Present

Romans 12:9-10, 13 NLT - Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

2. Be Engaged

1 Peter 4:8 NLT - Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Philippians 4:12-13 NIV - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV - We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

James 3:14-16 NIV - But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Proverbs 15:15 NLT - For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

Ecclesiastes 6:9 NLT - Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Philippians 4:12-13 NIV - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.