Now an overseer must be above reproach. . . 1 Timothy 3:2 Do you want to be a good example of representing Christ? Here are a few examples of a respected leader. A church leader must be married to one wife. This isn’t saying that you have to be married, just if you choose to be married, have one spouse, no others. Married people need to be faithful to one another. Church leaders should be of showing the appearance of faithfulness – in following Christ. A church leader should be gentle. When a leader has to correct someone who falls into error, the church leader…
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The Lord Stands By Us
But the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 2 Timothy 4:17-18 Paul was in prison. The church is in turmoil. Timothy probably didn’t have the courage to deal with the church. Paul is encouraging Timothy to speak to the church as God has called him to do. God always gives us the strength to do what he has asked us to do. When we step out in faith and are obedient that is when the evidence of God’s strength will be revealed.…
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The Power Of The Tongue
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:10 Can you control your tongue? Does it give life or death? The tongue is a powerful tool. Here are some vital concepts: God’s words are omnipotent; our words are potent because we were created in God’s image. Our words are potent whether we used them positively or negatively. God desires not only that HIs children believe the truth, but we speak it. God ordains that words of faith have more power than thoughts of faith alone. Our faith can become our voice, and our voice becomes power…
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Moses’s Faith
By faith, he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. Hebrews 11:28 What can we learn from Moses and his faith? Read Hebrews 11: 23-29. What is so significant about this passage and the verse in Hebrews 11:28? Read Exodus 12:1-36. How did God schedule the Passover according to verse 2? What were the Israelites to mark on their homes so that death would pass over them? Now let’s go back to Moses. What terrible thing did Moses do in his past? He murdered an Egyptian, yet he…
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Noah’s Faith
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. Hebrews 11:7 Could you be as bold and obedient to God as Noah? Read Hebrews 11:7 and Genesis 6:5 – 22. In this passage, this is the very first mention of the word covenant. Where is it, and how did God say He would provide evidence of it? Now let’s read Genesis chapter 7. What does verse 23 have to say? What was destroyed? Now move on to Chapter 8. Where did the ark rest? How did Noah know that the waters had receded?…
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Surrendered Life
He fills my life with good things. Psalm 103: 5 The surrendered life. A life devoted to God and His ways. It sounds so easy and simple. However, is it? I think surrendering everything to God is hard. Does it need to happen? Yes! However, it is still hard to go through if we are honest with ourselves, God, and others. Of course, there are awesome benefits and blessings from God when we surrender and trust him with our lives. I don’t think we can sit here and talk about the Israelites and how they couldn’t get their act together in this area. …
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Letting Go of People-Pleasing
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36 Are you a people pleaser? Do you care that people like you? Does it bother you if people don’t like you? People-pleasing can be a technique to feel that we belong, gain influence, or get others to fix a problem for us. Let’s get started! Read Exodus 32:1. Why were the people concerned? What did they want Aaron to do for them? What did they say about Moses? With Moses out of sight and out of mind, they reverted to their old idol worship ways. While Moses was…
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Letting Go
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 Do you recall a time of an “I want” moment? We all have them. It can be people, places, or things in our lives that will satisfy us. However, do these things really satisfy us? No, they don’t. If anything, they probably have more disappointment than satisfaction. Let’s go to Numbers 11: 1, 4-6. What were the Israelites complaining about? What did the Israelites wish that they had? What did they claim they had lost? They are pretty discouraged. They have…
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Only Jesus Satisfies
But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 What is your go-to thing to find satisfaction for a moment in your life? Mine is a diet coke or chocolate with caramel. You know the time in your life where things are just hectic and you are hungry, but you don’t have time to stop and eat. Or how about the times where you need time to stop, but it won’t. What is the one thing that you grab to help you through that time? That is what I am talking about. …
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Remain In His Love
“just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” John 15:10-12 How much do you trust God? Do you ever feel like you are stepping off the ledge when He asks you to do something that is not you? Let’s read Hebrews 4:14-16 and 5: 4-9. How does Jesus help us hold firm to what we believe? What did Jesus face? What difference might it make to consider Jesus facing a struggle with similar roots? What is the invitation given in Hebrews 4:16? What is offered after the invitation? In chapter 5:4-9, how does this show the humility of Jesus and His…