July 12, 2015

Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you w/ everything good for doing his will, & may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever & ever.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Hebrews 10:21-25 (NIV) Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The Compass of community
1. Adds clarity & stability
“Being well connected with a community of believers gives us consistent sense of direction.”
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess…
Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
2. Provides motivation
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on.
Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
3. Must be a priority.
Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.
Acts 2:42-43 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
“The church is what christians are not where they attend.”
1 Peter 1:22 You must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
4. Inspires Courage
Hebrews 10:25 ….but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
“Our endurance at the end of the age will be dependent upon our ability to live well connected to the community of faith!”
John 15:18-19 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
Galatians 1:10 I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.
Galatians 6:10 (NLT) Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective
July 05, 2015

Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you w/ everything good for doing his will, & may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever & ever.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Landmarks:
1. Life Verse/ Scriptural Themes
2. Life Purpose/Vision/mission Statement
3. Standards
4. Patterns
5. Pivotal Moments
6. Mistakes & Success
7. Personal History-
Matthew 7:24-27 Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Realities concerning Wisdom
1. Wisdom is different than knowledge
Colossians 1:9-10 We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Knowledge-Information
Understanding-Comprehension
Wisdom-Execution
“Doesn't matter how smart and educated you are if you don't have the power to make good decisions you are foolish, not wise.”
2. Wisdom is costly
Proverbs 4:7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
3. Wisdom > Fear
“Our experiences in this Journey are to deepen our dependability not increase our independence”
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
4. Wisdom visualizes before it verbalizes.
Proverbs 17:28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent
5. Wisdom lives in response.
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Lack wisdom?
James 1: 5 & 6 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.