HOW TO RENEW YOUR PASSION FOR JESUS

He is a God who is passionate about His relationship with you. Exodus 34:14 (NLT).

 

Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. Matthew 22:37-40 (TM)

 

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 (NLT)

 

Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:2 (TM)

 

Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in."  John 8:12 (TM)

 

 

THE SEVEN PASSION KILLERS

 

1.  AN UNBALANCED SCHEDULE
It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest. Psalm 127:2 (TLB)

 

Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is no faith at all—it is dead and useless. James 2:17 (TLB)

 

2.  AN UNUSED TALENT

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

 

 

Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.  1 Peter 4:10 (CEV) 

 

3.  AN UNCONFESSED SIN

My guilt overwhelms me— it is a burden too heavy to bear.
 ⁵My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins. Psalm 38:4-5 (NLT)

 

if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

1 John 1:9 (NLT)

 

4.  AN UNRESOLVED CONFLICT

Envy and jealousy will kill a stupid fool.  Job 5:2 (CEV)

 

"You are only hurting yourself with your anger." Job 18:4 (GN)

 

5.  AN UNSUPPORTED LIFESTYLE

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

 

6. AN UNCLEAR PURPOSE

"I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Isaiah 4:6 (NIV)

 

7.  AN UNDERNOURISHED SPIRIT

I honor and love your commands.  I meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:48 (NLT)

 

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  Psalm 119:11 (NLT)

HOW TO PREPARE FOR JESUS RETURN

“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

Revelation 16:15 (NLT)

 

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. ³When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. ⁴But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 (NLT)

 

 ¹⁰“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. ¹¹Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ Matthew 25:10-11 (NLT)

 

1.  THE TIME TO PREPARE IS NOW!

 “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Hebrews 3:15 (NLT)

 

2.  LIVE AS A SERVANT OF JESUS

“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, ³⁰will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.

 Mark 10:29-30 (NLT)

 

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  Deuteronomy 6:5 (NLT)

 

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. ¹⁹Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ²⁰And they left their nets at once and followed him.  Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT)

 

3.  LIVE YOUR LIFE WITH FAITH AND HUMILITY

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 (NLT)

 

“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? ⁸No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ ⁹And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. ¹⁰In the same way, when you obey me (Jesus) you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’” Luke 17:7-10 (NLT)

 

4.  LIVE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT PRACTICING SIN

Jesus met the man in the temple and told him, "You are now well. But don't sin anymore or something worse might happen to you."  John 5:14 (CEV)

 

So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.  1Timothy 3:2 (NLT)

 

¹²And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, ¹³while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. ¹⁴He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 12-14 (CEV)

THE IMPORTANCE OF MEMBERSHIP IN YOUR CHURCH

The Three Parts of the Christian Life

 

1.  Believing

BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.  

Acts 16:31 (LB)

 

2.  Belonging

You are a member of God’s very own family… and you BELONG in God’s household with every other Christian!  Ephesians 2:19 (LB)

 

3.  Becoming

For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him-and all along he knew who would-should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers.  Romans 8:29 (LB)

 

Benefits to Membership

 

1.  IT IDENTIFIES ME AS A GENUINE BELIEVER

You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God. Ephesians 2:19 (CEV)

 

The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. Romans 12:5 (TM)

 

2.  IT PROVIDES ME A SPIRITUAL FAMILY TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ME

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. ²Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2 (TLB)

 

 

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵And 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.  Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

 

3.  IT GIVES ME A PLACE TO DISCOVER AND USE MY SPIRITUAL GIFTS IN MINSITRY

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT) read 4-27

 

4.  IT PLACES ME UNDER THE SPIRITUAL PROTECTION OF GODLY LEADERS

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. Hebrews 13:17 (TLB)

 

Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock that he bought with the blood of his own Son. ²⁹I know that after I am gone, others will come like fierce wolves to attack you. 

Acts 20:28-29 (CEV)

 

5.  IT GIVES ME THE ACCOUNTABILITY I NEED TO GROW

Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Ephesians 5:21

 

Membership is a step of spiritual growth rather than as an organizational ritual.

HOW TO BUILD THE WARMEST INCUBATOR

“’Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men’” Matthew 4:19

 

¹⁸Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! ¹⁹Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.

Matthew 28:16-20 (CEV)

 

1.  GROWTH BEGINS WITH COMMITMENT

 

 

   Three facts about commitment  i

 

            A.  Jesus requires great commitment

 

"Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple.  Luke 14:33 Message

 

            B.  You become what you commit to

 

Every time we think of you, we thank God for your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. 

1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 Message

 

            C.  You MUST ASK or else you won’t get it

 

"Here's what I'm saying:  Ask and you'll get; Seek and you'll find; Knock and the door will open.  Luke 11:9 Message

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO CULTIVATE NEW FRIENDSHIPS.

 

The two things people crave most:  Love & Acceptance

 

“So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!”  Romans 15:7 Message

 

 

How do you help God?

Get going, move, get involved in what God is doing here.

 

 

 

THE THREE MINUTE RULE

 

Immediately following the Sunday Worship Service, visit and  talk to someone you don’t know for 3 minutes.  Our goal is to develop a new friendship.

 

 

INVITE PEOPLE TO STAY FOR SUNDAY LUNCH

 

The goal of our luncheon every Sunday is to cultivate new friendships.  The food is not the goal.  The food is a tool we use to hit our target.  Lunch at New Hope is not about eating.  Lunch is all about developing relationships and making new friends.

HOW TO REDUCE STRESS IN 2009

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. ⁶Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. ⁸And 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. Philippians 4:4-9 (NLT)

 

1.  GET JOY DAILY

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4

 

2.  PRACTICE PATIENCE

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Philippians 4:5

 

3.  TRUST JESUS DAILY

Don’t worry about anything.  Philippians 4:6

 

4.  PRAY ALL THE TIME

Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Philippians 4:6

 

5.  CONSIDER GOD DAILY

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

6.  TAKE DAILY INVENTORY OF GOOD THINGS

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. Philippians 4:8

 

7.  MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS

Fix your thoughts on these things. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Philippians 4:8

 

8.  APPLY THESE DAILY TO YOUR LIFE

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. 

Philippians 4:9

 SEEK WISDOM ABOUT WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE CHANGED IN YOUR LIFE

 IDENTIFY YOUR EMOTIONAL NEEDS AND FIND GOD’S WAY TO MEET THEM

 PRACTICE LISTENING

BE FLEXIBLE TO CHANGE AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS

YOU HAVE GOD’S POWER LIVE LIFE

 

JESUS LOVES YOU!

HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE WITH NO REGRETS

If you don't confess your sins, you will be a failure. But God will be merciful if you confess your sins and give them up.

Proverbs 28:13 (CEV)

 

A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.

John 10:10 (CEV)

 

 

START THE NEW YEAR WITH JESUS!

 

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

 

So the angel explained that it was the following message of the LORD to Zerubbabel:  I am the LORD All-Powerful. So don't depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit. ⁷Zerubbabel, that mountain in front of you will be leveled to the ground. Then you will bring out the temple's most important stone and shout, "God has been very kind." 

Zechariah 4:6-7 (CEV)

 

STOP COMPLAINING BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU MISERABLE

 

Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say. Proverbs 18:21 (CEV)

 

Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT)

 

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  Ephesians 4:29 (NT)

 

 

 

 

ASK JESUS FOR EFFECTIVE GODLY SOLUTIONS

 

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. 

1 Thessalonians 5:15-17 (TM)

 

Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life. Proverbs 4:23 (CEV)

 

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

 

1. Today I will recognize the excuses I make for my failures. They are:

2. I will refocus my thoughts by:

3. How will I have a good, honest, attitude about myself?

4. What are my priorities and how should I change them?

5. Am I doing my absolute best to live to the standards I set for myself?

6. Some ways I need to depend more on God are?

YOU HAVE GOD’S POWER LIVE LIFE

 

JESUS LOVES YOU!

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE CHALLENGES OF 2009

They threw dust on their heads and cried as if the world had come to an end: Doom, doom, the great city doomed! All who owned ships or did business by sea got rich on her getting and spending. And now it's over—wiped out in one hour!

Revelation 18: 17-18 (TM)

 

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

 

Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever. Daniel 12:3 (TM)

 

1. DON’T BE DECEIVED BY THE GLITTER OF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON; THE BAD ECONOMY CONTINUES

 If the sky is red in the evening, you say the weather will be good. ³But if the sky is red and gloomy in the morning, you say it is going to rain. You can tell what the weather will be like by looking at the sky. But you don't understand what is happening now.  Matthew 16:2-3 (CEV)

 

The time of the Son of Man will be just like the time of Noah— everyone carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ship. They suspected nothing until the flood hit and swept everything away.  Luke 17:26 (TM)

 

2. 2009  WILL BE A DISASTER FOR MANY AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME

 Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. Galatians 6:7-8 (TM)

When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. ⁴But

 you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.  1 Thessalonians 5:3-4 (NLT)

 

3. THIS IS THE TIME TO INVEST IN GOD’S KINGDOM AND NOT A TIME FOR FOOLISH SPENDING

 The poor are ruled by the rich, and those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders. Proverbs 22:7 (CEV)

 

“Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." Matthew 26:41 (TM)

 

We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.  John 9:4 (NLT)

 

 BECOME A 3S PERSON OF GREAT  WISDOM

 

 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.  Titus 2:12 (NLT)

 

Stay closer to Jesus by spending time in God’s Word

Start using your spiritual gift by seriously serving in your church

Smile your way into the hearts of precious souls as you share God’s Love

YOU HAVE GOD’S POWER TO BE PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE, BECAUSE

 

JESUS LOVES YOU!