IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY CHECK UP 2009 CHECK UP

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)

1. WE SHOULD REMEMBER OUR BIRTH

13You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, 14and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.

Psalm 139:13-14 (CEV)

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT)

2. WE SHOULD REMEMBER OUR RE-BIRTH

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!

38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him).

John 7:37-39 (NLT)

You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. 36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37 You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true.

John 4:35-37 (NLT)

3. WE SHOULD REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN OUR LIVES

We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:6-7(NLT)

Search for the LORD and for his strength;

continually seek him. 5 Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones. Psalm 105:4-6 (NLT)

4. WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT GOD IS STILL AT WORK IN OUR LIVES

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT)

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NLT)

JESUS LOVES YOU

But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him

BEWARE OF EMOTIONAL UNFORGIVNESS 2009 CHECK UP– Part 2

27But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Luke 6:27-28, 35 (NIV)

1. SHOW YOUR LOVE THROUGH ACTION

(Do something good for them)

20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. (NLT) Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Romans 12:21 (TM)

2. FOLLOW JESUS WAY AND RECEIVE DOUBLE BLESSINGS EVERYTIME

Then Jesus said to all the people:

If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me.

Luke 9:23 (CEV)

35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

Luke 6:35 (NLT)

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

3. TRUST JESUS INSTRUCTIONS, NOT YOUR EMOTIONS

Your emotions are out of control, making you look fierce;

Job 15:12 (CEV)

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)

A sound mind makes for a robust body,

but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

Proverbs 14:30 (TM)

JESUS LOVES YOU!

Jesus said: If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. Galatians 6:8 (CEV)

BEWARE OF SPIRITUAL SWINE FLU 2009 CHECK UP– Part 1

Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the LORD. Psalm 106:25 (NLT)

Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner. James 5:9 (TM)

1. A COMPLAINING SPIRIT SHOWS YOU ARE UNGRATEFUL FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS

And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. 11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.

12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.

13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:10-13 (NLT)

31 The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers.

Exodus 16:31 (NLT)

2. THE ANTIDOTE FOR COMPLAINING IS THANKFULNESS, BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU A POSITIVE ATTITUDE ANCHORED IN JESUS

Jesus told them: Stop grumbling! John 6:42 (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)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 5:18 (NLT)

I am disgusted with my life.

Let me complain freely.

My bitter soul must complain. Job 10:1 (NLT)

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 (NLT)

3. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPLAINING AND CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. Ecclesiastes 7:5 (NLT)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Matthew 7:5 (NLT)

JESUS LOVES YOU

Jesus said: It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” Matthew 15:11 (NLT)

JESUS MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO…

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. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NLT)

1. KNOW HE HAS MIRACULOUS PLANS FOR ME

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NLT)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2 (NASB)

For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

6 So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NLT)

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. John 15:15 (NLT)

2. KNOW HE HAS MIRACULOUS PLANS FOR YOU

16"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:16-17 (NLT)

35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

36"But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.

37"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.

38"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

39"This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.

40"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." John 6:35-40 (NLT)

JESUS LOVES YOU

Jesus said: ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' (Revelation 2:17 (NASB)

MAINTAIN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS SEVEN RULES TO SUCESS – Part 7

When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. 24 She fell at his feet and said: "My lord, let the blame be on me alone. Please let your servant speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. 1 Samuel 23-24 (NIV)

1. MAINTAINING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS REQUIRES HIGH MAINTENANCE, ACTON AND CAREFUL ATTENTION

Abigail wasted no time. She quickly gathered 200 loaves of bread, two wineskins full of wine, five sheep that had been slaughtered, nearly a bushel of roasted grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 fig cakes. She packed them on donkeys 19 and said to her servants, “Go on ahead. I will follow you shortly.” …

23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. 24 She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. 1 Samuel 25:18-19, 23, 24 (NLT)

32 David replied to Abigail, “Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! 33 Thank God for your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands. 35 Then David accepted her present and told her, “Return home in peace. I have heard what you said. We will not kill your husband.”

1 Samuel 25:32-33, 35 (NIV)

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 (NLT)

22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:22-23 (NLT)

When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Psalm 32:3-4 (NLT)

Sin pays off with death. But God's gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 (CEV)

2. HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS ALWAYS BEGIN WITH OURSELVES

A man who has friends must himself be friendly…

Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

YOU GO FIRST IN DOING GOOD

Please forgive my wrong. The LORD will certainly let your family have many kings, because you fight his battles. As long as you live, may you do nothing bad. 1 Samuel 25:28 (NCV)

Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good.

Romans 12:21 (NCV)

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. ” Mark 11:25 (NLT)

"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part. Matthew 6:14-15 (TM)

JESUS LOVES YOU

Jesus said: “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.”

John 10:10 (CEV)

STAND BY YOUR CONVICTIONS SEVEN RULES TO SUCESS – Part 6

Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. “Ask me for anything you like,” the king said to the girl, “and I will give it to you.” 23 He even vowed, “I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!” 24 She went out and asked her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother told her, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist!” Mark 6:22-24 (NLT)

1. DON’T GIVE INTO BEING AN APPROVAL ADDICT

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)

Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, 12 I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."

13 "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

1 Samuel 13:11-14 (NIV)

Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

John 12:42 (NLT)

Five effects that the fear of rejection has on us:

1. We allow others to manipulate us.

2. We conform to peer pressure.

3. We don’t follow the truth

4. We prevent future relationships

5. We keep silent rather than share the gospel

Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she could not do it 20because Herod was afraid of John and protected him. He knew that John was a good and holy man. Even though Herod was confused by what John said, [a] he was glad to listen to him. And he often did. Mark 19:20 (CEV)

2. PUT GOD IN FIRST PLACE, PUT YOURSELF & PEOPLE IN THEIR PROPER PLACE

1You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears.

Psalm 27:1 (CEV)

…For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5b (NLT)

15Do your best to win God's approval as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message. 2 Peter 2.15 (CEV)

I am not trying to please people. I want to please God. Do you think I am trying to please people? If I were doing that, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (CEV)

You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord's approval.

2 Corinthians 10:18 (CEV)

JESUS LOVES YOU

Jesus said: “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.”

John 10:10 (CEV)

CHOOSE TO FORGIVE & REFUSE TO BE OFFENDED SEVEN RULES TO SUCESS – Part 5

Her brother Absalom said to her, "Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet now, my sister; he is your brother. Don't take this thing to heart." And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom's house, a desolate woman. 21 When King David heard all this, he was furious. 22 Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar. 2 Samuel 13:20-22 (NIV)

1. WHEN YOU CHOOSE NOT TO FORGIVE YOU BECOME LIKE (OR EVEN WORSE THAN) THE ONE YOU DISPISE

21Ahithophel answered, "Some of your father's wives were left here to take care of the palace. You should have sex with them. Then everyone will find out that you have publicly disgraced your father. This will make you and your followers even more powerful." 22Absalom had a tent set up on the flat roof of the palace, and everyone watched as he went into the tent with his father's wives. 2 Samuel 16:21-22 (CEV)

32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.

35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”

Matthew 18:32-35 (NLT)

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14:15 (NLT)

2. WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO FORGIVE YOU FREE YOURSELF TO BECOME LIKE THE ONE WHO SETS YOU FREE

Jesus told his disciples: Have faith in God! 23If you have faith in God and don't doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. 24Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith. 25-26Whenever you stand up to pray, you must forgive what others have done to you. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins.

Mark 11:22:26 (CEV)

22 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

24 “The LORD bless you and keep you;

25 The LORD make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.”’

27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27 (NKJV)

14 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 (NLT)

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge; I will pay them back, says the LORD.”

Romans 12:19 (NLT)

JESUS LOVES YOU

Jesus said: “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.”

John 10:10 (CEV)