My Christmas Gift For You

A New Way To See Yourself In The World - Part 1

8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 12There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:8-12 (NLT)

A Miracle: An extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.

1. JESUS INVITES ALL OF US TO LIVE IN EVERYDAY MIRACLE TERRITORY

(God incidence – not coincidence)

11Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. 12“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.

John 14:11-13 (NLT)

Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Acts 15:12 (NLT)

2. TO BE GOD’S MIRACLE “DELIVERY AGENT” YOU MUST BECOME A WILLING SERVANT.

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9a (NKJV)

3 PARTNERING WITH GOD TO DELIVER MIRACLES AND KNOWING ABOUT GOD IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE

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…

Matthew 28:18-19 (CEV)

4While he was still with them, he said: Don't leave Jerusalem yet. Wait here for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit, just as I told you he has promised to do.

Acts 1:4 (CEV)

3I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:3-5 (NLT)

4. GO BEYOND GOOD WORKS GOD’S SUPERNATURAL POWER AND MIRACLES

19I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)

31So, brethren, we [who are born again] are not children of a slave woman [the natural], but of the free [the supernatural].

Galatians 4:31 (Amplified Bible)

4Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:4 (Amplified Bible)

JESUS LOVES YOU

8Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)

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)