What Jesus Taught About Money, Possessions, and Giving

Notes: What Jesus Taught About Money, Possessions, and Giving
Harvest
September 28, 2014
Pastor Greg
Sunday Morning
Matthew 6 / 2 Corinthians 9

Greg is talking about how he over packs in trips, because you never know what you will need.

Greg is saying how there was a man in the Bible who had so much stuff that he had to build storage buildings for all of his stuff.

Luke 12:20-21 NKJV
[20] But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' [21] "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

15% of everything Jesus said relates to the topic of money and possessions.

That is more than teachings on Heaven and hell combined.

Scripture offers about 500 verses on prayer and fewer than 500 on faith, while there are more than 2,000 verses on money!

We all seem to think our stuff is our stuff, but it all is really a gift from God.

Scripture teaches that you belong to God.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV
[19] Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? [20] For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.).

When the Pharisees try to trick Jesus Christ about what is Caesar's He shows them a coin with Caesars  picture on it and says to give Caesars what is Caesars and to God what is God's. You and your body and mind is God's!

Haggai 2:8 NKJV
[8] 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts.

Proverbs 6:6 NKJV
[6] Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,

1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV
[8] But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
[22] The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV
[18] "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

1 Timothy 6:17-18 NKJV
[17] Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. [18] Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

1. Don’t be arrogant nor put your ultimate hope in wealth.

Tell those who are rich not to be proud, soon they will be gone and their possessions won't matter.

2. Enjoy what God has given you.

God has no joy in anyone's poverty. It is ok to have things to comfort your life.

It’s not about what we have, but who we have.

Death comes for everyone, it has no respect for persons.

Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV

[11] Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: [12] I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Money is not the root of evil, but the love of it is.

When you bend every effort to get money, that is evil. Money in and of itself has no moral ground.

Wealth is not the problem, it's how we get it, how we have it and what we do with it.

1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV
[10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Some says it hurts to give, Jesus Christ basically says it should hurt to stop giving.

3. Use money for good.
(1 Timothy 6:18 NKJV
[18] Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,)

Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV
[1] "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. [2] Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. [3] But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Matthew 6:1 NKJV
[1] "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

You are not to give to impress others, you lose all reward from God. You got the reward you wanted from the people you were trying to impress. 

Matthew 6:3 NKJV
[3] But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

If you do things for God, you don't have to tell anyone, because God knows all.

God is everywhere, watching everything.
(Proverbs 15:3 NKJV
[3] The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.)
If I give in such a way as to impress others, I already have my reward.
(Matthew 6:2 NKJV
[2] Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.)

God wants the right motive: don’t give out of mere duty.
(Matthew 6:3 NKJV
[3] But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,)

If we remember, God will forget; but if we forget, God will remember.

Leave the bookkeeping to God and he will keep you accountable.

All scripture is inspired by God. Jesus Christ quoted old scripture and that confirmed the truth of it.'

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 NKJV
[6] But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. [9] As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NKJV

[10] Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, [11] while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

1. God specifically says He loves cheerful giving.
(2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV
[7] So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.)

Christmas as an example is a time that we see this. Little kids seem to love the getting and the parents enjoy seeing the kids get it. As the kids grow and have children they slowly change to see the joy of giving.

2 Corinthians 8:2 NKJV
[2] that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

How is it possible to have all these things seen as bad things and still find joy? Because these people found the joy of giving.

2 Corinthians 8:5 NKJV
[5] And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

According to Martin Luther, three conversions necessary: Conversion of the heart, conversion of the mind and conversion of the purse.

2. It is a blessing and real joy to give.

3. As we give to God, God will give even more to us!
(2 Corinthians 9:8)

A farmer knows this, the more you sow your seeds the larger the crops.

On the personal side, do you like to help a tight wad or help a giver? God is the same way.

We are not owners of anything we are only stewards of what God has put in our possession.

Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV
[9] Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

If you are faithful with what He has given you, He will give you more.

“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” (Proverbs 23:5 NKJV
[5] Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.)

You can't take it with you, but you can send your treasures on ahead of you.

Time on earth is a before life, it comes and goes. The "afterlife" is forever. Store up your treasures there!

Discussing End Times Events

Notes: Discussing End Times Events

Thursday, September 25, 2014 — 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Greg and Don Stewart Discuss End Times Events

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

SPECIAL GUEST:

Don Stewart

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

http://bit.ly/1q9xF3t

Pastor Greg is interviewing Don Stewart and is accepting questions via text to be answered during the interview.

Why does Don believe that we are living in the last days? He says so many things have come together as predicted in scripture that are happening in front of our eyes right now.

7 Signs:

1. Israel is a nation
2. Israel will build a 3rd temple
3. Israel will be attacked by 7 nations coalition in Ezekiel 38 and 39
4. Who is absent from the attack from Israel, no boarding states are in the scenario
5. There is no super power in the world today
6. No world leader today
7. The rise of modern technology

Commentators of the last 2000 years have been predicting the things that are happening today.

We have just started a war against this ISIS group, they are talking about how all of these groups are Islamic. All these groups believe Islam will take over the world one day.

Greg is not saying that all Muslims embrace this. Many around the world do believe this to be true.

Greg says there is a big vacuum with God being taken from us, and these groups are trying to slide in and fill this void.

Greg is talking about how there is all kinds of events talked about in the end times.

The Rapture of the church, first the dead are brought to life, second the ones who are alive will be caught up in the air.

2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV) 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Some people believe we will have a body, some think we will just be spirits. We don’t know that for sure.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (NKJV) 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”[a]

55 “O Death, where is your sting?[b]

O Hades, where is your victory?”[c]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

The Anti-Christ will be an unsuspecting person, as scripture says, through peace he will deceive many.

Daniel 11:12 (NKJV) 12 When he has taken away the multitude, his heart will be lifted up; and he will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail.

Matthew 24:21 (NKJV) 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

What is the attack of Magog? First Gog is the leader, Magog is an area. Persia is an ally of Magog. 

Pastor Chuck Smith told them a story of how he told Israeli generals that they need to worry about Iran, and those general laughed at him back in the 70s or 80s. That is not the case today.

Israel will be attacked from all directions.

What is the Rapture? 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NKJV) 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

7 Theories are out there about the rapture. Don Stewart is completely convinced that the rapture is going to be pre-tribulation.

They said that anyones belief in these theories are non-essential points. Meaning many have different beliefs and this argument should not split the church.  These are all theories, only God knows the answers for sure.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 (NKJV) 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NKJV) 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Corinthians 7:14 (NKJV) 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

1 Corinthians 15:51 NKJV—Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed

Many people want to be saved at the 11th hour but loose their live at the 10th hour, don’t be that person.

They are talking about how the Kings of the East will have an army of 200,000,000 which is not even the amount of people that were on the earth when the prophecy was written.

America is not in Bible prophecy. We do not know exactly why.

There is two comings of the Lord, at the rapture and when He comes to set up his kingdom.

Matthew 25 says Jesus will come back and judge.

Sin doesn’t make since, it is illogical and irrational.

Revelation 20:5 (NKJV) 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV) 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Sin has to be paid for, either we let Jesus pay for our sin, or we must pay for our sin.

Satan always is waiting in the wings looking to produce the Anti-Christ

How does a person prepare themselves for the rapture? 1 John 5:13 (NKJV) 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Jesus died in our place for our sins. Be ready for the rapture and accept that fact.

The Whosoevers Interview of Fieldy from Korn

Notes: The Whosoevers Interview of Fieldy from Korn
Shine - CC Costa Mesa

Ryan Ries and Fieldy (Korn Bass Player)
September 25, 2014

Video talking about who The Whosoevers are and peoples testimony in the video. The Whosoevers was started by Ryan Ries and Sunny Sandoval. Thewhosoevers.com

Ryan Ries came out and is talking. He is talking about how Jesus responded to the people would try to make money off of religion. He says Jesus hated religious people, he is calling the Pharisees and Sadducees the religious people. He said Jesus is the first real punk rocker.

Ryan says Jesus is one of us, not a religious person. Ryan says Jesus is from Heaven reaching down to us. Ryan says religion is man trying to reach up to Heaven and we will never reach.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV) 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. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

Jesus is there to pick you up when you do the same stupid thing over and over again.

Fieldy from Korn is now being interviewed.

Ryan asked Fieldy what led him to Jesus? Fieldy says it was a little taste of God that got him seeking the Lord.

Fieldy's dad got sick and Fieldy thought he was just rich enough and prideful enough that he could pay to get his dad healed. His dad was flat lining and his stepmom asked him to pray with her.

He accepted Christ at that point. He couldn't believe that God could hit a reset button and forgive him of all those sins. He was amazed, then he started reading the Bible, he felt the Holy Spirit in his life. He just wanted to "taste" more of the goodness of God.

Fieldy says he can't explain the unexplainable feeling that he has now that Jesus is in his life.

He said when it "hits the fan" he knows that God is real. It is a battle with the enemy and he has always found Jesus is the way out of the problems. He now runs to Jesus and doesn't run from others.

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

Ryan asked Fieldy if there is anything he still struggles with? Fieldy says he still struggles with anger, it used to be a 10 but it is now only a 2.

Fieldy says it was a process for him to be saved. He learned that things were changing in his life. He says he tells people you have to "come as you are" and Jesus will change you.

Jesus takes the things out of your life that you don't actually want.

The Bible says sin is fun for a season, and we all know it is fun, but that fun sin always ends in death.

Ryan asked Fieldy about when he back slid and started drinking again. He started drinking again for a couple years. Fieldy says it took away his Gidliness with contentment. He realized that drinking did not work for him.

He says you can't wait to stop to accept Jesus. You have to come as you are.

Fieldy is talking about storms in his life. He says he heard it said that nobody gets a pass on life.

Fieldy's wife, Dina, is on stage talking about a storm in her life.

Dina says as Fieldy was gone on tour, she became a drinker and angry. In 2011 she told Fieldy they were done, she started going out and not coming home. In 2012, she said she had to tell Fieldy something. Dina told him that she had to tell him, the she was pregnant by someone else. She then got up and left. Fieldy in response, told her she needed to have an abortion, which was not what Fieldy as a Christian would actually say.

Dina decided to have the abortion, but couldn't do it. Fieldy actually told her not to have the abortion.

Their baby was born 2 years ago, named Noah.

Fieldy was there when Noah was born and they have a strong relationship.

Dina and Fieldy are still having heir problems, but they are together and working through it.

Fieldy says he read, God has a plan and a purpose before we are born. His kids aren't his, they are God's kids.

We can't take God's kids from him, you are God's kid and you are not allowed to take yourself from Him!

Intro to the Book of Acts and 5 Pieces of Advice for the Men's Study

Notes: 5 Pieces of Advice for the Men's Study
Valor Study
September 23, 2014
First Night of study
Pastor Mike Jonker

Our format should be, come in after a long day, get coffee, talk to friends. Come in at 7 we will worship for 20 to 25 minutes, then break into the same group each week.

Group leaders are all solid men following Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
[7] For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

5 Pieces of Advice

1. Don't be afraid of the structure.

It's a 6 day study.

2. Don't be afraid of the time commitment.

Give the Lord at least 15 minutes a day.

It is an eight month study.

The structure was part of what kept Mike committed to the study, when he first started going to the men's study he wasn't sure if he could commit.

Mike thought of himself as a free spirit Christian, but the study got him involved in the church.

We all have responsibilities but if God lays this on your heart, you will find yourself wanting to show up.

3. Don't be afraid of the men in your group.

Let down your guard and share with each other. As you get into Gods word, it will speak to your hearts and then God will have you apply it daily.

It doesn't matter if you are a rookie, there is no need to know the bible well enough to participate

Iron sharpens iron.

4. Take the 15 minutes and commit to it every day.

If you commit to that 15 minutes to invest in Gods word, God will work in your life.

Don't let your recreation rob you of what God wants to pour into your heart.

5. Come ready to give.

You may have the nugget of information and encouragement that someone in your group needs.

Pastor Mike is giving a short intro on the book of Acts.

He says Acts is like the second Gospel of Luke.

Luke 1:1-4 NKJV
[1] Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, [2] just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, [3] it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, [4] that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were

Acts 1:1-3 NKJV
[1] The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, [2] until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, [3] to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Acts covers about 33 years of time.

He writes the book of Acts as a record. In the book of Acts we see the Holy Spirit working in the lives of Christians.

Acts 1:8 NKJV
[8] But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Mike says Acts is like an unfinished book, that we are suppose to be continuing to write today.

Acts is a book talking about power, the power the Holy Spirit working in Christian lives.

For us as believers, there is definitely a distinction of when the Holy Spirit is working on our lives.

Luke 24: 46-43
46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

God wants us to experience how the Holy Spirit can work in our lives, as husbands, fathers, brothers and followers in Jesus.

We can't be the fathers, husbands or anything that God has called us to be apart from the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let's finish this commitment to God and the world around us.

Pray, Hope and Don't Worry

Notes: Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry
September 23, 2014
St Timothy Catholic Church
Daily Morning Service
Laguna Niguel, CA

Proverbs 21:1-6 NKJV
[1] The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. [2] Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. [3] To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. [4] A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. [5] The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. [6] Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

Proverbs 21:10-13 (NKJV)

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;

His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;

But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,

Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

Will also cry himself and not be heard.

Psalm 119:1,27,30,34,35,44 (NKJV)

Psalm 119  (NKJV)

119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

Who walk in the law of the Lord!

27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts;

So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.

30 I have chosen the way of truth;

Your judgments I have laid before me.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;

Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it.

44 So shall I keep Your law continually,

Forever and ever.

Gospels or the day Luke 8:19-21

19 Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.” 21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

Matthew 24:46-47
46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

Luke 12:42

42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

Priest is speaking about a man named Pedro Pio. He dedicated his life at a very young age. Pedro Pio is a controversial person in the Catholic Church.

He had received a stigmata

In July 1918 the Pope asked the whole world to pray for peace.

Pedro Pio prayed on that same day asking God to use him to help provide peace in the world.

Pedro Pio thinks the stigmata, came from that prayer. He was was suffering for the world.

He believed you should, pray, hope and not worry.

People all had their own opinions about him. But, there is something special about someone that is willing to suffer for us and God's kingdom.

Pray, hope and don't worry.

Suffering for the will of God can lead us closer to God and a holier life.

How to Keep from Stressing Out

Notes: HOW TO KEEP FROM STRESSING OUT

You Asked To Hear It Again – Part 2

Pastor Rick Warren

September 21, 2014

While Pastor Rick is writing the materials he'll use in 2015, he's repeating 6 messages that were asked to be heard again: "I wish my friends could hear this!”

Pastor Rick is talking about how suicide has surpassed car accidents as the number one cause of death in America.

He is talking about all of the stresses in our lives and how the Bible tells us how to deal with them.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-13

"If you do THESE THINGS you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts quiet and your heart at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus." verse 7 (LB)

Philippians 4:6-13 (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 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. 8 And 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. 9 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. 10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength.

Peace that surpasses understanding is peace during a time when you never thought you could never experience peace.

God promises a more peaceful less stressed mind.

There are over 7000 promises in the Bible, and every promise has a premise. “If you do these things”

5 Things that God says to do in this passage.

1.  Refuse to worry about anything!

"Never worry about anything . . ." Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Phil 4:6 NLT—Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Is there any wiggle room in that verse? NO there isn’t!

Jesus said . . .

• WORRY IS  Unreasonable

"Don't worry about your life, what you'll eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important thanfood, and the body more important than clothes?" Matthew 6:25

Worry exaggerates the problem. The more you worry about it, the bigger it gets!

To worry about something you can’t change is useless, to worry about something you can change is not what you should be doing.

• WORRY IS  Unnatural 

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26

You have to practice worrying, you are not born worrying.

If God is your heavenly Father, then you get special privileges.

"And why worry about clothes? Look at the field lilies! TheyDon't worry about theirs. Yet King Solomon in all his glory was never clothed as beautifully as they." Matthew 6:28-29 

In all of God’s creation, only human beings worry. We are the only ones who don’t trust him.

Worry in not natural and not good for you.

Prov 14:30 NLT—A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

• WORRY IS  Unhelpful

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

Worry can not change the past and will not change the future. It just messes up today.

Worry only changes you. It makes you miserable.

• WORRY IS  Unnecessary

"If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:30 

You are as happy as you choose to be. Happiness is a choice and so is worrying.

"Unload all your worries on God since He is looking after you!" 1 Peter 5:7 (JB)

Let it go!

2.  Talk to God about everything.

"Never worry about anything. Instead in every situation let God know what you need in your prayers and requests . . ." Philippians 4:6 (GW)

Don’t Panic! Pray!

Talking to yourself will do nothing, talking to God will help.

If you prayed as much as you worried, you would have a lot less to worry about.

Pastor Rick said as a kid he would say “Dad I need this” and Rick never worried about where his dad got the money for what he wanted.

Worry is practical atheism. 

"You do not have, because you do not ask God." James 4:2b 

Stress management: Worry less, ask more.

Every problem in your life is tiny to God.

There is no area in your life that God is not interested in. God will care for you and will care for all of your life.

Why say, “God I will handle this” when He can.

"Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't He who gave us Christ, also give us everything else we need?" Romans 8:32 (NLT)

3.  Thank God in all things.

". . . When you ask God for what you need also thank him for all he's done." Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

"...always ask with a thankful heart." (TEV)

You cannot be happy and ungrateful at the same time.

An attitude of gratitude is the most helpful emotion to have. It releases stress and gets the focus off me.

You can always choose something to be grateful for.

There is never a time where everything in your life and nothing is good. Also, there is never a time when everything is all bad.

"In everything give thanks, for THIS is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you!" 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

This is God’s will for you!

Before you can take step 2, then you need to take step 1.

4.  Think about good things.

"Fill your minds with those things that are true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and beautiful and respected. If anything is excellent or if anything is worthy of honor, think about those things." Philippians 4:8 (NCV/NAS)

The war with stress is won and lost in your mind. 

If you want peace of mind, then you need to start controlling what is going in and out of it.

Mind pollution is the most serious pollution!

The Bible give us a test of eight things: Is it true, is it good, is it right, is it pure, is it beautiful, is it respected, is it excellent, is it worthy of honor.

He says TV is getting worse and worse, heroes on tv today are zombies, serial killers, crack addicts. 

Prov 14:9 NKJV—Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.

"You Lord, will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, and whose thoughts are fixed ON YOU!" Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Pastor Rick says if you look at the world you will be distressed, if you look within you will be depressed, if you look to Christ you will be at rest.  

5. Be content with anything.

 "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether I'm well-fed or hungry, when I have more than I need or when I don't have enough." Philippians 4:11-12 

Contentment is not laziness, apathy or lack of ambition. 

Contentment is enjoying what I have right now.

Contentment is the opposite of coveting. That is when and then thinking.

Contentment is not natural, you have to learn it.

Step 1 of contentment is STOP COMPARING!

The source of all discontentment is comparison. Your stuff is good, until you see something that someone else has that is better.

Your stuff can make you discouraged or prideful, depending on it in comparison to others.

Most of us start as originals and we turn ourselves into carbon copies.

God made you to be you. He wants you to be you!

"Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but envy is like a cancer." Proverbs 14:30 (TEV)

Envy will eat you up!

Contentment make the body healthy!

Stop thinking that having more will make you happy. That is a lie! Having more does not help you.

Your self worth is not based on your net worth.

Find security in something that can never be taken from you, your relationship with God can not be taken from you.

You can not choose what happens to you, but you can chose your response.

"It's better to only have a little with peace of mind, than to be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind." Ecclesiastes 4:6 (TEV) 

Don’t be possessed by your possessions.

Learn to admire without having to acquire. Learn that you don’t have to own it in order to enjoy it. Pastor Rick is talking about how he decided not to buy jet skies or boats. He has never scraped a barnacle off of his boat, because he has never owned a boat. He will enjoy yours, you can do those things. 

HOW? Because not worrying is not easy!

"I have the strength to face anything and everything by the power that Christ gives me." Philippians 4:13

I can worry about nothing when Christ strengthens me.

We are not talking about a religion, we are talking about a relationship.

"Obey God and be at peace with Him; this is the way to happiness." Job 22:21 (NCV)

The real reason you are not a peace, is because you are at war with God.

To have the peace of God, you must be at peace with God!

Essentials: Signs of the Times

Notes: Essentials: Signs of the Times
September 18, 2014
Pastor Jeff Lasseigne 
Harvest OC
Ezekiel 37

Pastor Jeff is here talking about how great worship was tonight. How that is just a small taste if to what is to come when we are in Heaven in front of God.

Jeff is talking about a story of timing and when others are on the same page with you.

Eschatology is the study of the last days in Bible times. Studying the future. 

Jeff believes we are living in the last part of the last days.

The count down started at Pentecost in Acts 2.

He is speaking about the rapture of the church and what follows after that.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV
[3] Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

Jeff is talking about how he flew into Denver and was following the signs to get around. That the Bible has lots of signs if you can carefully follow them.

When the Bible talks about the signs of the times, it is in general speaking about the signs indicating the second coming of Christ. 

There are over 300 references in the New Testament talking about the second coming. The Old Testament has over 1500 references.

5 Signs we are in the last days.

1. The Regathering of Israel

Israel was reestablished in May 14, 1948.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 NKJV
[1] The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. [2] Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. [3] And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know." [4] Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! [5] Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. [6] I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD."'" [7] So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. [8] Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. [9] Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."'" [10] So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. [11] Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' [12] Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. [13] Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. [14] I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it," says the LORD.'"

Like Daniel, Ezekiel was a captive of Nebuchadnezzar.

When Israel was reestablished that was the biggest event and most prophesied event in all the Bible.

Over 40% of all Jews in the world live in Israel now.

Mark Hitchcock wrote that we are the generation that has a front row seat that sees this prophecy happen.

The Bible says that the Jewish people would not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

Zechariah 12:10 NKJV
[10] "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

The Bible says that when the tribulation begins there will be 144,000 Jews that will be saved at that point and will go into the world and proclaim the word of God.

Revelation 7:3-4 NKJV
[3] saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." [4] And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

Ephesians 1:13 NKJV
[13] In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

More Jews will be saved then 144,000 according to Revelation.

Revelation 7:8 NKJV
[8] of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

Revelation 12:7-9 NKJV
[7] And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, [8] but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. [9] So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 12:13-17 NKJV
[13] Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. [14] But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. [15] So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. [16] But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. [17] And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

That passage speaks of satan attacking the Jewish people.

During the Great Tribulation, the rest of the Jews will recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

Jeff says this conversion was probably accurately described as Saul was converted to Paul.

Acts 9:3-9 NKJV
[3] As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. [4] Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" [5] And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." [6] So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." [7] And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. [8] Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. [9] And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Jeff says it is no coincidence that Israel
Is in the news almost everyday.

2. The Growing Apostasy

1 Timothy 4:1-3 NKJV
[1] Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, [2] speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, [3] forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

 Paul is warning us about these things. That in the last days many people will be turning from their faith.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 NKJV
[1] For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. [2] But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

Apostasy is the walking away of "professing believers" from the church. These are people walking away from their religion, these are not true believers.

1 John 2:19 NKJV
[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

The opposite of belief is is not just unbelief, it's false belief!

Many people today claim to follow Christ, but many only hope that God is following them.

3. Middle East Peace

We don't have peace there yet. Many nations are engaged in trying to get peace there. 

Their will be a false pseudo peace that will come from the devil.

4. The Reunited Roman Empire

Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 speak of this.

Babylon, Meto-Persia, Greece and The Roman Empire.

Revelation 13:1 NKJV
[1] Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.

These ten horns will be ten nations.

Revelation 17:15-16 NKJV
[15] Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. [16] And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

Daniel 9:26 NKJV
[26] "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.

The Anti-Christ will be from the new Roman Empire.

Jeff says all of the big groups of countries like the G8 or NATO will form the G10 for the antichrist.

5. Growing Globalization 

All the systems that are linking the world together. Internet, travel, and how the world is shrinking through technology.

The things we take for granted today are not all bad things.

Jeff said he read that only 20% of transactions are done in cash now.

Jeff is saying that globalist tell us that if we are all interconnected as economies then we will have less ripple effects in a down turned economy.

The antichrist will use globalization as his tool to unite and take over the world.

All of this information should be turned into applications.

Jeff is giving 5 take always,

1. Stay biblical.

Be balanced in the word and watch what is going on.

2. Pay attention

Jeff believes most of us, the current generation, are going to experience the rapture of the church.

3. Live obediently 

The Bible says to live expectantly and obediently. 

Live for this day and that day of return.

4. Reject worldliness

The world is passing away.

There is plenty of us to love in this world. Our family and friends to love. It is the things of the world for us to reject.

5. Share Faithfully

The gospel is still our commission and no time has been as important as now.

Don't forget that someone shared the Gospel with me, and I am thankful for that.

God's clock is ticking away. It never speeds up or slows down, just keeps ticking closer to the end.

We are past the looking for the signs part, we should be listening for the trumpets!

Are you ready for the return of Christ?

Winning with the Hand You're Dealt

Notes: WINNING WITH THE HAND YOU’RE DEALT

Rick Warren

Saddleback Church 

September 14, 2014

When people are hurting, they need simple truth. Not simplistic truth. You need to say more than Jesus is the answer. Yes, Jesus is the answer, but why He is the answer is what you need to let them know.

It's not just enough to say pray and go to church. We are all complex people and need to know why we are to pray and go to church.

Psalm 139:14 NLT—Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

To have a relationship with Jesus every facet of our lives needs to be looked at and we are all very complex.

Eccl 7:18 NLT—Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.

If you are going to be who God wants you to be then you need to deal with every part of your life. 

There are 5 factors in your life that identify who you are.

Pastor Rick tells us to remember the parable of the talents: Matt 25:29 NLT—To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

Pastor Rick says we are not going to be judged for what we don’t have and don’t know. But God will judge you on what you did with what you were given.

None of us have the same talents and will be judged different.

Rick asked how many people in the audience played poker? (He made a joke noticing that he was in the company of many sinners.) He says in 5 card stud you are only playing the 5 cards you are dealt. This message is about the hand you were dealt.

Rick says the Bible tells us 4 things about this hand we were dealt.

1. The Bible says nothing is perfect on this planet except Gods word.

Two imperfect people can not make a perfect relationship. If you expect things to be perfect on earth, then you expect Heaven on earth and that is not happening.

2. Jesus was sent to save us
3. One day you will give an account to God for the hand you were dealt in life
4. The Bible tells us how to win the game with the hand we are dealt.

There are factors that make you who you are.

1. My Chemistry Influences my Identity
1. This is all the chemicals that make you and your body.
1. Some for example are hypersensitive to pain, that is the way they are born.
2. Some were born with very low energy and some with very high energy.
2. This can create emotion and physical problems.
1. It all can effect us.
1. He is talking about oxytocin, how it effects people.
1. They discovered how oxytocin is the chemical that bonds a mother to a nursing baby.
2. They discovered it is what is happening when you make love.
1. That is a chemical that bonds us together.

No flaw in me is shameful or sinful!

It is just the way we are wired, it is part of who we are and it is the chemistry in our body. Your genes have flaws in them that make you unique.

Your flaws are a part of your custom design. Paul calls his, “thorn in his flesh”. 

Gal 4:13 NLT—Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News.

The Galatians are happy for what ever the thorn in the flesh of Paul's was because they got to hear the good news and they learned about Heaven.

2. My Connections Influence my Identity
1. This is relationships (especially your early years relationships)
1. Studies show that how you see yourself is largely determined how the most important people in your early life saw you.
1. That is why it is so important that you know how Jesus feels about you at a very young age.
1. Jesus says to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbors as yourself.
1. If you don’t understand that then you are lacking meaning
2. If we are all imperfect then we all have imperfect relationships.
3. Sin disconnects us from God and it disconnects us from one another.
1. Just like Adam and Eve in the Garden.
1. God told them not to do just one thing, yet they did it. 
1. Adam handled it like a man, Adam blamed his wife….haha
1. Adam blamed Eve, and we have been that way ever since.
1. Accusing and excusing
1. We hide our faults and hurl at others
2. They felt disconnected from God and then they disconnected from each other.
1. We have hidden and covered up our vulnerabilities ever since.
1. The more disconnected I am the more fearful I become. 
1. Disconnection causes fear.
4. We crave connections but we fear the vulnerability
3. My Circumstances Influence my Identity
1. These are the things that happened to you and around you.
1. None of these things are in your control
1. Your are a product of the traumas and troubles in your life
1. Pain, troubles, abuse, rejection, failures, crisis, catastrophe are all factors of who you are.
4. My Consciousness Influences my Identity
1. This is how you talk to yourself, how you think about you.
1. Rick says how people have thought that John 17 is strange, how God is talking to Himself. Rick says we all do that all the time, we are doing it right now.
1. There is never a time in your life you are not talking to yourself.
1. Rick says if you talked to your friends the way you talk to yourself then you would have no friends. We are our own toughest critics.
2. We lie to ourselves all the time
1. Jer 17:9 NLT—“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
2. This influences our identity, we hear what people say and then we say it to ourselves. Our habitual thoughts are our identity.
1. Prov 23:7 NKJV—For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.
2. What you think about you is the way it is, if it is true or not.
3. Prov 4:23 NCV—Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.
1. If you want your life to go into a different direction then you have to send your thoughts in a different direction.
1. When you think a thought, it does not have to be true to hurt you. You just have to believe it.
1. If someone says you will never amount to anything and you believe it, then you will not amount to anything.
1. If you think if long enough you will believe it.
2. Our fears are self fulling.
2. Job 3:25 NLT—What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.
1. This is self fulfilling prophecy.
3. Feeling are not facts.
1. Just feeling something does not mean it is true
2. Feelings lie all the time.
5. My Choices Influences my Identity.
1. The Bible says we are created in the image of God.
1. We have the choice to chose because we are made in God’s image.
1. God has choices and so do we.
2. The freedom of choice is our greatest blessing and our greatest curse.
3. Angels don’t have a choice, neither do animals or anything else, but we do.

The good news about your Choice Card you were dealt is that it is the Wild Card. It can change all the other cards.

We didn’t choose our chemistry, or our bodies, or my circumstances but I can choose how I respond to them.

I don’t choose everything that goes on around me.

I am "response able” that means I am responsible for what I choose.

We can change our destiny with our choices.

There are 5 winning choices we can make with the hand we are dealt.

1. I can choose to get healthier as a winning choice.
1. No matter where you are right now, you can be healthier.
1. We can choose to make the better decisions.
1. We can choose to make the most with our bodies.

Ps 119:73 NLT—You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

The pain is in my brain!

The pain actually may start in another part of your body, but it sends signals to your brain.

Improving the controllable things reduces the impact of the uncontrollable things in your life.

You will never be an inch taller, but you can be in better shape.

2. I can choose to deepen my relationships as a winning choice.
1. We can strengthen healthy relationships.
2. We can end unhealthy relationships.

The fear of rejection prevents connections.

Pastor Rick speaks of marriage. Many tell themselves that they can never get married, or no one wants to marry them. Those are all feelings, not facts.

Awkward won’t kill me!

1John 4:18 NIV—There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

There is no fear in love!

Why is there no fear in love? Love takes the focus off of me and puts it on someone else. 

We are worried about how we look to everyone else, but it doesn’t matter. Other people aren’t thinking about you because they are too busy thinking about themselves.

Self-centerdeness says what is everyone else thinking about me.

Love walks into a room and thinks who in here needs a little help. 

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, humility is thinking of yourself less often. Thinking about others needs, perfect love cast out all fear.

F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real

There is only one way to get rid of fear, to do the thing that you fear the most. Fear does not respond to emotion, fear responds to action.

Fear is always worse than the reality.

1Cor 14:1a NLT—Let love be your highest goal!

You are not allowed to not love!

That means risking connections, it means stepping out. If you try to love someone and they reject your love, then redirect your love. Billions of people need your love right now. 

You can not say I am not going to love because I got hurt once.

Eph 3:17 NCV—I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 

3. I can choose to trust God as a winning choice.
1. No matter what happens, I can trust God.
2. Regardless of what happens.

Rom 8:27-Rom 8:29 NKJV—Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 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.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

The Message of Romans 8:27-29 says “God knows us far better than we know ourselves…That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what He was doing from the very beginning….”

God decided from the beginning to shape the lives of the ones that love Him to be more like Jesus.

Ps 34:1 TLB—I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. 

That will give you the confidence that no one else has.

When the world can hit you with their best shot and you can praise the Lord, that will make you an amazing person. It is an identity you can not get anywhere else.

I am a product of my past but I am not a prisoner of it.

I can be different!

4. I can choose what I think about as a winning choice.
1. Others can not tell me what to think about.

Shame, guilt, anger and embarrassment are stored in one part of your brain. You can not make them go away but you can overwrite them. You think a thought a thousand times, it creates a rut. Some have a grand canyon of depression in their mind. In the 20th century it was thought that the adult brain could not be changed. But, there was a Noble Prize winner that showed you can change the brain, it is elastic, not concrete.

You can change!

Pastor Rick says jokingly that it is just great that science caught up to the Bible. 

Rom 12:2 NLT—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.

Let God transform the way you think. Change your brain, change your life. Garbage in puts garbage out

Feed your brain with truth!

When the truth of Gods word is, less than the negative and sinful thoughts of life, are in your brain that is called depression.

You must feed your brain with God’s word, go to church, read the Bible, speak with friends, meditate on God’s word. Every time you feed yourself more of the positive, the depression goes away. As you feed it more, that creates happiness and that is a choice.

Phil 4:8 NLT—And 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.

Pastor Rick says that scripture does not sound like it is talking about television, to emphasize his point, he said 50 Shades of Gray may be popular but it is pornography, its poison and you shouldn’t fill your mind with it.

You don’t watch junk TV, skip some movies and there is a lot you shouldn’t read.

Surround yourself with good memories reminding yourself of who you are and what you are.

Combining a beautiful memory with the Word of God is a beautiful thing.

5. I can choose Jesus as my Savior as a winning choice.
1. Rick says let Jesus be your savior everyday, not just the difference between Heaven and hell.

I need Jesus to save me from myself, my defects, my memories, my circumstances, my pressures, my trauma, my troubles.

Jesus can put on your helmet of Salvation.

Jesus don’t just save me from sin, save me from myself.

2Cor 5:17 TLB—When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!

It is like being born again, it is a whole new identity.

If you are waiting on God, then God is waiting on you!

When you choose to get healthier, you choose risking healthy connections, you choose to trust God, you choose to change the way you think, and you choose God as your savior then God will give you a winning hand!