Faith Training

Apply Proverbs 16:1-9 to your spiritual growth training.

 1. To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

² All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

³ Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

⁴ The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster.

⁵ The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

⁶ Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

⁷ When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

⁸ Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,but the Lord establishes their steps.

Is your heart and mind focused on God for guidance and direction?

Be wise today and always - apply God's Word to your life.

Leadership Basics

America goes to the polls to elect the leader of their country for the next four years. Some of you may be stressed out about who you should vote for. Indecision can cause stress for you. It is a form of double-mindedness and James says that leads to instability (James 1:8). I think part of the problem is we complicate decisions, often factoring in information that isn’t really important—relying on our own wisdom while failing to specifically seek God and his wisdom. As a believer in Jesus Christ consider the following basic Christian Leadership steps in making your decision about your candidate. Do they operate under these guidelines?

1. They admit they need God’s guidance to make any decision None of us can see the future. We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow—much less next year, or 10 years from now. The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12, NIV)

2. They ask in faith for direction. James 1:5-6 says, “If you want to know what God really wants you to do, ask Him, and he will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; but … if you don’t ask in faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.” (TLB)

3. They listen for God’s response. God designed us to hear His voice. Job 33:14 says, “For God does speak—now one way, now another though man may not perceive it.” (NIV) God speaks to us through His Word, His people, circumstances and impressions—among other ways.

4. They will trust God even when it isn’t popular. Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV) 

Be wise today and always - don't put a leader over you that does not operate under God's guidelines.

Hope

Need hope? Receive what God's Word has for you:

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11

You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, Psalm 65:5

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15

Be wise today and always - praise God for the hope he offers to all!

Impact

The impact of Christ's power upon us should be impact our lives and be contagious to those around us!

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:2) Share and teach God's Word - the Truth!

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15) Always be ready to share what God has done and will do!

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.(1 John 1:3) Be God's witness for Jesus!

Have you tapped in to the power source? 

Be wise today and always - Pray for God's annointing.

Response Time

Today we will continue to examine examples of God's power. We must tap in to it to reach our communities with the gospel. We have the power of a believing and clean heart, is the witness Jesus desires.

  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God— this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Rom. 12:1-2

There is also the power of the response to Christ.  Look at Mark1:27-28, The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

The people responded in three ways: 

1. They were amazed 

2. They questioned 

3. They spread the news everywhere.

Be wise today and always - tap in to God's power. 

The Word

Over the next few days we will examine examples of God's power. We must tap in to it to reach our communities with the gospel.

We need the power of the Lord’s Word.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Draw strength from His Word, and allow it to empower you to share christ with the world around you.

Be wise today and always - plug in to the Word.

Reaching Out

What barriers exist in reaching the unchurched?

Thom Rainer shares 10 common reasons the church has not reached the unchurched:

10. We go to churches that do not want to reach the unchurched.

9. Failure to invite.

8. Lack of accountability.

7. Losing the habit of witnessing.

6. A desire to be tolerant.

5. Fear of rejection.

4. Busyness 

3. Growing disbelief in hell.

2. Salvation Confusion.

1. Spiritual lethargy.

This trend can only be reversed through God’s power and our willingness to change.

Be wise today and always - reach out to the unchurched in the Name of Jesus.