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Living Between Hard Times and Mount Moriah

Faith

Hebrews 11:1-3, 6, 8-16

Faith is real. Vs 1-3

Faith is essential in order to please God. Vs 6

By faith we obey God. Vs 8-10

Through faith we receive God’s blessing. Vs 11, 12

By faith we see the future as reality. Vs 13-16

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Aliens

1 Peter 2: 12 – 12 (NIV)

Christians are aliens.

Great followers of God in the Old Testament were aliens. (Hebrews 11: 1 – 16)(NIV)

We need to be the kind of alien that others want to be like.

Superman was an alien.

Christians lives should be attractive to others.

We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. (Mathew 5: 13 – 16)

Is there anyone you can think of that you wanted to be like.

After we attract others we are to teach others. For this we will be judged more than other people.

Mathew 28: 18 – 20, James 3:1

A changed life will draw some attention.

The word “alien” is used to show how people should notice we are different.

We are not born as aliens. (1 Tim 1:15 – 17)

Have you ever had a change in your life?

Notes

Living Between Hard Times and Mount Moriah

2 Very Different Mothers Meet God

Genesis 16:13,14; 18:13-15

God showed Himself to a single mother, slave girl. Genesis 16:13,14; 21:15-20

* Where is God when we have been used or rejected?
* El Roi = The God who sees.
* Where is God when we face an impossible situation? 21:15-20
* God opens our eyes so we can see and deal with reality.
* God cares about us and He cares about our children.

God showed himself strong for an elderly lady. Genesis 18:10-15

* Despite us, God has an amazing sense of humor.
* Nothing is too hard for the Lord.
* He keeps His promises.
* Prayer makes a difference.

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Living Between Hard Times and Mount Moriah

A Hard Heart Versus a Soft Heart

Genesis 13

A hard heart is formed through a series of bad choices.

* Lot selfishly chose the best land. Genesis 13:10, 11
* Perhaps Lot was thinking of his family. Is this bad?
* Lot chose to live near Sodom. Genesis 13:12, 13
* Later he lived in Sodom.

We need to carefully evaluate our decisions. Are they leading us in the right direction? Romans 6:19-22

A soft heart is kept through a series of good choices.

* Abraham made the effort to make things right with God. Proverbs 4:23-27
* Abraham chose to worship God at a particular place. Genesis 13:3,4
* He chose peace not pay back.
* God tells us to give our disagreements to Him. Romans 12:17-21

Without a doubt there is blessing form God when we choose His direction. Genesis 13:14-18

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Living Between Hard Times and Mount Moriah

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Genesis 12:1-5; 10-19

Hard times are the result of poor decisions (or sin) on the part of someone. Vs 10-13 Is this true?

* Check out Adam in the garden.
* Let’s get real. Most poor decisions are cowardly or lazy.
* Many times our hard times are the result of poor decisions on the part of someone else.
* If you are truly a child of God He will not let you get away with it. Vs 18, 19
* What if…..?

Good decisions bless others and us. Vs 1-5

* We need to operate by faith.
* We ask God for wisdom. James 1:5, 6
* God is still in the blessing business. Psalm 1
* He wants us to be a part of the blessing process.

God’s grace leaves room for us to survive poor decisions.

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And the Angels Were Silent
Real Hope for Real People in a Real World
Psalm 22

God came into our real world – REALLY!
➢    Jesus performed only 2 miracles once He was in Jerusalem.
➢    He was abandoned by those closest to Him – even His Father. Psalm 22:1
➢    The cross was real. Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10

Jesus took our sin, suffering, and abandonment on Himself.  Isaiah 53:4-9

He cares, He heals, and He leads us to worship. Psalm 22:24, 25

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“And the Angels Were Silent”
A look at the last days of Jesus’ Ministry.
Making Outsiders Insiders (Near Jericho)
Luke 18:15-19:9

Jesus came for the “too little, too laters”. Jesus was passionate about the forgotten. Luke 19:1-9
➢    Jesus was always with sinners. 19:7
➢    Jesus came to save the lost. 19:10

Sometimes religion can be ugly.  18:35-43
➢    The blind beggars needed what Jesus had to offer.
➢    The religious crowd tried to keep the blind away. 18:39
➢    When people truly meet God they can’t help but worship. 18:42, 43

Jesus, the Son of Man, was purposeful as he prepared for His death. 18:31-34

Jesus had a special place in His heart for the children. 18:15-17
➢    Those who should have known better tried to keep the children from Jesus. 18:15
➢    Without child like faith we cannot be saved.  18:16, 17

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What to say?

We are often labeled or described by what we say, or how we say things

Our weapon against the devil; the sword of the spirit is the __word__of God. Ephesians 6:17

Almost everything about our new nature in God involves what we say. Ephesians 4:24 – 31

General Speech

Don’t just say things to hear yourself talk. Proverbs 17:27 – 28

The tongue is the hardest thing we have to control. James 3: 1 – 12

Cursing and Praises to God can’t come from the same mouth!

How do I speak to others?

Talking to everyone else except the person we are talking about solves nothing.

Confrontation is a good thing! Mathew 18:15 – 17

How do I speak to God?

Prayer is how we _communicate_ with God. Luke 18: 9 – 14

The Lord’s prayer is a great example of how to talk to God.

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Live Passionately – Winter is for Lovers
Satan is Alive and Well on Planet Earth
Ephesians 6:10-18

We are in a life and death struggle with Satan not people. Ephesians 6:10-12

Satan is the ultimate strategist and he uses many tools trying to defeat us.
➢    He’s a liar. John 8:44
➢    He’s a murderer.
➢    He is always accusing us. Revelation 12:9, 10
➢    He resists Godly people. 1 Thessalonians 2:18
➢    He blinds people to the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:4

Our weapons are supernatural and invincible. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Our defensive armor is put in place as we realize who we are in Christ.  Ephesians 6:13-18

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Live Passionately – Winter is for Lovers
“The Respect He Desperately Needs”
Ephesians 5:21-29

Some thoughts about the relationship between men and women:

How can a woman show respect to her husband?  CHAIRS – from “Love and Respect”.

Conquest – Appreciate his desire to work and achieve. Genesis 2:15, 18
Hierarchy – Appreciate his desire to protect and provide.
Authority – He has a desire to lead and to serve. Ephesians 5:22-24
Insight – He wants to be appreciated for analyzing and counseling. 1 Peter 3:1, 2
Relationship – He values shoulder to shoulder friendship. Song of Solomon 5:16
Sexuality – Be respectful with his sexual needs. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5

When it’s all said and done God wants the marriage relationship to be like our relationship with Him and all believers.  Colossians 3:16, 17