“It is not my fault.” This mentality is very common in today’s culture. Wrong actions are blamed on parents upbringing or environment. We are a lawsuit happy society. No matter what happens, it is easy to make excuses and blame someone else. It is true that our actions are influenced by a variety of factors, but God still holds us responsible. Below are five excuses we often make.
Once a year we celebrate thanksgiving. However, God wants us to be thankful every day. When we do this we will experience the life changing power of thankfulness of everyday
Becoming True Worshippers of God
John 4:1-26
True Worship is any act that honors God and is done from the heart. It starts with recognizing the majesty and worth of who He is and then bringing honor to Him through daily acts that are pleasing to Him (Math 15:8).
Reason #1: Prayer changes us (Phil 4:6-7)
Just as we choose what clothes to wear each day, we choose our attitudes and behaviors. Good attitudes are God honoring and improve relationships. Wrong attitudes and actions grieve the Spirit and dishonor God.
As one couple told me, a good marriage comes down to two Christians acting like Christians. More specifically two believers choosing to follow Christ.
Lessons from the Life of Joseph (Gen 37-45)
Looking at life is like looking at a single puzzle piece of a 5,000 piece puzzle. It often makes no sense and you have no clue as to what the big picture is.
When a person feels like they are going through the sewer of life, it is easy to ask the following:
God, what are you doing?
God, are you punishing me?
God, I am serving you. Why is this happening to me? I thought I was doing what is right!
Joseph’s life illustrates keys truths to coping with and living above difficult times. Joseph spent 13 years in slavery and prison. He basically had no clue why God had him there. The final chapter of the story in Genesis 45 reveals that God wanted Joseph in Egypt to accomplish Gis purposes.
What were some of God’s Purposes?
1.Christ would come and die for the sins of the world.
2.Christ would come through the line of Israel
3.Israel would be in captivity for four hundred years and then delivered and Egypt Judged (Gen 15:13-16).
4.Israel would inherit the promised land and the the occupants would be judged for their wickedness (Gen 15:13-16).
Bottom Line: God used Joseph to accomplish his purpose of getting the Israelites to Egypt and Preserving the Ancestry of Christ (Gen 45).
This is why everything happened to Joseph.
Key Point #1: God has plans and purposes and orchestrates everything to accomplish them (Is 46:8-10; Eph 1:11; Romans 8:28)
 What are some of God’s plans and purposes?
1.Many are unknown
2.Spiritual Growth and Maturity (Rom 8:28-29; James 1:1-6)
3.Making his Name Known / People Coming to Christ (1 Tim 2:4)
4.Preparing us for His work
Key Point #2: Our choices matter and we must remember God and be faithful to Him (Rom 14:10-12; Gal 6:9).
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Joseph was faithful in the furnace of life and so must we.
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 Observation: God is bigger than our mistakes and bad choices and continues his plans and purposes (Esther 4:13-14; Moses’ life, Joseph’s life).
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Principle #1: Remember the few things that are really important (Luke 10:38-42).
Relationship with God and Relationship with others.
Step back and ask, What is really important?
Principle #2: Train, Delegate, and Prune (Ex 18).
Who can I train?
What can I delegate or prune?
Principle #3: Get away (Christ’s Example).
How can I get away?
Principle #4: Get away and pray (Luke 5:15-16; Phil 4:6-7).
(C) 2006 — Arlen Busenitz. http://www.truthapplied.com/Â
Given at church (May 14, 06)
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Three Keys to Being Joyful (Phil 4:4-8)
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We have all seen the following:
=> A person is on fire for God and then drifts and turns away from God.
=> A respected Christian is involved in hidden sin.
=> Someone grows up in a Christian home and seems to have a real faith, but turns their back on God.
=> A person may be like David and appear to suddenly dive into a specific sin.
Why do people drift away from God? How can this be prevented?