Character Development, Part 4: No Fear

comments Comments (0)
March 11, 2012
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:57 — 25.4MB)

When will you stop running?

No Fear      2 Tim 1:7

God did not give you a spirit of fear – that is from the devil! When you accepted Christ in, He kicked the devil out!

Failure      Heb 4:14-16

If you knew you wouldn’t fail, would you try? Grace is the same no matter how many times you mess up.

Rejection      Lam 3:31-33

God will never reject you. He doesn’t want bad things to happen to you. He has to allow sin and consequence in order for you to keep your free will to choose Him.

Abandonment      Psalms 16:8-11

Christ will never abandon you. He promises to adopt us and never leave us.

Death      1 Cor 15:52-57

Death holds no fear for the forgiven. Death has no hold on Christ and because He lives in you, death has no hold on you!

Challenge for the week – With your partner, answer these questions:

*Fear and Anxiety
1. When do you feel fearful or anxious?
2. What situation or person causes you the most stress?
3. Thinking Biblically about it, is this a reasonable response?
4. When do your feelings of fear or anxiety go away?
5. How have you tried to cope with this?
6. Do you ever have panic attacks? (Explain)

*Changing Thought Patterns
Discuss the verse Phil 4:8 and share how you can apply it to your life.

*Identify the Triggers
I am fearful when?
I can tell when my anxiety increases because this happens:
Read 2 Tim 1:7, inserting your partner’s name.
Read Prov 3:5-6 and pray for each other that the spirit of fear would leave and God direct your path.

Character Development, Part 3: Who Says?!

comments Comments (0)
March 4, 2012
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:08 — 21.4MB)

You can’t live beyond what you believe.

Who Bewitched You?      Gal 3:1-2

Christ took your sin. It’s GONE! Don’t be tricked into thinking that wasn’t enough.

Sober Judgment      Rom 12:3

Are you filtering your views through negativity? Sober judgment is NOT seeing yourself as others do, but as GOD does.

Take Captive      2 Cor 10:3-5

The fight is spiritual! We don’t fight with worldly weapons, but with spiritual ones. Tear down the thoughts that are contrary to what God says before they can become strongholds.

I AM      John 15:13-15

You are many things. What does GOD say you are?

Challenge for the week – The more you reaffirm who you are IN CHRIST, the more your behavior will reflect your true identity. With your partner, take turns reading the following statements to each other, saying your partner’s NAME before each statement. Make sure to make eye contact and speak from the heart. Respond to each statement by saying “I AM” – and BELIEVE it!!

_______, you are a child of God (John 1:12)
_______, you are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17)
_______, you are God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10)
_______, you are righteous and holy (Eph 4:24)
_______, you are the light of the world (Matt 5:14)
_______, you are Christ’s friend (John 15:15)

Share your thoughts and feelings with each other.
**Remember! You can’t live beyond what you believe!***

Character Development, Part 2: Breaking Chains of Worthlessness

comments Comments (0)
February 26, 2012
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:15 — 25.6MB)

You may have grown up with conditional love, God doesn’t do that… He loves unconditionally!

Cover ups
Boasting      Prov 27:2

Are you patting yourself on the back or do you allow others to acknowledge your acts?

Criticizing      James 3: 9-12

Hurting people ALWAYS hurt people. Are you allowing Christ to fill all aspect of your life, including your mind, your thoughts?

Possessing      Luke 12:15

Are you covering up your perceived inadequacies with stuff?

Medicating      Prov 23: 31-35

How are you medicating yourself against the truths of your life? Are you covering your pain and worthlessness with pills, alcohol, food, video games?

Causes and Cures
Sin      Psalm 32:3-5

Purge that internal guilt so that God can heal you.

Abuse      Col 3:13

Forgive, with the Lord’s help. Release yourself as you release those that have wronged you.

Perception      Rom 12:2

Where did your perception of yourself come from? Base your perception of who you are on who HE created you to be and the fact that HE forgave you. Scrub your brain!

Challenge for the week– partner up with another person and continue the journey across the Transformational Bridge. Work through the following questions together:

1. Are you holding on to past negative experiences?
2. Do you have unrealistic expectations of yourself?
3. How have others or society influenced you?
4. Do you have a wrong Biblical view of yourself?

Character Development, Part 1: Who You’ve Become

comments Comments (0)
February 19, 2012
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:46 — 22.5MB)

Who did God create you to be? What is your purpose? Want to find out?

Dead/Alive      Eph 2:1-5

If you’re not alive inside, then you’re dead! The inside change needs to flow over to the outside – mind, will, and actions.

Put Off      Eph 4:22-24

Visit your past but don’t live there! You’ll never be who God mad you to be until you leave the old behind

Leave Behind      Luke 14:25-30 & 33

There IS a cost to follow Him. You need to let go of what you’re holding so tightly and trust HIM to take care of ALL.

Into the Light      John 3:19-21

To move forward, you’ll have to walk into the light.

Challenge for the week – partner up with another person and start across the Transformational Bridge. Work through the following questions together:

1. What childhood situations were hurtful to you
2. What other life situations have been hurtful?
3. How might these past events influence the way you perceive yourself and others?
4. Using the truth of God, what statements are locked in your mind that are faulty thinking?

Fresh Start, Part 7: Finances

comments Comments (0)
February 12, 2012
Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:35 — 25.9MB)

Tithe? 10%      Leviticus 27:30

10% of what you have, The top 10%

The Test      Malachi 3:8-10

Trust if God to provide for he will pour out his blessings.

Give      Luke 6:38

Give and it will be given to you

Give what is in your heart      2 Cor 9:6-8

Give as a cheerful giver with a happy heart

Where is your heart      Luke 12:32-34

Do not be afraid, for where your treasure is so is your heart