What Everyone Is Looking For!

I. Someone who isn’t afraid of Toil v. 4, 5 (Passion)
A. Working v. 4 (Eliminate excuses)
B. Wisdom v. 5 (Draw it out)

II. Someone who I can Trust v. 6 (Faithful)
A. Talk is cheap (If you have to tell people = a problem)
B. Trust is crucial (In what areas is trust crucial?)

III. Someone who is True v. 7 (Integrity)
A. The Production (Walks the walk)
B. The Profit (People will thank you)

Conclusion: Am I a hard worker? (Tough get going)
Am I a person people can trust? (Count on me)
Am I a person who is true? (No show, but all go)

Where do you stand on Alcohol?

It sounds like I panicked a few people on Wednesday Night as I began the message on alcohol. I didn't even realize it, but I was made aware of it after the service. Sorry to those who were offended, but I just had to share some helpful tips for drinking in moderation. I also thought it would be helpful to dispel some of those common myths that go along with alcohol. I thought they were pretty entertaining, but some may not have understood my methods. Here is the part from Proverbs.

I. The Deceiving Factor - Proverbs 20:1
a. You may act like a fool (Be mocked)
b. You may act foul (Be in a rage)

II. The Dependence Factor - Proverbs 23:29-35
a. There is woe v. 29 (Crying out)
b. There is sorrow v. 29 (Want)
c. There are contentions v. 29 (Fighting)
d. There is babbling v. 29 (Constant talk)
e. There are injuries without cause v. 29 (Because of foolishness)
f. There is redness of eyes v. 29 (Indicates there is a problem)
g. It bites and stings like a snake v. 32
h. My flesh takes over v. 33
i. Trouble is coming v. 34
j. It hasn't caught up with me yet v. 35
k. I can't wait to do it again v. 35

III. The Dangerous Factor - Proverbs 31:4-7
a. It can harm our reasoning v. 5
b. It can harm our remembrance v. 6, 7

Which Way Do I Go?

Proverbs 16

1. I want to know Actual Reality v. 2, 25
a. Can I be tricked?
- We can have blind spots
- We can justify our sins
b. Can I believe the Truth?
- God knows me (Weighed in the balances) v. 2
- God gave us one way to Heaven v. 25

2. I want to be Above Reproach v. 7
a. I will focus on pleasing the Lord
b. I will be at peace with my enemies (Not adding fuel for their fire)

3. I want to be All set to Resign v. 9
a. My plans are good
b. God's plans are better (Resign my plan for His and I grow and God gets the glory)

4. I want to Accept Responsibility v. 17
a. I must choose to depart from evil
b. I must be on the defense against evil

5. I want to Age Righteously v. 31 (Found in the way of Righteousness)
a. Am I living a righteous life right now?
b. Will I continue to live a righteous life?
a.

Proverbs 15

Beware Of…
Proverbs 15

I. Beware of what you despise
A. Some people hate the message v. 5
B. Some people hate the messenger v. 12

II. Beware of what disgusts God
A. He knows our giving v. 8
1. Is it really a sacrifice?
2. Am I clean?
3. Is it my best?
B. He knows our going v. 9
C. He knows our goals v. 26

III. Beware of your disposition
A. Am I fallen v. 13
B. Am I feasting v. 15

Conclusion:
1. We need to learn to love instruction – Never stop learning. God is not done with you yet!
2. We need to please God with our goals, going and giving. God knows you and wants the best for you!
3. We need to be the happiest people on earth because we are Christians. Why do we say that?

What Can I Do?

Last night we focused on our speech. I pray that some of the thoughts that we saw from Proverbs 15 will take root in our lives. Here they are...



1. My speech needs to be soft v. 1

- Do I use my speech to settle things down?

- Do I use my speech to stir things up?



2. My speech needs to be sound/smart v. 2

- Is my speech proper?

~Knowing what to say

~Knowing when to say it

- Is my speech poor?

~ My mouth just pours out foolishness



3. My speech needs to be soothing v. 4

- Do I use my speech to help others (A tree of life is like giving help and healing to others)

- Do I use my speech to hurt others (Vicious speech that breaks the spirit of others)



Verse 3 tells us that the eyes of the Lord are watching the good and the evil. He know how you are treating others, and He knows how you have been treated. Let's use our words to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

A Special Speaker

Last night Paul Laso preached in the Program and gave us some thoughts from Luke 8. He was giving us some things to think about as we speak to our relatives this holiday season. The main point discussed was "Who is Jesus." Here is the basic outline with my apologies to Paul if it is not exactly what he preached, but here is what I took away from the sermon.

Who Jesus Is
Luke 8:22-56

v. 25 - "What manner of man is this!

1. Jesus is omnipotent v. 22-25 (His Sovereignty over His Creation)

2. Jesus is deity v. 26-33 (The demons recognized Him as the Son of the Most High God)

3. Jesus has power over demons v. 26-33

4. Jesus has power over sickness and death v. 41-56 (He does what no other person could do) [With God all things are possible]

There it is just in case you missed it!

What are my options?

I don't know about you, but I like to know what my options are. I have on too many occasions been disappointed because I didn't know that I had other options. We looked at three options presented for us in Deuteronomy 29 and I just wanted to focus on one of them.

De 29:18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; 19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: 20 The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

This is the guy that says, "I'll take my chances." This is not a wise option, but this person has been fooled into thinking that he will just do it his way and everything will be O.K. God's Word is given to us so we can live a life of joy, but some look at it as having to spend time in jail. God has said he would bring a curse, but this man says he will bless himself and have peace as I do what I want. That phrase, "Adding drunkenness to thirst" refers to fulfilling the utmost indulgence in all sensual gratification.

Of course verse 20 explains how God feels about this man's lifestyle, and what He is going to do about it. I look at this man and I think about how proud he is, but then when I get a glimpse of myself I can see that man in me. Living for the pleasure of myself is one option that I do have, but the wise option is to live your life in obedience to God and His Word. May God bless each of you as you seek to walk in His will.

How Can I Keep All of the Commands

I have really enjoyed our Wednesday night studies in the book of Deuteronomy! I never realized how many spiritual gems are found there. Last night we were discussing whether or not having a desire is enough to get something done. Once again the New Year is here and along with that come our resolutions for the year. Every year at the top of my list you will find exercise. I really do have a desire to be in shape, but desire is not enough, as you can probably tell by looking at me. Let me just remind you of some of the Truth's we talked about from Deuteronomy 27 and 28. We asked the question, "How can I keep all of God's commands?" Here are three things found in this passage of Scripture that can help.

1. We need reminders Verses 1-8

- Make monuments for special places in which God has worked in your life

- Mark it down so you don't forget how God is working in your life

2. We need to be real v. 15-26

- These verses are very straightforward. There is no beating around the bush it gets right to the point

- These verses are very specific. They need no room for questions.

- We need to be straightforward and specific about the sins that we are dealing with and ask God for the help that we need

3. We need to be responsible Chapter 28:1,14

- It is our responsibility to obey v. 1

- It is our responsibility not to stray v. 14

These three things will help us keep the commands of God. I know you have the desire, but now you have some help from God's Word.