NTS_On Prayer_03.11.12

Who is this guy? (David)
- David and Goliath (1 Samual 17:12-50)
- Saul's Jealously of David (1 Samual 18:1-30)
- David Spares Saul's Life (1 Samual 24:1-22)
...MADE SOME CHOICES...
- David and Bathsheba (2 Samual 11:1-27)
- LEGACY... David's Mighty Men (2 Samual 23:8-23)
- Famous Last Words (2 Samual 23:2-7)

SONG = In Christ Alone

What a relief! He hears me...see bottom of the post = Andy Davenport / YL / Fayette County

READ PSALM 86 = Each one read one...

Psalm 86 . This is an individual lament, geared (as many of these laments are) to a situation in which “a band of insolent men seek my life” (v. 14 ). The psalm confesses that the Lord is “good and forgiving” (v. 5 ), acknowledging that the singer's own sins may have contributed to his enemies' plans. The psalmist explicitly grounds his request in Ex. 34:6 , a fundamental confessional statement of the OT (Ps. 86:15 ; cf. vv. 5 , 13 ); he also prays for a “united” heart to live faithfully to God (v. 11 ). The middle of the psalm strikingly professes faith in one God, to whom all nations shall come (vv. 8–10 )—another vital OT theme. This is the only psalm of David in Book 3 of the Psalms; the last one encountered was Psalm 70 , and the next one will be Psalm 101 .

Why can you count on God?

1) First is the genuineness of his faith (v. 2 , I am godly . . . who trusts in you)
2) Second is the earnestness with which he prays, relying on the Lord, not other gods (vv. 3–4 , to you do I cry all the day . . . to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul)
3) Third is the crucial confession of God's benevolent character, as revealed in the Pentateuch (v. 5 , you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you).
*Everyone who sings this prayer from the heart may be assured of God's attention.*

SONG = You Never Let Go

When teachable moments come along, are you ready?

86:11 Teach me your way. Cf. 25:8 , 12 ; 27:11 ; 32:8 (and note on 25:4–5 ). The Bible regularly pictures the moral course of one's life as a “way” or path, and one's conduct as a “walk” or journey. A faithful person seeks instruction in the ways that please God in order to learn how better to walk in God's truth. Unite my heart, i.e., make it “one” (cf. Jer. 32:39 ), undivided in its loyalty (so that all of it can give thanks, Ps. 86:12 ).
- How much of your time do you fill with God's Word?
- How much of your time to you fill with other hobbies and interests?
- Is your heart united or divided in the loyality it claims?

Part of worshiping God through prayer involves asking Him to intercede in our lives. Our world doesn’t look favorably on needy people—a mindset that has trickled into our relationship with God. We ask Him to intercede for others but (often subconsciously) retain the burden of our struggles, thinking we can handle them. This is pride. (Big, small, good bad...did you feel good that you do this? Prideful that you already submit to God? Are you interceding for others?)

Connect with God

One of the takeaways from this week’s study is our desperate need for diligent prayer lives. God desires us to continually call out to Him. (See 1 Thessalonians 5:17.) While it’s easy to protest that we’re too busy to pray, the truth is we’re too busy not to. We need God desperately, and He has graciously made Himself available to us. Here are a few ways to make prayer a more important part of your life. Get in the habit of prayer, then continue to add opportunities to this list.

• Pray every time you’re reminded of prayer throughout the day.
• Designate set times for prayer. When you wake up and before you go to bed are two key opportunities. You can also pray before your lunch break or during your morning and afternoon commutes. If prayer is planned, we’re more apt to follow through.
• Journal your prayers. Take time to sit down and write them out.
• Enlist a prayer partner to increase your prayer life. You don’t have to always meet for prayer, but together you can be accountable for following through on designated prayer times.
• Come up with a brief phrase to pray throughout the day. For example, if you know you’re going to face challenging times today, pray, “God, be my strength.” Stay connected to God throughout your entire day.

Connect as a Couple

“Couples who pray together, stay together.” When we involve our spouse in our relationship with God, it has a profound impact on our marriage. This week, try the following:

• Commit to a time of prayer together for seven consecutive days.
• In this time together, be diligent to pray for each other and the needs you each have this week.
• Take turns praying to God for help and guidance in your marriage.
• Ask God for forgiveness in the areas where you’ve been selfish and self-serving, and ask Him to give you the grace you need to show your spouse.
• Ask God to help you be models of Christlike service this week.

EXERTS FROM A FRIENDS LETTER AS HE AND HIS FAMILY EXPERIENCE THE SUDDEN LOSS OF A RELATIVE (SNAP-SHOTS OF CHANGED LIVES):

SUICIDE...ALSO CHASE BURNETT (16 YEARS / MHS / LAST SUNDAY)
As you rise today will you beg of God to give you Jesus?
Thank you Jesus for allowing us to have access to the Holy One who hears our cries.
Your prayers have not gone unheard before the throne of our Father.
Transforming marriages.
Calling the broken and hurting to a restored relationship that can only come through Jesus. We are watching people, our family, being set free from the lies of the evil one.
Truth is being spoken into each other's lives.
It's a beautiful place today.
...your partnership in prayer has amplified the cries for help before our King. We are longing to see restoration.
I am so proud of my wife.
...she has fallen at the feet of Jesus and surrendered to Him and it is so attractive.
Not only did it prepare our hearts for this, but it's drawn us closer in our relationship and it's drawn me to be with Jesus.
And now I am watching a community see Jesus in her countenance, her words and her heart. She has been strong for everyone else, yet her tender heart needs time to mourn.
Pray for her today.
We are unsure what seeds of salvation have been planted, but we trust God is doing a mighty work because of your cries for mercy on our behalf.
May this death bring life!
Give me Jesus!

NTS_Everyday Faith_02.26.12

LINK TO THE LESSON NOTES = HERE


 Chips to eat ... Why do you come back for more?

- Can't eat just one

 Be Thou My Vision / Ginny Owens (blind)

- I can see clearly now the rain is gone ... washed _______ away.

 Why the garden = Where have we been, where are we now, and where are we going?

- Past Lessons: Lord of Everything, Head of the Church, Grace-Driven Belief

- Personal Faith: Everyday Faith

- And the winner is ... Hebrews 12:1

 Soil Testing = Acidic or Alkaline (see right through ... what to add ... what to take away)

- Approaching relationships and responsibilities

CH / LEADERSHIP, ANDY STANLEY, PODCAST

• Leaders shape the organization culture whether they intend to or not
• Leaders think in ways they can count
• Leaders INHERIT the organization culture
• The leader adapts to the culture or is shaped by the culture (Thriving on Chaos,   Tom Peters (What are the driving forces behind the organization?  What might be disrupted if intervention is pre-term or an ineffective change is made?  What drives and maintains this health culture?  Why are they great or why are they not great?)
• No one effects the culture of the organization more than the leader / leader(s)
• Time in erodes awareness of ... (the longer a leader is anywhere the less aware they are of your surroundings = good, bad, healthy, unhealthy)
• Evaluations = Members evaluate the organization 
• There needs to be a tool in place to monitor the culture of the organization
• Feedback is vital to assess current status (seen, heard, experienced)
• The longer leaders are in place, the more unclear the surroundings become / leaders allow the culture to continue or are the direct catalysts for change
• Healthy cultures attract and keep healthy people
• Unhealthy people are comfortable in unhealthy environments
• Healthy people have low tolerance for disfunction (leave and cannot stay there)
• Unhealthy people are not happy in healthy organizational cultures
• An investment in culture attracts and maintains great people
• Indicators of an unhealthy culture: 
• Drama = unhealthy (more drama) / healthy (get the job done and less drama surrounding the objective)
• Sense of being self-focused = inward vs. outward focused
• "Sideways" energy = a lot of activity without a lot of progress and productivity
• The culture of an organization impacts the long-term effect of the organization = productivity correlates with culture 
• Communication
• Transparency
• Unfiltered debate
• Territorial 
• Collaboration (in healthy organization structures ... examples): 
• The boss does not micromanage
• People don't get their feelings hurt
• People don't feel left out
• The boss does not have to be in every meeting
• Unhealthy culture = buttoned up, red tape, top down (slows down progress and productivity)
• Unhealthy cultures are slow to adapt to change
• The churches that grow and change the fastest are the churches that are not focused on their church members
• Inward focus (he says, she says, why is the boss talking
• to (him/her)
• In unhealthy cultures people resist change
• Necessity = act, react, and flex with the market place

 Why baking soda and vinegar

- Indicators / measurable results
- ALKALINE VS. ACIDIC = HERE

 What do we have to work with? (Colossians 3:5-10)

- Moral climate faced everyday

 What is in the soil?

- In what areas of your life to you feel the most pressing need for renewal?

 What are you going to plant? (Colossians 3:12-17)

- Describe practice ways you can "put on" or "plant" Jesus' love.

 How much work will it take?

- Why is unity important in our relationships?  What happens without it?

 I've never planted a garden ... How do I begin? (Colossians 3:18-21)

- How can practicing submissions strengthen your faith?

- "Obey" vs. "Submission" (vs.18) / gracefully loved and gracefully loving / violates trust and love then also the whole family system

 How do we keep the weeds out? (Colossians 4:5-6)

- Grow in the garden?

- In which situations is it easiest for you to talk gracefully, using language seasoned with salt?  - In which situations is it most challenging?

 How do we keep the pests out?

- Come into the garden from the outside?

- Prayerful defense

NTS_Head Of The Church_02.19.12

GLOGSTER POST OF NOTES = HERE

NTS_Grace-Driven Belief_02.12.12

Balloon = stretching, blowing, tying, popping, lasting, transforming

Penny Lip = what is a penny, who are we, does the penny define our self?

Introduction to Studying the Bible = HERE

The Baptist Faith and Message = HERE



















PIECING LIFE TOGETHER: Blog Link = HERE

Location:Flat Creek Baptist Church

NTS_Lord Of Everything_02.05.12

SS Class Notes = HERE
SS Learning Guide = HERE
Give Me Jesus = HERE

In the morning when I rise

In the morning when I rise

In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.

You can have all this world, give me Jesus.

And when I am alone

Oh and when I am alone

And when I am alone, give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.

You can have all this world, give me Jesus.

And when I come to die

Oh and when I come to die

And when I come to die, give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.

You can have all this world, 

You can have all this world,

You can have all this world, but give me Jesus.

EXERTS FROM A FRIENDS LETTER AS HE AND HIS FAMILY EXPERIENCE THE SUDDEN LOSS OF A RELATIVE (SNAP-SHOTS OF CHANGED LIVES):

• As you rise today will you beg of God to give you Jesus?  
• Thank you Jesus for allowing us to have access to the Holy One who hears our cries.  
• Your prayers have not gone unheard before the throne of our Father.  
• Transforming marriages.  
• Calling the broken and hurting to a restored relationship that can only come through Jesus.  We are watching people, our family, being set free from the lies of the evil one.  
• Truth is being spoken into each other's lives.  
• It's a beautiful place today.  
• ...your partnership in prayer has amplified the cries for help before our King.  We are longing to see restoration.
• I am so proud of my wife.  
• ...she has fallen at the feet of Jesus and surrendered to Him and it is so attractive.  
• Not only did it prepare our hearts for this, but it's drawn us closer in our relationship and it's drawn me to be with Jesus.  
• And now I am watching a community see Jesus in her countenance, her words and her heart.  She has been strong for everyone else, yet her tender heart needs time to mourn.  
• Pray for her today.
• We are unsure what seeds of salvation have been planted, but we trust God is doing a mighty work because of your cries for mercy on our behalf.  
• May this death bring life!  
• Give me Jesus!  

WITHOUT KNOWING WHO THIS IS THAT IS SHARING THE TESTIMONY THE CHANGING POWER OF JESUS SPEAKS THROUGH THE MIDSTS OF HURT AND PAIN.

Helping Kids Hide God's Word in Their Hearts

EVERNOTE URL: HERE 

RESOURCES: 

  www.focusonthefamily.com/radio / DIRECT LINK = HERE

  daily broadcast direct = email resources and updates from broadcasts

• Wellspring = Thoughts, Words, Actions
• The heart comes first (parents to kids)
• World's Message = Pride, Seeks the World, Pleasure...adrenaline, Complain about 
• CHRIST FIRST = Four things..."Red Trees"
• #1 = PRIDE VS. GRACE TO BE HUMBLE
• PROVERBS 22:4:
• Be poor in spirit
• MATTHEW 5:3:
• Riches and honor?
• We are "spiritual preemies"...totally dependant on God for everything
• JAMES 4:6:
• JAMES 4:7-12 (ties it all together):
• #2 = MORE EXCITED ABOUT GOD THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN LIFE
• LOVE the Lord with all of heart, soul, mind, strength (whole self)
• CREED: 
• A. Honor God
• B. Honor Others
• C. Honor God's Creation
• DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9: 
• The Lord is God...His is one...branded on kid's hearts...teach diligently ALL THE TIME
• Is this EVIDENT AROUND THE HOME?
• DUETERONOMY 6:9:
• KEEP = Live inside of you (me)
• ABIDE in love
• #3 = LOVE OTHERS AS I LOVE MYSELF (WOULD LIKE TO BE LOVED)
• Opposite is often true (teen pleasure...immediate gratification)
• Go for the EXTREME (d  i  s  t  r  a  c  t  i  o  n)
• Consider a LIFE EXPERIENCE
• Make vs. reveal heart
• The changes is in the heart (living the LIE...)
• FIVE KEY VERSES: 
• JAMES 1:19-20:
• PHILIPPIANS 4:6-9 (MAIN...9):
• ROMANS 5:3-5
• MATTHEW 5:10-11:
• #4 = REJOICE IN TRIALS
• Thankfulness for ALL things
• Scripture and FREEDOM
• GALATIANS 5:13-14:
• SUMMARY OF THE TOP 4:
• Humble Self
• Love God
• Love Others
• Rejoice In Trials

NTS_Fight Injustice_01.15.12

Injustice could be a crux that we get stuck on and develop our own itinerary and plan to address.  We could be GOOD PEOPLE and make light of issues without continuing in our relationship with Christ...what images do we have burned in our minds of Christ?  Do we make Him out to be like us or are we really understanding that we are made in HIS image and He is not made in OUR image?

The idea that we can get angry needs to be monitored:   Are we keeping ourselves from getting angry?  Why is anger beneficial?  How would we handle anger and injustice if we NEW God more instead of knowing more ABOUT God?

STATISTICS ABOUT INJUSTICE: 

Is God "Big Enough"...be reminded and worship because of his promises (ones kept, ones to come) = 

http://www.clearforkalliance.org/?tag=promises-of-god-a-to-z

FOR REFLECTION THROUGH THE WEEK: