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Date Posted: 08:28:51 02/10/17 Fri
Author: c
Subject: Teachings 4

Teachings 4


intouch.org TV Broadcast 6/5/15 The Requirements of Obedience


3 Steps to God’s Guidance

1. Listening to God

a. Meditating on God’s Word. Psalms 32:8, 119:105, Joshua 1:8

b. Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit – “When you and I are reading on the Word of God, we have the Holy Spirit to help us interpret it correctly.” The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin – wrong words, attitudes, etc. The Holy Spirit will tell us when to do what we’re supposed to do – timing.

2. Trusting God - Proverbs 3:5 – 8. Even when the situation is unclear.

3. Obeying God – Doing what God says to do, how He says to do it, and when He says to do it. Even when the command seems unreasonable – have courage (Joshua 1:9).

a. Obey God - leave all the consequences to Him. “The only Person about Whom we can say that about is Almighty God because He’s in control of all the consequences.”

“When you listen to Him and trust Him and obey Him, you’re going to find yourself growing in your christian life, becoming stronger and stronger - more and more confident, more assured and more and more able to recognize the presence of God in your life and in your relationships than even before. You cannot fail obeying God – listening to Him and trusting Him.”


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Charles Stanley


http://www.intouch.org/read/life-principle-6-the-principle-of-sowing-and-reaping


Life Principle 6

You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.


Judges 2:1-4

Today is the father of tomorrow.

What we are today is the result of what we have been thinking and the way we have lived in the past. Those who act wisely today will have wisdom in the future to make wise decisions. The same is true when we come to the subject of finances. Those who save wisely today will have plenty tomorrow. Those who spend everything they have today will have little or nothing in the future. It is a shortsighted person who thinks only of the now, doing as little as possible, for on payday he will have no way to avoid the poor quality and small quantity of his rewards. The nation of Israel had to learn this in a very personal way. Their waywardness and failure to do what God instructed them to do often placed them in a position where they would not have His blessings.

The Lord gives principles in Scripture to serve as warnings and as an encouragement. In Galatians 6:7, His Word states, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap."

Every farmer understands the meaning of this principle: We reap what we sow, more than we sow, and later than we sow. Let’s look at each part of the principle to make sure we understand its full implications.

1. The principle applies to everyone, both Christians and non-Christians.

This principle is irrevocable; there is no escape, either for the believer or for the unbeliever. It is a law of life.

Did you notice how Galatians 6:7 begins? It says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked.” Herein lies the root cause of the careless and indulgent lifestyle of many people. They are deceived. They either do not believe the truth, or they think they will somehow be the exceptions to God’s laws.

To mock God is to turn up one’s nose at Him, to hope to outwit Him—a foolish thought, as 2 Corinthians 5:10 reveals: “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

If you were required to appear before the judgment seat of Christ in the next five minutes, what kind of crops would you have to show?

2. We reap what we sow.

The fact that we reap what we sow is good news for those who sow good habits, but a frightening thought for those currently involved in ungodly activities such as promiscuity, drug and alcohol abuse, neglect of family, or mistreatment of others in order to climb the ladder of success. We cannot sow crabgrass and expect to reap pineapples. We cannot sow disobedience to God and expect to reap His blessing. What we sow, we reap. Let us not deceive ourselves: We will reap the harvest of our lives.

3. We reap more than we sow.

Why do farmers plant their seed? Because they expect to harvest a great deal more than they sow. A single seed that sprouts can yield dozens, scores, even hundreds of seeds. It is the same way with both sin and righteousness—a small decision to do either good or bad reaps a much bigger crop, for either joy or sorrow.

Jesus used the picture of a sprouting seed to show that when we allow God’s Word to produce good things in us, the results multiply: “The one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty” (Matt. 13:23). On the other side of the ledger, the prophet Hosea describes what awaits those who choose to sow seeds of wickedness: “They sow the wind and they reap the whirlwind” (Hos. 8:7).

4. We reap later than we sow.

Some are deceived because their present seed does not appear to be producing an immediate crop. So they continue down their course, mistakenly believing that there will never be a harvest. But unlike the crops of the field, which get harvested at approximately the same time each year, there is no regular timetable for the harvest of life. Some crops we reap quickly; others take a long time. But do not be deceived—their season will come. And by going the second mile now and giving more than is required, we will reap rich dividends later.

“For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” What a comforting and assuring thought to those who faithfully labor under difficult circumstances. Faithfulness in such situations will produce a rich harvest in the future, for our Heavenly Father always keeps His promises.

Adapted from The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, © 2009.


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intouch.org radio 7/15/14 - 7/16/14


Listen to preaching and teaching from honorable preachers and teachers who believe and teach that the Bible is completely true and without error:

eagerly
prayerfully
expectantly
joyfully


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intouch.org radio 2/7/15


Walking in step with God. In Ephesians chapter 4, he tells us how we are to walk (in the first 3 chapters, he talks about our salvation experience and how God has blessed. He tells us how rich we are as a result of our salvation experience). And then as a result of what we are and who we are in Christ, he begins this 4th chapter by saying: "therefore, I the prisoner of the Lord implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling of which you've been called. With all humility and gentleness with patience - showing tolerance for one another in love. Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Now when he says "to walk in a manner worthy" that is: we should walk the way we profess we are. Walk in a manner worthy of our calling. What's our calling? We have 4 callings:

1, A calling to salvation
2. A calling to sanctification - that is to live a godly life.
3. A calling to service
4. A calling to accountability


What should you be able to expect/anticipate when you become a christian - how God can work in your life once you've trusted Him as your Savior?

1. Intimacy - an intimate relationship. He saves us to develop this relationship with us.

2. Clear guidance (if we're walking in obedience to Him).

3. His adequate provision

4. Holy Spirit - our Helper - Who gives us divine spiritual energy.

5. Confidence to face the trials of life. We get strength and maturity and we become equipped to handle trials.

6. Inescapable conflict. We are not going to be understood by many.

7. The positive impact you and I can make.

8. If we walk in step with Jesus Christ, we will serve Him. That helps us step up on a higher level and feel better about ourselves and our relationship with God.

9. God's eternal unconditional love for us all the days of our lives. When we walk in step with Him, the Holy Spirit makes us aware of how awesome His love is.


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http://www.ivpress.com/bible/study.php?study=466


1 John 4:1-12: Discernment & Devotion

Every Christian virtue bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction. A zeal for the truth, for example, if not tempered by love and compassion can cause us to become arrogant, harsh and cold. Likewise, love for others if unchecked by the truth can cause us to be wishy-washy and even tolerant toward sin. If one of these virtues is not governed by the other, it can become a liability and not a strength. Like everything else, obtaining a proper balance is of utmost importance. In this passage (1 John 4:1-12), both doctrinal discernment and devotion to other Christians are held before us in perfect balance. They are not either/or, but both/and. One without the other is not enough.


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Adult Bible Class March, April, May 2015

Spring Quarter

Union Gospel Press

Christian Life Series

Robert E. Wenger

Lesson 9, April 26, 2015

p 40

The balance between truth and love is always delicate. Some become so zealous to defend truth that they stifle the love that naturally flows from it. Others become so obsessed with love that they compromise God's true message and make peace with error.


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Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

Psalms 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.


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intouch.org radio 5/29/14


1:50

"Are you asking me am I willing for God to do anything that is necessary to bring me to a point of full and total surrender in my life?" Yes, that's the question. Because, you see, for us to receive the best of God's blessings, for us to be able to become the persons God wants us to be and achieve the things that God wants us to achieve in life, we have to surrender our will to Him.

Now that's not easy...In fact the truth is it's very difficult. And often times, we don't like the process. We would like to be able to read a book and say: "well, here's what the Bible says and I read the Bible and I pray, and I give, and I go to church, and therefore isn't that it?" No, that's not it.


8:22

Here's what brokenness is about: Brokenness is about God working in your life and my life and sending into our lives those things that are absolutely essential to bring you and me to a place of absolute and total surrender. As we've said, it's very difficult. But what is He dealing with? Why would He do that? Why can't we just read the Bible? Why can't we just get down and pray and say: "okay Lord, I want You to have Your way"? For the simple reason that's just not the way life is because that's not who you and I are....

We have to remember that we didn't come into this world with a bent toward God, we came into this world with a bent away from God. So God has to deal with something about us to bring us to the place that we're willing to make that full surrender. So God has purposed to in your life and my life to bring every area of our life in submission to His will...And you'll recall He said: He's predestined you and me to be conformed to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29)....

And we might ask the question: "well, that being true, then why the pain? If God loves us, why the pain?" Listen, God does love us. Every single thing that God allows in your life and my life as His children is an expression of love in one way or the other. I may not think it's loving. It may be very painful and hurtful to me. And I may cry out: "God if You love me why do You allow this?"

How many times have all of us said to Him: "Lord, where are You?" And God has always answered: "right where I've always been - right here." We've often said: "God why do You allow these things in the light of what Your Word says? Here's what Your Word says - and I read that: You love me and that You love me unconditionally. What is this?"

God is a God of compassion. He is not a cruel God. He is not a hard God. He's a God of compassion and love and understanding, But you know what? His love for us motivates Him to allow you and me enough pain and hurt and suffering in life to bring us to a full surrender. We don't like it - I don't like it any more than you do.

And often times, when you see something beginning to happen in your life and you know the pain is coming, we want to cry out to God to some way Lord let me avoid this. "God help me some way to escape this. Lord, help me to be able to walk around this." And God sends us right through the heartache, right through the pain, right through the loss. Very, very difficult for us at times.

Sometimes we misunderstand this. We think that because the suffering comes our way, that God is angry with us or that He is punishing us. Remember this, God does not punish His children....What is this discipline? What is this pain and hurt and suffering? It's not punishment. It is discipline. It is God's tool to bring you and me to the end of ourselves so that we can begin to see things the way He sees them. We can begin to become the persons that God wants us to be. That is, we can begin to die to those things in our life that are obstructions to the very blessings that we seek.

Sometimes the very things you and I want most in life, we can't have it. And it's not because God doesn't want us to have it, it's because we can't handle it....It will become a god in your life. It will become the most important thing in your life - you'll put your whole security in it. And God is not going to allow that.


16:24

He's after this whole idea of being self-centered. The world doesn't center around us. Listen, Jesus is the center of the world - He's the center of everything. A self-centered person wouldn't say it, but their lifestyle, their actions, their attitude, their treatment of other people, it all is self - big "I'- "I rule, I reign no matter what"....you know what brokenness is all about? Bringing that to its end. Bringing it to death. God wants death to the self-life in us.....


17:18

Once you make that decision and you trust God to be willing to work in your life. Here's what you're saying to Him, so I want to warn you, you're saying: "Lord, whatever it takes - whatever it takes to get my attention, whatever it takes to drive this self-life out of me, God, send it. I'm going to trust You to give me the grace to bear it. I'm going to trust You to walk me all the way through it. But God don't quit on me until You have done Your wonderful work in my life."


18:45

You know what God is after? Here's what He's after: putting to death the self-life so that the life of the Lord Jesus Christ can flow through you. And what happens? Then you become the kind of person not only who can love and have peace and contentment and joy and all the rest, but you'll be the kind of person who will attract people to Jesus. Because they will see in you this awesome life that they've never seen.


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intouch.org radio 5/30/14


3:28

Tragically, this is where too many christians live. They live in their "soulish-ness" - not controlled by the Holy Spirit. The Bible says the Spirit of God comes into our life. When a person is Spirit-filled and they're living a Spirit-filled life, it means the Holy Spirit is now in control. Sitting upon the throne of their will, of their emotions, their consciousness. Sitting upon the throne of their heart. And that the soulish-ness of man and the body of man is responding to the dictates of the Spirit of God Who is within him.

Now we'd like to say that once you're saved and trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior - that's the way it is the rest of your life. But that's not true. What is it that God’s after? What’s He breaking? What’s the objective of all of this?...He’s after your old self-life. Because every single one of us has carnality within us. That is naturalness…There are people who would like to believe that you’re totally and absolutely of obliterated all of that, but you know what? I love the Lord. I want to be obedient to God and walk in His way - do I get tempted? Yes. Do I falter sometimes? Yes. Do I have wrong thoughts sometimes? Yes….You know what? I’m human…Praying about it does not get rid of it.


8:35

Now I want to ask you this question: are you afraid to get by yourself - quietly before Holy God and say to Him: "Lord, I want Your best. You're a good God - a loving Father. I believe You've got the best for me. I want to become the person You want me to be. I want to be able to achieve the things in life that You've set for me"? Are you willing to get before Him and say that?

And then say: "Lord, show me this self that's in me - ruling my life, reigning over me, controlling me, coloring everything I see, clouding my mind of what I'm really like - the way I treat others - the way I treat You, Lord. The excuses I give You. The rationalization that I go through for not being obedient to You. God, show me that." You know what? It takes courage to look at yourself

Would you not agree that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is worthy of your whole life? He died on the cross for your sins and you'd be hell-bound if He had not. Is He not worthy of a full surrender - a totally yielded life? Are you willing to let Him put to death the self-life in you and let the Spirit reign and rule?


12:08

Now secondly, even after you and I have said: "Lord, I lay it down." Because we still have some soulish-ness within us, because we're still tempt-able, we still have human desires (unless the Spirit of God is controlling and guiding and leading), unless what we lay down to Him remains dead - and that is a decision we make: I choose death to that because it doesn't fit who I am, doesn't fit where I want to go, doesn't fit what I can achieve, doesn't fit my blessings. What happens? God has to bring us through again sometimes. And how many of us have had to be broken about the same thing more than once?


14:30

What is He after? He's after some bit of self that He still sees. You say: "when is He ever going to be ever satisfied?" ....I don't think I'll ever reach that stage where I can say: "well, well, well, I've finally got here." No. You know why? Still have this old body and this old body is not going to ever give up. But you know what? The Heavenly Father will enable you and me to walk holy, righteously and obediently before Him. He will help us and enables us to walk in such a fashion that what He has provided for us is there waiting.


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intouch.org radio 3/13/15


4:55

I don't care how committed you are to Christ, there are times where there are those desires to act independently of God and have our way. And so brokenness is God's way of dealing with that. Here's the principle about brokenness: because Christ has purposed to bring every area of our life in submission to His will, He will continue to remove every obstacle necessary for our complete surrender and full trust in Him.


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intouch.org radio 4/21/12


3:32

If I resist His brokenness, He's going to turn on the pressure. And I say: "no, no, no, no...." until I either break or God backs off and puts me on the shelf and I'm no longer usable. There are a lot of people who started out well who get shelved. Listen, God doesn't just back off because you don't want to be broken. If He puts you on the shelf, that's a terrible thing.

You keep resisting Him, He keeps turning up the heat. Does He turn up the heat to punish us? No. Because you see, sometimes it's not so much the sin in a person's life, it's their attitude.


14:58

satan may use you. he may give you enough of whatever you want in life to keep you from being broken - just enough satisfaction then what you will say: "well, I couldn't have done that anyway" and "this is all I'll ever amount to" and on and on - you can't blame it on anybody.

16:11

There’s some very wonderful things that you’ll never know and never experience in life until you surrender yourself totally to Him and let Him be the One Who determines how He uses you - how He blesses you, it may be how He enriches you, how He equips you, how He uses you to impact other people lives. It is a very foolish person who is willing to live their life and at least not allow God to show you what He could do and will do in your life.


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intouch.org radio 6/25/15


2:57

Secondly I believe that defeat is often times essential to God fulfilling His great purpose in our life. He engineers it.


4:16

Third thing I want you to notice here is this, and that is: that these defeats and these failures expose our weaknesses. They expose our inadequacies. You see, as long as you could be successful in your own human effort, you'll never depend upon God.

You say:"well now wait a minute, if God is a God of love, why does He want me totally dependent upon Him?" Because God knows the way of the flesh.


8:14

Our defeat and our failure, our coming to the end of our human resources spiritually - bringing us to defeat and shattering us and Christ Jesus becoming our life, not only is it a new beginning for us but my friend you and I become the stepping stones to multitudes of other people who need to discover the same liberating freeing truth that we've discovered, and that is: Jesus Christ wants to be your everything and not your somethings.


8:56

Our defeat enlightens us. Now it enlightens us to three things...First of all, it enlightens us to what we really are....we see how awful we've been....what the flesh is really like...what we're like....That's why the defeat becomes sweet. We think: "God, You have delivered me from this!"


10:25

The second thing He wants to show us is what He's like. You see, you hear people say: "well, my God is a God of love." Well hallelujah, they don't have any earthly idea of what they're saying. You know what love does? Love confronts. Love disciplines. Love corrects....Love liberates. In order to liberate, the thinking, the attitude has to be straightened out, so God breaks us and brings us to the end of ourselves in beautiful, wonderful reaching love....He won't let us get by with trying to out-manipulate Him. So what does He do? He trips us up.


12:08

You know why God lets us holler and yell and scream and put it off and He keeps putting the pressure on? Because God has already seen what you're going to be like when you finally give up....And when you give up and He begins to flow through you His wonderful, liberating love...you get free.


13:14

Our Heavenly Father always designs the proper tool which He knows in His omniscience is essential to bringing us to the end of ourselves. Now what we don't like is the tool He uses. We'd like to choose God's tool: "now here Lord, here's the way I'd like to do this - send me a book to read Lord, and if You'll just send me a book, then I'll get the message." No, not that simple. So sometimes we have to suffer.....

What is it that determines the degree of my suffering?...What determines the degree of my suffering is the degree to which I am willing to yield. If I put up resistance to God, He intensifies the suffering. Because you see, in His suffering, it's all enveloped in love...God knows ultimately because it is dipped in love, it's going to come out love.


14:59

Once I begin to discover that it is Christ's life within me, my striving and my struggling begin to be replaced by resting in Him and trusting Him. Listen, if I believe that He's in total control and I've given Him total control, why should I worry about it? Why should I fret over it? And every time I find myself fretting over anything, I have to stop and think: "wait a minute, Who's in control?....all I have to do is to say 'yes' to whatever He requires. It is His work."



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Beside the Still Waters March, April 2015


Sunday March 8


Broken and Blessed (edited)

by Sheldon Beiler

In God's hands, broken things become a blessing. The psalmist wrote, "A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17). God's plan is that our hearts be broken to become useful. Broken people are humble people. They are submissive to the will of God. They care about the needs around them. They are open to the advice of others.....

Brokenness is a choice we make in this life...The choice is ours. We can be broken today to become useful, and the blessings will follow.

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