Revelation 1: Game over

A. Seems like it's game over
1. Many believers are compromising
2. Many have given in to temptations
3. Faithful preaching & teaching has not helped
4. Most churches are not growing

B. Synopsis of game over
1. Jesus will be ruler over all kings & governments
2. Jesus will be all power
3. All will see Jesus
4. Jesus is Almighty & history is in His control
5. The key to everything is in Jesus hands

C. Stay until game over
1. You will triumph together with Jesus
2. You will see Jesus unveiled for who He is
3. You are not with a loser
4. You will experience victory

Colossians 3: Living a holy life

1. Focus on things above v1
- it is difficult to be focused
- lives are unfocused & undisciplined
- holy living is only possible for those who are saved
- we are to focus on things in phil4:8 (Finally, brothers, whatever is
true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever
is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things.)

2. Flush away earthly things
- you cannot hold hands with Satan and walk with Christ
- flush away things (sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires
and greed. anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language)
- put to death
- pack our mind with heavenly things instead of thinking "don't do bad
things okay"
- 1Peter1:14

3. Fill up with the Word v16
- the Word read, meditated, applied, & ingrained
- by default, choices & decision are based upon the Word
- read the Word of God

Colossians 2: How to keep from straying

To grow spiritually & avoid straying we must be:
1. Rooted
- tree with weak root can't resist rough weather
- be firmly established Christ alone
- unwavering confidence we are saved
- full dependence on God alone
- convinced God absolutely loves you
- trust that God's plans are the very best

2. Built up
- continue to grow
- it requires a body of believer to built up, not alone
- remain interconnected
- united in love
- apply our bible knowledge
- Christ wants us to experience fullness
- sins hinder being built up

3. Strengthened in Faith
- focusing on God
- look to Him rather than circumstances

Judges 6

A God to Worship (6:1-16)
God watches over us
God discipline our wayward life
God hears our pain and cry
God sends His answer
God meet us personally
God listens to our questions
God choose to work through our lives
God sends us and goes with us

An Altar to Build (6:17-24)
God speaks at the altar
God awaits the atonement
God accept the atonement
God is our Peace

An Idol to Tear Down (6:25-32)
An idol cannot defend itself
An idol is worhthless worship
An idol corrupts the soul of man
An idol sows fear and enslave
An idol must be torn down

Hebrews 11:4-7

Without faith it is impossible to please God

"Catch me, Daddy!" Fear and excitement danced in me as I sat atop the slide and gripped the sides. I wanted to fly down the slick surface into my father's waiting arms. Other kids had done it, but my 4-year-old hands just couldn't let go. It was a long way down to the bottom. If Dad missed me, I thought, I'd crash in the sand.

After many long moments and my father's persistent reassurance, I let go. Dad caught me in his arms and hugged me close. My father wouldn't have asked me to trust him and then suddenly pulled away.

Neither does my heavenly Father play such tricks. He delights in our trust.

Show me how to let go and trust You more, knowing You'd never let me fall.

1 Samuel 15

The Amalekites cannot be spared.

Sins are like Agag and Amalekites.
How do we deal with sins?
It must be God's way, not ours.

Sins:
Cannot spare.
Long term enermy of God.
Seek to destroy us.
Breed slowly and waiting to launch an attack.

We cannot live with what God has banned, and hope to please Him with
sacrifices.
Sins only seeks to destroy us. They wait for an opportunity & will be
merciless.
Hidden and unconfessed sins will eventually show up and do more damage
than we imagine.

Are there Agag or Amalekites in your life?

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God

How can a human being bring glory to God? Yes, praising and thanking Him certainly glorifies Him. But are our words and prayers enough?
Jesus stressed over and over again that we should love . . . love God above all else, and love one another as He loves us.
"All to the glory of God", that involves action-doing the loving thing in every situation we face.

Lord, please give me the power and wisdom to do the loving thing, as Your Son, Jesus, would do, in every situation.

Romans 14:22, 23

Happy is the man who does not sin by doing what he knows is right

I know I'm supposed to take good care of the body God has given me.
And I know I am suppose to eat the healthy food and fewer unhealthy food.
But! Then I see something that would be soooo delicious.
Good-bye resolve. Hello indulgence.

That is surely the way to happiness-simply doing right in the first place, avoiding the sticky problems of sin.
John Dryden once put it: "Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare."

God, forgive me for my self-indulgence. I know that, without You, I can do nothing. But with You, all things are possible. Please help me conquer temptations.

Titus 2:11-15

God wants us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures and to live good, God-fearing lives

God's love is strong and when touched, it could not be resisted. In time, will change life dramatically, becoming joyous and God fearing. This miracle of grace that transforms lives only comes from God

Dear Lord, transform my life into a better and one that thinks of You as an almighty God. Along each step of my way today, help me to turn to You for the wisdom and guidance I need.

Luke 15:1-7

All the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him

Like magnets with paper clips and pins, all of these were instantly drawn by an invisible force. Jesus said, "If I am lifted up from the earth, [I] will draw all men to Myself". Jesus is doing the drawing.

Jesus, will You continue to draw me closer to You in Your way.