If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Galatians 6:3 NLT
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges ; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:3-8 NLT
“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28 NLT
SERVANT LEADERSHIP IS ROOTED IN LOVE WHICH SEES THE POTENTIAL IN SOMEONE AND CARES SO DEEPLY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING THAT THEY WILL SERVE THEM TO SEE THEM REACH THAT POTENTIAL.
IF WE ARE NOT FUELED BY HEAVEN’S LOVE WE WILL BE FUELED BY THIS WORLD’S OPINIONS AND WE WILL LOSE OUR ETERNAL IMPACT.
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal 1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 NLT
LOVE IS NOT… (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:11-12 NLT
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23 NLT
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1 NLT
WHAT IS LOVE? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19 NLT
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26 NLT
OUR CHARACTER IS REFLECTED BY OUR WORDS.
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45 NLT
Goodness is being good Moral excellence; virtue; the best part of anything; Essence; Strength; General character recognized in quality or conduct.
Kindness is goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others. Kindness is a part of our character…
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. Matthew 7:12 NLT
BE KIND AND DO GOOD
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT
Our Father in heaven Matthew 6:9 NLT
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy. Psalms 68:5 NLT
1950 4.7% of Children were born out of Wedlock
Today that number has risen by 1700%
NATIONAL CENTER OF DISEASE CONTROL STATISTICS
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:4-5,13 NLT
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18 NIV
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Genesis 2:22-24 NLT
THE QUALITIES OF A FATHER
Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. Colossians 3:21 NLT
1. FATHER’S MUST PROTECT CHILDREN FROM DISCOURAGEMENT
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. Matthew 6:24 NLT
Some find their strength in their weapons and wisdom, but my miracle deliverance can never be won by men. Our boast is in the Lord our God, who makes us strong and gives us victory! Psalms 20:7 TPT
Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. - Viktor Frankl
You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. Psalms 4:7-8 NLT
May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:21 NLT
2. FATHER’S MUST NOT MISUSE THEIR AUTHORITY
Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. Colossians 3:20-21 NLT
WE CAN EITHER BE A GREAT EXAMPLE OR A HORRIBLE WARNING
“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Malachi 4:5
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children. Proverbs 13:22 NIV
“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Malachi 4:5
“His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers.” Malachi 4:5
Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’” And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:44-46
1. ARE WE USING OUR GOD-GIVEN ENERGY IN THE WRONG PLACES? ARE WE FIGHTING THE WRONG BATTLES?
'Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”' 1 Kings 19:15-16,18 NLT
2. ARE WE CONSTANTLY REMEMBERING WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT AND WHAT IS GOD’S ORIGINAL CALL AND PROMISE?
So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant. 1 Kings 19:19;21
3. DO YOU HAVE A PLAN B WITH GOD?
Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground! When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.” “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”2 Kings 2:8-10
4. DO WE UNDERSTAND THE EARTHLY PRICE OF AN ETERNAL CALLING?
Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” 2 Kings 2:12
Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River. He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across. When the group of prophets from Jericho saw from a distance what happened, they exclaimed, “Elijah’s spirit rests upon Elisha!” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 2 Kings 2:13-15
When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. “My father!
Then Elisha died and was buried. 2 Kings 13:20
Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring. Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet! 2 Kings 13:20-21
5. ARE YOU ON THE PATH OF TAKING YOUR ANOINTING TO THE GRAVE WITH YOU?
‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy. Acts 2:17-18
6. ARE WE GOING TO BE A MULTIGENERATIONAL CHURCH THAT IS FILLED WITH DISCIPLES MULTIPLYING THEMSELVES INTO OTHER DISCIPLES!
Identity
Parenting With Purpose – Week 4
WHAT IS YOUR TRUE IDENTITY?
“WHAT YOU DO FLOWS FROM WHO YOU ARE” MARK DRISCOLL
“…Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” But Jesus told him, “NO, the scriptures say, “people do not live by bread alone.” Luke 4:1-4 NLT
“Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” Jesus replied, “the Scriptures say, “you must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” Luke 4:5-8 NLT
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans
“Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the scriptures say, “He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you wont even hurt your foot on a stone.” Luke 4:9-11 NLT
“Jesus responded, “the scriptures also say, “you must not test the Lord your God.” When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.” Luke 4:12-13 NLT
KNOW GOD
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3 NLT
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO TO SEE GOD MOVE UNHEALTHY THINGS IN YOUR LIFE OUT IS SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIM
KNOW THE TRUTH
“WHAT COMES INTO OUR MINDS WHEN WE THINK ABOUT GOD IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT US.” – A.W. TOZER
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”
“But you are God’s chosen treasure – priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world” 1 Peter 2:9 TPT
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
RELY ON HIM
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT
“What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that...”