The Rock of KC

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 A Life Pleasing to the Lord, Part 1 We will please the heart of God when: 1. We walk in obedience John 14:15 "If you love me, obey* my commandments." 2. We walk in unity Psalm 133:1-3 Eph.4:1-6 3. We Walk in Servant hood. Let me ask you a question if you knew your time was up and only had a few hours to live what would you do? John 13:1-16 Matt.10:35-45 4. We Walk in Love and Serve out of Friendship John15:12-17 5. We walk in Generosity Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. MT.10:8 Acts 20:34"You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 6. We have a guarded mouth and a guarded heart Psalm 19:12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 141:1 O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. 2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. 5 Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers; Prov.4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless Luke 6:43“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45A 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.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 A Life Pleasing to the Lord, Part 1 We will please the heart of God when: 1. We walk in obedience John 14:15 "If you love me, obey* my commandments." 2. We walk in unity Psalm 133:1-3 Eph.4:1-6 3. We Walk in Servant hood. Let me ask you a question if you knew your time was up and only had a few hours to live what would you do? John 13:1-16 Matt.10:35-45 4. We Walk in Love and Serve out of Friendship John15:12-17 5. We walk in Generosity Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. MT.10:8 Acts 20:34"You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 6. We have a guarded mouth and a guarded heart Psalm 19:12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 141:1 O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. 2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. 5 Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers; Prov.4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless Luke 6:43“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45A 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.

Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 1:18, Micah 7:18-19, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 10:17, Colossians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17, I John 3:7, 2 Corinthians 2:5, Matthew 6:9-15, Mark 11:25 Forgiveness FORGIVENESS IS NOT: - Saying that what was done is okay. - Releasing the guilty party from the legal or divine consequences of their behavior. - Something that you have to achieve on your own. - Merely words said to satisfy some legal standard. - Dependent on the perpetrator’s response. - Easy. - A feeling. FORGIVENESS IS: - An act of God’s grace being poured out through your heart. - A result of being transformed into His image. - A removal of a significant part of Satan’s ground. - An act of the will, not a servant of feelings. Slay these excuses: - I can’t forgive - I can’t forgive, it would be a betrayal. - I will forgive when they ask me. - I forgive, but I’ll have nothing to do with them. - I forgive, but I’ll never trust them. - I forgive, but they owe me. - I forgive, but I want justice. - I forgive, but I want revenge. Are you willing to come to that place today where you will say from the heart: - I forgive. - I forgive and he/she owes me nothing. - I forgive and I choose to bless them.

Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 1:18, Micah 7:18-19, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 10:17, Colossians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17, I John 3:7, 2 Corinthians 2:5, Matthew 6:9-15, Mark 11:25 Forgiveness FORGIVENESS IS NOT: - Saying that what was done is okay. - Releasing the guilty party from the legal or divine consequences of their behavior. - Something that you have to achieve on your own. - Merely words said to satisfy some legal standard. - Dependent on the perpetrator’s response. - Easy. - A feeling. FORGIVENESS IS: - An act of God’s grace being poured out through your heart. - A result of being transformed into His image. - A removal of a significant part of Satan’s ground. - An act of the will, not a servant of feelings. Slay these excuses: - I can’t forgive - I can’t forgive, it would be a betrayal. - I will forgive when they ask me. - I forgive, but I’ll have nothing to do with them. - I forgive, but I’ll never trust them. - I forgive, but they owe me. - I forgive, but I want justice. - I forgive, but I want revenge. Are you willing to come to that place today where you will say from the heart: - I forgive. - I forgive and he/she owes me nothing. - I forgive and I choose to bless them.

Your ability to dream is a God-given gift! Every great achievement began with a dream or thought or imagination. 1 SAMUEL 17:1-7 LESSONS FROM DAVID FACING GOLIATH FACT: There were other giants David had to face in order to become what God designed him to be. 1st dreambuster: Delay - No dream is fulfilled instantly (1 SAMUEL 17:12-15) There will people who will hold you back from your dream. Some of you were held back- because of your age, race, gender, looks any kind of discrimination can be a giant. 2nd dreambuster: Discouragement - Everyone was afraid. (1 SAMUEL 17:8-11) Conventional wisdom is often wrong. Who are you listening to? Who says it can't be done? If you listen to negative statements long enough, you get negative (1 SAMUEL 17:23-24) 3rd dreambuster: Disapproval - Many will not go after their dreams because of this. (1 SAMUEL 17:28-29) Sometimes family doesn't want your dream to succeed. Sibling rivalry can lead to resentment. You let the size of your God determine the size of your goal. You must decide which is more important to you: the approval of God or the approval of man. 4th dreambuster: Doubt - am I capable and up to this task? The expert doubted David's ability (1 SAMUEL 17:32-33) So how do you defeat the giants? Do what David did. 1. Remember how God has helped me in the past. (1 Sam. 17:36-37, Ps. 119:11) 2. Use the tools God has given me now. Don't wait for your ship to come out, swim out to it! (Ecc. 11:4) 3. Ignore the dreambusters. (1 Sam. 30:6 - ...when others were speaking against him, David encouraged himself in the Lord.) 4. Expect God to help me for His glory (1 Sam. 17:45-47). It is His battle, not ours. What are you expecting God to do in your life? (Matt. 9:29)

Your ability to dream is a God-given gift! Every great achievement began with a dream or thought or imagination. 1 SAMUEL 17:1-7 LESSONS FROM DAVID FACING GOLIATH FACT: There were other giants David had to face in order to become what God designed him to be. 1st dreambuster: Delay - No dream is fulfilled instantly (1 SAMUEL 17:12-15) There will people who will hold you back from your dream. Some of you were held back- because of your age, race, gender, looks any kind of discrimination can be a giant. 2nd dreambuster: Discouragement - Everyone was afraid. (1 SAMUEL 17:8-11) Conventional wisdom is often wrong. Who are you listening to? Who says it can't be done? If you listen to negative statements long enough, you get negative (1 SAMUEL 17:23-24) 3rd dreambuster: Disapproval - Many will not go after their dreams because of this. (1 SAMUEL 17:28-29) Sometimes family doesn't want your dream to succeed. Sibling rivalry can lead to resentment. You let the size of your God determine the size of your goal. You must decide which is more important to you: the approval of God or the approval of man. 4th dreambuster: Doubt - am I capable and up to this task? The expert doubted David's ability (1 SAMUEL 17:32-33) So how do you defeat the giants? Do what David did. 1. Remember how God has helped me in the past. (1 Sam. 17:36-37, Ps. 119:11) 2. Use the tools God has given me now. Don't wait for your ship to come out, swim out to it! (Ecc. 11:4) 3. Ignore the dreambusters. (1 Sam. 30:6 - ...when others were speaking against him, David encouraged himself in the Lord.) 4. Expect God to help me for His glory (1 Sam. 17:45-47). It is His battle, not ours. What are you expecting God to do in your life? (Matt. 9:29)

Truth: If you don't manage your money - it will manage you! Important to note: 1. Jesus did not praise the man's dishonesty!. He praised his Shrewdness! 2. You can still learn & benefit from others w/o approving of everything they do! 2 reasons Jesus told it: 1. His audience was the Pharisees! Culture esteems money, possessions, status, power, prestige, things money can buy 2. Many believers are poor money managers! WHAT NOT TO DO WITH MONEY 1. DON'T WASTE IT 2. DON'T LOVE IT OR LIVE FOR IT - LOVE PEOPLE. Use money 3. DON'T TRUST IT FOR SECURITY - God's love can never be taken away! 4. DON'T EXPECT IT TO SATISFY! 5 COUNTER-CULTURE TRUTHS ABOUT MONEY Everyday, remember... 1. IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD! 2. GOD IS USING MONEY TO TEST ME. 3. MONEY IS A TOOL TO BE USED FOR GOD'S PURPOSES 4. THE BEST USE IS TO USE IT GETTING PEOPLE TO HEAVEN. 5. ONE DAY I'LL GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO GOD Let's do some honest self-evaluation now. * Does God really have first place in my life?. * Can God trust me with what he's has allowed me to have? * Is the way I'm using my money show God that I can be trusted with more? * What or how much am I investing for eternity? * Who will be in heaven because of me?

Truth: If you don't manage your money - it will manage you! Important to note: 1. Jesus did not praise the man's dishonesty!. He praised his Shrewdness! 2. You can still learn & benefit from others w/o approving of everything they do! 2 reasons Jesus told it: 1. His audience was the Pharisees! Culture esteems money, possessions, status, power, prestige, things money can buy 2. Many believers are poor money managers! WHAT NOT TO DO WITH MONEY 1. DON'T WASTE IT 2. DON'T LOVE IT OR LIVE FOR IT - LOVE PEOPLE. Use money 3. DON'T TRUST IT FOR SECURITY - God's love can never be taken away! 4. DON'T EXPECT IT TO SATISFY! 5 COUNTER-CULTURE TRUTHS ABOUT MONEY Everyday, remember... 1. IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD! 2. GOD IS USING MONEY TO TEST ME. 3. MONEY IS A TOOL TO BE USED FOR GOD'S PURPOSES 4. THE BEST USE IS TO USE IT GETTING PEOPLE TO HEAVEN. 5. ONE DAY I'LL GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO GOD Let's do some honest self-evaluation now. * Does God really have first place in my life?. * Can God trust me with what he's has allowed me to have? * Is the way I'm using my money show God that I can be trusted with more? * What or how much am I investing for eternity? * Who will be in heaven because of me?

Satan does not tempt us to be evil like him but to be like God. GEN 3:6-19 In this story, we see... THE 3 BASIC FEARS THAT RUIN RELATIONSHIPS How Our Fears Ruin Relationships 1. MY FEAR OF EXPOSURE MAKES ME DISTANT Why can't I get close to people? To get intimate? Intimacy-into me see! Truth: There's a lot you don't like about you and since you don't accept it, you don't want others to see it because they might reject it too! GEN. 3:9-10 "God called to Adam, ‘Why are you hiding?' Adam said, ‘I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.'" God always knows the answer to Qs he asks you He just wants YOU to admit it. - own up In denial there is no recovery and no transformation. - Fear always causes us to hide! - I wonder what you are hiding from today? - What are you pretending not to know? That is not a problem? Because you are afraid of facing the truth? With fear, God always wants me to FACE it, not fake it. Circle "naked" = exposed, uncovered, vulnerable,out in the open, unprotected! Scary! You are never more open than when you are naked. One of your deepest: fears of being seen for what you really are Note the damage fear does to relationship happens in 3 stages: Phase 1: SHAME VS. 7A "They suddenly felt shame at their nakedness" NLT Fear is often based in shame. When you carry shame you are easily embarrassed Shame makes you more self-conscious... nervous ...fearful of humiliation... easily mortified Phase 2: THE COVER UP – we try to conceal our true selves VS. 7B "So they sewed fig leaves to cover up themselves." Today we have more ways sophisticated ways to cover up! But we ALL still do it. What ways do you use to cover up your fears? - Humor? (funny, but dont let people get close) - Present an image of being put-together? - way you dress.. car ... words you use.. - A lot of people hide behind an online image PHASE 3: DISTANCE FROM GOD VS. 8 "Then they hid from God among the trees." God doesn't expect perfect, he expects honesty. Why am I afraid to tell you who I really am? 2. MY FEAR OF DISAPPROVAL MAKES ME DEFENSIVE We move from hiding to hurling, from excusing to accusing... We start blaming, attacking, pointing fingers "But you did.." The more critical the person is the more they fear disapproval! FACT: The more I fear disapproval, the more I'll point at others. GEN. 3:12 "God asked, ‘Did you eat … what I told you not to eat?' Adam answered, ‘YOU gave me this woman and SHE gave me the fruit!' Adam took it like a man and blamed God and Eve! Blame is spelled B-Lame Eve wasn't any more willing to accept responsibility! GEN. 3:13 "Then Eve said, ‘The SNAKE tricked me into eating!" (TEV) My fear of disapproval makes me defensive! You explain, excuse, blame etc. 3. MY FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL MAKES ME DEMANDING The result of sin- Adam & Eve lost control over their future. They got kicked out of paradise. They lost their advantage. The more out-of-control you feel- the more controlling you become. (Bullies) Defending, demanding, demeaning, dominating, becoming passive aggressive. Secure people do not have to have their way all the time. The more insecure you are- the greater your need to get your way! VS. 16 "… You'll have yearning for your husband, but he will lord it over you…" (NJB) … he will dominate you …" (Ber) This is where the war between the sexes began... all the misunderstanding, confusion and conflict started! All the tit for tat, the jockeying for power . Competing and not complementing or cooperating. What's the antidote? LOVE! LEARN TO LIVE IN GOD'S LOVE 1 JN 4:18A "Wherever God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out all fear." (NCV) Do you want fear out of your work, home, sports, school you must get God's love in! Love is the opposite of fear! Let love in the front door and fear goes out the back door! 1 JN 4:18B "It is the thought of punishment (negative consequences) that makes a person fearful." (NCV) - afraid to be yourself - afraid to tell the truth - afraid to share the last 10% that will make the difference How do I learn to LIVE in God's love? 3 daily choices 1. EVERYDAY SURRENDER MY HEART TO GOD God is love. The closer I get to God , the more loving I'll be. The further... more fearful... JOB 11:13-18 "Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins— even those you do in secret. Then you won't be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge, and your darkest night will be brighter than noon. Then you'll rest safe and secure, filled with hope and emptied of worry! (CEV) 3 COMMANDS & 8 PROMISES! 1. Surrender your heart 2. Turn to God in Prayer 3. Give up your sins 8 Promises 1. No Shame 2. Confident 3. Fearless 4. Troubles wash away 5. Darkness turns to lIght 6. Rest safe & Secure 7. Filled with Hope 8. Emptied of worry 2. EVERYDAY REMEMBER THE WAYS GOD LOVES ME A. I'M COMPLETELY ACCEPTED The deepest wounds are often aused by rejection So we spend much of our lives trying to earn acceptance: from parents…peers…those we respect… those we envy even total strangers MYTH: "If I could be perfect, then everyone will like me!" Well- Jesus was perfect- yet rejected! No matter who you are or what you do. There will be people who do not like you or what you do or the way you do it! Don't always be worried about your approval rating! Bible: This issue is already settled! TITUS 3:7 "Jesus made us acceptable to God." (CEV) B. I'M UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED 2 characteristics of God's love IT'S CONSISTENT - not fickle/unpredictable Inconsistent parents create insecure children IT'S UNCONDITIONAL. Not "I love you if… because.." Never need to ask: Will God love me today? (did I pray enough?) We always get into trouble when we doubt God's love! ISA. 54:10 "My love for you will never end says the Lord" C. I'M TOTALLY FORGIVEN Before God made you...He already knew-worst things you would do and He still loves you! ROM. 8:1"There is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus Sins wiped out! God Doesn't rehearse it - he releases it! D. I'M CONSIDERED EXTREMELY VALUABLE How much do you think you're worth? What makes something valuable? 1st, Value depends on who owns it At auctions- things owned by celebrities cost more Car owned by someone famous be worth more than yours? The owner often adds value to common things! Who do you belong to? to God! 2nd, Value depends on what someone is willing to pay for it How much is your house worth?- whatever... I COR. 7:23 You've been bought and paid for by Christ's death 3. EVERYDAY OFFER THAT SAME LOVE TO OTHERS JN. 13:34 "I'm giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you." (GW) ROM. 15:7 "Accept one another JUST AS Christ accepted you." What does this mean? I MUST: Accept others like Jesus accepts me! Love others like Jesus loves me! Forgive others like Jesus forgives me! Value others like Jesus values me! Would that transform your relationships? Book: How to Make People Really Feel Loved. Best advice is... If you want to become a great lover: 1 COR. 13:7 "Love never stops being patient, Love never stops believing, Love never stops hoping, Love never gives up!" (GW) This is how God loves you! He never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up! REAL LOVE DOES 4 THINGS Love: - extends grace... - expresses faith... - expects the best … - endures the worst… Prayer: When I say this say God I agree with this. Dear God, I admit that I have made a mess in my relationships. They're complicated, they're broken, they're not the best. I've often settled for less than the best and they need a transformation. I'd like you to begin by changing me. Deliver me from these three fears that I've learned about today. I can see how they make me distant and defensive and even demanding. So today and each day from now on I want to surrender my heart to you. I'm doing this right now. I surrender my heart to you. Just say that "God, I surrender my heart to you." I want to learn to live my life in your love. Filled with your love. Please replace my shame with your love. When I'm afraid to let others see the real me remind me of how you see me. Say this. Thank you that you accept me completely. Say, thank you that you love me unconditionally. Say, thank you that you forgive me totally. Say, thank you that you paid such a high price to save me. Dear God, help me to accept others just as you've accepted me. Help me to love others unconditionally just as you have loved me. And help me to forgive others totally just as you've forgiven me. And help me to value others as much as you value me. Say, dear God I want to be known as a loving person. I want to be a great lover. So help me to extend grace to the people around me. And help me to express faith in the people around me. And help me to expect the best in the people around me. And help me to endure the worst when it happens. I want to live my life in love and I humbly ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Satan does not tempt us to be evil like him but to be like God. GEN 3:6-19 In this story, we see... THE 3 BASIC FEARS THAT RUIN RELATIONSHIPS How Our Fears Ruin Relationships 1. MY FEAR OF EXPOSURE MAKES ME DISTANT Why can't I get close to people? To get intimate? Intimacy-into me see! Truth: There's a lot you don't like about you and since you don't accept it, you don't want others to see it because they might reject it too! GEN. 3:9-10 "God called to Adam, ‘Why are you hiding?' Adam said, ‘I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.'" God always knows the answer to Qs he asks you He just wants YOU to admit it. - own up In denial there is no recovery and no transformation. - Fear always causes us to hide! - I wonder what you are hiding from today? - What are you pretending not to know? That is not a problem? Because you are afraid of facing the truth? With fear, God always wants me to FACE it, not fake it. Circle "naked" = exposed, uncovered, vulnerable,out in the open, unprotected! Scary! You are never more open than when you are naked. One of your deepest: fears of being seen for what you really are Note the damage fear does to relationship happens in 3 stages: Phase 1: SHAME VS. 7A "They suddenly felt shame at their nakedness" NLT Fear is often based in shame. When you carry shame you are easily embarrassed Shame makes you more self-conscious... nervous ...fearful of humiliation... easily mortified Phase 2: THE COVER UP – we try to conceal our true selves VS. 7B "So they sewed fig leaves to cover up themselves." Today we have more ways sophisticated ways to cover up! But we ALL still do it. What ways do you use to cover up your fears? - Humor? (funny, but dont let people get close) - Present an image of being put-together? - way you dress.. car ... words you use.. - A lot of people hide behind an online image PHASE 3: DISTANCE FROM GOD VS. 8 "Then they hid from God among the trees." God doesn't expect perfect, he expects honesty. Why am I afraid to tell you who I really am? 2. MY FEAR OF DISAPPROVAL MAKES ME DEFENSIVE We move from hiding to hurling, from excusing to accusing... We start blaming, attacking, pointing fingers "But you did.." The more critical the person is the more they fear disapproval! FACT: The more I fear disapproval, the more I'll point at others. GEN. 3:12 "God asked, ‘Did you eat … what I told you not to eat?' Adam answered, ‘YOU gave me this woman and SHE gave me the fruit!' Adam took it like a man and blamed God and Eve! Blame is spelled B-Lame Eve wasn't any more willing to accept responsibility! GEN. 3:13 "Then Eve said, ‘The SNAKE tricked me into eating!" (TEV) My fear of disapproval makes me defensive! You explain, excuse, blame etc. 3. MY FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL MAKES ME DEMANDING The result of sin- Adam & Eve lost control over their future. They got kicked out of paradise. They lost their advantage. The more out-of-control you feel- the more controlling you become. (Bullies) Defending, demanding, demeaning, dominating, becoming passive aggressive. Secure people do not have to have their way all the time. The more insecure you are- the greater your need to get your way! VS. 16 "… You'll have yearning for your husband, but he will lord it over you…" (NJB) … he will dominate you …" (Ber) This is where the war between the sexes began... all the misunderstanding, confusion and conflict started! All the tit for tat, the jockeying for power . Competing and not complementing or cooperating. What's the antidote? LOVE! LEARN TO LIVE IN GOD'S LOVE 1 JN 4:18A "Wherever God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out all fear." (NCV) Do you want fear out of your work, home, sports, school you must get God's love in! Love is the opposite of fear! Let love in the front door and fear goes out the back door! 1 JN 4:18B "It is the thought of punishment (negative consequences) that makes a person fearful." (NCV) - afraid to be yourself - afraid to tell the truth - afraid to share the last 10% that will make the difference How do I learn to LIVE in God's love? 3 daily choices 1. EVERYDAY SURRENDER MY HEART TO GOD God is love. The closer I get to God , the more loving I'll be. The further... more fearful... JOB 11:13-18 "Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins— even those you do in secret. Then you won't be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge, and your darkest night will be brighter than noon. Then you'll rest safe and secure, filled with hope and emptied of worry! (CEV) 3 COMMANDS & 8 PROMISES! 1. Surrender your heart 2. Turn to God in Prayer 3. Give up your sins 8 Promises 1. No Shame 2. Confident 3. Fearless 4. Troubles wash away 5. Darkness turns to lIght 6. Rest safe & Secure 7. Filled with Hope 8. Emptied of worry 2. EVERYDAY REMEMBER THE WAYS GOD LOVES ME A. I'M COMPLETELY ACCEPTED The deepest wounds are often aused by rejection So we spend much of our lives trying to earn acceptance: from parents…peers…those we respect… those we envy even total strangers MYTH: "If I could be perfect, then everyone will like me!" Well- Jesus was perfect- yet rejected! No matter who you are or what you do. There will be people who do not like you or what you do or the way you do it! Don't always be worried about your approval rating! Bible: This issue is already settled! TITUS 3:7 "Jesus made us acceptable to God." (CEV) B. I'M UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED 2 characteristics of God's love IT'S CONSISTENT - not fickle/unpredictable Inconsistent parents create insecure children IT'S UNCONDITIONAL. Not "I love you if… because.." Never need to ask: Will God love me today? (did I pray enough?) We always get into trouble when we doubt God's love! ISA. 54:10 "My love for you will never end says the Lord" C. I'M TOTALLY FORGIVEN Before God made you...He already knew-worst things you would do and He still loves you! ROM. 8:1"There is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus Sins wiped out! God Doesn't rehearse it - he releases it! D. I'M CONSIDERED EXTREMELY VALUABLE How much do you think you're worth? What makes something valuable? 1st, Value depends on who owns it At auctions- things owned by celebrities cost more Car owned by someone famous be worth more than yours? The owner often adds value to common things! Who do you belong to? to God! 2nd, Value depends on what someone is willing to pay for it How much is your house worth?- whatever... I COR. 7:23 You've been bought and paid for by Christ's death 3. EVERYDAY OFFER THAT SAME LOVE TO OTHERS JN. 13:34 "I'm giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you." (GW) ROM. 15:7 "Accept one another JUST AS Christ accepted you." What does this mean? I MUST: Accept others like Jesus accepts me! Love others like Jesus loves me! Forgive others like Jesus forgives me! Value others like Jesus values me! Would that transform your relationships? Book: How to Make People Really Feel Loved. Best advice is... If you want to become a great lover: 1 COR. 13:7 "Love never stops being patient, Love never stops believing, Love never stops hoping, Love never gives up!" (GW) This is how God loves you! He never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up! REAL LOVE DOES 4 THINGS Love: - extends grace... - expresses faith... - expects the best … - endures the worst… Prayer: When I say this say God I agree with this. Dear God, I admit that I have made a mess in my relationships. They're complicated, they're broken, they're not the best. I've often settled for less than the best and they need a transformation. I'd like you to begin by changing me. Deliver me from these three fears that I've learned about today. I can see how they make me distant and defensive and even demanding. So today and each day from now on I want to surrender my heart to you. I'm doing this right now. I surrender my heart to you. Just say that "God, I surrender my heart to you." I want to learn to live my life in your love. Filled with your love. Please replace my shame with your love. When I'm afraid to let others see the real me remind me of how you see me. Say this. Thank you that you accept me completely. Say, thank you that you love me unconditionally. Say, thank you that you forgive me totally. Say, thank you that you paid such a high price to save me. Dear God, help me to accept others just as you've accepted me. Help me to love others unconditionally just as you have loved me. And help me to forgive others totally just as you've forgiven me. And help me to value others as much as you value me. Say, dear God I want to be known as a loving person. I want to be a great lover. So help me to extend grace to the people around me. And help me to express faith in the people around me. And help me to expect the best in the people around me. And help me to endure the worst when it happens. I want to live my life in love and I humbly ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

MK 12:29-30 "The most important commandment is this: You must love the Lord your God with ALL YOUR HEART, and all your SOUL, and all your MIND, and all your STRENGTH." (NLT) Some facts about your emotions: 1. God has emotions 2. My ability to feel is a gift from God. GEN. 1:26 "God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness" 3. There are two extremes to avoid: Emotionalism: all that matters is how I feel. Stoicism: feelings aren’t important at all 4. God gave us the book of PSALMS to understand our emotions. WHY I MUST LEARN TO MANAGE MY EMOTIONS? 4 important reasons 1. BECAUSE MY FEELINGS ARE OFTEN UNRELIABLE. PR. 14:12 "There is a way that SEEMS right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death." 2. BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO BE MANIPULATED. PR. 25:28 "Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings." (NAB PR.25:28 (NLT) "A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls." 1 PET. 5:8 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" 3. BECAUSE I WANT TO PLEASE GOD. ROM. 8:6-8 "To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.... Those who obey their human nature cannot please God." (TEV) 4. BECAUSE I WANT TO SUCCEED IN LIFE. PR. 5:23 "(People) get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control." (CEV) 1 PET. 4:2 "From now on you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God's will and not by human desires." (TEV) HOW TO MANAGE AN UNWANTED FEELING 1. NAME IT! FACT: I’m often confused about what I’m feeling. PS. 55:2 "My thoughts are restless, and I am confused" (GW) ASK: What am I really feeling? I must name it in order to tame it. 2. CHALLENGE IT! PS.26:2 (screen) "Lord, cross-examine me. Test my motives and my affections." (NLT) JOB 15:12 Elephaz asked Job: "Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash?" ASK 3 questions 1. What’s the real reason I’m feeling this? 2. Is it true? 3. It is helping or hurting me? 3. TAME IT! A. Sometimes you just need to CHANGE what you’re feeling. PH. 2:5 "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" B. Sometimes you need to CHANNEL what you’re feeling HOW DO YOU TAME A WILD EMOTION? ZECH. 4:6 'You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord All-Powerful. (NCV) 2 Starter Suggestions: 1. Everyday, ask God to fill me with his Spirit GAL. 5:22-23 When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Whatever is INSIDE you is going to come out! 2. Everyday: Ask God to help me manage my mouth PR. 13:3 "Self-control means controlling the tongue!" (LB) THIS IS KEY: MAKE GOD’S WORD MY WORD! PS. 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV) PS. 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord!"

MK 12:29-30 "The most important commandment is this: You must love the Lord your God with ALL YOUR HEART, and all your SOUL, and all your MIND, and all your STRENGTH." (NLT) Some facts about your emotions: 1. God has emotions 2. My ability to feel is a gift from God. GEN. 1:26 "God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness" 3. There are two extremes to avoid: Emotionalism: all that matters is how I feel. Stoicism: feelings aren’t important at all 4. God gave us the book of PSALMS to understand our emotions. WHY I MUST LEARN TO MANAGE MY EMOTIONS? 4 important reasons 1. BECAUSE MY FEELINGS ARE OFTEN UNRELIABLE. PR. 14:12 "There is a way that SEEMS right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death." 2. BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO BE MANIPULATED. PR. 25:28 "Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings." (NAB PR.25:28 (NLT) "A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls." 1 PET. 5:8 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" 3. BECAUSE I WANT TO PLEASE GOD. ROM. 8:6-8 "To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.... Those who obey their human nature cannot please God." (TEV) 4. BECAUSE I WANT TO SUCCEED IN LIFE. PR. 5:23 "(People) get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control." (CEV) 1 PET. 4:2 "From now on you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God's will and not by human desires." (TEV) HOW TO MANAGE AN UNWANTED FEELING 1. NAME IT! FACT: I’m often confused about what I’m feeling. PS. 55:2 "My thoughts are restless, and I am confused" (GW) ASK: What am I really feeling? I must name it in order to tame it. 2. CHALLENGE IT! PS.26:2 (screen) "Lord, cross-examine me. Test my motives and my affections." (NLT) JOB 15:12 Elephaz asked Job: "Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash?" ASK 3 questions 1. What’s the real reason I’m feeling this? 2. Is it true? 3. It is helping or hurting me? 3. TAME IT! A. Sometimes you just need to CHANGE what you’re feeling. PH. 2:5 "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" B. Sometimes you need to CHANNEL what you’re feeling HOW DO YOU TAME A WILD EMOTION? ZECH. 4:6 'You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord All-Powerful. (NCV) 2 Starter Suggestions: 1. Everyday, ask God to fill me with his Spirit GAL. 5:22-23 When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Whatever is INSIDE you is going to come out! 2. Everyday: Ask God to help me manage my mouth PR. 13:3 "Self-control means controlling the tongue!" (LB) THIS IS KEY: MAKE GOD’S WORD MY WORD! PS. 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV) PS. 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord!"

The Rock of KC is a church located in the Northland of Kansas City, MO. Our motto is: we are a "church without walls for all generations." In short, we see a church that seeks to reach every age group, and that the church extends beyond the four walls we find ourselves in each weekend. As important as our weekly worship experiences are, the church is maximized when it extends into our communities. We offer three worship experiences each weekend. Saturday at 5 PM, and two services on Sunday morning, at 9 AM and 11 AM. Age-appropriate classes are offered for your children during each service, from birth all the way up to 6th grade. We would love to have you join us!

The Rock of KC is a church located in the Northland of Kansas City, MO. Our motto is: we are a "church without walls for all generations." In short, we see a church that seeks to reach every age group, and that the church extends beyond the four walls we find ourselves in each weekend. As important as our weekly worship experiences are, the church is maximized when it extends into our communities. We offer four worship experiences each weekend. Saturday at 5 PM, and three services on Sunday morning, at 8:30 AM, 10:15 AM, and 12 PM. Age-appropriate classes are offered for your children during each service, from birth all the way up to 6th grade. We would love to have you join us!

Romans 12:2 God is far more interested in changing your mind than in changing your circumstances 3 REASONS THAT I MUST MANAGE MY MIND 1. Because my thoughts control my life (Prov. 4:23) 2. Because the mind is the battleground for sin. - Our mind is where we win or lose the battle (Rom. 7:22-23) - whatever gets your attention gets you 3. Because it's the key to peace and happiness. (Rom. 8:6) - A managed mind leads to strength, security and serenity 3 Daily Choices for a Healthy Mind 1. I MUST FEED MY MIND WITH TRUTH (Matt. 4:4, Ps. 119:147,97) - The Bible is our soul food. It's our owner's manual for life. (Ps. 16:7) 2. I MUST FREE MY MIND FROM DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS - What are the enemies? a. The first enemy is our old nature (2 Cor. 10:3-5, Rom. 8:5) b. The second thing that's going to fight this is Satan c. The third enemy is the world's value system (1 John 2:16, 2 Cor. 10) - What is a stronghold? It's a lie that we believe. A spiritual stronghold in my life is a lie that I believe. 3. I MUST FOCUS MY MIND ON THE RIGHT THINGS A. Think about Jesus (Hebrew 12:3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up.) B. Think about others (Philippians 2:4 Don't just think about your own affairs but be interested in others too and what they are doing.) C. Think about eternity (1 Cor. 2:9 No eye has seen no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.)