God Loves You

SERMON NOTES Sunday, May 18, 2014 Title: God’s Rules of Engagement Text:John 11:45-53 (NKJV)Thesis: This passage offers a clear demonstration of God’s “rules of engagement” in this world. On one hand, even though God is completely sovereign,He chooses to not overrule man’s free -will. On the other hand, as free moral agents, we humans have a choice as to whether we will believe on the Lord Jesus and follow Him or whether we will betray Him and kill His influence in our lives. The good news is God, in His sovereignty, still accomplishes His purposes, regardless of human choices and even human sin. He does this with or in spite of us. What do I want them to know? 1)People really do have _Free-_Will___.(11:45-46)  2)Our free-will gravitates toward our own_sovereignty___  —we’d rather try to rule our own  little kingdom than to be a loved and significant citizen in God’s kingdom.   (11:47-48) 3)God’s will__shal...

Saturday,May 24, 2014  Sonja gets the last word: “I thank You for your great plan, Father, and I don’t even have to know it.You know I’ve never had to know what You were up to.[I’ve] never been the architect, and I’ve never been the contractor.It was always a delight to just be a day worker–to do what You told me for just one day. Sometimes it was to stand in a very strategic position, and sometimes it was merely to collect garbage, but all of it was glorious [when] done for You and in Your name...”-from a prayer prayed by Margaret Gaines, former Missionary to the Arab people living in Jerusalem, 1964-1996.When I read these wonderful words, my heart was stirred, especially by the sentence in bold print.We are called upon to do many different things in life, some requiring boldness and courage; others just the day to day activities we do without thinking. But whatever we do, when we do it as unto the Lord, it is glorious.When we love our spouse...

Wednesday, May 21 , 2014 Wherever you are —be all there Matthew 18:2- 3 (NKJV) Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst ofthem, 3 and said, “Assuredly,  I say to you,unless you are converted and  become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.Why not be happy— at least most of the time. Of course,there will be times when happiness is pretty much impossible. A few years ago when my sister died, the pain and grief were so severe, I did not have it in me to be happy during that sad season of the soul. However,and thankfully, those days are the exception,not the norm.So why allow little things to  rob you of your happiness?One characteristic I have observed about happy people is that they live  in the moment.They do not allow the past (even a few minutes earlier) to rob them of the opportunity to be happy now. In addition, they do not allow the future—what might happen to rob t...

Monday, May 19, 2014 Could You Turn Down $350,000.00? The following entry is from 2011,and it seemed “spot on” for this season as well.“Money is good only if you really need something.”- Larry Bird.Jill Leone, Bird’s agent, recalled Bird turning down $350,000 for an endorsement spot when he was with the Celtics. He said, “If I miss my afternoon nap,I won’t be rested enough to play my best.”Larry Bird probably   did not know it, but in the event his agent recalled about Larry Bird,  he was practicing“Sabbath living.” Sabbath living is having the courage to set limits, to finish things and experience rest that restores. You may by saying to yourself, “Well, that was easy for Larry Bird; he made millions playing basketball.” But for a Christian, it should be even easier;they are trusting in their Father God to withhold not one good thing from them(Psalm 84:11),but to provide, protect,and promote them exceedingly and abun...

About SpringHill Church Thanks for joining us today during this message. SpringHill Church exists to reach people far from God and bring them to a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. For more information about our church please click on the link below to visit our website. Visit Site Scripture Psalm 139:23-24 NLT Search me, OGod, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Go to Bible Reader » Scripture Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. ...

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.   - Colossians 3:12 (NLT) | View in Context

Friday, May16, 2014 The Long and Winding Road Proverbs 15:24 (NKJV) The way of life winds upward for the wise, that he may turn away from hell below. While not a Beatles fan, the title of Paul McCartney’s song, The Long and Winding Road, sums up well the theme of today’s proverb.Remember, life is like a journey—a long and winding journey. On the journey there will be moments of delight and moments of sorrow. There will be long, boring stretches when nothing of significance seems to be happening,and then suddenly there will be seasons when the pace is so intense you find yourself gripping the steering wheel tightly and whispering  prayers under your breath. The key is to keep “winding your way upward” by making wise “God-honoring” decisions. God is not going to drop you into hell every time you blow it. There will be potholes along the way. There will be times you get distracted and veer off the road. There will be times ...

Wednesday, May, 2014 What are you going to do with that money? 1 Timothy 3:2-7 (NKJV) A bishop then must be...not greedy for money... There is nothing sadder than a life ruled by money. Life is reduced to a bottom line mentality in which everything has a price – including family, friendships, faith, principles, and character.Tragically, a life ruled by greed for money eventually leads to evil,and the final return on that money is sorrow. (1 Timothy 6:10) I have a simple antidote: Ask yourself regularly (very regularly) what you are going to do with the money you’re hoping to receive. Sonja and I have a little fun-bantering that we will often use on each other. She will want something that I didn’t see coming,or that I think is a little out of our comfort zone budget-wise, and she will remind me, “I thought that was why you worked.” She got that expression from me. Over the years I’ve reminded myself and my family of reasons why I work.For example:  I refus...