Falling or failing in Love?

 We must close the gap between our intentions and actions.

1. When we think something good to say, we should say it.  (Hebrews 3:13)

2. When we think something good to do, we should do it.

3.  When we want something better in our relationships, we must be it.

If you don't like what you're getting in relationships, ask yourself what are I saying and doing?

To get what you once had, you must do what you once did.   

Revelation 2:5

New Living Translation

(Jesus speaking) Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first...

   

How Do I Forgive?

(Matthew 6:14-15) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

(Luke 23:32-33) Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with [Jesus] to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

(Luke 23:34) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

How Do You Forgive Like Jesus?

1. Pray for those who hurt you. 

Forgiveness is a choice.  You can carry it.  Rehearse it, or release it.  If you release it, it will set you free.

Luke 6:28 NLT) Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

A right attitude precedes right actions. 

(Matthew 5:43-44) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Your prayers for others may or may not change them, but it will always change you. 

2. Forgive as you have been

forgiven.

Forgiving someone will never change the past, but it can change your future.

(Colossians 3:13) ...Forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.”

~Anne Lamont

Craig Groeschel, Guest speaking at Church of the Highlands

Video

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/how-do-i-forgive

Discussion Guide.

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/files/groups/guides/09-11-2016.pdf

All scripture is from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.

Increasing your leadership capacity

God wants to do more than your mind can understand.  More than what your body is capable of doing.   There is more in you than you know.  

Ephesians 3:20  (NKJV)

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

God wants to increase your capacity.  What got you to where you are will not get you to where you need to be.

The 4 Cs of Increasing your Capacity. 

(Only focus on one of these at a time). 

1. Build your confidence.

2. Expand your connections. 

3. Improve your competence.

4. Strengthen your character. 

5. Increase your commitment.

Let's discuss these 4 Cs one by one. 

1. Build your confidence.

Change your self-talk.  You are who God says that you are.  The pathway to your greatest potential is through your greatest fear.  

2. Expand your connections. 

Relationships matter!!!  Show me who you're listening too, and I'll show you who you are becoming.

3. Improve your competence.

You may need to improve how you communicate.  How you delegate.  Your work ethic.  You may need to initiate rather than always responding. 

4. Strengthen your character. 

Talent can only get you to the top, but only character can keep you there.  What no one else see matters a lot. You are only as strong as you are honest. 

Why would you fight a temptation in the future that you have the power to eliminate today?

5. Increase your commitment.

We are not Spiritual consumers.  We are Spiritual contributors. Immerse yourself in God's Word and work in out in your lives.

Philippians 2:12 (ERV)

So you must continue to live in a way that gives meaning to your salvation. Do this with fear and respect for God.

Craig Groechel, guest speaking at Church of the Highlands 

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/expand-your-capacity

The 5 Cs of increasing your capacity.

 1. Build your confidence.

Change your self talk.  You are who God says that you are.  The Pathway to your greatest potential is through your greatest fear. 

2. Expand your connections.  

Show me who you are listening too, and I'll show you who you are becoming.

  

3. Improve your competence.  

It may be your communication.  How you delegate.  Your work ethic.  Initiate rather than respond.

4. Strengthen your character.

Talent can get you to the top, but only character can keep you there.  What no one else sees matters a lot.  You are only as strong as you are honest.  Why would you fight a temptation in the future that you have the the power to eliminate today?  

  

5.  Increase your commitment. 

We are not to be spiritual consumers but spiritual contributors.

God wants to do more than your mind can understand.  There is more in you than your mind can understand.  

There is more inside of you for God to use than your mind can understand.  God wants to increase your capacity.  

What got you to where you are will not get you to where you need to be. 

Craig Groeschel, guest speaking at Church of the Highlands.   

  

Limiting God's Unlimited Power

You have no idea what God will produce through a single seed planted in faith.

 Just because we don't see it. Does not mean that it's not happening.  

If God is meeting your expectations, he is not exceeding them.  

Don't limit God with your limited understanding of His unlimited power.  

We think differently from God.  

We think in addition.  God thinks in  multiplication.  

Notes from Craig Groeschel.

Your Pathway to Potential

Step out of yourself into whom God says that you are.  

Your pathway to your greatest potential is through your greatest fear. 

Show me who you are listening to, and I’ll show you who you are becoming.  

You may be one relationship from changing your destiny.  

My brain does not understand what God is capable of doing through me.  

You are as strong as you are honest. 

Talent can get you to the top, but character keeps you there. 

Craig Groeschel. 

Nobody can’t stop you, but you.  

Nobody can determine your destiny, but you. 

God is for you even if your circumstances are against you.  

If you say you can’t, you won’t.   

God loves you, and there is nothing you can do about it.  

Mike Hamon, Healing Place Church.  

 “Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't"  

Jerry Rice. 

When we read God's word, God changes our desires to align with His will. 

Then, He can answer our prayers because we are praying according to His will. 

( Mike Gibson.. John 15:7).  

What must God take from me to teach me to think like Him?  

I'm so thankful for the forgiveness of my sins, and being saved FROM the sins that I never committed because I am in Christ. 

Chris Hodges

Don't limit God with your limited understanding of His unlimited power.

You have no idea what God will produce through a single seed planted in faith.  

If God always meets your expectations, He would never exceed them.  

We think in addition, but God thinks in multiplication.  

Just because you don't see it.  Doesn't mean that it is not happening.  (Craig Groeschel)

Cut and paste to watch...  https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/seeds-of-faith

How to Win an Argument

1. Don't call names.

2. Don't raise your voice.

3. Don't bring up past conflicts.

4. Avoid the use of the words always and never.

5. (With spouse) Never threaten divorce.

6. (With spouse) Never takes sides with a child over a spouse in front of the child.

7. Do acts of kindness and service when not in conflict.

8. In good times, tell the other person what you like about them, and invite them to tell you how you can improve the relationship. This should open the door for you to tell them how to do things to improve the relationship with you.

9. Never go to bed angry.

10. Think through the effect of your words before you say them.

11. Ask yourself before speaking. 

Is the problem arising because I'm being selfish? Is the problem mine or theirs?

12. Recognize the true enemy is not the other person, but Satan who is trying to destroy you and your relationship with the other person.

(Craig Groeschel)