There are 8 superiorities of Jesus Christ given in Colossians 1:

¹² Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

²⁰ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

 

 

1) He is the image of the invisible God (2 Corinthians 4:)

⁴ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2) He is the first born of all creation by priority not by origin (Psalms 89:)

²⁷ Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

3) All things were created by Him  and for Him,

4) He was before all things, (John 17:)

⁵ And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

5) All things consist by Him, (Hebrews 1;)

³ Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

6) he is the head of the church – is the beginning, (Ephesians 1:22-23)

²² And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

²³ Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

7) He is the first born from the dead, (1 Corinthians 15:)

¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

²¹ For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

²³ But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

8) All fullness dwells in Him, (John 1:15-17)

¹⁵ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

¹⁶ And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

¹⁷ For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

Questions for reflection

1) How would you describe God based on the life of Jesus

recorded in the four gospels?

 

 

 

2) What does it mean to you that Jesus is the first born?

 

 

 

3)  When you consider that you were created for Him, what

does that mean to you? How can you live your life for Him?

 

 

 

4) What is the significance of His being before all things.

What does that mean to you?

 

 

5) How much power does it take to hold all things together?

Seasons, day and night, moon phases, your heart rate

 

 

6) How can the knowledge that He holds all things together

impact your daily life?

 

 

7) What does His resurrection from the dead mean to you?

 

 

Hebrews 12:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

 

What are values?

• Priorities with personal significance
• Values develop over time from personal experience
• Values are a prime factor in making choices

 

How do values work?

• Values act as a filter for processing information
• Values guide behavior.

 

Values Choices

achievement	alone time	ambition
being genuine	comfort	compassion
creativity	determination	discernment
excellence	excitement	exercise
faith	fame	family
friends	financial security	happiness
helping others	honesty	hope
influence	integrity	intimate relationship
joy	leaving a legacy	love
making a difference	material success	organization and order
passion	peace and quiet	perfection
positive attitude	power	purity
recognition	reading God’s word	respect for self
self expression	sense of humor	stability
success	team work	truth
wisdom	worship

 

Add values that aren’t on this list

__________________________

___________________________

 

Select your top 10 values

 

1

 

2

 

1

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

9

 

10

 

Narrow the 10 down to your top 3 values

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

 

Values are exhibited to others by one’s behavior.

Personal values are to some extent known to the person.

Most people cannot articulate their values because they

haven’t taken time to reflect on what really matters to them

and why it really matters

 

Articulate your top 3 values and why they matter to you. Be ready to help people important to you to understand why these values matter to you.

 

1)_______________________

2)__________________________

3)___________________________

 

Ecclesiastes 3:

¹ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 

 

As you consider these verses, what do you understand God’s purpose for you to be at this time, in these circumstances?

 

Proverbs 29:

¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

 

Ephesians 2:

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

Revelation 19:

⁶ And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

⁹ And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God

 

Psalms 139:

¹ (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

 

 

How will basing your choices on your values help you achieve God’s purpose for you at this time?

 

Jude 1:

²⁴ Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

²⁵ To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

 

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

The Bible reveals how Jesus endured the cross – conquering death for you

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

His Joy

Isaiah 53:

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Revelation 5:

⁹ And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

1 Corinthians 15:

²⁴ Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

²⁵ For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

²⁶ The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

 

Revelation 19:

⁶ And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

His goal is being together forever with you!

Questions for Reflection

1) What are your thoughts about Jesus’ example for enduring hard  times and difficulties?

 

2) What are some of the best things about your reunion with Him that really excite you?

 

3) What are some practical ways to remind yourself of the joy?

 

Encouragement from Jesus

John 15:

¹¹ These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

 

John 16:

²⁰ Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

²² And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

²⁴ Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

 

Jesus’ prayer for you in John 17:

¹³ And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

¹⁴ I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

¹⁵ I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

 

Encouragement from James in James 1:

² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing

 

 

Encouragement from Peter in 1 Peter 1:

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

⁷ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

⁸ Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

 

1 Peter 4:

¹² Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

¹³ But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

Encouragement from Paul:

1 Thessalonians 1:

⁶And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

 

Colossians 1:

⁹ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

¹¹ Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness

 

Acts 20:

²⁴ But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

 

Romans 14:17

¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

Encouragement from Jesus in Luke 12:

³² Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom

 

Encouragement from Jude

²⁴ Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

²⁵ To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

 

Questions for Reflection

 

1) What do you know of Peter’s hardships?

Do his words of encouragement resonate with you?

 

2) What do you know of Paul’s hardships?

Do his words of encouragement resonate with you?

 

3) What do you know of Jude’s hardships?

Do his words of encouragement resonate with you?

 

4) What about Jesus’ words of encouragement resonate with you?

 

 

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jeus!

Coach Patti

Perhaps today is hard for you. ..worry, discouragement, loneliness, fear may be your companions.  Here is a message of joy and hope. This world is not our home. We are just passing through. Jesus is going to make all things right.  If you have received Him as your Lord and Savior, He is coming for you.

 

Jesus is preparing your home –John 14

² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

Jesus left you a Comforter and a guide to truth-John 14

²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

There will be a celebration-Revelation 19

⁶And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

 

You prepare your wedding garment for the Bridegroom-Revelation 19

⁸And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

 

Ephesians 2:

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

Together with Jesus forever- 1 Thessalonians 4:

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

Revelation 21:

⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

 

Comparing the difficulty of the day with the glory that awaits us brings to mind the words to this song:

 

“It Will be Worth it All – When We See Jesus”

Lyrics and Music: Esther Kerr Rusthoi

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

Refrain:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem – just go to Him in pray’r.

Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past,
We’ll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We’ll share the joys of heav’n – a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down

 

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let us run with patience, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

In this study series we look at the problems our emotions sometimes cause us. Emotions can cause you to lose focus and become sidetracked in the unique race God has set out for you to run successfully.

Feeling pain is not a sign of failure

(Society encourages us to put on a “happy face” and hide real feelings)

● Emotional pain does not make you a 2^nd class Christian

● Emotional pain does not signal a failed relationship with Jesus Christ

Emotional pain blurs God’s reality

If you don’t see God for Who He is, you can’t see yourself for who you are in Him

 

● Using your emotions (even when they hurt) for their real purpose (signals) is taking

responsibility for yourself and your response to your emotions

●The greater your self-awareness the more you can control yourself.

Reason for Bitter circumstances

• You live in a fallen      creation –God/man relationship changed; no face-to-face with God

Exodus 33:

¹⁷ And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

¹⁸ And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

¹⁹ And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

²⁰ And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

²¹ And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

²² And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

 

• You have a fallen nature –      Adam’s likeness = misuse of choices Gen 5:

³And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

You have an adversary who      wants to devour you – 1 Peter 5:

           ⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,   seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

adversary = a person, group, or force that  opposes or attacks; enemy; foe.

devour = to swallow or eat up hungrily,  to consume destructively, recklessly,

or wantonly: to engulf or swallow up; to absorb or engross wholly:

 

• Your emotional pain can be intensified by your      adversary’s lies

 

• Your      adversary has observed human nature throughout history and knows how to      use lies.

 

Christian life is a growing process

If any man be in Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:

¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

What do we expect of newborns & youths? Can they drive cars or participate in conversations? No. First basic skills must be learned and developed. SO it is in your new life in Jesus Christ. Jesus is willing to take the time required to help you grow-up into the creation He designed you to be!

 

Perhaps you have mis-learned some survival skills that seemed effective for you to adapt to your circumstances in the past but really are inappropriate in your new life in Jesus Christ. Remember what Jesus said when He called Lazarus from death? – John 11:

⁴³ And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

⁴⁴ And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

 

 

Sometimes emotional healing is needed

Scars have no pain – healing is done

Wounds need healing

 

Jesus is Jehovah-Rapha (God’s remedy for emotional pain) – Exodus 15:

²² So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

²³ And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

²⁴ And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

²⁵ And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

²⁶ And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

²⁷ And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

 

Jesus knows all about how you feel and He wants to help you. Hebrews 4:

¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

So let us run the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

 

In this study series we look at the problems our emotions sometimes cause us. Emotions can cause you to lose focus and become sidetracked in the unique race God has set out for you to run successfully.

 

Grief

 

● Grief is a process of natural reactions to loss of a person, thing, dream, etc.

 

7 Phases of Grief
● Shock and Denial

● Pain and Guilt

● Anger and Bargaining

● Depression, Reflection & loneliness

● Upward Turn

● Reconstruction & Working Through

● Hope

 

Bible examples of grief

Jesus’ grief predicted in Isaiah 53;

³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

⁹ And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities

 

 

 

Jesus’ grief recorded in Mark 3:

⁵ And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

 

David’s thoughts in Psalm 56:

⁸ Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

 

David’s thoughts in Psalm 31:

⁷ I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

⁸ And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

⁹ Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

¹⁰ For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

 

 

God’s purposes in grief –to refine/prepare you

●Malachi 3:2-

² But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:

³ And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

 

●Zechariah 13:9

⁹ And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God

 

●Job 23:

¹⁰ But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

 

●2 Corinthians 1:

³Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

⁴ Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

 

 

Helping someone who is grieving

●Open up communication –  you listen, let them talk

● Allow them to feel their emotions – don’t analyze

● The grieving process takes as long as it takes – don’t judge

● Don’t fear the silence but try to be present

 

 

How Firm a Foundation –  verses 4 & 5

When through the deep waters  I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
 For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

 

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

 

Are you looking at the Refiner or looking at the fire?

 

 

How do you see this fire affecting you?

 

 

How do you see this fire preparing you?

 

 

When was Jesus in a similar situation? What did He do?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

So let us run the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

 

In this study series we look at the problems our emotions sometimes cause us. Emotions can cause you to lose focus and become sidetracked in the unique race God has set out for you to run successfully.

 

Anger

● Anger is the emotional response to violated rights – real or imagined

● Anger is a signal of surroundings

● Reaction to anger can be good or sinful

● Anger is normal and universal

● Anger is dangerous, makes negative behavior easy

 

Common Responses to Anger:

●Mask it– refuse to acknowledge anger

●Minimize it–pretend it isn’t that bad

●Manipulate it– act out, manipulate others

●Manage it– acknowledge, respond wisely

Bible characters and anger – Did they manage it well?

Esau and Rebekah – Genesis 27:

⁴¹And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

⁴² And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.

⁴³ Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

⁴⁴ And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away;

⁴⁵ Until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

⁴⁶ And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

 

Moses – Exodus – 32:

¹⁹ And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

²⁰ And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

²¹ And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

²² And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.

²³ For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

²⁴ And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

²⁵ And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)

²⁶ Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

²⁷ And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.

²⁸ And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

²⁹ For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

³⁰ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

³¹ And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

³² Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

³³ And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

³⁴ Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

³⁵ And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

 

Jesus – Mark – 3:

¹ And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

² And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

³ And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

⁴ And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

⁵ And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

⁶ And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

⁷ But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,

 

God’s advice for handling anger

●Avoid anger, Psalms 37:

⁸Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

●Give soft answers, Proverbs. 15:

 ¹A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

¹⁸ A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife

• Be slow to anger, Proverbs 16:

³² He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

• Use discretion, Proverbs 19:

¹¹ The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

●Understand the foolish of anger, Ecclesiastes. 7:

⁹ Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

●Beware of anger without cause, Matthew 5:22

²² But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire

●Do not allow anger to cause you to sin, Ephesians 4:

 ²⁶ Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

And

³¹ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

● Put it off, Colossians 3:

⁸ But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

 

Response To Anger:

●Admit it – Tag it! (you am angry) –

learn to recognize the triggers

●Analyze it – Hold it! (Why are you angry?) – learn the causes

– what triggers your anger?

●Action – Do it (How should you respond?)

1 – Forbear the inconsequential

Is your anger about something that will still matter to you in 5 years?

2 – Confront the character issue

Raise the issue –How does getting angry over this build your character? Affect your race?

Be humble, ask forgiveness when you am wrong

3 – Forgive as God has forgiven you

4 – Get good advice and counsel

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

So let us run the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

 

In this study series we look at the problems our emotions sometimes cause us. Emotions can cause you to lose focus and become sidetracked in the unique race God has set out for you to run successfully.

Fear is the #2 problem emotion

 

What is fear?

●response to feeling you aren’t in control

●brings loss-of-control-feelings and doubt God can/will help

●prevents expression of honest feelings

●stops us from appropriate responses to threatening situations

●the absence of faith – 211 Bible references to fear

 

 Reasons not to Fear

● The Shepherd is with you- Psalms 23:4

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

• The Shepherd has both a rod (to keep you on the path) and a staff (to bring you back)

 

• The LORD is your strength Psalms 27:1 –

¹ (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

³ Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

⁴ One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

⁵ For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

 

● The LORD is on your side – Psalms 118:

⁵ I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

⁶ The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

 

● the LORD is your helper – Hebrews 13:

⁵Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

 

What should You do with your fear?

Trust the LORD

●Psalm 4:8,

⁸I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

• Psalm 56:2-3

²Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.

³ What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

●1 John 4:18

¹⁸There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

●Romans 8:15

¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

●2 Timothy 1:

⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

 

So let us run the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,

Coach Pattii

 

In this study series we look at the problems our emotions sometimes cause us. Emotions can cause you to lose focus and become sidetracked in the unique race God has set out for you to run successfully.

 

Resentment is #1 problem emotion

What is resentment?

● usually not a standalone emotion. What other emotions are you feeling? The other emotions may provide clues for you to better understand what exactly you resent.

 

● a feeling based on a real or imagined grievance

 

Remember: If you don’t control your emotions they will control you.

Control isn’t burying/suppressing emotion but to set boundaries around it

Behavior reflects your response to those emotional signals

 

Does your behavior indicate you are in control or is your resentment in control?

 

Techniques to overcome resentment include:

 ● admitting to yourself that there is unresolved resentment behind your attitude about that

person, or situation;

confessing it to God and

receiving His forgiveness. 1John 1:

⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

● asking God to show you “hot buttons” that trigger resentment in you and His enabling grace to react with His strength. Philippians 4:

¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

How do you know when you are feeling resentment?

 

What triggers resentment in you?

 

What would be a more appropriate way for you to respond when you feel resentment?

 

• talking it over with the Lord. Remember His words in Psalm 147:

³ He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

⁴ He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

⁵ Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

 

No one better understands you than the One Who created you

 

● asking God’s help to let the past be the past so that it isn’t a chain around your neck anymore James 1:

⁵If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 

● listing those for whom you have resentment and asking God‘s help for forgiving

2 Corinthians 9:

⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work

  

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

So let us run the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,

Coach Pattii

 

In this study series we look at the problems our emotions sometimes cause us. Emotions can cause you to lose focus and become sidetracked in the unique race God has set out for you to run successfully.

1) What are emotions?

● Emotions are a valuable part of you! (can’t get an emotion-ectomy)

● You are entitled to your emotions! (No one can tell how another should feel)

2) Why do you have your emotions?

● Emotions are part of your body’s signal system, neither right nor wrong of themselves.

(What is causing this feeling? – the present or the unresolved-past?)

3) Emotions Influence Behavior

● Attitudes influence emotions, which influence behavior

Is your attitude self-affirming or self- degrading?

● If you don’t control your emotions they will control you.

Control isn’t burying/suppressing emotion but to set boundaries around it

● Behavior reflects your response to those emotional signals

Does your behavior indicate you are in control or your emotions are in control?

● When behavior reflects an out of balance emotion, the better response was not chosen

● Negative emotions sap my energy –

– help me to blame others or things rather than taking responsibility for myself

– signal a need to change my response to the emotion

 

4) Feeling pain is not a sign of failure

(Society encourages us to put on a “happy face” and hide real feelings)

● Emotional pain does not make you a 2^nd class Christian

● Emotional pain does not signal a failed relationship with Jesus Christ

● Using your emotions (even when they hurt) for their real purpose (signals) is taking

responsibility for your response to your emotions

●The greater your self-awareness the more you can control yourself.

5) Emotional pain blurs God’s reality

• If you don’t see God for Who He is, you can’t see yourself for who you are in Jesus Christ

6) Your Christian life is a growing process

• If any man be in Christ – 2 Corinthians  5:

¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new

1 Peter 2:

¹Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

² As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

• What should you expect of newborns and youths?

7) Jesus experienced emotions but He controlled them – they did not control Him

He wept – John 11:

³⁵ Jesus wept

He loved – Mark 10:

²¹ Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

He was angry – Mark 3:

⁵ And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

He felt compassion – Matthew 9:

³⁶ But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

He felt abandoned – Matthew 27:46

⁴⁶ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

He felt joy – Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

8) Jesus provides help for controlling your emotions in Hebrews 4:

¹¹ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

So let us run the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,

Coach Pattii