Theme 2014: Experiencing God, Embracing People!

Isaiah 43:18-19

“18 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not

perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams

in the wasteland.” [TNIV]

Isaiah 43:18-19….

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I

am come that you might have life, and have it the full

(abundantly).” [TNIV]

John 10:10….

“18 Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new

thing! …..” [TNIV]

Isaiah 43:18-19….

We need to understand that God is far more

interested in our future than He is in our past!

The only person that

can ruin your life is

YOU!

Nobody can RUIN your

life without your

permission!

You havea choice!

The Bible says that the starting point is to just be….

“A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can

never be successful. But if he confess and forsakes

them he gets another chance.”

[Message Bible]

Proverbs 28:13….

We need to evaluateall our experiences.  

of ourlife’s experiencesand learn from them!  

“Have you experience so much in vain – if it really was in vain.”

[TNIV]

Galatians 3:4….

“You have experienced many things. Were all those

experiences wasted? I hope not.”

[Message]

“You have suffered so much for the gospel. Now are you going

to throw it all over board.”I can hardly believe it.”

[TLB]

Galatians 3:4….

Failures or disappointmentscan be our friend or our foe.

You determine if failure will be your

friend or foe by the wayyou react to it!

that God allows or usesto shape our lives.

#1. He usesPERSONAL

EXPERIENCESto shape you!

#2. He usesVOCATIONAL & EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCESto shape you!

#3. He usesSPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES

to shape you!

#4. He usesPAINFUL EXPERIENCES

to shape you!

What have I learned?

What are my assets?

Who can help me?

The Bible says the keyto change is

“According to your faithlet it be done to you.”

[TNIV]

Matthew 9:29….

NOTa dead faith!

It is an affirmative faiththat takes positive action

coupled with the help of Godto change your life.

When we askfor somethingand expect toget nothing ….we get exactlywhat we expected, NOTHING!

… having a pity party … rehearsing the past … regretting the past

…get on withthe present and

the future!

Whatever you focus ON tends to reproduce in your life!

learn from the past“act in faith” for the future look to God for guidance

How do youget rid of fear or failure?

Not so muchthe absence of fear!

Moving aheadin spite ofyour fear!

“Being afraid of peoplecan get you into trouble.”

Proverbs 29:25….

“Fear of man is a dangerous trap, but to trust in God

means safety.”[TLB]

“Refocus” our thoughts ifwe want to change our life.

to rethink the waythat we think

to change our mind abouta number of issues

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do

flows from it.” [TNIV]

Proverbs 4:23….

“Be careful how you think. Your life is shaped by your

thoughts.” [Good News]

The way you THINK, determines

the way you FEEL.

And the way you FEEL determines

the way you ACT.

Romans 12:2….

“Do not be conform to the pattern of this world, but be

transformed by the renewing of your mind….”

[TNIV]

Stop thinkingsome old patterns!

To get a fresh start….

“LET GO” of those painful, hurtful memories of shameand guilt and other things.

How do I get rid of a painful memory?

By replacing it!

Stop focusing onwhat you don’t want &

start focusing onwhat you do want.

What’s the best thingto focus on?

“But who delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on his

law day and night. They are like a tree planted by streams of

water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not

wither — whatever they do prospers.” [TNIV]

Psalm 1:2,3….

• to be happy• to succeed in life

2 Things everybodywants in life….

The answer …. “meditating on God’s

Word.”

“Meditating on God’s Word” simply means

“rehearsing God’s Word inour minds over and over.”

As we fill our mind withGod’s Word, it begins to

change our mind.

We begin to SEE ourselvesas God does.

on Him. to help us succeed.

We can’t do it on our own!

Success in the Christian lifeis not trying harder,BUT living smarter.

Giving God the controlof my life.

“So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the LORD to

Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power,

but by my Spirit,‘says the LORD Almighty.’”

[TNIV]

Zechariah 4:6….

“…. You will not succeedby your own strength

or power but by My Spirit, says the Lord….”

[Good News Bible]

Zechariah 4:6….

Will you havea fresh start in life?

Will you havea new beginning?

How can I have a fresh start?