Hearts + Minds Ministries

 Hope Does Not Disappoint June 21, 2023 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 Big Idea - We have hope because of the love God shows us each and every day.  verse 3 And not only so - We not only rejoice in times of prosperity, and of health. Paul proceeds to show that this plan is not less adapted to produce support in trials. The meaning is, that we rejoice not only in hope; not only in the direct results of justification, in the immediate effect which religion itself produces; but we carry our joy and triumph even into the midst of trials. In tribulations - In afflictions. The word used here refers to all kinds of trials which people are called to endure;   Knowing - Being assured of this. Paul’s assurance might have ar

 Sit Down with God  Paul said - to die is gain.  Why? to be with God for forever.  David wanted to meet God all through out his life.  Moses had a relationship with God.  Gideon was called by God. God sent many angels to Gideon to guide and direct him.  Psalm 16:11 - "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." David's relationship with God allowed him to have the faith he needed to defeat Goliath. Saul said to David - "Go, and the Lord be with you!" Daily David needed God to intervene in his job. God protected David from the elements related to the reality of his job. David was in the wilderness caring for the animals.  Psalm 16:1-2 - "Preserve me, O God, for in your I take refuge. I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'" Do you seek the presence of God on a daily basis?  Do you feel the presence of God like David did?  Your heaven

 Dead to Sin - Alive in Christ  Romans 6:10-11 - ERV 10  Yes, when Christ died, he died to defeat the power of sin one time—enough for all time. He now has a new life, and his new life is with God.   11  In the same way, you should see yourselves as being dead to the power of sin and alive for God through Christ Jesus. When Christ died. This is the beginning of our Hope. Believe in this first. Christ came onto this earth, sent by the Father (God) and lived a perfect life so that you can have hope.  He did this once. For the wages of sin is death. Before Christ came we deserved death when we would choose to fall short of the glory of God.  Sin is a choice.  Jesus living a perfect life was a choice.  Jesus chose to do that for you.  His death defeats the power of sin for forever.  When Jesus died he went back to heaven to be with God. When we die we get to be in heaven forever with Jesus. You get to live a new life here on earth knowing that is the future.  Live like you have the power o

 DownTime - June 19, 2023 Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.  When was the last time you had an encounter with God?  When was the last time your conversation or time with God led to something transformational?    God has not left you.  By faith we meet with God.  By faith we believe our hope is in Him.  By faith we seek more of a relationship with Christ.  Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  Faith is simply a response to God's promises and faithfulness.  Have you felt God knocking on your door?  What do you do with it?  God is available to you. He will come to you. But you can go to him. God is not off limits.  Consistently pursue conversation and time with God.  Meditate on the importance of drawing near to God.  Matthew 21:22 - And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive if you have faith. Pursue

You are invited to the Jesus party  Lust - divorce - falsely swearing  Do not commit adultery-  Verse 27  Divorce requires a certificate - Verse 31 Do not swear falsely - verse 33  Lust is seeing a woman for your own gratification and no as a child of God  What do you struggle with?  Is it looking?  Is it staring?  Is it using them for your own personal gratification.  Don’t cross the line. James 1:14-15 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Is there any sin in being lured - no  Enticed? - maybe but no  Bite it - 100 percent yes  Death means separation.  Divorce  Jesus standards are not possible to follow regarding marriage and divorce  Marriage is gods best  Be careful if you are disgusted by someone else’s sexual sin - cheating or divorce  Look at the cross. Can’t do it without Jesus  Divorce is the easy way out  Sw

Down Time - from: Hearts + Minds Ministries  Monday June 12, 2023 God's Love Roman's 12:9-10 - Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly love. Out do one another in showing honor.  See yourself as God sees you.  Walk more powerfully in the Spirit.  Genuine love sets you apart.  1 Corinthians 13:13 - Greats of these is love.  Matthew 22:40 - Love your neighbor as yourself.  You were created to give and receive love.  God has chosen to show love through you life. You are the love of God that someone needs today. God be love. Show love to someone because God loves you.  1. Spend time receiving God's love.  2. Ask God to mold you and shape you into what he wants you to be.  Allow God to change your heart.  3. Who around you today needs your love?  John 13:34 - A new command that I give to you that you love one another. Just as I have loved you you are also to love one another.  Accept God's love.  Allow God's

Faith - it’s what you need!  1 Corinthians 2:5  That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. How do you define faith?   Heb 11:1   Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen   Without faith we lose all that Christ died to give us.  Faith is our lifeblood. Without faith we have nothing.  How do you gain trust?  Faith is the natural response to a revelation of Gods faithfulness- or trust  Abel trusted in Fods faithfulness but giving more at the alter.  Who else trusted in god’s faithfulness?  David and Goliath  Moses and the Red Sea. Abraham and Isaac.  Hebrews 11:6 - without faith it is impossible to please him.   Where do you lack faith today?  What have you taken into your own hands?  Where are you full of fear, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness?  1. Meditate on the scriptures that define faith. Roman’s 4:20-21 1 Corinthians 2:5 Hebrews 11:1 2. Reflect on any area where you struggled with faith.  a. Love or do