DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS MONDAY - VERSES: 2 Kings 18:19-22; Isaiah 30:15-16 PRAYER THOUGHT: God, Help me to keep my confidence in you even when others don't understand it and ridicule me because of it. Even when it seems that all is lost, help me not to panic like others who don't have you as their confidence. TUESDAY - VERSES: Psalm 118:8-9; Proverbs 25:19 PRAYER THOUGHT: Lord, help me to learn to put my trust in your ability and not in the failing abilities of mankind, including myself, my friends, church members, or governments. WEDNESDAY - VERSES: Proverbs 14:26-27 PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, thank You for offering me eternal life and the right to have confidence in the adoption You have arranged for me. Help me never forget that You love me as Your own child and to give You the respect due to a loving father. THURSDAY - VERSES: Philippians 1:23-26 PRAYER THOUGHT: Let me be confident as Paul was that I will be here until my work is done and that when it is done I will go to be with Christ which will be better. FRIDAY - VERSES: Philippians 3:3-7 PRAYER THOUGHT: Help me continue to follow You unquestioningly and not fall to the temptation to think that I can do it better my way. Help me to learn the lessons of the Old Law, that the flesh and physical feats are unable to make one spiritually whole. SATURDAY - VERSES: Hebrews 3:5-12 PRAYER THOUGHT: Be with me, Lord God Almighty, and give me the strength to hold on to the confidence I have in You to the end. q w k l q w k l w k CONFIDENCE IN OUR _________________ LEAD STATEMENT - WE HAVE CONFIDENCE BECAUSE . . . I. WE HAVE GOD'S _________ II. WE HAVE A BROTHER'S __________ III. WE HAVE THE SPIRIT'S ________________ IV. WE HAVE THE SAVING ____________ V. WE HAVE A FAITHFUL ___________ VI. WE HAVE THE MASTER'S _________ VII. WE HAVE SIBLING ___________ VIII. WE WANT OUR INCORRUPTIBLE _______________ SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 65 ASSURANCE - 10-27-13 to 11-2-13 SCRIPTURE - 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." COMMENT – God does not want us to be living with a constant nagging doubt about our salvation. He has given us the knowledge that we need to be able to have assurance that either we are on the road to Heaven, or that there are things we need to change to get on that road. SONG - THE GLORY-LAND WAY 1. I'm in the way, the bright and shining way, I'm in the glory- land way.(glory-land way.) Telling the world that Jesus saves today, Yes, I'm in the glory-land way.(glory-land way.) 2. List to the call, the gospel call today, Get in the glory-land way.(glory- land way.) Wand'rers, come home, O, hasten to obey, For I'm in the glory-land way.(glory-land way.) 3. Onward I go, rejoicing in His love, I'm in the glory-land way.(glory-land way.) Soon I shall see Him in that home above, O, I'm in the glory-land way.(glory-land way.) (CHORUS) I'm in the glory-land way.(glory-land way.) I'm in the glory-land way.(glory-land way.) Heaven is nearer and the way groweth clearer, For I'm in the glory-land way.(glory-land way.) ASSIGNMENTS 1. Daily read over this material and read or sing the song. 2. Place the scripture where you will see it each day. 3. Think of areas you need to be more confident. 4. Write down ways you have become more confident or ways you can work to be more confident. 5. Tell the class about a time you were confident or about a time you failed to have the confidence you should have had. THOUGHTS An old seaman said, "In fierce storms we can do but one thing. There is only one way (to survive); we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there." Commenting on this idea, Richard Fuller wrote: This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may -- winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers -- no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm and hold fast your confidence in God's faithfulness and his everlasting love in Christ Jesus. q w k l q w k l w k Who Flew the Kite? "I did," said the wind! "I did," said the paper! "I did," said the string! "I did," said the boy! But in reality they ALL flew the kite! If the wind had lulled, if the paper had torn, if the sticks had broken, if the tail had caught in the tree, or the boy had fallen, then the kite would have come down! EACH HAD A PART TO PLAY! The same is true of salvation: God's Grace, Christ's Crucifixion, The Spirit's Scriptures, The Follower's Faith, and The Christian's Confidence and Continuance are all necessary parts of God's plan and if any of them fail the whole structure collapses. The first three will never fail which leaves only our side of the equation incomplete. q w k l q w k l w k BONUS SONG - IF I DON'T GET TO HEAVEN If I don't get to Heaven, If I don't get to Heaven, If I don't get to Heaven it will be nobody's, nobody's, no-no-no- nobody's fault, but mine. If I don't see my Savior, If I don't see my Savior, If I don't see my Savior it will be nobody's, nobody's, no-no-no- nobody's fault, but mine. If I don't wear my crown, If I don't wear my crown, If I don't wear my crown it will be nobody's, nobody's, no-no-no- nobody's fault, but mine. If I don't get to Heaven, If I don't see my Savior, If I don't wear my crown it will be nobody's, nobody's, no-no-no- nobody's fault, but mine. q w k l q w k l w k A tiny girl was taking a long journey and in the course of the day her train was obliged to cross a number of rivers. The water seen in advance always awakened doubts and fears in the child. She did not understand how it could safely be crossed. As they drew near the river, however, a bridge appeared, and furnished the way over. Several times the same thing happened, and finally the child leaned back with a long breath of relief and confidence: "Somebody has put bridges for us all the way!" she said in trusting content. That is how we find it in life, God has built bridges for us all the way. q w k l q w k l w k A United Press release in a midwestern city told of a hospital where officials discovered that the firefighting equipment had never been connected. For 35 years it had been relied upon for the safety of the patients in case of emergency. But it had never been attached to the city's water main. The pipe that led from the building extended 4 feet underground -- and there it stopped! The medical staff and the patients had felt complete confidence in the system. They thought that if a blaze broke out, they could depend on a nearby hose to extinguish it. But theirs was a false security. Although the costly equipment with its polished valves and well-placed outlets was adequate for the building, it lacked the most important thing -- water! That is how it is when we put our trust and confidence in ourselves or human abilities rather than in God and His plan. How many people are going through life believing that the fires of Hell are no threat to them. They have all the fancy appearance, they live a good moral life, they go to church, they claim Jesus as their Savior, call God their Father, pray, read their Bibles, and do other things that Christians on their way to Heaven do, but they are doing it without the water. Jesus said you must be born of water as well as spirit. q w k l q w k l w k To Fly Safely, a Pilot must Trust the Plane's Instruments, Even When They Totally Contradict His Natural Instincts. If his inner ear says, "You're level," but his altimeter says, "You're going down," it is the instrument which is right. The same is true in our spiritual life. One is not in a saved relationship with God just because he or she feels a certain way. Subjective emotions can be terribly misleading when they become the basis for faith or action... and the result can be fatal. Joy and confidence are the fruit, not the foundation, of our walk with the Lord. We must not confuse the two. Our guiding instrument is the Spirit-breathed, living Word of God in Scripture. As the psalmist said, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105; see Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12; Isa. 55:8-9). Check it often. Fly accordingly. Arrive home safely. q w k l q w k l w k The bumblebee flies confidently in spite of some scientists' doubts. CONFIDENCE IN OUR SALVATION INTRODUCTION: A. 1 JOHN 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." B. Not once saved always saved C. Story about boy sliding up and down a pole saying going up to Heaven, sliding down to Hell. We are not in and out of salvation that fast. LEAD STATEMENT - WE HAVE CONFIDENCE BECAUSE . . . I. WE HAVE GOD'S GRACE - (Eph 2:5-10 KJV) "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) {6} And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: {7} That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. {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." (Acts 15:7-11 KJV) "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. {8} And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; {9} And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. {10} Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? {11} But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." II. WE HAVE A BROTHER'S BLOOD - (Eph 2:11-13 KJV) "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; {12} That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: {13} But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." (1 Pet 1:18-19 KJV) "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; {19} But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 John 1:6-8 KJV) "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: {7} But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. {8} If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 2:1-3 KJV) "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: {2} And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. {3} And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." III. WE HAVE THE SPIRIT'S SCRIPTURES - (Luke 8:12 KJV) "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." (James 1:21-22 KJV) "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. {22} But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." IV. WE HAVE THE SAVING STEPS - (Eph 1:9-12 KJV) "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: {10} That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: {11} In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: {12} That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." (Mark 16:15-16 KJV) "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. {16} He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." V. WE HAVE A FAITHFUL FATHER - (Rom 8:15-16 KJV) "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. {16} The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" (Gal 4:4-7 KJV) "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, {5} To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. {6} And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. {7} Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." VI. WE HAVE THE MASTER'S MARK - (John 6:27 KJV) "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." (2 Cor 1:21-22 KJV) "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; {22} Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (Eph 1:12-14 KJV) "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. {13} In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, {14} Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Eph 4:30 KJV) "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (2 Tim 2:19 KJV) "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (Rev 7:3 KJV) "Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." VII. WE HAVE SIBLING SUPPORT - (1 Th 2:11-12 KJV) "As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, {12} That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory." (1 Th 5:14 KJV) "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men." (Heb 3:12-14 KJV) "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. {13} But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. {14} For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" VIII. WE WANT OUR INCORRUPTIBLE INHERITANCE - (1 Pet 1:3-5 KJV) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {4} To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, {5} Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (Gal 3:18 KJV) "For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise." (Eph 1:10-12 KJV) "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: {11} In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: {12} That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." (Eph 5:5 KJV) "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." CONCLUSION A. Summary B. Invitation 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.