ASSIGNMENTS

1. Once a day read over this material and read or sing the songs.

2. Keep the scripture where you will see it often each day.

3. Make a list of the things in your life that you need to allow God to reign over.

4. At the end of day write down a situation where you failed to trust Him and worried instead, or write of a situation that you usually worry about that you didn't.

5. Prepare to tell the class how knowledge of God's sovereignty has affected your life, or how you have struggled to understand the way His sovereignty works in your life.

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DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS

MONDAY - VERSES: Revelation 11:15-18; 2 Chronicles 20:5-7
PRAYER THOUGHT: Omnipotent One, help me to acknowledge you power over everything in creation.

TUESDAY - VERSES: Psalm 47:1-9; 59:13	PRAYER THOUGHT: Sovereign Savior, Help me to submit to your authority to make the rules for salvation.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: Isaiah 40:10-18; Psalm 146:10
PRAYER THOUGHT: Almighty Ally, help me to never fear enemies as long as I am on your side.

THURSDAY - VERSES: Daniel 4:31-37; 2 Samuel 23:3	PRAYER THOUGHT: King of Heaven and Earth, help me to enthrone you in my heart and life and be obedient to you in every way.

FRIDAY - VERSES: 1 Corinthians 15:23-28; Isaiah 52:7	PRAYER THOUGHT: Powerful Potentate, help me to remind others of your power and position of authority over us all.

SATURDAY - VERSES: Daniel 5:18, 20-21; Ezekiel 20:33-34
PRAYER THOUGHT: Majestic Monarch, help me find comfort in knowing that you control the rise and fall of the nations.

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I take great comfort in God. I think He is sometimes much amused at the human race, but on the whole He loves us. He would never have let us get at the matchbox if He had not known that the framework of the universe is fireproof. - James Russell Lowell, quoted in Herlooms, quoted in Reflections, Christianity Today, June 16, 1997, p. 45.

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 96

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY - 6-15-14 TO 6-21-14

SCRIPTURE - 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.

COMMENT – Do we really believe that God is reigning in this world? God can at any minute bring down any nation through so many ways that we cannot count them all. He can and has through time raised up great nations and destroyed great nations. We must put our faith in Him and not in men.

SONGS - THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD

1) This is my Father's world, And to my list'ning ears, All nature sings, and 'round me rings The music of the spheres. This is my Father's world, I rest me in the tho't Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas His hand the wonders wro't.

2) This is my Father's world, The birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker's praise. This is my Father's world, He shines in all that's fair; In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me ev'rywhere.

3) This is my Father's world, O, let me n'er forget That tho' the wrong seems oft' so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father's world, In battle we must trod, Jesus who died shall be satisfied, The kingdom turns back to God.

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THOUGHTS

There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God's sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children ought to more earnestly contend to than the doctrine of their Master over all creation—the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands—the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne...for it is God upon the Throne whom we trust. - C. H. Spurgeon

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"An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty. "On board the liner are scores of passengers. These are not in chains, neither are their activities determined for them by decree. They are completely free to move about as they will. They eat, sleep, play, lounge about on the deck, read, talk, altogether as they please; but all the while the great liner is carrying them steadily onward toward a predetermined port. "Both freedom and sovereignty are present here, and they do not contradict. So it is, I believe, with man's freedom and the sovereignty of God. The mighty liner of God's sovereign design keeps its steady course over the sea of history." - Douglas G. Gerrard

Perhaps a bus or plane would be a better analogy today. The departure times and destinations, there is a price to pay to ride and you have to abide by their rules. We must also remember that you can be put off or choose to get off, or change buses or planes at several points.

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If God did not bless, not one hair, not a solitary wisp of straw, would grow; but there would be an end of everything. At the same time God wants me to take this stance: I would have nothing whatever if I did not plow and sow. God does not want to have success come without work, and yet I am not to achieve it by my work. He does not want me to sit at home, to loaf, to commit matters to God, and to wait till a fried chicken flies into my mouth. That would be tempting God. - Martin Luther

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Sovereignty is a term used to describe the fact that God is the supreme ruler of everything. God created the world and all that is in it. He sustains the entire created order in existence. He guides the affairs of human beings and nations. He providentially interacts with all that takes place. He works for the good of the world and finally will bring all things to a satisfactory conclusion. Because he is God, he has the absolute right to work his will. Sometimes sovereignty is misunderstood to mean that God forces his will on people and that we are not free to choose. That is false. God's sovereignty includes the free choices of human beings. What makes God's sovereignty effective is that his will is ultimately done—sometimes along with, sometimes in spite of our free choices. - The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook, Walter A. Elwell, Editor, (Harold Shaw Publ., Wheaton , IL; 1984), p. 359

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MASTER'S HAND

He sat by the fire of seven-fold heat, As He watched by the precious ore. And closer He bent with a searching gaze As He heated it more and more.

He knew He had ore that could stand the test And He wanted the finest gold, To mold as a crown for the King to wear, Set with gems of price untold.

So He laid our gold in the burning fire, Though we fain would have said Him, "Nay." And He watched the dross that we had not seen, As it melted and passed away.

And the gold grew brighter, and yet more bright And our eyes were so dim with tears, As we saw the fire, not the Master's hand, And questioned with anxious fear.

Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow, As it mirrored a Form above That bent o'er the fire, though unseen by us With a look of infinite love.

Can we think that it pleases His loving heart To cause a moment of pain? Ah, no, but He saw through the present cross The bliss of eternal gain.

So He waited there with a watchful eye, With a love that is strong and sure, And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat Than was needed to make it pure! - Anonymous

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5 THINGS GOD WILL NOT _____________

INTRODUCTION - PSALM 99:1-3

L.S. - GOD WILL NOT ___________ ANYONE TO . . .

I. ESCAPE ______________. - HEBREWS 9:27

II. CHANGE _________________ AFTER DEATH. - LUKE 16:26 AND MATTHEW 10:42

III. MAKE HIM A __________. - ROMANS 3:4

IV. __________ HIM - GALATIANS 6:7-8

V. ___________ _____________ FROM THIS WORLD TO THE

NEXT. - 1 TIMOTHY 6:7 AND ECCLESIASTES 5:14-15

CONCLUSION

5 THINGS GOD WILL NOT ALLOW

INTRODUCTION

A. GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER THE COMPLETE UNIVERSE THAT INCLUDES EVERY PERSON THAT HAS EVER LIVED.

B. PSALMS 99:1-3 The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. [2] The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. [3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.

L.S. - GOD WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO . . .

I. ESCAPE JUDGMENT.

A. HEBREWS 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: {28} So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

B. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. [11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

C. Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

II. CHANGE DESTINATIONS AFTER DEATH.

A. LUKE 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

B. MATTHEW 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

III. MAKE HIM A LIAR.

A. ROMANS 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

B. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

IV. MOCK HIM. - GALATIANS 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

V. TAKE ANYTHING FROM THIS WORLD TO THE NEXT.

A. 1 TIMOTHY 6:7 But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. {8} And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

B. ECCLESIASTES 5:14-15 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. [15] As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

CONCLUSION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.