Pressed, Distressed, Stressed, a Mess, Depressed or Blessed?

Three Seasons Community Church– 3-2-08

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

Whatever is planted in your heart, comes out when you’re squeezed. Don Colbert

What comes out of your heart when you’re squeezed?

Do you ever loose it? Do you ever get mad or angry or lose your temper?

Do you like what’s coming out when you get squeezed?

The more intentional time I spend with Jesus– the more I like what comes out when I’m squeezed!

Matthew 6:21 (NIV) [PAGE 685] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [Malachi 3:8-10]

Luke 11:42 (NLT) [Page 736] "But how terrible it will be for you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you completely forget about justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the more important things.

Luke 6:45 (NIV) [PAGE 730]

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Society says we need to "reform the mouth"-- God says we need to transform the heart!

What’s really in your heart? Hint-- You can tell by what you really SAY when you’re squeezed!

If you don’t like what’s coming out of your mouth when you’re being squeezed you must transform your heart. The only way to transform your heart is to spend more time with Jesus!

Matthew 15:1-20 (NIV) [PAGE 693]

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

Spiritual Breathing

Exhaling things that are Evil and Unhealthy AND Inhaling things of God and Health

What must I exhale [get rid of]?

What must I inhale [crave]?

What must I exhale [get rid of]? Ruthlessly eliminate EVERYTHING that has the potential to hinder or compromise your relationship with God– EXHALE

What must I inhale [crave]? Intentionally INHALE good things like the word of God!

Buy a Bible you can understand

Buy a good Bible– Life Application Bibles available for $26.

Don’t fear or be intimidated by the Bible– remember it is God’s love letter to you!

Pray– ask God to open His word to you and speak to you.

Switch between reading much-- 20-30 chapters per week and Just a few verses or stopping to meditate on, or research a verse of interest. Don’t try to understand everything you read.

Write down or journal the key things God is saying to you.

Be obedient to what you do understand and leave the rest for God to help you understand later.

For some following a Bible reading plan is helpful.

Consider buying a Chronological Bible.

For those who travel or have lots of time to listen to radio consider buying the Bible on CD.

If a New Years Resolution was to exercise consider listening to those CD’s while you exercise.

Whatever you do– do something– quit making excuses!

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got!

The only way to breathe in spiritual nourishment is to be intentional, everyday!

Just as your body needs nourishment daily– so it is with our spirit! Spiritual Breathing like physical breathing is only effective if you do it for yourself!!

Whatever is planted in your heart, comes out when you’re squeezed. Don Colbert

Are you Pressed, Distressed, Stressed, a Mess, Depressed or Blessed?