Partnership Forum Notetaker

 

Change Your Thoughts Why evaluating your thoughts is crucial to healthy leadership

 

How often do you consider the impact of your thoughts? Thoughts are powerful. Your perception of truth is what is true in your life. Our thoughts become our reality. Satan understands this human tendency and he seeks to exploit it by replaying negative and untrue thoughts in our minds over and over.

 

·        "You're not good enough."

·        "You're a failure."

·        "No one really cares about you."

·        "You can't do it."

·        "God is ashamed of you."

·        "People will never trust you."

·        "You're stupid."

 

When we hear things like this in our heads enough, we start to believe them; we adopt them as our reality. Even though these statements are complete lies, we believe them as if they were true.

 

Romans 12:1 (NLT) says, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

 

Notice, changed thinking comes first. Once the way we think is changed, we'll be able to know God's will for our lives. So focus on these bits of God's truth and allow him to change your thinking:

 

You're not __________. 

 

There will always be people who __________. get it. 

 

Sheep bites won't __________. you. 

 

God __________. in you. 

 

There are people in your church who __________. and __________. you. 

 

It's __________. it! 

Discuss

1.      When are you most likely to experience negative thoughts?

2.      How does belonging help in dispelling negative thoughts?

3.      How do you normally handle negative or unhelpful thoughts? How might you handle them in a more helpful or healthy way?

4.      Who in your life helps you have a realistic view of things? Who in your life might help you keep your negative thoughts in check?

New England UHC Sermon Notes

 Sermon Notes:

Pericope: Numbers 13:30-33 - 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”;

Ps. 78:4 - We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Sermon Text: Ps. 78:4 - We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Sermon Title: What’s Next

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Acts 2:42 – 47 - 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Matt 16:18 - And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Point 1: Warfare strategy  Vs 29a - 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev;

2 Cor. 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds

Vs. 31 – 32 - 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.

Matthew 11:12 - From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 

Vs 28 - Nevertheless, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We even saw the descendants of Anak there.

 Vs. 33 - We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

Point 2:  We must take the Initiative Vs 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”  

32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.   

14:1-4 - 1Then the whole congregation lifted up their voices and cried out, and that night the people wept. 2All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

4So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”

Verse 30 - 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Eccl 1:9 - …and there is nothing new under the sun.

14: 4So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”

Point 3: Storytelling time Psalms 78: 44 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Matt 16:18 - And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Life application

1. Attend the seminar when I breakdown new initiatives

2. Reflect on what has worked and hasn't worked

3. Keep the faith.

Next Level Generosity

 

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Pericope: Leviticus 23:9-14 - 9 The Lord said to Moses, 10 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. 11 He is to wave the sheaf before the Lord so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath. 12 On the day you wave the sheaf, you must sacrifice as a burnt offering to the Lord a lamb a year old without defect, 13 together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil—a food offering presented to the Lord, a pleasing aroma—and its drink offering of a quarter of a hin of wine. 14 You must not eat any bread, or roasted or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your God. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.

Sermon Text: Leviticus 23: 10 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest

Sermon Title:  Next Level Generosity

BP:  Move the hearers to give first fruit

Review:

What is First Fruit?  The significance of this holy day, like most other biblical festivals…

When is it given? The feast of the first fruits were held consecutively on the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth days of the first month of the Jewish calendar.   "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest'" (Leviticus 23:9–10).

How is it given? Lev. 23:9-10 - "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest'"

Why did they do it? Gen. 4 – Cain and Abel - 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.

Examples of First Fruit – Romans 11: 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Ex. 22: 29 “Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. “You must give me the firstborn of your sons.;

Neh. 10: 35 “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.

2 Chr 31: 5 As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.

1 Cor. 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

The impact of first fruit – Makes the whole holy - Romans 11:16 - 16If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

·      Pleases God - Jer. 2:3 - Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,' " declares the LORD.

Place of first fruits – Matthew 6:3333 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

First Fruit Giving – Lev. 23:9-24

·      Exodus 22:29 - 29 "Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. "You must give me the firstborn of your sons.

Results of First Fruit/Tithing – Blessing upon Blessing

Proverbs 3 –  5 Trust in the LORD

Context:  It is imperative that we address the time or when in the text.  Genesis…Exodus…Numbers…Leviticus…Deuteronomy…Joshua

Now we can teach the why of this text which reveals the points…

Point 1:  Dependency – Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Point 2: Declaration – Deut. 26:1-5 - When you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it, 2 take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name 3 and say to the priest in office at the time, “I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come to the land the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.” 4 The priest shall take the basket from your hands and set it down in front of the altar of the Lord your God. 5 Then you shall declare before the Lord your God: “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous.

Point 3: Delivers on His Promises – Deut 28:1-8 - If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

7 The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

8 The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

Life Application:

1.  Give your first fruit

2.  Join a LifeGroup

Intentional Living: The Principle of First

 

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Pericope:  Genesis 4:1-7 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Sermon Text: Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Sermon Title:  Intentional Living: The Principle of First

What is First Fruit?  The significance of this holy day, like most other biblical festivals, can be largely understood by its name. In this passage the holy day is called Bikkurim (First Fruits), because it is a day of bringing first fruits as an offering to God.

When is it given? The feast of the first fruits were held consecutively on the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth days of the first month of the Jewish calendar.   "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest'" (Leviticus 23:9–10).

"He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. Now on the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb one year old without defect for a burnt offering to the Lord" (vv. 11–12).

 Christ is the first representative of the whole resurrection harvest that will take place when He returns.  Exodus 22:29 "Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.  "You must give me the firstborn of your sons.– shows it as your increase (raise)

How is it given? Lev. 23:9-10 - "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest'"

Why did they do it? Gen. 4 – Cain and Abel - 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.  6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."  8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." [d] And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."  13 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."

Examples of First Fruit – Romans 11: 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Ex. 22: 29 “Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. “You must give me the firstborn of your sons.;

Neh. 10: 35 “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.

2 Chr 31: 5 As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.

1 Cor. 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

The impact of first fruit – Makes the whole holy - Romans 11:16 - 16If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

·      Pleases God - Jer. 2:3 - Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,' " declares the LORD.

Place of first fruits – Matthew 6:3333 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

First Fruit Giving – Lev. 23:9-24

·      Exodus 22:29 - 29 "Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. "You must give me the firstborn of your sons.

·      Neh. 10:35 - 35 "We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.

·      2 Chr. 31:5 - 5 As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.

·      Jesus didn’t change

Results of First Fruit/Tithing – Blessing upon Blessing

Proverbs 3 –  5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

·      Barns filled

·      Barns overflowing

LCP Retreat Handout

 

Partnership Forum – Leadership Retreat

Ø Opening

o       Prayer and Devotion

 

    

 

 

 

10 Steps To Intentional Living

1. Everyday live with _______ and _______  _______.

·       Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

2. _______ your _______ to God.

·       In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6

·       But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

3. Be _______ with your _______ _______ .

·       But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28

4. Require every _______ , _______ , _______ and 2022 to have an ROI.

·       The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10

·       Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. Deuteronomy 8:6

5. _______ more of yourself.

·       To whom much is given, much will be required. Luke 12:48

6. Look for opportunities to _______ others, _______ others and _______ to others.

7. Lead _______ or _______ of the way.

·       And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28

·       If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[a] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:8

8. Be _______ in who you are.

·       I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

9. Never miss an _______ to be _______ .

·       Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38

·       7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9

·       Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10

 

10. At the end of the _______ _______ _______ and _______ _______ .

·       22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

·       Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

·       But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Family Feud The Final Chapter

Sunday December 12th

Pericope: Gen 37:9-11 - 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Sermon Text: Gen 37:11b - 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Sermon Title: Family Feud Pt 3 BOOK II: The Final Chapter

Point 1: There should be assertive intentionality in every family – Gen. 37:11b his brothers were jealous of him but his father kept the matter in mind.

Point 2: There has to be some empowerment in your family Gen 42:1-4 - When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” 2 He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”

3 Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.

Point 3: There has to be grace in your family if your family is going to benefit from it. Gen 45:1, 4, 7 - Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!

7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Life Application

Grace

Intentional

Intimate

Empowerment

Life lessons

Family altar call

For prayer request go to: www.nlicic.org/prayer

If you have accepted Christ or Rededicated your life to Christ go to: www.nlicic.org/decision 

Join a LifeGroup go to: https://www.nlicic.org/lifegroups

To give go to: www.nlicic.org/donate

Family Exercise

  worship (online only) please complete the Life Application from the sermon.  See attached or below.  

Family Exercise – Virtual Family Sunday

1.  Find your family in the book (or see the family types below)
2. Discuss questions 1-3
3. Take pictures and post them and share your answers only if you think they will help another family #myfamilyish #virtualfamilysunday

 
Reflection Questions (The Nuclear Family):

• How does your parenting style help to mold your children?
• How grateful are you for the gift of parenthood? What could you do to increase your gratitude?
• Are your kids heading in the right direction? If they are not, then how do you think you could steer them in a new direction?

 

Reflection Questions (Single Parent Family)

• What are your concerns about your child’s television and social media habits?
• What kind of plan can you develop to make social media work for you and your family?
• If you are a single parent and you date, then what kind of screening do you have for potential partners?

 

Reflection Questions (Blended Family)

• How do you define a family?
• If you are in a blended family, then how do you work to achieve unity?
• What unique challenges has your blended family faced?

 

Reflection Questions (Special Needs Family)

• How do you define “special needs?”
• If you have a special needs child, how do you stay intentional?
• How do you care for yourself while caring for a special needs child?

 

Reflection Questions (Parenting Adult Children)

• If you still have children at home, then how do you see your role in their lives changing after they leave the nest?
• If you have adult children, then how do you advise them?
• What dysfunction have you noticed in your adult children’s lives, and what kind of advice do you give? Has that advice worked? If it has not, then what would you do differently?

 

Reflection Questions (Caring for Aging Parents)

• How can caring for an aging or ill parent be a gift for you?
• What do you think your responsibility to your parents is?
• If you are caring for your parents, what scriptures give you strength?

 
Reflection Questions (Financial Issues in the Fabulous Family)

• What are your family’s financial goals?
• Do you make it a goal to pray daily for financial wisdom?
• How do you and your spouse talk about finances?

 

Reflection Questions (Military Family)

• What is the top stressor in your military family? How does your family work together to make sure it does not tear the family apart?
• How do you use grace in your family? How do you demonstrate grace to the other military families around you?
• Is your family stable? How can you establish stability?