Monster Part 5: Self Esteem

1 Peter 5:5b, "...clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

The Sin that got Satan kicked out of Heaven was pride. Pride has been referred to as, "The Mother of All Sins!" Pride often leads us to make arrogant statements and decisions such as:

+ You don't need God, you can be like God.

+ You don't to follow God, you've got your own ideas.

+ You don't need to live for His glory, it's all about you.

Most of us don't even realize we have a problem with pride because Satan is crafty and went into the marketing business. He repackaged pride as self-esteem.

In a global study of teenagers, we find that American teens rack among the lowest in reading, geography, and math. We also find that American teens rack among the highest in self-esteem. We can't read or write, but we're better than you. We don't know where your county is located, but we're better than you. Is this the attitude we desire our children to have?

James 4:6- God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

God can't give grace to the proud because their hands are closed as if to say, "I don't need anything from you. I am completely self-sufficient."

Low Self-Esteem stems from a few general areas:

+ Unstable home situation

+ Verbal and emotional abuse

+ Being bullied and picked on

+ Trying to earn the approval of parents

+ Abandonment

Whatever the cause, low self-esteem is also a sinful point of view. How so?

You're sense of being a good person should not depend on what you have done, how you dress, your body type, what others think or say about you, but rather only on who you are in Jesus. See yourself as Jesus sees you. Psalm 16:2 says, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." You don't need high self-esteem or low self-esteem. You need to find your identity in Christ. Both high and low self-esteem are forms of pride because they seek to find identity in ourselves. We know we are valuable because God tells us so.

Jesus has asked you to always remember to see yourself as He does, not in light of what you have done or what has been done to you, but solely on what He has done for you as your King.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "for our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

What does Jesus say about us?

You are fully known

+ John 1:12- But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.

+Galatians 4:4;5- But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

You are fully loved

+ John 3:16- God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son

+ 1 John 4:16- God is love

You are finally safe

+ Proverbs 29:25- Whoever trust in the Lord is safe

+ 2 Samuel 22:33- This God is my strong refuge

You are finally free

+Psalm 103:12- As far as eat is form the west, so far does He remove our sin from us.

+Romans 8:1- There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

God's Everlasting Love

[31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? [33] Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? [36] As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:31-39 ESV

Doubt - Monster Series from UGBC Media on Vimeo.

-Daniel

Monster Part 4: Break-Ups

The month of February is supposedly the month of love. The 14th can often be a day of stress for many across our great nation. The aisles of Wal-Mart are packed as men rush to purchase items for their loved ones. But if we were honest, love doesn't always work out so well. The thrill of Valentine's Day is often diminished the next day. Love does not always work out like Hollywood portrays it.

Love can be hard. Relationships can be really hard. At some point, we have all experienced the negative side of relationships: fighting, arguing, disagreements, having to spend money on someone else, and break ups.

We can never truly love others until we experience divine love from the Father. You will never be able to love until God shows you love. We hope you enjoy this week's video!

The Daniel Springer Show from UGBC Media on Vimeo.

-Daniel

Stats on Spirituality

We recently took a brief survey during our Cultivate service on Wednesday night. Here is the information we gathered.

1. How often do you read the bible?

44% claim to have read the bible a few times in the previous week.

28% did not read the bible at all.

The remaining percentage, 28 percent, claimed to have read the bible daily.

2. How often do you pray? This question was broken into two categories: those who prayed basically everyday & those who basically never pray. Length of prayer was not noted.

30% basically never pray

70% basically prays everyday

3. Did you invite a friend to church this week?

40% did not invite a friend

60% invited at least one friend.

4. Did you share your faith this week?

44% did not share their faith

56% claimed to have shared with at least one person.

-Daniel

Monster: Part 3 Addictions

We've all been touched by addictions. Whether we struggle or a friend or family member. Addiction has a way of touching every person. I have compiled a simple list of some of the most recognized addictions: alcohol, tobacco, drugs, prescription drugs, food, crime, sex, porn, video games, even texting and facebook. When you think of someone who is addicted, you usually think of a drug addict. We rarely recognize powerful addictions like playing video games for 5 hours a day or texting non-stop. We must all come to realize that addiction is a daily struggle in our lives. Sin itself could almost be described as an addiction. It is something that we cannot stop doing. For the sake of this blog, let's describe an addiction as something/someone we can't do without for 30 days.

Signs of an Addiction

1. Tolerance- You know it's wrong, but you learn to accept it. You know it's wrong, but you try to justify it.

2. Withdrawal- You can't stop thinking about the object with which you are obsessed. You may even have a physical need. This leads to depression and frustration.

3. Engaging in more problematic behavior- You only meant to purchase one item, but you ended up spending $1,000. You start out drinking and it leads into more hardcore addictions and drugs.

4. Routine unsuccessful attempts to quit the behavior- "I tried to quit smoking three times this month, but I only made it a day each time."

5. Problems in daily functioning at work, home, or social settings

6. Inability to stop despite awareness of negative consequences

Read 1 John 1:9; Ephesians 4:22-23; James 5:16

What is your desire to change?

1. Precontemplation- You are unaware of the problem and resistant to change

2. Contemplation- You recognize the presence of a problem, but you are probably more interested in learning about it than actually doing anything to change it.

3. Preparation- At this stage, a person will express, for the first time, a determination to change.

Read John 5:1-8 and learn about healing.

Do you believe, by faith, that God can heal you?

Steps to Recovery

+Make a Relapse-prevention plan-If you have an addiction to porn, move the computer into a high traffic area of your house.

+Surround yourself with Support- You were not meant to do life alone.

+Pray, Pray, Pray

+Welcome them back-A friend or family member who is struggling needs your support.

When do you ask for help?

+The addiction has become physically dangerous

+Significantly impairs relationships

+You observe withdrawal symptoms

+You experience depression or anxiety due to withdrawals

If you or a friend are experiencing this, please contact someone and request help. We would love to help you in anyway possible. Contact me by email....daniel@ugbcopelika.com

-Daniel

Monster: Part 2 Stockholm Syndrome

We returned this week to discuss Satan and demons once again. This topic was brought back by popular demand. Hope you enjoy!

Read Ephesians 6:12-13

1. Are demons active in the world today?

-Some do not believe that demons as active today. They believe the concept of demons is pure myth and a primitive idea. This mode of thinking is influenced by a naturalistic worldview that only admits the reality of what can be seen or touched or heard and deny that demons exist today. C.S. Lewis would call this "Chronological Snobbery."

-The Bible is clear that Satan and demons are active in the world in which we live. You must ask yourself, "Do I believe the Bible to be true?"

2. Can I blame all evil and sin on Satan and demons?

-No. That's what Eve tried to do in the garden following her deception.

-Galatians 5:16-26 & Ephesians 4:1

-We have a tendency to blame shift. We refuse to take responsibility for our own actions. This is a sinful response to our own faults. We can make an absolute wreck of our life and then have the audacity to blame God or ask why He allowed this to happen. This only goes to show our arrogance.

3. Can a Christian be demon possessed?

-Possession implies ownership. As a Christian, I only belong to Jesus.

-Romans 6:14

-According to Romans 6:14, sin cannot have reign over me.

4. Can a demon control a Christian to the point that they cannot choose to do right or wrong, to obey or not obey God?

-Refer to Romans 6:14.

5. Can a Christian come under demonic attack or influence?

-Yes.

-You don't need an exorcism or try to repeat a scene from Rosemary's Baby. You need Jesus. You need to repent of your sins, place faith in Christ. Christ needs to have ownership of you. He must have complete control. Give your life to Jesus. You have the power and authority to denounce Satan and demons in the strong name of Jesus. You do not have the power in and of yourself to win this battle, but Jesus does.

Stockholm Syndrome from UGBC Media on Vimeo.

Here is a link to a pdf copy of our new Parenting Material.

-Daniel

Parenting Workshop

Union Grove will be holding a Parenting Workshop on February 6th at 6pm during the regularly scheduled evening worship service. We will be presenting the new parenting material and resources. The resources, Legacy Milestones, will be the primary training tool for families within our church. It is our hope that you can set aside time to join us for this important event. This information is crucial for everyone, not just parents. This material has value for all. Grandparents have the ability to train their grandchildren. Young adults and young couples will one day go on to have children. The staff honestly believe God is calling us to make an impact in our homes and the homes of our church families. We will be giving the new resource away for.......FREE! Every family will receive a copy of our new UGBC Parenting Material as they enter. We will also set up a booth that will have other highly recommended resources for your purchasing pleasure. All proceeds will go to benefit our Student Ministry. I can't wait to begin this adventure with you!

Parenting Workshop

February 6, 2011

6PM

Union Grove Baptist Church

-Daniel