September 11-12, 2004 Selected

TOP TEN LESSONS LEARNED ON SABBATICAL!

10. THE BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD IS IN ITALY!
*** Acts 19:21 “…Paul decided to go to Jerusalem…. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also." [New International Version]

9. GOD'S WORD IS THE LIGHT OF LIFE!
*** Psalm 19:9-11 “God's Words are pure, eternal, just. They are more desirable than gold. They are sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. For they warn us away from harm and give success to those who obey them.” [Living Bible]

*** Psalm 119:130 “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” [NIV]

*** 2 Tim. 3:16-17 “The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.” [Living Bible]

! SO…

8. MOST OF US NEED TO SLOW DOWN!
*** Proverbs 13:4 “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.” [New Living Translation]

PRINCIPLE: 1 IN 7!
*** Exodus 23:12 “Work for six days, and rest on the seventh. This will give your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It will also allow the people of your household, including your slaves and visitors, to be refreshed.” [NLT]

*** Mark 2:27 “Jesus finished by saying, "People were not made for the good of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for the good of people.” [Contemporary English Version]

“IF YOU TRY TO BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS –
YOU’RE NOT AS BRIGHT AS YOU THINK YOU ARE!”

! SO…

7. THE ONLY THING BETTER THAN BEING A PARENT IS
BEING A GRANDPARENT!
*** Psalm 128:6 “May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.” [NLT]

*** Proverbs 17:6 “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged….” [NLT]

6. GOD IS DOING GREAT THINGS IN OUR WORLD!
*** Col. 1:3-4 “Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings. We can't quit thanking God our Father and Jesus our Messiah for you! We keep getting reports on your steady faith in Christ, our Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians.” [Message]

! SO…

5. IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS!
SPENDING UNINTERRUPTED TIME WITH MY WIFE!
*** Ecc. 9:9 “Life is short, and you love your wife, so enjoy being with her.”[CEV]

*** Romans 1:12 “I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.” [NLT]

! SO…

4. LIFE IS TO BE ENJOYED NOT ENDURED!
“ WHEN… THEN…!”
*** John 10:10 “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance – to the full, till it overflows.” [Amplified New Testament]

*** Ps. 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

*** Ecc. 2:24 “I decided that there was nothing better for a man to do than to enjoy his food and drink and his job. Then I realized that even this pleasure is from the hand of God.” [LB]

*** Ecc. 3:12 “I concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they can.” [NLT]

! SO…

3. DON’T GO TO FLORIDA DURING A HURRICANE!
*** Matthew 14:30 “When he saw the wind, he was afraid an… cried out, "Lord, save me!" [NIV]

2. HEAVEN IS GOING TO BE WONDERFUL!
*** Heb. 4:9 “There is a full complete rest still waiting for the people of God.” [LB]

*** Rev. 14:13 “I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from all their toils and trials…!" [NLT]

*** Rev. 22:20 “So, Lord Jesus, please come soon!” [CEV]

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1. THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE OUR CCC HOME!
*** 1 Thes. 1:2-3 “We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we talk to our God…about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and your continual anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

GOD WANTS TO GIVE US NEW LIFE…TO ENJOY NOW…AND FOREVER!

*** John 15:11 “I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.” [New Century Version]

! SO…