Review of Week 7

LISTEN: We avoid listening to God ‘lest we die’, but having someone else do the listening doesn’t accomplish God’s intent for our lives.

HEARING: When circumstances press in, say Speak Lord. Listening and hearing once doesn’t automatically mean you’ll listen again.

DARKNESS: We don’t like the darkness, physical or spiritual, because we can’t see the way we want to - but if we’re quiet, we just may hear things we’ve missed before.

SHARE: None of us lives to himself. If we don’t let God have His way in us, it affects everyone else.

INITIATIVE: Awake you who sleep. Arise from the dead. And Christ will give you light. We don’t need the inspiration of men, we need the inspiration that comes from our Lord.

DEPRESSION: Depression will keep us from doing the common ordinary things. We must arise, and in the ordinary things God will refresh us.

MOVE ON: Despair may follow our sleeping through the opportunities Jesus has for us. We can not fix our failures, but we can arise at the sound of His voice and move on with Him.

The last three devotionals from last week, and the first two for this week, have to do with initiative. Inspired spiritual initiative against depression, despair, drudgery, and daydreaming.

Feb 19 - DRUDGERY

Is.60:1 Isaiah 60:1-3 “...Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising...”

What is drudgery? [work that is far from ideal ...in our minds]

Are we good at assessing what work is of value?

What is some drudgery you’ve done this week?

What example of drudgery did O.C. use from John 13? [foot-washing]

How is drudgery a test of one’s spirituality? [reveals one’s heart attitudes]

Are you radiant when you roll out of bed in the morning? Will staying in bed longer make you radiant? [We must act ...we must arise ...we must shine in a dark world].

What happens when we rise and shine? [others will come to your light].

Can we do all things as unto the Lord? Colossians 3:23 “...Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,...”

Feb 20 - DAYDREAMING

John 14:31 “...but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here...”

Context? Jesus is telling his disciples of the coming Holy Spirit.

John 14:26 “...But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you...”

John 14:30 “...I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;...”

When is daydreaming healthy and right? [when we’re retreating from the world’s distraction to clearly hear God]

When is daydreaming unhealthy and wrong? [when we’re retreating from responsibility to indulge our laziness] Eccl. 5:7 “...For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God...”

Dreamers and doers:

There are dreamers who never do [those prone to contemplation will act too slowly]

There are doers who never dream [those prone to action will act too soon]

We need more dreamers who do.

Which do you think you are?

If you are in love you don’t always sit dreaming about the one you love - you go out and do something for or with them.

Feb 21 - AGAPE

Mark 14:6 “...But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me...”

Context? [woman with the alabaster flask of very costly oil ...broke it ...poured it on his head]

Who didn’t like this? Some who thought there was a better use for it.

Why did they criticize? They lived from their perspective ...and expected all to do likewise

How does Agape love differ from Eros love?

Agape - Selfless, not selfish. Reaches beyond self. Abandons self for another. Expects nothing in return.

Eros - Cautious. Calculating. Sensible. Shrewd. Always has a hook, a selfish angle that is looking for a return on any investment.

How do we love God? Why do we serve God?

Why do you think O.C. says abandon to God is of more value than personal holiness? Personal holiness focuses where? [the way we walk, the way we talk, the way we look]

Can God call you to something without you first running it through your criteria for acceptability Isn’t that what the Pharisees did?

Are you of use to God? Are you of value to God?

Do you value God, or use God?

Feb 22 - PERSEVERANCE

Psalm 46:10 "...Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth..."

Definitions from Original Webster’s Dictionary:

Tenacious - holding fast, to retain what is in possession; as men tenacious of their just rights ...men are usually tenacious of their opinions, as well as of their property.

Endurance - continuing under pain or distress without yielding to the pressure.

Perseverance - continuance in a state of grace to a state of glory.

Is our world evolving into a more and more wonderful place to live?

Describe some advancements of evil that you have seen in your lifetime?

Abortion, suicide, adultery, fornication, homosexuality.

Actually, all 10 commandments are being increasingly violated.

What does an enduring Christian look like? [someone hanging on in the midst of pain and distress, without yielding]

How is perseverance a step beyond endurance? [it includes assurance] Assurance of what? [God will be exalted]

Tell me what a tenacious Christian looks like. [not just hanging on and doing nothing, but working deliberately on the certainty that God’s kingdom is advancing]

How does this fit with the scripture - “...Be still, and know that I am God...” ? [we’ll never be tenacious if we don’t know Him, and we won’t know him if we’re not still]

Can we be tenacious if we don’t know him - yes, but for the wrong things

We’re saved from? [Egypt, the world]

We’re saved to? [The promised land, the kingdom]

Feb 23 - SERVE

Matt.20:28 “...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many..."

Context? [Mother of James and John is trying to get her sons places of honor at the right and left hand of Jesus]

What are some problems when a leader is devoted to self?

Feels superior - pride.

Expects adoration - lust.

Demands loyalty - greed.

What are some problems when a leader is devoted to a cause? [same list]

O.C. describes Paul’s idea of service as - I will spend myself entirely for you, whether you give me praise or blame.

Do you expect a pastor to serve that way?

Do you expect all believers to serve that way?

Do you serve that way?

Why is it difficult?

Why must service come from love of God not love of men? [Humanity lets us down - demonstrates ingratitude - leaves us crushed and broken hearted]

The service performed by Christ was - “to the end”. This service was performed even when we He was let down and shown no gratitude.

Can we serve in the same way?

Feb 24 - SURRENDER

2 Cor.12:15 “...I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?...”

Context? [Paul expressing his love for the Church]

Agendas and control. What do we have planned today? Tomorrow? Next week?

Why do we do what we do?

Are our interests and purposes the same as Jesus Christ’s?

What was the central theme of the life of Jesus?

John 8:29 "...And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him..."

John 10:15 “...even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep...”

What prevents us from living this way? [not understanding that to lose our fleshly desires is to become alive in the kingdom]

Can Jesus help Himself to our lives? [our desire for freedom battles against our need to surrender to a higher call]

Are we devoted to what Jesus does for us or what Jesus does through us?

Which do we do?

Conform our desires to His Word.

Conform His Word to our desires.

Can we lay down our life?

Feb 25 - SPENT

2 Cor.15 “...I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?...”

Second part of same verse used in the previous devotion.

How was Paul’s idea of service similar to Christ’s? [the cost would be paid, regardless of how high].

The hook of Eros love is everywhere in our world.

When we love as God loves, the hook disappears.

When we serve as Christ served, it’s not for us.

Do we really understand the difference?

O.C. talks about decisions to serve with reserve - what about the salary, the climate, will I be looked after?

Do we have to worry about these things?

If God is calling us to serve, can we NOT go? Can circumstances stack up against His call forcing us to decide against it?

The problem isn’t our sorting out the details - its our intimacy with God.

Unconditional service, like unconditional love, can’t have conditions!

Why are you a Christian?

What’s in it for you?

Review of Week 6

SACRIFICE: An offering is used up. Our reasonable service (Rom.12:1) is to present ourselves as living sacrifices. Poured out and used up for God’s redemptive and creative purposes.

WILLING: We prepare the altar, God provides the fire. We are the living sacrifices, ready and willing to be offered.

DEJECTION: We sometimes have the facts right, but our eyes are restrained from seeing the bigger picture. Dejection is a sign we are handling the facts incorrectly.

SANCTIFIED: Being “set apart” for God is easy, but it costs us everything. He who calls us is faithful, who also will do it.

EXHAUSTION: Spiritual exhaustion implies too little input or too much output. Decreasing the output is not the answer.

FOCUS: Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Treasure, and focus, on God.

TRUST: If we are bored and sullen it is because we are trapped in a fallen, see/touch world. A redeemed, God inspired imagination opens up a world of opportunity, expectation, and excitement.

Feb 12 - LISTEN

Ex.20:19 “...Then they said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die..."

Context? God had just given the 10 commandments, but the people (v.18) “...perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and ... they trembled and stood at a distance...”

Is it peculiar that people would not want to talk to God? That they would want a mediator?

Why is listening to someone other than God easier than listening to God? [we can reject or accept others as we please. Not so with God]

Jesus said in John 14:15 “...If you love Me, you will keep My commandments...”

Why don’t we keep the commandments? [we don’t love to listen].

Why don’t we listen? [we don’t love and respect Him].

Which is more likely in your life, lack of listening or lack of obedience?

How can we improve our listening? [it really starts with love and respect]

How can we improve our response? [take what we hear seriously]

How do we feel when a persistent God finally gets our ear? [ashamed. humiliated]

Feb 13 - HEARING

1 Sam.3:10 “...Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant is listening...”

What is something you have clearly heard from God? Is that enough for you?

If you’ve listened and heard God clearly speak once, are you guaranteed to listen the next time he speaks?

Is your interest in hearing what God has to say increasing or decreasing?

How do friends get to the point of readily knowing each other’s thoughts and desires?

How can we get to the point of readily knowing God’s heart? [improve our devotion to and our abiding with the triune God].

How can devotion to our service or convictions be a problem?

Is it normal to be able to hear God only at certain times and in certain situations? Is it right?

What can be wrong with the “Speak Lord and I’ll hear” approach?

It gives me license to do as I please because I didn’t hear him speak.

Think of the child who stays clear of his parents because they might ask him to do something.

Feb 14- DARKNESS

Matt.10:27 “...What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops...”

(Jesus is sending out the disciples - as sheep among wolves, to a life of persecution, to confessing Christ before men, among those who can kill the body - though not the soul)

Why do we not like the dark? [We can’t see what’s there, what’s coming].

Why don’t we like spiritual darkness? [we can’t see with our understanding].

What does it mean for God to speak in the dark? [unknown, unclear places and times in our lives].

How does speaking in the dark differ from speaking in the light? [more intimate, more personal, more specific]

Explain the combination of delight and humility that come from hearing God in the dark. [tremendous opportunity to grow, revelation of how much we don’t yet know]

What is our responsibility with what we hear in the darkness? [proclaim upon the housetops]

Tune in. Listen. Speak in the light

Feb 15 - SHARE

Rom.14:7 “...For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;...”

Are you free to do as you please? Do you want to be free to do as you please? Are you tempted to do as you please?

Rom.14:8 “...for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's...”

Are you held accountable for how your life affects those around you?

Rom.14:10 ”...But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God...”

Rom.14:13 “...Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this - not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way...”

Who is affected if we don’t live and die for the Lord? [self, spouse, kids, friends, coworkers, community]

Do you slice bread from the perspective of your piece or the remaining loaf?

How does our culture promote a kind of independence that doesn’t really exist?

Which things on O.C.’s no-no list describe us?

- physical selfishness

- mental carelessness

- moral insensitivity

- spiritual weakness

How do we respond to awareness of our shortcomings? [give up in shame or embrace growing].

Is God doing something in us? Do we have a place in Kingdom purposes?

Feb 16 - INITIATIVE

Eph 5:14 “...For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you..."

What is initiative? [get up and go]

What is the difference between human and inspired initiative? [flesh vs. Spirit].

What causes a person to lose initiative? [disappointment, frustration, failure to get certain results]

Does God push us? [the Holy Spirit leads, but we must follow]

What is our part? [to arise] What is God’s part? [guide]

When does O.C. Say that life and power come? [after, not before, we’ve made a move]

What could’ve prevented the withered hand’s healing (Matt.12:13)? The man.

Feb 17 - DEPRESSION

1 Kings 19:5 “...He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, "Arise, eat..."

Context: Elijah at Mount Carmel. Great victory. He prepared the altar. God provided the fire. The prophets of Baal were executed. Jezebel was unhappy. Elijah ran for his life (You get tired running away - you get energized waiting and pressing forward)

What is depression?

- an emotional low, feeling things pressing in a defeating way.

- the opposite end of the scale from exaltation.

- a condition that causes us to stop doing the common ordinary things.

Is depression a part of being human?

Is depression only a part of being a fallen human? [Rev.21 - New heaven and new earth 21:.4 “...no longer any death ...any mourning, or crying, or pain...” 21:.7 “...He who overcomes will inherit these things...”

Can depression be avoided this side of the new heaven and new earth?

How does one overcome depression?

- not by analyzing the details. Elijah wasn’t going to find strength in contemplating Jezebel

- drugs? Does changing body chemistry address the problem or the symptoms?

How is God’s inspiration and initiative against depression?

How are the simple everyday things a place to find God?

When we arise and obey God, we move on with him in victory.

Feb 18 - MOVE ON

Matt.26:46 “...Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!..."

Context: Jesus to his sleeping disciples on his way to his betrayal

How well did the disciples support Christ in the Garden? [they slept].

How well do we support the Kingdom issues of our day? [we sleep].

What happens when we miss our opportunity to participate in what God is doing? [We become aware of things that can’t be undone. We attempt to make up for it by giving increased effort. Both can prevent responding to the next opportunity]

What does the inspiration of God challenge us to do? [get up and do the next thing] Which is? [hear when we pray, trust and obey, join Him today]

Have you ever been caught sleeping? God is in the history making business - wake up and join Him!

Review of Week 5

We are shocked by our ignorance when His truth floods into our life.

Every time circumstances press in, say “Speak Lord” and you are on the right road.

What we have pre-Christ is a flimsy excuse for value. We need to allow redemption to affect EVERY part of our life. Hold on to nothing of self - redeem it for true value.

The good news of the gospel is that redemption is available for all. We must resist the urge to selfishly take our salvation and sanctification and abandon the call of God to be a part of the reconciliation of others.

Its easier for us (not Christ) to be justified than to be a disciple.

To be about kingdom business is to be the off scouring of all things. We dare not insist on certain conditions before being ‘separated to the gospel’.

What grips us? Does the Love of Christ have such a grip on us that we can not escape? Or are we gripped by another?

Feb 5 - SACRIFICE

Phil. 2:17 “...But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all...”

Do will really understand offerings and sacrifice? How does being poured out differ from simple sacrifice? [the offering is poured out (used up) on the sacrifice. It has a purpose and it is spent for that purpose - used up].

What is the fundamental nature of sacrifice that makes it difficult? [giving something that you currently have, and value].

Can God use you in this way? An offering to be used up?

Who wants to be an offering? [Present your bodies a living sacrifice ... which is your reasonable service Rom.12:1].

Phil. 4:12 “...I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need...”

Phil. 4:13 “...I can do all things through Him who strengthens me...”

Why do we quote Phil .4:13 without tying it to 4:12? [as O.C. says, we “want to choose the scenery of our own sacrifice”. Lord use me, and I’ll tell you where, and how, and when].

Feb 6 - WILLING

2 Tim.4:6 ”...For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come...”

Are we willing to be poured out as an offering?

What are the dangers of telling God you’re ready?

What internal changes need to occur to get us to ‘complaint free’ willingness? [it’s not about us]

Does God want to eliminate all your desires and affections? [just those inconsistent with His intentions]

How does each crisis assist in your sanctification?

Elijah and the prophets of Baal:

Who prepared the altar? [Elijah]

Who provided the fire? [God]

For your life to be poured out:

What is your part?

What is God’s?

What do you think happens when the fire comes? [ “the destruction of all that God has not started and every attachment that is not an attachment in God”]

Who does the destroying?

What is something God has destroyed as you laid it at the altar?

What is something that you tried to destroy unsuccessfully?

Feb 7 - DEJECTION

Luke 24:21 “...But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened...”

Road to Emmaus, talking to Jesus, but not recognizing him.

Details of life reflected on. Facts right. Inferences incorrect.

There is a natural disappointment when circumstances don’t unfold to our liking.

What is wrong with ‘spiritual dejection’?

It is a denial of the sovereignty of God.

It is an indication of an unhealthy spiritual state.

What are the sources of spiritual dejection?

I have satisfied a lust, and feel like a failure.

I have an unsatisfied lust, and I’m discontent.

Is it wrong to insist that God answer a prayer?

Who’s in charge of the world?

What about the parable of the unrighteous judge in Luke 18:1-8?

What is the purpose for prayer?

Not to tell God what He has to do.

Share with God. Getting His heart (not our answer).

Discover His intentions and expectations, and move ahead in His plan.

Is God involved in the every day things of life?

Dejection is a sign of sickness! Who is to blame?

Luke.24:16 “...But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him...”

We don’t see all and know all.

We trust God and walk in faith

We must learn that the deity of Christ is manifested in commonplace things.

Feb 8 - SANCTIFIED

1 Thes.5:23 “...Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ...”

What is sanctification?

Being set apart for His purposes.

Having God’s point of view.

Sharing in the life of Jesus.

What are the restriction and cultivation that happen in the process of sanctification?

Restriction (narrowing) of earthly concerns.

Cultivation (broadening) of heavenly concerns.

John 17:19 “...For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth...”

What prevents sanctification in your life? [resisting the Holy Spirit]

Is sanctification an external or internal event?

It can be an internal change with no immediate external change.

It can be an internal change with accompanying external change.

An external change (crisis,etc) can facilitate an internal change.

We yield, He sets our course.

How much does sanctification cost? Everything

1 Thes. 5:24 “...Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass...”

It’s God, not us who accomplishes it - but we can hinder him - just like we can hinder salvation.

Feb 9 - EXHAUSTION

Is.40:28 “...Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable...”

How does one become physically exhausted? [too much work without enough rest]

How does one become spiritually exhausted? [too much work without enough rest]

Both are a result of energy being expended to the point of having no more.

How is this good? [God expects us to expend energy on behalf of others].

How can this bad? [If we aren’t careful, we can move from exhaustion to dejection]

What happened to Elijah after the victory on Mt. Carmel? 1 Kings.19

How should one respond to exhaustion? [rest and refreshing]

Who refreshed Elijah? 1 Kings 19:5 ”...He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, "Arise, eat."

Who refreshed Christ? Matt. 4:11 “...Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him...”

Who refreshes you? Look for it!

Is “exhausting yourself for others until they learn to get their nourishment from God” really doing the work of angels?

Feb 10 - FOCUS

Is.40:26 “...Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing...”

Can you see God?

Exodus 33:20 “...But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!..."

Psalms 66:5 “...Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men...”

John 3:3 “...Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God..."

John 11:40 “...Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?..."

Matthew 5:8 “...Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God...”

When do you see God? [When you’re looking for Him or when He shows Himself?]

Where do you see God? [Where is He? Everywhere]

What does it mean to have “your mind focused on the face of an idol”?

Upon what idols do people focus? [self, work, concepts, experiences]

What are the results of inappropriate focus? [blindness toward God. Darkness in life]

How can a person shift their focus back to God?

What is role does imagination have in our lives?

Gen.6:5 (KJV) “...And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually...”

Did someone imagine killing Jews before the concentration camps were organized?

Did someone imagine abortion for profit before it became a reality?

Eph. 3:20 “...Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,...”

Can you use your imagination here?

Imagination may be a difficult word because visualization to bring something to reality is a cultic practice.

“Intent of heart” may be easier to understand - evil or redeemed. Directed for self or God.

Feb 11 - TRUST

Is.26:3 “...The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You...” [Context: A righteous nation that trusts in God]

Describe what it’s like for a mind to be “stayed on God”.

What are some alternatives?

Mind occupied with finding pleasure.

Mind occupied with maintaining control.

Mind anxious about lack of control.

Idle mind.

2 Cor. 10:5 “...We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,...” [Context: Flesh vs. Spirit led life - weapons in spiritual warfare]

How can we move from impulsive thinking to redeemed thinking? Rom. 12:2 “...And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect...”

How does remembering the right things increase our affection for God?

How does remembering the wrong things damage our relationship?

We can’t be trapped in a see, touch, smell world of boredom and sullenness. The possibilities with God are endless. We must open the sails of our imagination and let the Holy Spirit blow.

Review of Week 4

The Sermon on the Mount should narrow our interest to a focal point - His kingdom and righteousness

Abiding in the presence of God transforms us, changing our very being. We will not, we can not, stay the same.

The overmastering direction of our lives changes from our end, our aim, our purpose, to His. We become devoted not to a cause, but to Christ Himself.

A good heritage doesn’t insure a vibrant walk. There must be elbow room for God. We must make room for Him to do as He pleases!

He cares for us, a people of little faith. He provides for us. He instructs us to not be anxious, but rather to seek first His kingdom and righteousness

The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust for things beats against our lives like a mighty tide, pulling us toward a despairing abyss. The truth of God stands as a unyielding protective barrier. The Holy Spirit guides us to safety.

We talk about meeting God, but usually we have just met one of His truths. To meet God is to fall down - and to be picked up.

Jan 29 IGNORANCE

Acts 26:15 “...And I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting...”

Isaiah 8:11 “...For thus the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,...”

Who do you think is more apt to miss the Lord speaking?

A religious person. [Saul was deeply religious and God spoke to Him clearly]

A non-religious person.

Explain how God first spoke to you (when you were non-religious).

How does God speak to you now? [forcefully? quietly? clearly? mysteriously?]

How can confidence in our own convictions become a problem? [an otherwise good thing can’t take the place of God]

What reveals our ignorance? [the voice, purpose, and presence of God] Share a time when you experienced the shock of your own ignorance as His truth flooded into your life?

O.C. again refers to persecuting Jesus. How? [by serving Him in our own ways]

Describe the difference between a right and wrong spirit. [meek and quiet vs. self satisfying]

Do you delight to do His will?

Jan 30 - LISTEN

1 Sam. 3:9 “...And Eli said to Samuel, "Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place...”

1 Sam.3:15 “... So Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. But Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli....”

God speaks to Samuel, the student of Eli. He reveals the truth and Samuel now carries something that no one else has. A revelation from God is like that.

What do you think about O.C.’s two nevers:

God never speaks to us in startling ways, but in ways easy to misunderstand. [I don’t think Saul could misunderstand what Jesus was saying]

Never ask the advice of another about anything God makes you decide before Him. [If there’s no question that God is speaking, there is no need for other advice]

Never is a word for God, not for man!

“...I will never leave you nor forsake you...” (Heb.13:5)

“...He who comes to me shall never hunger ...never thirst...” (Jn.6:35)

“...Whoever lives and believes in me shall never die...” (Jn.11:26)

“...Love never fails...” (1 Cor.13:8)

Man’s feeble attempts at never:

I’ll never let you down God!

I’ll never ____ again!

Does God interact (put His hand) upon this world

Why is it easy to misunderstand what He’s saying? [we’re impulsive and want to act before clarifying]

Every time circumstances press in, say “Speak Lord”. Is this good advice?

When God speaks, what type of trouble does it cause?

What do I do? [tell everyone, hide it in my heart, act, wait]

Did I hear correctly? [do I need more information?]

How will this message affect others? [do I even need to evaluate this?]

How do we avoid the confusion created by these questions?

Luke 11:13 “...If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?..."

1 Thes. 5:23 “...Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ...”

Jan 31 - REDEMPTION

Rom.1:1 “...Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,...”

What is redemption? When we redeem coupons - we essentially trade them for something of value. It’s the manufacturers guarantee of something. We exchange what we have, a pretty flimsy excuse for value, for something that really does have value

A person would be foolish to collect coupons and never redeem them.

Jesus Christ died for the redemption of mankind. We don’t have life unless we have been redeemed. What we have pre-Christ is a flimsy excuse for value. When we give it up, we trade it in for real life, real value.

A person would be foolish to hold on to any part of His life, failing to allow redemption.

Is redemption the only reality? [actually no. the creative intentions of God are the reality in which redemption allows us to live]

Human goodness is the result of redemption, not vice versa

Try to be good without redemption and you’ll find an unbelievable struggle

Redemption is not something God does for you in isolation. Its something He does to you as a part of the bigger plan of redemption of the world. Separated from the flimsy value to the greater purpose of the Gospel

Why should the gospel be central to our lives? [the world needs redemption and it’s God’s intention]

Why do people place the desire for their own holiness above their desire to know God and to carry out His intentions? [selfishness]

Would you rather escape this world or share in ministering to it?

Feb 1 - GOAL

1 Cor.1:17 “...For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void...”

What is the gospel? [The good news that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin and mine, was crucified, dead and buried, and rose again. The means of redemption of mankind has been accomplished]

What is salvation? [deliverance from a captivity that would otherwise lead to death]

What is sanctification? [the process of becoming completely set apart for God]

If we’re completely set apart for God, what do we do? [the work of the kingdom - which is redemption]

How can salvation and sanctification be selfish as focal points of preaching? [what God did for me. what God does for me. O.C. says we tax his energies from morning until night for things for ourselves.]

Redemption is bigger than self - it encompasses so much more, and in fact it moves us from self.

The passion of Paul’s life was to proclaim this gospel. He wanted the whole world to know and embrace Christ’s redemptive accomplishment.

The GOOD NEW OF THE GOSPEL is that the worst sinner, the person who seems to fleshly eyes to be the most despicable has a way of redemption completed in Christ.

What was/is God’s ultimate intention for the 1st and 2nd coming of Christ?

Feb 2 - CALL

1 Cor 9:16 “...For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel...”

Is salvation easy? [We can thank God for it]

Ro 6:17 “...But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,..”

Ro 7:25 “...Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin...”

1Co 15:57 “...but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ...”

2Co 2:14 “...But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place...”

2Co 9:15 “...Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!...”

Is discipleship easy? [We have great responsibilities]

How are the conditions for salvation and discipleship the same? [both require looking to Him]. Different? [Jesus justifies and frees us from many captivities, but we must live out discipleship].

What does it mean to be “separated to the gospel”? [moved from personal desires and ambitions to God’s intentions and expectations].

Is everyone called to be a preacher?

When a well trained, experienced lifeguard rescues a drowning swimmer, what is the responsibility of the swimmer?

Are we in danger of having too many lifeguards? Too many well trained and experienced disciples? Too many people answering the Call of God?

What are the competing calls in your life? [flesh, fantasy, and fabrication - lusts of man coupled with satan’s lies].

Feb 3 - DREGS

1 Cor.4:13 “...when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now...”

Paul, talking about himself and Apollos, wanting the Corinthians to learn how to live according to scripture (4:6).

What are dregs (offscouring in KJV)? If you scour something, what happens to what you ‘scour off’? What is done with dregs? [thrown away, discarded]

How was Jesus Christ treated by this world? [crucified, discarded]

How were the disciples treated by this world? [martyred, discarded]

How was Paul treated by the world? [abused, discarded]

Did Jesus Christ, the disciples, and Paul accomplish anything for the kingdom?

Does it matter how the world treats us? Are we too cautious and concerned about our own desires and reputations?

Can we make the world like us? At what cost? [a preference for comfort and a distaste for scum prevent us from truly being “separated for the gospel”]

What is the advantage of not turning away or closing our hearts in the face of contempt, immorality, disloyalty, and dishonesty? [Redemption reaches into places that would otherwise be unreachable. The lifeguard doesn’t insist on certain weather conditions before plunging in to rescue someone. REDEMPTION IS FOR ALL

What are we accomplishing for the kingdom?

Feb 4 - GRIPPED

2 Cor.5:14 “...14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;...”

KJV constraineth, NIV compels, and NASB controls, all signify a constraint, a tight grip that prevents escape.

The love of Christ leaves no choice except to live our lives for Him

2 Cor. 5:15 “...and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf...”

Justification occurs when we accept His finished work. We can testify to this event.

Discipleship is a surrendering to His leading. It leads to testimonies of His unfolding work.

Do we consider ourselves to be held in the grip of the love of God? [we are, even if we don’t sense it]

What is the difference between being a witness to what Jesus can do, and being a witness unto Him? [the difference between SHOW and TELL]

I can TELL you all day about my friend Jesus and what he can do.

I SHOW you His existence in my life, how I’m gripped by Him and His love.

A craftsman grips a tool to finish the project on which he is working.

Is God working on a project? Does He have a grip on lives that He is using to accomplish His intentions? Does He have a grip on us?