Review of Week 20:

CONSCIENCE: Steadily facing God allows our conscience to be introduced to God’s perfection. We need to have a good, clean conscience.

ADVERSITY: We are hard pressed yet not crushed, perplexed but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed. We carry a great treasure in earthen vessels.

VITALITY: We need to know the hope of His calling, the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.

PARTAKERS: His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us. We are partakers of the divine nature through His exceedingly great and precious promises. We can escape the corruption that is in the world.

JESUS: Jesus ascended - He was carried up to heaven, having lived a normal life, having done His Father’s will. He is the example and the way of access.

KISS: We are a created people. He is the creator. Life is as simple as looking to Him and having His life form in us. Keep It Simple Soldier.

INTEGRATION: How do we rise out of the wreck that life dishes us? By His love, which cannot be severed from us.

May 20 - ESSENCE

Luke 21:16-19 ”...But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. "Yet not a hair of your head will perish. "By your endurance you will gain your lives...” (KJV translates as “posses your souls”)

Psuche (psoo-khay) - the soul, as distinguished from the body. The seat of affections, will, desire, emotion, mind, reason, and understanding. The inner self or essence of life

When God told the Israelites to take possession of the promised Land, what was He telling them?

1. The Land was theirs

2. They had to kick out the intruders

3. They had a part in making it what God promised

When Jesus, in Luke v.19, said “you will gain your lives” (“possess your souls”), what do you suppose He meant?

1. Your affections, will, desire, emotion, mind, reason, understanding are yours

2. You need to kick out the intruders - illegal affections, will, desires, emotions, mindset, reasoning

3. You have a part in making it happen.

Beginning, Middle, and End.

A non-Christian is born, lives a number of years on this planet, then dies.

A Christian is born, is born again, lives a number of years on this planet, then dies.

Both are resurrected, judged, and end with an eternal existence.

Acts 24:15 “...having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked...”

Daniel 12:2 “...Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt...”

Romans 14:10 “... For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God...”

All have the same beginning. All eventually end up before the judgment seat of God. The question is “What will a person do in the middle”?

What does it mean for Christ to be “formed in us”?

What prevents this from happening? [lack of knowledge, lack of discipline, lack of focus]

What controls us?

May 21 - KINGDOM

Matt.6:33 “...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you...”

The BUT means something has already been said. In this case its the don’t worry (don’t be anxious) verses that describe God’s provision for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.

What are some things that people seek?

Security, Prosperity, Comfort, Value (belonging), Health, etc.

Is it wrong to seek these things?

- the scripture doesn’t say these things have no value.

- they shouldn’t be priority 1.

- they shouldn’t cause anxiety.

Christians regularly hear the “don’t be anxious” and “all these things will be added”. The part that isn’t heard enough, or understood very well, is “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”

What does it mean to seek the kingdom?

Matt.4:17 “...From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand..."

Matt.6:10 “...Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven...”

Matt.13:11 “...Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted...”

Matt.13:44-46 “...The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it...”

It’s not enough to know a little about the kingdom.

Our part is to seek and find our place in it on a daily basis.

Isaiah 9:7 ”...There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this...”

2 Peter 1:11 “...for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you...”

Rev.11:15 “...Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever..."

May 22 - ONE

John 17:21 “...that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me...”

John 17 is the great prayer of Jesus - for himself, for His disciples, and for all believers.

Is it possible to be an independent Christian? Is independence a good goal? Is independence a goal of yours?

What is the relationship between Father and Son? Did Jesus ever act independently?

What is Jesus prayer for believers? [that they may be one in Us].

What does it mean to be one in the Father and the Son? What is lost in the process? [independence]

Is God concerned about our plans? [actually He’s really concerned when the run contrary to His]

What are our choices when our purposes are thwarted? [try harder, get upset, adjust]

Is it easier to say “Thy will be done” or to embrace His will and purposes?

What is the result of becoming one? [the world will believe that the Father sent the Son]

What happens if there is independence instead of oneness? [the world doesn’t believe]

Does our world believe? What is a big part of the problem? [our lack of oneness]

What causes a person to become small-minded and cynical? [focus on a small, personal, independent life]

May 23 - WORRY

Matt 6:25 ”...For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?...”

Do you ever worry? Do you consider worry to be a sin? Unfaithfulness?

What causes worry?

- uncertainty of outcome.

- concern that outcomes may not match your preferences.

What is worry really saying?

- God’s not big enough, He doesn’t care enough, or He isn’t Lord in that area.

- We’re in charge, but not in control, and something bad might happen.

Rom. 8:28 “...And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose...”

What is God’s part and what is our part?

Does God’s sovereignty trump our unbelief and disobedience.

May 24 - FALL

Rev. 1:17 ”...When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,...”

Who was ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ from John 19:26, that was given the responsibility to care for Mary the mother of Jesus as Jesus hung on the cross? [John]

Who was the third disciple, along with Peter and James, who was led up to witness the transfiguration of Jesus - when His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light? [John]

Why then, did John fall as though dead at the revelation of Jesus Christ! [he came face to face with the overpowering majesty of the glorified Christ]

How well do we know Jesus? Is it probable that our image of Christ fall’s short of reality?

Jesus emptied Himself of His glory (Phil.2:6-11) to enter our world, and He was even then the absolute best human that ever lived.

He was resurrected to glory and His second coming will not be comparable to His first coming.

Are we too casual about Jesus? Is falling down a good thing? Should we despair about our unworthy state?

James 4:10 “...Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you...”

1 John 3:2 “...Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is...”

May 25 - SURRENDER

Gen 13:9 ”...Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left..."

Context: Abram and his nephew Lot, faced a problem. The land wasn’t big enough to support the two of them. They had to part ways. The choice had to be made. Who gets what. Abram had been promised a good land by the Lord. He let Lot choose.

Was this smart? What would you have done?

If you waive your rights, will you be sorry?

If you make room for others to have their preferences, will you be sorry?

Why is AFO (acting for others) a better policy than AFS (acting for self)? [it’s the definition of agape, which is God’s nature. AAS (acting against self) instead of AAO (acting against others), takes us from the natural to the holy.

Do you have worldly rights? Are you willing to step beyond your rights into kingdom living? Explain the difference between Lot’s results and Abram’s.

May 26 - UNCEASING PRAYER

1 Thess.5:13-22 “...and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.

Context: A Christian Conduct list, of which “pray without ceasing” is just one aspect.

How does our limited understanding of prayer make “pray without ceasing” seem impossible? [We think of prayer as - close your eyes, bow your head, and say appropriate words to God, which isn’t something practical or possible to do without ceasing throughout a lifetime on earth]

Involuntary actions do not require your reasoning ability and active choice: breathing, heart pumping, etc.

Voluntary actions require your choice: coming to Sunday School, not coming to Sunday School, reading your Bible, not reading your Bible, etc.

Is it possible for something to occur without ceasing if its voluntary? If breathing was voluntary instead of involuntary, how long would you live?

Is it unrealistic for Paul to tell the Thessalonians to “be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances”? Are these just empty words? [“For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”]

Is the issue, like yesterdays devotional, one of transforming the natural into the spiritual? The natural thinks, calculates, contemplates, tries. The spiritual IS. Just as the heart beats without thinking because it is a heart, and only stops if it is dead, so the spirit is joyful, prayerful, thankful, and only ceases if it is dead!

You can’t pray without ceasing if you’re not spiritually alive, and to try in the natural is an impossibility.

What is “being one” with God?

What is abiding? John 15:7 “...If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you...”

Can a person have unceasing interaction with God?

Does everything you think and do originate from a good clean conscience? Is your co-perception of kingdom rights and wrongs giving you a “without ceasing” communion with God?

Review of Week 19:

FREE: Serving a belief system isn’t the same as serving a living God. There is a difference between believing the Bible and believing the one whom the Bible reveals.

COST: Can you pay the price to follow Jesus? Absolutely, Jesus knew when He called you that you were up to it. Don’t doubt it now.

UNWAVERING: God does the aiming. Persevere through the stress and strain. His release, at the right time, creates a mighty rush of purpose, during which we must fly true. And yes, we’ll go through the process again and again.

REVELATION: Without revelation, the people cast off restraint. Without vision, they perish. Without an understanding of God, we fall all over ourselves. Facing life with ideals is good, but it doesn’t lead to the same result as proceeding on revelation.

ADD: Pray for discernment - leave God’s business God’s business. Take care of the business He gives to you. Take the initiative.

ADD LOVE: You won’t reach the love of God on tiptoe, no matter how tall you are. Allow His life, and therefore love, to dwell IN you, and you won’t get easily HUFFED

HABITS: Our habits aren’t to be worshipped, God is.

May 13 - CONSCIENCE

Acts 24:16 “...In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men...”

Why was Paul telling Felix this? Why did Paul do his best to maintain a blameless conscience?

Acts 24:14 “...But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;..”

Acts 24:15 “...having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked...”

He served God, believed the law and the prophets, and hoped in God because there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

How’s your conscience?

What is conscience and what does it do for you? [a right and wrong meter]

It convicts, bears witness, it testifies.

It can be good, clear.

It can be weak, wounded, seared, evil, defiled.

Without a good conscience, you can shipwreck your faith.

The old covenant can’t perfect the conscience. The blood of Christ can purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Does everyone have a conscience?

O.C. says conscience is the eye of the soul that looks either toward God or towards what it regards as the highest standard (revelation vs. Ideals)

Is it more than a belief system? Do we recognize the difference between thoughts and conscience?

It needs to be clean (by the blood), it needs to be heard, and it needs to be immediately followed.

What happens when it’s ignored, or when more attention is paid to thoughts than conscience? Improper action leads to weakening, searing, and defilement.

When has your conscience been the most good and clear?

May 14th - ADVERSITY

2 Cor. 4:7-10 ”...But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body...”

Do we enjoy adversity?

Do we embrace adversity?

What is the difference between choosing adversity and embracing adversity? [not looking for it, but accepting it]

What opportunity presents itself in adversity? [a chance to manifest the life of Jesus through circumstances]

It isn’t being saved from Hell that makes an impression on the world - its being saved from self (maybe some similarities)

From what do you think you need to be saved? Are you? Is it the kind of salvation others can see and want?

What kind of disagreeable things have tested your faith walk? Flat tires? Rebellious kids? Inconsiderate people?

Is it realistic to think we can enjoy the disagreeable?

May 15 - VITALITY

Eph.1:18 ”...I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,...”

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians.

What does it mean to “...work out your salvation with fear and trembling...” (Phil.2:12)?

The Israelites were freed from captivity, but had work to do to fulfill God’s intentions for them - removing the giants.

What giants need destroying in our lives?

- be right, look good, stay in control.

- fear, incompetence, unworthiness.

Is it easy to face our giants? What is needed?

- David’s confidence was in God as he faced Goliath.

- We need to know God’s character, intentions, and expectations.

Did Jesus ever dictate to God the Father the way things had to be? [No, He lived out His life in obedience to the Father’s purposes]

What is necessary for us to live with the same vitality that Jesus demonstrated?

- eyes of heart enlightened.

- knowing the hope of His calling.

- knowing the riches of the glory of His inheritance

When people want what people want - they never can be free.

When people want what the Father wants, riches of the glory of His inheritance are available.

How does a clear conscience that embraces adversity lead to vitality?

God can use fiery trials to expose our selfishness.

The toughest stains take the most elbow grease to remove.

Are we more likely to demonstrate spiritual vitality or a complaining spirit?

May 16 - PARTAKERS

2 Pet.1:3,4 “...seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust...”

Do we have all things that pertain to life and godliness?

Are we partaking of the divine nature?

Have we escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust?

How do these things happen?

- Everything pertaining to life and godliness - through the true knowledge of Him

- Partakers of the divine nature - by precious and magnificent promises.

- Escape from a lustful world’s corruption - by His divine power.

2 Peter 1 then continues with the call to be diligently increase in faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and agape.

To miss this is to be short sighted.

Think of an extremely rich person. Think of being that person’s child. Can you imagine considering yourself poor? You could only think that way if you didn’t know your Father or you didn’t partake in his life.

Do we consider ourselves to be lacking in things that pertain to life?

Have we taken on the nature of God, being generous with what we have and who we are?

Have you ever had a pity party and no one came? The only thing worse is one where people do come - because the party goes on longer.

Self on the throne obscures our knowledge of Him and we fail to habitually walk in His divine nature.

May 17 - JESUS

Luke 24:51 - “...While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven...”

What is the story of Jesus?

Birth - stable

Baptism - behold the lamb of God

Ministry and Miracles - taught with authority, even the demons obeyed

Transfiguration - met with Moses/Elijah “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased”

Gethsemane - sweat blood

Cross - nailed up with the thieves to die

Resurrection - defeated death

Ascension - entered heaven having accomplished all He was sent to do

William Parker wrote a hymn for his Sunday School class in 1885

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;

Things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here;

Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,

Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

First let me hear how the children stood round His knee,

And I shall fancy His blessing resting on me;

Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,

All in the love light of Jesus’ face.

Tell me, in accents of wonder, how rolled the sea,

Tossing the boat in a tempest on Galilee;

And how the Maker, ready and kind,

Chided the billows, and hushed the wind.

Into the city I’d follow the children’s band,

Waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand.

One of His heralds, yes, I would sing

Loudest hosannas, “Jesus is King!”

Show me that scene in the garden, of bitter pain.

Show me the cross where my Savior for me was slain.

Sad ones or bright ones, so that they be

Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

Tell me the story of Jesus, I love to hear.

Things I would ask Him to tell me, if He were here

Was this man Jesus normal?

- No-one else lived, died, and rose like he did.

- No-one else opened the door to heaven like he did and does.

- No-one else was transfigured, revealing the glory that was His, then left the glory to be crushed by the weight of human sin.

What kind of life did He live? [The normal godly life]

Without revelation, mankind stumbled all over themselves. Shouldn’t the revelation of the Way, the Truth, and the Life, change humanity forever?

Why is so much of humanity still stumbling all over themselves?

We must remember Him, know Him, and partake of His divine nature.

We must be and build disciples of Christ Jesus. He’s our norm.

We can’t be deceived by the father of lies. We can’t put our eyes on another.

We can’t hunger for anything like we hunger for His kingdom and His righteousness.

May 18 - KISS

Matt.6:26-28 “...Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,...”

Context: A section of scripture that reveals the cure for anxiety.

Does our world need a cure for anxiety?

Is there a cure that is more effective than anti-anxiety drugs?

How difficult is life for a bird? Would your life be simpler if you were a bird?

How about the life of a lily? Would you struggle if you were a lily?

Thirty eight years ago I was asking questions like these. I’d hop on my ten-speed, peddle away from campus, out into the country. I’d find a spot up on a hill and contemplate what it would be like to be a cow.

No, I wasn’t on drugs. I just had this awareness of the craziness and futility of the rest of creation. This was the crack through which God reached into my heart and started me on my pilgrimage toward His truth.

Are humans self absorbed? Can a Christian be self absorbed in pursuit of spirituality?

- We are a created people.

- He is the creator.

- Life is as simple as looking to Him and having His life form in us.

May 19 - INTEGRATION

Rom.8:35 “...Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...”

I have a suspicion. No, its more that a suspicion because I’ve seen it with my eyes. I have an awareness of a condition that plagues us as Christians.

Segregation: Not a separating of men from women, race from race, denomination from denomination, but separation of spiritual life from the rest of life.

- In the right setting we talk about God, we know the answers, we say the right things.

- In most of the other settings of our lives we live differently.

Are there two worlds? Are we two people?

James 1:8 “...being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways...”

Double-minded is a recipe for instability.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God? Can anything separate you from your spiritual life, your eternal life, your knowing Him?

Do we face?

Tribulation? Severe trial or suffering.

Distress? Great pain, anxiety, or sorrow.

Persecution? A program or campaign to subjugate a people because of their beliefs.

Famine? Extreme and general scarcity.

Peril? Exposure to injury, loss, or destruction.

Nakedness? Without the customary covering or protection - exposure.

Sword? A symbol of war, combat, violence, or aggression.

How do we live in the face of these things?

Review of Week 18:

CERTAINTY: The difference between childlike faith and deadly dogma is the difference between living comfortably with uncertainty and insisting on certainty

AGAPE: The love chapter in 1 Corinthians, read twice, makes the problem of mankind obvious. God is love. Man is something else.

USED: It may feel good to be polished up and shown off, but we aren’t just trophies to God. He uses us like tools to achieve His goals.

PATIENCE: Patience is learned. The more devoted to God we become, the more patient we are through circumstances. We learn to keep our gaze on him. He is reliable.

PRAY: Our personal sympathy and prejudice get in the way of proper intercession. Selfish perspective has a hard time accepting God’s perfect will.

ACCESS: Can we be bold in a way the High Priest of old could not? God is Holy. Sin can’t stand before Him. We can only get there by the blood of Christ.

JUDGMENT: Deception and rebellion make it difficult to get to God. It is with difficulty that the righteous is saved.

May 6 - FREE or ENTANGLED

Gal.5:1 “...It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery...”

What is involved in making a convert? [changing a person’s mind about something]

What is involved in making a disciple? [changing a person’s lifestyle]

What is involved in making a Christian? [changing a person’s life]

What is the difference between believing the Bible and believing Jesus? [principles vs. relationship]

From what is Christ freeing you? [from the bondage of improper thinking and from improper lifestyle]

Matthew 23:15 “...Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte (convert); and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves...”

2 Peter 2:20 (discussion of dangers of false prophets) “...For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first...”

2 Timothy 2:4 “...No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier...”

What does it mean to be entangled in ‘civilian pursuits’? In ‘spiritual pursuits’?

What’s missing in both pictures? The freedom of Jesus Christ’s leadership.

What’s wrong with demanding that a person ‘believe this and that’? [It doesn’t go as deep as demanding that we line up with the standards of Jesus. Serving a belief system isn’t the same as serving a living God]

Are people wrong if they don’t see things the way you see them? Is it your job to make them see things the way you do?

Look to Jesus, the author and perfector.

May 7 - COST

Luke 14:28 ”...For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?...”

What did it cost Jesus to accomplish the Father’s will in His lifetime? Did Jesus know the cost?

What does it cost disciples of Jesus to accomplish the Father’s will in their lifetime?

v.26 must hate (even) their own life.

v.27 must bear their own cross.

v.33 whoever does not forsake all that they have cannot be my disciple.

Did you find Jesus or did He find you?

God uses those who love Him:

- personally (not just a concept)

- passionately (with enthusiasm)

- with great devotion (fealty, loyalty)

Can you afford to be His?

Are you a pessimist or an optimist?

The devil would love for you to doubt your ability to pay the price - to deceive you. Jesus knows you can pay it. He calls you. He empowers you.

1 Cor. 3:10-15 “...According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire...”

What does it mean to “build enterprises of our own on the foundation of Jesus”?

Are we building for eternity?

May 8 - UNWAVERING

Rev.3:10 “...Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth...”

Context: Seven churches received messages from Jesus through His revelation to John. This message was to Philadelphia, the only church of the seven that didn’t get a negative report. Philadelphia is the faithful church. Are we?

Rev. 3:8 “...'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name...”

This is another devotion on perseverance. Like the Feb.22 devotion, O.C. says perseverance is:

- more than endurance.

- more than simply holding on until the end.

At what is God aiming with your life? Are we flying straight to the mark?

O.C. compares us to both arrows and bows, leading to these characteristics:

1. God is aiming at something we may not see. Are we okay with that?

2. The stretch and strain can put tension and discomfort in our lives (we must persevere).

3. His release is at the correct time - it’s not our call. The release leads to a mighty rush of purpose, during which we must fly true. Will good arrows then be reused?

Can we face whatever is in front of us without wavering? He who called you knows you, loves you, and CAN use you.

May 9 - REVELATION

Prov 29:18 “...Where there is no vision (revelation NIV,NKJV), the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law...”

What are the positives of a principled life? [consistency, predictability, etc.]

What are the negatives of a principled life? [inflexibility, application of the wrong principle to a situation, etc.]

What is a vision? [a big picture view].

How does one obtain a vision?

- People can cast a vision.

- God can provide a vision (a revelation).

Can a principled life coexist with a life of vision? [Vision simply places the big picture context within which a person is to live by the proper principles].

When a person casts a vision:

SOURCE - human understanding.

ACTIVATION - human initiative.

COURSE - inevitable conflict with God’s intentions.

RESULT - failure to reach God’s intentions.

When God provides a vision:

SOURCE - God’s reality.

ACTIVATION - God’s prompting.

COURSE - with obedient cooperation, proceeds appropriately.

RESULT - reaching God’s intentions.

Without revelation, the people cast off restraint.

1960s - Prayer removed from schools (source of revelation and vision?)

1970s - Sexual restraints lost - free love

1980s - Fiscal restraints lost - national/personal debt

1990s - Political restraints lost - non accountable leaders

2000s - Lifestyle restraints lost - gay rights, gay marriages

Principled living erodes without revelation. We are living with the consequences of a destruction of principles. This destruction is a direct result of loss of heavenly vision.

If we try to face this with only our principles, we’ll end up with cynicism, pessimism, passive reflection.

If we face this with revelation from God, we’ll have optimism, readiness, and empowerment..

God help us. We are born for such a time as this.

May 10 - ADD

2 Peter 1:5-11 “...Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply (add) moral excellence (virtue), and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you...”

Does God save you? [if you do your part, and let Him]

Does God sanctify you (set you apart)? [if you do your part, and let Him]

Does God create good habits and character in your life? [if you do your part - let Him]

What does it mean to ADD something as you follow a recipe? [bring something else into the mix]

Is there a recipe for your life? Have all the ingredients been added?

Phil. 2:12 “...So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;...”

Why should all the 2nd Peter ADDing be done.

2 Peter 1:3-4 ”...seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust...”

Do you want to escape the corruption that is the world? Do you want to become a partaker of the divine nature? Do you want everything that pertains to life and godliness? [if the answer is yes, then apply all diligence to ADDing.

May 11 - ADD LOVE

2 Peter 1:7 “...and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love...”

What are we to add to our brotherly kindness? [agape]

How is agape a step beyond kindness?

Agape - Love. The love of God. The kind of love that gave itself for us while we were yet sinners - seemingly unlovable.

John 15:12 “...This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you...”

Are you annoyed by people? Irritated by people? Angered by people?

Can you fake agape? [story of Camp Copneconic - canoes, swim test, class, tiptoe on rocks - I could only fake it just so long]

You want to be identified as His. You want to go out in the canoes. Surely you can love as he loved, keep on your toes. Can you keep your head above water?

Read 1 Cor.13 with your name inserted in place of agape to check how you’re doing.

How do you keep from drowning? Gal. 2:20 “...I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me...”

God is LOVE. If He lives in me, I can be love in any situation

Is agape spontaneous? [if we are abiding in Him, yes]

May 12 - HABITS

2 Peter 1:8 “...For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...”

Do you have any bad qualities? How did you develop them?

Do you have any good qualities? How did you develop them?

Do you have any qualities of which you are not really aware?

Thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become lifestyles

The qualities from 2 Peter 1 are to be more than thoughts or actions. They are to become unconscious habits and lifestyles.

What is the end result when the qualities are increasing? [useful and fruitful] Useful and fruitful in what? [truely knowing our Lord]

O.C. discusses habits as being conscious and unconscious. We are conscious of habits when we are first forming them, but they can eventually become so routine we’re not really aware of them

Bad Good

Conscious 1 3

Unconscious 2 4

Examples:

1 - sarcasm - learned from sitcoms as humor.

2 - sarcasm - brutalizing people without realizing it.

1 - over drinking - partying with friends for entertainment.

2 - over drinking - killing someone in a drunk driving accident.

3 - prayer - going to prayer meeting weekly.

4 - prayer - spontaneously praying in any and all circumstances.

3 - small group - getting together with believers.

4 - small group - caring for people, genuinely caring at all times.

O.C. says 3 is full of strutting spiritual prigs.

1s and 2s need to rub shoulders with 4s.

3s are tiptoeing, trying to keep their head above water.

4s are living eternal life.

Can you get to 4 without going through 3? 2 without 1?

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...”

Thoughts to actions to habits to lifestyle.

What affects your thought life?