Review of Week 52:

BOAST: Our boasting, like Paul’s, should be in the cross of Jesus Christ alone.

SECURITY: There is no safer place than in the will of God.

IMMANUEL: From outside of this world, God has come to be with us.

LIGHT: Walking in the light leads to fellowship and cleansing.

BATTLE: Surrendering our will to God positions us for victory in Jesus.

CONVERT: Our grown up pride must be converted to childlike humility or entrance to the kingdom of heaven is unavailable.

FOLLOW: Following is not always easy, but it is always the right choice.

Dec. 30 - SPRINGS

Psalms 87:7 “...Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say, "All my springs of joy are in you..."

Context:

- there is a dwelling place of God.

- there is a dwelling place of man.

- the Lord knows us and from where we come.

- life should spring from the dwelling place of God.

What are natural virtues?

- good things that we do by nature.

- qualities that may originate from our particular personalities.

- qualities that may originate from our earthly family upbringing.

Can our natural abilities and virtues accomplish the purposes of God?

- they can work around the edges.

- they can give some sense of accomplishment.

- they always fall well short of our potential.

From where does the living water flow?

- not from the dwelling of man.

- from the dwelling place of God.

John 4:13-14 “...Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life..."

Dec. 31 - SECURITY

Isaiah 52:12 “...But you will not go out in haste, Nor will you go as fugitives; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard...”

Context:

- the world can be a hard place.

- the good news is that God reigns.

- security comes from a God who is positioned both ahead and behind His people.

Do we have any regrets from our yesterdays?

How does God work even our past failures for good?

How does God protect us from our past?

- God delivered Israel from the slavery of the world (Egypt).

- God positioned Himself as a rear guard to protect Israel from being overtaken by their past, and to prevent them from going back to their past.

Do we have any concerns about our tomorrows?

Can God be trusted to move us into our future?

- the land that lies before us may contain a number of fearsome giants.

- God always equips us for things we will be facing.

Can we live with confidence in our todays?

- God is good, all the time.

- every day is a good day to give our Utmost for His Highest.