tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51748652017998086962024-03-13T10:27:20.876-07:00The Next StepNext steps in spiritual transformation
based on worship celebration Bible studies at Covenant Community Church - TOUCHING AND CHANGING THE WORLDDebbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-59192536336280928102009-09-09T07:30:00.001-07:002009-09-09T07:30:52.484-07:002009 Natl Leadership Forum - FREE Webcast - Sept. 10-11
<p>Register today and don’t miss this FREE webcast, featuring Christian servant leaders. Pre-register at <a href="http://www.seuleadershipforum.com/webcast">www.seuleadershipforum.com/webcast</a> or go to the link at <a href="http://www.leadlikejesus.com">www.leadlikejesus.com</a>.</p> <p></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #555555;">Lead Like Jesus would like to offer you an opportunity that we believe could have a tremendous impact on you, your church, organization and business. <strong><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">September 10-11</span></strong>, Southeastern University, located in Lakeland, Florida, will be broadcasting its <strong><i><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">2009 National Leadership Forum </span></i></strong>as an online webcast with all of the guest speakers from the 2009 Forum, including: Jack Welch, Dave Ramsey, TD Jakes, Patrick Lencioni, Megyn Kelly, Bill George, Bill Hybels, Henry Cloud, and many others. <em><b><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Ken Blanchard</span></b></em>, co-founder of Lead Like Jesus, is serving as the moderator of this special two-day webcast and I believe that the messages and material available through this webcast will be important for your life. <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102698402349&s=27865&e=001yTm2l3q_UMaoogVfzFQoT7bpVAL2U6cOp5Fe32aAcQnhkqzKFh-V9C3r7RFMKJrk6FrQ56MBHE1ul_8CuVl5iKRu6-cCGHslhOa9_F6LzfB22xHLYAZqLKLCvlgHA5ajQnXTApWoATI=" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000099;">Click here</span></a> to see a short preview of this incredible conference.<p /> Lead Like Jesus and Southeastern University are strategic alliances in spreading the Lead Like Jesus message. Southeastern University is "dedicated to the proposition that servant leaders are world changers." SEU is putting feet to this vision by integrating the Lead Like Jesus curriculum as part of the core requirements for all incoming freshmen beginning with Fall 2009 and also as a Masters level course. It is this vision that has led to this webcast presentation of the 2009 Forum. Southeastern University is making this servant leadership conference available at no cost to business leaders, non-profit organizations, and others who were unable to attend the 2009 Forum in person - perhaps due to the economic challenges that so many have faced this past year. <p /> <strong><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This is a one-time webcast event that will only be available on September 10-11</span></strong>, so it's important that you take advantage of this offer right away. Although there is no cost to take part in this two-day event, participants must register by going to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102698402349&s=27865&e=001yTm2l3q_UMbYpMfHMHpP58YVQutNxWpiMOWzui-EPk0kTcAjwazhnEQ46jhqzIjW_Kcl79UYxAs818PHqCY7kTvBUU_plopJViP2DgI69QtuWGlUKkiP7m4s9o4nLc3Z3j-gGbxaWV0=" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000099;">www.seuleadershipforum.com/webcast</span></a>. Once you have registered, additional details will be sent to you. You may also find a link to Southeastern University by visiting <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102698402349&s=27865&e=001yTm2l3q_UMYm3rBhmbR4V2J9Hrar9of3AoC_6Q4T2k4xqRBlVOWDFh2j3gl92vd1x_5psl9f5Ri9fX07FIoHsAJX2BFw-zVUv5oCblCv6HYsb91dgWkmdhZSrBDxETDw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000099;">www.LeadLikeJesus.com</span></a>. We hope you'll take advantage of this outstanding webcast event. May God bless you as you continue to lead like Jesus!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #555555;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #555555;">Blessings,</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #555555;">The Lead Like Jesus Team</span></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://debbiepiper.posterous.com/2009-natl-leadership-forum-free-webcast-sept">debbiepiper's posterous</a> </p> Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-26776025663829097772009-05-14T15:57:00.001-07:002009-05-14T15:57:16.497-07:00Getting Your Goat or Going Goat-less?
<div> <p style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Reflections on Matthew 25:31-46</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">What’s your reaction to Jesus’ words in this passage? Not your response or reasoned thinking about what He says, but your initial reaction. Do His words at any level make you uncomfortable? And if so, what is it that makes you uncomfortable? I ask only because this passage can rattle people at different levels.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Perhaps it makes you uncomfortable because Jesus speaks about His return with certainty, as a fact, not a theory to be debated.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Perhaps it makes you uncomfortable because Jesus speaks of a judgment for all people.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Perhaps it makes you uncomfortable because you don’t know if you’d end up tagged as a sheep or a goat.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Perhaps it makes you uncomfortable because Jesus says this judgment is based on visible evidence that your beliefs change the way you see the world and how you treat others.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Perhaps you find yourself trying to catalog your good deeds.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Or perhaps you find yourself identifying with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, or the imprisoned.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In this passage, Jesus calls His hearers back to the essence of true religion, just as He did when He said that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love others (Matthew 22:34-40).</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">It seems that love for God inexorably leads to love for others (1 John 4:7-12, 20-21), a love that is demonstrated in action (1 John 3:16-18), a love that has compassion as a defining characteristic.</span></p> <p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:blue">Compassion:</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt"> </span></i><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt">deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.</span></i></p> <p align="right" style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.0pt;margin-right: 0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#002060">—</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#002060">"compassion." <i>The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,<br /> Fourth Edition</i>. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 14 May. 2009.<br /> <Dictionary.com</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> <a href="http://dictionary1.classic.reference.com/browse/compassion">http://dictionary1.classic.reference.com/browse/compassion</a>>.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">God is by nature compassionate. When God told Moses His name, He identified Himself as</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God…</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">”</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Exodus 34:6</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">God’s compassionate nature was evident in Genesis 3 when He came looking for the couple who were now lost in sin, with the intent to rescue and restore them. This pattern continues throughout the Old Testament, revealing God’s compassion for men, women, and children. Over and over, His concern and love for the people He created turns into action on their behalf.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">God’s compassion comes to fullest expression in the life of Jesus…</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Who, being in very nature God, <br /> did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, <br /> but made himself nothing, <br /> taking the very nature of a servant, <br /> being made in human likeness. <br /> And being found in appearance as a man, <br /> he humbled himself <br /> and became obedient to death— <br /> even death on a cross!</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—Philippians 2:6-8</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In 1 Corinthians 12, we discover that we as believers are now the physical representation of Christ in the world. Just as Jesus revealed God’s compassion in His life, God desires that, through our lives, we will reflect His compassion to a hurting world.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Who do you know who is…</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In need of food or water, or a place to live?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In need of spiritual strength, hope or encouragement?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Lonely or alone?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In need of clothes?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Sick or suffering?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In prison or caught in a prison of their own making?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In need of someone to care?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In need of someone to believe in them until they can believe in themselves?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In need of a new start?</span></i></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">God’s plan from the beginning was that His people would become a blessing to others (Genesis 12:1-3).</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue">What does God want you to do to help and bless others with the material and spiritual resources He has given you?</span></i></b></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Paul echoes this same thought in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt"></span></i></b></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Many people struggle to believe that God cares for them due to the ever-present nature of their personal suffering. Those who escape the destructive cycle of their lives often speak of a friend who believed in them when they didn’t believe in themselves, of a friend who pointed them to God’s presence and compassion, of friends who cared enough to come alongside them in their need and care for them.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue">What hope and help do you have to offer others? What experience of His compassion and comfort can you offer to others who are hurting or in trouble?</span></i></b></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">As we are being transformed into the image of Christ, Bible study and prayer are not the end goal. Those, along with other spiritual habits, are means of shaping us in God’s image, of creating in us a compassionate heart that sees the world as God sees it and transforms us into people who see the needs of others around us, people who are moved to reach out to others and meet their needs in the name of Christ.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue">What is revealed about your heart by your reaction to seeing people in need?</span></i></b></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue">What is God doing to carve out space for compassion for others in your heart?</span></i></b></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue">Who do you know right now who needs God to meet their needs?</span></i></b></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue">What do they know of God’s compassion because of your response to their situation?</span></i></b></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue">What is God calling you to do to meet the needs of others?</span></i></b></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"></p> <p align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">To view the worship celebration related to this Next Step, visit <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1620.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1620.shtml</a></span></p> <p></p> </div><p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://debbiepiper.posterous.com/getting-your-goat-or-going-goat-less">debbiepiper's posterous</a> </p> Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-8760619241734135142009-05-08T14:10:00.001-07:002009-05-08T14:10:22.022-07:00Working with Oils
<div> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Based on Matthew 25:1-13</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Oil in Scripture is often used to represent the Holy Spirit. Oil in biblical times, much like today, was an important component to life. Used in cooking and in providing light, oil was a precious commodity then, as it is now. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Scripture shows that the Holy Spirit is essential to the spiritual life. In Genesis 1:2, He is present at creation, hovering close, at work to bring life and shape to the earth</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.</span></i></b></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">God’s Spirit empowered Israel’s leaders</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">elders, judges, priests, prophets, and kings</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">to rule lead well, and gifted ordinary people to serve the Lord (see Exodus 31:3, Numbers 11:17 and 27:18, Judges 3:10, 1 Samuel 10:10 and 16:13, etc.) Even Pharaoh recognized the Spirit of God at work in Joseph (Genesis 41:38). God’s Spirit spoke through the prophets, testifying to God’s work and of one who would come in the power of the Spirit (Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 12:18).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Turning to the New Testament, the first mention of the Holy Spirit is found in Matthew 1:18</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.</span></i></b></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Unlike Genesis, where God is creating a new earth, this time the Spirit is at work creating the very life of God in Mary’s body.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">His next appearance is in Matthew 3:15 at Jesus’ baptism, identifying Jesus publicly as the Son of God</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt"></span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> (See also John 1:33.)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Just as the Spirit of God was active in Jesus’ life, Scripture tells us that the Spirit is active in our lives, calling us, creating new life in Christ, teaching and guiding us along the way</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—John 3:5</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—John 14:16,17</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—John 14:26</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me….</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">John 15:26</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Acts 1:8</span></p> <p><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:red">Warning: </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:red">Scripture also cautions that it is possible to limit the Spirit’s work in our lives and to grieve Him through our choices (1 Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30).</span></b></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Just like you check the amount and condition of oil in your car, maybe it’s a good idea to check the condition of your relationship with the Spirit.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Has the life-giving oil of the Spirit of God been poured into your life?</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit….</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <b><i>For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.</i></b>—1 Corinthians 12:3, 13</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Is the Spirit seen in the ways you now live your life for the benefit of others?</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—1 Corinthians 12:7</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Is your mind now set on what God desires? Are you led by Him? Does your life give evidence of Spirit-controlled attitudes and actions?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Read the following verses on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">www.biblegateway.com</a> or in your Bible to see what a life characterized by the Spirit looks like</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p> <p style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span New Times style="font:7.0pt \"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Romans 8:5, 6</span></p> <p style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span New Times style="font:7.0pt \"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Romans 8:16</span></p> <p style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span New Times style="font:7.0pt \"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Romans 14:17</span></p> <p style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span New Times style="font:7.0pt \"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">1 Corinthians 2:4, 13</span></p> <p style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span New Times style="font:7.0pt \"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">2 Corinthians 3:17</span></p> <p style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span New Times style="font:7.0pt \"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Ephesians 4:3</span></p> <p style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span New Times style="font:7.0pt \"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Ephesians 6:18</span></p> <p style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span New Times style="font:7.0pt \"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Galatians 5:22,23</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Are these familiar passages to you?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">How frequently are these qualities evident in your life? What would your friends and family say?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">What about your life recently has revealed the presence of the Spirit?</span></i></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt">What can you do if you find that the oil is running low in your life and it needs replenished? How do you make sure that you aren’t guilty of the same misguided thinking of the Galatian believers that Paul wrote to, saying</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—Galatians 3:3</span></p> <p><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">First</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">, understand that the spiritual life takes focus on living in step with the Spirit of God</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature… Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—Galatians 5:16, 25</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">…the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—Galatians 6:8</span></p> <p><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Then </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">ask yourself a few questions</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">What are you doing to build up the life of God in your life? What spiritual habits are you practicing to keep your focus on nurturing and fanning into flame the life of the Spirit?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">What role does Scripture reading, study, meditation and memorization play in transforming your life?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">What is your prayer life like?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">With whom are you developing an honest and intimate spiritual relationship that encourages one another to grow in faith?</span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">How are you living life to benefit others?</span></i></p> <p><b>Now </b>respond to what God is saying to you about these things. What is the Spirit leading you to do to re-engage? What do you need to do to allow Him to replenish your supply of oil?<i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></i></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">—Romans 15:13</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt">—</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Ephesians 3:16</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p> <p align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">To view the worship celebration related to this Next Step, visit <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1619.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1619.shtml</a></span></p> </div><p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://debbiepiper.posterous.com/working-with-oils">debbiepiper's posterous</a> </p> Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-45534502533992073872009-04-29T12:01:00.001-07:002009-04-29T12:01:30.964-07:00I'm discovering anew the power of God's truth to reshape my perspective on life.<br /> <div> <p>Memorizing Scripture is one of those spiritual disciplines that I had allowed to lapse in my life. Earlier this year, the Spirit used a friend and a Lead Like Jesus Leadership Encounter to nudge me to re-engage with scripture memorization and meditation.</p> <p></p> <p><b><span style="color:#1F497D">But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.—1 Samuel 12:24</span></b></p> <p></p> <p>1 Samuel 12:24 is the first verse I began to memorize. Samuel’s words to the people of Israel have a way of cutting through the clutter in my heart and mind. They remind me of what’s truly important in life and call me to remember how God has transformed my life since we began journeying together.</p> <p></p> <p>Next on my list was <span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Romans 12:2—Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.</span></b></span><span style="color:#1F497D"></span></p> <p></p> <p>Familiar words, yet the power is not in their familiarity; rather, the power flows through the practice of focusing on God’s truth so that it reframes my perspective on the world around me. As I memorize the words of Scripture, God’s wisdom increasingly becomes the filter and grid through which I process the events and emotions of my life.</p> <p></p> <p>Third was <span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Colossians 3:23,24—Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.</span></b></span></p> <p></p> <p>Again, familiar words, but do they find their way into my everyday life? I was reminded this week that these words apply to all of life as I examined my attitude about missing previously planned activities in order to carry for my “cranky because she wasn’t feeling well” three year old granddaughter.</p> <p></p> <p>Next (and last for now) was <span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Luke 4:42—At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for Him and when they came to where He was, they tried to keep Him from leaving them.</span></b></span></p> <p></p> <p>What a reminder to make time with the Lord a priority in my life! If Jesus needed to purposely seek one-on-one time with His Father in order to resist being pulled every which way by people around Him, certainly I need time alone with God, too!</p> <p></p> <p>I’m working on others, I even have an application on my iTouch that feeds me new verses to memorize. For now, these verses keep me focused on the basics: Loving God, letting Him transform me; loving others, and nurturing my relationship with God, no matter what else I do!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> </div><p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://debbiepiper.posterous.com/im-discovering-anew-the-power-of-gods-truth-t">debbiepiper's posterous</a> </p> Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-6373622272118924962009-03-08T00:54:00.000-08:002009-03-08T01:00:28.982-08:00God-Given Guts!<p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">Based on 1 Samuel 14</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">What gets your adrenaline flowing? What gets your heart pumping? What causes you to decide it’s time to get moving, time to take a stand? What crystallizes your thoughts and desires into action?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan decides that he’s done waiting around for the battle to come to him. He decides the time is right to take things into his own hands and make his move.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">Read through 1 Samuel 14 in your Bible or at </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/"><span style="font-size:12;">www.biblegateway.com</span></a><span style="font-size:12;">. To get a better feel for the situation Jonathan finds himself in, start in chapter 13.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" >What causes you to decide it’s time to take a stand?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" >What does your answer reveal about your priorities? Who you know God to be? Your relationship with Him? His gifting and call on your life?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">I especially like verse 6</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">"Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few</span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">.”</span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">The Message puts it this way</span><span style="font-size:12;">—<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">"Come on now, let's go across to these uncircumcised pagans. Maybe <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> will work for us. There's no rule that says <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> from saving when he sets his mind to it.”</span></i></b><span style="font-size:16;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">“Perhaps.” “Maybe.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">Jonathan doesn’t wait until he’s assured that he’ll be successful in his daring attempt. For him, the opportunity stirs him to action, his faith is revealed in the doing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">Plucky. Courageous. Bold. Daring. Like current day fictional heroes Indiana Jones or James Bond, or Ben Gates in National Treasure. Jonathan sees a challenge and doesn’t just say “why”; he says “why not do something about this?” He figures that if God has put a challenge in front of him, it’s because God wants him to do something.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">The choice to sit and wait while the tension and dread mount or stepping out in faith to see how God will act, become crystal clear, and he knows it’s time to act.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" >What challenge has God put in front of you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" >What do you think He wants you to do about it?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" >What’s stopping you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">Jonathan’s armor bearer goes with him. Jonathan is one of those guys that are always found with someone else beside them. Either he’s standing alongside his dad, the king, with his armor bearer, or his friend David. He is wise enough to develop relationships with someone who has his back, not just figuratively speaking, but someone who has a vital role to play in accomplishing the mission.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">"Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul."</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;">verse 7<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">It reminds me of Jesus sending His disciples out in pairs</span><span style="font-size:12;"> (Mark 6:7 and 10:1). Jesus surrounded Himself with close friends, developed deep and abiding relationships with them, and sent them out together to serve others in His name.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">Jonathan had done the same with his armor-bearer. Jonathan trusts the armor bearer completely, and the armor bearer trusts Jonathan completely. He is willing to risk what looks like certain death on the basis of his confidence in Jonathan’s leadership and God-confidence,</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" >Who has your back?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" >Who are you willing to put yourself on the line to support?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">Then come the words that confirm Jonathan’s courage found its source in trusting the Lord, not his own abilities</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">Come, then; we will cross over toward the men and let them see us. If they say to us, 'Wait there until we come to you,' we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, 'Come up to us,' we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands."</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;">verses 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">Jonathan’s thinking is reminiscent of David’s response when facing Goliath’s taunt in 1 Samuel 17</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it….David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”… David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;">verses 23, 26, 32<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" >What in your life reveals God-given guts?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" >What signs do you look for to know that God is calling you forward in spite of what the situation looks like from a human perspective?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" >What are you willing to risk to make a difference for God?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">Throughout Scripture, we are called to take courage, to be strong and courageous.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12;">—2 Timothy 1:7<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">God-given guts, courage, were the hallmark of early followers of Jesus</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">When they saw the <span style="">courage</span> of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12;">—Acts 4:13</span><span style="font-size:14;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">Courage flows from knowing how big God is and who Jesus is. Jonathan’s faith in God produced courage to advance against an overwhelming enemy. As Jonathan stepped out in faith, God demonstrated His power through him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">What about you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;">To view the worship celebration related to this Next Step, visit </span><a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1601.shtml"><span style="font-size:12;">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1601.shtml</span></a><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-39102114785044942562009-02-28T10:16:00.000-08:002009-02-28T10:24:44.480-08:00Move!!!<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Based on 2 Kings 7</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It’s interesting to me how God frames some of His most amazing work in desperation. It’s like the darkness of life’s circumstances become the setting that allow His work to be showcased. That’s the way it is throughout the Scriptures, and poignantly so in this story.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Read it in your Bible or at <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">http://www.biblegateway.com</a>. (Check out 2 Kings 6:24-33 to get the background.)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Samaria, the capital of the renegade tribes of Israel, is besieged by an enemy; the people are dying from starvation, to the extent that a woman agrees to kill and eat her own child in order to live for one more day; the king has given up hope and instead of calling out to God, is looking for someone to blame, and God’s representative Elisha is the perfect target.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Desperation rules the day.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">As desperate as it is within the city, where the city walls built to protect them have become the bars on their prison cell, outside the walls is a community of contagious people who aren’t even afforded the protection of living within the city walls. Excluded and cast off by the people in their community, they are open to attack by any and every enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">They have no control over the disease that has come upon them, no control over being rejected by others, and have accepted the reality that they are unfit for human contact, unwelcome, and unprotected from the enemy that surrounds them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">They are trapped, with no place to go.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What “un-[fill_in_the_blank]“ <span style=""> </span>word describes your life?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">What circumstances in your life have you feeling trapped?</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">But God is on the move.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Their point of desperation becomes God’s opportunity to showcase His activity.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">What’s interesting when you stop and think about it is that these lepers don’t demonstrate much faith, as we tend to think of it. There is no record of them calling out to God, believing that He will intervene, counting on His character or His promises. They actually think that perhaps their enemies will be merciful to them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Funny, isn’t it, how we long for God’s mercy and look for it in other places, while we are quick to accuse Him of not being merciful? But that’s for another time…back to the lepers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Their actions are a simple act of survival, born out of the desperate nature of their circumstances. It’s a “something is better than nothing” attitude, an “anything is better than this” decision that prompts them to move. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">What they don’t know in the moment is what the outcome will be. And so, their act of desperation becomes an act of faith. They choose to move, without visible evidence that God is anywhere in the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What desperate circumstances have you feeling like your back is up against the wall?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What seems like the only way forward?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Do you dare to believe that God is somewhere in the mix, that He is the one moving, drawing you forward even if you can’t see Him past the enemy that blocks your view?</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">What they discover is that God is in the mix.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Their desperate circumstances, the very things that brought them to the point of deciding that now is the time to do something, is their doorway into discovering God’s power and provision, for them and for others.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Because God <i style="">was</i> on the move.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">He used a sense of desperation to move the lepers forward. He used desperation, a fear of imminent danger and impending doom, to cause the enemy army to scatter.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The enemy uses desperation as a strategy to trap you, to immobilize you. God uses desperation as a tool to move you into the future He is creating.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What if God wants to use your feelings of desperation to get your attention, to open your eyes to see the situation in front of you from His perspective?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What if God wants to use your feelings of desperation to bring you to the end of yourself so that you’re ready to move beyond hopelessness into a place where you can discover His plan?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">What if desperation is really the doorway to the future that God has planned?</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">An interesting thread in this story is the words of the prophet Elisha. As God’s representative, he dares to say out loud—and to the person in charge—that even in these desperate circumstances, God is at work.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">His words frame the story:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says:…</i></b>—v. 1<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">…as the LORD had said…And that is exactly what happened…</i></b>—v. 16, 20<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What words of hope and confidence is the Lord giving you in the midst of desperate circumstances?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Who needs to hear them?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Are you looking for God in the midst of the desperate situation that surrounds you?</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Jesus said—<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."</i></b>—John 5:17. God is on the move.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have <span style="">overcome</span> the world."</i></b>—John 16:33. There is hope for us when things are desperate.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Jesus’ words to Paul when he despaired, were—<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”</i></b>—2 Corinthians 12:9. Jesus chooses to use desperate people who turn to Him in their weakness, and depend on His grace to keep moving forward. Look how he used Paul!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Move!!!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">To view the worship celebration related to this Next Step, visit <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1595.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1595.shtml</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-18792533739069393922009-02-28T10:11:00.000-08:002009-02-28T10:15:26.370-08:00Can I Be Held Responsible for My Irresponsibility?<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Based on Nehemiah 1-2</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">As you read through the beginning of Nehemiah’s story (check the Table of Contents in your Bible or go to </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">www.biblegateway.com</a></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > to find it), you find a man who holds a responsible, trusted position, serving the king.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Kings and queens today often hold symbolic, ceremonial positions and responsibilities. Kings in Nehemiah’s day held absolute control over their people and were often served by slaves from the nations they had conquered. This was Nehemiah’s case.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Nehemiah was a Jewish man serving in the court of a foreign nation that had taken God’s people captive. When God moved in the heart of Cyrus (see 2 Chronicles 36:20-23 and Ezra 1:1-10) to allow the Jews to return to their homeland after their captivity, Nehemiah was one of the Jews who remained in captivity. Yet, when Nehemiah hears about the state of Jerusalem and its people, his heart is overwhelmed with the news of their need.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Nehemiah begins to pray and look for opportunities to become part of the solution for his brothers and sisters in need. He takes his personal concern and grief to the Lord, humbly seeking God’s intervention.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Although he has no pertinent skill or expertise to offer, Nehemiah makes himself available to God, willing to be used however God sees fit. While he waits for God to make the next step clear, Nehemiah devotes himself to prayer and to serving the master who has the authority to release him or keep him serving in his current position.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >Where is God calling you to make yourself available to respond to the needs of others?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Throughout the Bible, we see stories of men and women remaining faithful in their current life circumstances, seeking God in those circumstances, and being willing and ready to respond when God calls.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We also read stories of people who used their current circumstances as excuses to avoid God’s call.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >Which group do you fit into?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Responsible|Definition<o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="font-family: arial;" border="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">1.<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management (often fol. by to or for): He is responsible to the president for his decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">2.<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">involving accountability or responsibility: a responsible position<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">3.<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually fol. by for): Termites were responsible for the damage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">4.<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">having a capacity for moral decisions and therefore accountable; capable of rational thought or action: The defendant is not responsible for his actions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: right; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;" align="right"><span style="font-size:100%;">"responsible." <i>Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)</i>. Random House, Inc. 14 Feb. 2009.<br /><dictionary.com href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/responsible" target="_parent">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/responsible>.<span style="display: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></dictionary.com></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Scripture is clear that both men and women were created to respond to God’s call and response + able for God’s world. The fact that God gave us this responsibility means that we are accountable to God for how we use our response + ability to respond to the needs around us. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >How does this definition of responsibility as “response + ability” change your perspective on what it means to live responsibly?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >Are you pursuing God’s direction in living response + ably?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Redeeming Response + Ability<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sin has twisted our understanding of responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We may <b style="">refuse to accept</b> responsibility for our lives, and play the victim</span><span style="font-size:100%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We may twist our understanding of responsibility and <b style="">try to control</b> things we were never meant to control, like God or other people.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We may <b style="">run from</b> responsibility, shoving it off toward others and burdening them with false responsibility and guilt.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We may <b style="">hand over</b> our responsibility to others, choosing to blame them for our inability to live the lives God calls us to live.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We may consciously or unconsciously <b style="">take on more</b> responsibilities than God asks us to take on, over-scheduling our lives, making us ineffective, and keeping us from being response + able to God’s voice when He speaks.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >Which of these distorted concepts of responsibility tempts you or describes you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Response + Able to God<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">God, as the one to whom we are first and ultimately response + able, has the right to determine the area and extent of our response + ability. When we pursue God and respond to our circumstances by depending on Him, our responses reveal His life-giving power.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord… For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written:<br /> " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,<br /> <span style=""> </span> 'every knee will bow before me;<br /> every tongue will confess to God.' " <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Romans 14:7-12</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >What do you need to give up in order to live response + ably from God’s perspective?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Ultimately, in the midst of the people and needs that call for our attention, God is the one who deserves first attention, sets our priorities, and gets the final word. <b style=""><i style=""><span style="color:red;">Are you asking Him to show you where He wants you live response + ably?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your <span style="">God</span>, who teaches you what is best for you, who <span style="">directs</span> you in the way you should go.”</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Isaiah 48:17<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >For whom and for what has God already given you response + ability?</span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Nehemiah continued to be response + able where he was until God’s power and timing opened the door for him to do more. Centuries later, Paul’s words echo Nehemiah’s mindset and role model for us</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him…Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Colossians 3:15-17, 23, 24<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >What longing to make a difference is God placing in your heart as you pursue Him? <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >What obstacles are you trusting God to overcome so that you can live your life response + ably?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">To view the worship celebration related to this Next Step, visit <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1593.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1593.shtml</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-80335663061715710872009-02-09T23:30:00.001-08:002009-02-09T23:39:22.899-08:00Shipwrecks and Snakebites<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Based on Acts 27-28<o:p></o:p></span><p style="font-family: arial;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color:mediumblue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Shipwrecks and snakebites…can leave you disoriented. They tend to occur (as does the subsequent disorientation) when things don’t go as planned, or as we planned, at any rate.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Skim Acts 27:1 – 28:10 with the following questions in mind:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>How many course corrections did Paul and his travelling companions have to make?<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;">What kind of obstacles did they have to overcome?<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;">How did God show up along the way to encourage and protect Paul?<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;">How did God use Paul throughout his journey?<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">When all was said and done, what do you think stood out most to Paul from his experience?<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" face="arial" style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now it’s your turn:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style="color:red;">How many course corrections have you had to make recently?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Maybe you feel like you’ve been struggling to make headway, fighting to stay on course. Paul certainly experienced that.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-size:100%;">Listen to some of the words Luke recorded: <o:p></o:p></span><ul><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">The winds were against us<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">The wind did not allow us to hold our course<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">We moved along the coast with difficulty<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">Much time had been lost<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">Sailing had already become dangerous<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">Paul warned them, ‘Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous’<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">A wind of hurricane force<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">The ship was caught in the storm<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">So we gave way to it and were driven along<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">We took such a violent battering from the storm<o:p></o:p></i></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><i style="">Neither the sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging…<o:p></o:p></i></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" face="arial" style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style="color:red;">What kind of obstacles are you trying to overcome?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In addition to the seemingly unending, violent weather, don’t forget that Paul started out on this journey as a prisoner, bound for his trial in Rome. And that was just the start. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">His warnings of danger were ignored by those in charge.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A change of wind turned out NOT to be the good news they had hoped for. The lifeboat, and even the ship itself, were in danger of capsizing. The cargo had to be thrown overboard to help them survive, along with the equipment for sailing the ship. They had to destroy the lifeboat to keep the experienced sailors from abandoning them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">They were all in constant suspense, to the point that they didn’t eat for 14 days. The soldiers guarding them planned to kill them. The ship began to break up and they had to abandon it to save their lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The storm continued as they reached land, and when they built a fire to warm themselves, a deadly viper was in the branches! People judged him wrongly, condemned him, and ignored him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Have you ever had a stretch like that?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style="color:red;">How is God showing up to encourage and protect you along the way? How is He using you in other people’s lives during these times?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">God caused Paul’s Roman guard to show kindness to Paul. God allowed Paul to reconnect with friends, friends who cared for his needs. God used Paul to warn the crew of the difficulties ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">When they went ahead anyway, God sent an angel to encourage Paul and to offer words of hope, courage, and a promise that they would be safe. The Roman guard listened to Paul’s warning when the sailors were going to abandon them. Paul ministered to the sailors, feeding them, and encouraging them to stay strong and not give up hope. God preserved their lives when the ship wrecked on the sandbar.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">God kept the Roman guards from carrying out a plan to kill Paul, and he supernaturally protected him from the viper’s poisonous bite. God provided a home and a warm welcome with the island’s leader.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Finally, God gave Paul a platform for ministry. He opened the door for Paul to heal many people in Jesus’ name.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">When the time came to leave, the bedraggled prisoner who first arrived on the island left in high honor, with all his needs supplied for the journey ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">What an amazing story of an underdog battling against the odds of circumstance, nature, and man, yet being used by God in the midst of the struggle. In the midst of it all, God protected Paul, preserving him for the purposes God had in mind for him. He guided Paul through the storm, encouraging Paul, and using Paul to pass on the wisdom and encouragement he received from God.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">What about you? Where is God calling you to keep focused on Him in the midst of the storm? How are you passing that encouragement along to others?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style="color:red;">When all is said and done, what will you focus on</span></b>—the hardships along the way, or the grace of God that carries you through, gives you opportunities to minister to others, and opens new doors to reveal His grace as a direct result of the journey you’ve taken?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <blockquote style="font-family:arial;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, <span id="en-NIV-28789">who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. <span id="en-NIV-28790">For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. <span id="en-NIV-28791">If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. <span id="en-NIV-28792">And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. <span id="en-NIV-28794">Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. <span id="en-NIV-28795">He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, <span id="en-NIV-28796">as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.</span></span></span></i></b>—Paul, writing to the Corinthian believers in 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 3-11</span></p></blockquote><p style="margin-left: 0.5in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">To view the worship celebration Bible study on which this Next Step is based, visit<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1591.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1591.shtml</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-38987011622596110872009-02-05T10:46:00.000-08:002009-02-05T10:51:07.683-08:00Crowing Over Failure<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">January 25, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Based on Luke 22:54-62<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";color:mediumblue;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 1in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 1in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"Man, I am not!" Peter replied. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 1in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.</i></b></span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Crowing over failure. Peter certainly was not crowing over failure at this particular moment. Failure was crowing over Peter.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Perhaps you know the rest of the story. Perhaps you know that Jesus restores Peter, perhaps you know the patterns of Peter’s life, perhaps you know his successes as well as his failures, perhaps you know how God used him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Perhaps, though, you (or someone you know) are struggling with the word <b style="">failure</b>, like Peter was at that moment. When knowing that he had just let down his best friend, his God, and all of his other friends, was the overwhelming reality of his life. And he wept. Bitterly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Some people shrug off failure like the proverbial water on a duck’s back. Others allow it to define them…or others. They seem to want to live in the failure, to be perpetual screw-ups, reliving the moment(s) of their failure, forcing others to relive failure, bowing down before failure as if it is the only thing that matters, as if failure is God’s last word to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">For those of who don’t live in rural settings, the image of crowing over something relates more to Peter Pan than to roosters. We think of crowing over something as boastful, arrogant, brash, a mark of immaturity.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Yet Jeff painted an incredible picture of Jesus redeeming even the rooster’s crow in Peter’s life, infusing that daily sound with grace, replacing memories of failure with memories of restoration, renewed hope, and purpose, as a way of reminding Peter that each new day is a new opportunity to live for God. A picture for us of how Jesus wants to restore even the very reminders of our failures.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style=";color:blue;" >Where have you failed?</span></b><span style=";color:blue;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style=";color:blue;" >Have you faced the reality of your failure</span></b>, as Peter did? Owning responsibility for our behavior, for our failures, opens the door to forgiveness. (Luke 22:52-64)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.</i></b>—1 John 1:9<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style=";color:blue;" >Have you spent time with Jesus, reconciling your relationship with Him?</span></b> (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:4; John 21)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">For as high as the heavens are above the earth,<br /> so great is his love for those who fear him; <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">as far as the east is from the west,<br /> so far has he removed our transgressions from us. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">As a father has compassion on his children,<br /> so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.</i></b>—Psalm 103:11-13<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. <span id="en-NIV-30015">Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.</span></i></b>—Hebrews 4:15, 16<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.</i></b>—Revelations 3:20<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style=";color:blue;" >Have you been reconciled to those who were impacted by your actions?</span></b> Are there steps you need to take to be reconciled with others who have been wounded by your failure? (Peter reconnected with the other disciples. See John 20 and 21.)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">“Blessed are the <span style="">peacemaker</span>s, for they will be called sons of God….Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, <span id="en-NIV-23259">leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”</span></i></b>—Matthew 5:9, 23, 24<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><i style="">Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.</i></b>—James 5:16<b><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style=";color:blue;" >Are you ready? Ready to move on?</span></b> Ready for God to redeem your failures? To restore your life? To recast even the memory of your failure?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"Forget the former things;<br /> do not dwell on the past. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> <span id="en-NIV-18525">See, I am doing a new thing!<br /> Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?<br /> I am making a way in the desert<br /> and streams in the wasteland.”</span></i></b>—Isaiah 43:18, 19<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,<br /> for his compassions never fail.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">They are new every morning;<br /> great is your faithfulness.</i></b>—Lamentations 3:22, 23<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style=";color:blue;" >Are you willing to offer the same forgiveness, reconciliation, human encouragement, restoration, and hope to others who have failed?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”</i></b>—Matthew 18:21, 22<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."</i></b>—Mark 11:25<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, <span id="en-NIV-29378">then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. <span id="en-NIV-29379">Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. <span id="en-NIV-29380">Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.—</span></span></span></i></b>Philippians 2:1-4<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">To view the worship celebration related to this Next Step, visit <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1588.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1588.shtml</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-4660427126492540382009-02-05T10:41:00.000-08:002009-02-28T10:27:45.523-08:00Knocking Holes in the Ceiling<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">January 18, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Based on Romans 4:18-21<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color:mediumblue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><blockquote>Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.</blockquote></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In the movie <i style="">The Fellowship of the Ring,</i> there are some great scenes of Gandalf the Gray, a wizard, visiting the home of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit. Hobbits are small beings, resembling humans, who live in nicely furnished burrows dug into the sides of hills. Wizards, on the other hand, are tall and slim. Imagine then, Gandalf stooping to enter Bilbo’s dwelling, ducking under doorways and past chandeliers, as he follows Bilbo from room to room. It provides some humorous moments!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I sometimes wonder if that’s how God experiences it when we invite Him into our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Where He wants us to expand our hearts, minds, and souls to grasp the wonder, mystery, and power of Him, we try to compress Him to fit into our pre-existing framework.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We don’t understand what He is doing, so we pray for Him to stop. When He doesn’t stop, we beg Him to stop. When He keeps going, we demand that He stop.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">How do you respond when God bumps into something you’ve placed in your life that gets in the way of what He wants to do in you and through you?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Do you ignore it so that you won’t have to talk about it with Him?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Do you complain about Him touching your things?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Do you ask Him to stop?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Do you question His authority to move around freely within you?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Do you want Him to make Himself at home in you?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What if He knocks a few holes in the ceiling to let some daylight, some God-light, into your life?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What if He wants to rearrange your priorities?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What if He wants to throw out some of the trash?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What if He has a better idea?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What if He wants to rip the roof off of your house or tear it down completely before He begins rebuilding?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What if the rebuilding process goes on for months, years, or even decades?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What if God’s re-creation of your life is a lifelong process?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Is that what you signed on for when you invited Him in?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Thoughts from God—<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,<br /> neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">"As the heavens are higher than the earth,<br /> so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,<br /> and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,<br /> so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">so is my word that goes out from my mouth:<br /> It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire<br /> and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;<br /> the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,<br /> and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.</span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Isaiah 55:8-12<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Allow God’s Spirit to roam freely within you. Let Him knock holes in the ceiling of your understanding and faith, so that He can reveal God’s truth to you and give you peace as He rearranges your life until God lives fully within you and you develop the very mind of Christ—<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.</span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—John 14:26, 27<b style=""><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” [Isaiah 64:4]—but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.<br /> The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned... "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.</span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—1 Corinthians 2:9-16<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—2 Corinthians 5:17<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I’m reminded of a Christian classic <i style="">Your God is Too Small, </i>by J. B. Phillips. And I wonder if God isn’t using the things that shake me so that I will come to know that He is the God of Abraham, the God who loves to knock holes in the ceiling of my life and do what I think can't be done!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">To view the worship celebration related to this Next Step, visit <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1587.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1587.shtml</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-24281289726263046452009-01-15T15:24:00.000-08:002009-01-15T15:36:31.267-08:00Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><blockquote></blockquote></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”</blockquote></span><o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">And Moses said, "Here I am."<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Exodus 3:1-5<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?"<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"A staff," he replied.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> <span id="en-NIV-1605">The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=""> </span>Then the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. <span class="sup"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"This," said the LORD, "is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you."</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Exodus 4:2-5</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style="color:blue;">What has God used in your life</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> to cause you to realize that there is more going on than you might think? For Moses, it was a burning bush and a snake-transforming staff. For Job, it was tragedy. For David, it was Samuel’s anointing and a giant that needed killed. For Mary, it was an angel’s announcement.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">God uses whatever He needs to use in order to get our attention, to lift our heads from the ordinariness of our daily routines and give us a glimpse of the sacred and supernatural realm where He lives. <b style=""><span style="color:blue;">Are you paying attention?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style="color:blue;">Where do your daily routines take you?</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Into crowded, busy places, filled with noise and activity, deadlines and crowds? Or into quiet, solitary places with no one around and unending stretches of sameness?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style="color:blue;">What difference would it make</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> to your life if you began to look for God as you go about your daily routine? For Moses, the place where his daily life took him became infused with the presence and power of God</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> And Moses said, "Here I am." <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Exodus 3:4, 5<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Old Testament prophets urge people to seek the Lord <i style="">today</i></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Seek the LORD while he may be found;<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> call on him while he is near.</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Isaiah 55:6<b style=""><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Jeremiah 29:13<b style=""><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Paul tells us that God has crafted the circumstances of our lives, whatever they may be, to cause us to seek Him</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. <span id="en-NIV-27538">God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.</span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Acts 17:26, 27<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style="color:blue;">What difference does encountering God make in your attitude?</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> How is He changing you, transforming you into the image of Jesus? How are you seeing your circumstances differently because you realize He is present?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be <span style="">transformed</span> by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Romans 12:2<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being <span style="">transformed</span> into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">.—2 Corinthians 3:18</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style="color:blue;">What difference would it make in other’s lives</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> if you began to look for God in your daily routine with a new urgency? What new opportunities for loving God and loving people would you discover?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">As Jesus looked at the world and people around Him, He saw potential</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. <span id="en-NIV-23229">"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."</span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Matthew 4:18, 19<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">He saw needs that only He could meet</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. <span id="en-NIV-23416">When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. <span id="en-NIV-23417">Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. <span id="en-NIV-23418">Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."</span></span></span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Matthew 9:35-38<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. <span id="en-NIV-23489">Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. <span id="en-NIV-23490">For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."</span></span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Matthew 11:28-30</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it <span id="en-NIV-25765">and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace…</span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Luke 19:41, 42<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Everything that Jesus saw motivated Him to action and steeled His determination to do whatever it took to bring the life-changing message of reconciliation with God to those He saw.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Moses’ encounter with God radically transformed his life. God infused the tool of his trade with supernatural power to unleash the life-changing power of God in the world around him. He used Moses’ life to bring freedom to those in slavery.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style="color:blue;">What about you? </span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Are you willing to stop? To turn aside from your daily activities and see what God is up to? Are you seeing the world through different eyes? Is your attitude being changed? Are you inviting God to transform you so that you can become a tool of transformation in His hands? Who around you is being changed because of your interaction with God? What’s different in your life today because you are in touch with God? Whose lives are different today because you touched their world with the love of Christ?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It all starts with catching a glimpse of God and going over to take a look to see what He is up to!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-size:100%;">To view the worship celebration related to this Next Step, visit <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1584.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1584.shtml</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> </span><p></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-11531937202990621502009-01-05T19:45:00.000-08:002009-01-05T19:53:33.911-08:00Do Angels Yawn?Based on Matthew 19:16-22<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Which ones?" the man inquired.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Jesus replied, “'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> "All these I have kept," the young man said.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.</span></blockquote><br /><br />What a waste! A young man who spoke to Jesus face-to-face, a man who had the opportunity to turn his life around. Yet he is known as the young man who went away sad, who chose his wealth and religious practices over truth and adventure.<br /><br />It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Most of us think—and some even dare to say—“if God would just make Himself known to me, if He would just tell me what to do, then I would follow Him, then I would turn my life around, then I would move forward in life with confidence and assurance.”<br /><br />But the problem isn’t with God and His communication. God has not hidden Himself. His truth is abundantly available to anyone who desires to know it.<br /><br />Jesus repeatedly said, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear”</span> (for example, in Mark 4:23).<br /><br />The problem is with our hearts. We want to <span style="font-weight: bold;">do</span> rather than follow. To learn, to check tasks off our spiritual checklists, instead of taking the risk of stepping out in faith.<br /><br />Which brings us back to the question “Do angels yawn?”<br /><br />The question “Do angels yawn?” sounds like a deeply theological question. I confess, when I first heard it, I thought the question referred to the angels in heaven as they observed and proclaimed the glory of God in all His majesty.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> the whole earth is full of his glory." </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.</span>—Isaiah 6:1-4</blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> and honor and glory and praise!"</span>—Revelation 5:11, 12</blockquote><br />Angels, however, do more than worship God in heaven. Angels are charged to care for God’s people, to watch over us, to serve us and act on our behalf—<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”</span>—Matthew 18:10, 11<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?</span>—Hebrews 1:14<br /></blockquote><br />Angels are part of those watching us in heaven—<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span>—Ephesians 3:10, 11</blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…</span>—Hebrews 12:1</blockquote><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">So what’s your race looking like? Are you running? Do you know where the finish line is? Are you pursuing God?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">How exciting is it for the angels watching your race? Is there anything for them to cheer about? Are they on their feet cheering you on right now?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Or are you satisfied with reading about the race? Stretching out, maybe even running in place, or practicing getting out of the starting block?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Are you satisfied with checking things off your spiritual checklist? Daily Bible reading, check. Prayer, check. Gave money to church, check. Don’t lie, cheat, or steal, check. Went to church, check. Remembered my mom’s birthday, check.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">What would it take for your angel to have something to do? To actually have to go to work on your behalf?</span><br /><br />To view the worship celebration related to this Next Step, visit <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1481.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1581.shtml<br /></a>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-51951467114235554172008-12-18T12:39:00.000-08:002008-12-18T12:43:11.052-08:00Traveling to the CribBased on Matthew 2:1-18<o:p></o:p></span></p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Judea and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”…After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">—Matthew 2:1, 2, 9-12<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m intrigued by two simple sentences in Matthew 2</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">—</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(v.2)<b style=""><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(v. 11)<b style=""><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Magi seem to live with a singular focus in life. They want to worship. They orient their lives around their desire and, as a result, they receive the fulfillment of their desire: they find the one they were seeking and they worship him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Solomon, widely known for his wisdom, tells us that God “set eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We were created for worship, for the eternal, for something greater than ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The wise men recognized signs of the eternal, of the divine, in the Jewish prophecies and writings they found. They took the information they had and followed it until it led them to the One to which the prophecies pointed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The desire for the eternal was so pressing that they went out of their comfort zone to a totally new land. They persevered in their quest</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">—traveling for several years, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">asking questions when they needed help, following the light that they had until it led them to their destination.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the star stopped, when it shone its light steadily at their destination, they accepted God’s answer to their quest, as unlikely as it might have seemed. After all, the king of the Jews housed in a common home, unknown to neighbors or political or religious leaders? How likely must that have seemed? Yet they accepted him as the One they had been seeking, the king of the Jews.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Magi experienced joy as their heart’s desire was fulfilled in discovering God’s chosen One.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They offered the Christ child their gifts and treasure. They weren’t just seeking knowledge; they were intent on worship, on offering their lives to the object of their worship. They weren’t casual sightseers, coming to inspect or gawk at what they saw. They were pilgrims, devoted to seeking God in response to His guidance and leading.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As the Magi left, they received guidance from God that protected them and sent them back along a different route. On the way to Judea, they had a story of being on the quest to discover God’s chosen One, to search out the truth, of seeking the eternal, planting seeds for others to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On the way home, they had a story of finding the fulfillment of the prophecies, of joy, of discovering eternal truth in a child born to a virgin, of God’s intimate guidance and protection, planting new seeds in new lives as they shared their story.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What grabs your attention in the Magi’s story?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What direction are you traveling? Are you seeking spiritual truth?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What are you willing to do to find spiritual truth?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Who do you go to for help when you need spiritual direction?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Have you accepted Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises and prophecies?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Having found Him, are you satisfied with God’s answer to the longing for the eternal in your heart? Or are you continuing to dabble in other philosophies and religions?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What gifts are you giving Him as an act of worship? What level of devotion do your gifts reflect?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How is worshiping the Christ child changing you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What stories are you telling others as you journey? How are you pointing them to Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To view the worship celebration related to this study, go to <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1572.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1572.shtml</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-55735677631627842852008-12-17T14:33:00.000-08:002008-12-17T14:40:27.204-08:00Missing the Crib<span style="font-size:100%;">Based on Matthew 2:1-18</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born….Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared….When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Matthew 2:3, 4, 7, 16</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Have you ever <i style="">missed</i> the crib? I’m not using <i style="">missed</i> as in feeling sentimental, experiencing a sense of longing or loss, about the crib. And not <i style="">missed</i> as in never meeting the infant God/man who was placed in the manger at birth, either, although that may be something for you to consider.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I’m talking about <i style="">missed</i> as in <i style="">ignoring</i> the crib, specifically the Holy One who was laid in the manger, overlooking the implications of the crib in living out a life of faith in Jesus. I think it’s easy to knock Herod when we begin thinking about missing the crib, but I wonder if we understand how easily we miss the crib as Christ-followers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Consider that Jesus’ birth meant that God was intersecting human history in a new and unique way. No longer could it be claimed that God was far removed from His people. In Jesus, God came to be known as Immanuel, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus shared in our humanity, that we are of the same family, and that Jesus was made like us in every way, to the point of suffering when He was tempted, so that He understands our suffering and is able to help us when we are tempted. (Hebrews 2:14-18) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In other words, Jesus "gets it" when we struggle to live the life Scripture talks about, and He is able to help us live by the Spirit's power.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So, here are some of the questions that I’ve been wrestling with</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What are the circumstances in my life in which I am being tempted to live as if Jesus had never come to that manger crib? Where I don’t really give a rip about the babe in the manger, where I prefer to give in to the temptation to live my life as it the world revolves around me? Succumbing to “feel good” philosophies? To emotions like hopelessness, despair or anger?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Where am I tempted to live like Herod, misusing people to feed my own ego, instead of serving them? Taking out my emotions on them? Using them instead of caring for them?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Where am I misleading others, pretending to seek out spiritual truth, but only so that I can twist it for my own purposes? So that I can boastfully throw around Scriptural truth like the Pharisees without every humbling myself to the God who gave that truth?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Where am I mistreating others, attacking them with abusive or slanderous language</i><i style="">—</i><i style="">if not outright killing them by the sword</i><i style="">—</i><i style="">in order to protect myself or build my own case, instead of seeing others through His eyes and speaking words that build them up?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">For me, these have been hard questions this Christmas season, not just theoretical, abstract questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >Do I really believe that Jesus came to the manger to usher in God’s kingdom, God’s rulership over all creation?</span></i></b><b style=""><span style=";color:red;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">If so, then I have a responsibility to live my life in a way that reflects His presence within me. Maybe it means actually seeking to live so that it is evident that the Holy Spirit is at work within me, shaping me, transforming me into the image of Christ. Simple things like being characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and oh, let’s not forget, self-control. (Galatians 5:22,23)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >Do I really believe the angel’s announcement of “on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests”?</span></i></b><b style=""><span style=";color:red;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">If so, then I have a responsibility to work for reconciliation in the broken relationships in my life. (Matthew 5:9)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";color:red;" >Do I really believe that Jesus gives me the power to live differently and that my life will reveal what I really hold dear, what I believe?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">If so, then I have to wrestle with my spiritual condition this Christmas as it is revealed not just in the words I say, but in the things I do. (Matthew 12:33-35)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Like us, Herod was surrounded by every opportunity to find out about Jesus. He ruled in Jerusalem, the center of the Jewish faith, surrounded by religious leaders and faithful people. But Herod wasn’t interested in the spiritual things.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Like us, Herod thought he had more important things to think about</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—he was caught up in the pull of power and position and making a name for himself. As far as he was concerned, other </span><span style="font-size:100%;">people existed only to serve him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">God’s plan broke through into Herod’s life through the Magi’s arrival. All of a sudden, Herod was aware that his ordered world was not secure.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">In what way is God using unexpected circumstances in your life to get your attention? What is your response revealing about your faith?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">How do you respond to Jesus’ arrival? Does His presence in the crib reshape your life, your relationships, your future? What difference does He want to make in your life and in the lives of those around you?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Or have you been missing the crib?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">To view the worship celebration Bible study related to this article, go to <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1571.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1571.shtml</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-20033842354317225112008-12-03T14:56:00.000-08:002008-12-03T15:06:31.495-08:00Just Sit Right Back and You'll Hear a TaleBased on Luke 2:14<o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Okay, take a moment and finish humming the theme song from Gilligan’s Island before we get started. Funny, isn’t it, how familiar that song is for those of us who watched the TV series?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Does the Christmas story fall into the same category for you</span>, so familiar that it brings a smile to your face and you walk around humming it, even though you may have forgotten the words<span style="font-size:12;">? Have you heard it so many times that the words of Luke 2 seem like a good friend</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;">familiar, expected, welcome, maybe even a little too familiar?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Maybe you even start to zone out when you hear the beginning of the story, just listening for your favorite part and perking up again when you know the end is coming.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Tale. The word itself conjures up thoughts of fairy tales, make believe, fantasy, children’s stories. When stories, even true stories, become overly familiar, we tend to go on auto-pilot in reading or hearing them. This story, this tale, over 2000 years old, is no fairy tale. It is amazing, supernatural, unexpected, yet predicted and documented in history.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Maybe we’ve just heard the story too many times. Could it be that we’ve allowed the familiar words to lull us to sleep so that we miss the power and significance of the tale of Jesus’ birth?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Take a moment to talk to God, asking Him to open your eyes and ears to the story of Jesus’ birth, then read through the following excerpt from Luke 2—</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.<span style=""> <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,<br /><span style="color:blue;"> <span style=""> </span>"Glory to God in the highest,<br /> and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size:12;">What stands out to you as read the story about Jesus’ birth?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">The simplicity of the first Christmas belied the wonder of what God was doing at that moment in history. Bethlehem was filled with the hustle and bustle of crowds, of frantic, travel-weary, crowds finding a place to spend the night. In the midst of it all, a baby was born, new life came into the world. In that everyday occurrence, the sacred intersected the ordinary.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Stop.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Did you catch it? The wonder? The awe? The mystery? The sacred? The divine moment?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">At that moment, angels worshiped</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">They proclaimed peace to frantic, harried, stressed, burdened men and women</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">They affirmed God’s love and care for us</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Try reading this simple phrase aloud, slowly, repeating it and each time, emphasizing a different word</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;" >Glory </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;color:blue;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">to God</span> </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God </span></i></b><b style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;" >in the highest</span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">,</span> and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, </span></i></b><b style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;" >and </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;color:blue;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">on earth</span> </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >peace to men on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and on earth </span></i></b><b style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;" >peace </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >to men on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;color:blue;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">to men</span> </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men </span></i></b><b style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;" >on whom </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom </span></i></b><b style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;" >his </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his </span></i></b><b style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;" >favor </span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor </span></i></b><b style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><i style=""><span style=";font-size:16;" >rests</span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">As you celebrate Christmas this year, this day, all year through, don’t miss the sacred, the divine, the wonder, the mystery. Don’t let the frantic nature of life, the everyday stresses, the hustle and bustle of living in the 21<sup>st</sup> century mar your ability to glimpse the sacred reality that God has become one of us, that His glory is revealed, that He has blessed us with peace, that He loves us, He really loves us.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Not just the generic “us” that is humankind, but the “us” that is you, and me, and the others all around you</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;">in your house, at your school, in your workplace, in the stores, and on the streets.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">As you walk through your days, allow the angels’ message to permeate your life and soul. Whisper</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;">to yourself and to a listening world</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=";font-size:12;color:blue;" >Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">You’ve memorized it by now, and you’ve prayed it as you’ve meditated on the angels’ words. Let it become your prayer as you move through your days.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Like the angels, take time to respond to God in worship this Christmas. Tell the tale to those around you. Proclaim the good news that, in Jesus, God is for us</span><span style="font-size:12;">—</span><span style="font-size:12;">and live it out!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Let your life tell a tale of worship, peace, and love this Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;">Now that’s a tale worth listening to!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-size:12;">Which part of the angels' message do you need to hear this Christmas? Wonder and worship? Peace? Love?</span></i><span style="font-size:12;"><br /><i><br /><br />Which part do those around you need to hear, not even necessarily in your words, but in the way you live and celebrate Christmas?</i><br /><br /><br /><i>What will you do to make the angels' message part of how you prepare for and celebrate Christmas?<br /><br /><br />How will your life proclaim the wonder, peace and love of Christmas to those around you?</i></span><span style="font-size:14;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:14;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="">To view the worship celebration related to this article, click <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1567.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1567.shtml</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-54998745822174424362008-11-24T13:37:00.000-08:002008-11-24T13:50:09.163-08:00Planting a Thanks-Living TreeBased on Psalm 71<br /><br />Quick, name 10 things you are thankful for—<br /><br />1.<br />2.<br />3.<br />4.<br />5.<br />6.<br />7.<br />8.<br />9.<br />10.<br /><br />Was it easy? Difficult? Was ten a stretch? Or can you keep on going?<br /><br />The problem with celebrating Thanksgiving one day a year is that the fourth Thursday of November catches us at a different place in life each year. Some years things are going great, some years life has taken a nasty turn. That’s life.<br /><br />It’s easy to praise God, to give thanks, to have a thankful heart, when things are going well. But what about when things aren’t going well? How easy is it for you to give thanks when things don’t look good?<br /><br />Jesus gave thanks to God even when there wasn’t much to give thanks for—a very small amount of food to feed a very large amount of people—<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.</span>—Matthew 14:19<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Where do you feel like you don’t have very much to be thankful for? What is the “little bit” that you can thank God for?</span><br /><br /><br />A danger of ignoring God’s basic gifts and not thanking Him is that this kind of lifestyle results in clouded, futile thinking and causes people to become fools—<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…</span><br />—Romans 1:20-22<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Where have you stopped giving God credit for your life and the gifts He has given you? How has that affected your thinking and attitude?</span><br /><br /><br />Thanking God even in the midst of anxiety allows God’s peace to transform our perspective—<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</span>—Philippians 4:4-7<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What difference do you think focusing on thanksgiving when you are anxious could make in your life?</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What are you anxious about? What do you want God to do about these things? What can—and will—you thank Him for in this situation?</span><br /><br /><br />The Next Step is easy—begin a practice of thanking God as a way of life. Use the Scriptures above and the categories Jeff suggested in the worship celebration to guide you.<br /><br />Each day, thank God for—<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Who you are</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What He has done for you</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What He is doing for you moment-by-moment</span><br /><br />As you read Scripture—<br />• Look for descriptions of God’s character and thank Him for who He is. Look for His promises and thank Him that His promises are true and dependable.<br />• Look for descriptions of His power and thank Him that His power is more than enough to meet your needs.<br />• Look for instances of His protection and care for His people and thank Him that He protects, sustains, and cares for you in ways of which you may be unaware.<br />• Thank Him that all that He is, He is for you.<br /><br />Allow this habit of thanksgiving to transform your life into thanks-living, 24/7/365.<br /><br />Why not start now by continuing that list you started earlier?<br />11.<br />12.<br />13.<br />14…<br /><br />To view the Worship Celebration related to this study, click <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1565.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1565.shtml</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1565.shtml"></a>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-58762927264538744482008-11-22T22:21:00.000-08:002008-11-22T22:29:28.996-08:00“If you chase two rabbits, both will escape”Based on John 21:15-21<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">“If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.”</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Proverbs</span><span style="font-size:100%;">…oops!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Oh yeah, this isn’t a scripture reference, it’s one of those pithy sayings that you know is true the moment you hear it, whether you’ve ever chased a rabbit or not. Ask Elmer Fudd and he’ll tell you that chasing one rabbit is enough to keep you busy for a lifetime.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">(Permit me to start with a personal confession, if you will. I’ve owned a rabbit, two of them, actually, just not at the same time. I know that chasing one rabbit alone is a challenge, they’re quick and they turn on a dime. And I’ve actually chased multiple rabbits at once, given that once upon a time I worked as an attendant for an Easter promotion called Bunnyland. I’m guessing you can figure that one out.)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">John 21:15-21 isn’t about rabbits. The passage recounts Jesus’ conversation with Peter after the cross and Jesus’ resurrection. Take a listen—<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" <span style=""> </span>He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=""> </span>Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=""> </span>Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style=""> </span>Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Jesus is very specific with Peter. Loving Jesus is an all-consuming activity that shapes a person’s whole life.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">There is no looking for success (although there were successes in Peter’s life). There is no looking around at other people to compare your life with theirs. There is no room for self-promotion.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">There is only loving Jesus so much that your life begins to be shaped by the things that are central to Him</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—loving God and </span><span style="font-size:100%;">serving others on the Father’s behalf.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="color:red;">How has your love for Jesus reshaped your focus in life?<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">From the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6 through His final talks with the disciples before the cross, Jesus speaks of living life with the single focus of loving God and serving others. (See Matthew 6:19-24; 31.)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In Matthew 22, Jesus inseparably links loving God and loving others.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” <span style=""> </span><span id="en-NIV-23908">Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. <span id="en-NIV-23910">And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'<sup> </sup>All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."<br /></span></span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Matthew 22:36-40<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus gives them a new command</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. <span id="en-NIV-26655">By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."</span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">John 13:34, 35<b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Jesus’ words cut across our very human and self-centered natures. He asks us to take all the energy we spend on our own lives, focusing on our personal needs and wants, and aim it upward to God and outward to others, as He did.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Mark 10:45<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">New Testament writers continue this theme</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love<span id="en-NIV-23908">….</span></i></b><b style=""><i style="">You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, <span style="">serve</span> one another in love.</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Galatians 5:13<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—1 John 3:18<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="color:red;">Where is your faith and love for God spilling over into action so that others actually experience God’s love through you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Serving others took Jesus into the messy reality of people’s lives. Serving others took His first followers out of their comfort zones</span><span style="font-size:100%;">. Servants don’t get to chose the who, what, when, and where of serving.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">While serving others on Jesus’ behalf is a noble cause, it is often less than glamorous. Even Jesus’ most noble and significant moment of serving us on the cross was filled with agony, sweat, pain and tears.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Jesus’ servants serve as He did, where God sends them, as He needs us to serve.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.”<br /></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">John 12:26<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="color:red;">How does your love for God enable you to keep serving when the going gets tough?<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Keep your focus on the single focus that Jesus calls us to</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">loving God and loving others as an expression of our love for God. Allow Him to pour His love into you so that you can draw from the inexhaustible wells of His love.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">People are difficult to love. Jesus knows that. You aren’t limited to loving and serving others out of your own supply of self-centered love. As you allow God’s love to permeate your life, it will begin to reshape you, to saturate you, and to overflow from you into the lives of those closest to you.<i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="color:red;">How are you deepening your love relationship with God, to allow His love to permeate your life, so that He can love others through you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="color:red;">Who do you need God’s Spirit to empower you to love? What would that look like?<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.</i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">—Ephesians 3:17-19<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Jesus is asking</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Do you love me?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="color:red;">Who are you serving and loving in Jesus’ name?<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style="color:red;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">To see the worship celebration linked to this Bible study, go to <a href="http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1562.shtml">http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1562.shtml</a></span>.</p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-25292847172367973362008-11-05T12:30:00.000-08:002008-11-05T12:33:19.795-08:00Half Time TalkBased on <b style=""><i style="">Acts 1</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What’s your favorite halftime speech? Was it one you heard as a player on a sports team? Maybe a scene from a sports movie comes to mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Halftime talks come right in the middle of the game. Whether your team is up or down, you’ve been struggling to achieve a goal, to win, and there’s more to come. You aren’t done yet, this is just a brief break in the action to help you catch your breath and regroup before heading into the next phase of the game.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Acts 1 is that halftime place between Jesus’ victory on the cross and the viral spread of His message through the followers He commissions to go back onto the field. They’ve experienced tremendous things as they walked with Jesus</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">—</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">miracles that defy human explanation; teaching that amazes, astounds, and confounds human logic; and love and forgiveness that creates an intimacy they’ve never known before.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After Jesus’ amazing and seemingly unbelievable resurrection from the dead, they’ve spent 40 days in His presence. It’s been a time unlike any other they’ve ever experienced. As Jesus points them to the future, He promises them power from on high, supernatural power, the ability to do even more than He has done.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now comes the bombshell</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">—</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He’s leaving. He won’t be with them in person as they move out of the locker room and back onto the field. Initially, they misunderstand.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So, is it time, then? Are you calling the game? Is it time for the post-game party?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">No, that’s not the plan. The game will continue. With the score unchangeably in their favor, they need to go out and play, giving it all they’ve got, confident that they will prevail.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Where are you in the game of life, in the struggle to live out your faith in God in the midst of your personal circumstances?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Are you sitting on the bench, waiting to get in the game? Maybe you’re dirty and bruised, limping a bit. Maybe you’ve had some great plays and you can’t wait for more. Maybe you’re tired, even discouraged.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Halftime is a time to pull aside and hear what the coach has to say. He’s committed to you, he knows your strength and ability, and he has a game plan. He wants to motivate you for what’s to come, to get you re-energized so you can give it all you’ve got until the very last second of the game.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Discouragement always steals hope, energy, focus, and courage. Discouragement is never from God, it is a tool used by the enemy of our souls to cause us to doubt God’s love and ability to work in and through us.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus had times of discouragement and fatigue that caused Him to turn to the Father for the encouragement He needed to keep going. Because He received encouragement from God, He was able to pass on that same encouragement to His disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What tends to discourage you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’ve always enjoyed the fact that the word <b style="">courage </b>is at the heart of the word <b style="">encouragement</b>. When I am encouraged, I find the hope and resolve to move forward, to commit myself anew, and to see the possible steps I can take to move ahead as I envision a future characterized by life and hope.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How does encouragement affect your ability to live life?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How does God encourage you when you’re discouraged?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Where do you need encouragement right now and how do these Scripture passages encourage you to get back in the game?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">John 14:16, 17<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Romans 1:11, 12<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Romans 8:26, 27<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. <span id="en-NIV-28129">And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Romans 8:34<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Romans 12:6-8<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. <span id="en-NIV-28238">If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; <span id="en-NIV-28239">if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Romans 15:4-6<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, <span id="en-NIV-28295">so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2 Corinthians 1:3-5<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, <span id="en-NIV-28789">who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. <span id="en-NIV-28790">For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Philippians 2:1-4<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, <span id="en-NIV-29378">then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. <span id="en-NIV-29379">Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. <span id="en-NIV-29380">Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.</span></span></span></span></i></b><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you’re in need of a halftime talk, I hope you’ve found words of encouragement here, words that reinvigorate you and give you the courage you need to get back in the game.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">One final word of encouragement<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Great halftime speeches are meant to be remembered and shared. Ask God to send someone your way who needs encouragement, and then encourage them with the encouragement He has given you. Point them to Him, the Great Encourager. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-41049653744701417332008-11-04T23:46:00.000-08:002008-11-04T23:52:09.136-08:00Whatta Comeback!<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Based on 1 Peter 5:10</span><o:p style="font-family: arial;"></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Peter’s two letters in the back of the New Testament are often overlooked. It’s easy to do, I guess. They’re short, hard to find, and they are, after all, near the end of the Bible, tucked away between Hebrews and Revelation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Peter himself has a larger-than-life reputation, mostly centered on his early days. We remember him as a fisherman, bold and confident, proclaiming Jesus as Messiah before contradicting Jesus’ plan; walking on water before sinking and calling out to Jesus to rescue him; refusing Jesus’ offer to clean his feet before asking Jesus to wash his hands and head as well; proclaiming his loyalty before denying and deserting Jesus…and the list goes on. (Try doing a word search at <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">www.BibleGateway.com</a> on “Simon Peter” to skim through Peter’s life in the New Testament.)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Peter’s successes are recorded for all to see, along with his failures. As hard as it is for us to have others know how we’ve failed, Peter’s failures help us relate to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Where do you identify with Peter’s failures?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We find common ground in the shared reality of knowing that, even with the best of intentions, we all fail—and sometimes we fail spectacularly, as Peter did.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">When you stop to think about it, Peter’s failures, in and of themselves, aren’t really what draw us to him. I think it’s actually the way Jesus meets Peter in the midst of his failure that gives us hope.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">While we might be tempted to write off someone who fails as often as Peter did, Jesus never does. Jesus doesn’t overlook Peter’s failures, nor does He abandon Peter in the midst of his failure; rather, Jesus confronts Peter’s failures and restores Him</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">time and time again.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Where are you in need of a comeback?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">God’s restorative nature is revealed early in His relationship with His people. In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve disobey God in the Garden of Eden, God comes looking for them, refusing to leave them isolated and trapped in their sin. His question to them</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">and to us</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;">reveals His heart: “Where are you?” God’s desire for relationship with His people is so great that He humbles Himself to meet us at the point of our need.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The theme of restoration stretches throughout the Old Testament, finding some of its most poignant expression in the Psalms.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Which of the following Psalms speaks to your need for restoration today?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Psalm 23 speaks of the LORD’s intimate care of us</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;"> 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,<br /> he leads me beside quiet waters, <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 3 he restores my soul.<br /> He guides me in paths of righteousness<br /> for his name's sake. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Psalm 51 is a heartfelt cry for mercy and restoration</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 1 Have mercy on me, O God,<br /> according to your unfailing love;<br /> according to your great compassion<br /> blot out my transgressions. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 2 Wash away all my iniquity<br /> and cleanse me from my sin. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 3 For I know my transgressions,<br /> and my sin is always before me. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned<br /> and done what is evil in your sight,<br /> so that you are proved right when you speak<br /> and justified when you judge. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 5 Surely I was sinful at birth,<br /> sinful from the time my mother conceived me. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;<br /> you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;<br /> wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 8 Let me hear joy and gladness;<br /> let the bones you have crushed rejoice. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 9 Hide your face from my sins<br /> and blot out all my iniquity. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,<br /> and renew a steadfast spirit within me. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 11 Do not cast me from your presence<br /> or take your Holy Spirit from me. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation<br /> and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,<br /> and sinners will turn back to you. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,<br /> the God who saves me,<br /> and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 15 O Lord, open my lips,<br /> and my mouth will declare your praise. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;<br /> you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;<br /> a broken and contrite heart,<br /> O God, you will not despise. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <h4 style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:100%;" >Listen to the last part of Psalm 71 as the writer declares his hope that he will see God’s restoration in the midst of the troubles in his life</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: normal;">—</span><o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 19 Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,<br /> you who have done great things.<br /> Who, O God, is like you? <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,<br /> you will restore my life again;<br /> from the depths of the earth<br /> you will again bring me up. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 21 You will increase my honor<br /> and comfort me once again. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 22 I will praise you with the harp<br /> for your faithfulness, O my God;<br /> I will sing praise to you with the lyre,<br /> O Holy One of Israel. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""> 23 My lips will shout for joy<br /> when I sing praise to you—<br /> I, whom you have redeemed.</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts<br /> all day long,<br /> for those who wanted to harm me<br /> have been put to shame and confusion.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, God’s anointed one, spoke of one who would bring restoration for God’s people, which many of Jesus’ followers interpreted as political restoration for the nation of Israel. In contrast, Jesus brought restoration to individuals, restoring withered bodies and sight to the blind, restoring dignity and worth to those who had been cast aside, and restoring broken relationships with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What kind of restoration are you longing for today?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">As a follower of Jesus, Peter experienced His restoration firsthand. Peter wrote to brothers and sisters in Christ in 1 Peter 5:10, sharing his personal testimony that God will not leave us at our point of failure, that there is hope beyond failure, that God is a God of “comebacks.” He meets us in our brokenness, restores us, and calls us to move forward in faith, living out of the overflow of relationship with Him, in the power of His Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">What personal testimony of restoration can you share with others to encourage them?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Timothy, one of Peter’s contemporaries, reminds us that Jesus is wholeheartedly committed to us</span><span style="font-size:100%;">—</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style="">if we are faithless,<br /> he will remain faithful,<br /> for he cannot disown himself.</i></b>—2 Timothy 2:13</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Our brokenness, the point at which we acknowledge our failure, is not the end of the road, it is the starting point for the restoration and hope that Jesus offers us. Let your brokenness lead you to hope in Christ, not your own efforts; then let that hope find its fulfillment in Him and let your life become a living work of restoration that draws others to Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It’s never too late and you’re never too far gone. Just ask Peter.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Brokenness is realizing He is all we have.</i><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Hope is realizing He is all we need.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Joy is realizing He is all we want.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">—Larry Crabb</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-89924115030890511682008-10-28T13:51:00.000-07:002008-10-29T08:45:00.566-07:00It’s Time to Make Your Move!<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >What holds you back from moving forward in faith?</span><br /><br />If an answer to that question immediately pops to mind, you’re not alone. Many people in the Bible struggled to step forward in response to God’s call. Moses responded to God’s clear call with questions and excuses about why he couldn’t do what God was asking him to do, before becoming the great leader of Israel.<br /><br />After Moses’ death, Joshua finds himself in the position of following in the footsteps of his mentor, now charged with completing the task of leading God’s people to enter the Promised Land. Imagine what it would be like to step into Moses’ shoes!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Joshua 1:1-5</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."<br /></span><br />It might be easy to dismiss Moses and Joshua as potential role models for our lives. Few of us find ourselves in the position of leading millions of people out of slavery and into a new land. Few of us find ourselves called to lead the charge in massive change efforts. Even those of us who find ourselves in leadership positions are not often the topic of news headlines.<br /><br />But each of us has the same choice in front of us: <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-style: italic;">Will I follow God today?</span><br /><br />Success comes from following God faithfully in the small things of life, by responding faithfully to what God places in front of us in this moment.<br /><br />What are you facing today? What is the situation in which God is calling you to display your faith in Him today?<br /><br />Today. Today is the only time we have in which we can obey God. We can’t go back and relive yesterday. We can’t live tomorrow until the sun rises. Today is the moment in which we decide to trust Him with our yesterdays and to follow Him into our tomorrows.<br /><br />Out of the 203 verses where we read the word “today” in Scripture, the very first time it appears is revealing—<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."</span>—Genesis 4:13, 14<br /><br />Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, tries to avoid responsibility for his behavior and accuses God of being unfair toward him. Cain portrays an all too human tendency to blame God for our circumstances instead of taking responsibility for our lives.<br /><br />Some of us may struggle with a sense of injustice and suffering over our past, either over injuries inflicted on us by others or from guilt over personal choices. Others of us may be mourning the loss of past success or loved ones. God is able to take our pain-filled yesterdays and redeem them if we will trust Him with them today.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Where are you tempted to live in light of yesterday instead of today?</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What encouragement do you find in these passages as you reflect on the past in light of God’s presence today?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,<br /> you will restore my life again;<br /> from the depths of the earth<br /> you will again bring me up.<br />You will increase my honor<br /> and comfort me once again.</span>—Psalm 71:20, 21<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.</span>—Psalm 147:3<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;<br />save me and I will be saved,<br />for you are the one I praise.</span>—Jeremiah 17:14<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Forget the former things;<br /> do not dwell on the past.<br />See, I am doing a new thing!<br /> Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?<br /> I am making a way in the desert<br /> and streams in the wasteland.”</span>—Isaiah 43:18, 19<br /><br />Have you come to the point where you can look at the injustices that have been done to you and say, like Joseph—<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."</span>—Exodus 50:20<br /><br />If you carry burdens from your past—sins that need to be confessed and forgiven, hurts that need cleansed and healed, grief that needs to be mourned and comforted—today is the day to leave your past with God and move into the future He has planned for you. God’s truth will set you on the path toward healing, if you will allow His Spirit and truth to penetrate your soul.<br /><br />As you bring your past to God, you are increasingly free to focus on what God has for you today—<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.</span>—Philippians 4:8, 9<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,<br /> when it is in your power to act.<br />Do not say to your neighbor,<br /> "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—<br /> when you now have it with you.</span>—Proverbs 3:27, 28<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.</span>—Matthew 6:33, 34<br /><br />As you move into the future, you can be confident that the God who redeems your yesterdays, the <span style="font-style: italic;">“God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” </span>(Philippians 2:13), this same God holds your future and walks with you into the future He has planned for you. His promises are true and His promises await you in the future.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."</span>—Joshua 1:7-9<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.</span>—Hebrews 13:8<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.</span>—2 Corinthians 1:20<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.</span>—2 Timothy 1:7<br /><br />It’s time to make your move into the future God has planned for you since the beginning of time. The world is full of broken and hurting people who need the promises and touch of God as desperately as you do. You are part of His plan to touch and change the world today.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >What are you waiting for? It’s time to make your move!</span>Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-50573824844228670292008-10-28T13:46:00.000-07:002008-10-29T08:07:42.268-07:00Life’s Too Short…To be Negative!Based on Numbers 13-14<br /><br />In last week’s Next Step, we talked about combating an attitude of entitlement that, at its most basic level, believes that God owes us.<br /><br />This week’s Next Step deals with another common attitude, excusing our negative attitudes and behavior by claiming “that’s just the way I am,” which translates to elevating ourselves beyond the realm of God’s ability to shape us to be like Christ, in essence, blaming God for our sinful attitudes and behavior.<br /><br />Are we powerless to change our attitudes and behavior?<br /><br />Thinking that we are powerless to change might hold up if Jesus simply died on the cross to forgive our sin, and then stayed dead. Then we would have forgiveness, but no hope of ever breaking free of sinful patterns that bind us.<br /><br />That isn’t how the story ends in my Bible. How about yours?<br /><br />In my Bible, Jesus refuses to stay in the tomb. Three days later, He actually rises from the dead to new life. Then He offers His life to us in exchange for our sin. Just as death could not hold Him in its power, sinful patterns of death have no power over us.<br /><br />God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.—Paul, writing in 2 Corinthians 5:21<br /><br />Paul says that we are not simply forgiven; we are given the righteousness of God in exchange for our sin. Christ took on our sin, accepting God’s punishment for sin on our behalf. At the same time, Jesus made His righteousness available to those who received His sacrifice on their behalf, and clothes them in God’s perfect righteousness.<br /><br />Our power to live lives that reflect God’s righteousness flows from His Spirit. Writing to the Galatian believers, Paul reveals the secret to breaking sin’s hold in our lives—<br /><br />So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.—Galatians 5:16<br /><br />To the Ephesian believers, Paul put it this way—<br /><br />You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.—Ephesians 4:22-24<br /><br />It is possible, Paul says, to break free from the power of sin and to live changed lives that reflect new life in Christ. When we do sin, John shows us the way to move forward, reminding us that God’s response when we own up to our sin goes beyond forgiveness to include cleansing and renewal:<br /><br />If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.—1 John 1:9<br /><br />“Wait a minute,” you might say, “that’s all fine and good, but my negativity isn’t a sin. It is simply part of who I am. I see the world as it really is. I see the obstacles that other people choose to overlook. It’s my God-given nature and responsibility to point out the problems I see. My negative attitude is simply part of the discernment God gave me.”<br /><br />Do you see negativity as sin? If not, what evidence can you point to in the life of Christ that negativity honors God?<br /><br /><br />As you consider the attitude you bring to life, reflect on Philippians 2:1-5 and ask yourself how your daily attitude reflects the presence of Christ in your life.<br /><br /><br /><br />How do we overcome negativity?<br /><br />The first step in overcoming negativity is to recognize it in our lives. Let’s take a look at the dictionary to help us get a clear picture of what negative attitudes and behavior looks like.<br /><br />“Characterized by habitual skepticism and a disagreeable tendency to deny or oppose or resist suggestions or commands”<br />—"negativity." WordNet® 3.0. Princeton University. 22 Oct. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/negativity>.<br /><br /> “Lacking positive or constructive features: unpleasant, disagreeable; gloomy, pessimistic; hostile or disparaging; malicious”<br />—"negativity." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 22 Oct. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/negativity>.<br /><br />Where do you tend to resist God’s power to remake you, claiming that it’s impossible for you to change?<br /><br /><br />Which of the words from the dictionary definitions of negativity could be used to describe you?<br /><br /><br />How does this negativity manifest itself in your life? Has it become habitual? In what specific situations or toward which specific people do you tend to become negative?<br /><br /><br />How is your negative attitude getting in the way of God’s ability to you us to touch and change the world for Christ?<br /><br /><br />Where does your negative attitude reveal a need for you to humble yourself before God, confess your sins, and allow Him to purify your thoughts, attitudes, and actions? Are you ready to do that?<br /><br /><br />Who do you need to confess your negativity to and ask for their forgiveness?<br /><br /><br />God will forgive our negativity, and He stands ready to remake us in the image of Jesus. However, we don’t combat a negative attitude by simply focusing on removing it from your life.<br /><br />The next step in overcoming negativity is to refocus on living by His Spirit, to be made new in the attitude of our minds, allowing God’s thoughts to reshape our thoughts and the patterns of our lives. This positive focus will fill the void left by asking God to remove our negative tendencies.<br /><br />Romans 12:2 echoes Paul’s thoughts in Ephesians 4:23-24, telling us that it is possible to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that our lives reveal God’s design for how life is to be lived.<br /><br />Which of the following character qualities will you begin to develop in place of the negative qualities that have taken hold in you? Pick one to start with.<br />Love<br />Joy<br />Peace<br />Patience<br />Kindness<br />Goodness<br />Faithfulness<br />Gentleness<br />Self-control<br />Hope<br />Trust in God<br /><br />You can use www.biblegateway.com to find verses in the Bible that focus on the quality that you want to develop, and meditate on those verses. Pick one and memorize it over the next week to help you focus your mind on a God-shaped positive attitude.<br /><br />Finally, personal change is either enhanced or undermined by relationships.<br /><br />Who encourages your tendency toward negativity? Who encourages your desire to live a life that reflects God?<br /><br /><br />How can you build more time into your life to be with people who encourage you to focus on God’s life-changing power?<br /><br /><br />Who will you encourage by your positive, God-focused attitude this week?Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-24686199397484345842008-10-28T13:35:00.000-07:002008-10-29T08:12:06.404-07:00Life's Too Short...To Be Envious! - Mean, Green, Soul-Rotting MachineEnvy: “a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.”<br />--"envy." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 07 Oct. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/envy>.<br /><br />Envy is an ugly word. Short. Abrupt. Say it aloud. “Envy.” It doesn’t <span style="font-style:italic;">flow </span>smoothly off the tongue; it sort of hangs there, suspended in midair, exposing an inner ugliness that we can’t hide. It almost sounds like a curse word. Come to think of it, envy ends up as a curse for those who indulge in it, short-circuiting the ability to live a life of gratitude and fulfillment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What does Scripture say about envy?</span><br /><br />As you read through these passages, ask God to show you which one you need to take to heart today.<br /><br />First, notice how envy show up in Paul’s description of love:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.</span>—1 Corinthians 13:4-8<br /><br />Look at the effect of envy on the person who indulges in it:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.</span>—Proverbs 14:30<br /><br />Envy motivated the religious leaders to turn against Jesus:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.</span>—Matthew 27:17, 18<br /><br />Envy is listed among the acts of the sinful nature against which we are cautioned, in contrast to the characteristics of a Spirit-led life:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. <br /> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.</span>—Galatians 5:19-26<br /><br />James warns about denying or harboring the presence of envy in our lives, and points us to the characteristics of wisdom that come from heaven:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. <br /> But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.</span>—James 3:13-18<br /><br />Peter directs believers to rid themselves of envy and to grow up in their salvation:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart…Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.</span>—1 Peter 1:22, 2:1-3<br /><br />Entitlement is a close friend of envy, and is a prevalent mindset today. Unlike envy, entitlement has a sense of intellectualism, justice, and righteousness about it. It doesn’t seem to bother us as much to admit to feeling entitled.<br /><br />What do you feel entitled to have or entitled to do, regardless of the impact it has on others?<br /><br />Remember the line from Disney’s The Kid, when the psychologist tells Russ Duritz that he is “entitled to a 50 minute hour, just like everyone else”? Always makes me laugh! Yet, having an attitude of entitlement isn’t a laughing matter.<br /><br />Entitlement: “qualified for by right according to law; ‘we are all entitled to equal protection under the law’."<br />--"entitled." WordNet® 3.0. Princeton University. 07 Oct. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/entitled>.<br /><br />Governments define the rights that their citizens are qualified to receive. But many of us have taken entitlement to a new level. Forget what the government says we’re entitled to, we think we’re entitled to have it all!<br /><br />We think the world owes us…something, whatever we need, whatever we want, whatever others have—in short, everything the world has to offer. <br /><br />In Philippians 3:20, Paul tells us that we are citizens of heaven. This is good news, yet we may be tempted to live a lifestyle of entitlement when it comes to spiritual matters, too. While most of us wouldn’t be so bold as to blurt it out in front of others, the basic attitude that drives both envy and entitlement is pretty straightforward:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">“God owes me!”</span><br /><br />Have you ever uttered those words, or thought them? Maybe it’s more subtle for you, maybe you’re not even aware that a tendency to envy or entitlement lurks in your unconscious, until things go wrong and you find yourself wondering how this, whatever “this” is, could happen to you!<br /><br />Have you ever found yourself acting like you deserve more than what you have, thinking that life is unfair? What do you think you deserve?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What does Scripture say that we are entitled to?</span><br /><br />All that we have as believers is through Christ, because of His sacrifice on our behalf. The New Testament is filled with the benefits that we reap through coming to God through Jesus. Try looking up Romans 5 and highlight the things we have received through Christ. Here are a few things to get you started:<br /><br />1 peace with God<br />3-5 hope in suffering<br />10-11 reconciliation to God...<br /><br />Moving on to other books in the New Testament, we find that we are free to:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”</span>—Hebrews 4:16<br /><br />We can be confident that God will finish what He started in us:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.</span>”—Philippians 1:6<br /><br />We can be confident that God hears and answers our prayers:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“…if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”</span>—1 John 5:14, 15<br /><br />We can be confident that God is for us and that nothing that happens to us, as bad as it might be, can separate us from His love:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose….If God is for us, who can be against us?...Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."</span>—Romans 8:28, 31, 35, 37-39<br /><br />These blessings through Christ, the things we are entitled to spiritually, are just the tip of the iceberg! Yet envy and a sense of entitlement trip up many who claim to know Christ.<br /><br />Envy and entitlement destroy our ability to enjoy the life that God has given us, to receive His blessings, to appreciate His grace, and to experience the encouragement and support of Christian community.<br /><br />Envy causes us to grasp after things that belong only to God—judgment, control, position, power, authority—and to blame Him and others instead of taking responsibility for our own lives and choices. It turns us from worship and gratitude to complaining, bitterness, resentment and grasping. It separates us from God and others, destroying the very relationships that God designed to sustain us.<br /><br />Where is envy destroying your relationship with God? With others?<br /><br />What blessings sustain you as a Christ-follower?<br /><br />What changes do you need to make to destroy envy’s power and receive the blessings Christ has for you?Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-78017268800202157832008-10-28T13:27:00.000-07:002008-10-29T08:18:58.466-07:00Life's Too Short...Not to Fish! - REEL Fisheristic"Come, follow me..."<br /><br />Are you a dabbler? You know, flitting from one thing to another, trying something until you’re bored or it gets too hard or the next most interesting thing comes along?<br /><br />I’ve been a dabbler in my life—couldn’t decide on a major in college, had a variety of unfinished projects laying around from hobbies that I didn’t stick with, and let’s not even discuss the number of half-read or just-started-but-never-finished books on my shelf. Focusing on one thing only worked for a little while, then I was on to something new.<br /><br />I was the same way spiritually. After Jesus invited me to follow Him, I started out okay, but then I got distracted. I bounced back and forth for several decades, actually. What sounded fairly simple, “Follow me,” wasn’t that simple in my life. It seemed like I could follow everything else but Jesus, going first one way, then another, chasing every spiritual teacher or path that I stumbled upon. After wandering for a while, I would realize I was at a dead end (or on a path that I really didn’t want to be on) and find my way back to Jesus.<br /><br />If you do a word search on www.biblegateway.com, you’ll find the word follow used in various ways in the New Testament. Matthew 4:19 is the first time we hear Jesus’ invitation to specific people to follow Him—<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."</span><br /><br />It’s followed immediately in verse 20 by the disciples’ response—<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">At once they left their nets and followed him.</span><br /><br />What is your response to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him?<br /><br /><br />What does following Jesus look like today? Here are a few suggestions:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Following Jesus is a personal matter—<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."</span>-- John 21:22<br /><br />It really isn’t about anyone else in your family or circle of friends, it is up to you to accept the invitation to follow. Jesus was aware that some people would chose to follow and some would refuse the invitation. Other people’s decisions are not an excuse to keep us from following Jesus.<br /><br />What have you used as an excuse not to follow Jesus?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Get to know Jesus while you are following Him</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”</span>—John 14:5-7<br /><br />Walking together is a great way to get to know another person. As you travel together, there is time to talk, to speak of everyday things and things that really matter, to laugh and even to cry, to make new discoveries and to create memories.<br /><br />What are you learning about Jesus as you follow Him?<br /><br />How is your understanding of Jesus deeper today than it was a day, a week, a month, or a year ago?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To follow Jesus, you have to move</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."</span>—Matthew 8:18-20<br /><br />Following is a verb. As a verb, it implies motion, action, and movement. Following Jesus isn’t a static concept. Following Jesus involves participation and personal effort. You can’t follow someone who is standing still and you can’t follow someone if you remain standing still. Jesus is always on the move, and following Him means that you can’t stay in the same place where He first called you. He is moving on and you’ll have to keep moving to keep up with Him.<br /><br />Where are you in your journey of faith compared to where you started?<br /><br />Where is Jesus taking you now?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To follow Jesus, you have to keep pace with Him and let Him lead the way</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished…</span>—Mark 10:32<br /><br />I walk with some friends each week. The funny thing about that is that my friends have longer legs than me, so I’m always moving to keep up with them. I think of Jesus like that, actually. In Mark 10, Jesus is traveling on a mission, traveling to Jerusalem, where He will go to the cross. His followers are hurrying behind Him on the road, because He is walking with purpose. On the way, He ends up stopping in Jericho before heading out again.<br /><br />Where is Jesus leading you, perhaps to a place you don’t understand? Are you letting Him lead the way or are you trying to get Him to follow you instead?<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />To follow Jesus, you have to stay close enough to see or hear Him</span><br /><br />I sometimes think it must have been easier to follow God in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God made Himself visible to the Israelites by a cloud by day and fire by night. Pretty simple stuff, move when the cloud moves, stop with it stops. You can always see God visibly, regardless of the time of day or night.<br /><br />In the New Testament, Jesus was physically present, able to be spoken to, seen, and heard. You knew if He was in town or on the road. Well, except for the times He would leave town without the crowds, and they went looking for Him. Still and all, He was physically visible.<br /><br />As Jesus was getting ready to go to the cross and then to return to heaven, He prepared His followers for what the next stage of following Him was going to look like: the presence of the Holy Spirit leading and guiding them.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.<br />“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”</span>—John 16:7-15<br /><br />Here are some practical tips for staying close to Jesus and letting His Spirit guide you:<br /><br />1. Listen for His voice —<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.</span>—John 10:4<br /><br />2. Get to know what truth sounds like—<br /><br />Read truth in the Bible. Listen to truth from Bible teachers—Bible studies, sermons, podcasts, CDs. Let God’s truth reshape your mind and heart, and renew your thinking.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.</span>—Colossians 3:1<br /><br />3. Keep an open relationship with the Spirit—<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God</span>—Ephesians 4:30<br /><br />You keep an open relationship with someone by being honest about who you are, asking forgiveness when you hurt them, and staying in relationship with them. Confess your failures to God, receive His forgiveness, and don’t let your failures be an excuse to quit following Him!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.</span>—1 John 1:5-10<br /><br />How is your relationship with the Holy Spirit?<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Following Jesus sometimes means you head into storms</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"</span>—Matthew 8:23-27<br /><br />The thing about following Jesus into storms is that you’re following JESUS into those storms. He is with you. He is in control, even if you don’t realize it. He will bring you through it, and you will know Him more truly, and be amazed at the One you follow!<br /><br />What are you learning about Jesus because of the storms He is taking you through?<br /><br /><br />Following Jesus will shape your purpose, passion, persistence, and partnership with Him. It will infuse your life with His purpose, passion, and persistence, and it will result in an increasingly deep partnership with Him.<br /><br />What about you? Are you a spiritual dabbler? On again, off again, when it comes to following Jesus? Choosing to follow Him, alone if necessary? Out of shape? Hard of hearing? Or are you learning to hear His voice; learning to follow Him in your life, learning to follow Him to those who need His touch?<br /><br />Who are you encouraging to follow Jesus? What lessons can you share with them about how to keep following when you’re tempted to dabble?Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-87681221475659260392008-10-28T13:21:00.000-07:002008-10-29T08:27:14.522-07:00Count on It!Based on Hebrews 11<br /><br />What are you counting on in life? What do you think, hope, and believe will get you through? What is your firm foundation in life? What is most important to you, the thing you hold on to above all else?<br /><br />One way to discover what is important to a person is to listen to how they talk. This same principle applies to reading and studying the Bible, so take some time to read Hebrews 11 in your Bible or at www.biblegateway.com (the link is found in the Web Steps list to the right). Look for repeated words or phrases as you read.<br /><br />What did you discover as you read through the passage in Hebrews 11 for yourself?<br /><br /><br />Were you, like me, struck by the number of times you read the word <span style="font-weight:bold;">faith </span>and the phrase <span style="font-weight:bold;">by faith</span>? <br /><br />I counted 23 uses of the phrase "by faith," plus another four uses of the word "faith" (v.1-Now faith is…, v.6-And without faith it is…, v.33-who through faith…, v.39-…commended for their faith…).<br /><br />One thing I noticed was that each time the phrase "by faith" is used, it is followed (in every case but one) by a person’s name or a personal pronoun. It does not typically say “by faith problems disappeared” or “by faith circumstances changed” or “by faith life was easy and carefree.” Instead, the writer told the stories of people who lived by faith in the face of great challenges—people like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and his parents, Rahab, and countless others, many unnamed—which leads me to wonder:<br /><br />What would it look like if my name—or your name—followed the words “by faith”?<br />Would your story look like any of the people whose stories we read in Hebrews 11?<br /><br />Each of these people had challenging situations that required them to exercise faith in God, to live their lives based on who they knew God to be, regardless of the difficulty before them. Many of their stories are found in Genesis and Exodus, if you want to look them up and get the details. The thread that ties them all together is found in the first few verses of Hebrews 11—<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for….</span><br /><br />What do you think they hoped for?<br /><br />What do you hope for when times are rough?<br /><br />What kind of hope do these Scripture passages offer? What hope do they offer you in overcoming the challenges you face today?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.</span>—Psalm 25:3<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.</span>—Psalm 31:24<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.</span>—Psalm 33:20<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.</span>—Psalm 33:22<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.</span>—Psalm 42:11<br /><br />What is the source of the writer’s hope in Psalm 119:43, 74, 81, 119, and 147?<br /><br />What do you do to find hope from this source?<br /><br />What difference does it make in your life for you to find hope in this way? How does finding hope in this way increase your ability to live by faith?<br /><br />Living by faith, being sure of what we hope for and confident of what we do not see, is not a one-time event; it is a way of life, a lifelong journey.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">All these people were still living by faith when they died.</span>—Hebrews 11:13<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."</span>—Romans 1:17<br /><br />How does faith relate to the lives of those who follow Christ? Faith gives us courage to live like who we are, people loved by God, able to draw upon His Spirit and reflect His transforming work in our lives, in the way we treat others, in the way we rise to challenges, in the way we walk through difficulties.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.</span>—Galatians 2:20<br /><br />What does it mean for you to live by faith in the Son of God?<br /><br />How is your relationship with Jesus changing you, transforming you, giving you power to live a life of selfless love and sacrifice? A life of integrity and obedience? A life of humility and courage?<br /><br /><br />The writer of Hebrews speaks of many others who lived by faith, who counted on God, who counted on His character and His word, who counted on Him to see them through. Are you one of those?<br /><br />Are you on the journey? Is it time to begin? What words would you like to be written about you? Do you trust Him enough to take the journey of faith? What will it look like for you to live by faith today, this week?<br /><br />By faith (insert your name and write your story here)…Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5174865201799808696.post-2683224577967503792008-10-28T13:10:00.000-07:002008-10-29T08:32:20.027-07:00Believing Better? You Better Believe It!Based on Romans 10:17<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, <br />and the message is heard through the word of Christ.<br /></span><br />There are two repeated words in this short sentence from Paul’s letter to the Roman believers. Read it again. Did you catch them? Hear (hearing/heard) and message. As I’ve been thinking through this week’s Bible study on Believing Better, I keep coming back to the concept of listening.<br /><br />Listening relates closely to both of these words. Hearing is a familiar concept. Most of us hear things all the time. We relegate a lot of the noise in our lives to background noise, picking and choosing to give our attention to things that we deem important, while ignoring the rest. Some noise, of course, is so insistent that whether we want to or not, we are forced to pay attention: fire engines, police sirens, or a person screaming.<br /><br />What makes these things stand out? Let me suggest that it’s because we believe there is a message that cannot be ignored in them. We know that there is an emergency, something is wrong, someone is in pain or in danger, and so we pay attention.<br /><br />Among all of the noise that surrounds us, there are certain noises or voices that we choose to give attention to, even without them screaming out or calling for our attention. The voice of a loved one, someone or something that we have decided is important because it is a priority for us, like a boss, or a teacher, or a close friend. While their message may not be as urgent as the emergency signals, when we choose to listen to someone, it’s because we sense that they have something worth saying. They have a message we need to hear, and we want to hear it.<br /><br />I’ve been thinking about all this because as believers, we hear a lot about the Bible being God’s Word, and the importance of reading it. Do you remember Jeff’s first point about how to develop our faith? <br /><br /> 1. Reading the Bible. Yet, many of us don’t read the Bible. And I’ve been thinking about that. Why is it that we don’t read the Bible?<br />• Have we allowed the noise around us to drown out its voice?<br />• Have we decided that God doesn’t really speak through the Bible?<br />• Have we decided that the Bible’s message isn’t relevant to our lives?<br />• Have we decided that we’ve read enough of the Bible and decided to settle for living based on what God has said to us in the past, forgetting that we have a relationship with a living God?<br />• Does reading the Bible not seem urgent enough—given daily news reports, iPods, self-help books, video games, business deadlines, family time, hanging out with friends, and school projects that are due—so we keep letting it fall off our radar?<br /><br />What might be different about your life if you read the Bible more? Try listing at least three things—<br />1.<br />2.<br />3.<br /><br />See, the big deal about reading the Bible isn’t about reading the Bible. The big deal about reading the Bible is that by reading it, we get to know the God of the Bible, so deeply that our lives become defined by His presence and power, by our growing knowledge of, love for, and relationship with Him. We are transformed!<br />Reading the Bible is about listening for and hearing the message that God has for you in the Bible.<br /><br />In Psalm 81, the writer records God pleading and lamenting—<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Listen to me, O my people… O Israel, if you would only listen… But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around… But oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me…</span>--verses 8, 11, 13<br /><br />The writer of Proverbs exhorts us to listen. (Exhort is a stronger word than suggest or encourage. It includes a passionate appeal to do what is in our best interest.) Listen to his words—<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles…. Wisdom shouts in the streets. “Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise... I called you so often, but you didn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.”</span>—Proverbs 1:5, 6, 20, 23-25<br /><br />Matthew, Mark, and Luke all quote Jesus urging His listeners to listen to His words, saying, <span style="font-style:italic;">“He who has ears, let him hear”</span> (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 15, 16, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; 8:18; Luke 8:8, 14:35). Jesus longs for you to hear His message and receive it into your life so that it can transform you.<br /><br />Paul prays for the Philippians—<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.</span>—Philippians 1:9-11<br /><br />What is your love for Jesus abounding in? Are you seeking Him in His Word? Is your love abounding in knowledge and depth of insight?<br /><br /><br />Paul tells the Corinthian believers that they <span style="font-style:italic;">“have the mind of Christ”</span> by virtue of the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance, teaching them about spiritual truth. See 1 Corinthians 2:12-16.<br /><br />In what area of your life do you want to have the mind of Christ?<br /><br /><br />To the Romans, Paul writes—<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.</span>—Romans 12:2<br /><br />Where do you want to experience transformation in your life as you read and listen to the message of God’s Word?<br /><br />In his final letter to his disciple Timothy, Paul points Timothy back to the power of God’s Word—<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.</span>—2 Timothy 3:16, 17<br /><br />What do you need most in your life—teaching, rebuking, correcting, or training? How is God’s Word shaping and equipping you to touch and change the world?<br /><br /><br />Do you want to “believe better”? (By the way, want is another key word. Wanting isn’t wishing. Wanting implies making an effort in line with your desire.) Here are just a few questions to think it through.<br /><br />Where are you reading in the Bible?<br /><br />What is God saying to you as you listen for His message in His Word?<br /><br />What questions do you have about what you are reading in the Bible?<br /><br />What steps are you taking to get your questions answered?<br /><br />If you would like help in developing a personal Bible reading or study plan, contact us at cccreach@aol.com.Debbie Piperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023256793982721591noreply@blogger.com0