Copy That

What you copy is what you become. In “Copy That,” Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church challenges us, not to replicate what we see in culture, but to imitate the character of Christ.

Hebrews 13:7

7  Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)

Don’t look for the gold, look forward to the Glory of God. 
What do you want to be filled with?  Fear? Depression?  - All you have to do, is what you see the world doing, but if you want to be filled with joy unspeakable full of Glory in the Holy Ghost – you can’t do what the world does and get what THE WORD says. 

People do what people see.

That that which you copy is that which you become. That which you believe is that which you become. – it is important that we are careful what we copy.

So, when he says, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you…" There are a lot of words that were spoken to you and over you and about you that have to be uprooted before the word God spoke about you can be planted. 

Even Moses… As holy as he was, as important as he was, as amazing as he was, Moses could only lead them so far. In the middle of this he gives them an instruction as he concludes his letter. He says, "Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith". Or in other words, copy that.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind".  Conform is something you can change. It's like an attitude or a posture. Transform is different. Transform is something that has to happen because of what's on the inside. Since you have Christ inside of you now… 

So, what's in you has to come out, and that's why the writer of Hebrews says, "Remember the word of God that was spoken to you, and copy that in your heart. Copy that in your life". 

How do you copy what you never saw? "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever". The Devil isn't very creative. God is a creator; the Devil is not. The Devil is so uncreative he only has three temptations. "The love of the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life".

The world worships talent. The world worships sensuality. But the weirdest thing about our culture right now is the way we worship youth. We don't remember our leaders who spoke the Word of God over us. They're irrelevant. They're not trendy. We'd rather go find somebody who hasn't even lived long enough that we can even know if they make it through their 20s. Do they even live to be 30? And we will copy that.

You need to spend more time remembering those who spoke the Word over you, because that's what Jesus did every time he was tempted, and that's what you copy. You fight the world with the Word. You fight the spirit of the world with the Word. So, every time the Devil said, "Do it," Jesus said, "It is written…"

All three things Jesus did to fight temptation, to fight hunger, to fight pride, to fight his senses, and to agree with the Spirit… All three things he said were already written in Scripture. 

You know how the Enemy condemns you. "You're worthless. You're this. You're that". Then you start to believe that, and you copy that, and you identify yourself with that. You're a good person. Christ has made you new. You're a new creation in Christ. God made you that way. But if you have bad patterns… The pattern of this world and the renewing of your mind. There are always voices speaking over you and to you and about you. What are you going to copy?

I am not consulting with my Enemy for my life strategy.

“I want you to stop indulging your insecurities. It gives you self pity. And it causes you to self medicate against pressure.”

I'm not going to copy it. I'm not going to take these thoughts and just think them, because I know where they lead.  The Enemy will take you back to what you saw all your life. Even as God is blessing you with something better, you will sink back down to the baseline of what you saw, because what you copy in your heart sets the direction of your life.

Discussion Questions:

1.     Has God ever directed you to copy someone else?  Who was it?

2.     Have you ever found yourself worshiping the things of this world? What do/did you worship?

3.     What example do you want to set for others?

4.     What are ways we can put God first in our lives?

5.     Do you find fulfillment in chasing God, or chasing the things of this world (Money, cars, fame, etc.)?

6.     People do what people see. - Whether we know it or not, we can influence others just by the things we do and what others see us do.  We lead by example *so we need to be careful about our choices and the example we set*  Agree/Disagree? (Or what do you think that means?)

7.     What was your biggest take away?

• Read Mathew 4, 5 & 6.

• Read Romans 12:2

• "Tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are." It's a proverb so old, some say no one really knows where it came from anymore.  – but the actual book of Provers 13:20 says:  If you want to grow in wisdom, spend time with the wise.  Walk with the wicked and you’ll eventually become just like them. (The Passion Translation) - Which is why it is important to be plugged in with a monthly growth group, a weekly home group and serving on a team – Church is not enough; those close interpersonal relationships can help us deal with life’s pressure and stress.  Are you attending a home group or serving on an FV team? If not consider getting plugged in.

Further Study:

• Watch: Be Careful What You Copy | Pastor Steven Furtick | Elevation Church - YouTube
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YowL9QXxyk

• Watch Denzel Washington’s “Put God First” speech:  Put God First - Denzel Washington Motivational & Inspiring Commencement Speech - YouTube      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxY_eJLBflk&t=212s

Girl, Get Up

Luke 8:49

The “Eve” in us

When Eve ate from the fruit, it was like a part of her died. There was a part of her that she could never access again because she ate from the fruit. The “Casket”.

The casket that follows us, we’re all carrying a casket. Eve had to carry a casket and a curse.

Never sleep on a woman who has a casket and a curse because she also has a see attached to her name.

The enemy’s greatest threat is going to be the woman, a woman who figures out that the heel couldn’t keep her from walking into the next dimension of her destiny. Bruised hells still crush serpent’s head.

When Jairus meets Jesus, his daughter is sick. Because you don’t just turn off, you don’t just die. There’s a slow fading of your hope, the slow fading of your healing, the slow fading of your purpose.

There are 2 parts to Jairus. The Sick and the fighting to be healed.

Praying Grandmother – There’s always going to be somebody fighting on your behalf.

When he was fighting for his daughter, he has to contend with the fact that Jesus is in great demand – she goes form sick to dead, what happened in between? Jesus was healing other people.

There are so many moments where our dreams and desires go from sick to dead.

There’s a man who comes up to Jairus and says Don’t worry the teacher anymore, your dream is dead. There’s always going to be another voice trying to convince you to not go after the healing you need.
That’s not even the voice you own. That’s a generational voice.

Silencing the voices – no more talking me out of who God has called me to be, no more convincing me that I don’t have the power to do it. You’re telling me to give up – makes me go stronger!

You don’t even know who you are. You’ve been praying for change – God’s been waiting for you to see that you are the change.

Gods not impressed with your degrees or your bank account. He’s impressed with your heart – worship.

I’m tired of making love with the thing that’s trying to kill me.

Saturate.

Somebody stopped praying because they thought it was dead. They stopped bothering the teacher.  God will leave you down to no other option so that you will know it was a miracle when it happens.

Time for you to start bothering the teacher again.

When you see a No properly you don’t grieve Nos, you celebrate Nos, because you realize I was either thinking too low or you have something better you want to give me from a different source. Celebrate when I get a No because I’m one step closer to the Yes you have attached to my name.

Jesus answered – who did Jesus answer? Jesus knew instantly that Jairus was thinking something on the inside. Before the thought came out, He sent a word to combat the thought.

Only Believe. The word “only” suggests there are other possibilities of what he could do.

The key to the next level. Stop diluting your prayer requests with fear & doubt & anxiety & insecurity. Dilute it down to nothing but belief.

Doubt is contagious. Insecurities are contagious. Only room for belief.

Little girl, arise. Girl, Get up. You’ve been down too long and its time for you to get up again.

There are people who need to see you awaken that little girl that’s down on the inside of you.

Her spirit returned. She got her fight back. She got her power back. She got her authority back. She got her vulnerability back. She got her humility back. She got her creativity back.

My daughter needs to see you get up. My sister needs to see you get up. My generation needs to see a woman.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever had a dream that you thought was dead? If that dream was revived, how would that change you now?

2. Have you ever felt like you were “bothering the teacher” in your prayers? Did that affect your prayer life?

3. Biggest takeaway?

• Who is in your circle of influence that needs to see you get back up? List out the names of the people around you and circle 1-2 names. Pray consistently for that person/people this month – be their “Praying Grandmother”.

• Read this article on prayer: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/seven-prayers-for-those-you-love

• Ask God to stretch your circle of influence, who else can you encourage this month?

• Read Luke 8: 40-56

  • What is God telling You?

  • What parallels can you draw between the woman and the child?

  • Have you stopped “bothering the teacher” about anything? Ask God to reveal where you have allowed something to die, and where you need to start to believe again.

• Sign up for The PennDel Women’s Conference if you haven’t already!!

How Great Is Our God

“The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“He counts the stars and calls them all by name.” Psalms‬ ‭147:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.” Isaiah‬ ‭40:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“It is the Lord who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and this is what he says:” Jeremiah‬ ‭31:35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?” Isaiah‬ ‭40:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Ok, so He breathed (spoke) and created the stars, He counted them all and gave them each a name! As if that’s not enough his hands spanned the heavens.

I mean

HOW

BIG

IS

OUR

GOD!

But how intimately He loves each one of us!

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:13-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Col 1:17 (NIV)

Discussion Questions:

• When you consider how big God is, and yet how intimately He loves you, how does that affect the problems you are dealing with?

• Does this kind of scientific fact help you in your faith?

• What was your biggest takeaway from this message?

This week, choose a verse about God’s greatness, and a verse about His love, and meditate on them, journal about them, really study them. How should they change how we see God, and interact with Him?

• How to: Bible Journal

• How to: Do a SOAP Study

ALSO! Mark your calendars and watch the Bold & Brave Facebook group for info about this year’s Women’s Conference at the Hershey Lodge, November 12013!

Battle Strategy

The Bible is full of strategy. God moves in different ways at different times. Like a football team has mapped out their plays, like an army general would map out battle strategy, we can find in scripture promises to follow that will give us victory in every day life. 

• Who is/who is NOT the enemy? Read Ephesians 6:12 & discuss as a group.

• Be on guard, but don’t give him too much attention. How do we stay on guard? What are we looking for? Read I Peter 5:8 & discuss as a group.

• Worship is an offensive weapon, in this battle. How do you use it in your life? Does looking at it like a weapon change anything for you?  Read   II Chronicles 20:22 & discuss as a group.

• Put on your armor. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 & discuss each piece of armor separately.

  • Belt of truth. What does this mean? What are the implications of “truth” being your belt? (also read: John 14:6)

  • Breastplate of righteousness. What does righteousness mean? Why do you think it’s listed as the breastplate? (also read: 2 Corinthians 5:21)

  • Shoes of peace. Why is peace listed as the shoes? (also read: John 14:27)

  • Helmet of salvation. Why do you think salvation is the covering for your head? (also read: Romans 10:9)

  • Shield of Faith. What is faith shielding you from? (read also: Hebrews 11:1)

  • Sword of the Spirit. Why do you think you need a weapon in this fight? (read also: Hebrews 4:12)

Practical tools for studying the Bible:

• Study Bible with cross references

• Google cross reference a passage that speaks to me. 

• Bible Dictionary 

• Search verses in whatever area you want to grow. 

• www.biblegateway.com

• YouVersion Bible App

• The Bible Project on YouTube

What’s your favorite Bible Study tool?

• Try Mirror therapy every day with the 40 I Am’s

• Try a new Bible Study method! Something you’ve never tried before.

• Take one of the above verses and meditate on it each week this month.

The Miracle in the Mess

Candace’s Notes

Philippians 1

The most productive parts of your life will not be the prettiest. The greatest miracles of your life will come in the middle of the biggest mess.

What’s happening IN me is always more important than what’s happening TO me.

Something is happening in the soil, something is taking root in your heart right now. In this season of my life, God is giving me. root system. Teaching me to focus. Looking forward to normal, but God is pruning some stuff out of my life right now to get me ready for what’s next.

Fruit without root doesn’t last long.

The smartest thing we’ve said: “I don’t know.”
The coolest thing happening right now is we’re all idiots. We all don’t know.

The truth is in the tension. The presence of faith does not eliminate uncertainty. In fact, it operates BY uncertainty. His clarity is not about the outcome. His clarity is what God is doing in the process.

The only thing you can really control is your focus.

The fruit of the spirit is joy, but the root of spirit is priorities.

You do not NEED to know the things that you cannot directly affect. You do not need to know all the details, to take your next step, just ask Abraham. Releasing my need to know is the hardest thing, because I thought information was the key, but yet Paul says there is a confidence that goes beneath knowledge.

Even though I have LESS money right now, I’m gonna have MORE fruit.

What’s going to come forth out of your life from this prison sentence?

Discussion:

1. What’s one way you are correcting you’re thinking right now? Is there a lie (from the enemy) that you’ve been believing for a while?

2. Furtick said, “the only thing you can control is your focus.” How is that true in your life? Have you been focused on the wrong things in any area?

3. What’s one way you can grow your “root system” this summer? (grow in your faith)

4. Do you have trouble “releasing your need to know”?

1. Watch the whole sermon here.

2. If you haven’t already, start the Bible Plan 40 Day Fast From Wrong Thinking.

3. Take one scripture per week from the list below and focus on it, meditate on it, and pray through it.

   1. Read Romans 12:2

   2. Read Philippians 4:8

   3. Read Proverbs 4:23

   4. Read James 1:6-8

   5. Read Luke 21

Don't Drop The Mic

Candace’s Notes:

Why be a cheap copy of a great original when you can be great yourself?

Samuel was unable to distinguish between Eli’s voice and God’s. That is the initial stage where God’s voice sounds like the person who mentored you. Gradually you come to a point where the umbilical cord cuts…you come to a place where you realize that it’s God talking and not Eli. So it is my job to gradually lead you from a place where God sounds like me, til you can hear that God sounds like God!

What Samuel needs from Eli: wisdom & discernment
What Eli needs from Samuel: adventurous curiosity

We are looking at a generationally passing of the mic, from Eli to Samuel. Samuel can hear God, but cannot discern him. Eli has lost his ability to hear the voice, but not discern him. We have a generation of people that can hear the voice, but lack the wisdom to know what to do with what they hear.

The promise of God is bigger than the reality of the individual. Greatness must be grown into.

Great preaching is almost musical.

The Word of God does not need crutches. Truth needs no crutches. The human ability to sense truth is utterly amazing. We hear with more than our ears.

Everyone one of us is an orator. Whether we get paid for it or not.

Some people haven’t worked out in the gymnasium of expression enough to be able to express what they’re feeling.

The art of being a great speaker is being a great listener.

The mic is YOURS. It’s not going to be yours, it’s yours. It’s heavier than it looks. Don’t drop it when your feelings get hurt, don’t drop it when you’re angry.

“I wanna hear a Micheal Jordan flu game story. Like I time where you stood…” “I can’t think of a time that I didn’t.”

If you believe a thing that you are not willing to die over, it’s not worthy of your belief.

You become great in your mind, before you become great on a stage.

If you wrestle with insufficiency complexes…Change the way you talk to yourself, you’ll change how your story is…the woman with the issue of blood said within HERSELF “if I may but touch the hem of his garmet I’ll be whole”…the greatest sermon starts within you!

When you stop getting better, you start dying. When a teacher ceases to be a student, they begin to be irrelevant. Have the courage to critique yourself…The [critical] voices that live in my head, are still the voices that live in my head, but they don’t live too LOUD. The art of it is not to kill the voice, it’s to cut the volume down. Instead of existing at a 10, it exists at a 3. I don’t want to kill it, because then I become arrogant. If I become arrogant, I lose my anointing. God balances my accomplishments with the thorn in my flesh that makes me question myself. I don’t want him to remove the thorn in my flesh, because I want balance for the weight of the glory that he placed in my life. But I don’t want that voice to become so loud that it cannibalizes what he created in me.

You treat your spouse the way you treat yourself. We can talk about anything, but you can’t vent on me because you’re insecure about you.

How do we turn down the critical voice?

1. Have an inner circle of people you trust to reaffirm you. Someone who has license to be honest with you. We need each other. Sometimes we won’t let people encourage us, because you’re addicted to pain.

One of the signs of greatness IS to be self-critical. The more you care about details, the closer you get to greatness.

The moment you open your mouth, you start to teach people who you are.

The further you push me, the higher you go.

• Join our church-wide Bible Study. Comment at least once!

• Watch START Class, if you haven’t already!

• Find one person to talk to regularly, maybe meet for coffee or a hang out night, and just talk about what you’re learning from God right now.

The Crucifixion

Notes:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? It is recorded in Aramaic, for greek readers because it is an exact quote of Jesus' words.

What is the significance of the 9th hour? (6th hour to the 9th hour) noon to 3:00 p.m. - Josephus a Jewish historian, stated that the ninth hour was the time when Jews offered the daily evening sacrifice.

Darkness, not a solar eclipse, Passover occurred during a full moon, and a solar eclipse, can occur only during a new moon, rather, it is a supernatural act of God displaying displeasure and judgment upon humanity for crucifying His Son.

What is the significance of the curtain (veil) tearing during the crucifixion? That we now have access to God through Jesus - No one can come to the Father except through me. (The veil that separated people from the holy of holies (the most holy place)) - signifies the removal of separation between God and people.

What is the significance of Jesus being crucified at Passover? Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. - but not only that, sacrifices were made each year, Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and ended the sacrificial system for atonement

DISCUSSION:

• The darkness that came over the land, was it directed to the whole world, or towards Jesus? Was that part of God’s judgment on Jesus?

• Jesus didn’t once comment on the pain or physical suffering, but He shrieked, screaming over God’s rejection. Why do you think that is?

• What’s your biggest takeaway from these messages?

• When Jesus was suffering, he quotes scripture. What is your favorite verse to quote when you need strength? If you don’t have one, find one and memorize it!

• Read Isaiah 53.

• Research and learn about the Temple Mount and Solomon's Holy Temple

• FURTHER READING: Matthew 21:33-41. Who do you think this parable was about?

In Over Your Head

Candace’s Notes

Today we’ve got a bunch of prophets who are trying to be Old Testament, but don’t understand Jesus changed everything. Not doom & gloom anymore, but GOOD NEWS.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. Not a force, not an aura...He is God. Acts 5:1-5
2. He is a person. John 16:13-15. He’s not some transcendental yoga pose.
3. He’s in charge of present operations. John 16:7-11
4. He is gentle. Matthew 3:16. He will not force you and turn you into something you’re not. He’s brings out who YOU are, but the power is real!
5. He has life in Himself. Romans 8:11. When Jesus died, the Holy Spirit did not.
6. He is creative life. Genesis 1:2. You might feel like you are nothing, but that is the perfect ingredient for God to make SOMETHING. if you tap into the Holy Spirit, you are FULL of potential.

He is likened to:

1. The symbol of “fire”. How do I know the spirit of God is working on you? What we try to conceal, God wants to reveal. He’ll bring the crap to the top. When you are in the refining fire of the Holy Spirit, the only thing that will burn away is bondage.
2. The symbol of “water”. Needed for the germination of seed. The Holy Spirit waters the Word. Isaiah 44:3, Joel 2:28, Revelation 22:1,
3. The symbol of a “dove”. The emblem of peace. The Holy Spirit will not speak of Himself. Easily frightened...won’t stick around. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.
4. The symbol of “wind”. Can’t see it, but the effects of it. The breath of God, into man. Life!
5. The symbol of “oil”. Just like driving a car without oil, don’t live life without the Holy Spirit.

Ezekiel 47:1-9

God wants you in over your head.

Growth, trees, life, maturity. Making salt water fresh.

Ankle Deep = where you walk, go

Knee deep speaks to praying/intercession.

Waist deep speaks to our loins—purity.

Over your head = a strong, mature person

Discussion

• Have you ever been baptized in the Holy Spirit? What is it like?

• How do you see the Holy Spirit working in your life?

• Do you still have questions about the Holy Spirit?

• Read John 16. Now, re-read it. Study it. Slowly work your way through it, over the course of a week.

• What can we learn about the Holy Spirit from this passage?

• What is God saying to you?

• Read Romans 8. Do the same here. Write notes as you go.

  • What can we learn about the Holy Spirit from this passage?

  • What is God saying to you?

• Read Acts 2. Do the same here. Keep a journal with your findings!

  • What can we learn about the Holy Spirit from this passage?

  • What is God saying to you?

“At what point did you believe the lie?”

Candace’s notes:

“Did God really say?” is the question for all generations.

God created you to never know shame.

If you don’t really know what God says about you, you’re going to spend all of your life chasing the wrong thing and feeling like you’re not good enough.

Turn down the voice of the world, and turn up the voice of God.

“The Shaming Culture” “The Outrage Culture” but God actually created us not to know what shame is.

If the enemy can’t get your soul, he’ll try to get your fruitfulness.

Faith without works is dead. Obedience is not legalism, obedience will lead to a flourishing life.

Don’t have a big dialogue with the devil! Don’t sit there and speak with him!

What you did is not who you are. There is a difference between your who and your do. Confession is not a legalistic thing, it is such a gift that I could go and pour my heart out before God …and He forgives me.

“At what point did you believe the lie?” Who told you?

Discussion Questions

• How can we go about turning down the voice of the world, and turning up the voice of God?

• Do you find yourself listening to that inner voice of shame a lot?

• Would you say your relationship with Jesus is producing fruit in your life?

• What’s your main takeaway from that message?

This month, let’s focus on identifying the areas that we are participating WITH the shame, instead of against it. What does true freedom in Christ look like? What thought patterns, mindsets, and attitudes do you need to work on dismantling and replacing with grace?

• Practice scripture meditation and declaration this month! Pick one of the following verses per week, and write it somewhere you will see it every day. Focus on this verse, spend 10 minutes in the morning thinking about it, saying it out loud over your life, and let it be the last 10 minutes of your day as well.

• Galatians 5:1, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”

• Romans 8:1-2, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

• 1 Peter 2:16, “For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.”

• 2 Corinthians 12:9, “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

The Point of Prayer

Discussion:

1. We’re in a series about prayer right now as a church…what was your biggest takeaway from this message this past weekend?

2. What have you learned about prayer lately?

3. Has God answered any of your prayers lately?

4. What’s the one story or passage from the Bible do you think of, when you think of prayer?

5. What is the point of praying to God?

1. Join FV in our daily Bible Plan on the YouVersion Bible App! Comment each day about what God is teaching you, and read everyone else’s comments.

2. Fast with us for one morning a week, just one breakfast, and pray extra. Make a list of prayer requests maybe, or try some new way of spending time with God. Be intentional about it!

The Sanity Checklist

It’s been a tough year. There is no denying it. Plans cancelled, sickness, worrying about the people you love, anger at people who don’t agree, politics & controversy & chaos. Denying any of this won’t make it go away. So how do we maintain joy and momentum in our spiritual lives when everything feels so overwhelming?

Well, I think I have developed a checklist to help us with this, practically!

1. We acknowledge that we aren’t in control, but we know who is.

   1. something for God

   2. Psalms 63:4-5 TPT, “Daily I will worship you passionately and with all my heart. My arms will wave to you like banners of praise. I overflow with praise when I come before you, for the anointing of your presence satisfies me like nothing else. You are such a rich banquet of pleasure to my soul.”

   3. Read the Bible, make a prayer list, listen to a podcast or YouTube sermon, worship God alone along with some music, spend time in silence listening to Him, etc). List of Spiritual Disciplines here.

2. We acknowledge that it’s okay to feel low, but we can’t stay there.

   1. something for me

   2. Proverbs 17:22 ESV, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

   3. Fun feeds the soul. (an article from the psychological point of view)

   4. Learning about yourself is also an excellent way to do something for yourself. (Try a personality test, or try something new.)

3. We acknowledge that our behavior and attitudes do have an effect on others.

   1. something for the people closest to me

   2. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

   3. Ideas for married couples, date ideas during COVID, keep kids busy and happy

4. We acknowledge that we can make a difference in the lives of people outside our household too.

   1. something for others

   2. Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

   3. Reaching out during the pandemic

Throughout this whole year, my mantra has been, “one day at a time”. Some of those days have been incredibly low, and I counted it a win that I just got through it without dissolving into a puddle. There were a couple days where I was just proud of myself for taking a shower, or doing a load of laundry.

I think if I had come up with this list earlier in the year, I might have been somewhat better off. And I think if I start writing these down in a journal, I’ll be amazed to see what it will do after a month, 3 months, a year.

Being vibrant, passionate, and selfless doesn’t come naturally. It comes from Jesus. The Holy Spirit can bring these things out of us, but sometimes we have to discipline ourselves to start the process.

1. Start a Checklist Journal. I call mine “The Sanity Checklist”…but you can call yours something else if you want. :)

2. Begin to read the book of Psalms. I HIGHLY recommend The Passion Translation, and this particular version from Hillsong, which you can order right here online for only $10, because you can highlight all your favorite parts, and lines that speak the most to you.

   1. The book of Psalms always speaks to me when I’m feeling emotions particularly passionately. Because David (the writer of most of the Psalms) did too. And it reminds me that it’s okay to feel low, it’s okay to feel passionate, it’s okay to feel whatever I’m feeling, as long as I’m letting God in on the conversation.

"We Are Social Animals"

SEE THE LIVE NOV 4TH CLASS HERE
We stream live on the Bold & Brave facebook group.

We’re going to focus on the term “Accountability Partners” this week.

I’ve always thought of the term “accountability partners” as a solely religious thing. But actually, this term is in the business world too, and it functions pretty much exactly the same way.

It’s most basic definition is: someone to hold you accountable to what YOU want to do.

An accountability partner doesn’t necessarily tell you what to do, or assign you goals and metrics to hit, they just as if you’ve done what you said you were going to do. Or, in the case of breaking habits, ask you if you didn’t do what you said you weren’t going to do.

God has placed us in community, in families. In the beginning, He said it wasn’t good for man to be alone. We have to believe that’s for a reason!

“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

— Genesis 2:18

Throughout the Bible, we can see God giving his leaders partners in ministry, life, and leadership! When we need help, God will often send a person!

• Moses said he couldn’t do what God had called him to do at the burning bush, and so God sent Aaron. In Exodus 17.8-15, Aaron and Hur join to hold up Moses's hands that enabled Joshua and the Israelites to over their adversary

• When the prophet Elijah needed food, God sent the widow. When he cried out to God for help, at Mt. Sinai, God appointed more leaders.

• In Luke 10, Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs.

• Paul had many partners in ministry, throughout his missionary journeys.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

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In Christian accountability, we tend to focus on 4 main areas of growth:

1. Are you growing in your relationship with God?

2. Are you growing in your relationships with people?

3. Are you becoming a better steward of your resources?

4. Are you growing in your influence with outsiders?

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If you had someone that you knew was going to ask you those questions every week, how would that change your perspective and mindset? How would you measure whether or not you were growing?

1. Find an accountability partner or two. A group of 3 would work just as well, but probably not many more than that! Don’t be discouraged if you get a “no” at first, stay committed until you find the right person/group for you! It will work best if the whole group is also committed to Bold & Brave, but doesn’t have to be. Plan to meet at least once before our next First Wednesday.

2. Take a serious look at the spiritual growth questions from above. What is your strongest area? What is your weakest area? Where do you hope to grow the most this year? Discuss this with your partner(s). Plan some goals in those areas.

3. GO FURTHER: Watch this video from Pastor Dharius Daniels titled, “What About Your Friends?”. You can see my sermon notes here.

   1. Read 1 Samuel 16-18 at home this month, and really consider the perspective of each character (might mean you have to read previous chapters and maybe watch The Bible Project’s 1 Samuel video for context too).

      • What questions does this bring up for you?

      • After listening to this message, would you consider yourself a good friend?

      • What does healthy accountability look like in your life?

The Practical Jesus

NEW: Changes coming to the B&B schedule!
FV will be moving to a FIRST WEDNESDAY schedule, where all of our Wednesday activities will be happening on the FIRST Wednesday of the month!

So we’ll do a big B&B gathering on that Wednesday, and I’ll make monthly assignments. Every month, you’ll be encouraged to get together with 1-3 other women and do the assignments together!

This week:

• Spirituality or Practicality?

• Should Spirituality Always Trump Practicality?

I have always been interested in the content of Jesus’ prayer, as he was teaching the disciples to pray. He so perfectly paired the spiritual, with the practical.

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Matthew 6:9-13 - "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Luke 11:2-4 - "He said to them, "When you pray, say: " 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'"

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Start thinking about who you might ask to meet with you once a month! If you can, open up your home! Have 1-2 others over for coffee and cookies once a month, or you could even meet in a coffee shop or restaurant! Think now about times that would work for you, and who you’re going to ask to be in your group!

Was Jesus political?

The Political Landscape of Jesus’ Time

Zealots - The Zealot movement took the revolutionary option. It advocated outward violence, even armed rebellion, to rid Israel of Roman oppression. Nothing else, they figured, would bring final liberation to the Jewish people. Depending on the point of view, Zealots were looked upon as freedom-fighters or terrorists.

Sadducees - The Sadduccees were the great pragmatists of the day. As wealthy lay-nobles, priests and aristocrats, they sought to conserve their wealth and power through comprosmise with Rome. Politically speaking, this was the most realistic option. Most of the members of the Sanhedrin were from the Sadduccee group. Moreover, as the people at the top of the pecking order in the Jewish society of their time, they were much more concerned with present-day affairs than speculation on the life-to-come. In the Gospels, it is evidently the Sadduccees who are the main opponents of Jesus at the time of his trial and death. They rightly saw that Jesus' radical brand of religion threatened their power and status.

Pharisees - The Pharisees were in many ways the idealists of Jewish society. Most of the Scribes (the 'theologians' of the day) were Pharisees. In general, despite their 'bad press' in the Gospels, the Pharisees sought to live a life of spiritual purity by a meticulous following of the torah (Jewish law). They did not believe in compromise with the Romans (as did the Sadduccees) nor in revolutionary activity (as did the Zealots). No doubt their emphasis on the law could result in legalism which may, in turn, become a pretext for hypocrisy. Nonetheless, many Pharisees were highly committed and deeply spiritual people. They believed in the resurrection of the dead. From their perspective, Jesus seemed to relativize the law which explains their anger towards him.

Essenes - solved the problem of Jewish identity in a Roman-occupied Israel by withdrawing to a monastic-like setting. They were, if you like, the hippies of the day insofar as they completely opted out of mainstream Jewish society.

SOURCE: https://resource.acu.edu.au/gehall/XTOLOGY2.htm

• “kingdom” was a political term

• “messiah” was a political term

• Palm Sunday was a political move, and yet, he didn’t go to the governor’s mansion

• Read John 6:14-15

  • Now go back and read the passage before that. Why did they want him to be the king? Could they have forced him? Most people would gladly accept more power…why didn’t Jesus?

• Read John 18:19-19:16

  • Why was Pilate scared? Why do you think Jesus responded the way He did? Why do you think Pilate asked, “what is truth?”

• Read Luke 20:19-26

  • Why would that question have trapped Jesus? What do you think they expected his answer to be?

Real Rest

These articles are great, but I disagree with their conclusion on WHY God rested. I think he may have included in the Bible as an example to us, but I think He rested because it was the PERFECT thing to do, after creating something PERFECT. It is complete, whole, and nothing can be added to it or taken from it, and therefore, you rest in it.

Which—is why we rest in Him. Understanding that we don’t have to work harder, be better, know all the future threats, etc...we just REST IN HIM.

But for me, this year, I was reading my Bible, I was leading others, I was worshipping, and sleeping, and taking days off, and I still was having trouble with true soul-rest.

What I needed, to get back to that, was an out-of-town-trip. And I didn’t know it until afterward, but that out-of-town trip (and a few afterward), fulfilled a few things in me that I can now see:

1. Anonymity. (shedding the weight of being known & watched)

2. Adventure & Fun. (learning new things, abandon, some could even call it “danger”, simple enjoyment of the life God has given you)

3. Freedom to be spontaneous. (no plan for the day, choices based on want, rather than need)

4. Change of scenery. (understanding that there is more in this world, than MY world)

Those things fulfilled, in me, a return to being able to rest. They shaved off the fear, the panic, the need to be in control, and allowed me to see things a little more clearly from God’s perspective again.

What is God saying to you about rest?

How can you get better at it? What do you need right now?

From last week:

• What is God saying to you about your prayer life right now?

• Did you fast? How did it go? What did you learn?

• Did you do this past Bible Plan? What was your biggest takeaway from that?

From the sermon:

• What does the Good News mean to me?

• How can I use my own sufferings, to help someone else or further the Kingdom?

1. Sign up for a day of fasting with the FIERCE Fast Challenge FV is starting on Sunday!

2. Research prayer in the Bible. What is God saying to you about your prayer life right now?

Lately, I have this burning fire deep down in my soul to see ministry happening everywhere. Not just where I am. Not just in the church building. Not just by an ordained, credentialed, salaried pastor, but by every disciple of Jesus Christ, everywhere, all the time.

As a culture, and as a church, I think we need to challenge ourselves to go deeper, and spread the message of the Gospel further.

Lately, what God has been showing me is the difference between doing things for God out of obedience, and doing things for God out of a deep desire and heart for Him.

1. Do something that challenges you, puts you out of your comfort zone, in terms of spiritual health and growth.

2. Do something that takes you into deeper understanding of who God is.

Radical Honesty

As a church, we have always valued authenticity very highly. We’re not a very “religious” atmosphere, in that we have to put on airs to fit in, or dress up to avoid looks, or be someone we’re not. We can come as we are, into the presence of God, and into the house of God.

RADICAL HONESTY:

1. IS NOT…honesty for other people.

   • Not a license to gossip or tell other people’s secrets and indiscretions.

   • Ephesians 5:12, “It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.”

   • “speak the truth in love” Ephesians 4

2. IS…looking deeper at the reasons why you do things.

   • Don’t allow yourself excuses. Recognize the excuse when it comes out of your mouth.

   • Let The Word in deep.

3. IS NOT…telling everyone everything.

   • Tell the right people everything.

   • Others should get the honest thing, but not everything.

4. IS…learning who you are, from your Creator Himself.

   • YOU don’t have to define YOU. God has already done that.

   • The 40 I Am’s

Radical honesty is how I keep myself humble. Humility on purpose. Confidence, not arrogance.

Worldly confidence says, “I am enough.” Godly confidence says, “HE is enough.”

Read:

• Proverbs 22:4

  • How would you define “true humility”?

• Colossians 3:12-15

  • What do you think it means to “clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”? How would your life be different if you could do this all the time?

• James 4

  • What’s your biggest takeaway from this passage?

Joy Unspeakable

Joy is one of those things that I don’t usually struggle with—but when I do, I really do.

I had one of those seasons lately. I dug myself out…grudgingly, finally, groggily. Actually, I think maybe my husband pulled me out. But at any rate, I’m out! And I learned a few things along the way.

Read this article.

“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

— 1 Peter 1:8-9

• Write down one thing that you used to believe about joy, and what you believe now.

• On a scale of 1 - 10, rate yourself in the joy category.

  • (1 being: “I NEVER have ANY joy in my life”, and 10 being “I am overflowing with joy to the people around me all the time”)

• Identify one thing that you can do this week to get to a better rating.

• Extra credit ;)

  • Read the book of 1 Peter (it’s not long!).

  • Watch The Bible Project’s Word Study on Joy