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Despite Awkwardness

Have you ever felt super awkward or uncomfortable going into a place (even if you’ve been there before)? Like entering a room, where everyone else seems to already know each other and suddenly it feels like: ALL EYES ARE ON YOU

Luke 8:41-48

A couple of things to notice about this woman:

  1. She was unclean.

  2. Given her condition, she would have likely been tired and weak, physically.

  3. The length of her suffering would have left her emotionally tired and lonely.

Imagine how she must have felt.

She was hoping to go unnoticed and still receive the healing that she knew only Jesus provides. The worst-case scenario for her happens. She doesn’t get to go unnoticed. All eyes were on her. She knows that she’s not supposed to be in close contact with people, so that she doesn’t make them unclean, can you imagine how uncomfortable she must have felt when she was called out. In her fear (and perhaps shame) she confessed her act: explaining why she had done it and reporting her healing – I read this and immediately it hit me: she had to give her testimony right then and there!

How many of us are afraid, ashamed, or embarrassed to tell our own story? To share our testimony? Because we are ashamed of who we use to be when we were unclean. Because we have to say, out loud, what we went through. So instead of sharing that story, we let our own feelings of awkwardness and shame stop us from talking about what we overcame.

He has already called us out of the crowd. He has called us daughter. Maybe you came in here feeling awkward, like you don’t know enough about the Bible, or everyone here seems to already have close bonds, or you’re physically struggling health wise, maybe you feel too young, or you feel too old, maybe you’re fighting relationship problems and you feel like everyone else has great relationship, or your deep in motherhood and you can’t remember how to have adult conversations, whatever you brought in with you, He has eyes on you.

Luke 7:36-50

So, what makes this awkward?

  1. She hadn’t been invited.

  2. She was openly weeping.

I almost want to call her story “it should have been awkward”, because awkward or not, she didn’t care. Here is the beautiful thing about her, she didn’t care that her weeping was loud or distracting for others. It wasn’t about them. It wasn’t even about her. She was focused on one thing: Worshipping Jesus.

What are you letting hold you back from worshipping Him? Are you worshipping Him with all you have? Are you uninhibited in your worship?

This woman’s worship was the loving evidence of forgiveness. She had been forgiven. And her response to that forgiveness was unashamed worship at His feet.

Mark 2:1-12

Seeing the friends’ faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven”. Here’s the thing, their faith couldn’t save him. Their faith couldn’t heal him. No one is saved by proxy; however, God honors the faith of those who assist in the salvation process.

So, what does that mean for us? It means, even if it’s awkward, we can assist in salvation by helping our friends. We can carry the corner of the mat for our friends. How?

  1. Praying for them

  2. Relating to them

  3. Answering questions

  4. Showing Christ’s love

That takes time, hard work, heavy work, awkwardly hauling your friends to higher locations. Are you doing that? Even if it feels uncomfortable.

Think about any time you’ve allowed awkwardness or social norms to keep you from getting to Jesus, worshipping Jesus, or bringing your friend to Jesus. Now, do one thing this week that makes you feel uncomfortable, but it will help stretch and grow your faith.

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The Will Of God

The Word of God, The Power of God, The Will of God

Psalm 138:2, “for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!”

Psalm 78:22, “Yes, his anger rose against Israel, for they did not believe God or trust him to care for them.”

Hebrews 11:1-2, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.”

Discussion:

  • Rate yourself on 1-10: How much are you in the Word?

See yourself as soldiers and warriors! What are you gonna do to raise your number (above) to another 2 levels?

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The Names of God

  1. Elohim - God The Creator. Genesis 1:1. Over 200 times in OT.

  2. Yahweh - I Am.  No beginning or ending. Self Existent One. Gen. 2:4, Ex. 3:14,15. 6519 times in OT

  3. El Roi  - The God who sees.  Gen. 16:13  

    1. Do you ever feel unseen or like you don’t matter? Ever feel invisible? Only found once in Bible.

  4. Adonai - “The name of Adonai is a strong tower; a righteous person runs to it and is raised high [above danger].” Mishlei (Pro) 18:10 CJB

  5. El Shaddai - Gen 17:1

  6. Yahweh Yireh - Gen 22:14

  7. Yahweh Rapha - Ex 15:26

  8. Jehovah Shalom - Judges 6:24

  9. Quanna - jealous - Ex 20:5

  • Choose a name of God that is especially meaningful to you right now. Meditate on this name, pray this name back to God. Come prepared to share your experience.

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Holy Week

Palm Sunday - Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, clears out temple
Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19

  • Why do you think Jesus went to the temple, instead of to Pilate’s house (Roman power), or to Caiaphus’s house (the high priest)?

Holy Monday - Curses a fig tree, teaches A LOT in the temple and afterward, Mary anoints Jesus with perfume, Judas reproaches her
Matthew 21:18-26:16, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48, John 2:13-17

  • Why did Jesus curse a fig tree, even when it was “too early in the season for fruit”?

Holy Tuesday - Jesus announces the betrayal of one of the 12 and the denial of Peter
Matthew 21:23-24:51, Mark 11:20-13:37, Luke 20:1-21:36, John 12:20-38

  • Why do you think all the disciples deserted him?


Wednesday - Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus to the Sanhedrin

Thursday - The Last Supper and garden of gethsemane where Judas betrays Jesus.
Matthew 26:17-75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, John 13:1-38.

  • "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death." Mark 14:34. Why did Jesus say GRIEF here? Not anxiety? Fear? Why grief?


Friday - Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ
Matthew 27:1-62, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:56, John 18:28-19:37

  • Why did Jesus say, “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?”


Saturday - In the tomb
Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 16:1, Luke 23:56, John 19:40


Sunday - Jesus has triumphed over death. He is risen!
Matthew 28:1-13, Mark 16:1-14, Luke 24:1-49, John 20:1-23.

This week:

  • What are you thinking about this week as you celebrate Easter?

  • How can you build more Jesus-celebration into your family’s Easter gathering?

  • Study the scripture above. What questions do you have about Jesus’ behavior before the resurrection?

Going further:

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Encourage Yourself

Schedule Change!

Today’s meeting will be the only one for March, but in April, May, and June (our Spring Semester) we’ll be meeting EVERY WEEK at FV at 7pm!


Romans 8:8 “That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.”

Proverbs 20:9, “Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart? I am pure and free from sin”?”

  1. Be honest with God

    1. Psalms 33:15 says "He made each person and all their thoughts. He knows everything that they do."

      He already knows anyway, so you might as well let it all out, curse words and all.

      We see an example of this in Psalms 42 where David cries out his frustrations to God.

  2. Remind yourself of what God has done in the past.

    1. Psalm 143:4 says "Remember what God has done for you. Let his Grace and mercy comfort you, and remind you of his unfailing love."

      God gave us grace that last time we messed up. He forgave us then. He helped me through that one time, but Will he do it again? Yes! He will! Because he is faithful and good and he loves us!

      Psalms 145:8 "How very kind the Lord is! He is very patient and his faithful love continues."

      1 Chronicles 16:34 " Thank the Lord, because he is good! His faithful love will ALWAYS be with us."

      1 Samuel 12:22 " The Lord was pleased to choose you to be his own people. He will show that he is faithful and he will not leave you alone."

      Exodus 34:6 " The Lord passed in front of Moses. He said in a loud voice, ' I am the Lord! The Lord! I am kind to people and I forgive them. I do not quickly become angry. My faithful love for my people continues for ever, and I am always faithful."

      God is slow to anger, but like any parent, if we don't straighten up and "act right" he may have to do something that sets us back on the right path. But, this redirection is ALWAYS rooted in God's love for us.

  3. Capture negative thoughts!

    1. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says " We take every thought captive and make it obedient to God."

      God wants us to be filled with joy and peace! Not anxiety and depression. 

      Matthew 5:8 says " Happy are the people who have only good thoughts. They will come near to God and see him!" 

      Romans 12:2 " Do not become like the people who belong to this world. But let God completely change the way you think, so that you live differently. Then you will understand what God wants you to do. You will know what is good. You will know what pleases God. You will know what is completely right."

      If we capture our thoughts, and keep our thoughts good and on Jesus it will help us see the way He sees people, the world, our situations, etc. and we may even be able to hear what he is saying to us more often.

      The Holy Spirit also helps us focus on what is good. Changing our thoughts over time to what God wants.

  4. Declare/Pray the 40 I am's over yourself!

    1. Isaiah 43:1-3 "Do not be afraid. I have rescued you to belong to me. I have called you by name, so now you are mine! When you go through deep water, I will be with you. When you cross dangerous rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through fire, it will not burn you. The flames will not destory you. I am the Lord, Your God, so I will rescue you.I am Israel's Holy God, your Saviour. I gave Egypt as the price to buy you back. I gave Ethiopia and Seba to their enemies, so that you could be free. You are very valuable to me. You are my special people, and I love you. So I will give other people to their enemies, to keep you safe. Other nations will pay the price, instread of you."

      We have been saved. Set free. We are Gods children. He loves us more than we love our own children. A love that we can never fully understand. 

      Doesn't a young child believe every word his father says? He relys on his father to guide him, love him, and push him to grow up to be good. 

      So God, our father, is surely to do the same. As his children we should believe and stand on every word he says. He knows us better than we know ourselves, so why shouldn't we trust him with our whole heart?

      Group Questions

      • What are some ways that you can incorperate the 40 I ams into your daily routine?

      • What is a scripture that you go back to, to encourage yourself?

      • Have you ever felt the presence of God? If so, can you explain it?

  1. Identify one of the I Am’s that means the most to you, and research the idea in the Word this month!

  2. IF YOU WANT TO GO FURTHER with our weekend studies into the book of Acts living, try a study of our FV Prayer Team Manual. Specifically, how to pray over someone for healing, for deliverance, and Baptism in the Holy Spirit on pages 5-7!

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2023 A Year of Hope

HOPE

Dictionary- a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Hebrew-  yachal - to wait/be patient

                   tiqvah - to expect

Greek- elpis - expectation, trust, confidence

Biblical hope is an expectation with certainty that God will do what He said

Hope Busters

    ◦    Focusing on what I see

    ◦    Focusing on my feelings

    ◦    Not guarding my thoughts

    ◦    Misplaced hope

    ◦    Attack from enemy

When to hope

    ◦    When you feel depressed

    ◦    When you’re anxious

    ◦    When your future seems bleak

Bible verses on hope:

Psalm 25:1-5, And 21 (NIV)

Psalm 33:20

Psalm 42:5, And 11

Proverbs 13:12

Lamentations 3:19-32

Romans 4:18, And 20-21

Resources

5 Things the Bible Says About Hope

What is Hope?

Why is Hope Crucial to Our Faith?

   1.    As believers our hope is based on Gods promises. Make a list of Hope filled verses to keep handy for when you need them

    2.    There are many Bible plans in the YouVersion app. Choose one to complete and share about it on B&B FB page

    3.    Take some time to soak in your favorite passages on hope. Come next month prepared to share your thoughts/experience with the group.

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Long Suffering Faith

Grief, problems, betrayal , all those constant battles have a way of muting life, opaquing purpose and hope. Life becomes grey, hopeless, mundane, your just surviving  with the devastating aftermath of loss. The only thing you can do is breath and slog through life barely connected.

The enemy always an opportunist will shout loudly about the lack of hope and God’s presence. He will turn  abandonment  into a Giant impossible to slay, loneliness he will make your constant companion because it’s not a matter of the people around you but the of the one who is missing. You can’t see what’s left because the loss is too big, too wide, to earth scorchingly devastating. 

The enemies purpose isn’t just to steal his ultimate goal is to kill.

He kills:

•Purpose

•Joy

•Life 

•Dreams 

•Hope

•Faith

•Will

•Energy

•Worship

•Goals

A Thriving life can be stunted.

After heartbreak and disappointment we can still live but slow quit life. We do not pursue Him who is faithful, who can heal and redeem. We let cynicism creep in with the excuse we are being real. We can stop moving forward, stop  striving towards Jesus because it’s clear( per Satan of course) that the promises of God are not for us, He meant them for others. He confuses us and uses every defeat to bully us into submission and complacency and forces us to hide in the shadow to prevent further attacks. He convinces us that we were just made to suffer and to live in deficient life.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick”

Proverbs 13:12 NKJV

BUT you have to Stop and realize this is all a lie, this is all a plan to stunt your growth, to create apathy that ultimately  will affect your potential and stops life from coming forth, not only for us but for others. Don’t let Satan blind you to WHO stands in your corner. Whose anointing flows through your veins.

You have the anointing of a God who parts seas, a God who heals, a God who restores, a God who has never let death win, one way or another whether in this life or on the other side of it he defeats death and defies failure and disappointment.

Even when the Earth is scorched  life can come back, after the devastation of fire the result of the fire on the land is abundant life, fire thins out thick woods so what comes back is a lush more diverse eco system. Plants that could not thrive in a thick, dark wood, now spring forth from the smoldering ruins because the abundance of space, light and nutrients caused by the fire.

Volcanic eruptions spew ash, lava, fumes and rock and can destroy everything in its reach, but the aftermath is minerals from deep inside the earth that would never have come to the surface otherwise and  transforms the dirt into amazing soil extremely conducive to growth. 

Even when all hope has died The Lord redeems our story. He provides, he heals, he supplies and interjects what and who we need  so that we  can live again, dust ourselves off and continue the fight. Hope grows again, just look at the  small blessings, medium blessing, big blessings that unfold in the valley. We start seeing him work little by little in his timing. Keep trusting, keep hoping, keep dreaming, keep moving towards GOD.

One day devastation will be transformed into testimony, into a witness of God’s love, faithfulness. One day you look back and say wow I was in that pit and I didn’t see a way out but now I’m out, I didn’t die, I survived and dare I say I thrived? 

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10 NKJV

Ruth 4:14-17 NKJV

The purpose of Naomi’s suffering wasn’t for death, it wasn’t to pummel her into the ground, it wasn’t punishment or because God enjoys to see us suffer. The ultimate purpose was redemption:

•Ruth’s redemption

•The redemption of Naomi’s family name

If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.”

Deuteronomy 25:5-6 NKJV

•The liberation of a Nation: David conquest over Israel’s enemies

•And the ultimate redemption, The redemption of the world, through Jesus.

Our suffering has deeper meaning than ourselves, our redemption will not only affect us but it can change a life and a whole world.

However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.”

I Timothy 1:16 NKJV

  1. Think of the past experiences in your life and also in the Bible that show examples of devastation restored by God.

  2. Find other verses in the Bible that speak of the redemption of God, memorize and declare them over the hard areas of life.

  3. Think of the areas in your life that are frustrating, hard right now. Write them down, pray and ask The Holy Spirit to give you the ability to lay those things down and to trust in His redeeming power.

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Becoming a Warrior Woman (Prayer & Praise)

You are a warrior!

You have giants you slay every day. It may look like depression, anxiety, addiction, etc. But if you are still here YOU ARE A WARRIOR!

Don’t minimize your position as a woman of God!

A warrior needs to have: • A strong prayer life • A high level of praise • Faith is who they are and how they live • They never give up and never stop swinging their sword

Warrior: A brave or experienced soldier or fighter Attributes of a warrior: confidence, strength, bravery, integrity, discipline

- The enemy will hit you when you’re a warrior because he wants to hold you back. Suit up!

- There is power in consistency! Keep showing up!

- It’s not a feeling, it’s a choice. How bad do you want it?

- Find your lane, get in it and GROW!

- “The very need you have, bless someone with that! Sow that seed and it will grow!!”

Warrior women of the Bible:

• Deborah- She trusted the Lord and had faith. Get to know your God for yourself! Don’t rely on other peoples knowledge of Him. Have a personal intimate relationship with Him.

• Look for more warrior women in the Bible. Take note of their attributes and what made them a warrior.

• Look up the attributes of a warrior and speak them over yourself.

• Look up the spiritual disciplines and pick one to work on this month.

• Latina said “The very need you have - bless someone with that”. Pray about where you can bless someone.

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Silence Your Negative Thoughts

Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.

Your thoughts have incredible power.

You have incredible power over your thoughts.

Romans 15:13 NIV
“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.”

Proverbs 4:23 NIV
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Romans 8:5&6 NIV
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

If you cannot define it, you cannot defeat it.

4 categories of negative thinking

1. Relational Cynicism

2. Negative Filtering

3. Absolute Thinking

4. Blaming

I Samuel 30:6b NKJV
“…But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

POWER THOUGHTS

1. Relational Cynicism

With God’s help I will get rid of all bitterness and skepticism. I choose to believe the best about others and be kind, compassionate and loving. I will love and forgive others as Jesus has loved and forgiven me.

2. NEGATIVE FILTERING

God, by your power I take every thought captive and make it obedient to the truth of Christ. Because You are good I choose to think on what’s good, right, true, helpful and worthy of praise. As I trust in You, Your peace will guard my heart, soul and mind in Christ Jesus.

3. Absolute Thinking

As Jesus loved and accepted me, I will love and accept others. Rather than always being right, I’m called to always be loving. Rather than just making a point, I choose to make a difference. In humility, I choose to love others above myself.

4. Blaming

God has given me a life and mind if my own. By His grace, I will own my own choices and choose God’s best for me. I have been given everything I need to accomplish everything God wants me to do. In Christ I will overcome.

Discussion:

1) Are your thoughts more negative or positive?

2) In which of the categories of negative thinking do most see yourself?

3) What about doing a negativity fast?

  • Seek God’s help to identify negative neural pathways in your thoughts.

  • Use the above power thoughts or, using the Bible write your own and speak them over yourself throughout the day.

  • Encourage your Bold and Brave sisters on FB with your victories.

  • What is your “go to” Bible passage to help you when life beats you down?

  • Practice ruminating in His Word

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Heroes of Faith

Verses about FAITH:

Matthew 21:22 - And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Mark 11:22-24 - And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we walk by faith, not by sight.

1 Corinthians 2:5 - That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

James 1:5-8 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

James 2:24 - You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Luke 17:5 - The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”

The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!

“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. 10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”

Hebrews 11

1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

  • What does verse 1 mean?

  • What do you believe about the beginning of creation? Can the Bible’s version be believed?

4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

  • Genesis 4

  • What did faith really have to do with Abel’s obedience?

5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

  • Genesis 5:21-24

  • Do you think God spared Enoch from death because of his faith?

  • Why is it impossible to please God without faith?

  • Is there a way to seek God that isn’t sincere?

7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

  • How do you think Noah had the faith to believe in something that had never happened before?

  • What righteousness comes by faith?

8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

  • What other faith did Abraham have in his life? Did it ever falter?

  • What do you think would have happened if Abraham didn’t have faith?

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.

  • Could you have done what Abraham did?

  • Has God given you any promises that may not come to pass in your lifetime?

20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.

  • Genesis 27:27-33

21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.

22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.

23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. 28 It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

  • Finish what we could not finish in class. Write down your thoughts and findings in a notebook.

  • Ask God where you need to grow in your faith right now. Spend some time in prayer asking Him what promises He’s given you.

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Empowered People

Empowered People Empower People

How do you feel you can become more empowered? Do you think or feel you are empowered now?

Know who you are and let God develop it!

It’s not about what you feel. It’s about what He says!

Empower: To give somebody the authority or power to do something

Matthew 16:13-19

True empowerment comes from a relationship with Jesus.

Believers of Christ Jesus are the HANDS of God to execute His divine will, order and authority in the Earth.

As it is said during offering time at Freedom Valley, we don’t HAVE to give, we GET to give. It is a PRIVILEGE to serve and work for God!

We are representing the Most High and His ambassadors.

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The Barren Fig Tree

Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Luke 13:6-9, “Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’

“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

———-

What, on earth, does this parable mean?
Why do you think Jesus didn’t explain it?

First, let’s read the context.

———

Luke 13:1-5, “About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. 2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? 3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. 4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

——-

When we search for things on the internet, there are some non-negotiables you have to remember:

The Bible is true.
Jesus is the perfect son of God.
God is good.

Search:

  • “garden and vineyard symbolism in the Bible”

  • “fig symbolism in the Bible”

  • “the gardener in the Bible”

  • “the law regarding first fruits, Leviticus 19:23-25

Candace’s notes:

  • I think we need to focus on the grace of this passage, rather than the “punishment”. This parable reflects Jesus offering a chance for repentance and forgiveness of sin, showing his grace toward his believers. The fig tree was also given the chance to be IN the vineyard, or garden, where it otherwise would not have been. Fig trees were typically off to the wayside, along roads, not really cultivated and planned out.

    • The church of God his his vineyard, distinguished from the common, with a fence around it. We are fig-trees planted in this vineyard by our baptism; we have a place and a name in the visible church, and this is our privilege and happiness. To be placed in GOOD SOIL!

  • The law of first fruits forbids eating fruit from a tree in its first three years. The gardener may have disposed of the fruit, either by plucking it at an early stage or dropping it for compost, to prevent anyone from inadvertently eating the forbidden fruit. He could be an observant Jew and the owner is not, unfamiliar with the laws of first fruits. Now that the tree is entering its productive period, the gardener has saved it from the ax, without letting the master know what happened to the earlier fruit. (another surprise coming though, because in the 4th year, all fruit goes to God)

  • I also think the fact that the owner checks fruit himself is significant. I think God is the owner, in this parable, and Jesus is the gardener. He doesn’t send someone else, he go himself to find the fruit. The God of heaven requires and expects fruit from those that have a place in his vineyard. He has his eye upon those that enjoy the Gospel, to see whether they live up to it; he seeks evidences of their getting good by the means of grace they enjoy. Leaves will not serve, crying Lord, Lord; blossoms will not serve, beginning well and promising fair; there must be fruit.

  • When disappointed though, the owners reaction is severe. He found none, none at all, not one fig. It is sad to think how many enjoy the privileges of the Gospel, and yet do nothing at all to the honor of God, not to answer the end of his entrusting them with those privileges; and it is a disappointment to him and a grief to the Spirit of his grace.

    • He only expected fruit—not MUCH fruit, and he wasn’t hasty! THREE YEARS! Year after year he came. If you apply this to the Jews of Jesus’ day, he came one space of time before the captivity, another after that, and another in the preaching Joh the Baptist, and of Christ Himself. OR—it could allude to the three years of Christ’s public ministry, which were now coming to an end. God is LONG-suffering, and patient. His patience is abused.

    • Lack of fruit in a tree means taking up space that a fruit-bearing tree COULD be taking. So, it not only didn’t bring fruit, but it hurt the overall fruit-bearing of the entire garden. Those who do not do good, do hurt, by the influence of their bad example; they grieve and discourage those that are good; they harden and encourage those that are bad. And the mischief is the greater, and the ground more cumbered, if it be a high, large spreading tree, and if it be an old tree of long standing.

What else could you do to a tree that has been tended, watered, pruned, and waited upon, but to cut it down? It doesn’t seem so harsh when you put it that way. There is nothing more to be done, except continue to wait. And waiting is hurting the rest of the garden. But Jesus, our gardener, still asks for more grace for us.

Ultimately, I think Jesus was issuing a warning to the Jewish people—God’s people. They would be given more time to produce fruit—only because Jesus was interceding for them…but God’s patience wouldn’t last forever. Our takeaway can be the same. We must produce fruit, because God cares deeply about fruitfulness, but we don’t have to do it alone.

So, now application.

  1. What would producing fruit have looked like to the audience Jesus was speaking to?

  2. What does producing fruit mean to us today?

  • Spend some time in prayer asking God how you can produce fruit in your life right now.

  • Google “fruit in the Bible” and read the passages that come up.

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The Power Struggle

What does it mean to be surrendered to God? Is there a difference between following Jesus, and total surrender? How do you know if you’re totally surrendered?

Surrender definition: verb. “cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority.”

Submit definition: verb. “accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person.”

I’ve been wrestling with this idea lately on the back burner during Made New. The process of sanctification should be constant, but can only happen if we’re totally surrendered. It’s a process that Jesus leads us through step by step, and it’s beautiful and graceful, but it’s not easy. How do we continually submit to it?

I would argue that there are different levels of surrender. And you can’t stay in one level forever. There will come a moment when the Holy Spirit will urge you on…and you’ll either move forward with Him, or begin to move away from Him. I’ve seen it happen too many times to count. I get to rejoice with those who move forward, and mourn for those who don’t.

  1. Initial surrender to the drawing of the Holy Spirit that leads to salvation. John 6:44, Acts 2:21

  2. When we can let go of attempting to earn God’s favor, and just rely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:21

  3. When we make room in our lives for more of the filling of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

  4. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and begin to exhibit traits of His character. Galatians 5:22

  5. When we are constantly changing, denying ourselves, and our self-worshipping nature is replaced with one that resembles Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:13, Mark 8:34

Galatians 2:20, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Biblical Heroes who demonstrated submission and total surrender:

  • Esther…Esther 4:16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”

  • Paul & Silas in Acts 16. Midnight singing and dungeon faith.

  • Paul in Acts 14. Getting back up and going back into town. Back to the missionary work he was called to.

  • Joseph throughout his life. Doing what was right, not what was easy.

  • Moses? (Why do some people seem to get there so much quicker than others? Woman at the well, vs. Moses who seemed to be constantly fearful and questioning God)

  • Job at the end?

  • Who else can you think of?

Discussion:

  1. What stage do you think you’re at? Why?

  2. What’s the benefit of moving through the stages?

  3. Would you say it’s difficult to move through them?

  4. If we’re having trouble, how do we get through it?

  • Identify the stage you’re in, and make specific goals about moving forward.

  • Identify some selfish recurring thoughts, that you can focus on changing.

  • Spend some time in prayer asking God what is the next thing to work on.

  • Identify some people who you can confide in and will help you through this journey.

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Battle Strategy

I - Identify the enemy. It’s not what it often seems.

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”Ephesians 6:12 NLT

•How do we fight such foes?

•Where is the battleground?

“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT

Verse 5b in NIV “…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

II - The battlefield is in our minds

•What thoughts weigh you down?

•How about these thoughts-

“I’m not _____ enough.” How would you fill in the blank?

“They don’t like me”

“I’m not as ____ as they are.”

“…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

•How do we make those thoughts obedient to Christ?

•What does the Word say in response to those thoughts.

Talk back to those thoughts.

Think about what you’re thinking about.

Do you ever get vague feelings of dis-ease? It’s easy to follow those feelings.

1.Stop

2.Look

3.Listen

STOP- “I’m NOT going to think that thought!”

LOOK to Jesus. Ask for His help. Remind yourself the truth of His word.

LISTEN- ask Holy Spirit to speak truth to your spirit.

“See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”
Isaiah 49:16a NLT

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:4-5, 7 NLT

III - Offensive battle strategy

1. Worship

2. Praise

3. Giving thanks

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”Philippians 4:8 NLT

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10 NLT

ESV: “Outdo one another in showing honor.”

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Hebrews 10:23-24 NLT

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NLT

I Am Your Beloved - Bethel Music

For further study:

•“Crash the Chatterbox” book by Steven Furtick

•“Battlefield of the Mind” book by Joyce Meyer

  1. Encourage each other and build each other up! Use the notecards provided to send someone you know an encouraging note.

  2. Identify at least one area where your thoughts get out of control. Develop your own personal battle strategy.

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3 Days to Live: What do you do?

If you knew you only had a week to live, what would you do with it?

Most answers center around sort of selfish things..and we’re unapologetic about that. See sights we’ve never seen, travel the world, profess our undying love for an old flame, spend time with our families.

I think a lot about what Jesus did with his last week left on Earth. He knew it was his last week. He knew what He had to do, and yet there wasn’t anything He needed to see. Nothing He needed to experience that He hadn’t yet. What He did do with His last week, is absolutely fascinating.

As we approach Easter, I have been studying the “Holy Week”. The week leading up to the crucifixion and death of Jesus. I just can’t get away from what happened on Thursday.


John 13:1:-17

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

13 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas,[b] son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”

8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”

Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.

9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”


He washed their feet and they ate together. He taught them how to remember his sacrifice, which wasn’t just the bread and the wine. It’s not just about feeding yourself, but about serving others.

Jesus lowered Himself to the position of the lowliest slave. Feet were gross in that culture. There was dust and dirt and poop in the streets…and the people wore sandals. It was a gross job, and it put you in a position of bowing to another person. It must have felt so vulnerable too, for the MESSIAH to be washing your feet, and everyone watching. Peter thought he was being honoring when he refused Jesus…he didn’t want Jesus to think he was taking advantage of Him, or like he thought he was better than Him somehow.

There is an element to this of allowing Jesus to serve you. Accepting the fact that Jesus laid down His life for you, and so you are valuable to Him. We’re not serving a God who elevates Himself over us, but who humbled Himself for us.


Discussion:

  1. What do you think it would feel like to have Jesus wash your feet?

  2. What do you think it means for us to wash other people’s feet?

  3. How do you serve others in your life? (outside the church, inside the church)

  4. What do you think needs to change in your life, to line up with the spirit of what Jesus is saying here?

Read:

  • Proverbs 19:17

    • How can you show kindness to the poor?

  • Acts 20:35

    • Why is it more blessed to give than to receive? What does that really mean, and how can you allow that truth to change your life?

  • Matthew 5:16

    • What does it mean to let your light shine before others? How do we balance doing good deeds and allowing the grace of Jesus to cover us in salvation?

  • Galatians 5:13

    • What does it mean to use your freedom to indulge the flesh? How do we serve one another in love?

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From Victim to Victor

The book of Esther

Ways this book is unique:

  • There seems to be a sort of theme, of power grabbing in this book, but also of luck and chance. It seems to say, “when you roll the dice against the people of God, the dice roll against you.”  

  • There’s also a bit of moral ambiguity in this book...the Jewish people are hiding..they are integrating into culture, even pieces of it that aren’t so….moral...and yet, they are STILL models of faith when things get tough. 

  • BUT the biggest way that this book is unique, is that God is not mentioned even once in this book. 


Esther 4:7-16

  1. She has PASSION FOR HIS PURPOSES.

  2. She had SACRIFICIAL SELFLESSNESS.

  3. She had a FOUNDATION OF FAITH.

  4. She had RESOLUTE RESOLVE.

DISCUSSION

  • How do you think we go about developing a passion for HIS purposes?

    • Ask him for the passion! A lot!

    • Obedience breeds passion.

    • Giving your time and attention to it.

  • How do we identify selfishness in our lives, and how do we change it?

    • Fasting selfishness

    • Fasting food

  • How do we build a foundation of faith for ourselves? for our families?

    • Looking back on what God has done—being thankful for what He has done.

    • Make like-minded friends. Soul-friendship. Practicing vulnerability.

    • Get in the Word for yourself.

    • Set an example for your family—pray out loud, worship by example.

    • Accountabilty Partner

  • How do we stop second-guessing and just go all in?

    • Reminding yourself of what He’s done before.

    • Take baby steps. Faithful with the little things.

    • Humility—be willing to fail. Willing to ask for help.

    • Be patient for big faith. Build it over time!

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The Power of Prayer

The Power of Prayer

The Power to Prevail

What are you saying for me with THIS SITUATION? 

“Prayin’ and pressin’ and pressin’ and prayin’”

When the enemy comes for you–are you gonna be ready for him?

God wants you relaxed in His presence.

“When I understand that you’re after my heart and not my hand, I will give you my hand!!” 

How can a person learn how to prevail in prayer?

  • Crisis–desperation

  • Practice–set aside time and space, consistency & commitment

  • Fasting

  • Getting to know the Father – He is FOR you.

  • Humility

Luke 18:1-8

Vs. 8, “Will He find this kind of PERSISTENT faith on the earth?” amplified version

Get your mind off the HOW–and get it on the WHO.

Remind Him!! I know WHO, not HOW. 

Other words that can be used to describe prayer:

  • Blessing

  • Supplication

  • Petition

  • Intercession

  • Devotion

  • Invocation

How do you believe you can enhance your own personal prayer life?

Doing it out of discipline: “you will only play as hard as you practice.”

It’s valuable: to the welfare and well-being of you and your family.

Doesn’t take fancy words - just a sincere heart and a humble cry

No comparison - it’s not about what others’ are doing.

We all got HOLES IN THE SOULS - gotta fill the holes!

Keeping things simple - allow it grow with the Holy Spirit

It is a privilege to PRAY!

Discussion Questions:

  • What would it mean for you to prevail in your life right now?

  • How can a person learn how to prevail in prayer?

  • How do you believe you can enhance your own personal prayer life?

Download the powerpoint from this teaching here.

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Stepping Into Purpose

STEPPING INTO PURPOSE:

  • VISION.

    • NOT: a vision board, all of your dreams coming true, knowing exactly where things are going, everything being perfect.

    • IS: letting GOD guide your path, a decision to allow yourself to submit, no matter what comes, going to the Word for guidance, a sense of purpose

    • “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

    • Godly vision: walking toward Jesus, always, not walking toward a goal, mindset, attitutde, bank account status, or anyTHING else.

  • WAITING

    • God sometimes purposefully conceals his purposes from us. Why? Because we would skip ahead if we knew? Because we’re proud and need to learn to rely on Him?

    • Psalm 25 - David’s waiting - He was 15 when he was anointed king, and 30 when he actually became king.

    • There’s something about the age of 30 in the bible. Jesus started his ministry then, David became king then, Joseph became a leader in Egypt at 30, Saul became the first king of Israel, the priests officially entered service at age 30, Ezekiel was called by God as a prophet then. Does this mean being 30 is a requirement to start something for God? NO. God uses the young too. I think it says more about the waiting period than anything. What are you doing in the waiting?

  • PURPOSE

    • Is your purpose unique on planet earth? Is your purpose a job? Is it a role? Is it only one thing? Is it that specific at all?

    • 1 Corinthians 10:30, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Do you HAVE to do ONLY that which God calls you to? Is living a good, full, Godly life not enough? When Israel was living in the promised land, and following God, was that not enough?

  • PERSERVERANCE

    • Does failure mean it wasn’t meant to be? Does failure mean I’m not good enough? Does opposition mean it wasn’t meant to be?

    • How do we measure success? John the Baptist was only meant to PREPARE THE WAY for the Messiah. How is that measured? Moses was called to “bring the people out of Egypt,” not necessarily lead them into the promised land.

      • Romans 11:29, “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.”

  • SERVICE

    • Your freedom is not for you, alone. Galatians 5:13-15, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.”

    • I think this is the main reason we get purpose wrong. We see our purpose as something that WE want to do…versus something that serves God or others.

Discussion

  • Have you ever felt like God was calling you to something specific?

  • Have you ever asked God what His will is for your life? What was God’s answer?

  • What goals or measurements did you create for yourself to determine when you were an adult?

  • When doubts creep in, what do you use to come against those doubts and fears?

  • Do you set time aside for God? What do you do in that time?

  • Join us in our church-wide Bible Plan.

  • Read Psalm 119. Which part ministers to you the most?

  • Read Psalm 25. How can this passage help you in a waiting season?

  • 1 Corinthians 10:30, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” How can you apply that to your life right now?

  • How can you serve others right now? Are you practicing servanthood within the church?

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Why Didn't God Answer My Prayers?

Notes:

Prayer can be powerful, but also confusing. John 14:13-14

You are not the main character of the story! God is the main character. God does not exist to serve US, but we exist to serve and glorify Him.

The purpose of prayer ISN'T to get God to do our will. It's to know GOD, so we can do HIS Will.

God is not a button to be pushed, but a relationship to be pursued.

Never build your theology around a single verse plucked out of context. Use the Bible to interpret the Bible.

So, why didn't God answer my prayer? (I DON’T KNOW. As your pastor, that’s above my pay grade.)

4 possibilities:

  1. Maybe you have a broken relationship. Hindering your intimacy with God. Mark 11:24-25, Matthew 5:24, 1 Peter 3:7, "if thou are a jerketh, God might not answer your prayers."

  2. Wrong motives. Selfish prayers.

  3. Maybe you don’t believe God will do it. You’re lacking faith. Mark 9:22-24. Matthew 9:22. Luke 7:50. Matthew 9:29-30. Faith matters. But God is still God. We don’t out our faith in FAITH, we put our faith in GOD.

  4. Maybe God has something different. It's just not God's will. 1 John 5:14-15.

"His grace is sufficient for me" His power is made perfect in my weakness and brokenness.
God may have something different in mind for you. Not always better, just different.

Then WHY pray?

The purpose of prayer is relational. It’s to get to know God. To know Him intimately so we can know His will.
It’s reminder that you are not in control, and it keeps you close to the One who is.

If you find yourself in a prayer slump, what do you do? Keep on praying.

Even if He doesn’t, I still believe. My faith is not in a “what”, always in a “who”.

Discussion:

  1. Was is your main takeaway from this message?

  2. Have you ever found yourself in a prayer slump? What got you out of it?

  3. How would you answer, if an unbelieving friend asked you why you pray?

  4. What do you think it means to let the Bible interpret the Bible?

  5. What’s your current prayer routine look like? When and how often do you pray to God?

  6. What has God been teaching you lately?

This month, let’s try out some different kinds of prayer practices! Use this holiday time to think about what Jesus has done, specifically, why He came, and what difference it makes it your life. Try a few of these at home this month:

  1. Meditate on God’s Word

  2. Journal Your Prayers

  3. Get Quiet, Be Still

  4. Praise God Through Thanksgiving

  5. Worship and Pray Through Nature or Exercising

  6. Pray with Others

  7. Fast & Pray

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God Finds Us

Greta’s Notes:

Only the one who gave you life has the authority to identify you.

Only 1 has the right and authority to tell you who you are. Circumstances are not powerful enough to define you.

You are who God says you are!!!

God has given you a name.

Any person or system that seeks to diminish the value of who I am is actually anti-God.

Your weakness is a platform for the strength of God to be displayed through your life.

You will live up to or down to whatever you believe to be true about who you are.

There are some theological principles that are relegated to one book of the Bible or another…but not identity. Identity is na issue that is on every page of the Bible.

If we act like who God is calling us is who we really are, then we will see blessings explode in our lives.

We can be on the real estate of God’s blessings but not be able to enjoy it if we don’t know our identity.

While religions try to reach up to find god, our God keeps coming down to reach out to us.

“The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.”

In the place where we are trying not to be found, God finds us.

Our belief (or unbelief) doesn’t shift the truth.

When you cannot trace his hand, trust his heart!

Discussion:

  1. What does your inner monologue tend to sound like? How could you improve it and make it line up with scripture more?

  2. Identify one negative though that goes through your head a lot. What do you think God would say to that thought?

  3. How do we go about giving God our weaknesses? What does that look like practically?

Really think this month about how you speak to yourself. What’s going on in your internal dialogue? Are you constantly thinking negatively about yourself? Are you proclaiming scripture in your life?

  • What can we learn from how God changed Abram’s name? What would it have meant to Abraham and what does it mean for you?

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