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”?”
Be honest with God
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.
Remind yourself of what God has done in the past.
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.
Capture negative thoughts!
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.
Declare/Pray the 40 I am's over yourself!
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?
Identify one of the I Am’s that means the most to you, and research the idea in the Word this month!
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!