Life is all about love.
"The entire law is summed up in a sigle command: 'Love you neighbor as yourself.'" Galatians 5:14
Question: Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?
This is another tough question! I'm usually surrounded by tasks that I have to get done either during the day or during the week like planning MS and HS youth group, answering phone calls and e-mails, doing research, seeing what new curriculum is out there, etc. But really, it's about the relationships! It's calling, e-mailing, texting, or Facebook, just reaching out to them saying that you're thinking about them and how their week is.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Purpose Driven Life pt. 15
Now we are in Purpose #2: You Were Formed For God's Family
The last Purpose (#1) was What on Earth Am I Here For?
I was formed for God's family.
"His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ." Ephesians 1:5
Question: How can I start treating other believers like members of my own family?
It's building those relationship among one another. Getting to know how their family is doing and not focusing only on the youth. Also getting to know them outside of church, whether it's inviting them home, going out to a park, a restaurant, or something similar. It's treating them with love and with respect.
The last Purpose (#1) was What on Earth Am I Here For?
I was formed for God's family.
"His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ." Ephesians 1:5
Question: How can I start treating other believers like members of my own family?
It's building those relationship among one another. Getting to know how their family is doing and not focusing only on the youth. Also getting to know them outside of church, whether it's inviting them home, going out to a park, a restaurant, or something similar. It's treating them with love and with respect.
Purpose Driven Life pt. 14
Two week mark!
God is real, no matter how I feel.
"For God has said, 'I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.'" Hebrews 13:5
Question: How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when he feels distant?
I think it's kind of getting the routine down of praying and/or reading the Bible daily. It can be a certain time of the day or night. Studies have shown that after you have done something for 28 days straight, it becomes a habit.
Usually in the age of technology when we e-mail someone or call someone and when we don't hear back, it seems like they can be ignoring us. But really, that someone is still thinking about you and will back to you. With God, He is always there and will get in touch with us, we just need to be patient.
Like Rick says, "...there's nothing wrong with you! This is a normal part of the testing and maturing of your friendship with God." Do you agree what he says here?
God is real, no matter how I feel.
"For God has said, 'I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.'" Hebrews 13:5
Question: How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when he feels distant?
I think it's kind of getting the routine down of praying and/or reading the Bible daily. It can be a certain time of the day or night. Studies have shown that after you have done something for 28 days straight, it becomes a habit.
Usually in the age of technology when we e-mail someone or call someone and when we don't hear back, it seems like they can be ignoring us. But really, that someone is still thinking about you and will back to you. With God, He is always there and will get in touch with us, we just need to be patient.
Like Rick says, "...there's nothing wrong with you! This is a normal part of the testing and maturing of your friendship with God." Do you agree what he says here?
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Purpose Driven Life pt. 13
God wants ALL of me.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30
Questions: Which is more pleasing to God right now - my public worship or my private worship? Waht will I do about this?
Right now I would say private worship. After the last couple of chapters it deals with developing that friendship with God. Earlier in the book it talked about worship not being just music, but everything we do in church and outside of church that puts the focus on God. Think about the word "focus".
What do you think about the word "authentic"? Another word that comes to my mind about authentic is the word "real". Being real with God, loving Him unconditionally. Again, it's almost like surrendering to God, isn't it?
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30
Questions: Which is more pleasing to God right now - my public worship or my private worship? Waht will I do about this?
Right now I would say private worship. After the last couple of chapters it deals with developing that friendship with God. Earlier in the book it talked about worship not being just music, but everything we do in church and outside of church that puts the focus on God. Think about the word "focus".
What do you think about the word "authentic"? Another word that comes to my mind about authentic is the word "real". Being real with God, loving Him unconditionally. Again, it's almost like surrendering to God, isn't it?
Purpose Driven Life pt. 12
I'm as close to God as I choose to be.
"Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." James 4:8
Question: What practical choices will I make today i order to grow closer with God?
For me, it's talking to Him. Whether it's a conversation or prayer, it's simply talking to Him.
This is a great sequel from the last chapter. Developing that friendship can also refer to "surrendering". Normally our best friends know almost everything about us. It's because we trust them and telling them our darkest fears or other details means that we are surrendering to them. I want you to think about the phrase "I'm as close to God as I choose to be" for a while and repeat it to yourself. Are you happy where you at, content, or disappointed?
With the mention of honesty; we are honest with our best friends. In the same way, we have to be hosest with God. Sure, He knows EVERYTHING about us, even though when we pray we sometimes don't say what's on our heart. But it's saying EVERYTHING on our heart will develop that relationship with God and getting rid of the "baggage" that we carry with us. It's SURRENDERING!
"Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." James 4:8
Question: What practical choices will I make today i order to grow closer with God?
For me, it's talking to Him. Whether it's a conversation or prayer, it's simply talking to Him.
This is a great sequel from the last chapter. Developing that friendship can also refer to "surrendering". Normally our best friends know almost everything about us. It's because we trust them and telling them our darkest fears or other details means that we are surrendering to them. I want you to think about the phrase "I'm as close to God as I choose to be" for a while and repeat it to yourself. Are you happy where you at, content, or disappointed?
With the mention of honesty; we are honest with our best friends. In the same way, we have to be hosest with God. Sure, He knows EVERYTHING about us, even though when we pray we sometimes don't say what's on our heart. But it's saying EVERYTHING on our heart will develop that relationship with God and getting rid of the "baggage" that we carry with us. It's SURRENDERING!
Purpose Driven Life. pt 11
God wants to by my best friend.
"Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him." Psalm 25:14
Question: What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?
Even though I work in the church, I can sometimes put God on the back-burner. I immediately check my e-mail and start organizing what I have to do for the week. Like the author said, talking to God can be while you shop, drive, or anything else. I can use more short phrases throughtout the day, but it has to be sincere, not just going-through-the-motions.
Think about the relationship with your best frind(s). For me, one of my best friends is my wife. I know her pretty well and she knows me pretty well. We converse daily and grow together in our marriage and in our relationship. That's similar to what the relationship with God is supposed to be. It's speaking to Him, either in prayer or in conversation. Sometimes my moments with God are either driving or in the bathroom (sorry, t.m.i.). I probably get some strange looks if I'm driving and people see me talking to "myself", but I don't care. I am having my one-on-one time with God.
If you are interested in more prayer, I have some outlines in my mailbox about prayer that I did a few weeks ago. Feel free to take a copy!
"Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him." Psalm 25:14
Question: What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?
Even though I work in the church, I can sometimes put God on the back-burner. I immediately check my e-mail and start organizing what I have to do for the week. Like the author said, talking to God can be while you shop, drive, or anything else. I can use more short phrases throughtout the day, but it has to be sincere, not just going-through-the-motions.
Think about the relationship with your best frind(s). For me, one of my best friends is my wife. I know her pretty well and she knows me pretty well. We converse daily and grow together in our marriage and in our relationship. That's similar to what the relationship with God is supposed to be. It's speaking to Him, either in prayer or in conversation. Sometimes my moments with God are either driving or in the bathroom (sorry, t.m.i.). I probably get some strange looks if I'm driving and people see me talking to "myself", but I don't care. I am having my one-on-one time with God.
If you are interested in more prayer, I have some outlines in my mailbox about prayer that I did a few weeks ago. Feel free to take a copy!
Purpose Driven Life pt. 10
Double digits!!!!
The heart of worship is surrender.
"Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes." Romans 6:13
Question: What area of my life am I holding back from God?
Trust. Hands down. Like the beginning of the chapter said, thw word surrendering has a negative meaning in the world-view. In our life, we are taught that work, sports, or anything else is a dog-eat-dog world. Full of competition, racing to the top of the corporate "food chain".
It's hard to figure out what God's plan (or purpose) is let alone doing it. Sometimes God will call us to do something and we can act like a two year-old and kick and scream all we can, but it's something that has to be done. However, it what makes us stronger and allowing us to take risks and fully TRUST on God.
This is not an over-night process. It'll take time and patience. At this time of Lent, I think about the sacrifice that Christ made for us. He SURRENDERED to God for His will, for His purpose.
The heart of worship is surrender.
"Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes." Romans 6:13
Question: What area of my life am I holding back from God?
Trust. Hands down. Like the beginning of the chapter said, thw word surrendering has a negative meaning in the world-view. In our life, we are taught that work, sports, or anything else is a dog-eat-dog world. Full of competition, racing to the top of the corporate "food chain".
It's hard to figure out what God's plan (or purpose) is let alone doing it. Sometimes God will call us to do something and we can act like a two year-old and kick and scream all we can, but it's something that has to be done. However, it what makes us stronger and allowing us to take risks and fully TRUST on God.
This is not an over-night process. It'll take time and patience. At this time of Lent, I think about the sacrifice that Christ made for us. He SURRENDERED to God for His will, for His purpose.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)