At Real Life Church, www.reallifechurch.tv, we are entering into our next message in our Fearless series. It is entitled, If You Can't Stand the Heat!
Here are some questions to go along with the passages we posted earlier.
1) Faith that’s tested is faith that can be trusted. What “fiery trials” have you endured that strengthened your faith?
2) In what area of life are you most tempted to follow people’s expectations instead of God’s commands? (Remember to have your Life Group pray for you about this.)
3) There is a difference between believing in God and believing God. What are you “believing God” for?
Go ahead and comment and share your thoughts.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Prep for Fearless #2 - If You Can't Stand the Heat...
Here's the next passages for our Fearless series at Real Life Church, www.reallifechurch.tv
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:1
Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." Daniel 3:4-6
…But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" Daniel 3:15b
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:1
Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." Daniel 3:4-6
…But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" Daniel 3:15b
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Against All Odds Prep - Part 2
Again, here's some food for thought for our upcoming message: Against All Odds - Fearless #1 at www.reallifechurch.tv.
TAKE IT HOME:
1. What has fear kept you from doing that God is calling you to do? Address
your fears by honestly acknowledging to God your mistrust of Him. Be
honest about any wrong beliefs about yourself and any negative absolutes
that you have believed. Begin rejecting these thoughts and replacing them
with what God says. Build up your faith in God by focusing on His promises,
His character and His past faithfulness.
2. How has depending on your own sufficiency or focusing on your weaknesses,
kept you from experiencing God’s strength? What risk does God want you to
take in order to experience His strength through your weakness? When
thinking or speaking of your weaknesses or your negative circumstances, end
your thought with but God . . . Example: I feel weak and inadequate but God
is my adequacy ( 2 Cor.3:5-6).
DISCOVERY QUESTIONS:
1. Read Judges 6.
• Prior to Gideon saving the day, what was the situation in Israel? (vv1-6)
What did the oppressed and fearful Israelites do? (v7) How did God respond?
(vv7-10) What did the Lord declare to Gideon? How did he respond?
What questions did Gideon ask the Lord? What do Gideon’s questions
reveal about his fears?
• Make a list of all the Lord’s declarations and promises to Gideon. Which of
these promises apply to us today? How difficult is it for you to simply take
God at His Word and trust His promises? Why is God’s word sometimes not
enough to convince us to trust God?
• What fleeces (signs) did Gideon put out to test the Lord? When have you
tried the “fleece” method of determining God’s will? What was the result?
Like Gideon, were you tempted to do it again?
• In one night, Gideon tore down an alter to the false god, Baal, built another
and made sacrifices to the true God. What role do you think this played in
the defeat of the Midionites? What would you like to “tear down” in your life?
What would you like to “build up” to the glory of God?
2. Read Judges chapter 7 through chapter 8 verse one.
• Why did God want to reduce the size of Gideon’s army? What significance
does God’s method of selecting the 300 man army have? Why did God
choose the men that lapped water? What was God trying to teach Gideon?
• Why did God have Gideon spy on the enemy’s camp? (vv9-12) How did God
confirm for Gideon that he had truly heard from God? What means has God
used to encourage and build up your faith?
VERSES FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Deuteronomy 6:13-19; Judges 6-8:1; Psalm 56:2-4; Isaiah 43:1-5; 2 Corinthians
3:5-6, 11:30,12:9-10; Ephesians 6:10; Philippians 4:13; 2 Timothy 1:7
TAKE IT HOME:
1. What has fear kept you from doing that God is calling you to do? Address
your fears by honestly acknowledging to God your mistrust of Him. Be
honest about any wrong beliefs about yourself and any negative absolutes
that you have believed. Begin rejecting these thoughts and replacing them
with what God says. Build up your faith in God by focusing on His promises,
His character and His past faithfulness.
2. How has depending on your own sufficiency or focusing on your weaknesses,
kept you from experiencing God’s strength? What risk does God want you to
take in order to experience His strength through your weakness? When
thinking or speaking of your weaknesses or your negative circumstances, end
your thought with but God . . . Example: I feel weak and inadequate but God
is my adequacy ( 2 Cor.3:5-6).
DISCOVERY QUESTIONS:
1. Read Judges 6.
• Prior to Gideon saving the day, what was the situation in Israel? (vv1-6)
What did the oppressed and fearful Israelites do? (v7) How did God respond?
(vv7-10) What did the Lord declare to Gideon? How did he respond?
What questions did Gideon ask the Lord? What do Gideon’s questions
reveal about his fears?
• Make a list of all the Lord’s declarations and promises to Gideon. Which of
these promises apply to us today? How difficult is it for you to simply take
God at His Word and trust His promises? Why is God’s word sometimes not
enough to convince us to trust God?
• What fleeces (signs) did Gideon put out to test the Lord? When have you
tried the “fleece” method of determining God’s will? What was the result?
Like Gideon, were you tempted to do it again?
• In one night, Gideon tore down an alter to the false god, Baal, built another
and made sacrifices to the true God. What role do you think this played in
the defeat of the Midionites? What would you like to “tear down” in your life?
What would you like to “build up” to the glory of God?
2. Read Judges chapter 7 through chapter 8 verse one.
• Why did God want to reduce the size of Gideon’s army? What significance
does God’s method of selecting the 300 man army have? Why did God
choose the men that lapped water? What was God trying to teach Gideon?
• Why did God have Gideon spy on the enemy’s camp? (vv9-12) How did God
confirm for Gideon that he had truly heard from God? What means has God
used to encourage and build up your faith?
VERSES FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Deuteronomy 6:13-19; Judges 6-8:1; Psalm 56:2-4; Isaiah 43:1-5; 2 Corinthians
3:5-6, 11:30,12:9-10; Ephesians 6:10; Philippians 4:13; 2 Timothy 1:7
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Against All Odds Prep - Part 1
Against All Odds - questions and food for thought part 1
KEY POINTS:
1) Two Fear Factors:
• Our lack of trust in God.
• Our wrong beliefs about ourselves.
• What has fear kept you from doing
that God is calling you to do?
2) The Gideon: When God uses an unsure, insecure, and fearful person to do
the impossible.
3) Gideon Truths:
• With God, His strength through your weakness is exactly enough.
• With God, the way forward is often backwards.
BREAKING THE ICE:
• What are some success philosophies that are popular today?
• Share a time when you experienced God’s strength through your weakness?
CONNECTING:
1. We defined a “practical atheist” as a person who believes in God but
lives as if God doesn’t exist. In what area of your life are you dangerously
tempted to be a practical atheist?
2. God saw Gideon as a mighty warrior. Gideon saw himself as weak and one
of the least? What are some wrong beliefs about yourself that God is
helping you to overcome? What does God say about you in His Word?
What would it look like in your behavior if you believed what God says instead
of your feelings, weaknesses or circumstances?
3. What promises did God make to Gideon? (see Judges 6:12,14,16,22) What
does Gideon’s questions reveal about why he lacked trust in God? (6:13-15)
What circumstances in your life make it difficult for you to trust God?
4. What battle are you facing today that gives you cause for concern? What
has fear kept you from doing that God wants you to do? What are you
going to do about it? What risks are you willing to make in order to experience
God’s strength and sufficiency?
5. In what way was Gideon just an average guy with common fears and weaknesses?
In what ways can you relate to Gideon? Where are you uncertain,
cautious or afraid of God’s will or calling for your life? What are some of your
negative absolutes? In what way are you feeling weak and outnumbered?
Come back tomorrow for Part Two. Feel free to comment or answer a question or two...
KEY POINTS:
1) Two Fear Factors:
• Our lack of trust in God.
• Our wrong beliefs about ourselves.
• What has fear kept you from doing
that God is calling you to do?
2) The Gideon: When God uses an unsure, insecure, and fearful person to do
the impossible.
3) Gideon Truths:
• With God, His strength through your weakness is exactly enough.
• With God, the way forward is often backwards.
BREAKING THE ICE:
• What are some success philosophies that are popular today?
• Share a time when you experienced God’s strength through your weakness?
CONNECTING:
1. We defined a “practical atheist” as a person who believes in God but
lives as if God doesn’t exist. In what area of your life are you dangerously
tempted to be a practical atheist?
2. God saw Gideon as a mighty warrior. Gideon saw himself as weak and one
of the least? What are some wrong beliefs about yourself that God is
helping you to overcome? What does God say about you in His Word?
What would it look like in your behavior if you believed what God says instead
of your feelings, weaknesses or circumstances?
3. What promises did God make to Gideon? (see Judges 6:12,14,16,22) What
does Gideon’s questions reveal about why he lacked trust in God? (6:13-15)
What circumstances in your life make it difficult for you to trust God?
4. What battle are you facing today that gives you cause for concern? What
has fear kept you from doing that God wants you to do? What are you
going to do about it? What risks are you willing to make in order to experience
God’s strength and sufficiency?
5. In what way was Gideon just an average guy with common fears and weaknesses?
In what ways can you relate to Gideon? Where are you uncertain,
cautious or afraid of God’s will or calling for your life? What are some of your
negative absolutes? In what way are you feeling weak and outnumbered?
Come back tomorrow for Part Two. Feel free to comment or answer a question or two...
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Against All Odds - Fearless Series #1
Here is our message text for the first message in our series entitled, 'Fearless' at Real Life Church, http://www.reallifechurch.tv/
The Title is "Against All Odds."
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. Judges 6:1-2
The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." Judges 6:11-12
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. Judges 6:1-2
The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." Judges 6:11-12
Check back tomorrow for our questions.
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Post-Easter Hangover
Wow, that's all I can say. There was some major work that went into celebrating an Empty Tomb. Man, it was a busy day. My spiritual hangover is really in full effect. See, here's a quiz - what do you call the Sunday before Easter? _______________ that's right: Palm Sunday! What do you call the Sunday after Easter? ___________________ this may be new to some of you. It is called: (drum roll please) BOMB SUNDAY!
We spend so much energy getting Easter as big as possible. We see historic days with big numbers to come back the following Sunday to experience a let-down. This week, my goal is to make BOMB Sunday - BLAST SUNDAY. We are hitting the streets with servant evangelism, door hangers, ads, everything we can think of to share the message: 'You don't have to wait for next Easter to come to church!'
You may have experienced this as well. What can we do different? We have to make sure our hangovers only last a few moments on Monday morning. Yeah, it doesn't help that it's rainy and cold. It doesn't help that we are tired. Think about it, isn't the tomb still empty? Didn't Jesus kick Death in the junk? What is stopping us? Let's go and make an impact in our communities! This is our time! This is our day! We can be unstoppable!
Thanks for coming by. And hey, share your thoughts by leaving a comment or two.
We spend so much energy getting Easter as big as possible. We see historic days with big numbers to come back the following Sunday to experience a let-down. This week, my goal is to make BOMB Sunday - BLAST SUNDAY. We are hitting the streets with servant evangelism, door hangers, ads, everything we can think of to share the message: 'You don't have to wait for next Easter to come to church!'
You may have experienced this as well. What can we do different? We have to make sure our hangovers only last a few moments on Monday morning. Yeah, it doesn't help that it's rainy and cold. It doesn't help that we are tired. Think about it, isn't the tomb still empty? Didn't Jesus kick Death in the junk? What is stopping us? Let's go and make an impact in our communities! This is our time! This is our day! We can be unstoppable!
Thanks for coming by. And hey, share your thoughts by leaving a comment or two.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Three Things
1) Plan Big...Expect Bigger. I think we limit God with our small view of what He plans on doing. Don't even begin to let others limit your expectations of God either. Plan Big and then Expect something Bigger.
2) Go Ahead and Line Up that Bus! My sympathies to all who knows what the underside of a bus looks like. So - check it. People may nor get what you do. You may feel the same about them. Keep in mind that a difference doesn't automatically mean someone has to be wrong.
3) Finally...ask people to step up. I have failed in this area. Our people - the Lifers - need to step it up. Step up to the plate. Make something happen. Take it to the edge. If we want to play it safe - then let's all stay home!That's the whole point. Playing it Safe is like Staying Home.
Keep that in mind when you feel like you can't do something.
Share Your thoughts as always.
Jay
2) Go Ahead and Line Up that Bus! My sympathies to all who knows what the underside of a bus looks like. So - check it. People may nor get what you do. You may feel the same about them. Keep in mind that a difference doesn't automatically mean someone has to be wrong.
3) Finally...ask people to step up. I have failed in this area. Our people - the Lifers - need to step it up. Step up to the plate. Make something happen. Take it to the edge. If we want to play it safe - then let's all stay home!That's the whole point. Playing it Safe is like Staying Home.
Keep that in mind when you feel like you can't do something.
Share Your thoughts as always.
Jay
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Kickin It...
Why do we struggle with new routines? I would love to hear your thoughts on this one. It seems like I struggle everytime I try to change. I plan on reading my Bible more - struggle. I want to pray and fast more - struggle. I want to devote more of my time to God - struggle.
This is where an accountability partner would be helpful. This is someone who will encourage you to stick to it. Maybe you're out there today with a struggle that I can help with, and you may help me with mine. Let's kick this together. Share your stories. Visit us at www.reallifechurch.tv.
This is where an accountability partner would be helpful. This is someone who will encourage you to stick to it. Maybe you're out there today with a struggle that I can help with, and you may help me with mine. Let's kick this together. Share your stories. Visit us at www.reallifechurch.tv.
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