Stop for a minute and read Matthew 28. Try and place yourself in the disciples' shoes as they witnessed these things and heard these words from Jesus. How do you think you would have reacted?
The initial reaction would have been shock and disbelief. People just come back from the dead. But. This is Jesus. This where faith steps in. Some people need to experience such things for their faith to be real. It takes a lot to believe. While I have always believed, I have not followed. This was Jesus' last command in verses 18-20. I need to take my belief and faith deeper than just the surface. I need to "dive in."
This is a topic and study that is rather easy to gloss over. I grew up in the church and am very used to this story and message. I think it would have been awesome to experience this.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Week 1 Day 5
Luke 14:35-33
If you choose to obey Jesus' call to follow, what might it cost you? (Avoid being vague. If following Jesus would cost you specific possessions, comforts, or relationships, list them below)
This question is an easy one to answer, yet hard at the same time. I mean my possessions are just things. They can be gotten rid of, gotten back, etc. They are just things. I have always tried to live minimally and not have a lot of things. Sure, my things are nice. But if it means doing something I'm called to do, they gone.
As for comforts, sure I like sleeping in a bed. Hitting the gym. But. Those are just fluff. Can always find a way to workout. Learn how to sleep on or in something different. The body adjusts.
Finally, for relationships. Those are all closest to me, are saved. They would understand. It would be some of the lesser relationships that might fade away, which happens with change.
What might hold you back from following Jesus at this point? Are you willing to let go of these things if necessary?
The biggest hold back would be money. And the faith for God to provide. I was a little squirrley in my younger years and have some debt. Some bills. Gotta make enough to cover those. I want to get out of debt, not further into it. I don't like it, or the stress that it causes. I think I would have hard time following a call and trusting for Him to provide in this area. I would go. I would have to. He always helps me find a way. He has proven this time and time again. It is just a scary step.
If you choose to obey Jesus' call to follow, what might it cost you? (Avoid being vague. If following Jesus would cost you specific possessions, comforts, or relationships, list them below)
This question is an easy one to answer, yet hard at the same time. I mean my possessions are just things. They can be gotten rid of, gotten back, etc. They are just things. I have always tried to live minimally and not have a lot of things. Sure, my things are nice. But if it means doing something I'm called to do, they gone.
As for comforts, sure I like sleeping in a bed. Hitting the gym. But. Those are just fluff. Can always find a way to workout. Learn how to sleep on or in something different. The body adjusts.
Finally, for relationships. Those are all closest to me, are saved. They would understand. It would be some of the lesser relationships that might fade away, which happens with change.
What might hold you back from following Jesus at this point? Are you willing to let go of these things if necessary?
The biggest hold back would be money. And the faith for God to provide. I was a little squirrley in my younger years and have some debt. Some bills. Gotta make enough to cover those. I want to get out of debt, not further into it. I don't like it, or the stress that it causes. I think I would have hard time following a call and trusting for Him to provide in this area. I would go. I would have to. He always helps me find a way. He has proven this time and time again. It is just a scary step.
Thankfullness for the Blessings Take Heed of the Sins
This was the topic that was preached at Church on Sunday. It supported the study from Session Four of Multiply. Was very broad. But good. Plus the preacher was slightly hyper so some of the message was lost. But they provide you with outlines for the week to study. And these are the focus of the small groups they have. I am working on joining one.
The sermon can be found here:
http://www.efreepalouse.org/sermons/
The sermon can be found here:
http://www.efreepalouse.org/sermons/
Week One Day 4
As you look at your life, how would you say that your love for God is shown in your actions? (If you are having trouble coming up with an answer, take some time to think through some changes you may need to make in your lifestyle.)
Matthew 22:37-40: "And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
Today's topic was about love. Love for God. And love for your "neighbors." It is important to love those around us, because this shows love for God. We also show love by keeping his commandments. I would say that I show love for God through my actions in a variety of ways. The first is by directly loving my neighbors. I have the pleasure of living in a fraternity. With 48 young men. This isn't always the easiest job, but I have to responsibility of looking out for them. This job would be a lot easier if I didn't care about them. Coming and going as I want, and not investing in their daily lives. Helping them to grow and develop.
The second way is at work. I manage a bar/restaurant/casino/bowling alley and I have to know a lot of different things. Being a college town, we get a lot of untrained workers. And it usually falls on me to train them. Rather than just let them try and figure it out on their own, I take a vested interest in them. Trying to help them become better at their job, teach them actual skills, and prepare them for the future.
Finally, I show love for others at the gym. I, like most people, value my workout time. But. I can't be self absorbed at the gym. I am always willing to offer a spot to lifters, even when they don't realize they will need one. Gotta keep the head on the swivel.
Matthew 22:37-40: "And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
Today's topic was about love. Love for God. And love for your "neighbors." It is important to love those around us, because this shows love for God. We also show love by keeping his commandments. I would say that I show love for God through my actions in a variety of ways. The first is by directly loving my neighbors. I have the pleasure of living in a fraternity. With 48 young men. This isn't always the easiest job, but I have to responsibility of looking out for them. This job would be a lot easier if I didn't care about them. Coming and going as I want, and not investing in their daily lives. Helping them to grow and develop.
The second way is at work. I manage a bar/restaurant/casino/bowling alley and I have to know a lot of different things. Being a college town, we get a lot of untrained workers. And it usually falls on me to train them. Rather than just let them try and figure it out on their own, I take a vested interest in them. Trying to help them become better at their job, teach them actual skills, and prepare them for the future.
Finally, I show love for others at the gym. I, like most people, value my workout time. But. I can't be self absorbed at the gym. I am always willing to offer a spot to lifters, even when they don't realize they will need one. Gotta keep the head on the swivel.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Week 1 Day 3
Evaluate your approach to following Jesus. Would you say that you view Jesus as your Lord, Master and Owner? Why or why not?
It is always an awesome feeling when you feel that a book, despite being written for the masses, is speaking directly to you. Today's study did just that. The short answer to the question is no. I do not view Jesus as my Lord, Master and Owner. I don't think this is something that I have ever grasepd or really just had it laid out so bluntly, at least not when I was in a mind-set to listen. This is huge for me. I have always prided myself on being independent. Being a hard worker and figuring things out through my own strength. Or so I thought. I am a lot more aware that this isn't me. God has put things in motion. I know I am meant for more, and I now know that I cannot achieve whatever that may be until I make Jesus my Lord.
I have always had the friend view of Jesus. A teammate. A coach. Someone that was there to help and teach. While those are all true, it is the easy view of Jesus. The one that does not require much. I have to realize that I am not my own. The Bible tells me this. This concept is a lot easier for me to realize due to my workouts, as odd as this sounds. Working out has become a passion for me. It requires discipline, dedication and study. It also requires solid nutrition. First Corinthians 6:19-20, 'Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.' This verse translates very well to the gym, and beyond. For me, I do not want my workouts to be a stumbling block. A distraction. It is my desire and prayer that I become more dedicated in my Spiritual workouts and training, than I do in my physical ones.
It is also my prayer that I stop viewing myself so highly. I didn't get me where I am. As much as I want to think I did. I want to change my approach to following Jesus. I need to follow him as my Lord. Not just as a friend.
It is always an awesome feeling when you feel that a book, despite being written for the masses, is speaking directly to you. Today's study did just that. The short answer to the question is no. I do not view Jesus as my Lord, Master and Owner. I don't think this is something that I have ever grasepd or really just had it laid out so bluntly, at least not when I was in a mind-set to listen. This is huge for me. I have always prided myself on being independent. Being a hard worker and figuring things out through my own strength. Or so I thought. I am a lot more aware that this isn't me. God has put things in motion. I know I am meant for more, and I now know that I cannot achieve whatever that may be until I make Jesus my Lord.
I have always had the friend view of Jesus. A teammate. A coach. Someone that was there to help and teach. While those are all true, it is the easy view of Jesus. The one that does not require much. I have to realize that I am not my own. The Bible tells me this. This concept is a lot easier for me to realize due to my workouts, as odd as this sounds. Working out has become a passion for me. It requires discipline, dedication and study. It also requires solid nutrition. First Corinthians 6:19-20, 'Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.' This verse translates very well to the gym, and beyond. For me, I do not want my workouts to be a stumbling block. A distraction. It is my desire and prayer that I become more dedicated in my Spiritual workouts and training, than I do in my physical ones.
It is also my prayer that I stop viewing myself so highly. I didn't get me where I am. As much as I want to think I did. I want to change my approach to following Jesus. I need to follow him as my Lord. Not just as a friend.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Week 2 Day 2
Read Ephesians 2 carefully and take some time to consider the truths it presents. Do you trust in the death of Christ for your salvation? Do you ever struggle with believing you need to do something to save yourself?
I one hundred percent believe that Christ died for my salvation. That is not something that I have ever struggled with. In fact, its quite the opposite. It is something that I have taken for granted. I'm saved. I earned my pass. I can do my own thing is a very accurate attitude of how I have been living my life. It is something that I am changing. Trying to start my day off right. I love to workout. I start my day with a 2 mile walk. I have changed what I listen to set the tone for the day. I come back, have my morning shake and then do my bible study. It is something I want to keep up.
Diving into Ephesians 2, there are a lot of verses that stand out. That get the thought process going. Having lived in a lot of the 'lusts of the flesh and mind (v.3), I know how devastating they can be. I had to learn the hard way. I wasn't strong enough to learn from others. It is amazing how desires of the flesh can cloud the mind. The longer I stay away from them, the clearer my mind gets, and the hungrier it becomes. It is awesome. It is simply mind blowing that A. God would send his son to die for me, before I even believed and B. That he continues to love me and bless me even after I 'do my own thing.' Wow.
The end of the chapter (v.17-22) talks about the foundation that has been laid. With Christ being the cornerstone. As I have begun to clean up my life (about a year and a half now), I knew that I had to get my foundation right. Get it solid again. Repair the cracks. I had to clean a lot of stuff up, and out, in order to repair those problems areas. I knew where I had to start. With Christ. We had a lot of good talks. Some very hard times. But He still blessed me. Opened doors and got me into an amazing situation. I often wonder how many 'second chances' I am going to get. I really don't want to find out. I want to use this opportunity to the fullest and start returning the glory to God. And start building on the foundation he has laid for me.
The last verse, v.22, really stands out to me. I think because with my workouts, its building something. A better physical body. Combine that with a strong mind and solid spiritual base, and that is quite the 'dwelling of God in the Spirit.'
I one hundred percent believe that Christ died for my salvation. That is not something that I have ever struggled with. In fact, its quite the opposite. It is something that I have taken for granted. I'm saved. I earned my pass. I can do my own thing is a very accurate attitude of how I have been living my life. It is something that I am changing. Trying to start my day off right. I love to workout. I start my day with a 2 mile walk. I have changed what I listen to set the tone for the day. I come back, have my morning shake and then do my bible study. It is something I want to keep up.
Diving into Ephesians 2, there are a lot of verses that stand out. That get the thought process going. Having lived in a lot of the 'lusts of the flesh and mind (v.3), I know how devastating they can be. I had to learn the hard way. I wasn't strong enough to learn from others. It is amazing how desires of the flesh can cloud the mind. The longer I stay away from them, the clearer my mind gets, and the hungrier it becomes. It is awesome. It is simply mind blowing that A. God would send his son to die for me, before I even believed and B. That he continues to love me and bless me even after I 'do my own thing.' Wow.
The end of the chapter (v.17-22) talks about the foundation that has been laid. With Christ being the cornerstone. As I have begun to clean up my life (about a year and a half now), I knew that I had to get my foundation right. Get it solid again. Repair the cracks. I had to clean a lot of stuff up, and out, in order to repair those problems areas. I knew where I had to start. With Christ. We had a lot of good talks. Some very hard times. But He still blessed me. Opened doors and got me into an amazing situation. I often wonder how many 'second chances' I am going to get. I really don't want to find out. I want to use this opportunity to the fullest and start returning the glory to God. And start building on the foundation he has laid for me.
The last verse, v.22, really stands out to me. I think because with my workouts, its building something. A better physical body. Combine that with a strong mind and solid spiritual base, and that is quite the 'dwelling of God in the Spirit.'
Week 1 Day 1
Up to this point in your life, would you call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ? Why do you say that? Do you see evidence of your faith as described in Luke 6:40?
-Luke 6:40 "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.
At this point in my life, I do call myself a Christian. I would describe it as a "hungry" child like Christian. Up to this point, my faith was based on what I had learned as a child living under my parents house. Taking in what they taught me and what I picked up by going to Church with them. In college my faith became somewhat my own as I was out on my own for the first time. I kind of dabbled in it, but never had the drive to the hunger that I now posses. For the first time, I want to know more. For me. Not for anyone else. Not because someone else is telling me to, or dictate what I am learning. I have a hunger and thirst and I want to satisfy it. That is how I know this is real. I know what is right. I know when I am living wrong. I want to have a teacher, I want to be taught. I want to be a pupil, to become a better disciple. I have some great opportunities. And I need to get myself right to better use them. I reaize that I cannot do this on my own. That I have to reach out to others. Both those I count as friends. And those who I don't know yet. I have found a Church I like, and want to attend regularly. Not just attend, but get plugged in to a small group and hopefully a Sunday school class.
-Luke 6:40 "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.
At this point in my life, I do call myself a Christian. I would describe it as a "hungry" child like Christian. Up to this point, my faith was based on what I had learned as a child living under my parents house. Taking in what they taught me and what I picked up by going to Church with them. In college my faith became somewhat my own as I was out on my own for the first time. I kind of dabbled in it, but never had the drive to the hunger that I now posses. For the first time, I want to know more. For me. Not for anyone else. Not because someone else is telling me to, or dictate what I am learning. I have a hunger and thirst and I want to satisfy it. That is how I know this is real. I know what is right. I know when I am living wrong. I want to have a teacher, I want to be taught. I want to be a pupil, to become a better disciple. I have some great opportunities. And I need to get myself right to better use them. I reaize that I cannot do this on my own. That I have to reach out to others. Both those I count as friends. And those who I don't know yet. I have found a Church I like, and want to attend regularly. Not just attend, but get plugged in to a small group and hopefully a Sunday school class.
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