When the Unexpected Happens (2)

When the Unexpected Happens Part 2

Mark 2:1- 12

Mark 2:1–12 (KJV 1900)

And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

1 Kings 19:1-21

1 Kings 19:1–21 KJV 1900

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

There are 3 things we can look at so far

I] SEEK GOD’S FACE ( We have looked at this last week)

II] STOP AND LISTEN

God uses the Unexpected to do at least 3 things we will begin to look at these for the next couple of weeks

I) TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.

In Mark 2:4 of our Gospel Story Jesus Attention is Attained

Mark 2:4 KJV 1900

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

Also in the Story of Elijah we find God getting the Attention of Elijah 1 Kings 19:4-9

1 Kings 19:4–9 (KJV 1900)

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

I have Highlighted the things God used to get Elijah’s attention

Have a listen to all the Unexpected things that happened in Elijah’s life under the Juniper tree.

cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head

touched him

the word of the Lord came to him

10 Ways God Gets Our Attention

Jeremiah 29:11 clearly states that God wants to give us a hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV 1900

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

He gets our attention in order to give us that hope and a future that He promised.

The methods God uses to get our attention are not the same for everyone, but there are some that are common attention getters.

We need to pay attention to the things that happen to us and around us to discern when God is trying to capture our attention.

Pay attention to the ways God uses to get your attention. Ten of them are listed in this article.

However, there could be plenty more. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV 1900

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

1. Distruptions

One of the quickest ways God gets our attention is by stopping what we are doing by disrupting our plans.

God isn't being mean to us when he interrupts what we are doing.

He is forcing us to slow down and to focus more on Him. Perhaps we made our plans without God.

To keep us from going in the wrong direction, God stops us from doing what we are doing even though we have convinced ourselves that we are doing the right thing.

The story of the Tower of Babel found in Genesis 11:1-9 is a great example of how God disrupts people's plans.

Genesis 11:1–9 KJV 1900

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

2. Restlessness

When God wants us to do something, He might make us restless until we what He wants us to do.

A good example is recorded in Esther 6:1-3.

Esther 6:1–3 KJV 1900

On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

One night the king was restless and couldn't sleep.

He got out of bed and ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him.

He heard about Mordecai who had done a good deed and had not been rewarded for it.

Things were put in place for Mordecai to be rewarded and the entire Jewish nation was spared.

It was because of the king's restlessness.

3. Voices

God gets our attention through the voice of those who we don't expect to hear from.

God spoke though young Samuel to give Eli a divine message.

It took Eli four times to understand what was going on.

God spoke through Samuel to get His message to Eli, according to 1 Samuel 3.

1 Samuel 3 KJV 1900

And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good. And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

Raven feed Elijah by the brook

4. Unusual Blessings

God gets our attention through unusual blessings.

You must admit that it was an unusual blessing for Elijah to be fed by ravens while he was hiding from Jezebel at the Kerith Brook.

Ravens took him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and Elijah drank from the brook ( 1 Kings 17:2-6 ).

1 Kings 17:2–6 KJV 1900

And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

God definitely got Elijah's attention.

He wanted Elijah to know that he could depend on God instead of Jezebel.

God wants us to know that we can depend on Him for our needs.

5. By Saying 'No'

God sometimes says "No" to our prayer.

We don't like to hear it, but He does use this method to get our attention.

This is the way God got David's attention when his child was sick and died.

David had prayed fervently for his baby not to die, but God denied David's request.

That got David's attention, and he accepted it ( 2 Sam 12:16-23 .

2 Samuel 12:16–23 KJV 1900

David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

6. Disappointments

God uses disappointments to get our attention.

The Bible records stories of lots of people who were disappointed when they did not get what they wanted.

Several women were barren and prayed for sons.

They were disappointed while God worked out the right time for it to happen.

Most of the barren women were also old.

They thought they would never have a male child.

They all eventually did but only after great disappointment before it happened

. Sarah: Genesis 11:30 Rebekah: Genesis 25:21 Rachel: Genesis 29:31 Hannah: 1 Samuel 1:6 Elizabeth: Luke 1:7

Genesis 11:30 KJV 1900

But Sarai was barren; she had no child.

Genesis 25:21 KJV 1900

And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Genesis 29:31 KJV 1900

And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

1 Samuel 1:6 KJV 1900

And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.

Luke 1:7 KJV 1900

And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

The Burning Bush where God spoke through to Moses

7. Extreme Circumstances

Sometimes God will use extreme circumstances and situations to get our attention.

The circumstances are so unusual that we can't help but stop and listen.

A very good example of a bizarre situation is recorded in Exodus 3 when Moses encountered God in a burning bush.

Exodus 3 KJV 1900

Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey. And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

Bushes are not in the desert, and if they were there, they would not burn by themselves, and surely God wouldn't be speaking from one.

However, that is exactly what happened and surely, it got Moses' attention.

8. Defeat

How could a small city like Ai defeat Joshua's large army of about three thousand men?

Ai defeated the Israelite army, and God used the defeat to get Joshua's attention.

Israel learned a big lesson after it was surprisingly defeated, according to Joshua 7:4-5.

Joshua 7:4–5 KJV 1900

So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

9. Loss of Possessions

Job was rich and he had it all, but he also lost it all.

He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a large number of servants.

Job lost them all in one day including his ten children (Job 1).

Job 1 KJV 1900

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

All these losses got Job's attention especially since he had done nothing wrong.

Job began to pay attention through the loss of his possessions.

10. Tragedies

Not only did Job experience tragedies through the loss of all of his possessions, but Job also experienced sickness and affliction that got his attention.

Job was afflicted with sores all over his body.

Even though Job's encounters got his attention, we should never think God caused those things.

In the very first chapter of Job, the devil wanted to see if Job would still serve God if he experienced tragedies and losses (Job 1).

Job 1 KJV 1900

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Perhaps the above ten methods God uses will give you some ideas about why you have encountered some of the things you have.

God wants to do so much for us, but first He must get our attention.

If unexplainable things are happening to you, it might be God's way of getting your attention in order to give you a hope and a future.

Pray to God and ask Him what He is saying to you through those particular attention getters.

How does God use adversity in my life?

Recognize and appreciate God’s purposes for trials

The Apostle James recommended a surprising response to troubles:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ( James 1:2-4 ).

James 1:2–4 KJV 1900

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

The Apostle Paul expressed a similar perspective on adversity: ( Rom 5:3-6 ).

Romans 5:3–6 KJV 1900

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

These two men understood that, in light of the suffering Christ endured for us in providing salvation, the difficulties we experience in this life take on new meaning.

The difficulties we encounter are a means through which God works to accomplish His will in our lives: to shape us so that we reflect the character of Christ. (See Rom 8:28-30 .)

Romans 8:28–30 KJV 1900

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

On the basis of this purpose, all adversity “works together” for our good and God’s glory.

Adversity gets our attention.

When adversity comes, we are forced to face problems and pressures that are too great for us to resolve ourselves.

In this way, God gets our attention.

We cannot continue to pursue our goals, tasks, and relationships in the same manner.

We must stop and evaluate our situation, ask God for His wisdom, obey His Word, and trust Him to bring the help we need. (See James 1:5 and Heb 4:16 )

James 1:5 KJV 1900

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV 1900

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Troubles point out our weaknesses and prompt us to rely on God in ways that we wouldn’t unless we had significant needs.

Christ’s invitation to those who are weary becomes especially attractive in the midst of trials: (Matt 11:28-30 ).

Matthew 11:28–30 KJV 1900

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Adversity is a classroom in which we can learn more of Christ and become more like Him.

Adversity is a classroom in which we can learn more of Christ.

As we come to God with our needs, our inward prayer should echo these words of the psalmist: (Ps 25:1-2 ).

Psalm 25:1–2 KJV 1900

Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, Let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Adversity reminds us of our weaknesses.

The Apostle Paul knew what it meant to live with adversity that would not go away.

He learned to see the good that God intended to bring to his life through it and to rejoice in God’s design. Paul wrote: (2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 ).

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 KJV 1900

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

As we accept those situations we cannot control and instead embrace God’s purposes for our difficulties, we will experience the power of Christ in our lives.

We can trust God to care for us and to provide all that we need. (Ps 103:13-14 ).

Psalm 103:13–14 KJV 1900

Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

Adversity motivates us to cry out to God.

God responds to the cry of His children when they suffer. ( Psa 34:17 ).

Psalm 34:17 KJV 1900

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, And delivereth them out of all their troubles.

We are to cry out to God with our voice (aloud). Psa 3:4 ).

Psalm 3:4 KJV 1900

I cried unto the Lord with my voice, And he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

We can cry out to God for mercy each day. (Psa 86:3).

Psalm 86:3 KJV 1900

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: For I cry unto thee daily.

We are to cry out to God in humility. “. . .(Psa 9:12 ).

Psalm 9:12 KJV 1900

When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

We are to cry out to God with a pure heart. (Psa 66:18 ).

Psalm 66:18 KJV 1900

If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me:

Adversity is an assurance of God’s fatherly love and care.

Wise discipline brings a child to maturity.

Just as a loving father helps his children learn and grow through the discipline he carries out in their lives, so God uses adversity to help us grow in holiness and become more like Him.

When we persevere through hardship, we have proof that we are God’s children.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Heb 12:5-11 ).

Hebrews 12:5–11 KJV 1900

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Adversity motivates us to fear the Lord.

Adversity reminds us that a holy and just God is ever-present, and we are accountable to Him for our every thought, word, and action.

This awareness is called the fear of the Lord, and God’s Word reveals that the fear of the Lord is the key to wisdom, life, and lasting achievement. (See Prov 9:10, 14:24 , 22:4 .)

Proverbs 9:10 KJV 1900

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Proverbs 14:24 KJV 1900

The crown of the wise is their riches: But the foolishness of fools is folly.

Proverbs 22:4 KJV 1900

By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, and honour, and life.

If we lose our awareness of God and begin to think and act as if He does not exist, God often allows painful reminders of our need for Him, just as He did with the nation of Israel.

(Judges 2:20-22 ).

Judges 2:20–22 KJV 1900

And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

Adversity strengthens our hatred of sin.

The pain of adversity helps us recognize the deception of sin.

Our hatred of evil will increase when we realize how sin keeps us from living in a way that honors God and how it damages the lives of those we love. God wants us to know that He will not ignore sin. (Gal 6:7-8).

Galatians 6:7–8 KJV 1900

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

If we could only perceive the final cost of our sin, we would shrink from committing it.

Therefore, in His mercy God exposes secret sin, and He allows others to see its devastating consequences.

In this way, we are warned not to be fooled by “. . . the pleasures of sin,” which last for only a season. (See Heb 11:25 .)

Hebrews 11:25 KJV 1900

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Adversity is a call for self-examination.

The discipline of the Lord is a part of every Christian’s life.

Adversity should motivate us to examine our lives and discern if we are disobeying God’s Word in any area.

Jesus warned the complacent church of Laodicea, (Rev 3:19 ).

Revelation 3:19 KJV 1900

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

God’s Word should be our guide in self-examination.

Many cause-and-effect sequences are recorded in Scripture for our instruction and warning.

When we experience specific difficulties in our lives, we should discern if they are consequences of sin.

The following verses are examples of the connection between our actions and the circumstances in our lives:

(Prov 28:13 ).

Proverbs 28:13 KJV 1900

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

(Prov 17:13 ).

Proverbs 17:13 KJV 1900

Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

(Prov 16:18 ).

Proverbs 16:18 KJV 1900

Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.

(Eph 6:2-3 ).

Ephesians 6:2–3 KJV 1900

Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

The observance of the Lord’s Supper is a time when God calls us to self-examination. As we regularly remember Jesus’ sacrifice, we are to seriously consider our behavior in light of God’s Word.

( 1 Corinthians 11:28-30 ).

1 Corinthians 11:28–30 KJV 1900

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

Adversity exposes pride.

The sin of pride is the source of many difficulties, as the following Scriptures point out: (Prov 13;10).

Proverbs 13 KJV 1900

A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: But a scorner heareth not rebuke. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: But the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. A righteous man hateth lying: But a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: But wickedness overthroweth the sinner. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: But the poor heareth not rebuke. The light of the righteous rejoiceth: But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. Only by pride cometh contention: But with the well advised is wisdom. Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: But he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To depart from the snares of death. Good understanding giveth favour: But the way of transgressors is hard. Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: But a fool layeth open his folly. A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: But a faithful ambassador is health. Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: But it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Evil pursueth sinners: But to the righteous good shall be repayed. A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Much food is in the tillage of the poor: But there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. He that spareth his rod hateth his son: But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: But the belly of the wicked shall want.

Proverbs 10 KJV 1900

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: But righteousness delivereth from death. The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: But he casteth away the substance of the wicked. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: But the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: But he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. Blessings are upon the head of the just: But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the just is blessed: But the name of the wicked shall rot. The wise in heart will receive commandments: But a prating fool shall fall. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: But he that perverteth his ways shall be known. He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: But a prating fool shall fall. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirreth up strifes: But love covereth all sins. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. Wise men lay up knowledge: But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: The destruction of the poor is their poverty. The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: The fruit of the wicked to sin. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: But he that refuseth reproof erreth. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, And he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: But he that refraineth his lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: But fools die for want of wisdom. The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, And he addeth no sorrow with it. It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: But a man of understanding hath wisdom. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: But the desire of the righteous shall be granted. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: But the righteous is an everlasting foundation. As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him. The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: But the years of the wicked shall be shortened. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: But the expectation of the wicked shall perish. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The righteous shall never be removed: But the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: But the froward tongue shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: But the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

(Prov 11:2 ).

Proverbs 11:2 KJV 1900

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom.

(Prov 29:23).

Proverbs 29:23 KJV 1900

A man’s pride shall bring him low: But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

(Luke 14:11).

Luke 14:11 KJV 1900

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

God detests pride, but humility prompts the gift of His grace. (James 4:6-7).

James 4:6–7 KJV 1900

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Difficulties and hard times expose our pride, because they highlight our need for God and for others. In the midst of adversity, repent of any pride, seek to grow in humility, and receive God’s grace with gratitude.

Adversity is evidence of spiritual warfare.

A Christian must be aware of the spiritual battle that rages between God and the enemy, Satan.

Learn to recognize that sometimes adversity comes in the form of spiritual warfare through weariness, confusion, division, and spiritual oppression. In the midst of these trials, do not become overwhelmed or yield to the temptation to give up.

The Apostle Paul encourages us to be strong, courageous, and prepared to be good soldi

Adversity is God’s method of purifying our faith.

Faith is essential for living the Christian life, because the ways of God are opposite to the natural inclinations of man.

Thus, adversity may come at the hand of those who mock God’s principles, or it may come when we violate God’s principles.

In either case, adversity is designed to strengthen our faith. ( 1 Peter 1:6-7).

1 Peter 1:6–7 KJV 1900

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

The development of patience is another benefit of having our faith purified by the fire of adversity. (James 1:3).

James 1:3 KJV 1900

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

It is through faith and patience that we inherit the promises of God. Be (Heb 6:12 ).

Hebrews 6:12 KJV 1900

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Adversity is a reminder to pray for our authorities.

Those who are in positions of responsibility are supposed to provide protection for those under their care.

As we experience the pressures of temptation, we should realize that those who are in authority over us are also undergoing temptations and are in need of our intercessory prayer.

The Apostle Paul wrote that we should intercede for those in authority over us so that we can lead a quiet and peaceful life: ( 1 Tim 2 :1-2 ).

1 Timothy 2:1–2 KJV 1900

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Adversity is a signal to reevaluate priorities.

In troubled times, we need to consider our priorities and discern if we are spending enough time preserving the most important aspects of our lives: our relationships with God and others.

We should regularly evaluate the health of our relationships and invest the time and effort needed to maintain them honorably.

When we do not spend time with God, memorizing and meditating on His Word, and praying, we miss out on one of the most important means God uses to give us wisdom and to change our hearts.

We also rob others of the spiritual encouragement, direction, and testimonies we could share if we were faithfully spending time with God.

Adversity that comes because of having wrong priorities may be the consequence of trying to do more than God intended for us to do.(Ps 127:2).

Psalm 127:2 KJV 1900

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows: For so he giveth his beloved sleep.

If we have more projects than we can manage to do in six days, we have undertaken more work than God intended. (Exod 20:9).

Exodus 20:9 KJV 1900

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

Adversity reveals if our work will last.

How we weather the storms of life shows what we have built our lives on.

Jesus gave this example: (Matt 7:24-27).

Matthew 7:24–27 KJV 1900

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The Apostle Paul explained to the Corinthians that each person’s work will be tested. ( 1 Corinthians 3 :13-15 ).

1 Corinthians 3:13–15 KJV 1900

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Adversity tests our friendships.

The strain of adversity impacts relationships. Hard times reveal if people want to get or to give.

Fair-weather friends won’t endure the test of trials and difficulties, but true friends will remain to offer support, comfort, and encouragement in the midst of challenges.

Prov 17:17 states,

Proverbs 17:17 KJV 1900

A friend loveth at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

True, lasting friendship is described in the Biblical account of David and Jonatha

Adversity invites us to experience the power of God.

One of the ultimate purposes of adversity is to cause us to desire more of Christ’s power in our lives.

Troubles reveal that, on our own, we can’t live in a way that honors God.

We need to rely on God and receive His grace.

Paul willingly suffered the loss of all things so that he might gain more of Christ and experience the power of Christ’s resurrection. He said: (Phil 3:8-10).

Philippians 3:8–10 KJV 1900

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

God works within the Christian in a mighty way, making him dead to sin and alive in Christ and enabling him to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit rather than according to fleshly desires. (See Romans 6–8.)

Romans 6–8 KJV 1900

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For the church at Ephesus, Paul prayed (Eph 1:17-23 ).

Ephesians 1:17–23 KJV 1900

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Adversity prepares us to comfort others.

One of the most valuable results of adversity is that through it we receive God’s comfort, which we are then able to share with others who face similar troubles. ( 2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

2 Corinthians 1:3–5 KJV 1900

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Suffering brings pain but is not an end in itself.

There are many purposes for suffering that may not come to our minds, especially during those periods of trials and adversities.

However, as we trust the Living God to work in our lives and through the situations that bring tribulation, we will see our Loving Father’s hand and heart towards us as His children.(2 Corinthians 4:8, 10, 12, 16 ).

2 Corinthians 4:8 KJV 1900

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

2 Corinthians 4:10 KJV 1900

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

2 Corinthians 4:12 KJV 1900

So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

2 Corinthians 4:16 KJV 1900

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

11) TO CENTER YOUR AFFECTION.

9 Habits to Center God in Your Life

As an author, freelance writer, and speaker, most of what I write and speak about is God-centred. It may be a devotional book, a Bible study, parenting/family resources, or curriculum for raising up children to be adults who have a personal relationship with the LORD, but the majority of my work is Christian-based. I tell you this as a disclaimer of sorts, for this article. Why? Because even though I write for the Christian market, when it comes to making Jesus the LORD and Savior of your life, there is no other book or resource of any kind more relevant or essential than the Bible. The Bible gives us what are commonly referred to as spiritual disciplines. These are things Jesus instructs us to do in order to become a) more like him and b) closer to him. We’re going to take a quick look at nine spiritual disciplines and give you scripture references to study in order to help you make these things part of who you are. Before we start I want to remind you of this one very important thing: Being a Christian is not something you do. Being a Christian is who you are. So if you’re looking for a to-do list to be able to check off as you go about your business, this list isn’t for you. You can treat it like that, but you won’t be doing yourself or anyone else any favors by doing so. This is the real deal. These are the things Jesus expects and even commands us to do in order to be one of the branches on his vine (John 15:1-5). 1. Submission God cannot be the centre of your life unless you submit to him fully. God won’t play second-fiddle to anyone or anything. Just like you can’t be a little bit married, you can’t be a little bit Christian. You either are or you aren’t. How do you submit to God? Acts 2:38; James 4:7; Proverbs 3:5-6; Hebrews 10:26; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. 2. Confession Admit your sins to God. Ask his forgiveness and accept it with gratitude, thanksgiving, and humility. John 3:16; 1 John 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9; James 4:7-10; Psalm 1. 3. Study Know God’s Word, the Bible. You wouldn’t attempt to pass a class without studying the materials or take on a new job without knowing what is expected of you. Making Christ the centre of your life is no different in the fact that there are specific expectations, guidelines, and yes, even rules for doing so. God wants us to be wholly his, but he doesn’t expect us to do it on our own. He knows we can’t but he’s right there to help us out. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:11; Deuteronomy 11:18-23; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 6:11-17. 4. Guidance God gives each of us specific talents and spiritual gifts. Thankfully some of us receive the gifts of teaching, preaching and leadership. We all need these people in our lives to guide us in the process of maturing in our faith. And if you are one of those people who have one or more of these gifts, you need to make sure you are using it to help others because not only are you helping others, but in the process you are growing and maturing, as well. Romans 10:17; Hebrews 13:7; Philippians 4:9; Romans 10:14-15 5. Prayer You can’t have a relationship with anyone without strong, solid communication. Talk to Jesus who is the intercessor on our behalf to God. Tell him your heart’s desires, confess your sins to him, praise him, thank him, and pray on behalf of others. Remember, though, prayer is about more than you talking to Jesus. Prayer is also about listening for Jesus to talk back to you. He will talk back to you through that little voice inside you which is the Holy Spirit. He will talk to you by putting scripture on your heart and in your mind. He will talk to you by sending others to encourage you, teach you, and hold you accountable. Philippians 4:6; John 15:7; Romans 8:26; Matthew 6:5-15; Jeremiah 33:3; Colossians 4:2; Jeremiah 29:12; Psalm 145:18-19; Psalm 55:17; Ephesians 3:14. 6. Fasting Here’s the thing about fasting…Jesus doesn’t say if we fast. He says when we fast. You know what that means, don’t you? It means it’s really not an option. But here’s something else you need to know about fasting. Fasting isn’t meant to be a punishment or to cause suffering from denial. The purpose of fasting is to shift your focus off of your own desires and wants and onto the fact that God is able and willing to fill the voids left by those things you fast from. When you fast you should fast from something sacrificially, yet from something that is also realistic. In other words, fasting from liver and onions probably isn’t the least bit sacrificial and fasting from homework or going to work isn’t realistic. Fasting should also be done for the purpose of changing your attitude by realizing a greater dependency on God and less on yourself. 2 Samuel 24:24; Matthew 6:16-18; Psalm 69:10. 7. Service One of the best ways to get closer to God is to serve him. When you are involved in ministry of any kind you see God touching people’s lives, the miracles he still gives, the changed hearts of people, and the truth that God’s goodness is still present and active in the sinful world we live in. When you serve you are also getting at least as much as you give in the way of inner-peace and happiness that comes from helping others. You experience real joy in the LORD, you use the talents and abilities God has given you for his glory and you are living out the Great Commission and the Golden Rule. Acts 20:35; Colossians 3:17; Philippians 2:1-4; James 2:18; Matthew 20:28; James 4:17; Galatians 6:10. 8. Giving Everything we have belongs to God. Our bodies, our family, our money, our material possessions, our abilities, and even our very life belongs to God. As the creator of everything he can claim ownership. So in giving to God we are really sharing back with him. Sharing back is a huge test of faith for us. Our selfish, sinful nature instinctively wants to hold tight to what we have and try to get even more and more and more. When we give back to God we are shouting at the top of our voices that we have faith in his promise to provide, care for, and bless us abundantly. Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Matthew 6:1-4; Malachi 3:10. 9. Worship Giving credit where credit is due—that’s what worship is really all about. When you purposefully, willingly, and regularly worship on a daily basis in some way or another, God can’t help but be the centre of your life because you’ll be placing him in that place of deserved prominence. You can worship God by singing to him, thanking him, recognizing his actions in your life and in the world around you, sharing the truth of who he is with others, and honoring his almightiness with your faithful obedience. Psalm 150:1-6; Romans 12:1; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19. Be disciplined. Be God-centred. Be whole.

Set Your Mind on Things Above

📷 “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”  – Colossians 3:1-4 The world has a way of getting us down. It fills us with distractions, temptation, and entertainment, promising us happiness but never fully delivering. Perhaps you have felt weighed down when looking at the state of the world—overwhelmed by the corruption and confusion that surrounds us. Even the day-to-day responsibilities that we are given can feel burdensome. When we focus on these earthly things our eyes slip from the “things above.” We forget the blessings and promises we have through our adoption as sons and daughters of Jesus and our satisfaction in Christ slips away as well. Yet, it doesn’t have to be this way! Colossians 3 explores what it means to set your mind on things above, enabling us to experience the true joy the Father wants to lavish on us. Furthermore, when we set our eyes on Him, we are better able to serve him—and service is ultimately the duty and pleasure of every believer. Table of Contents: How to Set Your Mind on Things Above1. Put to Death What Is Earthly2. Put on the New Self3. Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Hearts4. Let the Word of Christ Richly Dwell5. Give Thanks to GodHow to Set Your Mind on Things Above When it comes to refocusing our eyes on Christ, the Bible gives us clear instructions. We are not to linger in our old habits of fear, sin and discouragement, as when we were unbelievers. Instead we are called to lay down these things that hinder us and through the power of the Holy Spirit step into our new life as Christians. The old man looks at the things of this world, but the new man in Christ looks above to his precepts, promises and spiritual power. 1. Put to Death What Is Earthly “Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” – Colossians 3:5-8 Our desire to look to earthly things instead of heavenly things comes from two flaws in thinking. We either look to earthly things because we think they will serve us somehow—such as bring us comfort, identity, pleasure, etc.—or we look to earthly things because we forget who we serve. However, we are a new creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10). The first step toward setting your mind on things above is to rid yourself of your old self and the sins and habits that accompanied it. Sin impedes a growing relationship with God and keeps your eyes on lowly things. Believer, cast them off. We cannot be fully God’s and remain part of the system of sin we have been delivered from. Imagine trying to climb a ladder toward freedom with heavy weights upon your feet. You are dragged back down with every step you attempt to take. The ways of heaven and earth are opposed to each other. You cannot achieve a heavenly mindset while persisting in your earthly actions. 2. Put on the New Self “Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” – Colossians 3:11 Casting off sin is not enough if you do it in your own strength. If we do it in our own power, we will surely fail. Instead, we are given the power to reject sin and temptation through the empowering of his Spirit and the transforming of our minds through his Word (2 Peter 1:3). You must put on the new self. We, as believers, are to exemplify Christ. The new self refers to the justified, transformed being that looks more like Jesus than our old selves in sin and shame. Yes, we are “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:21-24). 3. Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Hearts “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15 When we focus on things of this world, our peace is stolen from us. We become wrapped up in the transient things and forget the eternal foundation and unshifting identity we have in Christ. The world may shift and quake beneath our feet, but Christ is our strong tower, our refuge, our peace (Psalm 91:2). Isaiah 26:3 states that the Lord will keep us in “perfect peace” when we focus our minds on him and trust in him. Don’t you desire this perfect peace in your hearts? Don’t you long to retire your worry and instead set your mind on Christ and on things above? When it says we are to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, it means that this peace should govern our minds. Turn your eyes from worthless things and instead rest your security, your peace, in the goodness and sovereignty of Christ. The more you look to Christ—the more you will become acquainted with our omnipotent, omnipresent God—the more you will trust his plan for your life. He is worthy of your trust, and he is more than able to keep you at peace as you seek him first. 4. Let the Word of Christ Richly Dwell “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16 One of the best ways to set your mind on things above is to cherish God’s Word. We cannot expect to have peace, joy and a Christ-centered perspective if we only consume the material of this world. If someone you love sent you a letter, would you toss it on the shelf and fail to open it? Of course not! If we love Christ, we will dedicate ourselves to reading his words to us. The Bible is an essential part in spiritual growth and helps us to set our affections on things above. While quiet study time is critical, we also need to share what we learn! We are designed to share the good news and discuss heavenly things with others. It only makes sense that reading and discussing Christ-centered things will shift our mind from the things of this world to his truth. 5. Give Thanks to God “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Colossians 3:17 Thankfulness may not come easily in all situations in life. Yet, the believer is keenly aware that every good thing comes from God. We are all deserving of his wrath for our rebellion against him, for violating his laws and departing from what is true and right. However, through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, he made salvation possible. Giving thanks is not only a natural expression of gratitude for Christ’s great grace to us, but it fuels us to do the work he has given us. It reminds us who we are and shifts our focus from our worries to God’s power to save and provide. So set your eyes, your heart, your mind, on things above and run the race he has set before you in victory.

25 Ways to Set Your Mind on Things Above

Feb 2, 2022 by Editor in Chief

The apostle Paul told us to set our minds on “things above,” that is, heavenly things, not on “things on the earth,” that is, earthly things (Colossians 3:2 NKJV). He and other biblical authors make it clear that we need to be intentional about what is on our minds. Here are the 25 best ways to follow Paul’s instructions and set our minds on the things above. 1. Adopt a Heavenly Mindset In Romans 12:2, we find another excellent piece of advice from the apostle Paul. He wrote that we should be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 KJV). How do we do that? The same Bible verse tells us not to be “conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2 KJV). We should not allow our minds to be shaped by the present world but by God’s Word. Our mindset needs to be changed. We need to let go of values and habits that don’t agree with God’s will and adopt a new mindset built upon the truth from Scripture. 2. Focus Your Thoughts on the Right Things Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:8 teaches us to be very selective with what should occupy our thoughts. This Bible verse tells us to think about things that are: TrueHonestJustPureLovelyAdmirableVirtuousWorthy of praiseIf something doesn’t fit any of these categories, we should not allow it into our thought life. 3. Acknowledge Your Dependency upon God If we want to produce real change in our minds and hearts, we need God’s help. He is the One that can help us desire and pursue change (Philippians 2:13). No matter how hard we try on our own, we won’t be able to overcome our sinful human nature without God working in us through His Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17). 4. Let the Holy Spirit Be Your Helper The Holy Spirit dwells in every child of God (John 14:17). He will help us keep our minds on heavenly things in many ways, such as: Teaching us and reminding us of the words of Christ Jesus (John 14:26).Leading us (Romans 8:14).Assuring us that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).Interceding for us (Romans 8:26).Guiding us into all truth (John 16:13).Empowering us (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:11).And much more! Ask the Holy Spirit to be your helper, to help you discern and seek the important things (John 14:16). 5. Resist the Devil This is what the apostle James told us to do. By resisting the devil, he will flee from us (James 4:7). To resist means to oppose, to withstand against him. We resist the devil as Jesus did: through prayer, fasting, and God’s Word (Luke 4:1-13). We need to be aware of the enemy’s strategies so we don’t fall into his traps (2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8). Since this battle occurs mostly in our minds, we need to resist the devil so that we can focus our minds on the things of God. 6. Put on the Full Armor of God That is a known illustration Paul used to advise us in our fight against the evil one and its army (Ephesians 6:10-17). The components of the armor of God are: Belt of truth: to fight the devil’s lies.Breastplate of righteousness: Jesus’s righteousness (not ours!) protects our hearts from the devil’s attacks.Shoes of the gospel of peace: to stand firm and advance into the enemy’s territory to proclaim the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.Shield of faith: to extinguish the attacks by the enemy.Helmet of salvation: to protect our minds.Sword of the Spirit: this is the Word of God, which is our weapon of defense and attack (Matthew 4:3-11).Keep in mind that prayer is a key element in the battle (Ephesians 6:18). 7. Guard Your Heart What does that expression from Proverbs 4:23 mean? In biblical terms, the “heart” is the center of the will, thoughts, feelings, and desires. Nowadays, we say those things are in our minds. So, that expression means that we need to protect our minds from worldly things. Exposing ourselves to ungodly things that ignite our temptations can cause us to sin (Matthew 26:41; James 1:14-16; 1 John 2:15-17). 8. Let Go of Your Old Self In Ephesians 4:20-23, Paul tells us to put off our old self (our sinful nature) and put on our new self (the new creation Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 5:17). This illustration reminds us of a person changing clothes. Paul urges us to let go of our fallen nature, with its evil desires and worldly lusts, and embrace our new holy nature. It all begins in our minds by letting go of worldly thoughts and actions that lead us to sin and pursuing holiness (1 Peter 1:14-16). 9. Learn to Discern What Is Temporary from What Is Eternal Everything in this world is temporary; it all belongs to a creation that will be renewed in the end (Revelation 21:1). We need to keep that in mind and understand that what really matters are the eternal things (2 Corinthians 4:18). We should set our minds and energy into making an eternal impact with our lives, not living for the things of the world. Our lives must be dedicated to God and the things that please Him. 10. See the World from God’s Perspective That helps us deconstruct the lies the world taught us our entire lives. Start by observing how Jesus and the apostles lived. Read the New Testament and pay attention to these questions: What occupied their time?What were their priorities?What mattered to them?How did they relate to the things of this world?For example, in the episode of Jesus’s temptation, we see the Lord refusing things of this earth, like food, riches, and power, in order to obey God’s Word (Luke 4:1-13). The Kingdom of God was His priority over whatever the devil could offer Him from the things of earth. His was a heavenly perspective. 11. Let Love Be Your Motivation Paul begins the well-known chapter about love in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 by saying that everything we say, do, and give must be out of love; otherwise, it all comes down to nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). God’s love must dwell in us, through the Holy Spirit, so our love for Him and others will be the driving force for what we think and do (1 Corinthians 16:14). 12. Acknowledge the Presence of God in Your Life You cannot do it alone. But the good news is that God is with you (Isaiah 41:10). This assurance helps us focus on what matters, on the things of heaven. We don’t depend upon our own strength; we depend upon God! So, when you feel weak, when your mind slips into negative thoughts, remember that God is there with you, even if it doesn’t seem so. 13. Seek God’s Wisdom We need God’s wisdom to help us focus our minds and hearts on the things of the Kingdom of God. Here are some suggestions to help you seek wisdom from God: Be humble and acknowledge you need it (Proverbs 3:7, 18:15).Know that all wisdom comes from God (Proverbs 2:6).Study the Bible. Start by meditating on Jesus’s life in the New Testament and the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament.Pray and ask God to give you wisdom (James 1:5).Welcome advice from more experienced followers of Jesus and learn from those who belong to the body of Christ (Proverbs 19:20; Colossians 3:16).14. Make Prayer and Bible Reading a Daily Habit Scripture teaches us everything we need to know about God and His will so we can live a new life. It shows us the good things that should occupy our minds to pursue holiness. That’s why we must have quality time on a daily basis meditating in the Bible and praying to the Lord, asking Him to help us put what we are learning into practice (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; Matthew 6:6). 15. Memorize Bible Verses Committing excerpts from the Word of God to your memory is a great way to keep your mind on heavenly things. The first step is to select verses from Scripture that will help you remember what God has done for you, who He is, and the promises He gave to all of us. Use memorization techniques that best suit you, and make sure to practice every day. Keep bringing verses you’ve already memorized to your mind throughout the day, so you don’t forget them (Psalm 119:11). 16. Ask God to Search Your Heart It takes courage to do that. We know that there are many things even in a believer’s mind that displease the Lord. Our sins come from them. But sin itself blinds us to our wrong ways. That’s why we need to ask the Lord to: Search our heart, our inner being (Psalm 139:23).Show us the things we do that grieves Him (Psalm 139:24).Help us sanctify our minds and change our ways (Psalm 51:10).17. Confess Your Sins and Ask for God’s Forgiveness Daily This is a critical habit that will bring major changes to your life and your relationship with the Lord. So, here are a few things that will help you pursue a heavenly mindset and a holy life: Think about your day.Ask God to help you remember the sins you committed and the things that you shouldn’t have done.Confess them to God.Ask Him for forgiveness, believing that Jesus has already paid the price at the cross.Ask Him to help you fight temptation and not fall into those sins again.Thank God and believe you’re forgiven (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).Make it a daily routine in your life. 18. Flee from Temptation During trials, we must persevere. But, when it comes to temptation, we can never overestimate our strength to resist it (Matthew 26:41). We must flee from the situation right away (Genesis 39:11-12; 1 Corinthians 6:18). The more we allow our eyes, ears, and thoughts to be exposed to such things that tempt us, the highest the risk that we may fall. We must protect our minds and not give opportunities for the devil to tempt us (Ephesians 4:26-27). 19. Create Strategies to Bring Your Mind to God Throughout the Day You need to be intentional to bring God’s Word into your mind during your daily life. Here are some suggestions: Thank God for every good thing that happens (a good meal, a beautiful sunset, a fast commute, a pleasant conversation, a problem solved, a good idea you had, etc.).Pray quietly for people you meet.Use your breaks or waiting time to read a portion of Scripture or talk to God.Use your imagination and think of other good ways to keep connecting to God at all times. 20. Avoid Indulging in Earthly Pleasures Most sins don’t happen unexpectedly. They begin with little temptations that we give in, thinking that it’s no big deal. But it is. Every sin is a huge deal (Romans 6:23). So, we must learn to resist every temptation that draws us to do something that will feed our earthly urges and bring us self-centered gratification. We need to pursue the will of God and resist any impulse that can lead us to sin (James 1:14-15). 21. Practice Fasting When we fast, we give up something we need (usually food) to dedicate time and energy exclusively for the Lord (Matthew 4:4). Whenever you can, take some time to fast, pray, and seek the presence of the Lord. The discipline you learn through fasting will help you control other urges of your body and mind that may lead you to sin (1 Corinthians 9:27). 22. Be Thankful to God Even during difficult times, we have a lot of reasons to be thankful to God. The Lord has done so much for us; He has shown His great love for us in many ways: He gave His son to pay for our sins (Romans 5:8).He forgave us (1 John 1:9).He adopted us as His own children (John 1:12).He gave us eternal life with Him (John 3:16).And much more. We don’t even notice most of the blessings that He gives us every day. So, make sure to take a moment to thank the Lord for all He does for you daily (Psalm 145:9; James 1:17). Be specific and let each reason you mention sink in your mind and lead you to worship the Lord for His kindness. 23. Learn to Think Intentionally All humans have a sinful nature. It means that it is natural for us to sin. So, thinking about heavenly things is not natural for us. We need to practice it intentionally. If we let our minds wander freely, most of the thoughts that come to us are usually not heavenly thoughts. So, avoid letting your mind wander without purpose. Feed it with good content. For example, if you’re tired and need to relax, instead of letting your thoughts run freely, put on some good music that helps you think about godly things while you rest. 24. Beware of Your Pride Pride is a threat that lives inside every one of us. It tempts us to think that our good works are somehow making us better than other people or that we are worthy of the kindness of God. Don’t let worldly thoughts like that creep into your mind. Do this instead: Remain humble (James 4:6).Consider others better than yourself (Philippians 2:3).Keep in mind that you don’t deserve any favor from the Lord (Ephesians 2:8-9).Remember that the good things you do also come from the Lord (James 1:17).25. Put Your Hope in God When we decide to live our lives for God, we face all sorts of resistance, including from our own earthly nature. We need to do our best to fight temptation and focus our minds on heavenly things. And we need to trust God that He will take care of what’s beyond our reach (Philippians 4:13). Trust Him with your needs, your circumstances, your future (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Put your hope in Him and Him alone (Romans 15:13). Conclusion The apostle Paul gave us a bold challenge. Discipline and intentional actions will help you keep your mind connected to the word of Christ Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Set your mind on the things above, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds in the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:6-9).

TO CORRECT YOUR ATTITUDE

Introduction to Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late – Week 1

Philippians 3:15

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;It’s no different today God hasn’t changed what He does about murmuring – He judges it.Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the proverbial spiritual wilderness!

Introduction: 1. We are beginning a new series today – a brief ‘summer series’ entitled: Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late - this is a book written by James MacDonald - but let me tell you right up front – this book will ‘smack’ you! (challenge you to change!) 2. When we talk about ‘attitude’ – what are talking about? How would you define ‘attitude’? - Webster defines the word ‘attitude’ in a number of ways (context we’re referring to): 1 : the arrangement of the parts of a body or figure : posture 2 a : a mental position with regard to a fact or state b : a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state 3 a : a negative or hostile state of mind b : a cocky or arrogant manner[1] 3. Now, let’s think about a couple of more questions: Input: How important is our attitude in life? What impact does our attitude have on the rest of the way we live our lives? [various answers] Input: What biblical passages would address this subject of attitude or thinking? Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.Jeremiah 12:3 But You know me, O LORD; You see me; And You examine my heart's attitude toward You. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter And set them apart for a day of carnage!Philippians 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus (attitude of a servant – not thinking of self, but of others!)Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;Point: Your attitude – your mentality toward a given subject or issue – is very important and has a significant impact (i.e. a direct control) over the way you act/respond! 4. I want to begin our series by asking you some direct questions that you have to answer (privately of course, but you need to answer them!) * Five Important Questions we need to ask:

1. Are you open to considering what the Lord has to say about changing your attitude? - if you’re not – then that would . . . PRIDE Q: How does God respond to the proud? > He resists (opposed to) the proud, but gives GRACE to the humble!” (James 4:6) ‘opposed’ = to sets oneself in battle against something – i.e. if you’re proud, God goes to war with you – guess what? You’ll never win that battle! - Because every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11) - This series is a study of what God has to say in the Scriptures about our bad attitudes * We need to be aware of two things: 1) The consequences of rejecting God’s ways and 2) The benefits of accepting God’s ways - This would be known as “The Law of the Harvest” – i.e what you sow, you reap Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.Q: Are you open to what God has to say about this subject – or is your mind so made up that you won’t consider it? - I’m assuming by your presence here today (and if you come back next week) that your answer is YES! 2. Are you willing to be changed? Bottom Line: Do you really want to change your attitude? Are you ready to take some steps of growth to be more like Christ?Are you willing to put in the work and effort in obedience to the Word of God to make this happen?- Paul told the church at Galatia: Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.Q: But whose responsibility was it to ‘walk by the Spirit’? > the people of Galatia – Paul, nor the Holy Spirit could make that choice for them – they had to be willing to be changed!! IMPORTANT: If change was easy, everyone would be doing it; but the fact is most people are just staying the same. - Remember this: People don’t change until they see the magnitude of their sin! “Life change can never begin until some circumstance brings you to the unalterable conclusion that your current course is taking you somewhere you don’t want to go. Sometimes it’s a tragic event or a relational breakdown. Sometimes it’s a profound internal emptiness or a devastating personal failure. Whatever the circumstance that produces your readiness to change, you won’t make it through this book without one. In fact, if you think your attitudes are as they should be, might I suggest that you give this book to someone who is ready for it now?”– p. 15 - and yes, I’m assuming that you are not perfect and that there are areas where you do need to change your attitude so it will affect your actions and bring more glory to God! 3. Are you willing to change your attitude? - This is not about your ACTIONS or your CIRCUMSTANCES - It’s not about your RELATIONSHIPS or your MINISTRY, or your JOB! > It’s about you and your pattern of thinking (Inner Man – what’s going on in your heart and mind that leads to your choices!) - Paul made this very important point when he dealt with the subject of how to change/grow – Ephesians 4:22-24 [explain the put off / put on process – the importance of v. 23] Ephesians 4:23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind.- Most honest people want to change their actions (behavior) but forget that it starts with the way you think . . . you have to change the way you THINK if you’re going to change biblically! 4. Are You Willing to Focus Exclusively on Your Attitude? - I think one of the most often violated passages in the Scripture is this: Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.Input: Why is it so easy to focus on the sins of others? [pride – I don’t need to change! – or they are worse than me!] - Jesus never said, “Don’t try to help others change!” > He said, if you’re going to help someone else change, you work on your life FIRST and then you will see clearly to . . . 5. Are you willing to go after this change of attitude with urgency? Psalm 95:7 For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the wilderness.- There is a warning / caution that should come with hearing the truth: Be careful not to neglect it once you’ve heard it! “Just because God is working in your heart today regarding a specific matter does not guarantee that He always will be.” – P. 16 - There is a NT warning for neglecting truth about God: Romans 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.Point: This is a subject that gets addressed in your 5-year ministry plan – this is an issue you and I need to deal with TODAY! Q: Are you going to be a James 1:22-25 kind of person? James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.- And lest we get the attitude of “I can always deal with it later” – let’s remember this: James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.* Attitudes Are Important to God! Example: Israel and their attitude AFTER the Exodus from Egypt! - Remember, this was AFTER the 10 plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, the destruction of Pharaoh’s army and the dead bodies floating up onto the banks of the Red Sea, etc.! - This tragic event is referred to over and over in the Psalms, Prophets, Gospels, Epistles, three times in the book of Hebrews, It’s the OT event that everyone was talking about. Explain how the children of Israel left Egypt and journeyed to the very edge of the Promised Land. The journey took eighteen months and covered more than three hundred miles. Not a lot of distance except that there were more than two million people, and twelve of the eighteen months were spent at the base of Mt. Sinai getting the Ten Commandments and God’s other laws.Point: There they were on the edge of “the land flowing with milk and honey. Q: Why the big deal about wilderness wanderings? - Open a Bible and check out Numbers 13-14 - Numbers 13 records the expedition of twelve spies sent by God and Moses into the Promised Land. - They were to bring back a report so the people would have the faith to go up and conquer the land. - But ten came back full of fear and started whining about the armies, the giants, and the obstacles they would face across the Jordan River - Two of the twelve, however, submitted a minority report Numbers 13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, "We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it."Numbers 14:6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, "The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 "If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us-- a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 "Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them."Q: How did the people respond to this faith report? “But all the congregation said to stone them.” > Part of this was because they made ‘idols’ out of their children and said they didn’t want to go into the land and fight lest their children would become captives and ‘prey’ (victims) for the enemy! God never gets angry without a good reason – and He had a good reason with an attitude like that – after all the track record of helping them, their attitude stunk!- Remember the Law of the Harvest! * Paying the Price for Attitudes - That attitude cost them dearly: Price Tag: NO PROMISED LAND FOR THEM! THEY LOST THEIR OPPORTUNITY! Numbers 14:31 'Your children, however, whom you said would become a prey-- I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected.- At the heart of the problem was the people’s murmurings (griping / complaining attitudes) > We will discover five specific stories or events that illustrate the attitudes that make up murmuring - In the mean time, we need to remember Paul’s words:

Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late – Week 2 Complaining

June 26, 2004 Philippians 2:14

DOCUMENT

I. Definition of Complaining complaining = expressing resentment over circumstances that are beyond our control and about which are doing nothing Quote: “When we express resentment over circumstances that are beyond our control and about which we are doing nothing, we are complaining. God hears it, hates it, and pushes everyone who persists in it toward the wilderness. Remember that those who choose complaining as their lifestyle will spend their lifetime in the wilderness.” Q: Does complaining CHANGE anything? [ALL would say NO!} Input: Why is complaining such a battle when we all agree that complaining changes nothing? > complaining satisfies our sinful natures for a brief few seconds – and then we gripe about something else – that’s the nature of LUST (we want more of what we want!) * Point: Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness! These, and other, OT examples were written for our LEARNING!!1 Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.- Neither Israel, nor us, HAVE to live this way -- We Choose Our Attitudes! - Because we are made in the image and likeness of God, we have the ability to make a CHOICE > we do not HAVE to sin – we CHOOSE to sin – and our choices are based on our theology and what we allow into our hearts Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.”- And isn’t it interesting that two people can face he same trial and respond in a totally different manner! - We get to make a choice (that’s grace), but we don’t get to choose the consequences: “God’s final judgment on their attitudes clearly held them accountable for their choosing. Later, twelve spies went into the land; twelve spies came back. Two spies chose God and faith ad a good attitude – and they got the Promised Land. Ten spies chose self and doubt and a bad attitude – they got the wilderness. The people listened to the majority report and the minority report, and then they chose. They voted with their attitude – and they got the wilderness. We choose our attitudes.” – p. 29 II. What Exactly Do We Mean by Attitude? A. Attitudes are Patterns of Thinking - these patterns are shaped by a lot of different influences. Input: What are some of the influences upon our attitude? Parents / Church / Friends- that’s why the following verses are important to consider: Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."Illustration: Tad Guyre’s song last week on Father’s Day – “I want to be like You (i.e. Jesus) because he (referring to this son) want to be like me!” B. Attitudes are Patterns of Thinking Formed Over a Long Period of Time. - Look at the track record of Israel – the history is there – riddled with wrong attitudes . . . and GOD’S MERCY and FORGIVENESS! - Nobody ‘suddenly’ becomes ____________ (a complainer, adulterer, adulterous, thief, etc.) > It happens because of a series of soft little choices that make it easy to sin the next time! - Granted, their lives were hard in Egypt – but some of them chose complaining and resentment toward God while others in the exact same circumstances chose thankfulness instead! Point: Wrong attitudes are hard to change because they are habitual, harmful ways of thinking about life and circumstances. - Remember the Law of the Harvest we talked about last week – this one really hits the parenting dynamic – i.e. what you do as a parent has a HUGE impact on your children! > the whole generation of doubters/complainers died just a few miles from the land flowing with mild and honey? [READ Numbers 14:22-35 – note the graphic language and specific details] > You’ve heard this before: Choices have consequences! C. You can’t change an attitude until you admit you chose it. > But if you are willing to say, “I choose my attitude,” then a different choice becomes possible II. God’s View of Complaining: Complaining is sin! - This wasn’t just a problem that Israel had – the NT church struggles with this, as do WE! Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;Input: What does complaining say about the nature of God? [it is an attack on His character] * Complaining questions God’s sovereignty It comes down to why God let’s things happen (circumstances – or the people he brings into your life)Remember the definition: Complaining is expressing dissatisfaction with a circumstance that is not wrong and about which I’m doing nothing to correct.It may be helpful to keep this distinction: Criticism involves people; complaining involves circumstancesA. Complaining is not just outward (verbal anger), but also what we think (inner man) - That’s why the Psalmist wrote: Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.- God is listening – look at some of the complaints recorded in Exodus Exodus 14:12 "Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians '? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."Exodus 15:24 So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"Exodus 16:3 The sons of Israel said to them, "Would that we had died by the LORD'S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."Exodus 17:3 But the people thirsted there for water; and they grumbled against Moses and said, "Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?"B. The worst kind of complaining is about adversity (may be a trial or God’s judgment – there is really no clear way to know, unless there is a clear sin in your life that you are not willing to handle – e.g. a church discipline issue, etc.). Hebrews 12:5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."1. God has entrusted to every person a measure of adversity. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.- Explain how God never gives us more than we can handle! 2. God allows adversity for a purpose. Input: Why does God allow adversity to come our way? #1: His glory – so He can be glorified in the process #2: For our good – Romans. 8:28-29 Galatians 4:19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you.2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.Point: The bad thing isn’t the adversity; it’s or response to it! - We need to remember this: God hates our complaining! – look at the following verses - In addition to Numbers 11: 1, 10, 33 . . . Numbers 12:9 So the anger of the LORD burned against them and He departed.Numbers 25:4 The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel."Numbers 32:14 "Now behold, you have risen up in your fathers' place, a brood of sinful men, to add still more to the burning anger of the LORD against Israel.Psalm 7:11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day.Input: What attribute of God do you think is the focus here? [HOLINESS of God!] “In His infinite transcendence, God can both love us extravagantly and hate our sin passionately at the same time. God can embrace us and forgive us eternally but judge us in the moment because of our attitudes that are not pleasing to Him. This concept may be a bit confusing to us, but it is perfectly clear to the Lord. He loves us and hates sin. Both are true.” – p.39 “Even in this day of grace, God’s fire still consumes in judgment. He judges a complaining attitude as surely as He judged the people of Israel in the desert. But, for now, God’s fire doesn’t consume our existence; it scorches our happiness. God’s fire consumes all that is fresh and healthy and life-giving in our lives. And life become a wilderness.” – p. 40 IV. Let’s Talk Solution Put off/put on principle of Ephesians 4:22-24 – especially note v. 23 Put off Put on Wrong View of God: Right View of God Wrong View of Circumstances Right View of Circumstances A. Am I a complainer? – let me ask you these clarifying questions: What two or three things about your life would you most like to change?Are you complaining about those things verbally or nonverbally?Are you accepting and thankful or resisting and complaining?B. Am I reaping the consequences of complaining in my relationship with God? - how is my level of joy, peace, -- am I growing in my love for God (fruit of the Spirit) C. Am I willing to repent? - We need only repent – agree with God that our complaints are sin – and choose to turn from complaining and ask His forgiveness.

Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late – Week 3 Thankfulness

July 3, 2004

DOCUMENT

I. General Observations About Thankfulness Q: Do you know the story of Christ and the ten lepers—the time that Christ miraculously healed them – demonstrating His deity and therefore the need to worship Him READ Luke 17:12-16 – note v. 15 ‘one of them’ [there were 10!!] and ‘he was a Samaritan’ (explain the issue of being a Samaritan – the Samaritan were the ‘scum of the earth to a Jew because they were ½ breed Jews – those Jews who chose to intermarry with the people around them – this was not a good thing and cut to the heart of the self-righteous Pharisees standing around Him, and it was probably a bit shocking to the disciples!A. Not many people are good at being thankful! Q: What’s the point of this situation? – one out of 10 – that’s terrible - but while we are quick to criticize, what about us? - when is the last time you consciously expressed your thankfulness to God // your spouse // your boss // your fellow church member // . . . your Pastor (i.e. Pastor Viars) // . . . your Deacons and their families B. Christ notices those who are grateful and those who are not. Luke 17:17-19 And Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?18 “Was no one found who turned back to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”19 And He said to him, “Rise, and go your way; your faith has made you well.- This was not just referring to his physical body – that issue had already been handled (i.e. he was healed instantaneously > Christ was saying in effect: “Because of your gratefulness—because of your thankfulness—you have been made well in a much deeper way than those who refused to be thankful.” - I think Jesus was referring to his change of heart – i.e. salvation Input: What has God done for us/you that we/you should give thanks Him? [various answers – this may go awhile, but that’s OK!] C. A thankful heart can give glory to God. Luke 17:17-19 And Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?18 “Was no one found who turned back to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”19 And He said to him, “Rise, and go your way; your faith has made you well.- Gratitude give the right opinion of God – gives Him credit for what He has done! * Note the warning in Romans 1 for NOT doing this: Romans 1:19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.D. Thankfulness is far more than saying the right words. Matthew 12:34 “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.- that’s the point of this whole series – our attitudes flow out of our hearts – a problem with complaining, coveting, other topics we’ll study, is a problem of the heart! Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.E. Thankfulness is very powerful! - Even in the often-godless corporate world – read the following quote: “Recent studies have shown repeatedly that if employees don’t feel genuine gratitude from the people they work for, bonuses are useless. Insincere gratitude doesn’t upgrade employee loyalty or productivity. If we are unmoved by perfunctory expressions of gratitude, just imagine how unmoved God is.” - The benefits of being thankful can have effects on the physical body -- regarding stress / Blood Pressure / recovery from surgery and a host of other II. The Definition of Gratitude Gratitude = to show that a kindness received is valued. “Genuine gratitude requires that we get past obligation and somehow show that we deeply appreciate what we’ve received.” ILL: Teaching our kids to say ‘thank you’ – you can only remind so many times to say, “thank you,” and then it becomes an issue of the heart! III. Consider Three Levels of Gratitude (Note: MacDonald’s idea – not distinguished biblically, but is a good way to think about this issue) Level 1: Elementary Thankfulness teaches us to be thankful in the most basic sense (thankfulness in general)Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Level 2: High School thankfulness. teaches us to be thankful in a variety of specific situations1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Level 3: Graduate School thankfulness. teaches us to be thankful for ALL things in a variety of specific situationsEphesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,1. . . 20always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;- this kind of thankfulness searches to find a good aspect in a challenging circumstance. - it’s a thankfulness that trusts God and is even grateful for the bad things - this is like the “Mt. Everest of thankfulness” Q: Which level are you most of the time? What do you need to do to change? IV. What Do We Need to Learn and Do? - Three specific points of victory. Point One: Thankfulness Is A Decision Psalm 107:8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord . . . for His wonderful works to the children of men! [repeated in v. 15, 21, and -- 4 times in one chp.! -- i.e. he’s making a point!!]- Notice the verse says would give thanks > If it said could —“Oh, that men could give thanks to the Lord” —then the ball would be in God’s court – i.e. it would imply that we were not made with that capacity - but we are in the image and likeness of God, and He has made us communicative beings, and we have the ability to be thankful, the issue is ARE we thankful and to what degree and are we GROWING? Point Two: Thankfulness Is A Decision Based in Reality. ILL: Robinson Crusoe, described a man who was shipwrecked. He spent twenty-seven years all alone on a tropical island. His story illustrates perfectly that thankfulness is a decision based on reality. Robinson Crusoe’s Complaining and Thankful List – read some of the examples Complaint Thanks I am singled out and separate as it were from all the world to be miserable But I am singled out, too, from all of the ship’s crew to be spared from death. God, who miraculously saved me from death, can deliver me from this condition also. (other examples) Point Three: Thankfulness Is A Life-Changing Decision. - being thankful for what God has allowed to come into your life changes everything Input: What does being a grateful person put you into a position to do? glorify Godgrow in Christimpact on the lives of others who may be facing similar circumstances (i.e. your thankfulness has a discipleship element!)* Gratitude is the attitude that sets the altitude for living!” Ask some honest questions: Am I a thankful person?Illustration: Matthew Henry, the famous Bible scholar. More than 250 years ago, he wrote these words in his diary after he was robbed of all the money he had in the world. “Let me be thankful first, because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, let me be thankful that although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed.” Am I seeing the blessings of thankfulness in my life?How often do I go out of my way to recognize with gratitude a person that God has used to bless me [a parent, neighbor, friend, or a small group leader]? Am I choosing thankfulness over complaining moment by moment?*Gratitude is one decision at a time, one moment at a time, one day at a time!

Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late – Week 4 Covetous

July 10, 2004

DOCUMENT

I. What Covetousness is A. Covetousness is wanting wrong things. Note: Ex. 20:17 – your neighbors house spouse . . . servant . . . animal or anything that is your neighbors Point: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have a spouse – but not your neighbors (even if that spouse is better than yours) Input: What are some examples of wrong things (or situations) we tend to covet? [various answers] B. Covetousness is wanting right things for wrong reasons. Point: These are not wrong in and of themselves, but you want them for the wrong reasons Example: Right Things Wrong Reasons Higher Job Position Spouse Higher Pay Things – cars, recreational vehicles C. Covetousness is wanting right things at the wrong time. Q: What would be another word to describe this attitude? (impatience) - many times our impatience for what we want is nothing less than covetousness! - What if God wants you to wait to get what you’ve asked for – and remember where impatience & ingratitude can get you . . . > . . . with meat coming out your nose!! D. Covetousness is wanting right things but wanting them in the wrong amount. - in other words, wanting MORE than what God thinks you really need - you may be asking: How do you know when enough is enough? - the issue is not really what you have, it’s what you DO with what you have Input: Complete this sentence: Enough is enough when _________________. [various answers: when God is glorified, when God withholds and gives you what He thinks is enough, when you begin to violate biblical principles in order to get more] - Let’s think about what covetousness looks like: II. The Practice of Covetousness - Numbers 11:4-35 is somewhat like a drama in 3 short acts - In between the scenes, there are brief changes in the subject, like intermissions, then the action returns to the main story line. Act I: Yielding to Covetousness and Why God Hates It 1. Covetousness becomes sin when we yield. Numbers 11:4 The rabble [mixed multitude] who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, "Who will give us meat to eat?”‘rabble’ – yielded to intense craving (lit. craved a craving) Point: They started looking for something else to make them happy. - It is practically impossible not to desire things, experiences, and situations > God has made us worship beings . . . with a will to choose who/what we worship > obviously the curse of sin has a significant impact on our worship ability and desires - People are always asking the questions, “When is it sin? When does a covetous thought or desire become a sin? * 2 Questions to ask yourself: 1) How do you respond when you don’t get it? 2) Are you willing to sin in order to get it? * Lesson: Wanting something is not inherently sinful – unless what you want is forbidden – it’s when you want it more than God wants you to have it. - There are a couple of verses in the NT that address this issue of desire (esp. wrong ones) Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.2. When we dwell on desire, yielding is only a matter of time! Numbers 11:4-5 …“Who will give us meat to eat? “We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic.” Q: Do you remember the slavery? Inability to worship your God freely? Q: Do you remember the 10 plagues? Red Sea? Bodies of Pharaoh’s army washing up on the shore? * Covetousness inflates the desire while it ignores the danger. - cf. Great passage that explains this process: James 1:13-18 3. At the root of covetousness is a rejection of God’s sufficiency. “In effect, they were slapping God’s face by saying; ‘It’s not enough, God. Nice try, but it’s not enough. I have needs, and You’re not taking care of them. You promised to be all I need, but You’re just not meeting my expectations.’” – p. 73 - Our problem is not that we don’t want God, it’s that we covet God and ___________(?) Examples: God and the perfect spouse.God and an impressive career.God and the house by the lake.God and the exotic vacation / big bonus / whatever catches our fancy next.Point: The hard truth is that at the root of my covetous attitude I am rejecting the sufficiency of God in my life. Act II: A Gift From God You Don’t Want (Numbers 11:16-20) Read Numbers 11:16-20- This event was so significant that several hundred years later the Holy Spirit inspired the Psalmist to write: Psalm 106:15 “He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.” Q: I wonder what thing in your life might parallel the meat the children of Israel had to have. “Nothing is essential but God. Things were never designed to take God’s place. When we covet something and make it essential—and then beg God to give it to us—we are asking God to replace Himself with something we consider more important. When we do this, God will often allow us to experience firsthand the consequences of substituting anything for Him. Maybe as you read this book you are hurting over the poor health of your own soul. Maybe God is bringing to mind even now something that you have substituted for Him—a relationship or a financial goal, or a specific material dream about your future for which you have been suspending your happiness. Covetousness is such a cruel enemy. It promises prosperity and brings only painful poverty of spirit.” – p. 74-75 * Lesson: Covetousness can lead to hating the very thing you so strongly desired! Examples? Careers of men and women climbing the corporate ladder – to neglect of spiritual responsibilities and neglect of the familyThe single adult who had to get married – but then reality of character set in!The unhappy husband or wife consumed with their spouse’s shortcomings – and eventually gets a divorce and sees how hard that is to live withWanting children and begging God for children to the point of demanding – then the child doesn’t turn out the way you want them toPoint: Covetousness will take you to the place in life where you hate the very thing that you had to have. Act III The Consequences of Covetousness Read Numbers 11:31-33* Covetousness destroys the capacity to discern sufficiency! “Now I’m not saying that money or possessions equal sin. I am not saying that the most covetous person is the wealthiest person. There is no direct correlation between wealth and covetousness. The most covetous person you know may also be the one with the least. There is no direct connection between what you have and what you desire. It has everything to do with your attitude.”– p. 79 * Covetousness cannot avoid the Law of the Harvest! (what you sow, you reap!) Notice v. 33: “While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very severe plague” 1 Timothy 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.1 Timothy 6:17-18 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,Conclusion: - As we look at these soul-searching questions, we can begin to put in place some solution steps. 1. Am I a covetous person? 2. Am I reaping the consequences of covetousness in my relationship with God? 3. Am I willing to repent?

Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late – Week 5 Contentment Part 1

July 17, 2004

DOCUMENT

I. We Need to Develop An Understanding of Contentment A. Defining contentment Contentment = a satisfaction with God’s sufficient provision. - It’s being happy/joyful with whatever God supplies – the key is the whatever - it’s easy to be content when you get what you want – but what if what God wants you to have is different than what you wanted? Input: What is a contented person thinking about on a day-to-day, moment-by-moment basis? [various answers – one is “what I have is all I need – or maybe even more than I need and God has been gracious to me!] Point: Contentment means to rest in what one already has and seek nothing more! Proverbs 30:8 Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, 9 That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or That I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.B. Contentment has a partner: Godliness [Read 1 Timothy 6:6-12] Quote: “We must never be content with who we are, only with what we have.” - we always need to grow to be more Christlike – don’t get satisfied w/that part of your life > it’s the what we have part that we struggle with! - If we posted this on a chart and compared these two qualities –it would look something like this: Godliness Contentment deals with who I amdeals with what I havebeing unsatisfied with my character in becoming like Christbeing satisfied with what I possess in God. - Here’s a formula that may help you to remember this concept: Godliness + Contentment = Great Success! (Obviously that is success in God’s eyes, not in the eyes of the world) C. Our substitutes won’t work! [Note: This point could take a lot of time – let it happen!] * Neighbor Nudge: break into small groups and discuss the following questions: 1. What other substitutes do we tend to put into the equation of success? 2. Why won’t that substitute work (glorify God) in the long run? Example: Godliness + POPULARITY (approval of man) = success - that won’t work because the fear of man brings a snare, and success is defined by being Christlike, therefore glorifying God, and being godly often brings the disapproval of man! * Potential Answers: 1) Godliness + Prosperity = Great Gain Luke 12:15 "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."2) Godliness + Poverty = Great Gain > A poor person can struggle with covetousness – it’s a heart issue! 3) Godliness + Power or Influence = Great Gain Read Matt. 20:25-28 – Gentiles ‘lord it over’ – but it’s not going to be this way w/you! 4) Godliness + Family Harmony = Great Gain - It may be the fruit on the tree, but it’s not the goal. - Besides, Jesus had some strong words to day about pleasing family members: Matthew 10:37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”Matthew 19:29 "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.”5) Godliness + Ministry Success = Great Gain - what if you don’t have ministry success – can you still please God? - what if persecution is part of the equation an attendance goes down – does that mena you’ve failed? - the other side is, a healthy discontent is always good (i.e. recognizing the need to grow and be more effective in what we do – that’s stewardship! Example: Faith Baptist Church was about 425 in 1989 – now we’re around 1,200 – but I’m never satisfied – not bad, but it does bring contentment! “Godliness plus contentment is great gain. Notice the word great. It’s greatgain. We’re not playing for small stakes here. We’re playing for all the marbles. The positive results of embracing this truth are massive.” –p. 89 - The question is: How do you change? II. Three Steps That Break The Pattern Of Covetous Thinking And Lead To Contentment A. Step #1: Look to eternity 1 Timothy 6:7 “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either”- Don’t build your life around things that pass away with time! - Think about how long it would take for a tornado to suck up your house and leave nothing but the foundation! Ken Collier, friend of mine told me when Laurie was in her car accident: “It’s just a thing; don’t cry over anything that can’t cry over you!” [good advice!]B. Step #2: Let enough be enough 1 Timothy 6:8 “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”“When we expect to be satisfied with the basics, God will often surprise us with treats.” Input: Any examples you can give of that in your life? -Think of the persecuted church around the world – they don’t have a building, land, resources like we do! ILL: Megah Singh – church planter in India – met during my doctoral program – he is training Chinese pastors who are coming across the border with nothing but the clothes on their back sometimes! C. Step #3: Learn from examples - We think we have to learn everything on our own. Why can’t we learn from other people (i.e. that wealth, things, possessions don’t satisfy)? – Think about these examples: John D. Rockefeller- “I have made millions, but they have brought me no happiness.”Cornelius Vanderbilt- “The care of millions is too great a load. There is no pleasure in it.”Henry Ford- “I was happier as a boy working in a mechanic’s shop, though we had nothing.”III. What’s going to happen if you don’t live this way? – Look carefully at 1 Tim. 6:9 A. Temptation and a snare (trap) 1 Timothy 6:9 “But those who want to get rich fall (i.e. want = settled desire born of reason— the point being that you choose what you want to choose!)into temptation and a snare (trap).” - the temptation is to sin and neglect other biblical responsibilities – the trap is to think that what you GET will satisfy you rather than what you ARE in Christ and seeking to glorify God! 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.”-The problem is the love of money. -Loving money is not the root of evil but a root of evil. B. Paul presents two ugly pictures 1. “Some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith.” 2. “. . . and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (NKJV) Q: How ugly is the picture of a person stabbing themselves? Point: Sin is never logical . . .and choices have consequences! - We need to say what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11 “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” (he was writing from prison!)

Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late – Week 6 Contentment Part 2

July 24, 2004

DOCUMENT

I. We Need to Develop An Understanding of Contentment A. Defining contentment Contentment = a satisfaction with God’s sufficient provision. - It’s being happy/joyful with whatever God supplies – the key is the whatever [not what we want, but what He wants us to have] B. Contentment has a partner: Godliness [refer to 1 Timothy 6:6-12 – READ the passage again!] - we always need to grow to be more Christlike – don’t get satisfied w/that part of your life > it’s the what we have part that we struggle with! - Here’s a formula that may help you to remember this concept: Godliness + Contentment = Great Success! (i.e. success in God’s eyes (glorifying God and enjoying Him forever!) Quote: “We must never be content with who we are, only with what we have.” - one of the points we spent a lot of time on last week . . . C. Our substitutes won’t work! ] - We answered two questions: 1. What other substitutes do we tend to put into the equation of success? 2. Why won’t that substitute work (glorify God) in the long run? Example: Godliness + POPULARITY (approval of man) = success OR . . . 1) Godliness + Prosperity = Great Gain [WRONG] Luke 12:15 "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."2) Godliness + Power or Influence = Great Gain [WRONG] Read Matt. 20:25-28 – Gentiles ‘lord it over’ – but it’s not going to be this way w/you! - But the issue is, HOW DO YOU CHANGE AND GROW IN THIS AREA? Q: What principles has God given us that will help us to please Him in this area? - Let’s pick it up where we left off and consider . . . II. Three Steps That Break The Pattern Of Covetous Thinking And Lead To Contentment A. Step #1: Look to eternity 1 Timothy 6:7 “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either”- Don’t build your life around things that pass away with time! - Think about how long it would take for a tornado to suck up your house and leave nothing but the foundation! Ken Collier, friend of mine told me when Laurie was in her car accident: “It’s just a thing; don’t cry over anything that can’t cry over you!” [good advice!]Point: * Our God is ETERNAL – He is the One to Whom we should look for contentment and satisfaction – He will never pass away with time! - one day, all that God has created will be destroyed by fire: 2 Peter 3:7 But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.- But God will live on forever – as will the souls of men Input: What does a person who has an “eternal” view of life look like – vs. a person who’s mind is set on temporal things? [various answers] B. Step #2: Let enough be enough 1 Timothy 6:8 “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”“When we expect to be satisfied with the basics, God will often surprise us with treats.” Input: Any examples you can give of that in your life of God’s special blessings? -Think of the persecuted church around the world – they don’t have a building, land, resources like we do! ILL: Megah Singh – church planter in India – met during my doctoral program – he is training Chinese pastors who are coming across the border with nothing but the clothes on their back sometimes! - You need to ask some questions: Am I really content with what God has provided or is covetousness controlling me?What will it take to say, ‘enough is enough’?C. Step #3: Learn from examples (positive and negative) - We think we have to learn everything on our own. - Why can’t we learn from other people (i.e. that wealth, things, possessions don’t satisfy)? - Think about these examples: John D. Rockefeller- “I have made millions, but they have brought me no happiness.”Cornelius Vanderbilt- “The care of millions is too great a load. There is no pleasure in it.”Henry Ford- “I was happier as a boy working in a mechanic’s shop, though we had nothing.”Input: What biblical examples can you give of men/women who modeled a life of contentment with what God had given them? [various answers – but Joseph, Daniel, the 3 Hebrew boys, Esther, Hannah (mother of Samuel), Paul, Jesus!!] – Note: Psalm 73 (esp. v. 25!) WOW - Choices have consequences, so we need to ask . . . III. What’s going to happen if you don’t live this way? – Look carefully at 1 Tim. 6:9 A. Temptation and a snare (trap) 1 Timothy 6:9 “But those who want to get rich fall (i.e. want = settled desire born of reason— the point being that you choose what you want to choose!)into temptation and a snare (trap).” - the temptation is to sin and neglect other biblical responsibilities – the trap is to think that what you GET will satisfy you rather than what you ARE in Christ and seeking to glorify God! ** IMPORTANT: That is the BAIT Satan has used for over 6,000 years – you will be as god, knowing good and evil – you’ll really be satisfied then - remember, he is a liar, and the father of LIES! (John 8:44) - compared to God who is the COVENANT KEEPING GOD of Israel! - The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write to Timothy: 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.”-The problem is the love of money. -Loving money is not the root of evil but a root of evil. B. Paul presents two ugly pictures 1. “Some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith.” - i.e. the slowing left THE faith – i.e. the embodiment of truth! 2. “. . . and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (NKJV) Q: How ugly is the picture of a person stabbing themselves? Point: Sin is never logical . . .and choices have consequences! - We need to say what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11 “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” (he was writing from prison!) - How could he say this? – READ Phil. 3:7-14 – what a text – a foundation for contentment – KNOWING GOD – [knowing = ginosko – i.e. knowledge based on personal experience! 1sthand knowledge!

Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late – Week 7 Replace a Critical Attitude

August 7, 2004 Numbers 12:1-12

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Am I a critical person?Am I reaping the consequences in my relationship with God?Am I willing to repent?Read Numbers 12:1-12 “A continually critical attitude toward those around me will consume all that is healthy and joy-producing in my life” This is one of the attitudes that got Israel wandering in the wilderness, and it’s the same attitude that will get you and I there as well. I.What exactly is a critical Attitude? A. Criticism Generally – Our negative thinking that relates to people.Specifically – Dwelling upon the perceived faults of another with no view to their good.Note: Criticism happens face to face, but often it stays right where it started…in our minds. A critical spirit is an obvious root to bitterness. (destructive) Definition broken downPercieved – My perception of what is wrong with you is not necessarily accurate.Prov. 13:10—“Through presumptioncomes nothing but strife, but with those who receive counsel is wisdom.” Dwelling upon-- If you choose to mull over and over other peoples faults in your mind, it will affect and perpetuate a critical attitude. Like feeding a flame. Phil. 4:8 -- “Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.” With no view to their goodDwell just long enough to:Pray about it.Pursue a solution (ASAP).Communication is key, but make sure you’re following the example given to us in Matt. 18 with regard to the circle of knowledge (keep it as small as possible).Matt. 18:15 – Confront in PrivateMatt. 18:16 – Take one or two to establish every factMatt. 18:17 – Go before the church“If you are not clear about your motives in sharing the situation with a third party, then you’re probably practicing gossip and not a genuine, helpful spirit.” –pg. 103 II.Six principles to keep in mind Criticism is wrong (Sin)It is very clear how God feels about critical attitudes.Num. 12:11—Aaron said, “Do not account this sin to us, in which we have acted foolishly and in which we have sinned.”Matt. 7:3—“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”Point: We are playing God and we don’t meet the qualifications. Effects of a critical attitudeCriticism ruins our fellowship with God.Matt. 5:22-24 “first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”If you know that your fellowship with God is broken… “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”—1 Jhn. 1:9Our critical attitude hurts us.This is the logical consequence of living in sin and out of fellowship with God“Choose to sin; choose to suffer”A critical attitude destroys our fellowship with others. B.Criticism is Petty Heart issues: Three significant issues hide under the covers of criticismA blend of unforgivenessEnvy, jealousy, resentment Prov. 14:30 –-“A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion (Envy/Jealousy) is rottenness to the bones” Titus 3:3—“For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.” Personal failure- Don’t try to level the playing field by comparing yourself to others. C.Criticism is self-exalting It takes the focus off me and my faults and highlights me as the one who knows.Prov. 8:13—“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate.” Prov. 11:2—“When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.” Prov. 16:18—“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” D.Criticism is painful *Input: What do we generally feel when we are being criticized? Various answers: pain, anger, sorrow Our response depends on our life focus.A focus on self (approval of men)A focus on GodGal. 1:10 “Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” Quote: “It’s not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbles or how the doer of deeds might have done it better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. --Theodore Roosevelt E.Criticism is often inadvertent A healthy portion of things that people say are words they wouldn’t say if they thought twice.This shows us how important it is that we guard our heart.Mat. 12:34—“The good man out of the good treasure brings fourth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings fourth what is evil.” Hastily spoken words cannot simply be excused but must be acknowledged and repented of.Matt. 12:35—“ And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment.” - Aaron said, “We have acted foolishly” (Numbers 12:11). F.Criticism plugs the flow of God’s blessing - Past hurts, frustrations, and unresolved conflicts tend to snow-ball into new relationships and circumstances. Quote: “Criticism makes us hard and vindictive and cruel. It leaves us with the flattering notion that we are superior persons. It is impossible to develop the characteristics of a saint and at the same time maintain a critical attitude. Criticism harms our relationship with God and others, and that will block the flow of God’s blessing.” Pg. 114 Personal questions:

Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late – Week 8 Love

August 14, 2004

DOCUMENT

I. God Expects Us to Demonstrate Love to Others Q: Why? -- because He is a God of love and He demonstrated love to us first (modeled it!) - This particular lesson is a good one to end on because learning to love people is the 2ndgreatest commandment Matthew 22:37 And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'Q: Is this commandment all-inclusive? – i.e. does it require that we love EVERYBODY? Yes – explain loving even your enemies [Matthew 5:44] [Read 1 Cor. 13] - There are 3 different Greek words for love: 1) eros (sensual love) / 2) phileo (brotherly love) . . . 3) The most common agapa = selfless love, giving love, an act of the will or a choice I make “Love” = giving to others needs without having as my motive personal reward (unconditional) > The love of 1 Cor. 13 is agapa – showing love for the glory of God! (right opinion of God) Note: Look at what Paul compares genuine love to in the text Input: Complete this phrase: Love is more important than __________. > Speaking with the tongues of men and angels (i.e. this is NOT a specific language of the angels, but the fact that they were divine messengers for God, even if he spoke that way, yet don’t have love, it’s worthless!) [Read p. 22 last paragraph before “Another Barrier”] > more important than v. 2 > more important than v. 3 – giving all my possessions to feed the poor, or my body to be burned Point: You can talk, talk, talk, and be BUSY – but fail to love God and love people! [discuss the issue of loving people and reaching out to them] Q: How, where, and when can this be done? * Mention HOME FELLOWSHIP August 29th * Mention CHURCH FAMILY NIGHTS * Mention greeting people before / after church – in the lobby * Mention INTRO TO FAITH Input: What has to happen first before we’ll show love this way? > we’ll never do that if we don’t grow in our love for Him **Share ABF stats [see handout at the end of lesson] – Q: What does that tell you about our ABFs being an assimilation and discipleship tool? II. What Does Love Look Like? - we don’t’ have time to do a detailed study of each one of these, but let’s at least touch base and consider each one that Paul mentions: love is patient - * “macrothumeo” = long fused > long tempered/not quick to get angry negatively -- not getting sinfully angrypositively -- enduring the failures and/or offenses of others> God’s answer for impatience is love – God’s love is the exact opposite of impatience 1) It focuses on the welfare of others! 2) It is more willing to be taken advantage of than to take advantage! – Romans 12:17-21 love is kind useful, gracious >> opposite of severity, harshness, crueltyKindness is active servanthood.- it not only wants to do something, but kindness DOES something love is not jealous = to set one's heart on something (it could overlap with coveting (Jas 4.2) > jealousy is more wanting what somebody else has > coveting is more wanting what somebody else has and wishing they didn’t have it! love does not brag = root word -- vainglorious be conceitedto parade one’s self before othersPoint: Biblical love refuses to “show off” or speak of personal achievements, qualities love is not arrogant= root word – bellows > puff one’s self out (like bellows) Point: Biblical love is characterized by HUMILITY not referring to “false humility” (just looking down on yourself)but REGOGNIZING THAT GOD AND OTHERS ARE ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS IN MY LIFElove does not act unbecomingly= lit. deformed, ugly - the word means to behave improperly or indecently Negative: act improperly, to be rude, behave disgracefully, dishonorably (1Co 7:36; [1]Positive: proper, courteous; does the right things at the right timePoint: Love does not act uncharacteristic of a gentleman or a lady! * Summarize the rest – note “believing all things” is giving the benefit of the doubt, giving the best interpretation until all the facts are in (apply this to a judgmental attitude toward others) Input: Which one do you struggle with most?