Soul Distraction

So here's a thought about money. Perfect time; right as the shopping season opens. 

Money: You can trade it for just about anything you want if you have enough of it. Money equals power, and that power is bound to capture your attention eventually. Jesus tells a story about money:

Luke 12:13-21 (New Living Translation)

13 Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me."

14 Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" 15 Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."

16 Then he told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.' 18 Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I'll sit back and say to myself, "My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!"'

20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?'

21 "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

If you haven't been tempted to fall in love with money, chances are someday you will. Money will distract your soul, and it can also be gone in an instant--something we've learned a little too well in our culture recently. Only heaven's treasure lasts forever and starts now.

g-ram

Can't Get No Satisfaction?

It's so easy to look to other people to satisfy our needs. Let's be honest, they're here, human, tangible. But don't deceived, don't be shortchanged. Jeremiah explains that only God can truly meet our needs--and He will!

Jeremiah 17:5-8 (New Living Translation)

5 This is what the Lord says:
"Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength
and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
in an uninhabited salty land.

7 "But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit."

Satisfaction only comes from God.
"Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength
and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
in an uninhabited salty land.

7 "But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit."

Satisfaction only comes from God.


- g-ram

Kaleo 02: Followup on Called to Generosity

We are kaleo, or called by Christ to be generous beyond what we can afford. We will answer this call by ________________________.

Objective: To fill in the blank.

For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
2 Corinthians 8:3 (NLT)

Describe a time when you have benefited from another person’s generosity. How did this person’s generosity make you feel?

At what times or in what situations do you feel it’s easier for you to be generous? At what times can it be difficult?

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely...
Psalm 112:5 (NIV)

...the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than receive.”

Acts 20:35 (NIV)

A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed

Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

Which resources (time, finances, possessions, your home, etc.) are you currently being generous with? Which resources could you be more generous with?

What kind of impact do you think it will have on others as they see us become more generous and give beyond what we can afford?

How will you personally answer Christ’s call to be generous beyond what you can afford? How will you answer this call as a group?

For Further Study

Icebreaker:
Think for a moment about your possessions. What is the one thing you own that holds the most value to you personally?

Read Acts 4:32-37.
This passage gives us a look at the early church and how Christians were generous with all of their possessions. As a result there was no poverty among them. (4:34)
What attitude did the believers have toward one another? (4:32)
How did the Christians show their unity? (4:32)
How effective was the apostles’ witness? (4:33)
What godly quality enhanced the unity and service of the early Christians? (4:33)
What did some better-off Christians do from time to time? (4:34-35)
How did the early wealthy believers disburse the money they got from selling their lands or houses? (4:35)
What was exemplary about Barnabas? (4:36-37)
How was Barnabas’ generosity singled out? (4:36-37)

In this scripture, the believers sold their land and homes to aid the poor. Do you think you think you could donate or sell something as valuable as real estate or a vehicle to help someone in need? Would it be difficult? Why or why not?

Is it easier to be generous to strangers or to those we know such as our family, friends, or fellowship? Why?

Describe someone you know that stands out as a true “Barnabas” in your view.

What type of impact on the world could the church make if all Christians were generous like Barnabas was in this passage?

Final thought:
Share any specific needs you may have with trusted friends so they can pray with you and assist you with your needs.

Pray in your quiet time this week for God to give you opportunities to be generous to others with either your time or resources or both.

Additional Resources:

Quotes that will inspire and challenge you to answer the call of Generosity

“Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our minds to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.”

-Barbara Bush

“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.”

-John D. Rockefeller Jr.

“Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around encouraging young things to grow.

-Thornton Wilder

“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”

-Winston Churchill

“The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give.”

-Walt Whitman

“Generosity during life is a very different thing from generosity in the hour of death; one proceeds from genuine liberality and benevolence, the other from pride or fear.”

-Horace Mann

“Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.”
-Dale Evans

“The poor don’t know that their function in life is to exercise our generosity.”
-Jean-Paul Sartre

“Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away.” -Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Website:
http://www.generousgiving.org This website is designed to motivate followers of Christ toward greater Biblical generosity and features a number of resources to aid Christians in being more generous to others.

Books:

The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving
by Randy Alcorn

Fields of Gold: A Place Beyond Your Deepest Fears, a Prize Beyond Your Wildest Imagination
by Andy Stanley

Money: The Currency of Christian Hedonism
by John Piper


Think. Discuss. Live.

g-ram

I Think We Upside-Downed What Was Supposed To Be Upside-Down

When Jesus was on Earth everywhere he went he helped people to see things in a new light, or perhaps in an old light. He took what people knew and turned it upside down, proclaiming that "this is the way of the kingdom of God." He said things tricky to understand like, "the last shall be first and the first shall be last," or "whoever wants to be the greatest must be the servant of all." Things that brought deep question into people's lives followed by bright lights of understanding. He challenged us to see the world as God desired it and not how sin had made it.

The obstacles were large but then he also said that he never meant for us to do these things on our own. We are to walk in partnership with the Holy Spirit living out these kingdom values for ourselves but also challenging and encouraging those around us to be free also. Life and life abundant. Somewhere along the way the church gets things mucked up. What is to be expected?, we are human, it's what we do. But when we are walking in the spirit we also ask for forgiveness, repent and seek to reconcile; asking God to change us and transform us yet again from what we are, into what we are called to be. By his grace he does it, when we humble ourselves.

"The institution has stopped serving the people,
& the people have started serving the institution"
Alan Hirsch quoting
~ A Lutheran Theologian

For too many of the churches I know this is a problem on both the individual and corporate levels. Jesus came and turned the world upside-down and we applauded that. We then kept the motion going and have manged to turn upside-down the world again. Through a long and circuitous route we have found ourselves vouching and fighting for the system that Jesus challenged and turned over. The church is the people, not the building, not the staff and not the institution. It is time for a reawakening to the call of Jesus to live upside-down.

Though we have come from many places, many origins we are now coming together in2one future: the earnest pursuit of God Himself through the application and recognition of the priesthood of all believers.

Are you interested in joining the pursuit and living upside-down?

g-ram

Kaleo 01: Called To Care Follow-Up Questions

We are "kaleo," or called by Christ to go and share the “Good News” with others who don’t have a relationship Him. Living out the answer to this call can be described as living a lifestyle of missions. As followers of Christ we will answer His call to live this lifestyle of missions by _______________.

Objective: To fill in the blank.

And then [Jesus] told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.”

Mark 16:16 (NLT)

What does living a lifestyle of missions mean to you?

Describe a time when you directly or indirectly shared the “Good News.”

How did it benefit those you served?

Sharing the “Good News” is not only a benefit to those we serve, but also to ourselves. How has your life been changed as a result of reaching out to others?

I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Christ Jesus.

Phil. 2:20-21 (NLT)

Caring is an action. To not act is to not truly care. Was there a time in your life where you could have acted to help someone, but did not? What opportunities were lost for both yourself and the other person?

What are some specific ways you will personally answer Christ’s call to live a lifestyle of missions? What are some ways you can answer His call in a group?

For Further Study
Throughout your life, in what specific areas has God called you to missions? Is your calling more in your local community or do you feel God has called you to minister to a specific country or culture? Both?

Read Romans 15:14-22. In this passage, Paul proclaims to the Romans that God has bestowed a specific calling on him to be a minister (or missionary) of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. (14:14-16)

How did Paul describe the Christians in Rome? (15:14)
What was the focus of Paul's life? (15:17-18)
What was the only thing that Paul was willing to speak of? (15:18-19)
To what did Paul credit his success in evangelism? (15:18-19)
What was Paul's ambition? (15:20)
Why did Paul preach the gospel where Christ was not known? (15:20)
What had hindered Paul from coming to see the Roman church? (15:22)

Paul was given a very specific mission from God in this scripture.
What are some of the missions you’ve seen God call others to?

What talents has God given you to serve him?
How are you currently using those talents?
Many times God gives us a specific burden for others He wants us to serve and minister to. What burden has God given you?

Are there any areas in your community where opportunities to hear the gospel are limited? What are some ways you could help share the “Good News” in these areas?
How can you tell if your work for God is motivated by self interest or selfless devotion to God?

Final thought:
Pray this week for God to give you opportunities to witness to those who do not know Christ.


g-ram

Rules, Authority & Getting To Bed Early

"Rules were in invented by elders, so they could get to bed early! Men who harp on authority only prove they have none. And kings who make speeches about submission only betray twin fears in their hearts: they are not certain they are really true leaders, sent of God. And they live in mortal fear of a rebellion.

-"A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness"
Gene Edwards

If God is in charge then He will provide and protect. Whom do you trust? Yourself or God? It is easy to say and hard to live. God give us the courage & the fortitude to live trusting in you.

g-ram

Mr Fire-Head

Everyone gets mad. They just do. It happens. People show it in different ways and to different degrees, but it happens. There are different reasons to get "hot under the collar."

If someone wont let go of anger after being shown that they are wrong about someone or something, it's because their anger has become their IDENTITY. Imagine that. That is just how they have presented themselves; it's part of their brand; their "personality"; It's what you know about them. Mr Hot-Head cannot say "sorry" or "I was wrong."

If you took away some people's reason for anger, they'd lose their identity. They get attention through anger and the attention is addicting! Addictions lead to self-destruction.

Don't hang out with angry people;
don't keep company with hotheads.
Bad temper is contagious—
don't get infected.
Pr.22:24-25
The Message

Why endanger your soul?
Who do you read and listen to? Do you know an anger addict? Have you become one? Are you filled with "righteous indignation"? It stops being righteous when it is always about you. When the Spirit is about you there should always be other visible fruit. Where are they?

Beware of the heat, Mr Fire-Head, or you may just burn up the relationships all around you.

g-ram

Pursuing

Shakespeare's plays were not written to be studied, but to be acted. The reason why we read the Bible is not simply to study the text or to understand the words on the pages. The reason why we read the Bible is to live, understand life, and to know Jesus. ... In coming to know Jesus, we come to know ourselves and others, as well as God. Jesus himself warned us not to confuse knowledge of the Scriptures with knowledge of God. In belittling the Pharisees' vaunted scholarship, he said:

"You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
John 5:39-40, NRSV

The text is not the absolute. The text can only point to the Absolute.

Leonard Sweet

We earnestly pursue Jesus. We earnestly pursue our faith in God and we strive to live these difficult, complicated, upside down truths in our regular lives with all those whom we interact with. We challenge ourselves to put God first in the mundane and in the spectacular and then watch Him transform us, our lives and circumstances around us. I must decrease, He must increase. We pursue what we think about most. What/Who are you thinking about most?

g-ram

It's Nice To Be Nice, To The Nice

Doing good is good right? Keep on doing good. Good is good and it is good for you to do good. It would be bad if you stopped doing good. It would also be bad if you started doing bad. So don't do bad. And don't stop doing good. Keep doing good, and at some point you will see good come of it.

Galatians 6:9-10 (New Living Translation)

9 So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith.

Did you get it? Good


- g-ram

Babbling

Have you ever had to listen to someone babble? You know, talking without meaning or direction about whatever--politics, psychology, the Twilight series? The bottom line is that babble is boring. Babble is boring because it has no substance.

Jesus warns against praying in such a meaningless way, and offers an alternative.

Have you ever had to listen to someone babble? You know, talking without meaning or direction about whatever--politics, psychology, the Twilight series? The bottom line is that babble is boring. Babble is boring because it has no substance.

Jesus warns against praying in such a meaningless way, and offers an alternative.

Matthew 6:7-13 (New Living Translation)

7 "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need,
12 and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don't let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one."

Prayer can take many forms, but should be intentional and filled with meaning. Meaningful prayer helps to strengthen your relationship with God, and communicates respect to God whose value is infinite.

- g-ram