THOUGHT: ONE PRAYER Follow Up

ONE PRAYER was awesome and opened up some interesting doors. If you want to keep up, or get at it, then check out this helpful study to keep you thinking and to keep you active. If you weren't there live then check out the podcast first to bring yourself up to speed.

Think of some of the greatest sports teams you have ever seen: Olympic , Professional, College, High School, etc..:

What characteristics made them great?

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Cor 1:10 (NLT)

divisions: schisma (skhis'-mah); split, division, schism, ripping or tearing apart.

SATAN LOVES FOR CHURCHES TO COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER.

Where have you seen churches competing against each other?

What is the goal they are competing for?

GOD LOVES FOR CHURCHES TO COMPLETE EACH OTHER.

What are some ways you have you seen other churches completing each other (spiritual co-operation)?

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Eph 4:3-6 (NLT)

In this passage discuss what you think is meant by the following phrases:

• One Body

• One Spirit

• One Hope

• One Lord

• One Faith

In this passage the phrase “make every effort” is translated from the greek: spoudazo (spoo-dad'-zo): which means to study, to labour, to make a prompt and earnest effort, to be diligent.

Read Ephesians 4:3-6. What can you do to “make every effort” to keep the unity of the Spirit?

For Further Study

Ephesians 4: 1-11

Open

What one quality would you like to develop in your character?

What keeps sports teams unified?

Explore

What did Paul urge the Ephesians to do? (4:1)

How should Christians conduct themselves toward each other? Why? (4:2-6)

How is Christian unity related to the nature of God? (4:4-6)

How are we enabled to live at peace with each other? (4:7)

Who gives grace to each believer? (4:7)

With what kind of people does God fill the church? (4:11)

Reflect

How do you get along with other Christians?

What is God’s prescription for unity among believers?

How does the Spirit help you maintain the “bond of peace” with others Christians?

What is your responsibility to help others in the body of Christ?

Apply

What service can you offer another church to help build up the body of Christ?

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THOUGHT: Rules & Relationships

Can this mystical talk of having a relationship with God really work? Is it possible to be trusting and talking to Jesus? Does that happen after I follow the rules, before I follow the rules, while I am following the rules?

What rules?

You know, all the things the Bible tells us to do.

What might those be?

Like doing good things, avoiding evil, being kind to the poor, reading your Bible, praying and going to church. Things likes that.

Do we do those things to get the relationship? to grow the relationship or instead of the relationship? When we don't do those things should we just keep feeling guilty and trying harder? Is that it? Just push through the hard stuff? It is hard to sustain that level of motivation.

That is not what the Bible teaches.

Pardon?

The Bible doesn't teach you to follow rules. It is a picture of Jesus. While words may tell you what God is like and even what he may want from you, you cannot do any of it on your own. Life and living is powered by Jesus. You cannot live a life of righteousness on your own. That is achieved only through a relationship with Jesus.

Well frankly, it is a lot easier to follow rules and principles than it is to have that kind of weird relationship. It is not like hanging out with your friends or even talking with your mentor.

Relationships do not have a guaranteed outcome or plan or path. It is true relationships are a whole lot messier than rules, but rules will never give you answers to the deep questions of the heart and they will never love you. Religion is about having the right answers, and some of their answers are right. But the Holy Spirit is about the process that takes you into understanding itself, into truth and that truth changes you from the inside out.

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THOUGHT: Perceptions Are Not Always Reality

Have you ever had a way of thinking locked in? You know, a system of thought that is "just the way you think because you decided a long time ago that it made sense"? You don't really notice them until they get challenged. When they are challenged it can be an awkward battle. Whatever you have believed for a long time seems to have the sense of infallibility about it. Not because I am infallible but just because it feels established, and established must mean proven. Maybe that doesn't happen to you, but it happens to me...regularly. My secret is out. Secret #1 I am still learning. Secret #2 Sometimes I am wrong.

Try and control yourselves. This self-inflicted reign of shock and awe is not about to end. Here is the latest of my learnings:

When you think of the word "JUDGMENT" what do you think of? What comes to mind? Well for me it is almost always synonymous with destruction. They just seem to go together. Perhaps that also tells you something about my prevailing view of God that I am struggling to free myself of. Is it God's desire to destroy and break down? Is that how He gets done what He needs to get done? When He wants to get someone's attention does He just need to blow something up? It works well for the Hollywood version of God. If God appears in the movie then we are going to need to pump up the SFX budget.

When I think like that I miss the point and misunderstand and misrepresent God. This is the truth that I stumbled upon: judgment is not about destruction but about setting things right. I want things set right. That sounds more like the constantly redeeming, perpetually restoring God that I really believe in. That doesn't sound like I need to fear it. Maybe I can even anticipate His judgment. Where did that other view of God come from anyway?

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THOUGHT: You Say Tomato I Say...

Sometimes we use words to represent what we think. Sometimes we use words to say what we feel. In either case the right words need to be communicated clearly so that we might be understood. What you mean by a word is therefore critical.

Many people use the words 'belief' and 'faith' interchangeably. But to admit (believe) falls far short of to commit (faith). To become a Christ-follower is to experience a transformation into the image of
Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Admitting is useless without committing.

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THOUGHT: The Warrior 03: The Wounded Warrior Followup

The Warrior part 3 is now in the books so to speak. Go check out the podcast and then, over the course of the week try and work your way through these additional thoughts. Extra points will be awarded for working through them with a friend and even more points if that is friends (with an "s").

“ Open war is upon you … whether you would risk it or not.”

Objective:

“To refuse to let our wounds keep us from being what God wants us to be, and invite God to shape us through our wounds into the people He created us to be.

• Wounds of the heart can come from a variety of people and circumstances such as family, friends, teachers, co-workers, death, divorce, abuse and poverty. How have wounds, from sources like these (or others), affected you?

Read:

For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12 NLT

• How are the “powers of darkness” behind some of the wounds that came from the people and circumstances in your life?

• What are some ways people typically deal with their wounds?

• Share an example of one wound you’ve dealt with? Has there been true healing?

• How does God use the wounds in our lives to make us more effective in leading others to become fully devoted followers of Christ?

• What wounds in your life are keeping you from being the Warrior God meant you to be?

• How will God use these wounds to shape you into the Warrior He created you to be?

Read:

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

James 1:2-4 NLT

…the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

Isa 61:1 NIV

When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation.

2 Cor 1:6 MSG

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28 NLT

• Christ came to heal the broken-hearted. As a group pray and invite Jesus to begin the healing process in the wounds and broken hearts of your group.

For Further Study

Romans 8:28-39 How do you explain why bad things happen to nice people?

What causes people to lose their faith in God? How does God work in all the situations and events of a person's life? (8:28) For whom does God promise to work all things for good? (8:28) How does God seek to change His people? (8:29) What has God done to make people what He wants them to be? (8:30) What made Paul confident that God takes care of His people? (8:31-32) Why should we feel confident that God is not against us or condemning us? (8:31-34) What possible tragedies or hardships are unable to separate us from the love of Christ? (8:35-39) How can God produce good results out of bad situations? In what practical ways can each of us be like Christ? How can a person be sure that bad times aren't a signal of God's displeasure with him or her? What gives Christians confidence as they go through hard times? In what situations do you need God's conquering power? How have you experienced God's never-ending love in your life? How can you commit your difficult circumstances to God this week? How can you show trust in God to work out your circumstances for good?

Continue to pray for opportunities this week to share God's grace and peace.

don't give up.

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THOUGHT: The Warrior 02: The Hesitant Warrior Followup

Listen to the podcast and then work your way through some of these thoughts over the course of the week. See if it helps you to think more deeply and or to engage more of the spiritual into your physical life. Let us continue to struggle to make these two worlds come together into only one physically lived, spiritually focused way of being.

“ Open war is upon you … whether you would risk it or not.”

In a scene from the film Gladiator, just before a crucial battle the General Maximus reminds his troops of this, “What we do in life…echoes in eternity.” In what ways is your life producing a lasting impact on others?

Objective:

To leave behind a life of safety and security and so we can take the risks God is calling us to take.

Read:

Late one evening Jesus’ disciples were crossing a lake when their boat was unexpectedly caught in a storm. Jesus had stayed behind on the shore but suddenly He appeared, walking toward them on the water.

Jesus spoke to them at once. "It's all right," he said. "I am here! Don't be afraid." Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water." "All right, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. "You don't have much faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" Matt 14:27-31 NLT

• What things in your life give you a sense of security, safety and comfort?

• How does our desire for safety and predictability result in our fighting for counterfeit causes such as possessions, comfort and status?

• Is God calling you, to a safe, predictable and secure life or one where you risk everything?

• Walking on water requires God to show up. Where in your life is God asking you to risk everything and “step out of the boat?”

• How will God have to “show up” for you to succeed?

Read:

And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?

Mark 8:36 NLT

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT

The LORD turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of

Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?’ Judges 6:14 NIV

…"Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

Nehemiah 4:13 NLT

Take the next few moments to pray and in your own words ask God this question: God, what needs to change in my heart so I will have the courage to take the risk(s) You are asking me to take?

What does God want you to leave behind today so you can take the risk(s) He is calling you to take?

For Further Study

Matthew 14:22-36

What is the most frightening experience you've ever had?

What is the most worshipful experience you have ever had?

After feeding the crowd of five thousand people, what instructions did Jesus give His disciples? (14:22)

Where were the disciples when evening came? (14:24)

What miracle did Christ perform? (14:25) How did the disciples react to what they saw (14:26)

How did Jesus try to calm the disciples' fears? (14:27)

What did Peter ask Jesus to do? (14:28)

How did Jesus respond to Peter's request? (14:29)

What happened to Peter as he made his way toward Jesus? (14:29-30)

What situations cause you the most fear in life?

What events or experiences have led you to trust in Jesus?

What does this passage teach you to do? What step of trust do you need to take today?

What will help you remember to keep your eyes on Jesus and off your fears?

Think, pray, love, live, make a difference. Be strong and courageous.

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RANDOMN: Bet You Didn't Know

Here is a break from the deep thoughts.

Did you know that:

The 50 tallest mountains in the world are all in Asia.

The lowest temperature on Earth (-128.6 F) was recorded in Antarctica.

The surface of the Atlantic Ocean is saltier than the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

The Great Wall of China spans roughly 4,500 miles--that's almost as long as the continent of Africa.

About two-thirds of all known tornadoes in the world occur in the United States.

The minute hand on London's Big Ben clock travels about 118 miles a year.

Oregon's D River is only 120 feet long--shorter than an Olympic-size swimming pool.

Smile and share it.

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