THOUGHT: He Knows

Ok, so, does God ever seem like He's just so far away to you? Well, maybe not as far as you think.

Psalm 139:7-10, 13-16 (New Living Translation)

7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
. . .

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

God's right there with you. Right now.

411God.net


g-ram

THOUGHT: Generous: Be It

Here's a little something about generosity: Give generously!

2 Corinthians 8:7 (New Living Translation)

7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (New Living Translation)

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

You know, this is more than just about money, it's about the things you're good at. It's about your time. It's about love.

411God.net

g-ram

THOUGHT: Your Life=Important

Today it's all about Psalm 121. The cool thing is, your life matters to God!

Psalm 121:1-8 (New Living Translation)

1 I look up to the mountains--
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The LORD himself watches over you!
The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.

7 The LORD keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.

God totally cares about you. And remember, He gives you strength, so if you need it today, ask for it.

411God.net

g-ram

THOUGHT: Memories

So, what should others remember about you? God clues us in, in Philippians 4:5.

Philippians 4:5 (New Living Translation)

5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

...and again in Colossians 3:12.

Colossians 3:12 (New Living Translation)

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us Who creates those kind of qualities in us:

Galatians 5:22-23 (New Living Translation)

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

411God.net

g-ram

THOUGHT: BACKPACK 04: Follow Up 07

Read 1 Corinthians 10:33.

1 Corinthians 10:33 (New International Version)

³³even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

How is thinking about what others think of you good in this case?

Rock Climbing Tonight! Meet @ Rock & Chalk 482 Ontario Street in Newmarket.

g-ram

THOUGHT: So You're Dead...Now What? 04 Q&A Follow Up

Listen to the podcast and get a feel for some of the questions that we dealt with and then work your way through this study to help apply God's truth to your life.

Ice Breaker:
If you could have the answer to any question about what happens after you die, what would it be? Why? In the book of Hebrews we find this passage about heaven:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Do you believe people in heaven can see what is happening on earth? Why or why not?
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 (NIV)
Christ followers are sometimes accused of being narrow minded when they say there is only one way to get to heaven. How would you respond if you were accused of being narrow minded for believing this?
Do you believe we will we remember our lives when we are in heaven? Why or why not?

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Romans 10:13-14 (NIV)

What do you think happens to people who have never heard about Jesus?
What step can your group take this week to introduce more people to Jesus and the hope of heaven?


For Further Study
Revelation 7:9-15

Open
What are some things about earth you won't miss in heaven?

Explore
Where did John see a great gathering of people? (7:9) What were the people John saw wearing and holding? (7:9) What was the crowd before the throne saying? (7:10) What group was around the throne worshiping? (7:11) What were the angels, the elders, and the four creatures
saying to God and about God? (7:12) Who spoke to John and what did this person say? (7:13) How did John respond to the elder's question? (7:14) What is the main job of the believers who had survived? (7:15)

Reflect
What does it mean to you that "a great multitude" will serve God day and night in His heavenly temple?
What is the difference between singing a hymn and singing an ordinary song?
What is the significance of the fact that the angels and elders around the throne of God fall down and worship God?
What new insights into the character of God does this passage give you?

Apply
What step can you take this week to praise and thank God more consistently?


g-ram

THOUGHT: A Pick Me Up

Having a bad day? Today I have a little something to cheer you up:

God says:

Malachi 3:6 (New Living Translation)

"I am the Lord, and I do not change."

Because of that, I can trust all God's promises. Promises like:

Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

"I will never fail you."

Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

"I will guide you."

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

"My gracious favor is all you need."

Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

"[I] will supply all your needs."

Everything else in your life can be junk, but God and His promises never change. So, when life is crappy, keep this in mind. Jesus is in you and He promises to be there for you. Always. Unchanged.

411God.net

g-ram