Scripture: Deuteronomy 2:7 (NLT) 7 For the Lord your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the Lord your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing.”
Observation: 1. God says he blessed them in everything they did (they might not of felt like it in 40 years of wondering). 2. God was never distant… he watched their every step. 3. The probably felt like they lacked direction... as they were wandering for 40 years, waiting for people to die off, but God was leading them the whole time, and teaching them to follow. 4. God was with them for 40 years. He was faithful even when they were faithless and disobeyed them. 5. They lacked nothing (from God's perspective). From their perspective their food was only manna. At times they cried out for water. They didn't get a new pair of shoes for 40 years (but their shoes didn't wear out.
Application: God too has blessed me on this missionary journey. First to Russia, then to Trinec, and Opava and now to Brno. Many times I've felt like I'm wandering and wasting precious time. But God has been leading the whole time. I need not doubt that. From my perspective I"ve lacked friends, fun, fellowship. But God has taught me dependence on Him, and how he can meet my deepest needs. I need to spend some time in prayer and talk to the Lord about this, thank him for his faithfulness, and repent of my grumbling attitudes I've had at times.
Prayer: God, I come before you overwhelmed with your goodness , patience and faithfulness. You have been leading me the past 9 years, even though at times it has felt like meaningless wandering. I have grumbled especially when I've had no friends. Especially on the gray days of winter. Especially when the language has been so increadibly hard to learn. But Lord, forgive me for all the grumbling. Also forgive me for doubting your goodness, your faithfulness, your leading me. Thank you for leading me to deep intimacy with you. Lord, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."
Observe: Paul had been talking with the church in Corinth about his rights. Then he moves into the running analogy :) He said our motive in training should be like we were training for a competition that we really wanted to win. If you do, you will train with passion and discipline. The prize we win will never be tarnished or go away.
Apply: I am training now for a 12.4 mile race in Des Moines. My competition is 17 years younger and I constantly compare how many miles he is running, at what pace, etc. I want to beat him, so I compare notes. I need to keep my spiritual blinders on and not compare my life with others. I need to see Jesus as my prize and want to be more like him in all ways.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for allowing me to be in the race. I didn't even deserve to be in the race but you allowed it. Help me to not be content with where I am at. Holy Spirit help me to become more passionate, more disciplined, more in love with Jesus. IJN, Amen
Title: Strict Training for a Better Crown! Mentor: Paul
SCRIPTURE:"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:25)
OBSERVATION: Paul's illustration of a runner - a pugilist - an athlete training to win a prize is to give us instructions on how to reach others for Christ! Physical disciplines were a big part of Paul's obedience - as he gave his life for the sake of others - becoming all things to all people. The physical disciplines were made up of sacrificing his wants, desires and needs - working to help others in need at the expense of his very own.
Strict training really sticks out to me. When society, culture and my very own nature tells me to sneak by, get away with doing/training as little as possible - when I want things handed to me on a silver platter and made easy for me....it can be difficult to consistently wear a mindset and live a lifestyle of strict disciplines and training.
APPLICATION: Oh yes...why not be convicted again!?!? It's been a busy weekend, week...month...ok...year!
I know the Lord has helped me to maintain some consistencies in my spiritual and physical life. But what I desire to develop more is my training in personal evangelism - reaching others in my day to day life - when I'm away from "Church!"
I need a stricter regiment to reach others for Christ. What does that mean for me today? This week?
Make time to be around non Christians!!! Yes Lord...my friends at the gym! I do have an excuse to add another workout day this week to be a witness for You!!!!!
Be ready to give an answer...so look for openings to be more assertive to share my faith in Christ! The devil is always looking for openings to distract, divide, destroy - I'm going to look for openings to be a Life Giver!
Develop stricter disciplines to create space for conversations. Sometimes I am running from one appointment, activity, meeting...to the next, that I miss opportunities to be a Life Giver - a Gospel Giver!
PRAYER: Dear Jesus - You are the Life Giver, living mightily in me! Thanks for Your gentle and powerful reminders to be a Life Giver, giving Your Good News away in word and deed! Help me to be a Husband and Father who lives and gives Good News, as a witness to my family. I know you are opening doors to preach Your Gospel in word and deed to those in need around me. Help me to obey You!!!! I love You Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Title: God's faithfulness in the wilderness
ReplyDeleteScripture: Deuteronomy 2:7 (NLT)
7 For the Lord your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the Lord your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing.”
Observation:
1. God says he blessed them in everything they did (they might not of felt like it in 40 years of wondering). 2. God was never distant… he watched their every step. 3. The probably felt like they lacked direction... as they were wandering for 40 years, waiting for people to die off, but God was leading them the whole time, and teaching them to follow. 4. God was with them for 40 years. He was faithful even when they were faithless and disobeyed them. 5. They lacked nothing (from God's perspective). From their perspective their food was only manna. At times they cried out for water. They didn't get a new pair of shoes for 40 years (but their shoes didn't wear out.
Application: God too has blessed me on this missionary journey. First to Russia, then to Trinec, and Opava and now to Brno. Many times I've felt like I'm wandering and wasting precious time. But God has been leading the whole time. I need not doubt that. From my perspective I"ve lacked friends, fun, fellowship. But God has taught me dependence on Him, and how he can meet my deepest needs. I need to spend some time in prayer and talk to the Lord about this, thank him for his faithfulness, and repent of my grumbling attitudes I've had at times.
Prayer: God, I come before you overwhelmed with your goodness , patience and faithfulness. You have been leading me the past 9 years, even though at times it has felt like meaningless wandering. I have grumbled especially when I've had no friends. Especially on the gray days of winter. Especially when the language has been so increadibly hard to learn. But Lord, forgive me for all the grumbling. Also forgive me for doubting your goodness, your faithfulness, your leading me. Thank you for leading me to deep intimacy with you. Lord, Amen.
Title: "Run to Get the Prize"
ReplyDeleteMentor: Paul
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."
Observe: Paul had been talking with the church in Corinth about his rights. Then he moves into the running analogy :) He said our motive in training should be like we were training for a competition that we really wanted to win. If you do, you will train with passion and discipline. The prize we win will never be tarnished or go away.
Apply: I am training now for a 12.4 mile race in Des Moines. My competition is 17 years younger and I constantly compare how many miles he is running, at what pace, etc. I want to beat him, so I compare notes. I need to keep my spiritual blinders on and not compare my life with others. I need to see Jesus as my prize and want to be more like him in all ways.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for allowing me to be in the race. I didn't even deserve to be in the race but you allowed it. Help me to not be content with where I am at. Holy Spirit help me to become more passionate, more disciplined, more in love with Jesus. IJN, Amen
Title: Strict Training for a Better Crown!
ReplyDeleteMentor: Paul
SCRIPTURE:"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:25)
OBSERVATION: Paul's illustration of a runner - a pugilist - an athlete training to win a prize is to give us instructions on how to reach others for Christ! Physical disciplines were a big part of Paul's obedience - as he gave his life for the sake of others - becoming all things to all people. The physical disciplines were made up of sacrificing his wants, desires and needs - working to help others in need at the expense of his very own.
Strict training really sticks out to me. When society, culture and my very own nature tells me to sneak by, get away with doing/training as little as possible - when I want things handed to me on a silver platter and made easy for me....it can be difficult to consistently wear a mindset and live a lifestyle of strict disciplines and training.
APPLICATION: Oh yes...why not be convicted again!?!? It's been a busy weekend, week...month...ok...year!
I know the Lord has helped me to maintain some consistencies in my spiritual and physical life. But what I desire to develop more is my training in personal evangelism - reaching others in my day to day life - when I'm away from "Church!"
I need a stricter regiment to reach others for Christ. What does that mean for me today? This week?
Make time to be around non Christians!!! Yes Lord...my friends at the gym! I do have an excuse to add another workout day this week to be a witness for You!!!!!
Be ready to give an answer...so look for openings to be more assertive to share my faith in Christ! The devil is always looking for openings to distract, divide, destroy - I'm going to look for openings to be a Life Giver!
Develop stricter disciplines to create space for conversations. Sometimes I am running from one appointment, activity, meeting...to the next, that I miss opportunities to be a Life Giver - a Gospel Giver!
PRAYER: Dear Jesus - You are the Life Giver, living mightily in me! Thanks for Your gentle and powerful reminders to be a Life Giver, giving Your Good News away in word and deed!
Help me to be a Husband and Father who lives and gives Good News, as a witness to my family. I know you are opening doors to preach Your Gospel in word and deed to those in need around me. Help me to obey You!!!! I love You Father, Son and Holy Spirit!