1. If your life ended right now, for what would you be remembered?
Loving God, loving people. My family relationships, my relationships with everyone!
2. What was the mood of the Psalmist in 16:1-11?
Afraid, feeling hemmed in on every side, dependent on God for strength and rescue.
3. On the scale of 1-10, what was the psalmist's trust in God?
10 - he mentions God will not abandon him.
4. Using the same scale, rate your trust in God:
6 - I am *really* struggling with this one right now!! But, I am obeying, which is part of the battle at least!
5. Explain any differences between the two ratings.
My biggest issue is the goal I have to "fix it" myself. I am looking to save myself, be my own refuge, set my own boundary lines, fill my own cup. Yikes!
6. Review verses 9-11 and rewrite them as your expression of trust to God. Be completely honest as you express your trust:
"Therefore my emotions are positive and the words that come out of my mouth are praises to God, because I know you will not leave me to live a life that is only worth my death, or let my faith be destroyed for all the world to see. You have shown me the way to walk that leads to my best life. You will feel me with a joy that cannot be explained to those who do not share it, with things that matter for eternity which come directly from your favor."
7. Think of the most recent experience with the death of a loved one or friend. What emotions did I experience as I lived through this experience?
Sadness, relief, joy.
8. How did this experience affect my trust in God?
I don't think it totally impacted it. I was sort of relieved about the fact that the life was over.
9. Tabitha was well-loved and those who loved her were not ready to say goodbye. Yet, she died. Why do you think the people sent for Peter?
Because they wanted him to mourn? Because Peter loved Tabitha? Because they were hoping Peter would get there in time to help her?
10. What have you seen Jesus do that gives you assurance of his ability to intervene in your life in the future?
So, so, so much. Really, I have no reason not to trust God!!
11. What is Jesus doing in and through your life that would draw other people to have faith in him?
12. To what extent does your lifestyle reflect Christ's transformational power? Do you want to serve, love, and show mercy? Why or why not?
13. Because the psalmist said I will not be shaken, I will set the Lord always before me.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Into the Darkness to Find the Light
1. What characteristics do I have that God can refocus for His purposes?
I'm a planner, organizer, and like things in order. I feel very strongly about people treating others well.
2. Describe the depth of God's love for His children.
He calls us His kids and when he appears, we shall be like him.
3. What is the outcome of the hope we have?
We purify ourselves.
4. How can I purify myself? What changes do I need to make in my daily routine?
Memorize the verses that I'm supposed to be working on, particularly at night!
5. Reconsider Paul's life following his conversion. How did his past hinder his ministry? How did his past prepare him for ministry?
Paul had an awesome education and knowledge about God. This could be both a hindering and a help.
6. How does my past hinder my present life? How has it equipped me?
My anger issues can become a problem in my present as people do not always trust my first response. My education and experiences have equipped me!
7. How do I feel when I consider myself from God's perspective?
Unworthy.
8. What about me does God love?
Everything! God adores me, which is totally weird to think about.
9. Why would religious people react negatively to God's work through someone like Stephen?
Because of his lack of education. Because they were jealous of his influence.
10. Had you been in that situation, would you have sided with the religious leaders or Stephen?
I like to think that I would have sided with Stephen because I would recognize God's work in another person. My nature would have been to side with the religious leaders though!
11. Stephens stance for God ultimately cost him his life. What are you willing to sacrifice so you can be more honoring to God?
My future plans (career, education). My finances. My future and current family.
12. What do I talk about when I have a public platform?
I tend to talk about relationships, sometimes with God. It depends on the public platform though! I light up on the inside when I talk about God stuff though :-)
13. How is my faith affected by the struggles I face?
It almost always strengthens me. I tend to do much better when I'm dealing with trials in my relationship with God. It's a constant frustration to me that I can't seem to do well when I'm NOT throwing myself into the arms of my Father... always seems like when the circumstances are better, I should be able to do what I know God wants me to do in our relationship, but it always seems like my faith is stronger when I can't depend on me./
14. "Let go of whatever you are trying to hold onto; a life, a ministry, a position, or a career that doesn't please God, then let him die. Trust him, instead of yourself, to accomplish his will. If he is involved, then in his time, he will let what you go bloom once again." What is your response to this statement?
Ouch. It's really hard for me to imagine letting all of my stuff go, particularly since I am holding onto stuff so hard right now.
15. What do you think God is doing in your life right now?
I really don't know. I feel like he is pulling me closer to himself, but as far as my name, purpose, and position, I'm really excited to see!!!
16. What does God want you to do through your life?
Glorify Him!!
17. Because the Bible says God has lavished great love on me, I will purify myself of my own desires and trust Him that He has a better plan for my life than the one I have.
I'm a planner, organizer, and like things in order. I feel very strongly about people treating others well.
2. Describe the depth of God's love for His children.
He calls us His kids and when he appears, we shall be like him.
3. What is the outcome of the hope we have?
We purify ourselves.
4. How can I purify myself? What changes do I need to make in my daily routine?
Memorize the verses that I'm supposed to be working on, particularly at night!
5. Reconsider Paul's life following his conversion. How did his past hinder his ministry? How did his past prepare him for ministry?
Paul had an awesome education and knowledge about God. This could be both a hindering and a help.
6. How does my past hinder my present life? How has it equipped me?
My anger issues can become a problem in my present as people do not always trust my first response. My education and experiences have equipped me!
7. How do I feel when I consider myself from God's perspective?
Unworthy.
8. What about me does God love?
Everything! God adores me, which is totally weird to think about.
9. Why would religious people react negatively to God's work through someone like Stephen?
Because of his lack of education. Because they were jealous of his influence.
10. Had you been in that situation, would you have sided with the religious leaders or Stephen?
I like to think that I would have sided with Stephen because I would recognize God's work in another person. My nature would have been to side with the religious leaders though!
11. Stephens stance for God ultimately cost him his life. What are you willing to sacrifice so you can be more honoring to God?
My future plans (career, education). My finances. My future and current family.
12. What do I talk about when I have a public platform?
I tend to talk about relationships, sometimes with God. It depends on the public platform though! I light up on the inside when I talk about God stuff though :-)
13. How is my faith affected by the struggles I face?
It almost always strengthens me. I tend to do much better when I'm dealing with trials in my relationship with God. It's a constant frustration to me that I can't seem to do well when I'm NOT throwing myself into the arms of my Father... always seems like when the circumstances are better, I should be able to do what I know God wants me to do in our relationship, but it always seems like my faith is stronger when I can't depend on me./
14. "Let go of whatever you are trying to hold onto; a life, a ministry, a position, or a career that doesn't please God, then let him die. Trust him, instead of yourself, to accomplish his will. If he is involved, then in his time, he will let what you go bloom once again." What is your response to this statement?
Ouch. It's really hard for me to imagine letting all of my stuff go, particularly since I am holding onto stuff so hard right now.
15. What do you think God is doing in your life right now?
I really don't know. I feel like he is pulling me closer to himself, but as far as my name, purpose, and position, I'm really excited to see!!!
16. What does God want you to do through your life?
Glorify Him!!
17. Because the Bible says God has lavished great love on me, I will purify myself of my own desires and trust Him that He has a better plan for my life than the one I have.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Why the Pain?
1. How do I deal with life's disappointments?
Typically, I am quiet. I take prefer to take action, but God has recently been really working on me with that. This weekend, Dad's reaction was quite disappointing to me. I talked to him about it and then I walked away and later journaled about the situation.
2. What caused Peter to start sinking?
He saw the wind.
3. What did Jesus do?
He immediately reached out his hand and caught Peter.
4. What is causing you to sink and what do you think Jesus will do about your situation?
My job circumstances are certainly causing me a great deal of stress. I am really praying about staying focused on Christ and not looking at the "wind" of my circumstances!!
5. Scripture passages that are especially encouraging to me right now:
2 Corinthians 4
6. How does crying out to God affect my relationship with him? How do you think God feels when I cry out to him?
I think that it frees me to be honest with God. I struggle with feeling like God is distant at times, and crying out to him bridges the gap between us. God created us to have a relationship with Him, so I can only imagine when we cry out to him, he is pleased.
7. Describe a time when you asked God to intervene in a situation. How did you know God was involved?
The weekend before Dad had his "nervous breakdown," I prayed, desperately, for God to "do something." It could not have been attributed to anything else but God!
8. Did you situation turn out the way you prayed it would? How did that make you feel?
It did not turn out the way I thought it would. Very rueful. I have hesitated to ask God to intervene again because it was so unbelievably scary last time.
9. When he realized he was sinking, Peter cried out to Jesus. When you are sinking emotionally, who or what do you cry out to?
I typically don't cry out to anyone, but I try to swim on my own. When I realize what I am doing (or can't breathe anymore), I cry out to Jesus.
10. Based on your options for dealing with the most trying situation you are facing, how can you best glorify God in your response?
DO NOT distort His Word. It's easy to start fighting fire with fire, but I need to do what's right, no matter what happens.
11. What is the difference between crying out to God and simply crying? Which one do you do most often?
Simply crying is often just a release. Crying out to God is an action response. Crying out to God will allow Him to take over where we are lacking. Crying can leave me in a state of hopelessness.
12. What does your attitude about the impossible say about your faith in Jesus Christ?
My faith is smaller than it's been in the past, but larger than it's been in the past. I think I'm often limiting God and what he's doing in my life, thinking that I need to point out the obvious, which is not necessary!
13. Jesus restored Lazarus's life. Do you believe he can restore the quality of your life? Why or why not?
I believe he can restore the quality of my life - I just pray it's never the same again! I don't want to go through all this pain to have not learned something about Christ and His role in my life!
14. How many times have you, like Martha, struggled, wavered in despair - or sunk into it - not seeing what you expect from God in the here and now? What are three things you can do daily to prevent sinking into despair?
1. Pray each and every step of this journey. 2. Memorize the Scripture God has given me. 3. Remember the ways God has been faithful.
15. Because Jesus calls me, I do not need to fear the wind.
Typically, I am quiet. I take prefer to take action, but God has recently been really working on me with that. This weekend, Dad's reaction was quite disappointing to me. I talked to him about it and then I walked away and later journaled about the situation.
2. What caused Peter to start sinking?
He saw the wind.
3. What did Jesus do?
He immediately reached out his hand and caught Peter.
4. What is causing you to sink and what do you think Jesus will do about your situation?
My job circumstances are certainly causing me a great deal of stress. I am really praying about staying focused on Christ and not looking at the "wind" of my circumstances!!
5. Scripture passages that are especially encouraging to me right now:
2 Corinthians 4
6. How does crying out to God affect my relationship with him? How do you think God feels when I cry out to him?
I think that it frees me to be honest with God. I struggle with feeling like God is distant at times, and crying out to him bridges the gap between us. God created us to have a relationship with Him, so I can only imagine when we cry out to him, he is pleased.
7. Describe a time when you asked God to intervene in a situation. How did you know God was involved?
The weekend before Dad had his "nervous breakdown," I prayed, desperately, for God to "do something." It could not have been attributed to anything else but God!
8. Did you situation turn out the way you prayed it would? How did that make you feel?
It did not turn out the way I thought it would. Very rueful. I have hesitated to ask God to intervene again because it was so unbelievably scary last time.
9. When he realized he was sinking, Peter cried out to Jesus. When you are sinking emotionally, who or what do you cry out to?
I typically don't cry out to anyone, but I try to swim on my own. When I realize what I am doing (or can't breathe anymore), I cry out to Jesus.
10. Based on your options for dealing with the most trying situation you are facing, how can you best glorify God in your response?
DO NOT distort His Word. It's easy to start fighting fire with fire, but I need to do what's right, no matter what happens.
11. What is the difference between crying out to God and simply crying? Which one do you do most often?
Simply crying is often just a release. Crying out to God is an action response. Crying out to God will allow Him to take over where we are lacking. Crying can leave me in a state of hopelessness.
12. What does your attitude about the impossible say about your faith in Jesus Christ?
My faith is smaller than it's been in the past, but larger than it's been in the past. I think I'm often limiting God and what he's doing in my life, thinking that I need to point out the obvious, which is not necessary!
13. Jesus restored Lazarus's life. Do you believe he can restore the quality of your life? Why or why not?
I believe he can restore the quality of my life - I just pray it's never the same again! I don't want to go through all this pain to have not learned something about Christ and His role in my life!
14. How many times have you, like Martha, struggled, wavered in despair - or sunk into it - not seeing what you expect from God in the here and now? What are three things you can do daily to prevent sinking into despair?
1. Pray each and every step of this journey. 2. Memorize the Scripture God has given me. 3. Remember the ways God has been faithful.
15. Because Jesus calls me, I do not need to fear the wind.
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