KNOW

PRAY

Make sure you take time to read the passage and pray about it before you begin.
Psalm 46

“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1

I’ve been thinking a lot about feeling vs. thinking lately. How can we avoid being ruled by our emotions when we look to what we know and not just what we feel. So often our lives are ruled by our emotions, our circumstances or the actions of another. But, here in Psalm 46 God reminds us of who He is! He reminds us of what we really need to know.

  • Why does God tell us not to fear?
  • What comfort do verses 6 & 7 bring you despite the instability around the world?
  • Why do you think it is important to “be still”?
  • Take time now to Be Still. Take a deep breath. And… Know! HE IS GOD! HE IS GOD! Alleluia! Now take time to exalt Him – write a praise.
  • What difference does it make when we live life based on the God we know (Father -Son – Holy Spirit?

GROW

Love the song by Laura Story – Till I Met You

 

Praying that we would all begin to live by the truth that we know! KNOW – HE IS GOD!

Even the Heavens Speak

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

Psalm 19:1

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  • My friend posted these pictures on her facebook page from the Sleeping Bear Dune National Lakeshore.  Our God truly is an awesome God. Look upward, where did you see the glory of God today? Where did you see His handiwork?

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Praying  that you will see the glory of God everywhere today. He is so amazing, every part of His creation cries out to Him.

In the Mirror

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How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

Romans 12:9-21

  • Paraphrase the whole passage we’ve been studying.

That is what your life should look like.

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 Our lives should reflect the love, mercy and truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Praying that His Spirit will work in you to transform your life for  His glory. Praying for you!

How to Win

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How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

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“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 
Romans 12:21

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”
2 Timothy 1:7

  • According to Romans 12:21 what is God’s plan for overcoming evil?
  • As we see this world filling with more and more immoral and evil acts we can be certain it is not by accident. What does Ephesians 6:12 & 2 Corinthians 4:4 tell us about who we are fighting against.
  • But, if you know Jesus, God has provided His Spirit to dwell within you. Using 2 Timothy 1:7 describe the spirit that lives in you?
  • We are not called to overcome evil on our own. No, God has given us His very own Spirit! Jesus Himself shared with us how the Spirit would aid us in doing good and defending ourselves against evil. Write down His promise in Luke 12:11-12.
  • We can overcome evil with the love of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. Ask the Lord to give you insight and discernment about how to do good in the face of evil…write out your prayer.

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Praying  “that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,  so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11

Love All Around

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How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

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“To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.'” 
Romans 12:20

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

Matthew 5:44-48

 “But I say to you,
Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you.”
-Jesus
Matthew 4:44

  • Using Romans 12, instead of vengeance, what are we called to do for our enemy?
  • Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that it means nothing to love those who love us. To stand out in a self-centered society, what instead does He ask us to do?
  • Society tells us it’s ok to call names and make  horrible accusations to those who oppose us or our views. But Jesus calls us to more. He asks us to pray for our enemies and Paul tells us to feed and provide for the needs of our enemy. Is there someone who you need to pray for? Is there someone who you need to feed? DO IT!

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It is not enough for us to love those who love us. No, we must show God’s love by loving, feeding, praying for those who oppose us.  Praying for you!

Perfect Justice

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How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

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“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'” 
Romans 12:19

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:1-5

  • In Jesus’ teaching on judgement, what does He reveal about our own guilt when we judge others?
  • We are guilty of hypocrisy. But, also, we judge only what we can see. Instead, how does God judge (Luke 16:14-15)?
  • God’s judgement is entirely just, judging hearts and minds. Our judgement is hypocritical and only at face value. We can not know who is truly unrighteous or ungodly. But God can. We must trust that He will enforce perfect justice. We do not know the plan of God. But we know that He can work all things together for the good of those who love and serve Him (Romans 8:28). Ask the Lord now to help you trust Him for His perfect justice and judgement. Ask Him to give you wisdom and words to face the injustices in this world and stand for His truth.

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We are called to be salt and light, not judge and jury. We are told not to repay evil for evil. God is the perfect judge and His justice will prevail!  Praying for you!

If Possible

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How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

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“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” 
Romans 12:18

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

2 Timothy 2:22-26

  “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.
2 Timothy 2:24-25

  • According to 2 Timothy 2:22-26, what are we called to flee?
  • Instead, we should pursue what?
  • We are also called to avoid what activity?
  • How are we to approach our opponents?
  • Why are we called to correct our opponents misconceptions with gentleness?
  • In your opinion what is the difference between quarreling & correcting?
  • We do not have control over how others act or react, only in the way that we act or react. How does 2 Timothy 2:22-26 help you to understand, “so far as it depends on you”?
  • We are the example of God’s love…we are the example of God’s grace…we are the example of God’s truth. Ask the Lord to guide you as you stand firm in His truth & share it with gentleness.

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Remember, it does not say, “walk away” or “avoid”. No it says, correct your opponents with gentleness.  Praying for you!

Your Heart and His will

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Romans 8:26-27

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 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27

  • Reread verse 27 what does this reveal about allowing the Spirit to guide our prayer time?
  • I often fill my prayer time with my request but what does this passage show you about being quiet before God?
  • This passage also shows us how well the Spirit knows our heart and how we can grow according to God’s will when we lay our heart before Him.
  • Sit and be quiet before God…what is He speaking into your heart today?

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His Spirit is in you interceding before the Father. Seek Him…and be quiet before God!  I will be praying for you!

EVERY …THING

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Philippians 4:6-7

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Philippians 4:6-7

  • Here Paul tells us what we should be anxious about. Write it down.
  • Here he also explains what we should be anxious about. Write it down.
  • Do you see a completeness in those words?
  • when we offer up our fears to God what results?
  • We do not understand His peace, but we can be certain that it will guard what?
  • So, here I ask you…what do you choose…Your own fear and anxiety or God’s peace.?

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Take your thoughts captive to Christ! His peace will be yours!  I will be praying for you!

What Race?

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Hebrews 12:1-3

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 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Hebrews 12:1-3

  • We are called to run the race of life with our eyes fixed. Where should our eyes be?
  • In order to assure that we can moe forward, it is necessary that we take action. What does verse instruct us to do?
  • Jesus is our example, the founder and perfecter fo our faith. What does this reveal about our faith?
  • This passage points out the reason Jesus endured the cross-what is it?
  • Write about the Joy set before Christ?
  • Like Christ, each of us is called to carry our cross (Luke 14:21). But, do not grow weary…you, too, have a beautiful joy set before you. Write about what you are looking forward to.

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Do not grow weary!  I will be praying for you!