WHEN YOU PRAY: Process
You have the incredible ability to internalize things in such a way that it changes you. We’ve all said the wrong thing at the wrong time and watched as somebody’s face changed right before our eyes. The moment of offense produces a reaction. It’s the continual rehearsing of that offense that deepens the reaction causing it to become a long term disposition.
The devil doesn’t have to tie you up for you to be bound. He just has to fill your head with stress, worry, anger, unforgiveness, low self esteem, etc. He can make you physically sick if he can get your mind to process what it was never designed to process.
You will never produce what God has designed you to produce until you learn to process what God has designed you to process.
Prov 4:23. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. NLT
THIS IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO PURPOSE EFFECTIVE TIMES OF PRAYER AND DEVOTIONS!!! However far you’ve gone with God there is more! God desires you to be hungry, expecting, desperate, etc…
Luke 1:53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. NIV
If you remember the story of the rich young ruler who spoke with Jesus you’ll recall he went away sad. Satisfied people leave God’s presence unfulfilled. When we are full of other things we have no appetite for the things of God.
Your pursuits are proof of your passion. What appetites have been cultivated in your life? Fishing, golfing, shopping, Pokemon hunting? Whatever you feed will flourish and you really need your spirit man to be strong!
Developing your mind spiritually is vital to your spiritual well-being It is never too late to be what you might have been. Your decisions determine destiny. Hunger for God marks us! Destiny isn’t casual about the things of God.
We really do need every one of you in this fight! Let’s passionately pursue God’s presence and God’s power to engage in a fight that is expanding God’s Kingdom! We kill giants & move mountains.
However far you’ve gone with God there is more! The question is simple, “Are you hungry for more?!?!?!”
Athletes don’t start training for Olympic-size competitions at the Olympic event. Olympic-size challenges come in this life and we must be training and preparing well in advance. When your spirit man is underdeveloped you’re not prepared to fight. Spiritual things wear you out quickly.
GP4RL: Play song and Pray these verses every day this week.
ANCIENT PATHS OF PASSIONATE PURSUIT:
Ps 63:1-8 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Ps 42:1-2 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY GROUP LEADERS
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this week's discussion guide
Icebreaker: What is the life lesson you’ve learned that you most frequently pass along to others?
Discussion Question:
• Share a time when you internalized something good or bad that produced a reaction in your life.
Prov 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. NLT
We must purpose effective times of prayer and devotions so we are internalizing and processing the good things of God. This is what causes us to produce the good things of God in our world!
Discussion Question:
• Share how you are staying the course more effectively with devotions today than you have in times past?
• Are you accountable to anybody for your daily prayer and devotions? If so please describe the relationship to help the group understand your view and experience of accountability.
• Share changes you have personally experienced as a result of faithfulness to your prayer time and devotions.
Luke 1:53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. NIV
When we are full of other things we have no appetite for the things of God. Your pursuits are proof of your passion.
Discussion Question:
• What appetites in your lifetime have you cultivated over the years and how did you cultivate and develop them?
• Discuss things you can do over the next week to increase your spirit man. Come prepared next week to share your increase with the group.
Athletes don’t start training for Olympic-size competitions at the Olympic event. Olympic-size challenges come in this life and we must be training and preparing well in advance. When your spirit man is underdeveloped you’re not prepared to fight. Spiritual things wear you out quickly.
GP4RL: Play your selected worship song every day this week and pray the following verses every day this week. Specifically make time to focus on those who attend our Community Group asking God to increase our passion for Him!
Ps 63:1-8 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Ps 42:1-2 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?