Our steps are ordained by God to release God’s blessing in the earth! Job speaks of this idea of carrying the anointing of God so powerfully that we leave the mark of God’s presence, God’s blessing and God’s love as we walk through this world.
Job 29:6 ...my steps were bathed in butter, And the rock poured out for me streams of oil! NAS
Some commentaries speak of this verse referencing actual butter that was used by those with great wealth to sooth their feet. Clearly Job is talking about the abundant blessing of God upon his life and how he carried that in a way that blessed others.
Prov 11:25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. NIV
This is not about being prosperous. This is about being generous. We must all stop believing the lie that we plan to become generous when we become prosperous. Notice the Bible doesn’t say a prosperous person will be generous. It says a generous person will prosper.
It is a reality that the more we have the more difficult it is to be generous. Jesus clearly taught that a larger offering doesn’t make a more sacrificial offering. The widow had so little that a very small offering was a great percentage of all she owned.
God never works with what you don’t have to get us where he wants us to go. God always works with what you do have to unlock the next step in this amazing journey of knowing God’s love and helping others understand what we have come to know. God is good!
This message of God’s goodness that has been awakened within you can be awakened within others. You’re part of God’s plan to share his love. God’s love doesn’t just reach to you. God’s love reaches through you.
The Bible says you are a river not a reservoir.
You are designed to receive his love & to release his love and in doing so you discover God’s transformational purposes that actually exist deep within your soul!
Isa 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor…to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair... NIV
Love turns things around! Love converts ashes into beauty. Love converts mourning into joy. This is not about addressing what is so it doesn’t’ exist any more. This is about turning it completely around so weakness becomes an expression of strength. In today’s world the church has turned believers into consumers. Jesus had quite the opposite in mind when he spoke of the Church
Eph 4:28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. NIV
Had Paul simply given a command to stop stealing it would have been no different than enforcing the Law. Love turns it around commissioning God’s people to giving instead of stealing! The Gospel awakens God’s creative abilities within us that have the power to make our world a better place!
Nehemiah 13 talks about how God doesn’t merely address the curse. He actually reverses the curse into a blessing. The truth is God wants your life to be awesome. The trick is God doesn’t want you to pursue an awesome life for yourself. He wants you to provide an awesome life for others and that will make your life awesome.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Purpose to make a daily difference in the lives of those within your reach this week.
DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY GROUP LEADERS
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. If you had to give every human being one quality, what would it be and why?
2. What would be different in the world if everybody suddenly began expressing greater kindness?
3. What would be different in your home?
Our goal this week is to help everybody take just one step forward in becoming more kind in every direction of life.
As we read the following verses of Scripture consider what stands out to you?
Eph 4:28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. NIV
Make room for any observations or discussion after reading the verse inviting people to share what stands out to them.
Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. NIV
Make room for any observations or discussion after reading the verse inviting people to share what stands out to them.
Eph 4:30-31 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. NIV
Make room for any observations or discussion after reading the verse inviting people to share what stands out to them.
Eph 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. NIV
Make room for any observations or discussion after reading the verse inviting people to share what stands out to them.
The truth is that God wants your life to be awesome. The trick is that God doesn’t want you to pursue an awesome life for yourself. God wants you to provide an awesome life for others and that is what will make your life awesome.
Our goal as a church is to empower people to bring GOD’S PRESENCE TO REAL LIFE: Purpose to make a daily difference in the lives of those within your reach this week.