However far you’ve gone with God there is more! God desires you to be hungry, expecting and even desperate.
Luke 1:53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. NIV
Satisfied people leave God’s presence unfulfilled. When we are full of other things we have no appetite for the things of God.
We must awaken the church to contend for a New Testament lifestyle, theology and power. Isaiah describes a time when nobody was passionately pursuing God.
Isa 64:7 And there is none that calls on your name, that stirs up himself to take hold of you… AKJV
As I’ve been asking God to give us passion I sense His desire to tamper with our priorities and what we value. If we divide $1 four ways we have four quarters. If we divide that same dollar 100 ways we have 100 pennies. The value of our lives is determined by how we divide them. We must come face to face with the question, “Have we spread our lives so thin it is impossible to become all God’s called us to become?
Life’s greatest treasures are undervalued and overlooked when we are overcommitted and under-connected.
In our Community Groups this week we will discuss what the top 3 things are that really matter to us the most and how do they compare to what we believe the top 3 things are that matter the most to God. Our priorities control our perspective.
Mark 10:17-22 “…a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “…You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
Satisfied people leave God’s presence unfulfilled.
When we are full of other things we have no appetite for the things of God. We want more because we were created for more in this life and in the life to come.
Mark 10:29-30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age…and in the age to come eternal life. NIV
The Bible uses analogies of a farmer, an athlete and a soldier to describe the walk of faith. All three require diligent preparation and purposeful advancement.
Dr. King said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... there must be sacrifice, suffering, struggle, passion & dedication.”
It is never too late to be what you might have been. Your decisions determine your destiny. Make the choice today to go further in the things of God.
We bring GP2RL Action Point:
Begin praying about those God has entrusted to your 5’ circle in life. Write their names down and start praying for them specifically.
DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY GROUP LEADERS
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What is something that stood out to you from Sunday’s message?
2. Consider the priorities of your life. What are the top three things that matter to you the most and how do they compare to what you believe are the top three things that matter to God the most?
3. What are some things you really wanted in life that you had to work sacrificially to accomplish or acquire?
What you desire you will pursue. So the question is what do you desire? And the answer is what do you pursue?
This is why we are directed in God’s Word to make sure we are purposing energy and attention consistently in efforts to pursue the purposes and perspectives of God not matter what the circumstances of our lives may be.
King David wrote Psalm 63 while suffering great difficulty in terrible circumstances that were beyond his control. David is now in the Desert of Judah running for his life after his son, Absalom, instigated a revolt against him.
David’s desire to worship the Lord through the betrayal and disappointment is inspiring. Here he is in a dry, parched and very uncomfortable place. Instead of being angry about his situation he uses the situation to cause him to see God more intently.
Ps 63:1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. NIV
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
4. On a scale of 1-10 where are you on these statements David is making?
a. Is He truly your God? 1-10
b. Are you earnestly seeking him? 1-10
c. Does your whole being long for Jesus? 1-10
The amazing thing about seeking God is that He promises to draw closer to us (James 4:8). We are encouraged to be intentional about having zeal and pursuing God.
Rom 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (NIV)
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
5. What are some ways you are purposing to draw closer to God in this season of your life?
Here are some things coming up that would be great for you to prioritize not only to attend but also to invite others to come with you. An invitation can make a difference.
Saturday, 1/26 from 9:00-12:00 we have a great opportunity for an encouraging time of learning more about the way God has designed each of us. We are uniquely and specifically designed by God. Discovering our design helps us understand our purpose.
Sunday, 1/27 at 6pm we will be gathering to worship for our worship and baptism night. This is a great time to purposefully press in and intentionally pursue God together with your Destiny family.
Saturday, 2/16 9am-3pm we will host a Leadership Conference from with guests Steve Uppal and Kirk Pankratz.
Consider these verses as you conclude your group time. It would be great to read through them in a prayerful attitude together asking God to make these prayers your own.
Ps 119:20 My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. (NIV)
Ps 119:148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. (NIV)
Ps 143:6 I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah (NIV)
Phil 3:10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him... (AMP)
2 Thess 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (NIV