In this season we are focusing on what have been the five most transformational ideas God has entrusted to our care. The first idea deals with understanding the power of transformational rhythm that is actually born from the heart of God and is already deposited within our existence.
Music awakens the soul. Sound is more integral to our existence than any of us realize = in beginning God spoke and we existed.
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. NIV
Psalm 33:6 "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made.” NIV
I believe God didn’t merely speak our world into existence. I believe God sang our world into existence. We see how God sings in Scripture. In fact the same Hebrew word that is translated as “word” in Ps 33:6 is also translated as “song” in Ps 137:4
Ps 137:1-4 “..our captors ask us compose songs; those who mock saying: “Sing for us a song about Zion!...” NIV
We even read in Zephaniah 3:17 how God rejoices over us with singing. So many people believe God is mad at them. He’s not mad at them. He’s mad about them like a loving and wonderful father would be.
All creation has rhythm of cycles and seasons. Matter is made up of atoms and whirling molecules that are always in motion. All matter in the universe is 99%+ empty space.
If the nucleus of an atom were the size of a marble the electrons would be specks of dust a half mile away. Every physical thing has that much empty space in it. Inside that empty space is intelligence, frequency & rhythm.
This is why we are all capable of being awakened by a song. When the right song begins to play we automatically engage in the rhythm.
When you are in sync with God there is a rhythm about your life of confidence and momentum.
Nothing can stop you when your thinking is right. Nothing help you when your thinking is wrong!
Prov 29:18 If people can't see what God is doing they stumble all over themselves But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. MSG
Keep your song from God alive! We’ve all been sitting at that stop light and see the car next to us with the driver in a totally different world of music. Bopping their head and sometimes singing at the top of their lungs. It looks crazy from the outside but if we were hearing what they were hearing we’d be understanding what they were doing.
This is the way it is for all of us when the song of God is awakened in our lives.
Hosea 9:7 says the prophet is considered to be a fool and the inspired man to be a maniac.
Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den but somehow he kept singing the song of God. King Nebuchadnezzar threw the three Hebrew children into the fire and they kept singing. Joseph was betrayed and neglected yet he kept singing. Our boss can talk cutbacks and we can keep singing. Our doctor can give us a concerning report and we can keep singing.
In God’s Kingdom we don’t have to lose our song no matter what the situation may be! Historians recognized how Israel would always lose their song when they went into captivity.
Scripture memory is not like Math. It’s more like music. Actively rehearsing awakens soul & releases warfare! Greatest tragedy of indifference is life we never live and the difference we never make in the lives of other people. Let’s rehearse Scripture to awaken our soul and bring our lives into sync with the rhythm of God, which is the rhythm of life!
To encounter God is a fascinating thing! When an encounter with God is coupled with a sustainable rhythm long-term transformation will result.
Our goal is to Inspire and EMPOWER you in your journey to know Jesus. We want to make disciples who discover rhythms of the spirit as a lifestyle.
Gal 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. NIV
God’s plan is for you to discover your own rhythm of pursuing God’s perspective as your own. Here are some online resources to help you walk this out.
The turn the page challenge is simple: Get an old fashioned Bible and start in Genesis. Every day turn at least one page writing the date at the top of the page along with anything meaningful that may be going on in your life that day. This not only becomes a tremendous heirloom for your children and your children’s children but it also becomes an inspiration to generations who are yet to be born.
As you read you won’t always understand. Even if your mind doesn’t understand keep reading, keep studying and keep asking God for wisdom. You are nourishing your spirit and whether you realize it or not and you are growing stronger spiritually.
Faith comes by hearing God’s Word. Why not accept the challenge to turn the page and invite others to join you on this journey of more intentionally knowing Jesus through his Word.
Turn the page https://vimeo.com/166211868
As you progress through the Bible you can purpose at the beginning of each book to listen to a 30-40 minute message explaining the history and the context of each book. These messages speak of how Jesus is uniquely revealed in each and every book of the Bible. You’ll be empowered to see insights you didn’t realize even existed as you journey through the Bible.
destinyokc.com/jesusinthebible
Another focus we brought to the congregation was about discovering a rhythm of prayer. These messages help you understand a prayer focus we developed for each day of the week giving an explanation behind the reason for the focus on each day.
The greatest gift you can give your family, your friends and your world is an inspired, vibrant you.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Initiate one consistent rhythm to seek God more intentionally this week.
DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY GROUP LEADERS
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
LEADER’S NOTES: God is a God of rhythm, seasons and perpetuating motion. All creation points to this from whirling electrons to entire solar systems.
There are natural rhythms that reveal our priorities like spending time with our family on a specific night of the week. There are also spiritual rhythms like making time to read God’s Word and pray.
Prayer is all about having conversation with God. There is not a wrong way to talk with God.
Jesus told his disciples when they pray they were to start by saying our Father (Luke 11:2). It is interesting that Jesus decided to help us understand prayer by revealing that it resembles a conversation between a child and a father.
If you think about a child who has a healthy relationship with their father you can get the picture of what Jesus was trying to express.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1. When you think of a child communicating with his or her father what comes to mind in regard to the ages and stages of communication?
There are spiritual ages and spiritual stages as well. We see these stages defined in Scripture.
Heb 5:12-14 though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
2. Share something God has been revealing to you lately? This could be something you sense God has been speaking to you or perhaps something you’ve noticed as you’ve read your Bible lately.
3. What are some current rhythms and patterns you have in place to express the priority in your life of pursuing a conversational relationship with God?
4. Are there any rhythms or patterns you plan to set into motion this week to more effectively pursue this conversational relationship of prayer? Next week we can discuss how the week has gone.
In an effort to help people develop a pattern of prayer it is important to make some time to pray.
Perhaps you could conclude your group by inviting everybody to pray as they feel so led. When you do this it is good to have asked a few people in advance so you have support for this endeavor of prayer together.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Initiate one consistent rhythm to seek God more intentionally this week.