In this season we are going deeper.We are designed to live in the deeper reality of God. This is the more certain reality of eternity which gave birth to the temporal realm that will one day pass away.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. NIV
The eternal reality of God’s Truth will remain. Building our lives on this reality is what will last and must be our priority in humility before Him.
Isaiah 33:5-6 The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. NIV
ETERNAL LIFE:
The seven ages of man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills, wills. This life is fleeting and every one of these stages and ages pass all too quickly.
So many times I hear somebody use the phrase, “Living my best life.” What is that? What truly is your “best life”? If you don’t understand the various words used in the Bible that translate life it is easy to get lost in the pursuit of the wrong kind of life.
The word, “Life” in the Bible is translated from three different words—bios, psuche, and zoe. These all have different meanings.
1. Bios, in Luke 8:14: “…anxieties and riches and pleasures of this life.” A physical life in our physical body in this physical world.
2. Psuche, in Matt. 16:25: “For whoever wants to save his life shall lose it.” Speaking of psychological life of the human soul speaking of the mind, emotion, and will. It is where we get the word psychology.
3. Zoe, in John 1:4: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” This speaks of the eternal life of God He so desires for us to possess.
a. John 10:10 Jesus came that we might have and enjoy life (zoe)
b. Matt 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life (zoe), and only a few find it. (NIV)
Bios speaks of a life that is merely biological. Psuche life speaks more of the psychological element of life. Only Zoe expresses the essence of true life for which we were designed. This is the life Jesus identified with that is from God. This is the life that is beyond anything this world can know or experience.
Oprah once spoke of how she battles depression by writing in a gratitude journal. This is a person who flies around in a $42 million custom jet with a personal chef, mansions, summer homes and so much money she has $30 million in her will to go to her dogs. How in the world could she ever have a hint of depression? We are destined to live unfulfilled lives if we neglect the life that only comes from Jesus.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 …He has planted eternity in the human heart… NLT
Eternity in your heart means you are wired for more than the pursuit of a moment. The best moment this world has to offer will never fulfill you. The reason is simply that temporal satisfaction can never fulfill eternal appetite. Man does not live by bread alone.
We were born to be alive, truly alive, fully alive!
Recently we looked at how Jesus didn’t tell the disciples not to want to be great. He simply redefined what greatness truly is. The same goes for life! The truth is God wants your life to be awesome. This truth comes with a trick. God doesn’t want you to pursue an awesome life for yourself. God wants you to provide an awesome life for others.
Hebrews 11:35 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. NIV
Do not be deceived. True life is not the life this world has to offer.
Most people spend more time planning their vacation than they do in planning their future. The average American spends thirteen years of their life watching TV. Why? Because it is easier to escape than it is to purpose your destiny.
On 6/4/20 I woke up sensing a word so strongly from God that I journaled it. As soon as I woke I sensed the Holy Spirit’s speaking to me, "Life! I'm bringing my people to greater life! Be fully alive today!"
Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. NIV
It really struck me lately how my destiny is actually part of the inheritance of Jesus.
If we live distracted lives it robs Jesus of the inheritance he died for and deserves.
Philippians 3:12 ...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. NIV
Praying that we have wisdom to fulfill all God has in mind for our surrendered available lives. Sobering to think how
Ephesians 2:4-5 Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ... NIV
Ephesians 3:17-19 I pray that you...may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people...and that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. NIV
Hebrews 2:4 "...the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive." MSG
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Pursue God’s presence in places of prayer this week asking for a deeper understanding of the life Jesus desires for you to live.
Discussion Guide for Community Leaders
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: We are designed to live in the deeper reality of God. This is the more certain reality of eternity which gave birth to the temporal realm that will one day pass away.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. NIV
The eternal reality of God’s Word and God’s Truth will remain. Building our lives on this reality is what will last and must be our priority. Let’s go deeper together.
Isaiah 33:5-6 The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. NIV
We want to start our group meetings making room for conversation that brings confirmation that God is speaking to us all as we discuss what we are hearing from the Lord as a family:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
2. When you think of the best earthly life you could possibly have (without considering anything spiritual) what is that life?
3. How long would it take for you to come to a place of feeling unfulfilled if this early life you described is all you choose to live?
4. Read the following verse and take a few moments to pray into the idea behind the verse as a group:
Habrews 2:4 “...the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive.” MSG
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
5. Read the following verse and ask each person in your group to say this verse in their own words giving a description of what’s being revealed.
Philippians 3:12 ...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. NIV
Jesus didn’t die so we could have the best life this world has to offer. Jesus didn’t die so we could become religious and go to church. Jesus died so we could experience true life the way God designed us to experience it. Our flourishing lives are described as the riches of Jesus’ glorious inheritance:
Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. NIV
If we live distracted lives it robs Jesus of the inheritance he died for and deserves.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
6. Share specifically when and where you plan to meet with God to fulfill the action point for the week.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Pursue God’s presence in places of prayer this week asking for a deeper understanding of the life Jesus desires for you to live.