As we celebrate Christmas we celebrate the reality that unto us a child is born and a Son is given. God is so conversational that He sent His Son as “the word made flesh”. It’s almost as if he was saying, “I’d like to have a word with you, forever!” We are created for conversation with God and others.
Words are powerful! God created everything and sustains it all by his word. Jesus came to redeem us and awaken life-giving conversation that transforms us and everyone around us. The Table of the Lord really is about “table talk”. The goal is that we would be more intentional about a deeper pursuit of a conversation with God.
God has purposed and planned each and every year of your life. Are you asking him for any guidance and direction in regard to what He may be planning for 2022? What is your New Year's Revelation?
Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD… NIV
Our 2022 New Year’s Revelation as a church family is EVERYONE IS CREATED FOR ETERNAL LIFE! Much will flow from heaven into our hearts and our homes this year!
John 10:10b "...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]." Amplified
This same verse speaks of how the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy us. We must realize the aim of death is not to kill us but to keep us from the fulness of life until we die.
You should expect guidance from God and direction by his Spirit as you make some time to read your Bible, pray and ask Him to give clarity on your New Year’s Revelation. Some Christians say they’ve never heard the voice of God. This can’t be true. We wouldn’t be born again if we hadn’t heard God’s voice. Salvation is conversion in response to invitation. God initiates the conversation and we respond.
Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, (NIV)
John 6:45 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. NIV
Isaiah 54:13 All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace. NIV
Sometimes God’s guidance in our lives comes from sensing his presence. Being in God’s presence shapes us in a variety of ways as we learn to be responsive to him.
The word guidance is a good expression of how God guides and directs us. As you think about this word consider it as God You I Dance = G.U.I.Dance.
Many times, as the girls were growing up, I would notice something they were doing and then include myself by coming near Once they noticed I was there, my presence changed things and they would invite me in.
Don’t mistake God’s silence for his absence. His presence is always with us and sometimes He’s waiting for us to invite Him into the moment.
Are we led by God as a way of life or do we go where we want, do what we want, just asking God to bless the life we’ve decided to live? Where are the desires of God in the midst of it all?
God is longing for a people whose hearts are in deep fellowship with Him.
Today, I want to commission you to this place of deep fellowship with God. Let’s press in and worship and then as we conclude let’s purpose this week to be a week of deeper conversations with God. Think about times and places you plan to meet with God this week.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Set aside specific time and a specific place to come to the Table of the Lord.
Consider how your New Year’s Revelation becomes a part of the spiritual legacy of your life.
Each year I ask our family, our Elders, our Staff and our Community Group Leaders to share their New Year’s Revelation with me. I make note of it. I rehearse it. I pray back over them. When they’re walking through difficulty I return to their revelation to explore how the Lord may be leading a response. Here are last year’s revelations I’ve been praying and rehearsing over people for the past year:
Tracy - See Clearly
Faith - Hope
Lexi - Promise
Darla - Peace
Chris - Dig Deep
Jana - Finish: 2 Timothy 4:7
Laura - Breakthrough
Lauren Fulford - Moving with his flow.
Dave - sealed with a kiss
Derek - Seek the Lord and live.
Crystal - Don't just exist. Live.
Charlie - Listen to me. Hear my heart.
De De - Faithful Journey
Katy Baffrey - Purpose
Jeff - Renewed vision. Seeing things from a different perspective, not just as they are but how they could be.
Krissy - sit at his table
Tiffany - Unwavering Hope: Hebrews 10:23
Luke - Love/Agape. 1 Corinthians 13.
Caleb - With you at my feet.
Austin - next steps
Daina - Expanse, Growth.
Hailey - Relax and Be You!
Tabitha - Completion
A.T. - Remarkable
Kristin - Greater Things!
Pat - Don't settle
Jim - grateful/thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Dianna - Strong - Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalms 31:24
Chris - Unwavering Faith. 1 Cor. 2:5.
Lori - Steadfast: the joy of the Lord is my strength.
Lee - Trust
Peggy - Hope
Shiflett - He will give us a new song to sing Ps 40:3
Gena: Preserve Psalms 121:7
Ryan: hearing God and operate in the gifts
Benjamin: Grace
Wade - Transition
Jennifer - Restore
Shay - Fathered by God
Katie - Purity
Zack: Moving on
Angie: Fearless
Randy - Will you take me at my word, no matter the cost?”
Megan - Daily self-sacrifice
Jenn Dannelly - Yielded
Jay Dannelly - sacrifice
Brad Kelley - Live Again
Stacia Kelley - Focus
Mark Lira - Re-engage
Josh McQueen - Revelation
Kristi Weldon - Knowing Rest
Chelsea - Peace
Bill Mead - Prayer mentor
Gwen - Rejoice
Denise - Acceptance
Janna Sharp - Psalms 23 - knowing rest and peace living next to the calm waters in need of nothing
Connie Hogg - Submit to his will.
Here is a list of my New Year’s Revelations that I have tracked since 1995:
1995 - Prayer
1996 - Quantity Bible Reading
1997 - Memorization & Meditation
1998 - Study & Research
1999 - Health & Awareness - Raise the Praise
2000 - Rocks, Remember & Review
2001 - Arsenal of Scripture
2002 – Keep In Step With The Spirit
2003 – Build An Ark (Patterns of refuge & safety)
2004 – Heritage
2005 – Service With A Smile – wait upon the Lord.
2006 – Watch & Pray
2007 – Supernatural Servant
2008 – Appreciation – leaving people and places better than the way I found them
2009 – Kingdom = King’s Dominion
2010 – Keep the Focus. Keep the Faith.
2011 – Empowered to Empower others with grace & mercy.
2012 – Brighten Your Perspective
2013 – Deeper More Meaningful
2014 – Advancing Responsibly
2015 – Take Someone With You on your journey of joy
2016 – Enriched by God to enrich others
2017 – Love Is Our Source
2018 – Flourishing Lives
2019 – Fully Known, Fully Loved, Fully Activated
2020 – See The Invisible Do The Impossible
2021 – Open The Gates
2022 – Everyone Is Created For Abundant Life
Consider developing a theme-related song list that you purpose to listen to consistently this year in your times of prayer, etc.
Use calendar reminders to help you rehearse what God is revealing.
Take a very purposeful afternoon to go to a park or lake just to pray over your theme and search for key Bible verses that speak of this idea.
Purpose activities that reinforce this in your heart and mind asking God to help you be creative in it all.
CREATED FOR CONVERSATION: CONVERSATIONAL FAITH
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: Words are powerful! God created everything and sustains it all by his word. God sent his WORD to redeem us and awaken life-giving conversation that transforms us and everyone around us. In this season will grow in more effective conversation with God and with others.
God’s plan is for us to hear his voice together as a family. This is why we start each group with the first question:
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
Ask each person in your group to answer the discussion questions below after reading the verses. Don’t move on to the next question until everybody who is willing to share has had the opportunity to give their perspective.
JEREMIAH 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD... NIV
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Have each person give a 60 second summary of what these verses are saying, in their own words.
What do these verses teach us about God?
What do these verses teach us about people?
What should you do this week in response to what we are reading and what God is revealing?
Who comes to mind when considering a person you might share this with this week?
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Set aside specific time and a specific place to come to the Table of the Lord.