Whisper was a dog, but he was part of the family. He couldn’t be trusted to be left home alone without being locked up. We learned this the hard way. I’d recently purchased a pair of Cole Haan dress shoes which were very expensive compared to what I’d normally spent on shoes. Tracy and I came home from a nice meal out only to find that Whisper had used my new shoes as a chew toy. I was furious! He writhed around in shame as I held the shoe in my hand. The deep emotion of anger I felt led to a deep emotion of shame this dog was feeling in the presence of his mistake. Once I put the show away he was his normal happy self.
This is the way we tend to be. The enemy wants to cause us to live in the presence of our mistakes embracing self-inflicted shame that Jesus never desires for us to feel. When we are forgiven the mistake is gone. The Bible describes in Psalms 103 that God separates us from our sin as far as the East is to the West. I love that it doesn’t say North and South because that’s not eternal. You can go North until you start going South. But going East is infinitely East and going West is infinitely West. Pretty sure that’s the point.
He who knows you the best loves you the most. Shame is never part of God’s intention in our lives. Loving conviction can lead to repentance and this brings refreshing and freedom. God fully sees everything about your life and continues to fully love everything about you inviting you into a relationship with Him through the blood of Jesus and the grace of God. So many people live under such self-inflicted shame and condemnation that a sense of spiritual depression keeps them from being fully alive in their walk with God. The Bible has much to say about this.
Luke 7:36-43 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. NIV
Many times over the years I’ve had conversations with people who felt they’ve been too bad to be loved by God. This story in Luke 7 is a great reference in addressing that lie. Very clearly Jesus is communicating the greater the debt the deeper the appreciation for the alleviation of the debt. Some might suggest that this means the more sinful you’ve been, in comparison to less sinful people, the more appreciative you become when you accept the forgiveness of God.
The problem with this analogy is that it erroneously communicates that there are levels of sinfulness. James 2:10 says whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in just one point of the law becomes completely guilty of all of the law. This means we are all equally and fully sinful regardless of what our behaviors have or haven’t been.
Two boys were playing in a field when they came upon a skunk. One boy saw it first and he began running but it was too late to fully escape the spray. The other boy didn’t see it until it sprayed him and he was front and center. When they arrived home the smell was overwhelming to the entire house. Technically one boy stunk a little worse than the other but it didn’t matter because they both stunk.
We are all completely sinful without Christ. Stop thinking you’re not stinking as bad as others. You stink and that’s that! The problem is that “gooder” people feel better about themselves than “badder” people by comparison. Yet the Bible clearly says in 2 Corinthinas 10:12 that we are not wise when we compare ourselves by ourselves. We should only compare our lives to one other person and his name is Jesus. That is what will give you the correct perspective of comparison. We are lost. We need a savior. We are sinful. We are fully known but we are fully loved and that’s why Jesus came.
Jesus alone moves from the grip of guilt to the grip of grace. #destinyokc
The ladies did an exercise in the Girlfriends Table meetings last week. They wrote in erasable, “I am (all the things they’ve allowed to creep in that are lies) failure, fearful, damaged, broken, unworthy”. All these labels are not from God so they were given highlighters to write the words but the highlighter had another end that could erase the words. They wrote them, erased them and then in permanent pen they wrote the truth in their place! I want to pick this up and carry it on further for all of us into this week. Here are a few statements.
· I am a child of God!
· I am the righteousness of God!
· I am completely forgiven!
· Saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8)
· Confident that nothing can separate me from God's love which is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39)
· Having all my needs supplied by God according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19)
· Supplied with living water. (John 7:37-39, 4:13-14) I will drink it and let it flow through me.
· Abiding in Christ. He is the true vine and I am a branch. Without Him I can do nothing. (John 15:1-11)
Below you will find statements for every day of the week.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Rehearse who God says you are every morning when you wake up this week.
I Am…
Monday
1. Special. I am fearfully & wonderfully made. Before I was even born God knew me & had a wonderful plan for my life. He knows & understands my thoughts. He thinks about me & guides me continually. (Ps 139)
2. Created in God's image. (Gen. 1:27-31) I have the mind of Christ (1Cor 2:16)
3. God's child (Romans 8:15-17) He adopted me into His family (Gal. 4:4-7, Eph. 1:5)
4. Chosen by God, and He calls me His friend. He ordained me to bring forth much fruit. (John 15:13-16)
5. Trusting in God with all my heart. I am not leaning to my own understanding, but I am acknowledging Him in ALL my ways & He is directing my path. (Prov. 3:5-6)When I am afraid I will trust in God (Ps 56:3-13)
6. Trusting God to work out all things for my good. (Romans 8:28) He orders my steps. (Ps 37:23-24)
7. Kept in safety wherever I go. Angels have charge over me. (Ps 91)
8. Led by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16-26, Romans 8:1-14)
9. Able to actually enter into God's presence through the BLOOD of Jesus (Heb. 10:19-22)
10. Praising God continually. He dwells among the praises of His people. (Ps 22:3)
11. Delighted that God is pleased with me. (Ps 149:3-4) He rejoices over me with joy and singing. (Zeph. 3:17)
12. Blessed with many blessings. (Deut. 28:1-14, Gal. 3:13-14, 29, Eph. 1:3, Mal. 3:10-12, Luke 6:38)
13. Being taken care of by the Good Shepherd. (Ps 23, John 10:1-18) He lets me cast my cares on Him (I Peter 5:7)
14. Washed in the BLOOD of the lamb which cleansesme from all my sings. (Rev. 1:5) (GOD covers me with Jesus' BLOOD. He washes off the filth of sin in His cleansing spiritual bath)
15. An inheritor of eternal life. (John 14:1-4, I John 5:11-13, Rev. 21)
16. Redeemed from the hand of the enemy (Ps 107:2) (God has rescued me from Satan's prison)
Tuesday
17. Saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) It is a precious gift of love. (John 3:16)
18. Justified through Jesus' BLOOD. (Just as if I had never sinned) (Romans 5:1, 9)
19. Sanctified (Set apart for God's service) I flee the very appearance of evil (I Thes. 5:22-23)
20. Righteous (In right standing with God) (IICor 5:21, Isaiah 61:10)
21. Comforted, taught & guided by the Holy Spirit who is within me. (John 14:16-18, 26)
22. The temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell within. (I Cor. 6:19-20, 3:16-17, Romans 8:1-14) I will keep it clean.
23. Set free by the truth. Who the Son sets free is free indeed. (John 8:31-36) [free from satan's grasp]
24. Dwelling in a secret place, under the shadow of the Almighty (Ps 91) I am safe there.
25. Given wisdom. (James 1:5, Hosea 4:6) [To increase wisdom, pray Eph. 1:17-23]
26. Having all my needs supplied by God according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19)
27. Supplied with living water. (John 7:37-39, 4:13-14) I will drink it and let it flow through me.
28. Included in God's BLOOD Covenant. (Abraham's & New Covenant) (Gen. 17, Heb 8:6-13, 9:1-28, Heb 13:20-21)
29. A new creature in Christ. Old things have passed away. (II Cor 5:17, Eph 4:22, 5:11) Ex: Butterfly
30. A partaker of God's divine nature (IIPeter 1:4-10) I have the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-26)
31. Abiding in Christ. He is the true vine and I am a branch. Without Him I can do nothing. (John 15:1-11)
32. Healed by Jesus' stripes (I Peter 2:24) Healed physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally
Wednesday
33. Shown mercy by God. (Ps 136:1-26, Lam 3:22-23) Shown God's unfailing love (John 3:16, Rms 5:6-11)
34. Confident that nothing can separate me from God's love which is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39)
35. Given everything I need to be complete in God (Col 2:9-10)
36. Experiencing light afflictions that bring eternal glory (II Cor 4:17-18)
37. Aware that God's grace is sufficient in all trials (II Cor 12:7-10)
38. Enjoying perfect peace because I keep my mind stayed on God (Is.26:3) Peace that passes ALL
understanding. (Phil 4:7)
39. Aware that Jesus knows my grief & pain, because He experienced them (Is. 53:3-7)
40. A sweet savour (aroma) of Christ (II Cor 2:14-15)
41. A light in this world. (Matt 5:14-16) God is my power source (II Cor 4:6-10)
42. Bringing my body under subjection to God's will (I Cor 9:27)
43. Filled and fortified with Holy Ghost power (Acts 1:8) He dwells within me (I John 4:13, Eph 3:20)
44. Given the whole armor of God to wear. I put on the belt of TRUTH, the helmet of SALVATION, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD of GOD. I pray always in the Spirit, watching and having done all, I will stand (Eph 6:10-20)
45. An overcomer by the BLOOD of the LAMB and by the word of my testimony. (Rev. 12:11)
46. Given power over all the power of the enemy. (Luke 10:19) Greater is He that is in me than he that is in
the world. (I John 4:4)
47. Not wrestling against flesh & blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness & spiritual
wickedness in high places (Eph 6:12) My weapons are not carnal but mighty through God (II Cor 10:3-4)
48. Laying aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets me, so I can run the race with patience. Heb. 12:1-2)
Thursday
49. Forgetting those things which are behind & pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling. (Phil 3:13-14)
50. Submitting myself to God & resisting the devil. He must flee (James 4:7-8) I will draw close to God.
51. Giving no place to the devil. (Eph 4:27) He is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. (I Pet 5:8)
52. Trusting God to turn things satan means for evil to my good (Gen 50:20, Rms 8:28)
53. Delivered out of the devil's traps (Ps 119:110-112, 91:3-4, 34:15-19, 107:2)
54. Not tempted above what I am able to bear. God makes a way of escape from any temptation I may face.
(I Cor 10:13) Jesus used scriptures when He was tempted by satan. I will do the same. (Matt 4:1-11)
55. Filled with the fullness of joy when I am in God's presence. (Ps 16:11) I get strength (Neh 8:10)
56. Not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love & a sound mind. (II Tim 1:7) I have courage (Jos 1:9)
57. Content. (Phil 4:11, I Thes 5:18) God place me in His body exactly where He wanted me & I am satisfied.
(I Cor 12:11-31) I will not envy anyone, nor will I compare myself with anyone else. (Heb 13:5, Gal 5:26)
58. Rejoicing always. (Phil. 4:4-7) I will "Praise the Lord anyway", even in hard times.
59. Doing all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13) God is with me and strengthens me.
(Is. 41:10)
60. An imitator of Jesus. (I Pet 2:21-25, Eph 5:1-2, II Cor 3:18) I ask, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Then I do it.
61. Treating others as I would treat Jesus Himself (Matt 25:31-46) and as I want others to treat me (Luke 6:31-38)
62. Forgiving others. (Matt 6:14-15) Forgiving others as He forgives me (Eph 4:32)
63. Walking in love as God loves me (Eph 5:2, I Cor 13) Loving others as myself (Matt 22:39)
64. Loving, blessing, doing good to & praying for my enemies. (Matt 5:44) Showing mercy (Luke 6:35-38)
65. Observing & doing God's will. (Deut 28:1-14, Jos 1:8, Ezek. 36:27, John 14:21-24 & 15:10-17, Luke 6:47-49)
Friday
66. Controlling my mouth so I won't sin. (Ps 19:14, 39:1, 141:3, Eph 4:22-5:5) I will not lie (Rev 21:27)
67. Given beauty for ashes, joy for mourning & the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. (Is 61:3)
68. Crucifying my flesh & walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:24-26) Taking up my cross (Matt 16:24)
69. Walking by faith & not by sight. (II Cor 5:7) Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11) Faith comes by hearing & hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)
70. Renewing my strength as I wait upon God (Is 40:31)
71. More than a conqueror through God who loves me (Rms 8:37-39)
72. Praying so I will not enter into temptation. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak (Matt 26:41)
73. Patterning my prayers after the Lord's prayer (Matt 6:9-13) The Spirit helps me pray (Rms 8:26-27)
74. Reading God's Word and meditating on it day & night (Jos 1:8, Ps 119:9-18) It is spiritual food. (Jer 15:16) It is life.
75. Being transformed by the renewing of my mind (Rms 12:2) I am changing from glory to glory. (II Cor 3:18)
76. Casting down imaginations & things that exalt itself against the knowledge of God. I am bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (II Cor 10:5)
77. Thinking on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and are of a good report. (Phil 4:8)
78. Given power to witness & to fulfill the Great Commission (Acts 1:8, Matt 28:19-20) I will seek the lost.
79. Pleading the BLOOD of Jesus for protection & victory as the Israelites did. (Ex. 12)
80. Loving God with ALL my heart, ALL my soul (mind, will & emotions) & ALL my strength (Mark 12:30)
81. Aware that this is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps 118:24)
82. Will not sit in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the scornful. (Ps 1)
THE ABUNDANT LIFE: Fully Known-Fully Loved
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
Our 2022 New Year’s Revelation as a church family is EVERYONE IS CREATED FOR ABUNDANT LIFE! The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy but realize the aim of death is not to kill you but to keep you from the fulness of life until you die. Distraction is destruction of what could have been in your life.
John 10:10b “...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” Amplified
We are called to be the giant killers of our generation. Some giant killers still live in Egypt, some live in the wilderness and some are moving into the Promised Land. The greatest tragedy of indifference is the life you never live and the difference you never make in the lives of other people.
Great encouragement comes from rehearsing God’s Word. It is God’s plan is for us to hear his voice together as a family and that is why we start each group with this question first:
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. Realize there is great power in just reading the Bible together and allowing the Holy Spirit to awaken his conversational nature in the group.
Luke 7:36-43 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. NIV
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
2. Have each person give a 60 second summary of what these verses are saying, in their own words.
3. What do these verses teach us about God?
4. What do these verses teach us about people?
5. What should you do this week in response to what we are reading and what God is revealing?
6. Who comes to mind when considering a person you might share this with this week?
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Rehearse who God says you are every morning when you wake up this week. See Blog for details.