We are all part of the bigger story of God and in this story, we begin to realize how we are part of the eternal plans and purposes of God. A deeper narrative exists within all of us. We are all created to experience This Garden where we know God intimately and interact with Him conversationally. In this place we discover deep and meaningful friendship and a joining of our lives realizing it is not good for man to be alone. Even in our brokenness God is working to restore and rescue us. In his image we discover our design to build some form of an Ark to help and even rescue others.
As we journey forward God invites us to explore the reality of a Ladder that exists between heaven and earth revealing how God’s presence can come into any place in which we dwell. The house of God is the gate of heaven. We are the house of God. We are the gates of heaven. Lift up your heads oh ye gates that the king of glory may come in.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. NIV
We are saved by grace through faith but remember faith without works is dead. The Bible speaks of two judgements:
1. (John 5:24) = Salvation
2. (2 Cor 5:10) = Works
Daniel 11:32 “…the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out (do) great exploits.” NKJV
Being strong and doing great exploits speak of our call to live fruitful lives. We have no true ability to be fruitful without the deep and rich love union with our Father. Flourishing lives flow from knowing God intimately.
We love, serve and give to expression God’s Kingdom in the earth. Giving is a part of worship and we want you to bring your tithes and offerings before the Lord as an expression of worship. But don’t just fund it. Feel it. Don’t just give out of an obligation. Purpose to feel what he feels.
Practice being in touch with his heart as you identify with Christ in the sacrifices you make.
Ephesians 4:17-32 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned … 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need… 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. NIV
Vs 28 - Notice how anyone caught stealing is told to stop it by working and doing something useful with their own hands helping others in need. Helping others is part to help ourselves. More blessed to give! You have no idea how enriching it is!
Nathan, Renee, and their four children are dear friends who have become family to our family. Their daughter, Aleah, has had to see specialists to address a physical condition she battles. In one instance, they had traveled to Baltimore for a week of treatment. The temperature outside was cold, and the entire situation was inconvenient and uncomfortable. Aleah, aged eight at the time, was frustrated by the trip, procedures, weather, etc. On their way to their appointment, she was voicing her frustration for having to be doing what they were doing. Something happened that day that completely changed her perspective. During her treatment, she met another little girl who had been in an accident where a swing set had fallen over, landing on the back of her neck, paralyzing her from the neck down.
Aleah befriended the little girl and began serving her and trying to make her experience as pleasant as possible. Suddenly, the inconvenience of her trip, the weather, and her uncomfortable procedures lost their grip on her attitude. Trying to ease the other little girl’s suffering that was greater than Aleah’s seemed to rescue her from her own frustrations. It was very impacting when they returned and her daddy, Nathan, shared this story.
The modern-day church has raised up a generation of Christians who have a complete aversion to anything inconvenient. God’s greatest priority isn’t for us to learn the happiness of living life so conveniently. God’s heart is for us to discover the joy of giving life so freely.
When we focus on the suffering of Jesus, we are delivered from our sins. When we focus on the suffering of others, we are delivered from ourselves.
Start somewhere realizing what concerns you is a clue to your call! Don’t complain about it, do something. The problem is it’s always easier to make a point than it is to make a difference!
Build An Ark! Do great exploits! Let’s Get started!
A dream without a strategy is just a fantasy.
The 3D model is a simple progression of questions to help you initiate what God has deposited in your heart. When we did this as a workshop we conducted several exercises to help people discover what kinds of deposits God had placed in their hearts. One of those you can easily do if you’ll take the time to do it is a letter to yourself from an older future you.
DEAR YOUNGER ME:
You need pen, paper and ZERO distraction.
Step 1. The Best Possible Future Self Exercise - for 10 minutes, without any self-editing at all, without limitation and with inhibition write the response to this:
“Think about your life in the future you are 109 years old. Imagine that everything has gone as well as it possibly could. You have worked hard and succeeded at accomplishing all of your life goals. Think of this as the realization of all of your life dreams. Now, write about what you imagined”
Step 2: “Imagine that 109-year-old jumped into a time machine & arrived to this very moment in time. They climb out, sit next to you and give you advice. What would they say?” Please write down everything (no self-editing, criticism, limitations)
Step 3. Now take that advice and create a list of actions points you can begin to focus on daily from it.
Using the 3D model question progression you can begin determining what to do as you get started, who might have important and helpful information, how to connect with them and a strategic plan to move forward.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Take some time this week to reflect on the questions in the 3D model considering what good works God created you to do.
DEEPER: Build An Ark
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
A deeper narrative exists within us. We are all created to experience The Garden where we know God and interact with Him intimately. In this place we discover deep and meaningful friendship and relationship realizing it is not good for man to be alone. Even in our brokenness God is working to restore us and rescue us. In his image we discover our design to build an Ark to help rescue others. Promises are awakened within us even if we feel we may be too old or question being qualified or capable in any way. As we journey forward God invites us to explore the reality of a Ladder between heaven and earth revealing how God’s presence exists in any place even if we didn’t realize it at first. We explore a greater place of promise realizing we were born to conquer giants and strongholds that try to keep us from all God says is ours.
Philippians 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)
Daniel 11:32 “…the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” (NKJV)
God’s plan is for us to hear his voice together as a family. This 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.
Ephesians 4:17-32 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need… 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (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:
Take some time this week to reflect on the questions in the 3D model considering what good works God created you to do.