Well reading the first chapter, nothing here is sugar coated! That is for sure. I truly believe that this is something that is going to be hard to swallow for some but we all need to hear it. This book is based on the Beatitudes. Which he will go into more later in the book, but what it meansis the "discipleship to which the lord calls us." Understanding the nature of the faith that we have.
Self Examination!!!
This chapter talks about True Happiness.
1) Q: have you ever felt true happiness as described in the book? If so when and what. If not, why do you think so?
It says true happiness: deep long term joy, derived from serious obedience to Christs Commands.
2) Q: do you know what his commands for your life are and are you abiding in them?
The Book
Righteousness!
We can come to Jesus just as we are! But people need to see the conversion. They need to see Jesus through you.
3) Q: people who have just met you, do they know that you are a Christian because you told them or because they can tell?
Hunger and Thirst!
Seek to obey and do what is right!
The biblical criteria for salvation is your life Right NOW!
4) Q: Are you giving your life to God today?
God doesn't need to use us, but he will if we are willing.
5) Q:The book asked what moment did your faith become real?
Testimony!
6) Q: are you really saved? (though question to really think about)
It isn't easy being a christian but it is a choice. And we will fail and not get it right because we are all sinners, but with God all things are possible.
7) Q: Are you trying to come to God on your terms? What type of luggage do you have? Are you will to drop them off to take the narrow path?
He who walks in the darkness, does not know where he goes!
hey let me know if this is too much not enough or what you think- if you have more questions please ask them I am kinda new to this whole thing and would love some feed back! God bless your weeks and i love ya
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
1) I would like to be able to honestly say that I have always felt the happiness as described in the book. But in reality I would have to say that it has come in waves. I find myself getting caught up in life and the many distractions, and I find myself drifting and focusing on those issues, rather than coming back and giving it all to Christ. I can say that I have experienced true happiness, but it is only at the times that I am truely living my life for the Lord and really working at my relationship with him. It is a daily thing and I am continually growing as a christian and trying to live my day to day by his standards.
2) I have come to realize that God's commands for our lives is not really asking that much. I try daily to live by these simple guidelines. In doing so, I am trying to set an example for my boys so that they too will abide by them and live rightously.
This passage really stuck out to me in the book:
"There will be a whole new approach to life. We will have sin, yes, but when sin appears we will hate it as Paul did in Romans 7. We will hunger and thrist for that which is right. We will seek to obey; we will seek to love our brother ahd hate the evil system of the world. That's the way it is, if true salvation exists."
3) You know, I'm really not sure what people may think when they meet me. I would like to think that they can see that I am a Christian through my actions and demeanor. But I guess I've never really thought about it. Most of my friends are also Christians, so most of them already know this about me.
4) I give my life to God every day. I have truely recommitted myself and am looking to the Lord in all aspects of my life. I have done many things in the past that were far beyond living by Christ's terms. But I finally hit a breaking point and realized that he is the only answer. I realized that when I was younger I used to abide by Christ's laws for the most part. I didn't party much I was respecting my parents and was a pretty good kid for the most part. But I realized I was only doing it halfway, and I was sinning in other ways and not truely repenting those sins. I was kinda lost searching for happiness through other things, and ways. I wasn't fully committed to God and his laws. I have realized that I need him for everything in my life and am living my life for him through my marriage, as a parent and as a Christian.
5) I was very excited about doing this bible study because I as finding myself drifting a bit. I could feel myself becoming more restless and growing more hungry and thirsting for the Lord's word. This couldn't have come at a better time in my life. I think that at this point in time is the moment that my faith really took a turn and became more real than it has been in the past. I am praying more, talking to God, reading my bible more. I really think that this is a turning point in my life as a Christian and has opened a door for the kind of relationship with God that I never really committed myself to.
6) I pray every day for this! I pray for forgiveness and I seek his guidance and have given everything to Him. Money, family, friendships, stresses, etc.
7) I have tried to come to God on my own terms. I was carrying extra baggage that I wasn't really willing to let go at the time. But since I have become a wife and a mother, I have come to realize that he is the only way. This is still a struggle......I find it easy to get distracted by things in this world that weigh us down. I love many things that are in this world, but after reading this I realized that these things cannot outweigh Christ. This passage really stuck out to me in the book:
"Many on the broad road are building a religious house without Christ as the foudation rock. Their own works will prove to be sand."
I think this is so true.....my husband and I are trying to build a steady foundation, but I have realized that without Christ's love it is nothing.
90292You're right thiw chapter didn''t pull any punches. I especially like that we examine ourselves in complete relationship to Jesus. No looking at others just Jesus.
1. I really think I live in a pretty even state of joy. I truely try to hear what I'm to do and do it. When I don't 'do it' the Lord lets me know. A long time ago someone taught me spiritual breathing, breathe in jesus breathe out sin, again and again. When you believe in forgiveness that fast it's easier to let stuff go and be done with it. It also relieves lots of guilt because when you don't hold on to sin the guilt can't buid up. I think all of us can hear his voice and choose to obey, as we practice this we get better at it.
2. My commands are a lot like everyone elses as far as how to stay on an even keel. Take the time to pray, read the word, study and keep my mind on things of God. Keep myself sensitive to what He's have me put into my life. And listen carefully because He is always speaking. As an individual He has asked me to open myself up to people, at work and at home. Sometimes I feel myself wanting to go into hiding but He keeps me open. I think going into hiding was what I learned from my home of origin. I hear my sister say things that would make me think God is asking too much or it's too hard but with him those are lies.
3. I hope in a short time they can tell but I really don't have to answer to them I have to answer to Him and i think His standards are much higher. I do try to live moment by moment with Him directing my thoughts and guard my feelings from becoming 'the voice of God.'
4. This one is easy because I can say a resounding 'yes'. I don't have to be perfectr just obedient and yeilded and forgiven moment by moment. My desire is to be His at all times.
5. This is interesting because it took something the world would call a bad thing and that's when it all started. My grandmother went to an insane assylum for a month when i was eleven or twelve. When she got out there was a big family fight and I froze and stayed by her side and became her favorite. In the hospital she had refound her faith and wanted to go to church and I was the only one in the family willing to go. They lived further out in the country than us and stopped to pick me up on the way to church and vice versa. I that very liberal church I had a SS teacher that let me question everything. She believed God was big enough and that just spurred me on. I got water baptized at twelve. Then at fifteen on a youth retreat I gave my life to Jesus. From then on I really wanted to live for Him. I didn't do it right lots of the time because I had to study and learn and incorporate what I learned and change lots of thinking but He was faithful and I got to build my marriage, work and life on Him.
6. YESSSSS
7. My baggage is mostly stuff I still carry from a childhood without God. I'm still learning how all encompassing my relationship with Him is. Thankfully I've dropped off lots of things along the way and I know now when He shows me something to confess it and chose anew.
Thanks Kara for making us have a new was to share our stories and be accountable. Jesus is using you.
Kaci and Crissy! thank you so much for taking this and running! Your thoughts and answers are so insightful that it really makes me glad that i have people in my life like the both of you!
I guess it's only fair if i answer my own questions if im going to be apart of this thing!
1) TRUE HAPPINESS: when i felt the ultimate forgiveness from my past. I felt white as snow and with Gods grace he set my chains of locked bondage free! I am so blessed to have a God that wants me to have a happy future.
2) Everyday i learn more what God wants for my life. Im in his word daily and i am reading with intention knowing he speaks to me through his word. I am choosing to follow Jesus, im learning to trust in him more and live for him.
3)If you would have asked me 2 years ago i would say no, i wasnt a christian! The life i was living was anything but Christ like,I have grown so much and i love it when people ask me questions about God ( and give me the reason) because im "churchy" it maks me thank Jesus for choosing me to shine through!
4) Sometimes i really dont think i have enough hours in the day to fit God into my schedule that is so important. However, i find if i take the time and put God in then my day goes so much smoother.
5)I asked God into my life in 6th grade. It was at church camp. But it wasnt until i was completely broken and lost when i was 22 when i started to not just know there was a God but i gave my life as a living sacrifice to him.
6)HECK YES IM SAVED!!! THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR SON AND THNAK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR SACRFICE!
7)I still have my days. . . like almost everyday that i try to convince God that he should listen to my plan because i have it figured out!! I know better, but i still always try. He offten kindly corrects me!! love you all!
Post a Comment