This week im going to try and just let you tell me what you thought about the chapter!
God comforts you through his holy spirt, his word and your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
CHAPTER 3: HAPPY ARE THE NOBODIES
This chapter was really great at opening up your eyes to what it takes to really give yourself selflessly to Jesus!
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
"A truly proud person rarely See's himself as such"
The sermon on the mount calls for a new standard of living, and this chapter focuses on the "poor in spirit" and what that means!
Q1) What do you think it means to be poor in spirit?
the book talks about knowing how things work, and what to do if you don't. It tells you to look in the manual or as the manufacturer.
Q2) Are you asking your manufacturer how you work?
Q3) Are you listening?
The chapter talks about emptying self to fill with God.
You cant be filled until you are empty, you cant be worth while until you are worthless.
Q4) What does this mean to you?
"Happiness is for the Humble"
Talks about being beggar poor- being totally dependent on God-
Q5) when do you feel you are totally dependent on God? Do you think the amount is more or less.
"anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, anyone who humbles himself will be exalted."
Q6) what does this mean to you?
Going over the three principles to become poor in spirit .
1) Don't try to do it yourself
2)Starve the flesh
3) Ask God for help
Q7) Have you done this and if not where are you at in this process?
Q8) Reflect over the 7 characteristics "poor in spirit" how does this pertain to your life?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
"A truly proud person rarely See's himself as such"
The sermon on the mount calls for a new standard of living, and this chapter focuses on the "poor in spirit" and what that means!
Q1) What do you think it means to be poor in spirit?
the book talks about knowing how things work, and what to do if you don't. It tells you to look in the manual or as the manufacturer.
Q2) Are you asking your manufacturer how you work?
Q3) Are you listening?
The chapter talks about emptying self to fill with God.
You cant be filled until you are empty, you cant be worth while until you are worthless.
Q4) What does this mean to you?
"Happiness is for the Humble"
Talks about being beggar poor- being totally dependent on God-
Q5) when do you feel you are totally dependent on God? Do you think the amount is more or less.
"anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, anyone who humbles himself will be exalted."
Q6) what does this mean to you?
Going over the three principles to become poor in spirit .
1) Don't try to do it yourself
2)Starve the flesh
3) Ask God for help
Q7) Have you done this and if not where are you at in this process?
Q8) Reflect over the 7 characteristics "poor in spirit" how does this pertain to your life?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Chapter 2!!! Happiness is. . .
There are many things in chapter two that rang true in my life! It is a bit less intense as last week but I believe the message to be just as strong. The chapter starts talking about the blesses are the. . nine times does the word blessed come in this chapter.
Q1: Going over the blessed are's in Matthew 5:12 which do you feel strongly connected with?
It brings up a number of times that the world and Jesus have different views on what True Happiness is. The world saying that happiness is in what you acquire, or your status. . . And Jesus saying you find happiness in obeying his fathers will for your life, whatever it may be.
Q2: Have you had a false image of what happiness is? If so how do we learn to look away from the worlds view and focus on what God wants for us?
You cannot fill a mans internal cup with external things.
It also says that Happiness is not produced by circumstances.
Vanity= emptiness
Filling the void of your soul with the junk of the world still wont make you happy.
Q3: what external things are you thinking makes you happy?
Q4: are you using circumstances as excuses keeping you away from your true happiness that God wants for your life?
(One thing I found interesting is that the Old Testament ended in a curse, the New Testament began with a blessing and ended with a promise. I just never heard it that way and thought it was kinda cool. )
Physical things cannot touch your soul. How true a statement is that, some people turn to sex, food, shopping, gossip, but nothing can sooth your soul, or put you at ease like Jesus.
But in saying all these things about obtaining things-
Q5: do you think God doesn't want us to have nice things? How do you feel about this?
Political Context:
I found it interesting that Jesus never brought up Politics, "saying my kingdom is not in this world."
It talks about the stress is on "being" being who you are for the Lord, not what you do, does he want you to serve, I personally think yes, but that comes with obeying. God is not after "what men do" but "who they are."
Q6: Do you think Jesus will bless you because of what you do?
Religious Context:
Pharisees say go back
Sadducee's say go ahead
Essenes say go out
Zealots say go against
Jesus says they are all wrong
My kingdom is inside us. He talks so much about where are heart is more so than what we do.
Q7: where is your heart at? Do you need to refocus the direction of your heart?
"Lets commit ourselves to be the kind of People God wants us to be, remembering that we have the capacity, if we know the Lord Jesus Christ, to appropriate kingdom living into our lives. "
Thank you Jesus for your son and thank you for your grace.
Q1: Going over the blessed are's in Matthew 5:12 which do you feel strongly connected with?
It brings up a number of times that the world and Jesus have different views on what True Happiness is. The world saying that happiness is in what you acquire, or your status. . . And Jesus saying you find happiness in obeying his fathers will for your life, whatever it may be.
Q2: Have you had a false image of what happiness is? If so how do we learn to look away from the worlds view and focus on what God wants for us?
You cannot fill a mans internal cup with external things.
It also says that Happiness is not produced by circumstances.
Vanity= emptiness
Filling the void of your soul with the junk of the world still wont make you happy.
Q3: what external things are you thinking makes you happy?
Q4: are you using circumstances as excuses keeping you away from your true happiness that God wants for your life?
(One thing I found interesting is that the Old Testament ended in a curse, the New Testament began with a blessing and ended with a promise. I just never heard it that way and thought it was kinda cool. )
Physical things cannot touch your soul. How true a statement is that, some people turn to sex, food, shopping, gossip, but nothing can sooth your soul, or put you at ease like Jesus.
But in saying all these things about obtaining things-
Q5: do you think God doesn't want us to have nice things? How do you feel about this?
Political Context:
I found it interesting that Jesus never brought up Politics, "saying my kingdom is not in this world."
It talks about the stress is on "being" being who you are for the Lord, not what you do, does he want you to serve, I personally think yes, but that comes with obeying. God is not after "what men do" but "who they are."
Q6: Do you think Jesus will bless you because of what you do?
Religious Context:
Pharisees say go back
Sadducee's say go ahead
Essenes say go out
Zealots say go against
Jesus says they are all wrong
My kingdom is inside us. He talks so much about where are heart is more so than what we do.
Q7: where is your heart at? Do you need to refocus the direction of your heart?
"Lets commit ourselves to be the kind of People God wants us to be, remembering that we have the capacity, if we know the Lord Jesus Christ, to appropriate kingdom living into our lives. "
Thank you Jesus for your son and thank you for your grace.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
CHAPTER ONE!!!
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
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
Friday, August 1, 2008
Here we go!
Ok- everyone!!! This is a new thing for me! I love always staying in toutch with my friends and this bible blog, or Jesus Journals (as I'm calling it) seems to be a way to do that and include Jesus as well. This year is going to be really busy one and to meet for a bible study seems almost out of the question, so this is nice because it can fit anyones schedule. Anyone is invited to join in the fun. My plan is really simple, First pick out a book, post it and give people one or two weeks to get it. Then Read one chapter a week, I will post some questions to think about or for you to answer or comment on. I really want this to be interactive, so if you want to comment on what you read from the book or what people have written feel free!
The Book for this time is "The Only Way to Happiness" by John MacArther. You can find it pretty cheap on amazon.com (about $10 w shipping if you get a used book). If you have any trouble afforing it just call me. I'll spot ya! :) Anywho- I'm excited to get started and here what the Lord is doing in your lives!
The Book for this time is "The Only Way to Happiness" by John MacArther. You can find it pretty cheap on amazon.com (about $10 w shipping if you get a used book). If you have any trouble afforing it just call me. I'll spot ya! :) Anywho- I'm excited to get started and here what the Lord is doing in your lives!
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