Thursday, April 30, 2015

Keep Short Accounts

What you can’t forget, forgive.  Life’s too short for anxious score keeping. — Teju Cole
If you are a member of the human race, you have been disappointed and hurt by other people. And some of the worst offenses and injustices have come at the hands of those closest to you. Or at least you thought they were close to you. Human nature (and quite frankly, modern culture) compels us to get even with those who have wronged us. Lash out. Hurt back. Never forget.  
We can all recall times that we have been wounded by others. We still see clearly the faces of those who hurt us, sometimes like it was yesterday. The sights, the sounds, the words that were thrown around during those injustices often remain vividly etched in our memories. We may even have a very full scorecard we carry around...
with us. If we were honest, we would relish the opportunity to tell them off if they ever asked for our forgiveness. But, as Kevin Myers points out, “Resentment, bitterness and a vengeful spirit will only harm us and infect our relationships.”

The solution? John Maxwell suggests that we “keep short accounts”. Don’t hang onto the past. Don’t keep a list of every wrong that people have done to you. And though it might seem impossible, Myers goes one step further, admonishing us to “forget about it”. And if you can’t forget, then just forgive.

If that seems a lot easier said than done, then remember the power of the cross where a perfect man, who was at the same time God, hung bruised, bloody, beaten and ridiculed — for all of us. Imagine where we would be if he had decided not to forgive us. But instead, he took our punishment and wiped our slate clean. So how can we, who have received the ultimate pardon from God Himself, not forgive one another?

READ and THINK… What does the Bible say?
  1. The author of this Psalm is not known, however, he is recalling how God rescued the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt by parting the Red Sea.
Question: According to this verse, how does the sin in our lives that we will not let go of, or turn from, affect our relationship with God?

Psalm 66:18 (New Living Translation)

If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.



Answer: 
  1. Paul wrote this letter to the Colossian Christians while sitting in a Roman prison. In these two verses, Paul gives us a practical example of how believers should behave.
Question: What characteristics does Paul say we should possess as followers of Christ?

 Colossians 3:12-13 (New International Version)

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.



Answer:

LIVE… What will you do now?

Draw a line down the center of the space below to create two columns for a visual. On the left side, make a list of those who have hurt you. On the right side, make a list of some of the things you have said and done to hurt others. Seeing those lists side-by-side, how do the words of Paul in Colossians, forgive as the Lord forgave you, become more real?



Using that same list, on the left side is there any offense or ill-treatment you can’t forget and just need to forgive? On the right slide, who do you still need to humbly seek forgiveness from to begin any healing?



Do you keep short accounts? How could keeping short accounts change the relationships in your life?

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do?


Thank God for forgiving you of the sins you have committed and will commit. Thank Him for taking your punishment for you and for paying a debt you could never repay. Ask Him to help you let go of the long account you may be holding against another. Acknowledge that you cannot do it without His help.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Give More Than You Take

Giving creates stronger relationships, making us more like Christ.  Givers are the rare breed of people who contribute to others without expecting anything in return.  – Adam Grant, author 
Adam Grant, in his book “Give and Take”, asks: “If you were to do a study, who do you suppose would finish both at the top and bottom of the success ladder, people who give a lot or people who take a lot?” It’s not a trick question. Yes, at both the top and the bottom of the success ladder is the givers. Grant points out an understanding we all have—there are two kinds of people in life, the givers and the takers. But how do the givers finish both at the top and the bottom? It’s all about timing. The takers usually end up on top in the short-term, but it is the givers who win in the end.  Those who are...
constantly taking from others may have short-term relationship success, but eventually all the taking dries up the life of a relationship. In contrast, those who give more than they take are building for themselves a string of lifelines in the form of healthy, strong relationships.

Just like all good athletic programs require good practices like discipline, endurance and cooperation, relational fitness can be viewed in the same light. To succeed in relationships, we give when it’s hard and costs us something. We push through difficult circumstances when it would be easier to give up, and we put the needs of others before our own. In short, good, strong relationships require personal sacrifice.

As Christians, we can find countless examples throughout the Bible where God’s people give more than they take. Abraham gave Lot the better land. Rahab risked her life for the spies sent to destroy her country. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. For us, sometimes it is something easy like taking the parking spot in the back at church at Christmas, but sometimes it is more difficult like refusing to retaliate when someone takes advantage of you. In any case, when you are the giver who has faith in Christ, you are allowing the power of God to work in those around you.  

READ and THINK… What does the Bible say?
  1. Paul is instructing the Christians in Ephesus on how to live the Christian life. These Christians were surrounded by immorality and false religion. He is contrasting the ways of the world around them with the life they should live through Christ. Question: As children of God we are called to imitate Christ. What should be the evidence of a Christian’s life? 
Ephesians 5:1-2 (New Living Translation) Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Answer: 
  1. Paul is writing to the Christians in Colossi. He is instructing them against some false doctrines that were circulating among those in the church and elevating one approach to the Christian life above all others.
Question: What is the most important virtue in the life of a Christian? 

Colossians 3:14 (New International Version)

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.


Answer:

LIVE… What will you do now?

Today we were exploring the idea that it is better to give more than you take. Be honest, are you more consistently a giver or a taker?


What are some areas in your life where it is hard for you to give instead of take?

Is there a relationship in your life you need to reconcile because you have been taking more than you have been giving?

What are some practical ways you can give more than you take in the lives of those around you?

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do?

Today we’ve looked at ways that we can imitate the life of Christ by giving of ourselves in our relationships. Ask God to reveal any relationships that you need to reconcile. Ask Him to give you opportunities to practice giving more than taking in your daily interactions and relationships.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Reserve the Right to Grow

Everybody needs room to grow.  There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.  ― Nelson Mandela 
Yesterday we talked about how emotional pain can affect all of our relationships unless we admit our problems and allow God to heal them. God wants us to heal and grow! We have to start to examine ourselves and talk about our problems. Acknowledge the elephant in the room and agree with the other people involved that it’s time for the elephant to leave the room.  For example, Joseph finally talked to his brothers about their elephant—how they tried to kill him and then sold him into slavery. The family was...
at Joseph’s mercy and he could have exacted revenge, but he forgave them and admitted it was a blessing, all a part of God’s greater plan. Like Joseph, we must humble ourselves before God and learn to value others above ourselves. Only then will we begin to heal and grow. This is the growth that God wants to see in our lives and relationships. This can start by having a mentor, taking part in a LifeGroup, seeking out other healthy people to spend time with and even reading books by Christians about how to achieve healthy relationships. These may seem simple, but they are ways we can grow tremendously and when we recognize that God wants us to be healthy and have solid relationships, we can receive the power we need to grow through Him. We can acknowledge our pain and begin to heal.

READ and THINK… What does the Bible say?
  1. In this letter to the Ephesians, Paul is giving instructions and reminders of how we should treat one another and what makes it possible to cultivate healthy relationships.
Question: Why do you think Paul’s instructions were the same to different churches? 

Ephesians 4:2-3 (New International Version)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.


Answer: 
  1. Again, Paul encouraged the church at Colossi in the same way. In accepting Jesus, we are to be His living example.
Question: Why are these instructions so important?

Colossians 2:6 (New Living Translation)

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.


Answer: 
  1. This next verse is really the key to changing our behavior. Before Paul gives us the instruction of what to do in Philippians 2, here he explains how those changes can be accomplished. 
Question: How can we find the strength to make these changes when they can be so painful and difficult? 

Philippians 2:13 (New Living Translation)

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.


Answer:

LIVE… What will you do now?

What is the elephant in your room? Are you willing to ask it to leave? What is the next step you could take to escort it out the door?


How can you find the strength to broach the subject with the people involved?

How would growing past these hurts change your relationships with those people? In what ways would it change your life?

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do?

Thank God for Jesus, sent not only as your salvation but also as your example on how to live. Ask Him to give you the strength you need to implement changes, heal and grow.

Monday, April 27, 2015

The Home Run Life - Second Base

I love mankind, it’s people I can’t stand.  Linus
Have you ever heard someone say, “Life would be great if it weren’t for people.”? Or “This job would be awesome if it weren’t for the people.” While meant to be tongue-in-cheek, the reality is that a Google search of “Winning with Others” brings up books, blogs, tweets, top 10 lists, charts and graphs with tips and tricks on how to influence others. Search results declare “Top 25 Ways to Win Others Over”, and a few entries down, “6 Ways to Master the Art of WOO (Winning Others Over)” and countless other entries that all...
have one thing in common: people.  This weekend, Jason talked about the best of times and the worst of times. What are some of your best moments? What brought you great joy or meaning? Was it your wedding, the birth of your child or possibly a milestone such as running your first 5K without passing out halfway through? Now think about the experiences that brought you the most pain. What have you gone through that carries disappointment or sorrow? Was it a betrayal, loss of a job or even a loved one? What one thing do all of these have in common? People. Life’s greatest and worst moments involve other people and that’s why second base is so significant.
As the people base, or community base, it can be muddy and messy because we all are muddy and messy people. We are all imperfect with issues we need to work through; however, it’s how we deal with them that determines our success or sorrow at second base and beyond. Remember the Home Run Life is about following God’s pattern for living a successful life. It all begins at home plate, our relationship with Him. Once we are connected with Him, He then helps us get to first base by developing our character. Then we can move on to second base where the key is an attitude of humility and a willingness to change. Our relationships are either healthy or unhealthy, most often based on those two components. So how do we intentionally build healthy ones?

In this week’s LivingItOut, we’re going to unpack God’s principles about relationships with others because it’s at second base where we can start to see God working in and through us. We can begin to put into practice all of the things He has taught us at home plate and first base. And the beauty is that it is not for our own gain, but we do it for others. Why is this so important? 

Philippians 2:1-2 reminds us of the things that define success at second base: “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” Kevin Myers, author of Home Run and pastor of 12Stone Church, says it this way, “In baseball, they say when you’re on second base, you are in scoring position. This can also be said of the people base [second] in God’s game plan for living.”

Caring about others, pursuing healthy relationships, being more loving and giving, even forgiveness are all a part of being successful at second base. So maybe instead of quipping that life would be so much easier without people, we will be the kind of people who say, “without people, what kind of life would it be?”

THIS WEEK’S STUDY IS ABOUT WINNING WITH OTHERS GOD’S WAY , TO LIVE THE HOME RUN LIFE.

MONDAY – Time Doesn’t Heal All Wounds

Big Point: Hurting people hurt people. 

Winning at second base begins with admitting that we are [all] imperfect people who have some kind of emotional wounds that need to be healed.
— Kevin Myers
Many people have learned that “hurting people hurt people”, but when Kevin Myers heard that phrase 25 years ago, it was revolutionary to him. He realized that coming from a broken home had done damage to him emotionally and that he, in turn, was damaging other people because of it. He recognized that without addressing his own issues, he could not expect to have healthy relationships with others.

Jacob’s family in the Old Testament is a perfect example of dysfunction and what can happen if it goes unchecked. Jacob was rich and had many sons, but they were all brokenJacob’s dysfunction came from greed and pride, which he passed onto Joseph, whose ego almost got him killed by his older brothers. Worldly success and God’s favor could not heal Jacob’s pain of broken relationships. Years later, they were all still greatly affected by that “elephant in the room”. Until the family recognized its issues, talked about the greed and pride that was causing so much pain (the elephant) and were willing to put each other first, they could not be healed.

   The good news is that, although our brokenness may create havoc in our relationships, God gives us grace through Jesus. He is our model for healthy relationships and through Him we receive space and time to grow. Time only heals when we spend time actually healing. When we don’t, it’s the elephant that does all the growing instead of us.

READ and THINK… What does the Bible say?
  1. In this passage, Paul gives the most compelling reason for us to model Jesus’ example—because Jesus did it for us.
Question: How are we to act because of Christ’s love for us?

Philippians 2:1-2 (New International Version)

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.


 Answer: 
  1. In the next verse, Paul gives some concrete examples of how to live out that picture of love.
Question: What is the key to becoming united with others?

Philippians 2:3-4 (New International Version)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.


Answer: 
  1. Paul prays this prayer for the Romans about the gift of patience and the love we received from God, reminding us that we should then pass it on to our brothers and sisters. The more we receive love and patience from Him, the more we are able to give the same to others.
Question: Why might Paul have prayed for endurance and encouragement for people to become like-minded?

Romans 15:5 (New International Version)

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.


Answer:

LIVE… What will you do now?
How did the phrase “hurting people hurt people” affect you when you first heard it? Why do you think it affected you that way?


What are some of your past wounds that time has not healed? Do you think they could be healed if you started taking steps to heal them? What might that look like?

How can the encouragement of being united in Christ help you to show love to others? In what ways can you show that love?

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do?

Give thanks to your Heavenly Father for being a God of kindness and mercy. Ask Him to help you mirror those qualities in all of your relationships and to provide healing in any area so that you can love others fully.

Throughout this week’s LivingItOut, all quotes are from “Home Run”  by Kevin Myers and John C. Maxwell unless otherwise noted.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Your Friday Assignment

If we can't win within, we won't make it to second base and experience the Home Run Life. 
No one can win character issues alone. All people need the help of mature believers who are further down the path of their walk with God. Unfortunately, the greater the difficulty you’ve had winning within at first base, the less inclined you may be to let others into your life to help you.  If you are...
new here, we hope that you keep coming back! One of the keys to overcoming character issues is connection to others. A great next step for you is just to introduce yourself to your pastor and tell him your story. Consider an area where you might enjoy serving and start your friendships with other believers there.

If you are connected here, then seek out your pastor, LifeGroup or Ministry team leader to let them get to know you. Ask a trusted, mature believer to mentor you. As you build trust, invite them to point out your character issues. Then, commit yourself to doing whatever it takes to obey God and change.

READ, THINK and LIVE… Read and apply the Bible.
The call to all believers is to live in the freedom brought to us as a result of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us. We no longer need to feel hopeless when faced with character struggles.

Question: What is the root cause of our old behavior before we came to faith in Christ? What kind of testimony does living as God’s obedient children show the world about who God is?
 1 Peter 1:14 (New Living Translation)
So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.


Answer:  This week in the LIO we covered Myers’ four practices for winning the character battles within: 1) win three-second windows, 2) pay then play, 3) have no secret world, and 4) put purity over passion. Which one of these practices spoke most to where you are in your life? Which one can you implement this weekend to start winning the day-to-day character battles within?

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do?

We hope that God has used this week’s study to either illuminate a character struggle or to encourage you to overcome a struggle. Whatever your struggle, talk to God about it and your desire to win your battle with it.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Stop Losing and Start Winning

We all have errors, but it’s what we allow God to do with them that determines if we win or lose.
The word “error” is used in the language of baseball in a way unlike any other sport, not to mention tracked and memorized by stats fans. In most other sports and situations, we track our wins and hope the errors are forgotten or that we’ll have enough wins to at least earn us another chance. Here’s the thing—we all have errors and we all need chances. Myers puts it this way: “…
we stumble, drop the ball, commit an error, get thrown out on the way to first base, [but] God does give us chances. He will forgive our sin if we humbly confess it. His desire is for us to turn to Him when we do.”

Dave Wainwright, missional member at CedarCreek, shares his experience with God, chances and turning to Him: “I had totally turned my back on God for many years. My addictions had taken me to some very dark places. I had become such a lying manipulating person that I absolutely hated myself. My life had gotten to the point of no return. But, through my wife’s unconditional love for me and my desire to not lose her or my children, I went to rehab and started attending church again at CedarCreek. When I accepted Christ, a huge weight was lifted from me. I felt his grace and unconditional love for the first time and cried like a baby. To know that his love is not based on performance, and that there’s nothing I can do that will change that, is mind blowing. And even though I’ve been in the roughest season of my life the last couple of years, I can honestly say they have been the best years of my life. I say that only because I know Jesus will always be leading the way. He led my wife, Janis, and me to be a part of the launch of Celebrate Recovery (CR) and to serve as the ministry leaders at Perrysburg. I tell people—CR is a Christ-centered fellowship of broken people who learn how to live with whatever issue they have. The awesome part is you learn how to trust Jesus while you make new Christian friends.”

Like Dave, we all need second chances, a lot of second chances, and when we turn to God at those times, “…we can become a person who lives by the truth and wins the battles within.”

READ and THINK What does the Bible say?
  1. In the previous chapter, John was reminding believers that sin no longer has power in their lives. He opens chapter 2 with an appeal: rather than focusing on the sin itself or trying to fix it themselves, remember that when we repent, Jesus provides a remedy both for the sin before God and for its effects.
Question: What role does Jesus play when we approach God with our sin?
1 John 2:1 (New Living Translation)

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. ut if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.


Answer:   
  1. 2Paul had been suffering intense persecution and he didn’t want his suffering to dishearten and hinder the faith of the believers who knew how bad it was for him. He passionately describes the love of Christ and what can be expected no matter what is happening in the short-term.
Question: What happens as a result of the power of Christ’s love described in these verses?
Ephesians 3:18-20 (New Century Version)

18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.   20 With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.


Answer:  LIVE  What will you do now?

4.23

What has been your experience with God when you’ve turned to Him to ask for forgiveness of your sins? Or is there an error in your life you still need to turn to Him with? 

Dave also shared: “When I think about His love for me and how I don’t deserve it but yet He pours it out to me, I feel free — free from my past, free from my sins, free from expectations and all the doings of this sinful world as it is. To know that He lives in me makes me want to do the next right thing.” Have you accepted that, as a believer, Christ now lives in you? What does that free you from? What does that make you want to do as a result? If not, what can you do to make this more real in your daily life?

PRAY God, what do you want me to know and do?

Ask God to reveal to you any area that needs to be turned over to Him, what you can do to overcome it and accept the promises of how His love can give you life to the full.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Stop Working Alone, Start Depending on God

Winning character battles happens day-to-day.  When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.  – Billy Graham
The number of athletes that have fallen from grace is astounding. For the incredible baseball player Pete Rose, falling from grace was a bitter blow. He was a legend with the most hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053) and...
outs (10,328). Rose won three World Series rings, plus the same number of batting titles, and the list goes on and on. He was a guaranteed Hall of Famer until allegations of betting on baseball ruined his career and image. His secret life of gambling on the sport he loved cost him dearly.

We talked yesterday about how to win the character battles within and the next two practices are part of how we can stop working alone and start depending on God in order to do it. First, have no secret world. Like for Pete Rose and others that we’ve watched, secret sins “…always hurt you and others. They create sinkholes that quietly undermine your character until there is a collapse that destroys you and threatens to suck in the people around you.” The second practice is to put purity over passion. “God asks us to be spiritually faithful, with only one God. Likewise, if we are sexually faithful, with only one spouse, we cause less harm to ourselves and others. Sexual promiscuity can lead to betrayal, heartache, pain and disease. It can and does destroy families and create societal chaos.” But faithfulness to God and our families creates just the opposite— blessing and a great legacy.


No one is immune from the collapse of their character, so we must put practices into place and surround ourselves with other believers to be an active part of our lives. “It takes humility, openness, courage and trust to live an open life of purity without secret sins.” But when you stay in fellowship with God and other mature believers, their added strength makes those choices easier.

READ and THINK… What does the Bible say?
        1. Paul’s letter to the early Christian churches in the Roman province of Galatia addresses the question of whether Christians were obligated to follow Mosaic law.

Question: If Christians were no longer obligated to live by the Mosaic law, how were they to live?

Answer:  Galatians 5:24-25 (New Living Translation)

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.       25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.


2.  Also written by Paul, the main theme of Ephesians is the church as the Body of Christ.

Question: In this passage, Paul is praying for how the Ephesians will live out their new faith. What does Paul say is important for us to build our lives on?

Answer:  Ephesians 3:14-17 (New Century Version)

14 So I bow in prayer before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name. 16 I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.


LIVE… What will you do now?
Is there a secret sin in your life that you need to address today? If so, what steps will you take to step back behind that line? 

How have the successes or failures of others in your life changed how you are living? 

How can you avoid the temptation of secret sins and impurity in your life? 

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do? Thank God for Christ Jesus who nailed the passions and desires of your sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Ask Him to help you live by the Spirit and follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of your life.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Stop Flirting, Start Running

We never expect our actions to catch up, but they always do.  Character is much easier kept than recovered.   Thomas Paine
This weekend Ben talked about how we need to stop FLIRTING with TEMPTATION and start following GOD’S PATH. As soon as we give ourselves permission to cross a line we know we shouldn’t, we start to deceive ourselves. Have you ever considered what temptation looks like? Think of it like this—temptation builds like a balloon filling with air and when we feel the balloon can’t take any more, we either let...
it loose or it’s released out of our hands from all the pressure. But what happens when you let go of a full balloon? It flies around, zipping back and forth, up and down, and bangs against everything in its path until the air is gone and the balloon drops to the floor!

Temptation starts out the same way. It’s just one small thing (like one small breath into the balloon). We got it, it’s under control. But then it’s another and another and another, and the pressure starts to build. Pretty soon, we’re in so deep and it all becomes too much, and we can end up crushing relationships, careers and even lives. But it doesn’t have to be like that. With God, we can win the day-to-day character battles.

First, we can choose to be self-led by using what Myers calls three-second windows. He writes that in the midst of every temptation, there is a moment when your emotions are at their peak and giving in seems like the only thing to do. But, if we take just three seconds to think through the actions, issues or problems that our reaction might cause, we can run the path God’s way instead, and start building our character within. Another practical way to stop flirting with temptation and start running God’s path is to pay first and play later. In other words, do the work that needs to get done first. When we don’t, we’re a slave to what should have been done first, or we lose sight of what needs to come first, and lose every time. Instead, paying first always benefits because it opens up the opportunity for God’s blessing in your life.

  READ and THINK… What does the Bible say?
  1. Oftentimes when things go wrong, people blame God for their misfortune. Although God has the power to change our circumstances, James tells us that God never causes temptation. God is good, therefore He does not tempt us to do bad.
Question: Where does temptation come from?
James 1:13-14 (New Living Translation)

13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

 Answer:

  1. We are all born with a sinful nature. When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, but it is still our choice to decide to follow our sinful nature or the Holy Spirit.
Question: Why do those under the control of their sinful nature never please God?
Romans 8:6-8 (New Living Translation)

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads you to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

Answer:

  1. Even if you have read Galatians 5:22-24 before, take time to read through the fruit of the Spirit slowly, carefully. Unlike spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit are attributes we should all have in our lives. It can be tempting to pick and choose which ones come easier for us, but the Holy Spirit produces all of these fruits.
Question: What makes the fruits produced by the Holy Spirit different from the passions and desires of people’s sinful nature?
Galatians 5:22-24 (New Living Translation)

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

Answer:

LIVE… What will you do now?

What is your primary area of temptation?


What might change in your life if you were able to consistently stop giving into it?

Reread the list of the fruit of the Spirit. Which ones come easy to you? Which ones don’t come easy to you? Think about how you can develop your character by working on ALL of the fruit of the Spirit.

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do?

Pray to win your daily character battles. Thank God for His willingness to help you overcome any of the temptations that you are dealing with in life. Pray for wisdom and clarity on how to best follow in God’s path and plan for your life.













Monday, April 20, 2015

The Home Run Life-First Base

Now better men than me have failed/ Drinking from thatunholy grail…I’ve gotta bid you adieu/And to another I will stay true.
– Andy Grammer, song lyrics to Honey, I’m Good
It only took 4 minutes, just 240 seconds, for one of the largest sinkholes ever recorded to open up in Dover, Ohio. Located south of the Akron-Canton area, Dover’s small community was stunned by...
the sudden appearance of a giant crater in December 2012. Just minutes before the massive sinkhole devoured the equivalent of 4 football fields, everything seemed to be normal. Or, was it? Seconds later, there was total collapse. It turns out that the limestone foundation underneath the ground surface had been eroding away for years, unnoticed until that day. No one saw the impending disaster coming.

Our character issues are a lot like sinkholes, often remaining hidden under the surface. Sometimes, character issues are concealed out of fear, shame or pure denial. But, they are there. Leadership expert John Maxwell says this: “Character is a choice. You form it every day by your choices, especially the ones you make when no one is looking.”

Character issues arise when we cross the line in behavior. Early on, we learn there are consequences for crossing certain lines like getting a detention for fighting in school. As we grow up, we discover that the consequences can be devastating. When we learn to drive, we learn that crossing that solid yellow line can lead to injury or even death. Crossing relationship lines, like expressing uncontrolled anger or cheating, can lead to broken relationships. One of the keys to staying clear of danger is to draw clear character lines.

In the Old Testament, Samson was an excellent example of how character issues needlessly ruined his life. He was supposed to have a special relationship with God and was gifted with incredible strength. Yet, Samson crossed the lines that God established for his life, with disastrous results. For example, God instructed Samson not to go near a dead body, yet Samson ate honey from the carcass of a dead lion. Later, he demanded to marry a woman that didn’t share his beliefs—another line God told him not to cross.

We may not think those examples to be a big deal, but listen to what Kevin Myers, author of “Home Run: Learn God’s Plan for Life and Leadership”, says about Samson: “When he didn’t feel any immediate consequences for his actions, he probably believed none were coming.” Is that true for you? What about people that you know who struggle with substantial character issues? Too often, we think that just because we keep our character issues hidden that somehow we will get away with it.

Like Samson, we refuse to believe that our character issues will actually come back to hurt us. Samson learned the hard way that there is always a price to pay. In his case, we read that Samson’s wife set a trap for him. He ends up blinded by the Philistines and imprisoned before sacrificing himself in order to kill 3,000 of his enemies.

One of the key factors in the revelation of character issues is pressure. When our lives are under pressure, any flaws or struggles with our character rise to the surface. “People who don’t take care of character issues are like houses built over sinkholes. They may appear solid—not only to the casual observer but also to the residents in the house. But as the pressure comes, because the foundation is weak, cracks appear and total disaster is only seconds away.” In this week’s LivingItOut, we’re going to continue with our “Home Run” series and shift our attention to “First Base: Winning Within” and look at the character issues that can get in the way of our pursuit of the Home Run Life.

THIS WEEK’S STUDY IS ABOUT LEARNING HOW TO LIVE THE HOME RUN LIFEBY WINNING WITHIN.

MONDAY — Stop Resisting, Start Embracing

Big Point: Walk towards God and away from the line.

There are two types of pain in this world, the short term pain of discipline and the long term pain of regret. One weighs ounces, the other tons. Choose your pain.
John Rohn
Like a loving parent, God gives us boundaries for our own good. We tell our children to, “Look both ways before you cross,” “Call and let me know where you are,” and the new favorite, “Make good choices”. We do this because we love our children and care about their protection.

God gives us rules or lines for the same reasons, but with even more at stake. God’s lines are lifelines and can be put into two different categories: solid lines and dotted lines. Solid lines are wrong for everyone, crossing them is a sin for everyone. For example, worshipping idols is a solid line God has drawn for no believer to cross. Dotted lines are sins for some people, but not for everyone. These are personal choices you make to ensure that your actions are “…pleasing and profitable in your walk with Him.”

Sometimes we see how far we can push the lines. We know something is wrong for us, but we justify it and before we know it, we’re tagged out. Why do we take these risks with our lives when God has so much more for us? The good news is that we can choose, instead, to follow God’s call. The lines that God has drawn are always for our benefit, but it is up to us to choose His love and His lines or our own. Choosing to walk away from the line may be difficult, but it is always worth it to move closer to your loving Father. All He wants is to give you life to the full, because He cares for you. Stop resisting Him and embrace the calling God has for you. 

READ and THINK… What does the Bible say?
What Paul is saying here is that although we are all created by God, when we receive Christ into our hearts, we become His children and He becomes our Father. We are now more than created, we are family. The word “Abba” is Aramaic and translates as a more affectionate term such as Papa.

Question
What is the difference between being created and being a family?

Romans 8:15-16 (New Living Translation)

15So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him “Abba, Father.” 16For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.



Answer:
This chapter in Romans is said to be the best that Paul ever wrote. He is speaking to a Roman, otherwise known as a Gentile, audience. In this verse, Paul talks about the rewards of being in God’s family, but explains that those rewards come at a price.

Question: 
What are the rewards Paul talks about as an heir in God’s family? 

Romans 8:17 (New Living Translation)

And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.



 Answer:  
LIVE… What will you do now?
Today’s opening line was, “God gives us boundaries for our own good”. Do you believe that? Why or why not? Does it feel like it’s for our own good or more like a list of rules to follow?


Why do you think God allows rewards that are both glory and suffering in our lives?

What are the dotted lines for you in your life? Do you honor those? What has been the result?

What would it look like for you to stop resisting and embrace God’s calling for you?

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do?
This weekend you had the opportunity to identify an issue, sin or struggle that keeps throwing you out at first base and ask God to help you draw a solid line. Take some time today to pray over that again (you may have to do this repeatedly with whatever it is you wrote on that card) and thank Him for helping you take that step.

Throughout this week’s LivingItOut, all quotes are from “Home Run”  by Kevin Myers & John C. Maxwell, unless otherwise noted.

Digging Deeper with this week’s teaching pastor:
During the Home Run series, Lifegroups will be using the DVD teaching by Kevin Myers, author of Home Run and pastor at 12 Stone Church.  Not connected in a group? You can still dig deeper by going to cedarcreek.tv/homerun to sign up for a group that fits your schedule and area, or join the campus class discussion group on Tuesday at 7PM at every CedarCreek campus. Cost of the class is $10.00 per person, and walk-ins are welcome.


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