We started off with the video from the author on Chapter 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDkSYBY87zk
We live caught up in ourselves... We often go about life like we're invincible... We rarely stop to think that our earthly lives are yet a "blip" and that allows us to really lose focus on what's important!
Phil 4:4-6-- Rejoice in the Lord always.... how often have we heard, read, sung these words, without taking fully to heart? We act like anything we might be going through allows us this excuse- as though when we read "do not be anxious", it's okay for us to write in our own "unless..." Chan writes that Worry and Stress "communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in [our] live[s]is somehow exceptional" and that "both worry and stress reek of arrogance..." (42).
"Maybe life's pretty good for you right now... so that you can show the world a person who enjoys blessings, but who is totally obsessed with God.... Or maybe life is tough right now... God has allowed hard things in your life so you can show the world that your God is great and that knowing Him brings peace and joy, even when life is hard" (44).
1 Corinthians 10:31-- So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
We were challenged by a question that we can be asking ourselves daily... How can God use me to glorify Him today? and What did I do to glorify God today? We talked about how it really simplifies it to look at today, as opposed to looking at how God can use me to glorify Him for the rest of my life.
"The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His" (45).
In our short-sightedness, it is easy to find any excuse to not be rejoicing, to be worrying, to be anxious, to lose hope, to take control.... but when God commands us, He means now- even if YOU have a perfectly legitimate reason to not be obedient (it's not as legitimate as we think!). We spent some time talking about and sharing our excuses for disobedience... and we closed our discussion with a commitment to think about and consider what we can be doing RIGHT NOW to stop the excuses, be more obedient, and glorify God with our EVERY DAY.... maybe it's scripture verse memory cards to meditate on a verse right when you're prone to worry or not in a joyous spirit... and come ready to talk about what you think you can do to glorify God everyday at our next Bible Study in 2 weeks... Oct 12th!
Here are some promises I'm going to focus on this week... Job 5:12
ReplyDeleteHe thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.