Leave the Basement, Be A Blessing

Introductory thought:  God always sees something greater in us than what we see in ourselves.

Question 1:   Read Genesis 12:1-10.  Abram had no inclination of God speaking to him on that particular day, and God told him to go.  Pastor Josh explained that the understanding of the word, go, is to leave all you know, that is, leave familiar surroundings.  Abram left all he knew to go where God was calling him.  Consider and discuss examples of leaving what is familiar to obey God’s leading.  Have you experienced this?  If comfortable, share about it.

Question 2:  Pastor Josh said that God is always at work in our lives, taking us from something to another.  He leads us from the familiar to go to some place foreign.  Where has God called you from/to?  If easier, fill in the blanks of the following two sentences:

     (1) God has called me from ___________ to go to ___________. 

     (2) God is calling me from ___________ to go to ___________.

Question 3:  Pastor Josh encouraged us by saying, “God always sees something greater in us than what we see in ourselves.”  He emphasized from verse 2, “You, Abram, I will make into a great nation.”  He spoke prophetically over us, saying, “You, _<fill in your name here>_, [God] will make into a great nation.”  This isn’t a question per se; place your name in the sentence and speak it out loud.  You, ____________, God will make into a great nation!                

Question 4:  Pastor Josh talked about what makes a nation.  Through research he found that a nation is a stable community of people formed on a common base in a common culture.  A nation is also said to be a group of people with strong bonds.  In 1943, a nation was defined as having natural resources and having character of people.  When God is calling you to be a great nation, He is refining your character and developing a culture of dependency on Him.  In recent weeks how has God refined your character?  How have you grown in your dependency on God?

Question 5:  Pastor Josh mentioned Abram’s misstep of directing his wife to tell authorities that she was his sister. This mishap exhibited Abram’s doubt about God’s workings.  When we have gone too far in our own way, God will let us know where we need to go back to and return to Him.  Where is obedience botched in your life?  Don’t discredit your walk with God.  God acknowledges our missteps, but still He calls us and makes good on His promises.

Question 6:  Pastor Josh gave us several questions to ponder.  Share your responses as you are comfortable doing. (1) Where does God have you?  (2)  Is His voice fresh to you on this journey?  (3) Is life clear or ambiguous?  (4) Have you discredited yourself due to your disobedience?

Wrap-Up Thoughts:   The way we walk now has a massive ripple effect. Remember His promises.

UpNext 2020

How’s your posture? To have good posture means you need to be aware of always holding yourself in a way that puts the least strain on your back, whatever you are doing. But what patterns put you in the right posture spiritually?

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Posture Patterns – Part 4

Scripture Reference: John 15:1-17

Introductory thought:  A pattern will only be as fruitful in your life as you are disciplined to it.

Question 1:  How has the pattern of posturing affected your week?

Question 2:   Read John 15:1-17.  Pastor Josh talked about the word remain.  The condition in which we remainrequires us to be one way and not to become another way in a different setting.  Have you experienced being one way in a particular setting but something different in another?  This way of living is one of duplicity rather than remaining. Be like Christ, not like another.

Question 3:  Pastor Josh spoke of taking time for food preparation as opposed to grabbing what’s available.  While it may be quick and convenient, grabbing some processed snack is not the best way to feed our bodies.  Similarly, grasping at what is near rather than remaining in Him does not offer fulfilling spiritual nourishment.  When suddenly placed in a trial, what is your go-to form of spiritual nourishment?

Question 4:  Pastor Josh quoted Sir Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion – “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”  He went on to say that for every action of remaining in Him, there is a reaction of producing fruit.  Pastor Josh said that the fruit coming from your life is meant to be received and devoured by others.  What outflow of fruit is coming from your life?

Question 5:  After sharing about a gathering he attended, Pastor Josh made the statement, “Not everybody likes good fruit.”  Sometimes we can crave sweet morsels of speculation, hearsay, and gossip more than the genuine work of God in our hearts.  Developing the pattern of posturing ourselves to remain in Him will increase our desire for God’s working in our lives. Apart from the Holy Spirit being in us, this is impossible.  Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to move in your life.

Wrap-Up Thoughts:   Spiritual disciplines help us remain in Him and result in profound fruitfulness. Don’t limit how God produces fruit!

Posture Patterns – Part 3

Scripture Reference: John 12:1-8; Mark 14:1-9

Introductory thought:  Having a humble spirit is the beginning of having a true heart of worship.

Question 1: Read John 12:1-8.  Think about the various people in the story.  In addition to Jesus, we read about Lazarus, Martha, Mary, Judas Iscariot, and John (writer of this passage).  With whom do you identify?  Why?

Question 2: Pastor Josh said that when we posture ourselves at Jesus’ feet, we begin to sense how He feels.  Have you experienced an occasion when Jesus may have been prompting you?  How did what you were feeling differ from what you normally feel?

Question 3: Pastor Josh warned, “Arrogance is an axe to your faithfulness.”  Consider this:  Having confidence in moving forward in God’s direction is acting in faith; moving on, using your own devices simply because you have training, can get in the way of God’s greater plan.  When have you allowed your own knowledge and pride to interfere with what might be deemed miraculous? 

Question 4: Pastor Josh also said that our actions are a display of extravagant devotion when we are at Jesus’ feet.  What stories of extravagant devotion will be shared about you?

Question 5: If we want to see transformation, it begins at the feet of Jesus.  Pastor Josh encouraged us to begin and end each day at the feet of Jesus.  What will you use to trigger your mind to begin and end your day kneeling at Jesus’ feet?

Wrap-Up Thought: Let us decrease in mindlessness and increase in mindfulness!

Posture Guide:
Morning Posture: Father, Thank You for waking me to a new day. You are gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and great in faithful love. You are good to everyone; Your compassion rests on all You have made. I know You will help when I fall; You are near when I call out. Today I will be determined to live for You.
Evening Posture: Father, Thank You for being with me today. I give You all my cares and concerns. Right now I lean into Your love and peace. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, God, make me live in safety.