Purpose Driven Life Day 24

Day 24, May 24th, "Transformed by Truth"

   - Acts 20:32 says, "Now I'm turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends." God gives us everything we could possible need. He shows us and tells us in His word. "Spiritual growth is the process of replacing lies with truth." (Rick Warren). In order for us to grow spiritually we must fill our lives with the word of God. God speaks things change, everything around us was created by God. "God's Word generates life, creates faith, produces change, frightens the Devil, causes miracles, heals hurts, builds character, transforms circumstances, imparts joy, overcomes adversity, defeats temptation, infuses hope, releases power, cleanses our minds, brings things into being, and guarantees our future forever!" (Rick Warren). God's word is as essential as food to us. We need spiritual nourishment to fulfill our purpose. More often than not believers have "spiritual anorexia". We need to make make abiding in God's word 1st priority:

ABIDING IN GOD'S WORD
    1. I must accept its authenticity
        - God's word is the authoritative standard of life, compass for direction, counsel to listen to make a wise decision, and a benchmark to evaluate everything. Troubles come because we base our choices on, culture (everything everyone is doing), tradition, reason (logical), and emotion. Proverbs 30:5 says, "Every word of God is flawless." We need to see what the Bible says first before we make any decision in our life. There are times in my life where I wish I would have followed exactly what the Bible says, I would be better off. We are not going to get God's blessings if we are not obedient with what His word says.
     2. I must assimilate its truth
         - We must receive the Word of God. We must listen/accept with a open attitude. If we are not learning something from reading the bible or from a sermon we need to check our attitude. God can speak even through the most boring teacher when were are humble and receptive.
        - We must read God's word. If we read the Bible 15 minutes a day for a year, we can read the entire Bible in a year. If we read for 30 minutes a day we could read the Bible twice a year. All of us can make time for this. "Daily bible reading keeps you in range of God's voice." (Rick Warren). If you are having a hard time hearing God's voice, dig into his Word.
        - We need to research and study the bible. Ask questions and write down our thoughts. Keep a journal. Write down your prayers, your notes from sermons, your answered prayers, everything!
        - Remember it. You remember what is important to you. Reading and reflecting on God's word helps us resist temptation, make wise decisions, reduce stress, build confidence, offer good advice, and helps us share our faith with others.
         - We need to reflect on it - meditation. Meditation is focused thinking. We select a verse and
reflect on it over and over and over in our head. "If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate." (Rick Warren). Like I've said before I should be a expert meditator because I know how to worry. I need to take that energy of worrying and turn it into mediation on God's word.
      3. I must apply its principles
          - We must put all that we learn into practice. Satan fights us on this. He doesn't care if we go to bible study and read the bible, he cares when we start applying it. Blessings come from obeying  the truth in God's word. John 13:17 says, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." We have to obey God in order to get his blessings no matter if its difficult or painful. "The truth will set you free, but first it may make you miserable." (Rick Warren). We have all been through things that have made us miserable but in the end we are better off. It is important to discuss personal
applications in our lives with others that we trust so that they can help us make wise decisions. This is why is it important to have a small group and a church family. "We always learn from others truths we would never learn on our own. Other people will help you see insights you would miss and help you apply God's truth in a practical way." (Rick Warren). Be careful who you take advice from though.

Point to Ponder: The truth transforms me.
Verse to Remember: "If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32
Question to Remember: What has God already told me in his Word that I haven't started doing yet?

Purpose Driven Life Day 18

Day 18, May 18th, "Experiencing Life Together" 

  - Life is meant to be shared! Today, typically when we think of the word fellowship we think of socializing, food and fun. Real fellowship is unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrificial giving, sympathetic comforting, etc.  Fellowship should be done in a small group. "You can worship with a crowd but you can't fellowship with one." Rick Warren. When you start getting upwards of ten people in a group one or more people will leave and a few others will dominate. Small group fellowship is best done with less than 10 people. Fellowship can be anything from small groups, bible study, or a Sunday school class. Rick Warrens says if we see the church as a ship the small groups are the life boats. Matthew 18:20 says, "This is true because if two or three people come together in my name, I am there with them." Small groups are powerful. God promises us that whenever two or three gather he is with them. Thats why it is so important when you are dating or married to someone to pray together. It helps both of you grow together spiritually and its powerful!

IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE AUTHENTICITY

  - When we experience real fellowship we can have heart to heart sharing. We can become open about our lives so that we can experience real fellowship. We have to be honest in order to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy. It's not healthy to hold things in. We need people we can go to to talk things over with in any scenario. Rick Warren says, "We only grow by taking risks and the most difficult risk of all is to be honest with ourselves and with others." If there is some sin in your life that you are hiding you shouldn't be. You should come into real fellowship and share that with others so that they can help you and pray for you.

IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE MUTUALITY 

 - Mutuality is the art of giving and receiving and depending on each other. This is the heart of fellowship. We become more conscious of our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. Now, I am currently not part of a small group but I would like to think that my friend Liv and I are kind of our own small group. We are both going through this book together and sharing our thoughts daily and helping each other grow in our faith. The thing is the church that I am currently going to does not have a small group for my age. Maybe I should start one. Thats scary to me but if God calls you he will equip you.


IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE SYMPATHY

  - This means that the people you are in real fellowship with enter and share the pain of others and yourself. Rick Warren says, "Sympathy meets two fundamental human needs, the need to be understood and the need to have your feelings validated." This is so true, I know there are only a few people I can go to for true sympathy for things. Others do not enter into that pain with me.

LEVELS OF FELLOWSHIP
   1. Fellowship of Sharing and Studying God's Word
   2. Fellowship of Serving (mission trips)
   3. Fellowship of Suffering (entering into each others pain and carrying each others burdens)
This are listed from the shallowest to the deepest.

When we are in crisis or grief or doubt we need each other most. Job 6:14 says, "To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty." We should be kind and show friendship to those in grief, doubt, or crisis. They need us more then ever at that time.

IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE MERCY

 - In real fellowship mistakes are not rubbed in they are rubbed out. The people in your small group should help you heal when you make a mistake not rub it in that you did something wrong. "You can't have fellowship without forgiveness." Rick Warren. God warns us to not hold on to grudges because bitterness and resentment with destroy fellowship. Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you." The mercy God has shown us should be the motivation for us to forgive others. Forgiveness should be immediate but trusting htat person again will take time to rebuilt. Have a forgiving heart.

Point to Ponder: I need others in my life.
Verse to Remember: "Share each others troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
Question to Consider: What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?