May 19, 2019

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Do You Have an Intimate Relationship With Your God?

 

This past Sunday at bible study we wrapped up our lessons on the emotions of God, which was a subtopic of the lessons on the character of God. These lesson are imperative for us to understand how much we are created in God’s likeness and image and not him in our image! In Sunday’s lesson we explored the actions that grieve the heart of God as we seek fellowship with Him.

 

REMEMBER! OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD/CHRIST IS SUPPOSED BE THE MOST INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE ON THIS EARTH. JESUS COMMANDS US

“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” (Matthew 22:37). GETTING TO KNOW GOD PERSONALLY IS NOT ONLY OUR TICKET INTO HEAVEN BUT IT IS WHAT JUSTIFIES US AT THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT. HE REMINDS US THAT “MANY WILL SAY TO ME ON THAT DAY [WHEN I JUDGE THEM], ‘LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN YOUR NAME, AND DRIVEN OUT DEMONS IN YOUR NAME, AND DONE MANY MIRACLES IN YOUR NAME?’ AND THEN I WILL DECLARE TO THEM PUBLICLY, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME [YOU ARE BANISHED FROM MY PRESENCE], YOU WHO ACT WICKEDLY [DISREGARDING MY COMMANDS].’” (Matthew 7:22-23) IF WE HAVE NOT DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW TO PLEASE HIM.

 

THINK OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AS BEING IN A DREAM RELATIONSHIP WITH A DREAM PARTNER. THE SAME WAY YOU WOULDN’T BEHAVE IN A WAY TO DISRESPECT OR HURT YOU DREAM PARTNER, THE SAME WAY WE SHOULD NOT DO THINGS THAT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. GOD REMINDS US TO  WATCH THE WAY YOU TALK. LET NOTHING FOUL OR DIRTY COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. SAY ONLY WHAT HELPS, EACH WORD A GIFT. DON’T GRIEVE GOD. DON’T BREAK HIS HEART. HIS HOLY SPIRIT, MOVING AND BREATHING IN YOU, IS THE MOST INTIMATE PART OF YOUR LIFE, MAKING YOU FIT FOR HIMSELF. DON’T TAKE SUCH A GIFT FOR GRANTED. MAKE A CLEAN BREAK WITH ALL CUTTING, BACKBITING, PROFANE TALK. BE GENTLE WITH ONE ANOTHER, SENSITIVE. FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER AS QUICKLY AND THOROUGHLY AS GOD IN CHRIST FORGAVE YOU.” (Ephesians 4:29-32 MSG)

 

Please review the following scripture and post any questions you may have here.

(Genesis 6:1-7) (Isaiah 63:7-10)  Ephesians 4:21-32)

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May 12, 2019

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Are Your Emotions in the Driver’s Seat?

 

This past week in bible study we finished reading the second half of Luke: 22 and we went deeper into understanding the difference between emotions and choices.

 

REMEMBER, OUR EMOTIONS NEED TO MANAGED WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT AND CARE. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT OUR EMOTIONAL NEEDS MUST BE MET AT EVERY TURN. OUR EMOTIONS ARE NOT OF THE SPIRIT BUT OF THE FLESH. JESUS REMINDS US OF SOWER AND THAT “SOME ARE LIKE THE SEED THAT LANDS IN THE GRAVEL. WHEN THEY FIRST HEAR THE WORD, THEY RESPOND WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM. BUT THERE IS SUCH SHALLOW SOIL OF CHARACTER THAT WHEN THE EMOTIONS WEAR OFF AND SOME DIFFICULTY ARRIVES, THERE IS NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT.” (Mark 4:16-17 MSG) YOUR EMOTIONS MAY BE VULNERABLE AND IMBALANCED FROM TIME-TO-TIME BUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD MUST NOT. IT MUST REMAIN FORTIFIED NO MATTER HOW YOU FEEL.

 

COMPASSION IS A CHOICE, NOT AN EMOTION. FAITH IS A CHOICE, NOT AN EMOTION. LOVE IS A CHOICE, NOT AN EMOTION. JUST THINK, JESUS COMMANDS US TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES! THIS IS NOT AN ORDER THAT WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT. BUT WE CHOOSE TO LOVE BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, NOT MATTER HOW IT FEELS. IN THESE WAYS WE MUST CRUCIFY THE FLESH, WHICH IS CONTINUALLY AT WAR WITH THE SPIRIT. FOR THE SINFUL NATURE HAS ITS DESIRE WHICH IS OPPOSED TO THE SPIRIT, AND THE [DESIRE OF THE] SPIRIT OPPOSES THE SINFUL NATURE; FOR THESE [TWO, THE SINFUL NATURE AND THE SPIRIT] ARE IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO EACH OTHER [CONTINUALLY IN CONFLICT], SO THAT YOU [AS BELIEVERS] DO NOT [ALWAYS] DO WHATEVER [GOOD THINGS] YOU WANT TO DO. (Galatians 5:17 Amp)

 

IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO NOT USE OUR EMOTIONS AS A JUSTIFICATION FOR OUR NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER. IF WE DECIDE TO TREAT A PERSON IN A BAD WAY OR USE MEAN WORDS TO SPEAK, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT WE’VE MADE A CHOICE TO REPAY EVIL WITH EVIL. NO ONE OUTSIDE OF US CAN MAKE US BAD OR EVIL. JESUS REMINDS US “THE GOOD MAN, FROM HIS [INNER] GOOD TREASURE, BRINGS OUT GOOD THINGS; AND THE EVIL MAN, FROM HIS [INNER] EVIL TREASURE, BRINGS OUT EVIL THINGS.” (Matthew 12:35)  And He said, “WHATEVER COMES FROM [THE HEART OF] A MAN, THAT IS WHAT DEFILES AND DISHONORS HIM. (Mark 7:20) GOD GAVE US EMOTIONS TO SIGNAL AND TO WARN US OF EVIL. HE ALSO GAVE US EMOTIONS TO BE ATTENTIVE AND EMPATHETIC TOWARDS THE PAINS AND AFFLICTIONS OF OTHERS. HE DOES NOT WANT US TO LET OUR EMOTIONS LEAD OUR LIFESTYLES AND BE THE REASON WE MAKE EVERY DECISION. EVEN IN HIS MOST AGONIZING POINT, CHRIST CHOSE TO LOVE US AND WALK TO THE CROSS (Luke 22:44). WHAT CHOICES WILL YOU MAKE TODAY?

 

Here are some additional scripture for understanding and managing your emotions.  (James 1:20) (Galatians 5:23) (Romans 12; Galatians 6:1–10; 2 Corinthians 1:3–5; Hebrews 3:13)

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May 5, 2019

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It is nothing short of miraculous what the Lord God has done for us. In that God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). Let us take a moment to Praise the Lord for His Love, His Goodness, and His Compassion for (wo)man!!!

This week at bible study, as we continued to explore the emotions of Christ (God) we revisited Christ’s last supper with the disciples in the Gospel according to St. Luke chapter 22. As you read, place a close eye on verses 3, 16, 32, 44, and 65

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REMEMBER!!! COMPASSION COMES WITH A SACRIFICE TO OUR PERSONAL FEELINGS. THE SCRIPTURE SHOWS US THE UNFAITHFULNESS TOWARDS CHRIST BY MORE THAN ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES. THE SAME MEN HE HAD CARED FOR, PRAYED FOR, AND HEALED. BETRAYED HIM TO WICKED MEN, DENIED HIM IN PUBLIC, AND EVEN DOUBTED HIS RESURRECTION. THIS OF COURSE DID NOT MAKE CHRIST HAPPY. FOR THE SCRIPTURE TEACHES US THAT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM: FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. (Hebrews 11:6)

 

BECAUSE OF GREED AND FEAR MEN SIN AGAINST THE NAME OF THE LORD. SO WHERE DOES OUR HOPE LIE? JESUS TOLD PETER “I HAVE PRAYED FOR THEE, THAT THY FAITH FAIL NOT: AND WHEN THOU ART CONVERTED, STRENGTHEN THY BRETHREN.” (Luke 22:32) CHRIST PRAYED FOR PETER BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT THE TEST PETER WOULD TAKE WOULD SHAKE HIS FAITH AND CAUSE HIM TO DOUBT HIS OWN FAITH AND WORTHINESS IN GOD. CHRIST DID NOT REBUKE PETER FOR BEING A COWARD.

 

TESTS AND TRIALS WILL COME! THIS WE KNOW! IT IS THESE TIMES WHERE WE MUST REMEMBER THAT “NO TEMPTATION [REGARDLESS OF ITS SOURCE] HAS OVERTAKEN OR ENTICED YOU THAT IS NOT COMMON TO HUMAN EXPERIENCE [NOR IS ANY TEMPTATION UNUSUAL OR BEYOND HUMAN RESISTANCE]; BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL [TO HIS WORD—HE IS COMPASSIONATE AND TRUSTWORTHY], AND HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND YOUR ABILITY [TO RESIST], BUT ALONG WITH THE TEMPTATION HE [HAS IN THE PAST AND IS NOW AND] WILL [ALWAYS] PROVIDE THE WAY OUT AS WELL, SO THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ENDURE IT [WITHOUT YIELDING, AND WILL OVERCOME TEMPTATION WITH JOY]” (1 CORINTHIANS 10:13)

 

EVEN CHRIST WAS IN AGONY AS HE PRAYED TO THE FATHER (Luke 22:44) AND HE AROSE FROM PRAYER WITH COMPASSION FOR HIS SLEEPING DISCIPLES AND COMPASSION EVEN FOR THE MEN WHO HAD COME TO TAKE HIM AWAY. HE GAVE NO EXCUSE TO JUSTIFY ANGER AND WRATH TOWARDS THEM FOR THEIR WRONGDOINGS. NEITHER SHOULD YOU!!!

 

TRUE LOVE SHOWS COMPASSION! IT IS PATIENT AND IT IS SLOW TO ANGER! LET US SHOW COMPASSION TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER THIS DAY

 

Please review the following scriptures during your studies: (Luke 22) (Psalms 86:15, 145:8-9) (Lamentations 3:22-27)

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April 28, 2019

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PRAISE THE LORD SAINTS!!!

This week in bible study we explored the Emotions of God. We explored questions such as:

• Does God have feeling?

• How does the Lord feel about us?

• How do our actions make the Lord feel?

 

This is a two-week lesson. In week one we discussed God’s Anger, God’s Love, and God’s Hatred towards pride, arrogance, and falsehood.

 

REMEMBER: WE WERE MADE IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. WE HAVE EMOTIONS BECAUSE GOD HAS EMOTIONS. GOD SO LOVED US THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON THAT YOU AND I COULD LIVE (John 3:16) GOD WANTS US TO CONTROL OUR FEELINGS THE SAME WAY HE DOES. HE TELLS US TO BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT (Ephesians 4:26). SECONDLY, GOD IS MOST DISAPPOINTED WITH US WHEN WE ARE WISE IN OUR OWN SIGHT. HE TELLS US TO TRUST IN HIM WITH ALL OF OUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. (Proverbs 3:5) WHEN WE REFUSE HIS CORRECTION AND BECOME STIFF NECKED HE IS MOST UNHAPPY!!! THIRDLY, WHEN WE CHOOSE TO SERVE OTHER GOD’S WE INCITE HIS WRATH. FINALLY, GOD WANTS US TO LOVE HOW HE LOVES AND HATE THOSE HE HATES. PRIDE AND ARROGANCE ARE AN ABOMINATION TO HIM AND IT SHOULD BE FOR US AS WELL. THOSE WHO HUMBLE THEMSELVES WILL BE EXALTED AND THOSE WHO EXALT THEMSELVES WILL BE HUMBLED. (Matthew 23:12)

 

Please review the following scriptures:  (Exodus 32:7-10) (Psalm 86:15, 145: 8-9) (Proverbs 6:16, 8:12-17) (Isaiah 5:21-25) (Lamentations 3:22-27) (Luke 14:26) (John 3:16) (Romans 5:8)

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April 21, 2019

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We are continuing to explore the CHARACTER OF GOD (Christ). Under this theme we are spoke this past Sunday 4/21 about The Power of the Tongue to Activate and Deactivate the Holy Spirit in Our lives.

REMEMBER THAT YOU ALONE CONTROL THE POWER TO ACTIVATE OR DEACTIVATE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE WORLD AROUND YOU. LIFE AND DEATH IS IN THE POWER OF THE TOUNGUE. YOUR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS. THERE IS A DEGREE OF PRUDENCE AND WISDOM THAT IS PRESENT WHEN WE CONTROL THE THINGS WE SAY TO ONE ANOTHER. DO YOUR WORDS BRING GLORY TO GOD OR GLORY TO YOURSELF? DO YOUR WORDS SPIRITUALLY UPLIFT AND EMPOWER OR DO THEY INNTEROGATE AND JUDGE WITH MALICE? WE MUST CONFRONT THESE QUESTIONS WITH BOLDNESS AND HUMILITY TO REPENT AT THE SIGHT OF SIN AND UNBELIEF! THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE WORDS WE SAY TO OURSELVES ABOUT OUR OWN LIVES!!! FOR AS A MAN THINKETH SO IS HE!!!

 

Please review the following scripture. (John 1:1-18, 3:16, 11:25-26); (Colossians 4:5-6); (Ephesians 4:29-31); (Proverbs 15:4); (Matthew 15:11-20)