Scripture: Romans 1:24-32
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Observation:
· These verses are a pretty long list of things God tells us not to do—to stand against.
· Why do you think God is so specific about what we should or shouldn’t do?
o God wants us to have the best life possible and by living his way and obeying his commands we can have it! Not to be confused with a trouble-free life or an easy life, but simply the best way to live your life.
· What do you think is considered sexual impurity? How far is too far?
o What answer would you tell God if he asked you face-to-face?
· How do you feel about the statement: Homosexuality is evil and a sin against God, period.
o Do you agree or disagree?
o The scriptures tell us that homosexuality is a sin…no exceptions, but many Christians fail to stand up for God’s standards when they’re challenged by someone else!
o Important to understand that while homosexuality is a sin it is certainly no less or more dishonoring to God than the rest of the sins given.
Application:
· What behavior from this list do you struggle with the most? Why?
o We need to remember that just because something is easy to do or because something gives us pleasure, or even that it seems to be a struggle for many people doesn’t mean that it’s acceptable by God.
· What actions can you take to stand on God’s side? That means standing up for the things God stands up for and sitting for the things God sits for.
Prayer:
Admit to God any areas that you battle with. Let God work in you to cleanse you from your sin and to make you strong to stand up for what’s right. Anytime throughout your day that you begin to struggle with something you know you shouldn’t do, take a moment and say a silent prayer to God to help you live according to his standards.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Scripture: Romans 1:24-32
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Observation:
· These verses are a pretty long list of things God tells us not to do—to stand against.
· Why do you think God is so specific about what we should or shouldn’t do?
o God wants us to have the best life possible and by living his way and obeying his commands we can have it! Not to be confused with a trouble-free life or an easy life, but simply the best way to live your life.
· What do you think is considered sexual impurity? How far is too far?
o What answer would you tell God if he asked you face-to-face?
· How do you feel about the statement: Homosexuality is evil and a sin against God, period.
o Do you agree or disagree?
o The scriptures tell us that homosexuality is a sin…no exceptions, but many Christians fail to stand up for God’s standards when they’re challenged by someone else!
o Important to understand that while homosexuality is a sin it is certainly no less or more dishonoring to God than the rest of the sins given.
Application:
· What behavior from this list do you struggle with the most? Why?
o We need to remember that just because something is easy to do or because something gives us pleasure, or even that it seems to be a struggle for many people doesn’t mean that it’s acceptable by God.
· What actions can you take to stand on God’s side? That means standing up for the things God stands up for and sitting for the things God sits for.
Prayer:
Admit to God any areas that you battle with. Let God work in you to cleanse you from your sin and to make you strong to stand up for what’s right. Anytime throughout your day that you begin to struggle with something you know you shouldn’t do, take a moment and say a silent prayer to God to help you live according to his standards.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Observation:
· These verses are a pretty long list of things God tells us not to do—to stand against.
· Why do you think God is so specific about what we should or shouldn’t do?
o God wants us to have the best life possible and by living his way and obeying his commands we can have it! Not to be confused with a trouble-free life or an easy life, but simply the best way to live your life.
· What do you think is considered sexual impurity? How far is too far?
o What answer would you tell God if he asked you face-to-face?
· How do you feel about the statement: Homosexuality is evil and a sin against God, period.
o Do you agree or disagree?
o The scriptures tell us that homosexuality is a sin…no exceptions, but many Christians fail to stand up for God’s standards when they’re challenged by someone else!
o Important to understand that while homosexuality is a sin it is certainly no less or more dishonoring to God than the rest of the sins given.
Application:
· What behavior from this list do you struggle with the most? Why?
o We need to remember that just because something is easy to do or because something gives us pleasure, or even that it seems to be a struggle for many people doesn’t mean that it’s acceptable by God.
· What actions can you take to stand on God’s side? That means standing up for the things God stands up for and sitting for the things God sits for.
Prayer:
Admit to God any areas that you battle with. Let God work in you to cleanse you from your sin and to make you strong to stand up for what’s right. Anytime throughout your day that you begin to struggle with something you know you shouldn’t do, take a moment and say a silent prayer to God to help you live according to his standards.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-5
4 As you come to him, The living Stone—rejected by men but chose by God and precious to him—5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Observation:
· Who do you think is the living Stone in verse 4?
o Hint: J.C.
· What does verse 5 tell us we are supposed to be?
o What do you think it means to be a living stone? (Think about the stones from yesterday’s discussion)
Application:
· We are called to be living stones like Jesus was a living stone.
o How do your life and your actions compare to how Jesus lived?
o What things does Jesus stand for and what things do you stand for?
o What specific areas do you struggle with? Is there anything in your life that you know Jesus stands against?
o What can you do to work on those areas?
Prayer:Ask God to work in you to become a living stone standing for him. Confess to him any areas that don’t match up to his standards. Make sure to take time to listen for a response from God!
4 As you come to him, The living Stone—rejected by men but chose by God and precious to him—5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Observation:
· Who do you think is the living Stone in verse 4?
o Hint: J.C.
· What does verse 5 tell us we are supposed to be?
o What do you think it means to be a living stone? (Think about the stones from yesterday’s discussion)
Application:
· We are called to be living stones like Jesus was a living stone.
o How do your life and your actions compare to how Jesus lived?
o What things does Jesus stand for and what things do you stand for?
o What specific areas do you struggle with? Is there anything in your life that you know Jesus stands against?
o What can you do to work on those areas?
Prayer:Ask God to work in you to become a living stone standing for him. Confess to him any areas that don’t match up to his standards. Make sure to take time to listen for a response from God!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Scripture: Exodus 24:1-5
1 Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, 2 but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.” 3 When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” 4 Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the food of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord.
Observation:
· What was the Israelites’ response to what God spoke through Moses (v3)?
· Why did Moses put up the 12 stones pillars? What did they represent?
o It was a popular practice at this time to use stone pillars to mark a spot that something significant, spectacular, amazing, or important took place. The main reason for this was to cause people that would pass by that place to ask, “What happened here? Tell me the story.”
Application:
· How can you live your life in a way that makes people want to know ‘Your Story’?
· Take a moment and think back to when you began your journey with God. What is your story? What changes have occurred in the way you act, believe, talk, and love people?
o If there isn’t much of a change than perhaps its time to be a Standing Stone.
Prayer: Be honest with God about your struggles in being a standing stone in your life. Ask him to give you opportunities to be an example to others. Let him know how much you love him and how thankful you are that he saved you.
1 Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, 2 but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.” 3 When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” 4 Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the food of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord.
Observation:
· What was the Israelites’ response to what God spoke through Moses (v3)?
· Why did Moses put up the 12 stones pillars? What did they represent?
o It was a popular practice at this time to use stone pillars to mark a spot that something significant, spectacular, amazing, or important took place. The main reason for this was to cause people that would pass by that place to ask, “What happened here? Tell me the story.”
Application:
· How can you live your life in a way that makes people want to know ‘Your Story’?
· Take a moment and think back to when you began your journey with God. What is your story? What changes have occurred in the way you act, believe, talk, and love people?
o If there isn’t much of a change than perhaps its time to be a Standing Stone.
Prayer: Be honest with God about your struggles in being a standing stone in your life. Ask him to give you opportunities to be an example to others. Let him know how much you love him and how thankful you are that he saved you.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Scripture: Deuteronomy 5: 6-22
6 [And God spoke all these words:] “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 7 You shall have no other gods before me. 8 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 11 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 12 Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord you God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observed the Sabbath day. 16 Honor you father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 17 You shall not murder. 18 You shall not commit adultery. 19 You shall not steal. 20 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 21 You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
22 These are the commandments the Lord proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain [Mt. Sinai] from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.
Observation:
-What was so significant about the 10 Commandments in relation to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai?
The 10 Commandments gave the Israelites (and give us) direction…a blueprint from which to pattern their life.
The 10 Commandments aren’t meant to make our lives boring, they’re not just another set of rules…God gave us the 10 Commandments to make our lives better!
-Consider the 10 Commandments as a treasure map! They are designed to lead us straight into the will of God. How awesome is that!!
But not only do we have the 10 Commandments…we have the entire Bible! 66 books worth of treasure straight from God!
Application:
-How do you view the 10 Commandments? Do you think of them as more rules or as a treasure map to a better way of living?
-Do you make full use the Bible and all it has to offer? What areas can you improve in (daily devotions, prayer, etc.)?
God gave us the Bible for a reason. Make sure you’re spending time reading your Bible and praying to God every day.
Prayer:
The Bible isn’t the only way God reveals himself to us—he also does it through prayer. Just as we use prayer to talk to God, he uses it to talk to us. Are you taking the time to listen? As you talk to God today, be still and give him time to talk back!
6 [And God spoke all these words:] “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 7 You shall have no other gods before me. 8 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 11 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 12 Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord you God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observed the Sabbath day. 16 Honor you father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 17 You shall not murder. 18 You shall not commit adultery. 19 You shall not steal. 20 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 21 You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
22 These are the commandments the Lord proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain [Mt. Sinai] from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.
Observation:
-What was so significant about the 10 Commandments in relation to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai?
The 10 Commandments gave the Israelites (and give us) direction…a blueprint from which to pattern their life.
The 10 Commandments aren’t meant to make our lives boring, they’re not just another set of rules…God gave us the 10 Commandments to make our lives better!
-Consider the 10 Commandments as a treasure map! They are designed to lead us straight into the will of God. How awesome is that!!
But not only do we have the 10 Commandments…we have the entire Bible! 66 books worth of treasure straight from God!
Application:
-How do you view the 10 Commandments? Do you think of them as more rules or as a treasure map to a better way of living?
-Do you make full use the Bible and all it has to offer? What areas can you improve in (daily devotions, prayer, etc.)?
God gave us the Bible for a reason. Make sure you’re spending time reading your Bible and praying to God every day.
Prayer:
The Bible isn’t the only way God reveals himself to us—he also does it through prayer. Just as we use prayer to talk to God, he uses it to talk to us. Are you taking the time to listen? As you talk to God today, be still and give him time to talk back!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Scripture: Exodus 16:2-3, 6-7, 102 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out in to this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard our grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” 10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. (NIV)
Observation:
-Not long after the Israelites were delivered from their slavery in Egypt they were having some issues.
What was their attitude toward their deliverance (which should have been a joyous occasion!)?
Why do you think the Israelites grumbled and doubted God when he had just saved them from Egypt?
-The Israelites had a tough time dealing with their new circumstances; they felt that God had abandoned them to die in the desert.
Even though they had seen God (as the fire and as the cloud) and even though God had been faithful to them, they weren’t accepting God’s target (the Promise Land) as their own…they had lost sight of the goal!
Application:
Have you ever felt that God has abandoned you? What were the circumstances?
How did God show himself to you to let you know that he was still with you?
Do you know what God’s target for your life is? If you don’t, that’s okay! Just trust God that he has one, and be prepared to follow him wherever he wants to lead you.
Prayer:
If your life isn’t going the way you want it to, don’t just sit back and complain about it…if you’re having trouble believing God’s plan for you, tell him! God cares about what’s bothering you and he wants to know your concerns. Ask God to make his target your target, his goal your goal. Take a few moments and raise God for all the good things he’s given you.
Observation:
-Not long after the Israelites were delivered from their slavery in Egypt they were having some issues.
What was their attitude toward their deliverance (which should have been a joyous occasion!)?
Why do you think the Israelites grumbled and doubted God when he had just saved them from Egypt?
-The Israelites had a tough time dealing with their new circumstances; they felt that God had abandoned them to die in the desert.
Even though they had seen God (as the fire and as the cloud) and even though God had been faithful to them, they weren’t accepting God’s target (the Promise Land) as their own…they had lost sight of the goal!
Application:
Have you ever felt that God has abandoned you? What were the circumstances?
How did God show himself to you to let you know that he was still with you?
Do you know what God’s target for your life is? If you don’t, that’s okay! Just trust God that he has one, and be prepared to follow him wherever he wants to lead you.
Prayer:
If your life isn’t going the way you want it to, don’t just sit back and complain about it…if you’re having trouble believing God’s plan for you, tell him! God cares about what’s bothering you and he wants to know your concerns. Ask God to make his target your target, his goal your goal. Take a few moments and raise God for all the good things he’s given you.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Scripture:
Num 13:16-33
16 These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.)
17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, "Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. 19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land." (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan."
30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
NIV
Observation:
*Moses asked the spies to explore the land and bring back answers to some questions. What answers did the find to the following questions?
--What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not?
*Bible tells us that Moses listened to the ten spies that were scared little chickens and decided not to enter the promise land.
*Caleb had some backbone and boldness (That’s why my youngest boy’s name is Caleb) to be able to see the giants and still want to take the land.
--Why do you think Caleb was so confident in battling the giants for the promise land?
---Perhaps Caleb realized that God is bigger than any giants that could cross their path.
Application:
*What are some giants, or struggles in your life?
*What areas do you have difficulty trusting God with?
*Don’t be afraid to stand up to your giants—God will be fighting on your side! Besides, what you’ll gain (living out God’s plan for your life) is worth more than you could ever lose!
Prayer: Talk to God about your giants, let him know what’s holding you back. He wants to hear from you! Ask God for the courage to conquer your giants and move into the Promise Land (trust me, it’ll be worth it!). Be sure to thank him for the good land that he is offering you!
Num 13:16-33
16 These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.)
17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, "Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. 19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land." (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan."
30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
NIV
Observation:
*Moses asked the spies to explore the land and bring back answers to some questions. What answers did the find to the following questions?
--What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not?
*Bible tells us that Moses listened to the ten spies that were scared little chickens and decided not to enter the promise land.
*Caleb had some backbone and boldness (That’s why my youngest boy’s name is Caleb) to be able to see the giants and still want to take the land.
--Why do you think Caleb was so confident in battling the giants for the promise land?
---Perhaps Caleb realized that God is bigger than any giants that could cross their path.
Application:
*What are some giants, or struggles in your life?
*What areas do you have difficulty trusting God with?
*Don’t be afraid to stand up to your giants—God will be fighting on your side! Besides, what you’ll gain (living out God’s plan for your life) is worth more than you could ever lose!
Prayer: Talk to God about your giants, let him know what’s holding you back. He wants to hear from you! Ask God for the courage to conquer your giants and move into the Promise Land (trust me, it’ll be worth it!). Be sure to thank him for the good land that he is offering you!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Scripture: Exodus 3:8 “So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”
Observation:
For what purpose did God save the Israelites from their slavery and bondage to Egypt?
God didn’t just deliver the Israelites out of Egypt to end their slavery; he had a bigger plan for their lives.
God wanted the Israelites to begin an adventure with him, to leave their old life behind and journey into a greater life.
How did the Israelites view ‘milk’ and ‘honey’?
Milk- Stood for strength, boldness, and life giver.
Honey- Something rare, valuable, precious, treasure.
Application:
What do you think God’s plan for your life is? What does your Promise Land look like?
God has an adventure planned for you, but it’s going to be a rough ride if you try to drag along a lot of extra baggage. Maybe you struggle with having a bad attitude with your teachers or your parents. Or maybe you’re not nice to the kids in your class who you don’t like. What are some areas of your life that God is calling you to leave behind so you can journey forward with him?
What would you do differently tomorrow to take steps toward the Promise Land (place where you are fully trusting God and seeking his plan and not your own)?
Prayer:
Take a few moments to thank God for his plan for your life (even if you don’t know what it is!).
Ask him for the courage to give up anything that is holding you back from accepting his quest into a greater life.
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