As we understand what it really means to be the body of Christ, how well do you feel that you know your part within this body? Do you feel the real benefits of having the other parts around you. Do you feel that others are benefiting from the talents and purposes that God made you to do?
Prayer: Ask God to help make you aware of the distance and the functional relationship between those around you.
(Convergence has access to some good assessment tools for anyone that would like to get some insight into how they may be gifted in certain kinds of ministry. Ask any staff members and we will get you started.)
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Gratitude: Tuesday November 17
Keeping in mind our ideas from yesterday about our unity with God and each other, think about the honor bestowed on us when God actually calls us part of His body. He could have just called us friends or children only. Dwell intently on the depths of what it means to have such an intimate and personal definition of our place as defined by God himself.
Prayer: Ask God to help us understand our true place in his will, his family and his kingdom.
Prayer: Ask God to help us understand our true place in his will, his family and his kingdom.
Gratitude: Monday November 16
Yesterday in Ephesians 4 we read:
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
What is the reason for Paul's repeated use of the word "one" when describing both the body of the church and God himself?
Prayer: Pray that God will help you understand the depth of unity he wants us to have with Him and with our fellow believers.
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
What is the reason for Paul's repeated use of the word "one" when describing both the body of the church and God himself?
Prayer: Pray that God will help you understand the depth of unity he wants us to have with Him and with our fellow believers.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Gratitude: Saturday November 14
Today, use your list from yesterday and try exercising these ideas throughout the day.
Prayer: Pray for God's revelation as you as you try these ideas through the day.
Prayer: Pray for God's revelation as you as you try these ideas through the day.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Notes from Sunday
Col 3:12-17
This month we are exploring gratitude. It seems like a natural fit because Thanksgiving is this month and we know we should at some point think about the things we are thankful for. But, we are really looking at much more than that. We are talking about an attitude. A way of being. A way of looking at the world, ordering our lives as centered in Christ. Ordering the way we see (value) ourselves and others – in Christ.
During Bible study for this series Jay and I noticed that the word “one” and “unity” occur over and over again. In the passages we are using this month, the same encouragement, admonishment, definition of a life lived in Christ is one of unity under the One God and a sense of identity that is rooted completely in Christ. A life lived in worship. And this leads to a life of gratitude. A state of joy. God’s desire for us is not merely popularity or moments of happiness, but a deep and abiding joy.
But, usually we settle for being thankful because there is stuff in the way of our gratitude. Stuff that builds up over time and comes on suddenly. Frequently it rears its ugly head at the oddest moments, like in traffic or when we drop a glass and it shatters just as we are headed out the door, late to a meeting. Or, when someone says just the wrong thing at just the wrong moment and we let loose with a force. Or maybe, for some of us, it doesn’t come out in a roar. Maybe for us the world just gets a little more chilly. We clam up. We stop talking, we won’t help her out again!
So what is that about? What is all the stuff that is building up that comes out as noxious steam?
These are gauges telling us that our tank is empty and we are not very grateful at all. So, we are going slowly this month starting at the roots. Developing an awareness of where gratitude comes from, what gets in its way of being foundational in our lives, what God has to say about it, and finally, how do we find our way to this state of being? This state of joy? This state of being grounded in Christ and… grateful.
This month we are exploring gratitude. It seems like a natural fit because Thanksgiving is this month and we know we should at some point think about the things we are thankful for. But, we are really looking at much more than that. We are talking about an attitude. A way of being. A way of looking at the world, ordering our lives as centered in Christ. Ordering the way we see (value) ourselves and others – in Christ.
During Bible study for this series Jay and I noticed that the word “one” and “unity” occur over and over again. In the passages we are using this month, the same encouragement, admonishment, definition of a life lived in Christ is one of unity under the One God and a sense of identity that is rooted completely in Christ. A life lived in worship. And this leads to a life of gratitude. A state of joy. God’s desire for us is not merely popularity or moments of happiness, but a deep and abiding joy.
But, usually we settle for being thankful because there is stuff in the way of our gratitude. Stuff that builds up over time and comes on suddenly. Frequently it rears its ugly head at the oddest moments, like in traffic or when we drop a glass and it shatters just as we are headed out the door, late to a meeting. Or, when someone says just the wrong thing at just the wrong moment and we let loose with a force. Or maybe, for some of us, it doesn’t come out in a roar. Maybe for us the world just gets a little more chilly. We clam up. We stop talking, we won’t help her out again!
So what is that about? What is all the stuff that is building up that comes out as noxious steam?
These are gauges telling us that our tank is empty and we are not very grateful at all. So, we are going slowly this month starting at the roots. Developing an awareness of where gratitude comes from, what gets in its way of being foundational in our lives, what God has to say about it, and finally, how do we find our way to this state of being? This state of joy? This state of being grounded in Christ and… grateful.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Gratitude - Monday November 2
Luke 19: 1-10
As we try to relate to Zacchaeus we want to focus on how it feels to lack value in the face of ourselves and others.
Today think about major times in your life when you felt hurt. Were there times when you were incredibly embarrassed or maybe a time when you were deeply angered at someone? Has someone made you feel less than human or completely incapable of something you should have been able to do?
Has anything ever happened to you in the church to create these feelings?
As you reflect on these things, also think about the small things that happen throughout the day that create similar negative reactions.
Prayer: Confess your honest feelings about these painful things to God.
As we try to relate to Zacchaeus we want to focus on how it feels to lack value in the face of ourselves and others.
Today think about major times in your life when you felt hurt. Were there times when you were incredibly embarrassed or maybe a time when you were deeply angered at someone? Has someone made you feel less than human or completely incapable of something you should have been able to do?
Has anything ever happened to you in the church to create these feelings?
As you reflect on these things, also think about the small things that happen throughout the day that create similar negative reactions.
Prayer: Confess your honest feelings about these painful things to God.
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