Day 11 27/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

HOW TO CONNECT WITH GOD

Rick and Kay Warren

 

 

“If you stay joined to Me and My words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!”  John 15:7 (NLT)

  

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are

prayer- ignorant.  They’re full of formulas and programs

and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want

from God.  Don’t fall for that nonsense.”  Matt 6:7-8a (Mes)

 

 

HOW TO REALLY CONNECT WITH GOD

 

 

1. BE STILL

 

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  Ps. 46:10 (NIV)

 

“I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother.” 

Ps. 131:2 (NLT)

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. (Luke 5:16 NKJV)

1) Love of nature (e.g. beach, ocean) 

2) Art, music (museum)

God made a way that our emotion need to be still.

2.  BE SINCERE (be real how you feel)

 

“If you look for Me in earnest, you will find Me when you seek Me.”  Jer. 29:13 (NLT)

 

When you come before God, don’t turn it into a theatrical production.  All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom!  Do you think God sits in a box seat?  ‘Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage.  The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”  

      Matt 6:5-6 (Mes)

Some people may think that to use the prayer

1) Try to impress others 

2) Try to impress God with our prayer.

 

3.  BE SIMPLE

 

“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as (unbelievers) do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”  Matt. 6:7 (NASB)

 

“Don’t recite the same prayer over and over...” Matt. 6:7 (LB)

 

“With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are.

Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

You’re in charge!”’ Matt 6:9-13 (Mes)

REMIND YOURSELF , God IS INCHARGE.

  

4.  BELIEVE GOD WILL ANSWER.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find graceto help us in our time of need.”      Heb. 4:15-16 (NIV)

We have an access through the name of Jesus. 

“You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father.” John 14:13 (NLT)

 

“Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is real and that He rewards those who truly want to find Him.” Heb. 11:6 (NCV)

Day 10 26/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

SAYING “YES!”  TO GOD

Rick & Kay Warren

     

 

“They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different!”

Mark 6:12 (Msg)

 

 

1.   WHAT CHANGES WHEN I SAY “YES!”  TO GOD?

 

·         MY DAY BECOMES AN ADVENTURE.

 

       “God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of His Son and our master Jesus.”  1 Cor. 1:9 (Msg)

       “By an act of faith, Abraham said YES to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home.  When he left he had no idea where he was going!” 

       Heb.11:8 (Msg)

 

 

·         MY LIFE BECOMES A MIRACLE.

 

      “By His mighty power at work within us, God is able to accomplish infinitely morethan we would ever dare to ask or hope.”  Eph. 3:20 (NLT)

 

      “Jesus asked, ‘Do you believe I can make you see?’ ‘YES, LORD!’ they told Him.  ‘We do!’ Then He touched their eyes and said, ‘Because of your faith, it will happen.’ And suddenly they could see!”  Matt. 9:28-30 (NLT)

 

 

·         MY HEART BECOMES AT PEACE.

 

      “I've told you all this so that in trusting Me, you will be unshakable and assured,deeply at peace.”  John 16:33 (Msg)

    

 

2.   WHAT KEEPS ME FROM SAYING “YES!”  TO GOD?

     ·         My fear

       You are afraid to totally trust God. 

       ~ Ignorance 

       You don't know God.

       ~ Adulatory 

       Make anything more importance than God. Idolize other thing....

       ~ Insecurity 

       You wish to control thing as you feel insecurity. 

Antidote: 

1) Knowing God. 

      “The Lord is good to everyone, and His compassion is intertwined with everything He does.”             Psalm 145:9 (LB)

2) Learn to trust God. 

 

      “For I know the plans I have for you.  They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jer. 29:11 (LB)

 

·         My sinfulness

Sin is an "I" problem. I want to be in charge, I want to be God....

Always we will say "yes" Lord.... BUT... I gonna settle my own thing FIRST..

 

      “Another said, ‘Yes, Lord, I will follow You, but let me first say good-bye to my family.’ Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:61-62 (NLT)

            IF yes Lord, mean is God first. You cannot say is me first.     

 

3.   HOW DO I SAY “YES!”  TO GOD? 

      SURRENDER

      Not giving up, but is giving in. 

“Don’t surrender any part of yourselves to sin to be used for wicked purposes.  Instead, give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes.”  Rom. 6:13 (TEV)

 

      “Joshua said to the people, ‘You are your own witnesses to the fact that you have chosen to serve the Lord.’ ‘YES!’ they said.  ‘Then get rid of those foreign gods that you have,’ he demanded, ‘and pledge your love to the Lord.’”    Joshua 24:22-23 (TEV)

 

4.   WHERE DO I NEED TO SAY “YES!”  TO GOD?   

     

      “So Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go lie down again, and if someone calls to you again, say,'YES, LORD, your servant is listening!’”  1 Sam.  3:9 (NLT)

 

      “Find out for yourself how good the Lord is.”  Psalm 34:8 (TEV)

 

 

          NEXT WEEK: “PUSHING BACK THE DARKNESS”

Day 9 25/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

WHAT MAKES GOD SMILE?

Rick Warren

 

 

      “You (God) created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created!"        Rev. 4:11b (NLT)

     

      “The Lord takes pleasure in His people.”  Ps 149:4 (GN)

 

        WORSHIP: Living a life bring pleasing to God.

        Worship is not benefit for you. 

        

        How do we bring God smile?

 

      “Because of God's great mercy...  Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him.  This is the true worship that you should offer.” 

      Rom. 12:1 (GN)

 

      “Noah was a pleasure to the Lord.”  Gen. 6:8 (LB)

  

WE GIVE GOD PLEASURE...

1.   WHEN WE LOVE HIM ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.

      "I don't want your sacrifices-- I want your love!  I don't want your offerings--I want you to know me!”  Hosea 6:6 (LB)

 God want a relationship with you. 

      “Noah consistently followed God's will and enjoyed a close relationship with him.” 

      Gen. 6:9b (NLT)

 

      “God’s unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  And this gave him great pleasure” Eph. 1:5 (NLT)

     

     

2.  WHEN WE TRUST HIM COMPLETELY. 

       That's called FAITH

      “The Lord takes pleasure in those who honor him and trust in his constant love.”  

      Ps. 147:11 (GN)

 

      “By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land.  He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told...  His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world.  As a result, Noah became intimate with God.”  Heb. 11:7 (Mes)

 

      God: “I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you and you can give me glory.”       Ps. 50:14 (LB)

     Don't limit God. Trust God completely. It brings him pleasure and a smile of God.

 

3.  WHEN WE OBEY HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY. 

      “We please God by what we do and not only by what we believe.”     

       James 2:24 (CEV)

Obedience bring pleasure to God. 

      

      “Noah obeyed and built a boat...”     Heb. 11:b (CEV)

     

      “Noah did everything exactly as God commanded him.”  Gen. 6:22 (NLT)

 

      “Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord.  As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey.”     Ps. 119:33 (LB)

Do it instantly, not delay. Partial obedience - disobedience. 

Serve the Lord joyfully. 

     

      “Those who live by their natural inclinations can never be pleasing to God.”

      Rom. 8:8 (NJB)

4.  WHEN WE FULFILL HIS PURPOSES.

      “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth!”  Gen. 9:1 (KJV)

      “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.  He delights in every detail of their lives.”         Ps. 37:23 (NLT)

Use you ability to serve. Offer yourself.

 

      “God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship -a different kind of  "sacrifice"—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.”    Heb. 13:16b (Mes)

 

Yielding and surrender... To God. 

      “This is the crisis we're in: God’s light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness...because they were not really interested in pleasingGod.” 

      John 3:19 (Mes)

 

      “The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who arewise, who want to please God.”  Ps. 14:2 (LB)

 

      “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God.” 

      2 Peter 1:3 (Mes)

God will provide the power to please him. Jesus is the one, he will provide you the power to please God. 

 

Day 8 24/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

PLANNED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE

Rick Warren

 

 

"You (God) created everything, and it is for Your pleasure that they exist and were created.”       Rev. 4:11b (NLT)

 

“Love the Lord your God...  This is the first and greatest commandment.”  

Matt. 22:37-38 (NIV)

 

 

      MY 1^ST PURPOSE IS TO WORSHIP GOD.

 

 

“Because of God’s great mercy to us...  Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him.  This is the true worship that you shouldoffer.”  Rom. 12:1 (TEV)

 

1. WORSHIP is my respond to God’s love.

 

2. WORSHIP is giving back to God.

 

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”  Mark 12: 30 (NCV)

 

 

GOD WANTS ME TO LOVE HIM...

 

         Thoughtfully  “with my mind”

 

         Passionally  “with my heart and soul”

 

         Practically   “with my strength.

 

1.   WORSHIP IS FOCUSING MY ATTENTION ON GOD.

      “You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and You know all about me.  

        You know when I am resting or when I am working...       

       You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.”  Ps. 139:1-3 (CEV)

 

       “Focusing on yourself is the opposite of focusing on God.  Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, and ends up thinking more about self than God.”  

       Rom. 8:7 (Msg)

 

“Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.  Instead, fix your attention on God.”         Rom. 12:2a (Msg)

 

“Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God.  Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage.  The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.” Matt 6:6 (Msg)

 

“Worship Him continually.”  Ps. 105:4 (TEV)

 

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You!”       Isa. 26:3 (NLT)

 

                                               

2.   WORSHIP IS EXPRESSING MY AFFECTION TO GOD.

“We love Him, because He first loved us.”  1 John 4:19 (KJV)

 

      “I don't want your sacrifices – I want your love!  I don't want your offerings – I want you to know Me!”  Hosea 6:6 (LB)

 

“He is a God who is passionate about His relationship with you.”  Ex. 34:14b (NLT)

 

      “Give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life.”  Rom. 6:13 (NLT)

        Fear is the thing that hold us back when we wish to give ourselves completely to God. 

 

3.   WORSHIP IS USING MY ABILITY FOR GOD.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.”  Col. 3:23 (TEV)

     

      “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”   Rom. 12:1a (Msg)

 

      “So we make it our goal to please Him...” 2 Cor. 5:9 (NIV)

 

Day 7 23/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

EMBRACING THE VISION: THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

Rick Warren

“It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for… part of theoverall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.”  Eph.  1:11 (Mes)

      “Everything, absolutely everything...  got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” 

       Col. 1:16 (Mes)

     

1.  GOD PLANNED ME FOR HIS PLEASURE. 

“You God created everything, and it is for Your pleasure that they exist and were created!”  Rev. 4:11b (NLT)

      “The Lord takes pleasure in His people.”  Psalm 149:4 (GN)

“Long before He laid down earth's foundations, God had us in mind, and settled on us as the focus of His love.” Eph.  1:4 (Mes)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.”  Matt.  22:37-38 (NIV)

“I don't want your sacrifices – I want your love!  I don't want your offerings – I want you to know Me!”  Hosea 6:6 (LB)

               THE 1^st PURPOSE OF LIFE IS: TO KNOW AND LOVE GOD.

      “Some people have missed the most important thing in life – they don't know God.”

      1 Tim.  6:21 (LB)

      “People who don't know God are always worrying.”    Matt.  6:32a (CEV)

     

2.  GOD FORMED ME FOR HIS FAMILY.

      “God’s unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing   us to Himself through Jesus Christ.  And this gave Him great pleasure.”  Eph. 1:5 (NLT)

“God has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are now members of God's own family.”   1 Pet.  1:3 (LB)

      “That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth.”

      1 Tim.  3:15 (NCV)

      “Love your spiritual family.”  1 Peter 2:17 (Mes)

               THE 2^nd PURPOSE OF LIFE IS: LEARN TO LOVE OTHERS.

                     

      “We belong to each other and each of us needs all the others.”  Rom.  12:5 (NLT)

       We learn to love people, not only love the ideal people. 

     

3.  GOD CREATED ME TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST.

      “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him--and all along He knew who would--should become like His Son.” Rom.  8:29 (LB)

      “We look at the Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created.”    Col 1:15 (Mes)

     

      “In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.”  Phil.  2:5 (NCV)

      “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him.”

      2 Cor.  3:18b (NLT)

            THE 3^rd PURPOSE OF LIFE IS: TO GROW UP SPIRITUALLY. 

     

      “Some people have such shallow soil of character that when their emotions wear off and difficulty arrives, there’s nothing to show for it.”  Mark 4:17 (Mes)

     

4.  GOD “SHAPED” ME TO SERVE HIM.

      “You shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb.” 

      Ps.  139:13 (Mes)

     

                      Spiritual Gifts

                      Heart

                      Abilities

                      Personality

                      Experiences

“God made us what we are.  In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which Heplanned in advance for us to live our lives doing.”  Eph.  2:10 (NCV)

     

      “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each

      other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings.”  1 Peter 4:10 (LB)

       THE 4^th PURPOSE OF LIFE IS: SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS.

     

5.  GOD MADE ME FOR A MISSION.

Jesus: “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.”  John 17:18 (Mes)

      “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”  Pr. 29:18 (KJV)

      “Those who embrace My ways are most blessed.”  Pr. 8:32 (Mes)

“Jesus included everyone in His death so everyone could be included in His life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.”      2 Cor.  5:15 (Mes)

      “Open your eyes and see how good God is!  Blessed are you who run to Him.” 

      Ps.  34:8 (Mes)

 Jesus: “Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to Me for real rest…and you’ll recover your life…and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matt.  11:28-30 (Mes)

“It makes no difference who you are or where you're from—if you want God and are ready to do as He says, the door is open.”  Acts 10:35 (Mes)

     

A PRAYER OF PURPOSE

Dear God, thank You for creating me and loving me.  I want to fulfill the purposes that You created me for.  So starting today, I really want to get to know and love and trust You.  I want my life to bring You pleasure and I want to become a part of Your family.  Help me to grow more like Your Son Jesus, and to use my life to follow and serve you.  Thank You for sending Jesus to die for me.  In the weeks ahead, help me to understand Your vision and mission for the rest of my life.