mpt book v1 - Chris Conlee...The more you see His holiness, the more you see your lack of holiness. The more you see His purity, the more you see your impurities. The more you see

myPRIORITY TIMEaddictedto God’sWord

myprioritytime .com

table of conten

tsPart One // My Addiction

Chapter 1 // Addicted to the WorldChapter 2 // Addicted to the Word

Part Two // My Recovery

Chapter 3 // A New PriorityChapter 4 // A New PleasureChapter 5 // A New Purpose

Part Three // Steps to Addiction

Chapter 6 // Focused Thinking: Addicted to TruthChapter 7 // Personal Application: Addicted to ObedienceChapter 8 // Interactive Prayer: Addicted to IntimacyChapter 9 // Life Journaling: Addicted to Change

Part Four // Start Your Addiction

IntroEphesians 1Ephesians 2Ephesians 3Ephesians 4Ephesians 5Ephesians 6

FAQ’s

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part 1my addiction

chapter 1// addicted to the world My name is Chris Conlee, and I am a follower of Jesus Christ who struggles with the fl esh. For the fi rst 26 years of my life, I was addicted to the lusts of the fl esh, the lusts of the eyes and the boastful pride of life. I was compulsively devoted to loving me, loving money and loving pleasure. All of us are addicted to our sins of choice, but few of us are willing to admit it. The fi rst step to overcoming an addiction is to come out of denial and admit the problem. Step 1 of Celebrate Recovery reads, “We admitted we are powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.”1

This is my story of old addictions and new addictions. It is my story of trying to take off the old and put on the new. It is the private battle of Romans 7:14-25 that none of us wants to admit publicly. Can you identify with Romans 7:19, “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want”?

I’d grown skeptical and cynical of recovery programs, churches, conferences and counseling that promised life change. I learned the hard way that self-help doesn’t work. I was not good at helping me help me. I was tired of trying and failing. I was tired of hitting the bottom only to fi nd out there is another bottom. If I’ve learned anything about my addiction to the fl esh, it’s that I can’t overcome my addiction through more education, discipline or motivation.

How did I overcome my addiction to sin? How can you overcome your addiction to sin? The only way to overcome an addiction is to replace it with one that is greater. I must replace my addiction to the world with an addiction to the Word. I must replace my addiction to sin with an addiction to God. My story of recovery isn’t the story of recovery. It is the story of a greater addiction.

Are you struggling with the “addicted” terminology? Some of you are thinking, “’Addicted’ is such a strong word. I make mistakes and bad choices occasionally, but I’m not addicted to sin. I know I’m not perfect, but I believe I’m a good person.” I’m not saying you are a bad person if you are addicted to sin. I’m saying you are a normal person who needs to normalize the problem of sin in order to overcome your sin.

You must see your sin from God’s perspective before you understand the true danger of it. Denial never leads to recovery. The more you deny your sin, the more you live in your sin, but the more you confess your sin, the more you overcome your sin. Apart from the Word of God, I didn’t improve with time. I didn’t outgrow my problems. Sin doesn’t naturally become less tempting. Ignoring sin always leads to more sin in my life. Whatever goes unmanaged in my life becomes unmanageable.

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Are you justifying your goodness or are you desperate to overcome your addiction to sin? Are you afraid of your sins or do you think you can manage your sins? Let me share with you a common denominator among godly men and women: the closer they get to God, the more they confess their sinfulness.

Why is that? The more you see His holiness, the more you see your lack of holiness. The more you see His purity, the more you see your impurities. The more you see that He is the “Great I AM,” the more you realize that you are the “Great I Am Not.” Holiness isn’t determined by the absence of sin; holiness is determined by your response to sin.

The longer I live life and the longer I pastor, the more the urgency of this book burns within me because I’m tired of watching Christians live defeated lives. It frustrates me to watch believers be controlled by lesser addictions. What if there was a greater desire than our selfi sh desires? What if there was a greater love than our love of self, money and pleasure? What if there was a new addiction – a greater addiction?

I can guarantee results from this book because what I’m about to teach you changes my life daily and has changed the lives of men and women throughout history. The words and ideas that fi ll the following pages are not untested, abstract concepts to me; they are the story of a greater addiction. Before I go any further, let me begin by telling you my story.

I grew up in a typical middle-class, hard-working, well-intentioned, imperfect family. We were “Christians,” the Christmas and Easter kind. We were church members and we were baptized, but we weren’t different than non-Christians. We knew we should be holy (radically different, unique and set apart). We were convicted that we should be different. We even wanted to be different, but we weren’t different. We wanted to change, but we couldn’t change. We knew we should die to the fl esh, but we were still addicted to the fl esh.

Occasionally, we would get motivated to change and would go to church for several weeks in a row. Attendance would eventually wane, and we would turn back to living the lie of sin management, the lie that says you can control sin. The truth is sin controls you. If no one sees you sin, you think you have gotten away with it. If you don’t suffer consequences immediately, you think you’ve safely managed your sin. We weren’t good at sin management or attendance, so we gave up on both and went back to playing golf on Sundays. I wasn’t a good Christian, but I was becoming a great golfer.

When I was fi fteen, I went to a youth camp in Destin, Florida, and trusted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Salvation was defi nitely the fi rst step to change, but my addiction to God was inconsistent and my addiction to sin was consistent. I was forgiven immediately for my sin, but I wasn’t immediately freed from it. I thought everything would change instantly, almost magically. I hadn’t learned the principle of sowing and reaping yet. I didn’t know how to grow in Christ or walk in Christ. I wasn’t even good at attending church, but that was the only thing I knew for certain I was supposed to do.

That fall, I went to a private Christian school. My attendance patterns defi nitely improved between school-required chapel and girlfriend-inspired church attendance. What was the end result of my improved attendance? Was I growing in faith, hope and love? Was I changing? I didn’t cuss as much. I didn’t drink as much. I tried not to cross the purity line in dating. Have you ever asked the question, “How close to sin can I get without sinning?” Looking back, I see that was the deception and manipulation of the Liar. The goal of the hormone driven teenager is to fi gure out how to sin without technically sinning.

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part one

my addiction

During high school and the fi rst three years of college, I defi ned success as a Christian by the things I said “no” to instead of the things I said “yes” to. I didn’t have a vision for who God wanted me to be; I just knew who I wasn’t supposed to be.

I defi ned life change by the word “don’t” instead of the word “do.” My understanding of Christianity was, “Don’t think that, say that and defi nitely don’t do that.” You will never overcome an addiction by saying, “Don’t.” I knew I wasn’t supposed to be addicted to sex, drugs and rock and roll, but I had no idea what I was supposed to be addicted to as a man of God.

The fi rst time I walked into my dorm room, four or fi ve guys looked at me and said, “Hey, rookie, go get us some more beer.” Church attendance never prepared me for this moment. I was saved, baptized and a church member, but I wasn’t prepared for real life. I knew right from wrong, but my desire to be liked was stronger than my desire to do right. I spent the next three years addicted to the world instead of addicted to the Word.

chapter 2// addicted to the wordDuring my junior year at the University of Memphis, I walked into a Fellowship of Christian Athletes(FCA) meeting for the fi rst time and somehow walked out as the Vice President. I guess the qualifi cations were private Christian high school and Christmas/Easter church attendance. I know that it seems crazy, comical and clueless, but God unconventionally used that experience in my life. That night began my search for something more, a new addiction, a pure addiction, a stronger addiction. I knew I didn’t want to be a hypocrite, but I didn’t know what I wanted to be. I didn’t know what a godly man looked like or did. All I knew was that a godly man was supposed to go to church, be a good family man and be successful in his career.

At this point I had been a Christian for six years, but I had never read my Bible. I had heard the Bible taught, but I had never read one book of the Bible from beginning to end. My freshman year in high school, I made a 46 in my fi rst Bible class. I regret saying this, but I learned how to cheat my way through Bible classes. I had attended church, chapel and Bible classes, but I had never picked up the Bible and read the Sermon on the Mount, much less the gospel of Matthew. What changed when I became Vice President of FCA? I picked up a workbook called Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God. God used this study to get me into Scripture for the fi rst time in my life. I did the study three times that year. Strangely, it was almost like an addiction.

I went from Christmas and Easter attendance to spending fi ve days a week with God in His Word. God used this study to give me a vision for life that was bigger than the word “don’t.” I fi nally had a vision that was bigger than church attendance, bigger than being a family man and bigger than a successful career. I had a vision for “knowing and doing the will of God.” I was beginning to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8). I was experimenting with a new addiction, a pure addiction.

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I had developed a vision to know Christ and to make Him known. I didn’t own the vision; it owned me. I still don’t fully understand it all, but I met “The Great I AM” (Ex 3:14). I asked to see the glory of God, and He entered my dorm room and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness and truth” (Ex 34:6). Every lesser desire and dream died that semester. I died to the dream of playing professional golf and pursued the vision of loving God, loving people and making disciples.

I had experienced my fi rst season of sustained life change through Experiencing God and my time in the Bible. This season of life-change lasted two years, and immediately after graduation it unpredictably sent me to seminary where I anticipated it being an incredible time of spiritual growth. I was attending Bible classes four days a week, chapel four days a week and church multiple times a week. I was reading books about God, books about the Bible and even memorizing Scripture, but something was missing. I fi nished my fi rst year of seminary, but my spiritual growth didn’t match the growth I had when I was studying Experiencing God.

What was missing? I was attending everything and reading everything, but I was failing to overcome my addiction to sin again. I asked my friends about their walks and learned that they were struggling as well. How could this be? I wasn’t growing spiritually; I was just becoming more educated. The summer after my fi rst year of seminary, I met a man named Clyde Cranford, and everything changed.

Clyde mentored me and taught me how to read the Bible in such a way that I would know the God of the Bible, not just the Bible. This was radically different from my previous experiences. This was a new addiction. An addiction to the Word always overcomes an addiction to the world.

When Clyde read the Bible, he knew the Author of the Bible. When he read the Bible, he wasn’t reading black ink on white pages. He was sitting across from God, having a conversation with Him. He was in the very presence of God, hearing the Word of God spoken directly to him through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. When Clyde read Scripture, I fell in love with his God. I couldn’t get enough.

Clyde taught me to read Scripture as a character in the story. He taught me how to hear the voice of God specifi cally and directly, how to “be still and know that He is God” (Ps 46:10). He taught me how to be like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus and gazing at His face. I learned that prayer wasn’t talking as much as it was listening. He taught me to listen and to obey. He gave me a taste of the Word of God, and my appetitewas increasing.

I remember waking up one morning when Mark, my son, was about eighteen months old. I heard him in his crib saying, “Da, Da.” When I opened the door, he stretched his arms wide open, looked me in the eyes and said, “Da, Da.” I picked him up, and he embraced me. I immediately sensed God saying to me, “That’s the way I want you to greet me every morning!”

God used Clyde to teach me how to meet with my Father every morning. That is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me. It is also the gift I want to give you through this book. The passion of my life is for you to read the Word of God to know the God of the Word. This is the greater addiction. An addiction to God always overcomes an addiction to sin.

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part one

my addiction

For the next three years, I spent every Friday afternoon with Clyde. I’d sit down, and he would ask me, “What did God say to you this week?” He didn’t ask how many times I had a priority time that week. Addicts don’t have to be asked if they used last week. Of course, they used last week. They’re addicts. They are compulsively devoted to a habit-forming substance.

Clyde didn’t ask me if I used; he asked about the high. He asked me what God said to me through my time in the Word and prayer. He asked what I learned about the character of God. He asked what I learned about my character. He always asked what God said to me in prayer; he rarely asked me what I was asking God for in prayer. He wanted to know if I was listening to God and if I was responding to God. He was interested in my love for God.

I’ll never forget one Friday afternoon we had together which was a defi ning moment in my life. Clyde opened up by asking, “What did God say to you this week?” I was excited to share with Clyde that week because I had a powerful encounter with God during my priority time. I told Clyde that God showed me that I wanted to be super, great and fantastic but for all the wrong reasons and that I wanted to be super, great and fantastic for all the right reasons. I was really proud of myself and thought Clyde would be really proud of me too.

Clyde looked me in the eyes and said, “Chris, you know that I love you, don’t you?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Chris, the Bible never tells you to be super, great and fantastic; it tells you to deny yourself daily, pick up your cross and follow Him.” He continued, “There is only One who is super, great and fantastic, and it isn’t you.” The Holy Spirit crushed me in that moment. Spiritually, I hit bottom that day. I literally wept with the same intensity I wept with when my brother was killed in a car/train wreck when I was ten years old. I wept that way because I died that day. Death is always painful and always requires grieving. Clyde hugged me while I wept, and after thirty minutes he looked at me and said, “I love you. Let’s go to a movie.”

What did Clyde teach me? He taught me how to meditate on Scripture. To meditate is to focus my thinking on the God of the Word. When you focus your thinking, apply God’s truth and interact with God in prayer, God teaches you how to die, how to live and how to love. The Holy Spirit leads you to confess, repent and believe. God uses my priority time to teach me to be holy: to be radically different and set apart. “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY” (I Pe 1: 16).

What is my secret to life change? It is my priority of putting God fi rst. It is the one priority that determines all my priorities and protects me from self-destruction. It is the one priority that makes me less like Chris and more like Christ. It is my daily dating relationship with the One whom I love with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

A priority time isn’t my spiritual discipline; it is my spiritual addiction. I have an addictive personality. If I’m not addicted to God, then I’m addicted to me. I’m addicted to “the lusts of the fl esh, the lusts of the eyes and the boastful pride of life” (1Jn 2:15-17). Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, I’m addicted to being a “lover of self, lover of money and lover of pleasure rather than a lover of God” (2 Ti 3:1-5).

Pause for a minute, and try to comprehend the tragedy of being addicted to sin. The greatest tragedies aren’t the consequences of my disobedience; it is never knowing the results of obedience. It is never knowing the joy of worshipping, loving and serving God. It is never knowing the joy of loving and serving others. My addiction to sin is an addiction to me. It is a deliberate choice to put me fi rst and everyone else a distant second.

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An addict is one who is compulsively devoted to a habit-forming substance, and my substance is the Word of God. I’m either addicted to the world or to the Word. My heart is never in neutral. It is either compulsively devoted to me or compulsively devoted to God.

My priority time helps me overcome my addiction to the fl esh. It replaces impure addictions with pure addictions and impure pleasures with pure pleasures. It enables me to renew my mind, my heart and my desires with the habit-forming substance of the Word.

The Liar has convinced us that God is boring and that God’s Word is about rules instead of relationship. Can you name one boring addiction? No one is addicted to boring drugs and no one is addicted to a boring God. We must learn that the only way to triumph over sin is to fi nd superior satisfaction in God.

All addictions begin with an encounter and my addiction to God’s Word began when I experienced Clyde’s relationship with God. Addictions are never based on information; addictions are always experiential. We need to drink deeply from the Word of God. We need to “taste and see that the LORD is good”(Ps 34:8). There is a radical difference between reading the Word of God and being addicted to the Word of God.

A priority time is the one addiction I will endorse. I am a living testimony to the power of this addiction. I am addicted to reading the Word of God to know the God of the Word.

Welcome to my recovery group. My story of recovery isn’t the story of recovery; it is the story of a greater addiction. It isn’t the story of “just say no.” It is the story of “just say yes.” I am a believer of Jesus Christ who struggles with the fl esh, but I’m overcoming impure addictions with pure addictions. That’s my story, and I’m confi dent it can be your story too.

Ready to get high?

part 2my recovery

chapter 3// a new priorityA new addiction is a new priority whether you want it to be or not because you are compulsively devoted to your habit-forming substance. You are addicted to a power greater than yourself whether that is sin or God. If you are addicted to sin, it is a power that leads to insanity. If you are addicted to God, it is a power that leads to sanity.

It was through Clyde’s life that I experienced Step 2 of the 12-step process, “We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”1 Clyde was introducing me to a new addiction, a new power and a new recovery group. My defi nition of church began to change; it was no longer the place for all the good people. It was a recovery group for people who were breaking their addiction to sin.

The leader of the group was the “Friend of Sinners,” and He was offering a new sobriety plan. The people in the group weren’t talking about their old addictions; they were talking about a new addiction, a new power that was producing amazing results. Let me give you an example from one of the people in my recovery group.

As I was writing this chapter, I received a phone call from Amanda Harris. She was fi red up and said, “I have to tell somebody about my priority time this morning.” Remember, she has a new addiction. It isn’t something she has to do; it is something she can’t stop doing. She couldn’t wait until group time, so she called me as a fellow group member. She told me John 1:29 says, “The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming to him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” She proceeded to talk for 45 minutes without taking a breath. She couldn’t stop talking about the God who took away her addiction to sin. She was just like Peter and John in Acts 4:20 who said, “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” God was replacing her addiction to the world with an addiction tothe Word.

She didn’t just learn a truth about God; she had an encounter with God. She called with excitement, awe and love in her voice. She didn’t just read, apply and pray the Word; she worshipped the God of the Word. She didn’t call to tell me a truth about God; she called to tell me about the Lamb of God.

Amanda has a priority time because she has a new priority. She has a daily recovery meeting with God.

A priority time is a daily, unhurried time to read the Word of God to know the God of the Word. It is a commitment to focus your thinking on the Word of God in order to personally apply the truths of God, to interact with God in prayer and to document God’s activity by journaling. Bottom line, it is all about your relationship with God. It is a daily dating relationship with God.

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I must spend time with my wife, Karin, to build my relationship with her and there are many ways to accomplish this. We spend time together with our friends, with our kids, as well as working together. We go to the Orpheum Theatre or to Tiger basketball games together. All of that is fun and necessary, but if we don’t spend one-on-one time together, something is missing. Nothing replaces one-on-one conversation with Karin. It is the one priority that determines the intimacy of our relationship. It is exactly the same in my relationship with God.

Church attendance is important, but nothing replaces one-on-one conversation with the God of the universe. I need Sunday conversation to enhance and compliment my Monday through Saturday conversations. How healthy would my relationship with Karin be if I only saw her once a week? Sunday should be the celebration of my relationship and not my attempt to get out of the doghouse. It should be my time to worship corporately, to serve the body and to be equipped to do the work of the ministry. Busyness is the enemy of intimacy. Therefore, your priority time is the best way to protect and prioritize your relationship.

chapter 4// a new pleasure Why do people do drugs? There are many reasons, but one of them is the promise of a new pleasure. All of us have believed the lies of advertising. People who sell addictions don’t sell their products; they sell a lifestyle and an image. We’ve all heard the saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” You may not have believed the Vegas advertisement, but you’ve believed many like it. You’ve believed the advertisements promoting sex, or advertising fi rms wouldn’t use them in virtually every commercial. When you are addicted to sin, you have believed the devil’s lie of a new pleasure. The devil’s lie always results in “hurts, habits and hang-ups.”1

How has the church fought the devil’s lie of pleasure? The church says, “Sin isn’t that fun; don’t do it.” But that simply isn’t true. That is a bigger lie than the devil’s lie. The church will never help people overcome sin if we can’t even admit that sin is fun.

Test question: “Do you want to sin?” How did you answer that question? We immediately say no, but when faced with temptation, we aren’t as confi dent. Let me ask the question again, “Do you want to sin?” Honestly, it depends on the sin. Some sins are more tempting to us than other sins. In the moment of temptation, we want to sin because the Liar makes sin look attractive. Satan is a professional liar who thrives at telling us lies about pleasure.

How do we overcome our addiction to pleasure? We will never break our addiction to pleasure. The devil didn’t create pleasure; he attempts to steal it from God. Every sin is simply the devil taking God’s pleasures outof context.

For example, is sex sinful? No, it is pure and beautiful within the covenant of marriage. How do you overcome your desire for sex? You don’t because it is a God-given desire. God isn’t asking you not to take pleasure in a God-given desire, but He is asking you to do so within the context of love instead of lust. You must replace impure desires with pure ones. You must want the intimacy of sex more than you want the act of sex. Pursuing intimacy requires prioritizing the love relationship found in Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”

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my recovery

part two

We must reclaim God’s pleasures. You must fi ght worldly pleasure with godly pleasure. God created pleasure, and He desires to share it with His children. You will never overcome sinful pleasures by a “Just Say No!” approach; you overcome sinful pleasures by saying “yes” to God.

Why should you have a priority time? There is no greater pleasure than knowing God and making Him known. It is a pleasure to respond to the love of God with love. It is a pleasure to read the Word of God and to know the God of the Word. Let me ask the question again, “Why should you have a priority time?” The best answer is because you want to.

If that desire isn’t yet fully developed in you yet, follow the diagram below, and allow it to create that desirein you.

The Old Addiction

Why do you sin?

You don’t love God enough.

Why don’t you love God enough?

You don’t know God.

Why don’t you know God?

You don’t spend time with God.

Why don’t you spend time with God?

You don’t see the need.

Why don’t you see the need?

Pride

The New Addiction

What is the opposite of pride?

Humility

What does humility do?

It helps you to see your need.

What does seeing your need do?

It inspires you to spend time with God.

What does spending time with God do?

It helps you to know God.

What does knowing God do?

It causes you to love God.

What does loving God do?

It leads you to obey God.

What does obeying do?

It brings glory to God.

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The Glorious Addiction

John 14:21He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.

A New Pleasure: Try it. I dare You!

Don’t read the following verses too quickly because learning to read and apply Scripture is the purpose of this book. Some books change your thinking, but the Bible is the only book that changes your nature. The Word of God changes you from the inside out. It changes WHO you love and HOW you love. It changes your desires as it introduces you to a new priority, a new pleasure and a new purpose.

Psalm 19:7-117The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. 10They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fi ne gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11Moreover, by them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Obey God

Christ Reveals Himself

John 14:21

Know God

Spend Time With God

See The Need

Humility

Love God

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part two

my recovery

Psalm 1:2-32But his delight is in the law of the LORD and in His law he meditates day and night. 3He will be like a tree fi rmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.

Psalm 119:11Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success.

Romans 12:2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Timothy 3:14-1714You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profi table for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for everygood work.

What are the benefi ts of reading those words again and again?

They restore the soul, rejoice the heart and enlighten the eyes. ›In keeping them, there is great reward. ›He will be like a tree fi rmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its ›leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against you. ›You shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is ›written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that ›you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. You have known the sacred writings, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation ›through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profi table for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training ›in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Are you inspired? Are you motivated? Now, let’s learn the purpose of a priority time.

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chapter 5// a new purpose The purpose of a priority time isn’t Bible study alone; it is relational intimacy and life change. It is my desire to redefi ne your understanding of a devotional time or quiet time. Your priority time must be more than reading a page from My Utmost for His Highest. Long-term, your relationship will not be intimate and your life will not change because of fi ve, ten or fi fteen minute priority times. God must be the focus of your morning so that He can be the focus of your day.

A priority time isn’t a spiritual check-in-the-box; it is the beginning of an all-consuming, passionate, relentless pursuit of God. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to You.” One of the keys to a dynamic priority time is high expectations. That’s why I pray the prayer of Exodus 33:18 each morning where Moses says, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” I’m expecting so much more than Bible study; I’m expecting to see the glory of God.

Before I introduce you to the Steps to Addiction, you need to learn three foundational principles of biblical interpretation. In his book Living By The Book, Howard Hendricks, one of the most respected seminary professors of the past century, defi nes them this way:

Observation:

“In this step, you ask and answer the question, ‘What do I see?’ The moment you come to the Scriptures you ask, ‘What are the facts?’ You assume the role of a biblical detective, looking for clues. No detail is trivial.”

Interpretation:

“Here you ask and answer the question, ‘What does it mean?’ Your quest is for meaning. Unfortunately, too much Bible study begins with interpretation, and furthermore, it usually ends there. It does not begin there; before you understand, you have to learn to see.”

Application:

“Here you ask and answer the question, ‘How does it work?’ not ‘Does it work?’ People say they’re going to make the Bible relevant. But if the Bible is not already relevant, nothing you or I do will help. The Bible is relevant because it is revealed. It’s always a return to reality. And for those who read it and apply it, it changes their lives.”2

If you desire a more comprehensive study of these principles, I highly recommend the following resources: Living The Book by Howard and William Hendricks, How To Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur and Personal Bible Study Methods by Rick Warren.

From these principles, I want to introduce you to the four Steps to Addiction:

1. Focused Thinking: Addicted to Truth

2. Personal Application: Addicted to Obedience

3. Interactive Prayer: Addicted to Intimacy

4. Life Journaling: Addicted to Change

part 3steps to addiction

chapter 6// focused thinking: addicted to truthJoshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success.

Focused thinking is more than reading the passage; it is meditating upon the passage by asking the journalistic questions of who, what, where, when, why and how. I don’t have to answer every question; I just have to ask the right question. A quality priority time can’t be done quickly because it takes time to be a quality journalist. Don’t rush your priority time because it is impossible to meditate quickly.

Focused thinking asks journalistic questions.

Who wrote it? Who said it? Who are the major characters? Who are the people in the text? To whom is the author speaking? About whom is he speaking?

What is happening in this text? What are the main events? In what order do they occur? What are the major ideas? What is the major point? What is the argument? What is wrong with this picture? What are the blessings of obedience? What are the consequences of disobedience?

Where is the narrative taking place? Where are the people in the story? Where are they coming from? Where are they going? Where is the writer? Where were the original readers of this text? Where was this done? Where was this said? Where will it happen?

When was it written? When did this event take place? When did it occur in relation to other events in Scripture? When did he say it? When did he do it? When will it happen?

Why is this included? Why is it placed here? Why does it follow that? Why does it precede that? Why was so much or so little space devoted to this particular event or teaching? Why was this reference mentioned? Why does this person say that? Why does that person remain silent? Why should they obey? Why did they disobey?

How did it happen? How did he do that? How is this truth illustrated?

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Focused thinking sees the big picture.

The big picture emphasizes context.

You must understand the context of a verse in order to interpret it correctly. Correct and confi dent interpretation must consider the literary, historical, cultural, geographic and theological context. Don’t be intimidated by all those words. You can gather most of that information from reading the introduction of each book from a quality study Bible such as the International Inductive Study Bible or the Life Application Study Bible. Secondly, most of the time you can gather the context by reading what goes before and what follows after.

The big picture interprets Scripture with Scripture.

What do you do when you’ve looked at the context and you’re still struggling to understand the Scripture? When in doubt, check the cross-references and let Scripture interpret Scripture. There are times that Scripture appears to contradict itself, but it never does. If there is a contradiction, then it is probable that there is more work to do in the observation phase. Detailed and thorough observation leads to correct interpretation. Lastly, there will be times you won’t understand in the moment. You simply need to live longer and study more before you receive clarity from the Lord.

The big picture understands that a verse has one interpretation but many applications.

There is only one correct interpretation of a passage of Scripture. The text doesn’t mean one thing today and something different tomorrow. Whatever it meant yesterday, it also means today and will mean tomorrow. The fi rst step to accurate application is accurate interpretation. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ Jesus loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” The interpretation is singular, but there are unlimited ways I can apply the truth of loving my wife as Christ loved the church.

Focused thinking takes time.

Focused thinking requires active reading.

Active reading rarely takes place in your recliner. I recommend having your priority time in a place that promotes good study habits. Focused reading and thinking is never passive; it always requires a journal, pen and a cup of coffee. I’ve heard Howard Hendricks say many times, “The Bible doesn’t yield its fruit tothe lazy.”

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Focused thinking requires patient reading.

The goal isn’t to read the Bible in a year; the goal is to read the Bible every day of every year. Reading programs are good for thematic reading, but they are not good for your priority time. I recommend you start in a book and work through it patiently.

The type of literature infl uences the pace of your reading. In the New Testament, I rarely read more than a paragraph or two a day. However, the Old Testament requires reading longer portions of Scripture because it is more historical, biographical or prophetic in nature. I fi nd that I can work through the Psalms and Proverbs at a quicker pace than the Old or New Testament. This is one of the reasons I recommend reading a Psalm or Proverb every evening in addition to your morning priority time. It is another way to meditate on the Word of God day and night.

Focused thinking requires repetitive reading.

The discipline of asking journalistic questions requires you to read the passage of Scripture multiple times. It is impossible to truly meditate upon Scripture from a singular reading of the text. Every observation requires a re-reading of the text. Every application takes you back to the text. Every prayer should be birthed from the text. Repetitive reading leads to memorization and this enables you to meditate upon Scripture throughout the day.

In the world, it only takes one step to develop an addiction, but it takes twelve steps to break one. In the Word, it takes longer to develop an addiction, but it is one that cannot be broken. You will never regret being addicted to the Truth.

chapter 7// personal application: addicted to obedienceMatthew 7:24-2924Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell and the fl oods came and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27The rain fell and the fl oods came and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall. 28When Jesus had fi nished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority and not as their scribes.

Spiritual maturity isn’t about discovering the hidden truths; it is about obeying the obvious truths. Before I learned how to have a priority time, I always thought the Bible was diffi cult to understand. It isn’t diffi cult to understand; it is diffi cult to obey.

Application is where your love expresses itself in obedience. It is the decision to quit making excuses and to “run the race in such a way that you may win” (1 Cor. 9:24). It is laying aside every weight that slows you down and every sin that causes you to stumble. It is choosing to run the race with endurance. It is focusing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. Application is resisting the temptation to grow weary and lose heart. It is the decision to listen and obey. It is the decision to become a man or woman of God.

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Personal application is personal and practical.

James 1:22But prove yourselves doers of the Word and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Focused thinking is the hearing of God’s Word. Personal application is the doing of God’s Word. It isn’t possible to truly know and understand Scripture apart from application. “The more you understand it, the more you use it; the more you use it, the more you want to understand it.”2

Application asks the same journalistic questions in Focused Thinking and applies them to your life. Why do I need to apply this truth? Where do I need to apply this truth? When do I need to apply this truth? What other truths do I need to apply? How do I apply this truth? Who do I need to share this truth with? Application is personal and practical when it is specifi c, measurable, attainable, realistic and transferable.

Personal Application is a responsibility and a reward.

James 4:17Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

We sin (miss the mark) when we disobey the truths we discover. Once we know what a passage means, we are responsible and accountable to obey the truth. Application is simply the principle of sowing and reaping at work. If we sow seeds of obedience, we reap blessings. If we sow seeds of disobedience, we reap consequences. God wants us to be faithful with a little so He can put us in charge of much.

We need to apply the principle of QBQ! The Question Behind the Question to our application. One of the guiding principles of QBQ reads, “The answers are in the questions.”3 If we ask a better question, we get a better answer. Below are three guidelines to asking better questions.

Guideline # 1 - Begin with what or how (NOT why, when or who).

Guideline # 2 - Contains an I (NOT they, them, we or you).

Guideline # 3 - Focus on action.3

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Priority Time Examples:

What can I do to obey this truth today? ›NOT

Why doesn’t my wife obey this truth? ›

Church Examples:

What can I do to inspire people to show up to worship on time? ›NOT

Why don’t they show up to worship on time? ›

How can I create easy, obvious and strategic steps to get people connected? ›NOT

Why don’t they register for classes and groups? ›

How can I encourage and equip people to read their Bibles? ›NOT

Why don’t they read their Bibles? ›

How can I inspire and instruct people to serve? ›NOT

Why don’t people care about serving others? ›

Work Examples:

How can I be a more effective leader? ›NOT

When are they going to own the vision? ›

What can I do to develop myself? ›NOT

When are they going to train me? ›

“We attend too many classes. We buy too many books. We listen to too many podcasts. It’s all wasted if we’re unclear on what learning really is: Learning is not attending, listening or reading. Nor is it merely gaining knowledge. Learning is really about translating knowing what to do into doing what we know. It’s about changing. If we have not changed we have not learned.”3

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What is the responsibility of personal application?

2 Timothy 3:16-1716All Scripture is inspired by God and profi table for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Teaching—What should I know?Reproof—What should I stop?Correction—What should I change?Training—What should I start?

What is the reward of personal application?

We will be equipped for every good work.

Personal Application turns information into transformation.

The Sermon on the Mount is the sermon of application. It wasn’t about what to know; it was about what to do. Ultimately, it is about wisdom. The wise man hears and acts while the foolish man hears and doesn’t act. Your greatest regrets come from knowing the truth but not applying the truth.

Examples of Application:Mt 5:22—Be reconciled.Mt 5:28—Be pure.Mt 5:32—Till death do us part. Mt 5:37—Be a man of Your word.Mt 5:39—Turn the other cheek.Mt 5:41—Go the second mile.Mt 5:42—Give generously.Mt 5:44—Love Your enemies.Mt 7:12—Treat people the same way you want them to treat you.

Do you need to know more or do more to be holy?

Do you need to know more or do more to be loving?

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Key Application Passages:

Do you struggle understanding these passages or obeying these passages?

Matthew 7:12 - The Golden RuleIn everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:36-40 - The Great Commandment36Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 38This is the great and foremost commandment. 39The second is like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 40On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.

John 13:34-35 - The New Commandment34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to OBSERVE all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

The importance of application is best communicated by the following equation:

Information + Application = Transformation

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chapter 8// interactive prayer: addicted to intimacyMatthew 6:5-85When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 7And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Prayer isn’t about talking as much as it is about listening. Because prayer is a relationship, it must be a two-way conversation instead of a monologue. You improve your prayer life by improving your relationship and not your technique. Prayer is simple and straightforward; you enjoy listening to and responding to the people you love and respect.

A priority time apart from prayer isn’t a priority time; it’s simply a Bible study. Prayer takes me from an academic experience to a worship experience. It is the key to relational intimacy and life change. Revelation demands a response of confession, repentance and obedience.

Interactive prayer is personal.

Matthew 6:5When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their rewardin full.

What are common characteristics of hypocrites?

They try to impress others.They are strong in public but weak in private.They are praying to be seen by man instead of heard by God.

What are common mistakes in prayer?

Don’t pray in clichés.Lord, lead, guide and direct us. ›Lord, bless the gift and the giver. ›Lord, bless this food to the nourishment of my body and my body to Your service. ›

Don’t pray in generalities.Lord, forgive me of my sins. ›Lord, bless me this day. ›Lord, be with Mark and Annika today. ›

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Don’t pray silently.Pray out loud. ›Pray in posture. ›Write out your prayers (I know writing is silent, but it is a different kind of silence). ›

Don’t pray selfi shly.Pray for God’s mission. ›Pray for other’s needs. ›Pray for your needs. ›

Interactive prayer is private.

Matthew 6:6But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

What are common characteristics of private prayer?

You thank God more than you blame God.You confess more than you request.You listen more than you talk.You react more than you act. You believe more than you doubt.You obey more than you disobey.

Interactive prayer is precise.

Matthew 6:7-87And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Pray Scripture.

Few things increase my faith as much as praying Scripture. I’m talking about learning the prayers of the Bible and praying specifi c truths into the specifi c context of my life, the lives of family and friends and the lives of those inside and outside the church. Praying Scripture is one of the ways we apply Scripture. Essentially, what you are doing is observing someone’s life, interpreting the context of their life and deciding what Scripture to pray into their life. It is the primary way that you can be confi dent that you are praying the will of God into people’s lives. What would happen in and through your prayer life if you consistently prayed the prayers of Scripture? Learn the following Scriptures, and begin to pray them for yourself and others.

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Notable Prayers of Scripture:The Lord’s prayer (Mt 6:9-15)Christ’s intercessory prayer (Jn 17)Paul’s prayer for spiritual growth (Eph 3:14-22)Paul’s prayer for knowing God’s will (Co 1:9-12)Paul’s prayer for spiritual wisdom (Eph 1:15-23)Paul’s prayer for partners in ministry (Php 1:3-11)A prayer of praise (Jude 1:24-25)

Pray specifi cally.

Romans 10:1Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.

Pray with right motives.

James 4:3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it onyour pleasures.

James 5:16Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Answered Prayer

Matthew 7:7-87Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will fi nd; knock and it will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks fi nds and to him who knocks it will be opened.

John 15:7If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.

Prayer invites the presence of God into your priority time. It is through prayer that I am strengthened with His Spirit, grounded in love, able to comprehend the love of Christ and fi lled up to all the fullness of God. Prayer changes me and changes others. The Spirit of God leads me to dream God’s dreams and accomplish His dreams through His power. Prayer is one of the primary ways that I experience intimacy with God.

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chapter 9// life journaling: addicted to changePsalm 23:1-61The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you have anointed my head with oil; my cup overfl ows. 6Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Aren’t you glad King David kept a journal? The Psalms are perfect examples of the importance of journaling. They are examples of an honest, transparent, and real walk with God. They aren’t the journals of a religious man who is trying to impress his readers. They are the journals of a man after God’s own heart. We get to experience how David interacted with God through every circumstance of life. We learn from his faith and fears, from his obedience and disobedience and from his victories and defeats.

Life journaling is more than a diary. I admit that I initially thought journaling was for girls. I consistently resisted Clyde’s advice to journal and didn’t commit to it until after he passed away in the summer of 2000. Nothing has improved my priority time more than the discipline of journaling. Journaling improved my priority time by helping me slow down enough to truly meditate. It helped me in the application phase by forcing me to answer the questions I want to leave unanswered. An unexpected blessing of journaling was learning to write out my prayers. It can be awkward at fi rst, but it soon becomes a fl uid expression of your heart. Lastly, my journal is the place I record my thoughts, evaluate my experiences and capture my memories. The best way to learn about journaling is to follow my examples through Ephesians and adapt it to your style. Let me close this section by giving you four helpful questions to ask at the end of each priority time:

Focused Thinking - What is one truth I discovered today?

Personal Application - How can I apply that truth?

Interactive Prayer - What am I hearing from God?

Evaluated Experiences - What is God teaching me from these experiences?

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part 4start your addiction

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Are you ready to overcome your addiction to sin? Are you tired of being addicted to the love of self, the love of money and the love of pleasure? Are you ready for a recovery program that works? Are you ready for the addiction of a greater promise, a greater love and a greater glory? The only way to overcome my addiction and your addiction to sin is to replace it with an addiction to God.

I believe the Word of God is a pure addiction. The Word is truly a habit-forming substance, and every time I read the Word of God, I become more addicted to His message. The Word of God is addictive because the Word is a person, the person of Jesus Christ. Read the following verses from the gospel of John and see the relationship between the Word and Jesus Christ.

John 1:1-2, 14-181In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God...14And the Word became fl esh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testifi ed about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

The Word was in the beginning. (Jn 1:1)The Word was with God. (Jn 1:1)The Word was God. (Jn 1:1)The Word was in the beginning with God. (Jn 1:2)The Word became fl esh and dwelt among us. (Jn 1:14)The Word is the glory of the only begotten from the Father. (Jn 1:14)The Word is full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:14)We received His fullness. (Jn 1:16)We received grace upon grace. (Jn 1:16)Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. (Jn 1:17)Jesus Christ explains the Father to us. (Jn 1:18)

The Word of God introduces you to a love greater than yourself. How can you remain addicted to a lesser love? When you receive the fullness of the Son of God, a new addiction is formed.

You will never overcome your addictions apart from the Word of God. Now is the time to enter the recovery program of a new addiction. The fullness of Jesus is an irresistible addiction. It is the addiction of grace and truth. It is the pure addiction of grace upon grace that overcomes all impure addictions.

Turn the page to start your new addiction as we go through the book of Ephesians together for the next 42 days.

my priority time ~ addicted to God’s Wordnotes

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day 1 ~ ephesians 1:1-21Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Focused Thinking:

Who is Paul?

1...an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God

What is an apostle?

An apostle is an ambassador of the Gospel.An apostle is a commissioner of Christ.An apostle is a messenger, a sent one, a delegate.

What is the source of Paul’s identity?

His identity is found in his relationship with Christ.His identity is found in his role and responsibility as an apostle of Christ Jesus.

Did Paul earn this identity?

Paul earned his identity as a leader of the Jewish people (Php 3:2-6).Paul didn’t earn his identity as a Christian; he was captured by God’s grace(Ac 9:1-51).

God took an adversary to the gospel and made him an advocate for the gospel.

Personal Application:

What is the source of my identity?

It is Christ. ›Whether I’m a pastor or not, as a believer, my identity must be serving Christ:

My identity must be the Word of God and prayer. »My identity must be teaching the Word of God. »My identity must be leading and vision casting. »

Everybody’s identity should be Christ fi rst, family second and career third.

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day 1 >> ephesians 1:1-2

Focused Thinking: (Eph. 1:1b)

To Whom is Paul writing?

1...to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus.

What does the word saints mean?

It means little holy ones.

How do we become little holy ones?

The Holy One makes us holy by the death, burial and resurrection.The Holy One makes us holy by His blood.

Ephesians 2:8-98For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

It is possible for a saint to have a season of unfaithfulness, but not a lifestyle of unfaithfulness. True saints are faithful saints.


I need to do a study of the word “faithful”. ›I need to prepare this study for the advanced discipleship program in the fall ›of 2010.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, give me the ability to make my identity Your identity. I don’t need an identity apart from Your identity. I desire for people to see You when they see me. Father, give me the faith , love and obedience to pursue You and You alone. Don’t allow me to take my eyes off of You for any reason .

Father, give me the ability to build a church that builds disciples. Give us the ability to write 12 lessons for new believers and 90 lessons for advancing believers. Give us Your wisdom and the anointing of Your Spirit so that we can create followers instead of attendees. Father, build the qualities of Paul into me. I pray that You will use me to bring Your grace and peace to our people.


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day 2 ~ ephesians 1:3-63Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. 5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Focused Thinking: (Eph. 1:3-4 )

Why should we bless and praise God?

3who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

Every spiritual blessing - God never gives us less than His best. ›Every spiritual blessing - everything is available to us, we aren’t lacking anything. ›

4He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.

He created us to be in relationship with Him. ›He created us to be loved by Him, to respond to His love with love and to love ›others with His love.

What does “before the foundation of the world” mean?

I think it speaks to the sovereignty of God and greatness of God.

Why did He choose us?

4...that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

I’m called to refl ect His holiness to the world. ›I’m called to help people see and experience His holiness in and through me. ›

WOW! What an awesome calling!

What an unbelievable privilege.

What if we looked at holiness as a privilege instead of a burden?What if we looked at holiness as a pleasure instead of an obligation?

We are called to be totally separate, radically different and unbelievably unique ›as His children.We are called to be set apart as His children. ›We are called to be His refl ection. ›

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I need to do a series on holiness called “Refl ection”. ›Refl ection is an awesome way to communicate the true beauty of holiness. ›I want the all-consuming passion of my life to be His holiness, His refl ection. ›

I want a faith that will bring about revival.

What is the historical signifi cance of that desire and prayer?

Historians identify only six waves of revival in the church worldwide: 1727, ›1792, 1830, 1857, 1882 and 1904. That is discouraging and challenging at the same time.

What does God have to do in my life to entrust me with true revival like the onesnoted above?

I need to focus 100% on spiritual development. ›I need to focus 100% on studying and teaching. ›I need to focus 100% on vision casting. ›I need to focus 100% on advanced disciple-making. ›

I’d rather fail pursuing it than never pursue it all.

Focus Thinking: (Eph.1:5-6)

What does it mean for me to be adopted through Jesus Christ to Himself?

Adopted children receive all the rights of natural born children.Adopted children are taken from a disadvantageous situation to anadvantageous situation.

Why were we adopted?5...according to the kind intention of His will.

Parents who adopt want to love a child as their own. ›Parents who adopt go above and beyond to love their child, provide for their ›child and develop their child.

What is God’s will for us?

God’s will is to save us and sanctify us.God’s will is to love us and for us to love others.


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What is God’s purpose in adopting us?

6...to the praise of the glory of His grace,

He freely bestowed all the blessings of adoption upon us.

The blessings of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ›gentleness and self-control. The blessings of being loved and being able to love. ›The blessings of bringing Him praise and glory. ›

Personal ApplicationI need to be more grateful for my adoption. ›I need to slow down enough to give thanks to God. ›I need to prioritize teaching others to be thankful. ›

Interactive Prayer:

Father, help me to maintain the intensity of pursuing You. Help me maintain the intensity that prayer demands. Restructure my life to be a life of study, prayer, teaching, leading and vision-casting. Father, fulfill Your potential in and through me. Help me to believe Your Word and to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Father, I want to know Your Word thoroughly. Make me a man of Your Word. Make me a man that builds a church that is known by love. Father, give me the ability to teach in the power and demonstration of the Spirit. Make me a reflection of Your holiness. I pray that I can burn so brightly that others will come to light their fire in me.

Father, thank You for saving me at summer camp in Destin , Florida. Thank You for adopting me through Christ Jesus and all the gifts that come with adoption .Thank You for protecting me through my teenage and college years. Thank You for not allowing me to scar my life too severely during that time.

Thank You for sending Karin into my life. She is the most amazing gift ever. You have used her in so many ways to build into my life and to sharpen me. Thank You for her walk with You. Thank You for her prayers. Thank You for her faithfulness to You, to me and to our kids. Thank You for who she is as a mother.


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Thank You for calling me to the ministry. Thank You for sending Clyde into my life. Thank You for teaching me the beauty and worship of a priority time. Thank You for giving me faith and willingness to be a risk taker. Thank You for calling me to start Highpoint Church . Thank You for Your anointing and favor. Thank You for the privilege of teaching Your Word, serving You and changing lives.

Thank You for Andy and Jason . Thank You for the people who have believed in me and followed me. Thank You for Dan , Roger and Chris and Amanda. Please give me the ability to obey. Give me the faith to believe when I doubt. Give us the ability to develop followers instead of attendees.


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day 3 ~ ephesians 1:7-107In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.

Focused Thinking: (Eph. 1:7-10)

Where does our redemption come from?

7In Him we have redemption THROUGH His blood,

What are the benefi ts and blessings of redemption?

7...the forgiveness of our trespasses.

How?

7...according to the RICHES of His grace 8which He LAVISHED on us.

He is extravagant with His grace. ›He is abundant with His grace. ›He is generous with His grace. ›

What did He make known to us?

8In all wisdom and insight 9He made known to us the mystery of His will.

Why was His will a mystery?

It wasn’t according to man’s wisdom.The death, burial and resurrection is a mystery. ›The fi rst and second coming is a mystery. ›

What is God’s vision?

God’s vision is the summing up of all things in Christ.


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Personal Application

I must comprehend how rich God is towards me. ›I must comprehend how generous God is towards me. ›I must comprehend how extravagant God is towards me. ›

I must see things from God’s perspective instead of the Liar’s perspective. ›I must see things as half-full instead of half-empty. ›

I must keep God’s vision in front of me and not grow weary in doing good.

Interactive Prayer

Father, help me live in appreciation of Your grace toward me. Give me the ability to receive Your incomprehensible love so I can give it to others. Give me the ability to live in full respect and gratitude for Your work on my behalf.

Never, never, never let me forget the magnitude of the cross. Never let me cheapen the cross. Help me see it as a privilege to deny myself daily, pick up my cross and follow You. Give me the ability to see life from Your perspective instead of the Liar’s perspective. Give me the ability to see what You are doing around me and join You where You ARE. Give me the ability to see Your vision , believe Your vision and bring Your vision into reality.


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day 4 ~ ephesians 1:11-1411In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12to the end that we who were the fi rst to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory

Focused Thinking: (Eph 1:11-12)

What is our inheritance when we are sons and daughters of God, the King of kings?

Our inheritance is beyond our imagination.Our inheritance is eternal life as a son or daughter of God.

We have been chosen according to His purpose (1:4). ›We have been adopted according to His purpose (1:5). ›We have been redeemed according to His purpose (1:7). ›We have been predestined according to His purpose (1:11). ›

What does God do?

11...works all things after the counsel of His will.

Everything is for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. ›His will is for our life is to be to the praise of His glory. ›

Everything is for the purpose of His will.


What does it look like for my life to be to the praise of His glory?

I must be a man of His Word and prayer. ›I must be a man whose character is beyond reproach. ›I must be a man who walks by the Spirit and bears the fruits of the Spirit. ›I must be a man who maximizes my strengths and gifts. ›


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I must consistently listen to the message of truth.I must consistently believe the message of truth. I must consistently confess, repent and believe because of the message of truth.

We must quit minimizing the promise of the Holy Spirit.

What are the promises of the Holy Spirit?

See John 16, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4

The Holy Spirit seals God’s work in and through us.The Holy Spirit is the new work in and through us.The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to take off the old and put on the new.The Holy Spirit is the pledge of our inheritance.The Holy Spirit illumines the Word of God.The Holy Spirit teaches us all truth and brings us into remembrance of all truth.The Holy Spirit convicts of us of sin, judgment and righteousness.The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to see God’s vision. The Holy Spirit gives us the view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.


Help me to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and to obey the promptings of the ›Holy Spirit.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, help me to never forget and minimize the richness of my inheritance in You. Help me quit letting busyness be the enemy of intimacy in my life. Forgive me for allowing all the good things to edge out the most important things. I get so weary of the busyness of leading an organization . It is so hard to build an organization and pastor people at the same time. Give us the resources and the executive leadership needed so I can pastor more. Give me the ability to focus on Your Word and prayer as the foundation for everything.


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Father, my greatest strength and my greatest weakness at times is my work ethic. Help me to channel the majority of that work toward the Word and prayer. I need to spend 75% of my time devoting myself to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4) and 25% of my time to leading the staff and church .

Father, make me a man who hears the voice of the Holy Spirit and who has the faith to obey. Make us a church that does exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or think because of Your mighty power working in and through us. I pray that Your works are so powerful in and through us that people walk out talking about the greatness of God, not the greatness of our leaders.


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day 5 ~ ephesians 1:15-1715For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.


What did Paul hear about the church at Ephesus?

15...having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you

15...and your love for all the saints,

When You hear of a church’s faith, what types of things do You hear about?

Faith goes beyond believing to obeying. Faith goes beyond believing to loving.

1 Thessalonians 1:3-9 gives a good picture of true faith:3 - constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ...6 - You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,7 - so that you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.8 - For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from You, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in ever place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 - ...how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God.


What do people say about Highpoint’s faith and love?

They talk about acceptance. ›They talk about compassion without compromise. ›They talk about a perfect place for imperfect people. ›They talk about salvation and baptisms. ›They talk about Celebrate Recovery. ›They talk about Overton High School. ›They talk about single parents, Christmas in a Red Bag. ›


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What is missing from this list?

We need more talk about “your love for all the saints” (Eph 1:15). ›Connect »

We need more talk about discipleship; “you also became imitators of us and of ›the Lord” (1Thess 1:6).

Equip »We need more talk about becoming an example; “so that you became an ›example to all believers in Macedonia and in Achaia” (1 Th 1:7).

Serve »


Karin was in a leadership meeting for an upcoming conference the other day and ›literally every woman at her table told a personal story or the story of a friend who has a prodigal son or daughter that God has reached through Highpoint.

I am thankful that we are a church for the prodigals. »I am thankful that we are a church for those in the pig pen. »I am thankful that we are a church where people can come to their senses. »I am thankful that we are a church where people fi nd the Father who »embraces them.I am thankful that we are a church for younger brothers and older brothers. »

Book Recommendation:The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of The Christian Faith by Timothy Keller.

I need to do a better job of recording God’s activity for the purpose of remembering God’s faithfulness to us and through us.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, I pray that You will increase my faith and love. Do such a great work in and through our people that their faith and love is heard throughout Memphis, this country and this world. Give us the ability to truly equip and develop people to become heroes of the faith . Give our people a hunger that grows more and more every day to know You and to make You known .


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Give us the ability to strengthen our strategy of worship, connect, equip and serve. Help us help people connect relationally so they can love one another. Give us the ability to truly equip people. I pray that You will grow our staff spiritually and professionally. Give us a love for You and our people that drives us to excellence.

Father, make us a church that causes You to smile and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Father, this city desperately needs us to truly be the church . Cause Your Spirit to do what we cannot do in the lives of our people. Give our people the gifts of repentance and faith . Give us a holy discontent with the world and the lies of the devil . Give us the faith , hope and love to change our lives, our families, our city and beyond.


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day 6 - ephesians 1:18-2118I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.


What did Paul pray for the people at Ephesus?

18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,

What is the norm for the eyes of our heart apart from the Holy Spirit?

1 John 2:15-1615Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the fl esh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

What is the difference between eyes that aren’t enlightened versus eyes that are enlightened?

18...so that you will know WHAT is the hope of His calling, WHAT are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and WHAT is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

How much better is that than 1 John 2:16?The lust of the fl esh. ›The lust of the eyes. ›The boastful pride of life. ›

part 4 ~ start your addiction day 6 - ephesians 1:18-21notes

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If people truly knew the “hope of His calling” they would be radically different. ›If people truly knew the “riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” they ›would be unbelievably grateful.If people truly knew the “surpassing greatness of His power toward us who ›believe” they would be unstoppable.

I must › prioritize prayer more.I must › persist in prayer more.

Prayer must become the foundation of my life and leadership.


The power that was present is Christ is available to us.Power that expresses itself as energy. ›Power that expresses itself as strength. ›


I must pray believing that God’s power is available to me. ›I must pray believing that God’s power can be expressed through me. ›I must pray believing that God’s power can be expressed through Highpoint. ›

I must quit being hopeful in my prayers and start being confi dent in the God of my prayers.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, forgive me for doubting You in prayer. Forgive me for not persevering more in prayer. Forgive me for being impatient in prayer. I know it is important to work hard but unfortunately I’ve been guilty of working too hard according to my abilities and not hard enough to ask for Your abilities.


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Father, I pray that Highpointers will know what the hope of His calling is. I pray that they will quit thinking about God’s will for their lives and they will start thinking about God’s will . I pray that their paradigm will change and they will adjust their lives to You instead of asking You to adjust to their lives. I pray that they will pray to be a blessing to You and others instead of praying for You to be a blessing to them . I pray that they will find their purpose in their calling, not in their personal success. I pray that You will change their definition of success and purpose.

Father, I pray that Highpointers will know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. I pray that they will not forget Your forgiveness and freedom . I pray that they will not forget their former life and former ways, but rather live in the riches of their salvation and sanctification .I pray that they will walk by the Spirit and bear the fruits of the Spirit. I pray that they will respond to Your love with love. I pray that they will be people who are known by love. I pray that they will devote themselves to the Word, prayer and fellowship. I pray that they will know that the abundant life is a life of loving, serving and giving.

Father, I pray that Highpointers will know what the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe is. I pray that they will know the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I pray that they will learn to hear and obey His voice. I pray that they will quit being afraid of the Spirit and understand that the Spirit of God is God’s greatest gift to us. I pray that they will quit praying for peaceful lives and start praying for powerful lives. I pray that they will overcome strongholds and live on mission through the Spirit of God. I pray that they will believe that holiness is possible. I pray that their identity will change and that they will see themselves first and foremost as servants of God.


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day 7 ~ ephesians 1:22-2322And He put all things in subjection under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fi lls all in all.

Focused Thinking:

What is the church?

The church is His body.

The church is the fullness of Him who fi lls all in all.

That is an awesome defi nition of the church. That is an awesome vision for the church.

What does it look like for the church to be the fullness of Christ?

It means that all of us are members of His body.It means that all of us have specifi c gifts, functions and purposes.It means that He desires to create communities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control through us.


This is what Highpoint must become for the city of Memphis.We must love the city of Memphis. ›We must save the city of Memphis. ›We must change the city of Memphis. ›We must unify the city of Memphis. ›

We must be more than a good Sunday morning experience. ›We must fi ll in all the holes that sin creates. »We must heal all the heartbreaks that sin creates. »We must be a church that goes into all the world and makes disciples. »


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, make us a church where people experience Your presence and power through us. Make us a church of people who are truly holy, radically different from the world. Father, we want to be different from the world but not judgmental of the world. Make us a friend of sinners to the city of Memphis and beyond. Give us the ability to truly embody the fullness of Christ and to fill all in all in this city. Please do something different in us. This city needs so much more than a successful church by attendance standards. Make us a church that is successful by Your standards.

Father, give us the ability to live out the book of Acts today. Give us a love for You that is all consuming. Give us a love for You that controls us and attracts others to You. Destroy the love of the world in us and cause us to repent. Help us to love You more than we love ourselves. Show us how to “choose a better story”. Help us be a people who deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow You.

Father, do something so holy in us that You would entrust us with revival . Make me the man of the Word and prayer that You desire me to be. Anoint me to teach in the power and demonstration of Your Spirit. Anoint my life and leadership. Give me the sensitivity and faith to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Help me not care or worry about what others think and to only care about what You think. Father, increase my faith . Do a new work in me that takes me to the next level in my walk with You. Give me the ability to burn brightly for You so that others will come and light their fire in me.

Father, use this series to give people a true addiction to Your Word. Change our church through this series. I pray that the majority will actually be obedient and truly become men and women of the Word. Raise up a prayer team that will support me and the staff in prayer. Raise up a prayer team that will relentlessly pray for revival and spiritual awakening. Anoint this series and give it longevity. I pray that it will become part of our culture. I pray that we become known as a people who learn , love and live the Word of God.


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day 8 ~ ephesians 2:1-31And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our fl esh, indulging the desires of the fl esh and of the mind and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Focused Thinking:

What does it mean that I was dead in my trespasses and sins?

My sin separates me from God.

Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Everyone pre-Christ has a former way of life. Everyone pre-Christ walks according to the ways of the world.

Who determines what the ways of the world are?

2…according to the prince of the power of the air,

2...of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

(The devil, The Liar, The Enemy)

The sons of disobedience don’t try to change their disobedience, they try to change the rules.

What are the lusts of the fl esh?

I John 2:15-1715Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the fl esh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.


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Galatians 5:19-2119Now the deeds of the fl esh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness, carousing and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Timothy 3:1-51But realize this, that in the last days diffi cult times will come. 2For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

Different people have different strong desires.Some people have strong pride desires. ›Some people have strong money desires. ›Some people have strong sexual desires. ›


What was I like pre-Christ?

I was alive physically, but I was dead spiritually. ›Spiritually, I was a Christmas and Easter Christian. »Spiritually, I believed in God intellectually but I didn’t know God relationally. »

How did I formerly walk according to the course of this world?

My every thought was about me. ›My every thought was about my dreams and my goals. ›

I dreamed about winning trophies (i.e. respect, recognition and rewards). »I dreamed about all the ways I would bless my life with riches. »

Golf was my way to gain respect and recognition. »Golf was my way to gain money and materialism. »

What were my lusts of the fl esh and lusts of the mind? The lusts of the fl esh were normal and obvious: women. ›The lusts of the mind were very strong in me: personal greatness. ›


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What did my lusts of the fl esh and mind produce in me?

The lusts of the fl esh produced regret because relationships were about ›physical pleasure.The lusts of the mind produced pressure because it is hard to be the best; second ›place was never good enough.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, thank You so much that my former life is my former life. Thank You for freeing me from the love of me. I did a terrible job of loving me compared to the job You do of loving me. Thank You for freeing me from the lies of the Liar. Thank You for freeing me from the lusts of the flesh and mind. Yes, I still battle them but I do it now with Your truth and Spirit.

Thank You for freeing me from pursuing a life that is ultimately vanity. Thank You for giving me life and life more abundant. Thank You for giving me a life of purpose instead of a life of pleasure. Thank You for making Your purpose the pleasure of my life.


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day 9 ~ ephesians 2:4-74But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace You have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us inChrist Jesus.

Focused Thinking:

The words “But God” demand worship. In light of my refl ections and responses to verses 1-3 in yesterday’s priority time ›these words are even more overwhelming.

I could not save myself from trespasses and sins, but God did.I could not save myself from selfi shness, but God did.I could not save myself from hopelessness, but God did.I could not save myself from unhappiness, but God did.

God is rich in mercy: “not giving me what I deserve”.The wages of sin is separation and I deserve separation because I’m a sinner. ›The wages of sin is death and I deserve death because I’m a sinner. ›Yet, I didn’t receive separation and death; I received mercy. ›

Why doesn’t God give me what I deserve?

4...because of His great love with which He loved us,

He loves us too much to give us what we deserve. ›He loves us too much not to pay the penalty for our sin. ›He loves us too much not to give us the opportunity to receive mercy. ›

What is the signifi cance of the phrase, “even when we were dead in our transgressions”?

God loves us when we are unlovely. ›God loves us when we are unworthy. ›God loves us when we are undeserving. ›

God loves us based upon who He is, not based upon who we are.


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How did God go beyond mercy?

5...made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

God gave us both mercy and grace.Mercy is not receiving what I do deserve. ›Grace is receiving what I do deserve. ›

God saved us from our sin.Christ paid the penalty for our sin. ›Christ became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God ›(2 Co 5:21).Christ defeated sin and death forever through His resurrection. ›Christ raised us up with Him. ›Christ seated us with Him in the heavenly places. ›

Why?

7...so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

The heart of God toward us is beyond our comprehension.His heart is rich in mercy. ›

4...because of His love with which He loved us.

His heart surpasses riches in grace. ›

5...made us alive together with Christ.

6...raised us up with Him.

6...seated us with Him in the heavenly places.


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Wow! How dare I think my life is my life?

My life is not my life. ›My life is selfi sh without His life. »My life is hopeless without His life. »My life is unhappy without His life. »

My time is not my time. »My money is not my money. »My agenda is not my agenda. »

I must quit trying to combine agendas. ›

Colossians 3:2-42Set your mind on the things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Jesus must be the focus of my life.

Interactive Prayer: Prayed Privately

Life Journaling:

First and foremost, this passage demands confession, repentance and worship. I had to stop everything and get on my knees before the Lord. Revelation always demands a response, but today I was confronted with the mercy, grace and holiness of God in such a way that I needed to be undone before the Lord (see Is 6:1-8).

Today, I learned some scary truths behind my rushed prayer life. I fast forward through my prayer because the burden is so overwhelming and I don’t like carrying the burden. I walked away from my prayer time weary and exhausted because of the sins of our people and the needs of our people. I felt like I tapped into God’s heart for our people and felt what He feels. I prayed for specifi c people in specifi c ways. I realized how rushed I am in life. I can’t be this busy and be the type of pastor God calls me to be. I need more time to devote myself to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Ac 6:4).


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What did I see in prayer today? I saw that programs are necessary but that the church will never truly be the church apart from learning, loving, living and praying the Word. This is an intense spiritual battle that can’t be won by deciding whether we are going to have Sunday School or Small Groups. We must disciple and develop men and women of God. We must raise up godly men and women so that “Christ in us is the hope of glory (Col 1:27)”.

What is to God’s defi nition of success instead of man’s defi nition of success? It is found in Joshua 1:8-9,

8This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

There are no short-cuts to success. We must become people of the Word and prayer. Programs don’t change people; God uses people to change people. I must redesign and re-prioritize my focus and time to be the pastor this church needs in order for this church to fulfi ll her God-given potential and purpose.


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day 10 ~ ephesians 2: 8-98For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Focused Thinking:

How are we saved?

I am saved by GRACE through faith.I am saved by the undeserved kindness of God. ›I am saved by the undeserved goodness of God. ›

I am saved by grace through FAITH.I am saved by grace through confi dent trust that God is who says He is. ›I am saved by grace through confi dent trust that God does what He says He ›can do.

Grace isn’t from me; it is from God.

Ephesians 2:8b-98...it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Faith isn’t from me; it is from God.

Romans 10:17So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.

What is the signifi cance of it being a gift?

Ephesians 2:8b-98...it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

No one can boast.We know we can’t boast about salvation, but we try to boast about sanctifi cation. ›

part 4 ~ start your addiction day 10 ~ ephesians 2: 8-9notes

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I must quit assuming people know the basics. ›We must become experts at presenting the basics. »We must communicate the basics in a relevant way. »We must communicate the basics in a way that is memorable, understandable, »and doable.

Andy and I must focus on developing content for Worship, Equip and Media. ›We need a team of people who turn our content into curriculum and classes. »

Interactive Prayer:

Father, thank You for the gift of faith . Thank You for the extreme grace You’ve given me. Thank You for the grace that saved me and sanctifies me. Thank You for saving my wife and children . Thank You for the privilege of being an ambassador of Christ. Thank You for the ministry of reconciliation . Thank You for the blessing of being used by You to give grace and faith to others. Everything about Your plan and purpose is perfect.

Father, I pray that You continue to equip us and bless us as a church that reaches people for Christ. I pray that our people will be obedient to invest and invite. I pray that they will love people to Christ. I pray that our people will pray for their family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. I pray that our people will be passionate in their desire to see people become saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

I pray that our church will not become satisfied or spoiled by this year’s results in the area of salvation . I pray that our people will pray for hundreds more to be saved and baptized. Father, I hesitate to pray numbers because I don’t want to ask for too little. I don’t want to be small in my faith , but I will pray a minimum number for the sake of setting goals and designing strategies. Father, I pray that we could see 200 people baptized next year. We baptized over 100 people in 2009 and I want to see more come to know You. Father, please give us the privilege of reaping a harvest in the world of salvation and baptisms. Give us the ability to be good stewards of all the lives that are currently being changed and that will be changed.


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Father, give us wisdom about the classes that need to be created. Father, You have entrusted us with spiritual babies. Show us how to feed them and care for them . Show us the most effective ways to follow up with them . Show us how to protect them from the lies of the devil and his attempts to steal the seeds of the Word of God. Show us how to plow the soil , prepare the seedbed, plant the seed and pray for rain . Father, help us build a strong family in order for us to adopt these children . Help us to truly help people worship, connect, equip and serve so they don’t become like the average Christian two years from now. Help us write and create twelve lessons for new believers in year one and ninty lessons for mature believers inyear two.

part 4 ~ start your addiction day 11 ~ ephesians 2:10notes

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day 11 ~ ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Focused Thinking:

What does it mean that we are His workmanship?

We are created in His image to have relationship with Him.We are created in His image to refl ect His image.

We are the pinnacle of His creation.We are the masterpiece of His creation.

Why were we created?

11...created in Christ Jesus for good works.

We weren’t created for our pleasure; we were created for His pleasure.We weren’t created for attendance; we were created for good works.

What is the purpose of our good works?

God wants our good works to bless others and glorify Him.

Matthew 5:16Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

When did God prepare our good works?

God designed us with good works in mind.God designed us with specifi c gifts for specifi c good works. ›God designed us with specifi c strengths for specifi c good works. ›


What good works has God prepared for me to walk?

God called me to pastor. ›God called me to devote myself to prayer and the ministry of the Word. ›God called me to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. ›


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How did God design me?

God gave me the gifts of teaching, leading and risk-taking (faith). ›God has gifted me to be a visionary leader. ›God has gifted me to be a catalytic leader. ›

God called me to start Highpoint Church. ›God called me to start a movement of God. ›God called me to pray for revival and spiritual awakening. ›

Interactive Prayer:

Father, help me to love You with all my heart, soul , mind and strength . Help me maximize the gifts You’ve given me. Help me be fully surrendered to Your Spirit.

Father, help me focus on becoming the best teacher I can possibly be for Your glory. Help me to eliminate distractions and prioritize developing my preparation and presentation skills. Protect me from ever becoming satisfied. Protect from ever minimizing what You can do through the teaching of Your Word. Give me the faith and conviction to always teach and preach for a decision/response.

Father, help me develop my leadership gifts. Give me the ability to see the impossible and believe it is possible. Give me the ability to see what could be, what should be and what must be. Give me the ability to define the problems, offer the solutions and present compelling reasons why we must act. Give me the ability to be used by You to change this city.

Father, give me the faith to believe that You are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Give me the faith to believe that the church of “Acts 2” is possible today. Give me the faith to go against the current of complacency and low expectations. Protect me from growing weary in doing good. Give me the faith to never be content. Give me the faith to truly build a church that makes disciples.


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day 12 ~ ephesians 2:11-1311Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the fl esh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the fl esh by human hands— 12remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the bloodof Christ.


What does Paul want us to remember?

Remember that we (the Gentiles) were separate from Christ.Remember that we (the Gentiles) were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel.Remember that we (the Gentiles) were strangers to the covenants of promise.Remember that we (the Gentiles) had no hope and were without God in the world.

How could Paul be more clear about our condition without Christ?

12...Having no hope and without God in the world.

The list is even more hopeless when You go back to Ephesians 2:1-3.

1You were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3Among them we too formerly lived in the lust of our fl esh, indulging the desires of the fl esh and of the mind and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

What is our hope in the midst of hopelessness?

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.


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How GOOD is our God?

How CLEAR is our God?

What must I do?

I can’t live in the reality that people “have no hope and are without God in the ›world” and do nothing.

I can’t know this and live like everyone else. »I can’t know this and not live differently. »

I must do everything possible to bring people to Christ. ›I can’t afford to live passively. »I can’t afford to live without passion. »

I must make this message real and relevant to people. ›

I must fi nd more and more ways to use video testimonies. ›I must fi nd more and more ways to tell God’s story in video format. »I need creative people to capture the stories and present them in today’s »language and culture.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, help me wake up the church . People have no hope and are without God in the world. Help me to expose the lies of the devil . Help me expose the lies that cause us to be passive, afraid and silent. 2 Timothy 2:7 says,

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel , for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Father, forgive us for being timid and ashamed of the gospel . I repent of times I’ve been timid and ashamed of the gospel . Father, give me a spirit of power, love and discipline. Father, help me equip Highpoint to bring people near to Christ.


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Father, burn this message deep into my heart and soul . Do not let me minimize that people “have no hope and are without God in the world”. Do something radical in me. I don’t even know what it looks like because I know I’ll fail if I promise to discipline myself more. I know I will fail if I promise to try harder. Do a work in me that changes my desires. Do a work in me that kills my flesh . Do a work in me that causes me to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith , love, perseverance and gentleness. Do a work me that causes me to love You more and me less.

Father, do a work through me that is impossible according to human ability. Do a work in me that changes me and takes me to the next level . I don’t know what the next level is, but I know there is still plenty of flesh in me that needs to die. Father, fill me up to all the fullness of You. Free me from my selfish desires, free me from my selfish ambition . Father, show me Thy glory. Father, take me to a place in Your Word and prayer that I know I can’t go to according to my own discipline and strength . Do the same work in me that You have done in the great men and women of God throughout history. Do it for Your glory! Do it so You can be the God of this city.


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day 13 ~ ephesians 2:14-1814For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15by abolishing in His fl esh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17And He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near; 18for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

Focused Thinking:

How do you fi nd peace when there are people who have “no hope and are without God in the world”?

How do you fi nd peace in a hopelessly broken world?

How do you fi nd peace in a non-peaceful world?

14For He Himself is our peace.

He is peace because “He made us alive together with Christ.” ›He is peace because “He raised us up with Him.” ›He is peace because “He seated us with Him in the heavenly places with Christ.” ›He is peace because “He saves us by grace through faith.” ›He is peace because “He brings us near by the blood of Christ.” ›

He is peace personally.Internal peace. ›

He is peace relationally.Peace between the Jews and Gentiles. ›

He is peace because “He made two groups into one.”He is peace because “He broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.”He is peace because “He abolished in His fl esh the enmity.”


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Resource Recommendation:Warren Wiersbe’s Expository Outline on the New Testament

To destroy the middle wall was to annihilate the enmity. Christ, by his death, has destroyed the wall, substituting for it the “law of love,” ›which is the real spirit of the law and comes from realizing the sacrifi ce that was made out of love.

How did He establish peace between Gentiles and Jews?

15...so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thusestablishing peace,

16...so that He “might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

WOW!

The cross was designed to put to death the enmity between Jew and Gentile.The cross was designed to unite, not divide.

How effective is the devil as a liar?

He has taken the symbol of unity and made it the symbol of division.

What did the Jewish Messiah do?

17And He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near;

He preached peace to the Gentiles (far away). He preached peace to the Jews (near).

How do Gentiles and Jews have access to the Father?

18for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

The Messiah gives us access to the Father.The Passover Lamb gives us access to the Father.Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world gives us access tothe Father.

How much does God long for the “older brother”?

The “Prodigal God” longs for the “older brother” the same way He longed for the “younger brother.”


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Unbelievable!

God, why have You given me such an incredible friendship with Jeff Rosenblum? ›What do You want to do through our relationship? »What do You want to do through Jeff’s life? »What do You want to do for the Jewish people? »

I am praying for an EmmausWalk experience for Jeff ›The Emmaus Walk - Luke 24:13-35 ›

Luke 24:2121“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.”

Luke 24:25-2725 “And He said to them, O’ foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory? 27Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures”.

Luke 24:30-3230 “When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32They said to one another, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?’ “

Luke 24:35They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

Historical Background:

Who were the Gentiles?

The Gentiles were without Christ; that is, they had no promise of a Messiah. They were not a part of the nation of Israel.

Instead of being “the people of God,” the Gentiles were strangers, having “no hope and without God in the world.” The Gentiles were described as “far off” from God in Ephesians 2:13.


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What did God do?

When Christ died on the cross, He broke down every barrier that stood between Jews and Gentiles. In the Jewish temple, there was a wall that separated the “Court of the Gentiles” from the rest of the structure; and on this wall was a sign giving warning that any Gentile who passed beyond it would be killed. Jesus Christ tore down that wall (Eph 2:14).

He tore down the physical wall, for in Christ all are made one (Eph 2:15). ›He tore down the spiritual wall and brought the “far off” Gentiles near (Eph 13). ›He tore down the legal wall, for He fulfi lled the Law in Himself and ended the ›reign of the Mosaic law that separated Jews and Gentiles (Eph 14-15).

Christ not only made peace between sinners and God (Ro 5:1), but He also made peace between Jews and Gentiles.

He took sinful Jews and sinful Gentiles and through His cross made a “new man”—the church.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, please open Jeff’s heart and give him an Emmaus Road experience and encounter right now. Give him the ability to see You in the scriptures. Give him the ability to see You with 100% clarity and confidence. Show him who his Jewish Messiah is. Show him Your glory for Your glory. Use him in ways that are exceedingly abundantly beyond all that I can ask or think according to Your mighty power. Show him the truths of this passage.

Father, give him an all-consuming passion to know Your scriptures. Father, he is an unbelievable lover of people. Use Jeff to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near and to give both Gentiles and Jews access to the Father. Give Jeff the ability to love his Jewish family and friends more than ever. Glorify Yourself through Jeff’s life and Jeff’s family.


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day 14 ~ ephesians 2:19-2219So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God’s household, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being fi tted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Focused Thinking:

Who is of God’s household now?

This “spiritual” Israel (see 2:12) includes both Jews and Gentiles who have been reconciled to God and made into his household.

How was this house built?

The foundation was laid by the apostles and prophets. Christ is the cornerstone that holds the structure together.

How will this house become a holy temple?

This temple isn’t merely a building, it is a body. The temple is holy because it is inhabited by God.

What is the new temple?

22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

God’s dwelling place is in man’s spirit (Is 57:15; 66:1, 2; Jn 4:24).God makes His dwelling place in men by His spirit (1 Co 3:16, 17). Christ is the foundation and chief cornstone of the local church (1 Co 3:11).Each believer is a living stone set into the temple (1 Pe 2:4-8).

The History of the Temple - Warren Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on theNew Testament1

God dwelt in the Jewish tabernacle (Ex 40:34).God dwelt in Solomon’s temple (2 Ch 7:1).God dwelt in the temple of Christ’s body (Jn 1:14 and 2:18-22).God dwells in the individual believer (1 Co 6:19-20).God dwells in the church (Eph 2:21-22).


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What are the characteristics of this new temple?

In this temple there is no dividing wall. ›In this temple there is no enmity. ›In this temple there is peace. ›In this temple we are fellow citizens of God’s household. ›In this temple Christ is the cornerstone. ›In this temple Christ’s presence makes me holy. ›

Am I missing any Jewish context here to make this more applicable? »Am I missing any cultural context here to make this more applicable? »Am I missing any historical context here to make this more applicable? »

What is the signifi cance of my body being a temple for the dwelling of God inthe Spirit?

1 Corinthians 3:16-1716Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy and that is what you are.

I need to continue my discipline of exercise. ›I need to discipline myself to improve my diet. ›I need to strive to protect and purify my temple for God’s Spirit. ›

There is a relationship between physical purity and spiritual purity.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, help me to discipline myself physically, emotionally and spiritually. Father, help me to build a holy temple personally and corporately for You. Help me build a corporate temple/church that welcomes You at all times. A temple, not where You are a visitor but where You dwell permanently.


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Father, build a temple that unites this city. Use us to unite Jews and Gentiles, use us to unite African Americans and whites, use us to unite anyone who is divided. Father, I pray that our church will be known by love because our people are known by love. I pray that we are known by serving people. Give our people a vision of what could be, what should be and what must be.

Father, make us a people who love to love. Make us a people who truly live out the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Father, I pray that everyone knows that You dwell in the temple of Highpoint Church . I pray that this city will see the working of the Lord in and through our people. Make us a people who sow seeds of worship, connect, equip and serve. Give us the privilege of reaping the harvest. I pray that we will reap seeds in 2010 that we’ve been sowing for seven years.


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day 15 ~ ephesians 3:1-61For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of You Gentiles— 2if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6to be specifi c, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

Focused Thinking:

Why does Paul call himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of Gentiles?

Paul was arrested and was making his defense in Jerusalem, but everything changed for the worse when he spoke about the Gentiles.

Acts 22:21And He said to me, “Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”

Acts 22:22They listened to him up to this statement and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowedto live!”

What was Paul’s calling and responsibility?

He was a steward of God’s grace towards the Gentiles.God took the Hebrew of Hebrews and made him a steward of His grace for the Gentiles.

Philippians 3:4b-64...If anyone else had a mind to put confi dence in the fl esh, I far more: 5circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

What is the mystery that was made known to Paul?

The mystery of Christ (Eph 4).The mystery has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit.


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What is the mystery of Christ?

The Gentiles are fellow heirs.The Gentiles are fellow members of the body.The Gentiles are fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

How did this play out historically?

Warren Wiersbe’s Expository Outline on the New Testament

In the Old Testament, God revealed through prophecy His program for the people of Israel.

He would establish them in their kingdom when they received their Messiah. ›Then He would convert the Gentiles through Israel. ›

Did the Jews receive their Messiah?

Warren Wiersbe’s Expository Outline on the New Testament

God offered them the kingdom through the ministry of John the Baptist (Mt 3:2), whom the Jews permitted to be slain.God offered them the kingdom through the ministry of Christ (Mt 4:12-17), whom the Jews asked to be slain.God offered them the kingdom through the ministry of the Apostles and Stephen (Ac 2-7), whom the Jews themselves actually killed.

Three offers of the kingdom were made to Israel, but the nation rejected eachof them.

Paul’s ministry was to the Gentiles and his message was that of grace. ›Paul’s special task was to share the truth of one body, the mystery of the church. ›Paul states the mystery clearly in Ephesians 3:6 “to be specifi c, that the Gentiles ›are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,”


WOW-The Bible truly does have all the answers

Jeff and I have been talking about this for six years. ›God’s design wasn’t Judaism and Christianity. ›

God’s design was one people worshipping one God. »God’s design was one people following one God. »God’s design was one people serving one God. »


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God’s design was to reach the world through Israel. ›The Gentiles are fellow heirs. »The Gentiles are fellow members of the body. »The Gentiles are fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through »the gospel.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, I can’t read these scriptures without thinking about how much I love Jeff. I never want to disrespect him or his family or his Jewish friends, but I want him to have everything You want him to have. I want him to have his Jewish Messiah . Jesus is the Messiah of those who were far off and the Messiah of those who were near. All of us need atonement. All of us need the Passover Lamb. All of us need the exodus from the slavery of sin . All of us need the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

Father, if I don’t pray for something great to happen , it might not happen . Do a great work in Jeff so that You can do a great work through Jeff. Open Jeff’s eyes the way You opened Paul’s eyes. Open Jeff’s heart the way You open the hearts of the people on the Emmaus Road. Father, I don’t want him to be saved to be like other “so-called” Christians. I want him to be saved to see You capture 100% of his heart and to use 100% of the abilities. Show him Your glory. Do it today!


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day 16 ~ ephesians 3:7-107of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.


Of what was Paul a minister?

He was a minister of the mystery of Christ. He was a minister of the stewardship of God’s grace for the Gentiles.

The Gentiles are fellow heirs. ›The Gentiles are members of the body. ›The Gentiles are fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the ›gospel.

What does Paul say about himself?

8To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given.

What was Paul to do?

9To preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ.


What are God’s unfathomable riches of Christ to me?

The Son helps me know and understand the Father. ›The Son refl ects the image of the Father. ›

The Son obeyed the Father to pay for my sin. ›The Son defeated sin and death for me. ›

The Son removed the dividing wall. ›The Son removed the veil. ›The Son gives me faith, hope and love. ›The Son loves me and gives me the ability to love. ›


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The Spirit gives me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.


What was Paul’s mission?

9...to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery, which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things.

Paul’s mission was to take the gospel to the Gentiles. ›Paul’s mission was to make the mystery known. ›

Why was this Paul’s mission?

10...so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

Manifold wisdom referred to the beauty of an embroidered pattern or the variety ›of colors in fl owers.This wisdom refers to the new relationship between believing Jews and Gentiles ›in one body. This wisdom is communicated through the church.

To whom was this wisdom to be made known?

10...to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

As the angelic hosts witness the church, they must admit that having Jews and Gentiles in one body is evidence of God’s wisdom. (Eph. 1:3 ; 6:12)

WOW! - Does that amaze you?

How much does God desire to receive His glory in and through the church? ›How important is the church to the glory of God? ›

The church is His bride and He wants to showcase her beauty.


I don’t fully understand all of this stuff but here is a thought… ›How much stronger would Jews and Christians be today if they were one »instead of two?Why have we given up on uniting Jews and Christians? »


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, it encourages me that angelic hosts look at my friendship with Jeff and his friendship with me and see it as evidence of God’s wisdom . What are You doing through this relationship that I can’t see at this time? Why did You bring us together? What do You want to do through us?

Father, I want to be used by You to open people’s eyes. I want to see people love You with all their heart, soul , mind and strength . I want to see what You can do through a man that is fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit. I want to see what You can do through a church that raises up leaders and disciples people. I want to lead people to be difference makers. I want to see the unexplainable happen .

Father, I want to see people repent of the lusts of the flesh , the lusts of the eyes and the boastful pride of life. I want to see people repent of the love of money. I want to see people choose a better story. I want to see people love loving You. I want to see people love loving people. I want to see people be fully alive. Please do that in me and make it contagious. Set me on fire for You and cause others to come watch me burn . Father, do that for Andy and Jason and the rest of our team . Father, do that for Jeff.

Father, I’m grateful for the work You are currently doing through our church but I believe that so much more is possible. Bless this church with the resources needed to do Your work. Bless this church with the resources needed to build a church facility. Move upon the heart of potential givers and do an unexplainable work through them . Move upon their hearts to give momentum gifts and confirmation gifts. Cause our congregation to repent of their love of money and to discover the joy of giving. Father, I can’t keep doing everything I’m doing, give us the executive leadership that is needed for me and Andy to focus on devoting ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.


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day 17 ~ ephesians 3:11-1311This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and confi dent access through faith in Him. 13Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

Focused Thinking:

What was accomplished in Christ?

The inclusion of Jews and Gentiles in one body.

What is our privilege in Christ?

...we have bold and confi dent access through faith in Him.

The more I know God’s Word, the bolder and more confi dent I am in my faith.Faith isn’t “blind faith.” ›Faith is confi dent trust that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He ›says He will do.

What is Paul’s request?

Don’t be discouraged by my sufferings for you. His suffering was for our gain and glory.


The Word of God strengthens my faith in Jesus. ›The Word of God gives me more boldness and confi dence to approach Jesus. ›The Word of God creates boldness and confi dence in me to be used by Jesus. ›

When I am lacking boldness and confi dence it is because I’m not ›approaching Jesus.

I’m not spending unhurried time with Jesus through His Word and Prayer. »I’m not spending time with God’s people. »I’m not spending time serving God by serving God’s people. »


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When I am lacking boldness and confi dence it is because I’m depending upon my abilities instead of God’s abilities.

2 Timothy 1:7For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and loveand discipline.

The more I look at the Word, the more bold and confi dent I am in approaching ›the Lord.The more I look at the world, the more timid I am in approaching the Lord. ›

The “Buying a Lie” series is a good example of “boldness and confi dent access ›through faith in Him.”Why was I more bold and confi dent teaching on money than ever before? ›

I had my priority time in 1 Timothy. »I focused my thinking on 1 Timothy 6. »I applied 1 Timothy 6. »I prayed through 1 Timothy 6. »I worked through 1 Timothy 6 in my journal. »I designed the series “Buying a Lie” from the truths of 1 Timothy 6. »I studied 1 Timothy 6. »I wrote four messages from 1 Timothy 6. »I memorized 1 Timothy 6. »I taught 1 Timothy 6. »

My boldness and confi dence came from the clarity and conviction ofGod’s Word.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, forgive me for being timid when I pray about revival . I know I’m asking for something beyond my comprehension but it is needed. Give me the boldness and confidence needed to access You through faith . Increase my faith!! Give me the confidence and courage to approach and ask unapologetically for Your presence and power to accomplish Your mission .


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Father, forgive me for the presence of doubt in my prayers. Father, I pray for the Spirit of God to move in the hearts of our people and give them the gift of repentance. Father, do a work of revival in me. Do a work of revival in my family. Cause my children to have a singular focus on loving You and loving others. Do a work of revival in our staff, our friends and our leaders.

Father, give us the boldness and courage that is needed to teach and preach the revolutionary truths of the Bible. Show me how to present people a “better story”. Show me how to help people flee and pursue. Show me how to build a church that truly “Goes” and truly “Makes Disciples.”

Father, I pray that our people will sow the seeds of love and obedience and reap a harvest of lost souls. I pray that our people will be responsible parents and truly grow their children in Christ. Father, the demands are too great. Give us the resources, staff, leaders and facilities that we need. Father, blow the wind of Your Holy Spirit through our church .

I pray that people will learn , love and live the Word. Father, make us a church that is known as a “Friend of Sinners”. Build a team of prayer warriors for me, the staff and the church . Raise up Jonathan’s for me and the staff. Raise up Pauls, Barnabases and Timothys for the staff and church . Give us favor reaching all of Memphis, not just white Memphis. Father, since You are the Prodigal God makes us the Prodigal Church .


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day 18 ~ ephesians 3:14-1914For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be fi lled up to all the fullness of God.

Focused Thinking:

What is the reason that causes Paul to bow his knees before the Father?

The mystery of Christ is the reason. The Gentiles are fellow heirs. ›The Gentiles are fellow members of the body. ›The Gentiles are fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through ›the gospel.The Gentiles and Jewish believers are “one new man” (Eph 2:15). ›

What does Paul pray for?

16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.

Paul is praying from confi dence, not doubt.Paul is praying from abundance, not limitations.

Paul can pray this because he has experienced this.Paul has experienced “according to the riches of His glory”. ›Paul has experienced being “strengthened with power through His Spirit in the ›inner man.”

It is hard to pray in faith for others what you haven’t experienced yourself.Paul prays for God’s Spirit to be strong to overcome resistance in the fl esh. ›Paul prays for God’s Spirit to give power to live according to the Spirit. ›


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What is the result of this prayer being answered?

17bso that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

If Christ is dwelling in your life then He dominates your attitude, desires and choices.

18...may able to comprehend with all the saints the reality of the breadth and length and height and depth.

We can comprehend more with all the saints than we can by ourselves.This speaks to the importance of the church.

I need to experience God through others to experience the fullness of God. ›I can’t stand being alone so I would self-destruct without connection and »friendships in the body of Christ.I would be limited in my understanding of God without the equipping that I »receive from the body of Christ.I wouldn’t know all the joys of serving others without the strengths and gifts »being employed in the body of Christ.

I need the “one another’s” of the New Testament.Love one another ›Encourage one another ›Pray for one another ›Serve one another ›Honor one another ›Instruct one another ›


I am going to start praying these prayers for Karin, Mark and Annika. ›I am going to start praying these prayers for the staff. ›I am going to start praying these prayers for the church. ›


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, I pray that You use our church to help unify the city. I pray for the pastors in Memphis to be strengthened with His Spirit in the inner man . I pray for Christ to dwell in pastors’ hearts through faith , to be grounded in love, and to comprehend the breadth , length , height and depth of the love of Christ.

I pray for Karin to be strengthened with Your Spirit. Give her the ability to focus and do less. Give us the resources to remove all the administrative responsibilities of the women’s ministry from her. Father, we need to do less so that we can be together more as a family. Help us to honor our priorities. Help us to be people who are first and foremost committed to loving You and loving others. Help us build a foundation that grounds Mark and Annika in Your love.

Father, give Mark and Annika the ability to comprehend the fullness of Your love. Show me how to give Mark and Annika a better story. I pray for Annika to love reading Your Word and love writing creative stories that retell God’s story. Show me how to prioritize my weekends and dollars between now and graduation . I want to make their childhood memorable. I want them to live in the reality of God’s power in our lives personally and through our church corporately. Father, I pray that You give them the ability to comprehend and communicate the breadth , length , height and depth of the love of God.

Father, I need all of this more than anyone. Help me to focus and slow down . Help me to prioritize my relationship with You. Help me to do less so that I can do more. Father, there are too many responsibilities and distractions. I need more executive help. I must devote myself to prayer and the ministry of the Word.


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day 19 ~ ephesians 3:14-1914For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be fi lled up to all the fullness of God.

Focused Thinking:

When do I see and experience “the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge?”

My understanding of Christ surpasses knowledge when I see:answered prayer. ›someone saved. ›someone baptized. ›someone be generous. ›someone serve. ›worship through music. ›a video of someone’s faith story. ›

My understanding of Christ surpasses knowledge when I experience God through missions.

Through the warmth of their embrace. ›Through the sparkle in their eye. ›Through the joy in their smile. ›

Is there anything more awesome in life than knowing someone who is fi lled up with all the fullness of God?

A man or woman is never more beautiful than when they are fully alive in God.


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What does it look like to be fi lled up with all the fullness of God?

John 1:16For of His fullness we have all received and grace upon grace.

They are full of grace upon grace. They don’t run out of grace.They are full of the undeserved, kindness and goodness of God.

Grace defi nes their life. ›Grace is the expression of their life. ›

Colossians 2:9-109For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10and in Him you have been made complete and Heis the head over all rule and authority.

It is possible for a person to be made complete in Christ.

When one’s life is defi ned by:giving instead of receiving, one is complete in Christ. ›serving instead of being served, one is complete in Christ. ›loving instead of being loved, one is complete in Christ. ›


People need to see and experience the stories of God.

Can you imagine how helpful it would have been to interview: ›Jesus? »Peter, John and James? »Paul? »John Calvin and Martin Luther? »John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards? »

We must invest more money in video. ›

There are stories that need to be captured. »There are stories that need to be told. »

Nothing beats the power of a story.


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, make us a church where people experience the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Make us a church that teaches the truth but always gives people grace upon grace. Make us a people who are filled up with the fullness of God. I pray that our worship services will get stronger and stronger because more and more people are filled up with the fullness of God. I pray that the majority will come to church prepared to worship with high expectations. Give us the ability to mature believers and to continue to reach unbelievers.

Father, give us a love for the lost that causes us to invest and invite. Give our people a serious conviction about three people to invest in for 2010. Move among us in such a way that over 200 people are baptized in 2010. Do something truly God-sized in and through our people. Father, I desire to see Your Holy Spirit blow through our congregation . Father, fill us up with the fullness of God. Do it for Your glory!! Father, we need so much more than gradual improvement; we need radical improvement.

Father, make us the best story telling church in the world. I pray that we will be people who sow the seeds of love and obedience so that we can reap the stories of forgiveness and freedom . Give us talented people who can capture and tell stories through every form of art. Give us the resources and personnel needed to broadcast Your stories to our people and to the world.

Father, I pray Revelation 12:11 into our church and into our video vision , “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony and they did not love their life even when faced with death .”

Give us Your vision and dreams for broadcasting Your stories. Anoint and bless “Imperfect.tv”.


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day 20 ~ ephesians 3:20-2120Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Focused Thinking:

What is God able to do through us?

20...far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,

What is the key here?

We need to ask according to God’s desires instead of our desires. We need to ask according to God’s will instead of our will.We need to ask according to God’s Word instead of our word.

John 15:7If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.

Our abiding determines our asking.

How?

20...according to the power that works within us,

This power works in us as we abide in Him through the Word and prayer.This power works in us as we abide in Him through fellowship with other believers.This power works in us as we abide in Him through serving and giving.

Whom receives the glory?

21...to HIM be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Where does He receive the glory?

21in the CHURCH and in CHRIST JESUS to all generations forever and ever. Amen.


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I need to pray in faith without doubting because I’m praying according to the ›leadership of His Spirit and His Word.I need to continue to pray for God to do things that are abundantly beyond all ›that I can ask or think.

I need to quit doubting big prayers. »God is a big God that births big prayers in us. »

Interactive Prayer:

Father, last December 12th You gave me confidence that You will bring revival to Memphis and beyond through Highpoint. Help us as a church to mature believers and develop leaders. Give us the ability to develop quality classes and programs to grow people in their faith . Give me Your focus for this church . Give me the ability to stay focused.

Father, give us a large gift to enable us to acquire a facility. Do something so extraordinary that it is obvious that it is from You. Do something that gives us the ability to tell the story of Your faithfulness and generosity again and again .

Father, I pray for our church to be defined by our obedience instead of our disobedience. I pray for our church to be defined by followers instead of attendees. Cause the seeds of the Word of God to fall on good soil . I pray that You, as the Lord of the Harvest, would send us laborers in order to reap the harvest.

Father, send us people who are mature in their faith that can mentor new believers and Young believers. I pray that You will get the Word out about Your activity in and through Highpoint. Give us stories that can’t be kept silent. Give us stories of salvation , sanctification and serving. Father, give us resources to invest into Celebrate Recovery, single parents and Overton High School . I pray that You will raise up leaders. Make this church a “Friend of Sinners” to the city of Memphis and beyond. I pray that people will know the God of Highpoint instead of the leaders of Highpoint.


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day 21 ~ ephesians 3:20-2120Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.


What are God’s dreams for Highpoint?

I believe the answer to this question is found in the verses God used to speak this ›church into existence.

Exodus 3:11-1211But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” 12And He said, “Certainly I will be with you and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who has sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”

I know that every church is a church of freedom, but I believe that freedom is ›uniquely in the DNA of Highpoint.

This church is providing freedom from sin. »This church is providing freedom from church (religion/tradition). »

God is a prodigal God and this is a prodigal church. ›This is a church for the younger brothers. »This is a church for the older brothers. »

God is using this church to forgive and free people from their past.

Why is this church a risk-taking church?

The sign comes after the act of obedience (Ex 3:12). ›

Exodus 33:18Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!”

I’ve been praying this prayer for nine years now. ›This prayer is so much bigger than church growth. »This prayer is so much bigger than church success. »This prayer is about seeing the glory of God. »This prayer is about about a New Covenant (Ex 34:10). »


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Exodus 34:6Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.

We want to be the church that sees God’s glory and refl ects His glory to ›Memphis and beyond.

We want to present the God who is:compassionate to Memphis. »gracious to Memphis. »slow to anger to Memphis. »abounding in lovingkindness to Memphis. »abounding in truth to Memphis. »

Exodus 34:8Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship.

We want to be the church that is known for immediate obedience. ›We want to be the church that is known by humble worship. ›

Exodus 34:10Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the LORD, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you.

We want to be more than a successful church; we want to be a movement ›of God.We want to be used by God to bring about revival and spiritual awakening to ›Memphis and beyond.

I believe God re-communicated and reinforced the promise of revival onDec. 12th, 2008 through Judges 6.


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, forgive me for the times I doubt. Fatigue is a dangerous, dangerous weapon . When I get too busy, I doubt. When I spend less time in the Word and prayer, I doubt. When I’m not relationally right with people, my prayer is interrupted. Father, protect me from busyness.

Give us the resources we need and the personnel we need for me to radically change my role and responsibilities. The spiritual battle is too intense for me to be running on empty. Too much is riding on the line for me to be leading and managing an organization instead of devoting myself to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Forgive me for working too hard in my own strength . Revival will not happen with me leading/managing 75% of the time and studying and teaching 25% of the time. Father, that must be reversed!

Father, do a work in me that is abundantly beyond all that I can ask or think. I pray that You would use me to bring revival to Memphis and beyond. I pray that the spirit of repentance would blow over our church in 2010 and that people would worship, connect, equip and serve. I pray that You will make us a church that is used by You beyond what we can ask or think to “make disciples.”

Father, give a super-sized gift to this church for the purpose of acquiring or building a facility. I pray that this church will grow spiritually, numerically and financially. I pray for a heart and culture of tithing. I pray that You will glorify Yourself through Highpoint.

Father, I pray that the “My Priority Time” curriculum will have huge success because it is the single greatest need in the life of every person . Make this a part of the DNA of this church . Give me wisdom as I write this series and curriculum . Bless it and give it favor so that You can use it.


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day 22 ~ ephesians 4:1-61Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.


What does Paul implore us to do?

I...implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you havebeen called,

What is the signifi cance of the word “walk”?

I want to grow faster than a “walk” but that gets me in trouble more times than not.It is hard to have a relationship when you are running. ›It is hard to talk when you are running. ›It is hard to hold hands when you are running. ›


It is unhealthy and unrealistic to run in every area of life. ›I need to run as a visionary, but I need to walk as a man of God. »I need to run as a leader, but I need to walk as a pastor. »

I need to walk as a man of God. »I need to walk as a husband. »I need to walk as a father. »

What goals should I walk toward for 2010? ›I need to prioritize my priority time, studying, writing and teaching. »I need to prioritize my physical health. »I need to prioritize slowing down the pace of my family’s life. »I need to prioritize Daddy Time with Mark and Annika. »


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I didn’t anticipate the word “walk” speaking to me like this, but God is obviously ›using it speak to my weaknesses.I can walk in a manner worthy of my calling, but I probably can’t sustain running ›in a manner worthy of my calling.

Great men and women of God were busy, but not too busy to become a great man or woman of God.

Focused Thinking:

What does it look like to walk in a manner worthy of my calling?

I must walk with all humility.I must walk with all gentleness.I must walk with all patience.I must walk showing tolerance for one another in love.I must walk being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.


It is one thing to look at that list personally; it is another thing to look at that list asa pastor.

Humility -

Staying in the Word and prayer keeps me humble. ›Staying in close relationship with Karin, Mark and Annika keeps me humble. »Staying in close friendships keeps me humble. »

Gentleness -

I am a living contradiction here. ›I am gentle as a pastor. »I am not gentle at times as a leader. »

Patience -

Once again, I am a living contradiction or here. ›I am generally patient as a pastor. »I am almost always impatient as a leader. »When I’m really weary and on the edge of burnout, I’m impatient. »Impatience is one of my key signs that I need a break or to literally get away. »


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Showing tolerance for one another in love -

This is one of the reasons why Highpoint is a perfect place for ›imperfect people.

This is why we are committed to be a “Friend of Sinners” to Memphis. »This is why we are committed to compassion without compromise. »

Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace -

This is more important to me than I can articulate. ›My greatest hurts and scars have come from broken relationships. »My greatest mistakes have come from breaking the bond of peace. »

The enemy is always on the attack here. ›This is one of the many reasons we need to run the processes of ministry »effectively and effi ciently.It is hard enough to preserve unity biblically and relationally without customer »service breakdowns.

I want to protect this at all cost minus compromising the Word of God. ›I don’t want to be the boss any more in this area. »I want an additional executive leader to handle this and let me pastor. »

Lastly, I want us to be diligent in preserving the unity of staff and church. ›I want us to be the best-run organization possible. »I want us to be the best work environment and team possible. »I want us to be the most connected, loving, fun church possible. »


One bodyOne SpiritOne hope of Your callingOne LordOne FaithOne BaptismOne God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

We don’t have to create unity; we have to maintain and protect unity.


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, protect the unity of the Highpoint. Protect us from the lies of the devil and the attacks of the enemy. Protect us from the distractions of the enemy. Give me the ability to focus our staff and church and to keep us focused. I pray that 2010 will be the year of learning, loving and living the Word of God.

Father, help me to definitively change the focus of my life in 2010. No one will make these decisions for me. Give me the wisdom and courage to make the decisions that need to be made for me to go from leader to pastor (75/25). Give me the focus, conviction , discipline and accountability to prioritize my priority time, studying, writing, teaching and exercising. Give me the focus to slow down the pace of my family’s life. Help me help Karin slow down her life. Help me to prioritize Daddy Dates with Annika and Daddy Time with Mark.

Father, forgive me for moving too fast in the important areas. Help me regroup and make sure I maximize the next eight years for Mark and Annika. Help me be the best dad possible. I pray that they will love You with all their heart, soul , mind and strength . I pray that You will help me provide a better story for Mark and Annika. I pray that our family will live out a vision that is so much bigger than basketball or school . Help us help them discover their gifts and strengths and develop a passion to use them to serve You.

Father, build this church into a people who walk in a manner worthy of Your calling. Give us the leaders and resources we need to grow people in humility, gentleness, patience, showing tolerance for one another in love and diligently preserving the unity of the church in the bond of peace. Father, I pray that the Holy Spirit will be unleashed upon our church in 2010. Raise up prayer warriors. Make us a church that loves serving one another and those outside the church . Father, do something in us that is so attractive that others have to come see “Christ in us, the hope of glory”. Father, make Yourself the most visible and all consuming quality of Highpoint Church . Make us a church that is a beautiful bride.


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day 23 ~ ephesians 4:7-107But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives. And He gave gifts to men.” 9(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fi ll all things.)


What is Paul addressing in verses 7-8?

Eph 4:1-6 discussed the unity of the church (1 Co 12:12-13).Eph 4:7-10 discusses the diversity within the church (1 Co 12:4-11,14-20).

What gifts did Christ give the church?

He gave gifted people to local churches (Eph 4:11-12). He gave gifts to people (Ro 12:4-8; 1 Co 12:4-11).

When did He give gifts to the church?

8When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives and He gave gifts to men.

Each believer receives grace/enablement (Eph 3:2, 7-8) as Christ apportioned it (Eph 4:13, 16).Each believer functions in the church by God’s enablement, proportionate to the gift (spiritual ability) bestowed on him, no more or less.

Who are the gifted people God gave to the church?

Ephesians 4:11-1211And He gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;


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What are the gifts God gave to believers in the church?

Romans 12:4-84For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

I Corinthians 12:4-114Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9to another faith by the same Spirit and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10and to another the effecting of miracles and to another prophecy and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

What is the signifi cance of Eph 4:8 being an Old Testament quote?

It confi rms God’s giving of gifts. (Most scholars believe Paul was summarizingPsalm 68.)

The essence of the psalm is that a military victor has the right to give gifts to those ›who are identifi ed with him.Christ, having captivated sinful people by redeeming them, is Victor and gives ›them as gifts to the church.

What was the purpose of Jesus descending and ascending?

10He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fi ll all things.

He is able to fi ll all things by giving gifted people to the church.He is able to fi ll all things by giving gifts to people in the church.


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Eph 1:22-2322And He put all things in subjection under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fi lls all in all.

The fullness of Him fi lls all in all through the church.What a beautiful and powerful defi nition and description of the church. ›What an awesome vision for the church. ›


We must redefi ne the church. ›We must mobilize the church. ›

It is about the fullness of Him who fi lls all in all.

The gifted people in the church must equip the believers in their gifts. ›(Eph 4:11-12).

We must help people identify their gifts. »We must equip people in their gifts. »We must employ people to use their gifts. »

We must work incredibly hard at equipping and employing people to use ›their gifts.

We must embrace a gifts test and stick with it. »We must embrace a strengths test and stick with it. »

Is their anything more important to someone’s spiritual growth? »Is their anything more important to the church’s mission? »

Interactive Prayer:

Father, help us live up to the awesome calling of being “the fullness of Him who fills all in all .” Father, erase the 20/80 principle in our church . We want more than 20% of the people doing the work of the ministry. We aren’t presenting true Christianity when we aren’t equipping our people to serve. Forgive us for the ways that we have unintentionally lowered the standard. Forgive us for the ways we’ve allowed the disobedience of the modern church to redefine the standard and expectations for believers.


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Father, help us present the biblical vision for serving. Give us the personnel and resources needed to equip and employ our people. Our church is operating far below its potential . What could You do through us if our people had a vision for serving, for “the fullness of Him filling all in all” through us?

Father, that’s the vision of the church I want to lead. Anoint our teaching so that these types of truths anchor themselves into the hearts of our people. Show me how to write a doctrine of the church . Show me how to write a doctrine that paints a picture of the most beautiful bride in the world. Imagine how beautiful the bride of Christ can be when all the gifts and strengths of the bride are employed in loving people?

The church is the hope of the world. Nothing else can change the world. Nothing else can replace death with life. Father, we want to be the most attractive, the most loving, the most respectful , the most loyal and the most faithful bride ever. Help me and our church redefine church for this country and this generation . I pray that my greatest works for You are in the next forty years. Give me a double portion of Your Spirit to serve You and be used by You over the next forty years. Do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that I can ask or think according to Your mighty power that works in me and receive all the glory in the church forever and ever. Amen .


95


And He gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers,

Focused Thinking:

What did God give to the church?

In this context, Ephesians 4 addresses the gifted people/offi ces given to the church.Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 address gifts given to believers in the church.

Apostles-Apostles were those who carried the gospel message with God’s authority.“Apostles” means one sent as an authoritative delegate.

The twelve held the offi ce of apostleship by virtue of being with Christ.(Ac 1:21-22).The apostles were appointed by Christ. Paul is one of the appointed apostles.(1 Co 15:8-9; Gal 1:1; 2:6-9).

The term “apostles” was given to others, such as James (1 Co 15:7; Gal 1:19), Barnabas (Ac 14:4, 14; 1 Co 9:6) Andronius and Junia(s) (Ro 16:7) and possibly Silas and Timothy (1 Th 1:1; 2:7) and Apollos (1 Co 4:6, 9).

This latter group had the gift of apostleship but not the apostolic “offi ce” as did the Twelve and Paul.

Does God still give the church men and women of special authority forspecifi c generations?

I’m not talking about the twelve plus Paul.I’m talking about people like Martin Luther.

Did he carry God’s gospel message with God’s authority? ›Did he become an authoritative delegate? ›I know the word “apostle” is tricky but did he fulfi ll that role and responsibility? ›


96

Prophets-The Prophets were gifts to the church to provide edifi cation, exhortation and comfort (1 Co 14:3).

They revealed God’s will to the church before the biblical canon was complete. ›Many scholars believe that apostles and prophets were foundational and ceased ›to exist after the fi rst generation of believers.

Does God still use men and women today to speak prophetically?What does Acts 2:16-21 say about this?I’m not comfortable with the hermeneutic principles of interpretation that say some gifts have ceased to exist.

When it comes to the gifts I’m “open but cautious.” ›I believe all the gifts exist, but I’m cautious about the ways they are used ›and applied.

Has God provided prophets to the church throughout church history that have provided edifi cation, exhortation and comfort?The answer is defi nitely yes.

Has God provided prophets to the church throughout church history that have discerned God’s will through scripture and the illumination of the Holy Spirit?The answer is defi nitely yes.

We need to be very careful and cautious about giving people the titles “apostles ›and prophets” because it is easy to abuse a gift and to make it more about the individual than the edifi cation of the church.That is not a good enough reason to say that those gifts are not operational in ›God’s chosen people for specifi c churches and times.

Evangelists-The evangelists are those engaged in spreading the gospel.

Missionaries are probably a good picture of evangelists. ›

Pastors and Teachers-The double title refers to characteristics of the person who is pastoring believers (leading and comforting) while at the same time instructing them in God’s Word and ways (1 Ti 3:2; Tit 1:9).


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Interactive Prayer:

Thank You Lord for calling me to be a pastor/teacher. I want to be a pastor/teacher that causes You to smile and say, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lighting.” I want to hear You say, “Well Done, good and faithful servant. Since You have been faithful in a little, I will put You in charge of much .” Father, I want my life to be a fragrant aroma that is well-pleasing to You.

I want to sanctify people in truth because Your Word is truth . I want to perfect people in unity so that the world will know that the Father has sent the Son and loved them, even as You have loved me. I want to present every man complete in Christ. I want to labor and strive according to Your power working mightily within and through me. I want to develop my spiritual gifts for Your glory. I want to take pains in these things and be absorbed in them so that my progress is evident to all . I want to pay close attention to myself and my teaching. I want to persevere in these things to ensure salvation for myself, my family and those who hear me. I want to count all things to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Father, I want to accurately handle the Word of God. I want to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I want to renew my mind daily and not be conformed but be transformed. I want my life, my family and my church to teach the Word of God, to reprove, to correct and to train in righteousness so that the man/woman of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. I want to preach the Word of God in season and out of season . I want to reprove, rebuke and exhort with great patience and instruction . I want to fight the good fight. I want to lay many crowns at Your feet.


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day 25 ~ ephesians 4:12-1612for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16from whom the whole body, being fi tted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Focused Thinking: (Eph 4:12)

What do the pastor/teachers do?

The pastor/teacher equips the saints for service.The saints do the work of the ministry. ›The church grows when the saints are growing. ›If the saints aren’t growing then the church doesn’t grow. ›

What is the goal of pastor/teachers equipping the saints to serve?

The goal is the building up/edifying of the body of Christ.Everyone is gifted to serve. ›Everyone is equipped to serve. ›


It is amazing how backwards we have it today. ›It is embarrassing how far we’ve fallen from the biblical norm. ›

Today, the majority of people are attendees and the minority are servants. ›This is simply an issue of sin/selfi shness. »There is nothing worse than servants who don’t serve. »

We can’t fi x this problem with new programs and initiatives. »We can’t fi x this problem with creativity and relevance. »


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What are the goals of the church?

13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

As each believer employs his or her gifts the church enjoys unity (Eph 4:3-6; 13).As each believer employs his or her gifts the church matures spiritually (Eph 4:13).As each believer employs his or her gifts the church represents the fullness of Christ (Eph 1:23; 3:19; 4:13).

What does equipping the saints to serve prevent from happening?

14As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.

They are vulnerable to the trickery of men. ›They are susceptible to craftiness by deceitful scheming. ›

All believers are born as babies, but they must not remain babies.All believers must go from milk to meat. ›All believers must grow through the childhood stage and become men ›and women.All believers must go through the stages of babes, children, Young men/women, ›men/women, fathers/mothers, grandfather/mothers and greatgrandfathers/mothers.

How do we protect and prepare new believers/young believers?

15but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.

We must confront false teaching by speaking the truth in love.Everyone is embarrassed when they’ve been deceived. ›No one likes admitting that they are wrong. ›


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This is why we need to speak the truth in love.“What” you say is important. ›“How” you say “what” you say is important. ›

Confl ict is an opportunity to win loyalty.Confl ict is an opportunity to grow and change.

What causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love?

16from whom the whole body, being fi tted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Every member of the body needs every member of the body.Every member of the body benefi ts from the proper working of every member ofthe body.

This causes the body to grow and to build itself up in love.


The church grows when the church serves. ›When believers don’t do what they are gifted and equipped to do the church »doesn’t grow.There are no shortcuts to becoming a healthy and holy Spirit-led church. »

We must become a church that is fully committed to Worship, Connect, Equip and ›Serve.

We can’t disciple people from the worship services. »We must use the worship services as a catalyst to move people to connect, »equip and serve.

The church can’t overcome disobedience with church growth techniques.


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, this is so hard. Forgive me for the ways that I’ve failed You in the first seven years of this church . Forgive me for not doing a better job of equipping the saints to serve. Forgive me for not doing a better job of mentoring and developing faithful believers. Forgive me for not doing a better job of equipping faithful believers to become faithful leaders. Forgive me for not prioritizing everything Clyde taught me about discipleship.

Forgive me for working harder than I pray. Help me to pray as hard as I work. Help me to help our people be fully committed to the Word of God. Help us design a quality spiritual growth process and to do everything within our giftedness to work the process effectively.

Give us the leaders we need to equip people to become mature men and women that grow into the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Protect our new/young believers from consumerism Christianity. Father, give us the courage to speak the truth in love. Help us help people identify their gifts and use their gifts to cause the growth of the body and the building up of itself in love.

Father, the church is the hope of the world. We must be 100% committed to building Your church . Father, we must interview the faithful believers of Highpoint and document the fundamentals of their faithfulness. We must motivate people to discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness. We must show people a better story. We must show people that Your story works. Make us the best story telling church in the world. Give us the ability to tell Your story in ways that are captivating and life changing. Father, make us a church that helps people believe that the impossible is possible. Help us to be a church that equips people to truly live a life of faith , hope and love.


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day 26 ~ ephesians 4:17-2417So this I say and affi rm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.


What are Paul’s expectations of our walk?

17...walk no longer as the Gentiles walks.

17...don’t walk in the futility of their mind.

What is the futility of the Gentile mind?

18...being darkened in their understanding,

18...excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them,

They believed lies and rejected the truth.They were insensitive to God’s Word and God’s ways.

Why is that the condition of the Gentile mind?

18...because of the hardness of their heart.

19...their hearts had become callous.

What have they done in the hardness of their heart?

19...they gave themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

They abandoned themselves to sensuality.They weren’t concerned about personal or social standards.They practiced every kind of impurity with a continual lust for more.They indulged in self-gratifi cation without regard for others.


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I believe the majority of professing believers are unbelievers. ›What else can we conclude (Matt 7:15-20)? »How else can we justify the consistent expression of the deeds of the fl esh »instead of the fruits of the Spirit?

If the majority of professing believers don’t bear different fruit from unbelievers, are they different than unbelievers?

Paul is very clear, walk no longer like the Gentiles. ›If we are true followers of Christ, there must be a past tense. »If we are true followers of Christ, there must be a former life. »If we are true followers of Christ, there must be a soft and responsive heart »instead of a hard and non-responsive heart.If we are true followers of Christ, there must be a renewed mind instead of »darkened mind.If we are true followers of Christ, there must be fruits of the Spirit instead of »deeds of the fl esh.

If we are true followers of Christ, there must be a transformed life instead of conformed life.


What does Paul say to the Ephesian believers?

20But you did not learn Christ in this way.

You put off the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts ›of deceit.You put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in ›righteousness and holiness of truth.


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This is what I call replacement theology.

You take off the old and you put on the new. ›You fl ee sin and pursue righteousness. ›

You replace old thoughts with new thoughts. ›You replace old desires with new desires. ›You replace old actions with new actions. ›

You replace impure addictions with pure addictions.

This isn’t a singular decision; this is a continual decision. ›Salvation is a point-in-time experience with continual results. »Sanctifi cation is a moment by moment decision with immediate results. »

Renewing the mind isn’t a one time decision; renewing the mind is a ›daily decision.

Romans 12:2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Learning isn’t a one time decision; learning is a daily decision. ›

2 Cor 10:5-65We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

Col 2:8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

Taking off the old and putting on the new is a process of sowing and reaping.


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, this passage of Scripture proves the importance of a priority time. We can’t afford to be unintentional with our minds when our minds are being bombarded by the world 24/7. It is impossible not to be deceived apart from the Word of God. The devil is the best liar and deceiver in the world and we will be led astray apart from the truth of God’s Word.

Father, forgive the people of our church for being lazy with the Word of God. Forgive us for making excuses. Forgive us for not renewing our minds and for remaining darkened in our understanding. Forgive us for not renewing our minds and remaining conformed to the world. Forgive us for being content with sin management.

Father, I repent of the ways I’ve been too busy to become a more comprehensive scholar of the Word. I repent of not memorizing Your Word more. It is hard for me to love You more apart from the Word. It is hard for me to obey You more apart from the Word. The Word is Your story and I must know Your story in order to know You.

Father, help us equip our people in the Word. Give me wisdom and favor as I write. Show us how to make it memorable, understandable and doable. Cause Your Spirit to anoint and bless this curriculum so that people will renew their minds with the Word and be transformed instead of conformed.

Father, give people a true addiction to You through the Word and prayer. I pray that the Word of God become a habit-forming substance in people’s lives. I pray that people will overcome impure addictions with a pure addiction to Your Word. I pray the Word will be sweeter than honey to their lips. I pray that it will be more costly than gold or sil ver.


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day 27 ~ ephesians 4:25-2925Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26Be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edifi cation according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.


What must we do to walk the walk? Why?

Don’t lie. Speak truth.We are members of one another.

Be angry and yet do not sin. How?

Keep short accounts. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.

Why?

Don’t give the devil an opportunity to make the problem bigger/worse.

The madder you get the dumber you get.

Don’t steal. Work. Why?

You will have something to share with one who has need.

Don’t speak unwholesome words, but helpful words. Why?

Speak words that edify/build up and give grace to the hearer.


How simple?

How clear and concise?

These truths are simple but they aren’t easy unless you are consistently renewing ›your mind.These truths are simple but they aren’t easy unless you are consistently abiding ›in Christ.These truths are simple but they aren’t easy unless you are consistently walking by ›the Spirit.


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Don’t lie. Speak truth. ›Don’t sin in your anger. Have righteous anger. ›Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Keep short accounts. ›Don’t steal. Work. ›Don’t be selfi sh. Share with the needy. ›Don’t speak ugly words. Speak kind words. ›

These are basics of every relationship. ›The marriage relationship »The parenting relationship »The sibling relationship »The friend relationship »The church relationship »The boss relationship »The co-worker relationship »

Interactive Prayer:

Father, this is as simple and clear as it gets. This list proves how sinful we are that we struggle with such basics. Give me the wisdom and insight needed to write curriculums that don’t insult the intelligence of the reader but at the same time intentionally make the truth very clear and doable.

Father, show me how to communicate the basics of every great relationship. I don’t want to minimize You or Your truth in any way; I simply want to make it simple. We don’t struggle with You because we don’t understand the mysteries of the Bible; we struggle with You because we don’t obey the obvious truths. I pray that I will speak truth at all times, be angry without sin , keep short accounts, work and share and speak kind and encouraging words. I pray that I will be known by this list. I pray that our people will be known by this list.


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day 28 ~ ephesians 4:30-3230Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.


What grieves the Holy Spirit?

Speaking lies instead of truth grieves the Holy Spirit.Sinning in Your anger and grieves the Holy Spirit.Stealing instead of working grieves the Holy Spirit.Greed instead of generosity grieves the Holy Spirit.Ugly words instead of kind words grieve the Holy Spirit.

Why do these things grieve the Holy Spirit?

These actions aren’t from the Holy Spirit.These actions aren’t consistent with the Holy Spirit.

These actions represent the deeds of the fl esh instead of the fruits of the Spirit.These actions are the exact opposite of the Spirit of God.

The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Truth.These actions are not from the Spirit of Truth; they are from the spirit of sin.

What else isn’t from the Spirit of God?

Bitterness (poison) isn’t from the Holy Spirit.Wrath (rage/outbursts of anger) isn’t from the Holy Spirit.Anger (settled feeling of anger) isn’t from the Holy Spirit.Clamor (shouting) isn’t from the Holy Spirit.Slander (blasphemy) isn’t from the Holy Spirit.Malice (ill-will, wickedness) isn’t from the Holy Spirit.

Would any of these qualities exist if we were angry but sinned not?

How do you deal with such intense feelings?

How do you deal with such intense hurt?

Paul doesn’t say, “just cool off”.Paul doesn’t say, “just forget about it”.


109


Can you forget about something that made you bitter? (wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice)

No way. ›I can recall hurts right now. ›I bet you can feel certain hurts right now. ›


If you can’t forget the pain, how do you deal with the pain?

32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven You.

WOW!-Now that requires the Holy Spirit.It is impossible for you apart from the Holy Spirit to go from bitterness to kindness

It is impossible for you apart from the Holy Spirit to go from wrath/rage totender-hearted

It is impossible for you apart from the Holy Spirit to go from clamor, slander and malice to forgiveness

If that doesn’t show our need for the Holy Spirit, I don’t know what does.It is the power of the Holy Spirit that restrains my tongue. ›It is the power of the Holy Spirit that restrains my emotions. ›It is the power of the Holy Spirit that restrains my anger. ›It is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables me to be angry and sin not. ›

It is the super-duper power of the Holy Spirit for me to be angry and to be kind to ›the person I’m angry at.It is the super-duper power of the Holy Spirit for me to be angry and to be ›tender-hearted to the person I’m angry at.It is the super-duper power of the Holy Spirit for me to be angry and to forgive the ›person I’m angry at.

That type of transformation is impossible in the fl esh.That type of transformation is only possible by the Spirit.


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How is all of this possible?

32b...just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

When I remember my forgiveness I’m able to forgive others.


This passage spoke powerfully to me given my argumentative DNA.

I have sinned much in this area. ›I have made many mistakes in this area. ›I have won too many arguments and lost too many friends. ›

I have improved by failing forward. ›I have improved by studying confl ict in the Bible. ›I have improved by normalizing confl ict and decreasing the pressure. ›I have improved through mentors and teaching. ›

I need to ask the following questions when I’m in a diffi cult relationship.

How would the Holy Spirit respond right now? »How would the Holy Spirit speak to this person? »How would the Holy Spirit treat this person? »

Interactive Prayer:

Father, thank You for the hard lessons You have taught me in this area. I’ve been hurt deeply but You’ve healed me and others. I’ve hurt others and if they aren’t healed completely I pray that You will heal them . Unfortunately and fortunately I’ve been through the battles but You have taught me truths I couldn’t learn any other way. I pray that You protect me from hurting people in the future. I pray for the fruit of the Spirit of self-control in these situations. I know I am very strong-willed and passionate but I pray that You will give me the sensitivity to be kind, compassionate and forgiving when needed.


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Father, give us the resources needed to hire an additional executive leader. I want to and need to be completely out of the disciplinary process with staff. I can’t be pastor and boss too much . It is very hard to combine those roles. Give us the perfect compliment to Jason and his strengths and weaknesses. Meet that need as soon as possible financially as well as providing the right person for the position . Father, protect the unity of the staff. The enemy is always on the prowl , attacking me, my family and my staff to disrupt the work of the church . Bind the enemy from us.

Help us create the best work environment possible. Give us the ability to create an environment that is inspirational , motivational and instructional . Give our staff the drive of the Holy Spirit to be the best pastors and leaders possible. Father, give us the ability to build strong bonds of unity. I pray that we will sharpen one another and always believe the best about one another.

Father, make Your truths be true in the marriages of our church Make our families places of kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Please help us love those we love the most the best. Father, protect our families from anger. Father, please make us a church that strengthens the family. Give us godly people and gifted people to model the truths and to teach the truths. I pray that our church would be known for healthy families.


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day 29 ~ ephesians 5:1-61Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifi ce to God as a fragrant aroma. 3But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4and there must be no fi lthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fi tting, but rather giving of thanks. 5For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.


Why should we be imitators of God?

Because we are children of God.As a child imitates his parents, so should a child of God imitate his/her Father.

How do we imitate God?

2Walk in love,

Who is our example?

2...just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifi ce to God as a fragrant aroma.

He loved us willingly.He loved us sacrifi cially.

His sacrifi cial love was an offering to God (Lv 1:17; 3:16; Is 53:10).His sacrifi cial love was a fragrant aroma to God (2 Co 2:15-16; Php 4:18).


How does my life imitate Jesus’ life?

I prioritize time in the Word and prayer. ›I deny myself daily, pick up my cross and follow Him. ›I try to be known by love for God and love for others. ›I serve God’s mission instead of my mission. ›


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How does my love make sacrifi ces for others?

I make time, money and preference sacrifi ces for Karin, Mark and Annika. ›I make time, money and preference sacrifi ces for friends. ›I make time, money and preference sacrifi ces for the staff. ›I make time, money and preference sacrifi ces for the church. ›

Is my life a fragrant aroma to God?

Yes. ›I need to do less in order to do more. ›

I must focus on the Word and prayer. »I must focus on studying, writing and teaching. »I must focus on leading and vision-casting. »I must focus on Karin, Mark and Annika. »

Busyness is the enemy of intimacy.


What is inconsistent with imitating God?

Immorality must not be named among us.Impurity must not be named among us.

There must be no fi lthiness (obscenity/shameless talk).There must be no silly talk (stupid words).There must be no coarse jesting (vulgar words).

There must be giving of thanks.Our words either build up or tear down. ›Our words either encourage or discourage. ›Our words either sanctify or sin. ›

What do you know for certain?

No immoral person has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.No impure person has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.No covetous person has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.


114

How does this verse (v.5) defi ne immoral, impure and covetous people?

IdolatersA greedy person puts things (idols) before God.

What is his warning about empty words?

6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.


God’s warnings are never empty warnings. ›We should hate what God hates. »We should love what God loves. »

Words are serious because sin is serious. ›We should think differently from the sons of disobedience. »We should talk differently from the sons of disobedience. »We should act differently from the sons of disobedience. »

We should say what the Holy Spirit would say. ›We want our words to reveal God’s heart. »We want our words to reveal God’s desires. »We want our words to reveal God’s actions. »


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, help me to imitate You in everything. Help me to imitate You in my thinking, desires and actions. Help me to imitate You in Your love. I pray that Karin , Mark and Annika will benefit the most from me walking in love. I pray that they feel 100% loved by me and loved by You because of my love for You. I pray that my life, family and church will be a fragrant aroma to You.

Father, forgive me for moments of lusts. I know it is always a battle for a man but I want to win the battle more and more every day. Help me to hate lust the way that You hate lust. Help me to reject lust as the artificial lie of the devil . Help me to replace impure desires with pure desires for my wife. Help me to be 100% pure in the area of immorality and impurity. The scripture says it must not even be named among You. Help me live by the biblical standard, not the “normal battle for men” standard. Help me to fight the good fight in this area and to never grow weary in going good. Help me win this battle by prioritizing a healthy intimate relationship with Karin .

Father, I usually don’t battle greed but I do struggle against getting tired of the financial battle of survival . Give us what we need to send our kids to school and to prepare for college. I pray that You would bless our church financially. Give us what we need to buy property and build a building. Give us what we need to do aggressive ministry. I pray that I will be more generous and that our church will be more and more generous.

Father, make me a person who is awesome at giving thanks. I pray that I will move beyond verbal thanksgiving to written notes and gifts. I pray that our staff will become much better at thanksgiving. Help me make this a major priority for the staff. I want us to be known as a thankful and generous people. I pray that our church will grow in her thanksgiving and generosity. I pray that our church will be known by our words and our actions.


116

day 30 ~ ephesians 5:7-147Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14For this reason it says,“Awake, sleeper,And arise from the dead,And Christ will shine on you.”


7Therefore do not be partakers with them;

Why?

You were sons of disobedience but now you are sons of obedience.You were sons of darkness but now you are sons of light.

When you repent of your sin and place your faith in Christ, there must be apast tense.When you surrender to Christ as your Lord and Savior, there must be a former life.

You can’t be forgiven and not be free.You were forgiven so you could be free.

What is the fruit of the light? All goodnessAll righteousnessAll truth

That is radically different than immoral and impure people.That is radically different than empty-words people.That is radically different than covetous people.That is radically different than idolatrous people.


117

Believers are characterized by goodness, righteousness and truth.Sinners are characterized by evil, wickedness and falsehood.

Children of light desire to please the Lord instead of the fl esh.

What are believers instructed to do?

11Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness.

Sin bears no fruit. ›Sin profi ts no one. ›

11but instead even expose them;

This can be done non-verbally as well as verbally. ›This refers to believers rather than unbelievers. ›Only God can expose and convict unbelievers’ deeds (1 Cor 5:12-13). ›


WOW!-That really raises the standard.

It isn’t good enough to resist deeds of darkness; you should expose deeds ›of darkness.We must speak the truth in love to disobedient believers. ›


What does light naturally do to darkness?

13But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.14For this reason it says,“Awake, sleeper,And arise from the dead,And Christ will shine on You.”

Light exposes darkness. ›Light exposes evil deeds. ›

Exposure gives the disobedient believer the opportunity to confess. ›Exposure gives the disobedient believer the opportunity to repent. ›


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What should disobedient believers do?

They need to wake up. ›They need to rise from the dead. ›When disobedient believers confess and repent, Christ shines on them. ›


Ephesians 5:7-14 is really a picture of church discipline.Believers should walk in the light. ›Walking in the light exposes those who are walking in darkness. ›Exposure gives the disobedient believer the opportunity to confess and repent. ›Believers should follow the principles of church discipline taught in ›Matthew 18:15-20.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, there is so much wrong in the church today. Tragically, the church has more sons of disobedience than sons of obedience. It ought not be this way. One of the reasons we have so many walking in darkness is because we have so few walking in the light. If we don’t have torch bearers among us then we lose the standard. If we don’t have torch bearers then shades of darkness become normal .

Father, please empower us to walk in goodness, righteousness and truth . Help us raise the bar in this church . Give us wisdom to pick curriculums, write curriculums and create environments that enable us to mature believers and develop leaders. Change the percentages in our church . Take us from 20% to 70% of our people being people of goodness, righteousness and truth . I know that will take time but I want us to be known as children of light and as sons of obedience. I pray that 30% of the church will always be full of unbelievers. Father, make us a church that is believer driven and seeker sensitive.

Father, raise up connect group leaders and equip class teachers. Raise up leaders and teachers who are growing spiritually and will reproduce sons of obedience. Bring mature leaders to our church to help us grow the immature believers. Bring to our church people who have a vision for resourcing this church and serving this church . Bring us half-timers who are ready to go from success to significance.


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Father, help us perfect our strategy, gain confidence in our strategy and execute our strategy in excellence. Help us remove unnecessary barriers to people connecting, being equipped and serving. Give us a clear focus. Help me to communicate our strategy as clearly as possible. Father, prepare our people’s hearts to be connected, to be equipped and to serve. Give us the ability to be the “Friend of Sinners” to the unbelievers and the “Teacher” to the believers. I pray that Christ will shine on us and cause people to see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven .


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day 31 ~ ephesians 5:15-2115Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be fi lled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.


How should followers of Christ walk?

First, be careful how you walk.Second, don’t walk as the unwise.Third, walk as the wise.

Walk intelligently instead of ignorantly.Walk accurately instead of missing the mark.

How do the wise walk?

16making the most of your time,

When we walk wisely, we make the most of our time. ›Lost opportunities may never be regained; they are gone forever. ›

Why?

16... because the days are evil.

Many are walking in sin and need to turn from darkness to light.

What is the will of the Lord?

Don’t be foolish.Seek the will of the Lord.Don’t get drunk with wine.

That is debauchery, dissipation, excess. ›That is wasteful living. ›Don’t be controlled by wine, be controlled by the Spirit. ›


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Be fi lled with the Spirit. Be constantly fi lled with the Spirit. ›Be controlled by the Spirit. ›Be empowered by the Spirit. ›

To be fi lled with the Spirit of God is to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Co 10:5).

What are the results of being fi lled with the Spirit?

Communication with one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. ›Communication with the Lord by singing and making melody in the heart. ›Thanking God the Father continually for all things. ›Submitting to one another in the fear/reverance/awe of Christ. ›

Being fi lled with the Spirit creates harmony in relationships.Harmony with friends. ›Harmony with family. ›Harmony in the church. ›


WOW!-What a radical difference the Holy Spirit makes in our disposition.

How many people communicate with one another in this Spirit? ›How many people communicate with God in this Spirit? ›

How many people thank God continually for all things? ›How many people submit to one another in awe of Christ? ›

It isn’t hard to protect unity when you are fi lled with the Spirit. ›The fi lling of the Spirit is the difference maker in people. »The results of the Spirit are undeniable. »


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit each and every day. Give me a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit than ever before. Give me the ability to discern and obey the voice of the Spirit. Fill me with the Spirit and bear the fruits of the Spirit through me. I pray that we would quit being afraid of the Spirit. I don’t want any abuses of the Spirit but I want everything You intend for me to have in the Spirit and through the Spirit.

Father, fill our people with Your Spirit. Give us the desire to pray for the filling of the Spirit daily. Forgive me for being too cautious about the Spirit. I think I’ve hindered the Spirit at times by being too cautious. I’ve hindered the Spirit at times by not trusting my discernment. Give me the wisdom to discern the Spirit and the faith to obey the Spirit. Fill our church up with the fullness of God. Fill us with the Spirit and make us people of goodness, righteousness and truth .

Father, the days are evil and we need to see and experience the power of Your Spirit right here, right now. Change the character of our people by filling them with the Spirit. Make us a church that bears the fruits of the Spirit and draws the city to You. Give us the privilege of blowing the winds of revival and spiritual awakening through our church to our city and country.


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day 32 ~ ephesians 5:22-2422Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.


What is the context for the subject of submission?

The subject of submission isn’t just for husbands and wives. The subject of submission is for wives and husbands, children and parents and slaves and masters (Eph 5-6).

The wives are to be submissive to the husbands. The husband is to show submissiveness by his care and concern.

The children are to be submissive to the parents.The parents are to show submissiveness by their care and concern.

The slaves are to be submissive to their masters.The masters are to show submissiveness by their care and concern.

All of these relationships are to be submissive as a form of service to the Lord.All of these relationships are to be submissive to one another as a form of our reverence for Christ.

What does the submissive relationship look like in marriage?

22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

To submit is to willingly serve others.To submit is to be under rather than over.

Submission is God’s way to honor one another. ›Submission is God’s way to mature one another. ›Submission is God’s way to complete one another. ›

Submission isn’t a specifi c action as much as it is a specifi c attitude.


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It is easier to value and appreciate submission when we understand that submission is about equality, not inequality.

Equal value does not require identical roles. ›A man of quality is never threatened by a woman of equality. ›

22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

“As to the Lord” does not mean that a wife is to submit to her husband in the same way she submits to the Lord, but rather that her submission to her husband is her service rendered “to the Lord.”

Why is the wife to submit to her husband?

23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

The husband is the head of the wife JUST AS Christ is head of the church.Christ is the Savior of the body SO the husband should be the protector of his wife.JUST AS the church is in submission to Christ SO also a wife should be submissive to her husband.


A submissive wife recognizes that her husband is the head of the home and ›responds to him accordingly.Most of the time in a husband/wife relationship, we don’t have a submission ›problem; we have a leadership problem.

The husband must realize that leadership isn’t a reward; it is a responsibility.Leadership is a responsibility to sacrifi ce. ›Leadership is a responsibility to submit. ›Leadership is a responsibility to serve. ›Leadership is a responsibility to sanctify. ›


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What about this word “everything”?

24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.


Two Types of Husbands:

Obedient ›It isn’t diffi cult to submit to husbands who walk by the Spirit and bear the fruits »of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-24).

Disobedient ›1 Peter 3:1-4 »1In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, help me to be the husband that sacrifices for Karin , submits to Karin , serves Karin and sanctifies Karin . Help me protect her from being overloaded and over-stressed. Help me slow down the pace of our life so that she can enjoy life more, enjoy our marriage more and enjoy parenting more.

Give me the focus needed to say “yes” to what’s important instead of what’s urgent. Help me carry less leadership responsibilities and more pastor responsibilities. Help me to prioritize my walk with God, Karin’s walk with God and the kid’s walk with God. Enable me and Karin to slow down enough to give our kids a “better story” over the next eight years. Give us the commitment and conviction to make the next eight years the best years of our lives. Give us the time and resources needed to create memories forour family.


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Father, I pray that we can build these truths into the marriages in our church . Show us the best ways to continually equip our people to have holy and happy marriages. I pray that You will bless Andy’s curriculum “Making Marriage Make Sense.” I pray that You will use that curriculum to prepare marriages, enrich marriages and save marriages. I pray that You will give me and Karin opportunities to teach on marriage together. pray that these men and women will become “Great Commission” Christians.

Help us help the parents in our church and beyond our church to make disciples of their children . Bless our family ministry and student ministry and give them Your favor and Your Spirit as they partner with parents in the process of discipleship.

part 4 ~ start your addiction by karin conlee day 32 ~ ephesians 5:22-24notes

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by karin conlee by karin conleeday 32 ~ ephesians 5:22-24

22Wives be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.”

Focused Thinking:

To whom, is God speaking in these verses?

Wives

What is the wife supposed to do?

Be subject to her husband just like she is to the Lord…”as to the Lord”It is one thing to say I am to be subject to my husband…it is an entirely different level to say that I am to submit to Chris as to the Lord!

How should one submit to the Lord?

Completely ›With entire surrender of my agenda »With tenderness »With joy »With relief »

Knowing that it is for my good ›Confi dent that it is for my good ›

Without attitude »Without holding back »Without judgment »

Why should a wife be subject to her husband?

23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head ofthe church.

God designed it this way!


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Why do we pick and choose what Scripture we are going to believe and engage in?

We can’t get away from the parallel that God has created here! I am to submit to Chris in the same way I do to the Lord because Chris is the head over me.The greatest protection comes from being in God’s will, from obeying Him. I can trust that if I obey Him, I have the greatest opportunity to live in the blessings of obedience.YET, I am not told to be subject to my husband because of what it will do for me….

That is man-centered! ›I must be God-centered! ›

I should be subject to Chris because that is what God instructs me to do. Regardless of the outcome, unless I am asked to violate other Scripture, I should give all of myself to Chris because it is what brings the most glory to God.

How should I submit to Chris?

23...as the church is subject to Christ

How is the church supposed to submit to Christ?

The church was birthed out of a response to Christ.The church was the outcome of the disciples continuing the mission that Christgave them.The church is to go make disciples BECAUSE Jesus told them to.IN EVERYTHING!

To what extent should I submit to Chris?

24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

IN EVERYTHING!


In what areas do I have the hardest time submitting?

My time – I act as if it is my own. I am possessive of it. I will get what Chris needs ›done but on my schedule.My priorities – I have accepted his priorities as his but not as my own. ›

I know that Chris is to be subject to me as well, but my higher calling is to be the ultimate helper to him. My role is to make him the best Chris he can be. I can’t withhold my time and priorities and still submit in everything. I am submitting in some things.

part 4 ~ start your addiction by karin conleeday 32 ~ ephesians 5:22-24 notes

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Interactive Prayer

Lord, Your calling is so high . You call me to this because living in Your will brings the most glory to You. Thank You that in glorifying Yourself, which You alone have the right to do, that the result for us is a life full of protection and provision .

Lord, I do not deserve the marriage I have. I have not done it all right, but You have richly blessed me in my attempts to become a wife fully submitted to You and to Chris. Thank You for giving me a husband that is subject to You. I know his obedience makes my obedience easier. Lord, forgive me that even after fifteen years of marriage to Chris, as I examine myself against Your Word, there are at least these two (and many more) gaps in my submission to Chris. Help me to submit my time and my priorities to him . Why do I hold on and try to control? When I step back, I know that surrendering to Chris’ ways on these things would actually bring better balance to my life and even greater joy to our marriage and our family. Give me a greater awareness of the Holy Spirit when I find myself struggling in these two areas. I am going to choose to follow You, or I am going to choose to follow me. If I choose to follow me, I will ruin myself every time. I ask for the grace and obedience to submit my priorities and time to You through submitting them to Chris.

Amen .


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day 33 ~ ephesians 5:25-3025Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own fl esh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30because we are members of His body.


What is the husband’s responsibility?

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

Love seeks the highest good of another person.

Love is patient. ›Love is kind. ›Love is not jealous. ›Love does not brag. ›Love is not arrogant. ›Love does not act unbecomingly. ›Love does not seek its own. ›Love is not provoked. ›Love does not take into account a wrong suffered. ›Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. ›Love rejoices with the truth. ›Love bears all things. ›Love believes all things. ›Love hopes all things. ›Love endures all things. ›Love never fails. ›


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I have to protect my family from busyness. ›I have to protect Karin from “holding the rock” too long. »

Book Recommendation:Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley

We have to reestablish the Sabbath for our family. »

Review the following principles and make decisions for me, Karin and the kids. ›

Time and Energy Rules:

1. When do I need my best energy?2. When is my best energy available to me?3. What are my energy drains?4. What types of people drain my energy?5. What physical practices drain my energy?

Find the misery and make a rule:

1. Never start the day with email.2. Plan my work and work my plan (Daily/Weekly “To Do List”).3. Don’t substitute a commitment with a condition.4. Don’t compromise Karin, Mark and Annika.5. Don’t compromise my workout schedule.

Focused Thinking: (Eph 5:25b)

What is the standard of the husband’s love?

25...JUST AS Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.

This an impossible command unless one is walking by the Spirit and bearing the fruits of the Spirit.


Sacrifi cial love. ›How can my love be more sacrifi cial?

I need to do less for others so that I can do more for my family. »I need to be around more so that Karin doesn’t always have to be in the “get it »done” mode.


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Submissive love. ›How can I be more submissive to Karin’s desires and needs?

I need to ask Karin where she wishes I was more sensitive to her preferences. »

Servant love. ›How can I serve Karin, Mark and Annika more?

I need to serve Karin by reducing her level of responsibility. »I need to serve the kids by taking pressure off of Karin. »

Sanctifying love. ›How can my love sanctify Karin, Mark and Annkia more?

I need to map out the » Modern Day Knight book by Jan 1st, 2010.I need to prioritize creating a “better story” for Karin, Mark and Annika for the »next eight yearsI need to be more consistent reading a proverb a day with the kids. »I need to be more consistent praying with Karin, Mark and Annika. »


What does Christ/the husband do next?

26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

The purpose of the Christ’s death was to make the church holy (set apart, radically different, unique).

Salvation is pictured as being cleansed by water (Tit 3:5). ›The “word” refers to the preached word that unbelievers hear (Ro 10:8, 17; ›1 Pe 1:25; Eph 6:17).


How does the husband make his wife holy? ›The best way to sanctify my wife is to sanctify myself. »I need to be a more intentional spiritual leader of our home. »


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What is the husband’s purpose?

27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

To present to Christ the church/his bride in all her glory (splendor).To present to Christ the church/his bride without spot or winkle or any such thing,but holy and blameless.

Jesus sees beyond the sacrifi ce to the joy.Jesus sees beyond the spots and winkles to the holiness.

Jesus sees our strengths, not our weaknesses.

What is one of the reasons why husbands should love their wives as their own bodies?

28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own fl esh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30because we are members of His body.


Any good done to my wife is good done to me. ›If her needs are met, my needs are met. »If her needs are not met, my needs won’t be met either. »

If I destroy her joy, I destroy my joy. »If I destroy her happiness, I destroy my happiness. »

“True love is the pursuit of my joy in the joy of my wife.” - John Piper


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, it is time to regroup again . Karin and I have been married for fifteen years and Mark is eleven years old and Annika is nine years old. Help me re-prioritize Karin and the kids so that I can be the best husband and father possible over the next eight years. Help me create a plan and stay true to that plan . Help me say “no” to the urgent stuff so that I can say “yes” to the important stuff.

Father, help me worry and stress less over the church and do a better job of living a passionately balanced life. I know that is a contradiction but somehow it still needs to be true. Father, Karin truly needs me to help her do less. Give us the resources we need to hire a quarter time or part time person for Women’s ministry. Help me to do the “right thing” regardless of circumstances and to cause circumstances to work around us instead of us working around the circumstances.

Father, thank You for Karin . She is truly the most loyal , faithful and dedicated person I’ve ever met. Thank You for her walk with You. Thank You for the way she spends time in the Word and for all the ways she prays for me.

Thank You for Mark and Annika having priority times. I pray that You will help them move beyond simply doing it to loving it. I pray that they would see it as time with You. I pray that You take Annika’s love for reading and that You give her a love and passion for reading the Word of God. I pray that You give her a vision to be a story writer for You. I pray for Mark to use his verbal abilities for Your glory. Take his love for people and his love to talk and use that for Your glory.

Father, I pray that You will take Karin out of the administrative role in ministry and give her the opportunity to prioritize teaching. I pray that You will give her confidence as a teacher and use her to influence and impact women . Help me to regroup and re-prioritize sacrificially loving and sanctifying my family. I only have eight short years left and I want to be wise and make the most of the time.

part 4 ~ start your addiction by karin conlee day 33 ~ ephesians 5:25-29notes

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by karin conlee by karin conlee

day 33 ~ ephesians 5:25-2925Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water by the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands ought to also love their own wives as their own bodies. 29He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own fl esh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church.

Focused Thinking:

Who is told to love in this passage?

Husbands

How are they to love?

25...just as Christ loved the church

How did Christ show His love for the church?

25...gave Himself up for her,

Why did Christ give Himself up for the church?

26...so that He could sanctify her,

What actions did Christ take in purifying/ sanctifying the church?

25...gave Himself up for her,

26...having cleansed her by the washing of water by the word,

Why did Christ sanctify the church?

27...that He could present the church to Himself in all her glory.

What does the church look like in all her glory?

27...no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holeand blameless.

Holy (set apart, unique, radically different) ›Blameless (pure, perfect, without guilt) ›


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I started this passage thinking this was only for the men. Yikes! No way. ›

Think about the parallel that Christ is making here. Christ is to the church as a husband is to the wife. ›

How has this process played itself out between Christ and the church?Is the church holy and blameless? NO ›Is the church without spot, stain or wrinkle? NO ›

Is Christ broken-hearted over the state of His bride? YES

Does this mean Christ did something wrong? NOChrist is sinless and perfect. ›He loves perfectly and corrects perfectly. ›He is above reproach. ›

So, if there are stains and wrinkles in the church, can they be blamed on Christ? NOThe church has a decision to make about how it is going to receive the love, ›correction and instruction. Some receive it well. Some turn against God. ›Some fi nd their own god. ›

The church is us, the people and God has given us the space to choose.In my marriage, I have this same space to choose how I will respond to Chris. ›No, Chris is not perfect like Jesus, but the church is proof that not all of the ›responsibility of sanctifi cation is left to the sanctifi er.I play a part in how I receive Chris’ love, correction and instruction. ›

Where can I improve in being the recipient of Chris’ love?

I can slow down to receive it. ›I need to stop being as focused on my To-Do list and more focused on »responding to his love for me.

I can take more time to reciprocate it. ›He loves to receive words of affi rmation and I don’t tell him enough how much »I appreciate his love towards me.


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Where can I improve in receiving correction?

My fi rst thought needs to be that correction is for my good. ›I need to trust his heart and know that his motive is always to help me. »I need to swallow my pride and have more humility. »I need to realize that part of my job is to become more like him in his »Godly qualities.

My desire to hang onto my set of values is usually me just trying to prove that I ›am right.

My job in this marriage is not to prove I am right. »My job is to glorify God by completing Chris. »

I have never really considered this before, but this whole internal battle is really ›believing the lies of the world versus God’s Word.

When I resist accepting Chris’ views, it is because I want to prove my own »identity, my own value, my own intelligence and my own moral code. My identity is to be in Christ--His values, His wisdom and His moral code. »That means that my job of completing Chris is not me giving up my identity to »Chris; it is me exchanging my fl eshly identity for a Christ-like identity.Chris has never told me to give up my identity for him, but the Bible instructs »me in how to become one with my husband.

Interactive Prayer:

Lord, Thank You so much for Your Word. Thank You for the gift of marriage. It requires constant work and sacrifice, but I can’t think of a better journey. Thank You for allowing me to exchange my pitiful view of marriage as a Young adult for one that loves being married. Thank You for not holding me to my erroneous ways. Thank You that You are a God of new beginnings.

Father, thank You for showing me that this passage really is not to be passed off to the husbands only. If I want a marriage that glorifies You, I also have a responsibility to receive the sanctifying ways of my husband. Christ came for the church and the church in many ways has deflected and ignored Christ’s sanctification . Please forgive me for ways that I have ignored or deflected Chris’ sanctification . Please allow me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and remember these truths in the midst of being corrected and instructed. I also thank You for the fact that You have given me a man I can trust completely.


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I pray for my friends with husbands who don’t see that direct report as clearly. Give these women the ability to see past their husbands’ inconsistencies and look straight to You in obedience. When Chris disappoints me, please help me to realize that my accountability is ultimately to You; it is not dependent upon him . I pray for the grace to receive and respond to the sanctifying process in such a way that my marriage shines brightly as a sweet testimony to You.

Amen .


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For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife and the two shall become one fl esh.


Why does Paul pull in this quote from Genesis 2:24?

He uses the bond between Christ and the church to illustrate the love of a husband for his wife.He is showing that the bond between husband and wife is greater than the bond between parent and child.

The greatness of the mystery refers to the two becoming one fl esh.


I have great in-laws but I think one appropriate application of this verse is to ›evaluate your “leaving and cleaving” status.

Most women need to redefi ne their relation with their man after marriage. »Many men need to stand up and lead responsibly in defi ning the boundaries »with in-laws.

Book Recommendation: Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Interactive Prayer:

Father, thank You for Karin and the oneness that we have built over fifteen years of marriage. Thank You for our ability to communicate. Thank You for her complete and total loyalty to me. Thank You for our in-laws and for the healthy relationship we have with them . Thank You that they respect our marriage and our family. Thank You for the ways that Karin and I have become one spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Thank You for the oneness we have as parents. I pray that each year is a new dimension of oneness. I pray that You will give us favor over the next eight years as we prepare Mark and Annika to love You, serve You and find a God-fearing spouse. I pray for Mark and Annika to find their spouses in college. I pray that they will be married young. I pray that You will give us lots of grandchildren . I pray that I can build a legacy of oneness with God and oneness with our family and our children’s families.


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day 34 ~ ephesians 5:30-31 30because we are members of His body. 31For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife and the two shall become one fl esh.

Focused Thinking:

What does “because” refer to?

What is the effect of us being members of His body?

Christ nourishes the church BECAUSE we are members of His body.Christ cherishes the church BECAUSE we are members of His body.

There is a huge privilege to being a part of His body. ›Jesus had to pick us fi rst, but then we had the choice to respond to the invitation. ›

After the relationship is established, Jesus loves us because of that relationship, not because of our performance in the relationship.

This is just like the husband/wife relationship. ›The man must initiate and extend the invitation to a relationship. ›

Once invited, the woman has a choice in how she responds.Amazing! God is so detailed. ›He wants to show us how things work on our level. He wants us to grasp Him. ›The parallel continue; we should love our spouse because of the relationship, not ›because of the performance of our spouse.

“For this reason”

What is THIS reason?

28so husbands ought to love their own wives as they love their bodies…29one nourishes and cherishes their own fl esh

BECAUSE a man is to love his wife like he loves himself, they shall become one fl esh.

The man’s love for his wife is to be the same as the love he has for himself. ›They literally become one in the fl esh in God’s economy. ›


141

What is the man to do?

Leave his father and mother ›Be joined to his wife ›

Who initiates the leaving?

The son ›The man, not his parents ›It does not specify the woman should leave her parents, but it is implied. ›She can’t become one with someone when she is attached to someone else. ›


Why does leaving and cleaving seem so complicated?

Our most intimate relationships are at stake: parents and spouses. ›In the early stages, it can be frightening to completely entrust yourself to a ›new person.It is a new process for the parents and spouses. ›

What about the new couple actively leaving and cleaving?

Some of the struggle goes back to our struggle as women to have our own ›identity.

We attach ourselves more strongly to our family of origin after our marriage »than before.Before marriage, we are maturing and fi nding our own identity and trying to »differentiate ourselves from our parents.After marriage, there can be a tendency to use our family of origin as our point »of differentiation.

Why can’t we step back and see that?

The thought of being molded into one is contrary to our culture. ›Giving up your identity and preferences is perceived as being a doormat. »Giving up your past ways often feels disloyal to your parents. »

Honestly, this is the picture of our relationship to the church. God designed it ›that way! If He designed it that way, then we need to see that as the church we are to ›follow Him.

We are to submit to Him. »We are to become like Him. »


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So in marriage, I should follow Chris. ›I should submit to Chris. »I should become like him. »I can do that without dishonoring my parents. »

What specifi cally do I need to do in the area of leaving and cleaving?

I need to realize the motive behind “my way” is not honoring to the Lord. ›I was not called to bring Chris over to my family’s way of doing things. »I was called to leave my family and complete Chris. »The need to distinguish myself from Chris is my pride; I need to be aware of »those subtleties and confess them to the Lord and Chris.

God uses my strengths to compliment Chris’ weaknesses and his strengths to ›compliment my weaknesses.

That is the beautiful part of marriage, but my danger is to think that my »preferences are my strengths. I must distinguish between my preferences, my pride and my strengths before »approaching Chris on points of difference in our approach.

Interactive Prayer

Lord,Wow! The more I am in these verses, the more I am reminded how backwards I have seen this thing for so much of my life. Even fifteen years later, I can subtly slide back to wrong thinking. I think it may take more bridled strength to surrender to Your identity than to fight to maintain mine. I never would have thought that. Lord, I want it Your way and no other. In many ways, I want to say that I have this leave and cleave thing down , but there is another level of leaving and cleaving, a pride thing that I must surrender to You. I ask for You to bring to my awareness those lies that I still believe. The truth is that every way that I have obeyed thus far in submitting in my marriage has yielded fruit beyond my imagination . Lord, I have a marriage better than I ever thought was possible. I know that in obeying You, I will be living in the center of Your will . That is where I want to be. Please help me. These are matters of the heart, sometimes even unspoken . Take out anything in me that keeps me from following You fully in my marriage.

Amen .


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day 35 ~ ephesians 5:32-3332This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.


What is the mystery?

The mystery refers to the two becoming one fl esh in the same way that Christ and the church become one.The marriage of Christ and the church is best understood by the marriage of the husband and wife.

Christ is the groom and the church is the bride.The husband is the groom and the wife is the bride.

Christ is head of the church.The husband is the head of the wife.

Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.Husband, love your wife and give yourself up for her.

Christ sanctifi ed her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word.Husband, sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of water with the Word.

Christ presented to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.Husband, present to yourself your wife in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she will be holy and blameless.

What is Paul’s summary of the husband and wife’s responsibility in marriage?

33Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

Husband, love your wife.Wife, respect your husband.


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A man’s greatest need is respect.A woman’s greatest need is love.

Men never naturally love women the way women want to be loved.Men love women the way men want to be loved.

Women never naturally respect men the way men want to be respected.Women love men the way women want to be loved.

Men underestimate how much women need love.Women underestimate how much men need respect.

What happens when love and respect isn’t present?

“Without love wives react without respect.”“Without respect husbands react without love.”

Book Recommendation:Love & Respect by Emerson Esserichs


My response is my responsibility. ›We must quit blaming our spouses for our reactions. »

The husband’s responsibility is love. ›My love motivates her respect. »

The wife’s responsibility is respect. ›Her respect motivates my love. »

Interactive Prayer:

Father, thank You for Karin . I pray that I can love her as You love me. I pray that I can love her with Your love. Thank You that after fifteen years of marriage we are still excited, loving it and working on it daily. Thank You for never allowing us to become content in our marriage. Thank You that I prioritize loving Karin and that she prioritizes respecting me. Thank You for teaching us these principles early in our marriage.


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I pray that the standards of our marriage will inspire Mark and Annika as they pray for and pick their spouses. I pray that they would run the race for Christ and that they would find world class runners to run the race with them . I pray that You will protect Mark and Annika and their spouses in their purity. I pray that they will meet their spouses early and marry in or right out of college. I pray that Mark and Annika, as well as their spouses, will walk by the Spirit and bear the fruits of their Spirit for the duration of their lives. I pray that their marriages will be the holiest, healthiest and happiest part of their lives.

I pray for the marriages in our church . Help us help people have holy, healthy and happy marriages. Father, bless and anoint Andy in his teaching on marriage. Bless and anoint me and Karin as we teach on marriage. Protect the people in our church from divorce. Give us a strong counseling ministry. Help us do everything possible to care about marriages proactively and reactively.


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day 35 ~ ephesians 5:32-3332This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.


What is this mystery?

Is this mystery referring to the verses immediately preceding this one - that two shall become one fl esh? Yes, but even more so it is the mystery of oneness; oneness between Christ and the church and oneness between a husband and wife.

Here is this comparison:The church is to Christ as the wife is to the husband. ›

It could also be stated:Christ is to the church as the husband is to the wife. ›Christ: ChurchHusband: Wife

We read this as God explaining marriage through the example of the church. God is giving us a comparison between Christ and the church that we can relate to.

What has this passage said about the relationship between Christ and the church?

Christ is the head of the church.Christ is the Savior of the body.

The church is subject to Christ.

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water by the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

29He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own fl esh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church.


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karin conlee - ephesians 5:32-33

What actions does Christ make toward the church?

He loves us.He gave Himself up for us.He sanctifi es us.He cleanses us.He nourishes us.He cherishes us.

What action should the church make toward Christ?

Be subject to Christ

Why does Jesus do these things for the church?

30because we are members of His body.

27but that she would be holy and blameless.

Wow! How lopsided! Christ does everything selfl essly and for our good. ›He loves us, nourishes us, cherishes us, cleanses up, gives Himself up for us and ›sanctifi es us. We are blessed and protected. In that protection, we are asked to put ourselves ›under His authority.

Why do we resist?

Why are we so arrogant?

Why would we want to lead ourselves?

I certainly do a lousy job nourishing, cleansing and sanctifying myself. I won’t even do what is best for me if it costs me too much.

Interactive Prayer

Lord, forgive me for not exalting You more.Lord, forgive me for not being more grateful .It truly is a wonder that You still want a relationship with any of us!We have taken a beautiful relationship and tortured it.Your mercy is truly amazing.I get so disappointed with people and yet my sacrifice is not even a grain of sand. How You must ache.


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5Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

Why does he say nevertheless?

Paul is saying, “Yes, the mystery is the church, but (nevertheless) still make this application to your marriage.”

What application are we told to make?

Each individual among you is to…Love his own wife even as himself. ›And the wife must see to it that she respects her husband ›

How strongly is that statement directed toward the wives?“We must” It is not a suggestion or recommendation; it is a necessity. ›

We MUST respect our husband. »We MUST see to it. »

What does it imply by saying that “she (a wife) must see to it that she respectsher husband”?

When we see to it, we make sure it happens.It is not an option. ›We are given the job and we are to get it done. ›Whether we like the task, have time for the task, or have other things going on, ›we are to make it happen.

What MUST a wife do?

Respect her husband.Paul could have given a lot of instructions here. He specifi cally narrowed it down ›to the issue of respect. A man needs respect. He is wired to lead.Disrespect over time will destroy his God-given design to lead. ›


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How am I doing in the area of respecting Chris?

First, I need to ask him this exact question on our next date! ›

Where can I do a better job respecting Chris?

His love languages are words of affi rmation and gifts. ›I need to verbally tell him what I respect about him more often. »I need to be specifi c. »

He will feel like it is lip service if it is broad and generic. ›I need to be cautious not to move forward too quickly on things for the sake of »helping him out and getting things done. I need to ask and make sure he has given me the input he desires on details in »our lives.I need to appreciate the fact that Chris has lots of opinions. »I need to respond well when he gives me his preferences. »

If we are to be one and I am to be his completer, then I am to refl ect his ›preferences.

If I struggle with that then my struggle needs to be with You, God and »not Chris.He will feel more respected if I respond promptly to his preferences instead of »delaying (either out of busyness or out of hoping his opinion will change to be more like mine).I need to affi rm Chris’ position with Mark and Annika even if I disagree or »know that they have successfully sought him for a different answer than what I gave them. I need to make sure I separate the two issues. Their manipulation needs to be addressed, but not in a way that makes it look like I am disagreeing with Dad.I need to be more proactive to ask, “How can I help you?” »


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Interactive Prayer:

Lord,There are times where I feel like I do a great job respecting Chris. Then there are other times when I think I have just convinced myself of that and I truly fall short and need to be more proactive. Lord, my natural tendency is not to be very verbally affirming. Help me to remember how valuable words are to Chris and to make a point to express my respect verbally and in writing.

If I feel respect for Chris and do not express it, I am falling short of my calling. Help me to be the wife that he needs and desires in every area. Give me the grace to complete him the way You’ve defined. Thank You for a husband that follows You and acknowledges that he is subject to You. Forgive me for the ways I take Chris and his humility for granted.

Lord, Your Word leaves no room to question; respect from a wife to a husband is a non-negotiable. Not only is respect a non-negotiable, but it must be given priority and demonstrated continually. I ask for the grace to live with an awareness of Chris’ need for respect. Do not allow me to take Chris for granted or allow other people to be the place Chris receives respect.

Amen .


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day 36 ~ ephesians 6:1-41Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2Honor your father and mother (which is the fi rst commandment with a promise), 3so that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.


The chapter break here is unfortunate because this isn’t a new thought but it is a continuation of the theme of submission in relationships.

What is the context?

I think it goes all the way back to Ephesians 5:18, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be fi lled with the Spirit.”

I need the Spirit’s leadership in my life in order to be a good parent. ›I need the Spirit’s leadership to train my children up to be disciples. ›I need the Spirit’s leadership to create an environment/home of love, joy, peace, ›patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

What are children to do?

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2Honor your father and mother (which is the fi rst commandment with a promise),

A child’s obedience to his or her parents is pleasing to the Lord just as our obedience as children of God is pleasing to God the Father.


I can think of nothing that brings me more personal joy than the obedience of my children.

Nothing makes me more peaceful. ›Nothing makes me more secure. ›Nothing makes me more content. ›Nothing makes me more joyful. ›


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This is a reoccurring theme but I must plan out the next eight years for Mark ›and Annika.I must prioritize and plan out everyday life. ›

weekend life »special events/making memories »holidays »a “better story” »

I need to prioritize intentional great commandment/great commission teaching, ›opportunties and experiences.

character development »manhood development with Mark (Karin - womanhood with Annika) »encouragement and affi rmation »one-on-one times »ways to say, “I love you”, “I’m proud of you” and “You’re good at...” »

I need to prioritize sharing my dreams, my desires and my doubts with Mark and Annika.

I need to prioritize making memories. ›I need to prioritize manhood/womanhood ceremonies. ›I need to prioritize recognizing manhood/womanhood. ›

3 John 1:4I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

This verse doesn’t come true randomly; it comes true through the process of sowing and reaping.

Why? ›

...for this is right.

God designed it this way for our good and protection.

Obedience teaches children self-discipline. ›Self-discipline produces stability and longevity in one’s life. »Undisciplined people rarely live healthy lives or long lives. »


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What is the warning/instruction to fathers?

4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Paul addressed husbands because husbands are the head of the wife.Paul addresses fathers because fathers are the head of the home.

God has given husbands/fathers the responsibility to be the spiritual leaderof the family.

Warning-Fathers do not provoke (exasperate) your children to anger.Don’t give your children unreasonable demands. ›Don’t give your children petty rules. ›Don’t play favorites with your children. ›Don’t discourage your children. ›


What are ways I provoke my children?

When Mark was younger, I did it through authority and discipline. ›Mark is the classic “strong-willed child” and I thought I’d be stronger. »Mark and I would get into verbal arguments. »Mark wouldn’t respond to my discipline. »

I had to quit taking Mark’s disposition (strong-willed temperment) as disrespect. »I had to learn Mark’s personality and strengths. »

I’ve never had issues with Annika. ›Annika’s personality and strengths are completely different from Mark’s. »Ninety percent of the time I can correct Annika verbally and all is good. »The only time Annika is strong-willed is when she is fi ghting her brother. »

What about today? How do I provoke my children today?

Mark is 100% socially driven. ›I worry about pushing him too much competitively. »I worry about Mark’s work ethic, but I wonder if it is an unfair worry. »


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Do I worry because my work ethic and Karin’s work ethic are too strong? ›Is our work ethic unachievable? ›

In some respects, our expectations are too much for an eleven-year-old and a »nine-year-old.In other respects, our expectations aren’t too much. They need to mature »and develop.

I must help Mark and Annika fi nd value in serving God according totheir strengths.

What are Annika’s strengths?

Responsibility, belief, intellection, developer and connectedness ›

Recommended Resource:“Now, Discover Your Strengths” by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton

What are Mark’s strengths?

Woo (Winning others over), command, signifi cance, communication ›and competition

WOW!-I have incredible kids that deserve my very best. ›They deserve more than my best; they deserve Christ in me. ›They need me to parent them according to their strengths, not their ›weaknesses.They need me to see and understand the way God made them and help them ›maximize their divine potential.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, help me and Karin bring our children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. I pray that we will model a “better story” for them . Help us help them find their “story” according to their giftedness.I pray that we can burn brightly for Christ in front of Mark and Annika and give them a passion to light their own fire for Christ. I pray that You will give Mark and Annika a double portion of our spirit. I pray that they will love You and serve You in ways that are exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think. I pray that Mark and Annika will


155

flee the desires of the world and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith , love, perseverance and gentleness.

Father, I pray that You will protect Mark and Annika from the lusts of the eyes, the lusts of the flesh and the boastful pride of life. Protect Mark and Annika from the impurities of the world. I pray that they will overcome impure desires with pure desires. I pray that Mark and Annika will be addicted to Your Word. I pray that they will hide the Word of God in their hearts so that they will not sin against Thee. I pray for us to memorize Scripture as a family. I pray that You will give Mark and Annika the ability to understand their strengths and use them to know You and serve You at an early age. I pray that they will find their identity in You.

Please give us wisdom about where to send Mark to high school . Give Mark wisdom about the role that sports play in his life. Show him and us what healthy competition is versus too much competition . Father, help me slow down our family enough to build stronger relationships with one another, friends and those who don’t know Christ.

Father, I pray that Mark and Annika will start leading their friends to Christ ASAP. I pray that they will get addicted to life change. I pray that they will have the privilege of baptizing their friends all the way through school . Father, I pray that You will be the focus their lives. Help me and Karin make these next eight years the best and most rewarding years possible for them as teenagers.


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Focused Thinking:

Who is told to obey?

Children

Who are children to obey?

Their parents

How are children to obey their parents?

In the Lord

What exactly does it mean to obey your parents in the Lord?

Obey your parents in such a way that God receives glory.Obey your parents the way the Lord instructs.

How does the Lord instruct us to obey our parents?

2Honor your father and mother.

How do you honor someone?

Respect themListen to themPut them fi rstSpeak well of themBless themEsteem themAcknowledge their valueSeek their counsel

What is the context of this instruction?

It is a commandment, not a suggestion or an idea.It is a commandment with a promise.


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What is the promise if you fulfi ll this commandment?

It may be well with you.You may live long on Earth.


I am a child and a parent. ›

How do I need to apply this truth?

I must balance the tension between leaving and cleaving and the need to honor ›my parents.

It is possible. »God does not ask us to do the impossible. »

I need to allow Chris to give direction in what it looks like practically to honor ›each of our families.

I need to be strategic to honor our parents at times that do not distract me from »being the wife and mom I need to be.I need to be more intentional to include our parents in the events of our lives in »such a way that they feel valued and wanted. I need to give our parents the opportunity to have wins with our kids. This is »possibly their greatest blessing now.I need to make time to do things with each parent one-on-one now that my »children are older.I need to speak highly of our parents in front of our kids so they see the »relationship and share in the respect of their grandparents.I need to honor our parents by keeping them informed. »They feel devalued if I forget to keep them updated. »

How do I put these applications into practice?

What am I going to do differently?

Make a plan to spend one-on-one time with my mom and dad once a month. ›At the start of each season and semester, provide our parents with key dates so ›they can choose to be a part of their grandchildren’s lives as much as possible.I need to protect time once a month for our parents to have some undivided ›attention with each of the kids.I need to ask them what would make them feel more valued. ›


158

Interactive Prayer:

Lord, I confess that I can become overwhelmed with relational responsibility. The role of being a mom can quickly overtake my time for other relationships. Lord, help me to spend my time as You desire. Forgive me for not being more strategic and intentional to honor my parents. As I study Your Word, the thought that occurs to me is that my lack of planning can cause our parents to feel dishonored. Relationships are the most important thing in life. You created us for relationship. As a parent, I have not experienced my children moving on and beginning their own families. I know it will happen and I know that after all my investment in Mark and Annika, I will want to know that they love me and that we have a healthy relationship. Help me to prioritize what is important. Help me to be intentional to pour the most into the relationships that matter most to You.

Amen .


Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Why is this verse here?

It follows immediately after children are instructed to obey.This is the balance.

What is the balance to instructing children to obey?

This is God shepherding the parent.Your children are to obey and honor you. ›As the parent, you have the responsibility to be honorable. ›

From the perspective of a child, this seems so understandable. We can all relate to the feeling of being provoked to anger by a parent. ›

As a parent, we have to pause and acknowledge when we are guilty. God offers this same balance in the husband/wife relationship. ›Wives need to submit and husbands need to be honorable in the way they lead. ›

Why do we resist boundaries, instruction and submission?

Pride!


159


What is a father told NOT to do?

Provoke your child to anger.What is the father called to do?

4...Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord

How does God discipline?

Slow to angerMeasuredAbounding in lovingkindnessWith mercyClearlyWith open arms for restoration

How does He instruct?

He modeled truth to His disciples. ›He spent time with them. »He corrected them when He saw error. »He told them what was to come. »He gave them the opportunity to grow in their ministry. »He provided feedback to them along the way. »

He left His Holy Spirit. ›He gave us His Word. ›


This role is for Chris, but not in isolation.

As his helpmate, I am his partner in this parenting process. ›

What do I need to do to better compliment Chris in parenting?

I need to make sure my instructions are clear. ›I need to make sure I am measured in my response to disobedience, being ›neither under-reacting nor overreacting.I need to make sure my emotions don’t linger after an offense. ›I need to forgive and allow the relationship to be restored. ›I need to be aware of the maturing process and allow Mark and Annika to ›“spread their wings” and grow in their ministry and responsibility. We need to be proactive, not just reactive, to prepare them for what is to come ›their way.


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Interactive Prayer:

Dear Lord,I thank You for the privilege of being a parent. I confess it is a humbling and sanctifying process. I thank You for a husband who is so intimately engaged in our children’s lives. Help me to represent Chris well as I am an extension of him in the parenting process. Help me to be more patient and to create an environment that nurtures our children rather than frustrates them . I pray for wisdom and awareness for each day ahead. I want to parent like You.

Amen .


What things must I do as a result of this truth?

Partner with Chris to strategically make memories this last half of their time in our ›home.Be willing to see them step out and even fail while in our home. ›I need to measure success by their maturity through challenges instead of ›protecting them from challenges.I need to drop my plans when I get time alone with either child so I can hear how ›they are processing life more clearly.


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mark conlee - ephesians 6:1-4

by mark conlee by mark conlee


Focused Thinking:

Why should I obey my parents?

1...for this is right.

Why is it “right” for me to obey my parents?

My parents protect me.My parents teach me and train me.They teach me how...

to be a man of God. ›to be a good husband. ›to work hard. ›to stand up for what is right. ›to respect others. ›to lift others up. ›

What is the difference between obeying my parents and honoring my parents?

I can’t honor my parents if I disobey them.Honoring my parents begins with obeying my parents.

I can obey my parents with a bad attitude, but I can’t honor my parents with a ›bad attitude.

To honor my parents means that I respect my parents. »To honor my parents means that I value my parents. »

What is God’s promise associated with the commandment?

3...so that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.

Exodus 20:12Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.


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What does the word “provoke” mean?

4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

It means to stir up purposely. (This was a vocabulary word recently.)To arouse a feeling or action. ›To incite to anger. ›

What should Fathers do instead of provoking?

4...bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

How does my father provoke me to anger?

He frustrates me when he doesn’t let me control things.He frustrates me when he doesn’t let me have my way.He frustrates me when he doesn’t listen to me before he corrects me.He frustrates me when he reads the paper and doesn’t answer me.

How does my mom provoke me to anger?

She frustrates me when she is too controlling.She frustrates me when she makes mountains out of mole hills.She frustrates me when she is too stressed or worried about little things.She frustrates me when she looks at the details too much.She frustrates me when she gives me rapid fi re consequences.

I typically respond with rapid fi re disrespect. ›

How does my father bring me up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord?

Dad helps me through diffi cult decisions and circumstances.I don’t know if the discipline helps me. Sometimes I think it stirs me up more. ›There are different methods of discipline for different kids. ›

I’d rather be spanked and talked to rather than have long consequences. »I do much better when Dad talks to me instead of bringing down the hammer. »Sometimes Dad talks too long for my attention span. »

Mom and Dad teach me that God is the source of all happiness.They show me an example of being a man and woman after God’s own heart. ›They show me the importance of a priority time. ›They make following God fun and cool. ›


163

mark conlee - ephesians 6:1-4


How can I obey and honor my parents more?

I need to fi nd my identity in God instead of popularity. ›I need to love God and others more than myself. ›I need to respect my parents’ decisions. ›I need to improve my attitude and work ethic. ›

Interactive Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving me parents that disciple me. Thank You for blessing me with talents, abilities and opportunities. Help me use my strengths for You instead of me. Lord, help me improve my attitude and work ethic. Help me to love You and my parents more. Help me to find my identity in You. Help me become a man after God’s own heart. Help me stand up for what is right and be a leader of leaders.


164

by annika conlee by annika conlee



Why do I have to obey my parents?

The Lord gave me my parents to guide me. It pleases Him for me to please them.


How should I obey my parents?

Immediately! Delayed obedience is disobedience. ›


What does it look like to honor my father and mother?

Honoring my parents is respecting my parents.I respect them by understanding that they are older and wiser than me. ›I respect them by thinking the best about them. ›I respect them by forgiving them. No one is perfect. Everyone sins. ›

What is the promise he is referring to?

3...It may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

Exodus 20:12Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.


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annika conlee - ephesians 6:1-4


Eph 6:4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

How do my parents provoke me to anger?

Mom bugs me about not doing my school work a couple of days or even a week ›ahead of time. It is like she is going to fourth grade with me. I don’t like it when Mom makes me clean my room on Saturdays. ›I don’t like when I ask Dad something and he says “yes” but changes his mind ›when mom says “no.” Initially, Dad gives me what I want, but sometimes he asks Mom fi rst. ›

How do Mom and Dad discipline and instruct me in the Lord?

They don’t discipline me for not doing what they want; they discipline me for not ›doing what God wants.

They teach me to love God and people. »They teach me to read God’s Word and pray. »They teach me to tithe. »They teach me to accept people instead of judging people. »

Interactive Prayer:

Lord, thank You for my parents. Thank You for their love and protection . Thank You for their support and understanding. Thank You that they always want what is best for me and make sacrifices to give me what is best. I’m thankful for my church and my school . Lord, help me not to be frustrated at my parents when they are trying to protect me. Help me to love them and respect them more. Help me to apply their wisdom to become a young woman of God.


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day 37 ~ ephesians 6:5-95Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the fl esh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7With good will render service, as to the Lord and not to men, 8knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. 9And masters, do the same things to them and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven and there is no partiality with Him.


What is the context of slavery here?

Be careful not to impose our American defi nition of slavery in this context.

I don’t know all the reasons why, but Paul doesn’t try to overthrow slavery in this context. It appears that his emphasis is submission through the circumstances instead of removing the circumstances. (See 1 Co 7:17-24 for more context on the issue of slavery in the Bible.)

In this specifi c context he is addressing the issue of Christian slaves serving under Christian masters.

What was the slave’s responsibility to his or her master?

Slaves were to obey their masters with fear and trembling.Slaves were to obey their masters from the sincerity of their heart. Slaves were to obey their masters with good will or a peaceable spirit.

Don’t obey just because people are watching you, obey because your heart desires to obey.

Why are slaves to serve in this way? What can the slaves be confi dent about?

The slave may not be rewarded by his or her master; but the slave will be rewarded by the Lord.

The Lord will reward the slave who serves according to God’s Word and ways. ›The Lord sees the slave’s respect for authority. »The Lord sees the slave’s sincere heart. »The Lord sees the slave’s peaceful attitude. »


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What was the master’s responsibility toward the slave?

What are the “same things” referring to in inverses 5-9?

The masters were to apply the “golden rule” to their treatment of the slaves.Respect them. ›Have a sincere heart towards them. ›Have a peaceful attitude towards them. ›Don’t threaten them. ›Treat them fair, justly, without partiality. ›

What enables both slaves and masters to obey these truths?

Both are servants to “The Master.”


Submission in the husband/wife relationship is impossible apart from the work of ›the Holy Spirit in our lives.Submission in the parent/child relationship is impossible apart from the work of ›the Holy Spirit in our lives.Submission in the master/slave relationship is impossible apart from the work of ›the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Apart from the Spirit’s work of oneness, we try to control relationships instead of ›submit in relationships.All of these truths apply to the work environment perfectly today. ›

There must be a mutually respectful attitude between boss and employee. »There must be a sincere heart of believing the best between boss »and employee.There must be a peaceful spirit, a spirit of good will, between boss »and employee.The relationship must not be built upon threats. »The relationship must be built upon fairness without partiality. »

Apart from the Spirit’s work of serving instead of being served, our relationships will always be dysfunctional.


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, continue to build these qualities into our working relationships. We must never take these qualities for granted because the enemy is always on the attack. It takes constant energy and commitment to protect the unity of the team and the integrity of the work environment. Protect us from the lies of the devil . Protect us from the ways that he tempts us to see things as half-empty. Protect us from getting weary and losing sight of the good we are doing. Give us the ability to focus. Give us the focus of Nehemiah . “I am doing a good work and cannot come down .” Make that a visionary verse that lives in the DNA of our team . I need to put this verse in our offices in a visionary way.

Father, give us the ability to build the holiest and healthiest team of staff, leaders and volunteers possible. Show us how to equip and employ catalytic leaders to make the greatest impact. Give us the ability to give our people a “better story.” Help us help them identify their strengths, develop their strengths and use their strengths to advance Your kingdom . I pray that our people will have more than a job; I pray that they will have a mission . I pray that our people will see what could be, what should be and what must be and dedicate their lives to bring that vision into reality.

Father, I pray that You will unleash the love of our people and the gifts of our people. I pray that we will baptize over 200 people in 2010. I pray that we will equip disciples and employ them to serve and mentor.

I pray that our church will be known by Your stories. I pray that we can broadcast Your stories to this city and beyond. I pray that You will truly make us the church for the prodigals. Give us vision and favor to minister to single parents, to people in need of recovery and to the students at Overton and other schools throughout this city.

Father, give us the ability to be the church . I pray that our services are simply a celebration of what You are doing in and through the lives of our people. Give us the relationships and resources to broadcast Your message as clearly and loudly as possible. Bless our church and give us the dollars needed to build a visionary campus to accomplish Your purposes. Put Your vision and mission through Highpoint on the hearts of people who have the ability to give and help us climb that mountain . Bless our church spiritually, numerically and financially. Cause Your Spirit to blow throughout our church to bring about revival and spiritual awakening.


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day 38 ~ ephesians 6:10-1310Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand fi rm against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against fl esh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, to stand fi rm.


Why does Paul choose to end Ephesians this way?

Paul is telling us that it is a battle that is going to require strength.Attending church doesn’t require strength; following Jesus requires strength. ›

My strength can’t stand up against the deceitfulness of the devil. »My strength can’t stand up against the temptations of the devil. »My strength can’t stand up against the schemes of the devil. »My strength can’t stand up against the forces of the devil (notice how many »times the word “forces” is used).

I need to be strong in the strength of His might.It is His power that overcomes my sinful nature/desires. ›

Phil 4:13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.


It is impossible to fi ght my sinful desires by myself. ›It is impossible to say “no” all the time. »It is impossible to fl ee all the time. »

I must defi ne my life by what I say “yes” to instead of what I say “no” to. ›I must defi ne my life by what I “pursue” instead of what I “fl ee.” ›

Jesus summed up 613 commandments in two commandments:Love God and love people.


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, I identify with this immediately. It is impossible to fight this world by myself. It is impossible to be strong enough by myself. It is impossible to repeatedly say “no” by myself. I must have a “yes” in my life that is greater than the “no’s” in my life. Father, forgive me all the times and ways that I try to fight this fight in my strength instead of Your strength . Give me sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that enables me to hear and respond immediately. Give me Your strength to put the armor of God on each and every day and to fight the battle. A soldier can’t afford to go to battle without his armor. Give me the armor needed to be Your leader, give me the army needed to win Your battles.


What is the fi rst step to being strong in the Lord and fi ghting according to His power?

11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand fi rm against the schemes of the devil.

A soldier never goes into battle without his armor and weapons.I don’t go to work everyday, I go to battle everyday.

I must be more intentional about putting on the full armor of God.I must be prepared at all times for the enemy to attack.

This is urgent! I must quit believing the lie of safety. The devil is always on the offensive, unleashing his schemes against us. ›The devil is a roaring lion always seeking one to devour. ›The devil is always seeking to steal, kill and destroy. ›

The purpose of the putting on the full armor of God is to stand fi rm against the schemes of the devil.Notice the scripture says, “put on the FULL armor of God.” Leave no room for vulnerability.


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I need to do a study on the devil, spiritual warfare and putting on the full armor ›of God.Without the full armor of God, believers will be defeated by the schemes of ›the devil.Believers/the church must wake up. ›


What are the devil’s most effect schemes/strategies today?

Pleasure-The lusts of the eyes and the lusts of the fl esh.Position/Prestige/Power-The boastful pride of life.

Proverbs 6:16-19, 2416There are six things which the LORD hates,Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:17Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,18a heart that devises wicked plans,Feet that run rapidly to evil,19A false witness who utters lies,And one who spreads strife among brothers.24To keep you from the evil woman,From the smooth tongue of the adulteress.

What is the intensity of the battle?

12For our struggle is not against fl esh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, to stand fi rm.

The struggle is against satanic forces:

...against the rulers and powers (Eph 1:21; 3:10)

...against the world forces of this darkness (Eph 2:2; 4:18; 5:8)

...against the spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph 6:12)

I can’t win a spiritual battle by the fl esh; I must win a spiritual battle with the fl esh by the Holy Spirit.


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Do you see the intensity of the battle? Do you feel the hatred of the adversary?

13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, to stand fi rm.

Prepare for battle...take up the full armor of God,Fight the battle...so that you will be able to resist in the evil day,110%...having done everything, to stand fi rm.


WOW! - What a statement...”having done everything, to stand fi rm.”

I must fi ght the battle moment by moment. ›I must give 110% to stand fi rm. ›I must lead my life as if I am in battle. ›I must lead my family as if we are in battle. ›

I must equip my leaders as if we are in battle. ›I must equip my soldiers as if we are in battle. ›

I must prepare for battle daily.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, I’m overwhelmed by the intensity and difficulty of the battle. It is a battle of “having no hope and being without God in the world” versus having “faith , hope and love.” It is a battle of the devil coming to “steal , kill and destroy” versus “life and life more abundant.” It is a battle of glorifying God or glorifying the devil . It is a battle of fighting for the lives of men and women .

Father, we’ve been fighting the battle for seven years, please replenish the troops and resources. Give our generals and soldiers the rest needed to keep fighting the battle. Give us the resources needed to keep fighting the battle. Give us the victories needed to continue the battle.


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Father, it is a difficult battle because it takes so long to claim victory. Salvation is just the first victory, but we must equip our new soldiers to fight the battle every day. I’m worried about all the new soldiers. I’m worried about the 100 people who were baptized this past year. I’m worried that the battle is too intense without proper training. Father, they must be trained or they will be defeated. We must provide a boot-camp for new soldiers.

Father, anoint our plans and our classes. Give us passionate teachers. Give us success in equipping soldiers. Father, we must build our special ops teams. Give us wisdom, favor and anointing to know how to create navy seals, army rangers and marines. Give us the vision , personnel , knowledge, time and resources to train our soldiers effectively and efficiently.

Father, give us an effective process to get our people to worship, connect, equip and serve. I’m tired of the frustration of assimilating people. Give us great leaders and teachers to lead our connect groups and equip classes. Give us an eight lane expressway that enables people to grow spiritually. Give us the ability to make the steps easy, obvious and strategic. Attendees can’t survive the attacks, only soldiers survive the attacks.

Father, give us more soldiers to fight bigger battles. Give us more resources to fight bigger battles. Move upon the hearts of Your strategic givers and give them a vision for Highpoint.

Father, fulfill Your promise in Malachi 3:10 to the people who have taken the tithing challenge. Mature our church as a giving church . Give us amazing stories of Your faithfulness that will start a generosity movement through our church . Father, I pray that stories of Your faithfulness will be exceeding abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think. I pray that You will glorify Yourself through these stories.

Father, give us, salvation stories, life change stories and serving stories. Give us the vision , creativity and resources to be the best story telling church in the world. Broadcast Your stories through this church to the world. I pray that Mark and Annika will be great stories of Your glory and that they will be great story tellers for You.


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day 39 ~ ephesians 6:14-17a14Stand fi rm therefore, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which You will be able to extinguish all the fl aming arrows of the evil one. 17And take the helmet of salvation...

Focused Thinking: (Eph 6:14-17a)

Notice the strength of words on this topic of “putting on the full armor of God”.6:10 - Finanlly, BE STRONG in the Lord.6:11 - PUT ON the full armor of God.6:11b - so that you will be able to STAND FIRM against the schemes of the devil.6:13 - Therefore, TAKE UP the full armor of God,6:13b - so that you will be able to RESIST in the evil day and HAVING DONE EVERYTHING, to STAND FIRM.6:14 - STAND FIRM therefore, (third time in four verses we are told to STAND FIRM).

How do I “STAND FIRM”?

...having girded your loins with truth, (this phase means the soldier put a belt around his waist).

The soldier’s armor hung on the belt of truth. ›The belt of truth refers to the soldier’s integrity and faithfulness. ›

Satan is a liar, we must know the truth to fi ght against his lies.

...having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (Is 59:17)

The breastplate protected the soldier’s chest from the enemy’s attacks ›Sanctifi cation/righteousness protects a believer’s heart from the enemy’s attacks. ›

Satan is the accuser, (Rev 12:10) we must walk by the Spirit and not give the enemy the opportunity to attack.

part 4 ~ start your addiction day 39 ~ ephesians 6:14-17anotes

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...having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

The shoes protect you and enable you to maintain a steady march. ›The shoes prepare you to carry the gospel of peace (Ro 10:15). ›

Satan is a divider and destroyer, we must walk in unity and peace.

...taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the fl aming arrows of the evil one.

The Roman soldier’s shield was made of wood. It was 2 1/2 feet wide and 4 feet ›long. It was overlaid with linen and leather to absorb fi ery arrows.The believer’s shield is the shield of faith. The believer’s faith can stop and ›extinguish all the fl aming arrows of the evil one.

Satan creates doubt and unbelief, we must stand against his attacks with confi dence and belief.

...And take “THE HELMET OF SALVATION,”

The helmet secures the head. ›The helmet of salvation provides the hope to persevere and press on. ›The helmet of salvation helps us focus on the present and future victory. ›


Everyday I must put on the full armor of God.

I must put on the belt of truth. ›I must fi ght lies with truth. »

I must put on the breastplate of righteousness. ›I must fi ght unrighteousness with righteousness. »

I must put on shoes that prepare me to carry the gospel of peace. ›I must fi ght confl ict with peace. »

I must take up the shield of faith. ›I must fi ght doubt/unbelief with faith. »

I must put on the helmet of salvation. ›I must fi ght fear of defeat with the hope of victory. »


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, help me to put on the full armor of God in my life through my priority time. Give me the desire and discipline to put on the full armor of God each day. Protect me from the desire to have a day off and not be prepared to fight. Give me the ability to be strong in You, to fight according to Your power. Make the Holy Spirit dominant in my life.

Strengthen my inner man with power through Your Spirit. Ground me in Your love by giving me the ability to comprehend with all the saints the breadth , length , height and depth of Your love. Give me the ability to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. Fill me up to all the fullness of God. Father, fill me up with Your Spirit. Give me the ability to walk by Your Spirit and bear the fruits of the Spirit.

Father, make me a great soldier for Your glory. Give me the ability to train others to be great soldiers. Help us equip our people to stand firm against the adversary.

Father, I pray that You protect the marriages at Highpoint against the attacks of the devil . Give us the ability to equip our families to put on the full armor of God. Help us do more than survive this battle but help us to be dominant in the battle. Give us the ability to do more than play defense, help us to play offense. Give us the ability to truly be Your light in this city. Give us the ability to chase out the darkness. Give us the ability to be known by love. I pray that we will be a “Friend of Sinners” to Memphis and beyond. Give us the ability to reach and equip more people. Help us build an army of soldiers instead of a church of attendees.


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And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.


What is the soldier’s weapon?

...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The sword of the Spirit and prayer are the weapons that attack Satan’s strongholds and defeat him.

It is the Word of God that will make your way prosperous and give ›you success (Jos 1:8).It is the Word of God hidden in our heart that protects us from sin (Ps 119:11). ›It is the Word of God than transforms us by the renewing of the mind (Ro 12:2). ›It is the Word of God judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12). ›

The word of God and prayer are the soldier’s only offensive weapon.


I must become a master swordsman. ›I must mediate on the Word of God day and night (Jos 1:8). »I must be careful to do according to all that is in it (Jos 1:8). »I must accurately handle the Word of God (2 Ti 2:15). »I must preach the word...reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and »instruction (2 Ti 4:2).


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, forgive me for not disciplining myself to memorize more scripture. Help me commit to scripture memory with Karin , Mark and Annika.I pray that my family will be lovers of the Word of God. Give us a passion for learning, loving and living the Word of God. Make me a man of the Word in every respect.

Father, I pray for the Word of God to purify my life and to give me the power to walk by the Spirit. I pray that I will renew my mind and be transformed by the Word of God. Father, help me to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Father, help me develop my spiritual gift of teaching. Help me to accurately handle the Word. Anoint my teaching. Give me the ability to teach Your Word the way You taught Your Word. Give me the ability to teach with Your power and authority. Give me the ability to teach in the power and demonstration of the Spirit.

Father, cause the Holy Spirit to be present and powerful in and through my life and my teaching. Give me the ability to equip men and women to do the work of the ministry. I pray that my teaching and curriculum on “My Priority Time” will be anointed and effective. Use it for Your glory.

Father, I pray that Highpoint Church will be known by our addiction to the Word of God. I pray that we will love You more because we know You more. I pray that we will obey You more because we love You more. I pray that You will “show us Your glory”.


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day 41 ~ ephesians 6:17-2017And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I oughtto speak.


What role does prayer play in our battles and victories?

Pray at all times in the Spirit.Persevere in your petitions for all the saints.Pray for your leaders to boldly make known the mystery of the gospel.

Where does our power come from?

The Word of God and prayer are the two weapons that God has given the church to overcome the enemy and attain victory (Acts 6:4).

To watch and pray is the secret to overcoming the fl esh. ›To watch and pray is the secret to overcoming the world. ›To watch and pray is the secret to serving God powerfully (Co 4:2-3). ›

Our power comes from prayer (Eph 3:14-21).


I need to be more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to pray. ›I need to be careful about studying too much and praying too little. ›I need to be more diligent to pray with Karin and the kids at night. ›I need to prioritize strengthening the prayer ministry at church. ›


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Interactive Prayer:

Father, forgive me for not being more sensitive to the Spirit. Forgive me for doubting at times in prayer. Forgive me for not asking, seeking and knocking persistently enough . Make me more intentional and strategic in prayer.

Father, I pray that we will see more than 200 people baptized in 2010. I pray that we will see and experience life change daily. I pray that our people will repent specifically of being casual consumeristic attendees. I pray that our people will become committed and courageous followers of Christ.

Father, give us Your anointing to reach the prodigals of Memphis. Give us Your presence and power to free people from their addiction to sin . Bless Celebrate Recovery and free people from their addictions.

Thank You for answering our prayers about Overton . Father, give us more trust with the faculty, families and students. Give us the privilege of seeing the love of Christ through the body of Christ literally change a school . Anoint Bob and Patrick and give them wisdom from God and favor with man . I pray that more and more people in our church will serve and invest in these Young men . Give us mentors for these young men and women . Give us the ability to make disciples. Give us the ability to meet the needs of single parents and help them to rebuild their lives. Help us partner with the parents and help meet the needs in their children’s lives. Father, make us a church that is known by “going into all the city/world to make disciples”.

Father, grow this church spiritually, numerically and financially. Give us the ability to reach people and equip people. Give us the momentum of the Holy Spirit. Give us the resources needed to get the word out and let people see, hear and experience what You are is doing in and through this church . Father, anoint Imperfect.tv and cause it to have unbelievable influence and impact. Give us the resources needed to buy or build a facility that compliments our vision . Put our vision in the hearts of people with resources and move them to give.


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day 42 ~ ephesians 6:21-2421But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and that he may comfort your hearts. 23Peace be to the brethren and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.


What can we learn from Paul’s closing remarks?

Tychicus will deliver the letter.Tychicus will answer any questions and fi ll in the gaps.Tychicus will inform you of my condition, comfort you and encourage you.

What are Paul’s fi nal prayers and desires for the Ephesians?

Peace to the brethrenLove with faithGrace to all

...to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, please take everything that You have taught us through Paul and give us the grace to obey. I pray that we will sow the seeds of the Word of God. I pray that we will reap peace to the brethren , love with faith and grace to all . I pray that our incorruptible love will cure the corruptions of this city. I pray for Highpoint to be a city on a hill that cannot be hidden .

I pray that our people will truly go through the book of Ephesians and that the book of Ephesians will go through our people. I pray that You will grow us more spiritually in 2010 than we’ve ever grown before. I pray that You will equip our people to love You more, love one another more and love outsiders more. Please give us an addiction to Your Word. Show us Your glory in 2010 in ways that we’ve never seen before. Father, cause all the people among whom we live to see the working of the Lord in and through us. Perform a fearful work through us.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why don’t people have a priority time?

They don’t trust the reliability of the Bible.

People are always trying to attack the reliability of the Bible, but it continues to stand the test of time. Forty different writers wrote over a period of 1,600 years and produced the most historically reliable, respected and resilient book in the world. The book may be debated, but it has not been defeated. Historical, archeological and scientifi c discoveries are constantly confi rming the reliability and authority of the Bible. If you have questions about the reliability of the Bible, I recommend the following resources: Can I Trust the Bible by Darrell L. Dock, The Apologetics Study Bible by Ravi Zacharias and The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell.

They don’t think the Bible is relevant.

People question the Bible’s relevance, but the more we understand our history, present and future, the more relevant the Bible becomes. History repeats itself because the sinful nature of man remains the same throughout history. The Bible is relevant because it speaks to the sinful nature. It speaks to my imperfection.

The lack of relevance isn’t a biblical issue; it is a presenter issue. We don’t have a boring bible; we have boring teachers. The Bible isn’t a textbook. It is a R-rated, high-defi nition, Dolby Digital® movie full of love and tragedy, heroes and villains, victories and defeats. It is the greatest story ever told. The relevance of the Bible depends upon three questions:

What did it mean to the original hearers? ›What is the underlying timeless truth? ›How can I practice that truth? ›

They don’t know how to read the Bible.

People read whatever they need to read and whatever they want to read. They read for education, development and pleasure. They don’t have a reading problem; they have a motivation problem. Do you read your text messages? What if God sent you a text message? Would you say, “I don’t know how to read it”? God has sent you a text message. This study teaches you how to use your phone to receive it and respondto it.

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f.a.q.They don’t have time to read the Bible.

Yes, people are busy. But all of us make time for our priorities, pursuits and pleasures. Reading the Bible isn’t a time issue; it’s a priority issue. How much time do people spend on Facebook® or watching TV?

This is one of the many reasons I call it a priority time instead of a quiet time. First, I don’t believe God is quiet in a quiet time. I’m not reading the Bible to hear the silence of God. I’m reading the Bible to hear the voice of God. Many people say we need to be quiet in a quiet time in order to hear the small, still whisper of God.I don’t believe God speaks in a small, still whisper. I believe God speaks loudly and clearly.

Second, I believe that reading the Bible devotionally is the one priority that determines all other priorities. When I read, apply and pray God’s Word, His priorities become my priorities. I believe the Creator of time gives us enough time to have a priority time. The key to honoring God’s priorities is prioritizing yourpriority time.

They don’t know the benefi ts of reading the Bible.

Let me be loud and clear. I don’t want to guilt people into reading the Bible. I want to inspire people to read the Bible. Guilt is a poor motivator, and it is always temporary.

What are the benefi ts of reading the Bible? The Word of God is the key to you knowing the God of the Word. The common denominator of every great man and woman of God throughout history is that they spent time in the Word and prayer. Your ability to believe and obey the Word is the difference between faith and faithlessness, hope and hopelessness, love and emptiness. The Word of God is the foundation of transformation.

2. Where do I start? How do I determine what to read?

First, start by going through Ephesians in the journal section of this study.

The purpose of the journal section isn’t for you to read my journal entries as your priority time; it is to ›provide an example for you to follow as you learn how to have your priority time.

Second, go through the gospel of John.

Return to the gospels frequently; it is always good to stay close to the person of Jesus through the gospels. ›

Third, rotate between the Old Testament and New Testament.

If you’ve never read through the Bible systematically, I’d start with Matthew, rotate to Genesis, go to Mark, ›rotate to Exodus and so forth. The only exceptions would be reading the following books together before you rotate to the Old Testament: 1st and 2nd Corinthians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians,1st and 2nd Timothy, 1st and 2nd Peter and 1st, 2nd and 3rd John.

Recommended Resource: The Chronological Study Bible, Copyright 2008 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

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3. When should I have my priority time?

Mark 1:35In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went away to a secluded place and was praying there.

Psalm 5:3In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You andeagerly watch.

The morning was the pattern of Jesus. ›The morning sets your heart and mind upon God and His will for the day. ›The morning demonstrates that God is the fi rst priority in your life. ›

Pick a specifi c start time. »Pick a specifi c amount of time. »

4. Where should I have my priority time?

Luke 22:39And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples alsofollowed Him.

Find a place that promotes good study habits. ›Find a place where you can give God your undivided attention. »Find a place where you can pray out loud. »Find a place where you can be vulnerable before God. »

5. How long should my priority time last?

Start with twenty minutes, and let it grow from there. ›Initially, it is better to be consistent than it is to be long. »As a point of comparison, after fi fteen years of priority times, mine are typically between 45 minutes and »75 minutes.

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f.a.q.6. How do I overcome the problem of discipline?

The Problem of Discipline

Discipline is not your problem; motivation is your problem. ›If you have motivation, discipline is no problem. »If you lack motivation, discipline is a problem. »

If you approach the problem by saying, “I’ve got to be more disciplined,” you will continually struggle. »If you fi nd the proper motivation for the problem, your motivation will lead to discipline. »

Suggestions

Your motivation should be relational intimacy and life change. ›Discipline is delayed gratifi cation. ›The key to discipline is advanced decision-making. ›

7. How do I overcome the problem of distractions?

The Problem of Distractions

Is your time consistent? ›Is your environment consistent and distraction free? ›Are you stuck in your methods or just going through the motions? ›

Suggestions

Time:Pick a specifi c start time and amount of time Monday through Friday. ›

Example: Monday - Friday from 6:30 - 7:00am »Weekend Example: Adjustable but still keep it in the morning. »Most people have fewer distractions in the morning. I recommend you reduce or eliminate early morning »appointments because you already have one each morning with God.

Environment:Pick a consistent environment for your priority time. ›

I recommend a room where you can shut the door if needed. »I recommend a room with a quality study space (desk, chair, etc.). »I recommend a room where you can kneel or lay face down to pray. »

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Methods:

If you normally start with the Word, change it up and start with prayer. If you start with prayer, change it ›up and start with the Word. If you can sing or play music, sing to God. If you can’t sing, put on headphones and sing anyway. ›If you are stuck in a book, change books. ›

When you are battling distractions, I recommend evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of your priority ›time and setting new goals.

Set a goal to write out one specifi c application each day. »Set a goal to determine the most important application for the week. »Set a goal to write out a prayer each day. »Set a goal to slow down and focus on quality instead of quantity. »Set a goal to be mentored or to mentor someone in a priority time weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. »

8. How do I overcome the problem of discouragement?

The Problem of Discouragement.

Are you missing the relationship? ›Are you struggling to experience life change? ›Are you struggling with sin/strongholds? ›

Suggestions

Refocus on worship.

Your priority is to fear God. ›Your priority is to bow down to God. ›Your priority is to serve God. ›

Refocus on Spirit and Truth, not just Truth.

Ask the Holy Spirit to fi ll you up with all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:19) ›Ask the Holy Spirit to fi ll you with His Spirit. (Eph 5:18) ›Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin, judgment and righteousness. (Jn 16:8) ›Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. (Jn 16:13-15) ›Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what is to come. (Jn 16:13-15) ›Ask the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus and reveal Him to you. (Jn 16:13-15) ›Ask the Holy Spirit to answer your prayers so that your joy may be made full. (Jn 16:23-24) ›

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f.a.q.Refocus on thanksgiving.

Perspective is one of the keys to peace and praise. ›I recommend writing out a gratitude list. ›

Refocus on confession and repentance.

Confession is the fi rst step to change. (Jos 3:5) ›Repentance is the key to sustained change. (2 Co 7:10-11) ›

How do I truly repent?You must replace peace with sin with hatred for sin. ›You must replace worldly sorrow with godly sorrow. ›You must confess and repent from the heart and not just the head. ›

What are the results of repentance?You earnestly pursue righteousness. ›You regain the trust of others. ›You are angry over sin. ›You stand in awe of God. ›You repair relationships. ›You are passionate for God. ›You stand up for justice. ›You grow in holiness. ›

Refocus on accountability and encouragement.

Friendships inspire faithfulness. ›

1 Thessalonians 2:7-87But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

2 Timothy 2:1-21You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Everybody needs people to run race with them. (Heb 12:1-3) ›Who is running the race ahead of you? Who is your Paul? »Who is running the race with you? Who is your Barnabas? »Who is running the race behind you? Who is your Timothy? »

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notes

NOTES

1. Baker, John. Celebrate Recovery. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998.

2. Hendricks, Howard G. and William D. Hendricks. Living by the Book. Chicago: Moody Press, 1991.

3. Miller, John G. QBQ! The Question Behind the Question. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2004.

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mpt book v1 - Chris Conlee...The more you see His holiness, the more you see your lack of holiness. The more you see His purity, the more you see your impurities. The more you see