The Seek God Challenge Day 12

January 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

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FLEE SIN, CLING TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

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“1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there.2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.

6 So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "Lie with me."8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge.9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.

11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house,12 she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house,14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, "See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice.15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house."16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home,17 and she told him the same story, saying, "The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me.18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house."

19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, "This is the way your servant treated me," his anger was kindled.20 And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it.23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.”

- Genesis 38:1-23

THINK

How much easier do you think it would have been for Joseph to just have slept with Potiphar’s wife? Couldn’t we make a case that it’s better to just do that which keeps you out of the most danger? Why instead do you think that Joseph fled the temptations?

2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” He is telling us here that it’s better to run than to try and stand strong in the face of temptation. When righteousness is your priority do you think it’s easier to humble yourself and run? Why or why not?

Look at the first six words of verse 21. In the midst of being punished for pursuing righteousness God was with Joseph. Does that comfort you? Encourage?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray.

The hard part of fleeing temptation is that we are drawn to the lure of sin. The answer to that is to be constantly focused on God and seeking His holiness.

Pray that God will keep you from sacrificing long term righteousness for immediate, short term, pleasure.

Ask God to transform you into picture of righteousness, one that reflects Christ and refuses to be sucked into sin.

DO

Take a look at your relationships (Friends, family, boyfriend/girlfriend), is there a difficulty standing up under temptation? Are they leading you towards holiness or keeping you from it? If they aren’t how can you flee that temptation? 

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The Seek God Challenge Day 6

January 6, 2012 by 2 Comments

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PURSUE HIM RELENTLESSLY

READ

1 David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim.3 And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, 4 with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark.

5 And David and all the house of Israel were making merry before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.8 And David was angry because the Lord had burst forth against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah, to this day.9 And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, "How can the ark of the Lord come to me?"10 So David was not willing to take the ark of the Lord into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.11 And the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

12 And it was told King David, "The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing.13 And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal.14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

THINK

In this passage we see David’s quest to bring the Ark of the Lord to his city, when the first attempt failed he could have easily given up, but instead he waited and went back again. Have you ever tried to seek God and just felt silly? What usually happens after this kind of experience? If we are determined to be near to God what should we do then instead?

God wants to dwell with us, commune with us and lead us to walk in His ways as David did. Often times we have to be persistent in our pursuit of God, He is not someone who is simply there for us to meet with when we feel like it and will sit and wait there for us to care enough to seek Him. He is the Almighty God who is worthy of our worship and praise always. What are the barriers you’ve faced in seeking God, in the past? The last week?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray.

David often used phrases similar to, “like a deer pants for water, so my soul thirsts for you O God” to describe his desperate desire for God

Ask God to begin to show you your need for Him, and that in response your desire for Him will continue to deepen.

Ask God to change your heart from impatience and self-centered to grateful and God-centered.

DO

When the prophet Samuel was first in the temple as a boy the Lord spoke to him and Samuel didn’t realize it was God. Finally at the urging of his mentor Eli, Samuel simply said, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening”

Block out a fifteen minute space (look back at your list where you saw what things could be changed to make time for seeking God), and find a space you can be alone and uninterrupted to just be before the Lord. Take some worship music with you if you want or just be still before God Tell the Lord “Speak Lord, your servant is listening” and then listen. 

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The Seek God Challenge Day 5

January 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment

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SEEK HIM WHEN IT'S DIFFICULT

READ

1 Now they told David, "Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors."2 Therefore David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the Lord said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah."3 But David's men said to him, "Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?"4 Then David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, "Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand."5 And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

Psalm 27

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation

Of David.

1  The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

2  When evildoers assail me

to eat up my flesh,

my adversaries and foes,

it is they who stumble and fall.

3  Though an army encamp against me,

my heart shall not fear;

though war arise against me,

yet I will be confident.

4  One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple.

5  For he will hide me in his shelter

in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock.

6  And now my head shall be lifted up

above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent

sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7  Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

be gracious to me and answer me!

8  You have said, "Seek my face."

My heart says to you,

"Your face, Lord, do I seek."t

9  Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,

O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,

O God of my salvation!

10  For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

but the Lord will take me in.

11  Teach me your way, O Lord,

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

12  Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;

for false witnesses have risen against me,

and they breathe out violence.

13  I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

14  Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!

THINK

When things get busy, or difficult in our world our first instinct unfortunately is to stop spending time seeking God. I don’t think its intentional always but there’s so many things that have to get done that we drop what seems to cause the least damage. How does that contrast with David’s attitude in the text?

What do you feel is the most remarkable about David’s attitude in this instance?

Psalm 27 gives us an even better picture of the heart of David as he endured hardship and yet constantly sought and relied on God. He had been anointed king some time before and in the midst of being pursued by the current most powerful man in the nation did not give up on God, but rather pressed into Him even deeper. Why do you think that is? What difficult thing is happening in your own life right now?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray.

 

Remember the quote Matt read : “There is no simple and easy way to know God personally. You need pain, suffering, struggles, and pressure to know and trust Him fully. “ This is not an easy thing to process, the thought that difficult situations are often times divinely designed to push us closer to God is not one that we like to dwell on.

Ask God today to use whatever situation that is difficult in your life today to draw you closer to Him

Pray that you will have the discipline that time seeking God will be the priority rather than an afterthought

DO

Read through Psalm 27 again and this time write down the things that David asks God for; ie. “Hear O Lord; Give me not up the will of my adversaries, etc.” Then pick one that best speaks to your life today.

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The Seek God Challenge Day 4

January 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

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Desire is NOT Passion

READ

“29 And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD.”  Ezekiel 39:29

17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 3:17-18

 

THINK

For most of us the concept of seeking God’s face is awkward. Most of us don’t really have a clear picture of what that means. What is the most difficult part for you of the concept of seeking God’s face?

The concept of seeking God’s face is to know God’s person. To be intimate, to look into His eyes and be near Him. What are some ways that you can seek His face? No Sunday School answers allowed, ie. Pray, read His Bible etc. Be creative.

In order to be transformed into the glory of God requires first off knowing Jesus as your Savior, if you have never made Jesus Lord of your life stop right now and give Him your whole person. If you need assistance call Matt at 870-692-8855 he will be happy to walk you through that!

For those who have the Holy Spirit of Christ living in you, what is keeping you from reflecting the glory of Christ to those around you?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray.

 

Seeing Jesus face to face has an effect on us. His presence does something to you.

Pray that your seeking will be after His face and not His hand, that you will desire Him for Him and not for what He gives.

 

Ask God to increase your desire to know Him in way that is passionate and real.

 

DO

Find a picture (online or in print) that represents the face of God to you (it can be whatever reminds of that) then save it as the background on your phone or hang it somewhere you’ll see it often (in your locker or the dashboard of your car) when you see it simply tell God that you want to see His face.

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The Seek God Challenge Day 3

January 3, 2012 by 1 Comment

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READ

12 Moses said to the Lord, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.'13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people."

14 The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"

17 And the Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."

18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory."

-Exodus 33:12-18

THINK

We see a picture here of this guy Moses who is not content with the amount of God he has experienced, if we didn’t know the point in the story we might think that God had been distant from him, but in fact he’s already met with him through a burning bush, showed His power and concern for His people through the plagues in Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea, and been alone with Him on the mountain giving Moses the first set of the law.  Yet, Moses appears to be begging God to be with him, to “teach me your ways so I may know you…” Why do you think that is? Have you ever hungered for more of God like this?

 Do you see the progression of Moses’s requests? What are they?

We see he’s moving deeper “who are you sending with me?”, “Don’t send us without you”, “show me your glory.” Moses is pursuing God deeper and deeper. He is so consumed by his God that all he can dwell on is going deeper with Him, knowing Him better, learning more from Him. It’s a passionate pursuit of God that is fueled by an unquenchable hunger and thirst for God.

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray.

Are you content with your current level of relationship with God? Do you desire to have the kind of relationship where you can ask God to “show me your glory”?

Pray that your life will be hungry for knowing God, that a little of Him here and there will not do!

Do you really want to know God’s ways? Are you ready to live out what His word says?

Pray that your faith will be strengthened and your knowledge of God’s desires will lead your life.

DO

Take the list you made yesterday of where your spending your time and decide on something that you can cut out or reduce the amount of time to have time to seek God deeply.

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