1 John. .Week 3. .Discussion

Hello girls. .

It seems like I just sent the week’s home work and it is already time to respond. I reviewed a LOT of expectations from God this week.
I’m sure that you did to. .
and that you have also listed multiple times already. .
 the fact that we are to LOVE. .
me too!!
I am working on a little blurb defining that better. .
look for it soon.

This weekend our discussion includes. .

1.)   What does God expect from ME? A verse or two please. .

One of the things that still stuck out in my mind this week was that I am NOT supposed to love the world. .
that is hard for my nature. .But check THIS out. .
in my chronological study bible. .
the notes under 2:15-16 dealing with the worldliness were REALLY helpful. .
and comforting to me. .
another reminder about how TEMPTING Satan’s tactics are. .
but also showing that he hasn’t changed much over time. .
and is STILL successful at distracting people with these. .
listen. .

Some people think that worldliness is limited to external behavior—the people we associate with, the places we go, the activities we enjoy. Worldliness is ALSO internal because it begins in the heart and is characterized by 3 attitudes:
1.) craving for physical pleasure—preoccupation with gratifying physical desires;
2.) craving for everything we see—coveting and accumulating things, bowing to the god of materialism; and
3.) pride in our achievements and possessions—obsession with one’s status or importance.
When the serpent tempted Eve (Gen 3:6), he tempted her in these areas. Also, when the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, these were his three areas of attack (Matt 1:1-11). .

Remember 1 John 2:16 says this. .
For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions (NLT)!!

 W-O-W. .
go ahead. .
look up those verses and see it for yourself. .
I know you really want to J

Along the same line. .
the last verse of the book. .
keep yourself from idols. .
is convicting as well. .
I’ve done a couple studies (One was a study on the 10 commandments with youth group) that have nailed down idols for me. .
We don’t really have idols these days. .
not statues or golden calf idols. .
but when you define idol. .
as ANYTHING that you “bow” down to (spend time or money worshipping)
OUCH!! Look out. .
If you need a good read sometime. .
write this book down. .
Kevin Idleman “gods at war” discusses IN DEPTH all the things we, in America especially, use as idols in our lives. .
Sex, food, money, children, family, careers, things, achievement etc. .
Very VERY good food for thought there. .
and will redefine how we SHOULD think about idolatry. .
It is one of those books that just seems to set you free. .
When you REALIZE that you can FIX those problems. .
BUT you have to look at your life like God looks at it. .
Or else, we get stuck in the ruts of sin!

2.)   If I am up to the challenge. .describe a sinful attitude/act/issue in MY life. .that God brought to light while I was reflecting on it this week.

I wouldn’t ask you to do something that I am not willing to do myself. .
so I spent some time in prayer and stillness today. .
asking God to show me what He wants me to get rid of. .
The answers don’t always come at the same time. .
but they come!!
 It became evident at breakfast (everyone else was gone by then) that God had more for me to consider than just one little thing. .
so I grabbed my notebook and started writing. .
I started two new lists today. .
One for “sins that I need to let go of” (which was our assignment) and one that we are working on next week “How will these scriptures CHANGE. MY. LIFE”
Some of these sins I have been working on fixing for a while (pathetic, I know!).  .
some I just really identified as SIN this morning. .
Here’s my list. .
1.) bad mouth (poor word choice and smart mouth)
2.) explosive anger (mostly with my kids. .only cause Jeremy is bigger than me and he can drop me pretty quick J)
3.) blurting before I think
4.) negative self talk
5.) and along the same line. .making up things in my head that aren’t true. .and even if they were true. .it wouldn’t really matter!!! I can take one little thing that someone said. .or DIDN’T say. .and have a whole scenario, complete with dialog going thru my head before you can say “OOPS”
Not helpful. .to me. .or them. .and a total waste of brain space!!

3.)   Remember. .we are all here to be changed BY God. .to be LIKE God. .That is a process. .it can be SLOW. .and PAINFUL at times. .and eventually we have to do it by ourselves. .with the grace of God. .I know this may seem crazy. .but spend the next 7 minutes praying. .as you watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15bs7bCJ92E

Consider how this video could represent our spiritual growth in Christ.
Consider how we are bound up by our sinful, prideful, evil human selves. .

Consider how difficult it is to break free sometimes. .

It can be a struggle and usually is. .
when we first get out from under sin, our wings might be a little wet and need some time. .
but look. .
LOOK at how beautiful we can be when we get out from under sin. .
and ABIDE in God!!

4.) Pray for God to impress on your heart what He wants you to change and repent of that issue/issues (cause I had several) and ask your Savior to help you.

If you haven’t ever decided to abide in Christ. .

If you’ve spent your entire lives hanging around doing what Christians do. .
but have never committed to letting Christ guide you and be in total control. .

I urge you to do that RIGHT now!!
If you accepted Christ’s gift long ago. .
but find that you never changed. .
still continued to do life on YOUR terms and not the terms of God (give up your life for Me, He tells us in Matthew). .
that is SIN!!
Repent. .
ask forgiveness. .
and recommit yourself to your Lord as your Savior!!
Be ready to lay down your life for Him. .
And then hold on. .
the changes will be miraculous!!

 Have a GREAT weekend!!