WEIGHT LOSS.doc SOAP.doc

‘WEIGHT LOSS’

 

SCRIPTURE :   HEBREWS: 10: 35-36

 

35.Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you!  36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

 

OBSERVATION

 

The scriptures had recorded, time had shown, people were aware of ---

Now it is being emphasized to us, --- the WHOW of the 2^nd Covenant, of Jesus Christ’s mission and blood sacrifice, the desire of God, that ‘through His perfect sacrifice we are made Holy’, by that one offering of His life ‘he perfected forever all those whom he is making holy,’ that God will never again remember our sins and lawless deeds.

 

Even through hardships, as Paul encountered and encourages those yet to come in the faith.

Be confident in this :

Trust in this … no matter what

Stand …..in this knowledge

Live by faith… in this and God will see us through.

 

 

APPLICATION

 

A GENTLE REMINDER FOR SUCH A POWERPACKED ACT TO EFFECT ALL MANKIND. If we haven’t grasped this where does faith come from? This is the unseen. But by faith, I believed and have experienced the truth and reality of it. But how often I can sin: -  attitude, lack of patience, frustrations, what could and was a guilt journey has now become a forgiveness path

as he leads me to be holy by that supreme sacrifice.

 

PRAYER

 

Thank you my Lord and Saviour for this amazing sacrifice – perfect and perfected to allow me to walk your path by faith in freedom by your Holy Spirit, not weighed down any longer by the heavy weight of sin and guilt.

 

Joan Bognuda

Learning obedience

Scripture:  Hebrews 5:7 & 8.  “While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers & pleadings, with a loud cry & tears, to the one who could rescue him from death.  And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.  Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.  In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.”

 

Observation: Picture this: Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane asking for the cup of suffering – the cross - to be taken from Him.  The Father says: “Well, it’s your choice – that was the original plan, but I hate to see you suffer, so it’s ok – we’ll just leave humanity in their sin & let the devil have the lot of them!!”  No – I don’t think so!!! Jesus didn’t relish the thought of the cross – but He loved His Father & humanity enough to go through with it, to be our Passover Lamb, once & for all.  Did He rail at the Father, stamp His feet & have a tantrum because the Father “didn’t answer” His prayer?  No, the scripture here is very clear – His prayers were heard.  But the answer was: “This is the only way.  Here, let Me strengthen you for what you must endure.  Remember Our creation.  Remember the pain of eternal separation from each individual We have & will create and how much We love them!”  And Jesus chose the cross.  He chose to be obedient at the cost of His own pain & suffering.  It was the ultimate act of obedience.  And it was a painful road.  But look at the eternal outcome for all those who would believe in Him.  Look at the benefits of abundant life here & now for all those who continue to live on this planet & choose to live it with Jesus as their centre.

 

Application:  If Jesus’ prayers were not always answered in the affirmative, then why should I expect mine to be?  If Jesus had to drink in obedience of the cup of suffering to bring about great eternal blessings, then why shouldn’t I?  No, when suffering comes – and it will – my choice is to be obedient in the midst or disobedient.  Yes, I can pray for it to be removed, but, if it isn’t, then it’s an opportunity for me to learn a greater obedience to my Lord in the midst, not rail at Him in disappointment or disgust, believing wrongly  that He hasn’t heard my prayers!!!  And how do I learn obedience?  By responding God’s way rather than reacting my way.  By choosing to apply His principles of Love & Integrity to the situation.  And even if it appears that the suffering may get worse, it will be for a short while in the scheme of eternity.  That’s why James said to “count it all joy” when trials come.  Jesus Himself promised that “in this world you will have tribulation”, but He finished by saying “but take heart, for I have overcome the world!!” I can be more than a conqueror through Christ, no matter my circumstances, by setting my face firmly on Him & walking in His ways.  Suffering, whilst not pleasant, is my opportunity to learn obedience for even greater eternal blessing – for myself but also for those around me!!

 

Prayer:  Thankyou, Lord, that in Christ I am more than a conqueror.  Thankyou for His example in how to conquer – not to run away from difficulties, but to face them head-on with Your strengthening & a heart willing to be obedient to You no matter what!!!  You will always bring great blessing out of any situation when I operate out of Your Grace and not my own fears, feelings & failings!!  You are great & mighty.  You have the Big Picture.  Thankyou that I can trust in You for everything.

In Jesus’ name   Amen.

 

Sue Otto

Check under the hood

Scripture

 

2 Tim 3:5 “They will act as if they are religious but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that”.

 

Observation

 

Paul is warning Timothy of the religious form that will occur in the days before the return of Christ. The performance, the rituals, the rules, the self righteousness and self importance that people will posture before the crowds will be found empty, shallow and powerless because they have accepted the façade and rejected the essence. Paul’s warning stresses the need to stay away from such deception as it easily seeps into the atmosphere of the credible follower of Christ and attacks the very purity of truth. The very power that could be the transformational essence of their lives lays locked in a secret cupboard, the truth and revelation it bears, that could revolutionise their lives has been rejected and they have chosen to keep it hidden from others.

 

Application

 

Following Christ is not a cloak and dagger lifestyle. When I decided to follow Christ I checked under the hood! I don’t get up each day and put on a costume to cover the person I’m trying to hide from everyone and then enter the day as an actor on the stage. My life lays bear before God. Each day my thoughts, my motives, my character lay open for him to see. It is in these areas that my life is on trial. If I choose to reject the testing and purifying of these I join the ranks of the hypocrite and false and just postulate the form of Christianity but actually live a lie that will be found out in the times of adversity and confrontation. It is so easy to live in such a place because living a life devoted to Christ brings constant internal conflict. But it is in this conflict that I find the power that transforms and godliness rises out of my brokenness and sorrow. It is this quality that is the fruit that my Saviour sees and it brings substance and depth to the life I say I’m living.

 

Prayer

 

Oh Father, give me strength to run the race to the end. I don’t want to be found wanting in the midst of the race but I seek the power of your Holy Spirit to equip me to see my life produce the fruit that declares the endurance of a true son of your kingdom.

 

Jim Jung

The night light!

Scripture:

Psalm 119:55 I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord, and I obey your law because of this.

 

Observation:

This whole psalm is about focusing on the Lord and His ways. Focusing on His laws which are what lead us to right living. When we are obeying His laws we experience His blessing in our lives. But the key here is keeping the Lord ever before us in thought. As the psalmist says, “I reflect at night on who you are,” this is the best way to get a good night’s sleep. When you saturate your mind with something it will steer the course of your life.

 

Application:

I love this comment about reflecting on the Lord at night, because I’m generally better at night than in the morning! As I reflect on Him rather than on the TV, it does help to keep me heading in the right direction. There are so many things today that can wrestle for my attention. I find that too much focus is placed on “me” when I let myself become entertained by what the world offers me. It’s seductive by nature and is designed to make me want more. Whether it’s TV, advertising to make me spend money or whatever else can grab my attention. I have to make the choice to put my focus where it will bear the fruit of obeying God’s will for my life.

 

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you that even when I make wrong choices that I’m only one choice away from you! Please forgive me when I have drifted off because I’ve let my focus slip.

Please help me to remain alert at all times, so that I can stay on the path of victory with you.

Amen

 

The ‘tude of Christ

 

Scripture:  Romans 15:5

 

“May God who gives you patience, steadiness and encouragement help you to live in complete harmony with each other, each with the attitude of Christ toward each other.”

 

 

Observation:

 

He Does!  God give us patience, steadiness and encouragement.  We all certainly need it and no-one else can give it but God if we want to live in harmony with each other – The attitude of Christ.  It’s his personality he wants in our lives and Paul is talking to the Roman church to remind them to …………….‘Have ‘Tude’ – attitude.  The attitude/personality of God is something that is needful if we are to get along with other.

 

Application:

 

God is patient – he desires us to be patient – he desire ME to be patient and I can’t do that on my own.  I’m not that clever.

 

Steadiness – I would include consistency in that thought – God wants me to have his consistency of heart, action and  ‘tude.  I can’t quite see how I could do that on my own anyway.  My moods and other people’s ‘tude could easily sway me to be up and down………yes and no……left and right.  But I know God can infuse his personality, his flavour for me to be the constant, steady – even stable person he desires. 

 

As for encouragement, I need all his encouragement I can get to keep on the ‘up’!  I am more than happy to grasp all these qualities in order to be what God wants me to be – there’s no way I can do it on my own.  Living in harmony with anyone is a constant work in progress and I admit receiving God’s help for me to achieve this – I won’t knock it back in a hurry.

 

Prayer:

 

God you have it – I don’t!

 

I receive your patience your steadfast and consistent heart in my life.  Thank you for your encouragement.  I can walk around with a smile on my face knowing it’s hour ‘tude in my life that I have.  I need it daily – like fresh bread that is baked every day.

 

I ask for a fresh portion today – your ‘tude.   The ‘tude of Christ’.

 

 

 

Terry B

 

 

 

Strength that Rises

---

From: Ken Hooper

S – Ephesians 3: 16 -17

‘I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith’

O – This is a powerful prayer that Paul prays for the ‘families’ before God. No doubt Paul had prayed for many people, situations and needs. This prayer is very specific in that he knows where the source of power comes from, he knows where to direct the prayer and what he wants the prayer to accomplish. This prayer is not directed at circumstances or physical needs. The prayer is directed to strengthen the spirit, the inner being. From this strengthening would come a growing presence and connection with Christ and a rise in faith.

A – This prayer of Paul’s teaches me how and where I need to direct my prayer for others and myself. So much of my prayer is directed to circumstances either around my own life, other peoples and family. Paul shows me that the most effective way for me to be strengthened is to pray that God will strengthen me where it counts most – in my inner being, my spirit. When this is prayed significant things happen. My Inner Being rises in strength, and my faith and connection with Jesus increases. This is a revelatory and powerful prayer pattern for me to pray for my family, and for the many others that need prayer. My natural tendency and ‘prayer default’ is pray to change the circumstances. Paul’s prayer pattern is to have a rising strength in the circumstances. This is not just to be a once off prayer, but a prayer that I need every day in my life and those around me. The need for strength, from the most powerful and rich source, to come into my spirit every day, and to produce the powerful outcome of faith and connectedness that I need with Jesus every day.

P- Lord, I ask you to strengthen me in my inner being, so that my connection with you and that faith will rise. Forgive me when I try to strengthen myself, or draw it from other sources. Help me to be strong in y circumstances rather than look for the circumstances to be changed.