Before we move on, let’s pause and reflect on what we’ve covered so far.
Here are a few questions you might want to think about today:
- Do you think life is becoming more stressful? If so, what are some of the indicators?
- Describe a time when you felt like you were ‘running on empty’. What did it feel like, what were some of the contributing factors, and what did you do about it?
- Discuss the concept of ‘margin’. Why is it important and how do we create it in our lives?
- What can we learn from the habits of Jesus? Read Luke 5:15-16 .
- Read Jeremiah 2:13 and think about its application for us today. Why is it so easy to neglect time with God?
- Think about a time you had alone with God that was personally impacting. What happened?
- What are some of the benefits of regular church attendance?
- What are some of the benefits of regular involvement in a small group?
- What are some of the dynamics that occur when a follower of Christ begins to attend church only infrequently?
- Discuss the metaphor of ‘refuelling’ – what are some other things you do to help when you’re feeling like you’re running on empty?
Next week, we’ll be looking at a few more practical ways to refuel, especially when it comes to our emotional world.
This is great! Thanks Pastor Mark!
Rafferty
I know that it is wrong, but I hate going to church. Any advice for turning my attitude around and getting a new start? Changing churches is not an option in my case. I need help being content. I seem to have lost my focus, and I can’t seem to get it back.
Mindi fix your eyes firmly on Jesus and keep looking up. God will strengthen you by His Holy Spirit to stand if you ask. When God’s love is internally experienced in that deep place of the heart, His love becomes the basic hidden force, the drive and enthusiasm of life. God’s Love is the glue that holds and keeps the “living stones” us together.
I John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
The one who loves knows God for God is love.
John 2:15, 16 Amplified Bible “Do not love or cherish the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
Hebrews 24-27 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 *** Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ***
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
QUOTE:“It is never knowledge we are really after, but independence from God by the power to know without having to stoop to hear Him or bow to obey Him!” —Martha Kilpatrick (Illegal Choices)
Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joint and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
John 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. ***Abide in my love.***
1 Cor. 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Cor. 1:9 Amplified Bible: you were called into *companionship and *participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks.
Hi Mindi. Sorry to hear about your current church experience. If there are some hurts or unresolved offences in your church, then I pray for wisdom to sort them out. Sometimes it is appropriate to move on from a local church community – for instance, if the leadership is abusive or controlling, if the environment is unhealthy, or if we are no longer growing spiritually.
I pray that God gives you wisdom and grace to know what to do in your unique situation.
Hopefully, you have a ‘safe’ person that you can talk to in more detail about your situation. That’s always a good thing.
Mark,
Thank you for the reminder and also the listed questions . In our time of busyness and also the need to juggle family, work, church andpersonal activities, it is so easy to forget how much time we really spend with God.
You are an awesome and dynamic speaker. Go Mark!