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<h3>Chapter One</h3>
<table cellpadding="5" cellspacing="7" class="contents" style="width: 100%">
<tr>
<th colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-size: large">Contemplate
His Majestic Personhood</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#eight">Communing Moment By Moment With The Lord</a></td>
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="#sixteen">Think!</a></td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#ten">Being In Christ Is First - 'Doing' For Christ Is
Second</a></td>
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="#eighteen">The Power And Glory Of Praise And Worship</a></td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#twelve">Service - The Overflow Of Love For God!</a></td>
<td>12</td>
<td><a href="#twenty">Maintain The Spiritual Glow</a></td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#fourteen">Sitting Often At Jesus' Feet</a></td>
<td>14</td>
<td><a href="#twenty-two">Discussion Questions</a></td>
<td>22</td>
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<hr />
<div class="devotional" style="width: 630px; border: 0px dotted red; position: absolute; left: 250px; top: 300px">
<a id="eight"></a>
<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span></p>
<p>Psalms 143:5-10; Colossians 1:27</p>
<h3>Communing Moment By Moment With The Lord</h3>
<p>The Psalmist says, <em>"...Do not hide Thy face from me, lest I become like
those who go down to the pit. Let me hear Thy loving kindness in the morning;
for I trust in Thee; teach me the way in which I should walk..."</em> (Psalms
143:7 b- Psalms 143:8, NASB) What does it say to those around us if our lives
as Christians are like unbelievers' lives, or, in the dramatic words of the
Psalm, like those who go down to the pit? What if we are not very much different
from an ungodly culture generally? If the observer is a thinking person, it
must be obvious: either our God does not exist, or He exists but we are not
in touch with Him.</p>
<p>Is the evidence for the grace and power of God lacking in the lives of those
who claim to be his people? Could this be the cause for much of the reluctance
in our culture to take the claims of Christianity seriously? Let us consider
these things in very practical terms: do we spend our resources (e.g., time,
money, love, energy) in a manner significantly different from the unbelievers
around us? Do we commit to and love our spouses in such a way that others take
notice? Do our children reflect a style of parenting that might suggest hope
and answers to an onlooker struggling with her own children? What do we do with
our leisure time? Do our lives generally display a wholeness, a focus, a sense
of purpose that is appealing to someone seeking truth and meaning?</p>
<p>If not, then perhaps we should not wonder that there is little motivation
to listen to our earnest "witnessing" about the Lord. There is no evidence.
There is nothing to cause the hearer to believe that what we say is anything
more than a fairy tale of our own making.</p>
<p>It is not uncommon, following these uncomfortable observations, for the Christian
to fall back on one or both of two responses: "I shared the message and have
done my part, it is the fault of the other who has chosen to reject God." Perhaps,
as painful as it is, the listener is simply rejecting us, because our lives
do not demonstrate that we have an answer that is real.</p>
<p>The second response is often to say, "Then I must work harder. I must learn
more so that my life will reflect an attractiveness to others. I must get up
earlier, and study harder, and invest more, and surrender more completely."
And how long will you sustain that effort? And what will be attractive about
a life of exacting discipline, of unending incompleteness, of never being "good
enough"?</p>
<p>No, instead let us return to our hypothetical observer in the first paragraph.
Notice what he says. Either God does not exist or we are not in touch with Him.
If God is as</p>
<p><a class="top" href="#top" title="Back to Top">
<img class="icon" src="images/arrow-up.jpg" alt="Web Design Group"/>Back To Top</a><span class="right">Page
8</span></p>
<hr style="clear: both" /><br />
<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p>we claim Him to be, as we believe the Bible teaches us about Him, and if
were in touch with Him, would that clear up the problem? Surely if we really
knew and were in close communion with out God, our lives would reflect the meaning,
purpose, order, peace, and wholesomeness that is found only in Him. Notice again
what Paul writes: <em>"...Christ in you, the hope of glory."</em> (Colossians
1:27, NIV) Let us then not work harder or strive more diligently, but let us
commune moment by moment with the Lord, and then allow things to take their
course: for surely as He fills us and indwells us, our lives must reflect some
of His beauty and brightness.</p>
<br />
<p>"Lord, teach me and help me to be so in tune with you that those around me
cannot help but be drawn to you as they see the way I live. Not through me,
but through you living in me. Amen." </p>
<p><em>AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY:</em> Jesus Christ in me is all my hope
and strength.</p>
<center>- Erik Ritschard -</center>
<p>NOTES:</p>
<textarea rows="20" cols="60">Type Text Here, Copy & Paste to Your file. (Word, Wordpad, Notepad)</textarea>
<p><a class="top" href="#top" title="Back to Top">
<img class="icon" src="images/arrow-up.jpg" alt="Web Design Group"/>Back To Top</a><span class="right">Page
9</span></p>
<hr style="clear: both" /><br />
<a id="ten"></a>
<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p>Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 11:28-30</p>
<h3>Being In Christ Is First - 'Doing' For Christ Is Second</h3>
<p>Perhaps there are some, who upon reflection on yesterday's devotion, will
respond, "But surely we must do something. Surely we are meant for more than
just a contemplative life of fellowship with God. Surely we must worship, and
work, and put into action the things that we believe." And the answer, obviously,
is of course we must Nevertheless the questions remain: What inspires our worship?
What empowers our actions?</p>
<p>Are we as Christians pursuing good things because they are our duty, or because
our church expects us to do them, or because we have some vague sense that they
are somehow morally right? Where will be the difference or the attractiveness
in that? Unbelievers strive for personal and social goals as well. They too
often have a sense of duty that inspires discipline and work. They too can translate
their beliefs into action and accomplish "great" things. What then is the difference,
or ought to be the difference, between the lives of unbelievers and of Christians?
What should it be that makes our lives an attractive witness to the saving grace
and power of God?</p>
<p>When a person observes the life of an unbeliever who is accomplishing significant
things in the world, he or she must observe, "What a great man!" Or perhaps,
"What marvelous faculties she has!" Or again, "What drive, what ambition!" Yet
in contrast, perhaps when the Christian is observed the comments should be,
"How is this possible?" "What does this mean?" "If only 'my life were so ordered
and at peace!"</p>
<p>It is not the things we do which will attract others to the Lord. It is who
we are. Anyone can do. Doing can be comparatively easy, especially for a short
time. Being is another matter. How many do you know who are at rest with themselves
and the world? How many are deeply content, at peace, and whole? Do we not earnestly
seek these things? Do we not long for them? Are they not precisely what Jesus
offers to us? Why then do they often seem to be in short supply?</p>
<p>Perhaps we Christians often substitute Activity for Being, and in doing so,
reduce or negate the meaning and the value of our activity. To be sure, the
things we do are often "good" things, but are they keeping us from thinking
of and investing in something better? What good is "witnessing" if we witness
only of ourselves? What good is "serving" if we are motivated by our own need
for affirmation and approval? What help will "giving" be if we do so only to
receive something in return?</p>
<p>What then is needed? Perhaps we also should choose the part of Mary, who,
sitting at the feet of Jesus, was commended as having "chosen what is better."
If we were to sit at His feet and find "rest for our souls," we would become
Whole, a real man or woman who would then be fully equipped to Do in a world
desperately in need of genuine</p>
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<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p>Christianity.</p>
<br />
<p>"Father, give me understanding as to how I can "sit at your feet" and be
refreshed today. Show me how to make it my priority. Teach me how to delight
myself in you. I give you my whole self to be yours forever. Amen."</p>
<p><em>AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY:</em> Today I am anticipating the answer
to my prayer as God speaks to me and teaches me.</p>
<center>- Erik Ritschard -</center>
<p>NOTES:</p>
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<a id="twelve"></a>
<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p>Luke 10:38-42; Matthew 11:28-30</p>
<h3>Service - The Overflow Of Love For God!</h3>
<p>We have still left the question of Doing partially unanswered. If Christians
focus on sitting at Jesus' feet, how will the work get done? Someone in Mary
and Martha's house probably asked the same question. Can you hear the muttering?
"Terrific, so we all sit at Jesus' feet, and the food gets cold, and we all
are hungry and tired. Why is Jesus so impractical?"</p>
<p>Review what Jesus says to Martha: <em>"You are worried about many things,
but only one thing is needed."</em> One thing? Out of all the complexity of
our lives we are to believe that only one thing is needed? What is this One,
this Singleness, that is all we need? We must conclude, as we noted yesterday,
that the One Thing we need is simply the Lord. So again, how does the work get
done?</p>
<p>"The work" disappears. Perhaps Martha muttered, or someone else in the house
muttered, as Jesus commended Mary. Sit at His feet a moment, though. What is
food compared to this moment, this teaching, this authority, this love, this
peace, this wholeness that just radiates from His being? What are the preparations
in comparison? Why, they are nothing - if they must still be done they become
only a fleeting moment, a joyful, brief outworking of what we have been hearing.
"Love my neighbor? Why yes, I will, in the simple, wonderful act of laying out
this table that they may be refreshed. Care for the needy? Why, there are needy
right here in my household. No, Mary, please - you relax and let me take care
of this."</p>
<p>What has happened? The burden of the work has been lifted, to be replaced
by true work: work that is a reflection of our time spent at Jesus' feet, work
that shines and radiates with love and joy and the best we have to offer because
it is suddenly in perspective and focus. Our communion with Jesus and with our
heavenly Father so changes our perspective and our attitude that what we previously
thought of as "work," we now pursue naturally because it has become a consequence
of our being. We become loving, thoughtful, kind, peaceful, whole men and women;
and in becoming so, we begin to act accordingly. When we sit at Jesus' feet,
when we commune moment by moment with the Father, then our lives will reflect
His glory, then people <span style="text-decoration: underline">will</span>
reflect His glory, then people <span style="text-decoration: underline">will</span>
be attracted to the Father because of what they see in us, and then our witness
will be genuine indeed.</p>
<br />
<p>"Lord, as my life proceeds today, Help me to ever see, That in all that I
must do and say, I have need of only Thee. Amen."</p>
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<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p><em>AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY:</em> The same God who saved me can
live through me moment by moment and make me effective in all my roles in life.</p>
<center>- Erik Ritschard -</center>
<p>NOTES:</p>
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<a id="fourteen"></a>
<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p>Luke 19:38-42; Psalms 62:1-8</p>
<h3>Sitting Often At Jesus' Feet</h3>
<p>Someone may conclude, after yesterday's reading, that what has been said
is all well and good, but that it is too simplistic, too idealistic, too unrealistic.
After all, we live in a world of pain and sorrow, and suffering, and death.
Do you tell the single young mother, struggling with life, "You need only sit
at Jesus' feet?" Do you speak such words to the grieving widow who has just
lost her husband? To the homeless man on the street? No.</p>
<p>Those words are for ourselves, and will be difficult enough at times. When
the inevitable difficulties and tragedies of life crowd in, we will find it
very challenging indeed to "let go" and "sit" at Jesus' feet. Yet this is exactly
where faith enters in. What does Jesus say? "Only one thing is needed." Do we
believe Him? When we are really busy, really hurting, really exhausted, really
at our wit's end, do we believe Him? Do we trust Him? Will He help us?</p>
<p>The others around us we care for and love in very practical ways as a reflection
of our being in Christ. Because we have been sitting at His feet, we find shelter
for the homeless, comfort the grieving with out time and other resources, provide
help for the helpless. For ourselves, we go back to Jesus. We sit at His feet
again. We listen, and pour out our hears, and sometimes we weep. We take to
Him all that is too big for us, and all that confuses, and all that distracts.
The others we can lead to Jesus as they are ready and as He calls them. We must
already be in His presence, being renewed daily, being filled, being again made
whole in the midst of so much fragmentation.</p>
<p>Is your life filled with challenge now, with change, perhaps with grief?
Is there suffering, or anger, or fear? Are you weary with "being a Christian,"
tired of life's injustices, ready to give up? "You are worried and upset about
many things, but only one thing is needed." This is not idealism, this is how
God has chosen to do genuine work among men. Come, sit at his feet in faith.
Be renewed; be healed in spirit and soul. The circumstances around you may not
change, but you will change, and then your life and lives of others can change
as well. Will you believe the Lord? Come, let Him take your burden, come sit
at His feet. <em>"My soul finds rest in God alone..."</em> (Psalms 62:1 , NIV)
</p>
<br />
<p>"Lord, it is tempting to disbelieve, but I need and want you. Please take
me into your arms just now. I turn again from trying to live by my own strength
and my own will, and surrender it all again to you. Teach me how to be at your
feet even as the moments of each day pass. Take this situation that is consuming
me, and change me so that I may work out your will in the midst of this circumstance.
Change me, Lord, change me. I want to be a true reflection of your glory, a
real witness in the world. I want to see your power in my life. I want to be
so filled with you that my life cannot help but be a witness</p>
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<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p><em>AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY:</em> In the midst of the challenges
of my day, I will remember who God is and what He has promised.</p>
<center>- Erik Ritschard -</center>
<p>NOTES:</p>
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<a id="sixteen"></a>
<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p>Proverbs 23:7; Philippians 4:8</p>
<h3>Think!</h3>
<p>First of all, draw seven perpendicular - parallel - equal lines. Next, add
five lines to these, and when properly placed you have printed the word "THINK".
You have no doubt been interrupted in conversation after using the word THINK,
by a friend jovially saying, "That's a new experience, isn't it?" The remark
- "His mouth is in gear but his mind isn't" is too often true.</p>
<p>The thought life is an integral part of us, this being verified both from
personal experience and the Word of God. Proverbs (23:7) says that <em>"as he
thinketh in his heart, so is he."</em> What we are outwardly is a result or
what we are inwardly.</p>
<p>Conveniences are ever present to assist us in thinking. The paperbacks on
book stands lend themselves to "filth for thought," and the civil laws are the
only prohibitive barriers corralling the thought from breaking forth into actions.
Packaged diversion of all kinds beckon the individual to become a glutton on
the garbage offered to the mind. Thousands of people live mentally in the gutter
of life, though outwardly respectable.</p>
<p>Paul realized the value of the controlled thought life when he wrote: "Fill
your minds with those things that are good and deserve praise: things that are
true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable" (Philippians 4:8, Living Bible)
The sky is the limit and there are no fences here. Correct thinking is an old
sound principle affording inner health. Carroll Simcox said: "The soul is dyed
in the color of that which it habitually contemplates."</p>
<p>The following true account reveals the importance of developing a heart and
mind that thinks upon things that edify. "When
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanns_Lilje">Hanns Lilje</a>, the courageous
German Evangelical pastor, was imprisoned by the Nazi, he kept not only his
faith but his sanity alive by use of his inscape (defined as what you see with
that inward eye which is the bliss of solitude.) In his book of witness,
<span style="text-decoration: underline">The Valley of the Shadow</span>, he
relates:</p>
<p style="margin-left: 50px; text-align: justify">I made a strictly ordered
rule-of-life for each day, which included regular meditation and prolonged periods
of prayer, followed by periods of thought on theological and ecclesiastical
questions. The result of these reflections helps me in my work today. Since
I had no paper to write down the result of my thinking I not only repeated it
over and over again, in order to impress it upon my memory, but I frequently
translated my thoughts into English, or French, or even into Latin, and this,
in itself, did my memory a great deal of good. Under these circumstances, I
could only repeat passages from the Bible, and verses from the hymn book, which
I had retained in my memory. How grateful I am to all my teachers who had made
me learn by heart hymns and</p>
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<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 50px; text-align: justify">poems, Greek -lyrics, Latin
odes, or Hebrew psalms! They provided me with a treasure which in those hard
days was literally priceless."</p>
<p>Think! Fill the mind with good things.</p>
<br />
<p>"Dear Lord, you give to us so many helps to enable the mind and heart to
muse upon: the Bible, good books, music, nature. Thank you! Amen!"</p>
<p><em>AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY:</em> In the midst of things-that direct
our attention to things less valuable, I will think on noble things for spiritual
edification.</p>
<center>- Floyd Cooper -</center>
<p>NOTES:</p>
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<a id="eighteen"></a>
<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p>Psalms 118:22-29</p>
<h3>The Power And Glory Of Praise And Worship</h3>
<p>Driving in the thick of early morning rush hour traffic is an incredible
experience. Most drivers use it as a time to wake up. Some put on their make-up
while others talk on their cellular phones. I found myself doing something quite
unique and wonderful during my rush hour drive. I spent that time worshiping
my God.</p>
<p>This experience is only different because normally I would spend that time
in prayer for myself - what I need to do that day or some other personal concern.
But this week I turned my focus on Jesus and simply, yet beautifully, started
to praise His name. I spoke scriptures which I could remember and sang choruses
and old hymns. For half an hour each day I was caught up in the wonder and majesty
of my God.</p>
<p>What was significantly different about my week is that I could tell that
God was always going before me. When I would spend time offering Him my personal
worship, the opportunities of the day were opened wide. Those opportunities
may have presented themselves any way, but I was acutely more aware of His presence.
I had a confidence and a peace about me.</p>
<p>At one point, driving in a neighborhood which was unfamiliar to me, I was
praising God in song and prayer while searching for an address where I had an
appointment, After missing the turn I wanted to take, I turned on the next street,
only to find the building right on that corner. Now, the building was always
there - God didn't move it to accommodate my prayer, but he nudged me to drive
one block further to find my destination. That was how my week proceeded because
I continued to worship God each day.</p>
<p>God inhabits the praise of His people. In other words, when we worship Him,
He will be there with us. By relinquishing my usual pattern of praying for myself
and turning my full attention on my most awesome God, I found Him always close,
leading me without having to ask it of Him.</p>
<p>If you want to be close to God, praise Him. Forget yourself and recognize
you are in the presence of the great "I AM!" Not only will God be with you,
but He will go ahead of you. There is nothing more exciting than knowing God
is already at your next appointment.</p>
<br />
<p>"O God, I know there is no magic formula by which I will receive Your blessing.
No phrase... no word... no incantation will cause You to turn Your ears to me.
Nonetheless, I will worship and praise You all the days of my life, for You
alone are God and are deserving of my worship. I praise Your name! To the glory
of my Lord Jesus. Amen."</p>
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<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p><em>AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY:</em> God does not want me to pretend
to worship Him. He wants me to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Because the
Lord is with me, I will praise Him.</p>
<center>- Thomas Duckworth -</center>
<p>NOTES:</p>
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<a id="twenty"></a>
<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<p>Romans 12:11</p>
<h3>Maintain The Spiritual Glow</h3>
<p>Home from the hospital, the little guy cried much of the night. Walking the
floor and offering warm milk were to no avail. Exhausted, my wife called our
neighbor, a nurse, who came, added a blanket or two and he slept peacefully
into the morning. He needed extra physical warmth which was not found earlier.</p>
<p>Olin Curtis in 'The Christian Faith', writing of the Christian exertion (activity)
of the Holy Spirit, says: "1) The Holy Spirit does something for every man;
2) but He will do more for the moral person who, in anytime, or in any place,
makes his best personal response to the initiative moral pressure; 3) and He
will do still more for men in any situation where the Christian message is declared;
4) and He will do still more for men when the Christian message is declared
in a situation which is quick with the faith and love and sacrifice belonging
to actual Christian experience."</p>
<p>A definition of terms and reading through this statement will enable one
to more fully comprehend what Curtis is saying. But, it is the fourth point
now which is worth our consideration. And I want to place that statement in
the context of the worship, and prayer, and Bible study services of the church.</p>
<p>The fourth statement above is involved with an atmosphere. "...and He (the
Holy Spirit) will do still more for men when the Christian message is declared
in a situation which is quick with the faith and love and sacrifice belonging
to actual Christian experience." Is he not saying that the Christian in that
situation is really alive when there is faith, love, and a sense of God's presence
in his life?</p>
<p>A warm spiritual atmosphere prepared by our cooperation with the Holy Spirit,
is essential. Consequently, the sinner will be convinced of his or her sin,
or drawn to the Savior because of the atmosphere of God's presence. Consequently,
the Christian at such a service will leave with strength and courage, ready
to face problems which may be present. Depending on the individual's state,
hope, love, positiveness, faith, etc., will be realized.</p>
<p>Lukewarmness in the heart will lower the 'temperature' in a service. With
the heart's hearth ablaze with devotion to God, the 'temperature; rises. Paul
exhorts us in Romans 12: 11 - "Be aglow with the Spirit." The same scripture
paraphrased by others says: "Maintain the spiritual glow" (Moffatt). "Be aglow
and burning with the Spirit" (ANT). "Keep the fire of the Spirit burning" (JBP).</p>
<p>The words of a recent song of affirmation fits well here -</p>
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<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<pre>There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place,
And I know that it's the Spirit of the Lord. </pre>
<p>When I speak of a warm spiritual atmosphere in a church service, you understand
what I say, don't you? The atmosphere of love and grace and God's presence will
fragrantize the places of worship, bringing healing, hope, courage, joy and
uplift to those in attendance.</p>
<br />
<p>"O Lord, we covet the Holy Spirit to be present in every church service in
order to minister to people in their needs."</p>
<p><em>AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY:</em> As I open the curtains of this
day, I will keep the fires of the Spirit burning upon my heart's altar in order
to bless others.</p>
<center>- Floyd Cooper -</center>
<p>NOTES:</p>
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<a id="twenty-two"></a>
<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
<h3>Discussion Questions</h3>
<ol>
<li>
<p>What does it say to those around us if our lives as Christians are like
unbelievers' lives (i.e., like those who go down to the 'pit' - Psalms 143:7-8)?</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Why is evidence for the grace and power of God so often lacking in the
lives of those who claim to be Christians? If we (as believers) do not closely
follow Christ (and consistently demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ
in our lives), can we expect unbelievers to take the claims of Christ seriously?
Why or why not? What makes you different from those around you who do not
know God?</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Share ways in which following Christ should seriously make a difference
in:</p>
<ol style="list-style: lower-alpha">
<li>
<p>The way you spend your money.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The way you spend your time.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The way you treat your spouse.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The way you love and discipline your children.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The way you use your leisure time.</p>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>
<p>Give your personal response (or reaction) to the following statement:
"Perhaps, as painful as it is, the listener (i.e., the unbeliever to whom
we are witnessing) is simply rejecting us, because our lives do not demonstrate
that we have an answer that is real"</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>What is it that most challenges nonbelievers to seriously consider the
claims of Christ, and that most attracts nonbelievers to the beautiful person
of Christ? (Note Colossians 1:27)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>In terms of 'character' and 'motivations', how can you tell the difference
between a morally-oriented and highly-disciplined and humanitarian-minded
non-believer who accomplishes "great things" through his serious discipline
and hard work, and a highly disciplined Christian who seeks seriously to
commune with God and to fill his life with "good works"?</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Tell why you agree or disagree with the following statement: "It is not
the things we 'Do' which will attract others to the Lord. It is who we 'Are'."</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Regardless of how many "great things" a nonbeliever does in the world,
is it possible for such a person to be deeply and inwardly content, and
at peace with himself, and genuinely 'whole', without his experiencing a
personal conversion to God?</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Which should come First - 'Being' in Christ, or 'Doing' for' Christ?
Why?</p>
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<p><span class="left">"Growing A Godly Life" - Devotional Series</span>
<span class="right">Week 17</span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Out of the complexity of our lives (as believers), with our multitude
of activities and plans and relationships, what is the one indispensable
thing that is needed in our lives?</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Tell if you believe it is Biblically accurate to declare the following:
"Christian Service in the world is simply. the overflow of deep love for
God which is discovered and cultivated in the quiet and intimacy of personal
communion with Almighty God. Our communion with Jesus and with our heavenly
Father so changes our perspective and our attitude that what we previously
thought of as 'work', we now pursue naturally because it has become a consequence
of our Being. Because we have been sitting at His feet, we find shelter
for the homeless, comfort the grieving with our time and other resources,
provide help for the helpless."</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Tell to what extent you agree (or disagree) with the following statement:
"What we are outwardly is a result of what we are inwardly." (Note Proverbs
23:7)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Give your personal explanation and illustration of the following statement:
"The soul is dyed in the color of that which it habitually contemplates."</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Why is it so important for a Christian to fill his mind with "good thoughts",
through memorization of Holy Scripture and through meditation on edifying
thoughts in inspirational books?</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Do you make it a practice to spend at least a short time each day in
offering personal worship and praise to your God, simply "bathing" in His
presence and love? If so, when and where and how? What has been the result,
in terms of spiritual and practical benefits, to yourself! Tell what the
following statement means to you: "God inhabits the praise of His people."</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>From your own personal life, share a time when you found the following
to be "very true": "If you want to be close to God, praise Him. Forget yourself
and recognize you are in the presence of the great 'I Am'!"</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>As a believer, what can you personally do (in terms of disciplined responses)
to help "keep the fires of the Spirit burning" on the altar of your heart,
in order that your life may bless and encourage others (both fellow Christians
and non- believers)? (Note Romans 12:11) As an earnest Christian, do you
have a "wholesome fear" that you may "quench" or "grieve" or "embarrass"
the blessed Holy Spirit who indwells your life? (Note Ephesians 4:30) How
would such a "wholesome fear" be a deterrent to your yielding to temptation?</p>
</li>
</ol>
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