LIVING THE NEW LIFE 1
Everyone--- please turn off your cell phones.
When you were born again your life changed dramatically; now the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is working in you, teaching you how to follow God in everything. Paul one of the writers of the Bible said, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT
Here are some values for your new life:
LIVE IN OBEDIENCE TO THE BIBLE
Approach the Bible with: 1) Prayer asking God to open your heart and understanding. 2) A commitment to obey it.
3) A commitment to keep growing in your knowledge of the Word. 4) An understanding that the Bible is a spiritual book that must be approached with faith. 5) The realization that if you give in, your flesh and the enemy will keep you from God’s Word. Be determined to be in it daily. 6) If you can’t read, find someone who will read it to you daily.
- The Bible is the most important book in your life. Let it speak into your life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. NLT
- Be committed to obey God’s word. Knowing or hearing it preached is not the same as obeying.
James 1:22-25, 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. … 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law [the law of liberty NASU] that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. NLT
- Make a habit of memorizing and thinking on the Scripture.
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. NLT
Psalm 119:73 You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands. NLT
Psalm 1:2 They [who obey God] love the Lord’s teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night. NCV
- Reading and studying the Bible with Faith will cleanse your heart.
Psalm 19:7-11,7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. 11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. NLT
Break into groups of 2-3 people and read Psalm 19:7-11 and then discuss the following questions. What do these verses teach us about: 1. The Word of God? 2. People? 3. What must I do this week to obey this passage?
PRAY CONTINUALLY
When you pray, talk to God out loud just like you do when you are talking with a friend. There are some circumstances where you can’t pray out loud but God hears you still. Prayer is a most important activity of the Christian. Prayer will help you grow close and stay close to God. Prayer should include praise, praying for His kingdom purposes, seeking God’s will, asking for your needs, asking for help to forgive others, protection from sin and the devil, asking God to help others and worshiping God because His power is greater than any other power. Make your prayer relational.
- Jesus is our great example in prayer.
Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. NIV
- Jesus taught his disciples to pray. This is a pattern for us to follow in prayer.
Matthew 6:9-13, 9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. NLT
- Persistence is a great key to answered prayer. Make a prayer list it will help you keep praying till you receive the answer. Sometimes we just need to begin thanking God in advance for what we have prayed.
Luke 18:1-8, 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!'” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. NIV
- Faith is an essential in effective prayer. Believe that God loves you and wants to help you.
Matthew 17:19-20, 19 [After Jesus’ disciples had failed to cast out a demon they asked] … “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” 20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” NLT [Mark 11:24]
Break into groups and pray for at least one need for each person in the group
LIVE A LIFE OF GRATITUDE AND PRAISE
Thankfulness is an expression of appreciation for what God has done. No matter what may be going on in our lives right now, God has already given us the ultimate help. He has given us salvation, something we could never have earned. Even though things may be going badly at the moment we can remain thankful because we are assured, if He has already helped me in my greatest need He surely will do all else to see me through (Romans 8:32).
- Praising God brings us into His presence. Praise changes our perspective.
Psalm 100:1-5, 1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. ESV Psalm 22:3 You sit as the Holy One. The praises of Israel are your throne. NCV
- Develop the habit of praising all the time. Your mind is always working, praising keeps it positive.
Psalm 113:1-3, 1 Praise the Lord! Praise him, you servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. 2 The Lord’s name should be praised now and forever. 3 The Lord’s name should be praised from where the sun rises to where it sets. NCV
Psalm 34:1-3, 1 I will praise the Lord at all times; his praise is always on my lips. 2 My whole being praises the Lord.
The poor will hear and be glad. 3 Glorify the Lord with me, and let us praise his name together. NCV
Praising God at all times means that even when things are not going well instead of complaining you will praise Him.
Share what that would look like in your life. How would that change you?
- Our praise to God should be expressed out loud. Audible praise gives you strength.
Psalm 30:11-12, 11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! NLT
Psalm 5:11 But may all who take shelter in you be happy! May they continually shout for joy! NET
Ephesians 5:18-20 … be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. NLT
Take a few minutes right now and praise God out loud.
These three activities are a part of the foundation of your new life. Make a habit of doing them every day. This week take time to read the Bible, pray and praise God each day. They are essential to learning to hear from God. If you want to grow in your PERSONAL relationship with God read your Bible, pray and praise God daily.
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