Finding Refreshment in the Lord

Transcription

1 Finding Refreshment in the Lord 1. Gratitude Scriptural References to the need for gratitude Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 107:1) Scientific findings on the benefits of gratitude 1 1. Improves relationships 2. Improves physical health 3. Improves psychological health 4. Enhances empathy & reduces aggression 5. Helps you sleep better 6. Improves self-esteem 7. Increases mental strength Go Broad and Wide with Gratitude 1. Pick one category: Characteristics of God, A Person in Your Life, Work-related blessings, Recent Events, Health-related blessings, Financial or Material blessings. 2. Take time to list out several ways you are grateful for the above chosen blessing. Recommended Resources on Gratitude 1. Thanks, Robert Emmons 2. Gratitude Works, Robert Emmons 3. Google search, Pierre Eade happy healthy wealthy wise 4. Google search, Pierre Eade great full life 1 *Forbes.com, 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits Of Gratitude That Will Motivate You To Give Thanks Year-Round Pierre M. Eade, Page 1

2 2. Waiting Scriptural References to Waiting 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31, KJV) He doesn t get tired out, doesn t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don t get tired, they walk and don t lag behind. (Isaiah 40:29-31, The Message) I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27: 13, 14 NIV) Biblical Definition qâvâh, kaw-vaw'; a primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to ה ו ק expect: gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon). 2 Dictionary Definitions Wait - to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens. 3 Wait - to stay in place in expectation of (someone or something) 4 What does waiting on the Lord in prayer look like? Body: Sitting or laying down in a way that you feel most comfortable Closing your eyes, relaxing your body, feeling your breathing Listening to worship music or soft, gentle music that is soothing or relaxing Mind and Heart: Positioning your heart and mind to be open to receive from the Lord, his love and grace. Focusing on Jesus, opening your heart and mind to fully trust in Him. Seeking to be fully present with God without any verbal dialogue necessary Pierre M. Eade, Page 2

3 3. Meditating Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3, NIV) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8, ESV) Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. (Psalm 119:97-99) Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Pierre M. Eade, Page 3

4 4. Listening John 10 Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger s voice. 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. Dr. Mark Virkler s 4 steps to clearly hearing God s voice 1. The first key to hearing God's voice is to go to a quiet place and still our own thoughts and emotions. 2. The second key to hearing God s voice: As you pray, fix the eyes of your heart upon Jesus. 3. The third key to hearing God s voice is recognizing that God's voice in your heart often sounds like a flow of spontaneous thoughts. (You may also have mental pictures or images come to mind.) 4. The fourth key, two-way journaling or the writing out of your prayers and God s answers, brings great freedom in hearing God s voice. Lord, what encouragement do you have for me today? Pierre M. Eade, Page 4

5 5. Repentance Luke 15 The Lost Sheep 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. How does the shepherd feel about the lost sheep being found? The Lost Coin 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin. How does the woman feel about the lost coin being found? The Lost Son 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. How does the father respond to the son who returns home? Lord, based on these scriptures, how do you want me to view repentance? Pierre M. Eade, Page 5

6 Supplement: Questions to use when journaling with God. 1. Lord, what words of encouragement might you have for me? 2. Lord, why do I sometimes have difficulty hearing your voice? 3. Lord, what change or changes would you like to make in me? 4. Lord, why do I have so much difficulty getting along with (insert name)? 5. Lord, what wisdom would you give me to improve my relationship with (insert name)? 6. Lord, what do you want to teach me in this difficult circumstance (insert situation)? 7. Lord, what can I do to have a more intimate fellowship with you? 8. Lord, help me see (insert name) as you see them. 9. Lord, what is going on in this situation (insert situation)? 10. Lord, what do you have to say to me about journaling as part of my hearing your voice? 11. Lord, what means the most to you as we fellowship together? 12. Lord, what does it mean to be led by your Spirit? 13. Lord, how do you want me to pray for (insert name)? 14. Lord, how do you want me to pray for our church? 15. Lord, how do you want me to pray for myself? 16. Lord, is there anything in my life that I need to confess and bring under the blood of Jesus? 17. Lord, would you please help me to be grateful by reminding me of the ways you have blessed me? 18. Lord, what are some of the ways Satan is able to trip me up so I can become more aware of his schemes and be strengthened against them? 19. Lord, how might I become more fervent in my prayer life? 20. Lord, how might I become more effective in my witness for you? 21. Lord, how might my love for your Word be increased? 22. Lord, what do you want me to pray about right now? 23. Lord, please bring back the remembrance of a time when I felt especially close to you. What would you like to say to me in that memory? Pierre M. Eade, Page 6