Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
2
FAITHSTORYPUBLISHING
1TarentaalWay,MooivalleiPark,Potchesftroom,2531
©COPYRIGHT2017WillemNel.
Allrightsreserved.
Createdandpublishedunderlicenseto
EveryNationFaithCity,Incorporated
d.b.a.FAITHSTORYPublishing.
Anycopying,duplication,reproduction,republication,transmission,broadcasting,publicdisplay,distribution,dissemination,orstorageinanyretrievalsystemofthisdevotional,inwholeorinpart,byanymeans,method,ormedium,isstrictlyprohibitedwithouttheprior,writtenconsentofFAITHSTORYPublishing,exceptasnextprovided.
Anaturalpersonwhohaspurchasedandpersonallyusedthisdevotionalaccordingtoitsintendedpurposesispermittedtoelectronicallycopy,store,and/ordisplayitin,on,orthroughamobiledevice,tablet,computer,orlaptopownedbythepersonwhohaspurchasedthisdevotional,and/orasocialmedia,electronic,and/ore-mailaccountcontrolledbythepersonwhohaspurchasedthisdevotional,providedthatallofthefollowingconditionsaremet:(a)suchactivitiesareconductedsolelyforpurposesofthespiritualgrowthorbiblicalknowledgeofthepersonwhopurchasedthisdevotional,orareasonablenumberofpersonalfriendsandfamilymembers,andnotforanycommercialpurposeorotherpurposeofexploitationormonetarygain;(b)anyportionsofthisdevotionalthatotherpersonsarepermittedtoviewareonlyportionsalsocontainingthepersonalnotes,observations,andreflectionsofthepersonwhopurchasedthisdevotional,andnotsolelytheoriginalcontentofthisdevotionalalone;(c)suchactivitiesdonotcircumventanythird-party’sobligationorneedtopurchasethisdevotionalfortheirownpersonaluseofthisdevotional;and(d)suchactivitiesdonotinvolveanykindofmodificationtoormisrepresentationoftheoriginalcontentorwordingofthisdevotionalasitwasoriginallypublishedanddistributed.ThislimitedlicensemayberevokedormodifiedatanytimeaccordingtothesolediscretionofthecopyrightownerorFAITHSTORYPublishing.
ScripturetakenfromtheNewKingJamesVersion®.
Copyright©1982byThomasNelson,Inc.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.
ScripturetakenfromtheHOLYBIBLE,NEWINTERNATIONALVERSION®.
Copyright©1973,1978,1984byInternationalBibleSociety.
UsedbypermissionofZondervan.Allrightsreserved.
ScripturetakenfromtheNEWAMERICANSTANDARDBIBLE®,
Copyright©1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995
byTheLockmanFoundation.Usedbypermission.
Firstprinting.SubmitreprintrequeststoFAITHSTORYPublishing.
ManufacturedinSouthAfrica.
3
TableofContentsSESSION1 7
SESSION2 18
SESSION3 28
SESSION4 40
SESSION5 51
SESSION6 64
PersonalHealthGoals 73
ExampleofConfessions 74
Answerkey 75
ReferenceList 78
4
HOWTOUSETHERESTARTDEVOTIONALAbriefexplanationofthefeaturesofthisdevotional.
SMALLGROUPSTUDYCHECKINGIN:EachsmallgroupshouldbeginwithgroupmemberssharingaboutwhattheyreadduringtheweekintheTransformedDevotional.
PUTTINGITINTOPRACTICE:EachweekyouwillbegivenguidanceonwhatreadingstodothefollowingweekinyourTransformeddevotional.
MEMORYVERSE:EachweekyouwillfindakeyBibleverseforyourgrouptomemorizetogether.Thismemoryversewillbefocusedonthetopicoftheweek.
PRAYERDIRECTION:Attheendofeachsession,youwillfindsuggestionsforyourgroupprayertime.PrayingasagroupisvitaltoconnectingwithGodandoneanother.Pleasemakesureyouhaveenoughtimededicatedtothiseveryweek.
5
VIDEOLESSON:Enjoythefifteentotwentyminutesvideolessonwithyoursmallgroupeachweek.Followalongwiththeoutlineinyourdevotionalandfillintheblanks.Thesmallgroupoutlineisincludedinthisdevotionalsoeachparticipantcanactivelyengageandlearn.
DIVINGDEEPER:Thissectionincludessuggestionsforbooks,studies,andotherresourcesforpersonalandgroupgrowth.
DISCOVERYQUESTIONS:FollowingeachvideolessonareseveralquestionstohelpfacilitatediscussionfocusedontheweeklyTransformedtopic.Thesequestionssparkgreatdiscussion.Pleasedonotfeeltheneedtogettoallofthequestionseachweek.It’simportantthatyouengageinthediscussionduringeachsmallgroup
DAILYDEVOTIONSANDJOURNALPAGES:DailydevotionshavebeencreatedtoleadyouonyourTransformedjourney.Journalpagesareincludedwitheachdevotionalsoyouwillhavethe.opportunitytowritedownwhatGodissayingtoyou.
6
7
SESSION1
TRANSFORMEDINMYSPIRITUALHEALTH
1.Imust__________________supremely.
Ifyouwanttobemyfolloweryoumustlovememorethanyourownfatherandmother,wifeandchildren,brothersandsisters–yes,morethanyourownlife.Otherwise,youcannotbemydisciple.Luke14:26(NLT)
Spiritualhealthismeasuredby________.
Themostimportantcommandmentisthis…youmustlovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart[that'spassionately],allyoursoul[that’swillfully],allyourmind[that’sthoughtfully],andallyourstrength[practically-livelikeyouloveHim].Mark12:29-30(NLT)
2.Imust________________________.
Blessedisthemanwholistenstome,watchingdailyatmydoors,waitingatmydoorway.Proverbs8:34(NIV)
3.Imust__________and_______hisWord.
Blessedistheman…[whose]delightisinthelawoftheLord,andonhislawhemediatesdayandnight.Heislikeatreeplantedbysteamsofwater,whichyieldsitsfruitinseasonand
8
whoseleafdoesnotwither.Whateverhedoesprospers.Psalm1:1-3(NIV)
Youaremyfriends,ifyoudowhatIcommand.John15:14,(NIV)Themanwholooksintentlyintotheperfectlawthatgivesfreedom,andcontinuestodothis,notforgettingwhathehasheard,butdoingit–hewillbeblessedinwhathedoes.James1:25(NIV)
4.Imust________myincome.
“Bringthewholetitheintomystorehouse,thattheremaybefoodinmyhouse.Testmeinthis,”saystheLordAlmighty“andseeifIwillnotthrowopenthefloodgatesofheavenandpouroutsomuchblessingthatyouwillnothaveroomenoughforit.”Malachi3:10(NIV)
5.Imustlearnto____________________.
Ifyouhaveloveforoneanother,theneveryonewillknowthatyouaremydisciples.John13:35(TEV)Ifsomebodysays,“IloveGod,”buthatesaChristianbrotherorsister,thatpersonisaliar;forifwedon’tlovepeoplewecansee,howcanweloveGod,whomwehavenotseen?1John4:20(NLT)
Spiritualgrowthhappensin_______________.
9
6.Imust___________________.
ForevenI,theSonofMan,cameherenottobeservedbuttoserveothers,andtogivemylifeasaransomformany.Mark10:45(NLT)
7.Imustpassonthe________________.
Taketheteachingsthatyouheardmeproclaiminthepresenceofmanywitnesses,andentrustthemtoreliablepeople,whowillbeabletoteachothersalso.2Timothy2:2(TEV)
Goandmakedisciplesofallthenations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandtheSonandtheHolySpirit.TeachthesenewdisciplestoobeyallthecommandsIhavegivenyou.Andbesureofthis:Iamwithyoualways,eventotheendoftheage.Matthew28:19-20(NLT)
10
11
TransformedInMySpiritualHealth
Day1
Don’tcopythebehaviorandcustomsofthisworld,butletGodtransformyouintoanewpersonbychangingthewayyouthink.ThenyouwilllearntoknowGod’swillforyou,whichisgoodandpleasingandperfect.Romans12:2(NLV)
GodcaresabouteveryareaofyourlifeandHewantstoblessyouineveryareaofyourlife.Hewantsyoutobehealthyinyoursoul,spiritandbody.HegaveusHisWordsothatwecouldlivehealthyandfulfilledlivesforHisglory.BeingspirituallyhealthymeansthatIbringmybehaviourinlinewithGod’splanandHisWord.ThisiswhywewanttoencourageyoutostartreadingtheBiblefrequently.ReadwhatProverbs8:34hastosay:
Blessedisthemanwholistenstome,Watchingdailyatmygates,Waitingatthepostsofmydoors.Proverbs8:34(NKJV)
IchangemybehaviourbyhavingadailyappointmentwithHim.ImustdevelopahabitofspendingtimewithGodeveryday.Thinkaboutit.WhywouldGodwantyoutospendtimewithHimeveryday?Hewantstohavearelationshipwithyou.GodWANTStospendtimewithyou.Theworldaroundusseeksourattention.OurfaithinGodischallengedeveryday.WiththeseTransformeddevotionals,Connect
12
groupsandSundayservices,wewanttobuildyourfaithwithyou.AdjustyourlifestylebyspendingtimewithGoddaily.InthePhillipstranslation,thisscripturereadsasfollows:
”Don’tlettheworldaroundyousqueezeyouintoitsownmould,butletGodremouldyourmindsfromwithin,sothatyoumayproveforyourselvesthattheplanofGodisgood,meetsallhisdemandsandmovestowardsthegoaloftruematurity”Romans12:2(Phillips)
Makethefollowingdecisiontoday:Iamnotgoingtoallowtheworldtomouldmeaccordingtoitsstandardsanylonger,butIamgoingtoallowGodtocomeintomylifeandmyworld.ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
13
TransformedInMySpiritualHealth
Day2
Sohere’swhatIwantyoutodo,Godhelpingyou:Takeyoureveryday,ordinarylife-yoursleeping,eating,going-to-work,andwalking-aroundlife-andplaceitbeforeGodasanoffering.EmbracingwhatGoddoesforyouisthebestthingyoucandoforhim.Romans12:1(TheMessage)
TodayourfocusisbringingourHEARTSbeforeGod:
GodisinterestedinourHEARTS.HewantsustosurrenderourheartstoHimcompletely.Thisiswhatthisscripturemeans.
TakeyoureverydaytasksandbringthemtoGodasanOFFERING.Goddoesn’twantourmoney,timeorresources.No,Hewantsourhearts–yoursandmine.TheLordreallycaresabouttheintegrityofourhearts–HeisnotinterestedinwhatwecangiveHimordoforHim.WeseethisclearlyinMark12:33:
AndtoloveHimwithalltheheart,withalltheunderstanding,withallthesoul,andwithallthestrength,andtoloveone’sneighborasoneself,ismorethanallthewholeburntofferingsandsacrifices.”Mark12:33(NKJV)
• TheHEARTisthestorehouseofyourlife.• TheHEARTiswhereyourlifepurposeemergesfrom.• TheHEARTisthesourceofyouremotions,willandthoughts–in
otherwordsYOURSOUL.• YourHEARTiswhatGODdesires.
14
• YourHEARTbecomesfullofwhateveryousee.
Godreallywantstocomeandliveinourhearts.WereadaboutthatinEphesians3:17intheAmplifiedBibleClassicEdition:
MayChristthroughyourfaith[actually]dwell(settledown,abide,makeHispermanenthome)inyourhearts!Mayyouberooteddeepinloveandfoundedsecurelyonlove...Ephesians3:17,AMPC
HEwantstocomeandliveinourheartsbyourfaith.Praythefollowingoveryourlife.
Letuspraytogether:LordJesus,IgiveYoumyheartandmylife.IdeclaretodaythatYouaremyLORDandLEADER.ForgivemefornotplacingYoufirstinmylifeandheart.IgiveYoutherighttobeKinginmysleeping,eating,going-to-workandwalking-around-life.InJesus’name,Amen.ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
15
TransformedInMySpiritualHealth
Day3
Don’tbecomesowell-adjustedtoyourculturethatyoufitintoitwithouteventhinking.Instead,fixyourattentiononGod.You’llbechangedfromtheinsideout.Readilyrecognizewhathewantsfromyou,andquicklyrespondtoit.Unliketheculturearoundyou,alwaysdraggingyoudowntoitslevelofimmaturity,Godbringsthebestoutofyou,developswell-formedmaturityinyou.Romans12:2(TheMessage)
Everydaywearebombardedwithinformation,themajorityofwhichisnegative.Itisalmostlikeexposingyourselfpermanentlytopoison.Theresultinthelongtermisthatthesesubstanceswillpoisonyourwholebeing.Justthinkaboutwhatyouhavetodealwithandendureeveryday.Perhapsyouareexhaustedbecauseyourworkissituatedfarawayandyouhavetospendhoursontheroadbetweenyourhouseandwork.Perhapsyouaresubjectedtoaneverendingnumberofe-mails,phonecalls,Whatsappmessages,noteventomentionyourcellphoneremindingyouofsomethingeveryfewminutes.Noise.Chatter.Traffic.Crowds.Politics.Radio.Telephone.Television.Soapies.Newspaperarticles.Theneighbour’sbarkingdogs.Bills.Worries.Responsibilities.Deadlines.Endlesstasks.Demandingchildren.Hurtfromrelationshipsthatwentwrong.WhatverGoddoesinyourlifeHedoesonthebasisoffaith.Someoneoncesaid:"FaithistoChristianitywhatamainspringistoawatch.”Itisindispensible.Everyonehasfaith–evenanatheisthasfaith.Theonlydifferenceiswhatyouputintoyourfaithandhowmuchfaithyou
16
have.Haveyoueversaid,“IwishIcouldjusthavemorefaithinmylife?”InRomans10:17wereadhowyoucangetmorefaith:
Sothenfaithcomesbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.(Romans10:17,NKJV)
AccordingtotheBible,youandIgetfaithbyhearingtheWordofGod.As you read the Bible, your faith will grow. Proverbs 4 says thefollowing:
Hear,myson,andreceivemysayings,Andtheyearsofyourlifewillbemany.(Proverbs4:10,NKJV)
ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
17
18
SESSION2
TRANSFORMEDINMYPHYSICALHEALTH• MybodyisGod’s_____________.
“Youcreatedeverypartofme;youputmetogetherinmymother’swomb…Iamfearfullyandwonderfullymade.”Psalm139:13-14,(TEV/NIV)
• Godexpectsmeto___________mybody.
Iwillnotbemasteredbyanything.1Corinthians6:12(NIV)• Mybodywillbe___________________afterIdie.
ByHispowerGodraisedtheLordfromthedead,andhewillraiseusalso.1Corinthians6:14(NIV)
• Mybodyisconnectedtothe________________.
DoyounotknowthatyourbodiesaremembersofChristhimself?1Corinthians6:15(NIV)
• TheHolySpirit_____________mybody.
DoyounotknowthatyourbodyisthetempleoftheHolySpirit,whoisinyou,whomyouhavereceivedfromGod?1Corinthians6:19(NIV)
19
Don’tyouknowthatyouyourselvesareGod’stempleandthatGod’sSpiritlivesinyou?...God’stempleissacred,andyouarethattemple.1Corinthians3:16-17(NIV)
ForwearethetempleofthelivingGod.2Corinthians6:16(NIV)
• Jesus____________________onthecross.
Youarenotyourown;youwereboughtataprice.ThereforehonorGodwithyourbody.1Corinthians6:19-20(NIV)Iurgeyou,brothers,inviewofGod’smercy,toofferyourbodiesaslivingsacrifices,holyandpleasingtoGod.Thisisyourspiritualactofworship.Romans12:1(NIV)“Doyouwanttogetwell?”John5:6(NIV)
20
21
TransformedInMyPhysicalHealth
Day1ButthosewhowaitontheLordshallrenewtheirstrength;Theyshallmountupwithwingslikeeagles,Theyshallrunandnotbeweary,Theyshallwalkandnotfaint.Isaiah40:31(NKJV)
Doyoueverfeellikeyou’vejusthadenough?Arethereeverdaysyoufeellikeyoujustcan’tgoon?Perhapsyouareexhaustedfromalongillnessorstressandyouhavetoforceyourselftogetoutofbed.Perhapsyouareaddictedtosomethinganditfeelslikeyouwillneverhaveenoughstrengthtoovercomeit.Perhapsyouwrestlewithdepressionoranxietyandeachdayisastruggle.Perhapsyouhavereachedthepointofwantingtogiveup.Ifthisishowyoufeel,readthescriptureagain.Lookattheamazingpromiseitholds:“ButthosewhowaitontheLordshallrenewtheirstrength;Theyshallmountupwithwingslikeeagles,Theyshallrunandnotbeweary,Theyshallwalkandnotfaint.”ThisversetellsusthatGodwilldosomethingforus.Notmaybeorperhapsorpossibly–Hewill.ThisscriptureisfullofpromisesforusifweputourhopeintheLord.ThismeansthatyouneedtotrustGod,thatHehasaplanforyourfuturethatmakessenseandwillsucceed.Ifthesituationaroundyoulookshopeless,putyourhopeintheLordandHispromises.Ifyoufeeltired,putyourhopeintheLord.AskHimtogiveyourenewedstrength.AskHimtoshowyouHisplanforthefuture–theplanthatwillsucceedandthenyouwillreceivephysicalstrengthtosoarabovethecircumstancesthatwanttoholdyouback.
22
ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
23
TransformedInMyPhysicalHealth
Day2
IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme.Philippians4:13(NKJV)
FamouspeopleusedbyGodarejustordinarypeoplewithextraordinarydetermination.Theydon’tgiveupwhenthingsgettough.Wheredotheygetthiskindofdetermination?Itstemsfromadeepfaiththat“IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme.”Theirfaithcarriesthempasttheirfearanddespair,untiltheyarelivingthelifeGodpurposedforthem–completelydependentonHisstrengthandnottheirown.
Whatisitthatdiscouragesyouintermsofyourcommitmenttoyourphysicalwell-being?Isitwhenthingsdon’thappenthewayyouplanned?Isitpossiblywhenyoudon’treachyourgoals?Maybeyoudon’thavetheenergytofinishprojectsyoustarted?Wegetdiscouragedeasilybecausewedothingsinourownstrength.Ourstrengthandenergyarelimited.Ouremotionalandphysicalstrengthcanonlylasttoacertainpoint.OnlyGod’sstrengthisalimitlesssourceanditisalwaysavailablewhenyouneedit.Itisnotautomatic,butthereisonlyonecondition:ittakesfaithtosurrendertoHim.
IfyouwanttobefilledwithGod’sstrength,youneedtobewillingtoacknowledgeyourownlimitationsfirst.YoumustbewillingtoadmitthatyouneedGod.TosurrendercompletelymeansbeingcompletelydependentonHim,daytodayandmomenttomoment,justlikeanewbornbabyiscompletelydependentonhismothertosupplyallhisneeds.TheLordwantsustodependonHiminthesameway.
24
AssoonasyouhavesurrenderedtoGodandacknowledgedyourdependencyonHim,youmustaskHimforHisstrengthandtrustHimthatHewillprovideit.Hewillprovideenergyandstrengthforeverydayasyouneedit.
Ifyoufeellikeyourreservesarerunninglowandyouwanttogiveup,dependonHisstrengthandmovepastthedespair.Takeastepoffaith,trustGodtogiveyouwhateveryouneedfortheday.
ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
25
TransformedInMyPhysicalHealth
Day3
Donotbewiseinyourowneyes;FeartheLordanddepartfromevil.Itwillbehealthtoyourflesh,Andstrengthtoyourbones.Proverbs3:7-8(NKJV)
Theconceptof“thefearoftheLord”isrepeatedthroughoutthebookofProverbs.InProverbs9:10wereadthatthefearoftheLordisthebeginningofwisdom.ReverenceandrespectforGodisthebeginningofwisdom.Ifyouthinkyou’regoingtocultivatewisdomwithoutthefearoftheLord,you’remistaken.
WhatdoesitmeantofeartheLord?ItmeanslovingwhatHelovesandhatingwhatHehatesandappreciatingwhoHeisanddoingwhatHesays.ItmeansaskingforHisadviceandnotrelyingonyourself.ItmeanstreatingHimwithrespect,reverenceandawe.
Theotheroptionistobe“wiseinyourowneyes”.Thismeansthatinsteadofhonouring,respectingandfearingGod,yourelyonyourself.Thismeansyouthinkyouknowwhatisbest.Thisispride.ThisisbelievingthatyouareGod.WereadinProverbsthatthiswayofthinkingisfoolishness.
ThismeansthatwhateveryouundertakeinlifemuststartwiththefearoftheLordinsteadofyourownknowledgeandstrength.EverydecisionandchoiceyoumakemuststartwithGod.Whatdoesthismeanpractically?Ifyouyearnforphysicalhealth,startwithGodandnotwithyourownwisdom.StartbytrustingHim,listeningtoHimanddependingonHisleadinginyourquestforhealth.Don’tstartwithyourownstrategies....startwithGod.
26
ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
27
28
SESSION3
TRANSFORMEDINMYMENTALHEALTH
• Don’tbelieveeverythingyou___________.
Theheartisdeceitfulaboveallthingsandbeyondcure.Whocanunderstandit?Jeremiah17:9(NIV)Examineyourselvestoseewhetheryouareinthefaith;testyourselves.2Corinthians13:5(NIV)
• Guardyourmindagainst_____________.
Awisepersonishungryforthetruth,whilethefoolfeedsontrash.Proverbs15:14(NLT)Nowwhenyoucometothinkaboutit,therearereallythreekindsoffoodthatyoucanfillyourmindwith.Toxicfood,junkfoodandhealthyfood.IwillnotsetbeforemyeyesanythingthatisworthlessPsalm101:3(ESV)
• Neverletupon____________.
Intelligentpeoplearealwaysreadytolearn.Theirearsareopenforknowledge.Proverbs18:15(NLT)
29
Wisepeoplestoreupknowledge.Proverbs10:14(NKJV)
These two things are going to largely determine your life. Store upknowledge from reading. Store up wisdom from walking with godlypeople.Readingandrelationships.
Thosewhogetwisdomdothemselvesafavor,andthosewholovelearningwillsucceed.Proverbs19:8(NCV)
• Renewyourminddailywith____________.
Changedoesn’tstartinyourbehavior.Itstartsinyourthoughts.Don’tcopythebehaviorandcustomsofthisworld,butletGodtransformyouintoanewpersonbychangingthewayyouthink.ThenyouwilllearntoknowGod’swillforyou,whichisgoodandpleasingandperfect.Romans12:2(NLT)Youwillkeepinperfectpeaceallwhotrustinyou,allwhosethoughtsarefixedonyou!Isaiah26:3(NLT)
• LetGodstretchyour____________.
NowglorybetoGod,whobyhismightypoweratworkwithinusisabletodofarmorethanwewouldeverdaretoaskorevendreamof–infinitelybeyondourhighestprayers,desires,thoughts,orhopes.MayhebegivengloryforeverEphesians3:20-21(TLB)
30
Wherethereisnovision,thepeopleperish.Proverbs29:18(KJV)
Godwantsyoutododreambigdreamssoyoucanaccomplishgreatthingsforhisglory.ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
31
32
TransformedInMyMentalHealth
Day1Thereisastruggleinyourthoughtsbetweenlightanddark.Thereasonthisbattleissointenseisbecausewhatevergoesoninyourthoughts,rulesyourmind.TheBiblespeaksofthisstrugglein2Corinthians10:3-5:
Forthoughwewalkintheflesh,wedonotwaraccordingtotheflesh.FortheweaponsofourwarfarearenotcarnalbutmightyinGodforpullingdownstrongholds,castingdownargumentsandeveryhighthingthatexaltsitselfagainsttheknowledgeofGod,bringingeverythoughtintocaptivitytotheobedienceofChrist…2Corinthians10:3–5(NKJV)
The first step in taking your thoughts captive is not believingeverything you think. You and I must realise that we believe liesaboutourselves.Justbecauseyouthinkitdoesn’tmeanitistrue.YouareIhavethetendencytolietoourselves.Wedoitallthetime,weliemore toourselves than toanyoneelse. In Jeremiah17:9 it says:Theheartisdeceitfulaboveallthings,anddesperatelywicked”(NKJV)We therefore don’t always see things as they are but rather as wewant to because our hearts are deceitful. We filter our thoughtsthrough our previous experiences which is why we can see thingsotherthantheyreallyare.
33
ApplicationandReflectionMakealistof5thoughtsyoumostlythinkaboutyourself:Whichofthesethoughtsarelies?Makealist:WhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
34
TransformedInMyMentalHealth
Day2
Forthoughwewalkintheflesh,wedonotwaraccordingtotheflesh.FortheweaponsofourwarfarearenotcarnalbutmightyinGodforpullingdownstrongholds,castingdownargumentsandeveryhighthingthatexaltsitselfagainsttheknowledgeofGod,bringingeverythoughtintocaptivitytotheobedienceofChrist…2Corinthians10:3–5(NKJV)
Thesecondstepintakingourthoughtscaptiveistoprotectourselvesfromrubbish.(GarbageIn–GarbageOut).
Theheartofhimwhohasunderstandingseeksknowledge,Butthemouthoffoolsfeedsonfoolishness.Proverbs15:14(NKJV)
There are three different kinds of foodwithwhichwe can feed ourthoughts.• There is poisonous food. Satanism and false religions are
poisonous; pornography is poisonous. Filling our thoughts withgodlessness is poisonous; it comes into our system and polluteshowwethink.
• Thenthereisjunkfood.Thisisnotnecessarilypoisonousbutitalsodoesn’thavemanyadvantages. Ifweeat junkfoodall thetime itwillbeunhealthyforourbodiesaswellasourthoughts.Wecanfilluponwhatwehearonthenews,soapiesandseries,butit isnotneccessarilygoodforus.
• Thirdly,wegethealthy food.This is foodthatencouragesusandbuildsusup.Thingsthatmakeusstrongerandmoreclever.Thingsthatmakeussuccessful.
35
ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
37
TransformedInMyMentalHealth
Day3
Forthoughwewalkintheflesh,wedonotwaraccordingtotheflesh.FortheweaponsofourwarfarearenotcarnalbutmightyinGodforpullingdownstrongholds,castingdownargumentsandeveryhighthingthatexaltsitselfagainsttheknowledgeofGod,bringingeverythoughtintocaptivitytotheobedienceofChrist…2Corinthians10:3–5(NKJV)
ThethirdandmostimportantstepintakingourthoughtscaptiveistotransformthemwithGod’sWord.GOD’SWORDHASTHEPOWERTORENEWYOURTHOUGHTS. If yourthoughts are polluted due to hate, jealousy, rejection, drugs andpornography,youneedtocleanthemup,renewyourmind.If you want to change anything in your life, it will start with yourthoughts. Change doesn’t begin with your behaviour, but with yourthoughts.
Anddonotbeconformedtothisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind,thatyoumayprovewhatisthatgoodandacceptableandperfectwillofGod.Romans12:2(NKJV)
38
ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
39
40
SESSION4TRANSFORMEDINMYEMOTIONALHEALTH
• ___________my___________.You’llneverbeemotionallyhealthyuntilyoufacethefeelingsstraighton.Ikeptveryquiet…butIbecameevenmoreupset.Ibecameveryangryinside,andasIthoughtaboutit,myangerburned.Psalm39:2-3(NCV)Holdingontohurts is likecarryinghotcoals inyourheart.You’re theonethat’sgoingtobeburned.WhenIkeptthingstomyself,Ifeltweakdeepinsideme.Imoanedalldaylong.Psalm32:3(NCV)• ___________thosewhohave___________.
Oneofthemostdifficultdecisionsyou’llmakeinthislifeis:“DoIwanttogetwellordoIwanttogeteven?”
ItwaswhilewewerestillsinnersthatChristdiedforus!Romans5:8(TEV)
Getridofallbitterness,rageandanger,brawlingandslander,alongwitheveryformofmalice.Bekindandcompassionatetooneanother,forgivingeachother,justasinChristGodforgaveyou.Ephesians4:31-32(NIV)
41
Youhavekeptarecordofmytears.Psalm56:8(TEV)Neverpaybackevilforevil…neveravengeyourselves.LeavethattoGod,forhehassaidthathewillrepaythosewhodeserveit.[Don’ttakethelawintoyourownhands.]Romans12:17-19(TLB)
• Replace___________withGod’s___________.
LetGodtransformyouintoanewpersonbychangingthewayyouthink.Romans12:2(NLT)
Ifyouwanttochangethewayyoufeelaboutyourlife,youhavetochangethewayyouthinkaboutyourlife.ReplaceoldlieswithGod’struths.
Jesus,whomakespeopleholy,andallthosewhoaremadeholyhavethesameFather.ThatiswhyJesusisn’tashamedtocallthembrothersandsisters.Hebrew2:11(GWT)
• ___________onthe___________.
Putyourheartright…ReachouttoGod…facetheworldagain,firmandcourageous.Thenallyourtroubleswillfadefromyourmemory,likefloodsthatarepastandrememberednomore.Job11:13-16(TEV)
Yourpastisnotyourfuture.Theoldyouisnotthenewyou.
42
Lookstraightaheadwithhonestconfidence;don’thangyourheadinshame.Proverbs4:25(TEV)
• ___________tohelp___________.Godwantstoredeemyourpain.Hewantstouseyourexperiencestohelpotherpeople.That’swhatministryisallabout.
[God]comfortsuseverytimewehavetrouble,sowhenothershavetrouble,wecancomfortthemwiththesamecomfortGodgivesus.2Corinthians1:4(NCV)WhensomeonebecomesaChristian,hebecomesabrandnewpersoninside.Heisnotthesameanymore.Anewlifehasbegun!2Corinthians5:17(TLB)
43
44
TransformedInMyEmotions
Day1:SoulFood
Dearfriend,Ipraythatyoumayenjoygoodhealthandthatallmaygowellwithyou,evenasyoursoulisgettingalongwell.1John3:2
Daddy,Daddy,look,I’mglidingonmystomachontheslide!Ourbodiesneedawellbalanceddiet,regularphysicalexercise,enoughsleepandoxygentofunctionoptimally.OurspiritmanneedsregularWordintake,prayerandworshipintheLord'spresencetofunctionoptimally.Butwhatdoesmysoulneedtofunctionoptimally?Thisisanareainourlifethatwesooftenoverlook,becausewedonotalwaysknowwhatoursoulneedstofunctionoptimally.Oursoulneedsahealthydoseofaffectionandattention.Wewerenotcreatedtobreatheunderwater.Inanemergency,Iwillmostprobablypullthepersontryingtohelpmeunderwaterinanattempttocomeupoutofthewater.Similarly,inoursearchforaffectionandattentionwecouldpullpeopledowninanefforttogetthesebasicneedsofthesoulmet.Manytimeswedothiswithoutevenknowing.Emotionalhealthbeginswiththefactthatmysoulneedstobehealthyandahealthysoulneedsaffectionandattention.Furthermore,theseneedsaretobeaddressedinoursoulproactively.
45
Isitwellwithmysoul?LikeJohn,Ipraythatyoursouliswell!DoIreceiveahealthyportionofaffectionandattentionfrommyspouse,ifIammarried?DoIreceiveahealthyportionofaffectionandattentionfrommyparentsifIamstillinthehouse?DoIreceiveahealthyportionofaffectionandattentionfrommyfriendsifIamsingle?WhatcanIdotogettheneedforaffectionandattentionmetinahealthyway?ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
46
TransformedInMyEmotions
Day2:Mysoulneedslove
Oneofthem,thedisciplewhomJesusloved,wasrecliningnexttoHim.1John13:23(NIV)
Johnwroteabouthimself,inhisownbook,onfourdifferentoccasionsthatJesuslovedhim.Johnexperiencedahealthydoseofaffectioninhisheart.TheWordteachesusaboutdifferentkindsoflove-alovebetweenfriends,asexuallovebetweenhusbandandwife,andadivinelovefromGodtoman.Butwhatisthekindofaffection(love)thatwillkeepmysoulhealthy?Ineedthisunderstandingoflove.Mysoulislookingforalovethatkeepsmetrueandalovethatencouragesmetobemybest.WiseSolomonsaysinProverbs27:6(NIV)"Woundsfromasincerefriendarebetterthanmanykissesfromanenemy.”Mysoulneedsthiskindoflove,alovethatsometimeshurts,butthatdoesnotleavemeasIam.Itisalovethatwantstoseeunhealthyemotionsbecomewell,alovethatwantstoseebadhabitschangetogoodones.Itisalovethat,ifIdidsomethingwrong,couldnotleavemeasis!Doyouhaveafriendwholovesyoulikethis?Yoursoulneedsthiskindoflove!Lovealsocallsthebestoutofyou.Itsays:"You’regoingtomakeit!","Youcan!","Youareable!","Youhavetheability,""TheLordlovesyou!","AllthingsworktogetherforgoodforthoseHeloves!"Thisisthekindoflovethatencouragesyoutobecomeyourbest!Yoursoulneedsthiskindoflove!
47
Mysoulislookingforlovethatcarriescriticisminasandwichofencouragement!Letuspraytogether:Lord,pleasehelpmetodiscoverhealthylove.Lovethatkeepsmysoulhealthy.LovethatdoesnotleavemeasIam,butalsoalovethatencouragesmetobemybest!Iwanttoexplorewithyouwhatitmeanstoexperiencehealthyloveinmylife.IaskthatYouwouldleadmetolovingfriendships.IaskthisinJesus'name.amenApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
48
TransformedInMyEmotions
Day3:Mysoulneedsattention
WhenJesuscameby,helookedupatZacchaeusandcalledhimbyname.“Zacchaeus!”hesaid.“Quick,comedown!Imustbeaguestinyourhometoday.”Luke19:5(NLT)
JewishtaxcollectorscollectedtaxonbehalfoftheRomansfromtheirownpeople-withcommissionthatenrichedtheirownpockets.Thisresultedingreatwealth.Zacchaeuswassuchaman-achieftaxcollectorandarichman.Taxcollectorswerethereforeostracisedandextremelyunpopularamongtheirownpeople.TruetoJesus'character,HewaswalkingthroughacrowdonedayandHestoppedatthefigtreeinwhichZacchaeuswassittingandgavehimindividualattention.JesusinvitesHimselfandspendsawholemealchattingtoZacchaeus.Theresultwasstaggering!Haveyoueverreceivedindividualattention?Perhapsateacherwhonoticedyouandgaveyouabitofattention,orperhapsfromyourgrandfatherorgrandmother,orthebest–fromyourfatherormother?Alittlebitofeyecontactattentiontakesthesoulalongwaybecausemysoulneedsattention–healthyattentionthatfillsmewithvalueandacceptance.Zaccheusexperienceditfirsthand,anditchangedhisdestinyforever!AttentioncausedZacchaeustorespondopenlywithcompassionforthepoorandrestorestolengoodsfourfoldbacktothepeople.NotonlywasZacchaeus'ssoulhealed,buthisspiritmanwasbornagain!
49
ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
50
51
SESSION5
TRANSFORMEDINMYRELATIONALHEALTH
They'rebasicallyTWOKINDSOFFRIENDS
• ____________friendsaretheresultof____________.
• ____________friendsaretheresultof____________.Amirrorreflectsaman’sface,butwhatheisreallylikeisshownbythekindoffriendshechooses.Proverbs27:19(TLB)Therighteouschoosetheirfriendscarefully.Proverbs12:26(NIV)
FIVEKINDSOFPEOPLETOAVOIDASCLOSEFRIENDS
• ___________peopleOurfriends,wecommandyouinthenameoftheLordJesusChristtokeepawayallbelieverswhoarelivingalazylife…2Thessalonians3:6(TEV)
• ____________peopleDon’tmakefriendswithpeoplewhohavehot,violenttempers.Youmightlearntheirhabitsandnotbeabletochange.Proverbs22:24-25(TEV)s
52
• ____________peopleItoldyounottoassociatewithimmoralpeople.NowIdidnotmean[unbelievers]whoareimmoralorgreedyorarethieves,orwhoworshipidol.Toavoidthemyouwouldhavetogetoutoftheworldcompletely.WhatImeantwasthatyoushouldnotassociatewithapersonwhocallshimselfabelieverbutisimmoralorgreedyorworshipsidolsorisaslandereroradrunkardorathief.Don’tevensitdowntoeatwithsuchaperson.1Corinthians5:9–11(TEV)
• ____________peopleDonoteatthefoodofastingyman…forheisthekindofmanwhoisalwaysthinkingaboutcost.‘Eatanddrink,’hesaystoyou,buthisheartisnotwithyou.Proverbs23:6-7(NIV)
• ____________peopleDon’tteamupwiththosewhoareunbelievers.‘2Corinthians6:14a(NLT)
CHOOSECLOSEFRIENDSWHOWILL…
• ____________mementallyHewhowalkswiththewisewillgrowwise.Proverbs13:20a(NIV)
53
Asironsharpensiron,soonemansharpensanother.Proverbs27:17(NIV)
• ____________meemotionallyAfriendlovesatalltimes,andabrotherisbornforadversity.Proverbs17:17(NIV)Bearoneanother'sburdens.Galatians6:2(NKJV)
• ____________mespirituallyEncourageoneanotherandbuildeachotherup1Thessalonians5:11(NIV)Spuroneanotherontowardloveandgooddeeds.Hebrews10:24(NIV)
HowcanIattractthatkindofafriend?Bybeingthatkindoffriend.
HOWTOBUILDHEALTHYRELATIONSHIPS
• Getinterestedin____________.Unfriendlypeoplecareonlyaboutthemselves.Proverbs18:1(NLT)Leteachofyoulookoutnotonlyforhisowninterest,butalsofortheinterestsofothers.Philippians2:4(NKJV)
54
• Don'tbea_____________________________.Doeverythingwithoutcomplainingandarguing,sothatnoonecancriticizeyou.Liveclean,innocentlivesaschildrenofGod,shininglikebrightlightsinaworldfullofcrookedandperversepeople.Philippians2:14-15(NLT)
• Bea____________.Bequicktolistenandslowtospeak.James1:19(CEV)Counselintheheartofmanislikedeepwater;butamanofunderstandingwilldrawitout.Proverbs20:5(KVJ)
• Acceptpeople____________.Acceptoneanother…justasChristhasacceptedyou.Romans15:7(NIV)Afriendlovesatalltimes.Proverbs17:17A(NIV)
• Helppeople____________.Honoroneanotheraboveyourselves.Romans12:10(NIV)Don'tbeselfish;don'ttrytoimpressothers.Behumble,thinkingofothersasbetterthanyourselves.Philippians2:3(NLT)
• Be____________.
55
Rejoicewiththosewhorejoice,andweepwiththosewhoweep.Romans12:15(NKJV)
• Stickwiththemin____________.Thereare“friends”whopretendtobefriends,butthereisafriendwhostickscloserthanabrother.Proverbs18:24(TLB)Twoarebetterthanonebecause…ifonefallsdown,hisfriendcanhelphimup.Butpitythemanwhofallsdownandhasnoonetohelphimup!Ecclesiastes4:9-10(NIV)
• Share____________withthem.“GobackhomeandtelleveryoneathomehowmuchGodhasdoneforyou.”Themanthenwentallovertown,tellingeverythingthatJesushaddoneforhim.Luke8:39(CEV)“Dotoothersasyouwouldhavethemdotoyou.”Luke6:31(NIV)“Idonotcallyouasservantsanylonger…Instead,Icallyoufriends.”John15:15(TEV)
56
57
TransformedInMyRelationshipsDay1
“‘YoushalllovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart,andwithallyoursoul,andwithallyourmind.’Thisisthegreatandforemostcommandment.Thesecondislikeit,‘Youshallloveyourneighborasyourself.’”Matt.22:37-40
AlovingrelationshipwithGodisofprimaryimportance,butlovingrelationshipswithothersissecond.TheBibleisallaboutthesetwoimportantrelationships.Paulwritesthefollowingasasortofprescriptionforhealthyrelationships.(Circlealltheactionwords)
Asmuchasitispossible,liveinpeacewitheveryone.Rom.12:18(GW)
Killall….Therefore,puttodeathwhateverisworldlyinyou:yoursexualsin,perversion,passion,lust,andgreed(whichisthesamethingasworshipingwealth).Col.3:5(GW)
Putasideall….
Alsogetridofyouranger,hottempers,hatred,cursing,obscenelanguage,andallsimilarsins.Don'tlietoeachother.You'vegottenridofthepersonyouusedtobeandthelifeyouusedtolive,…Col.3:8-9(GW)
Puton….
Therefore,asGod'schosenpeople,holyanddearlyloved,clotheyourselveswithcompassion,kindness,humility,gentlenessand
58
patience.Bearwitheachotherandforgiveoneanotherifanyofyouhasagrievanceagainstsomeone.ForgiveastheLordforgaveyou.Col.3:12b-13(NIV)
ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?Whatactionstepsdoyouhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
59
TransformedInMyRelationships
Day2
Whoeverwalkswithwisepeoplewillbewise,butwhoeverassociateswithfoolswillsuffer.Proverbs13:20(GW)
BeinginclosefriendshipswiththewrongpeopleisoneofthetopreasonsChristiansmissGod'spurposeandplanfortheirlives.
LookatFIVEKINDSofPEOPLEyoushouldNOTBEINCLOSEFRIENDSHIPWITH:(ReadthescripturesandcircletheWHY)
LAZYpeopleProv18:9(GN)Alazypersonisasbadassomeonewhoisdestructive.ANGRYpeopleProv22:24-25(GN)Don'tmakefriendswithpeoplewhohavehot,violenttempers.YoumightlearntheirhabitsandnotbeabletochangeIMMORALpeople1Cor5:9-11Iwroteyouinmyletternottoassociatewithimmoralpeople;Butactually,Iwrotetoyounottoassociatewithanyso-calledbrotherifheisanimmoralperson,orcovetous,oranidolater,orareviler,oradrunkard,oraswindler—noteventoeatwithsuchaone.GREEDYpeopleProv23:6-7(GN)Don'teatatthetableofastingypersonorbegreedyforthefinefoodheserves."Comeonandhavesomemore,"hesays,buthedoesn'tmeanit.Whathethinksiswhathereallyis
60
UNBELIEVINGpeople2Cor6:14aDonotbeboundtogetherwithunbelievers;forwhatpartnershiphaverighteousnessandlawlessness,orwhatfellowshiphaslightwithdarkness?IfIexaminemyselfbythestandardofthesescriptures,whataremygrowthareasasafriend?
ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?WhatactionstepsdoIhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
61
TransformedInMyRelationships
Day3
Hewhoconcealshistransgressionswillnotprosper,buthewhoconfessesandforsakesthemwillfindcompassion.Proverbs28:13
ScientistswhostudyforgivenesshaveagreedthatFORGIVENESSisoneofthemostimportantcontributorstoahealthyrelationship.Researchhasevenfoundthatpeoplewhopracticeunconditionalforgivenessaremorelikelytoenjoylongerlives.
Manypeoplehaveneverexperiencedthefreedomofrepentanceandforgiveness.Why?It’softenbecausetheyhaveneverlearnedhowtomakeasincereandbelievableconfession.Instead,theysaythingslike:“I’msorryifIhurtyou.”“MaybeIwaswrong.”“Let’sjustforgetthepast.”“IknowIshouldn’thaveyelledatyou,butyoumademesomad.”Theseworthlessstatementsseldomtriggergenuineforgivenessandreconciliation.Ifyoureallywanttomakepeace,askGodtohelpyoubreathegracebyhumblyandthoroughlyadmittingyourwrongs.
OnewaytodothisistousetheSevenA’sofConfession.
Addresseveryoneinvolved(Allthoseyouaffected)
Avoidusingif,but,andmaybe(Donottrytoexcuseyourwrongs)
Admitspecifically(Bothattitudesandactions)
Acknowledgethehurt(Expresssorrowforhurtingsomeone)
62
Accepttheconsequences(Suchasmakingrestitution)
Alteryourbehavior(Changeyourattitudesandactions)
Askforforgiveness
ApplicationandReflectionWhatisGodsayingtoyou?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?WhatactionstepsdoIhavetotake?BringittoGodinprayer.
63
64
SESSION6
TRANSFORMEDFINANCIALHEALTH
• ImusttrustGodasmy_____________and___________.Everythingcomesfrom[God]andexistsbyhispowerandisintendedforhisglory.Romans11:36(NLT)RemembertheLordyourGod,foritishewhogivesyoutheabilitytoproducewealth.Deuteronomy8:18(NIV)
• Imustkeep_____________.Richescandisappearfast…sowatchyourbusinessinterestsclosely.Knowthestateofyourflocksandyourherds.Proverbs27:23-24(TLB)
• Imustgivethefirst_____________backtoGod.ThepurposeoftithingistoteachyoualwaystoputGodfirstinyourlives.Deuteronomy14:23b(TLB)HonortheLordbygivinghimthefirstpartofallyourincome,andhewillfillyourbarns[tooverflowing!]Proverbs3:9-10
• Imust___________and__________forthefuture.Thewisemansavesforthefuture,butthefoolishmanspendswhateverhegets.Proverbs21:20(TLB)
65
Moneythatcomeseasilydisappearsquickly,butmoneythatisgatheredlittlebylittlewillgrow.Proverbs13:11(NCV)Developyourbusinessfirstbeforebuildingyourhouse.Proverbs24:27(TLB)
• Imustsetupa_____________togetmyselfoutofdebt.Don’twithholdrepaymentofyourdebts.Proverbs3:27(TLB):
Letnodebtremainoutstanding.Romans13:8(NIV)
• Imust_____________myspending.Plancarefullyandyouwillhaveplenty;ifyouacttooquickly,youwillneverhaveenough.Proverbs21:5(TEV)
Stupidpeoplespendtheirmoneyasfastastheygetit.Proverbs21:20b(TEV)
• Imust_____________whatIhave.Godlinesswithcontentmentisgreatgain.1Timothy6:6(NIV)Itisbettertobesatisfiedwithwhatyouhavethantoalwaysbewantingsomethingelse.Ecclesiastes6:9(TEV)Keepyourselvesfreefromtheloveofmoney,andbecontentwithwhatyouhave,for[God]hassaid,“Iwillneverleaveyounorforsakeyou.Hebrews13:5(ESV)Don'tworry…Yourheavenlyfatheralreadyknowsperfectlywell[whatyouneed],andHewillgive[it]toyouifyougivehimfirstplaceinyourlifeandliveashewantsyouto.Matthew6:31-33(TLB)
66
67
TransformedinMyFinancialHealth
Day1Romans11:36(NLT)says:Everythingcomesfrom[God]andexistsbyhispowerandisintendedforhisglory.
GodismySourceandSupplier!
Nowwhatdoesthatmean?Itmeansthatyoursourceofincomeisnotyourjob.Godmayuseajob,butthat'sjustatool.It'sjustachannelforHissupply.YourultimatesourceforeverythingyouneedinlifeisGod.
Godownsitall,butGodloansittoyouwhileyou'rehereonearth.Yousay,“Butwaitaminute,Iworkhardformymoney”.Whodoyouthinkgaveyoutheabilitytoworkinthefirstplace?Whogaveyouthatenergy?Whogaveyouyourbrain?
TheBiblesaysinDeuteronomy8:18(NIV):RemembertheLordyourGod,foritishewhogivesyoutheabilitytoproducewealth.
AnyabilityyouhavetomakemoneycomesfromGod.Circlethephraseproducewealth.Godwantsyoutobeawealthcreator.HesaysHegivesyoutheabilitytoproducewealth.He'stheOnewhogivesyoutheabilitytocreateit.So,He'smySource,andHe'smySupply.ItallcomesfromHim.OurGodisagoodGodandHecaresaboutyourwell-being.Hewillneverfailyou!
68
ApplicationandReflection
WhatisGodsayingtoyou?
Whatdoesitmeantoyou?
Whatactionstepsdoyouneedtotake?
BringitinprayerbeforeGod
69
TransformedinMyFinancialHealth
Day2
ThepurposeoftithingistoteachyoualwaystoputGodfirstinyourlives.Deuteronomy14:23b(TLB)
ImustgivethefirsttenpercentbacktoGod.IfyouwantGod’sblessinginanythinginyourlife,youneedtoputHimfirstinthatarea.IfyouwantGod'sblessinginyourmarriage,youneedtoputHimfirstinyourmarriage.IfyouwantGod'sblessinginyourwork,youneedtoputGodfirstinyourwork.IfyouwantGod’sblessinginyoustudies,youmustputHimfirstinyourstudies.IfyouwantGod'sblessinginyourfinances,youmustputHimfirstinyourfinances.Thisiswhattithingisallabout.IfGodcomesfirstinmytime,moneyandrelationships,thenHe'sreallynumberone.ButifHe’snotnumberoneintheseareas,He'snotreallyfirstinmylife.
HonortheLordbygivinghimthefirstpartofallyourincome,andhewillfillyourbarns[tooverflowing!]Proverbs3:9-10
Whatagreatpromise!ProverbsdoesnotsaythatweshouldhonourGodbygivingHimourleftovers…WemustgiveHimthefirstpartofourincome.WemustgiveGodourbestbecauseHedeservesourbest.HedeservesourbestbecauseHegaveusHisbest.GoddidnotholdanythingbackwhenHesentHissontodieforoursins.Hedeservesourbest!IfyouwantGod'sblessinginyourfinances,youneedtoreturnthefirst10percentbacktoHim.YouneedtoshowHimyourgratitudeby
70
tithing.YouneedtoshowHimHe'snumberoneinyourprioritiesbytithing.YouneedtoshowHimyouthatyoutrustHimbytithingandwhenyoudothat,GodpromisesthatHewillblessyouforit.ApplicationandReflection
WhatisGodsayingtoyou?
Whatdoesitmeantoyou?
Whatactionstepsdoyouneedtotake?
BringitinprayerbeforeGod
71
TransformedinMyFinancialHealth
Day3
Godlinesswithcontentmentisgreatgain.1Timothy6:6(NIV)
ImustenjoywhatIhave.
IfIwantGod'sblessinginmyfinances,Imustlearntobecontent.ImustenjoywhatIalreadyhave,andenjoyingwhatyoualreadyhaveiscalledcontentment.Now,GodwantsmetoenjoywhatIhaveandnotalwaysbewonderingwhatIdon'thave.Wecanbesobusytryingtogetmorethatwedon'thavetimetoenjoywhatwehave.
Itisbettertobesatisfiedwithwhatyouhavethantoalwaysbewantingsomethingelse.Ecclesiastes6:9(TEV)
Untilyoulearnthattruth,you'renevergoingtotitheandyou'realsonevergoingtostartsavingbecauseyou'readdictedtoupgrades.It'sbettertobesatisfiedwithwhatyouhavethantoalwayswantsomethingelse.Whenyoualwayswantsomethingelse,youhavetobuythenewestmodel,youhavetowearthegreatestfashion,youhavetogetthelateststyleandyouhavetokeepmovingup.
Thetruthisweoftenbuythingswedon'tneedwithmoneywedon'thaveinordertoimpresspeoplewedon'tevenknow.Andthenwedon'thavetimetoenjoywhatwehavebecausewe'realwayswantingmore.
TheBiblesaysinHebrews13:5(ESV):
72
Keepyourselvesfreefromtheloveofmoney,andbecontentwithwhatyouhave,for[God]hassaid,“Iwillneverleaveyounorforsakeyou.”
Inotherwords,enjoywhatyouhaveinsteadofgrumblingaboutwhatyoudon'thave.Godisyoursourceandsupplier,andHeisenough.ApplicationandReflection
WhatisGodsayingtoyou?
Whatdoesitmeantoyou?
Whatactionstepsdoyouneedtotake?
BringitinprayerbeforeGod
73
PersonalHealthGoalsSpiritualGoal1. __________________________2. __________________________3. __________________________PhysicalGoal1. __________________________2. __________________________3. __________________________MentalGoal1. __________________________2. __________________________3. __________________________EmotionalGoal1. __________________________2. __________________________3. __________________________RelationshipGoal1. __________________________2. __________________________3. __________________________FinancialGoal1. __________________________2. __________________________3. __________________________
74
ExampleofConfessions
Areasoflife
WhatistheliethatthatIhavebelievedaboutthisareaofmylife
WhatisthetruththatIshouldbelieveanddeclareaboutthisareaoflife?
Bodyandsoul
1. Thiswon’teverchange.2. Godhaspreordained
thisillnessforme.3. Iamnotworthyto
receivehealing.
1. Jesushasalreadypaidtheprice.
2. GodhaspredestinedhealthformethroughJesusChrist’svictory.
3. Iamason/daughteroftheMostHighGodwhodiedbecauseIamworthit,notbecauseIamworthless.
MyrelationshipwithGod
1. Godisdisappointedwithme.
2. Goddoesn’tlovemeenough.
1. Godisinagoodmood.2. Nothingcanseparateme
fromHislove.
75
Answerkey
Session1:• ImustloveJesussupremely.• Spiritualhealthismeasuredbylove.• ImustmeetwithHimdaily.• ImuststudyanddohisWord.• Imusttithemyincome.• Imustlearntoloveotherbelievers.• Spiritualgrowthhappensincommunity.• Imustserveothersunselfishly.• ImustpassontheGoodNews.
Session2:• MybodyisGod’sproperty.• Godexpectsmetomanagemybody.• MybodywillberesurrectedafterIdie.• MybodyisconnectedtotheBodyofChrist.• TheHolySpiritlivesinmybody.• Jesusboughtmybodyonthecross.
Session3:• Don’tbelieveeverythingyouthink.• Guardyourmindagainstgarbage.• Neverletuponlearning.• RenewyourminddailywithGod’sWord.• LetGodstretchyourimagination.
76
Session4:• Revealmyhurts.• Releasethosewhohavehurtme.• ReplaceoldlieswithGod’struths.• Refocusonthefuture.• Reachouttohelpothers.
Session5:• Casualfriendsaretheresultofcircumstances.• Closefriendsaretheresultofchoices.
FIVEKINDSOFPEOPLETOAVOIDASCLOSEFRIENDS• Lazypeople• Angrypeople• Immoralpeople• Greedypeople• Unbelievingpeople
CHOOSECLOSEFRIENDSWHOWILL• Challengemementally• Supportmeemotionally• Strengthenmespiritually
HOWTOBUILDHEALTHYRELATIONSHIPS• Getinterestedinotherpeople.• Don'tbeachroniccomplainer.• Beagoodlistener.
77
• Acceptpeopleunconditionally.• Helppeoplefeelsignificant.• Besympathetic.• Stickwiththemintoughtimes.• ShareChristwiththem.
Session6:• ImusttrustGodasmySourceandSupplier.• Imustkeepgoodrecords.• ImustgivethefirsttenpercentbacktoGod.• Imustsaveandinvestforthefuture.• Imustsetuparepaymentplantogetmyselfoutofdebt.• Imustbudgetmyspending.• ImustenjoywhatIhave.
78
ReferenceListWewouldhighlyrecommendTransformedAll-In-OneWorkbookbyRickWarrenVisithttp://store.pastors.com/collections/transformed/products/transformed-all-in-one-workbookformoreinformation.