What do you know about fasting? Have you ever fasted? Do you regularly fast? Why do you think most Christians do not fast?  What makes Christian fasting different from all others forms of fasting? What things in your life do you want more than food? What things should you long for more than food? How can fasting help cultivate these longings? What about heaven do you long for the most? What about this world causes you long more for heaven? Beyond fasting, wow can you cultivate a deeper longing for heaven in your life? How can you make sure [...]

Like scribes and pharisees we tend to demand that Jesus do more for us to prove who He is? Have you ever demanded Jesus do something to prove He is worth following.  Have you ever bargained, “God if you do this. I will obey you.”  Are there things you are demanding God to do in your life before you will believe Him? Take a moment and honestly compare these demands to what He has done for you on the cross for you. Why do you think you demand more from Him?   The self - righteous miss Jesus [...]

GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM  The reign of God that will overthrow sin and death forever has invaded this world in flesh and blood. In Jesus God commands you to turn from all others allegiances and put your TRUST in His Son alone to deliver you from sin and death. Through faith in HIS  life, death, and resurrection God will forgive you of your sins and you will receive the promise to be raised from the dead to rule with him forever Reflect on why this is good news for you personally.    How has following Jesus interrupted your [...]

Are there things you describe as needs that are really just wants? What are they? Why are you tempted to see these things as things you need rather what they are things you want?   The gospel is the promise that God will ultimately meet all your needs in Jesus. It begins with your greatest needs for eternity forgiveness of sin and the promise of resurrection. How do the eternal promises of the gospel help to temper your temporary wants?   How can you remind yourself in your greatest times of need that your greatest needs have already been [...]

Who are the people you have placed unfair expectations upon? Do you cause others to be overly worried about meeting your demands? How have others in your life disappointed you?  What way would these relationships be different if you sought to be more content in the Lord (Happy in the gospel)? How would your expectations for, demands of, and disappointments with others change? The strength of Philippians 4:13 is found in the contentment that in Christ neither my identity nor my mission changes in any circumstance. What circumstances are you failing to be content in your identity in Christ? [...]