Plan Be
Turn-Off the Noise of the World Tune-In to the Voice of God Let's start with the basics: God is GOD and we're not. Reminder: we are human beings designed by God. Let’s go back to the beginning of the Bible, in the Old Testament, when people feared God, but didn’t have a relationship with Him (having a relationship was the purpose of Jesus walking this earth, but we'll dive into that during our 40 Day Journal Challenge). God spoke to the Israelites through Moses (as well as other prophets in the Old Testament). Ultimately the Israelite people did heard God's Voice! Let’s go back to the Deuteronomy and hear what God told them: “Moses summoned all Israel and said: “Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. It was not with our ancestors that the Lord spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. (At the time I stood between the Lord and you to declare to you the word of the Lord, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. … “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” “These are the commandments the Lord proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me…” “And you said, “The Lord our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them…” “For what mortal has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived? Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey…” “Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever! …” “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” [ Deuteronomy 5:1-33 ] Drop the mic. They just heard from the Almighty God! Nothing more needs to be said. You just heard the laying down of the Ten Commandments from God Himself! Absorbs these wise Words. Reflect on His Voice, which, as the historical timeline will show, will ultimately be through the Voice of Jesus (anticipate in a couple weeks the series on the Significance of Jesus - you will hear what He had to say to us as He walked on this earth). ----------------------------------- "40-Days of Excellence" Journal Challenge Over the next 40 days (of the Lenten season before Jesus' death and resurrection), join us in this Journal Challenge. You may want to "give something up" (we recommend "noise" such as social media and limited news time). Instead of focusing on what you can't have, let's focus on what we CAN HAVE walking with Jesus through the prophets as well as the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Here is What To Do 1) Start by scheduling quiet time into your schedule everyday 2) Get a Journal and entitle it: "40 Days of Excellence" 3) Get your Bible out (or use the YouVersion Bible app) and write out the scripture mentioned above, and/or review the blog post from February 15 -- there is a lot, do what you can. 4) Around Day 30, journal what the characteristics of BEcoming an EXCELLENT Christian can look like in your life. We promise you, this will be one of the most enriching studies you can do. BE dedicated, set boundaries, and you will discover EXCELLENCE in God, Friend Jesus and in yourself as a Christian. Please Note: If you are joining us well into the 40 Day Challenge, like God, we will meet you where you are at! No stress. We're just happy you are coming along for the ride. Start when you can. xo ----------------------------------- PRAYER Dear Heavenly Father, I am realizing that I can hear from You; I just need to make time to read your Words and listen. I am humbled before you. I fear You but am not afraid of You, for You have plans to prosper me, not to harm me (Prophet Jeremiah 29:11). I look forward to my journaling time on my calendar each day. Thank you for drawing me nearer to You and to learn to try and understand your mysterious and all powerful ways. You are a gift that I want in my life, each and every day, throughout every moment." In Your Holy Name, Amen ----------------------------------- INVITATION We would love to walk you through this study with your Bible Study Group. To schedule a virtual or Southern California Bible Study, email us at: [email protected] ----------------------------------- References 1) Life Applications Study Bible (NIV) 2) YouVersion Bible app 3) Written by Christie Lynch Be Designed to Be
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