Acceptance - 10

Text: Romans 12:9-21

Today we will close our study on Acceptance. I don’t know what God has for us in the future but will be in prayer as we put together a new study to follow this one. If you would join me in prayer to that regard I would be grateful.

For today, though, we’re going to get a final grasp on a concept that ties all this acceptance together. We’ve looked at when others don’t accept us, or when we don’t accept others. We’ve studied the beautiful love of God in His acceptance of us. We’ve looked at surrendering our desires and accepting God’s plan for our lives. But I believe the bottom line that would boost the effectiveness of all of these is accepting Him. Accepting God for Who He says He is, accepting what He wants to accomplish in our lives, and how He wants us to be used in His awe-inspiring plan. Accepting His character as Holy, complete, and our ultimate standard.

While there is no way we could really go in depth into this entire subject in a single post, or even in our entire lifetime, we’ll dig into it enough that we can apply the principles to our lives today, and build a foundation for the way we think and act.

DO: Begin in prayer. Ask God to clear your mind of anything that might be a distraction today, and that might persuade anything other than His precious Words to speak to your mind and heart right now.

In our text today we see some of the commands God gives us. I want you to look just past the command and into the character of the Holy God behind it.

Read Romans 12:9-21.

By looking at even just this small list, and realizing that God would never hold us to a standard that He Himself does not uphold… realizing that these give us a small picture of who God is and what He is like, does that sound like someone you would love to emulate? Love to follow? Even love to just be around? Of course it does.

DO: Write out a list of those commands, starting at verse 9 and going all the way through to verse 21. This may take a few minutes, but I’ll wait.

Did you pretty much write out the whole passage? I did.

It’s a tall order that’s for sure. And I bet, if you’re anything like me, some will come easier and some will be harder. But know that God has got them all down pat. In fact, He’s the basis for this kind of behavior. This kind of behavior would not even cross our minds on our own. Our sinful nature is wired opposite of His, and so we not only don’t exhibit this behavior naturally, we naturally reject it. We reject it because it’s in opposition to our nature. Following me?

But as a child of God, everything changes. We accept Him, because He accepted us just as we were. No cleaning up needed. No façade, no polish… not even makeup. Just us.

1 John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.” KJV

Love here is from the word agapaō, meaning to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly.

Q: Which part of the meaning of agapaō touches you most deeply?

And that’s it. That’s the only thing we can claim- is His love. Ours is merely a response. And that’s all He asks. The rest – the list of instructions, and everything right would come as part of that response. Part of accepting His unspeakable gift.

2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” NASB

Indescribable here is from the Greek word anekdiēgētos, and it’s the only time we find it in the Bible. Its meanings are

Anekdiēgētos: unspeakable, indescribable

or the negative form of ekdiēgeomai: to narrate in full or wholly; to relate, tell, declare

In other words, there’s no way to fully relate it. No way to completely tell how great and awesome His gift is.

How then, do we even begin to accept it?

Doesn’t God just blow you away?

And that’s what faith is. Accepting without fully seeing. Without fully knowing. One day, sisters, we will know, see and understand Him. One day, but not this side of Heaven. But aren’t we grateful? Here’s why this makes me grateful. Because to fully know and understand Him it would be easier to put myself in a position I do not belong. I belong in the finite. I belong where I don’t understand. This keeps me humble.

Romans 12:16 “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.” NASB

John 13:7 “Jesus said to him, you do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later on.” AMP

Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” NASB

Job 9:10 “Who does great things, unfathomable, and wondrous works without number.” NASB

So, accepting Him isn’t some lofty, unreachable aspiration. It is a humble one. To humbly just accept. Ungrasp your stubborn fist, and open your hand to accept.

Acceptance – 9

Text: Romans 12:1-21, Job 12:9-16

Look at her. She’s got life all figured out, and everything is going right. She’s got a family, a thriving business and a large ministry and it’s all perfect. Why can’t that be me?

Have you thought those things before? I certainly have. Sometimes it’s a daily struggle. I would guess that’s a pretty normal thought process for most of us. But I’d like to ask you, along with me, to shift your focus.

That’s her. That’s not you.

We saw last session how God has a specific plan for you. You. And He’s guiding you through your story. Yours, not hers. Not anyone else’s.

If you haven’t yet today, please read our text from Romans, especially Romans 12:3-7, our text from Job – all eight verses.

We’ll talk about the Job passage first.

Q: According to verses 9-10, whose hands are we in?

Very capable hands, I would say. Those same hands who planned the universe, orchestrated the perfect balance of the planets, the chemistry in our air, our water and even in our bodies. The wisdom and knowledge beyond anything we could ever comprehend (Romans 11:33), even planning and preserving the generations of mankind and the birth of Jesus Christ for centuries before it happened. That Birth, I might add, that would never have been necessary if we hadn’t screwed things up by trying to do things our own way, I might add. Those same hands and mind who planned all of that… that’s who’s got us. That’s Who’s in control of our lives.

I don’t know about you, but that’s definitely a comforting thought to me.

Read over the Job passage again, looking especially at verses 13-16.

Q: Is God wise? Write your answer in a full sentence. (verse 13)

That may seem like a silly question, but isn’t that the very truth we question when we question His will? When we question the way our lives are playing out, and when we question the situation we find ourselves in?
So I ask again, is God wise? Do you truly believe that? As we’ve mentioned before, trusting can be very difficult, especially when we can’t see the bigger picture.

But He is no less in control when we’re at the bottom of the hill looking up than when we’ve reached the top and can see the beautiful vista. He was wise, understanding, and in control of it all every step of the way.

Even the difficult ones.

But do you see in verse 13 the second quality that was named?

Q: What characteristic of God was named along with wisdom?

Did you say strength? Might? Power? Depending on your translation, you might have any of those answers. But isn’t it the truth? Along with wisdom, He is strong and powerful. Such a perfect combination. Because without the power to do anything, His wisdom would prove worthless.

In case you take the word lightly, I’d like you to look with me at its Hebrew root, gĕbuwrah: strength, might, valor, bravery, mighty deeds of God; which is from gibbowr, a stronger form of gabar: to be strong and mighty; to prevail. source

So, in my estimation, pretty much the strongest this word could get. And we have that power to help us along the way. So, no, you don't have to always be strong in and of yourself - you've got God on your side!

As children of God, when we question His plan I believe that’s Satan trying to mislead us. Wouldn’t that make sense?

But take heart, and read Job 12:16.

Job 12:16 “With Him are strength and prudence.The deceived and the deceiver are His.” NKJV emphasis mine

So even the Deceiver belongs to God, and must answer to Him. (Like we read a few sessions back)

Now that we know where the doubt is coming from, let’s analyze our own heart, thoughts and motives.

Please re-read the Romans passage.

Switching mental gears back to where we started this session today, answer the following question.

Q: Do you or have you in the past compared yourself to others and the proverbial greener grass on the other side of the fence?

Q: Or do you have tendency in the other direction – almost getting uppity about God’s plan for you, and how your calling is so much better than someone else’s?

In this passage, we see just a little taste of the bigger picture God sees. He knows we each only can see from our own eyes, from our own perspective. But He gives us this glimpse at the whole puzzle. We, the puzzle pieces, get to look at the front of the box for a moment. God says we each have our own roles. Our own gifts, talents and purpose that He has designed especially for us. And just like pieces of a puzzle, we wouldn’t really fit in any other spot. Not without damaging the bigger picture, and likely damaging ourselves and the surrounding pieces in the long run.

Read verse 10.

Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” NASB

We are to show preference to the other person – not ourselves – and not vie for position. Let them have their place in the puzzle, and accept our own; where God has placed us. It goes back to trust again.

I’d like to conclude with this thought from verses 6-8. Please re-read those verses again. Repeat is good, don’t you think? I know you’ve just read the same passage multiple times, but for me, it never gets old.

DO: If you write in your Bible, circle or underline the action commands.

Romans 12:6-8 “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” NLT emphasis mine

What do you see? I see a body of Christ doing what they should be doing. Living out that plan God has for them. And what more beautiful plan could there be? What more beautiful will of God for your life could you imagine?

Q: Which gift do you best see yourself in?

Q: Do you feel that’s the one God has given you, or is it the one you wish you had?

Q: Do you strive to live out the gift that God has given you? Why or why not?

In your prayer time, spend some time thanking God for your gift(s) – the one(s) he planned and designed especially for you. Pray also for His help to live out the gift(s) the way He intended.

You’re beautiful, sweet sister. And so is your gift.

Acceptance – 8

Accepting God’s plan for our lives is sometimes the hardest thing we would ever do. The hard part might be trusting that the way God has planned your best is the way you would like your life to take shape. Trusting Him. That can be tough.

The flip side of the difficulty comes in letting go. Not able to see the whole way and yet handing over control. All the while maintaining a right attitude toward God.

Tough. But we were never called to go it alone. God promises to be our help. Multiple times in the Bible He promises this – a few of my favorites include Psalm 46:1 and Hebrews 4:16.

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” NASB

Hebrews 4:16 “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” NLT

Please read our text: Romans 12:1-21, 13:1-2, Daniel 2:21, Job 12:9-16

We will go through it bit by bit, and will likely take a few sessions to go over it all.

Let’s zoom in on Romans 12:1.

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” NKJV

Don’t you think that’s a great starting point? It gives me shivers a little. But hits home on the basis and foundation of what our attitude should be. A sacrifice. No longer do our ‘rights’ matter; our rights, selfish goals, desires and plans surrendered and no longer our own.

And before you get a little haughty, read the last line of verse 1 again.

It is our reasonable service.

Think of it this way: when you buy a product, let’s just say for our example a coffeemaker. When it does its function – that is, to make coffee – do we offer laud and praise to the coffeemaker? Do we marvel at it for having made our favorite brew? Likely not. Unless you’re just really enthusiastic in the morning, you just expect the coffeemaker to do its job. It is its reasonable service.

Now, don’t get me wrong – we are more highly valued and more dearly loved than the coffeemaker, but do you get the idea?

That. That is reasonable service. To be a living, willing sacrifice; a tool in God’ hands to be used for what He created us for. And He has created you with a specific purpose in mind.

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are, and were created.” KJ21

We were created for His pleasure. For His pleasure! The God of the universe wanted us for His pleasure. And the number one way to please Him is to trust Him.

Hebrews 11:6 “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” NLT

So we’re back at that ol’ ‘trust’ word again. Why does it always come to that? Wouldn’t it be easier if we could just keep control and let God handle bigger matters? See that’s the thing. Those bigger matters all affect God’s precious children, and as His precious children, He wants us to let Him handle everything.

Continue reading in Romans 12, and look at verse 2.

Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” NLT

Q: Does God want us to stay the same?

Q: When will we learn to know God’s will for us?

Yes, by turning over control. I never put these two concepts together before! I love it when God reveals truths from His sweet word.

I would like you to look at the text from Romans 13 and from Daniel.

Daniel 2:21 “He controls the course of world events;    he removes kings and sets up other kings.He gives wisdom to the wise    and knowledge to the scholars.” NLT

So, are you like me in the fact that it’s so hard to trust why we live in the time when we’re living sometimes? When it seems like the world leaders, or leaders that are in power over our country were brought to power somehow apart from God’s will? I think things like that make it hard to trust Him sometimes. But these verses are a valuable reminder that you, even in the time you are living, are still in God’s plan. He planned for you to live in the specific time you are living, and He allowed, yes even appointed the current rulers, knowing full well what their actions and decisions would be. This doesn’t make your obedience and trust any less important. In fact, quite the opposite. I believe God would love your trust and obedience, and honor it especially when you don’t understand. Abraham (See Genesis 22 for the full story) trusted God even when it surely broke his heart, and he certainly didn’t understand. And he was called the friend of God.

We will pick up again next time with more on this topic, but for now, I’d like for you to pray and meditate on how surrendered you are to His will. A truly no matter what surrender. If God prompts your heart that you need to surrender more, then ask Him for help. He will help you!

Acceptance – 5

Text: Job 1:6-12, Isaiah 40:15, Psalm 27:10

When you’re not accepted by the ones who should accept you… this can be the most difficult of all, both to process, heal and learn to deal with. Sometimes the person who should be accepted is someone who you will be ‘stuck with’ for lack of a better way to say it. Family, for example.

Anybody relating to that?

I have someone like that in my life. And you know, even though it feels awful, God’s still in control of the situation, and it never happens without His knowledge or, yes, even His permission.

Read Job 1:6-12 and answer these questions:

Q: In verse 12, God grants permission. Who does He allow to do what?

Q: Because God is unchanging, the way He operated in Job’s time would be the same as the way He operates now. What does this mean about the things that happen in your life? (Including the things that seemingly ‘go wrong’ in your life.) Thoughtfully write the answer in your journal, and consider sharing here in our community, in the comments section or on our Facebook page.

Q: According to this passage, who does Satan have to answer to? (see verse 7)

In verse 11, Satan makes a suggestion to God:

Job 1:11 “But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.”” NASB

The root word for touch in the Hebrew is naga`, and it not only means to touch – it also means ‘to strike’. I believe this is a better picture of what Satan is demanding. Can you imagine, Satan who absolutely hates God, and anyone who would please Him… Really Satan hates anyone other than himself. You and I included. And there he is, answering to God about what he’s been up to, and then begs God to destroy all the blessings He’s giving him.

Does it ever feel like Satan’s up there making that same request toward you? It’s so possible that’s what’s going on. But look at the root reason he has for destroying peoples’ lives – see verse 11 again.

Q: What is the ultimate goal Satan has when he craves our demise?

Now that we’ve got all that foundation laid, I’d like you to continue with me on our next text. Please read Isaiah 49:15 and Psalm 27:10. Since they’re short, I’ve included them here.

Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” KJV

Psalms 27:10 “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” KJV

In Psalm 27:10, the phrase ‘take me up’ is from the Hebrew acaph, and it carries the idea of gathering together, as a bird would gather her young, or see you it is used in Judges 20:11.

Judges 20:11 “So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.” KJV

And this is how God says He will take us up. Gathered. Knit together with God. He’s going to make sure nothing rips His child away.

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” NASB

So in those two verses (Isaiah and Psalms) I find such comfort. They both depict the times when the ones who should be accepting us decide for whatever reason to reject us. But neither verse ends with that hopeless conclusion.

Q: In Isaiah 49:15, it says that a mother may forget/forsake her nursing baby. Who will never forget us? Please write your answer as a complete sentence.

Q: At what point is this believer most drawn to the Lord?

I believe, if we believe that God allows rejection for a reason, that could likely always be the reason. That He wants our love and dependence so badly that He would do/allow whatever it takes to get us and our stubborn hearts to that point.

DO: Please write out the last part of those two verses. Do it more than once if you have to. If it is more applicable to you, go ahead and write out the entire verse.

Please understand how greatly God loves you, and how greatly He craves you! If He sees you content, and decides to allow Satan to rip away that which you hold dear, He allows it for a good reason. He allows it so that you will be drawn to further depend on Him, and glorify Him through it. Glorify Him through, in, because, and in spite of. And what greater glory it will be when that praise was born of tough times!

So, by all we know to be true, those in our lives that should accept us (this could be anyone – spouse, father, mother, siblings, church friends, etc.) might reject us because God has a work to do in us!  Is God working in your life in this area today?

Please recognize it as such – lessons more quickly learned often hurt less. Just start leaning on God more – through the hurt, because of the hurt, or even before you get hurt.

He loves you and can’t get enough of you.

Set Free 3 - Breaking Bondage to Power of Sin

“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”

(Romans 7:15, NLT) I don’t know about you, but I’m so glad that Paul opens up and says this. It makes it all sound so much more real. And I can totally relate.

Today’s text: Romans 7-8

So we are at war within ourselves. The nature we were born with against the new nature we inherited when we were born again.

Read Ephesians 4:17-23

When we were born, we were slaves to sun, and our sin nature. Slaves must obey their master.

Titus 2:9a “Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them…” NLT

But when we became a Christian, our captivity to sin was exchanged for freedom in Christ – Romans 7:4-6. Now we are free to serve whom we choose. This is freedom in Christ.

Then why is it so hard?

What I want you to understand is this. There is a whole layer behind the scenes that we cannot see. Just take a look at Job 1:6-12. Satan is after us. He wants so badly to destroy us. So he will do whatever he can to keep us from leaning on God and serving God. And he’s got an army to help him. It’s a whole organized force out there. The powers are real. The power is real.

Yet we do not need to be afraid, amen?

So how do we break free from our desire to sin, and desire to live for self?

Even Paul, who seems like a super-Christian at times, struggled with this.

The answer (as always, yes?) is Jesus.

Romans 7:25 “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” NLT emphasis mine

Romans 8:1-2 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” NLT emphasis mine

And the answer lies also in Romans 8:8-14. You have His Spirit living in you! Praise Jesus! Praise God for that.

Romans 8:12 “Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.” NLT

We have no obligation to serve sin any longer. We have a higher calling. We are bound to the Spirit. See Acts 20:22. This word “bound” does literally (or figuratively in this case) mean bound or tied or even knit together, but also carries with it the idea of being so closely knit that they are one; part of the same whole. Imagine saying with confidence that you are one with the Holy Spirit.

Q: Can you say that your goals, your plans, dreams and mind are one with God’s? Knit together so you cannot tell them apart?

Q: If not, what do you suppose is standing in the way?

And just in case we were confused, we have Romans 8:15.

Romans 8:15 “ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry,“Abba Father.” NIV

Because we have His Spirit does not mean that we have only exchanged owners, helplessly serving one, then freed only to be in bondage to another.

No it says we are not made slaves, but rather adopted as sons (and daughters, of course).

So this opens up a new realm of possibilities. Because we are sons, we can now serve out of love, without fear of messing up, and being “fired” from our position. We can serve because we want to. Because we are grateful.

Ephesians 6:6 “Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.” NLT

From a heart grateful for the chance to live, for the rescue from bondage. Bondage to sin and its eternal sentence. A heart willing, fulfilling its new purpose, one that is knit with Christ’s.

So I’d argue, then, that the more we serve Him out of gratitude, the more pleased we are to do it. And the more pleased we are to do it, the less appeal going back to serving self will hold.

Please ponder this. Write down your thoughts and share them in the comments too.

So we are free. But we choose to be God’s slaves. Because we owe Him our lives and we’re delighted to give Him all we’ve got to give. Because we want to, not because we have to.

1 Peter 2:16 “For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.” NLT

So when those powers we talked about are warring in the heavenlies against us, then what?

Just remember this. We looked at Job’s story, and remember it was Satan asking God’s permission to have at him? And take a look, too, at Luke 8:29.

The demons, dark angels and powers, and yes, even Satan himself, are under God’s and Christ’s authority.

You’ll never be swept away without God’s permission. And you will certainly never be swept away without His knowledge. He’s got you.

You do have a choice. Even if Satan is tempting you, or throwing obstacles in your way to get you to stumble, you are still free.

Romans 6:6-7 “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” NLT

Romans 6:17-18 “Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.” NLT

Romans 8:2 “And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” NLT

I would like for you to think for a moment about this freedom. Meditate on it, and believe it. Believe it from the core of your being. If you believe on it, then you will begin to act upon it.

Ephesians 6:16 “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts [arrows] of the wicked one.” NKJV

Answer these questions:

Q: In what areas do you seem to continue to stumble?

Q: Do you believe you are free from sin’s power through Christ?

Q: If not, what is stopping you from believing it?

Pray for help in this area. It is also a good idea to partner up with an accountability buddy or mentor who will join you in prayer.

We are not in this battle alone.

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