GrowthStarts

Digging Deeper ... United: United by God's Love ... Thursday

Another theme in John 17 is that we are to love others in the same way that the Father loves the Son. We especially see this in John 17:26 (NIV):

I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.

Read the following Scriptures.

Romans 5:8 (NIV):

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 15:13 (NIV):

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Describe the Father’s love for us.

If this is how we should love others, how would our lives need to change?

Pick one of these ideas (or come up with one of your own) on how to show God’s love:

1. Build a relationship with your neighbor.
2. Volunteer with NorthStar in the Community.
3. Volunteer to help a coworker with a project outside of your responsibilities.
4. Invite someone to church.

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "United by God's Love" or other messages.

Quotable Quote ... Steven Wright

I went into a general store. They wouldn't let me buy anything specifically.

HT: Execupundit

Digging Deeper ... United: United by God's Love ... Wednesday

We’ll finish out the week taking another look at some of the big themes of John 17 and how we can apply them to our lives.

One of those themes is that we get to unity by investing in our relationships with God. That is, as we grow closer to God, we grow closer to each other.

In John 17:17 we learned that sanctification comes through God’s Word. We need to learn it, love it, live it.

How are you doing in this area?

You’re already studying every day using “Digging Deeper.” Pick one of these ideas (or come up with one of your own) on how to grow further in God’s Word:

1. Keep a journal, writing down your thoughts and prayers as you read and study the Word. Use sentences or short bullet points, whatever you want to do. Label a section “action points” and write down anything you feel the Lord directing you to do.
2. Read an entire book (a short one!) of the Bible in one sitting. As you do, try to imagine the author actually sitting across from you and telling you these things. What do you say back to him?
3. Make a weekly date to take a walk with your spouse (or a friend) to discuss what you’re learning in God’s Word. At the end of the walk, pray together.
4. Memorize a verse a week from what God is teaching you. Or set a goal to memorize an entire chapter, one verse at a time.

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "United by God's Love" or other messages.

Quotable Quote ... Oscar Wilde

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.

HT: Execupundit

Digging Deeper ... United: United by God's Love ... Tuesday

Read John 17:25-26 (NIV):

Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. [26] I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.

Let’s break these verses down. What five things does Jesus claim in verse 25 and the beginning of verse 26?

For what two reasons does Jesus continue to make the Father known (“in order that” in verse 26)?

Based on that answer, what two things are in us?

Knowing that Jesus’ purpose—and our purpose—is to share the love of God to the world, how are you doing in fulfilling your purpose?

What does Jesus call our Father in these verses?

God always does what is right. That means whatever He does in your life and whatever He asks you to do is right. It will be just the right thing at just the right time.

Tell your God right now that you trust Him as your Righteous Father.

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "United by God's Love" or other messages.

Quite Time via "planned neglect"

We had a great GrowthStarts seminar yesterday with about 14 folks on how to have a quiet time.

I was reading something this morning that reminded me of the discipline of quiet time. John C. Maxwell writes:

A young concert violinist was asked the secret of her success. She replied, "Planned neglect." Then she explained, "When I was in school, there were many things that demanded my time. When I went to my room after breakfast, I made my bed, straightened the room, dusted the floor, and did whatever else came to my attention. Then I hurried to my violin practice. I found I wasn't progressing as I thought I should, so I reversed things. Until my practice period was completed, I deliberately neglected everything else. That program of planned neglect, I believe, accounts for my success."

(From Go for Gold: Inspiration to Increase Your Leadership Impact by John C. Maxwell; Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008)

Maybe this is the approach you need to take to establishing a daily quiet time. Put it first in your day, and plan to intentionally neglect (or delay) other items on your long to-do list.

As promised to those of you who were at the seminar, here are the links where I talked about some of the other terms for quiet time:

• Morning watch
• Devotions
• Date with God
• Appointment with God

Enjoy your quiet time tomorrow morning!

Previously @ NorthStar ... United: United by God's Love

Yesterday at NorthStar, Mike Linch concluded the United series on Jesus' prayer in John 17 with the message "United by God's Love" as we looked at John 17:20-26.

Miss Sunday's service? Click here to download audio of Mike's message or to view or print sermon notes.

I. WHAT DOES PERFECT UNITY LOOK LIKE?

“I pray … that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”  John 17:20-21 (NIV)

• Jesus prayed that His followers would have the same kind of UNITY with one another that He had with the Father.
• A common bond of love keeps us on the same page.

II. HOW DO WE GET THERE?

1. INVEST in my relationship with God.

“May they also be IN US so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”  John 17:21 (NIV)

• If you and I work on developing our relationship with God, unity would be the natural result.  You don’t have to force it or vote on it.  We get unity by getting closer to the One we’re unified with – Jesus.
• The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know.
• You only get something out of what you invest in...and then it grows like compound interest.

2. LOVE OTHERS with the same love God has shown me.

“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17:26 (NIV) 

• Your life becomes contagious to people around you.
• Remember:  God loves me as much as He loves His Son Jesus.

III.  WHAT WILL KEEP US FROM BEING UNITED?

1. When we love the WAY WE DO CHURCH more than we love people.

• Our Message will always stay the same.
• Our Methods must always be open to change.

2. When we love our WAY OF LIFE more than we love people.

• What is God asking me to give up?
• Where does God want me to step in and serve?
• Don't forget what it's like to be lost.
• God called us to live in an extraordinary way.
• God called us to be the answer to His prayer (in John 17).
• The only reason He hasn't returned is because some still need to know.

This Week @ NorthStar

• Men's Fall Retreat Deadline: Today (Monday, August 31) is the last day to register for the September 25-26 retreat at the reduced rate of $75. It's $85 after today.
• NorthStar in the Community: Join us this week as we serve at MUST and at the Love the Lake Festival.
• The Clothesline Drop-offs: This Sunday, September 6 is the last day to drop off clothes.

More Upcoming

• Membership Class: Sunday, September 13.
• Baptism: Sunday, September 20.
• GrowthStarts Class: "LOVE DARE: Fireproof Your Marriage": Begins Sunday, September 27.
• Guatemala Mission Trip: November 7-14.

Check out Digging Deeper this week as we conclude our study through John 17. Use these daily devotions on the back of your sermon notes. Or find them posted online each day at www.growthstarts.org!

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weekly  in your inbox, send your email address to randy.elster@northstarchurch.org  and request Previously @ NorthStar!

Forgotten God

What comes to your mind when I say "the Holy Spirit"? Depending on your church background and what craziness you may have seen on Christian TV, it can mean anything from Holy Ghost charismania to a weak, conceptual force, or anywhere in between. Or, for you, the Holy Spirit may be the Forgotten God.

So goes the basis of Francis Chan's latest book, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit(by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski; Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2009).

Forgotten Godreleases tomorrow--Tuesday, September 1--but I was able to obtain a pre-release copy for review.

After the runaway success of his debut book Crazy Love, Chan has delivered a solid, convicting effort at convincing us of the importance of the Third Person of the Trinity.

Chan manages to avoid the controversial waters of charismatic vs. non-charismatic and instead focuses on the main theological themes of the Holy Spirit. Instead of trying to convince you toward one camp or another, he simply lays out what the Bible clearly says about the Spirit's role in our lives.

You will get a new perspective of the Holy Spirit's working in your life and in the world. Pick up Forgotten God and let Chan's words inspire you to live a greater life for Christ--by the Spirit's power.

Check out the trailer for Forgotten God or read a sample chapter.

Quotable Quote ... Alvin Toffler

You've got to think about big things while you're doing small things so that all the small things go in the right direction.

HT: Execupundit

Digging Deeper ... United: United by God's Love ... Monday

This week we’ll finish up John 17 and then circle back to review and apply the major themes of the chapter.

Today read John 17:24 (NIV):

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

What two things does Jesus pray for us?

Christians can be assured they are going to heaven when they die because of the price that Jesus paid (John 3:16), the promise that Jesus made (John 14:1-6), and the prayer that Jesus prayed (John 17:24). Read those three Scriptures.

John 3:16 (NIV):

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 14:1-6 (NIV):

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going."
 
[5] Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

[6] Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 17:24 (NIV):

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 (NIV):

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. [12] Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

The Christian life should be a life of growth—growing our relationship with Christ ever deeper. Finally, in heaven, our knowledge of Him will be full and complete. The Jesus we have never seen will finally be revealed in all His glory. And we will share in that glory!

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "United by God's Love" or other messages.