The Community faces the conclusion of our Chase the Lion series this weekend. This has been an awesome at how we have to be ready for the places God leads us to.
Again, the study is about Benaiah, who killed a lion. The story is in 2 Samuel 23:20-23. This man's bravery led Benaiah to be King David's guard. So, what does a lion chaser look like? Here are the last of the characteristics we have talked about:
He faces fears.
Fear keeps us from following God. Fear keeps us from seeing what God wants us to see. Fear makes us more and more like the world. Understanding this we have to come to grips with the truth that natural (opposite of spiritual) people live out of fear with neutralizes them and fills their life with guilt. The other side of that is supernatural people (those who follow God) live by faith and find God giving them energy and centering their lives around His grace. Kick fear to the curb and let faith rule.
Romans 12:2 (nlt) --- 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.
He reframes his problems.
James 1:2-4 (nlt) --- Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
When we see through God's eyes, we see things differently. This is a big deal. Our situations and our problems come in on a whole new canvas when we allow God to reframe them. This means that God teaches us to see opportunities where we think their are brick walls. Let God reframe everything about your like.
He embraces uncertainty.
"It is uncertainty that makes life worth living...uncertainty is the point where faith enters the equation." (Batterson, Chase the Lion page 80)
We all face the unknown. Uncertainty will be one of those things that will destroy or define us. Allowing God to use the uncertainty brings our faith to a new level. In fact this chapter let me see that it is time to embrace the things that I can not change so that I will be stronger for the rest of my life.
Philippians 4:6 (nlt) --- Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
He doesn't have a problem looking foolish.
Well, you will have to tune back in this weekend or next week to get the rest of looking foolish. I am more excited about this part of the series than any before. Join us....The best wayto learn more about this is in the Bible and to read Mark Batterson's book In the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. Do miss the lions you have the opportunity to chase!
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