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The fundamental principles: ✦ The essence of Christianity is the “exchanged life”.
Welcome to the third lesson in the series on Discovering God’s Best. Let’s review the four principles and the five foundational skills. The truths taught in this series may really make a difference in your spiritual life. By reviewing these principles at the begin-
Godʼs best will be experienced as we depend on Christ to live His life through us. Galatians 2:20
ning of every lesson, it will help keep the “big picture” in mind as we delve into another lesson.
✦ God desires a whole-hearted love relationship. A “heart” for God and a “passion” for His purposes results from pursuing God whole-heartedly. The Great Commandment—Matthew 22:37
✦ The Christian life is a growing process. Godʼs best will unfold as we practice The Five Foundational Skills of the Heart: 1. PLUG IN to Godʼs P o w e r 2. FOCUS IN on Godʼs P e r s p e ctive
Eph. 3:16-17 Eph. 1:18-19
3. LOCK IN on Godʼs P r i o r i t ies
Col. 1:9-10
4. ZERO IN on Godʼs P l a n
Eph. 2:10
5. SHIELD IN with Godʼs P ro t e c tion
Eph. 6:10-11
✦ Supernatural living requires a supernatural mindset— Spiritual 3D Vision: Faith —our lens for looking at God Hope —our lens for looking at the future Love —our lens for looking at others
© 1997 David Judge and Helmut Teichert
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Once you have reviewed the principles on this overhead ask God for His guidance through prayer. During your opening prayer, you may want to focus on our need for God’s supernatural power to live the Christian life.
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God wants us to have an “empowered” heart. How many of you would like more power? Why do you want to be more powerful? Usually we want power so we may bring about a change in our circumstances or other people. But sometimes we want power so we may prevent changes from occurring— because we like things the way they are.
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to God’s Power for His Resources Ephesians 3:16-17 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…
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There are two kinds of power: Natural Power – available through the laws of nature operating within the physical realm.
Two kinds of power:
Two Kinds of Power The Spiritual Realm
Supernatural Power – comes from the spirit realm to effect change in the physical realm.
The Physical Realm
Laws of Nature Satan wants us to ignore the spiritual dimension. If we confine ourselves to the physical realm, we will merely react to circumstances. Then our destiny can easily be manipulated by the spiritual forces of darkness.
N a tural P o w e r S u p er natur a l P o w e r
Natural living depends on natural intelligence, strength, abilities and resources for normal living.
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Supernatural living depends on God for wisdom, power, ability and resources not available through human means.
Every person has natural intelligence, strength, abilities and resources which are used for normal living.
The Christian life cannot be lived successfully through natural means. God designed it to be lived supernaturally.
The key question: Do you want to be a channel for Godʼs supernatural power so you may fulfill the life mission that He has for you?
© 1997 David Judge and Helmut Teichert
Natural living depends on natural means. Supernatural living depends on supernatural means.
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There are five principles that will help you experience God’s supernatural power in your life. The evil one doesn’t want you to understand, he doesn’t want you to remember and he certainly doesn’t want you to apply these principles in your life. Because if you do, you will supernaturally be fulfilling the destiny for which you were created.
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✦ 1. God is the source of all power. Psalms 68:35 You are awesome, Oh God, in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. 1 Chronicles 29:12 Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
Many times we use the freedom God has given us in a way that disappoints Him and hurts others. But God is still in control. He can even use acts of disobedience to fulfill His ultimate purposes.
➢ If God is in total control of all power, why does He let bad things happen? John 19:10-11 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Donʼt you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” Reality check: We have no power except what God has chosen to give us, even when we misuse it.
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© 1997 David Judge and Helmut Teichert
Job 34:14-15 “If it were His intention and He withdrew His spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust.” We are totally dependent upon God, even for our very existence. We can’t do anything without God’s permission. That’s reality.
Acts 17:28 “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”
So why does God give us power?
What was Pilate’s view of power in this situation? How did Jesus view Pilate’s power?
Job 12:10 In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
The dilemma:
God wants to share His power with those who are loyal and faithful to Him. But our loyalty and faithfulness can only be demonstrated if we have the freedom to choose what we will do. Giving us a free will with the right to make choices is more important to God than the absence of evil. So God is permitting evil and rebellion for a reason.
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Our fallen nature desires independence, so we want to possess “the power”. We want it to originate in us. The world claims our importance as a person depends on how much power and control we have over others. But, in reality, any power we have is from God. It is only by using that power for its intended purpose that our life will have true significance.
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✦ 2. God gives you power to serve Him and fulfill your mission.
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John 5:30 (Jesus speaking) By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me. Ephesians 3:7 (Paul speaking) I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of Godʼs grace given me through the working of His power.
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Reality check: We exist to serve and honor God with our lives. God gives us power so we are able to accomplish His purposes.
© 1997 David Judge and Helmut Teichert
Our fallen nature doesn’t want power to do God’s will. It wants power so we can do what we want.
The world system says “pursue more power so others will serve you more”. Our misguided
The dilemma:
our� super� genie
In Colossians 1:28-29 Paul writes, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”
Ephesians 2:10 For we are Godʼs workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
God
God flows His power through us so we are able to accomplish His purposes.
goal is not to serve but to be served.
D We want God to be our super genie. We believe that if we rub Him the right way He will give us what we ask and do what we want.
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✦ 3. God’s power is available to you from the moment you are born spiritually. Ephesians 1:18-20 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised him from the dead… 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
Our problem is not a lack of power. Our problem is a lack of understanding of the power God has already given to us. There are several things that God has already done to make His supernatural power accessible to us.
© 1997 David Judge and Helmut Teichert
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✦ 4. You are empowered
with a new spiritual identity in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! At your spiritual birth you were transformed into a totally new person.
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We are all well aware of how a poor self-image may prevent a person from achieving their true potential in life. The same thing is true in the spiritual realm. God has dramatically changed who we are now in Christ. He has given each one of us incredible untapped spiritual potential. But unless our self-perception changes, we will never be able to put it to use.
By faith we must accept the reality of who we now are in Christ and allow God to conform us to our new identity.
So what is this new identity that God gave us when we were born spiritually?
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✦ 4. You are empowered
with a new spiritual identity in Christ. Continued
A New Relationship with God:
Righteous Saint
A New Allegiance: …if anyone is Christ If anyone is in Christ
he is a new creation… 2 Cor 5:17
✦ You are now a child of God. John 1:12 “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-” The same God who has the power to speak the entire universe into being has adopted you as his child. ✦ You are now a saint with a new nature.
You are a CHILD of God and a Co-heir with Christ
A New Nature: You are a
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Citizen of God’s Kingdom
Colossians 2:13 “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins…” God has totally forgiven you for every wrong thing you have ever done or ever will do. God no longer sees you as a sinner. He is looking at the new righteous nature that you now have in Christ. ✦ You are now part of the body of Christ.
A New Relationship with Believers: You are a Member of the Body of Christ ➢ What if your father was the most powerful, the most important and the most virtuous person in the whole world— how would that change the way you see yourself? ➢ If you were convinced that everything you ever did wrong was completely forgiven and that you now have a new nature that abhors evil, how would that conviction change the way you live?
1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Every believer belongs to Christ’s spiritual family—a family that is to look out for each other, help one another, and be committed to every member’s well-being. It is the largest brotherhood in the world. ✦ You are now a citizen of God’s unshakable kingdom. Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven.”
Are you developing a correct self-image that will enable you to achieve your true potential in Christ?
The kingdom of darkness no longer has any power over you. You have been given all the rights and privileges that belong to citizens of Christ’s eternal kingdom. And furthermore, Jesus has named you as an ambassador for His invincible kingdom. God wants you to live a supernatural life that reflects your new identity in Christ. But that will only happen as you adopt a correct spiritual self-image and
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✦ 5. You are empowered
with spiritual gifts. 1 Peter 4:10-11 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering Godʼs grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
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Physical birth provides natural talents and abilities for normal living. Spiritual birth provides spiritual gifts for supernatural ministry.
Some spiritual gifts are spectacular— like gifts of healing or the working of miracles . Others seem more ordinary— like the gifts of teaching, mercy and giving. However, in reality, Godʼs supernatural power is at work in all of them regardless how obvious those effects are to us and others. The Holy Spirit chooses which gift or gifts each of us receive. He gives the gift so we will glorify God and fulfill His purposes.
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Every person is born with natural talents and abilities. However, when you are reborn spiritually the Holy Spirit gives you one or more supernatural spiritual abilities. These spiritual gifts are special capacities that equip you for supernatural ministry in the lives of others. The gift or gifts that you have received from the Holy Spirit equip you for the special life mission that God has for you. Unity and maturity will result as you fulfill your unique role within the body of Christ. It is important to understand that the Holy Spirit chooses which gift or gifts each of us receive. And the purpose for giving us the gift is not so we will be a big deal but rather to glorify God and fulfill His purposes. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are; and are you making maximum use of them to fulfill your unique role in the body of Christ?
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✦ 6. You are empowered
with spiritual authority through Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” John 14:12-14 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.
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God the Father has given Jesus Christ supreme authority throughout the universe.
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Jesus has given us access to supernatural power through the authority of His name.
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Are you learning how to exercise the spiritual authority Christ has given you over the forces of darkness?
1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask— we know that we have what we asked of Him.
This delegated authority must be used to fulfill Godʼs purposes. It is not a magic lamp that can be used for our self-centered desires.
So what authority has been delegated to us? ✦ We have authority over evil spirits. (Luke 10:19-20)
✦ We have authority to demolish strongholds of evil deception. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
✦ We have authority to bind the power of the devil and to set free that which he has made captive. (Matthew 16:19)
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✦ 7. You are empowered
with the spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit.
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He baptized you into the body of Christ. ✦ His indwelling presence guarantees that you belong to God forever. ✦ He has equipped you with spiritual gifts for service. ✦ He assures you that you are now a child of God. ✦
At the very moment you were born again, the Almighty God of the universe took up residence within you through His indwelling Spirit.
(1 Cor. 12:13) (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; Eph. 4:30) (1 Cor. 12:7)
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(Rom. 8:16)
In Acts 1:8 Jesus promises— “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”
He reveals truth and teaches you its meaning. ✦ He guides your thoughts, words and actions. ✦ He directs your steps in the fulfillment of your life mission. ✦ He comforts you in the midst of adversity. ✦ He warns you of impending danger. ✦ He points out sin and helps you resist your old sin nature. ✦ He facilitates effective prayer. ✦
The Holy Spirit makes your life fruitful. Philippians 2:13 … for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.
Give your group the handout entitled Empowered by the Holy Spirit or you may wait until the end of the lesson.
In John 14:16-17 Jesus said— “…I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you for ever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
The Holy Spirit has permanently established you within the Kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Donʼt you know that you yourselves are Godʼs temple and that Godʼs Spirit lives in you?
The Holy Spirit empowers you to live a supernatural life. Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being…
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(Jn. 16:12-15; 14:26) (Rom. 8:5-6; Mk. 13:11; Rom. 8:14) (Acts 20:22) (Jn. 14:16) (Acts 20:23) (Rom. 8:13; Jn. 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9-10)
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(Rom. 8:26-27) Ephesians 3:20 “…according to his power that is at work within us”
He reproduces the character qualities of Christ within you. ✦ He creates an attitude of praise and worship within you. ✦ He develops submissiveness within you and promotes unity through you. ✦ He produces spiritual fruit through your service. ✦
(2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22-23) (Php. 3:3; Eph. 5:18-20) (Eph. 5:21)
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(Jn. 7:37-39) If God has already supernaturally empowered us in these many ways, why do our lives reflect so little power?
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✦ 8. God has given you supernatural power— avoid short-circuiting its flow through you. ✦
Godʼs power is released when you submit your will to Him. Self-will short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power.
✦ Godʼs power is released through the light of truth. Living in ignorance or deception short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power.
Godʼs power is released through our faith and trust in Him. Doubting God and His goodness short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power. ✦
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Godʼs power is released through believing prayer. Prayerlessness or wrong motivations for prayer short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power.
Godʼs power is released through our praise and worship of Him. Preoccupation with ourselves and our circumstances short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power. ✦ Godʼs power is released through our humility. Our pridefulness short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power.
Godʼs power is released through unity within the body. Discord, unforgiveness, bitterness and an independent spirit all short-circuit the flow of Godʼs power.
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Godʼs power is released through our dependence upon Him. Self-reliance or relying on others short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power. ✦
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9. God’s power is experienced when you are filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Step 1: Get right with God. Have you confessed every sin or act of disobedience that you are aware of, to God? How to repent of your acts of disobedience: 1) Agree with God that you were wrong. 2) Acknowledge that Christ died on the cross for those sins. 3) Consciously turn your mind and heart away from your sin and toward obedience to God. Step 2: Be filled by faith.
Step 3: Walk anticipating results, even if you don’t feel any different.
© 1997 David Judge and Helmut Teichert
When you are right with God you are ready to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This occurs totally by faith. Right now, in faith that God keeps His promises, you can claim His fullness and He will fill you with His Spirit. Remember that you are not filled through confession or prayer. You are filled by faith and by faith alone. However, prayer is a way to consciously express your faith and surrender control of your life to God. You can lead your group in a prayer to be filled with the Holy Spirit at this time.
How to be filled by the Holy Spirit:
1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask— we know that we have what we asked of Him.
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“Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have been in control of my life, and as a result I have sinned against You. Thank You for forgiving my sins through Christ’s death on the cross. I now invite Christ to again take His place of authority on the throne of my life. Fill me with Your Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word You would do if I ask in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I now thank You for directing my life.” Getting right with God and then asking Him to once again have the Holy Spirit control and empower you demonstrates your desire and willingness to submit yourself to God. Now believe that God will do what He has promised. Don’t focus on whether or not you feel any different. Just continue to walk in obedience and, by faith, expect Christ to live His life through you. He will show you evidence of the Holy Spirit’s power flowing through you at the appropriate time. Walk by faith and leave the results to God.
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✦ PLUG IN to God’s Power for His Resources I pray that…he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,… Ephesians 3:16-17
Natural living depends on natural intelligence, strength, abilities and resources for normal living. Supernatural living depends on God for wisdom, power, ability and resources not available through human means. God designed the Christian life to be lived supernaturally.
1. God is the of all power. We have no power except what God has chosen to give us, even when we misuse it. (Psalms 68:35; 1 Chronicles 29:12; John 19:10-11; Job 12:10; Acts 17:28)
2. God gives you power to
Him and fulfill your mission.
(John 5:30; Ephesians 3:7; Ephesians 2:10)
3. God’s power is available to you from the moment you are spiritually. Our problem is not a lack of power, itʼs a lack of understanding of the power God has already given to us. There are several things that God has already done to make His supernatural power accessible to us. (Ephesians 1:18-20; 2 Peter 1:3)
✦ You are empowered with a new spiritual
in Christ.
(2 Corinthians 5:17; John 1:12; Colossians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Philippians 3:20)
✦ You are empowered with spiritual
(1 Peter 4:10-11)
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✦ You are empowered you with spiritual through Jesus Christ. We have authority over evil spirits; authority to demolish strongholds of evil deception; and authority to bind the power of the devil and to set free that which he has made captive. (Matthew 28:18; John 14:12-14; 1 John 5:14-15; Luke 10:19-20; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Matthew 16:19)
© 1997 David Judge and Helmut Teichert
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✦ ✦ You are empowered you with the spiritual of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has permanently established you within the Kingdom of God, empowers you to live a supernatural life and makes your life fruitful. (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
4. God’s given you supernatural power—avoid short-circuiting its
5. God’s power is experienced when you are Spirit.
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with the Holy
(Ephesians 5:18)
Step 1: Get right with God. Have you confessed every sin or act of disobedience, that you are aware of, to God? How to repent of your acts of disobedience: 1) Agree with God that you were wrong. 2) Acknowledge that Christ died on the cross for those sins. 3) Consciously turn your mind and heart away from your sin and toward obedience to God.
Step 2: Be filled by faith. (1 John 5:14-15)
Step 3: Walk anticipating results, even if you donʼt feel any different.
Life application Do you want to be a channel for Godʼs power so you can fulfill the life mission He has for you? What is hindering Godʼs power from being manifested through you?
© 1997 David Judge and Helmut Teichert
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✦ Empowered by the Holy Spirit At the very moment you were born spiritually the Almighty God of the universe took up residence within you through His indwelling Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has permanently established you within God’s Kingdom. (1 Cor. 3:16; John 14:16-17) ✦
He baptized you into the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:13)
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His indwelling presence guarantees that you belong to God forever. (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; Eph. 4:30)
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He has equipped you with spiritual gifts for service. (1 Cor. 12:7)
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He assures you that you are now a child of God. (Rom. 8:16)
The Holy Spirit empowers you to live a supernatural Christian life. (Ephesians 3:16; Acts 1:8)
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He reveals truth and teaches you its meaning. (Jn. 16:12-15; 14:26)
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He guides your thoughts, words and actions. (Rom. 8:5-6; Mk. 13:11; Rom. 8:14)
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He directs your steps in the fulfillment of your life mission. (Acts 20:22)
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He comforts you in the midst of adversity. (Jn 14:16)
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He warns you of impending danger. (Acts 20:23)
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He points out sin and helps you resist your old sin nature. (Rom. 8:13; Jn. 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9-10) ✦ He facilitates effective praying. (Rom. 8:26-27)
The Holy Spirit makes your life fruitful. (Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 2:13)
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He reproduces the character qualities of Christ within you. (2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22-23)
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He creates an attitude of praise and worship within you. (Php. 3:3; Eph. 5:18-20)
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He develops submissiveness within you and promotes unity through you. (Eph. 5:21)
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He produces spiritual fruit through your service. (Jn. 7:37-39)
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✦ God has given you supernatural power— avoid short-circuiting its flow through you. ✦ Godʼs power is released when you submit your will to Him. Self-will short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power. ✦ Godʼs power is released through the light of truth. Living in ignorance or deception short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power. ✦ Godʼs power is released through our faith and trust in Him. Doubting God and His goodness short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power. ✦ Godʼs power is released through believing prayer. Prayerlessness or wrong motivations for prayer short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power. ✦ Godʼs power is released through our praise and worship of Him. Preoccupation with ourselves and our circumstances short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power. ✦ Godʼs power is released through our humility. Our pridefulness short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power. ✦ Godʼs power is released through unity within the body. Discord, unforgiveness, bitterness and an independent spirit all short-circuit the flow of Godʼs power. ✦ Godʼs power is released through our dependence upon Him. Self-reliance or relying on others short-circuits the flow of Godʼs power.
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The fundamental principles: ✦ The essence of Christianity is the “exchanged life”.
Welcome to the fourth lesson of the series on Discovering God’s Best. Let’s review these four principles and the five foundational skills. The truths taught in this series may really make a difference in your spiritual life. By reviewing these principles at the begin-
Godʼs best will be experienced as we depend on Christ to live His life through us. Galatians 2:20
ning of every lesson, it will help keep the “big picture” in mind as we delve into another lesson.
✦ God desires a whole-hearted love relationship. A “heart” for God and a “passion” for His purposes results from pursuing God whole-heartedly. The Great Commandment—Matthew 22:37
✦ The Christian life is a growing process. Godʼs best will unfold as we practice The Five Foundational Skills of the Heart: 1. PLUG IN to Godʼs P o w e r 2. FOCUS IN on Godʼs P e r s p e ctive
Eph. 3:16-17 Eph. 1:18-19
3. LOCK IN on Godʼs P r i o r i t ies
Col. 1:9-10
4. ZERO IN on Godʼs P l a n
Eph. 2:10
5. SHIELD IN with Godʼs P ro t e c tion
Eph. 6:10-11
✦ Supernatural living requires a supernatural mindset— Spiritual 3D Vision: Faith —our lens for looking at God Hope —our lens for looking at the future Love —our lens for looking at others
© 1997 David Judge and Helmut Teichert
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Once you have reviewed the principles on this overhead ask God for His guidance through prayer. During your opening prayer, you may want to focus on our need for God’s perspective and truth to live the Christian life.
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