Who or what are you following? What are you allowing to form you - because you ARE being formed by something.
Our new series starting in early September is called Practicing the Way. www.practicingtheway.org. It will lay the foundation for a lifestyle of following Jesus and becoming his apprentice--of being formed by Jesus rather other things this world invites us to be formed by. It will help us all turn ideas into muscle memory that become part of our lifestyles and transformation.
On the topic of being formed, Pastor Adam's current series is about one of the ways God forms us--through name changes. However, this week's name change wasn't by God - it was the person who chose to change their name because of her situation in life.
INVITATION: You are invited into a glimpse of the life of Naomi from the book of Ruth. Naomi and Elimelech had two sons. Because of famine in the land, they all moved to Moab and eventually, both sons married moabites. Naomi eventually lost not only her husband, but also both her sons to death. She ended up in a place she never thought she would be or wanted to be. Naomi decided to is return to her homeland. One of her daughter in laws committed to staying with her. Her name was Ruth.
MONDAY: Ruth 1:20-21: As Ruth and Naomi journeyed back toward Naomi's home, Naomi stated what she thought her name change should be and why. Her life had been transformed by tragedy. The name Naomi meant pleasant. Mara meant bitter. Naomi was spoke out loud what was in her heart - even with God. Where is your area of disappointment, frustration and anger? Maybe it's even anger at God? God can handle it and can do something about it. Naomi held on to her faith, even while acknowledging her pain and suffering. She did not fold in on herself. How do you handle anger and disappointment? How might you want to express those to God today?
TUESDAY: Pastor Adam offered healthy and scriptural responses to pain that we will incorporate into this week's Bible study. The first is to BE REAL. I Kings 19:1-4: After a great spiritual victory and God being very present in Elijah's life, the tables turned quickly and Jezebel wanted him killed. Elijah was very real about his discouragement and pain in this drastic change of events. Even in his worst pain, he kept talking to God and speaking it out loud. Sometimes it is helpful to pray out loud. It is a type of embodiment prayer. What do you need to speak out loud and be real about to God today....getting it out from the depths of your soul and into the light of Jesus Christ?
WEDNESDAY: 2 Cor. 1:4: LOOK FOR STORIES TO ENCOURAGE YOUR FAITH. God is present - even in the "valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23) and once we get through it, He will bring people into your life to be able to provide light for. Are you in a valley right now? Are your eyes and ears open for the people God may be bringing into your life to encourage your faith?
THURSDAY: Ephesians 5:15-20: REFRAIN FROM RUNNING TO THINGS THAT WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE. This seems obvious, but it is an area that is often easy to see in others, but we can easily fall into the trap of wanting immediate relief when we are suffering. It's hard to see it occurring in our own lives. How can you pray against satan getting a foothold in your life and situation?
FRIDAY: Prov. 27:17; I Thes. 5:11; Hebrews 10:24-25: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL MAKE YOU BETTER - NOT BITTER. The path to healing is to surround yourself with people who will speaking the truth in love to you.....not just commiserate with you. Are you looking for people to affirm your bitterness or are you looking for people to help make you better?
SATURDAY: Ruth 4:13-17: WHEN IN PAIN, LEARN TO GROW IN PERSPECTIVE. God began to restore all Naomi had lost - and in a way she couldn't have imagined with her limited human logic and vision. You, too, can trust God with your life and situation. Are you willing to place your current situation into the hands of God?