Monday, January 18

"And you... who do YOU say that I am?"

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Monday, January 18

Posted by The 5.2 Project on Monday, January 18, 2010

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

The discussion here has been awesome. Let’s keep working out just how we can follow our incredible Savior! EVERY STEP is so much more than worth it!

Here’s a pretty awesome thought to start your day! What is your confession of hope ? Think about it….

*** I'm not asking for anything but the reality of what your life illustrates here... what is the confession of your hope?

O.k. Now I’m going to change it up. Ready? Here’s another question.

Who is the hope you profess? Those are two very different questions. Which one do you base your footsteps on?

Are you a follower of your hope in circumstances?

Or are you a follower of a hope in the Savior… who is Lord of circumstance?

We’ve all witnessed many sets of circumstances in our lives. Some good, some bad. Do you come out of situations having set your hope on better circumstances… or a better knowledge of the Savior who walks us through them? Let’s look at some of the circumstances that Peter witnessed and find out how impossible situations … became miracles.

Please Read: Matthew 8:1-13

There’s A LOT in these stories… I know. But let’s look at the turning point. In other words… lets look at what physical… practical steps… brought change. Please look specifically at verses 2 and 8-10.

These were circumstances that Simon observed. Tomorrow we’ll watch them become reality in his life as well. So, along with Simon, let’s observe the turning point and the steps that we have to choose to take in our own lives. Are you focused on circumstances?

If so… I think many times the Lord leaves us to our circumstances. (That has often become the hope we’ve chosen, after all.) Will you take some time to think that through today?

The people in these stories had to physically, verbally, emotionally, and every other-ally… CHOOSE the LORD of the circumstance. NOT their circumstance.

Did Jesus give in to the circumstances? Or do the circumstances bow to the Savior? (Check out verses 3 and 10!)

My favorite part…

Then Jesus said to the centurion. “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour. Matthew 8:13 Jesus didn’t address the circumstances! He addressed the belief… and the circumstances followed!

Then they asked Him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “

The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” John 6:28-29 WOW. And finally look back at the 2^nd half of the first verse we mentioned… Let us hold fast to the confession of hope that we profess, because He who promised is faithful.

FOR DISCUSSION:

Ok I think this was A LOT today… but it’s so, so wonderful to have a Savior like this! TODAY though… as we soak it in, as we learn it… we NEED to take a step. So HOW do we LIVE for the Lord of our circumstances, instead of our circumstances? Your answers don’t have to be long, deep, or profound. There aren’t right or wrong answers so don’t be intimidated. We all need each other! For further *REALLY COOL* reading on this… check out 1 Peter 13-14. Can’t wait to work this through with you! What an awesome Savior we CAN KNOW and believe!!!