Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

This week's sermon message was on Psalm 23.  We are moving in our Transformation series from Spirtual to Health.  This week's GPS should be helpful in transforming your health.

Monday: Read Matthew 13:3-9, and Matthew 13:22. Not only can the worries of life physically affect us for the worse, but they also negatively impact our spiritual life. This parable shows us that worries of life quench and even destroy our faith. What are your worries of life? How are they affecting you physically and spiritually? How can you better feed your faith so that you can better know God’s provision?

Tuesday: Read Galatians 4:8-9, and Galatians 5:1. The Galatians found themselves pulled away from the grace of God and freedom in Christ by the business and distractions of life and false teaching. Distractions moved their focus away from Jesus and onto their own actions. Paul’s correction for this was to point them to the grace that is only found in Jesus. How are distractions tempting you to turn your focus away from Jesus? How can worship help you avoid these temptations?

Wednesday: Read John 14:6-7. Life is constantly “draining our bucket.” That’s just what life does. Yet, as we turn to the Bible our souls are refreshed and we find life. The reason for this is that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Pray that God would give you a hunger for His Word and that through this Word he refreshes your life.

Thursday: Read Isaiah 43:1-3. All of us experience valleys of darkness and they can fill us with fear and trepidation. In the Book of Isaiah the people of God were experiencing this fear. In Verses 2 and 3 what did God announce to them to help them through this darkness? What images did He use to help them “see” His help? How do these images speak to you and help you to realize His constant help?

Friday: Read Psalm 18:1-3. Have you ever found yourself where it seemed like you are surrounded by enemies, surrounded by people who seemed bent on bringing you down? Or, have you ever been in a situation where it seemed as if there was no way to “win” and thrive? What are the declaration of who God is in Verses 1-3 that can help you through these unsettling times? Go to God in prayer and call on Him who is worthy of praise.

Saturday: Read Psalm 23:6. One of the greatest comforts in Scripture is that God pursues us. His goodness and love are always following us wanting to overtake us and cover us. Even during those times of life where it seems like we are running away from God, He’s pursuing us. How do you see this wonderful God pursuing you? Is there anything you now have to do in response to His loving pursuit?

Monday: Read Romans 12:1-2. Nothing will change until you are fed up with your life -- dissatisfied and hungry for a different life. What is something in your life that you are fed up with? Has God been knocking on your door trying to get your attention about something?

Tuesday: Read Isaiah 59:12 and Luke 15:17-18. Reflect on the many things that separate us from God. Then notice in Luke 15:17-18 how the lost son's life was unmanageable until he recognized the sings that separated him from God. Why do sins make our lives unmanageable? What are you trying to manage in your life that you should turn over to God?

Wednesday: Read Luke 15:12 and Luke 15:19. Why the change in this man's view of his father and his own life? After getting fed up with your life and owning up to your sins, you must offer yourself up to God with a plea to change me!" so you become God-centered instead of self-centered. What are examples of self-centered living that needs change?

Thursday: Read Luke 15:20. God loves us unconditionally and is always waiting for us to come to him, like the loving father in Luke 15:20. Knowing this, what makes us hold back from getting closer to God?

Friday: Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. Having nothing left and no other option often makes us draw closer to God. On the other hand, when we have enough of everything, we often drift apart from God. What do you think is the reason for this? What "old" in your life has gone, what "new" is God bringing?

Saturday: Read Psalm 13:6 and Luke 15:22-24. Why do you think singing is such an important way of lifting up our praise to God? Why would God care about it? Why is food so often a part of celebration? How have you found ways to lift up your praise to God?

If you would like to Go Deeper, then you can pickup:

• Transformed journal to work through the next 50 days (Starts Monday, January 19th)
• Sign up for a Life Group (PDF) and share your goal transformation journey
• Read The Prodigal God by Tim Keller
• Read The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen

Monday: Read Philippians 3:12-14. Goal-setting is a spiritual responsibility that makes a statement of faith. What does te word "goal" mean to you? Would you describe yourself as goal-oriented? Why or why not? When is the last time you set a goal? What was the result? Have you prayerfully set any goals for 2015? What are they?

Tuesday: Read 2 Corinthians 5:9. Goals focus our lives. When setting goals, a question to ask is: "Will this goal honor God?" Think of small and large goals you have had. What are the differences you have experienced between a goal that honored God versus one that was self-serving? Why is God so concerned that our goals honor Him?

Wednesday: Read 1 Corinthians 14:1. Why is it important to have goals motivated by love? What difference do you see in goals that are made through the filter of love from those that do not consider love when they are made?

Thursday: Read Zechariah 4:6. What is the secret to success, according to Zechariah 4:6? How does let go of their own strength and grab hold of God's? When is a a person time when you remember leaning on God's strength to get you through? Where might you need lean into His strength today?

Friday: Read Romans 12:1-2. The greatest benefit of a goal is not what I accomplish, but what I become in the process by the work of God's Spirit. What does that mean to you? What areas of life (spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, relational, financial or vocational) is God leading you to set goals to transform your life?

Saturday: Read Philippians 3:12-14. Ask Jesus what would be His one word for you this year. What do you sense that the Holy Spirit is telling that word is? How do you you think and pray that word will impact you in the year ahead and beyond? Who can you share that word with who will pray for you in the year ahead? When will you share that word with them? (Why not ask what their word for 2015 is as well!)

Monday: Read Hebrews 10:24-25. Consider your participation in CLCM Life Groups. If you are a member of a life group, pray about how your participation will uplift and encourage the members of your group, especially the leadership if you are not the leader.

Tuesday: Read Numbers 27:18. If you are the leader of a Life Group, think about how you might be an encouragement to someone who can be a leader, but has not yet taken the steps forward.

Wednesday: Read Ephesians 4:22-24. List a few personal spiritual epiphanies you have had. Consider how they have changed your outlook on life and your attitude in all things.

Thursday: Read James 1:12. Think of someone or a family in our congregation that has endured a hardship or long-suffering with grace and thanksgiving. Thank God for them and consider how you might express your own thankfulness to them personally.

Friday: Read Romans 12:2 . Did you get the work book Transformed: How God Changes Us? It will help you process through the next 8 weeks of messages, starting with Setting Personal Goals by Faith this coming Sunday. Pray that God would open you up to Pastor’s messages in the coming weeks and that you would see this message series as an opportunity to be truly transformed in a way that pleases God.

Saturday: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. Consider how blessed we are to be part of the Family of Faith at Christ Lutheran Church. God has blessed us with amazing pastors and staff who truly love us and lead us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. Thank God for them in your prayers and look for opportunities to be an encouragement to them.