Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

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Monday – Read Jonah 3:1-10. God gave Jonah a message of judgment intended to save a great city. God has given you the message of Jesus Christ intended to save the world. How does the story of Jonah embolden your evangelism? Take time to write down the names of those people in your life who don’t know that salvation of Jesus Christ. Pray for them, and pray for yourself as you bring His love to them, knowing that God hears you.

Tuesday – Read 1 Peter 1:3. God has given each person a new birth through the waters of Holy Baptism. How does remembering that Baptism change the way you live daily?

Wednesday – Read Ephesians 4:22-24. Though Baptism gives us a new birth, we still struggle with the things of our past. We exist as a paradox: saint and sinner. What are the things of your old self that need to be put away?

Thursday – Read Psalm 121:1-2. It’s easy to think that life transformation is something we have to do on our own. This is why self-help books fly off the shelves. But as Christians, we know our help comes from the Lord! What is it from your old-life that you want to ask the Holy Spirit to help you put away and be done with?

Friday – Read Mark 16:15. Christ wants us to join Him on His mission of reaching the nations. What are some unique talents or skills that you have that can help in proclaiming the Gospel?

Saturday (As you prepare for weekend worship) – Read Jonah 4. Is there any area of your life where you have been disappointed with God? Have you ever been upset that God is gracious with EVERYONE (including people you really don’t like)? Explore those feelings as you prepare your heart for worship.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of August 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Read Hebrews 2:17-18. What sufferings are you facing that lead you to pray like Joni Eareckson Tada, “Oh God, if I can’t die, show me how to live”?

Where is a place or a person that you can shine forth God’s power under fire?

If you want to Dig Deeper you can check out these additional resources: Life without Limbs by Nick Vujicic; and Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story by Joni Eareckson Tada and Ken Tada.

 Read Hebrews 2:14-15. Do you ever feel enslaved by the fear of death?

If so, what in these verses helps you come to grips with and let go of this fear?

Where do you need to remind yourself that God has the final word?

 Read Hebrews 2:13. What areas of your life do you find it difficult to trust God?

Where do you need to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in trusting God?

Who needs encouragement to trust God in a challenging area of life?

How can God use you to help them put their trust in Him?

What might be the first step you take?

There are three main take-a-ways that you can use to prepare for 2014 (all Scripture is from The Message):

1. Life is a gift from God. [Ephesians 2:8]
2. Life is not something you earn from God. [Ephesians 2:9]
3. Life is something where you get to express God’s love to others. [Ephesians 2:10]

So, Quo Vadis? (Where are you going?) and what are you doing to get there?

 The book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are two Wisdom Books of the Bible. They are filled with passages that speak of wisdom.

Read the following passages to get a taste of this devine wisdom: Proverbs 3:19, Proverbs 15:14, Proverbs 18:13, and Ecclesiastes 10:1.

What wisdom do these passages speak into your life?

Read 2 Timothy 3:10-17. Where should we look to if we lack wisdom and desire to gain it?

What temptations and trails does this passage speak of that will come upon a person filled with spiritual wisdom?

Today, how do you see this in your life and the world?

Read Ephesians 5:26 and Galatians 3:26-27. These passages in the Bible speak of God's power working through the water and Word in Baptism.

According to these passages of Scripture what does God's power accomplish through Baptism?

 Read Luke 4:1-14. This reading begins and ends with mention of Jesus being full of the power of the Spirit.

What did this power enable Jesus to do?

In what area of your life would you like to see more of the power of the Holy Spirit?

Bring this before God in prayer.

Read Romans 13:14 (Msg). Our commitment is a reflection of Jesus' commitment.

How does this passage reinforce this idea?

How does Paul exhort us to live lives of commitment in Romans 12:1-3 (Msg).