Fri.12.12.14...Connecting with our King...REAP- Apply

We have been learning how to REAP from God’s word. It starts by Reading it to find out what it says. Then it involves Exploring what it means. Now we come today to Applying it. Without this step, we become spiritual fat heads like the Pharisees. They knew a lot of Bible information, but because there was no application, it didn’t result in transformation. They were huge hypocrites.

Oh that more people would study the Scriptures, but without a pursuit of what they are ultimately about, it’s worse than tragic. Note Jesus’ powerful words, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." John 5:39-40. (O that we wouldn’t just study the Scriptures, but we would also come to the One they reveal- Jesus, our life giver!)

Have you ever met someone who said the right God words, but something just didn’t seem quite right? Jesus reveals the heart issue of many such people- “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” Mt.15:8. Jesus also said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49

                               
So Application of the words of Jesus is essential. Those people heard the words of Jesus, but didn’t put them into practice. They were so fortunate that they heard Jesus speak to them, yet their end was terrible. Some people today go off the deep end trying to hear Jesus speak to them when he already has spoken to us in his word. I confess one time while out on a prayer walk, I prayed in anger to the Lord, “My dad speaks to me, why don’t you?” You know what the Lord then said? Nothing! The heavens were silent. I was like a person longing to hear a word from their radio, but they didn’t turn it on. If you long to hear God speak to you, open up his word. Then ask the following application questions to hear God SPEAK to you as you read and explore his word-

S- Is there a Sin mentioned that I need to confess?

P- Is there a Promise that applies to me that I should claim?

E- Is there an Example to follow or an Error to avoid?

A- Is there an Action I should take or an Answer to a question I’ve had?

K- Is there Knowledge of my Lord for which I can praise him?

1.- Let’s ask God to SPEAK to us as we Read, Explore and Apply 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. List one Scripture phrase from the passage and share how it spoke to you in light of the SPEAK questions.

For example, if verse 14 was included, you might share the following- “Therefore my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” 1 Cor.10:14. Paul gives me such a great example to follow as I coach my new protégés. Though idolatry was such a terrible sin that people were struck dead for, he still appealed to them as "dear friends." Help me to be firm (flee it!), but ever so loving and patient with the sins they may be struggling with. Thank you Lord for being so with me.

2. Record the verse you picked out on your 3x5 and review it today. When you did it, write “Did it.”

It's the weekend!
Sundays we will focus on the passage that Pastor Mark is preaching from. Since I know some of you wanted to post the verse or phrase that you got from the message, I will open the blog up for any of you who want to post such, but this is not required. I do want to ask all of us to visit the blog on Sundays though to post your appreciation to certain of your teammates starting in a few weeks. You'll discover what I'm talking about in a moment.

Saturday's are a day of rest from the blog. But it may be the perfect day for you to pursue your personal topics of interest- your GDPs- Growing Deeper Projects.
A week ago I asked you what you would like to learn more about. I got great responses from you. I also promised each of you that you would learn about that. So how do you plan to accomplish all that Dave? Well, my plan is to help you to learn about your own topics of interest. No sense waiting for me to finally cover what you want to learn. So here's how this works. Take the topic you're interested in and begin exploring it via the Bible or articles you can find online. If you need help, just contact me. I'll make sure you succeed. When you're done, email me your findings. Keep it short and sweet- a page or two will do. We'll review it together and then I'll post it on our Sunday blog to enrich the entire team. Not only will you be learning and blessing all of us, you will be then experienced to help your proteges go and do likewise. We will never learn enough in our Coaches Training to answer all the questions that our proteges may hit us with. So let's be well prepared to help them discover the answers for themselves. We don't want to have to spoon feed them. We want them to learn how to feed themselves. We will post a few GDPs (Growing Deeper Projects) per week, starting in two or three weeks. Some may want to tackle a project that will involve a series of articles. Great! So take your topic and begin digging into it. Again, contact me for any help you may need.

Aw, but Dave I never was a good writer!
Here's a few helpful tips. "There is no such thing as good writing, only good re-writing." This was said by my Bible college English prof- Ed Chesley.) So re-read or even read out loud what you write before you send it to me. Also, always use Spell-Check. Remember, shorter sentences are better than long, run on sentences. (All of the above tips are also good to follow for your Daily Blog Responses too.) Clarify big words. And feel free to quote freely from other sources, just give credit where credit is due. One young man I was mentoring in the past wrote something that sounded well beyond his abilities. I did a quick Google search and found he had swiped the paragraph from Dr. John MacArthur and presented the profound words as his own. He was rather embarrassed when I gently pointed this out to him. (As a coach, you will at times have to "correct with great patience and careful instruction" 2 Tim.4:2. If they humbly want to grow, they won't argue with you.)

Okay, now I need volunteers. If you don't mind leading the way in sending me your GDP in 2 weeks (Fri.12.26), that would be great. Thank you- juslemeknowsoon. (I meant to do that.) If you are hesitant, that's okay. We can put you later on the list so you can see how others do such and have more time to prepare. Relax, it will end up fine. Your teammates will benefit from your work and I'm sure you'll get posts of appreciation. We are all for One and one for all. 
yours to help you flourish,
dave

Way to Grow!

		G=God's Word	R	E	A	T
		For Wed. 12.10.14
	Alpha Force
	Fire Team 1
1	Jack Rogers	Y
2	Daniel Contreras	Y
3	Roger Vinlasaca	Y
	Fire Team 2
4	Israel Fuentes	Y
5	John Pallozzi	Y
6	Sam Vargas	Y
	Delta Force
	Fire Team 3
1	Alvin James	Y
2	Dave Heidekruger	Y
3	Mark Estrada
4	Mike Pagan	Y
	Fire Team 4
5	Eddie Morales	Y
6	Gary Remson	Y
7	Ismael Andrade	Y