As Palm Sunday, Holy Week and the celebration of Easter approach, walk with me please through the records of those last hours of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. What does God want us to know? What were those last hours like for Jesus Christ?

In this session we examine Judas Schemes to Betray Jesus Christ

Matthew 26:

¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

¹⁵ And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

¹⁶ And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Mark 14:

¹⁰ And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

¹¹ And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Luke 22:

³ Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

⁴ And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

⁵ And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

⁶ And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

Questions for reflection

1) What is the significance of Judas going to the chief priests rather than them coming to him?

2) Does thirty pieces of silver seem an appropriate amount to you?

3) Why do you suppose Judas wanted the betrayal to be convenient and absent from the multitude?

4) What is the relevance of Judas going his way and satan entering?

5) How can you protect yourself from satan?

6) How does Judas seeking opportunity to betray Jesus Christ square with Jesus Christ knowing the details of  His betrayal in advance?

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

As Palm Sunday, Holy Week and the celebration of Easter approach, walk with me please through the records of those last hours of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. What does God want you to know? What were those last hours like for Jesus Christ?

In this session we examine the Passover preparation recorded by all four gospel writers.

Matthew’s account recorded in chapter 26:

¹ And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

² Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

³ Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

⁴ And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

⁵ But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

⁶ Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

⁷ There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

⁸ But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

⁹ For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

¹⁰ When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

¹¹ For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

¹² For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

¹³ Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Mark’s account recorded in chapter 14:

¹ After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

² But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

³ And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

⁴ And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

⁵ For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

⁶ And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

⁷ For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

⁸ She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

⁹ Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

¹² And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

¹³ And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

¹⁴ And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

¹⁵ And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

¹⁶ And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover

Luke’s account recorded in chapter 22:1-2

¹ Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

² And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

⁷ Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

⁸ And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

⁹ And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

¹⁰ And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

¹¹ And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

¹² And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

¹³ And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

John’s account recorded in chapter 13:

¹ Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

Questions for Reflection

1) What is the significance of Jesus Christ knowing of the details of His betrayal in advance?

2) Why did the chief priests and scribes want to kill Jesus Christ?

3) Why did the chief priests and scribes believe the people would be in uproar?

4) What is the significance of the woman anointing Jesus Christ?

5) Why did the disciples obey Jesus Christ?

6) Why did the owner of the upper room obey Jesus Chrsit?

7) How well do you obey Jesus Christ?

8) What do these records mean to you?

9) What does it mean to you that Jesus Christ never stops loving His own?

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

A commentator on a TV program said that the people destroyed Jesus Christ. I was so surprised to hear him say that because he recently published a book about the politics of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He says he did research for the book. I wonder where did he search?

What does the Bible tell us? Did the people destroy Jesus Christ?

What Jesus said-John 10:

¹⁴ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

¹⁵ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

¹⁶ And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

¹⁷ Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

¹⁸ No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

What happened-John 19:

²⁸ After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

²⁹ Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

³⁰ When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

³¹ The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

³² Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

³³ But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

³⁴ But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

³⁵ And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

³⁶ For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

³⁷ And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

What the angel said-Mark 16:

² And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

³ And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

⁴ And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

⁵ And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

⁶ And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

⁷ But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

What Jesus Christ told the apostle John, exiled on the isle of Patmos, about 66 years after the crucifixion and resurrection-Revelation 1:

¹⁷ And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

¹⁸ I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

The song all those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will one day sing-Revelation 5:

⁹ And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

¹⁰ And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

¹¹ And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

¹² Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

¹³ And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

¹⁴ And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

So what do you say? God has given each of us free will. You can choose to trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior or you can choose to believe people destroyed him. What you believe will not alter the reality. What you believe will alter how you live in this world and where you live in eternity. Jesus Christ died and rose victoriously for you and He wants you to be with Him now and forever. But Jesus Christ loves you so much that the choice is yours. So what will you believe?

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

In this series we are walking through the steps necessary to develop your own personal game plan for abundant living. In this step we will identify 3 your life experiences that are most meaningful for you and the learning that occurred from those three experiences. An experience can be an event, an achievement, a disappointment, a process. An experience is not necessarily an event. Regardless of what the experience is, the meaning of that experience is personal and uniquely yours.

This will not be an easy step for you to take in this process to develop your game plan for abundant living. Most people cannot articulate without reflection what experiences matter to them and why. Jesus Christ, Who promised never to leave or forsake you, wants to take this step with you. Ask Him for help and talk to Him as you sort through your memories.

Research shows learning results from experience.  Jesus Christ already knows about each of your life experiences, why each one matters to you or does not matter to you and what you learn from each experience. If an experience hurts you, it is not because Jesus Christ wants to punish you. Nor do hurtful experiences occur because you are a 2^nd class Christian or a failure. But rather Jesus Christ allows difficult experiences to come into your life for your growth and development so you can run your race strong and finish your race well. Jesus Christ is Sovereign over all!

David’s examples of meaningful experiences that prepared him– 1 Samuel 17:

³⁴ And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

³⁵ And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

³⁶ Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

³⁷ David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

⁴²And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

⁴³ And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

⁴⁴ And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

⁴⁵ Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

⁴⁶ This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

⁴⁷ And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

What is the significance of David’s example for you?

First, let’s identify just three of your life experiences that are personally meaningful to you.

Experience #1:

What happened?

Who was there?

Where did it happen?

How did you feel?

How did you react in this situation and what does this tell you about yourself?

Why is this experience meaningful to you?

What did you learn?

 

Experience #2:

What happened?

Who was there?

Where did it happen?

How did you feel?

How did you react in this situation and what does this tell you about yourself?

Why is this experience meaningful to you?

What did you learn?

Experience #3:

What happened?

Who was there?

Where did it happen?

How did you feel?

How did you react in this situation and what does this tell you about your self?

Why is this experience meaningful to you?

What did you learn?

Now let’s examine those experiences

1) Can you see a common thread between the three experiences?

2) What do these experiences tell you about yourself?

Sometimes, our learning is incorrect. Because we live in a fallen creation, where sin and death abound, it is possible to mis-learn. Perhaps your learning was negatively influenced by the words and actions of others. Perhaps your learning was incorrect because in the busyness of life you haven’t questioned your reactions to meaningful experiences or critically processed the experiences.

3) Are the lessons you learned from these three experiences valid according to Jesus Christ?

Inappropriate survival skills

Inappropriate survival skills are forms of behavior learned incorrectly to adapt to circumstances. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you may need to relearn how to survive in this fallen creation and thrive as His new creation. For example, I learned to deal with difficulty and bitter circumstances by stuffing my feelings, ignoring them and not letting myself feel them. Consequently, I came to believe that I did not matter because I was believing that my feelings did not matter.  I mis-learned that my feelings did not matter and that I did not matter.

Look at this lesson in John 11:

⁴³ And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

⁴⁴ And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

 

Notice what Jesus said! Lazarus came forth from the dead still wearing his grave clothes and his face was bound with a napkin. Likewise, when you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, choices and behavior from the past may still cling to you. Jesus Christ is the remedy for your mis-learning. Notice Jesus told the others to ‘loose him and let him go’. We need Bible preaching and study, Christian fellowship, friendship and sharing to loosen us from the things of the past.

What is the significance of Lazarus’ grave clothes to you?

Life is built on character and character is built on decisions. Warren W. Wiersbe

Your Decision-making History

• What are some of the most important decisions you have made?

• How do you make decisions? What factors are important to you?

• Which decision(s) gave you the most satisfaction? Why?

• Is there a decision that did not turn out as you expected?

Why do you think that happened?

5) Do you see any connection between your personally meaningful experiences and the decisions

you have made?

6) Do you see anything you want to change in how you make decisions?

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

Maybe you had a great relationship with your earthly father and maybe you did not. Maybe your relationship with your earthly father is on-going. This study seeks to acquaint you with facts about God as your Father and to spark joy in your heart for Who God is and how He desires a fatherly relationship with you.

So far we have examined what the Bible says about God, as your Father; Biblical examples of fathers; what Jesus told about God, as your Father. Next let’s examine what Jesus Christ taught about God, your Father, when you mess up.

Next let’s examine what Jesus Christ taught about God, your Father, when you mess up.

You and I live in a fallen creation. Sin and death have entered the world. Everyone is born in the likeness of Adam, with a nature in rebellion to God. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He makes you new with a new nature that wants to live life God’s way. That new nature is in conflict with your sin nature.

You remember the parable. The publicans and sinners came to hear Jesus Christ and the Pharisees and scribes murmured about Jesus’ receiving sinners and eating with sinners. Jesus Christ used that situation as an opportunity to tell about your Father’s love.

What did the son do? Luke 15:

¹¹ And he said, A certain man had two sons:

¹² And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

¹³ And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

¹⁴ And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

¹⁵ And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

¹⁶ And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

¹⁷ And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

¹⁹ And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

What did the father do?

²⁰ And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Lessons about God, your Father

Your Father sees your circumstances. You don’t have to explain anything.

Your Father has good, positive feelings for you. Notice the absence of anger, rebuke or scorn?

Your Father waits for you. He does not harass you or impose Himself on you.

Your Father takes action. He will respond and meet you where you are.

Your Father shows His love for you.

While it is true that sin gets in the way of your relationship with your Father God, sin never changes or diminishes that relationship. Is there a better way to phrase that? Sin interferes with the closeness of the relationship but sin never diminishes the relationship. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, God is your Father. He will not change. He will not disinherit you. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sin. So all you need do is come to your Father and confess you sin. He will receive you. He will forgive you.

Questions for Reflection

• What about God, as your Father, matters most to you?

• What lesson do you see in the parable of the prodigal’s father?

• Are you fully living your relationship with God, your Father?

• How has God, your Father, shown His love for you today?

• Can you see God, your Father’s, love for you through the stages of your life?

Grace Greater than Our Sin – Julia Johnston, 1910

1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
   Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
   • Refrain:
     Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
     Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss;

Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide; What can we do to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, Brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?

Grace = God giving us what we do not deserve

Romans 5:

²⁰ Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

²¹ That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 12:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through   you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

Maybe you had a great relationship with your earthly father and maybe you did not. Maybe your relationship with your earthly father is on-going. This study seeks to acquaint you with facts about God as your Father and to spark joy in your heart for Who God is and how He desires a fatherly relationship with you.  Next let’s examine some Biblical examples of fathers.

The King of Moab – 2 Kings 3:²⁶ And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.²⁷ Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.

How would you rate the King of Moab on a scale of 1-10?

What should the King have done differently?

Jacob-Genesis 37:³ Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.⁴ And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

How would you rate Jacob on a scale of 1-10?    What should Jacob have done differently?

Eli the priest- 1 Samuel 2:¹² Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.¹³ And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;¹⁴ And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.¹⁵ Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.¹⁶ And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.¹⁷ Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

Belial-the spirit of evil personified, the devil

Abhor-loathe, detest utterly

God’s 1^st warning to Eli- 1 Samuel 2:²² Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.²³ And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.²⁴ Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’S people to transgress.²⁵ If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.²⁷ And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?²⁸ And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? ²⁹ Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?³⁰ Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.³¹ Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.³² And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.³³ And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.³⁴ And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.³⁵ And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.³⁶ And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.

God’s 2^nd warning – 1 Samuel 3:¹¹ And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.¹² In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.¹³ For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.¹⁴ And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.¹⁵ And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.¹⁶ Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.¹⁷ And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.¹⁸ And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

Eli’s end – 1 Samuel 4:⁵ And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. ⁶ And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp. ⁷ And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. ⁸ Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.  ⁹ Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight. ¹⁰ And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.  ¹¹ And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.  ¹² And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.  ¹³ And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.  ¹⁴ And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.

¹⁵ Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.¹⁶ And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son? ¹⁷ And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. ¹⁸ And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. ¹⁹ And his daughter in law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.  ²⁰ And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.  ²¹ And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.  ²² And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

How would you rate Eli on a scale of 1-10?   What should Eli have done differently?

How do these Biblical examples of fathers compare/contrast to your Heavenly Father?

1) Your Father loves and acts on His love-John 3:¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

2) Your Father showed His love for you-1 John 3:¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

3) Your Father dwells in believers-Ephesians 4:⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

4) Your Father is a father to the fatherless-Psalm 68:⁴Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

⁵ A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

5) Your Father pities His children-Psalm 103:¹⁰He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

6) Your Father is everlasting-Isaiah 9:⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7) Your Father is merciful– Luke 6:³⁶ Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

8) Your Father is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and Father of mercies-2 Corinthians 1:³ Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

9) Your Father knows your needs-Matthew 6:⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

³⁰ Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

³² (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

10) Your Father knows your needs and will give you the kingdom-Luke 12:²⁷ Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

²⁸ If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

²⁹ And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

³⁰ For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

³¹ But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³² Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

11) Your Father gives good gifts-Matthew 7:⁷ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

⁸ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

⁹ Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

¹⁰ Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

¹¹ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

12) Your Father gives good gifts to His children– Luke 11:⁹ And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

¹⁰ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

¹¹ If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

¹² Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

¹³ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

13) Your Father is the giver of good gifts and the Father of lights-James 1:¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

14) Your Father is trustworthy-Luke 23:⁴⁶ And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

John 10:¹⁵ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

1 Peter 2:²¹For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

²² Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

15) Your Father is the Father of spirits-Hebrews 12:⁶ For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

⁷ If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

⁹ Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

¹⁰ For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

¹¹ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

¹² Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

¹³ And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

¹⁴ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

¹⁵ Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled

 

Questions for Reflection

1) What difference does having God as your Father make in your daily living

2) Of the 15 Biblical descriptions of  God, your Father, which matters most to you right now?

Why?

3) Are you growing in your relationship with God, your Father?

4) What practical steps can you take to grow in your relationship with Him?

5) When you consider that God has chosen you and desired to be your Father before the

foundation of the world, what thoughts come to your mind? 2 Thessalonians 2:

¹³ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

¹⁴ Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

¹⁶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

¹⁷ Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Hebrews 12:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

Maybe you had a great relationship with your earthly father and maybe you did not. Maybe your relationship with your earthly father is on-going. This study seeks to acquaint you with facts about God as your Father and to spark joy in your heart for Who God is and how He desires a fatherly relationship with you.

So what is the significance of God as your Father?

First, ask yourself whether any of these are descriptions of a ‘good’ father?

Strong, nurturer, encourager, gentle, truthful, caring, provider

How would you describe a ‘good’ father?

How do you see these characteristics in your Father God?

What does the Bible say about your Father God?

Your Father loves and acts on His love-

John 3:

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Your Father showed His love for you –

1 John 3:

¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Your Father dwells in believers according to Ephesians 4: –

⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

True, God is everywhere present. But the book of Ephesians was written to the church at Ephesus. The true meaning is that your Heavenly Father dwells within you only because Jesus Christ has saved and redeemed you.

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He makes you new and brings you into a new relationship with God.

2 Corinthians 5:

¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

So what is the significance of your Heavenly Father dwelling in you?

Your Father is a father to the fatherless-Psalm 68:

⁴Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

⁵ A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father pities His children- Psalm 103:

¹⁰He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Pity = compassion or sympathy often leading one to give relief, aid and mercy

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is everlasting – Isaiah 9:

⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is merciful- Luke 6:

³⁶ Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Mercy = not giving what is deserved. What does that mean to you?

Your Father is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and Father of mercies – 2 Corinthians 1:

³ Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

What does that mean to you?

Your Father knows your needs- Matthew 6:

⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

³⁰ Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

³² (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father knows your needs and will give you the kingdom-Luke 12:

²⁷ Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

²⁸ If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

²⁹ And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

³⁰ For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

³¹ But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³² Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father gives good gifts – Matthew 7:

⁷ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

⁸ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

⁹ Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

¹⁰ Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

¹¹ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

What does that mean to you?

Your Father gives good gifts to His children – Luke 11:

⁹ And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

¹⁰ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

¹¹ If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

¹² Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

¹³ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is the giver of good gifts and the Father of lights- James 1:

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is trustworthy-

Luke 23:

⁴⁶ And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

John 10:

¹⁵ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

1 Peter 2:

²¹For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

²² Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is the Father of spirits – Hebrews 12:

⁶ For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

⁷ If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

⁹ Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

¹⁰ For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

¹¹ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

¹² Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

¹³ And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

¹⁴ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

¹⁵ Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled

What does that mean to you?

Hebrews 12:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

Your Identity in Jesus Christ

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He makes you new!  2Corinthians 5:

¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

Your identity in Jesus Christ

 

1) Alive –

Colossians 2:

 ¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

John 5:

²⁴ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

1 John 3:

 ¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

2) Accepted –Ephesians 1:

⁶To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

3) Beloved with an everlasting love –

Jeremiah 31:

³The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Ephesians 2:

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

4) Caused to triumph in Christ Jesus – 2 Corinthians 2:

¹⁴ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

5) Chosen before the foundation of the world-Ephesians 1:

⁴According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

6) Created for Him – Colossians 1:

 ¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

7) Delivered from the power of darkness –Colossians 1:

 ¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

8) Forgiven of all trespasses and sin– Colossians. 2:

¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Colossians. 1:

¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Ephes.1:

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

9) Free –John 8:

³¹ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

10) Healed with His stripes – Isaiah 53:

⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

11) Heir-Galatians 4:

⁴ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

⁵ To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

⁶ And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

⁷ Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Romans 8:

⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

12) His workmanship Ephesians 2:

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

13) Indwelled by Christ – Colossians 1:

²⁷ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

14) Indwelled by the Father-Ephesians 4: –

⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

15) Indwelled by the Holy Spirit –

John 15:26;

²⁶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13

¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

16) Justified – Titus 3:

⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal

17) Laborer together with God-1 Corinthians 3:

⁹ For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

18)  New –

Ephesians 2:

 ¹⁵ Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Ephesians 4:

²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Colossians 3:

 ¹⁰ And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

19) Reconciled to God – Colossians 1:

²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

²² In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

20) Redeemed from the penalty of death and slavery to sin –

Galatians 3:

¹³ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

¹⁴ That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Titus 2:

¹¹ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and   godly, in this present world;

¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

¹⁴ Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

21) Regenerated – Titus 3:

⁴But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

⁶ Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour

22) Risen with Jesus Christ – Colossians 3:

¹If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

23) Sufficient in all things through His grace-2 Corinthians 9:

⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

24) Translated into the kingdom of Jesus–Colossians 1:

 ¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Circle the three that matter most to you right now

Your identity for His Service

1. A) Entrusted with the gospel-1 Thessalonians 2:

⁴ But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

1. B) The Light of the world -Matthew 5:

¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

1. C) The salt of the earth -Matthew 5:

 ¹³ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

1. D) Called to follow -1 Peter2:

²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1. E) Chosen and ordained -John 15:

¹⁶ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you

Circle the three that matter most to you right now

Questions for Reflection

1) What factors determine how you see yourself?

2) What about circumstances determine how you see yourself?

3) Does the way people treat you determine how you see yourself?

4) Do the things people say about you determine how you see yourself?

5) Are you believing something someone else said about you that doesn’t match what Jesus says about you?

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

Your enemy’s tactics are lies continually

Man was created in the image of God. Because your identity is so closely linked to God’s identity, when you can’t see yourself clearly for who you are in Jesus Christ, you cannot see God clearly for Who He really is. Also, when you cannot see God clearly for Who He is, you cannot see yourself clearly for who you are in Jesus Christ.

Because satan opposes you and your growth as a Christian, his desire is to disarm you and separate you from Jesus Christ by enticing you into sin. He is definitely your adversary.

Adversary = a person or force that opposes or attacks; enemy; foe

Jesus Christ knows about the danger around you. He alone is your Protector. Your protection comes from remembering Him, trusting Him, focusing on Him. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are made free from the penalty and power of sin in spite of your circumstances.

Jesus Christ knows your circumstances and He invites you to come to Him-

Song of Solomon 4:

⁸ Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

Lebanon (whiteness), Amana (covenant), Shenir-(bear the lamp) Mt. Hermon is highest

mountain reminding you of the highest goal –pleasing Jesus

Jesus Christ’s cleansing of you

Ephesians 5:

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish

Imagine! Because of Jesus Christ’s work for you and in you, you will be without spot or wrinkle when you cross the finish line into His presence!

Jesus Christ’s covenant with you-

Hebrews 8:

⁶ But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

⁸ For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

⁹ Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

¹⁰ For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

¹¹ And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

¹² For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

¹³ In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 12:

²² But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

²³ To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

²⁴ And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Hebrews 13:

²⁰ Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

²¹ Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus Christ’s invitation to you –

Song of Solomon 4:

⁸ Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

Notice the invitation is to His betrothed.

Jesus Christ told us that He is physically going away but promised He will return for us.

John 14:

¹ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Notice the invitation requires a response to come with Him.

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you gain fellowship with Him. The invitation is to focus on your relationship with Him and actively fellowship with Him.  You have a choice.

Amana is the mountain from which the Abana River flows. You remember Naaman referred to that river when Elisha told him to go and wash in the Jordan River.  2 Kings 5:

¹¹ But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

¹² Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

The ever flowing steams from the mountain cause one to think of consistency like a covenant.

Remember the New Covenant?. Hebrews 8:

⁶ But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

⁸ For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

⁹ Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

¹⁰ For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

¹¹ And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

¹² For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

¹³ In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Shenir was the Amorite name for Mount Herman, meaning “pointed”. This reminds us to focus.

Mt. Hermon is highest mountain reminding us of the highest goal –pleasing Jesus Christ, our Beloved Bridegroom.

Notice the invitation is to come from two predators and what they indicate about your enemy

First let’s look at the lion.

The lion’s roar can be heard for 5 miles. This reminds you the enemy can scare you with

hurtful things from the past and frighten you about your future.

The average male lion weighs 500 lb. This reminds you the enemy is bigger than you.

The lion can run 50 miles per hour. This reminds you he can attack fast, without warning.

The lion is social. This reminds you the enemy may use others in his attack and may frighten

you about what others think of you.

The lion symbolizes your enemy’s ability to remind you of the past and to frighten you for the

future and about what others think of you.

Second, let’s look at the leopard

The leopard is built for hunting. This reminds you the enemy looks for circumstantial

opportunities.

The leopard can run up to 35 miles per hour. This reminds you he can attack fast, without

warning.

The leopard is an excellent climber, swimmer and can leap and jump long distances. This

reminds you natural obstacles are no problem for him.

The leopard often leaves prey up in the tree for days and returns only when hungry! This

reminds you he can hurt you over and over. Please know I find no reference in the Bible

that your enemy can read your thoughts. But certainly, he has all of history to observe

human behavior and your personal history to learn about you.

The leopard is the most accomplished stalker of the big cats.  This reminds you he has the

ability to attack at his opportune time.

The leopard is a good agile climber and can descend from a tree headfirst. This reminds you of

his agility and his attack with teeth to bite.

The leopard symbolizes your enemy’s ability to spring at you speedily, to stalk you for

times of vulnerability, and to torment and wound you over and over.

But Jesus invites you to come with Him, to focus on Him and to trust in Him. He cares and

loves you unconditionally! He has power over your enemy!

Jesus I Come – William Sleeper, 1887

1. Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light, Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of my sickness, into Thy health, Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
   Out of my sin and into Thyself, Jesus, I come to Thee.

1. Out of my shameful failure and loss, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into the glorious gain of Thy cross, Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of earth’s sorrows, into Thy balm, Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
   Out of distress to jubilant psalm, Jesus, I come to Thee.

1. Out of unrest and arrogant pride, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into Thy blessed will to abide, Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of myself to dwell in Thy love, Out of despair, into raptures above,
   Upward for aye on wings like a dove, Jesus, I come to Thee.

1. Out of the fear and dread of the tomb, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into the joy and light of Thy home, Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of the depths of ruin untold, Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
   Ever Thy glorious face to behold, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Questions for Reflection

1) Is there a specific lie about your identity that your enemy continues to use against you?

2) What scripture verse do you have ready to refute that lie?

3) Does remembering a specific event in your life bring pain to you? Why? Tell it to Jesus. He

cares.

4) Is there some action you took in the past for which your are remorseful but your enemy

continues to bring it up?

In Jesus Christ you are new-2 Corinthians 5:

¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

¹⁸ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Jesus Christ cleanses you-

1 John 1:

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jude:

²⁴ Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

²⁵ To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Jesus Christ gives victory-1 Corinthians 15:

⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 2:

¹⁴ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

¹⁵ For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

¹⁶ To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy. Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components. The future components are reserved for you in Heaven.

This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by special arrangement for you

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The next present component we will examine is your relationship with the Father.

Paul presented that relationship in Romans 8

¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

spirit – conscious life

adoption – the choice to take as one’s own

witness – to see, to hear, to know by personal perception

heir – one with the right of inheritance in the property of another following the latter’s death

joint-heir = heirs together

Your Father gives guidance and instruction

Psalm 32:

⁸ I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Psalm 48:

¹⁴ For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father does not have unrealistic expectations of you

Psalm 103:

¹⁰He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father will correct you

Proverbs 3:

¹² For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Correct –to scold or rebuke in order to improve

Delight –great pleasure, satisfaction, enjoyment

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is molding you for His own purpose –Isaiah 64:

⁸ But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

What does that mean to you?

Your Father is everlasting – He will never disown you – Isaiah 9:

⁶For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

What does that mean to you?

So what difference does it make for you to be in a Father/child relationship with your Creator, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father?

Jesus gave specific instructions for your action regarding the Father – Matthew 5:

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven

What does that mean to you?

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good

plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through

you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti