Week 8 - Repentance

What is repentance?
To think differently.

Think:
Think about a repetitive sin that you can’t seem to shake (we all have those). What thought patterns do you need to change about it to help you quit committing it?

Pray:
Ask the Lord to help you consistently think differently about that sin, to see it the way HE sees it. Then thank him for forgiving you for it.

Do:
Results of repentance are often visible. Do you need to make restitution to someone you’ve sinned against? Do it this week! You will be blessed and God will be glorified.

Week 7 - Confronting Our Sin

Read:
Meditate on 2 Samuel 11, 12 and Psalm 51, seeing yourself as David.

Ask:
How aware am I of my own sins?
If the “Nathan” in my life were to confront me tonight, which sin would he choose to talk about?

Pray:
Spend extra time this week discussing your sins with God.
Agree with him that you need His help.
Ask for His guidance if you should share this with a friend.
Thank Him for His forgiveness.

Selected Verses from Psalm 51 (The Message)

1 Generous in love--God, give grace!
Huge in mercy--wipe out my bad record.

3 I know how bad I've been;
my sins are staring me down.
4 You're the One I've violated,
and you've seen it all,
seen the full extent of my evil.
You have all the facts before you;
whatever you decide about me is fair.

6 What you're after is truth from the
inside out.
Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.

Week 6: Favorite Psalms

First and Last Verses

These six psalms were read on Wednesday night. Re-read one psalm in its entirety each day this week. Allow the rich language to enhance your own intimate communication to God and from God.

Psalm 23, Thursday, Oct. 11
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 51, Friday, Oct. 12
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
9 Then there will be righteous sacrifices; whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Psalm 63, Saturday, Oct. 13
1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Psalm 71, Sunday, Oct. 14
1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

Psalm 131, Monday, Oct. 15
1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, both now and forevermore.

Psalm 139, Tuesday, Oct. 16
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Week 5: Finding Your Voice to Celebrate God

Ask Yourself…

1. What’s something I love to do (hobby, work, study) and/or spend a lot of time doing (or wish I could!) because it is important to me?

2. How do I see God’s presence in the midst of that activity? How is He a part of it? How do I see God working in me through it?

3. How do I show God that I love Him? How can I intentionally choose to celebrate His presence?

Week 5: A Passion for His Presence

I. First Parade (2 Sam 6:1-5)

Where is the ark of God now?

“LORD, if we obey your voice and keep your covenant, then we are your treasured possession among all peoples.”
From Exodus 19:5

II. Broken Plans (2 Sam 6:6-11)

When failure comes, do I lose my voice?

“LORD, where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?”
From Psalm 139:7

III. Victory Celebration

How do I celebrate His presence?

“O LORD, blessed are we who join in the festival,
and walk in the brightness of your presence.”
From Psalm 89:15