Back to the Basics
Week 3: Stress/Burden-relief

In this series we are looking at how, already having a relationship with Jesus Christ, we need to live our lives.

This week we are observing Scripture surrounding Jesus, relating to how we can be stress and burden -free.

:) God bless ya!

Verses:

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.   Galatians 5:7-10

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.   Galatians 5:1

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."   Matthew 11:28-30

Time-to-Talk:

Where have you been stressing out the most?

Why?

Why have you been carrying the weight of that stress by yourself?

In the video above, we talked about how there are 3 things I see that Christ implements in hid daily life: Trusting God, Spending valuable (personal) time with God, and loving God and people. Step into Christs' ways (take His yoke), pray for help and watch how the stress washes away! Note: Don't give up. Keep going for it and believing :)

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.   Ephesians 5:1-4

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.         Colossians 3:5-8

With the tongue we praise our LORD and FATHER, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.    James 3:9-10


Just from the way you talk, do you think you are bringing praise to God?

Just from hearing what you say, would people think you are a follower of Jesus Christ? A Christian? A believer?

Me: I know I say things I shouldn't. I have a problem with coarse joking...but will fix it right now with God's help. How about you?

How have the Words of Christ changed you?

Back to the Basics
Week 1: Surrender
10 minutes


There comes a point in our lives where we have to ask ourselves, “Am I really fully surrendered to God?”

     …if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is LORD,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.    Romans 10:9-10
   
    Grk: Kyrios: Lord, master, owner.

It’s hard, but it is so easy…I have to purposely pursue this. Denying myself and surrendering my life to my King. It’s hard, but it is so easy…because the Spirit of God enables me to do it.

Surrender

    And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple…any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.    Luke 14:27, 33

    For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.     Matthew 16:25





    For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.    John 3:16

----

Discussion Questions:

    What is hindering you from fully surrendering to God?

    Write out 2 things you need to move out of the way of your path with God.

    Write out 2 things you need to, and purposely will, move into your journey with God.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them…    Acts 2:1-4

Part of the above can also be written like this: Suddenly a sound like the carrying of a strong breath came from the residence of God and filled the whole house where they were sitting…

Sound a little weird? Mysterious? Cool? Yes, yes annnnnnd heck yes!

Do you want to hear something else strange? I believe it.

You could call me a nut, or insult me even further by reversing it and calling me a tun, but either way I’ve got to say it: I completely believe it.

Why? Because I can totally understand it. I’ve experienced the Holy Spirit too.

Here’s the point I want to make: As a believer in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is living inside of you (Mark 1:8).

Understand and see that the power of the One who shook a building with a single breath is living within you – if you are in Jesus Christ. What does that mean? 

For me, it means that when I feel weak, depressed, stressed and burnt out, the Spirit of God changes me and refreshes me. The Spirit of God can do way more in & through me than I can by myself.

Realize who is in you. Draw closer to the Holy Spirit and seek its presence, guidance and help throughout your life. Then praise God for this glorious Counselor!

Wait…….but how do we get the Spirit of God within us? We surely aren’t born with His Spirit inside of us...we're born with sinful natures. In the Bible, John the Baptist answers this question quite clearly, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he [Jesus Christ] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8) Now, remember that what is contained in Scripture is theopneustos, the very breath of God – so these are trustworthy words.

It is by believing in the name of Jesus Christ, and by declaring him LORD, that we are saved from our sins, given eternal life and receive the Holy Spirit.

We are submersed into the One who shook a building – the Spirit of God is living in you as a believer. Now, walk with passion, burden and urgency! :)

I encourage you to pray through this week and weekend, and to make a regular habit of praying, for yourself to recognize the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit more and more.

How has the Holy Spirit of God impacted your life?

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  
Matthew 6:33 (Link to verse)