Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:25:08 -0800WeeblyTue, 06 Oct 2009 08:23:03 -0800http://www.recklesslyloved.com/4/post/2009/10/luke-10.htmlLuke 10:25-41


This passage begins with the command to focus all our attention, love, and energy on God, and God alone.  This is our first and greatest command!  And the rest of the passage compares and contrasts people who do that (and are justified by God – Jesus, the Good Samaritan, and Mary) and the people who don’t love God with everything because they are distracted by trying to justify themselves with their own righteousness, activities, or words (the “expert in the Law”), the Priest and Levite, and Martha).  It’s not that these people are evil, or outside the Redemption of God, but that they’ve chosen to try and earn what’s available to them for free; and that is God’s Redeeming, Life Transforming Grace and Love.

• What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?
• Am I letting lesser things distract me from The Greatest Thing…loving God with everything? 
  *What are those things that are distracting me?
  *How can I make them not a distraction anymore?
• Do I see those people in my everyday life who are in need of God’s love, or am I too distracted by my own things?

]]>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:21:10 -0800http://www.recklesslyloved.com/4/post/2009/10/judges-13.htmlJudges 13:16

 How much greater are God’s ways than our ways!  In a very similar story to the revelation and birth of Jesus to Mary and Joseph, God appears to Manoah and his wife (her name is never mentioned) and reveals His Plan of Salvation for the Israelites. The only thing is, they don’t recognize that it’s God until the very end of the story!  However, in spite of their spiritual blindness, God’s Plan prevails and they ultimately submit and obey, but it’s clear in v.16 that even though they have been extremely blessed as the keepers of God’s promised salvation for Israel in this time, as the parents of Samson, they are simply just one part of God’s bigger Plan of Rescue.  You can’t “detain” God, and even when you see Him moving and join in with that, as incredibly great and fulfilling as that is, it’s not all that God has planned!  Our God is infinite and His plans and purposes are infinite as well!  Never stop reaching forward and living fully into all that He has planned! 

• How am I missing God in my daily life?  Or am I missing God in my daily life?
• How am I joining in God’s action in the world?
• Am I living fully into my part in His Grand Plan of Salvation and Rescue?
• In what areas of my life am I trying to detain God where I want Him to stay instead of where He wants to go?

]]>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:28:01 -0800http://www.recklesslyloved.com/4/post/2009/10/luke-10-1-24.htmlLuke 10:17-22 

When Jesus send out the 12 disciples in chapter 9 and then the 72 followers in this chapter, I can’t help but feel re-energized as I remember the call He’s placed on my life as well!  It’s interesting that He tells them in both passages, to bring nothing with them as they go (probably a good piece of practical advice as well as spiritual, so they wouldn’t get robbed), but to depend on God and others fully; even as He models that for them in His life journey (Luke 9:57-62).  Also of interest to me, is their reaction upon their return.  The 72 came back in v.17 full of joy and excitement based off their experience of the power of God through them (which is an awesome and great thing), much like we do when God does something big in and though us!  And Jesus encourages their excitement in vs.18-19.  However, still full of joy and excitement (it’s cool to see Jesus pumped!).  He also re-corrects their focus from having power over what’s already been defeated, or what soon would be defeated, in Christ, to the One who’s able to detect evil; to the One True God!

• What would Christ get excited over in my life?
• What are some areas where I’m too focused on the defeated and not focused enough on the One who’s doing the defeating?
• What extra baggage am I bringing along on this journey that is weighing me down or is a liability?

]]>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:13:10 -0800http://www.recklesslyloved.com/4/post/2009/10/first-post.htmlJudges 12:1-3
Whenever the Lord gives us Victory in some way, whether in a program, relationship, situation, or battle (spiritual or physical), there are always going to be people who will be jealous and angry, and who will come against us with deception, vengeance, and manipulation; often because they didn’t want to take the risk of losing or falling.  You can’t have Victory without the possibility of defeat.  It’s wise to choose our battles, but when the Lord calls us to engage in some risky activity, and our faith fails us and we choose not to engage, God will find someone with enough faith who will engage.  It’s not their fault we missed out on the Victory that was available; it’s ours!  Don’t miss out on the possibility of great Victory in Christ because you’re lazy or scared, but if you do, don’t compound your sin by blaming someone else.  And if you have experienced Victory in Christ and someone is coming against you, confront it head on with the Truth, and God will give you another Victory!

• What are the areas in my life that I have, or am, experiencing Victory in Christ?
• What areas do I have Victory in?  Am I willing to risk putting myself out?  There in faith to experience that Victory?
• What battles do I need to fight?
• Who is coming against me?  Why?  How can I love them in Truth?
  
  
  
  
  
  

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