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Food for Thought
_{^{For the week of June 22, 2008}}
(Questions and Scriptures for further study)

1.  We heard this weekend that the enemy wants to keep us focused on what we think is right and keep us from utilizing the decision-cycle God has given us that flows out of continually checking three major components – Scripture, inner promptings of the Holy Spirit, and wise counsel.  Below are some verses that shed additional light on each of these components. Read each one and then jot down your insights.

       Scripture:
  
Psalm 119:9-11
    How can a young man keep his way pure?
        By living according to your word.
    [10] I seek you with all my heart;
        do not let me stray from your commands.
    [11] I have hidden your word in my heart
        that I might not sin against you. _^[NIV]

Psalm 119:59-61
    I have considered my ways
        and have turned my steps to your statutes.
    [60] I will hasten and not delay
        to obey your commands.
    [61] Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
        I will not forget your law. _^[NIV]

Psalm 119:98-100
    Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
        for they are ever with me.
    [99] I have more insight than all my teachers,
        for I meditate on your statutes.
    [100] I have more understanding than the elders,
        for I obey your precepts. _^[NIV]

Psalm 119:105
    Your word is a lamp to my feet
        and a light for my path. _^[NIV]

Psalm 119:165
    Great peace have they who love your law,
        and nothing can make them stumble. _^[NIV]

                    
The Inner Promptings of the Holy Spirit:
 
Acts 16:6-10
    Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. [7] When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. [8] So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. [9] During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." [10] After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. _^[NIV]

Acts 20:22-23
    "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. [23] I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. _^[NIV]

John 16:12-14
    "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. _^[NIV]

Wise Counsel:
 
Proverbs 15:22
    Plans fail for lack of counsel,
        but with many advisers they succeed. _^[NIV]
 

2 Chronicles 10:1-11
    Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all the Israelites had gone there to make him king. [2] When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt. [3] So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and all Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: [4] "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you."
    [5] Rehoboam answered, "Come back to me in three days." So the people went away.
    [6] Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked.
    [7] They replied, "If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants."
    [8] But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. [9] He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?"
    [10] The young men who had grown up with him replied, "Tell the people who have said to you, 'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter'--tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. [11] My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.' " _^[NIV]

              Which of these is most important for you to remember?
 
2.  How does Proverbs 2 reinforce the importance of the consistent intake of God’s Word in our lives to not fall prey to the enemy’s lies? 

3.  There are a variety of ways to access God’s Word on a regular basis. Which of the following ways works best for you and is there one you need to practice more regularly?

 
_{^{Listening to Sermons         Personal Study         Bible on CD/MP3}}

_{^{Interaction w/ Others         Scripture Memory      Other}}

4.  “If it feels good, it can’t be wrong” is a powerful lie. It’s a deceptive shortcut to fulfillment. Below is a short list of temptations we regularly encounter.  Next to each temptation below write a potential reason for yielding to it.

_{^{Cheating                  Not working through conflict                                                   
Gossip                     Exaggerating the truth
Over-spending or financial dishonesty / cover-up
Sexual purity            Other}}


         What is the ultimate reality of giving in to these temptations?

Based on this weekend’s teaching and study, are there any lies you’re struggling with in your life?  Is there someone you need to tell to help you break the cycle?