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Food for Thought

For the week of January 8, 2012
(Questions and scriptures for further personal study)

1. Submission is a key element of understanding and putting "self-denial" into action. It's one of those terms that is often misunderstood and misinterpreted.  How do the following verses help us better understand what submission is and isn't?
     
Matthew 26:39, 42
    Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 
     [42] He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."  _[NIV]

Philippians 2:1-4
    If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. [4] Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. _[NIV]

John 13:6-10
    He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
    [7] Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
    [8] "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
    Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
    [9] "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
    [10] Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."  _[NIV]

  
2. This weekend, we heard about carrying our cross and being obedient to the calling that God has for us.  The good news is we don’t have to do that on our own. The power that enabled Jesus to carry out his calling came from the Holy Spirit.  That same Holy Spirit is available to all genuine Christians.  That means we have a supernatural resource to help us do things and make changes that we never thought possible.  Read the following passages and identify the Spirit's role in empowering us for ministry.
     
Acts 1:8
    But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." _[NIV]

Exodus 31:1-6
    Then the Lord said to Moses, [2] "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, [3] and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-- [4] to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, [5] to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. [6] Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you: _[NIV]

John 15:4-5
    Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
    [5] "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. _[NIV]

3. Living out our calling is how God has designed us to live.  In fact, the enemy would love to keep us ineffective and confused about our purpose.  How does Jesus make our calling incredibly clear in Matthew 22:37-39 and 28:19-20?
     
Matthew 22:37-39
    Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' _[NIV]

Matthew 28:19-20
    Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." _[NIV]