Man of God – the journey

Introduction:

Yesterday, we spoke about who we are in Christ. That helped us to find out true identity. Today we explore the concept of the journey.

Quote:

“The world fears strong men because they cannot be controlled. They lead, inspire and revolutionize”

Author – Unknown

Overview of the process or a pattern that we discussed yesterday:

• Step 1: there is an altercation with God
• Step 2: The choice: Do I respond to this new calling of God?
• Step 3: If I accept or respond to this calling of God, then the process of transformation starts with the end results being a new, transformed identity and life
• I can also decide to not accept or respond to the calling and then nothing is going to change.

From today on we will focus on Step 3.

Excuses

Have you ever heard any of the following excuses:

• I am a product of my circumstances– I cannot be used (Judges 11)
• I cannot change
• Only I have challenges– black sheep mentality
• Only the pastor has a calling on his life – the rest of us can sit on the sideline
• My wife is the spiritual leader of the house???

The three dimensions of our journey:

• Spiritual journey
• Mental journey
• Physical journey
• All three dimensions are closely related and very tightly integrated
• If one fails, the other will suffer in some way
• The objectives:
  • Develop a growth mentality
  • Grow in all dimensions
  • Grow in a balanced way

Examples from the Bible:

• Abraham
  • Gives his wife up twice (Gen 12 and Gen 20)
  • The Ismael disaster(Gen16)
  • God tests Abraham (Gen 22)
• ·Samuel
  • He must learn to know the voice of God(1 Sam 3:9, 1 Sam 3:19)
• ·Peter
  • Called as a disciple (Luk 5)
  • Walks on water
  • Jesus rebukes Peter (Matt 16:23)
  • Peter renounces Jesus (Joh 18)
  • Jesus gives Peter a new calling (Joh 21)

Dimensions of our mental journey

Knowledge

• Knowledge off the Word of God– God’s Word = truth (countermeasure for lies)
• Knowledge about the world we live in
• Expansions of our knowledge
• Knowledge that becomes wisdom

Thoughts and emotions

When both are in balance, we find ourselves in a healthy mental state

Scripture:

• Prov. 4:23(NLT)
  • 23Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
• ROM. 12:2 (NLT)
  • 2Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
• Ps. 139:23-24(NLT)
  • 23Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
• 2 Tim 1:7 (NLT)
  • 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
• Phil 4:6-7 (NLT)
  • 6Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Dimensions of our physical journey

• Nutrition
• Care
• Maintenance and development

We will explore this more in tomorrow’s session

Questions to ponder

• Now that you are aware of the three dimensions of your journey, are you in balance? Or is there one or more dimensions that need attention?
• Are you doing enough to grow mentally? Are you doing enough to stay mentally resilient?
• How is your physical journey progressing? Is there something that you need to give attention to?