Devotional Thoughts

Community Group Discussion Guide: Devotional Thoughts
(This devotional guide is somewhat different than the usual fare.  The questions and scriptures are based on three devotionals that RJ wrote)

Where I Live: 
​Matthew 5:14-20 NASB95 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; [15] nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Excerpt from Devotional:  Before you start a quest of changing the world, you should consider giving Christ the opportunity to change you—then, and only then, will you be ready to make a difference in “your” corner of the world. Before you lash me with the criticism of not speaking to the issues happening on the big stage of American Culture, please know that change does not occur through more unwanted rhetoric; change happens when people change, and people change through the influence and love of the people who happen to live in “their” world. So, in the words of Christ, be the salt, be the light, where you live.

1.  What would you say is the spiritual impact that your life is making in your sphere of influence?
2. Do you think that being a light in the darkness is more about confronting the darkness or simply being the light?
3. How can you be a more effective light for Christ?

True North: 1 Corinthians 13:2-8a NASB95 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. [4] Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, [5] does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, [6] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails...  Excerpt from Devotional: So, what does that even look like…you know, having Jesus as your True North?  It means that I live life trying not to worry or calculate about what the outcome of my actions might be.  I will make compromises and be compromised if I worry about the outcome; instead, I try to live by an ancient code.  Love God—love your neighbors—love yourself—love your family—love your friends—and even love your enemies.  In this age of political turmoil, misinformation, disinformation, vitriol and confusion; I have refused to enter the fray with carnal weapons.  (Fighting fire with fire) Though tempted, I refuse to turn away from my True North.  If I have not been called to fight against flesh and blood, but against powers of darkness; then I will strive to walk in love when it comes to my fellow humans.  Make no mistake about it—I speak the truth, but not unless I can speak it in love.

1. So, let's start with the most obvious question, do you have a "True North" in your life?  (What is your "True North?"
2. Are there any values that Jesus taught that you are resistant to live out?
   
3. ​How can I live for Christ without "losing" myself?  (Or is losing myself the point?)

Self-Mortification: ​Romans 8:1-6 KJV There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: [4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Excerpt from Devotional: Most people do not  know what "self-mortification" means, but whatever it is, it does not sound like fun.  So, what is self-mortification?  Self-mortification is best defined as "you" taking steps to crucify "your" own flesh. The idea emanates from the brilliant and spiritually attuned minds of Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul.  Jesus started the ball rolling with the call to be His disciples:  Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever  loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  The Apostle Paul cuts to the chase with this short declaration of fact: Galatians 5:24 "Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

1. ​Do you have any sin that has become habitual?  (Do you have a plan in motion to deal with it?) 
2. What are some of the advantages of living "free" from sin?
   
3. Do you think of self-mortification as something that you are doing to yourself or something that you are doing for yourself? 

​Matthew 5:14-20 NASB95 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; [15] nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ​Matthew 5:14-20 NASB95 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; [15] nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ​Matthew 5:14-20 NASB95 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; [15] nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.