Here are the notes from tonight’s bible study. If you tweet out any of them on social media, use #thatllpreach for a hash tag!

12.19.2011

How do we know if the “voice” we hear is from God?
Scripture references: 1 John 4:1
We are told in the bible to test the spirit by the spirit. How do we know if what we’re hearing is from God? God tells us to test Him! Is what you’re hearing in line with what His Word says? God will never tell you to do anything that is contrary to His Word! Is he suggesting you call someone to clear the air or seek forgiveness? Have you “heard” this but wasn’t sure if it was you, Him, or the enemy?

Let’s look at it this way: satan would never try to get you to do something that would cause you to be in line with God’s Word. He’s not sitting behind molten rock saying “Yes, yes! Seek forgiveness! Call her/him!” No.

Is it “you” making the suggestion? Probably not. The flesh doesn’t want to do it. My rule of thumb is always — if I hear something that I think is from God, and I don’t want to do it, it’s more than likely His voice that I’m hearing. My flesh usually always wants to rebel against things He tells me to do, especially if it will make me uncomfortable.

If what you’re hearing lines up with His Word, what do you have to lose by simply acting on what you heard? Nothing! Step out and do it!

Why am I here on earth? What is my purpose and how do I find it?
Scripture references: Jeremiah 29:11-14, Psalm 139, Romans 8:28
God wants you to know why you were put on earth! Your purpose is no secret locked away with an impossible code; it’s yours for the taking!

Why does He want us to know?

1. When we know why we were created, we won’t do anything that’s contrary to our purpose or design. When a company creates a plastic cup, they put the ridges, materials, etc all together for the intentions for that cup to hold a liquid (or pencils, or whatever else you want to store in a cup.) If you took that same cup and tried to  use it to search terms on the internet, it simply would not work. We have to know why we were made and for what purpose so we don’t spend time trying to do/be something we weren’t designed to do.

2. To expand the kingdom! When we are doing our part in the body of Christ, it helps the BOC operate at its finest — 1 Corinthians 12:12 says so! Every person must do their part to ensure everything works together, just like your natural body. If your knees get to acting up, the rest of your body is out of whack, right?

Because your purpose is no secret, just ASK God to show you! I’ll start you off with a great question to consider: If there was one thing you could do for the rest of your lie for free, what would it be? Whatever that answer is tells you a part of your purpose. Why must it be something that you’d do for free? Because on the pursuit of God’s purpose for our life, it may be hard, require sacrifice, and may come without public applause. You MUST be passionate about it to the point of receiving no payment — because when the going gets tough, you must have another desire beyond the tangible to keep going!

Why does it seem like people who don’t serve God are more successful than those who do?
Scripture Reference: Psalm 73 (message version)

Man, listen! What you THINK is success is nothing. What you SEE with your eyes is fleeting. Anything man builds on his own will not last. (Have you seen any crumbling businesses lately?) Only what God builds will last. Just read Psalm 73! 🙂

How can I get more out of my bible study/time with God? (Resources)

Just like there are hundreds of ways to find out any minute piece of information you want about the most random of things, learning more about God is just as easy. Make use of Google, www.BibleGateway.com, www.blueletterbible.com, and www.biblestudy.org to get more out of your study. YouVersion has a great bible app available for all smart phones with a search component — search any key word (faith, love, wives, money) and YouVersion will pull up the scriptures for you! (just search your phone’s app service)

Take things one scripture at a time! You don’t have to strive to be a bible scholar in a day! If your pastor mentions a particular scripture, take time to read it, read different translations, even translate key words! Tonight, we looked at Hebrews 12:1 — “… lay aside every weight that easily besets us…”

The word “beset”, when translated from the Greek, means to prevent, obstruct, constrict, easily entangling. How do I know? I used www.blueletterbible.com to translate it for me! (YES that site does that for you, just click LEXICON!)

When we know the meaning of that one little word, it changes the entire meaning and life application of the scripture. Is there something that’s preventing or obstructing you from moving forward in an area of your life?

In matter of 5 minutes, we were able to take this scripture from the bible to real life application! Easy peasy!

I hope these notes were helpful! If you want to suggest topics for the next bible study (mid-January), post your comments below!

Check me out on Twitter! @dstarwriter59 and “like” my page on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/AlishaLGordon9

On the Chase,

Alisha L.