LOOK:

We can endure whatever He allows our way with confidence by trusting the four TRUTHS we learned about God in today’s passage that will bring us comfort during our trials:

1. The Lord meets us where we are in our struggles to cheer us on.
2. The Lord is willing to show us our next step.
3. The Lord never leaves us or forsakes us, so we’re never alone.
4. The Lord will bring out of darkness and into the light what needs to be exposed to squash the evil plots against us – especially when we’re doing His work.

LOOK:

Q: Will you consider the possibility that God is choosing to give you a platform to share the good news, even when your circumstances are challenging? Sometimes He brings people into our life who aren’t friendly, who have an axe to grind, who want to make things difficult for you. These are the very people who need to experience the love of God, and now is our opportunity.

Q: Are the elements of your testimony intact? If the Lord gave you a platform today, could you

• Tell someone about your personal encounter with the Lord?
• Describe the circumstances that led up to your decision to Christ?
• Share how your heart has changed because of Christ?

If you’re not sure what you’d say, consider thinking of your favorite attributes of God. When you hear “God,” do you think “Father?” “Provider?” “Faithful?” “Compassionate?” “Merciful?” Talk people through why a certain attribute has been so important to you.

LOOK:

As I was processing this chapter for today’s lesson, I found myself impressed with Paul’s unwillingness to be dissuaded from doing God’s will, yet not being insensitive to those who loved him and cared for him. His spiritual maturity was evident. He was willing to lay down his life for the name of Christ just as Jesus was willing to lay down his life for us. But some of us might have an internal dialogue going on that sounds something like this: “This is Paul you’re talking about, and I’m no Paul! He’s a different category of Christian than me! I can’t honestly say that I would lay down my life for the name of Christ.”

May I respond to your internal script? Remember the slogan, “If God leads you to it, He’ll see you through it?” Has it occurred to you that God had been preparing Paul’s heart over the years to stay the course and go to Jerusalem? What if you’re trying to applaud Paul’s decision to stay the course, rather than applauding the Holy Spirit who was empowering him to face the challenge? Why is it that we lapse into thinking we have to do God’s will in our own strength?

It would be a fantastic outcome for this lesson if all of us walked out this door with a resolute commitment to follow Jesus full throttle and fearlessly just like Paul, but with the clear understanding that it is the Holy Spirit in us who gives us the strength to go full throttle and go without fear.

I Thess 5:24 says, “The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” Whatever God has willed for each of us, He will lead us to it, and He will see us through it. Count on it. Let’s pray.

LOOK:

There were eleven core values that we identified, and you may already have some of them incorporated in your own life. To have all eleven is quite a tall order, but I believe if we would adopt one or two of them to get started, I am confident that all of us would be running the race set before us much more effectively. So here’s the question to ponder:

Q: As we were processing today’s lesson, were there any core values that especially resonated with you such that you want to pray that the Lord instill them in you today? [Let people respond]

If you are resonating with a couple of core values, consider the possibility that the Holy Spirit is drawing you to them.

LOOK:

I don’t want anyone leaving class this morning wondering about whether you are baptized by the Holy Spirit. So if you are not sure whether you’ve been baptized by the Holy Spirit, then let me share with you how to be sure. Jesus said to us that we should come to Him with a child-like faith. So if you’re here this morning and can agree with God that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness, and that Jesus was His Son who came to earth to die on a cross to pay the penalty of your sins, and that you are professing your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then as you pray this to God, He will baptize you with His Holy Spirit. You are committing to a love relationship that requires you to follow Him.