Study Guide
October 20- October 24

Monday, October 20– God raised Christ from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from the galaxies to governments; no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. (Ephesians 1:20-23 The Message). When God looks at the center of the universe, he doesn’t look at you.  We are appreciated. We are valued. We are loved dearly.  But are we central? Essential? Pivotal?  Hardly.  The world does not revolve around us. Our comfort is not God’s priority. God does not exist to make a big deal out of us. We exist to make a big deal out of Him.  How are you doing this?  What will you do today to make this happen?

Tuesday, October 21 – Read Exodus 33:12-23. As we seek to define our calling, one question we all wonder about is: Am I in this alone?  Who could fault Moses for doubting? The same people who cheered when the Red Sea drowned the Egyptians now jeer at Moses. They want to go back to Egypt.  When everyone around you turns against you, it’s easy to go with the crowd.  But God says to Moses and to us: ‘When I call you, I will be with you.’ Do you believe this?  Are you doubting God’s presence with you on your journey of faith?  We all need what Moses needed – a glimpse of God’s glory. Where are you looking?

Wednesday, October 22 – God knows your limitations. He’s well aware of your weakenesses. You can no more die for your own sins than you can solve world hunger. And, according to him, that’s okay. The world doesn’t rely on you. God loves you too much to say it’s all about you. He keeps the cosmos humming. We don’t know what it takes to run the world, and wise are we who leave the work to his hands. To say, “it’s not about you” is not to say you aren’t loved; quite the contrary. It’s because God loves you that it’s not about you.  Read Ephesians 3:18-19. Though we cannot measure it, we are urged to trust it. Some of us (maybe all of us) are hungry for such love.  Those who should have loved you didn’t. Those who could have loved you wouldn’t.  We are left with the question: “Does anybody love me?”  Hear the answer from the cross as God assures – “I do.”

Thursday, October 23 – Read 2 Corinthians 3:18. Find and read 3-5 different translations of this verse. There are variations and you might see behold AND reflect.  Which meaning did Paul intend? In the context of the passage and story – Moses catching a glimpse of God – it’s probably both. Could it be that the Holy Spirit intentionally selected a verb that would remind us to do both?  To behold God so intently that we can’t help but reflect him? To behold is to study, to stare, to contemplate. Beholding God’s glory is no occasional glance – it is serious pondering.  Read 1 Corinthians 10:31. As you define your calling,  – “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Read Colossians 3:17.

Friday, October 24. God lets you excel so you can make him known. And you can be sure of one thing: God will make you good at something. This is his principle: “True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life” (Proverbs 22:4).  Lest we forget, let’s be reminded of the following verse: ”Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Why are you good at what you do? For your comfort? For your retirement? For your self-esteem? No. Deem these as bonuses, not as the reason. Why are you good at what you do? For God’s sake. Your success is not about what you. It’s all about him – his present and future glory.