Pay attention

1. Pay attention in the waking hours.  This requires:
   1. Being fully present – in each moment
   2. Looking long enough – stop to look long enough
   3. Taking a fresh look at the familiar – as a gift from God
   4. Being available – can He whisper or does he have to yell at you?
   5. Being aware – God is at work in your life
   6. Waiting with expectancy
   7. Being mindful – stay at attention
   8. Being wakeful – can you just stay awake long enough to pray
2. Periodically refocus on God throughout the day
3. How do things remind you of God
4. What are you missing if you’re not paying attention?
5. Pay attention in the working hours.  This requires:
   1. Contemplating – see life through God’s eyes
   2. Abiding – no matter where you are, you’re home
   3. Indwelling – knowing He knows you
6. Pay attention in the waning hours
   1. Instead of the news, end your day on pause
   2. Recount God’s blessings
   3. Release the day – let go
   4. Rest in God’s love and peace
   5. For what moment am I most grateful for today?  Why?
   6. Just stop, be quiet, and know God is there

Faith

You don’t need faith in God to know He exists (creation itself is evidence). You do, however, need faith in Him if you want Him to do anything for you. Just like you’d need faith in a builder to have him do anything for you.

Why do Christians have trials?

1. To glorify God
2. To discipline for known sin
3. To prevent us from falling into sin
4. To keep us from pride
5. To build your faith (by dark times)
6. To cause growth
7. To teach obedience & discipline
8. To equip us to comfort others
9. To prove the reality of Christ in us (for witness)
10. As a testimony to the angels

Hope

• Highest form of maturity is to measure your hope
  • Hope is confidence in the future over your present
  • Fretting and frustrations demonstrate a lack of hope

Romans

• Romans divided into groups of chapters that can be described as Faith – Hope – Love
• Religion is man’s attempt to reconcile himself
• The just shall live by faith
• We are: helpless, ungodly, sinners, enemies
• If He would die for us in this condition, how much does He love us now that we’re born again?

3 keys to sharing the gospel

1. Faith
2. Love (for God)
3. Compassion (for people)  

Can you deal with your “fear of witnessing” for your love of money ($1,000 per person), but you can’t deal with it for the love of God?

God’s Will

How do we know God’s will when there are multiple, seemingly good, options?

• Let the peace of God be the referee in your life
• Slowly press toward the option.  Ask (pray) God to provide understanding of His will.  Pray for His peace.
  • Dissonance / friction is a warning signal.  You can have peace despite challenge
• (Passive) Let peace rule in your heart
• (Active) Be thankful
  • Remember all of God’s gifts
  • May be the greatest factor in personal happiness