Clear The Stage: The Space Between Thoughts & Decisions | Greg Ford
MESSAGE NOTES
Our Tendency is to make fast decisions…line em up and knock em down…what’s for lunch
It’s possible that your talent and your life experience and the good advice from people are actually getting in your way.
Experience can be an asset and it can also be a liability
Talent is something that can make you overconfident and create a blind spot
Life Happens, Thoughts Form, Decisions Made, Actions Taken
Talents
[Romans 12:6]
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.
Special Gifts
[I Corinthians 12:1]
Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this.
[Psalm 139:23]
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
[Psalm 19:12]
Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
[Psalm 26:2]
Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.
In the space when thoughts are formed and decisions are made…PRAY!
[Acts 16:6-7]
Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. 7 Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.
Paul was guided by hindrance. The Holy Spirit often guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors.
Learn to celebrate closed doors.
[Acts 16:8-9]
So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. 9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
[Psalm 112:6-8]
Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. 8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
[I Corinthians 12:4]
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.
[I Corinthians 12:7-11]
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
[Romans 12:6-8]
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
At the center:
Prayer- process, presence, perspective, and power
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
-What was your biggest takeaway from this weekend’s message?
-Where do you need to invite God in the space between thoughts forming and decisions being made?
-As you think about action steps, how can we practically apply this message content in our lives this week?