Can you always trust your intuition?

“A person's legacy is determined primarily by the decisions he or she makes, more so oftentimes than by the circumstances he or she faces or the accomplishments he or she achieves" - Andy Stanley

This past week we discussed the importance of studying God's word in seeking to discover His will for our lives. We all probably realize the importance of reading the Bible, but we may fail to grasp the importance of reading it with a particular purpose in mind. Andy Stanley says we should be reading the Bible in search of principles. These are the timeless truths that give us a slice of God's thinking so that we can begin to think as He thinks and our ways become His ways.

In doing so, we begin to rely less on our intuition (I know- that is contrary to what we have always been told- "go with your gut", etc.) and more on the principles God has given us. I encourage you to dig deeper into this idea by listening to Andy's entire sermon (Part 3) below.

Please Post Your Principles Below...

In Part 3 of Andy Stanley's series, Discovering God's Will, we find that our intuition may not be as good as we think it is. The Bible tells us in Isaiah that our thoughts are not His thoughts and our ways are not His ways. God tells us point blank: We do not act alike and we do not think alike. So what makes us think that we can walk through life simply trusting our intuition. "Go with your gut" may not be all it is cracked up to be.

If we cannot trust our intuition, then what or whom can we trust? Andy says that God has given us a slice of His thinking through the timeless truths of the Bible called principles. Andy says that principles can reflect a cause and effect relationship - you reap what you sow. Sometimes principles are stated, as is the one above, and sometimes principles are implied such as the call for unconditional love. The Bible does not call it unconditional love, but Jesus lives it with every fiber of his being.

A principle is different than a law or command. A principle cannot be broken or upheld as a command can. You do not have to believe in a principle or act upon it for it to be true. Example: Gravity (a principle although not a Biblical example) exists whether we believe in it or not. Principles are elements of God's design- meaning they are timeless truths that God has put into motion and despite our belief in them or not, the world works in accordance with them.

So this week, may we look for PRINCIPLES as we read the word of God and may this singular focus on His word open our eyes in part to the thoughts of God and the ways of God.

PLEASE FOLLOW THROUGH THIS WEEK AND POST A PRINCIPLE OR PRINCIPLES! Please provide the verse or verses and the book, chapter, and verse of the Bible. Thanks and have a wonderful week.

Prayer Concerns - February 1st, 2011

Hi everyone,

Please remember the following in your prayers this week:

• Chad's second cousin (in Tampa) - wife murdered their two children
• Ruiz family - God's provisions and our participation and help
• Dusty and Christy - OB appointment this Wednesday
• Joel Hayes (and it was so sweet I will quote him) - "I want to thank everyone for their prayers after I went through the job interview process. I didn't get this job but I know God has a plan and I will get closer to home someday". Yes you will!
• Kathryn Foskey - poor kidney function which is a result of radiation
• Bear (nephew of Lancaster's) - hearing test is today. Pray he can sleep for 3 straight hours so the test will be valid.

I thank God for this wonderful group of praying friends!

Cristy

Discovering God's Will

For those of you who are interested in our latest Exchange Class series about Discovering God's Will, you will find all 4 messages below. Some of these have skits at the beginning- so fast forward 7 or 8 minutes and you will get to the message. Enjoy!