be creative
God as creator, humanity created in his image as creative
(Genesis 1 esp vv26-28)
“Then the Lord said to
Moses, 2 “See, I
have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,
3 and I have filled him
with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and
with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver
and bronze, 5 to
cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.
6 Moreover, I have
appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I
have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have
commanded you: 7 the
tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it,
and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand
and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils,
the basin with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred
garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as
priests, 11 and
the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make
them just as I commanded you.”” (Exodus 31:1-11)
be determined
The parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8)
Or see also Hebrews 12 below
“As the time approached for him to be
taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51) –
Jesus focusing on his mission – could also be used below – similarly Mark
1:35-39
focus on the goal
“24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners
run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get
a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for
ever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do
not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make
it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be
disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by
such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and
the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race
marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on
Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God. 3 Consider him who
endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose
heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)
“Not that I have already obtained all
this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that
for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself
yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and
straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians
3:12-14)
be curious
The boy Jesus at the temple (Luke 2:41-52) esp v46, “they
found [Jesus] in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them
and asking them questions”
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search
out a matter is the glory of kings.” (Proverbs 25:2)
Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear,
let them hear.” (Mark 4:9)
work together
the church as one body with many parts, all needed - God
gives his people a variety of gifts to be used for the good of all (1
Corinthians 12:4-31)
The defeat of the Amalakites (Exodus 17:1-16)
Moses appoints judges to share the load (Exodus 18)
make links
Everything is made and known by God
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm
24:1)
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the
wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)
“15 The Son is the image
of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For
in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have
been created through him and for him. 17 He
is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17)
“So then, no more boasting about human
leaders! All things are yours, 22 whether
Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the
future—all are yours, 23 and you are of
Christ, and Christ is of God.” (1 Corinthians 3:21-23)
be flexible
the Apostle Paul’s missionary strategy: “Though I am free
and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as
possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the
law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so
as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one
not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's
law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win
the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I
might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-22)
enjoy learning
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say
it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all
your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23)
The parable of the Sower (Mark 4)
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