Sessions 6–10

6. God Is Our Source

God is the source of all. He is Jehovah Jireh (the Lord our provider). While our resources may be limited, God’s supply is never exhausted. He who created the heavens and the earth lacks nothing. He is not constrained by what physically seems possible but provides even in the most unexpected and unusual ways.

Key Scriptures

Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.(1 Corinthians 8:6, NIV)

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence.(2 Peter 1:3, NLT)

Illustration

In the 1836, George Muller opened the first of five orphanages in Bristol, England. In his lifetime, these orphanages would provide a home for over 10,000. George Muller was not a man of great wealth. In fact, when he felt that God called him to build the orphanages, he had a mere two shillings in his pockets. There were frequently times when they did not have enough food for either themselves or the children they cared for. Yet, George steadfastly relied on God to provide even when the circumstances seemed impossible. They choose to trust in God in every situation. On one occasion, George’s wife walking into the study to tell him, “We are out of milk; there isn’t enough for the morning porridge.” Setting aside his pen, George replied, “Mary, let us pray!” Two of the orphanage workers joined them. George added: “Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you.” There was a knock at the door and Mary returned from answering the door with an envelope. Within it, there was more than enough money for milk. Within two minutes, two more letters with money and pledges arrived.

Source: guideposts.org

On another occasion, when all funds were exhausted, George considered selling any items to hand. He wrote, “This morning I had asked the Lord, if it might be, to prevent the necessity of our doing so.” That afternoon, a lady arrived with a package containing money that had been sent several days earlier. George wrote, “That the money had been so near for several days without being given, is a plain proof that it was in the heart of God to help us; but because He delights in the prayers of His children, He had allowed us to pray so long ... to try our faith and to make the answer so much the sweeter.”

Source: georgemuller.org

Prayer Points

• Read Philippians 4:19 and ask God specifically for any needs you have today
• Ask God to reveal anyone who is in need that you can bless, encourage, or support
• Ask God to help you to ‘excel in the grace of giving’ and to be a good steward of all He has given us
• Ask God for greater faith to trust Him in every area of your life, including your finances

Daily Task

• Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-7. Even in the face of their own lack and poverty, where did the Macedonian churches choose to invest what they had? Why?
• Honour the Lord with your tithes, first fruits and offerings (Malachi 3:10; Proverbs 3:9-10). Pray over your financial budget—and if you don’t have a budget, spend some time prayerfully creating one. Ask: is there anything I can do to give God greater honour with my finances?
• Consider: Do I lean on God to provide, or do I try to address my financial needs through my own efforts (e.g. relying on credit and loans, taking on additional work, replacing time in church with time at work)? Do I seek God’s Kingdom first, and prioritise Him before my work and financial needs?

Mental Health Food

We do not need to worry about our financial and material needs. God not only knows what we need, but is able to liberally supply. Read Matthew 6:19-34 and record anything that God highlights to you.

7. God Is Our Hope

Christ is our hope in the midst of hopelessness. When we feel like all hope is lost, we must remember Christ. Nothing in this world will last except the hope we have in Him. Keep this thought—and hope in Christ—in your mind today.

Key Scriptures

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.(2 Corinthians 4:16-18, ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.(1 Peter 1:3-7, ESV)

Illustration

Since it first aired, popular home improvement show Fixer Upper has garnered more than 24 million viewers, making it one of the highest-rated shows of its kind. Chip's sense of humor and Joanna's impeccable eye for design are what attract this following. But the true foundation beneath each home they build or renovate is their faith.

Chip's faith journey can actually be traced back to a Billy Graham Crusade the year after he was born.

"The impact that man has had on my life is immeasurable," Chip said.

In 1975, his mother, Gayle, attended a Billy Graham Crusade in Albuquerque. Rededicating her life to the Lord, Gayle was changed that night, and Billy Graham's impact on her would cascade down to the rest of the family.

"His simple sermons brought people from all denominations and churches; whenever they extended an invitation to believe, attendees would swarm to the front," Chip said.

"Even though my mom had been baptized at the age of 8, she decided to go forward to answer the invitation to believe. My parents made attending church a priority, (which) strengthened their marriage, and they involved themselves in a young couple's Sunday school class. In the 1990s my mom worked at Word Publishing, which published books for Billy Graham. She found continued encouragement in his writing."

Source: billygraham.org

God can use us all to bring hope in whatever we do!

Prayer Points

• Ask God to help you identify the situations where you need hope
• Ask God to help you fan the flame of His word over your circumstances
• Pray through: Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7; Philippians 4:13; Psalm 37:4; Psalm 28:7; John 16:33; Mark 11:24; Psalm 34:4

Daily Task

• Read your Bible regularly
• Memorise as many hope- and faith-filled verses as you can
• Resist the temptation to hide away when things are tough
• Turn to the Lord in worship and prayer

Mental Health Food

You are God’s child! He knows you and the situations you face. He gives us whatever we ask for in His name, so ask Him for strength, courage and boldness. Remember, when we are weak, He is strong.

8. God Is Our Stability

From national economies, to the built environment, to our own lives—both physically and mentally—stability is crucial. Without it things fall apart. Spiritual stability is developed by pursuing intimacy with Christ and Christlikeness. God is seeking those who will worship and serve Him wholeheartedly, without compromise. Steadfastness isn’t a virtue that shines in comfort, but in conflict, affliction and uncertainty.

Key Scriptures

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.(Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.(Galatians 5:1, WEB)

His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'(Matthew 25:21, WEB)

Illustration

Jesus shares this story:

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."‭‭‬‬‬‬(Matthew‬ ‭7:24-27,‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬)

Stability is a requirement for building a strong life in God.

Prayer Points

• Ask God to show you any areas where you lack stability
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help and guide you into a stable believer’s life
• Pray through: James 1:12; Hebrews 10:35-36; 2 Peter 1:5-7; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Daily Task

• Study Matthew 7:24-27
• Dedicate an hour of prayer to the Lord
• Worship the Lord for 30 minutes
• Read Psalm 112:6-7 and journal anything God speaks to you about

Mental Health Food

Study 2 Corinthians 10:5. Taking captive every thought simply means taking control over what you think about. It happens in three steps. First, accept responsibility for your thoughts. Second, change what you think about. Finally, take any problems to God in prayer.

9. God Is Our Wisdom

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.(1 Kings 4:2, KJV)

Wisdom brings perspective to our lives. Solomon was blessed with wisdom by God and that’s my prayer for my life, too. Spending time in prayer and the Word is the key to developing discernment and wisdom; make time for both!

Key Scriptures

How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!(Proverbs‬ ‭16:16‬, ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬)‬‬

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.(‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:5-6,‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬)‬‬‬‬

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.(Proverbs‬ ‭1:7,‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬)‬‬

Illustration

Once upon a time, there was a secluded island where all the feelings lived. Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, Anger, Trust and all the other feelings including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island was going to sink, so they all had to vacate the island as soon as possible or die. All the feelings and company quickly began to prepare their boats to leave as soon as possible. Love was the only one who decided to stay and hold out until the last possible moment.

When the island had almost sunk, and Love wanted to leave, it found itself without a boat. Someone else must have taken it. Love, worried, decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by in its most beautiful boat, and Love asked, “Richness, can you take me with you?” Richness answered, “No, I can’t. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat and sadly there is no place here for you.”

Next, Love saw Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. “Vanity, please help me!” pleaded Love. “I can’t help you, Love. You are all wet and would damage my boat if I take you in,” Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by, and Love asked for help once again, “Sadness, let me go with you.” Sadness unwillingly responded, “Oh…Love, I am so sad that I prefer to go alone!”

Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy and cheerful that she did not even hear anything when Love called her!

Love was in disbelief. It was doomed to go down with the island, but then suddenly there was an elderly voice, “Come, Love, I will take you.” When they arrived at dry land, the elder went on her own way. Love, now blessed and overjoyed, forgot to ask the elder her name.

Realising how much she owed to the elder, Love asked Wisdom, another elder, “Who was that who stopped to offer me a ride?”

“It was Time,” answered Wisdom. “Time? But why did Time help me?” asked Love.

Wisdom smiled and with compassion answered, “Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is.”

Source: themindsjournal.com

Prayer Points

• Ask God for wisdom and understanding
• Read Proverbs 1–8 and note anything that speaks to you
• Ask God for help with making better choices
• Reflect on your notes and worship God

Daily Task

• Pray for 25 minutes
• Read a chapter of Proverbs every day, making notes along the way
• Seek God daily
• Avoid distractions

Mental Health Food

God is the only source of true wisdom. His divine wisdom is very different to that which comes from our earthly education. Ask God to fill your thoughts and speech with His Word.

10. God Is Our Peace

When the Lord talks about ‘peace’ it’s not simply the absence of conflict or animosity. The Lord’s peace is the presence of joyful tranquillity and as much richness of interpersonal communication as you are capable of. Our world is in desperate need of peace, and it is up to us to seek and live in the peace that only Christ can give.

Key Scriptures

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.(Philippians 4:6, NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.(Ephesians 1:3, NIV)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.(Colossians 3:15, NIV)

Illustration

Once there was a king who offered to give a prize to an artist who could best paint a depiction of peace. Many artists decided to participate and sent the king their masterpieces.

Among the various masterpieces, one picture was of a calm lake closely resembling peacefully towering snow-capped mountains where a blue sky with fluffy clouds was overheard.

The picture was exemplary. Most of those who viewed the paintings of peace from different artists thought that this painting was the best among all others.

But the king had another winner in mind. To the crowd’s surprise, the picture that won was of a mountain too but was more plain and rugged than the other piece.

The sky was shady and looked angry because there was lightning. It was exactly the opposite of what peace should look like. The others thought that maybe the artist submitted a wrong painting showing storm rather than peace.

What others didn’t notice was that if you look closely at the painting, there is a tiny bush growing in the cracks of a rock. In the bush, there is a nest built by a mother bird and in the midst of the stormy weather, the bird sits peacefully on her nest.

In that specific portrait, it was depicted that in the presence of all the turmoil, there is still someone who can be calm in his or her heart.

Source: ollinwomen.org

Prayer Points

• Peace is only truly attained by an active, daily walk with Christ
• Ask the God of peace to fill your life again
• Spend 40 minutes praying through all the Scriptures on peace that you can find

Daily Task

• Turn off all distractions
• Worship the Lord for 30 minutes
• Pray through Psalm 91 and journal your thoughts
• Reflect on this week’s preaching

Mental Health Food

Fix your thoughts on what God says about you—not on your past or your weaknesses, but Christ, the Prince of Peace. Set your alarm, get up early and go for a prayer walk and worship Him.