If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
Blog Site
Derek’s Blog which comes out weekly to fortnightly is at -
Go to the new more user friendly version - beingrecreated.org
Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
How much is enough? Can we ever be satisfied? Why would we want more? These are questions that expose our desires and insecurities. They often show us how influenced we are by our societies view of what we should desire. Our heavenly Father is the one who created us. He knows, what is actually going to satisfy us and keep us. This can be very different to our thoughts, but is only ever seen with hind sight. We trust Him; He provides for us, and suddenly we see that He was enough for us all along.
Bible Zone
The zone below looks at three passages.
- Contentment - God calls on us to be content because He will never leave us.
- When challenged - Can Joshua trust God is enough when out of his depth.
- Trust can be tested - Men who believed God was enough no matter the cost.
God promises that He is enough for our every need. One aspect of the great adventure of life is to believe God’s promise and go with Him to the end. As we look back we will discover that all the doubting voices were wrong, and that God has proved Himself true. Our greatest enemy is in our own heart. The enemy is desire which creeps up and grabs us and then corrupts us to do evil. God’s advice is to be content with what we have through Himself. Hebrews 13:5-7.
Let’s look at a promise that God gives as an example. First some questions to engage with the text -
- What does God promise?
- How are we to live in the light of that promise?
- What does it mean for you to be satisfied with what you have?
Hebrews 13:5-7 5 Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
"I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."* 6 So we can say with confidence, "The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?"*
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
For me, the key to this contentment is worked out in trust, in seeing God’s love and faithfulness. This is not passive we don’t deny the need but call out to God in prayer.
One of the greatest challenges to our on going trust in God, that He is enough, is that of fear. We need practical examples to see God work to defend us in order to overcome fear and trust God. These examples must start with us taking risks.
Joshua was given such an opportunity when he was selected as the next leader of Israel after Moses. This is what God said to him Joshua 1:6-9
- How does God affirm and encourage Joshua?
- What conditions are there to God’s affirmation and how would these conditions contribute to the success of the venture?
- What steps can you take for God to give you the same affirmation?
Joshua 1:6-9 6 "Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
We are not Teflon People. We experience the difficulties of people who do not believe. We have confidence in God that He sees and is able to overcome any obstacle. Here is an example of three men who withstood the coercion of the king. Daniel 3:14-18
- Imagine yourself in such a situation. How would you feel about such threats?
- What were the three men willing to undergo?
- What did they believe about God? Contentment?
- Consider your fears. What do you believe about God in them?
Daniel 3:14-18 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up?15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments.* But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?"
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.18 But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."
As God works on our understanding that He is Enough, we are taken through places where we are tested, and need to learn patience. It is at such times that we need to learn that our hope is in God. This link goes to a page on Hope.
GOD IS ENOUGH
