5: Make Every Effort
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About this episode
What are we making the effort to do? What does it look like to make every effort? & Why are we choosing to? Join Brooke as she encourages us to consider how the things we do outwardly reflect our inner assurance of faith. Here’s to showing up & looking to Jesus.
Resources + LINKS
The Gray Havens Check them out!
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin — A great resource for learning how to study the Bible!
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Brooke’s Faith Playlist
Find me & the podcast on Instagram @brooke.wiegand & @takalookpodcast
7 Virtues
GOODNESS
The greek word, arete, is a concept referring to moral excellence. (ah-Rah-tay)KNOWLEDGE
It’s not just information. The greek word, gnosis, refers to knowledge of the Lord. Understanding or insight of heavenly revelation. (A Learner & student of the Word + growing personal knowledge in our relationship with Him.) (Nosis)SELF-CONTROL
In greek, the word enkrateia means to hold oneself together. “To be gripped or controlled from within." Its reference is associated with an athlete who says no to certain foods & yes to certain training because he wants to win the race. (En-krant-tay uh-)PERSEVERANCE
In greek, hupomonēs, means to bear up under the trial, hardship, or difficult circumstance. (HOO -POM- AH-NAY)GODLINESS
The greek word, eusebeia, is characterized by a God-ward attitude. (Reverence & respect.) (OO-SAY-BYE-AH)BROTHERLY KINDNESS
The greek word, philadelphia, is translated to having a family love for the members of the Body of Christ.LOVE
The greek word agape does not depend on the world’s criteria for love. It’s the unconditional, sacrificial, & fatherly love of God for humans. Because of our fallen nature, we are incapable of this true kind of love. However, God is love & as image bearers of him we can show love & concern for the spiritual welfare of others.
SCRiptures
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10
I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. John 15:5
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able. Luke 13:24
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33
HELPFUL DEFINITIONS:
Incommunicable Attribute: Things that are true about God, that are only true of God and are not true of anyone else.
Communicable Attribute: Things that are true about God, that can also become true of us.
Self-existent: God is the origin of all things, uncreated.
Self-sufficient: God is lacking in nothing, He needs nothing.
Independent: Not dependent on anything in order to exist.
Resources: Training the Church | Episode 161: Self-Sufficient & Self-Existent
THIS WEEK’S ACTION STEPS:
One action step we can take is to begin looking for these qualities (virtues) of God in our life.
How has he been good to you? What are ways you can demonstrate moral excellence in your life?
When is a time you can remember a new insight or deeper understanding was revealed to you about who he is & what he does? Are you choosing to be a learner of the Word?
Can you recall a time or maybe it’s a current discipline you have that demonstrates self-control?
What was happening in your life when perseverance was necessary?
Godliness. Is there respect & reverence towards God? How willing are you to be honest with yourself & with Him?
How has God shown his love & kindness & care towards you?Who are you demonstrating love & kindness & care to?
Use these questions & reflections as an opportunity to consider what your next step might be. & then, be sure to follow through!
Sometimes I think think the real question we have to ask is how willing are we to grow & change?
If we are 100% willing. If we 100% don’t want to be the same person, but new. & I say new, because Christ didn’t come to make all things better. He came to make all things new. If we want that. Then we’re going to make the effort. We can make the decision to pursue our faith. We’re going to make a decision ahead of time.
So here’s to showing up.
Here’s to looking to Jesus.
This isn’t a sprint. It’a amarothon. It takes endurance. It’s going to take effort, but it’s worth it.
We’re going to train.
We have the living & active Word of God to train us.
He’s provided for us to become “partakers of the divine nature”. & These particular character qualities — may they be evident in our lives.
Here’s to making every effort.
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