Life is difficult. There’s no way around it. But too often, we make it more difficult than it has to be because we work against principles God put into place. Fortunately, God offers us wisdom for how to live in harmony with the seen and unseen realities of our world. In this series, we’ll look at some of the powerful wisdom God offers from the book of Proverbs that can help us thrive in our family, finances, and careers.
Links
Series
Speakers
Marcus Avalos
Lead Pastor
RUN
“RUN when you can, WALK if you have to, CRAWL if you must; JUST NEVER GIVE UP. – Dean Karnazes (ultramarathon runner)
RUN
SPIRITUALLY…ALL OF US WERE MADE TO RUN!
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
STRONG TOWER
- describes God as a source of protection, refuge, and safety for His people.
TOWERS IN DAYS OF OLD (describes attributes of God)
• PROTECTED PEOPLE FROM DANGER
• BECAME A REFUGE AND SHELTER DURING STORM
• STRONG, TALL, IMMOVEABLE, (like God Himself)
• ELEVATED ABOVE THE BATTLE GROUND. BETTER PERSPECTIVE DURING BATTLE…
Psalm 144:2 He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and in Him I take refuge.”
Psalm 61:3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
WHEN THE PLACE FEELS SAFE… PEOPLE RUN TOWARD IT
RUNNING TOWARDS HIS NAME IS SAFE:
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
THE NAME OF THE LORD
• IS HE…AS SAVIOR? – SUSPICIOUS
• AS LORD WHO HEALS – LORD WHO HURTS?
• AS PRINCE OF PEACE – PRINCE OF PANDEMONIUM
• AS A PROVIDER or A TAKER
• AS YOUR ANCHOR or the REASON YOUR SHIP SUNK
• YOUR DEFENDER or YOUR ACCUSER
• LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAY or PUSSY CAT!
2 ROARS YOU HAVE TO DISCERN:
THE AUTHENTIC ROAR OF THE LION Rev 5:5 - ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.
COUNTERFEIT ROAR OF YOUR ENEMY 1st Pet 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Proverbs 28:1 the wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
THINGS WE NEED TO RUN FROM
• 1 Cor 6:18 FLEE fornication
• 2 Tim 2:22 – FLEE youthful lust. FOLLOW righteousness, faith, charity,
• James 4:7 Therefore submit (RUN) to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
THINGS WE NEED TO RUN TOWARDS
Phil 3:1-14 – RUN towards the heavenly goals I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Matt 6:32-33 – RUN for Gods Kingdom and His righteousness Run after the kingdom of God and His righteousness FIRST, and all these things shall be added to you.
1 Cor 9:24 – RUN TO WIN 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. Gal 5:1 – RUN TO FREEDOM 1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Heb 12:1 – RUN your own RACE at your own PACE.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance (patience, steadfastness) the race that is set before us,
Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. RUN TO ME. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.
THE TIME TO RUN IS NOW!
Lk 15:20 - So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
TITLE: RUN
Week of 10-6-24
TEXT: PROVERBS 18:10
CHECKING IN
- If this is your first-time meeting as a group, or a new group member, introduce yourselves.
- Share with the group what you hope to get out of this GROW Group series.
MEMORY VERSE
Proverbs 18:10
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
MAIN POINT
• SOMEONE IN HERE NEEDS TO “RUN” . Pastor had a specific word for someone in the congregation.
INTRODUCTION
Throughout our walk in Christ, there are seasons where we need to remind ourselves about the action and pace of RUN. Its faster than walking but slower than a sprint. There is a rhythm to your race. He described various scenarios: Some of us need to… • Run to something…. • Run from something… • RUNNING ON FUMES….STOP RUNNING • RUNNING WILD…GET A VISION • You’ve been WALKING, its time to RUN; You’ve been LAZY, • You’ve been MAKING EXCUSES, … its time to RUN • You’ve been w him/her 3x, it’s time to RUN AWAY. • You’ve been an intern long enough, it’s time to RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS. • Need to RUN W THE VISION He spoke to you • You’ve been RUNNING WELL…something hindered you…sidelined…wounded…
QUESTION:
Does anyone in the group identify with RUN in this season of life and/or ministry.
UNDERSTANDING/DIGGING DEEPER
POWER OF RUN IN SCRIPTURE. The scripture is clear about the various ways the word “run “ is used. As you read a few mentioned below, choose one or two to dig deeper into the meaning and how it can apply to your life. TAKE TURNS READING A SCRIPTURE AND UNPACK however many the group has time for.. • Heb 12 - RUN the race before us, looking unto Jesus • 1 Cor 9 – RUN in such a way that you win! • Is 40 – Those who wait in God…will RUN and not be weary, walk and not faint… • Timothy – RUN from youthful passion! • Peter & John – RAN to the tomb • Lot – Running Away from Sodom Are there other passages or examples that come to anyone’s mind? APPLICATION
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ Proverbs 28:1 • Explain why righteous people would be bold as lions? • Pastor mentioned about 2 ROARS in scripture. The roar of the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH and the ROAR OF THE ENEMY. Read both passages and explain the difference between the 2.
THINK ABOUT IT:
2 ROARS YOU HAVE TO DISCERN:
- THE AUTHENTIC ROAR OF THE LION – BATTLE – RUN TOWARDS Rev 5:5 - ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.
- Majestic, confident, faith-filled voice
- COUNTERFEIT ROAR OF YOUR ENEMY – RUN AWAY
- 1st Pet 5:8 “ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Loud, boisterous, fear filled voice
COMMENTARY
In your walk as a follower of Christ, you will recognize that timing is everything when it comes to being in Gods will. The Spirit of God is NOT a driver where He is PUSHING and FORCING anything upon anyone. He does at times bring a sense of URGENCY but never a DEMANDING, DRIVING, that comes with FEAR. He leads us to PEACEFUL WATERS. Along the way. He also gives us a CLEAR PATH concerning the NEXT STEP and not necessarily the NEXT SEASON. Prepare your hearts and lesson the pressure you may put on yourself when it comes to Gods will and you understanding it all. Just do the “next right thing”, stay in communion with the Holy Spirit and He will lead and guide you….PAY ATTENTION to what you are hearing and make sure it is consistent with the principles in scripture. Once you get the vision RUN WITH IT. Read Habakkuk 2:2 Take some time as a group to share your prayer requests in groups of 3 or so, pray together over them. The following is an example of how one can pray: “Lord, help us to understand your direction and timing. We WALK by Faith but we want to also RUN THE RACE before us with joy and expectation. Make clear Master. We trust in your unfailing love.”
FOLLOW UP
Throughout this week, consider sending a follow-up email to your group. Some suggestions: ❏ Questions to consider as you continue to reflect on what you learned this week: How can our group pray for you this week about the challenges you are facing, so that you can have victory? When are you most prone to Satan’s attacks? List a couple of them, then prepare ahead of time for the potential attacks. ❏ A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your group gathering. ❏ Remember to memorize Proverbs 18:10 and seek ways to apply this week