Stolen Lunches Bible Study

Love Is a Choice   We’ve bought into this myth that love is something that just happens to us, or that it’s uncontrollable. 1 Corinthians 13 says, Love is a choice! We first choose to love God, then ourselves and then others. This is something we must put into practice, so our actions can back our words. Here is a challenge: think of 3 people today who could use a gesture of Gods love and think of creative ways to show them that love! P.s. one of the people can be you!   1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love

Don’t Give Up There probably are days when you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, and you want to throw in the towel and just give up. These are the times when you should draw closer to God. We have the hope of eternal life with Jesus to combat the stress of this world. There is joy and purpose in our hope. Hope guides us to an abundant life. So don’t give up. God is always in control and He is guiding you every step of the way. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Give Thanks! As you enter this Thanksgiving season, certainly it’s like no other. In spite of all you’ve experienced this year, there’s still a reason to give thanks. As with most of the world, there has been great loss relationally, financially, emotionally, and spiritually but we still have reason to be grateful and thankful. It may be easier for some than others, but through it all, God is with you. He loves and cares for you. As you go through the day, think of good times, do something that brings joy to you. Encourage someone. Whisper a word of thanks to the One who has brought you to this day. Be thankful. Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

Depend on God Do you try doing things without God? Of course, you do! You’re human. But how far do you get without Him? Not very far. Remember even to perform some of the simplest daily tasks, you need God. It’s okay to be independent, but regardless of how independent you are, don’t ever think you don’t need God. Start each day asking God to show you what he wants you to accomplish. He will order your steps. Depend on God for all things. Psalm 62: 5-7 “I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him. He alone protects and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated. 7 My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my strong protector; he is my shelter.”

People Who Don’t Like You Let’s face it. We will have people in our lives that simply don’t like us. It can be for any reason they so choose. We work hard to get the person to like us because we naturally long to be loved and find acceptance. But no matter how hard we try, they still reject us. So we mold and reshape ourselves into who we think we should be, instead of who God already created us to be. The enemy is busy and will try to do things to make you second guess all that God has planned for you. Don’t fall for the distraction! Talk to God and He will speak truth over you. Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”

Is It Okay To Complain? We have so much in our lives to be grateful for, but oftentimes we can catch ourselves complaining about the little things. Is it okay to complain? Yes! - but tell it to the presence of God, not your Facebook group. The presence of God isn’t a place to bypass your emotions, it's a place to process them. The only way into the presence of God, is to go to Him from where we truly are! God is the only safe place, where we can pour out our complaints. And if you don’t learn how to do that in his presence, they will spill over somewhere else. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Be Free in Him True freedom is to live life with purpose and to be a blessing to others in your daily walk.  God has given us all gifts to share with the world, so share them often.  Take time to know and develop who you are in Christ.  Be free and own your truth. Experience the magnitude of ultimate freedom. John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Give with a Good Heart Giving to others is the key to your increase. God wants to shower down blessings on you.  If you give with a good heart and with good intentions, God will bless you with so much more. Luke 6:38, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Forgiveness- An Attribute of the Strong Some of us struggle with forgiveness in our lives because we are unable to let go. What are you still holding onto?  The moment it happened God immediately forgave you.  If He's forgiven you, it's time for forgive yourself. Let go.   Matthew 8:21-22, "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, "I tell you not just seven tines but seventy seven times.    The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. -Mahatma Gandhi

Change Starts with Love Make it your mission to show others what love feels like every where you go.  In all that you do– give love. It's the best way to show Christ.  So give love freely.  How can you give love to a stranger? Co-worker? Neighbor or friend?  Let your Holy Spirit to guide you. Change starts with love. Give love and be part of the change. Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”   “If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.”  - Mother Teresa

Meditate on Gratefulness Take a few moments to meditate on how great God is. Hasn't He been good to you?  Today, stop down every couple hours to reflect on gratefulness.  God is constantly at work on your behalf.  Take the time to notice His goodness.  2 Corinthians 9:11 says, "Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God."   If every moment is sacred, and If you are amazed and in awe most of the time when you find yourself breathing and not crazy, then you are in a state of constant thankfulness, worship and humility. -Bernice Johnson Reagon

Don’t Do It Alone We may think we’re superheroes and we can do it all on our own. God made us so we would have helpers. Family, friends, spouses, co-workers are here to help. Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” Just remember, we never have to live life alone. Not only do we have people here on earth to help, but we can always call on our Heavenly Father for help. He knows what we need before we ever ask. So just ask Him. Just Do It! Psalm 18:6 “In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”

Giving Each day can present an opportunity to give to others. But giving season is upon us, and at certain times of the year, we seem to be more in the giving spirit. Do you give from the heart or a sense of duty? Are you a cheerful giver or are you reluctant in giving? God has been good to you. Don’t have a tight fist and hold on to your blessings. Share with others that are less fortunate. Share with someone you know won’t be able to repay you. Be a blessing to others. Be a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

In His Presence God wants to spend time with you! When you spend time with Him, do not come with a shopping list of things you want. Start with being silent and still before God. Then give Him praise and adoration. Next allow Him to open your heart, eyes, ears, and mind. You can experience being in His presence through prayer and reading scripture. So spend time with God, and watch as things begin to change in your life. 1 John 4:12 “No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.”

  When You Look Back When was the last time you looked back over your life and did inventory on the goodness of God? Do you ever look back and think, “how was I able to get through that situation?”. Well, it was not without God! God has brought you through so many times and opened doors you would never walk through on your own accord. Take time today to write down at least 5 things God has done for you this morning and acknowledge the goodness He does throughout the day. When you look back over your day, it’s easier to give Him praise and see how the Holy Spirit moved through you. Psalm 126:3 “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.”

His Love Growing up, you probably had that one parental figure who was with you through it all. From days where you received praise for nailing a test; to being disciplined for climbing over the church pews! In the end, their love has never changed towards you. If your earthly family loves you unconditionally, why would God love you any less? God’s love is unconditional. This means He loves you when you’re thriving AND when you’re broken. Spend time today to thank Him for always being with you through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

It's Seasonal Every season has its start and end date. So, if you’re having a bad time right now, rejoice! Because it cannot last! Most importantly, do not make a permanent decision in a temporary problem; rather, accept what you cannot change and allow God to process you by standing in faith. Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens”  

Partnering with God Having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ is the most important thing in life. Partnering with God places a coat of blessings that come in the form of mercy and grace. Through these particular blessings, we can live freely by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and without condemnation. His grace freely gives, even though we may not deserve; and His mercy is a shield for the things that we do deserve. Remember, God covers the ones who love Him, and never will He count their sins against them. All and all, nothing will ever be enough until Jesus is enough. Psalms 103.10-10 “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heaven are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him”

Sustained There are days were the flames seem to surpass the neck and the pressure is like that of the crushing earth. King David, the appointed king of Israel had many days like this. From, being on the run from a King that he was loyal to, to his very own son trying to dethrone him. David experienced many afflictions during these times. Though his heart was in anguish and he did not fully understand what was going on; he never turned from the Lord; rather, he leaned into the Lord. Through it all, God sustained David and kept him safe throughout the calamity. In the same way! You who call out to the Lord, will he hear and sustain you through it all, because he is the God of promise. Psalms 89:21-23 “My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him. The enemy will not get the better of him; the wicked will not oppress him. I will crush his foes before him and strike down his adversaries”

All the Way Faithful It doesn't matter how bad you think you are or how bad you think you dropped the ball; God’s love, grace, and mercy covers you through and through! God made a promise never to leave you or abandon you despite the bad choices you’ve made. Yes, you will pay for your sin in some form, however, neither angels, nor demons, nor powers, nor present or future things can separate you from the love of God, that was revealed in Christ Jesus. So rejoice, because God is all the faithful and you are all the way forgiven. A promise kept for His namesake. Psalms 89:32-33 “I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging, but I will not take my LOVE from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness