Welcome to part 1 of the Center series. Enjoy this teaching, and let us know what you are learning. Feel free to leave a comment or question.
Cheering for you,
-Team AH ⚓️
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DIVE DEEPER:
Matthew 13:1-16. What do you notice? Did the Holy Spirit highlight anything to you? What do you read about listening in this passage?
In Matthew 13:11-12, particularly in the New Living Translation, what is the connection between permission and listening?
Is there a particular way you plan to intentionally increase your welcome to Jesus? Write that down somewhere, and make sure to follow through this week. Obedience is one of the bests way to accelerate your spiritual growth.
Are there any other Scriptures or life examples you can think of where you see the effects of a spirit of invitation and welcome?
ANCHOR POINT:
Papa God goes where He is welcomed. If you want more of His presence in your life, extend your welcome mat. He's ready for your invitation.
ANCHOR PRAYER:
Jesus thank You for revealing this great truth. Increase my hunger and desire for You. Open my spirit to greater welcome. As I go through my daily life, let it occur to me, that You want to be a part of it. Remind me to invite You in. In Jesus name. Amen.
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Extra Credit! (to enjoy:)
2 Chron. 16:9 NLT The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.
James 4:8 NASB Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Matthew 5:6 NIV Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Psalm 14:2 NASB The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God.
Matthew 25:29 AMP For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away.
Matthew 7:7-8 AMP _Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. **8 **For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.
Be the Light
Rachel Barrentine
DIVE DEEPER:
Have you ever experienced someone who is the epitome of "Being the Light"? What characteristics do they have? What is their attitude or spirit like? Are you drawn to them?
ANCHOR PASSAGES:
Genesis 1:3-5
Exodus 13:21
Job 18 (just a lot about light in this passage, if it peaks your interest)
Job 38:15
Psalm 27:1, 89:15, 119:30,
Proverbs 4:18
Find more great Scriptures at http://biblegateway.com. Just type in the word "light" and see what comes up. Enjoy the journey!
Pick an area to focus on this week. Think of ways you can be the light in that particular area. (Family, marriage or dating relationship, work ethic, school, on the job, around the house, etc.)
ANCHOR POINT:
God is Light. If you want to be a deLIGHT, hang around Him. You start to reflect who you have been with.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for being the Light of the World. Open my eyes and heart to see all the avenues of Your light shining through. Show me ways to reflect Your heart to everyone I encounter. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Be sure to leave a comment or question about what you're learning!
Cheering for you,
Team AHTV
Stay Surrendered
Rachel Barrentine
DIVE DEEPER
Q: Which part of your personality struggles the most with surrender? Is it easy for you or difficult? Why or why not?
Q: Does your relationship with God have any raw spots? Would you be willing to ask Him about that area, and let Him walk you through it? If so, close your eyes, settle your mind, and let Him guide your thoughts regarding the raw spot. If you experience any “aha” moment with Him, write it down. It’s important to keep track of your God insights.
ANCHOR PASSAGES:
Psalm 19:7, 20:7, 25:3 & 10, 28:7
Philippians 4:11-13
ANCHOR POINT:
Papa God is trustworthy. The more you believe that, the more you’ll be willing to stay surrendered. Any area not surrendered to God, will eventually be surrendered to something else. That something else is not nearly as good as Papa God.
PRAYER:
Papa, begin to show me the misguided places and things I have surrendered to. Redirect my heart back to You. Alert my spirit the moment I step out of trust with You. Guide me into deeper trust. My heart is settled when I surrender. Thank you for being worthy of my trust. In Jesus name. Amen.
In the Middle
Rachel Barrentine
DIVE DEEPER
Q: Are you “in the middle” of anything right now? What are you asking God for? How can you invite Him into this particular situation?
Q: How has God showed Himself faithful to you in the past?
Q: Is there anything you are offended at God for? Would you be willing to release this offense? If so, what does that look or sound like for you?
ANCHOR PASSAGES:
2 Cor. 4:16-8
James 1:1-4
Philippians 1:6
ANCHOR POINT:
God is past, present, and future. This means He is with you and for you beginning, middle, and end. Ask God to awaken your awareness of HIs faithfulness.
PRAYER:
Papa, thank You for being with me and for me through every circumstance. I release the anger and offenses I have carried and held against You. Bring healing to my heart and soul; even to the places in my subconscious. Lift my spiritual eyes, and let me see with Your point of view. Release fresh trust into my spirit. Thank you for being my Advocate and Refuge in every “in the middle” moment.
Center
Rachel Barrentine
DIVE DEEPER:
(PS: Remember these notes are shame free! They are meant to propel you deeper, not tie a knot around your soul. Don’t go into guilt. Instead rise to the encouragement!)
Q: Based on your time and schedule, what would an outside person say is your “center” or focal point? What matters to you most right now?
Q: Let your anxieties point you to the area where God is not quite at the center yet. Based on your worries, what area is that?
Q: Do your conversations with friends or family reveal your love for God? If not, why not? What holds you back? Fear, insecurity, defeatism, etc…Ask the Holy Spirit to speak into that obstacle, to give you revelation and help.
ANCHOR PASSAGES:
Matthew 6:24-34
Rev. 5:6, 7:17
Hebrews 12:2
ANCHOR POINT:
When God is at the center, you get centered.
PRAYER:
Papa, thank you for this divine exchange. When I center on You, You center my spirit. I thank you that my future is not going to be as anxious as my past. You are working on becoming the center of every area of my life. Papa, help me to participate! Give me a willingness to let go of control. Replace every fearful thought with Yourself - Prince of Peace. In Jesus name. Amen.
Settle My Heart
Rachel Barrentine
DIVE DEEPER:
ANCHOR PASSAGES:
Psalm 46:10-11 TPT
Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth. Here he stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in his presence.
Matthew 11:28-30 AMP
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”
ANCHOR PROMPT:
We invite you to journal through your worries or places of insecurity. Grab a pen and some paper (or a laptop) and spend a moment writing down your fear or worries in a list format. Then go back and with each one - pause. Ask the Lord what He thinks about that particular situation. Write that down. Do this with each worry you’re having.
Are your worries most about past, present or future? Whichever is the most prominent struggle for you, invite the Holy Spirit to enter into that. Imagine God taking care of you in that moment. What do you see? How do you feel?
Also, on some physical notes…
How much caffeine are you drinking?
Are you staying hydrated?
Are you loading up on sugar or preservatives? There really is a mind/body connection.
ANCHOR POINT:
God is more willing to settle your heart than you are. He wants to be Prince of Peace to you. Simply ask.
PRAYER:
Holy Spirit, come settle my heart. Thank You for calming what concerns me today. I receive your invitation to peace. Make me a peaceful habitat, so that everyone who encounter me, encounters Your peace. Remind me that every place I go, I carry Your Spirit of Peace. Peace is part of my inheritance as a Child of God. Thank You for it! In Jesus name. Amen.
No Other Name
Rachel Barrentine
DIVE DEEPER:
Q: Why is it important that Jesus name is not like other gods? What’s the big deal?
Q: Is there anything you’re adding to Jesus unintentionally? (For instance: I trust Jesus + myself. Jesus + my talents. Jesus + my grades. Jesus + a little bit of Buddha?)
Q: Are you in an exclusive relationship with Jesus…or are you fooling around with other “gods”? If so, are you ready to break up? If not, how are you keeping your love fresh?
ANCHOR PASSAGES:
Phil. 2:9-11
Prov. 18:10
Micah 4:5
Romans 10:10-13 (Amplified version is rich here!)
John 14:6
Is. 45:5-7
ANCHOR POINT:
There is unique power, peace, and provision in the name of Jesus. You can’t get those anywhere else. Jesus is unequalled. There is none like Him.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I praise You and honor Your name. There is no other name higher or greater than Yours. You are above all things and in You all things hold together. Thank You for Your creative power, for Your sacrifice for my sins. Thank You for raising my spirit back to life so that I can have a vibrant, exclusive relationship with You. All my needs, dreams, and identity are found in You Jesus. I bless Your name. Amen.
Shame Off You
Rachel Barrentine
DIVE DEEPER
ANCHOR PASSAGES:
• Is. 50:7
• Psalm 25:2, 31:1 • Is. 53:3-5
• Rom. 8:1
• Eph. 1:7-8
ANCHOR PROMPT:
Take a few minutes to journal through any places of shame. Be honest with Papa God. Let the Lord walk you through those rooms, memories, or http://experiences...not so that you dwell on them. Please don’t dwell in a room of shame!! BUT, go in briefly SO THAT Jesus can heal you from them. Let Holy Spirit awaken you to His grace and provision for your places of shame. Ask Him how He feels about your places of shame. What is He telling you? What do you discover as you read His Word and listen for His voice?
Q: If shame were http://baggage...what bags is Papa God asking you to drop at the door?
Q: Did you have any "aha" moments during your journal time?
ANCHOR POINT:
Shame was taken care of and answered for at the cross. Since Jesus absorbed it all into His body, there’s none left for you. Shame has no power to undo the cross. Your right-standing is in Christ, and it is permanent and final.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for absorbing all of my shame, pain, and sin into Your body on the cross. Thank You for nailing it there. I hear Your words over me “Shame off you child.” I receive that. When the enemy taunts me with lies of shame, put a sword in my mouth to speak out Your truth, cutting off lies at the root. Align my words and my heart with Yours in Jesus name. Amen.
Light and Life
Rachel Barrentine
DIVE DEEPER :
Q: If you had the capacity to carry more life and light inside your core character and personhood…what would change?
Q: How does God being with you and in you change your perspective on life, certainty, and security? Or does it change?
Q: How could you become more present to God’s presence?
ANCHOR PASSAGES:
John 8:12
Gen. 1:4
John 10:10
Neh. 9:6
Psalm 18:28, 27:1, 119:105
Is. 45:12
Matt. 4:16, 5:16
ANCHOR POINT:
God’s presence changes our present only to the degree we believe and trust Him.
PRAYER:
Papa, You are the Light and Life of me. The reason I experience any light in my life or any breath in my lungs is because of Your great power and provision. I inhale and receive Your grace. I exhale and renew my trust. Because You are in me and with me, I am full of security and hope in Jesus name. Amen.
