https://biblehub.com/q/what_is_bibliomancy.htm GOOD WORKS from Hebrews 10:19-25 stir one another up to good works Comfort - giving consolation to others Commiserate - share in the challenges of daily life Celebrate - achievements, milestones Confrontation - when we are wrong Challenge - iron sharpening iron Counsel - receiving wise counsel SINS usury (lending money and collecting interest) was once considered evil - basically lending $10 of money should return $10 - the reasoning is that lending $10 and getting $15 is only done through someone in a position of power - this is no longer [fashionable] now that our [economic] theories accommodate the "time value of money" (i.e., $5 today is more [useful](purpose) to us today than $50 in 10 years) - more accurately, usury is selling something twice (which is effectively fractional reserve banking) WORSHIP worship comes from "worth-ship", to give someone their worthiness - following Jesus is to give reverence - Protestants aim for the highest quality of worship (give Him the best of what you have) (Melchizedek story) - Catholics aim for the highest reverence (give Him the highest sacrifice) (hebrews 13:15-16) - the focus of the Protestants is the service, while the focus of the Catholics is the Eucharist historically, this has been a [trend] of its own: 1. there was a Eucharist at the end 2. later, it became an altar call, with Eucharist not mattering as much 3. later later, the homily was the last thing, so that was its epicenter (make a clear indication of the full Catholic traditions) (also indicate EO full tradition list) - then, indicate how things are removed - also indicate when things get moved around DENOMINATION DOESN'T MATTER TOO MUCH - all denominations will burn, with the rest of the world - what matters is being part of a community with other believers Ideas to stay faithful (from Ed Newton): - Word & Worship: Start every day anchored in Scripture and in the presence of God. Let His Word and your worship shape your mindset. - Filled with the Holy Spirit: Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and fill you for whatever is ahead. - Stay Battle Ready: Put on the armor of God. Be aware that challenges will come, but you are equipped to stand firm. - You Are Enough: Remind yourself of your identity in Christ. You are chosen, called, and fully loved. - Speak with Confidence: Watch your words. Speak life over yourself and others, aligning your language with God’s truth. - God Dream: Keep your God-sized vision in focus. What is He calling you to build or pursue that is bigger than you? - Availability, Not Ability: Remember that God is not looking for perfection. He is looking for a willing heart. Stay open to what He wants to do through you. ## tithe you should definitely be giving more than 10% - however, NOT out of shame, but out of gratitude - as a believer, you owe EVERYTHING to Him - if we really wanted to be accounting, we should give a portion for the blessings we have: - our health - our family - the Body of Christ supporting us - our possessions (both replaceable and irreplaceable) - our reputation - what God has promised to do - the eternal rewards waiting for us ## asceticism [Pietism - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietism) [What is Asceticism? Bible Meaning and Relevance Today](https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-ascetic-asceticism.html) ## fasting [What are the different types of fasting? | GotQuestions.org](https://www.gotquestions.org/types-of-fasting.html) ## stations [Have you ever prayed the Stations of the Eucharist?](https://aleteia.org/2018/06/01/have-you-ever-prayed-the-stations-of-the-eucharist/) [In His Time God Makes All Things Beautiful: The 12 Stations of the Holy Eucharist](https://jewelsinark.blogspot.com/p/12-stations-of-holy-eucharist.html) [Thirteenth Station: The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross - Prayers - Catholic Online](https://www.catholic.org/prayers/station.php?id=13) [Way Of The Cross Station 13 - Our Catholic Faith](https://ourcatholicfaith.org/station13.html) ## reflection [The Snuggle Strategy Mini-Course Info](https://www.leemalaulau.com/snugglestrategy) # book [Spiritual Disciplines Handbook](https://www.biblestudytools.com/books/spiritual-disciplines-handbook/) - use this list to expand what I already have ## Accountability Partner Lost and Found Ministries www.lostandfoundministries.org Finding a Spiritual Friend by Timothy Jones “Casual recreational sex is hardly a feast—it’s not even a good, hearty sandwich. It is a diet of fast food served in plastic containers. . . . The tiger of desire has to be tamed, not chained, nor mounted and ridden, but trained. Love never storms the gates.” —Joyce Huggett ## Appendix 1 Fill out the chart below using the following guide: 1 = not true, 2 = needs improvement, 3 = most of the time, 4 = consistently true. Choose one or two categories for which you feel a deep or passionate desire. Put a check in the “Desire” column. Total Score: _____ Note which desire most resonates with you and touches a longing to go deeper with God in this place. Am I connecting with God and others in a caring community? Explain. How am I longing to be with others in spiritual community? Fill out the chart below using the following guide: 1 = not true, 2 = needs improvement, 3 = most of the time, 4 = consistently true. Choose one or two categories for which you feel a deep or passionate desire. Put a check in the “Desire” column. Total Score: ____ Note which desire most resonates with you and touches a longing to go deeper with God in this place. Am I cultivating the knowledge of God, the character of Christ and the presence of the Spirit in my life (John 16:5-15)? Explain. Do I want to connect more deeply with God and his Word? If so, how? Fill out the chart below using the following guide: 1 = not true, 2 = needs improvement, 3 = most of the time, 4 = consistently true. Choose one or two categories for which you feel a deep or passionate desire. Put a check in the “Desire” column. Total Score: _____ Note which desire most resonates with you and touches a longing to go deeper with God in this place. Am I contributing myself and my God-given gifts for the growth of Christ’s kingdom? Explain. How am I giving myself and my resources away to God and others? Fill out the chart below using the following guide: 1 = not true, 2 = needs improvement, 3 = most of the time, 4 = consistently true. Choose one or two categories for which you feel a deep or passionate desire. Put a check in the “Desire” column. Total Score: _____ Note which desire most resonates with you and touches a longing to go deeper with God in this place. Am I attending to God’s activity in my life and listening to him on a regular basis? Explain. Where am I longing to connect more deeply with God? What do I want this to look like? Fill out the chart below using the following guide: 1 = not true, 2 = needs improvement, 3 = most of the time, 4 = consistently true. Choose one or two categories for which you feel a deep or passionate desire. Put a check in the “Desire” column. Total Score: _____ Note which desire most resonates with you and touches a longing to go deeper with God in this place. Look back over the personal growth planner and your life as a worshiper. Write your score totals below. They reveal areas of desire, neglect and need. Consider who you want to become. For each category, pick one growing edge that engages your desire to become more like Christ. Write it in the box below. Number the desires in order of importance to you. Attending to the category of your deepest desire, turn to the table of contents where the disciplines are listed under their corresponding heading for WORSHIP, found on pages 7-8. Which discipline peaks your interest? Notice the desire listed immediately beside the name of that spiritual discipline. Which desire resonates with your own desire? When you find a desire that resonates with your own, you have found a practice, relationship or experience that provides you with a way to make space for the God you worship. This spiritual discipline can be a gift to you on your journey. God w/ Man: He wants us to be adopted children Grace + Faith = Works ## giving secretly tithe in cash, not by check - this expands your rewrd in heaven - it also enhances the faith of the leadership because they muat trust God for where the "oney came from