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Subject: Moving From Performance To Peace
Date: November 20, 2000
"Moving From Performance to Peace"
At times it seems every person you talk to is running the "rat race" of life with all their might. It is becoming increasingly common to feel the frenzy of our culture. How is it that we can leap from performance to peace? Is balance truly possible with the daily demands on us? Please join this challenging discussion on contentment in what is sometimes a crazy world.
1. How does our perception of God affect our performance level?
2. What does God expect from us?
3. How does God respond when we feel overwhelmed?
4. Where do the pressure of "doing it all" come from?
5. How does one find peace from a life out of balance?
Hi all, welcome to our session on Moving From Performance To Peace
cwt
have you been in here before Lindie?
Lindie
never ! :)
cwt
yes, is this your first time in this room?
Lindie
Yes, this is my first time...
cwt
welcome, we will begin the session in a few moments
Lindie
where are you from?
cwt
where are you from?
cwt
I am from Canada
Lindie
I am in Livingston Montana
….Shey joined
cwt
hi shey welcome
Shey
hi
cwt
well we are a small group but we can get started, lets open with prayer before we introduce the questions for tonight
Lindie
Rosie isn't alking - maybe just observing.......
Lindie
O.K.
cwt
Lord we thank you again for this opportunity to serve you in this way, we thank you that you are Lord and we ask you to send your Holy Spirit to
minister to our hearts tonight, amen
Lindie
I just ask the Lord to open up a conversation he wants us to have
cwt
Our first question for discussion is what is the source of guilt in our lives?
Lindie
the Holy Spirit
Lindie
the source being sin
cwt
yes the Holy Spirit can certainly convict us of changes that we need to make, and that would be good guilt
............................ Favor joined.............
cwt
welcome favor, we are just beginning
Lindie
Hi Favor, where are you from?
Favor
Michigan
cwt
our topic tonight is about moving from performance to peace
cwt
what other things produce guilt in our lives?
cwt
how about expectations?
Lindie
only sin does -------condemnation is another thing, and that's from the devil
Shey
The guilt before we confess would come from the holy spirit and the guilt after we confess sin would come from satan
cwt
certainly , it is sure different from conviction
Lindie
I never thought about that
cwt
the evil one is called the accuser for a reason and he can lay huge guilt trips on us
cwt
this can keep us bound
Lindie
Expectations bring guilt when we fail ourselves and other, I guess
Shey
how do you mean expectations?
Favor
I deal with a lot of guilt in my life
cwt
yes when our expectations are too high for ourselves and we never meet up to them
cwt
often we feel as Christians that we never do enough for God
cwt
do any of you ever feel that way?
Lindie
don't you think true guilt is from the Lord when we fall short of His expectations?
Favor
I have ask God for forgiveness but I always feel bad about what I did
cwt
yes, and that is okay , it is great to realize it and ask for forgiveness though
Lindie
I don't feel like I don't do enough for God; I just feel bad when I fail Him in my attitudes and actions
cwt
many of us chastise ourselves for not being good enough, or doing enough
Shey
Favor I would think that satan doesn't want you to get past what you have confessed in your life
Lindie
we all fall short
cwt
even in our prayer life or our devotional life, do we really feel good about these?
Lindie
that's what grace and mercy are all about
cwt
absolutely, grace is what God offers
Lindie
yes, I feel really good about my devotional time and prayer life
cwt
lets talk about grace, someone want to define it?
Lindie
I wasn't always this way, but the Lord has been waking me up at 6:30 every morning and I finally knew He wanted to spend time with me before I start
my day
............................ rosie left.............
............................ rosie joined.............
Lindie
grace is getting something we don't deserve
cwt
welcome rosie, join us on the discussion on grace
cwt
it certainly is
Lindie
Hi Rosie! :)
rosie
hi there everyone
rosie
how is every one?
Favor
Yes I know that God has given me grace and mercy
cwt
I have heard it described as Gods Riches At Christ's Expense, as an acronym
Lindie
Good!
cwt
it is undeserved favour
Lindie
mercy is not getting what we deserve
cwt
living under grace is best described in terms of being rather than doing
cwt
How is Gods grace at work in your lives?
Lindie
that's good. I'v efelt for years the Lord wants us to BE before we DO
cwt
yes, great comment
Lindie
He leads me into deeper and deeper things of the Kingdom
Favor
I lost my Job in July a really good one and I thought I would never get a Good Job again because of what I had done but, the Lord has blessed me with a
very good job and I praise him for that.
cwt
but many of us lose sight of that and get busy doing...
Lindie
He's always quick to forgive me
cwt
that is wonderful favour
cwt
forgiveness is certainly an act of Gods grace
Lindie
I'm learning lights don't make a lot of noise - they just shine
cwt
for me it is unconditional love
Lindie
and that's resting in Him and letting Him BE in me
rosie
I'm am seriously working on not being judgemental - it can be very tricky at times!
cwt
oh I like that Lindie, what a great statement!
rosie
I am a 'work in progress'
Favor
I have totally committed my life to God. And I haven't wanted for nothing when I wasn't working
cwt
yes, rosie, set a guard over our mouths oh Lord, but He is gracious to forgive us when we sin
Lindie
Satan is continually throwing thoughts into our minds to trip us up!
cwt
yes, we are told to be aware of his tactics and be ready
cwt
so how can we overcome the evil one when he wants to trip us up?
Lindie
What we need to do is be like military guards and whenever a thought comes into our minds say "Halt! Who goes there?!? and then is that thought isn't
good and from God, kick it out!
rosie
Well, I have a sister-in-law who isn't particularly friendly our family, so I have to pray really really hard to overcome my feelings
............................ Favor left.............
cwt
yes, there are always temptations, but we can take every thought captive, just like the military guar
rosie
it would be much easier to think mean things back, but I pray instead
Shey
I am just haven't thought of any thing to say
Lindie
oh...
cwt
good idea, that way we can keep our thoughts straight rosie
Lindie
our minds are like landing strips and I have to work continually to keep the black jets from landing!
cwt
How can we extend Gods grace to others?
Lindie
by showing patience when THEY are less than perfect and walking in love
cwt
yes, so true
Lindie
like doing unto others as we would have them do unto us when we mess up
cwt
extend grace and love the person
cwt
forgiveness as well
Lindie
I think the reason more people aren't Christians is they are looking for REAL love to respond to
cwt
also to not put great expectations on others
cwt
that is a great point
Lindie
not just seeing a bunch of people who go to church and live no differently than they do
rosie
I have learnt that forgiving is the only way to peace of mind
cwt
we are to be the light, Jesus love is to be extended through us
Lindie
expectations are a good thought
rosie
otherwise you live in constant termoil
Lindie
even at night - bugs are drawn to a light!
cwt
forgiveness certainly opens up communication to God
cwt
also not repaying evil for evil, but loving our enemies instead, that is true love
Lindie
sorry for all the cliche's - I seem to be full of them tonight.....
cwt
they are good, we like them!
rosie
I know I have grown spiritually. Recently our daughter has been on the end of some awful harrassment by a girl who has some terrible problems. I didn't
want revenge, I forgave her and wanted her to get help
Lindie
true Christianity is responding God's way in the strength of the Holy Spirit and not doing it out of a fleshly falseness - something people can pick up on.....
rosie
and she is now getting help through the school via a counsellor
cwt
that is great, especially when it involves our kids, we are teaching them how to respond to situations
............................ rosie left.............
cwt
the Holy Spirit is the only one who can help us to do this
Lindie
Rosie, my son learned at an early age about spiritual warfare and how to handle the bullies on the playground
Lindie
I taught him to return evil with good and it worked!
cwt
that is a great truth to teach our families, to put on the armour of God and fight the spiritual battles
cwt
Gal 5 :22, those fruits are such a testimony of Gods spirit at work in us
Lindie
the funny thing about armour is that we don't take it off - but we have to continually put it on!
cwt
that is funny, yet is still comes off all the time
cwt
how?
cwt
carnality tears it off I think
Lindie
by our moment by moment choices, I think
Lindie
life wears it off, too
Lindie
we have to be in a perpetual state of walking in the Spirit
Lindie
Yes
cwt
that is the key to the abundant life
Lindie
I hope Rosie is O.K.
cwt
have you ever heard of spiritual breathing?
Lindie
I think she may need prayer for her daughte
cwt
yes I hope so too, I think she left rather suddenly, lets pray right now for her daughter
Lindie
yes, I have heard of spiritual breathing....
cwt
Lord we ask you to give wisdom to both Rosie and her daughter right now and ask that you would remedy the situation at school with this other girl. we
ask that the girl would seek the counsel that she needs and that she receive healing ,amen
Lindie
Father, I just lift Rosie and her daughter up to you and ask You to touch them and keep them and bless them and let them know the reality of your
presence in their lives....
Lindie
may her counsellor be granted wisdom
cwt
great, always take every opportunity to turn things over to the One who is all wise!
cwt
that is great that you have heard of spirital breathing
Lindie
do you know the definition of WISDOM?
Lindie
knowledge with understanding........
cwt
it is amazing how many defeated women are out there not being plugged into the Holy Spirit power source
cwt
that is good, I like that!
Lindie
our churches and spiritual leaders sometimes fail us....
cwt
yes, but we cannot expect people to be perfect, only God is perfect, people will always fail us
cwt
I often tell my kids that
Lindie
we talk about a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS cHRIST BUT THEN OUR DOCTRINES OFTEN TIME KEEP US FROM
WALKING IN IT
Lindie
we can be perfect someday and that's the race we're all running
Lindie
and the finish line is HERE, not just when we die
cwt
it is important to keep focused on God not the things of man, or made by man
cwt
yes running the race to win
Lindie
cwt
welcome Lily, we are discussing Gods grace
cwt
our topic is Moving From Performance To Peace. but we have ventured off on a good discussion so welcome
Lindie
"My sheep hear My voice and they know Me and they follow Me
Lindie
sounds like we're supposed to hear His voice - to me, anyway! :)
cwt
when we know we are in tune with the spirit, we can discern Gods voice if it is parallel to scripture, God never goes against His Word
cwt
sounds interesting, I have certainly heard of this happening before
Lindie
that's right - He is not a man that He should lie
cwt
so how do you teach a new believer to hear Gods voice?
Lindie
You tell them to be quiet and then read their Bible and ask God to start speaking to them, and He will
Lindie
Like, He'll take what's written on the page and speak a deeper meaning into it
cwt
Be still and know that I am God... quietness in the sou
cwt
asking the Holy Spirit to speak is key, you are right
Lindie
He told me "you areall that I have made you..."
cwt
interesting, it was obviously memorable
cwt
wow, now that is affirming! that is grace!
cwt
so this has been great but lets get somewhat back on track
cwt
So how can we help women who are not experiencing Gods grace in their lives?
Lindie
We need to walk along side them and love them and LISTEN to them
............................ Lily joined............
Lindie
Listening is a real need!
cwt
yes, listening is an important part
cwt
I think that in general many women lack self esteen and thus miss out on who they really are in Christ
cwt
we need to affirm them that they are Gods daughter
cwt
and that they do not need to earn Gods gifts
Lindie
I learned that my lack of self esteem came from not knowing my Bible
cwt
yes, our view of God often affects our perceptions of ourselves
Lindie
I chose to believe what the world was telling me I was and not how God viewed me
Lindie
The Bible is the mirror I choose to look in now!
cwt
the more we know about God the more we love Him and love ourselves who he has created
Lindie
Ha!
Lindie
all a Princess Di if we would see ourselves as that!
cwt
so I think that we need to affirm those women who are not receiving grace, and tell them the scripture of who they are in Christ
Lily
Type I find after spending time reading the Bible I feel really good about who I am in the Lord.
cwt
absolutely!
Lindie
The first week I was born again, Campus Crusade put on a seminar and we learned about being a daughter of the King
Lindie
I have a twin who came to the Lord when we were in junior High
cwt
wow that would be great followup for a new believer
Lily
Yes
cwt
we are daughters of the King! a Holy Priesthood
Lindie
but I never felt good enough to be a Christian, until the Lord told me to come unto Him just as I was
Lindie
I was molested repeatedly and raped and I always felt dirty and compared myself to Christian women whom I felt had it all together
cwt
yes, He created us this way, He accepts us and loves us that way
Lily
He will mold us into what He wants us to be.
Lindie
You know, the unsaved often see us as untouchables who have nothing but smooth sailing - it simplyisn't so...
cwt
yes we belong and we are loved unconditionally
Lily
God's grace is enough.
Lindie
I wasn't BORN a Christian, I BECAME one!
Lily
Same with me
cwt
no He didn''t promise a rose garden... in this world you will have trouble
cwt
but He is there to walk through the garden with us and carry us if need be
Lindie
We're called to be fishers of men - we catch em God cleans em
cwt
sometimes we come across as self righteous to non believers
cwt
that is good Lindie
Lily
or hypocrites
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cwt
Hi ladybird
cwt
we are discussing grace
cwt
what relationship does grace have to obedience?
Lindie
the Pharisees were believers that had that wrong attitude about others and I have to admit, I've had a wrong attitude myself at times, it's called spiritual
pride
cwt
oh yes that can happen
Lindie
it stinks and you can smell it a mile away!
Lily
I try to explain to people that I read the Bible because I;m trying to grow. And that I need Jesus' help.
Lindie
Scriptue says that "there is now therefore NO CONDEMNATION to those who walk according to the Spirit..
Lindie
when we walk in the flesh, we walk on the curb of the straight and narrow path
ladybird
Type HERE what happens if I am not walking according to the spirit
cwt
yes, I like your emphasis, no condemnation, important to believe that in our hearts to incorporate God's grace into our lives
Lindie
kind like fence riding
Lily
Sometimes I have trouble hearing the Holy Spirit. And sometimes confuse my own self talk with the Holy Spirit.
Lindie
that's what I think - guilt and condemnation come from two different sources
cwt
when we dont walk in the spirit we are attempting to live an impossible life on our own strength,
Lindie
Lily, the Bible says to follow after peace.....when you have a thought and peace comes with it, it is the Lord
cwt
and in our efforts to please God, we miss the truth that Gods grace is free and not worked for
Lindie
I need to go....Bless you guys, Lindie in Montana!
cwt
guilt can come from the conviction of the Holy Spirit
............................ Lindie left.............
cwt
condemnation comes from the evil one
Lily
The Lord is always trying to gently trying to call us back to Him
cwt
they are two distinct origins!!
cwt
yes, He is a gentleman and He waits patiently for us
cwt
I stand at the door and knock...
cwt
the Holy Spirit does the nudging us back into relationship with Him
cwt
we must be open to listening though
............................ 123 joined.............
cwt
hi 123
123
hi
cwt
we are just finishing a discussion on grace
cwt
How have you experienced Gods grace in your life?
Lily
Prayer is very important in keeping communication open with the Holy Spirit...
123
That is so true Lily
cwt
yes, prayer is the key
Lily
Grace has helped me through many problems and still does.
cwt
Gods grace never ceases to amaze me
cwt
He is so patient, so forgiving, so loving under all circumstances
cwt
He just wants us, not our busyness for Him
Lily
His mercies are new every morning.
123
That is so true cwt
cwt
Grace is claimed, never earned
123
We get in such a frenzy serving God .... that we sometimes don't feel that sense of peace.
cwt
you are right it is so easy to get on that treadmill!
cwt
but grace is more about being than doing
Lily
God want relationship more than anything else
cwt
so true
Lily
yes
cwt
we need to be mindful to stand in His grace and not waver from it
cwt
especially as we enter in to the busy time of Christmas
Lily
That's why we need to pray without ceasing
123
I am sorry I can't stay ... I need to run ... goodnight
............................ 123 left.............
cwt
yes, keep in constant communication with our Maker
cwt
this has been great lets close our session off thanking God
Lily
Thankyou. Goodnight
cwt
Lord we once again thank you that you were here and that we were encouraged by your Holy Spirit, I pray for each women who joined us tonight that
they will stand in your grace and feel your love, may our lives be a testimony of your grace. Amen
cwt
thanks girls, goodnight,
cwt
we are on again Monday night same time
cwt
our topic is the Attitude of Gratitude, please join us
............................ Lily left.............
cwt
God bless!
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