• Ephesians 1:17 • I keep asking that the God of our Lord

Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[6] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

• Ephesians 1:18 • I pray also that the eyes of your heart may

be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

WE ARE CREATED FOR GOD'S

GLORY.WE LIVE FOR GOD'S GLORY.

ROMANS 11:36• Everything comes from

God alone. Everything lives by his power, and

everything is for His glory.

HOW CAN I BRING GLORY TO GOD?

• Jesus told the Father, "I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do.' JOHN 17:4 NLT

• Jesus honored God by fulfilling his purpose on earth. We honor God the same way. When anything in creation fulfills its purpose, it brings glory to God.

• DAY 21 : PROTECTING YOUR CHURCH• NUMBER 1 PURPOSE: WORSHIP: YOU

WERE FORMED FOR GOD'S PLEASURE

• NUMBER 2 PURPOSE: FELLOWSHIP: YOU WERE FORMED FOR GOD'S FAMILY

• NUMBER 3 PURPOSE: DISCIPLESHIP: YOU WERE CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST

DISCIPLESHIP: YOU WERE

CREATED TO BECOME LIKE

CHRIST.

• Romans 8:29 GNB• Those whom God had already chosen

he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many believers.

• Ephesians 4:15 TMSG• God wants us to grow up, to know the

whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.

• NOTE: • NOT ALL CHRISTIANS ARE

GROWING UP. • GROW UP TO BE PLEASING TO GOD

AND A BLESSING TO OTHERS.• CHRISTIANS NOT GROWING UP,

MISS A LOT OF BLESSINGS AND MESS A LOT IN THEIR TESTIMONY.

THREE TOOLS GOD USES TO HELP US GROW.

• Romans 8:28 • And we know that in all

things God works for the good of those who love him,[10] who[11] have been called according to his purpose.

1.) GOD USES TROUBLE TO TEACH US TO TRUST HIM

• ROMANS 5:3-3 TLB• Problems and trials...are good for

us---they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and help us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.

•note:• EVERY PROBLEM HAS A

PURPOSE.• THE PURPOSE FOR PROBLEM

IS TO MAKE YOU LIKE JESUS CHRIST AND TO BUILD CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER IN YOUR LIFE.

Mark 14:34-36 NLT • 34 He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to

the point of death. Stay here and watch with me."• 35 He went on a little farther and fell face down

on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by.

• 36 "Abba,[7] Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine."

2Corinthians 4:17 • For our light and

momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

2.) GOD USES TEMPTATION TO TEACH US TO OBEY HIM.

• NOTE:• EVERY TEMPTATION INVOLVES A

CHOICE. • WE TAKE A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN

OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH WHEN WE CHOOSE TO OBEY GOD DURING TEMPTATION.

• Matthew 4:1 • Then Jesus was led by the Spirit

into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

• Hebrews 4:15 CEV• Jesus understands every weakness of

ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin!

• 1Corinthians 10:13 NLT• But remember that the temptations that

come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

• John 14:15 • "If you love me, you will obey what I

command.

• NOTE: • CAREFULLY REFLECT ON DAY 26 AND DAY 27• DAY 26 IS GROWING THROUGH

TEMPTATION• DAY 27 IS DEFEATING

TEMPTATION ( READ 12X EVEN MORE! )

3.) GOD USES TRESPASSES TO TEACH US TO HAVE A FORGIVING HEART LIKE JESUS TRESPASSES ARE SITUATIONS COMMITTED BY OTHER PEOPLE TO HURT US

• Colossians 3:13 • Bear with each other and forgive

whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

• Matthew 27:39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads

• Matthew 27:40 and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

• Matthew 27:41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.

• Matthew 27:42 "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

• Matthew 27:43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' "

• Matthew 27:44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

• Luke 23:34 • Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for

they do not know what they are doing."[5] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

• Matthew 18:22• Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven

times, but seventy-seven times.[6]

4 THINGS TO ALWAYS REMEMBER

IN FORGIVING OTHERS AS SOON AS YOU ARE OFFENDED.

1.) REMEMBER THAT GOD HAS FORGIVEN YOU AND SAVED YOU FROM HELL.• Colossians 3:13 • Bear with each other and

forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

2.) REMEMBER THAT GOD WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU IF YOU DONT FORGIVE OTHERS.• IT IS A BIG BLOCKAGE IN PRAYER.• Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive people

their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

• Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive people their offenses, your Father will not forgive your offenses."

3.) REMEMBER THAT GOD CAN AND WILL COMFORT AND HEAL YOU ONLY WHEN YOU FORGIVE. EMOTIONAL HEALING AND DELIVERANCE ARE RECEIVED ONLY THROUGH FORGIVENESS.

• Psalms 147:3• He heals the brokenhearted and

binds up their wounds.

4. ) REMEMBER THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL AND HAS A PURPOSE AND PLAN IN EVERY OFFENSE.

• Genesis 50:20• You intended to harm me, but

God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

• Remember:• Isaiah 61:7 Instead of their

shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.