Transcription
Seeking the Presence, Promises,and Practices of GodPine Cove Shores Bible StudySummer 2020
DRAW NEAR TO GOD,AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU.JAMES 4:8
A LETTER FROM FISH FACEWhy are you here right now?Most likely, you love camp. (I hope!) Maybe your parents made you come oryou have no clue how you got here - a friend invited you last minute, yourfamily Googled “summer camps in Texas”, you wanted to get out of thehouse after a weird, isolating Spring - I don’t know. But I will tell you this.God has you exactly where you are because He wants to be with you.And this week is His way of getting your attention. This is His way ofdrawing near to you. He wants to show you Himself. He wants to comeclose to speak to you. He wants to give you exactly what you need mostright now.I truly believe God wants to be with you - not to use you or condemn you orlet you know how helpless you are in life. He wants to be with you becauseHe loves you. How do I know that? Historical evidence proves it. The Bibletells me so.You see, if I had to boil down the narrative of all of Scripture to one singleword - it would be “WITH”.God loves His children. So, He created us so that He could be WITH us. Hesent His Son to live WITH us. The Son sent the Holy Spirit to be WITHIN us.We are now called to walk by the Spirit to be WITH others.And too often and for far too long I lived in a way of doing things FOR Godinstead of WITH God. This is the “With Life” - drawing near to His presence,believing His promises, and practicing His way. You can be WITH Him rightnow and forever!4
This is what a good, loving Father wants to do for His children!When my kids know they’ve done something wrong, when they thinkthey’ve done something right, when they need help, when they’re sad orlonely or just want to be loved, they come running to me. Because theyknow I love them and I want what is good for them. Where do you run inthese moments?God’s heart is for you to “draw near” - not “do more.” Seriously, there’snothing else you have to do to experience closeness with God. Just drawnear. Come closer to Him. Seek His presence.What is presence? Simply it is “you here now.” All of a person - physically,mentally, emotionally, spiritually; aware and focused at the specific placethey are in; right this very moment.And the truth is that God is present - all of Him, with you, right now! AndHis presence is the answer to everything - so we draw near to Him.Over the next several days you’re going to dive deep into the promisesand presence of God, learning how to seek Him and how to practiceHis presence in your daily life to experience the fullness of His joy in anycircumstance. Presence. Promises. Practices.This week, it’s our prayer that you draw near to God, throw away your oldlife and leave it behind, get rid of your beliefs that you have to have it alltogether and have a perfect Christian appearance, and that you are nevertoo far from God.Because He is always close, ready to show you just how much He lovesyou and wants to be with you.Fish FaceShores Camp Director5
INSTRUCTIONSThis booklet is made up of five days worth of Memory Verses,Quiet Times, and Bible Study - as well as additional space eachday for journaling and taking notes at Club.
1. Memory VersesAt the beginning of each day’s pages, you’ll see the daily Memory Verse.We are called to “hide God’s Word in our hearts” and to “meditate on it.”Memorization leads to meditation which leads to transformation. It helps usto draw near!A helpful method for memorizing Scripture:1. Read the passage silently in your head 5-10x.2. Read the passage out loud 5-10x.3. If you need to break the passage down into smaller chunks, do thatand read it out loud 5-10x. Then put them all together.4. Recall the passage 5-10x out loud - as much as you can. Look atpassage when you need as you recall it out loud - until you have fullymemorized it.5. Pray and ask God to sink it deep into your heart, mind, and soul.Each day’s Memory Verse will be the passage we spent time on in our QuietTimes, which are explained in detail below.2. Quiet Time GuidesEvery day this week we will have a few minutes of what we call “QuietTime” in the mornings.Throughout this booklet, you’ll see sections titled “Quiet Time Guide” atthe first part of each day’s pages. Each morning the Quiet Time Guide willsimply walk you through drawing near to God through Scripture and Prayer.This week, we’ll be learning a Bible reading method called Lectio Divina which is Latin for “divine reading”.Very simply, Lectio Divina is reading God’s Word with God. What makesthis reading divine? The Divine One. And we go to Scripture to meet withHim, not just to get more knowledge. Lectio Divina is essentially reading theBible in God’s presence!8
Before I ever open my Bible or app - I still myself. In my spirit, I recognizeand thank God that He is with me and in me. I recognize that I can’tunderstand anything on my own and I can’t teach myself - so I ask theHoly Spirit to teach me (John 14:26). I ask him to “open my eyes” (Ps.119:18). To speak to me (John 10:27). To renew my mind (Romans 12:2). Tostrengthen my spirit in the deepest places (Proverbs 16:32).Then, eventually, I open my Bible or app - and I go to the passage in myreading plan (or sometimes I’ll listen to the Spirit for where He wants to takeme in the Word).There are 4 “movements” in Lectio Divina that you flow through:1) READINGDuring this first movement in Lectio Divina, you are reading through thepassage maybe 1-3 times slowly, trying to grasp the overall truth/idea/wordthat was being spoken in the original context.(Again, Lectio Divina is typically for shorter passages - whether one verseor one chunk/paragraph.)2) REFLECTINGRead the passage again and see what words, phrases, sentences,characters, anything at all that stands out.Dallas Willard used the phrase “what is glimmering” when talking aboutReflecting. Eugene Petersen asked, “what has that little pop of delight?”Pay attention to those. Circle, highlight, underline - then I write that down inmy journal for the next movement of my reading, which is Reflecting.Keep in mind, this is not study! This is listening to God in a receivingposture in your spirit.(Personally, I just start to “flow” or write in my journal anything that comesto mind. If nothing, I’ll sit longer and ask for God to help.)9
3. RESPONDINGReflection leads naturally to the next movement of Responding (purposefulprayer), asking God why and what and who and how. Responding is simplytalking with God about what you’re reading/hearing.Prayer is talking with God about what you’re doing together.The basic truth: God can and wants to speak to you, right here and now.[A quick word on prayer and journaling: God can be trusted. So if you askHim a question, write down the first thoughts that come to you until the“flow” of thoughts slows down or stops. This is a helpful way to record yourthoughts and feelings and then read and study God’s Word to know He isspeaking. If you are confused about something, just ask your Counselor!They’re here to help walk you through this!]4. RESTINGResting is the fourth and final movement of Lectio Divina where you aresimply meditating quietly in stillness, letting the Holy Spirit slow you downand for Truth to sink deep. This is contemplation - a quiet, still expressionof love between you and God.Stay here for as long as you can or need.The purpose here is to “be still and know that He is God.”Words of advice for you (that I have to give myself all the time):- Slow down.- If you get distracted, ask the Spirit to bring yourself back.- If you don’t feel a “great movement of God, that is okay” - andmaybe even the point. God wants to sink His Word deep into us. AndI hold onto spiritual “emotions” too often. Instead, I would rather holdonto His words and promises.10
3. Bible Study GuidesThis section will be used during each day’s Bible Study time with yourcabin. Your counselor will guide a discussion in your cabin Bible Studiesfrom the Scripture and questions listed for each day. All you have todo here is be engaged and help out your counselor with some answerswhenever they ask!There will also be a time for you to “draw near” to God as a group andindividually. Enjoy this time, do your best to engage, and be present to Godand your friends.4. Journal & Club NotesIf it isn’t obvious – this is where you can take notes for Club each evening.You can also use this space to write down things you’re learning each dayor as a daily journal for your time at camp.11
DAY 1 : THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS
MEMORY VERSEJOHN 16:23-2423“ TRULY, TRULY, I SAY TO YOU,WHATEVER YOU ASK OF THE FATHERIN MY NAME, HE WILL GIVE IT TOYOU.24UNTIL NOW YOU HAVE ASKEDNOTHING IN MY NAME. ASK, ANDYOU WILL RECEIVE, THAT YOUR JOYMAY BE FULL.”14
A quick recap of Lectio Divina3. RESPONDINGpresence. (Go back a few pagesetc. are standing out to you. There- reading God’s Word in God’sAsk God why those words, phrases,and reread the full breakdown ofis a reason, just ask Him.Lectio Divina if you need.)Write down what you are thinking,If you don’t hear or feel anything,sensing, hearing - and how He wantsthat’s okay - just ask God! If youyou respond/change/act in today’sget distracted, that’s okay too. JustJournal a few pages to the right.bring yourself back to His presencewith you.4. RESTING1. READINGsensed, and wrote down aboveRecall what you just heard, felt,Before you start reading the- and simply rest in the truth thatpassages below, take a minuteJesus is speaking in this passage.to take some deep breaths andLet it sink deep into your heartrecognize that God is with you andand mind. (Too often we move onwants to speak to you through Histo try and force application of theWord by the Holy Spirit.Bible. God simply wants us to restin Him right now before we act onWe’ll take a slow, simple start toanything.) Be still and know He is God!Lectio Divina today. Read John16:23-24 one to three times slowly.Write down how you feel based2. REFLECTINGspace. If nothing, that’s okay - juston what you read and heard in thisRead the passage again slowly.pray and thank Him.What stands out to you? Circle orunderline those words, phrases,etc. and write them below.15
PRESENCEBegin your cabin Bible Study time being still together in silence. Recognizethat God is with you and He is excited to teach you this morning as a group.Once your counselor is ready, they will pray out loud to begin Bible Study.The presence of God is all that we need, in any moment. And today’slesson will set up the rest of our week. It’s amazing and essential to life withGod on earth!The presence of God is: the Answer to My Prayers.If you had to give a short, simple definition to Prayer, what would you say?How would you describe your “prayer life” throughout your life / lately?PROMISESHonesty time. On the last day of 4th grade, I asked my crush to be mygirlfriend. And of course, she said yes! I went into that summer the nextday so pumped about life and everything. And over the course of the16
next couple of weeks, I would call her home phone (those old school 90’sphones that had a cord and were plugged into the wall) and we would talkfor a little bit until we didn’t have anything else to talk about.But over the course of the next few weeks or so, our phone calls keptgetting quieter and quieter. I would ask a question, and receive a one wordresponse. Eventually, I would call and we would just sit on the phone notsaying anything for what seemed like eternity.Well, I wanted to have an awesome summer, so I just stopped calling her -because she was super boring and wasting my precious time as a 10 year old.So the summer comes to a close and I get to the first day of 5th grade -Mrs. Powers class - where I walk in, feeling good in my new clothes andshoes and backpack. I walk through the alphabetized desk placements tomy name - and lo and behold, who is my next-desk neighbor? HER.We haven’t talked in over two months and the first thing I ask after I sitdown is: “Are we still going out?”She looks at me, rolls her eyes, and writes back on a wide ruled piece ofpaper in the biggest capital letters I’ve ever seen: “NO. WAY.”You see, it is impossible to have a close relationship with someone whenyou don’t speak and listen to each other.Here is what I know to be true: God is real. He is good. And He is ourHeavenly Father. He promises to always be with us and to never leave us.These are promises that God fulfills and IS fulfilling right now.As our Father, He wants a close relationship with us. He wants us to drawnear to Him. And to do that He promises to hear us and speak to us!17
Do you believe that God hears you when you talk with Him or cry out to Him?What do you think it means that He speaks to us?Prayer is a way of life in which we converse with God. At its core, prayer issimply “life with God”.With this in mind, talk about how you can live and talk with God in youreveryday life.Transparently, I have always struggled with my “prayer life”. I get distractedeasily and I’m never sure how to start the conversation. Also, I read thingsin Paul’s letters like “always pray constantly all the time” and I put anoverwhelming, unhealthy burden on myself with prayer! (That’s called legalism.And Jesus wasn’t pumped about that. So he showed us a better way.)Christian philosopher and author Dallas Willard says:“I believe the most adequate description of prayer is simply, talkingwith God about what we are doing together. That immediately focusesthe activity where we are but at the same time drives the egotism out ofit. Requests will naturally be made in the course of this conversationalwalk. Prayer is a matter of explicitly sharing with God my concernsabout what he too is concerned about in my life. And of course he isconcerned about my concerns and, in particular, that my concernsshould coincide with his. This is our walk together. Out of it I pray.”This is drawing near - or practicing the presence of God. In fact, you cannotdraw near (or practice the presence of God) without prayer. You cannotpray and not be in God’s presence.18
If we believe that the presence of God is everything to us then God’spresence is a place where prayer is heard and answered. It is a place weare safe, secure, and in right standing to *ask anything* of our Father,according to His will and we will receive.Prayer is the foundation for the rest of our life of faith (and for the rest of thisBible Study). And if God is real and good and loves us - then we can ASKHIM ANYTHING!Asking Anything giving my desire to God and His will in prayerI say it’s time to open up the Bible and get some confirmation about askinganything of God. Let’s look at some promises!Multiple times throughout the Gospels and the New Testament, Jesus isrecorded saying that we can “ask anything in his name and the Father willhear and answer.”Go around your circle and each person take 1-2 of these passagesbelow to find read out loud. (It’s okay if this takes a minute - this is themost important part of Bible Study.)Matthew 7:7-8John 15:7James 1:17Matthew 21:22John 16:23–241 John 3:22Matthew 18:19John 14:13John 15:16James 1:5–6James 4:2-31 John 5:14What is the big Truth you can walk away from all these verses with?What are some other Truths you see here? What else stands out in theseverses?19
A dozen times in the New Testament, God invites and expects us toASK ANYTHING! And if we ask anything in Jesus’ name, it will happenaccording to the will of the Father! Woah.Do you really - like REALLY - believe this? Are you okay if it’s not in yourtiming, your method, your control?Ok, now listen up. It’s vital to know that God is not our spiritual geniegranting wishes. He is not our heavenly vending machine that we putsomething into just to get something out. He is our good Father. If we cometo the Father with selfish and prideful desires, we will be found out quickly.We get to ask anything because of 1) our faith in Him to do it and 2) ourabsolute love of HIS will and therefore obedience to him. We must love HISwill more than OURS.How does the idea of surrendering your entire life, every moment, to His willmake you feel? What thoughts come to mind?When we love His will, we will constantly draw near to Him.Jesus himself drew near to his Father and asked anything recorded manytimes throughout the Gospels. Possibly the most notable being in the gardenof Gethsemane, at the end of his life right before he was led to the cross.Read Mark 14:36.What do you see happening here? How does it make you feel? Doesanything stand out to you?20
Jesus believed it was possible for His Father.Jesus made his request.Jesus asked for the Father’s will, not his own.PRACTICE(Each day we will get as practical as we can. In this Practice time, we maydo a number of different things to help you be able to practice the way ofJesus individually and together. We will also ask good questions here.)So, let’s talk it out. What are some reasons you don’t ask God anything?What holds you back in prayer?This really comes down to our theology - who we think God is and who weare. I now have a strong conviction that when we’re standing face to facewith God, I don’t think He’ll say “You asked too much of me.”But we don’t always get what we ask for! Why?We can and must learn how to pray. How? Why?Take a minute to look at Luke 11:1 together. Why do you think thedisciples didn’t ask how to heal the sick, cast out demons, multiply food, doall the miracles?21
Do you want freedom, peace, hope, power in your life? How do you believeyou will receive those things?Read this out loud together:“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not knowwhat to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for uswith groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches heartsknows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes forthe saints according to the will of God.” - Romans 8:26-27Now - right now, ASK ANYTHING. With total silence and stillness as agroup, write it down below and just GO FOR IT. God loves you, hears you,and wants to answer you in His timing, method, and control.“Don’t seek to develop a prayer life — seek a praying life. A “prayer life” is asegmented time for prayer. You’ll end up feeling guilty that you don’t spendmore time in prayer. Eventually you’ll probably feel defeated and give up. A“praying life” is a life that is saturated with prayerfulness — you seek to doall that you do with the Lord.” - Dallas Willard22
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DAY 2 : THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS
MEMORY VERSECOLOSSIANS 3:2-32“SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGSTHAT ARE ABOVE, NOT ON THINGSTHAT ARE ON EARTH. 3 FOR YOUHAVE DIED, AND YOUR LIFE ISHIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD.”28
Good morning! It’s time for another2. REFLECTINGGod’s Word in God’s presence!What stands out to you? Circle orsession of Lectio Divina - readingRead the passage again slowly.(Go back a few pages and rereadunderline those words, phrases,the full breakdown of Lectio Divina ifetc. and write them below.you need.)3. RESPONDINGThis morning, there will be a fewAsk God why those words, phrases,passages to read that will direct us toetc. are standing out to you. Therethe truth that the presence of God isis a reason, just ask Him.our confidence in comparison.Write down what you are thinking,Before you start reading thesensing, hearing - and how Hepassages below, take a minutewants you respond/change/act onto slow down, take some deepit in the Journal pages.breaths, and recognize that God is4. RESTINGwith you and wants to speak to youin His Word by the Holy Spirit.Recall what you just heard, felt,sensed, and wrote down above1. READING- and simply rest in the truth thatNow read Colossians 3:2-3 one toJesus is speaking in this passage.three times slowly. If you want toLet it sink deep into your heartstay on these two verses this wholeand mind. (Too often we move ontime, go for it.to try and force application of theBible. God simply wants us to restIf you want, read these passagesin Him right now before we act ona couple times slowly. If any ofanything.) Be still and know He is God!them really stand out to you, stayon them for the next movement:Write down how you feel basedMatthew 7:1space. If nothing, that’s okay - justGalatians 1:10, Romans 12:2-3,on what you read and heard in thispray and thank Him.29
PRESENCEBegin your cabin Bible Study time being still together in silence. Recognizethat God is with you and He is excited to teach you this morning as a group.Once your counselor is ready, they will pray out loud to begin Bible Study.The presence of God is: my Confidence in Comparison.How would you define the word “confidence”?What does it mean to compare yourself to others? Do you think it’s a good orbad thing?One of my all time favorite children’s books is called You Are Special by MaxLucado. It tells the story of Punchinello, a Wemmick (small wooden puppet)who lives in a town with lots of other Wemmicks, going about their daily livestrying to gain Star stickers from the others.You see, in their Wemmick town they give Stars to others who areattractive, popular, successful, funny, well-liked - and Dots to those who aren’t those things.30
But those Dots have fallen off of me - and they don’t stick anymore. Do youwant yours off, too?I believe in some way or another, we all care too much and too deeply whatthe people around us think about us. Because deep down, we have madethe approval of others our god - for the validation of something we believe ismissing in us. To cut to the point - only the presence of God can fill that void.And He fills it perfectly.Today’s Bottomline: it all comes down to Inner Intimacy with God, not OuterImage for others.PROMISESOur Heavenly Father really, really cares about Inner Intimacy with us -drawing near to each other and “running up the hill” to meet with Him! He isless concerned, if at all, about our Outer Image.Everything around and in us strives for an Outer Image constructed fromour external environment - thinking once we achieve it, we will have InnerIntimacy with ourselves, with others, with God.But again, we can already have Intimacy in our innermost being with theOne who created us *in His image*!Let’s take a look at some of these promises.Go around the group and read:Psalm 18:2,10Psalm 46:1-3Psalm 91:1-2Psalm 31:20Psalm 71:3Psalm 144:2Psalm 27:5Psalm 62:632Psalm 63:7
What do you take from these verses? Share just a couple simple truths fromthe group.When we seek the presence of God, when we run to Him and hide ourselvesin Him - nothing else matters. No one can harm us - not even ourselves.Hiding is an interesting word/idea found all throughout Scripture.Essentially, when we were kids and something scared us, we would hidefrom it.As we get older and things scare us, the feeling is not much different - butour reaction may be. We hide in passive aggressiveness, judging people inour hearts, being mean to others with our words and actions, lashing out insome way, grasping for some kind of control.And we definitely do this when we feel insecure around other people, as wetry to craft an image for the world that we are trying to attain for the sake ofsome fake security.Let’s get real. What does this look like in your life lately?When you seek the presence of God, you hide IN Him - not FROM Him. AndHe protects you from the judgement of others and of yourself. The wordsyou read in the verses above about God being our Rock, Fortress, Shelter,Dwelling are all words of *security*! You no longer have to be insecure because God is our security. He is your confidence. Confide in Him.“Sure man, that sounds great and all - but what do I do with this?”I’m glad you asked. Let’s find some more promises God wants us to know.33
Read:Romans 12:2-3Isaiah 2:22John 2:15Corinthians 10:17Psalm 118:6Psalm 23:1Galatians 1:10What do you see in these verses? Talk or journal it out.Some translations of Romans 12:2-3 say “do not conform to the patternsof this world ” Our world creates and follows patterns of shallowness,fake personalities, status grasping, image crafting, love lacking, pridefulselfishness. You know it’s true. And we give in all the time.I want to get the approval and applause of people around me for theway I look, act, talk, etc. My “brand” is important to me. But my heart isimportant to Jesus.So, what can man do to you?He’s on my side. I love Him, not the world. So I stop regarding man andworrying about what man thinks. He is my Shepherd. I only boast in Hisimage, not my image. I seek and already have His approval.Do you believe this? Are you living this way? Do you want to?What do you think this way of life looks and feels like?Ok, now let’s get really, really practical. We need to look at a quick story ortwo in the life of Jesus - to see how he dealt with people judging him.34
Read the story in Luke 6:6-11.What do you see happening in this story?Why do you think Jesus is able to heal, to know their thoughts, to speakdirectly without caring what they think?I think the answer is in the very next verse. Read Luke 6:12.There’s a lot in this story of the Sabbath healing and in the verses thatfollow verse 12. What I want to focus on as we close out today’s study is:Any power to heal, any insight to discern what’s happening around him,any confidence He had to speak plainly and boldly - came from timewith his Heavenly Father.All throughout the life of Jesus you read about him “going away to pray.” Hewas constantly seeking Inner Intimacy and had no concern for Outer Image.The only Outer Image he cared for was the love he gave to other people.“Dots” and “Stars” couldn’t get close to Jesus - because He was constantlymeeting with His Father. Those stickers couldn’t stick. And guess what, ifyou trust Him and believe the Gospel, the same is true for you. He is in you,with you.This is true confidence in the midst of comparison - that our Father lovesus, is for us, and is with us.Hide in Him. Confide in Him. And from that confidence, love others the wayyou have been loved.(If you have extra time, read Matthew 7:1, James 3:16, 1 Corinthians11:1 and talk it out.)35
PRACTICELet’s just go for it again today. Do you care what other people think about you?In what ways do you craft an Outer Image?Have you ever experienced Inner Intimacy — the deep love of the Father tothe point that you don’t care what people think about you?Take a few minutes to be silent and still as a group. Think on the truththat God loves you and wants to protect you and be with you.At some point, your counselor will read our memory verse Colossians 3:2-3over you and pray for you to close Bible Study for today.36
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DAY 3 : THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS
MEMORY VERSEPSALM 51:10-11“CREATE IN ME A CLEANHEART, O GOD, AND RENEWA RIGHT SPIRIT WITHIN ME.CAST ME NOT AWAY FR OM YOURPRESENCE, AND TAKE NOTYOUR HOLY SPIRIT FR OM ME.”42
Happy Wednesday! Hopefully by3. RESPONDINGLectio Divina and knowing you canetc. are standing out to you. Theretoday you have a better grasp onAsk God why those words, phrases,come to God’s Word and He will teachis a reason, just ask Him.you and speak to you by His Spirit.Write down what you are thinking,So, like the past two days, beforesensing, hearing - and how Heyou start reading the passageswants you respond/change/act onbelow, spend a minute taking someit in the Journal pages.deep breaths and recognize that God4. RESTINGis with you and wants to speak toyou in His Word by the Holy Spirit.Recall what you just heard, felt,sensed, and wrote down above1. READING- and simply rest in the truth thatRead Psalm 51:1-12 one to threeJesus is speaking in this passage.times slowly.Let it sink deep into your heartand mind. (Too often we move onIf you have time and want to, readto try and force application of thethese passages a couple timesBible. God simply wants us to restslowly. If any of them really standin Him right now before we act onout to you, stay on them for theanything.) Be still and know He is God!next movement: Psalm 119:9-11,Galatians 5:1, 16-26Write down how you feel based2. REFLECTINGspace. If nothing, that’s okay - juston what you read and heard in thisRead the passage again slowly.pray and thank Him.What stands out to you? Circle orunderline those words, phrases,etc. and write them below.43
PRESENCEWe’re going to begin today just like the past two - by being still and silentand recognizing that God is with you. He’s looking forward to teaching youthis morning as a group.As you are sitting still, taking some deep breaths and just being aware ofGod’s goodness, ask Him specifically to open your heart to the peace Hegives you in Jesus, the protection He is to your purity, and to freedom invulnerability you can experience today.Today’s study could bring the freedom from guilt and the full joy of thepresence of God that you’ve always longed for to fruition in your life.Today’s study is focused on the presence of God is: the Protection of My Purity.Once your counselor is ready, they will pray out loud to begin Bible Study.PROMISETo jump right into it today - it’s not lost on any of us that our world andespecially the young American culture you live in is filled with sexualimagery and desires. Turn on your phone and within a couple of clicks you44
can have access to an endless amount of whatever you want - videos,photos, even interactions with people you know or don’t know that feed oursexual desires.Though we may have way easier access now because of technology,sexual sin has been a problem since the beginning. Look all throughoutthe Old Testament (and the New) and you’ll see God’s people going intodeep sexual sin and then God graciously bringing them out - and the cyclecontinues for a long time.God graciously brings us out and gives us new hearts.What we hope today is not to bring any more weight or burden of guilt onyou than you may already feel because o
His presence is the answer to everything - so we draw near to Him. Over the next several days you're going to dive deep into the promises and presence of God, learning how to seek Him and how to practice His presence in your daily life to experience the fullness of His joy in any circumstance. Presence. Promises. Practices.
