Westside Community Church

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MAKING SENSE OF YOUR STRUGGLES

StevenJBarker

MAKING SENSE OF YOUR STRUGGLES

Crazy Happy - Part 8 of 9

May 23, 2021 | Gabe Kolstad | @gabekolstad

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.    -Matthew 5:10 (NLT)

QUESTION: Who’s DRIVING you?

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

-1 Peter 3:13-17 (NLT)

...So we make it our goal to please Him…

-2 Corinthians 5:9 (NIV)

 For the Kingdom of God to move IN, 

our kingdom needs to move ON

QUESTION: How should you RESPOND to resistance?

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: gentleness

-Galatians 5:23 (NLT)

7 But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother tenderly caring for her own children. 8 Having such a deep affection for you, we were delighted to share with you not only God’s good news but also our own lives, because you had become so very dear to us.

-1Thessalonians 2:7-8 (AMP)

In order to grow in GENTLENESS

We first have to grow in LOVE

My Next Steps Today Is: 

  • Today I’m saying YES to Jesus

  • Add me to Pastor Gabe’s Prayer List for this week

  • I’ll complete the Spiritual Inventory Worksheet

  • Sign me up for the Next Steps Workshop on 6/13 (2:30pm)

For Reflection & Discussion:

  • What’s your immediate reaction when you face opposition or resistance?

  • Are you willing to ask the hard questions like “am I cutting any corners right now in my life?” If so, which areas do you need to surrender to God’s Kingdom?

  • Which person or situation can you turn over to God in prayer this week, so that your response can be gentleness?

For Resources to Grow in Your Faith:

Text JESUS to 503-905-9067

QUICK LINKS: