Wilford Alpha Week 4

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Wilford Alpha Week 4

• How does God guide us?
• and
• Why and How should I read the Bible?

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Going Off-Piste
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How does God guide us?
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How can God contact you?

• Burning bush
• Angel
• Dream
• Hear a voice

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Commanding Scripture

• The bible
• Good for general guidance so dont commit
  adultery
• Not so easy for specifics for example, marry
  yes but who
• Regular reading brings its rewards

Quote
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Compelling Spirit

• Learn to recognise the Spirits voice
• Listen during prayer
• A strong (unexpected) desire
• More unusual ways
• Check does it promote Love

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Common Sense

• We are encouraged to think, not be mindlessly
  obedient
• Keep a sharp conscience

• Relationships - be spiritually and personally
  compatible, as well as physically
• Careers dont abandon your career, wait to be
  called

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Counsel of Saints

• X

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Counsel of Saints

• Pick Godly people with wisdom and experience
• Choose more than one
• Dont shop around
• Take responsibility

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Circumstantial Signs

• Is circumstantial evidence worth anything?
• Beware of co-incidence
• Resist trivia
• Gods signs will be clear

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Gods timing, not ours

• We must seek Gods plan for us
• Reading
• Listening
• Thinking
• Talking
• Watching
• And waiting

Quote
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Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
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What the Bible is Not

• Not a science textbook
• Doesnt describe the mechanisms for life
• Doesnt describe how things are done

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Galileo
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Darwin
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What the Bible is

• Worlds best selling book
• Over 50 million copies each year
• Inspired by God God breathed
• Over 40 authors including kings and fishermen

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Books, chapters, verses

• Greek biblia means books
• 39 27 66
• Verses added in 1551
• King James version published in 1611

Quote
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Take your pick

• King James (KJV) is not the only one
• Many versions such as the New International
  (NIV)
• Complementary books
• Software versions

Quote
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Missing the point

• Its the Word of God
• It shows us how to act
• Dont be a camera buff take photos

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The Cradle of Christ

• Martin Luther (c1530)
• Christ is the Lord and King of the scriptures
• Dont inspect the cradle, worship the baby

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Old and New

• Many have read and believed
• Start with the New
• Grow into the Old

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Be like Jesus

• Primary calling to be like Jesus
• Be free
• Be loving
• Be peaceful
• Bible shows how

• Jesus studied scripture (and prayed)
• He responded to temptation with scripture

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A relationship with God

• God still speaks today
• Love letter from God
• Gods desire is for a relationship with each of us

Quote
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No substitute for time

• Use a study guide
• Use daily readings
• Dont read end-to-end
• Dont read it all in a year
• Find a quiet place
• Take your time let God talk to you

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What do I do?

• Read and listen
• Ask
• What does it say?
• What does it mean?
• How can I apply it?

Quote
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Lets Get Discussing!