Rhythms of Grace | Week Two | Patterns Series

comms   -   August 12, 2023

BIG IDEA: By tuning our lives to the rhythms of God’s grace, we can develop habits that keep us aligned with His purpose.

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 NASB

 

25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. – Galatians 5:25 NASB

 

Identifying and Overcoming Unhealthy Patterns

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may ]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2 NASB

  • The rhythm of your life is a testimony
  • The world has a pattern of destruction.
  • God’s Kingdom has a pattern of renewal.

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper, 29 people having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unfeeling, and unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them. – Romans 1:28-32 NASB

We all have habits, routines, even addictions. Identifying them requires:

  • challenged thinking
  • surrendering to the Holy Spirit
  • and a community that speaks truth into our lives.

Our time in the Word must turn from RITUAL to RHYTHM.

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. – John 14:26 NASB

  • Begin your reading with a simple prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Word for you.
  • Maintain a journal to jot down insights and revelations.

33 These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 NASB

  • Pressure is the rhythm of the world.
  • There is a place in Christ that mutes the world’s rhythm.

 

The Challenges in Maintaining the Rhythm of Grace

  • Every mistake is an opportunity to realign with His rhythm.

16 For a righteous person falls seven times and rises again… – Proverbs 24:16a NASB

 

  • Practical Steps to Staying in Rhythm
    1. Setting Time to Hear His Voice:
      • Begin each day in God’s Word and prayer. As Psalms 63:1 says, “Early will I seek thee.”
      • Try using the S.O.A.P. Method – Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
      • When you don’t read the Bible, you should not be feeling guilty; you should be feeling hungry.

     

    1. Continuous Worship
      • See worship not as an event, but a lifestyle.
      •   19 speaking to one another inpsalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; –Ephesians 5:19-20 NASB
      • Worship is recalibrating your focus away from the chaos, and away from yourself, back to where it belongs… His voice.

     

    1. Stay Connected
      • Be in fellowship and be accountable.

     

    1. Sabbath: Consider a digital detox or dedicating a day to rest and reflection.
      • 27 Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. – Mark 2:27 NASB

 

 

Take The Challenge: Commit to at least one next step this week—whether it’s:

  • Commit to a set daily quiet time each day this week
  • Write what God speaks to you in from a passage each day. (Extra Credit: Share it on social media and tag @wearecrossing)
  • Join a group, attend Ironmen, sign up for a Sisterhood Study, and/or go to Reengage with your spouse. https://www.wearecrossing.com/groups/
  • Joining a serve team – https://www.wearecrossing.com/serve/
  • Take a class at the Crossing Bible College  https://crossingbiblecollege.com/ or at the Prophetic School of Ministry https://www.cpsm.life/

By tuning our lives to the rhythms of God’s grace, we can develop habits that keep us aligned with His purpose.

 

Words of Knowledge 

We believe the Lord wants to heal people with swelling in their right ankle.

We believe the Lord wants to heal people with an injured Achilles in the right foot.

We believe the Lord wants to heal people suffering from pain in their right wrist.

We believe the Lord wants to heal people suffering with pain in their upper neck area.

We believe the Lord wants to heal someone suffering with severe head pressure.

We believe the Lord is healing people with left knee pain.

We believe the Lord is healing people suffering with lower back pain.

We believe the Lord is healing people suffering with neck pain.

We believe the Lord wants to give peace to someone who has been very stressed about getting their kids back in school.

We believe we heard the Lord say there is someone this weekend who is feeling stagnant and He wants to refresh you and fill you with His joy and love.