WAR ROOM WEEK 5 IMPACTED BY GRACE

IMPACTED BY GRACE

How time flies. This is our last week in War Room study. I hope you have found a least one beneficial information or enlightenment through this study. This week we are focusing on our identity in Jesus. All that we have discussed so far has led up to this. Jesus is our connection point to God through our prayer life.

When we come to God, repent of our sins, and accept His Son as our Savior, God’s grace transforms us. This week’s study is an examination what that transformation can be like.

Do you watch faith-based movies? One of the interesting things about these movies is the journey that one character takes. In the end there is AWAYS a CHANGE. Not only in the movies War Room, Fireproof and Courageous which were created by the same people, but even the Tyler Perry movies and plays. Perry’s Medea is not that character. In fact she is so messed up with the knowledge of the Christian life, but she always has words of wisdom for that character that is on that journey.

It is all about “taking off the old self and putting on a new one”, which is an active part of being a follower of Christ.

Write in your journal five or more characteristics of a transformed life. What was the most transformation that you experienced as a believer? Or has there been a transformation?

One of my favorite pastors, Charles Stanley explains Christian transformation like this:” it is like restoring old furniture, it’s a two stage process. First, one must take off the old. Then you have a clean slate to put on the new!”  When I read that, I start to think about it and realize there is a “sanding process too” that even happens are you are putting on the “new”.

This sanding process or “pruning” is an important step in bringing forth God’s desire for us. We need to recognize that God is still in the process of “restoring” your life to be the person He created you to be. And when He is finished, He will bring “this piece of furniture” to His home to dwell with Him there.

MOVIE CLIP SUMMARY

Tony has realized the “errors of his ways”. He has been fired from his lucrative job and Elizabeth, his wife is trying to pick up extra job opportunities not only to “make ends meet” but he has restitution to pay soon. Tony is talking to Elizabeth. He doesn’t understand the “kindness” that Elizabeth is showing toward him after all he had said and done. He confesses that he deserved to be fired because he was deceiving his employer so that he could be the “top salesman” of the company.  He also admits to deceiving Elizabeth. “I almost cheated on you Elizabeth. But you know that.” He asked her why was she still there with him.  All the while Elizabeth sit in quiet and listens with compassion.  He tells her that he saw her prayer closet and those prayers she wrote for him. “Why would you do that” He asked.  She finally speaks and says with a soft gentle voice, “I am not done with us.” “I will keep fighting but my contentment doesn’t come from you” “Tony, I love you, but I am HIS before I was yours.” “And because I love Jesus I am staying right here”. Tony gets on his knees in front of her and repents. “I’ve asked God to forgive me, but I need you to forgive me.” Then Elizabeth givens him that “Amazing Grace” and forgives him.

Why do you think Elizabeth felt the need to declare to whom she truly belongs? Have you ever wrestled with the idea of being forgiven?

READ GALATIAN 2:19-20 Write in your journal the phase “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me”. Reflect on you own life, what had God done in your to make this statement true in your life?

READ JOHN 15:1-8

Write in your journal the instructions Jesus gave His followers.

To abide means to CONTINUE TO BE PRESENT or to be HELD or KEPT CONTINUALLY. This means everlasting. The result of this “abiding” is fruit. READ THE FOLLOWING VERSES. Write down the fruit that God seeks.

GALATIANS 5:22            HEBREW 13:15    ROMANS 6:22               COLOSSIANS 1:10

ROMAN 10:13-15

What fruits are present in your life?

 

QUOTE FROM THE MOVIE- “ I was ready to defend myself. Except this time I can’t. I hate saying this, but I deserved to get fired. I was deceiving them. I was deceiving you.” – Tony Jordan WAR ROOM

 

Confession is not easy. It is rather difficult and hard.  No one wants to ADMIT their FAULTS, ACCEPT any responsibility or guilt. But after confession there is another step. REPENTANCE.  Repentance is not only admitting sin, but also turning away from it.  It is repentance that establishes forgiven in our relationship with God.

There are two important keys to forgiveness.  The first key is atonement.  “ Without the atonement of sin, there cannot be forgiveness”

READ 1 PETER 2:24

Whose sin did Jesus bear? Jesus died so we might live for what? How have YOU been healed? What does it look like to live for righteousness in day to day life? How does your life reflect that?

The second key is repentance. According to Wikipedia, repentance is the activity of reviewing one’s actions and feeling regret for wrong doing. General involves personal CHANGE and the resolve to life more responsible. Repentance is a beautiful and powerful thing.

READ ACT 3:19

Why do we need to repent and turn back? What is the result of that repentance?

How many times have you wanted a “do-over” in your life? We all want a refreshing or restart at certain times and seasons in our life. REPENTANCE IS NOT A NEGATIVE THING!!  It is a REFRESHING thing.

Do you need to repent in any of the following areas: pride, selfishness, control, comparison, bitterness, perfectionism? Take a moment to confess and repent of those NOW. Ask God to help you avoid these sins in the future.  Ask God to reveal to you areas of sin that you need to confess. Ask him to change your heart’s view of your sin so that you see it like God does.  Then your refreshing will begin.

 

QUOTE FROM THE MOVIE- “But I’ve learned that my contentment can’t’ come from you. Tony, I love you but I am His before I am yours and because I love Jesus, I am staying right here.” – Elizabeth WAR ROOM

 

READ PHILLIPIANS 4:11-13

Content. What does content mean to you?  Content, strong enough to need no aid or support; sufficient; independent of EXTERNAL circumstances; content with one’s lot. It is a state of peacefulness. Another word is JOY. This has NOTHING to do with what is going on in your world, on the outside. It is what is going on, on the inside.  It is different that happiness. Happiness DEPENDS on circumstances. CONTENTMENT/JOY is “in spite” of circumstance.

I like this statement in the study book. “Contentment is an illusion in the American landscape today. The drive for MORE in every arena has created a culture where NOTHING is EVER close to enough. MORE money. MORE status. MORE education. MORE busyness. MORE. MORE. MORE” What do you think?

Have you attempted to FIND contentment? In what areas of life have your struggles to find contentment?

READ HEBREWS 13:5 Write in your journal, in your words what this means.

The nearness of God allows contentment and joy REGARDLESS of circumstance. When Paul wrote to the Philippians he was in prison, chained to a guard. He was awaiting a trial in Rome that would probably bring the result of his death. But he was contented. I know we probably have never been in a position like that but think of some trials in your life in the past. Were you contented?

In the movie, Elizabeth marriage was falling apart and she learned to be content in Christ.  The test of whether Christ is “enough” usually doesn’t happen to us when everything is going great.  We are tested when things are going wrong or having to “climb” those big mountains or when we are in the “valley”.

READ the following Scripture and list in your journal the things that helped Paul find contentment/joy.

     PHILLIPIANS 4:6-7    PHILLIPIANS 4:8-9     PHILLIPIANS 4:13      PHILLIPIANS 4:19

Write a prayer in your journal using these things to teach you to find contentment in God regardless of your circumstances.

 

QUOTE FROM THE MOVIE- “I asked God to forgive me. But I need your to forgive me. I don’t want you to quit on me, Liz”- Tony WAR ROOM

“I forgive you”- Elizabeth WAR ROOM

 

Three most powerful words of the movie.

 I FORGIVE YOU.

READ MARK 11:25. What does this say we should do when we pray.

READ HEBREWS 4:16. What are you invited to do? In what manner does it invite us to do it?

Go back a few verse and READ HEBREWS 4:12-15

Without forgiveness, there can be no boldness, no confidence and no generosity.

If we truly experience the gospel of Jesus, no relationship is EVER the same again. When we have been hurt or wronged by others, the gospel will remind us to look at ourselves as a sinner FIRST.  The clearest mark of God’s grace in our life is a generous spirit (forgiveness) toward others.

 

Now our study has completed. Reflect on these questions regularly to keep you growing to be more Christ-like.

How will you continue to examine your walk with Christ and seek to line it up with Scripture?

How will you help another believer grow in his or her walk with Christ?

How will you continue to lean on God’s grace and submit Him?

In what ways will you continue to resist the Devil?

Closing with Miss Clara’s powerful prayer from the movie.

“HELP ME TO STAND ON YOUR WORD ABOVE ALL ELSE. HELP ME TO FIGHT ON MY KNEES AND WORSHIP YOU WITH MY WHOLE HEAR. HELP ME TO PROCLAIM WITH MY LIFE THAT YOU ARE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. GUIDE ME TO PEOPLE WHO WILL CALL UPON YOUR NAME. RAISE UP THOSE WHO LOVE YOU AND SEE YOU AND TRUST YOU. CALL US TO BATTLE, LORD” AMEN

 

 

WORSHIP SONG

WAR ROOM WEEK #4 VICTORY ACCOMPLISHED

   VICTORY ACCOMPLISHED

1 JOHN 4:4  “ YOU ARE FROM GOD, LITTLE CHILDREN, AND YOUR HAVE CONQUERED THEM. BECAUSE THE ONE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN THE ONE WHO IS IN THE WORLD”

There is a dangerous ENEMY bent on destroying YOU. This week is about claiming the TRUTH. About leaning on the POWER of the Gospel and walking in the VICTORY that has ALREADY been accomplished.

As we go through difficult times in our life, we need to SEE God’s Grace working. Especially when it comes to dealing with the attacked of the Enemy. When that happens we need an abundance of Grace.

There are people who deny the existence of Satan, (just like those that deny the existence of God). They there are those who blames Satan for EVERYTHING that goes awry in their daily life. Rainy days, slow line when you are trying to check-out. And some are totally unaware of his “wiles”.  And there are those that fail to accept any responsibility to the situations they may find themselves.

WRITE IN YOUR JOURNAL 10 NAMES FOR THE ENEMY, BESIDES SATAN AND THE DEVIL.

READ 1 PETER 5:8-9

Think back to your childhood. How did you perceive Satan? How do you perceive him today? Do you downplay, deny or overemphasize his role in your life?  Think of the times you have seen the ENEMY actively trying to destroy you and/or those around you.

MOVIE SCENE SUMMARY

In a powerful moving scene, Elizabeth is in her prayer closet. She is praying about her situation with Tony, who is being tempted to be unfaithful. He is out having a nice dinner with another woman, She ask God to forgiven her because she is not Tony’s judge. She prayer for God’s help to not let Tony “do this”. Then she recites a piece of scripture over and over, then it hits her. “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee”.  When it hits her she get out of her closet with Bible in hand and a face of a warrior that is on a mission. She stand in her living area and calls the devil out. Told him that he had played with her mind enough and there would be NO MORE. “You are done!” She proclaims “Jesus IS the LORD of this house. That means there is NO place for you ANYMORE” She tells him to take his lies, his schemes and accusations and get OUT, “IN JESUS NAME!”

Then she goes outside and give him some more of her mind. “ You can’t have my marriage. You can’t have my daughter and you sure can’t have my man”. She tells the Satan that her house is under “NEW MANAGEMENT” and he is “OUT”. She goes back inside, but she is not finished yet. One last word for Enemy. “I am so sick of you stealing my joy but that’s changing too. My joy don’t come from my friends, my job, not even my husband. MY JOY is found in JESUS and just in case you have forgotten, He ALREADY defeated YOU. So go back to hell where you belong and leave my family alone”. I got glory bumps just watching that clip again. SO POWERFUL!!!

Proclaim the Word (Scripture) when we pray is powerful. Sometimes we have to recite out loud, over and over, just like Elizabeth did. The Bible states that the Holy Spirit within us is more POWERFUL than Satan. “Greater is He that in within me” tune runs through my mind.

READ ROMANS 8:26-27

What does the Holy Spirit do for us when we don’t know how to pray?

We know how to pray for needs and issue that are personal to us. However the Holy Spirit know what other things we should be praying.  He also intercedes on our behalf to the Father when the request is beyond out ability and/or comprehension.

Elizabeth learned that her real enemy is NOT her husband but Satan himself.

What does it mean to give the Devil an opportunity? Write down them ways that we can give him a chance to make a foothold in our life.

Did you write bitterness down? READ EPHESIANS 4:30-32. Bitterness clearly gives the enemy an opportunity to cause havoc in your life. It doesn’t have to be your marriage, it could even been work related. Whether it is a co-worker or those in management. How should we deal with this bitterness?

 

QUOTE FROM THE MOVIE- ‘SUBMIT TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE”  JAMES 4:7 – Elizabeth

READ JOHN 10:10

Satan is a thief who wants to steal from you. He plans is all out before he begins his assault. He tries to destroy your joy, your faith, your family and your testimony.  Some churches don’t preach or talk about the devil nor hell, but it is VERY IMPORTANT to know your enemy and understand his attacks.

 

READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES. MATCH THEM TO THE ADJACENT LIST WHAT EACH SAYS ABOUT SATAN AND HIS ATTACKS.

REVELATIONS 12:10              A liar and the father of liars

JOHN 8:44                            Ruler of this world who uses the disobedient

1 PETER 5:8                          Looks for anyone he can devour

EPHESIANS 2:2                      Blinds unbelievers

2 CORINTHAINS 4:4               Employs tactics to tempt

EPHENSIANS 6:11                  Accuses day and night

 

REFLECTIONS IN YOUR JOURNAL

How does the Enemy distract you? How does the Enemy deceive you? How does the Enemy divide you? What is Satan working to destroy in your life now?

READ JAMES 4:7

This is what you need to remember FIRST when you are dealing with the devil. When he wants to steal, kill, and destroy you. When we resist , he will flee. THAT is a DIVINE PROMISE. It’s evidence of God’s grace.

QUOTE FROM THE MOVIE- “ YOU HAVE PLAYED WITH MY MIND AND HAD YOUR WAY LONG ENOUGH. NO MORE. YOUR ARE DONE.”- Elizabeth

When Elizabeth cried out in her prayer closet, she uttered scripture. When God comes to our rescue, it is OFTEN with HIS WORD.

READ JOHN 10:10                  2 THESSALONAINS 3:3           JAMES 4;7

These words are the ammunition Elizabeth needed to stand up and fight. Just like we NEED this ammunition. These scriptures helps us understand the Enemy; truth in God’s defense; and to SUBMIT to God’s will.

READ EPESIANS 6:17 How can the Word of God be a weapon in your life?

READ MATTHEW 4:1-11 Notice how Jesus used Scripture as a weapon. He knew Bible verses and he knew their context. He had meditated on them and studied them.

READ 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 Write in your journal the ways Paul states how useful the Word is.

REMEMBER! Scripture is the inspired Word of God. It is a powerful sword that He has given us to use. With it we can teach, rebuke, and be equipped to do good. It also gives us the power to defeat Satan.

QUOTE FROM THE MOVIE-“ MY JOY DOESN’T COME FROM MY FRIENDS, IT DOESN’T COME FROM MY JOB, IT DOESN’T EVEN COME FROM MY HUSBAND. MY JOY IS FOUND IN JESUS AND JUST IN CASE YOU FORGOT, HE HAS ALREADY DEFEATED YOU” – Elizabeth

In Sunday School, we just started Philippians. We talked about the difference between happiness and joy. Do you know the difference?

Happiness is a delight based on circumstances. It is external. Now joy is a delight regardless of the circumstances. It is internal. It is easy to say we have “joy” when things in our life are going well, but a true relationship with Christ can only bring you TRUE JOY that sustains even while going through the trials of life.

READ THE FOLLOW VERSES ABOUT JOY

PSALM 71:23      Joy is present in my life when I am praising God

PSALM 21:6         I have joy when I am in God’s presence.

JAMES 1: 2-3      I may have joy in trials because God give me endurance

PSALM 119:11    Joy comes from knowing the Word of God

1 PETER 1:8        Joy is found through faith in Christ

PHILEMON 1:7     Joy comes from encouragement and fellowship with other believers.

GALATIONS 5:22 Joy come through the working of the Holy Spirit.

READ PHILIPPIANS 4:4

When Paul wrote Philippians he was in prison. But his letter was full of joy. He didn’t mention the woes of him being in prison. He didn’t let it get in the way of doing God’s work. He wrote to the people of Philippi and told them to stop worrying and to go to God with their request.  He told them to concentrate on things that are good and positive.

One of Satan’s strategies is to turn our thoughts away for God, away for joy. (away from Bible Study J )

C.S.Lewis wrote a book called The Screwtape Letters. It explores the attacks of the devil against God’s children. He writes one of the demons saying “ It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds, in reality our BEST WORK is done by keeping things OUT”.

We need to ask God to help us turn our minds toward the things that are lovely, pure and true. We need to ask Him to help us dwell ON Him and His Word.  Cast your cares upon Him and thank Him for the joy you have already found IN Him.

 

WORSHIP SONG FOR THE WEEK

 

 

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