Healing the brokenhearted 8 – No more tears

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on the hope a God’s New Creation where there will be no more sorrow or sadness.

Scripture

Revelation 21:1-5

1  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

5  And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Observations

1. In this Revelation which John recorded, what does it reveal about God? [hint: read through verses 1-5 and record what it reveals about God’s actions and character]
2. What do these verses reveal about humanity’s future state in “the new Jerusalem”? [hint: read through verses 2-5 and record what it reveals about the new state of humanity]
3. What will be the emotional state of the citizens in the new Jerusalem? And why?

Personal reflection

1. Describe the general state of people you interact with daily (at home, at work, in the shopping centers etc).
   1. Why are they like that?
   2. In which ways are you similar to them?
   3. In which ways are you different from them?
2. Take a moment and reflect on your general emotional state of late. Record your emotions (using more than 5 descriptive words):
   1. towards yourself
   2. towards the three people closets to you
   3. towards God
   4. regarding your future
   5. regarding your past

Prayer

God is in the process of “making all things new.” Take some time and pray about what you want God to make new in your heart, relationships and life in general (concerning your reflections above).

Motivational Gifts 1

The aim of the devotional bible study is to grow in the understanding and appreciation of the various motivational gifts God had created each one of us with.

This short humoristic video will greatly enhance today’s reading [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWZmeSwqRqw]:

Scripture

Romans 12:3-8

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.  4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:

if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

7  if service, in our serving;

the one who teaches, in his teaching;

8  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation;

the one who contributes, in generosity;

the one who leads, with zeal;

the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Observations

Note: The gifts mentioned here are seven motivational gifts (also called “the gifts of the Father” according to 1 Corinthians 12:4-6). Each person is born with a certain set of these motivators which drives his/her actions.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”

1. Why and how would you say this list of motivational gifts from God the Father (mentioned in Romans 12:6-8) is different from the Holy Spirit’s manifestation gifts (mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11) and the Lord’s ministry gifts (mentioned in Ephesians 4:7-14).
2. Looking the Romans 12:3-8 above, why would it be right to say that each person has received gifts from God to serve others with? (Give verse references in your answer).
3. Give one or two words to summarize the relationship we have of one another in church (Romans 12:4-5), taking into account our unique motivational gifts.
4. Look at the following table by James C. Wright in which he describes the various motivational gifts and identifies the resulting fruit of these gifts working though people. What are your thoughts in his observations from the Text and people? Can you see why and how he makes the observations?

Application:

1. Do the quick yet helpful motivational gift test by Reagent University (gifttest.org) and record your results – share it with your home group and discuss your findings and opinions!
2. Considering your test:
   1. Do you understand why certain tasks are cumbersome to you, while others are effortless?
   2. Do you understand why you have conflict with certain types of people?
   3. What type of function are you most fit to fullfil in your local church?

Prayer

Thank God the Father for making you the way he did, and ask him to grow in appreciation and understanding of who you are, and for which good works he prepared for you today , and what purposes he has in mind for you.  Then pray that God will help you have grace and honour for people that are made differently from you.