DMM Heart and Four Fields-Abide
Abide-Becoming the Kind of Vessel whom God is pleased to use is strongly linked to one’s Holy Spirit dependence growth process in all areas of life. To cultivate a heart to choose to loosen one’s hold on perceived personal rights is one important aspect of walking aligned with the heart of the Father.
Loosening Our Hold on Personal Rights[1]
Portions of the introduction to this DBS are taken from themes from the book Have We No Right by Mabel Williamson. Various other related comments given in the intro are taken from a talk by Ron Ralston, which are reworked here.
Intro-Dan’s stabbing, Anna’s death, riots on the island, life threats to children
As Americans, we come from a culture that says "you deserve this", or even "they shouldn't treat you that way". Our very own Declaration of Independence of the United States of America emphatically declares that we have these certain inalienable rights; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Discussions are probably occurring somewhere in the world today regarding the certain rights of children that promotes self-governing. America is replete with examples of the pendulum swing towards personal rights over and above community responsibilities. And what about our rights as followers of Christ?
We come from a society where we are told we get returns on our investment. So now that I've invested my life in Christ, what's the return? What returns do I get on investing my life in Him? In perhaps more pertinent vernacular, “What are my rights since I gave my all to Him?
DBS-In the following two passages, in what ways are “rights” discussed?
▪ 2 Timothy 3:1-4
▪ Philippians 2:1-11
I. DBS-Areas of Perceived Personal Rights
Read each perceived right, then read verse(s) 1x, how does each verse describes God’s heart?
- The Right to live for myself? (Romans 11:33-36)
- The Right to relationships? (Matthew 19:29, Luke 9:57-62)
- The Right to personal comfort and material possessions? (Luke 14:25-43, Matthew 6:19-21)
- The Right to physical health and safety? (John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
- The Right to think my way is the best? (Philippians 2:1-11)
- The Right for use of my own time? (Psalm 90:12, Galatians 2:20)
- The Right to being appreciated and recognized by others? (I Peter 2:20, Matthew 10:22)
- The Right to fairness? (Romans 12:19-20)
- The Right to life? (Job 1:20-22)
- The Right to a good reputation? (Matthew 5:11, Matthew 10:16-45)
- The Right to withhold forgiveness? To hate another? (Matthew 5:43-47, I John 2:9-11)
- The Right to belonging? (Romans 12:2, Galatians 1:10, Hebrews 11:13-16)
- The Right to “take offense”? (I Corinthians 13:5, Acts 24:16, Colossians 3:13, Proverbs 17:9)
- The Right to express sexuality freely? (I Corinthians 6:18-20, I John 1:5-10)
- The Right to be led by “whatever feels good”? (Galatians 5:16-17, I Peter 4:2, Ephesians 2)
- The Right to place self first? (Philippians 2:1-5, I Thessalonians 5:11, I John 3:11-18)
- The Right to grumble/complain? (Philippians 2:14, I Thessalonians 5:18)
- The Right to hold a grudge? Holding against and/or withholding from? (Colossians 3:13)
- The Right to understand God’s plan before we obey? (Hebrews 11:1-8)
- The Right to rebel against authority? (I Peter 2:13-15)
Listening Prayer
Describe which of the above list of “perceived personal rights” stands out the most for you personally?
In what ways is Jesus asking you to obey?
Option #2 DBS -God’s Heartbeat on the Area of Rights
Privileges, not rights, is what God has given us in Christ. We need to aggressively identify areas we subtly claim as our deserved own and surrender them over to God. The reality is that what we deserve from a Holy God is Hell, yet God has graciously offered to us saving faith in Christ alone. Our role then is to guard our hearts in these areas, through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit. If we are walking in deception in these areas the fruit borne will be an ungrateful, bitter heart. God has called you into His great purposes, adopted you as His own, and paid the greatest ransom ever to purchase your life back from the pit. He highly values you and loves you unconditionally. May you continue to walk in His ways while drinking deeply of His overflowing abundance in all ways in your life.
Small Group Time....
▪ Read each passage 1x out loud. What does this passage tell us about God? About rights?
▪ Ephesian 1:13-14
▪ John 12:24-25
▪ Romans 14:7, 8
▪ Philippians 1:21
▪ Colossians 1:10
▪ Revelation 5:9
▪ I Corinthians 6:19
▪ Galatians 2:20
▪ Matthew 10:28
▪ Matthew 16:24-25
▪ Luke 9:23
- Discuss the areas from the list above where you feel most vulnerable.
- Spend time after you share asking the Lord in listening prayer:
Rights that I consider as my own-
▪
▪
▪
- What is the Lord asking in loving obedience?
Option #3 DBS-Yielding of Our Rights Brings God's Blessing
“God oftentimes invites us to the place we have no desire to be led in order to reveal how much He is truly enough for every aspect of our lives. He may have planned to withdraw the most precious entrustments in our lives taken from us. Again, this is because of His great love and mercy and His sovereign ways in our lives. God wants us to be utterly dependent upon Him. He's after our hearts. "Will you trust me?, He asks. Why do you suppose God seemingly is the God of the last minute? Can you think of a time where there was no way out except that God provide?
Genesis 12
Genesis 22
Exodus 2
Read each passage 1x
Rewrite in own words
What does this tell us about God?
What does this tell us about people?
What does this tell us about Yieldedness?
What area is the Holy Spirit asking you for specific obedience for needed transformation?
[1] For further study, read Mabel Williamson Have We No Right, Brokenness: The Heart God Revive by Nancy DeMoss, Ron Ralston Personal Rights (talk given in 1983, selected concepts taken from)
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