Highlight Real, Week 4: Relationship with God

Behind every highlight reel you see, there is a behind the scenes that you don't. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith... Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV) The same God, who stands with us in our HIGHLIGHT REEL, walks with us through every moment behind the scenes. Someone who is SPIRITUALLY PRODUCTIVE His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV) For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV) Spiritual productivity is not just about what you "do for God", but what we allow Him to produce in us. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)  Someone who has discovered KINGDOM PURPOSE In God's Kingdom, PURPOSE propels PRODUCTIVITY. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well... Romans 12:4-6 (NLT) Someone who is devoted to PRAYER Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1,6 (NIV) …And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:1,6 (NIV)  Don't want something FROM GOD, more than you just WANT GOD. Someone who sees PURPOSE in PAIN Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT) Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. 1 Peter 4:12-13 (MSG)  Pain is the crucible through which God refines us.  Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 (NLT) Someone who maintains an ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. Hebrews 11:13-16 (NIV) People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Hebrews 11:13-16 (NIV)  Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16 (NIV) When we have an eternal perspective we learn to live with a spiritual tension at all times. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us… Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)  …fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)