Pastor Greg continues with part two of the series called “The Sweet Life.” He shares how God exhorts us to sanctify (set apart) our physical, emotional/mental and spiritual life for His purposes and His glory. Living “The Sweet Life” is all about finding true satisfaction in life that really lasts. In this second week he teaches us how to experience “The Sweet Life” when it comes to our emotions and thoughts and how these have an effect on our physical life as well.
If you missed the previous week’s messages in this series you can use the links below. Mahalo!
Week 1 ~ Week 3
MESSAGE NOTES
He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. ~ Isaiah 53:3
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. ~ 1 Timothy 6:17
A tranquil heart is life to the body … ~ Proverbs 14:30a
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. ~ Proverbs 17:22
For as a man thinks within himself, so he is. ~ Proverbs 23:7a
Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” ~ Matthew 26:38
3 BIBLICAL STRATEGIES FOR LIVING THE EMOTIONAL SWEET LIFE
1) Make Face-To-Face Social Interactions a Priority!
… It is not good for the man to be alone … ~ Genesis 2:18
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ~ Romans 12:15
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11
2) Learn How To Keep Stress Levels In Check!
a) Think about how your senses affect your feelings.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!… ~ Psalm 34:8
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. ~ 2 Corinthians 2:14
b) Schedule Intentional Time For Leisure.
Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. ~ Ecclesiastes 9:9
c) Take Time To Pray And Meditate.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7
3) Don’t Skimp on Sleep
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. ~ Psalm 23:1-3a
If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. ~ Proverbs 3:24
GO DEEPER
ALOHA GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
READ: Proverbs 14:30 and Proverbs 17:22
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) What kind of physical impact do your emotions have on you? When you are happy or sad or scared or anxious what physiological changes do you notice in your body? Why do you think that is?
2) Based on this information, what practical changes can we make in our lives to better insure both our emotional and physical health? What gets in the way of those plans becoming reality?
READ: Proverbs 27:7
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) What do you think this Scripture means? In what way is this true for you, that as you think in your heart, so you are. If this is true, how important are your emotions and thoughts regarding yourself, your life and your place in the world?
READ: Genesis 2:18, Romans 12:15 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) What do these three Scriptures teach us about the value of Aloha Groups in our lives? What happens to people who don’t have these kinds of meaningful relationships in their lives when they encounter stressful emotional situations?
2) What can we do to intentionally help each other not keep our emotions bottled up inside where they cause harm? What keeps people from doing this with and for each other?
READ: Psalm 34:8 and 2 Corinthians 2:14
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Pastor Greg shared the idea that certain senses can be linked to positive or negative events or emotions in our lives. Do you have any memories that are connected to certain smells, tastes, sights, sounds or touch sensations? What are they?
READ: Eccles. 9:9, Philipp. 4:6-7 , Psalm 23:1-3a & Proverbs 3:24
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Have you found these values of leisure time, prayer and meditation and sleep to be true in your life as well? In what way? What are some specific things you do to protect your time to allow for leisure, prayer and sleep?
2) Have you ever experienced negative emotional or physical effects when you have allowed things like leisure, prayer and sleep to be sacrificed?
3) Do you need medical or counseling help to make this (taking intentional time for leisure, prayer and sleep) happen? What can your Aloha Group do to help you live The Emotional Sweet Life more fully?