GROWING OUR CONNECTION 

CONNECTION 

March 10, 2024  Sam Goins

FOLLOWING JESUS IS A __________________, THAT I CHOOSE TO LIVE EVERY DAY.  

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Luke 9 22-23 NLT 

Following Jesus is a _____________, to grow more in love with God and more loving to others.  

_____________________________________________ help me become like Jesus and assist me in growing my love for God and my love for others the same way Jesus does. 

Steps are Spiritual exercises that help us trust God and to grow more like Jesus. They do not make us more acceptable, or worthy. They are how we grow in knowing him better after the connection is established. 

Here are the first three Exercises. 

• ______________________ – the cell phone of our walk with Jesus. Always call, text or email our God. 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV 

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14,15 NIV

• _______________________ – a way of deepening or strengthening our connection 

IT’S A __________________________ FOR _________________________ 

“Fasting: giving up food for a period of time so we can grow closer to God. 
 
Fasting trains us to say no to what we want now (food) so that we can say yes to what we want most (God). Every craving for food is a reminder to pray. And the more we practice saying no to our physical desires, the more we prepare ourselves to say no to sinful desires. 
 
When we practice spiritual disciplines, like fasting, we intentionally shine a light on those unconscious pathways and processes to reveal who or what we trust the most. Do we supremely trust ourselves and our desires to lead us to the good life? Or do we trust that life with Jesus is better than anything and follow Him wherever He leads?”  Life Church 

16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair[d] and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6 16-18 NLT 

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. 4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit.  Acts 13:2-4 NLT 

• _____________ – Reveals how much we are loved, which gives us strength for the journey. Provides tools to live the lifestyle to the fullest. 

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 NIV 

10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.  John 15:10-17 NLT