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Lost

ConversationClear up misspoken re: Scarlett

not behavior – Spirituality!Knowing God’s will?• Star Wars• Matrix• Lord of the Rings• Lost

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Lost

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“It’s tough to determine what’s scarier, that our innermost fears are so readily exploited by dramatists, or that millions of viewers get their most provocative thoughts on fate, destiny, religion, and philosophy from television.”

Joanne OstrowDenver Post TV Critic

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“It’s tough to determine what’s scarier, that our innermost fears are so readily exploited by dramatists, or that millions of viewers get their most provocative thoughts on fate, destiny, religion, and philosophy from television.”

Joanne OstrowDenver Post TV Critic

[and movies?]

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Proverbs 14:12 Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)(NLT)

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

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Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

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Genesis 22:1-3 (NLT)

1Later on God tested Abraham’s faith and obedience. “Abraham!” God called.

“Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”2“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love

so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will point out to you.”

3The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son Isaac. Then he chopped wood to build a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place where God had told him to go.

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So, how do we know these plans?So, how do we know these plans?

How do we hear God’s voice?How do we hear God’s voice?

How do we know God’s will for our lives?How do we know God’s will for our lives?

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How to discern God’s voice:How to discern God’s voice:

• Surrender my heart so that I have no will of my own.• Do not rely simply on feelings or impressions.• Seek the will of God through the Bible.• Take into account God-directed circumstances.• Ask God to reveal His Will completely.• Thus, through prayer, Bible study, and reflection –

come to deliberate understanding of God’s will – then if you experience peace and it continues through two or three more petitions – proceed accordingly.

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How to discern God’s voice:How to discern God’s voice:

• Surrender my heart so that I have no will of my own.• Do not rely simply on feelings or impressions.• Seek the will of God through the Bible.• Take into account God-directed circumstances.• Ask God to reveal His Will completely.• Thus, through prayer, Bible study, and reflection –

come to deliberate understanding of God’s will – then if you experience peace and it continues through two or three more petitions – proceed accordingly.

• Surrender my heart so that I have no will of my ownno will of my own.• Do not relyDo not rely simply on feelings or impressionson feelings or impressions.• Seek the will of God through the Biblethrough the Bible.• Take into account God-directed circumstancescircumstances.• Ask God to reveal His Will completelyHis Will completely.• Thus, through prayer, Bible study, and reflection –

come to deliberate understanding of God’s will – then if you experienceexperience peacepeace and it continues through two or three more petitionstwo or three more petitions – proceed accordingly.

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Surrender my heart so that I have no Surrender my heart so that I have no will of my own.will of my own.Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NLT)

9“The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? 10But I know! I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”

Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT)

24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

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Do not rely simply on feelings or impressions.

Judges 21:25 (NLT)

In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

Proverbs 14:12 Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)(NLT)

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

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Seek the will of God through the Bible.Seek the will of God through the Bible.

Psalm 119:11 (NLT)

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

Hebrews 13:7 (NLT)

Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do.

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Take into account God-directed Take into account God-directed circumstances.circumstances.1 Chronicles 12:32 (NLT)

From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.

Matthew 16:2-3 (NLT)

2He replied, “You know the saying, ‘red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow, 3red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You are good at reading the weather signs in the sky, but you can’t read the obvious signs of the times!

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Ask God to reveal His Will Ask God to reveal His Will completelycompletely..

Isaiah 52:6 (NLT)

But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that it is I who speaks to them.”

John 16:15 (NLT)

All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he receives from me.

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Thus, through prayer, Bible study, and Thus, through prayer, Bible study, and reflection – come to deliberate reflection – come to deliberate understanding of God’s will – then if you understanding of God’s will – then if you experience peace and it continues through experience peace and it continues through two or three more petitions – proceed two or three more petitions – proceed accordingly.accordingly.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

22But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peacepeace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

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