10 REASONS YOU RUN OUT OF GAS
All are parallels to your life
1. Not starting out with a full tank.
2. Being too busy to pause and refuel.
3. Unaware of hidden leaks that are draining me.
4. Ignoring the owner's manual and pushing my
car farther than it was created to go.
5. Hurry - The faster I drive, the faster I run out of gas.
6. Being distracted and not watching my gauges
(Or not believing them!)
7. Being overloaded - The more I carry, the sooner I run
out of gas. Lying to myself "I can handle this!"
8. Pressure to do it now! Rapid acceleration wastes gas.
9. Pride: Assuming the limits of my tank don't apply to me.
10. No margin: Not allowing for time to fill up.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR TANK FILLED
Jesus said, "If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your soul. For the yoke I share with you is easy to wear and the load is light." Matthew 11:28-30
1. GET FED UP! (WITH HOW I'VE BEEN LIVING)
"If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens . . ." Matthew 11:28a
Action Plan: Until you are willing to come to terms that you need to change your life, you won't change your life. Think through or write down everything you are sick and tired of in your life. Share your list with someone and ask them to keep you accountable in that area(s).
2. COME TO JESUS
"Cometo me and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28b
"He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak . . . Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength." Isaiah 40:29, 31 (NLT)
Action Plan: Using the list you made in #1, write down a prayer for each item on your list. Each day ask Jesus for help for each item.
3. GIVE UP CONTROL
"Take my yoke upon you . . . " Matthew 11:29a
- The purpose of a "YOKE" is to share and lighten the load
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:30
"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders. He'll carry your load and help you out." Psalm 55:22 (Mes)
- When I'm "yoked" with Jesus, we move together in the same direction & the same pace
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25
"Our lives get in step with God by letting Him set the pace." Romans 3:28 (Mes)
4. LEARN TO TRUST
" . . . Learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29b
Gentle & Humble Antidotes to 2 Causes of Stress
Aggression: We don't wait, pause, or consider
Arrogance; We try to control everything
"Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way" Proverbs 20:24 (LB)
"When I am ready to give up, He knows what I should do." Psalm 142:3 (TEV)
5. START EVERY DAY BY FILLING MY TANK
"Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace." Matthew 6:6 (Mes)
Action Plan: Rewatch the message "Starting Your Day Right." Use it to help you get started on the habit of a Daily Quiet Time with God.
6. STAY CONNECTED TO MY CHURCH FAMILY
"Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more . . . " Hebrews 10:25 (TEV)
"The church is Christ's body and it is filled with Christ who completely fills everything else." Ephesians 1:23 (CEV)
Action Plan: Click here for information on starting or joining a small group.
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship talks about the power words have in our relationships. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen, click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over, click here.
