3g Service and 31 Personalities...the third and final "G" is for Groan.

Now for our third “G”…
Third “G”:

• Groan
  • In prayer…
    • Psalm 5:1-2 (ESV) Give ear to my words, O Lord;
          consider my groaning.
      2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,
          my King and my God,
          for to you do I pray.
    • Romans 8:26 (NIV) In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
    • Psalm 38:7-10 (NIV)

7 My back is filled with searing pain;
    there is no health in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;
    I groan in anguish of heart.
9 All my longings lie open before you, Lord;
    my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me;
    even the light has gone from my eyes.

• As a horse submitting its will and trusting its handler…choose to trust and surrender to Him each day.

Bible Event that sums up Giving, Gentler, and Personality:

• Gentler...consider Christ's conversation with Peter in John chapter 21. Step one, Peter do you love me? Step two, a little closer into Peter's personal space...do you love me? Step three, almost right in Peter's face...do you love me? Almost as if Christ was holding a note behind his back, ready to present it to Peter upon the 3rd and final response...a note which reads, "then feed my sheep." That proves mutual and unconditional love, trust, and respect. Such moving and drawing in close proves Christ's practice of being a Gentler trainer. How do you think Peter treated others after experiencing such actions from the Lord? 
  • John 21:15-19 (NIV) 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” 
  • God took a scoop from the denier bucket/personality...Giver and Gentler...gently gave forgiveness and a second chance...that's who He is and what He does. The result: Trust...the prize and privilege, feed my sheep.

In Closing…

• Remember…The Lord gave to all (John 3:16), and He was always gentle with all the different personalities that surrounded Him. It’s your reasonable service to be a living sacrifice and follow His examples…
• Prayer…
  • Lord, how would you have me give? How would You have me be gentle with certain personalities. I come to you sighing/groaning…thank you for interpreting and answering in Your perfect way and time.
    Amen 

Song: The Way by Jeremy Camp
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