Number 4: Symbols

Do you remember the stop sign story Karen read? The author kind of just rolled through a stop sign and then had the encounter with the cop's nigh stick? then, lets jump into it!

The Word.
Wondering what the Word could have to do with this experience? Well, did I see the stop sign? Did it make me stop? Nope. Did a cop really beat me in the head? No. But you get my point. Does a stop sign ever make you stop? We see them every day. I have never had a stop sign jump off its pole into my car and slam the brakes.
Then what do stop signs do? What are they? A stop sign is a symbol.
It reminds us of what we are supposed to do.

Scripture Connection. Genesis 8:20-21 and 9:8-17.

Let's put it in real world issues. It's like this. When we get out driver's license we enter into a covenant, a Bible word that means “make a deal.” So we make a deal with the state saying we will obey the traffic laws. (It's like God making a deal with us that He won't do a mambo-killer flood again.) Then the state puts up stop signs as reminders of our deal to follow the laws (the rainbow thing.)

God uses symbols to remind us of the deals we've made. Altars were used a lot in the Bible. They were actually just a bunch of rocks piled up. Everyone who walked b would remember and thing about why they were there. Noah built altars. Moses, David, they all built altars to remind them of something God had done, said, or promised.

LIFE LINK!
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3.

When God makes a deal, it's done. He keeps His Word. He wants us to do the same.

The Thing. 
Got Symbols?
God even told people to have symbols. This isn't some freaky weird thing. Check it. Here's another short Scripture before we walk through making our own symbols. Numbers 15:37-40.

See, the Father wants us to remember who He is and who we are. It's a lot easier to remember what's up if you have a reminder. So let's go through how to do altars and symbols. They are not just ol' time Bible stuff. They're about today. Your issues. Your life.

FIRST, MAKE THE DEAL.
SECOND, GET THE SYMBOL.

The Deal: Commit that you will do what is asked in this Bible study. All of it. You are going to be pushed way past what average Bible studies do. But we are not going for average.
We are stepping off over the edge into knowing God full-on. Write down what your deal is with God. What is your commitment with this Bible Study? Use your journal and write down your commitment to God in the Bible Study?

 

The Symbol: Go get some rocks. Yes, rocks. Small, stackable rocks. Go get them! Right now. Don't sit there. It's time to make an altar.
1.     Write down your deal with God on a small piece of paper. Also, write down the LIFE LINK! Verse on the paper. (Proverbs 16:3)
2.     Find a place where you can stack your rocks. Bathroom counter. Dresser. TV stand. A place where you will see it everyday.
3.     Put the paper down. Stack the rocks on top.
4.     You commit to finishing the Hardest 30 Days.

That's it. That's an altar. A symbol of your deal with God to do everything in this book. Even if it's hard. It's not a commitment with me, friends, or leaders. It's between you and God.

Everyday when you see the altar think about your commitment and ask God to help you. When you get bummed out and you are ready to quit and bounce the group, go look at the altar. Read your commitment. Remember that you made a deal with the Creator of the Universe.

This symbol-making thing isn't a one-time-thing. Anytime God shows you something or gives you a promise or you just want a reminder of something, get a symbol.

Rubber Bands. Wear your rubber band to remind you to be careful of what you look at, read, and do on the Internet.
     1 Thessalonians 4:7 - For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

Symbols will change what we do. Not because they're magic, but because they totally change our focus. They are just like the stop signs. They don't make us do anything. They remind us of what we should do and who God wants us to be.

     If you didn't make a commitment and build an altar to do

the stuff in this book, please accept this “Get Out Invite.”

Tell us  “I'm out.” You can get back in another group when 

you're ready if we get to do this again or even go 

for it with a smaller group of friends. But if you are 

not going to commit to doing everything 

(which includes getting some rocks and making an altar) 

in this study then step out. You'll be in the way. 

So please accept this “Get Out Invite.”

For the committed: look for ways to make more symbols.