"Heart Stress Test"

Yesterday in church, Rob said he had recently had a stress test done to see how his heart measured up and functioned these days. And he related it to our spiritual health. Similarly, many times, our spiritual heart can experience blockages and below average functioning. So, he gave us a test to see where we register on the spiritual stress test.

Where do you fall?

Tired a lot .......................... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ............ Energetic/In shape

Pessimistic .............. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Optimistic

Bored ........................ 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Challenged

Spiritually Empty .................. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Spiritually Growing

Distant/Alone ................... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Near/Connected

Insecure .............................. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Secure/Confident

Wounded/Hurt ..................... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Loved/Understood

Bitter/Angry .......................... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Forgiving/Forgiven

Sad ................... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Happy

Alienated ........ 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 .................... Close

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He had us throw out all the 5's, because he knew we'd all play the safe 3's - happy medium. This way, we had to really sway one way or the other and 'own' that answer a bit more.
See how you scored:

Scores:

30-40 You are in good shape!

20-30 Be careful

10-20 Dangerous Territory

0-10 You may be in real danger

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His whole point to this exercise was to bring about a better awareness of our strengths and weaknesses, as it is our very weaknesses that satan will prey on. He won't waste his time on those we scored 3's and 4's on, but rather those that we circled 1's and 2's. He knows our every weakness and prowls "like a lion seeking to devour" and destroy us and our faith. So, we must "set our minds to better understand and to humble ourselves before our God" (Daniel 10:12).

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Rob closed out our service with a video from GodTube - a skit to Lifehouse's 'Everything'. I had already seen it awhile back on someone else's blog and it just so hits home to me. It presents very specific battles, but I just relate on the basic level - of fighting satan and all of his lies and empty promises and trying desperately to get back in sync with God and all He has for me. I tried to embed the video on my blog, but still haven't worked out whatever glitch there is, so I'm giving y'all the link instead. If you haven't yet seen this video, I highly suggest checking it out. The skit is very powerful, and as I've found, the struggle very real.

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Lifehouse's 'Everything' skit

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"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23