O.D.O.T.

O.D.O.T.

From TRUE INTIMACY

Author: Angel Thompson

All Rights Reserved

Copyright Year: © 2005 Published by Unleashing Potential Ministries

ISBN: 1-4116-3274-5

When a tree falls, does it make a sound? According to the Department of Transportation where we live, only the section that falls on public access makes a sound. Many trees fell after the ice storm and I noticed a certain tree as I took my son to school. Apparently it fell across our road and the Dept. of Transportation only removed the section of the tree that dared to grace the area of public access. It had been cut only inches from the road to where you would not scratch your car if you drove by, but don’t swerve or you may find the end of a tree in your car. The top of the tree lay nestled in the yard across from the woods that housed many pine trees. My thought at first was, “couldn’t they just cut it farther back and pick up the top out of the yard.”

But then I realized, they were restricted from taking debris from areas they did not have access to.

How often do we treat God that way in our lives? It is interesting that we are His temple, a place where He abides, but we restrict Him in areas of our lives, only “allowing” Him “public access”. I don’t think we have a full understanding of what “abide” means. It means to cleave, to stay, to dwell, to reside, to remain. When we ask God to “abide” in us we are asking Him to live with us in the same house. So, if we are His temple, then He abides in us, every aspect of our lives He is there, whether we “put up no trespassing signs” or not, He is still there. You might say that God became the ODOT in our lives. The Omnipotent Department of Transformation.

Brothers and Sisters, do you not realize that we cannot go with God and remain where we are?

How can a marriage survive if we only give part of ourselves to our spouse, and deny access to other areas? Intimacy will never grow. The same is with our God. We are His bride, and we cannot be transformed in Him if we only give Him part of ourselves.

Luke 9:23, states, “...If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”

Hebrews 12:1 states, “...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

No matter where in your life a “tree” may fall, it does make a sound. You could be like the Department of Transportation in my state and risk

having a “tree” impale your life as you restrict Him when you swerve on your journey. Or, you could take down the “restricted area” signs. It is up to you in your walk with the Lord if you will give Him full access in all areas. Only then will you experience the fullness of true intimacy with Him as He expresses His love, grace, mercy, compassion, provision...the list goes on. Abiding in Him does not mean that there will not be pain or problems. It does mean that it allows Him to transform your life to a deeper intimacy than you have ever experienced. That through abiding fully in Him, He may use you for His purpose and that you will get through that day to the glory of our God.

IMPACT Q's. March 28-April 2

Monday: Assurance of God’s Help Scripture: Psalm 41 Questions: Why do you think David is seeking healing? Why is David confident in the Lord? Why is David not worried about his enemies?

Tuesday: Christian Freedom Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15 Questions: How does God describe a Christian’s freedom? Is this similar to the freedom we Americans enjoy? Why is our Christian freedom important?

Wednesday: Jehoshaphat Reigns over Judah Scripture: 1 Kings 22:41-50 Questions: Was Jehoshaphat a good king? What did he fail to do? Do you think God was pleased with what Jehoshaphat accomplished? Why?

Thursday: Persistence in Prayer Scripture: Luke 11:5-13 Questions: When you ask God for something, do you thank Him? When you are looking for something important, do you invite God to help you with the search? Do you thank God for helping you while you are waiting or searching?

Friday: Elijah Ascends to Heaven Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12 Questions: Why do you think Elisha clung closely to Elijah? Would you have requested the same thing of Elijah? Why did Elisha tear his clothes?

Saturday: One in Christ Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22 Questions: What has the blood of Christ accomplished? Does this add to your understanding of the phrase “The Prince of Peace? What has Christ’s bringing us together accomplished?

IMPACT Questions

IMPACT Questions for March 7-12

Monday
A Song of Confidence
Scripture: Psalm 27
Questions: Does God’s presence in your life give you courage? Are you afraid of what other
people might say about you? Do you trust God totally?

Tuesday
A Prayer for Help with Thanksgiving
Scripture: Psalm 28
Questions: When you ask God for help, do you thank Him then and there, or wait to see if He
helps you? Why? Is David being realistic?

Ash Wednesday
The Gospel
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Questions: Since Jesus preached the Kingdom of God, and Paul preached justification by
faith, what did they preach in common in their preaching? What, to you, is the gospel? Do
you share it with others?

Thursday
Within Time or Beyond Time
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5
Questions: What is our temporary “dwelling” on earth? What is the basis of our confidence?
What does it mean to walk by faith and not by sight?

Friday
Anointing at Bethany
Scripture: Mark 14:3-9
Questions: What did the woman do for Jesus? Why? Was the criticism of the disciples justified?
Do you think that Jesus’ prophecy about her has been fulfilled?

Saturday
Pilate Hands Jesus Over to be Crucified
Scripture: Mark 15:6-15
Questions: Did Pilate really want to crucify Jesus? Why did the crowd want Him crucified?
Who escaped death because Jesus was crucified?

Monday: Two Philistine “Gods:” An Ark and Dagon
Scripture: 1 Samuel 5:1-12
Questions: Are you superstitious? How did God play into Philistine superstitions? Why were they afraid?

Tuesday: The Testimony of John the Baptist
Scripture: John 3:22-30
Questions: Why were the authorities comparing John’s baptism with that of Jesus? What kind of purification was being discussed? Was John’s baptism humble?

Wednesday: Samuel as Judge
Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:3-11
Questions: What did God’s people have to do to gain victory? Do you have a false God in your life? Who do Christians have to play Samuel’s role?

Thursday: Simon’s Story
Scripture: Acts 8:9-24
Questions: Was Simon’s conversion real? What spiritual gift(s) do you have, if any? Was Simon repentant when confronted?

Friday: Unlimited Trust
Scripture: Habakkuk 3:15-19
Questions: Is it okay to be fearful of evil even when you trust in God? Do you trust God to the same extent that Habakkuk does?

Saturday: Obedience Beyond the Law
Scripture: Acts 10:1-23
Questions: Was Peter a good Jew, obedient to the law? Did God declare all foods clean from then on? What door to ministry was opened to Peter?

IMPACT QUESTIONS

Each week our desire is to bring questions for you to ponder and reflect on as you read through the weeks Bible readings. Our desire is more than just leaning "facts" from an incredible book, but that through each reading that your life is impacted by what can be learned in your own walk.


Monday: A Prophet Is Angry with God
Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11
Questions: Why was Jonah angry about God’s grace towards Nineveh? When God chooses to be gracious to your enemies, are you pleased? What’s the answer to God’s question?

Tuesday: Marriage and Death in Families
Scripture: Luke 20:27-40
Questions: How do you feel about this law regarding the death of a brother? If this law were enforced today, would families and communities be strengthened? What is Jesus saying here about the idea of eternal love?

Wednesday: David’s Gentile Ancestor
Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22
Questions: Was Boaz crafty in his effort to gain Ruth as his wife? Is family lineage important? Why? What is the difference between an inheritance and a heritage?

Thursday: The Ascension of Jesus
Scripture: Acts 1:1-11
Questions: What kingdom were the disciples asking about? After the ascension, what were the disciples to wait for? Why do you suppose the angels appeared?

Friday: Restoration Promised
Scripture: Micah 4:6-13
Questions: If they were to be rescued, why did they have to go to Babylon? What was to happen to Israel’s enemies? From Samuel until after the exile, have the Jews ever been without a king?

Saturday: Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar
Scripture: Acts 3:1-10
Questions: Why were Peter and John going into the Temple? Why was the beggar there? What did Peter actually give the beggar? How did the beggar respond?

Inconspicuous Impact Questions August 2 – 7

Monday – Joshua 8:1-12:24
What special communication was given to Joshua? Why did Joshua build an altar near Ai? Why did the Gibeonites survive? Why did Joshua have to rescue them? What did God do for Joshua that was absolutely unique? What was unusual at Merom? Why do you think chapter 12 repeats stories of previous conquest?

Tuesday – Judges 6:1-8:35
Why did God let the Midianites oppress the Israelites? How did Gideon test the angel? How did Gideon know that God would deliver Israel? Why did God want a smaller army? How did Gideon confuse the enemy? What was Gideon’s sin after the victory?

Wednesday – Judges 13:1-16:31
What did the angel tell Manoah’s wife? Why did the angel return? Was Samson’s marriage appropriate? What made Samson’s riddle so difficult? Was Samson righteous before the men of Israel? What was the real source of Samson’s weakness? How did he take revenge of the Philistines?

Thursday – 1 Samuel 1:1-3:21
Why did Eli think Hannah was drunk? About how old was Samuel when Hannah took him to the temple? Was Eli righteous? Was he a good father? What was the prophecy against Eli? How many times did the Lord call to Samuel before he responded to God? Why didn’t Samuel want to tell Eli what the Lord said?

Friday – 1 Samuel 8:1-11:15
What reason did the elders give Samuel for wanting a king? Why didnt Samuel want Israel to have a king? Why did Saul think that he should not be king? Why did people make a proverb concerning Saul? How was Saul chosen in front of the people? What was Saul’s first victory? Why didn’t Saul have those disloyal to him killed?

Saturday – 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23
What did Saul do to disobey Samuel? Why was this important? Were Saul’s intentions good? Why was Samuel angry? What do we learn about ourselves in this story?

reCAPTCHA Q’s Week: 06.14 – 06.19

MONDAY 06.14.2010 Exodus 33:1-40:38
The Lord was not going to go with the people into the land? Why? & What changed His mind?
How did Moses see God and live? What was written on the Stone Tablets? What do you notice about the character of God as you read about the building of the tabernacle and that it entailed?

TUESDAY 06.15.2010 Numbers 20:1-13
Who died within the first month of the exodus? Why were the people grumbling and why did God tell Moses and Aaron they would not bring the community into the land that God had promised?

WEDNESDAY 06.16.2010 Joshua 1:1-6:27
Sometimes we just need a little encouragement. Moses had just died, Joshua was to take over. What were the words in the first 6 verses that God spoke to Joshua go give him confidence and security? How do you think that impacted Joshua when he had to speak to the people? What did Joshua pull out of the Jordan? What did God tell Joshua to do when the walls fell?

THURSDAY 06.17.2010 Joshua 8:1-12:24
Again, what are the first words God says to Joshua when he tells him to take Ai? What was Joshua to hold out towards Ai? What people heard of what was happening and deceived Joshua? Did Joshua seek God regarding the “people”? What did they become in the community? What words of encouragement did God give Joshua regarding Gilgal?

FRIDAY 06.18.2010 Judges 6:1-8:35
For 7 years, because of their evil, God gave the Israelites over to what people? He did God send to free the Israelites? He was from a small clan and asked God for something to be sure of what he was asking...what was that? What became a snare for Gideon and his family?

SATURDAY 06.19.2010 Judges 13:1-16:31
Sometimes we just don’t learn. The Israelites again did evil in God’s eyes. Who ruled over them for 40 years? Why was Samson’s hair NOT to be cut? What was God’s purpose for him?