Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3, 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Illustration (how can you practically apply this Scripture to yourself?):
Questions for applying this principle to your life:
Answers for applying this principle to your life:
REVIEW
How did you do in applying God’s Word today?
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Make the Most of It, Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Reading: Ephesians 5:15-8, 15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,”
I remember getting the call from our senior pastor to come meet him in his office. As a senior in high school with my parents gone to take my sister back to college, my mind began to race as to what it could possibly be. When he sat me down in his office, he told me that my grandpa had passed away, the same night that my parents happened to spend the night. As soon as the words tumbled out of his mouth, it felt like someone punched me in the stomach. It couldn’t be my grandpa that passed away… he was still pretty young for a grandpa. I thought I’d have him around for a lot longer to talk to and spend time with. I never really focused on that. I was always too busy playing in their woods or watching TV to actually sit down and listen to the “grown-ups” talk. They were always talking about people I didn’t know or memories I really wasn’t a part of. It was the first time, though, that the essence of time and its fleeting nature really struck me. The next thing I know, my parents became grandparents and friends around me started becoming gray. The time that I once wished away is the same time that I wish I could throw into slow motion or pause for a little while to be able to enjoy the time that I have. Since that isn’t possible, all we can do is “make the most of our time”. What is the wise way to walk through your day today? I see so many families rushing to this sporting event, to this recital, to this fundraiser… are you making the most of your time as a spirit filled, righteous man of valor walking through life wisely with eternity in mind?
If you lived every moment, today, by making the most of it with eternity in mind, what would that look like? (whatever that is, do that today)
REVIEW
How were you able to make the most of your time today?
How did that impact your day and your perception of your time?
I remember getting the call from our senior pastor to come meet him in his office. As a senior in high school with my parents gone to take my sister back to college, my mind began to race as to what it could possibly be. When he sat me down in his office, he told me that my grandpa had passed away, the same night that my parents happened to spend the night. As soon as the words tumbled out of his mouth, it felt like someone punched me in the stomach. It couldn’t be my grandpa that passed away… he was still pretty young for a grandpa. I thought I’d have him around for a lot longer to talk to and spend time with. I never really focused on that. I was always too busy playing in their woods or watching TV to actually sit down and listen to the “grown-ups” talk. They were always talking about people I didn’t know or memories I really wasn’t a part of. It was the first time, though, that the essence of time and its fleeting nature really struck me. The next thing I know, my parents became grandparents and friends around me started becoming gray. The time that I once wished away is the same time that I wish I could throw into slow motion or pause for a little while to be able to enjoy the time that I have. Since that isn’t possible, all we can do is “make the most of our time”. What is the wise way to walk through your day today? I see so many families rushing to this sporting event, to this recital, to this fundraiser… are you making the most of your time as a spirit filled, righteous man of valor walking through life wisely with eternity in mind?
If you lived every moment, today, by making the most of it with eternity in mind, what would that look like? (whatever that is, do that today)
REVIEW
How were you able to make the most of your time today?
How did that impact your day and your perception of your time?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A Good Name, Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Reading: Proverbs 22:1, A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
What do you think of when I say the names… Clint Eastwood… OJ Simpson… Abraham Lincoln… Lee Harvey Oswald… Billy Graham… Bill Gates. It’s amazing the power of a name. The principle in this verse is becoming more and more estranged from where the world is continuing to head. People don’t care what you think of them as long as they are able to get their riches. Today, it doesn’t seem to matter how you get your riches, just as long as you get them. But, just remember, in the context of this verse, that you bear the name of Jesus Christ. It is not simply your name that you are constantly developing a reputation concerning.
As we reviewed the list of well known people and had thoughts and impressions of those individuals, what would people think of the name, Jesus Christ, if it were based on your ability to wear the name?
Write out a list of things that you would like people to think of when they think of your name:
Challenge: Value wearing the name of Jesus today and the impression you are leaving with others, in your demonstration of His name in your life.
Challenge: Review the list that you wrote above with the mindset of what you can do to demonstrate these attributes today to everyone, not just the people whom you care what they think, even those you may never see again..
REVIEW
How were you able to demonstrate wearing the name of Jesus today?
How did you live out the attributes that you would like people to think of when they think of your name?
What do you think of when I say the names… Clint Eastwood… OJ Simpson… Abraham Lincoln… Lee Harvey Oswald… Billy Graham… Bill Gates. It’s amazing the power of a name. The principle in this verse is becoming more and more estranged from where the world is continuing to head. People don’t care what you think of them as long as they are able to get their riches. Today, it doesn’t seem to matter how you get your riches, just as long as you get them. But, just remember, in the context of this verse, that you bear the name of Jesus Christ. It is not simply your name that you are constantly developing a reputation concerning.
As we reviewed the list of well known people and had thoughts and impressions of those individuals, what would people think of the name, Jesus Christ, if it were based on your ability to wear the name?
Write out a list of things that you would like people to think of when they think of your name:
Challenge: Value wearing the name of Jesus today and the impression you are leaving with others, in your demonstration of His name in your life.
Challenge: Review the list that you wrote above with the mindset of what you can do to demonstrate these attributes today to everyone, not just the people whom you care what they think, even those you may never see again..
REVIEW
How were you able to demonstrate wearing the name of Jesus today?
How did you live out the attributes that you would like people to think of when they think of your name?
Monday, December 28, 2009
I Will Answer, Monday, December 28, 2009
Reading: Jeremiah 33:3, Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things that you do not know.
We have come a long ways in communication. To think that just over one hundred years ago, we were delivering messages via horseback, which could take weeks deliver. Then telegraphs came. Not too far behind that, telephones but, not everyone had one and you would have to go through a switch board to call someone. Then we fast forward to the present, where you can contact someone through “regular” mail, email, cell phone, text message or home phone. Take your pick. The strangest thing about that is, sometimes you get a hold of someone or get a response within about the same time as the old horseback days. You send an email and leave a voicemail and don’t get a response. You call a company and have to wait 45 minutes to actually get a response to your questions or concerns. Even with all the technological improvements, you may call, but actually getting an answer is not guaranteed any time soon, if ever. On the other hand, God guarantees an answer. The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Almighty God guarantees that if you call Him, He will answer you. But, God in all His glory doesn’t merely answer you. He promises to show you great and mighty things that you could never even dream of.
How often do you call to God in a day?
Be honest, are there times that you do not call out to Him, because you’re afraid of the answer that He may give you?
What are some areas or specific things that you will be calling to God about today?
Challenge: Call out to God today. Be looking for God’s answer and be conscious of the potential of God showing you great and mighty things. But, His answer and great and mighty things are the way that He knows is best. Be watching for His answer, not your answer.
REVIEW
What did you call out to God about today?
Were you able to see God’s hand in demonstrating great and mighty things today, if so, what were they?
We have come a long ways in communication. To think that just over one hundred years ago, we were delivering messages via horseback, which could take weeks deliver. Then telegraphs came. Not too far behind that, telephones but, not everyone had one and you would have to go through a switch board to call someone. Then we fast forward to the present, where you can contact someone through “regular” mail, email, cell phone, text message or home phone. Take your pick. The strangest thing about that is, sometimes you get a hold of someone or get a response within about the same time as the old horseback days. You send an email and leave a voicemail and don’t get a response. You call a company and have to wait 45 minutes to actually get a response to your questions or concerns. Even with all the technological improvements, you may call, but actually getting an answer is not guaranteed any time soon, if ever. On the other hand, God guarantees an answer. The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Almighty God guarantees that if you call Him, He will answer you. But, God in all His glory doesn’t merely answer you. He promises to show you great and mighty things that you could never even dream of.
How often do you call to God in a day?
Be honest, are there times that you do not call out to Him, because you’re afraid of the answer that He may give you?
What are some areas or specific things that you will be calling to God about today?
Challenge: Call out to God today. Be looking for God’s answer and be conscious of the potential of God showing you great and mighty things. But, His answer and great and mighty things are the way that He knows is best. Be watching for His answer, not your answer.
REVIEW
What did you call out to God about today?
Were you able to see God’s hand in demonstrating great and mighty things today, if so, what were they?
Celebration!, Sunday, December 27, 2009
Reading: Psalm 115:15-18, 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. 17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to silence; 18 it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD.
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Message for the End, Saturday, December 26, 2009
Reading: I Peter 4:7-8, 7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
There is a plethora of movies that deal with the end of all time; “Armageddon”, “End of Days”, “the Day After Tomorrow”, “Terminator 3” and “Knowing”, just to name a few. The words that are said about what to do about the end of time becomes the all encompassing thrust of the movie. In this passage, Peter states, “the end of all thins is at hand; therefore…”, all of a sudden the cameras zoom in and the whole entire focus is on his lips as he utters the words that follow, which offer the key to survival in the end times… “serious and watchful in your prayers, and above all things…” Wait, the most important thing! Peter pauses… the camera spans the faces of those in ear shot, as their faces show the rising anticipation, of what he will utter next. “Have fervent love for one another”. Taking prayer seriously and loving one another… are the key elements to remember in end times. With such a huge importance placed on these two elements and attributes, what priority have you placed on them?
How much time in your typical day do you spend being serious and watchful in your prayers?
Does this match the high priority that Peter placed on these attributes?
What can you do today to place as high a priority on being serious and watchful in your prayers, as Peter placed on it?
Do you love your brothers in Christ fervently?
How will you show that fervent love today?
REVIEW
Were you able to practice praying in a serious and watchful manner?
How did you demonstrate your fervent love for your brothers in Christ today?
There is a plethora of movies that deal with the end of all time; “Armageddon”, “End of Days”, “the Day After Tomorrow”, “Terminator 3” and “Knowing”, just to name a few. The words that are said about what to do about the end of time becomes the all encompassing thrust of the movie. In this passage, Peter states, “the end of all thins is at hand; therefore…”, all of a sudden the cameras zoom in and the whole entire focus is on his lips as he utters the words that follow, which offer the key to survival in the end times… “serious and watchful in your prayers, and above all things…” Wait, the most important thing! Peter pauses… the camera spans the faces of those in ear shot, as their faces show the rising anticipation, of what he will utter next. “Have fervent love for one another”. Taking prayer seriously and loving one another… are the key elements to remember in end times. With such a huge importance placed on these two elements and attributes, what priority have you placed on them?
How much time in your typical day do you spend being serious and watchful in your prayers?
Does this match the high priority that Peter placed on these attributes?
What can you do today to place as high a priority on being serious and watchful in your prayers, as Peter placed on it?
Do you love your brothers in Christ fervently?
How will you show that fervent love today?
REVIEW
Were you able to practice praying in a serious and watchful manner?
How did you demonstrate your fervent love for your brothers in Christ today?
He Left It All!, Friday, December 25, 2009
Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7, 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
We often times do not talk about what led up to this day with Jesus, and for good reason, because the Bible does not touch on the matter. But, can you imagine right before Jesus left Heaven to come to earth, what that scene would have looked like? To actually leave heaven in all of its splendor to, not just become a man, but to become a baby. I can imagine the streets of gold lined with angels with heads hung low as Jesus uttered words of encouragement as He walked by them on His way to the gate. Just as Jesus reached the gate and put His hand up to pull it open, He hears His name called and He turns around to see His Father. I can imagine them embracing and God whispering, “Son, I’m awfully proud of You. Now, go save the human race.” Then He came…
Today, we commemorate the day that Jesus left everything for you.
We get so caught up in the buying and gifts of today as well as celebrations and traditions that we often do not look beyond those things. What are you doing today to make the lives of others better?
Think outside the “gift box” today. We commemorate Jesus leaving all of Heaven’s splendor for you. What can you do today to celebrate that and leave your comfort zone to give to someone else?
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
REVIEW
Were you able to give to someone today, outside of your comfort zone?
How did this impact your Christmas day compared to others?
We often times do not talk about what led up to this day with Jesus, and for good reason, because the Bible does not touch on the matter. But, can you imagine right before Jesus left Heaven to come to earth, what that scene would have looked like? To actually leave heaven in all of its splendor to, not just become a man, but to become a baby. I can imagine the streets of gold lined with angels with heads hung low as Jesus uttered words of encouragement as He walked by them on His way to the gate. Just as Jesus reached the gate and put His hand up to pull it open, He hears His name called and He turns around to see His Father. I can imagine them embracing and God whispering, “Son, I’m awfully proud of You. Now, go save the human race.” Then He came…
Today, we commemorate the day that Jesus left everything for you.
We get so caught up in the buying and gifts of today as well as celebrations and traditions that we often do not look beyond those things. What are you doing today to make the lives of others better?
Think outside the “gift box” today. We commemorate Jesus leaving all of Heaven’s splendor for you. What can you do today to celebrate that and leave your comfort zone to give to someone else?
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
REVIEW
Were you able to give to someone today, outside of your comfort zone?
How did this impact your Christmas day compared to others?
Joseph, Thursday, December 24, 2009
Reading: Matthew 1:18-25, 18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." 24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Today, consider this man, Joseph, whom God chose to be the earthly father to Jesus. Not much is said about Joseph as far as his astounding faith, or a “man after God’s own heart”; yet, he was entrusted with the greatest gift that ever graced this earth. Consider the dignity of finding out that this woman who he was about to marry is now pregnant yet he was trying to do the right thing. Imagine the questions in your mind of what life was going to be like having the Son of God in your home. Imagine the humility of knowing that this baby is not a son that you will have any authority over but that the little finger of this baby spun the world into existence.
What is God impressing upon you concerning Joseph and what you would struggle with?
How can you use this today as you prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus?
REVIEW
What attributes of Joseph encouraged you today?
How did this impact your day?
Today, consider this man, Joseph, whom God chose to be the earthly father to Jesus. Not much is said about Joseph as far as his astounding faith, or a “man after God’s own heart”; yet, he was entrusted with the greatest gift that ever graced this earth. Consider the dignity of finding out that this woman who he was about to marry is now pregnant yet he was trying to do the right thing. Imagine the questions in your mind of what life was going to be like having the Son of God in your home. Imagine the humility of knowing that this baby is not a son that you will have any authority over but that the little finger of this baby spun the world into existence.
What is God impressing upon you concerning Joseph and what you would struggle with?
How can you use this today as you prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus?
REVIEW
What attributes of Joseph encouraged you today?
How did this impact your day?
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Do You Know Him?, Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Do You Know Him?
Reading: Philippians 3:4-8, 4If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
Paul in his letter to the Philippians confessed all of the “good” things that he had done but stated that he counted it all loss and considered it a heap of manure compared to the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ”. Interestingly, the part of “knowing” Christ is very difficult to determine in someone else. I can take a guess at how well you know Christ by your actions but I don’t truly KNOW. I’ve seen many people who appear to know Christ very well but are involved in despicable sin indicating that they do NOT know Him well. It is very internal with external consequences. How well do YOU know Jesus?
Imagine us all being back in middle school. I see a girl that I like and I walk up to you and ask you to give her a note, which is folded into a cool little shape. Inside this note, the girl reads, “Do you like me? □ Yes □ No”. Imagine she checks “yes” and a few years pass and we’re in high school. Again, I walk up to you and say that I like this same girl. I hand you a note and ask you to give it to her. Inside the note, the girl reads, “I like you A LOT. Do you like me A LOT? □ Yes □ No”. A few years pass and we are now in college. I come up to you again and ask you to deliver a note to this same girl. When she gets the note, she reads, “I love you! Do you love me? □ Yes □ No”. Next comes my intent to marry this same girl, so, what do I do? Yes, I write a note to give to you to deliver. Although we may think this whole scenario is absurd. We all too often treat our relationship with our Savior the same way. Any knowledge we have of Him is through someone else. We have not truly pursued the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ”.
What will you do today to know Christ more, to truly know Him?
REVIEW
What were you able to do today to know Jesus more?
How did this impact your walk with Him today?
Reading: Philippians 3:4-8, 4If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
Paul in his letter to the Philippians confessed all of the “good” things that he had done but stated that he counted it all loss and considered it a heap of manure compared to the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ”. Interestingly, the part of “knowing” Christ is very difficult to determine in someone else. I can take a guess at how well you know Christ by your actions but I don’t truly KNOW. I’ve seen many people who appear to know Christ very well but are involved in despicable sin indicating that they do NOT know Him well. It is very internal with external consequences. How well do YOU know Jesus?
Imagine us all being back in middle school. I see a girl that I like and I walk up to you and ask you to give her a note, which is folded into a cool little shape. Inside this note, the girl reads, “Do you like me? □ Yes □ No”. Imagine she checks “yes” and a few years pass and we’re in high school. Again, I walk up to you and say that I like this same girl. I hand you a note and ask you to give it to her. Inside the note, the girl reads, “I like you A LOT. Do you like me A LOT? □ Yes □ No”. A few years pass and we are now in college. I come up to you again and ask you to deliver a note to this same girl. When she gets the note, she reads, “I love you! Do you love me? □ Yes □ No”. Next comes my intent to marry this same girl, so, what do I do? Yes, I write a note to give to you to deliver. Although we may think this whole scenario is absurd. We all too often treat our relationship with our Savior the same way. Any knowledge we have of Him is through someone else. We have not truly pursued the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ”.
What will you do today to know Christ more, to truly know Him?
REVIEW
What were you able to do today to know Jesus more?
How did this impact your walk with Him today?
Monday, December 21, 2009
Make It Right, Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Reading: Matthew 5:23-24 - 23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
It is truly remarkable what an incredible Eternal Father we have. Does God need anything from us? God owns it all. Everything you see, even if it has a “name brand” stamped on it, belongs to and was created by God. Therefore, when we come to God with our gifts, offerings and sacrifices, He doesn’t need it. It’s already His. The experience of giving to Him is for our relationship with Him, more so, for us.
It reminds me of a father who’s kids are at odds with one another but are planning on coming home for Christmas and are collecting money to buy the gift of a lifetime for their dad. After finding out what the kids are planning, the dad calls all of the kids, thanks them for the gesture and the gift idea, but that he would much rather have his kids get along and get things right between each other. Let’s face it… our Christian siblings can sometimes be a pain. I know I can be. But, no matter how hard we try, we cannot separate our relationship with God with our relationship with our Christian brothers and sisters. It is an impossibility. How you treat, respond, forgive and love your Christian family has a direct impact on your relationship with our Father. Even to the extent, if you notice in the verse, that it isn’t even you that has the problem with someone; rather, if someone has a problem with you. I know that may seem ridiculous because you are the nicest guy and wouldn’t have anyone that has a good reason to have a problem with you. So, we excuse going to them because they don’t have a good reason for having “something against you”.
Search your heart. Who do you know has something against you and what is the problem (be as specific as possible)?
Challenge: Go to that brother and be reconciled to him today. Don’t wait!
REVIEW
How were you able to be reconciled today?
How did that affect your day and your relationship with God as well as your brother?
It is truly remarkable what an incredible Eternal Father we have. Does God need anything from us? God owns it all. Everything you see, even if it has a “name brand” stamped on it, belongs to and was created by God. Therefore, when we come to God with our gifts, offerings and sacrifices, He doesn’t need it. It’s already His. The experience of giving to Him is for our relationship with Him, more so, for us.
It reminds me of a father who’s kids are at odds with one another but are planning on coming home for Christmas and are collecting money to buy the gift of a lifetime for their dad. After finding out what the kids are planning, the dad calls all of the kids, thanks them for the gesture and the gift idea, but that he would much rather have his kids get along and get things right between each other. Let’s face it… our Christian siblings can sometimes be a pain. I know I can be. But, no matter how hard we try, we cannot separate our relationship with God with our relationship with our Christian brothers and sisters. It is an impossibility. How you treat, respond, forgive and love your Christian family has a direct impact on your relationship with our Father. Even to the extent, if you notice in the verse, that it isn’t even you that has the problem with someone; rather, if someone has a problem with you. I know that may seem ridiculous because you are the nicest guy and wouldn’t have anyone that has a good reason to have a problem with you. So, we excuse going to them because they don’t have a good reason for having “something against you”.
Search your heart. Who do you know has something against you and what is the problem (be as specific as possible)?
Challenge: Go to that brother and be reconciled to him today. Don’t wait!
REVIEW
How were you able to be reconciled today?
How did that affect your day and your relationship with God as well as your brother?
He's Everything, Monday, December 21, 2009
Reading: Psalm 23
“The Lord is my Shepherd… = That’s Relationship
“I shall not want… = That’s Supply
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures… = That’s Rest
“He leads me beside still waters… = That’s Refreshment
“He restores my soul… = That’s Healing
“He leads me in the paths of righteousness… = That’s Guidance
“For His name’s sake… = That’s Purpose
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death... = That’s Testing
“I will fear no evil… = That’s Protection
“For You are with me… = That’s Faithfulness
“Your rod and staff they comfort me… = That’s Discipline
“You prepare a table before me in the presence
of my enemies… = That’s Hope
“You anoint my head with oil… = That’s Consecration
“My cup runs over… = That’s Abundance
“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life… = That’s Blessing
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord… = That’s Security
“Forever!!!” = That’s Eternity
God has you today! All of the attributes that God supplies, He is prepared to supply to you today. Go to Him! He is your fulfillment for today. He can complete you today. Thank Him today for all of these amazing things that He offers you. In turn, live in these many blessings today.
Be prepared at the end of the day to write down a way that God fulfilled each of these attributes in and through you today.
REVIEW
Jot a note associated with each attribute listed above to indicate how God fulfilled these things in and through you today.
“The Lord is my Shepherd… = That’s Relationship
“I shall not want… = That’s Supply
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures… = That’s Rest
“He leads me beside still waters… = That’s Refreshment
“He restores my soul… = That’s Healing
“He leads me in the paths of righteousness… = That’s Guidance
“For His name’s sake… = That’s Purpose
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death... = That’s Testing
“I will fear no evil… = That’s Protection
“For You are with me… = That’s Faithfulness
“Your rod and staff they comfort me… = That’s Discipline
“You prepare a table before me in the presence
of my enemies… = That’s Hope
“You anoint my head with oil… = That’s Consecration
“My cup runs over… = That’s Abundance
“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life… = That’s Blessing
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord… = That’s Security
“Forever!!!” = That’s Eternity
God has you today! All of the attributes that God supplies, He is prepared to supply to you today. Go to Him! He is your fulfillment for today. He can complete you today. Thank Him today for all of these amazing things that He offers you. In turn, live in these many blessings today.
Be prepared at the end of the day to write down a way that God fulfilled each of these attributes in and through you today.
REVIEW
Jot a note associated with each attribute listed above to indicate how God fulfilled these things in and through you today.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Build It Strong, Saturday, December 19, 2009
Reading: Luke 6:47-49, 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
We bought our kids some large building blocks and, periodically, I’ll sit down with them to build our massive structure. You know… one of the Seven Wonders of the World, for the local mouse family. It never fails, just the time that we are just about completed and are starting to be proud of our work, our two year old comes along. Did I mention… 2 year old. Yeah! The poor mice have nowhere to live now. Utter destruction! Even though the construction really doesn’t matter too much, it has still periodically produced a stream of tears from our seven year old. I’m sure we have all felt the frustration of putting time, effort and sweat into something just to have it wrecked. It is a very disheartening feeling and frustrating thinking about the time wasted. Now imagine the structure of your life is being built and all it takes is a storm to destroy it all. The thing is the destruction doesn’t come from doing something awful. It is simply hearing God’s Words but not actually putting the into practice. The unfortunately thing is, we have churches FILLED with people just like that. We act as though showing up and hearing the “blue prints” is good enough but we don’t have to REALLY follow them in construction. Or, we can leave some of the instructions out. Men, we need to storm proof our “house”.
What can you do today, to not simply “hear God’s Words” but to actually put them into practice?
What do you need to do to “[dig] down deep” to lay your foundation on the “Rock”?
REVIEW
What did you do today to dig down deep to lay your foundation on the “Rock”?
What did you do today to put God’s Word into practice?
We bought our kids some large building blocks and, periodically, I’ll sit down with them to build our massive structure. You know… one of the Seven Wonders of the World, for the local mouse family. It never fails, just the time that we are just about completed and are starting to be proud of our work, our two year old comes along. Did I mention… 2 year old. Yeah! The poor mice have nowhere to live now. Utter destruction! Even though the construction really doesn’t matter too much, it has still periodically produced a stream of tears from our seven year old. I’m sure we have all felt the frustration of putting time, effort and sweat into something just to have it wrecked. It is a very disheartening feeling and frustrating thinking about the time wasted. Now imagine the structure of your life is being built and all it takes is a storm to destroy it all. The thing is the destruction doesn’t come from doing something awful. It is simply hearing God’s Words but not actually putting the into practice. The unfortunately thing is, we have churches FILLED with people just like that. We act as though showing up and hearing the “blue prints” is good enough but we don’t have to REALLY follow them in construction. Or, we can leave some of the instructions out. Men, we need to storm proof our “house”.
What can you do today, to not simply “hear God’s Words” but to actually put them into practice?
What do you need to do to “[dig] down deep” to lay your foundation on the “Rock”?
REVIEW
What did you do today to dig down deep to lay your foundation on the “Rock”?
What did you do today to put God’s Word into practice?
Train to Be Godly, Friday, December 18, 2009
Reading: I Timothy 4:6-8, 6If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
I’m sure you have heard at some point in your life, “Practice makes perfect”. But, I have also heard an appropriate amendment to the frequently used encouragement by adding, “Perfect practice makes perfect”. Another words, not just practicing but practicing the right way is what will cause you to improve your performance. Every day, you are either practicing sin or practicing righteousness. That’s why it is so significant that Paul told Timothy to “train yourself to be godly”. For many of us, including myself, we don’t really like training, especially the older we get, we just want to play in the game. We don’t want to have to run drills, work hard and sweat in our pursuit of godliness. Often we think godly men, simply became godly, or are that way because of their background or degree. For all of us, though, it takes training.
The drills/tests are thrown at us every single day of our lives by the world and by the devil. The question is, by your actions, what are you practicing? How are you training? When you fall to the temptation, you are practicing sin. When you say, NO, to the sin, you have trained well in godliness as a result of that drill/test.
Review where you’re at today. What have you been practicing? Have you been training to be godly or practicing bad habits?
If you need to, ask God to forgive you for practicing sin. Then, leave it with God. It is the past. Now, what can you do today to train yourself to be godly?
REVIEW
How were you able to train yourself to be godly today?
Did you practice any bad habits as well and, if so, what did you do about it?
I’m sure you have heard at some point in your life, “Practice makes perfect”. But, I have also heard an appropriate amendment to the frequently used encouragement by adding, “Perfect practice makes perfect”. Another words, not just practicing but practicing the right way is what will cause you to improve your performance. Every day, you are either practicing sin or practicing righteousness. That’s why it is so significant that Paul told Timothy to “train yourself to be godly”. For many of us, including myself, we don’t really like training, especially the older we get, we just want to play in the game. We don’t want to have to run drills, work hard and sweat in our pursuit of godliness. Often we think godly men, simply became godly, or are that way because of their background or degree. For all of us, though, it takes training.
The drills/tests are thrown at us every single day of our lives by the world and by the devil. The question is, by your actions, what are you practicing? How are you training? When you fall to the temptation, you are practicing sin. When you say, NO, to the sin, you have trained well in godliness as a result of that drill/test.
Review where you’re at today. What have you been practicing? Have you been training to be godly or practicing bad habits?
If you need to, ask God to forgive you for practicing sin. Then, leave it with God. It is the past. Now, what can you do today to train yourself to be godly?
REVIEW
How were you able to train yourself to be godly today?
Did you practice any bad habits as well and, if so, what did you do about it?
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Lost 1st Love, Thursday, December 17, 2009
Reading: Revelation 2:2-4, 2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
At first read, these people look like they have it all together and are doing everything that they should be. But, that is the key to the message that God is telling this church. To shorten this passage, “I know your deeds… [but] you have forsaken your first love.” Even as God told them to “do the things you did at first”, do you recall the first time you became a Christian? Do you remember the freshness and the new relationship feeling... the raw excitement with the unexplainable difference in your heart and life that only He could do?
Many couples start off their dating relationship with the guy pursuing her. Trying to catch her eye. Doing random, special things for her. Then, marriage comes. The years begin to pass and the “random”, “special” things become fleeting memories. The pursuit is over. The pursuit and attention is deferred to sports, work and entertainment. That is exactly what God is attempting to communicate to this church. “You have forsaken your first love.” Me! You are not pursuing me. You are not seeking my advice or looking to me in the same way when our relationship first started. You are doing good deeds but, good deeds are not your number one priority. God simply wants a relationship with you, first and foremost. He will produce the good deeds in you, instead of the deeds becoming just some good things that you do.
Challenge: Today, just as God said to the church of Ephesus, repent and do the things that you did at first in your relationship with Christ. Fall in love with your relationship with God today, whatever that takes. Get back to pursuing Him, instead of pursuing the “churchy” things to do.
REVIEW
What did it take for you to get back to your “first love” and pursue Christ?
How did this impact your day today?
At first read, these people look like they have it all together and are doing everything that they should be. But, that is the key to the message that God is telling this church. To shorten this passage, “I know your deeds… [but] you have forsaken your first love.” Even as God told them to “do the things you did at first”, do you recall the first time you became a Christian? Do you remember the freshness and the new relationship feeling... the raw excitement with the unexplainable difference in your heart and life that only He could do?
Many couples start off their dating relationship with the guy pursuing her. Trying to catch her eye. Doing random, special things for her. Then, marriage comes. The years begin to pass and the “random”, “special” things become fleeting memories. The pursuit is over. The pursuit and attention is deferred to sports, work and entertainment. That is exactly what God is attempting to communicate to this church. “You have forsaken your first love.” Me! You are not pursuing me. You are not seeking my advice or looking to me in the same way when our relationship first started. You are doing good deeds but, good deeds are not your number one priority. God simply wants a relationship with you, first and foremost. He will produce the good deeds in you, instead of the deeds becoming just some good things that you do.
Challenge: Today, just as God said to the church of Ephesus, repent and do the things that you did at first in your relationship with Christ. Fall in love with your relationship with God today, whatever that takes. Get back to pursuing Him, instead of pursuing the “churchy” things to do.
REVIEW
What did it take for you to get back to your “first love” and pursue Christ?
How did this impact your day today?
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Grace to Say "No", Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Reading: Titus 2:11-14, 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Why would Paul say in this passage that “grace… teaches us to say ‘No’”? How would “grace” teach that within us? Grace is defined as unmerited divine favor or receiving a benefit that is not deserved. In explaining his point, Paul restates the immense grace that we have been given, “[He] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify…” Yet, again, how does this teach us to say, “No”?
Right out the sin(s) with which you continue to struggle in the following space:
Now, review the list that you have written out. Every time that you are either tempted or actually fall to this sin today, imagine hearing the steal head of a hammer slamming down on a spike. As your eyes search your surroundings, let your eyes come to rest on Jesus, with His body torn and bleeding, lying on his back on the cross, with a Roman soldier holding a hammer in his hands while looking straight at you, as if He was getting his cue from you to slam the hammer down again. When you truly understand that it is that sin that put Jesus on the cross, it teaches us to say, “No” to that ungodliness and worldly passions.
What can you do today to say, “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passion?
REVIEW
Review your list written above, were you able to say, “No” to your areas of temptation today?
How did maintaining this focus impact your ability to say, “No”?
Why would Paul say in this passage that “grace… teaches us to say ‘No’”? How would “grace” teach that within us? Grace is defined as unmerited divine favor or receiving a benefit that is not deserved. In explaining his point, Paul restates the immense grace that we have been given, “[He] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify…” Yet, again, how does this teach us to say, “No”?
Right out the sin(s) with which you continue to struggle in the following space:
Now, review the list that you have written out. Every time that you are either tempted or actually fall to this sin today, imagine hearing the steal head of a hammer slamming down on a spike. As your eyes search your surroundings, let your eyes come to rest on Jesus, with His body torn and bleeding, lying on his back on the cross, with a Roman soldier holding a hammer in his hands while looking straight at you, as if He was getting his cue from you to slam the hammer down again. When you truly understand that it is that sin that put Jesus on the cross, it teaches us to say, “No” to that ungodliness and worldly passions.
What can you do today to say, “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passion?
REVIEW
Review your list written above, were you able to say, “No” to your areas of temptation today?
How did maintaining this focus impact your ability to say, “No”?
Roles, Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Reading: Titus 2:2, 6, 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
I Timothy 5:1-2, 1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
These verses make me want to break out into the old Gaither song, “I’m so glad, I’m a part of the family of God.” It’s wonderful how Paul instructs to treat each other like a member of the family. In so doing, Paul signifies roles, responsibilities and/or attributes of the “family members”. Paul does not offer age ranges for “older men” and “young men”. Most of us, in other contexts, want to be considered a young man for as long as we possibly can. Notice, the weight of instruction and responsibility are on the older men. Which, since no one has yet found the fountain of youth, we will all be there at some point; therefore, it would be good to have the attributes of an "older man" as a goal or benchmark. Let’s break it down into parts.
Temperate— “marked by moderation” (Webster’s); the moderation indicates nothing extravagant and moderation in eating and drinking.
Worthy of respect— Notice it does not say, “Demands respect”. Very often as men we think that we have the right and ability to “demand” respect; but, your role is to act “worthy” of respect.
Self-controlled— In any and all actions. Do you have the ability to control yourself; in your words, your temper, your vices, your entertainment, and other actions?
Sound in faith— Is there anything at all that could shake your faith? What might that be?
What are your key weaknesses in these specific areas? (write them down and write how you can and will work on them today)
REVIEW
How were you able to work on these key areas of weakness today?
How did this impact your day?
I Timothy 5:1-2, 1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
These verses make me want to break out into the old Gaither song, “I’m so glad, I’m a part of the family of God.” It’s wonderful how Paul instructs to treat each other like a member of the family. In so doing, Paul signifies roles, responsibilities and/or attributes of the “family members”. Paul does not offer age ranges for “older men” and “young men”. Most of us, in other contexts, want to be considered a young man for as long as we possibly can. Notice, the weight of instruction and responsibility are on the older men. Which, since no one has yet found the fountain of youth, we will all be there at some point; therefore, it would be good to have the attributes of an "older man" as a goal or benchmark. Let’s break it down into parts.
Temperate— “marked by moderation” (Webster’s); the moderation indicates nothing extravagant and moderation in eating and drinking.
Worthy of respect— Notice it does not say, “Demands respect”. Very often as men we think that we have the right and ability to “demand” respect; but, your role is to act “worthy” of respect.
Self-controlled— In any and all actions. Do you have the ability to control yourself; in your words, your temper, your vices, your entertainment, and other actions?
Sound in faith— Is there anything at all that could shake your faith? What might that be?
What are your key weaknesses in these specific areas? (write them down and write how you can and will work on them today)
REVIEW
How were you able to work on these key areas of weakness today?
How did this impact your day?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Pray for One Another, Monday, December 14, 2009
Reading: Colossians 1:9, 12, 9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Challenge: Today, Pray for each other, either those who are in your group and/or the brothers in Christ that God brings to mind. Ask God “to fill [them] with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Also, be sure to thank God for them.
So many times we are thankful for people because of what they do for us. Think through, individually, those men in your group or those that God has laid on your heart. Today, learn to be thankful for them, not for what they do for you but for the value that God has placed on them, that He sacrificed everything to “qualify [them] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
Write the names of the men on the lines provided and then write how the Lord is leading you to pray for them. Continue to pray for them throughout the day.
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REVIEW
Were you able to continuously pray for these men throughout the day?
Did God give you clear direction how to pray for them?
Were you able to make contact with those men to see how you can pray for them?
What did this produce in your day?
Challenge: Today, Pray for each other, either those who are in your group and/or the brothers in Christ that God brings to mind. Ask God “to fill [them] with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Also, be sure to thank God for them.
So many times we are thankful for people because of what they do for us. Think through, individually, those men in your group or those that God has laid on your heart. Today, learn to be thankful for them, not for what they do for you but for the value that God has placed on them, that He sacrificed everything to “qualify [them] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
Write the names of the men on the lines provided and then write how the Lord is leading you to pray for them. Continue to pray for them throughout the day.
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REVIEW
Were you able to continuously pray for these men throughout the day?
Did God give you clear direction how to pray for them?
Were you able to make contact with those men to see how you can pray for them?
What did this produce in your day?
Celebration, Sunday, December 13, 2009
Reading: Psalm 119:12-16, 12 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Friday, December 11, 2009
Receive Him, Saturday, December 12, 2009
Reading: Matthew 10:40-42, 40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
What would you do if Jesus were in town? Would you want to invite Him over? How would you treat Him?
Take some time right now and write out what you would do today if Jesus were in town. What would you want to do for Him? How would you treat Him?
Jesus said, “He who receives you [followers of Christ] receives me.” Think about that for a minute. If you receive, take care of, or spend time refreshing (“gives a cup of cold water to”), you are doing those things to Jesus himself.
Challenge: Everything that you listed that you would do for Jesus and how you would treat Him if He were in town, do that for at least one brother in Christ today.
REVIEW
Were you able to “receive” a brother in Christ today? And, what was a result?
How did this impact your day, your relationship with this brother, your relationship with God?
What would you do if Jesus were in town? Would you want to invite Him over? How would you treat Him?
Take some time right now and write out what you would do today if Jesus were in town. What would you want to do for Him? How would you treat Him?
Jesus said, “He who receives you [followers of Christ] receives me.” Think about that for a minute. If you receive, take care of, or spend time refreshing (“gives a cup of cold water to”), you are doing those things to Jesus himself.
Challenge: Everything that you listed that you would do for Jesus and how you would treat Him if He were in town, do that for at least one brother in Christ today.
REVIEW
Were you able to “receive” a brother in Christ today? And, what was a result?
How did this impact your day, your relationship with this brother, your relationship with God?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Pray for Each Other, Friday, December 11, 2009
Reading: Mark 3:24-25, 24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
An activity that has been around for a very long time that is still very entertaining to see and participate in is the three legged race. If you have ever participated in it, you know how difficult it is. It’s amazing that something that looks so easy and entertaining to the laughing observer, can actually take so much work. Most people before they start the race, 1) talk about a strategy, 2) they practice working together, and 3) they keep communicating together the entire race. It’s amazing how something so trivial and meaningless, except for some good laughs, can be such a tool of rebuke for us as Christian brothers. So often we are quick to be divided and just like the three legged race, you cannot stand. The greatest difference is, when you are divided during a three legged race, it is entertaining; but, when you are divided during our Christian race, it is far from entertaining, rather it bring shame to the name of Christ. Jesus himself said, “that house cannot stand”.
What division are you a part of amongst your brothers?
Imagine one of your legs spiritually, philosophically or physically tied to another brother in Christ’s leg; how does that look? Now, again, what division do you see may be a hindrance in you striving together? (list several brothers)
What can you do to heal this division and unify together in Christ’s brotherly love?
REVIEW
How did you identify points of division and how were you able to become unified today?
How did this impact your relationship with your brother in Christ?
An activity that has been around for a very long time that is still very entertaining to see and participate in is the three legged race. If you have ever participated in it, you know how difficult it is. It’s amazing that something that looks so easy and entertaining to the laughing observer, can actually take so much work. Most people before they start the race, 1) talk about a strategy, 2) they practice working together, and 3) they keep communicating together the entire race. It’s amazing how something so trivial and meaningless, except for some good laughs, can be such a tool of rebuke for us as Christian brothers. So often we are quick to be divided and just like the three legged race, you cannot stand. The greatest difference is, when you are divided during a three legged race, it is entertaining; but, when you are divided during our Christian race, it is far from entertaining, rather it bring shame to the name of Christ. Jesus himself said, “that house cannot stand”.
What division are you a part of amongst your brothers?
Imagine one of your legs spiritually, philosophically or physically tied to another brother in Christ’s leg; how does that look? Now, again, what division do you see may be a hindrance in you striving together? (list several brothers)
What can you do to heal this division and unify together in Christ’s brotherly love?
REVIEW
How did you identify points of division and how were you able to become unified today?
How did this impact your relationship with your brother in Christ?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Seek Him, Thursday, December 10, 2009
Reading: Psalm 34:4-6, 10, 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Just take a minute and think through your morning routine. What do you normally seek out? Morning coffee? Breakfast? The newspaper? The news? In the evenings and weekends, what do you seek out? Sports games? Computer games? Spending time with friends? Your favorite TV shows?
What do you seek out?
Think through your typical day or week. What could you not do without (certain foods/snacks, certain activity, certain TV show, etc.)?
How often do you seek Christ through the day?
I wonder if you would miss time spent with God or be as disappointed as you would the TV show or sports game that you did not DVR or forgot to watch. Reread the verses above; notice, we tend to focus and desire the benefits listed, deliver us from all our fears, never be ashamed, saved from all our troubles and don’t lack anything. But, the question is, how passionately do you seek Him? How passionately do you desire to spend time with Him? How much do you miss Him when you have not taken the opportunity to spend time with Him? The way we should be treating our day is as a child in Disneyland with people all around and the sense of urgency when they are not able to see their parents visibly coupled with the nervousness of being “lost” without their parents. That should be our constant walk with God today.
Challenge: Seek God today, all day long. Long to hear from Him.
REVIEW
How did you seek God today?
Were you able to maintain seeking Him all day long and how did it impact your day?
Just take a minute and think through your morning routine. What do you normally seek out? Morning coffee? Breakfast? The newspaper? The news? In the evenings and weekends, what do you seek out? Sports games? Computer games? Spending time with friends? Your favorite TV shows?
What do you seek out?
Think through your typical day or week. What could you not do without (certain foods/snacks, certain activity, certain TV show, etc.)?
How often do you seek Christ through the day?
I wonder if you would miss time spent with God or be as disappointed as you would the TV show or sports game that you did not DVR or forgot to watch. Reread the verses above; notice, we tend to focus and desire the benefits listed, deliver us from all our fears, never be ashamed, saved from all our troubles and don’t lack anything. But, the question is, how passionately do you seek Him? How passionately do you desire to spend time with Him? How much do you miss Him when you have not taken the opportunity to spend time with Him? The way we should be treating our day is as a child in Disneyland with people all around and the sense of urgency when they are not able to see their parents visibly coupled with the nervousness of being “lost” without their parents. That should be our constant walk with God today.
Challenge: Seek God today, all day long. Long to hear from Him.
REVIEW
How did you seek God today?
Were you able to maintain seeking Him all day long and how did it impact your day?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Die Today, Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Reading: I Corinthians 15:31-32, 31I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
When Paul states “I die every day”, what does that mean? A dead man, doesn’t worry about his hair and how it looks today. A dead man, doesn’t expect people to do anything for him. A dead man, does not pursue things that satisfy the flesh because the flesh is not alive and, therefore, does not have any needs to fulfill. I am reminded of the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean” when Captain Barbossa tells Elizabeth Swann about the curse that they are under. He said there is no food to fill the appetite, no drink that can quench the thirst, no desire that can be fulfilled because we are just dead men walking about. Men, today, let’s die to the fleshly desires and the needs and wants of the flesh. Today, in regards to our fleshly desires, let’s be dead men walking about. The only way that we can truly be alive in Christ is to be dead to yourself.
If you were to be dead to yourself today, truly dead, what would that look like?
If the only part of you that were alive today is Christ, how will you live your day differently than you normally would?
Challenge: First, pray and offer God all of your fleshly desires today, every last one of them. Acknowledge before Him that you are setting those things aside today and living as a dead man to those things. Secondly, all throughout the day, consciously remind yourself that you are dead today and the only part of you that is alive is Christ and his wants and desires for you today.
REVIEW
Were you truly able to die to yourself today? If so, what did that look like?
How did dying to yourself and living in Christ make an impact in your day?
When Paul states “I die every day”, what does that mean? A dead man, doesn’t worry about his hair and how it looks today. A dead man, doesn’t expect people to do anything for him. A dead man, does not pursue things that satisfy the flesh because the flesh is not alive and, therefore, does not have any needs to fulfill. I am reminded of the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean” when Captain Barbossa tells Elizabeth Swann about the curse that they are under. He said there is no food to fill the appetite, no drink that can quench the thirst, no desire that can be fulfilled because we are just dead men walking about. Men, today, let’s die to the fleshly desires and the needs and wants of the flesh. Today, in regards to our fleshly desires, let’s be dead men walking about. The only way that we can truly be alive in Christ is to be dead to yourself.
If you were to be dead to yourself today, truly dead, what would that look like?
If the only part of you that were alive today is Christ, how will you live your day differently than you normally would?
Challenge: First, pray and offer God all of your fleshly desires today, every last one of them. Acknowledge before Him that you are setting those things aside today and living as a dead man to those things. Secondly, all throughout the day, consciously remind yourself that you are dead today and the only part of you that is alive is Christ and his wants and desires for you today.
REVIEW
Were you truly able to die to yourself today? If so, what did that look like?
How did dying to yourself and living in Christ make an impact in your day?
Serve One Another, Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Reading: Galatians 5:13-15 - 13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Imagine being locked away in an old medieval prison. You look around and see countless men locked up in the same room. You hear cannons and gunfire outside. All of a sudden a man appears at the door of the cell. He pulls out a key and unlocks the door. He look straight at you as he walks into the cell and right over to you and unlocks your hands from the chains. A big explosion rocks the cell, and you see the prison is on fire; but you also see that the explosion blew a whole in the wall outside the cell which revealed a huge room where the captures had been storing their treasures. The man who unlocked your shackles handed you the key to unlock the rest of the prisoners. You are torn. The prison is burning. You only have a short period of time. You could spend the time getting enough treasure to last you a lifetime or you could spend it freeing other prisoners to save their life. What would you do? Really! What would you do? That is exactly what these verses are saying. Jesus has broken into the prison and has cut your bonds of sin. Now that you’re free, you could be spending your efforts in freeing and serving others or indulging yourself in selfish ambitions and sinful nature. I wonder how many enticements that we would have from the TV, the internet, magazines, etc. if we simply busied ourselves in serving each other, instead of letting our freedom and comfort give us the “rights” to sit in front of distractions.
Challenge #1: Today, serve at least one of your brothers in Christ. Ask God to direct you who you should serve today.
Challenge #2: Instead of “biting and devouring each other”, go out of your way to encourage as many brothers as you can.
REVIEW
Were you able to serve a brother today? What did you do and how did it go?
How did the service and encouragement of other brothers affect your day?
Imagine being locked away in an old medieval prison. You look around and see countless men locked up in the same room. You hear cannons and gunfire outside. All of a sudden a man appears at the door of the cell. He pulls out a key and unlocks the door. He look straight at you as he walks into the cell and right over to you and unlocks your hands from the chains. A big explosion rocks the cell, and you see the prison is on fire; but you also see that the explosion blew a whole in the wall outside the cell which revealed a huge room where the captures had been storing their treasures. The man who unlocked your shackles handed you the key to unlock the rest of the prisoners. You are torn. The prison is burning. You only have a short period of time. You could spend the time getting enough treasure to last you a lifetime or you could spend it freeing other prisoners to save their life. What would you do? Really! What would you do? That is exactly what these verses are saying. Jesus has broken into the prison and has cut your bonds of sin. Now that you’re free, you could be spending your efforts in freeing and serving others or indulging yourself in selfish ambitions and sinful nature. I wonder how many enticements that we would have from the TV, the internet, magazines, etc. if we simply busied ourselves in serving each other, instead of letting our freedom and comfort give us the “rights” to sit in front of distractions.
Challenge #1: Today, serve at least one of your brothers in Christ. Ask God to direct you who you should serve today.
Challenge #2: Instead of “biting and devouring each other”, go out of your way to encourage as many brothers as you can.
REVIEW
Were you able to serve a brother today? What did you do and how did it go?
How did the service and encouragement of other brothers affect your day?
Monday, December 7, 2009
Listen!, Monday, December 7, 2009
Listen!
Reading: James 1:22-25, 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Many times when it comes to this passage we talk about doing something because the passage implies that you are listening. But, listening is the foundation for turning around and doing something. You may have heard from a parent, a spouse or a friend as they declared, “You’re listening but you are NOT hearing me”. I received quite a bit of grief from my English Literature professor in college because I would all too often fall asleep in her class. I usually worked security until 2 a.m. and then had class at 7:20 a.m. But, can you imagine if I showed up to class every day, slid my books under my desk and put my head down to go to sleep? Or, every single class, I didn’t pay attention but rather, daydreamed, talked to my neighbor or drew pictures. When test time would inevitably come, I would most likely panic and talk to the teacher to get the notes or information that would be on the test. I’m sure the teacher would look at me and say, “I gave you all the materials you would need for the test previously. Were you paying attention?” Although you may think that would be very bold and ridiculous to even consider, when time wasn’t taken to listen, take notes and pay attention, we often do the same thing with God. He gives us the tools that we need. He gives us the notes. He speaks to us constantly. But, we don’t pay attention during the message in church, when God is trying to give you the information. We don’t open His Word where He keeps His notes for the test. Yet, when the “test” comes, we run up to Him and demand the notes and the information. Why do we always expect God to give us the answers to the test, on the test day; and, not have to pay attention before hand when He is trying to prepare us for the test?
Challenge: Today, listen! Really listen to God and what He is saying to you and trying to teach you. Keep notes! When the test comes, you can be ready
REVIEW
Were you listening to God today? What was He trying to teach you today?
How did this impact your day?
Reading: James 1:22-25, 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Many times when it comes to this passage we talk about doing something because the passage implies that you are listening. But, listening is the foundation for turning around and doing something. You may have heard from a parent, a spouse or a friend as they declared, “You’re listening but you are NOT hearing me”. I received quite a bit of grief from my English Literature professor in college because I would all too often fall asleep in her class. I usually worked security until 2 a.m. and then had class at 7:20 a.m. But, can you imagine if I showed up to class every day, slid my books under my desk and put my head down to go to sleep? Or, every single class, I didn’t pay attention but rather, daydreamed, talked to my neighbor or drew pictures. When test time would inevitably come, I would most likely panic and talk to the teacher to get the notes or information that would be on the test. I’m sure the teacher would look at me and say, “I gave you all the materials you would need for the test previously. Were you paying attention?” Although you may think that would be very bold and ridiculous to even consider, when time wasn’t taken to listen, take notes and pay attention, we often do the same thing with God. He gives us the tools that we need. He gives us the notes. He speaks to us constantly. But, we don’t pay attention during the message in church, when God is trying to give you the information. We don’t open His Word where He keeps His notes for the test. Yet, when the “test” comes, we run up to Him and demand the notes and the information. Why do we always expect God to give us the answers to the test, on the test day; and, not have to pay attention before hand when He is trying to prepare us for the test?
Challenge: Today, listen! Really listen to God and what He is saying to you and trying to teach you. Keep notes! When the test comes, you can be ready
REVIEW
Were you listening to God today? What was He trying to teach you today?
How did this impact your day?
Celebration, Sunday, December 6, 2009
CELEBRATION!
Reading: Psalm 134:1-3, 1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. 3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Reading: Psalm 134:1-3, 1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. 3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Bank Account, Saturday, December 5, 2009
Reading: Matthew 6:19-21, 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In a time when millions of people are jobless, millions of homes are in foreclosure and the economy continues to teeter, everyone seems to be concerned about their finances and their bank account. Anyone vested in the stock market are constantly checking to see whether their investments are stabilizing or plummeting again. Retirees are wondering how they’re going to make it financially with their pension funds depleted. The “moth and rust” that’s destroying our “treasures” are financial institutions, the economy and poor economic and ethical choices by others. I wonder, though, as I see deep concern on many faces and hear the disappointed tones, how many of us feel this same fear, concern and despair about our heavenly bank account? Yes, it is true… nothing can touch that account, so we need not worry about it’s depletion or elimination; but, how concerned are you about the status of that account? Can you imagine, getting an account statement in a golden envelope that comes at the same time your other account statements arrive? You quickly open your bank account and your investment account statements to see if you lost any money or if you still have funds. You are relieved to see that you are still doing okay. The Heaven Account Statement in the golden envelop gets tossed on the table when you walk in the house. Finally, you get around to opening it to find it’s in the single digits, yet, this particular account is for all eternity. Why do we often spend more time considering and preparing for the brief window of time in our lives called “retirement” but do so little to consider and prepare for an account that will last for eternity?
Challenge: Today, build into your eternal account.
What can you do today to add to your eternal account and store up your treasures in heaven?
REVIEW
What were you able to do today to store up your treasures and add to your heavenly account?
What impact did that have on you and others today?
In a time when millions of people are jobless, millions of homes are in foreclosure and the economy continues to teeter, everyone seems to be concerned about their finances and their bank account. Anyone vested in the stock market are constantly checking to see whether their investments are stabilizing or plummeting again. Retirees are wondering how they’re going to make it financially with their pension funds depleted. The “moth and rust” that’s destroying our “treasures” are financial institutions, the economy and poor economic and ethical choices by others. I wonder, though, as I see deep concern on many faces and hear the disappointed tones, how many of us feel this same fear, concern and despair about our heavenly bank account? Yes, it is true… nothing can touch that account, so we need not worry about it’s depletion or elimination; but, how concerned are you about the status of that account? Can you imagine, getting an account statement in a golden envelope that comes at the same time your other account statements arrive? You quickly open your bank account and your investment account statements to see if you lost any money or if you still have funds. You are relieved to see that you are still doing okay. The Heaven Account Statement in the golden envelop gets tossed on the table when you walk in the house. Finally, you get around to opening it to find it’s in the single digits, yet, this particular account is for all eternity. Why do we often spend more time considering and preparing for the brief window of time in our lives called “retirement” but do so little to consider and prepare for an account that will last for eternity?
Challenge: Today, build into your eternal account.
What can you do today to add to your eternal account and store up your treasures in heaven?
REVIEW
What were you able to do today to store up your treasures and add to your heavenly account?
What impact did that have on you and others today?
Stand Fast, Friday, December 4, 2009
Reading: II Thessalonians 2:15-17, 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
As if from a scene from a movie, imagine all of us gathered together on a hillside, swords drawn in one hand and shield in the other. We see the enemy on the horizon approaching. The numbers seem overwhelming on the side of the enemy as they continue to march toward us. Then, the first wave of soldiers on the front lines of the enemy begin to run at us. Jesus is on His horse and is out in front of us with His massive sword drawn. Adrenaline is at its highest and your muscles tighten out of anticipation of the clash that is just seconds away. It is then that Paul, a Captain, shouts to us, “stand firm, men, and hold fast!!!!” You feel the confidence rise in your heart and soul and you feel your strength surge as you look up and see Jesus as His horse rears back and He thrusts His sword forward to fight and attack.
This should be our vision today. Men, no matter what happens in your day. Every single day is a battle. Every single day has attacks. We should be watching for the enemy. We should be preparing our self to stand firm and hold fast to the Word of God. One of the enemies of standing fast is the element of surprise, not anticipating the attack.
What are some things that may keep you from standing firm and holding fast to the Word of God today?
Challenge: 1) Identify potential struggles to standing firm. 2) Stand firm and hold fast to the Word of God and what you know to be true and right. 3) Be encouraged by seeing Jesus, who has already won the battle, riding on His horse with Sword drawn prepared to fight alongside you today.
REVIEW
Were you able to anticipate areas that you may struggle standing firm today?
What were those areas and were you able to stand firm and hold fast to what you know to be true and right?
As if from a scene from a movie, imagine all of us gathered together on a hillside, swords drawn in one hand and shield in the other. We see the enemy on the horizon approaching. The numbers seem overwhelming on the side of the enemy as they continue to march toward us. Then, the first wave of soldiers on the front lines of the enemy begin to run at us. Jesus is on His horse and is out in front of us with His massive sword drawn. Adrenaline is at its highest and your muscles tighten out of anticipation of the clash that is just seconds away. It is then that Paul, a Captain, shouts to us, “stand firm, men, and hold fast!!!!” You feel the confidence rise in your heart and soul and you feel your strength surge as you look up and see Jesus as His horse rears back and He thrusts His sword forward to fight and attack.
This should be our vision today. Men, no matter what happens in your day. Every single day is a battle. Every single day has attacks. We should be watching for the enemy. We should be preparing our self to stand firm and hold fast to the Word of God. One of the enemies of standing fast is the element of surprise, not anticipating the attack.
What are some things that may keep you from standing firm and holding fast to the Word of God today?
Challenge: 1) Identify potential struggles to standing firm. 2) Stand firm and hold fast to the Word of God and what you know to be true and right. 3) Be encouraged by seeing Jesus, who has already won the battle, riding on His horse with Sword drawn prepared to fight alongside you today.
REVIEW
Were you able to anticipate areas that you may struggle standing firm today?
What were those areas and were you able to stand firm and hold fast to what you know to be true and right?
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Sow & Reap, Thursday, December 3, 2009
Sow & Reap
Reading: Galatians 6:7-8, 7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
After planning out the garden that I intended to plant in our yard, I was thrilled when the plants started to grow. I remember seeing the two plants of cantaloupe growing, excited to have our own homegrown. After a while, two little cantaloupes appeared on the one plant; but, after looking more closely at the second plant, it had some little acorn squash on the vine. Up until that point, the leaves and vine looked the same and it wasn’t what was intended to grow there. Often, we think we can do the same with the choices that we make in life. We choose to not be holy. We choose to not remain pure in our thoughts, conversation and actions. We choose to allow our selfishness and/or our pride drive our decisions. And, yet, when we reap the consequences of those choices, we are surprised. It is at this point that God says, “[He] cannot be mocked.” We may be fooling those around you. Others may see the leaves and vines of our outward actions and think that we are a certain way, but we cannot fool God. God knows exactly what seeds we are planting in our lives. To stop this, we must pull up, by the roots, the plants of sin that we have sown. And turn your focus and attention on watering and fertilizing the seeds of God’s Word and His Spirit in your life that have been sown. If not, don’t be surprised at the time of reaping the consequences. God will not be mocked.
What seeds of sin and/or the flesh have you planted that need to be uprooted?
How can you uproot those plants from the seeds of sin that have been sown?
Challenge: Focus today on removing the seeds of sin and coming up with ways to focus on the good seeds that can or have been planted in your life.
REVIEW
What seeds of sin were you able to uproot today?
What good seeds were you able to water and fertilize today?
How did this impact you today?
Reading: Galatians 6:7-8, 7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
After planning out the garden that I intended to plant in our yard, I was thrilled when the plants started to grow. I remember seeing the two plants of cantaloupe growing, excited to have our own homegrown. After a while, two little cantaloupes appeared on the one plant; but, after looking more closely at the second plant, it had some little acorn squash on the vine. Up until that point, the leaves and vine looked the same and it wasn’t what was intended to grow there. Often, we think we can do the same with the choices that we make in life. We choose to not be holy. We choose to not remain pure in our thoughts, conversation and actions. We choose to allow our selfishness and/or our pride drive our decisions. And, yet, when we reap the consequences of those choices, we are surprised. It is at this point that God says, “[He] cannot be mocked.” We may be fooling those around you. Others may see the leaves and vines of our outward actions and think that we are a certain way, but we cannot fool God. God knows exactly what seeds we are planting in our lives. To stop this, we must pull up, by the roots, the plants of sin that we have sown. And turn your focus and attention on watering and fertilizing the seeds of God’s Word and His Spirit in your life that have been sown. If not, don’t be surprised at the time of reaping the consequences. God will not be mocked.
What seeds of sin and/or the flesh have you planted that need to be uprooted?
How can you uproot those plants from the seeds of sin that have been sown?
Challenge: Focus today on removing the seeds of sin and coming up with ways to focus on the good seeds that can or have been planted in your life.
REVIEW
What seeds of sin were you able to uproot today?
What good seeds were you able to water and fertilize today?
How did this impact you today?
Are You Clean?, Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Are You Clean?
Reading: II Timothy 2:20-21, 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Today, there is a little project for you to do. Grab a nice clean glass or cup. Fill it to the brim with cold, clean, clear water. After you have that done, take a drink and then grab a spoon and go outside. Find a little area that has some visible dirt. Begin digging with your spoon and add a little bit of dirt to your glass of water. Now, take another drink. Add a little bit more dirt and , then, take another drink. Continue performing this until either the glass is empty or you refuse to drink anymore. At which point did you stop? How many spoons of dirt did it take for you to refuse to drink the water? If you are anything like me, it would have been the initial amount of dirt. It instantly would have been distasteful for me to want to drink. Why do we not take such good care of making sure that our “vessel” is free from dirt and pollution of sin?
At the same time, when I want a drink or if company comes over and I am retrieving a drink for them, I don’t grab a glass from those that may be dirty in the sink or in the dishwasher, rather, obviously, I grab from the glasses that I know are clean in the cupboard. Sometimes, we wonder why God is not using us and we almost “demand’ to be used by God in a certain ministry or setting, but, neglect to keep the vessel clean. God wants to be able to walk over to the cupboard of “vessels” and select from those who are keeping their “vessels” clean and ready to be used, “prepared for ever good work.”
Today, reflect on your life and where you are at. Are you a “vessel” that is clean from all contaminates and ready to be used?
What can you do today to be sure to your vessel is clean and ready for His use?
REVIEW
What were you able to do today to clean your vessel and prepare it for our Master’s use?
What impact did that have on you today?
Reading: II Timothy 2:20-21, 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Today, there is a little project for you to do. Grab a nice clean glass or cup. Fill it to the brim with cold, clean, clear water. After you have that done, take a drink and then grab a spoon and go outside. Find a little area that has some visible dirt. Begin digging with your spoon and add a little bit of dirt to your glass of water. Now, take another drink. Add a little bit more dirt and , then, take another drink. Continue performing this until either the glass is empty or you refuse to drink anymore. At which point did you stop? How many spoons of dirt did it take for you to refuse to drink the water? If you are anything like me, it would have been the initial amount of dirt. It instantly would have been distasteful for me to want to drink. Why do we not take such good care of making sure that our “vessel” is free from dirt and pollution of sin?
At the same time, when I want a drink or if company comes over and I am retrieving a drink for them, I don’t grab a glass from those that may be dirty in the sink or in the dishwasher, rather, obviously, I grab from the glasses that I know are clean in the cupboard. Sometimes, we wonder why God is not using us and we almost “demand’ to be used by God in a certain ministry or setting, but, neglect to keep the vessel clean. God wants to be able to walk over to the cupboard of “vessels” and select from those who are keeping their “vessels” clean and ready to be used, “prepared for ever good work.”
Today, reflect on your life and where you are at. Are you a “vessel” that is clean from all contaminates and ready to be used?
What can you do today to be sure to your vessel is clean and ready for His use?
REVIEW
What were you able to do today to clean your vessel and prepare it for our Master’s use?
What impact did that have on you today?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Personal Bible Study, Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Reading: Matthew 5:13-14, 13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Illustration (how can you practically apply this Scripture to yourself?):
Questions for applying this principle to your life:
Answers for applying this principle to your life:
Illustration (how can you practically apply this Scripture to yourself?):
Questions for applying this principle to your life:
Answers for applying this principle to your life:
Sunday, November 29, 2009
He Notices, Monday, November 30, 2009
Reading: Matthew 10:29-31, 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
What do you spend time noticing throughout the day, the sport’s section of the paper, the internet, the stock market, emails you received, the list of things you have to get done, your family? What turns your head and makes you take note? Most of us take great care and notice in our hair and the way that we look. Let’s face it, some of us are pretty vein in our appearance. But, even the most vein amongst us, I am sure have never taken the time to count every single hair on your head. I may take that back considering some of our less densely populated heads of hair. But, imagine how tedious and seemingly pointless it would be. But, that is the exact point that is stressed by Jesus in these three verses. God cares about you, even with the tedious and seemingly pointless. How many of you have seen a penny on the ground in the past year? How valuable was that to you? Were you quick to scoop it up and tuck it away, excited about the financial turning point that this penny would make in your life? But, a bird that is worth less than a penny is valuable to the One who owns more wealth than the entire world could provide. He notices you and He’s noticing you today?
What tedious and seemingly pointless things are you going through today?
Challenge #1: Every menial task that you are doing today, live in the remembrance that God notices and cares.
Challenge #2: If God cares that much about the small things about you, he also does about others, take time to care about the menial things in those around you. If God, who oversees the entire universe, cares about those things, so can you today.
REVIEW
How did living in the remembrance that God is noticing you and the little things in your day affect your day?
How were you able to take time to care about the small things in other people’s day?
What do you spend time noticing throughout the day, the sport’s section of the paper, the internet, the stock market, emails you received, the list of things you have to get done, your family? What turns your head and makes you take note? Most of us take great care and notice in our hair and the way that we look. Let’s face it, some of us are pretty vein in our appearance. But, even the most vein amongst us, I am sure have never taken the time to count every single hair on your head. I may take that back considering some of our less densely populated heads of hair. But, imagine how tedious and seemingly pointless it would be. But, that is the exact point that is stressed by Jesus in these three verses. God cares about you, even with the tedious and seemingly pointless. How many of you have seen a penny on the ground in the past year? How valuable was that to you? Were you quick to scoop it up and tuck it away, excited about the financial turning point that this penny would make in your life? But, a bird that is worth less than a penny is valuable to the One who owns more wealth than the entire world could provide. He notices you and He’s noticing you today?
What tedious and seemingly pointless things are you going through today?
Challenge #1: Every menial task that you are doing today, live in the remembrance that God notices and cares.
Challenge #2: If God cares that much about the small things about you, he also does about others, take time to care about the menial things in those around you. If God, who oversees the entire universe, cares about those things, so can you today.
REVIEW
How did living in the remembrance that God is noticing you and the little things in your day affect your day?
How were you able to take time to care about the small things in other people’s day?
Celebration! Sunday, November 29, 2009
Reading: Psalm 135:1-3, 1 Praise the LORD. [a] Praise the name of the LORD; praise him, you servants of the LORD, 2 you who minister in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God. 3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Friday, November 27, 2009
Do Good, Saturday, November 28, 2009
Reading: Galatians 6:9-10, 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
It is simply amazing at the large quantity of diet plans that exist today. Commercial after commercial gloat over the quantity of weight that this person lost and how much better this other person looks. Even some celebrities create a buzz over substantial weight loss and the curiosity of which diet plan they used. Why? The results. People see the results. So many people today witness great results and want to have it. We have become more inundated with results, even to an extent of overshadowing the work involved to accomplishing the results. We are able to witness many wanting to make a six figure salary but not wanting to put in the work to get there. Unfortunately, we can tend to be the same way in an effort of doing good. Oftentimes, we do good things… to get a result. We want to see results from our efforts of doing good… whether it’s being treated better, spiritual growth of another, financial benefit, reputation enhancement, etc. Paul in Galatians encourages us to not give up, don’t focus on the results. Simply, continue to do good; the results will happen in its time.
How are you currently becoming weary in doing good because you are not seeing an apparent result?
How can you keep your focus on simply doing good and not on the result?
What will you do today that is good even though you may not see a positive result in the future?
REVIEW
What were you able to start or continue to do today that is good?
Were you able to focus on simply doing good without the result in mind?
How did this impact your day?
It is simply amazing at the large quantity of diet plans that exist today. Commercial after commercial gloat over the quantity of weight that this person lost and how much better this other person looks. Even some celebrities create a buzz over substantial weight loss and the curiosity of which diet plan they used. Why? The results. People see the results. So many people today witness great results and want to have it. We have become more inundated with results, even to an extent of overshadowing the work involved to accomplishing the results. We are able to witness many wanting to make a six figure salary but not wanting to put in the work to get there. Unfortunately, we can tend to be the same way in an effort of doing good. Oftentimes, we do good things… to get a result. We want to see results from our efforts of doing good… whether it’s being treated better, spiritual growth of another, financial benefit, reputation enhancement, etc. Paul in Galatians encourages us to not give up, don’t focus on the results. Simply, continue to do good; the results will happen in its time.
How are you currently becoming weary in doing good because you are not seeing an apparent result?
How can you keep your focus on simply doing good and not on the result?
What will you do today that is good even though you may not see a positive result in the future?
REVIEW
What were you able to start or continue to do today that is good?
Were you able to focus on simply doing good without the result in mind?
How did this impact your day?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Humble Yourself, Thursday, November 26, 2009
Reading: I Peter 5:5-7, 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time”
I am always intrigued at high school state tournament championships. State tournaments are typically broken into different divisions. At the end of the Division III championship game, the winners are all chanting, “We’re number 1… we’re number 1.” Then the Division II teams come out to play their championship game obviously appearing to be bigger, stronger and more talented than the Division III championship team. At the end of the Division II championship game, the winning team begins chanting, “We’re number 1… we’re number 1.” Then, the Division I teams come out to play. No comparison between Division I and Division II. I’m sure you know what’s coming. Now, who is number 1? Then, you can begin the comparison to college teams and then pro teams. Now, why do we struggle so much with thinking that who we are, what we have to offer, what we say, what we can accomplish is in any way better than any other brother in Christ? When God tells us to be submissive to one another, notice it does not talk about position, class or experience. Goodness, men, the apostles who God used to write His Word were fishermen, tax collectors, etc. These were not men full of experience, rather full of the Spirit of God. We are to compare ourselves to the ultimate champion, God. In humbling ourselves under His mighty hand, He will exalt us but it will be to bring Him glory.
What areas of pride is God convicting you of, especially in relationship to your brother’s in Christ?
What can you do to make this right and be submissive to “one another”?
REVIEW
What did you do today to confess your pride and to humble yourself to be submissive to “one another”?
How did this impact your day?
I am always intrigued at high school state tournament championships. State tournaments are typically broken into different divisions. At the end of the Division III championship game, the winners are all chanting, “We’re number 1… we’re number 1.” Then the Division II teams come out to play their championship game obviously appearing to be bigger, stronger and more talented than the Division III championship team. At the end of the Division II championship game, the winning team begins chanting, “We’re number 1… we’re number 1.” Then, the Division I teams come out to play. No comparison between Division I and Division II. I’m sure you know what’s coming. Now, who is number 1? Then, you can begin the comparison to college teams and then pro teams. Now, why do we struggle so much with thinking that who we are, what we have to offer, what we say, what we can accomplish is in any way better than any other brother in Christ? When God tells us to be submissive to one another, notice it does not talk about position, class or experience. Goodness, men, the apostles who God used to write His Word were fishermen, tax collectors, etc. These were not men full of experience, rather full of the Spirit of God. We are to compare ourselves to the ultimate champion, God. In humbling ourselves under His mighty hand, He will exalt us but it will be to bring Him glory.
What areas of pride is God convicting you of, especially in relationship to your brother’s in Christ?
What can you do to make this right and be submissive to “one another”?
REVIEW
What did you do today to confess your pride and to humble yourself to be submissive to “one another”?
How did this impact your day?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Beyond Our Ability, Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Reading: I Peter 4:11, If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
It’s been said many, many times that a true superstar is the one that rises to a whole different level than anyone else when the game is on the line. It’s as if something takes over to elevate them to a whole new level, leaving all the other players standing there simply observing the performance. I’m sure that a variety of names of sports heroes are running through your mind. If you are a Christian, you have those same abilities, not on a sports court or field, rather on the field of life. You have been equipped with a button labeled “turbo superstar” which is powered by the ability the God of the universe has supplied you. The question is, why do we often times rely on our own ability, our own power to be a “regular player”? I’m sure our Father gets frustrated standing by watching us attempt in our own strength something that He knows, with His ability, we could do so much better. When we finally do perform with His ability, the opportunity arises for Him to get the glory in all things, because, men, the glory and dominion belongs to Him. It is HIS to possess. He is the only worthy and deserving one of such glory and praise. Let Him do the work today.
What are some thing s that you will be doing today that you will do with the ability that God supplies?
How will you be sure to perform with His abilities today?
How can you give God the glory through what you do today?
REVIEW
Were you able to live and perform in God’s ability?
How were you able to accomplish this today?
It’s been said many, many times that a true superstar is the one that rises to a whole different level than anyone else when the game is on the line. It’s as if something takes over to elevate them to a whole new level, leaving all the other players standing there simply observing the performance. I’m sure that a variety of names of sports heroes are running through your mind. If you are a Christian, you have those same abilities, not on a sports court or field, rather on the field of life. You have been equipped with a button labeled “turbo superstar” which is powered by the ability the God of the universe has supplied you. The question is, why do we often times rely on our own ability, our own power to be a “regular player”? I’m sure our Father gets frustrated standing by watching us attempt in our own strength something that He knows, with His ability, we could do so much better. When we finally do perform with His ability, the opportunity arises for Him to get the glory in all things, because, men, the glory and dominion belongs to Him. It is HIS to possess. He is the only worthy and deserving one of such glory and praise. Let Him do the work today.
What are some thing s that you will be doing today that you will do with the ability that God supplies?
How will you be sure to perform with His abilities today?
How can you give God the glory through what you do today?
REVIEW
Were you able to live and perform in God’s ability?
How were you able to accomplish this today?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tear Down the Altars, Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Reading: Judges 2:1-3, 1 Then the Angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said: “I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you. 2 And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this? 3 Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’”
So many times we think the way to conquer the sin in our lives is to simply stop doing it and to ask forgiveness. God told the children of Israel to utterly destroy the people within the land that God gave them and to destroy their altars that were made for other gods. God knew that these remaining remnants would be temptations and deterrents from their relationship with Him. Sure enough, Israel did not do what God had told them to do, destroy it ALL. Tear down the altars! Can you imagine firefighters called to a scene, putting out the fire but not making sure the cause of the fire is eliminated? Often we address our sin in the same way, we put out the fire for the time being, but, the ultimate cause of the sin, we ignore and act like it will be okay. Men, we need to not simply stop performing our acts of sin and ask forgiveness, we need to hate it enough to utterly destroy all remnants of the sin. Tear down the altars! Don’t let there be anything that could tempt you or cause you to stumble. Whatever you leave behind, God will allow to be a thorn in your side.
What remnants of sin and temptation have you left in place that can cause you to stumble and fall back into?
What can you do to utterly destroy the remnants of this sin and temptation?
REVIEW
What remnants of sin and temptation were you able to destroy today?
Were you victorious?
How did this affect your day?
So many times we think the way to conquer the sin in our lives is to simply stop doing it and to ask forgiveness. God told the children of Israel to utterly destroy the people within the land that God gave them and to destroy their altars that were made for other gods. God knew that these remaining remnants would be temptations and deterrents from their relationship with Him. Sure enough, Israel did not do what God had told them to do, destroy it ALL. Tear down the altars! Can you imagine firefighters called to a scene, putting out the fire but not making sure the cause of the fire is eliminated? Often we address our sin in the same way, we put out the fire for the time being, but, the ultimate cause of the sin, we ignore and act like it will be okay. Men, we need to not simply stop performing our acts of sin and ask forgiveness, we need to hate it enough to utterly destroy all remnants of the sin. Tear down the altars! Don’t let there be anything that could tempt you or cause you to stumble. Whatever you leave behind, God will allow to be a thorn in your side.
What remnants of sin and temptation have you left in place that can cause you to stumble and fall back into?
What can you do to utterly destroy the remnants of this sin and temptation?
REVIEW
What remnants of sin and temptation were you able to destroy today?
Were you victorious?
How did this affect your day?
Sunday, November 22, 2009
When Facing a Crisis, Monday, November 23, 2009
Reading: Psalm 121, I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep. The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike you by day, or the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
Have you ever been confronted with a problem or crisis that is so big that it makes you feel overwhelmed and powerless? Perhaps you’ve experienced that feeling of panic and fright when you realize you do not have what it takes to get through the situation on your own.
God is always with you and ready to provide you with the strength and wisdom to confront your problems. He eagerly awaits the opportunity to help and guide you through these times. God uses these times to help us develop our relationship with Him. He wants us to call upon him for help and support.
How would you call upon the Lord when confronting a problem or crisis in your life?
What problem or crisis are you experiencing today?
How can you be sure to call on Him throughout the day and turn to Him for your struggle?
REVIEW
Have you taken the opportunity to ask God for his help with a problem or crisis you’re confronting today?
How has this experience strengthened your relationship with God?
Have you ever been confronted with a problem or crisis that is so big that it makes you feel overwhelmed and powerless? Perhaps you’ve experienced that feeling of panic and fright when you realize you do not have what it takes to get through the situation on your own.
God is always with you and ready to provide you with the strength and wisdom to confront your problems. He eagerly awaits the opportunity to help and guide you through these times. God uses these times to help us develop our relationship with Him. He wants us to call upon him for help and support.
How would you call upon the Lord when confronting a problem or crisis in your life?
What problem or crisis are you experiencing today?
How can you be sure to call on Him throughout the day and turn to Him for your struggle?
REVIEW
Have you taken the opportunity to ask God for his help with a problem or crisis you’re confronting today?
How has this experience strengthened your relationship with God?
Celebration, November 22, 2009
Reading: Psalm 138:1-3, 1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise. 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 3 When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Friday, November 20, 2009
You Are Not Alone, Saturday, November 21, 2009
Reading: Galatians 6:2, Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
If you drove to the airport, parked your car and walked to the terminal drop off area, I am sure that you would witness a variety of different people and muse at the various methods of packing. There’s the business man, who buzzes by you with a simple briefcase. There’s the mom getting out of a van with her kids after visiting Grandma and Grandpa with four oversized suitcases. There’s the college student that went on a ski trip awkwardly struggling with his bag, skis, boots, and other necessities. In a setting like this, it is easy to see someone that is struggling with a burden that is more than they can handle. When it is an inward burden of sin or struggle, it is not necessarily easy to observe or recognize. To fulfill this verse, it is important for both sides, the burdened and the bystander, to work together as brothers in Christ. Always remember, from the point you joined the family of God, you are not alone!
What burdens of sin or struggle are you experiencing today?
Challenge #1: Ask someone to help you carry this burden today. Be specific. To truly allow someone to help you carry this burden, you need to let them know the entirety of the burden that you are experiencing. If not, you will maintain the majority of the weight of this burden. Let your brother be there for you.
What burdens are you already aware that someone else is experiencing?
Challenge #2: Go to those people who you already know are experiencing burdens of sin or struggles. First, pray and ask God to give you discernment of how to best carry his burden with him. Second, pray with them. Third, do as much as you possibly can to help them carry that burden today.
REVIEW
Were you able to share your burdens with someone today? How did that impact you?
Were you able to share someone else’s burden today? What impact did it make today?
If you drove to the airport, parked your car and walked to the terminal drop off area, I am sure that you would witness a variety of different people and muse at the various methods of packing. There’s the business man, who buzzes by you with a simple briefcase. There’s the mom getting out of a van with her kids after visiting Grandma and Grandpa with four oversized suitcases. There’s the college student that went on a ski trip awkwardly struggling with his bag, skis, boots, and other necessities. In a setting like this, it is easy to see someone that is struggling with a burden that is more than they can handle. When it is an inward burden of sin or struggle, it is not necessarily easy to observe or recognize. To fulfill this verse, it is important for both sides, the burdened and the bystander, to work together as brothers in Christ. Always remember, from the point you joined the family of God, you are not alone!
What burdens of sin or struggle are you experiencing today?
Challenge #1: Ask someone to help you carry this burden today. Be specific. To truly allow someone to help you carry this burden, you need to let them know the entirety of the burden that you are experiencing. If not, you will maintain the majority of the weight of this burden. Let your brother be there for you.
What burdens are you already aware that someone else is experiencing?
Challenge #2: Go to those people who you already know are experiencing burdens of sin or struggles. First, pray and ask God to give you discernment of how to best carry his burden with him. Second, pray with them. Third, do as much as you possibly can to help them carry that burden today.
REVIEW
Were you able to share your burdens with someone today? How did that impact you?
Were you able to share someone else’s burden today? What impact did it make today?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Always Pray, Friday, November 20, 2009
Reading: Ephesians 6:18, 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
After writing a letter to the editor of the Appeal-Democrat and mentioning prayer, an online reader, apparently an atheist, commented on the article and stated, “Be sure to let us know how that works for you.” And, later on stated that “[he is] seriously interested in knowing how talking to yourself [helps].” Although, we may get upset or discouraged with people that might make comments like this, often times we treat prayer the same way. We act as though we are simply talking to our self and not the creator and ruler of the universe and our Father who cares about us.
We tend to think that God is only interested in the BIG things but we are told to pray on ALL occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. He wants to hear from you. He loves hearing from you, about everything! There is another part to this verse, though, “Be alert and always keep on praying”. Be alert to what others may be going through, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be alert to what others may be struggling with and pray, pray, pray. Don’t just say that you will pray for them… pray for them. One of the greatest parts of this verse is, “pray in the Spirit”. This is where the power comes from. The Spirit can and will guide you in your prayers.
Challenge: Today, pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Even the smallest, most insignificant things, today, pray about them. Talk to God about EVERYTHING today. Tell Him how you’re feeling, what you’re struggling with, pray for those you drive past, thank Him for the day that He created for you today… just talk to Him… all day long… about everything. He wants to hear from you!
What are some distractions that could keep you from your challenge?
REVIEW
Did you pray about everything today with all kinds of prayers and requests?
Were you able to notice others and their needs to pray for them?
How did this impact your day?
After writing a letter to the editor of the Appeal-Democrat and mentioning prayer, an online reader, apparently an atheist, commented on the article and stated, “Be sure to let us know how that works for you.” And, later on stated that “[he is] seriously interested in knowing how talking to yourself [helps].” Although, we may get upset or discouraged with people that might make comments like this, often times we treat prayer the same way. We act as though we are simply talking to our self and not the creator and ruler of the universe and our Father who cares about us.
We tend to think that God is only interested in the BIG things but we are told to pray on ALL occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. He wants to hear from you. He loves hearing from you, about everything! There is another part to this verse, though, “Be alert and always keep on praying”. Be alert to what others may be going through, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be alert to what others may be struggling with and pray, pray, pray. Don’t just say that you will pray for them… pray for them. One of the greatest parts of this verse is, “pray in the Spirit”. This is where the power comes from. The Spirit can and will guide you in your prayers.
Challenge: Today, pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Even the smallest, most insignificant things, today, pray about them. Talk to God about EVERYTHING today. Tell Him how you’re feeling, what you’re struggling with, pray for those you drive past, thank Him for the day that He created for you today… just talk to Him… all day long… about everything. He wants to hear from you!
What are some distractions that could keep you from your challenge?
REVIEW
Did you pray about everything today with all kinds of prayers and requests?
Were you able to notice others and their needs to pray for them?
How did this impact your day?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Fight the Battle, Thursday, November 19, 2009
Reading: Judges 3:1-6, 1 These are the nations the LORD left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan 2 (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience): 3 the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath. 4 They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the LORD's commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses. 5 The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 6 They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
God in His wisdom knew that if all of the land and Israel’s enemies were conquered at the time, then the next generation would grow up without knowing how to defend itself and to see God’s hand in destroying their enemies instead of just hearing the stories. But, Israel, instead of using the “test” for the purpose that God intended, “to make them stronger”, they used it as a means of sinning against God and served other gods. There are things that God is allowing in your life as tests. The purpose is not for you to fall, though, or to become discouraged. It is for you to fight the battle, to gain more experience as a warrior of the faith… to rise up and fight against it! The last thing He wants is for you to fall. Often times we choose to “serve other gods” with the tests and temptation, instead of seeing the REAL battle and test. Men, let’s rise up and fight the battle today!
What are some tests that you are experiencing?
Are you rising up and fighting the battle or have you been defeated by the test?
It’s never too late, let’s rise up today and fight the battle. Choose to totally destroy the enemy today and gain victory over the test that God is allowing for your experience to make you stronger as a warrior of the faith!
REVIEW
How did you fight the battle and overcome your tests today?
Were you victorious? Explain.
God in His wisdom knew that if all of the land and Israel’s enemies were conquered at the time, then the next generation would grow up without knowing how to defend itself and to see God’s hand in destroying their enemies instead of just hearing the stories. But, Israel, instead of using the “test” for the purpose that God intended, “to make them stronger”, they used it as a means of sinning against God and served other gods. There are things that God is allowing in your life as tests. The purpose is not for you to fall, though, or to become discouraged. It is for you to fight the battle, to gain more experience as a warrior of the faith… to rise up and fight against it! The last thing He wants is for you to fall. Often times we choose to “serve other gods” with the tests and temptation, instead of seeing the REAL battle and test. Men, let’s rise up and fight the battle today!
What are some tests that you are experiencing?
Are you rising up and fighting the battle or have you been defeated by the test?
It’s never too late, let’s rise up today and fight the battle. Choose to totally destroy the enemy today and gain victory over the test that God is allowing for your experience to make you stronger as a warrior of the faith!
REVIEW
How did you fight the battle and overcome your tests today?
Were you victorious? Explain.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Keep Loving, Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Reading: Matthew 24:10-13, 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
In a time when CEOs of financial institutions walk away from a plummeting economy with million dollar bonuses, men are walking into schools and shopping malls to kill as many people as they can before taking their own lives, terrorist across the globe are taking the lives of countless innocent victims and most people are out for only themselves with very little morals, Jesus’ words seem to reverberate even louder today. “Because of [this] increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but [if you] stand firm to the end [you] will be saved.” Don’t give up on love. Keep loving… keep having compassion. Remember that the world is only seeking to fill the “God Shaped Hole” in their heart with everything to satisfy themselves. They do not know or experience the joy, peace, love and hope that we can experience through Christ.
What are some ways that you have started giving up on love or demonstrating it, especially to the world?
How could you demonstrate love today, especially to those who, most would consider, are not deserving of it?
Challenge: Show and demonstrate God’s unconditional and unfailing love to as many people as you come across today.
What may be some challenges to fulfilling this challenge today?
REVIEW
How were you able to keep and demonstrate God’s unconditional, unfailing love?
How did this impact your day today?
In a time when CEOs of financial institutions walk away from a plummeting economy with million dollar bonuses, men are walking into schools and shopping malls to kill as many people as they can before taking their own lives, terrorist across the globe are taking the lives of countless innocent victims and most people are out for only themselves with very little morals, Jesus’ words seem to reverberate even louder today. “Because of [this] increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but [if you] stand firm to the end [you] will be saved.” Don’t give up on love. Keep loving… keep having compassion. Remember that the world is only seeking to fill the “God Shaped Hole” in their heart with everything to satisfy themselves. They do not know or experience the joy, peace, love and hope that we can experience through Christ.
What are some ways that you have started giving up on love or demonstrating it, especially to the world?
How could you demonstrate love today, especially to those who, most would consider, are not deserving of it?
Challenge: Show and demonstrate God’s unconditional and unfailing love to as many people as you come across today.
What may be some challenges to fulfilling this challenge today?
REVIEW
How were you able to keep and demonstrate God’s unconditional, unfailing love?
How did this impact your day today?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Shed Your Cares, Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Reading: I Peter 5:7, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
I’m sure that you have either witnessed it or can imagine this happening. You see a woman or child struggling to carry all of the things that they are attempting to carry in one trip. You walk over and kindly offer to help. “No, no thank you. I’ve got it.” Typically, right after the response, several things fall out of their arms, crashing to the ground. Again, you offer to help them but they adamantly respond that they’ve “got it”. You really struggle with wanting to be a gentleman and help them. Can you imagine how God feels? He sees us struggling, trying to balance everything on our shoulders and in our arms? He attempts to remind you that He’s there. He lovingly tells you in His Word to cast on Him all of those things that you’re stressed over and burdened with, but we often say, “No, I’ve got it. Thank you, though.” Then there are some of us who hand our stress and cares over to Him for Him to carry; then, after a while, walk back over and take it back to carry again and burden ourselves with it. Even though, when He was carrying it, you are easily able to see that He’s not struggling with it at all and your life is a lot easier.
What are your cares and burdens today, list them in detail?
How can you cast these cares and burdens on God right now and all throughout the day?
Challenge: All throughout today, cast ALL of your cares upon Him and leave them there.
REVIEW
What cares and burdens did you give over to the Lord today?
Were you able to leave them in His care?
I’m sure that you have either witnessed it or can imagine this happening. You see a woman or child struggling to carry all of the things that they are attempting to carry in one trip. You walk over and kindly offer to help. “No, no thank you. I’ve got it.” Typically, right after the response, several things fall out of their arms, crashing to the ground. Again, you offer to help them but they adamantly respond that they’ve “got it”. You really struggle with wanting to be a gentleman and help them. Can you imagine how God feels? He sees us struggling, trying to balance everything on our shoulders and in our arms? He attempts to remind you that He’s there. He lovingly tells you in His Word to cast on Him all of those things that you’re stressed over and burdened with, but we often say, “No, I’ve got it. Thank you, though.” Then there are some of us who hand our stress and cares over to Him for Him to carry; then, after a while, walk back over and take it back to carry again and burden ourselves with it. Even though, when He was carrying it, you are easily able to see that He’s not struggling with it at all and your life is a lot easier.
What are your cares and burdens today, list them in detail?
How can you cast these cares and burdens on God right now and all throughout the day?
Challenge: All throughout today, cast ALL of your cares upon Him and leave them there.
REVIEW
What cares and burdens did you give over to the Lord today?
Were you able to leave them in His care?
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Weed Killer, Monday, November 16, 2009
Reading: Proverbs 24:30-32, “I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:”
Weeds are simply amazing or, more appropriately termed, irritating. They grow almost anywhere at an alarming rate. Take dandelions for instance. When you are attempting to keep a nice, green, healthy lawn, dandelions seem to be inevitable. One thing that I have found, it is imperative to kill the dandelions before it matures, or you are simply spreading the seeds for the weed to multiply. No matter how much you spray weed killer on them, it will continue to multiply if you wait until its matured. Sin is the exact same way. We must kill it in our lives when it’s small, before it has a chance to mature and spread it’s seeds. If not, it will spread and multiply and it will be much more difficult to get rid of. Another key matter in dealing with weeds, you MUST get the roots pulled out. It may be easy to pull the plant off for appearances but, unless you pull the roots with it, it is still there and WILL come back. Although we may not be “sluggards” in our physical life and work, we can tend to become lazy in our spiritual life in maintaining our “property”.
What weeds of sin are starting to grow in your life?
What weeds of sin may have matured and are endangering you of spreading more seeds of sin?
What are the roots to these weeds in your life?
How do you intend to kill those weeds today and pull them out by there roots?
REVIEW
Did you kill the weeds of sin in your life today by the root?
How did you do that and what impact did it make?
Weeds are simply amazing or, more appropriately termed, irritating. They grow almost anywhere at an alarming rate. Take dandelions for instance. When you are attempting to keep a nice, green, healthy lawn, dandelions seem to be inevitable. One thing that I have found, it is imperative to kill the dandelions before it matures, or you are simply spreading the seeds for the weed to multiply. No matter how much you spray weed killer on them, it will continue to multiply if you wait until its matured. Sin is the exact same way. We must kill it in our lives when it’s small, before it has a chance to mature and spread it’s seeds. If not, it will spread and multiply and it will be much more difficult to get rid of. Another key matter in dealing with weeds, you MUST get the roots pulled out. It may be easy to pull the plant off for appearances but, unless you pull the roots with it, it is still there and WILL come back. Although we may not be “sluggards” in our physical life and work, we can tend to become lazy in our spiritual life in maintaining our “property”.
What weeds of sin are starting to grow in your life?
What weeds of sin may have matured and are endangering you of spreading more seeds of sin?
What are the roots to these weeds in your life?
How do you intend to kill those weeds today and pull them out by there roots?
REVIEW
Did you kill the weeds of sin in your life today by the root?
How did you do that and what impact did it make?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Pray for Your Pastors, Saturday, November 14, 2009
Reading: Ephesians 6:19-20, 19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
When we think about the Apostle Paul, who wrote this book to the church of Ephesus, we think of someone who had it all together. I mean, come on! He was the Apostle Paul; one of the original church leaders. Yet, Paul asks the people of Ephesus to pray for him to not have fear when he declares the gospel of Christ. These two verses are packed full of some amazing revelations that are very appropriate for us as men. It’s NEVER easy for a man to admit he’s afraid, let alone, this stalwart of the faith who is suppose to be this mighty man of God, to admit that he needs prayer to not be afraid to witness. Another amazing revelation is his complete dependence on God to give him the words to speak. Oftentimes, we can become so cavalier in our reliance on our own wisdom and insight. Goodness, look at all the experience we have; yet, Paul, who literally saw Jesus and had been on several missionary trips and witnessed to scores of people, still relied totally on the words being given to him from God. How many times had he done this… yet, he still experienced fear and he still relied on God. For those of us that have the experience with God, what a tremendous reminder to get back to relying on Him to speak, not ourselves. For those of us who do not have the experience with God, what a tremendous encouragement, that even the Apostle Paul struggled with fear to witness and preach the Gospel.
Challenge: Pray for our pastors today. Although they may have experience, they too desire and will need our prayers for God to speak to them and calm their fears.
Are you declaring the gospel fearlessly, as you should?
How can you do that today (to start, you can ask God to calm your fears), but how else?
REVIEW
Did you pray for your pastors today?
Were you able to declare the gospel fearlessly today?
What happened?
When we think about the Apostle Paul, who wrote this book to the church of Ephesus, we think of someone who had it all together. I mean, come on! He was the Apostle Paul; one of the original church leaders. Yet, Paul asks the people of Ephesus to pray for him to not have fear when he declares the gospel of Christ. These two verses are packed full of some amazing revelations that are very appropriate for us as men. It’s NEVER easy for a man to admit he’s afraid, let alone, this stalwart of the faith who is suppose to be this mighty man of God, to admit that he needs prayer to not be afraid to witness. Another amazing revelation is his complete dependence on God to give him the words to speak. Oftentimes, we can become so cavalier in our reliance on our own wisdom and insight. Goodness, look at all the experience we have; yet, Paul, who literally saw Jesus and had been on several missionary trips and witnessed to scores of people, still relied totally on the words being given to him from God. How many times had he done this… yet, he still experienced fear and he still relied on God. For those of us that have the experience with God, what a tremendous reminder to get back to relying on Him to speak, not ourselves. For those of us who do not have the experience with God, what a tremendous encouragement, that even the Apostle Paul struggled with fear to witness and preach the Gospel.
Challenge: Pray for our pastors today. Although they may have experience, they too desire and will need our prayers for God to speak to them and calm their fears.
Are you declaring the gospel fearlessly, as you should?
How can you do that today (to start, you can ask God to calm your fears), but how else?
REVIEW
Did you pray for your pastors today?
Were you able to declare the gospel fearlessly today?
What happened?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Share, Friday, November 13, 2009
Reading: I Peter 4:9-10, 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Have you seen the look on someone’s face when they are eating something that they are thoroughly enjoying and someone walks up, begins watching them carefully then begins licking their lips, signaling that they would really like to have some of the treat? It quite often is not a look of pleasure, feeling the necessity to “share” something that you just want to enjoy yourself. Unfortunately, we treat the special gifts that God has given to us the same way. We enjoy how it makes us look. We enjoy how it makes us feel. We enjoy the attention it may give us. In turn, we also can tend to be envious and desirous of the gifts other people have been given because of the greater attention those particular gifts are given. But, we are told to “use whatever gift [you have] received to serve others.” Quite the realization that your gifts have nothing to do with you or your enjoyment, isn’t it? Somewhat like you being handed keys to a brand new sports car and just when you begin to get excited, you are informed that the only time that you can use the car is to drive certain people around to their destinations. It really seems to put it into perspective. Your gift whether preaching, teaching, counseling, singing, playing an instrument, hospitality, ushering, or any other gifts that God has given you is not for you but to serve others. According to Webster being hospitable means, “b: promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome c : offering a pleasant or sustaining environment 2 : readily receptive.” This is what we are to be offering to each other, without grumbling over the inconvenience.
How can you be hospitable to one of your fellow brothers in Christ today?
How can you use one of the gifts that God has given you to serve someone today?
REVIEW
How were you able to be hospitable and use your gifts to serve someone today?
How did this impact your day?
Have you seen the look on someone’s face when they are eating something that they are thoroughly enjoying and someone walks up, begins watching them carefully then begins licking their lips, signaling that they would really like to have some of the treat? It quite often is not a look of pleasure, feeling the necessity to “share” something that you just want to enjoy yourself. Unfortunately, we treat the special gifts that God has given to us the same way. We enjoy how it makes us look. We enjoy how it makes us feel. We enjoy the attention it may give us. In turn, we also can tend to be envious and desirous of the gifts other people have been given because of the greater attention those particular gifts are given. But, we are told to “use whatever gift [you have] received to serve others.” Quite the realization that your gifts have nothing to do with you or your enjoyment, isn’t it? Somewhat like you being handed keys to a brand new sports car and just when you begin to get excited, you are informed that the only time that you can use the car is to drive certain people around to their destinations. It really seems to put it into perspective. Your gift whether preaching, teaching, counseling, singing, playing an instrument, hospitality, ushering, or any other gifts that God has given you is not for you but to serve others. According to Webster being hospitable means, “b: promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome c : offering a pleasant or sustaining environment 2 : readily receptive.” This is what we are to be offering to each other, without grumbling over the inconvenience.
How can you be hospitable to one of your fellow brothers in Christ today?
How can you use one of the gifts that God has given you to serve someone today?
REVIEW
How were you able to be hospitable and use your gifts to serve someone today?
How did this impact your day?
Spot of Sin, Thursday, November 12, 2009
Reading: II Peter 3:14, 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to [Christ’s coming], be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
I’m sure you probably have your pet peeves. One of mine is when I am wearing a clean white shirt and sit down to eat spaghetti. Inevitably, somehow, someway, I get spaghetti sauce splattered on the shirt. It is amazing how a simple little spot of spaghetti sauce can stand out a mile away, especially a nice, white dress shirt. I’m sure some of you may be thinking, “Well, then don’t wear a white shirt or wear something to protect it, when you eat spaghetti.” You would be absolutely correct. That would be the smart thing to do. Why do we make more effort to either eliminate the possibility or to protect our precious clothes from a spot or stain than we do our spiritual pure, white garment that Jesus has washed white as snow with the blood of His sacrifice? We are told to be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. It’s amazing how a spot on our clothes bothers us but when it comes to our spiritual garment we have the attitude, “Well, it’s not THAT big of a spot, besides, I can just cover it up with another shirt.” We don’t tend to respond until it’s “big enough” to notice or deal with.
What are some “spots” in your life that is staining your spiritual garment?
What can you do to address those “spots” today?
What can you do to protect your spiritual garment from those spots today?
REVIEW
Were you able to identify and address the spots in your life today?
Were you willing and able to protect yourself from staining your garment?
I’m sure you probably have your pet peeves. One of mine is when I am wearing a clean white shirt and sit down to eat spaghetti. Inevitably, somehow, someway, I get spaghetti sauce splattered on the shirt. It is amazing how a simple little spot of spaghetti sauce can stand out a mile away, especially a nice, white dress shirt. I’m sure some of you may be thinking, “Well, then don’t wear a white shirt or wear something to protect it, when you eat spaghetti.” You would be absolutely correct. That would be the smart thing to do. Why do we make more effort to either eliminate the possibility or to protect our precious clothes from a spot or stain than we do our spiritual pure, white garment that Jesus has washed white as snow with the blood of His sacrifice? We are told to be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. It’s amazing how a spot on our clothes bothers us but when it comes to our spiritual garment we have the attitude, “Well, it’s not THAT big of a spot, besides, I can just cover it up with another shirt.” We don’t tend to respond until it’s “big enough” to notice or deal with.
What are some “spots” in your life that is staining your spiritual garment?
What can you do to address those “spots” today?
What can you do to protect your spiritual garment from those spots today?
REVIEW
Were you able to identify and address the spots in your life today?
Were you willing and able to protect yourself from staining your garment?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
He Understands, Wednesday, November 11, 2009
He Understands
Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16, 14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[e] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
I will not soon forget attending a Memorial Day Service where Vietnam Vets were honored. To see these men and to know that I will never understand what they have been through. Even the looks on their faces as they greet each other were filled with a “knowing” glance. Seeing this sense of camaraderie because they endured a horrific war and political upheaval. Even friends, family and loved ones who have not endured those experiences will never understand exactly where they’ve been or what they’ve experienced. As Christians we endure guilt from sin and temptation or scars from acts of sin against us, we feel more apt to share those weaknesses or scars with those who have been there? What a great God we have! We get to approach His throne with confidence and Jesus gives us a “knowing” glance because He’s been there… He knows what it’s like. “[He] has been tempted in every way, just as we are.”
What are you struggling with thus far this week that you have not given to God and come before His throne for His mercy and grace? (Really search your heart)
Before you do anything else, go before His throne of grace with confidence so you can receive mercy and find grace to help you today in your time of need.
How can you live in His mercy and grace today?
REVIEW
What did you do different today to live in His mercy and grace?
How did that impact your day today?
Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16, 14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[e] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
I will not soon forget attending a Memorial Day Service where Vietnam Vets were honored. To see these men and to know that I will never understand what they have been through. Even the looks on their faces as they greet each other were filled with a “knowing” glance. Seeing this sense of camaraderie because they endured a horrific war and political upheaval. Even friends, family and loved ones who have not endured those experiences will never understand exactly where they’ve been or what they’ve experienced. As Christians we endure guilt from sin and temptation or scars from acts of sin against us, we feel more apt to share those weaknesses or scars with those who have been there? What a great God we have! We get to approach His throne with confidence and Jesus gives us a “knowing” glance because He’s been there… He knows what it’s like. “[He] has been tempted in every way, just as we are.”
What are you struggling with thus far this week that you have not given to God and come before His throne for His mercy and grace? (Really search your heart)
Before you do anything else, go before His throne of grace with confidence so you can receive mercy and find grace to help you today in your time of need.
How can you live in His mercy and grace today?
REVIEW
What did you do different today to live in His mercy and grace?
How did that impact your day today?
I Thirst, Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Reading: Matthew 5:6, 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
It’s amazing how commercials can have such an impact on us. They must be effective for companies to pay millions of dollars for a brief spot on Super Bowl Sunday. It is intriguing the way Gatorade, specifically, portrays its product. Play through some of the commercials in your head; athlete running, struggling, straining to excel while sweat pours off of their face. Now, can you imagine Gatorade running a commercial with some people sitting around a pool on a nice, cool, breezy day? Why? The product is for quenching your thirst, not for a cocktail around the pool. They want to portray situations that you may experience that produce the greatest thirst. It’s interesting that the world and the devil do the same to us. We are living in a dry and thirsty land, impoverished from the abundance of God’s holiness; yet, the world and the devil want to play their commercial as if you are poolside on a nice cool day with drink in hand. You are comfortable… you are okay. Why would you need the water of God’s Word? Hungering and thirsting is not based upon your situation… it is based upon your perception. For example, at the end of some sporting events, an announcer may say of the winning team, “Boy, it was sure obvious that they were more hungry/thirsty for this win.” Are you hungry or thirsty for God and His Word? No matter how many times that you have read it. No matter how many church services that we’ve been to, we should still be hungering and thirsting after His Word, as if we could never get enough of it.
Where are you at today? Do you feel hungry or thirsty for God’s Word?
If not, what can you do to truly hunger and thirst for it?
How can you maintain this hunger and thirst throughout the day?
REVIEW
Were you able to maintain a hunger and thirst for God and His Word today?
If yes, how? If no, why do you think that happened?
It’s amazing how commercials can have such an impact on us. They must be effective for companies to pay millions of dollars for a brief spot on Super Bowl Sunday. It is intriguing the way Gatorade, specifically, portrays its product. Play through some of the commercials in your head; athlete running, struggling, straining to excel while sweat pours off of their face. Now, can you imagine Gatorade running a commercial with some people sitting around a pool on a nice, cool, breezy day? Why? The product is for quenching your thirst, not for a cocktail around the pool. They want to portray situations that you may experience that produce the greatest thirst. It’s interesting that the world and the devil do the same to us. We are living in a dry and thirsty land, impoverished from the abundance of God’s holiness; yet, the world and the devil want to play their commercial as if you are poolside on a nice cool day with drink in hand. You are comfortable… you are okay. Why would you need the water of God’s Word? Hungering and thirsting is not based upon your situation… it is based upon your perception. For example, at the end of some sporting events, an announcer may say of the winning team, “Boy, it was sure obvious that they were more hungry/thirsty for this win.” Are you hungry or thirsty for God and His Word? No matter how many times that you have read it. No matter how many church services that we’ve been to, we should still be hungering and thirsting after His Word, as if we could never get enough of it.
Where are you at today? Do you feel hungry or thirsty for God’s Word?
If not, what can you do to truly hunger and thirst for it?
How can you maintain this hunger and thirst throughout the day?
REVIEW
Were you able to maintain a hunger and thirst for God and His Word today?
If yes, how? If no, why do you think that happened?
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Live as a Sacrifice, Monday, November 9, 2009
Reading: Romans 12:1, 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship.
It’s amazing to listen to people who have near death experiences. Every day, every moment seems to be viewed as a bonus, as if they should not be here to experience it. Imagine that happening to you… you have a near death experience. You are driving home and you quickly glance to your side and there is a car plowing into your side. The next thing that you know. You wake up with a sheet pulled over your head in the hospital and hear the doctor say, “Time of death…” Even though you’re about to be pronounced dead… you are alive to the doctors dismay. How would you view your life? That is it, as Paul said, “In view of God’s mercy… offer your bodies as a living sacrifice”. If it were not for God’s mercy, you would be spiritually dead, without life. God has given you eternal life. I know sometimes that has simply become words but let that sink in, “ETERNAL… LIFE”… because of His mercy. You had a near spiritual death experience. Now, look at your day as a bonus today to live as a living sacrifice to Him, who has granted you this day. Notice, when you get to the end of the day, it is not whether we lived up to our measure of what we may accept, but whether it was “holy and pleasing to [Him]”. What will your spiritual act of worship be like today?
How can you offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him today?
Specifically what are you going to lay on the alter and sacrifice to Him today (specific struggles in thought, attitude, action)?
REVIEW
Over all today, how was your spiritual act of worship?
How was God able to use this in your life today?
It’s amazing to listen to people who have near death experiences. Every day, every moment seems to be viewed as a bonus, as if they should not be here to experience it. Imagine that happening to you… you have a near death experience. You are driving home and you quickly glance to your side and there is a car plowing into your side. The next thing that you know. You wake up with a sheet pulled over your head in the hospital and hear the doctor say, “Time of death…” Even though you’re about to be pronounced dead… you are alive to the doctors dismay. How would you view your life? That is it, as Paul said, “In view of God’s mercy… offer your bodies as a living sacrifice”. If it were not for God’s mercy, you would be spiritually dead, without life. God has given you eternal life. I know sometimes that has simply become words but let that sink in, “ETERNAL… LIFE”… because of His mercy. You had a near spiritual death experience. Now, look at your day as a bonus today to live as a living sacrifice to Him, who has granted you this day. Notice, when you get to the end of the day, it is not whether we lived up to our measure of what we may accept, but whether it was “holy and pleasing to [Him]”. What will your spiritual act of worship be like today?
How can you offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him today?
Specifically what are you going to lay on the alter and sacrifice to Him today (specific struggles in thought, attitude, action)?
REVIEW
Over all today, how was your spiritual act of worship?
How was God able to use this in your life today?
Celebration, Sunday, November 8, 2009
Reading: Psalm 144:1-3, 1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. 2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples [a] under me. 3 O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Review the questions and answers from this past week.
What key victories did you experience this past week in your 7 battles?
How can you celebrate and rejoice in the victories of this week which would give glory to God?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Advice, Saturday, November 7, 2009
Reading: Proverbs 12:15, 15 The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice
Proverbs 13:10, 10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Our society is inundated with TV sitcoms with the husbands and fathers being portrayed as clueless and not having a brain in their head. Add on top of that, who we are. We have a difficult time simply asking for directions, as we have been labeled. God has made us to have thoughts, wisdom, logic, experience and/or advice that has built up inside of us without anyone listening and we want to shout it from the rooftops, “I know what I’m doing and I know how to do it. I don’t need anyone else telling me what I need to do or how I need to do it.” On the flip side, think about how you would feel if someone came up to you and said, “Hey, I was just wondering what your advice would be, if I were to…” How does that make you feel when someone asks your thoughts or advice?
Because this is so frequently happening, we often times, since no one else cares about what I think, I am going to do what I think. Why would I get someone else’s advice when that’s the last piece of control that I have left and that is, doing what I think is best? If no one else will respect or take my advice, at least I can take and respect my own advice and decision making ability. In doing so, our opinion and advice becomes the ONLY opinion or advice that we will consider. Do you know what that is? Pride!
Challenge: Today, don’t just listen to advice but think though things that you’re going through in your life, struggles or decisions, and ask someone’s advice of how to deal with it or how to conquer it.
What are some challenges, struggles or decisions on which you will seek advice?
REVIEW
What advice were you given today?
It is one thing to listen to advice. It’s another thing to follow it. How can you use the advice you were given today?
but a wise man listens to advice
Proverbs 13:10, 10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Our society is inundated with TV sitcoms with the husbands and fathers being portrayed as clueless and not having a brain in their head. Add on top of that, who we are. We have a difficult time simply asking for directions, as we have been labeled. God has made us to have thoughts, wisdom, logic, experience and/or advice that has built up inside of us without anyone listening and we want to shout it from the rooftops, “I know what I’m doing and I know how to do it. I don’t need anyone else telling me what I need to do or how I need to do it.” On the flip side, think about how you would feel if someone came up to you and said, “Hey, I was just wondering what your advice would be, if I were to…” How does that make you feel when someone asks your thoughts or advice?
Because this is so frequently happening, we often times, since no one else cares about what I think, I am going to do what I think. Why would I get someone else’s advice when that’s the last piece of control that I have left and that is, doing what I think is best? If no one else will respect or take my advice, at least I can take and respect my own advice and decision making ability. In doing so, our opinion and advice becomes the ONLY opinion or advice that we will consider. Do you know what that is? Pride!
Challenge: Today, don’t just listen to advice but think though things that you’re going through in your life, struggles or decisions, and ask someone’s advice of how to deal with it or how to conquer it.
What are some challenges, struggles or decisions on which you will seek advice?
REVIEW
What advice were you given today?
It is one thing to listen to advice. It’s another thing to follow it. How can you use the advice you were given today?
Friday, November 6, 2009
What Did You Say?, Friday, November 6, 2009
Reading: James 3:3-6, 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
A little girl, who was struggling with gossiping about her friends, went to her grandpa after hurting a friend’s feelings through gossip. Her grandpa wisely took her up into tower on a blustery day and gave her a pillow. He then told her to take a pair of scissors, cut it open and shake all of the feathers out of the pillow. The feathers quickly scattered in the wind and they stood quietly watching the journey of the feathers across the countryside. The little girl’s grandpa then told her to go collect all of the feathers and put them back in the pillowcase. “That’s impossible!”, she adamantly declared. “So, it is impossible to retrieve or repair gossip that is scattered on the lips of others after you release it.”
Please really consider, do you say things about other people, true or untrue?
How do you feel when others do that to you?
Challenge: Today, do not say a single negative thing against another person. Every time you open your mouth to speak today, consider, will this “corrupt” or “bless”.
What could be a hindrance from you committing to this challenge
REVIEW
Did your mouth bless or corrupt today?
How did this affect your day?
A little girl, who was struggling with gossiping about her friends, went to her grandpa after hurting a friend’s feelings through gossip. Her grandpa wisely took her up into tower on a blustery day and gave her a pillow. He then told her to take a pair of scissors, cut it open and shake all of the feathers out of the pillow. The feathers quickly scattered in the wind and they stood quietly watching the journey of the feathers across the countryside. The little girl’s grandpa then told her to go collect all of the feathers and put them back in the pillowcase. “That’s impossible!”, she adamantly declared. “So, it is impossible to retrieve or repair gossip that is scattered on the lips of others after you release it.”
Please really consider, do you say things about other people, true or untrue?
How do you feel when others do that to you?
Challenge: Today, do not say a single negative thing against another person. Every time you open your mouth to speak today, consider, will this “corrupt” or “bless”.
What could be a hindrance from you committing to this challenge
REVIEW
Did your mouth bless or corrupt today?
How did this affect your day?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
How's Your Attitude, Thursday, November 5, 2009
Reading: Philippians 2:5-8, 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Have you ever been in a situation where you had more experience, more knowledge, more education and/or more understanding than a particular individual. And, that person comes along that you KNOW couldn’t possibly know what you know, and they begin telling you what to do or give the impression that they know more about it than you do? Now, picture the creator of the universe… humbling Himself to come down to be the baby, the student, the servant, the condemned one, the crucified one.
What was His attitude like and give illustrations?
What is your attitude like or would it be like in that same scenario?
In what areas do you need to work on and demonstrate humility today?
In general?
At work?
At home?
REVIEW
In what ways did you struggle today keeping your pride in check?
How did this impact your day?
Have you ever been in a situation where you had more experience, more knowledge, more education and/or more understanding than a particular individual. And, that person comes along that you KNOW couldn’t possibly know what you know, and they begin telling you what to do or give the impression that they know more about it than you do? Now, picture the creator of the universe… humbling Himself to come down to be the baby, the student, the servant, the condemned one, the crucified one.
What was His attitude like and give illustrations?
What is your attitude like or would it be like in that same scenario?
In what areas do you need to work on and demonstrate humility today?
In general?
At work?
At home?
REVIEW
In what ways did you struggle today keeping your pride in check?
How did this impact your day?
He's Not Through, Wednesday, November 5, 2009
Reading: Philippians 1:3-6, 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Can you imagine driving downtown Sacramento and seeing a massive construction site for a skyscraper? Seeing, what appears to be the Construction Supervisor, you walk up to him and say, “Hey, what’s going on here?” “Uh, who are you?”, he’d reply. “Well, I was just passing by… and I just noticed some of this stuff that you’re putting in… and, I don’t know, it just doesn’t look right.” “Uh, sir… first of all, we’re not done yet; and, secondly, do even know anything about construction, especially that of a skyscraper?” You start backing away, “Well, uh, not necessarily… but, it just doesn’t look right.” To which he says, “Sir, I have built many skyscrapers and I have to blueprints. I have mastered construction. Please leave it for us to do.”
As absurd as it may seem to do that. We often try to challenge the Master Builder of our lives, who has already proven Himself and, not only has the blueprints to our lives, but He has drawn them up from the foundation of the world. My brother, don’t get down or discouraged by where you are at in your life. Your Master Builder has a plan for you, and when He has begun a good work in you, He is not just a job starter, but a job finisher. Let Him perform His work in you.
What areas in your life are you becoming frustrated or discouraged?
How can you give those to the Lord today?
REVIEW
Were you able to live in His comfort that He will take your areas of frustration and discouragement, and create something amazing in your life?
What helped you to accomplish this today?
Can you imagine driving downtown Sacramento and seeing a massive construction site for a skyscraper? Seeing, what appears to be the Construction Supervisor, you walk up to him and say, “Hey, what’s going on here?” “Uh, who are you?”, he’d reply. “Well, I was just passing by… and I just noticed some of this stuff that you’re putting in… and, I don’t know, it just doesn’t look right.” “Uh, sir… first of all, we’re not done yet; and, secondly, do even know anything about construction, especially that of a skyscraper?” You start backing away, “Well, uh, not necessarily… but, it just doesn’t look right.” To which he says, “Sir, I have built many skyscrapers and I have to blueprints. I have mastered construction. Please leave it for us to do.”
As absurd as it may seem to do that. We often try to challenge the Master Builder of our lives, who has already proven Himself and, not only has the blueprints to our lives, but He has drawn them up from the foundation of the world. My brother, don’t get down or discouraged by where you are at in your life. Your Master Builder has a plan for you, and when He has begun a good work in you, He is not just a job starter, but a job finisher. Let Him perform His work in you.
What areas in your life are you becoming frustrated or discouraged?
How can you give those to the Lord today?
REVIEW
Were you able to live in His comfort that He will take your areas of frustration and discouragement, and create something amazing in your life?
What helped you to accomplish this today?
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