Point of View:
So a lot of us want to look cool in our friends’ eyes (important to the sports team and cute/good looking around that special someone, right?). I think this is because we are driven by acceptance. We often let others opinions impact our life in such a big way that some of us even dress, act and talk more like those people just so that we will have a group to fit in with. I find that a lot of us are always wondering about how we are being viewed or what others think about us, when really… NONE of that even matters! How your friends and peers view you doesn’t, and shouldn’t, change who you are as a person! If they think your cool, guess what? Your God’s workmanship! And if they think that you’re dumb, guess what? Your still Gods workmanship!! You see, if you have faith that Jesus took upon your sins, died for them and three days later rose again, you’re already a part of a big group/family. A group that is viewed not through mans eyes but God’s - and to Him we are viewed as perfect through Christ’s blood. God has already prepared good works for you to do here (According to Ephesians 2:10) so go forth and do them. Remember, that no matter what people think about you, YOU are Gods workmanship! Now that’s what’s up! So…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to understand! Understand that we are new creations in Christ, no longer defined by the past, but made new through Jesus, our Savior and Lord. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” So… Walk in them.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. As through Him we are viewed (not made) as perfect.
• Ask that you would truly be able to understand that you are new creations through Christ, created to do good works, which God has already prepared.
• Pray that you wouldn’t be defined by what people say or think about you but by Jesus! Through Him all things are possible!
The Word:
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:10
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Stepping Stones: On Your Life Journey, Unpacking is Necessary
December 21, 2011
Transformational Tip
Well Christmas is rapidly approaching, and for many that means a road trip, congested airports, weather delays, holding patterns, sleeping in odd beds, and rushing between relatives. One part of travel that I enjoy is packing. Quick, efficient, taking only what I really need. I am good with wearing the same clothes several consecutive days without problem. My girls are really efficient as well. Some other people, I won’t mention who she is, really have trouble getting rid of the excess baggage, no matter how short and simple the trip!
Extra baggage on a trip weighs us down but at least it isn’t harmful. But when it comes to our minds and hearts, it’s amazing how much extra toxic baggage we voluntarily choose to keep jammed in our hidden compartments. Try as I may, I find that the brokenness and sin of my past is like huge stone hanging around my neck. Carrying that stone brings guilt, shame and weakness. I know and believe I have been forgiven, but I struggle with laying that stone down and walking away from it.
Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive guilt and anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness and hope for a transforming future. Trusting God’s forgiveness is a big and difficult stretch for most, myself included. It takes time to receive God’s forgiveness … to absorb the full depth and power of it … allowing it to seep into those hidden compartments.
For me, I had to work up to this huge step of trust by practicing, implementing, and applying trust in much smaller areas of life and in my relationship with God. Trusting Him when … there is an illness … a flat tire … a change of plans … someone else is in charge … a deadline is moved … a random expense comes into the mix … protection for my children is needed … I don’t feel loved or valued. Like any skill, starting small, practicing, then stretching it, can lead to powerful skills. Trust is the same way. Trusting in His power of forgiveness is one of the richest skills you can develop. Unpack some baggage, but pull it out of your heart with the loving hand of Jesus Christ. This is why He came to earth, to set us free from our baggage and the stone of sin.
Today, leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into your invincible future with Him. Start by trusting Him, His agenda, promises, character, and instruction in 5 separate situations today. You already do this at times, but learn that it is trusting in God so you can grow this skill and finally be free from your past. WITHIN REACH is designed to specifically help you properly unpack your toxic baggage. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I can easily become paralyzed with shame, guilt, and fear over my past. I have hurt You … and I know I have hurt others. I am so thankful for Your promise of forgiveness – Thank You, Lord. I ask You, Father, to help me lay down this heavy stone of my past that I have been carrying. Let me remember and be accountable for my past brokenness and sin … but let it not keep me from moving toward You with freedom. I pray in the name of the One whom You sent to remove my toxic baggage, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 52:12
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.
Jeremiah 33:8
Transformational Tip
Well Christmas is rapidly approaching, and for many that means a road trip, congested airports, weather delays, holding patterns, sleeping in odd beds, and rushing between relatives. One part of travel that I enjoy is packing. Quick, efficient, taking only what I really need. I am good with wearing the same clothes several consecutive days without problem. My girls are really efficient as well. Some other people, I won’t mention who she is, really have trouble getting rid of the excess baggage, no matter how short and simple the trip!
Extra baggage on a trip weighs us down but at least it isn’t harmful. But when it comes to our minds and hearts, it’s amazing how much extra toxic baggage we voluntarily choose to keep jammed in our hidden compartments. Try as I may, I find that the brokenness and sin of my past is like huge stone hanging around my neck. Carrying that stone brings guilt, shame and weakness. I know and believe I have been forgiven, but I struggle with laying that stone down and walking away from it.
Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive guilt and anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness and hope for a transforming future. Trusting God’s forgiveness is a big and difficult stretch for most, myself included. It takes time to receive God’s forgiveness … to absorb the full depth and power of it … allowing it to seep into those hidden compartments.
For me, I had to work up to this huge step of trust by practicing, implementing, and applying trust in much smaller areas of life and in my relationship with God. Trusting Him when … there is an illness … a flat tire … a change of plans … someone else is in charge … a deadline is moved … a random expense comes into the mix … protection for my children is needed … I don’t feel loved or valued. Like any skill, starting small, practicing, then stretching it, can lead to powerful skills. Trust is the same way. Trusting in His power of forgiveness is one of the richest skills you can develop. Unpack some baggage, but pull it out of your heart with the loving hand of Jesus Christ. This is why He came to earth, to set us free from our baggage and the stone of sin.
Today, leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into your invincible future with Him. Start by trusting Him, His agenda, promises, character, and instruction in 5 separate situations today. You already do this at times, but learn that it is trusting in God so you can grow this skill and finally be free from your past. WITHIN REACH is designed to specifically help you properly unpack your toxic baggage. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I can easily become paralyzed with shame, guilt, and fear over my past. I have hurt You … and I know I have hurt others. I am so thankful for Your promise of forgiveness – Thank You, Lord. I ask You, Father, to help me lay down this heavy stone of my past that I have been carrying. Let me remember and be accountable for my past brokenness and sin … but let it not keep me from moving toward You with freedom. I pray in the name of the One whom You sent to remove my toxic baggage, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 52:12
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.
Jeremiah 33:8
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Pressuring Peers
Point of View:
Lets face it, we have all tried to fit into some type of group or “clique” before. Maybe it was to get close with a group of people, look/act more like them or to simply appear popular. We have all done it, but why? I think it’s because we all desire to be accepted. We want to feel as though we are a part of something, whether that’s a sports team, joining a band/choir or just having a tight group of friends, we all want to fit in somewhere. So as we spend time with those people we will generally become more like them, right? I mean you might feel the need to talk how they talk, do what they do or wear what they wear. This could be a good thing or a bad thing. Realizing that we are going to be influenced by our friends, let’s not be influenced in a negative way. We have to realize that if we want to overcome peer pressure, we are going to have to learn to say no! It’s time to choose friends that influence you in a positive way rather than in a negative way. Remember, If you have to do things you don’t want to do in order to fit in, you are still not fitting in, you are just acting like someone they’d like. So…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to stand strong and not conform to the ways of this world! How can you do that? Learn to say no! If your friends want you to do something that your not comfortable doing (gossiping, partying or pushing you to get physical with someone), just say no! You can even memorize Romans 12:2 and recite it if they ask you why you wont do something you are not comfortable with. Tuesday we will be talking about whose approval we should be seeking, so… Part 2 comes next week.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for making you unique. We all have different skills, let’s use them to bring God glory.
• Ask for wisdom, as sometimes it’s hard to explain why we don’t want to do something, but hey, that’s what being a Christian is all about, “Swimming against the current”
• Pray that you would be surrounded with a crowd of encouraging friends that will ultimately glorify God.
The Word:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:2
Lets face it, we have all tried to fit into some type of group or “clique” before. Maybe it was to get close with a group of people, look/act more like them or to simply appear popular. We have all done it, but why? I think it’s because we all desire to be accepted. We want to feel as though we are a part of something, whether that’s a sports team, joining a band/choir or just having a tight group of friends, we all want to fit in somewhere. So as we spend time with those people we will generally become more like them, right? I mean you might feel the need to talk how they talk, do what they do or wear what they wear. This could be a good thing or a bad thing. Realizing that we are going to be influenced by our friends, let’s not be influenced in a negative way. We have to realize that if we want to overcome peer pressure, we are going to have to learn to say no! It’s time to choose friends that influence you in a positive way rather than in a negative way. Remember, If you have to do things you don’t want to do in order to fit in, you are still not fitting in, you are just acting like someone they’d like. So…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to stand strong and not conform to the ways of this world! How can you do that? Learn to say no! If your friends want you to do something that your not comfortable doing (gossiping, partying or pushing you to get physical with someone), just say no! You can even memorize Romans 12:2 and recite it if they ask you why you wont do something you are not comfortable with. Tuesday we will be talking about whose approval we should be seeking, so… Part 2 comes next week.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for making you unique. We all have different skills, let’s use them to bring God glory.
• Ask for wisdom, as sometimes it’s hard to explain why we don’t want to do something, but hey, that’s what being a Christian is all about, “Swimming against the current”
• Pray that you would be surrounded with a crowd of encouraging friends that will ultimately glorify God.
The Word:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:2
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wrapping it all up
Point of View:
So the last couple of weeks we dug into the wisdom that Peter shared with us in 2Peter chapter 1. If you did not get a chance to read all the devotionals, all the things that Peter tells us to add to our faith, it is listed bellow in verses 5-7. As we wrap up this study on adding to our faith I want to focus on verse 8 today. Verse 8 tells us that “if you possess these qualities (What Peter told us to add to our faith) in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”. So, if you want to grow in your relationship with God you would not want to be ineffective (not useful) or unproductive right? That would not help you grow in your relationship! That is why I wanted to dig into 2 Peter 1: 5-7. It shows us how if we add those qualities to our faith we can keep ourselves from being ineffective and unproductive. Now that’s the type of stuff we need to learn if we want to be used by God, right? So, if you’re ready to add those qualities to your faith, get ready, because according to verse 8, you will be a productive and effective tool for Christ! That’s what’s up!!! So…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to “add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” Impact your friends, community and school in a positive way as God begins (or continues) to use you as a useful tool for Him! We all have different places and areas that people listen to us so… Find your portico! Spread the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ to the masses around you like Peter and John did in Acts 3-4:1
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for Peter and the God given wisdom he shares with us in 2 Peter 1:5-7
• Ask that God would reveal your portico to you. (Pray that you would realize where you can be effective and share the saving knowledge of Christ with those people)
• Pray for bravery, as being a useful tool for Christ is sometimes scary work.
The Word:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 1: 5-11
So the last couple of weeks we dug into the wisdom that Peter shared with us in 2Peter chapter 1. If you did not get a chance to read all the devotionals, all the things that Peter tells us to add to our faith, it is listed bellow in verses 5-7. As we wrap up this study on adding to our faith I want to focus on verse 8 today. Verse 8 tells us that “if you possess these qualities (What Peter told us to add to our faith) in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”. So, if you want to grow in your relationship with God you would not want to be ineffective (not useful) or unproductive right? That would not help you grow in your relationship! That is why I wanted to dig into 2 Peter 1: 5-7. It shows us how if we add those qualities to our faith we can keep ourselves from being ineffective and unproductive. Now that’s the type of stuff we need to learn if we want to be used by God, right? So, if you’re ready to add those qualities to your faith, get ready, because according to verse 8, you will be a productive and effective tool for Christ! That’s what’s up!!! So…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to “add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” Impact your friends, community and school in a positive way as God begins (or continues) to use you as a useful tool for Him! We all have different places and areas that people listen to us so… Find your portico! Spread the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ to the masses around you like Peter and John did in Acts 3-4:1
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for Peter and the God given wisdom he shares with us in 2 Peter 1:5-7
• Ask that God would reveal your portico to you. (Pray that you would realize where you can be effective and share the saving knowledge of Christ with those people)
• Pray for bravery, as being a useful tool for Christ is sometimes scary work.
The Word:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 1: 5-11
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Adding Love to Mutual Affection
Point of View:
So after adding mutual affection to godliness, Peter tells us to add love to mutual affection. Well, let’s dig a little deeper as we ask ourselves what love is, and how we can show it.
What is love?
In John 4:8, John says this about love; “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” God is love?! That sounds crazy right? Well, it’s true. We would not even know what love is if God did not demonstrate it to us. How does he do that? Well, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this way: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Now that is unconditional love! It is hard for us to love people when they are doing things that we dislike, but God loves us even though we sin, which is what He HATES! Feeling special yet? Haha
How can you show love to others?
We can show love by “Putting their needs above your own.” That sounds simple, but what about your enemies or people you dislike? Well, I’ll let Luke challenge you this week. so…
The Challenge:
27 “…Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. - Luke 6: 27-31
Prayer Points:
- Thank God for loving us even though we don’t deserve it.
- Ask for forgiveness as we constantly sin against God.
- Pray that you would be able to Add Love to mutual affection and Share Christ, Gods gift with everyone.
The Word:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. -2 Peter 1: 5-7
8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. - 1 John 4:8
So after adding mutual affection to godliness, Peter tells us to add love to mutual affection. Well, let’s dig a little deeper as we ask ourselves what love is, and how we can show it.
What is love?
In John 4:8, John says this about love; “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” God is love?! That sounds crazy right? Well, it’s true. We would not even know what love is if God did not demonstrate it to us. How does he do that? Well, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this way: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Now that is unconditional love! It is hard for us to love people when they are doing things that we dislike, but God loves us even though we sin, which is what He HATES! Feeling special yet? Haha
How can you show love to others?
We can show love by “Putting their needs above your own.” That sounds simple, but what about your enemies or people you dislike? Well, I’ll let Luke challenge you this week. so…
The Challenge:
27 “…Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. - Luke 6: 27-31
Prayer Points:
- Thank God for loving us even though we don’t deserve it.
- Ask for forgiveness as we constantly sin against God.
- Pray that you would be able to Add Love to mutual affection and Share Christ, Gods gift with everyone.
The Word:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. -2 Peter 1: 5-7
8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. - 1 John 4:8
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Adding Mutual Affection to Godliness
Point of View:
So after adding perseverance to godliness, Peter tells us to add godliness to mutual affection. What does that mean? Well let’s take a look at the definition. Mutual affection is simply defined as; “Whatever affects one person in a relationship, affects the other as well”. So, if we are supposed to let what affects Jesus affect us, our heart should break at what breaks His, smile at what makes Him smile and have the passion to pursue ministry as Jesus did. This reminds me of the song by Hillsong United called Hosanna. In it, the song says, ”Break my heart for what breaks yours, everything I am for your kingdoms cause”. My question to you now is, can you sing those lyrics to God and mean them? It is easy to say them, but I pray that this generation will mean it. On that note, lets move into…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to live your life as Christ would! If you have talents/gifts, use them to glorify God. If you see someone hurting, reach out and offer help to them. If you know the gospel, share your faith. Befriend the lonely, help pay for a buddy’s meal if he is short on cash, there are many more examples in the Bible, but I challenge you to find them. Dig in!
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for whatever gifts, friends, possessions and knowledge you have. He has given us so much, lets use what He’s given us to glorify Him.
• Ask for boldness, as it isn’t always easy living the way Christ did. It wasn’t easy then and its not easy now.
• Pray that you would be able to use everything you have to glorify our Father in heaven, and bring others to know Him.
The Word:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection
-2 Peter 1: 5-7
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written:
“Be holy, because I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:15-16
So after adding perseverance to godliness, Peter tells us to add godliness to mutual affection. What does that mean? Well let’s take a look at the definition. Mutual affection is simply defined as; “Whatever affects one person in a relationship, affects the other as well”. So, if we are supposed to let what affects Jesus affect us, our heart should break at what breaks His, smile at what makes Him smile and have the passion to pursue ministry as Jesus did. This reminds me of the song by Hillsong United called Hosanna. In it, the song says, ”Break my heart for what breaks yours, everything I am for your kingdoms cause”. My question to you now is, can you sing those lyrics to God and mean them? It is easy to say them, but I pray that this generation will mean it. On that note, lets move into…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to live your life as Christ would! If you have talents/gifts, use them to glorify God. If you see someone hurting, reach out and offer help to them. If you know the gospel, share your faith. Befriend the lonely, help pay for a buddy’s meal if he is short on cash, there are many more examples in the Bible, but I challenge you to find them. Dig in!
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for whatever gifts, friends, possessions and knowledge you have. He has given us so much, lets use what He’s given us to glorify Him.
• Ask for boldness, as it isn’t always easy living the way Christ did. It wasn’t easy then and its not easy now.
• Pray that you would be able to use everything you have to glorify our Father in heaven, and bring others to know Him.
The Word:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection
-2 Peter 1: 5-7
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written:
“Be holy, because I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:15-16
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Adding Godliness to Perseverance
Point of View:
If you want to grow in your knowledge of something or get better at a skill, you have to study and train right? For instance, if you want to be a professional sports player, you have to train daily, study the plays and run the drills that will make the team successful. So, if you want to be a Boxer, it would be of no use to devote your time to making flower arrangements. That would not do you much good and would not be very valuable to the coach. Well, just as professional sports players need proper training, we as Christians do as well. As soldiers of Christ, it would not make much sense to watch TV all of the time right? If we want to be useful, tools for Christ, we have to be studying the Bible, praying and sharing Christ’s name with others. My only question now is… are you?
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to take a look at what your spending your time doing. Is God a priority in your life? Are you staying in the Bible and walking daily with Christ, or are your X-Box and/or good friends more important? I think we both know the right answer to that question. So, as you wake up, I want to challenge you to dedicate each day to glorifying God. Try your best to live for God, and if things get tough… Persevere! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for His grace. As He graciously forgives us time and time again.
• Ask for a never ending passion for reading the Bible.
• Pray that you will become submissive to His will. No matter the cost.
The Word:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness… - 2 Peter 1:5-6
8 For 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. - 1 Timothy 4:8
If you want to grow in your knowledge of something or get better at a skill, you have to study and train right? For instance, if you want to be a professional sports player, you have to train daily, study the plays and run the drills that will make the team successful. So, if you want to be a Boxer, it would be of no use to devote your time to making flower arrangements. That would not do you much good and would not be very valuable to the coach. Well, just as professional sports players need proper training, we as Christians do as well. As soldiers of Christ, it would not make much sense to watch TV all of the time right? If we want to be useful, tools for Christ, we have to be studying the Bible, praying and sharing Christ’s name with others. My only question now is… are you?
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to take a look at what your spending your time doing. Is God a priority in your life? Are you staying in the Bible and walking daily with Christ, or are your X-Box and/or good friends more important? I think we both know the right answer to that question. So, as you wake up, I want to challenge you to dedicate each day to glorifying God. Try your best to live for God, and if things get tough… Persevere! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for His grace. As He graciously forgives us time and time again.
• Ask for a never ending passion for reading the Bible.
• Pray that you will become submissive to His will. No matter the cost.
The Word:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness… - 2 Peter 1:5-6
8 For 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. - 1 Timothy 4:8
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