Week 3, Day 4: People pleasers

Day 4
Matthew 5:18-20, John 12:42-43
The Pharisees and teachers of the law (Sadducees) had become religious bookkeepers,
earning their own way and miserable in their counting. They also knew how to make other
people miserable. Impression Management and People Pleasing keep us from the joy of
God’s word. Has this become a part of your life? If yes, how?

 I think we all fall susceptible to people pleasing and trying to impress upon others what we feel is our best self, or what we feel is important.  I would be lying if I didn't say this is a struggle for me sometimes.  I think especially as a female, there's even more pressure to look your best, look the way society thinks you should look, and act a certain way.  But when we succumb to those pressures, we're looking for validation from the world, and not God.

But the great thing about God is, it doesn't matter the way you look, or if you say the right things or not.  He loves you just the way you are, and wants you to be your own self.  More importantly, your self should be rooted in Jesus Christ.  And then shining the love and light of Jesus Christ should come all the more naturally.  :-)

Week 3, Day 3: Practice what you preach

Day 3
Read Matthew 5:19
What does this verse reveal about what God calls “great”? How does that compare with
what you call “great”?

 According to this verse, God literally calls those great that practice and teach the commands that He gave.  He doesn't call those great that only teach His commands, but don't practice it.  We all must practice what we preach, so to speak, and (I think) in some cases, don't preach - just practice!!

I think sometimes we might consider others "great" based on their outward appearance, or what they say.  But it's what's inside that really counts. 

Week 3, Day 2: Authority and Confidence

Day 2

Read Matthew 5:18-19, 2 Timothy 3:14-16
In what ways, if any, does your confidence in God’s word shape the advice you give others? In what area of your relationships is this most difficult? What holds you back (fear, hurry, anger, fatigue, doubt)?

 I am home this morning after teaching a PE class to some of YHS finest 9th graders and thought I would jump in for Jill for a change.  So here goes nothing.

Paul confidently gives advice to Timothy because of the authority he knows rests in the teachings of Jesus.  Through the apologetics class I have been taking it has become clear to me how rich our faith in Jesus should be.  Knowing how rich it is has also given me confidence to share Jesus with others.  I have let my enthusiasm for the class I'm taking spill over in to my interactions with others.  Telling people about the great book your reading can be a easy door opener.  I can also share like a person standing on the authority of our Lord.

As far as difficult goes I think my work relationships are definitely a hard place to share Christian advice.  The truth is I still worry about what others will think of me.  Through this series, our Lifegroup, and my institute class I am feeling the confidence rising.  It is amazing what the word of God can do!

Jesus, the game changer

Day 1
Read Matthew 5:17-20, Luke 24:13-49
Who is Jesus? Who does he think he is? And who is he in fact? The scribes and Pharisees were intent on following rules and Jesus stepped in and said he was the answer to all that they were striving to accomplish. Jesus said everything in the Old Testament orbited around him. Is that a game changer?

I have to say that this series and the other studies I'm doing right now are completely blowing me away.  It is absolutely amazing to me how God is using everything I'm doing: women's bible study, Bible Basics class, and this sermon series to speak to me.  It's all been connecting.  Coincidence?  I think not.

Our first chapter in our women's bible study class included the story about the 'Road to Emmaus', then I read about it again in my Bible Basics homework.  Not to mention that the study I'm doing for women's bible study is all about Jesus in the Old Testament.  It's just so cool to see how everything is connecting.  Before this, I typically thought of the Old Testament as "pre-Jesus" and the New Testament as "post-Jesus."  These studies are causing me to think and look a little closer at the Old Testament and realize that even from the beginning, it all points to our savior, Jesus Christ.

Week 2, Day 5: Fishers of Men

Day 5
Read Mark 1:14-20
The invitation to these four men on that warm afternoon on the Sea of Galilee is to us too. “You can be part of this great fishing expedition of getting my children under my umbrella of love and grace”.

 What part of this passage stands out to you most?  For me, it's the immediate response of Simon, Andrew, John and James.  Once Jesus extended the invitation to them to follow him, they left immediately.  There was absolutely no hesitation, no "I'll-be-ready-in-twenty-minutes-because-i-have-to-pack", no tearful goodbyes to family members.

So often I find that when Jesus calls me to do something, I take my sweet time doing it.  Sometimes I'll question whether it's something He really wants me to do; or I'll try to come up with a million excuses why I'm not fit for the job.  I should learn from these four disciples and their willingness to drop everything immediately for Jesus.

One last fun thing: I can't help but think of the Sunday School song we used to sing...

I will make you fishers of men, fishers of me, fishers of men

 I will make you fishers of men, if you follow me.

I tried finding a video of this song just for fun, and somehow landed on this 'updated' version.  I thought it was appropriate given our recent discussions about, ahem, modern translations of the Bible.  Couldn't resist sharing :-)

Week 2, Day 4: God's Pot 'O Gold

Day 4
Matthew 25:14-30
God’s given each of us a capacity to further his ministry here on earth. He wants us to be multiplying for good – leveraging impact on earth. Who was the only person in this account that failed? Thank God today for what’s in our hands and let the spirit move you forward.

I think the first question is fairly straightforward and we read that the servant that failed was the one given one bag of gold and didn't do anything with it to make it grow. I have to admit that in the past when I've read this story, I've had a hard time with the way this last servant was so harshly treated.  I mean, my thought always was - well, at least he took no risk and didn't lose the gold.  Didn't the first two servants run that risk by investing the gold?  But as I think about it even more, the last servant did take a risk - he didn't even put the gold in a safe place.  He put it in the ground where it could have been easily dug up by thieves or even animals.  The safest place would have been in the bank, so it would have at least earned interest, just like the master says in the story.  But because of fear, the last servant hides the gold in the ground, with no chance of it increasing or multiplying whatsoever.

Think about what God has given you.  Are you afraid of what He's given you and therefore haven't done anything with it?  Don't be like the last servant and bury it in the ground. As today's devotion says, let the Spirit move you forward!

Week 2 Day 3 devotion: God's Players

Day 3
Read Acts 4:1-4
God who is sovereign invites us to be his players in this world with boldness and confidence in his ability to use us as he chooses. What was the message that turned the world upside down? What were the two responses to the message given by the apostles?

In this passage, we read about Peter and John preaching the good news about Jesus.  The fact that He died for our sins but conquered death and rose again!  This message evoked two very different responses: on one hand, the government officials seized Peter and John and locked them up because they were greatly disturbed.  On the other hand, this passage notes that others took Peter and John's message to heart and believed.

Why do you think the priests and Sadducees were so disturbed?  And, on the other hand, comment on the fact that so many - about 5,000 - believed in the Good News all because of these two men.  How does this relate to your own walk with God and what He's called you to do?

Week 2, Day 2: No condemnation!

John 3:17
Imagine if we let this truth frame our every encounter and relationship. Nicodemus was challenged with a truth that changed the way he looked at everything. His view of God was altered. Jesus came to die for people far from God. He exchanges their condemnation with the gift of his holy life. Jesus is God’s good news! When did you first understand this? Who took time to help you understand this wonderful message?

What a refreshing verse to read today!  And how lucky are we to have a God that cares so deeply for us that He sent His Son to not condemn our world, but to save it!  I became a Christian at a fairly early age - I think I was seven - but at that young of an age, can we truly appreciate the sacrifice made on our behalf? I'm not saying that at that age children can't grasp the concept of Christianity and begin their new life in Him, but I think our relationship with Christ is certainly at a different level at that stage of life compared to our teen years and into adulthood.  I'm thankful for how long I've been a daughter of God, and even more thankful that with each year of my earthly life, I gain new experiences that only deepen my gratitude, humility, and understanding of what this message truly means for me.

Week 2, Day 1 Devotional

Day 1
Read John 3:16
“For God so loved the world…” This doesn’t say God loves those who do something for him. God loves us as we are! Every time you see someone today remind yourself of this wonderful truth – “God loves him or her”. Every time you look in the mirror remind yourself – “God loves me”.

Today's devotional is fairly straight forward and simple.  Although, it's 4:30 pm and I have yet to look at myself in the mirror once today to remind myself that God loves me.  With the day I've had, I think it'd be a good idea :-)

The King Speaks: day 4 devotion

Read Matthew 5:14, Romans 13:11-14 and Ephesians 5:8-15
As you go through today, find two opportunities today to bring light into the lives of others through the visibility of goodness, righteousness and truth.

 Since we're only part-way through the day, I haven't any examples yet to share; aside from bringing light to my little one. She woke up a grumpy bear today.  Rather than being grumpy right along with her (which is easy for me to do), I decided to instead stay cheerful, be patient and shower her with love.

We'll see what the day brings for my second example!

The King Speaks: devotion day 3

Great job to everyone for keeping up on the daily devotions! We have loved your comments!  Here's todays:

Read Jesus's words in Matthew 5:13
In light of Romans 12:1-2, how will you continue to expose yourself to truth on a regular basis?

Basically, these verses say two different things:

• Don't lose your 'saltiness' - in other words, don't lose who you are in Christ, otherwise, how can you be a Godly example to others in this world?

And in Romans, he shows us how we keep our 'saltiness:'

•  Don't conform to the way our world operates; instead, fill your mind with the wisdom and instruction of God.

As you all know, I'm beginning this new season of life of not working outside the home and focusing primarily on raising Ellie.  While this change has involved some sacrifices, it does afford me the opportunity to participate more in some of the offerings of our church.  Hopefully, I'm not overdoing it, but this fall, I'm doing Women's Bible Study, MOPs, AND doing the Bible Basics class on Sunday mornings with my sister.  (Did I mention I haven't seen a 7AM class since college? I don't think it' going to be very pretty!)  If I can't renew my mind by doing these things, then I don't know what will! I'm praying that this time in my life is a time that I can truly deepen and enrich my relationship with Christ, and bring it to a whole new level of 'saltiness'!

The King Speaks: Day 5 devotion

Read again Matthew 5:13-16
God is up to something. He’s doing something in your world and you are invited to play a role. Today meditate on the part that you could play in God’s unfolding plan of calling those in your world into his kingdom.

Sorry for the late post today. Our Internet was down!

When I see a question like this, I think about some of my closest friends and how I can be their "light" so to speak. I know that my behavior and character do not go unnoticed. So for now, I continue to try to live as Christ instructs me and pray for an opportunity for a deeper conversation.

The King Speaks: daily devotion day 2

Here's the devotion for today. I heard back from the church and it just looks like I happened to check the website yesterday at a weird time.  I checked the website today and they now have the week 2 devotions posted.  From how they are labeled, and how it's explained to me, week 2 are the ones that we should be doing this week.  So, here's day 2 for week 2:

Read Matthew 5:10-12

Think about the many decisions you make each day from the biggest to the smallest.
Write down one area where a decision you make or action you take today might become more intentional and strategic in the big picture of what Christ values.

 Boy, this one's a bit tough for me.  It seems that a lot of the decisions I make daily seem mostly small and trivial.  But as I dissect this question, I first ask: "What really is the big picture of what Christ values?"  Based on the scriptures in this devotion, he values his followers who stick up for their belief in Him, no matter the consequences.  He values our striving to be righteous (though we may fall short).  Quite simply, He values our belief in Him.  He values our devotion to Him.  And we are to delight in that belief, even if it means that perhaps we are persecuted for it.

So I have to look at the decisions that I'm making as not so small and trivial anymore.  Even the little things are noticed by others.  Whether I choose to react to something Ellie does with frustration or grace; whether I choose to take the few extra seconds to warmly greet the childcare provider at the gym or hurry along to my dance jam class; whether I choose to greet Ron when he comes home with attention and love, or a scowl because I think I had a rough day changing poopy diapers...it's all a reflection of whether or not I'm striving to be more like what Christ calls me to be.  So I guess to answer the question, one area that might become more intentional is in the small things, though thinking through this question they don't seem so small anymore.

The King Speaks: week 1, day 1

Here's the daily devotion for today:

Living like the King begins with transformational thinking – transforming your mind. Pray today that God would transform your mind over these next several months. Read through Matthew 5:1-16. How does all that Jesus calls us to be make us salt and light?

Matthew 5:1-10 are the Beatitudes, and for me, they are a call to action of how I should act and behave as a Christian.  If I practice what Jesus preaches in this sermon, I can show others the light and love of Jesus Christ, and the unbelievable gift and promise that He offers us.

I really like The Message translation of the last part of verses 13-16. (not so much the Beatitudes, though :-)

¹³ “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

^14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.