But Christ

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PRAY

Remember to take time to pray & read the entire passages before you begin.

Galatians 2:20

WRITE

Like we talked about last time. When we come to know Jesus we have new life! Alleluia!

  • What do you think it means to be crucified with Christ?
  • When we put our lives in the hands of Jesus, how are we called to live now (see also Hebrews 12:1)?
  • We should be pursuing Christ and allowing Him to work in us to make us more like Him. Using these verses, write some ways that you can live this out each day.
    • And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? Luke 9:23-25
    • …throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24NLT
    • Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
    • And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 2:18

       “Christ in Me”
      by Jeremy Camp
      says it so beautifully!

GROW

Oh to look more like Jesus! Praying today that we each would strive to die to self and live for Christ! May we set aside our worldly wants & ways and instead live our lives as Kingdom citizens, allowing Him to transform us into His likeness. Praying for you!

so that…

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PRAY

Remember to take time to pray & read the entire passages before you begin.

John 20:30-31

WRITE

The book of John tells the story of Jesus’s Ministry. It contains many amazing and beautiful stories of Jesus’s love, grace, healing & of course the greatest story ever told. The story of the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. He conquered death so that we can have life. Here John tells us why he recorded these stories.

  • According to this passage, was this a complete account of Jesus’s life?
  • John wrote this “so that”…
  • He wants those who read the stories of Jesus’s life to believe in Him and to gain what?
  • Does it mean anything to you that John wrote for this purpose?
  • What does it mean to have life in His name (John 3:16, Ephesians 4:20-24, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Corinthians 6:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)?
  • Write a reflection on how your life has changed since your life became new.

GROW

It is awesome to know Jesus Christ! Praying that God’s word would accomplish it’s purpose in your life & that His love & grace would continue to shape you & your new life. Praying for you!

Imagine

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PRAY

There are passages in scripture that give us a peek inside of heaven.

1 Corinthians 2:9    Revelation 21:22-27
Revelation 5   John 17:24   John 14:1-3

But, until the day He calls us home we will not know what it it will be like. What joy it will be to praise our Almighty God face to face!

WRITE

What do you think that you’ll do
when you meet Jesus?

Listen to the song by Mercy Me and pray about it…

GROW

It really is too much to imagine. Thanking God we have the gift of Jesus Christ… that one day we will be able to be in heaven  – bowing, singing, praising, dancing, loving, being still… Praying that we would have a glimpse of that day as we put our Hope in Him!

My Portion

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PRAY

Remember to take time to pray & read the entire passages before you begin.

Psalm 73

But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
    and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Psalm 73:28

WRITE

This Psalm holds a gem. One that we recite and hold on to in good times and bad. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26. And yet… this Psalm is so rich with struggle and understanding and trust in the Almighty – so much deeper than I could have imagined. 

  • From 73:1-14 What is the attitude of the Psalmist?
  • What was he trying to understand?
  • Ultimately, how did he gain the knowledge he was searching for?
  • In the end, what did the Psalmist learn about himself (v.21 & v.22)?
  • What do verses 21-24 reveal about our relationship with God – what will He do?
  • Read verse 25 – does this change your perspective on your circumstances or “things”?
  • When God brought His people into the promised land. He gave each tribe a portion of land… except the Levites. This tribe was special they became His priests – and he said to Aaron “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.” Numbers 18:20. How does help you see what it means to look to God as your portion?
  • Are there any “things” that you value more than your relationship with the Lord? Pray and ask the Lord to reveal them to you, and ask Him to guide you into a deeper relationship with Him.
  • The last line of this beautiful Psalm tells us how we should choose to live as a result of His constant provision for us. Write it down.
  • How can you live your life in a way that He is your portion and you give Him the glory!?

GROW

God loves you so much! When we are weak He is strong. Praying that you will lay your heart and life at His feet and trust him as your strength and your portion forever. May we live a life believing… there is nothing I desire on earth besides you. Praying for you…

everlasting

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PRAY

Remember to take time to pray & read the entire passages before you begin.

” Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Psalm 90:2

“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”
Genesis 17:7

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:’I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'”
Jeremiah 31:3

“The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Isaiah 40:8

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.’”
Revelation 11:15

WRITE

  • What does the word everlasting mean to you?
  • God is eternal. Always WAS! Always IS! Always WILL BE! There are so many Bible verses about God’s unchanging & eternal nature. Take time now to reflect on the verses above (or others you have found) – what does each say to you about God and His plan?
    • God’s eternal nature?
    • God’s covenant promises?
    • God’s love?
    • God’s word?
    • God’s saving grace?
    • God’s kingdom?
  • We live in a disposable society. Rarely do we have something that will “last forever”. Our finite minds can not begin to comprehend everlasting. Even things we deem everlasting often deteriorate over time. When you think of the scope of God’s unchanging nature and eternal promises… what is your reaction toward Him?

GROW

Praising God that we worship an everlasting God. He has an eternal plan with a never ending kingdom! He always  has been and always will be. May each of us grow to understand His divine qualities and His eternal nature more each day. May we trust in His promises knowing that they and He are unchanging & sure! Praying for you…

This is Love

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PRAY

Remember to take time to pray & read the entire passage before you begin.

Romans 5:6-11

” But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8

WRITE

  • What was our position before God when Christ died for us (v. 8 & 10)?
  • How did God show His love for us?
  • What did Jesus’s death and resurrection accomplish for us?
  • What should our response be?
  • When you consider the amazing act of love – what new insight about your relationship with your Heavenly Father do you come away with?
  • When you consider the amazing act of love – what new insight about your relationship with your Jesus do you come away with?

GROW

We rejoice because we have life – life in our living Savior! It really is too much to fathom. Recently I have had the gift of studying the Old Testament books of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. While these books can be challenging to pour over, God has impressed on my heart the awesomeness and holiness of God! There were consequences for those who chose to offer improper sacrifices or impure adoration. And yet… while we are still sinners, He chooses to make us righteous and holy in his sight through the blood of His Son Jesus! The perfect sacrifice, once for all. And so… we can freely come before Him with praise and thanksgiving – Alleluia!

This song says it all! “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” – Austin Stone Worship

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

© 1995 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music

Praying that you would know the Love of God today!

Alive

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PRAY

Remember to take time to pray & read the entire passage before you begin.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

WRITE

  • Where does Scripture come from?
  • How God use it in your life (see also Isaiah 55:11 & Hebrews 4:12)?
  • What is God’s purpose in it?
  • Jesus tells us, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. What does it mean to hunger for God’s word like we do for food?
  • God’s word is so amazing …breathed out by God & used by Him to accomplish His purposes… to teach us and train us that we may be equipped for every bit of work that He has called us to. Write down a Bible verse that God has used in your life – what did it accomplish in your life and how can you share that with others today?

GROW

Love Love Love this song by Casting Crowns – “The Word is Alive”

Praying that God’s Word would be alive for you today. May He work mightily in your hearts and lives to accomplish His will and purpose in this world. XOXO