Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you study God’s word today!
Follow the pattern of the soundwords that you have heard from me,
in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:13-14
Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
2 Timothy 1:13-14
WRITE
I think I’ve mentioned before – I’m a routine person. I feel safe and comfortable when my days go as planned, and everything falls into place as expected. But, sometimes this safe space allows me to get into a pattern that is not necessarily beneficial for me. I get in habits of ease, over-work, and sin… and it all happens pretty quickly when it becomes part of my routine.
Do you have any patterns in your life that do not honor God? Or, maybe distract you from your focus on Him?
Paul gives us a cure… follow the words “you have heard from me.” What does God’s word say about your patterns? Pray about it and ask the Lord to direct you to His word… (try Romans 12, Philippians 4:8-9, Galatians 5:22-23, John 15:1-17)
GROW
May the Lord reveal to you your good and bad patterns. May we all live a life patterned after God’s word. Praying for you.
Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word today.
Psalm 47
“For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth.”
Psalm 47:2 NLT
WRITE
We get so caught up in the politics of the day. We focus on who is in charge. We look at the countries that are threats to our own. We think of the people who desire power. We wonder about the endless struggle over laws and rules. But Psalm 47 gives us a perfect picture of who is really in control… and it’s not us! I love this Psalm because it is both a reminder of God’s rightful place and a call to worship Him.
What is the description of God we are given in verse 2?
No matter the turmoil swirling in the world, verse 3 points to God’s control…. write down what He is capable of.
As the the Psalmist continually reminds us in this beautiful hymn of praise, of both God’s position and our need to worship. Write down some of His praise and worship.
This world has an ever changing political landscape. But we can be certain that, “he changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;” Daniel 2:21. Does the idea of God as “King of all the earth” change your perspective on our present day situation?
GROW
God is King of the World! He sits on His holy throne above all. We can be certain that He is in control & His plans continue each day as we draw ever closer to the return of our Savior! Praying for you!
Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word today.
“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.”
1 John 4:1 NLT
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”
2 Timothy 4:3-5 NLT
WRITE
What warning do you hear in both of these passages?
Always test what you hear by God’s word. What was the message you heard yesterday in church. Look up the passages, pray and ask God to give you His wisdom. Search other passages on this subject – write them down. Does the message you heard yesterday agree with God’s word?
Always test the message – God’s word is the only measuring stick that really matters.
GROW
May His word light your path, give you wisdom, and lead you into all truth. Praying for you!
Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word today.
Acts 26:12-31
“‘for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending youto open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”
Acts 26:16-18
WRITE
In this passage Paul gives us his story of God’s powerful work in His life in the name of Jesus. There are three important parts of this story which we all have. As you consider Paul’s story of transformation in Christ think of your own powerful story.
What was Paul before Jesus?
How was he changed?
Who was he after he met Jesus?
What was his new found purpose?
You may be thinking to yourself – “I am no Paul!” I am sure that is true…. most likely you do not murder, imprison and persecute believers. Think about who God used! It really is not about who you are (or think you are), but who God can make you to be. And you can be certain that He has the power to transform your life so that He can send you to “open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light.” Our mission field can be our own home, our own neighborhood, or our office! Pray… ask God where He is sending you today?
GROW
May the Lord guide you as you consider where He is calling you to speak truth. May you always be prepared to share the hope that is found within you (1 Peter 3:15) Praying for you!
Take time to pray and ask the Spirit to guide you
as you read and reflect on the passage today.
” For I long to see you, that I may impart to you
some spiritual gift to strengthen you
—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged
by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
Romans 1:11-12
WRITE
Christian community is so important. Why does Paul desire to spend time with the church in Rome?
How does he express his desire to fellowship with the believers in this church?
Here is Paul, amazing man of God, writer of most of the New Testament and he is expressing his “longing” to spend time with these fellow believers so that he can be encouraged. Does this change your perspective on the leaders of your Church/Bible Study/Small Group and how they need to learn and grow and be encouraged by you?
Our faith grows when we are active in a Biblically sound Christian community. If you are not currently engaged in this way… pray about how you could become connected at Church or in an internationally offered Bible Study like Community Bible Study. What are some steps you can take today?
GROW
Praying that you will be mutually encouraged as you fellowship and learn alongside other believers. May the Lord develop friendships in your life that will last into eternity! Praying for you!
Ask the Spirit to guide you as you study God’s word today…
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:9-11
WRITE
According to this passage how do we keep our way pure?
Have you stored up God’s word in your heart?
Choose a verse (maybe this one) write it down and take time to memorize it!
What is the result of storing God’s word in our heart?
GROW
Praying that God’s word would transform your life as you seek Him with your whole heart. May the His word guard your heart and mind. Praying for you.
Take time to pray and ask the Spirit to guide you today!
READ
If you would like, you can read the entire stories from these passages in
Exodus 14 & Joshua 3
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.”
Exodus 14:26-29
“So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people,and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest),the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.”
Joshua 3:14-17
WRITE
Thinking about our life’s journey today! I’m a planner. I like to know what is ahead of me, I like to plan and prepare for it. I like to think through every scenario, test my options and pick the most logical, time tested, safe one. Yet, often that is not the way God works. In both of these passages God is leading His people to the promised land. There are uncertain things in front of them (and in the case of the Exodus behind them, too). But, when God is with them, guiding them… they just need to keep moving forward. Isn’t that the same with us. Trust… it can be so hard. But, really it should be so easy – the Creator of the Universe has a plan for our lives that is so much better than any and every scenario that we can think up. How well are you trusting God?
In both of these stories what unique way did God provide for His people?
What did Moses do just before God miraculously parted the Red Sea (Exodus)?
What did the Priests do before God helps His people cross the Jordan?
What is the main difference between these two stories?
Which do you think would have made it easier to trust, having the sea part first or taking the step first?
What was the end of both of these stories (Exodus 17:30-31) & Joshua 3:17)?
Our God is a mighty God – I can imagine that as the Israelites approached both of these bodies of water they might have been thinking, “Great, what do we do now?” But- God knew and He provided abundantly! How does this change the way that you look at the uncertainties or roadblocks in your life?
God’s power is at work in us – and He is able to do far more than we can ever even ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Ask Him now to work in your life to transform your attitude into one of trust even when we can not see.
GROW
Love this song by Jeremy Camp… May we all “Walk By Faith”
Praying that the Spirit would work in your hearts and minds to help you to rely on our mighty God. May we trust in Him whether the path is clear or not. Praying for you.
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