What’s Your Golden Calf?

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

Exodus 32

“The people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, ‘Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’”
Exodus 32:1

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  • As God faithfully brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, He calls Moses to Mount Sinai to solidify His covenant with His people and to give Moses the law. While Moses is gone, the people wonder where he is. God is sharing His heart for His people, and His people are asking for another god. Do you ever question where God is?
  • Our own strength & knowledge is no strength at all! Have you created a golden calf (money, happiness, friends, success) to make yourself feel more comfortable?
  • You can be certain, God’s steadfast love endures forever…He is working even when you don’t feel like it! Confess your idols now and ask the Lord to cleanse your heart and guide you as you trust in Him alone!

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Again, it is about a relationship built on trust…
Lord, “If I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.”
Exodus 33:13
Praying for you!

At Work in You

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

“Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT)

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  • Here Paul is writing to the Thessalonians to exhort, instruct and encourage them in their faith journey. He thanks God for the faith of the Thessalonians… he thanks God that they had willing and open hearts. I was struck by the action words that Paul uses here to describe their journey. Fill in the blanks.

First they _________ the message.

Then they __________ the message.

  • Did the message come from Paul?
  • What is the result of the word of God that they accepted?
  • How exciting to know that God’s word is at work in our lives when we choose to accept and believe it. It truly is His voice speaking to us. How has this passage changed the way you think of the word of God – are you open to hear, receive and accept His voice?

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Again, it is about relationship. God wants you to know Him… He wants to be at work in your life. Praying for open and willing hearts ready and waiting for His precious word to transform.  Praying for you!

True Love

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Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“Let love be genuine.” 
Romans 12:9a

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love,
love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
 since you have been born again,
not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God”
1 Peter 1:22-23

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  • What is Truth  (to find out what Jesus said look up John 8:31, John 14:6, John 18:37) ?
  • How do we purify our soul (see 1 John 3:3)?
  • What is the result of our transformed life… our souls have become pure through Christ for a reason. What is it?
  • Who are we to love (see John 15:12)?
  • How are we to love?
  • The definition of “earnest” is – showing a sincere & intense conviction. Rewrite 1 Peter 3:22b inserting that definition in place of the word earnest. Love one another…
  • Still, earnest love will mean nothing unless we have what heart condition?
  • What does the word pure mean to you?
  • This pure, earnest love pours out of us as a result of what?
  • Respond… is there anything you need to change? What does “Genuine Love” look like to you?

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He has poured out Himself for you! Jesus is the Way the Truth & the Life. You have been eternally transformed by Christ.
– SO –
Love with a heart made new by the Spirit that lives within you!

Why Is It Snowing, Again!?

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Isaiah 55:8-11

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“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.”

Isaiah 55:10

  • Do you ever ask God why? Are you ever left uncertain? Do you question your circumstances?
  • What do verses 8 & 9 tell you about trying to understand God?
  • God has a purpose! What is His purpose for the snow and rain?
  • Like the snow and rain, how does Isaiah explain the purpose of the word that goes out from the mouth of God?
  • How do you think that God uses His word to accomplish His purposes (see also 2 Timothy 3:16, Romans 10:17).
  • His thoughts and purposes are so far beyond the comprehension of you and I. But, you can be certain, He has a purpose for you & for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). You and where you are now in your life is  not an accident (Romans 8:28)! Does this passage make you consider your purpose in a new way? Does it help you to trust in the sovereignty of God?

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Truts God – He sees the whole picture!  I will be praying for you!

You are Blessed! James 1

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

James 1:9-18

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Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial,
for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12

  • Here James tells us that believers who are poor can boast because God has honored them, and the rich can boast because God has humbled them. But what does James point out is true of earthy standings?
  • When you remain steadfast in your trial you will receive what blessing?
  • God has promised the crown of life to those who love Him. So, you can be certain that He will never lead you astray. From this passage, how do you know that He will never tempt you?
  • Instead, how are you lead astray?
  • Where does it lead?
  • Paul exhorts you, “Do not be deceived.” Instead, what comes from our heavenly Father?
  • Will this change – does God change?
  • No, God love you (Jon 3:16), and He brought you forth by the word of truth. You are His firstfruits – a promise of what He has given you – Holy Spirit – and what is yet to come (Romans 8:23).  Read Deuteronomy 26:10-11. What were the Israelites instructed to do with their firstfruits?
  • If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you too are His firstfruits. How does this change your thinking about your life and it’s purpose?

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You are blessed! You have received the crown of life – you are His firstfruits! Live like it! I will be praying for you! 

Your Gift to God – Day 4

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
Matthew 5:14-16


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 Let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16

  • Where does our light come from – See John 8:12?

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

  • Make yourself available to Him today! He will surely use you. Write a prayer asking Him to show you how to shine His light today.

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Let His light shine in you – it is the light of life! It will bring God glory! I will be praying for you! 

Your Gift to God – Day 3

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
Hebrews 13:16


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“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Hebrews 13:16

  • Write a definition or some synonyms of the word neglect.
  • Do you ever leave good “undone” or get careless about it? Read Galatians 6:1-10 & make a list of some of the ways we can do good. 
  • It is sometimes hard to discern, but God does not leave us alone to figure it out.

” Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2

  • Ask God to renew your mind and transform you so that you can discern what He has planned for you in this day…write down anything that He brings to mind.
  • One of the ways we can do this is by sharing what we have. Make a list of he qualities, spiritual and material gifts,  etc.  that you possess which you can share and how you can share them.
  • It can be the smallest thing a smile a phone call or a note. Set out in this day to be obedient to what God has called you to. It is a gift to Him!

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Offer God your gift doing His will and sharing what you have! I will be praying for you! 

Your Gift to God – Day 2

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
Hebrews 13:15


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“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
Hebrews 13:15

  • When should you be praising God?
  • This praise is an outpouring of our gratefulness. How is it described here?
  • Using this passage, write down from where that gratefulness springs?
  • Do you often thank God only for your good circumstances. We are to continually offer up a sacrifice of praise. In this day thank God for every circumstance. Ask the Spirit to guide you…

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Offer God your gift of praise! I will be praying for you! 

Run…

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” 
Acts 20:24 NIV

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  • What did Paul say was the purpose of his race (Acts 20:24)?
  • Summarize the 1Corinthians passage.
  • Why do you think it is important to maintain self control as you run this race?
  • What kind of race are you running?

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Pray that the Holy Spirit will grow the fruit of self control in you today!  I will be praying for you! 

Self Control & God’s Glory

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Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
1 Peter 4:1-11

“so as to live forthe rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” 
1 Peter 4:2 ESV 

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  • 1 Peter 4:2 instructs you in how to live your life. What does it tell you to do.
  • We need to be prepared at all times, verses 7-11 give us some specifics about how to live. Make a list of actions you are asked to take.
  • Have you ever considered that the purpose in your life is to bring glory to the Father through Christ? Write your reaction- how is the Spirit moving you?

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Pray that the Holy Spirit will grow the fruit of self control in you today!  I will be praying for you!