7/17/2023 0 Comments ShineAnyone else hear the old Newsboys song in your head when you read that subject title? The lyrics brilliantly summarize Paul’s exhortation to “work hard to show the results of your salvation” from our passage today. Basically, God wants us to live in a way that shows others how amazing He is! We do this by seeking His will (i.e., studying Scripture, praying for His guidance, listening to other believers) and obeying Him. Paul says our faithful service is like an offering to God. If you are His, be faithful – SHINE!
Questions for further thought: 1. What direction from the Holy Spirit have you been trying to avoid lately? 2. In what areas have you been successfully obeying God’s leading? Challenge: Search for the song “Shine” by the Newsboys (or pull out your vintage CD) and let the chorus get stuck in your head for a while!
0 Comments
God is the Lord of the universe. He created it, and us, and everything He wills will come to pass, and that which He does not, won’t. He Himself is generous with us, and He expects us to be generous with others. But He knows we cannot change ourselves alone; He also knows we need Him in order to do so effectively and completely. The example of Zacchaeus in the Bible is a great illustration of this concept.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do we think on God’s great generosity to us in our lives? 2. Do we ask Him to make changes in us that He wants to see, so that we may be more like He is, day-by-day? Challenge: Pray that we would be changed by Him in all ways, but particularly in being generous of our time and talents towards other people. He can do this in us just as He has throughout time and history. And it’s as much a blessing for us as it is for His other children whom we’re helping and caring for. Please pray that this happens to us today! In His name, Amen. There’s an old saying that “failing to plan is planning to fail.” How often have we heard it, but how often have we not necessarily put it into practice? Yet, the Lord knows that we owe Him all, and He also calls us to be there for others, just as He is for us. And we need to plan on so being for others.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do we pray that God gives us strength to plan our days for Him and how He wants us to be? 2. Do we pray to plan to be generous to our brothers and sisters? Challenge: Lord, help us to not “fail to plan,” but to instead use our time and talents for our brothers and sisters. Help us to plan to be generous today, as you are with us ever since you created us! Amen! The LORD gives us a heart for our brothers and sisters, yes. But, even before that, He gives us a heart for Himself. We are His children, and He created us to be with Him forever and ever. As such, He does ask that we give a portion back to Him, not because He needs it, but by so doing we show our obedience to Him as our Creator and Father.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do we think of all that we have as a provision that God created for us every day? 2. Do we think about being generous as part of the obedience that we owe our Father for creating us in the first place? Challenge: Lord, help us to remember to give back to you, who gave us everything – including our own existences – to show you that we love you. And you are so, so generous with us. You’ll repay us beyond anything we do in obedience to you, Father. Thank you, Father. Amen. In ancient times, Epicureans thought that all of life was contained with “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die!” It’s true that we will die (eventually). It’s also true that we need to eat and drink and (occasionally) be merry on different occasions. But is this the way that our Lord wants us to live our entire lives?
Questions for further thought: 1. How do you plan your day? 2. Do you plan (make time) for the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ, regularly? Challenge: Our days (and time) are numbered, and that doesn’t include the time we’re asleep. Nevertheless, we must pray to be available, and willing, to give of ourselves to our brothers and sisters in this world. They need us, and need Him. Help us to show Him to our fellow brothers and sisters in this world, both saved and unsaved. Amen. Why should we be, or become, generous of our time and resources? Essentially, it’s because that was the example of our Lord Jesus. He commands us, His followers, to be like Him. So, how do we achieve that level of giving of ourselves as He wishes?
Questions for further thought: 1. How does a person learn to become generous to others? 2. What are some of the things that generous people say and do? Challenge: Lord, please help us to be as you would have us be. We are to be like you, who is the most generous of anyone. Please help us to pray to be more like you and have you be the example for us to follow in all of our ways. Amen. 7/7/2023 0 Comments Spiritual WitholdingIt’s certainly one of the most impactful stories in the Bible. Abraham and Sarah are finally blessed with a child. God turns around and asks Abraham to sacrifice him and he’s ready to comply when God reveals it’s all just a test. From his willingness to move his family to an unknown country to his readiness to give up his son, Abraham repeatedly obeyed God without reservation. His example still challenges us today.
Questions for further thought: 1. How does this story speak to you personally? 2. Is there anything you would refuse to give up in order to follow God more closely? Challenge: Make a concentrated effort to identify any areas in your life you are unwilling to turn over to God. Ask him to help you surrender those areas to Him. 7/6/2023 0 Comments It Takes a VillageMaintaining a laser focus on following Jesus wasn’t easy for the disciples and it isn’t a cake walk for us either. That’s one reason we have the body of Christ, the church. The encouragement and support of others who are trying to walk the same walk has great value. We all need to develop strong connections with other believers who can share the journey, pray for us, and hold us accountable.
Questions for further thought: 1. How would you rate the importance of your church family in maintaining and strengthening your relationship with God? 2. Do you have a person or group of believers who encourage you and hold you accountable to spiritual goals? Challenge: Evaluate your connection to the body of believers. Identify steps you can take to strengthen that connection, both to further your spiritual growth and to be a greater source of encouragement and support to others. 7/5/2023 0 Comments If Jesus Did It...This is just one of the many Bible passages that mention Jesus spending time alone with His Father in prayer. If Jesus made focused time with God a priority, it’s probably a good idea for us as well. How do you get to know someone you care about? In today’s world-read their posts, texts, and call them. Your camera is actually a phone! With God, that’s the Bible and prayer. Both are vital when seeking a close relationship with Jesus.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you find prayer easy, difficult or something in between? 2. How often do you spend time in the Bible each week? Challenge: God speaks to us through His word and through prayer. If a time for prayer and Bible reading is part of your daily routine, great! If there’s room for improvement, identify steps you can take to make that change. If you’re in need of a fresh start, there are great plans available through the YouVersion app and other sources. Get started with one today. 7/4/2023 0 Comments From a Reliable SourcePaul has just run through an extensive listing of his spiritual heritage and accomplishments before saying he considers it all garbage. All that matters is knowing Jesus. That’s a pretty reliable first-person account of the value of cultivating a relationship with Jesus. Was it easy for Paul? Certainly not. Was it worth the effort and, in his case, the hardship? In Paul’s mind, there is no question.
Questions for further thought: 1. Is Paul saying that accomplishments have no value, and we should just coast through life loving Jesus? How do you interpret his statement? 2. How would you rate the value of knowing Jesus in your life? Do your priorities reflect that rating? Challenge: Make a conscious effort to note how God fits into your schedule today. If you see Him woven all through your day, congratulations! If there’s room for improvement, jot down some suggestions for tomorrow. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
May 2024
Receive this devotional in your inbox every Monday - Friday.
|