Is there anything in your life that is causing problem with your finances, your job, your relationships, or the law? A yes answer may cause you to consider you may have an issue with an addiction. Many things in moderation or done occasionally may be perfectly harmless. Those things are permissible or OK. When something begins to take over our time, our finances or impacts our judgement we may have crossed a line. That thing may be controlling us. 


Questions for further thought: 
1. Which item did you answer yes to? Finances, work, relationships, or the law? 

2.Have you considered the possibility of addiction?

 
Challenge: You may want to discuss your answers to the above questions with a trusted friend or family member. 

In the Old Testament we saw places where people formed idols. Isaiah tells us of idols made from cedar. The Israelites left captivity in Egypt and were led out of slavery by Moses. 
While they became impatient waiting for Moses to come down the mountain after meeting with God, the people formed a golden calf out of their jewelry and worshipped it instead of God. The Jeremiah scripture identifies the worship of idols as disobedience to God. It is important enough to be one of the 10 Commandments given to us by God. We are not to make an idol or worship it. These days we may not form our own idol, but we may very well purchase one. 

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Questions for further thought: 
1. Do you have things in your life that take time away from other important things?
 
2. Could those things be seen by others as an addiction? 


Challenge: Do an inventory of how you spend your time today. Notice any patterns?

Pastor Doug has said, “show me who your friends are and I will show you the way your life is going”. How accurate this statement is! Surround myself with ungodly people, and that is who I will become. Bad company corrupts good character. Misery loves company. 


Questions for further thought:
1. What kind of people am I surrounding myself with? 

2. What changes do I need to make regarding the company I keep? 


Challenge: Tell somebody about Jesus. You can evangelize in your own family. 

Christ held back nothing when He died for me on the cross. Because giving is inherent in His nature, He searches for people who are able to receive in full measure. To increase my intimacy with Him, the two traits I need the most are receptivity and attentiveness. Receptivity is opening up my innermost being to be filled with His abundant riches. Attentiveness is directing my gaze to Him, searching for Him in all of my moments. 


Questions for further thought:
1. Where have I been overlooking Christ? 

2. How can I be receptive to Christ’s calling? 


Challenge: Spend time alone with Christ. Revisit the plan you should have created yesterday. 

Nothing is as important as spending time with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He does His best work in me when I wait in His presence. He transforms me by renewing my mind. If I skimp on my time with Him, I will be at great risk of plunging headlong into the wrong activities and way of thinking. 


Questions for further thought:
1. Am I spending enough time with Christ? Is He at the center of my life? How can I fix that? 

2. What idols are taking priority over Christ in my life? 


Challenge: Create a plan for yourself so that you are in the Word at least 4 times a week. 

The Progressive movement has stolen words and changed the meaning. The word intolerant, for example used to mean “not tolerant of views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one’s own”. Today’s society labels me as intolerant because I don’t accept homosexuality as an appropriate lifestyle. The old adage of hating the sin, but loving the sinner has been jettisoned. It is all or nothing now; accept the sin and love the sinner or be labeled intolerant. 


Questions for further thought:
1. How can I safeguard my Christian faith against worldly views? 

2. How can I be ready to answer for my faith when it is tested? 


Challenge: Read the book ‘Mama Bear Apologetics’ by Hillary Morgan Ferrer. If you have school aged children, this book will help equip you to teach your children how to defend their faith in the world. 

Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego were faithful to God when they were pressured to deny Him. They trusted God to deliver them, but they were determined to be faithful regardless of the consequences. If God always rescued me when I were true to Him, I wouldn’t need faith. I should be faithful to serve God whether He intervenes on my behalf or not. My eternal reward is worth any suffering I may have to endure first.  


Questions for further thought:
1. What excuses do I use for not standing up for God? 

2. How is my ego overly involved with my authority? 


Challenge: If I find myself angered when people don’t follow my directions, figure out why I am reacting that way. 

Can you imagine giving up your own child’s life for someone else’s? Or willingly allowing your son or daughter to suffer extreme punishment for another’s crime? That is exactly what God did for us – what extravagant love! This passage also assures us that once we trust in Christ, we cannot be separated from His amazing love. Let this knowledge take deep root in your soul so that your peace will not be shaken when you face the troubles of this world.


Questions for further thought:
1. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (v. 31b)

2. What do you need to be confident of God’s extravagant love for you?  


Challenge: Choose a verse or passage of scripture to dedicate as your “life verse.” Find a passage that impacts you greatly with a spiritual truth you can cling to when life gets really hard. Post this scripture somewhere you will see it daily and start memorizing!

This concept is one of the most difficult that Jesus taught. As human beings, we crave control over our situations and what happens to us. We very much like our free will, but at the same time want safety and security. Jesus is quite direct when explaining what is actually best for us. We must give up our way and follow His way, even to the point of sacrificing our lives. If we don’t, we run the risk of losing our place in heaven with Him.


Questions for further thought:
1. Which do you treasure more: your way or Jesus’ way? What evidence in your life supports this answer?

2. Where is Jesus calling you to follow Him today?  


Challenge: Be bold in your prayers this week. Ask God to push aside your worries, fears, and doubts and instead fill you with courage. Ask Him to make it crystal clear to you how He wants you to give up your life for His sake. Then take a concrete step this week toward following His way. Don’t wait!

It’s so helpful for us to remember that this life on earth is temporary. Since we are currently bound by time, it can be hard for human beings to fathom eternity, but God’s word assures us that believers will be with Jesus forever. In comparison to that future glory that all of creation looks forward to, our present suffering is miniscule. The Holy Spirit gives us a taste of this glory and intercedes for us when we are too burdened to even know what to pray. Praise God for His glorious promises and provision!


Questions for further thought:
1. How do you envision eternity once you are freed from life in this world? 

2. What blocks your hope and ability to look forward to the future? How can you tear down these walls?  


Challenge: Read Revelation 21:1-7 and 22:1-5. Then meditate on this picture of the glorious future that God has promised. Take time to ponder the joy you will experience when creation is again in perfect harmony with the Creator.