1/17/2022 0 Comments Faith without Deeds Is DeadIt is easy to sympathize when someone is hurting; it is more and harder to be a blessing to someone who is hurting. It means getting involved; getting dirty so to speak and meeting a need when they cannot meet it themselves. We are called to take that risk and be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Questions for further thought: 1. Who has been a blessing to you when you needed it most? 2. Who has God put in your life today that you need to be a blessing to? Challenge: Pray and ask God how to be a blessing to the individual you identified earlier and then, take action and meet the need
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1/14/2022 0 Comments No DivisionsThe single most damaging thing inside the church is division. Jesus commands us to work towards unity in all things. To find our common ground instead of our points of disagreement. It does not mean we all need to think alike but it does mean that divorce should never be an option so we will have to work hard to figure out how to stay together.
Question 1: Where have you seen division hurt the church Question 2: What can you specifically do to create unity at Hillcrest Challenge: If you have been any part of division, go and ask for forgiveness and start the work of reconciliation for the sake of unity. 1/13/2022 0 Comments Obey Pastor DougHa! Gotcha on this one! This is a hard verse for your pastor and it’s a hard verse for church members. We don’t like being told to obey and we don’t trust leaders. But there is a breakdown when we do not allow those in authority to have authority when they correctly use that authority. There is a reason for this verse and it is for the benefit of the Church.
Question 1: What are your thoughts about obeying the elders and pastors of Hillcrest? Question 2: What have they asked you to do that you have decided not to do? Challenge: Consider the requests of the church leaders and discern if they are asking for the betterment of the church. Then decide if you will obey. 1/12/2022 0 Comments I Don't SingI’ve heard it so many times before, “I don’t sing”. Sure, not all of us sing well but we can all sing. I’m not talking about music theory, three-part harmonies, or even perfect pitch and tone. We all can sing and singing is something God asks us to do in praise to him. You can hum, you can just say the words, you can use sign language or you can try to actually make music but we must sing praises to God in community. To not sing is to withhold our praise and that is not a good thing.
Question 1: Why do you or do you not sing at church? Question 2: What is something you can do to improve this aspect of your worship? Challenge: This Sunday, try something new to participate in the corporate worship of God. 1/11/2022 0 Comments Lest Ye Be JudgedCasting Crowns released a song in 2002 called If We Are The Body. It took the charts by storm because the message was one we have all felt and even been on the receiving end. The idea is that if the church is the Body of Christ we should be reaching, healing, teaching, going to all people, and showing that Jesus’ love covers all. Jesus taught us in Matthew that if we judge others, we will be judged. It is not our job to judge or condemn, we are called to love.
Question 1: What is the hardest type of person for you to not judge? Question 2: What can you do to challenge that struggle? Challenge: Say something kind or do something nice for a person you find difficult to not judge. 1/10/2022 0 Comments Open Your Ears!We go into life with preconceived ideas, expectations, and prejudices. When we bring these into church, we run the risk of hearing what we expect to hear and miss out on what God may want to tell us. It is hard to open our ears to the Holy Spirit and quiet the noise of what we “think” we are going to hear but that is the discipline we must strive for.
Question 1: Can you think of a recent time you left a service “hearing” something that stuck with you? Question 2: Do you think you have ever heard what you wanted to hear and missed what God wanted you to hear? Challenge: This Sunday, consciously decide to listen and ask God’s help to hear what he wants you to hear. 1/7/2022 0 Comments Who, Not HowProverbs 27:17 is another popular verse and it’s a great one to help you achieve your one thing for 2022. You’re going to need other people to help you. Say you’re a busy parent who’s resisted working out because you feel guilty about taking time away from your family. But you’re committed to becoming healthier in 2022. You’ve looked at your schedule and while it’ll be a sacrifice, you’ve determined you can work out at the gym 3 times a week on your way home from work. You’re going to need the support of your spouse and children as you work your plan. No matter what your goal for 2022, you’ll need other people to help you.
Questions for further thought: 1. Who in your life has sharpened you? 2. Who have you sharpened? Challenge: When you look at your one thing for 2022, who can help you? Whose advice can you get? Whose coaching can you get? Whose support do you need? Identify these people and then ask them for help. 1/6/2022 0 Comments SomedayIt’s ok to make plans. It’s ok to plan for the future. I don’t think James in today’s passage is discouraging planning. I believe the bigger idea here is how many of us bank on having the future. We do this whenever we utter the word “someday.” Someday, I’ll get healthy. Someday, I’ll write the book. Someday, I’ll take the trip. Saying “someday” is foolish because you won’t find “someday” on any calendar. It never comes. Better to do something today while you have it than to wait until “someday.”
Questions for further thought: 1. Why do we tend to push things off to “someday”? 2. What’s one thing you can do today to take action on your one thing? Challenge: Answer question #2 and do that one thing. If your health is your one thing, go for a walk. Join a gym. Get a coach. Take a class. Do something today. 1/5/2022 0 Comments Motivation Will Get You GoingToday’s verse is a popular one. Athletes put it on their shoes. Performers will quote it. Successful people in our culture will cite it. And there’s a reason for that: you need motivation to get you started on your goal or resolution. Many have found Philippians 4:13 as a verse that motivates them in their health, finances, career, relationships or other endeavors. Your motivation need not come from Philippians 4:13. It might come from some sobering words from the doctor at your physical. It might come from your internal angst that won’t go away. Wherever your motivation comes from, you’ll need a good dose of it to get started toward your goal.
Questions for further thought: 1. Look back at goals you’ve accomplished. What was your motivation for accomplishing those goals? 2. What bible verses motivate you? Challenge: Look at your one thing from Monday. Now, write down every motivation you have for wanting to accomplish that one thing. Don’t judge them when they come to your mind; simply write them down. There are no wrong answers! 1/4/2022 0 Comments What Do You Got to Work With?You are God’s masterpiece. God gave you your personality. Your talents. Your strengths. Your abilities. Your unique wiring is God’s handiwork for you to serve others.
It can be tempting to dismiss God’s handiwork in our lives. Someone may compliment you, and you’ll brush it off. You’ll think you’re being humble and that this is what a follower of Jesus does, but really what you’re doing is hiding behind false humility to boost your ego. True humility is using your gifts, talents and abilities – God’s masterpiece - to lift up others. Questions for further thought: 1. What are you good at? 2. What opportunities do you have to use what you’re good at? Challenge: Look at the one thing you chose yesterday. Now take some time to assess how your talents, skills and opportunities can support the one thing you picked to do. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
April 2024
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