One thing we try to teach as parents is bravery. We want them to face fears, to go outside their box and do hard things. Hard things take a lot of bravery! We not only give them “pep talks” about how it’s important to be brave but we model it by going down a twisty waterslide first or going down a couple stairs into a dark basement before you are able to reach the light switch. But what about sharing our faith with others? When bravery is modeled it is easier for us to be motivated to be brave also!  

Questions for further thought:
1. What is something that takes bravery? 
2. How have you been brave?

​Challenge: Ponder some reasons why it’s important to be brave and do those hard things. 

I read a devotional from Dr. Tony Evens, explaining the phrase “For such a time as this.” His teaching gave me deeper meaning of what Mordecai was really getting at. People usually quote this as a life verse representing power and favor when in fact Dr. Evens pointed out that it was more of a scolding for her mindset of embracing royalty over righteousness. Mordecai’s words reminded Esther that she had been chosen to set her own interests aside and risk her own life and face the enemy straight on.  So, when thinking of the phrase “for such a time as this” it can motivate and encourage us to leave our own comfort and narcissistic tendencies for the sake of others, just as Esther did. 

Questions for further thought:
1. What is one way God is asking you to make sacrifices in your own life? 
2. What has been your first thought of the meaning of the phrase “For such a time as this”? 

​Challenge: Read Esther’s story (the book of Esther) over the next day, week or more. 

There are many reasons why we may feel unable or inadequate of making a difference. Maybe we are wanting to be somewhere else, doing something different. But God has uniquely prepared each of us to accomplish something here for His kingdom. Lives are changed and saved when individual men and women realize that they have been called through faith to take action. It is no accident that you are where you are and doing what you are doing. The Lord has uniquely prepared you to accomplish what he has called you to do.  

Questions for further thought:
1. Have you ever felt discouraged or afraid with what God may be calling you to do? 
2. How have you responded to His call?   

​Challenge: Think about the ways God has blessed you when you answer His call. 

We have all different ways of making plans for our lives. Sometimes we take weeks or longer praying, consulting others, or even fasting. Sometimes we have made plans without considering God at all. Then there are times we think our plans make sense with what we believe God wants to do with our lives. But if we haven’t asked or consulted with God about our plans, chances are He has something different, bigger and better for us in mind. David had plans of starting to build the temple, but God had bigger plans. Rather than allowing David to build it, He would give that assignment to David’s own son. And eventually the King of Kings would be born through David’s own line. 

Questions for further thought:
1. Has God ever changed a plan in your life?
2. How did He change it? 

​Challenge:  Thank God for changing that certain plan in your life and reflect on how His ways are higher than ours. 

Knowing that only those who have decided to follow Jesus can fully comprehend spiritual truths impacts how we view non-Christians. As this passage says, they are not yet capable of understanding the things the Spirit makes clear to us. Compassion – not anger, frustration or disgust – is the proper response to the lost. Our lives and attitudes should reflect favorably on the God we know, not throw up roadblocks that may keep the unsaved from seeking Jesus.   

Questions for further thought:
1. In general, what is your attitude toward people who don’t follow Christ? 
2. What is the best way to go about helping people find Jesus when we don’t speak the same spiritual language?  

​Challenge: Write down an individual or group that really rubs you the wrong way. Then ask God to enable you to see them as God does.

When we make the decision to follow Christ, we gain not only a future life in heaven but the power to enjoy an entirely new perspective on the life we’re currently living. The Holy Spirit reveals the things of God that we simply couldn’t see before. Our work, our relationships, our daily events, and the world in general look completely different when we view them through the power of the Spirit.

Questions for further thought:
1. When you decided to follow Christ, do you recall the first significant change you noticed in your life?
2. What difference does your relationship with Christ make in the way you view the world around you?

​Challenge: For the next week, consciously practice seeing your world through Jesus’ eyes. 

Of course, we don’t fight the battle against Satan and his schemes alone. Not only does God fight for us, but Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to literally reside within us. Each believer has 24/7 access to a counselor who can provide perfect guidance as we seek to resist the devil and follow God.  

Questions for further thought:
1. How would you describe the importance/involvement/awareness of the Holy Spirit in your daily life?
2. Can you think of a time when you sensed that the Holy Spirit was clearly at work in a situation?  

​Challenge: Be particularly attentive to the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit this week. Make a note of occasions where you felt the Spirit guiding you or bringing the Bible to life.

Though Jesus won our freedom from sin on the cross, we have an enemy who wants to keep us in bondage. Even as a defeated enemy, Satan has great power in this world until the final judgment. His goal is to keep those who don’t know Jesus from finding him, and to keep believers from living life fully as children of light. That’s why Paul describes life as a battle and stresses the importance of clothing ourselves in God’s armor 

Questions for further thought:
1. Can you recall a time when you sensed you were in a spiritual battle?
2. When difficult situations arise, do you have a default reaction? What is it? Does it involve God?  

​Challenge: The next time things aren’t going your way or you find yourself dealing with a difficult person, step back and ask for God’s guidance first.

We all start our journey through this life in the same place, and it isn’t pretty. Thanks to our distant ancestors, Adam and Eve, we are born into slavery – imprisoned by sin. Paul describes this as living in darkness. That darkness was humanity’s primary reality until light broke into the world in the person of Jesus. He has provided a way by which we can all experience a much different reality.

Questions for further thought:
1. How do you imagine a prisoner feels when they are released? Have you experienced anything like this in your spiritual journey?
2. Do you view unbelievers as prisoners living in darkness? 

​Challenge: Consider the gift of grace.  Note some of the differences that deliverance from the prison of sin makes in your everyday life. Thank God for a few of them today.

Controlling our tongues is a big deal. Our words matter. Our words can be life or death. With God’s help, you can stop hurting people with your words. A great way to stop hurting is to start blessing. If you think a good thought about someone, say it. Say it to them, say it to others about them, just say it.

Question 1: Who do you know that needs to be built up?
Question 2: What might you do to do a better job of building others up?

Challenge: Write a thank you note or encouragement note to someone today!