7/17/2020 0 Comments Pleasing GodWhen you really stop and consider what is most important in life, it really comes down to one thing: pleasing God. By changing our thoughts and keeping the things of this earth in perspective, we will please God by keeping our eyes on Him. Life gets complicated and weighs us down with daily demands, but all we really need to do is keep our thoughts and focus on Him.
Questions for further thought: 1. What is something in your life right now that is overwhelming and crowding your thoughts? 2. What is your first step in getting your thoughts and mindset on Him instead of issues in this life? Challenge: Keeping your thoughts on God is something that I struggle with myself on a daily basis. I know it is hard but I want to encourage you that it can be done and is so worth the effort. Spend time daily in His word and prayer and He will help you, all you have to do is ask.
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7/16/2020 0 Comments Think About ItIf you are anything like me, your thoughts get crowded with many things as life happens. Our society tends to value busyness over everything else, often viewed as a positive thing, as being productive. This passage reminds us we need to fix our thoughts and minds on the things of God and not of this world. There is so much negativity that is fed to us non-stop, 24/7, 365 days a year, it can be consuming if we are not careful.
Questions for further thought: 1. When was the last time you took some real time to be with God to fix your mind on Him and His promises? 2. What changes could you make in your schedule to slow down and re-adjust your mindset on a daily basis? Challenge: Our thoughts are very powerful and can affect the way we live our lives. This makes it critical that we have a positive and correct mindset when facing the many challenges of day to day life. God wants to walk with us every day, every minute of our lives if we only allow Him into our thoughts daily. 7/15/2020 0 Comments We Are WarriorsReading this passage gives great confidence that we as believers have unbelievable power and weapons right at our fingertips! Anything the devil wants to do to us or through us can be stopped by claiming God’s promises and using the weapons He has given us. We can bring others to Jesus by being in the Bible, learning it, and claiming His promises that are laid out for the taking.
Questions for further thought: 1. Are you in your Bible daily in order to claim these amazing weapons? 2. How can you use the weapons God has given you to impact your world today? Challenge: We as believers must be in our Bibles daily, we cannot fully take advantage of the awesome promises and power without knowing it. God has truly given us an awesome gift, a guidebook through this life, and all we have to do is pick it up and read it. If you are not already in the Bible daily, please start today! 7/14/2020 0 Comments Your Will, Not MineWe should be different from those around us who are living for themselves and the things this world has to offer. We are called to live the way God has instructed us to in the Bible. His will is good, pleasing and perfect and will benefit us more than we can ever imagine if we just follow Him. Let Him transform your thoughts and He will make you a new person living for Him.
Questions for further thought: 1. In what ways are you different from those around you who don't follow Christ? 2. If you had a hard time coming up with an answer to question 1, what needs to change so that others can see a difference? Challenge: Ask God today to begin to shape the way you act to reflect the great things He is doing in your life. He has an awesome plan for you, far greater than anything you can imagine or dream. We just need to let go of our plans, thoughts, and ideas and allow Him to transform us. 7/13/2020 0 Comments Attitude of SharingThis passage is talking about giving to others without counting the cost. If you have someone into your home for a meal, share with them out of the blessings God has given you, don't be concerned with how much it costs. In God’s eyes, your thoughts, intentions, and attitude are just as important as your actions.
Questions for further thought: 1. When was the last time you gave something, whether time, money or possessions? 2. Was your heart in the right place or where you concerned about the cost? Challenge: I have heard it said that for many people giving is one of the toughest things to do in their Christian walk. Our society teaches us to take care of ourselves before others. The next time you are presented with an opportunity to give to someone else examine you attitude and thoughts behind it. If they are not pure, ask God to help you get your mind right. 7/10/2020 0 Comments Think BiggerOne of the discomfiting truths about being a Christian is that there’s always another layer of truth to learn, another task to take on. At the same time, this is comforting: when we’ve been faithful in small things, that means we actually are prepared for the bigger and more difficult plans that God might have ahead. Levels that we never dreamed we’d be able to take are possible when we become more and more experienced at doing God’s will. Onward and upward!
1. Have you ever felt like you’ve achieved one level in your Christian walk only to recognize that you have more work ahead? 2. Looking back, what are some ways that you are stronger now because you were faithful in small things? Challenge: See if you can find an area you’ve worked on that you feel has been fairly successful. Then think bigger: is there a way you can refine your success even more? 7/9/2020 0 Comments Finish StrongZerubabbel laid the foundation of the temple. He started small and kept going until the building was complete. Zechariah says God rejoiced when the capstone was put in. If we are doing what God wants us to do, He will help us sustain the work through to the end. The first brick doesn’t look like very much, but the completed project is worth the wait.
1. What is a project that you regret not having seen through to the end? 2. What is a project, spiritual or otherwise, that gave you great satisfaction when you complete it? Challenge: Take a moment to move mentally through the steps listed for a project/habit/journey you are currently working on: start small, expect big things, take a break and finish strong. Pray for God’s help in specific ways for each step. 7/8/2020 0 Comments Take a BreakEven in this time of COVID-19, our lives are still moving at a break-neck pace at times. We’re afraid to take a day off or even an hour off. Instead of meaningful and intentional rest, our rest-seeking brains get sucked into an hour on social media or playing video games. God thinks rest is so important that it actually is one of the Ten Commandments. We need to be serious about having fun … or more important, having real refreshment of the spirit.
1. Have you ever felt so wrapped up in the process of getting things done that you almost feel afraid to take a break? 2. What are the activities (besides going to church, of course!) that bring you real, restorative rest? Challenge: Identify the daily routines or projects that would be hardest for you to relinquish that interfere with taking a Sabbath. What would it look like for you to take a real break? 7/7/2020 0 Comments Expect Big ThingsCompleting a project or spiritual journey or building a habit requires a clear vision of the end goal. And even if you are starting small, the result could be something monumental. Isaiah tells us that we should make room for what God will deliver, figuratively loosening our belts and expanding our minds in anticipation. If the God of the universe is involved, we ought to expect big things from small beginnings.
1. Are you sometimes afraid to dream big because you expect that you might be disappointed? 2. What examples in the Bible or in history can you think of where someone or something small ended up delivering big things? Challenge: Dare to dream about a specific project. Ask for God to give you the ability to step out in faith, without fear of failure. 7/6/2020 0 Comments Start SmallThere’s no shame in starting small. We give children small tasks: brushing teeth, making the bed, loading the dishes, putting on seat belts. Baby steps build up into habits that instill grit and resilience and give us confidence to take on increasingly difficult tasks. But all of us start out with the easy stuff; babies can’t digest a steak: they drink milk. Whether it is spiritual habits or a new diet, the only place to start is the beginning.
1. In which areas of your life do you feel like you’re still taking baby steps? 2. Have you ever jumped ahead to a step that was too much for you to handle and bitten off more than you can chew? Challenge: Identify one habit you’ve struggled to form and identify the first step. Simplify it as much as possible. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
April 2024
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