9/30/2020 0 Comments The Worries of LifeGod knows that you have to eat. He also knows you have to go to school or make a living. Consider this: if God sent his only son to die for you, will he not take care of you while you wade through your time on Earth? Some of us spend so much time focused on our current human condition we forget what’s really important: to, “seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness.” Worrying is a state of mind ill equipped for either.
Questions for further thought: 1. What do you worry about that keeps you from God’s work or his plan for you? 2. How can you push past these worries and focus on what’s most important? Challenge: Evaluate what causes you the most stress; chances are that’s where your heart is at the moment. Find a way to turn what you’re stressed about over to God, even if that’s only allowing His peace to wash over you.
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9/29/2020 0 Comments Thirsty SoulsOur lives are often filled with a million activities and to-do’s begging for our time. Most of these are very good things, filled with friends, family, and hard-work. They are fulfilling… for a time. All those things you run to are like a cool glass of water. You’ll drink it and be refreshed, but you’ll have to come back and drink again. Jesus doesn’t want you to be constantly running, fueled by shots of spiritual caffeine. Your heavenly Father’s arms are open, and He is willing to provide the deep satisfaction and peace you need. All you need to do is go to him. Even Jesus stepped away from the good work to be alone with his Father for a time.
Questions for further thought: 1. What’s your brand of spiritual caffeine? 2. How’s your spiritual health doing? I’m great? I’m feeling a little empty? I’ve been running on shots of spiritual expresso and I’m going to crash soon? Challenge: Your spiritual health depends on what time you put into it. Depending on your answer to the above question, rework your quiet time. It doesn’t have to be long, but the more often the better. 9/28/2020 0 Comments Under New ManagementHold onto your seats and buckle your seatbelts folks, because its time to make some life changes! Jesus tells us that following Him isn’t a part-time deal, it’s the 100% determiner of everything else you do in your life. To follow Jesus is to chase straight after Him, no detours, pit-stops, or sniffing petunias. You’ve decided to dedicate this “temple” to God, and that means that the new management might require some cleaning and reorganization. It’s going to take some elbow grease, but if you start scrubbing, the Lord will be right alongside you.
Questions for further thought: 1. How does you being God’s temple change your perspective on what you decide to do each day? 2. Take a look at your current schedule. How does the layout of your days reflect Jesus’ number one spot in your life? Challenge: You’ve looked at your schedule, now it’s time to revise. What spiritual roadblocks must be cleared away? What time should be dedicated to spiritual growth? 9/25/2020 0 Comments VainDo you run the race in vain? Is your work useless? I think we have all asked ourselves these questions. Maybe more like, does my job make a difference? Does my busy life have a point or is it making a difference? We need to step back and ask God why he has given us this job and take the time to see all the blessings God has given us. Our lives should be a sacrifice poured out to Christ. We need to live sacrificially and give God the glory in all our circumstances.
Questions for further thought: 1. How are you living sacrificially? 2. How does knowing that everything we have comes from God change your outlook? Challenge: What will you do to not run the race in vain? 9/24/2020 0 Comments WorldlinessWe are living in some very unique times. We are seeing the world imposing a lot of ideas that are contrary to our faith. As Christians we are to have nothing to do with “worldly fables.” We must “discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness.” We must be disciplined to be in the word and keep God’s instruction on our lips. If we keep God’s instructions on our lips, we will not be swayed by what the world is throwing at us.
Questions for further thought: 1. How do you keep scripture reading a daily practice? 2. How has what the world says contradicted with what the scriptures tell us? Challenge: Make reading scripture the first thing you do every day. Don’t hit the snooze button, read the word. It is not the amount that your read, just be in the word every day. 9/23/2020 0 Comments StrengthStaying disciplined takes a lot of work and is defiantly hard. We must encourage one another to keep up the good race. Paul is encouraging the Colossians to stay disciplined and keep the faith. We are all going to face challenges with staying disciplined. We must draw strength from our faith in the Lord. We must also surround ourselves with fellow believers who will encourage and lift us up.
Questions for further thought: 1. Who do you surround yourself with? 2. When things get tough, what and who do you turn to? Challenge: Get connected with a small group at church so you are not running the race alone. 9/22/2020 0 Comments NeglectWe all need to have discipline in our lives. We need to make wise choices. If we choose to make poor choices with our health, we reap the consequences. If we do not show discipline in spending money, we end up broke. If we do not show discipline in how we deal with our spouses and children, we end up with broken homes. We must be disciplined, “take reproof,” and sometimes sacrifice immediate satisfaction for the gain in the long haul.
Questions for further thought: 1. What are some areas where you need discipline in your life? 2. What are some areas where you have seen reward, due to showing discipline? Challenge: Choose some areas where you need discipline and make them a priority in your life. 9/21/2020 0 Comments DisciplineDo you like to be disciplined? I know that it is not my favorite thing. At the time of being disciplined, it sure is not very fun, but those times have been some of the most valuable. If you never know you are doing something wrong, how will you ever learn the right way? In the end the right way brings the most satisfaction. You can hang your hat on the fact that you have done something to the best of your abilities. You have no regrets.
Questions for further thought: 1. What are some moments when you have been disciplined? 2. What did you learn from being disciplined? Challenge: What can we gain from receiving discipline and how can we apply that to our daily lives? 9/18/2020 0 Comments Benefit of Trusting GodAs we trust God in specific situations and with our entire life, there are rewards. This doesn’t mean a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or a buried treasure. You can be filled with joy, peace and hope. God desires his children to depend on him and believe that he will take care of us. As that trust increases, it doesn’t mean we will have no problems. It does mean even in troubles we can still feel joy, peace and hope.
Questions for further thought: 1. Does it seem ridiculous that you can feel joy, peace and hope in times of trouble? 2. Are you in need of joy, peace and hope? Challenge: When an issue is weighing on your heart, think back to a time when God came to your rescue. Concentrate on that and pray for God’s presence in your current situation. 9/17/2020 0 Comments God's WisdomHow do you know you can trust God to handle your concerns? God doesn’t see things the same way we do. He handles things differently than we would. God’s wisdom and power are far beyond human comprehension and capabilities. God will not address things as we would or even as we think he should. It may take more time than we like, which is why we often need to keep praying for our ability to leave things in God’s hands.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you have an issue that keeps troubling you? 2. Do you take it back after giving it to God? Challenge: If you find yourself not feeling peace, try praying in that moment and release it to God again. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
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