We all have a choice to love others, show grace and be life-giving. Paul and Timothy wrote in Philippians about how they prayed for the church’s love to abound more and more and be filled with the fruit of righteousness. Like them, we can pray for love to abound in our circles of influence.

Questions for further thought:
1. How have you been life-giving to those around you?
2. How will you choose to serve others during this holiday season?

Challenge: Consider signing up to volunteer somewhere during the holidays. There are many worthy organizations like the St. Francis House, The Foster Network, The Banquet and more.

Fake news doesn’t foster the fruits of the spirit. Choosing joy means choosing a life where you walk with Jesus confident that He is in control, He has redeemed you from your sinful way of life and promised you eternity in heaven with Him.

Questions for further thought:
1. How is God drawing you to Him?
2. How is God growing the fruits of the spirit in you?

Challenge: Write Galatians 5:22-23 on a card and place it on your bathroom mirror or car dash to help you focus on the fruits of the spirit.

Nicodemus was compelled to seek the truth of who Jesus was and visited him even though it may have put him at risk. The Bereans sought out the truth of scripture after Paul preached the Good News. They listened to him and then examined the scriptures to see if what he said was true.

Questions for further thought:
1. Where do you look for truth?
2. How has the truth of scripture positively changed your life?

Challenge: Seek out Biblical truth by diving into your Bible. The gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are a good place to start. You’ll also find a lot of wisdom in Proverbs.

Some people may think that truth is relative. According to dictionary.com, truth is the quality of being actual, factual and true. Unfortunately, fake news is not the truth. So, how can we discern what is truth and what isn’t?  When we follow the teachings of Jesus, we know the truth and the truth sets us free. 

Questions for further thought:
1. Why is what you believe important?
2. What are some truths you have found in the Bible?

Challenge: Read this article from FamilyLife that talks about Biblical truths to help us deal with hardships in our lives: https://www.familylife.com/uncategorized/7-truths-to-remember-in-troubled-times/

Most of us have probably heard the term “fake news.” At its core, it is false news. According to dictionary.com, fake news is often sensational, created to be widely shared or distributed to generate revenue, or promote or discredit a public figure, political movement, company, etc.

Questions for further thought:
1. How have you seen fake news lead to disunity among Christians?
2. How have you personally experienced the negative effects of fake news?

Challenge: 
Read more about fake news to learn how to spot it and find out what to do when you spot it: https://guides.library.cornell.edu/evaluate_news/fakenews.

This week we’ve looked at the stories of several people in the bible who trusted God even when their situations were unfair or confusing. God wants us to depend on Him always—whether everything seems to be falling apart, or life is smooth sailing. When we trust that He is our rock, we can stand firm in what we know is true. When we trust that He is our fortress, we can be at peace knowing that He will work out everything for our good. Deciding ahead of time to trust in the solidness of the Lord prevents us from being crushed by the storms that will come.

Questions for further thought:
1. How does the imagery of God as your rock and fortress affect your faith?
2. What situation in your life is currently causing confusion or frustration? Can you give that into God’s care?

​Challenge: If Psalm 62 doesn’t resonate with you, find another psalm that speaks to you powerfully. Read that psalm every day until its truth sinks deep into your soul and your mind automatically rests in it when you are overwhelmed or feeling lost. 

Once, while Peter was praying, God gave him a strange vision. He didn’t understand its meaning until he met a Gentile man who had been told by an angel to request Peter’s visit. Since the apostle trusted God’s leading, even when asked to break Jewish traditional rules, many new people became followers of Jesus that day. It’s essential that we don’t become bogged down by our own way of thinking or slaves to our traditions. When we keep our minds and hearts open to the Holy Spirit, our usefulness in service to God is limitless! 

Questions for further thought:
1. What can you do when you don’t understand a message from God?
2. What tightly held belief of yours is the Holy Spirit trying to convince you to change?

​Challenge: Pray to be more like Jesus. Honestly ask God to show you where your perspective needs to change for you to be used for His purposes. Then LISTEN with an open spirit!

This part of Joseph’s story is a classic example of injustice. He had worked hard to do his best for his master, was completely innocent (in this situation), and fled from temptation, yet he was still punished for a crime he didn’t commit. Wasn’t it bad enough that he had been sold as a slave by his own brothers? Joseph most assuredly didn’t understand God’s plan at that moment. But the Lord was with him and Joseph must have trusted God, because he again started to use his talents to serve others – even while in prison!

Questions for further thought:
1. When have you suffered for doing the right thing?
2. How can you show your trust in God when you experience injustice?  

​Challenge: Commit to doing what is right even if you might experience negative consequences as a result. Trust the outcome to God’s control. You never know when He might use your faithfulness for greater things as He did with Joseph.

Gideon was fearful when God first called him to lead, and he asked for many signs to confirm God’s intentions. But Gideon did courageously follow through when God told him to go into battle with only 300 soldiers out of the original 33,000 men who answered his call. Human logic would suggest that you utilize as many troops as possible when attacking an army too large to count! But God’s way is best—even when it doesn’t seem to make sense. When we trust God completely, He does the fighting for us, and we get a front row seat to His power and glory!

Questions for further thought:
1. When have you felt called to do something counter to the way logic would dictate?
2. How do you recognize God’s direction in your life?  

​Challenge: Pay attention to “sacred echoes” when you’re seeking God’s direction. These are messages that repeat a similar theme through different mediums. For example, a concept you read in scripture being confirmed by a song you hear later, which is then echoed by what a friend says to you after that. 

No one knows why Hannah wasn’t able to have children. The scriptures state clearly that her husband loved her. Surely she struggled with understanding why God would allow her the dishonor of barrenness. She had probably prayed often for children, but it wasn’t until she put her whole trust in the Lord and made her vow, that He answered, “yes.” Hannah is an example of humble dependance on God’s power which turned her desperation into a celebration of His faithfulness! 

Questions for further thought:
1. When have you felt desperate for God’s intervention?
2. How do you think God feels about vows made to Him?  

​Challenge: Write out Proverbs 3:5-6 in a place you will see it often and commit to memorizing the verses this week.