Scpriture: 1 Corintihians 15:10
"But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain...."
This scripture is actually from yesterday's reading, but it spoke so much to my heart that I wanted to share it today.
I think that this one statement from Paul gives such a great understanding of God's grace. The simpliest way I can explain grace is "undeserved goodness." All our talents, abilities, and callings are a direct result of God's grace on us. Paul was definitely humble, as can be seen by his statements in verses 8-9. Paul knew who he was and all the authority that came with that. He just didn't feel like he deserved it after the life that he had lived prior to him coming to know Christ, which he didn't. It was a gift.
God's grace is consistent towards everyone. Paul acknowledged God's grace as the source of everything he had and was, and he allowed God's grace to have its full effect in his life through seeking God more than others around him.
How often do we sit back and not do what God is asking us to do? Do we not surrender what God wants us to in our lives? Do we not go and talk to the person on the street or the kid sitting next to us in class that He is asking us to? Is the grace that God has shown us in vain because we aren't living the lives we know we are called to live? Its not enough for us to just read our Bibles or to just be respectful of our parents or to just not lie. That's not enough. We are called to so much more and are capable of so much more and its only by the grace of God. Let's not let it be in vain.
Jesus, I pray that you would allow us to walk more fully in what you have called us to. I ask that you would help us to understand that nothing we have is because of ourselves, but it is by your grace and goodness in our lives. Help us to walk more closely with you so that the work that you have begun in our lives is not in vain.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Devos for March 29th (By Jordan W.)
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." (Judges 6:12)
Gideon was not a brave man. A mighty warrior he most certainly was not. Bravery did not exactly run in his family and coming from the weakest tribe in Manasseh, Gideon was no exception. He was the runt of the family and it should come as no surprise that the first mention of him in the Bible is of him hiding in a winepress from the dreaded Midianites, making a snack. That is why what the Lord says to him is so puzzling. A Mighty warrior? More like a cowering weakling. Nothing in his history suggests that he was ever "mighty" and he was certainly not a "warrior", so why not address him as the coward that he was? It is because God does not see us as we are, but as we are supposed to be.
I imagine that Gideon was the scrawny kid that always got picked last for kickball. The girls ignored him, the bullies terrorized him, and the rest of the world never even paid attention at all. And, why would they, he was small and insignificant? But, God did pay attention, and saw in him something that nobody else could. After all, God has a certain fondness for the misfits of society. Abraham was too old, Mary was too young, Noah had a drinking problem, and Moses was a murderer with a stuttering problem. Really, Gideon the coward was perfect
I was at Starbucks one time when this kid walked in with one of those pink Statue of Liberty hairdos, various piercings, and a shirt with satanic symbols on it. I remember thinking to myself, “that guy has no chance”. That is when this thought first convicted me and convicted me hard, “God does not see people as they are, but as they are supposed to be”. I immediately thought of the weakling, Gideon. Nobody thought of him as a mighty warrior, that is, nobody except for God. And a mighty warrior is exactly what he became when he went on to rout and destroy the fearsome Midianites.
It makes me think about all of us. God sees in us what we cannot see in ourselves. If we think for a moment that God has no purpose in our lives, we are utterly mistaken. You might say, "But, there is nothing about me that God can use. I am a sinner and have a lot of real problems". It doesn't matter, because God doesn't see you as you are, He sees you as you are supposed to be.
Prayer:
"Lord, please help us to see ourselves as you see us. Help us to see your purpose in our lives and be the followers that we are supposed to be."
Gideon was not a brave man. A mighty warrior he most certainly was not. Bravery did not exactly run in his family and coming from the weakest tribe in Manasseh, Gideon was no exception. He was the runt of the family and it should come as no surprise that the first mention of him in the Bible is of him hiding in a winepress from the dreaded Midianites, making a snack. That is why what the Lord says to him is so puzzling. A Mighty warrior? More like a cowering weakling. Nothing in his history suggests that he was ever "mighty" and he was certainly not a "warrior", so why not address him as the coward that he was? It is because God does not see us as we are, but as we are supposed to be.
I imagine that Gideon was the scrawny kid that always got picked last for kickball. The girls ignored him, the bullies terrorized him, and the rest of the world never even paid attention at all. And, why would they, he was small and insignificant? But, God did pay attention, and saw in him something that nobody else could. After all, God has a certain fondness for the misfits of society. Abraham was too old, Mary was too young, Noah had a drinking problem, and Moses was a murderer with a stuttering problem. Really, Gideon the coward was perfect
I was at Starbucks one time when this kid walked in with one of those pink Statue of Liberty hairdos, various piercings, and a shirt with satanic symbols on it. I remember thinking to myself, “that guy has no chance”. That is when this thought first convicted me and convicted me hard, “God does not see people as they are, but as they are supposed to be”. I immediately thought of the weakling, Gideon. Nobody thought of him as a mighty warrior, that is, nobody except for God. And a mighty warrior is exactly what he became when he went on to rout and destroy the fearsome Midianites.
It makes me think about all of us. God sees in us what we cannot see in ourselves. If we think for a moment that God has no purpose in our lives, we are utterly mistaken. You might say, "But, there is nothing about me that God can use. I am a sinner and have a lot of real problems". It doesn't matter, because God doesn't see you as you are, He sees you as you are supposed to be.
Prayer:
"Lord, please help us to see ourselves as you see us. Help us to see your purpose in our lives and be the followers that we are supposed to be."
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Devos for March 22nd (By Jenny the beautiful)
Joshua 14:11
"I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then"
One of my favorite characters in all of Scripture is a man named Caleb. When he was forty years old, Moses sent him along with eleven others to check out the Promised Land. While ten of the spies convinced Israel that the land was unconquerable, Caleb, along with Joshua, said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30). The fearful, faithless generation died in the desert. Only Joshua and Caleb stepped foot on Canaan soil four decades later, and this now 85 year old man was as strong and vigorous and visionary as ever. But Caleb’s strong body is not what impresses me; it’s his heart.
The word Scripture uses to describe this choice servant is “wholehearted” (Joshua 14:8, 9, 14). He was a man whose heart was ignited with a passion to follow hard after God…until God called him home. He was sold out to the Lord!
We are in desperate need of more wholehearted servants like Caleb today. We need men and women (and young people!) who are not sliding for home, but rather are using all their gifts and resources to serve God until he calls them home. We need to not tire of doing what God has called us to, or feel like we have done enough or done our share and so we can now stop and take a break. Caleb was 85 years old and wanted to keep doing all he could to serve God.
Father God, give us physical strength in order to serve you. Never let us retire from your service, but rather help us to have the strength and stamina to do all that you call us to. May we be described like Caleb, as wholehearted servants of the living God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
"I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then"
One of my favorite characters in all of Scripture is a man named Caleb. When he was forty years old, Moses sent him along with eleven others to check out the Promised Land. While ten of the spies convinced Israel that the land was unconquerable, Caleb, along with Joshua, said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30). The fearful, faithless generation died in the desert. Only Joshua and Caleb stepped foot on Canaan soil four decades later, and this now 85 year old man was as strong and vigorous and visionary as ever. But Caleb’s strong body is not what impresses me; it’s his heart.
The word Scripture uses to describe this choice servant is “wholehearted” (Joshua 14:8, 9, 14). He was a man whose heart was ignited with a passion to follow hard after God…until God called him home. He was sold out to the Lord!
We are in desperate need of more wholehearted servants like Caleb today. We need men and women (and young people!) who are not sliding for home, but rather are using all their gifts and resources to serve God until he calls them home. We need to not tire of doing what God has called us to, or feel like we have done enough or done our share and so we can now stop and take a break. Caleb was 85 years old and wanted to keep doing all he could to serve God.
Father God, give us physical strength in order to serve you. Never let us retire from your service, but rather help us to have the strength and stamina to do all that you call us to. May we be described like Caleb, as wholehearted servants of the living God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Devos for March 17th (by Pastor Ryan Green)
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on man's wisdom, but on God's power."
I Corinthians 2:4 & 5
The Apostle Paul, who planted this church, is writing a letter full of wisdom. The counsel of this letter is so sharp that it has been included in the Bible. There is no lack of wisdom or insight here. Yet, rather than pointing to his powerful words, Paul points backward to the start of the church. He reminds those reading that the power of the Holy Spirit not only kick-started their church, but their relationships with God. Paul knows that words have their limits, but God's power has no limits.
So, I charge you, confront God's presence. Get into your Bible, spend time in prayer, grow strong in hearing his voice. Rest in God's presence. Let his power clean you, mature you, and guide you. Find a secret place to connect with him and find yourself there often. Make knowing Jesus in all his power your top priority.
Prayer
Father, help me and the young people reading this blog to find you. Help me to make a way for Your power to invade my life and theirs. I ask for your help, power and guidance, in Jesus's name, amen.
I Corinthians 2:4 & 5
The Apostle Paul, who planted this church, is writing a letter full of wisdom. The counsel of this letter is so sharp that it has been included in the Bible. There is no lack of wisdom or insight here. Yet, rather than pointing to his powerful words, Paul points backward to the start of the church. He reminds those reading that the power of the Holy Spirit not only kick-started their church, but their relationships with God. Paul knows that words have their limits, but God's power has no limits.
So, I charge you, confront God's presence. Get into your Bible, spend time in prayer, grow strong in hearing his voice. Rest in God's presence. Let his power clean you, mature you, and guide you. Find a secret place to connect with him and find yourself there often. Make knowing Jesus in all his power your top priority.
Prayer
Father, help me and the young people reading this blog to find you. Help me to make a way for Your power to invade my life and theirs. I ask for your help, power and guidance, in Jesus's name, amen.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Devos for March 15th (By Pastor Ben)
Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
We all react to this passage in one way or another; either we gossip and tell a friend about another’s problems or we judge them or we even try to help and don’t know how to do it without getting overly involved as though we are the one with all the answers, (a righteous super hero of sorts) most often we react wrong. Paul understands the importance of us bearing each others burdens and restoring one another yet he also understood how we tend to mess that up. I’ve seen many young people share their concerns about a friend and shortly after they fall into the same problem. When Paul say’s “keep watch on yourself”, It’s because our concern often overrides our ability to be objective. Jesus has a heart to restore those who are fallen and broken so this call to restore our brothers is a call to act as Christ did. We are called to be like Christ and have the heart of Christ, so when we restore one another we must remember to do it in a Christ like manner so we don’t fall ourselves or let our need to help turn to gossip and judgment.
Be strong in the Lord and allow him to guide our steps in the restoration of others.
God, allow for grace and mercy to be present when we deal with restoration because we all fall short and without you hand of mercy none would be righteous. Lord I love you and ask for more and more grace so that I might look more and more like you. Amen
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Devos for March 10th (By Hannah)
Life Journal Reading: Duet. 15:1-11, Gal. 1
Application:
Deuteronomy 15:9-10 “Do not be mean spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for cancelling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy cry out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin. Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you”
In these verses I feel like the Lord was trying to get my attention regarding my willingness to give. I always do my best to tithe every chance I get some sort of income, but I hold tight to other things in my life that I could give away to help others in need; for example my time and effort. I often think of ways to serve other people but I guess I don’t always follow through with it because I think the people won’t appreciate it. But in reality the service isn’t done to get gratification it is done so the person or people can live better and know the love of Christ. We can’t let the fact that we may not get anything in return stop of from serving because the scripture says that God will bless us.
Prayer:
Lord I am so thankful for all that you have done for me in my life. I should feel honored that I am able to help other people and share your love. Help me to see that it’s not about me and how I feel but it is about everyone else. I pray for motivation and boldness to step out and meet a need that I know is out there. Help me to make a difference in people’s lives and share the love of Christ. I love you immensely. In Jesus name Amen.
Application:
Deuteronomy 15:9-10 “Do not be mean spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for cancelling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy cry out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin. Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you”
In these verses I feel like the Lord was trying to get my attention regarding my willingness to give. I always do my best to tithe every chance I get some sort of income, but I hold tight to other things in my life that I could give away to help others in need; for example my time and effort. I often think of ways to serve other people but I guess I don’t always follow through with it because I think the people won’t appreciate it. But in reality the service isn’t done to get gratification it is done so the person or people can live better and know the love of Christ. We can’t let the fact that we may not get anything in return stop of from serving because the scripture says that God will bless us.
Prayer:
Lord I am so thankful for all that you have done for me in my life. I should feel honored that I am able to help other people and share your love. Help me to see that it’s not about me and how I feel but it is about everyone else. I pray for motivation and boldness to step out and meet a need that I know is out there. Help me to make a difference in people’s lives and share the love of Christ. I love you immensely. In Jesus name Amen.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Devos for March 8th (By Joy Berg)
Deuteronomy 8:2 "You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in you heart whether you would keep His commandments or not."
vs. 5 "Thus you are to know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son."
vs. 11 "Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today."
Another reminder to REMEMBER the goodness of our God! REMEMBER what He has done in your life. REMEMBER where your protection comes from, REMEMBER where your provision comes from, where wisdom comes from, where health and victory come from! Our God! There is no other source. And because our God is so gracious, even when we do forget, He disciplines His children and allows testing in our lives to guide us back to Him. What an amazing God we serve. So, the next time you are going through a tough time, be looking for what God is trying to teach you through it. He is looking at your heart and how you will respond when stress and trials come. Do you turn to Him? or something or someone else? REMEMBER....only God can save, only God can transform hearts and lives, only God can provide for your needs. He is your source.
Thank you Father for all that you have done in our lives. For our salvation, protection, provision, wisdom and guidence. Every good thing comes from You Lord. Thank you for loving us enough to discipline us and for leading us back to You when we stray. Help us to remember your goodness daily!
vs. 5 "Thus you are to know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son."
vs. 11 "Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today."
Another reminder to REMEMBER the goodness of our God! REMEMBER what He has done in your life. REMEMBER where your protection comes from, REMEMBER where your provision comes from, where wisdom comes from, where health and victory come from! Our God! There is no other source. And because our God is so gracious, even when we do forget, He disciplines His children and allows testing in our lives to guide us back to Him. What an amazing God we serve. So, the next time you are going through a tough time, be looking for what God is trying to teach you through it. He is looking at your heart and how you will respond when stress and trials come. Do you turn to Him? or something or someone else? REMEMBER....only God can save, only God can transform hearts and lives, only God can provide for your needs. He is your source.
Thank you Father for all that you have done in our lives. For our salvation, protection, provision, wisdom and guidence. Every good thing comes from You Lord. Thank you for loving us enough to discipline us and for leading us back to You when we stray. Help us to remember your goodness daily!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Devos for March 3rd (By Pastor Ben)
Mark 10:17-22
In this passage a young rich guy approaches Jesus and say’s “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He sights that he has followed the commandments and then Jesus asks him to give up all he had (which was a lot; it said he had great possessions…an ipad maybe?) and to come follow Him. The rich young guy declined and left. The rich guy lived his whole life being a believer and someone who followed the commandments but when face to face with the very Son of God he found out that his faith was no more than an empty belief system. Jesus challenged him to let go of all his possessions and follow after the Christ. Isn’t that what we are doing any way? Maybe we get a clue into true Christianity here when after the rich guy says he followed the rules then Jesus said now follow me!
Rules and general moralities are not going to cut it! You can be the greatest humanitarian ever and it won’t matter if your not willing to follow the one person that does. Following Jesus is true Christianity. We ought to have faith enough to lay aside our possessions, relationships, time, hobbies, and everything else, to follow Jesus, nothing should be un-sellable. He asks and even invites us to come follow Him; he came just for you. The question Jesus is asking us is, will you “go sell all that you have…and come, follow me.”
Jesus, make everything in my life sellable so that I can follow you with everything that I am. Help me to make you first always.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Devos for March 1st (By Jordan W.)
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
-Mark 8:27-29
Who would’ve thought that mankind’s most significant question would be asked on some obscure dusty road? Although few were there to hear its first utterance, all must give an answer. “Who do you say that I am?” a question in which, depending on your answer, hinges our eternal existence. Be careful how you answer because no question will ever be more important.
Were the bewildered disciples prepared for Jesus to drop such a question on them? Probably not, but he did prepare them with another question. Real casual like, he said, “who do people say that I am?”
“Oh”, they said “Lots of different things. Everyone has an opinion about you. Some say you are John the Baptist back from the dead, some say you are Elijah, others are saying you are some sort of prophet. You name it and it’s been suggested”.
But, you see, none of these opinions mattered and they still don’t matter. People have had their opinions about Jesus ever since he was brought out of the manger and they always, always will. In other words, who cares what other people think? What Jesus wants to know, all he really wants to know is…
“Who do YOU say that I am?”
He doesn’t want to know who your parents or your pastor says that he is, he only wants to know who YOU say he is. He wants to hear you say, like Peter said, that he is the “Christ”. And, how you say it is important. He is not looking for lip service here, he wants you to say it with your life.
Back to the bewildered disciples on the dusty road. Who did they say Jesus was? They said that he was the Christ by spreading his message to the ends of the earth. They said that he was their king by living their lives for him, and they said that he was their God by dying a martyr’s death.
So, that’s who they said he was. Now… who do you say that he is?
Prayer:
Father, please help us to proclaim our allegiance to you by all that we say and do.
-Mark 8:27-29
Who would’ve thought that mankind’s most significant question would be asked on some obscure dusty road? Although few were there to hear its first utterance, all must give an answer. “Who do you say that I am?” a question in which, depending on your answer, hinges our eternal existence. Be careful how you answer because no question will ever be more important.
Were the bewildered disciples prepared for Jesus to drop such a question on them? Probably not, but he did prepare them with another question. Real casual like, he said, “who do people say that I am?”
“Oh”, they said “Lots of different things. Everyone has an opinion about you. Some say you are John the Baptist back from the dead, some say you are Elijah, others are saying you are some sort of prophet. You name it and it’s been suggested”.
But, you see, none of these opinions mattered and they still don’t matter. People have had their opinions about Jesus ever since he was brought out of the manger and they always, always will. In other words, who cares what other people think? What Jesus wants to know, all he really wants to know is…
“Who do YOU say that I am?”
He doesn’t want to know who your parents or your pastor says that he is, he only wants to know who YOU say he is. He wants to hear you say, like Peter said, that he is the “Christ”. And, how you say it is important. He is not looking for lip service here, he wants you to say it with your life.
Back to the bewildered disciples on the dusty road. Who did they say Jesus was? They said that he was the Christ by spreading his message to the ends of the earth. They said that he was their king by living their lives for him, and they said that he was their God by dying a martyr’s death.
So, that’s who they said he was. Now… who do you say that he is?
Prayer:
Father, please help us to proclaim our allegiance to you by all that we say and do.
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