Archived Weekly Devotions - Ronda Sturgill

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I would like to invite you to do the following devotions. Each devotion is learning based with the goal of changing behavior. Since adults learn best from their peers, please feel free to download these and share them with others. A small group setting that encourages dialog is a perfect environment to achieve life changing results. I would love to hear how God uses these to change lives. Please e-mail me and share what He does in your group.

If you would like to download and print all of the devotions, click here.

July 21, 2008

LOOK: “Much is required from those to whom much is given.” Luke 12:48 (NLT)

LEARN: The following, including the questions, is an excerpt from Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren, wife of Pastor Rick Warren, author of Purpose Driven Life. I will be using some of her material from this book in the next few devo’s.

It’s very easy for us to remain aloof and untouched by the suffering that defines the existence of the vast majority of people on this planet. I have read that if you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the people in this world. If you have any money in the bank and some in your wallet and some spare change in a dish somewhere, you are among the top 8 % of the world’s wealthy; 92% have less to live on than you do. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million other people in the world. If you can attend worship services at church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed then three billion people in the world.

I don’t tell you this to make you feel guilty – but I do hope you feel uncomfortable. I hope these statistics disturb you. God in his sovereignty decided where you would be born and allowed you to live in a place that has almost everything anyone could ever desire, so there is no guilt that he has ordered our lives in such a way. The only guilt we bear is the guilt of ignoring the men, women and children of this world who do not have what we have – the guilt of spending the majority of our time, money and resources exclusively on ourselves and our families. That is legitimate guilt.

Let’s just say that something is beginning to stir in your soul as you read. What should you do about it? Where should you begin? What is God’s will for you and for the broken world you inhabit?

One thing I know for sure: God’s will begins with surrender.

LIVE: YOU’VE ONLY GOT ONE LIFE…GIVE IT UP!

1. Have you ever experienced God persistently working to direct your attention to some relationship, issue or cause? If so, describe a major turning point in your realization.

2. Consider two or three world problems that deeply trouble you. Do you believe you can have any significant impact on these problems? Why or why not?

3. When was the last time you initiated conversation on a ‘disturbing’ topic? Why do people avoid such conversations? Discuss how such conversation can be destructive or constructive?

4. According to Kay’s discussion above of the world’s wealthy, by her standards, are you wealthy? If so, do you concur with her assessment of ‘legitimate guilt’? Why or why not?

5. Write a prayer asking God to open your eyes to the realities about yourself and your world.

July 14, 2008

LOOK: “If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate (or the shrill, piercing chip of a bird!) 1 Corinthians 13:1 The Message (my insert)

LEARN: Tim and I are having a blast this weekend bird sitting a friend’s cockateel. Nash is a friendly little chirper who has a rather impressive list of bird chirping songs. We’ve giggled and laughed as we’ve been ‘wolf whistled’ while walking by his cage. Hearing ‘the charge’ first thing this morning was too much, as well as hearing the Air Force song when Nash saw Tim in his uniform. We’ve also been entertained by Nash’s version of the Mexican Hat Dance and the theme song from the Andy Griffith Show. Having him here has been real hoot. (No pun intended!)

But as pleasant as it is hearing him chirp his songs, he also has a very loud, shrill, ear-piercing chirp that keeps even our dog away from him. He seems to elicit this sound when he’s upset about something. There have been times when we were not paying much attention to Nash, which prompted him to voice his displeasure. I find myself wanting to cover my ears when I hear this annoying chirp.

I’m reminded of what we must sound like to God (and to others) when we whine and complain and constantly voice our displeasure about our circumstances. Perhaps like Nash, we’re feeling sorry for ourselves and want to bring our state of mind to everyone’s attention. 1 Corinthians 13:1 tells us that when we do not speak with love, we sound like the creaking of a rusty gate. Proverbs 19:13 tells us a nagging spouse is like a leaky faucet. I don’t know about you, but anything creaky and leaky hurts my ears after a while.

What song are you singing today? Are you singing songs that are pleasing to the ears of God and man or are you making a loud, creaky noise that others find offensive? We all have a choice of the kind of song we will sing. One kind is soothing, healing and gentle to the spirit while the other is harsh and shrill. One kind attracts people; the other repels people. Let’s try to be like Nash and sing songs that bring a smile to people’s faces. In this, God delights. I’m sure that others will too. Off we go, into the wild blue yonder……

LIVE: LEAKING, CREAKING OR SPEAKING IN LOVE?

1. Think back over the last few days. Identify what has been your song?

2. What impact has this had on those around you who have heard you singing?

3. If you’ve been singing the blues and others are beginning to find it offensive, what will it take for you to change your tune?

4. What things would you predict might happen if you changed your song?

5. Write a prayer asking God to help you sing and speak to others with love.

July 7, 2008

LOOK: “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the One who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5,6 The Message

LEARN: How did we spend our 4th of July weekend? We mourned a death and celebrated a resurrection – all in one day! But not that of a person or any other living thing - it was the death and resurrection of our lawn mower!! Frantically trying to make sure the lawn is in perfect condition before we hand over the baton of yard work to the young couple that will rent our house after we move, Tim was rounding the corner of the house when the lawn mower spit, spewed and screeched to a halt.

Not the most mechanically minded and never having repaired a lawn mower before, my fearless husband was not intimated by this machine. Piece by piece, he began to take it apart. Looking around at all of the pieces laying all over the driveway, Tim quickly prayed. “Lord, help me get this back together and help me do something to make it work again.” He began to re-assemble the machine, piece by piece, in what seemed to him to be a logical order and sequence. When he came to one part that he thought looked dirty, he cleaned it off. Finally, it was time for the big test. He did what he could and trusted God to make it all work. A pull of the cord, the flick of a switch and the engine roared! We celebrated God’s goodness all weekend long in total amazement.

This incident reminds me of the times when our lives resemble the pieces of this lawn mower. Whether we are experiencing a time of brokenness and feeling as though our lives lay in pieces shattered or whether we feel as though our lives are simply directionless and scattered, we can say the same prayer as Tim: “Lord, help me to get this back together again and help me to do something that will make it work.” Just as Tim used small, logical steps to re-assemble the lawn mower, sometimes fulfilling God’s will for our life consists of taking very small, logical steps. When Tim found the piece that was dirty and needed cleaning, he cleaned it off. Is there a piece of your life that is dirty and needs to be cleaned off? Doing all we can do to put our lives back together again and trusting God to do that which we cannot is what God desires for us. Sounds like a plan to me. How about you?

LIVE: STEP BY STEP, PIECE BY PIECE

1. Identify an area of your life that might resemble the lawn mower pieces scattered all over the ground.

2. Describe what your life would look like if that area of your life were running
smoothly.

3. If you were to take a single, baby step to begin to put your life back together,
determine what that would be.

4. If you did everything you could do and trusted God for that which you cannot do, what would you trust God for?

5. Write a prayer asking God to direct your life, step by step, as you take small steps to do what you can and trust Him for that which you cannot do.

June 16, 2008

LOOK: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim.3:16-17

LEARN: Did you know that, according to Wikipedia at www.Wikipedia.org, the Bible is the number one best selling book of all time? Can you imagine that? If it’s the number one best seller book, can we assume that it is the number one most read book in the entire Western world? If it’s the most read book of all time, the question begs to be asked, “How much of it do we really understand and how do we come to understand it more?”

As stated in Creative Bible Teaching by Lawrence O. Richards, to understand the main message of the Bible, one must look at the entire Bible as one book. The message of reconciliation to God is the central theme that runs from cover to cover. The New Testament is a fulfillment of the promises in the Old Testament. The Bible provides the means by which the believer can experience daily the reconciled relationship that belongs to the Christian. The Bible is both the story of reconciliation and the tool for experiencing the story firsthand.

How does one experience the story firsthand? It’s important that as readers of the Bible we do not merely approach the Word of God as information to be learned, but as life changing truth meant to transform us. Ultimately, the blessing of reading and studying God’s Word is found in living out God’s Word. The Bible teaches us about God, and with that knowledge comes implications for our relationship with Him. We cannot study the God of the Bible through the pages of the Bible without response. We must ask ourselves how we need to change. Do we need to change a viewpoint? Maybe it is an attitude that needs adjustment. Are we to change a habit or behavior? Is there some new perspective, attitude or behavior we should embrace? Implementing the life-changing truth of the Bible requires action on our part.

What is the end result of Bible study and taking action to implement its’ truth in our lives? In his book, Taking the Guesswork Our of Applying the Bible, Jack Kuhatschek says, “As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, our goal is to develop within ourselves the mind and heart of God. We want to be able to think and to respond to every situation the way God himself would.” Ready for action? Let’s go!!!

LIVE: THE STORY AND THE TOOL

1. If you were to rate how often you implement Scripture into your life on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being seldom and 5 being always, where would you place yourself?

2. How might you envision God’s word transforming your life if you applied it more often?

3. Identify something that might be hindering you from taking action to apply God’s Word to your life?

4. What would it take for you to overcome that hindrance?

5. Write a prayer asking God to help you read, understand and apply His transforming Word to your life.

June 2, 2008

LOOK: “Anyone who is united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Message

LEARN: I love the fact that we’re made new when we come to Christ. As I look back on my own life, I am not the same person I was before I gave my life to my Lord. Still a work in progress, my spiritual journey has covered many miles.

Allow yourself to spend 8 minutes watching the following clip on youtube. Many people share their before and after testimony in a very fun and creative way, attesting to the fact that God really does change lives.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

LIVE: CARDBOARD TESTIMONY

1. What did you discover by watching this video clip?

2. In a few words, describe who were you before Christ entered your life.

3. In a few words, describe your ‘new you.’

4. If you have never asked God to come into your life and make you a new person, how might this video clip encourage you to do so?

5. Write a prayer praising God for what He has done in your life to make you a new creation. Ask Him to continue working to make you into the person He wants you to be.

May 19, 2008

LOOK: “If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples you’ll be my special treasure.” Exodus 19:5 The Message

LEARN: My first experience of finding gold in the garbage came many years ago as I was walking our dog late one summer evening. I noticed an item placed right next to a pile of trash that was waiting to be hauled off the next morning by the city trash collectors. “Was that an ab-roller?” I said to myself. My husband and I had just talked about getting one. I looked again. “Couldn’t be. No one would throw a perfectly good ab-roller away, would they?” Upon closer inspection, it seemed exactly that. Someone had tossed a perfectly good piece of workout equipment by the side of the road, as if it was no longer any good.

Upon arriving home, I quickly told my husband what I had found and where this treasure was located. Waiting only until it was dark enough not to be seen, he embarked on his treasure hunt. A few minutes later he arrived home, ab-roller in hand. We laughed and chuckled our way to flatter abs during the next several months, so proud of our special treasure.

Once again very recently, I was on another nightly stroll with my little dog. This time there was a complete outdoor patio set carefully placed alongside the road, waiting to be hauled off with the other trash in the morning. A quick glance, and I found something I wanted. “Going to have to tell Tim about that when I get home.” My over fifty-year-old brain being what it is, I forgot to mention this treasure to Tim when I got home, but as I drove past the house the next morning, the patio set was gone. Someone else had taken it!

These experiences remind me of how God sees us - as His special treasures - no matter how others might feel about us. Have you ever felt like you’ve been tossed to the side of the road, no longer needed or wanted? Or perhaps you feel like you’ve been broken beyond repair, no longer good for anything. You feel like you’ve been place alongside the road with the other disposable refuse, completely abandoned.

The good news is no matter how others might make us feel, God sees us as a His golden treasure, His chosen people. He delights in picking us up from the side of the road and putting us back together again. He fixes us. He repairs us. He restores us so that once again, our lives have purpose and meaning. Our value and worth is found in being one of His special treasures. We ARE the gold in a world that is sometimes filled with all kinds of garbage!

LIVE: GOLD IN THE GARBAGE

1. Identify a time in your life when you may have felt like you were or maybe currently are, being placed alongside the road, abandoned as refuse.

2. What do you find most meaningful from the information above that might renew your hope in who you are?

3. If you were to believe that you are God’s special treasure, how might that make a difference in your life?

4. Write a prayer asking God to help you see yourself as He sees you: a treasure of pure gold!

May 12, 2008

LOOK: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11

LEARN: For those of us who live in Ohio, we’ve seen more than our usual share of rain these past two weeks. The skies have remained gray and cloudy, even if the rain has not been constant. Although I try to avoid getting out in it, I never know when the rain will come. Just a few days ago I got caught right in the middle of a soaker!

I needed to pick up some items from a print shop that is located on a college campus. Pushed for time before I left home, I did not do my homework to find out exactly where the print shop was located. I figured I’d find it once I got there. Finding what appeared to be a main building, I was dismayed to discover the parking lot was a lot further than what I hoped it would be, especially since it was drizzling outside. For anyone else, this might not have been a big problem, but I have never mastered the art of carrying an umbrella and pushing my wheelchair at the same time.

Wouldn’t you know as soon as I got out of my van and started the trek into the building, it started to rain harder and harder? The harder it rained, the faster I tried to push my wheelchair. Much to my dismay, I was getting very wet very fast!

Suddenly from behind, I heard a voice call out, “Are you going into the Administration building?” I turned around and there was a very kind woman with an umbrella, briskly walking towards me. “Here, let me help you”, she said as she hovered over me with her umbrella, protecting me from the rain. “Where are you going?” she asked. “The print shop. Do you know where it is located?” I replied. “It’s in this building, but you’ll have to go around to the side entrance. I’ll walk with you and take you over there.” This was a very nice woman!

I was so reminded of how God spreads his protection over us to protect us from the rain that comes into our lives at different times. Sometimes we don’t know when the rain will come and we might get caught in a huge storm, but suddenly, out of nowhere, just like this kind woman, God shows up with his huge umbrella and says, “Here, let me spread my protection over you. You can take refuge under my umbrella. It’s very big and under it’s protection, you stay very dry, safe and warm.” Now that is something in which I can rejoice. Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!

LIVE: LET IT RAIN! LET IT RAIN! LET IT RAIN!

1. Identify a current situation in your life where you need some extra protection.
2. Describe what would it look like if you were standing under God’s umbrella?
3. Predict how standing under God’s umbrella might make you feel?
4. God wants to spread His protection over you. Write a prayer asking God to help you seek that protection and for you to see it when it’s there.

May 5, 2008

LOOK: MEMO: Gone to Father’s house to prepare your place – will be back soon to pick you up. Jesus (Sturgillian paraphrase of John 14:2,3)

LEARN: Wasn’t our annual Spring Retreat wonderful this year? Reflecting upon the weekend spent on the campus of the beautiful Miami University campus in Oxford, Ohio, I am continually amazed at God’s glory. It was simply everywhere I looked: in the beauty of His creation, in the inspired teaching of our speaker, and in the heart of every person who attended the retreat. Preparing for the Bridgegroom was the theme for the weekend event, however, its impact on us will remain in our hearts and minds far longer than the few days we just experienced.

Jesus IS coming back to get us, just as the bridegroom of ancient Jewish custom returned to get his bride and take her to the place he had prepared for her to live. As we wait expectantly for His imminent return, how do we prepare ourselves for it? Does this mean I can hang out at Starbucks drinking coffee until then? Not exactly! We have precious little time left to do the Father’s business before He comes back. We’d better hop to it!

Jesus told the believers exactly what to do in Acts 1:8. His very last words before His ascension were: You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

My friends, we are to be witnesses for Jesus! How? By loving people; forgiving people; being kind to people; serving people – starting with our spouses and families. God’s primary concern is for people and He uses believers to stand in for Him to be His hands, feet and arms that reach out to others. Just as Jesus is preparing our place for us, we can be preparing ourselves for Him by carrying out His last command: Be a witness.

LIVE: BE A WITNESS

1. Identify someone who you feel needs a special touch from God.

2. If you were to be a witness for God to this person, describe what might that look like?

3. Predict what effect might it have upon this person if you were to be the hands and arms of God? What effect might it have upon you?

4. Develop a plan to be a witness to this person. What it would take for you to be God’s hands and feet?

5. Write a prayer asking God to help you know what to do and to give you the courage to step up and do it as you prepare yourself for His imminent return.

April 22, 2008

LOOK: “God raised Him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name, no power, except from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything.” Ephesians 1:20-21

LEARN: Having a house on the market at such a time as this, when housing sales are at an all time low, as well as house prices, has made me very nervous. For the last three weeks our house has been listed with a realtor, as well as being listed on a military real estate website. And yet will all of this, there has been very little interest in our house. No one’s calling. No one’s coming by to see it. At first we noticed people driving by, but even that has begun to dwindle off.

Driving down the road last week, I began to get panic stricken thinking about what might happen if we don’t sell or rent our house before we leave in August. Suddenly, my Down here CD began to play a song titled, Calmer of the Storm. This song is now my newest favorite song! You can download it from iTunes for $.99. But until you do, let me share some of the words with you.

In the storm I’m learning to let go of the will that I so long to control. Teach me Lord, to have faith that what you’re bringing me will change my life and bring you glory. Afraid of sinking into despair, I feel the wind and forget your grace. May I never trust in me, but may I see your love protecting me. In your arms I find no tragedy. I thank you Lord that you are the calmer of the storm.

I was suddenly overcome with a sense of peace – no matter what happens with our house, God is ultimately in control. Everything falls under His authority. I’m reminded of another song - Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. Oh for grace to trust Him more!

LIVE: GOD IS THE CALMER OF THE STORM

1. Identify an area of your life that feels stormy right now. Describe it to a friend.

2. How might the above verse and information give you hope in the midst of your storm?

3. Compare the difference between staying in panic mode and remaining calm in the midst of the storm. What impact might these two different attitudes have on the outcome of your storm?

4. What can you conclude about God being in control and the calmer of your storm?

5. Complete the following sentence: Because God__________________I can _________________________________

April 14, 2008

LOOK: “God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

LEARN: I recently watched a television show where various contestants are given a certain amount of money to give away. The contestants competed against each other to determine who could make the biggest impact in the life of another by giving their money away to someone who really needed it. I loved watching how those who received what they needed react to such generosity, especially since what they received came from a complete stranger. Every episode I watched made me want to go out and do something for somebody. Although I could not begin to give on the same grand scale as those who were on this television show, I began to think how I could give something away each day and what that might be.

Recently, a dear friend of mine told me she heard a pastor say long ago, “Try to give something away everyday.” My friend latched onto that concept and for years has tried to give something away each and every day, whether it be a compliment or the pair of earrings she was wearing at the time. Starting with giving away little things at first, she has gradually moved on to giving more generously. After seeing the wonderful results of her generous giving, even her once reluctant husband is now totally on board and fully supports her giving.

LIVE: GIVE SOMETHING AWAY EACH DAY

1. Although we tend to think that ‘giving generously’ automatically implies giving from our financial resources, from what other resources can we learn to give generously?

2. What good things would you expect to happen to you and others when you are generous?

3. How might these things motivate you to enter into a deeper level of giving?

4. What and how might you give something away today?

5. Write a prayer asking God to show you ways to give something away and give you the courage to do it.

April 7, 2008

LOOK: “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” Exodus 17:11-12

LEARN: As I read this scripture I’m so impressed with Aaron and Hur. In the middle of the battle with the Amalekites, Moses grew tired and weary and could no longer hold his hands up. Not un-noticed by Aaron (his brother) and Hur (a friend), the two of them stepped in, came along side of Moses and held his hands up for him. By doing this, the Israelites were able to win this battle. Moses was perfectly capable of doing what God commanded him to do, but Moses was only human. After many hours, he became fatigued from the stress and strain of having to hold his arms up. Aaron and Hur offered their support at just the right time when Moses needed the extra assistance. Without it, a defeat for the Israelites was a very real possibility. Aaron and Hur did not hold Moses’s hands up forever, just until the battle was won.

What an amazing example of how to live as a follower of God – by coming along side and supporting those who might be in need of some immediate assistance so that they can win the battle! Actually, this is a very Biblical idea. The Holy Spirit was given as a paraclete (Greek word) that is translated, comforter, or one who comes along side. In other words the Holy Spirit comforts us by coming along side us to help us through. When we come along side to help those in need, we are being the hands and feet of God Himself.

I recently completed writing an eight-week Bible study. The fact is, I was ready to quit after writing six lessons. I was tired of writing and re-writing. I just wanted it to be over. Just when I needed someone to help me hold my arms up so I could complete this task, people stepped in and assisted me, not forever, but just until the study was complete. Without my Aaron’s and Hurs, I would surely have suffered defeat.

LIVE: HOLD ‘EM UP!

1. Look around you. Identify someone you know who might be growing weary under the stress and strain of life and might be on the verge of defeat. Who might that person be?

2. Evaluate their situation. What might happen if they had a little extra help at this time?

3. Determine how you might be able to ‘hold this person’s arms up’ until a battle is won.

4. Meet with this person and offer your assistance until the time of need is over.

5. Write a prayer thanking God for giving you the opportunity to come along side of your friend at this time. Ask God to help your friend win their battle.

March 10, 2008

LOOK: “Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way.” Psalm 119:35-37 (The Message)

LEARN: According to the paper this morning, the Dayton, OH area has had a record snowfall this year – almost 25 inches – 13 of which fell just this past weekend! A typical response to the blizzard swirling all around us, my husband and I were inside the house, huddled in front of the heater with our toes up and the television on. Never one to pay much attention to the commercials aired in between the programs, this one caught my eyes and ears. Professing the benefits of sending your children off to school on a full stomach, the tag line used to promote a healthy breakfast of oatmeal was simple: “keep ‘em full, keep ‘em focused.’

I immediately thought how true that is in the Kingdom of God. God wants to keep His children full on His Word so they stay focused on Him. Without filling up on His Word each morning, He knows that our minds, thoughts and hearts are prone to wander and stray, like children in school without a healthy breakfast. Psalm 63:5 tells us when we are full on God, our souls will be satisfied as with the richest of foods.

I have found that being full on God allows me to stay focused on fulfilling His plan for my life. When I’m not full on God, I easily get distracted from the purpose I even exist on this earth. Staying focused on God enables me to listen to and hear the Holy Spirit as He speaks to me. Most of the time we cannot hear His still, quiet voice when we are busy filling ourselves up with junk food instead of with the richness of His word.

What about you this morning? Have you had your spiritual breakfast? Are you full on God so that you can stay focused on Him throughout the day?

LIVE: KEEP’EM FULL, KEEP’EM FOCUSED!

1. If you’re a breakfast eater, describe how important eating a healthy breakfast is to you in starting your day and staying focused on your work.

2. Identify a time when you did not have breakfast. What difference did it make in your ability to stay focused?

3. Ps. 63:5 tells us that our souls will be satisfied as with the richest of foods. How might you begin your day taking in spiritual food? Create a spiritual breakfast menu.

4. If at all possible, pair up with a partner at your place of work or with one of your friends to briefly discuss your spiritual breakfast menu of the day. What was on it?

5. Write a prayer asking God to help you stay full on His word so you can stay focused on Him.

January 28, 2008

LOOK: “Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The ‘worst’ is never the worst.” Lamentations 3:30 (The Message)

LEARN: What is the worst thing you could ever imagine happening to you? Losing your job? Going through a divorce? Losing a beloved family member or special friend? Going through the medical treatments for a terminal illness? Living with a physical or mental disability?

My friends, not to make light of these very difficult and heart wrenching human experiences, by far the worst thing we could ever experience is not one of the things I mentioned in the list above. It’s not a terminal illness. It’s not a divorce. It’s not losing a job. It’s not even losing a loved one. The worst thing that you or I could ever go through is God walking out on us and failing to return. The worst thing we could ever experience is God turning His back on those who love Him and who diligently seek after Him. That would be bad. Really, really bad. Isn’t it good to know that God doesn’t do that! People might, but God does not. God never leaves us or forsakes us.

When life is heavy and hard to take, put your hope in God. Go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. (Lamentations 3:28-30, The Message) He hears every prayer. He weeps with those who weep and He comforts those who mourn. Suffering may last for a season, but His promises are forever.

What has He promised you? That He will be your refuge, your safe place. That He will be your protector. That He will fight your battle for you. That His power is your power. That He will forgive even the worst of sins. That He will dwell in your heart by faith. That He will give you victory over temptation. That He can (and does) work all things for good.

The next time life hits you hard, try to say to yourself, “ I can do this. This is not the worst thing that could happen to me. I may have lost such and such, but I still have God.”

LIVE: THE WORST IS NEVER THE WORST

1. Identify a difficult time in your life. Perhaps it might be right now.

2. Look at the list above of what God has promised us. Select the promise that you feel most meets your current need.

3. Analyze how your situation might change if you were to rest on that promise.

4. How might you demonstrate that you are resting on that promise?

5. Write a prayer asking God to help you hold onto the hope He offers.

January 21, 2008

LOOK: “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24

LEARN: Another Bible study with my homeless friends left me totally amazed. Charmane, a slight, petite women with a raspy voice declared with excitement, “Used to be I knew I was doing something wrong, but I did not care. I just did it anyway. I did any old thing I wanted to. But I’m not like that anymore. Now, I want to do good. I want to do what’s right. I want to live in a way that pleases God. I know God will help me do that.”

I immediately thought of Ephesians 4, which plainly tells us to put on certain behaviors and to take off others, as if we were putting on and taking off garments. Scripture tells us to take off old behaviors such as unwholesome talk, bitterness, anger, rage and slander and put on new behaviors, such as kindness, compassion, forgiveness. But before we take off and put on anything, something must happen first. We have to want to. We have to want that exchange to take place.

Here’s the good news. For us, this is a win-win situation. God puts the ‘want to’ in our hearts! Not only does He put the ‘want to’ in our hearts, He then swoops in and does the work that only He can do – and that is to actually change us. He will enable us to take off the old behaviors and replace them with new ones. We can put on the new self, created to be like God.

Hearing a woman who has struggled with addictions all her life make a statement like she made immediately caused me to search myself. “ Where is my ‘want to’ when it comes to doing what is right? Do I want to stop doing things that I know are wrong? Do I want to start doing things I know are right? Charmane made me take a close look at myself and ask the question, “What’s up with my want to?”

LIVE: WHAT’S UP WITH MY WANT TO?

1. As I write this devo, the temperature outside is lingering somewhere in the single digits. The wind chill factor is far below zero. What might be several reasons I would want to put on a warm winter coat if I were to go outside?

2. Ephesisan 4:20-29 talks about putting on behaviors as if we were putting on a garment. What would be the benefit of putting on the behaviors listed in these verses?

3. What might be some behaviors you would like to take off?

4. What can you conclude about the taking off and the putting on of these behaviors?

5. Write a prayer asking God to give you the ‘want to’ to make this exchange.

January 7, 2008

LOOK: “Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” ‘What is truth?” Pilate asked.” John 18:37,38

LEARN: It seems to me that Pilate asked Jesus a question that an awful lot of people are asking today. “What exactly is truth?” In today’s postmodern culture, this question looms in the background of every conversation. Strong convictions, it seems, about any point of truth are judged supremely arrogant and hopelessly naive. Everyone is entitled to his own truth. (The Truth War by John MacArthur, page 11)

Bear with me as I make a few basic points about truth. Volumes of books are written on this subject, so far be it for me to be conclusive about truth in a few paragraphs. But there are three basic essentials about truth that can be at least mentioned in the space I have here. Not to be taken lightly, our Christian walk hinges entirely on whether or not we believe and accept Biblical truth.

1. God and truth are inseparable. Jesus Christ, God in human flesh, is called truth. (John 14:6) Any conversation about truth cannot take place without a conversion about God. God revealed Himself to us in the form of Jesus Christ. Denying absolute Biblical truth is to deny the teachings of Jesus Christ and the example He gives us of living a life of love.

2. All truth starts with what is true of God and His nature. God has made Himself known to us through the Scriptures. The Bible is not hard to understand. God desires and longs for us to read it and to know Him better through it. His truth is plain enough that for anyone who earnestly desires to know it, it will be revealed to them. To claim the Bible is not sufficiently clear is to assault God’s own wisdom and integrity. (The Truth War by John MacArthur, page xxii)

3. Truth itself remains fixed. Truth itself does not change, just because our point of view does. We are not entitled to redefine truth to fit our own personal viewpoints, preferences or desires. We cannot ignore or discard selected truths just because we might find them hard to receive or difficult to understand. Such a self-willed approach to the truth is tantamount to usurping God. (Psalm 12:4) (The Truth War, by John MacArthur, page xxi)

LIVE: WHAT IS TRUTH?

1. As we begin the New Year, ask yourself the question, “What is truth?”

2. What impact does this truth have on your life?

3. In John 8:32, Jesus tells us that this truth has set us free. Think about what you have
been set free from. How does this make you feel?

4. Write a prayer asking God to help you think, feel and act upon His truth.

December 10, 2007

LOOK: “The Lord is faithful and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

LEARN: The birth of Jesus brought with it so many reasons for us to rejoice. God came to live on the earth in the form of a human being; the One who would take our place and die for our sins had come; our hopeless situations are now hope filled; our lives have meaning and purpose. The list could go on, but one reason for rejoicing we should never overlook is that with the presence of God on earth, the power of the enemy was finally confronted.

When the evil King Herod made a frantic plot to kill Jesus before He reached the age of two, God foiled that plan. God won over evil. Thank God, He did not allow this to happen so that His plan could be accomplished and fulfilled. However, this incident reminds me that we all have an enemy whose only goal is to bring about our own demise, just as he plotted Jesus’. My prayer is that the enemy’s plans for my ruin will not be successful either.

Our enemy has the uncanny ability to make that which is good look bad, and that which is bad, look good. I pray his deceitful plans are exposed and revealed to me so I will not fall into his traps. I pray for a discerning spirit that will enable me to distinguish the truth from a lie. Keep me from allowing my pride and the deception that comes along with it, to capture me. Help me not to stray from the Truth. Keep me from the wrong thinking that comes as a result of not hiding your Word in my heart. Lead me away from temptation and deliver me from the evil one.

LIVE: DELIVER US LORD, FROM THE EVIL ONE

1. Identify an area in your life where you have a need that is currently not being met?

2. Most of the time, our enemy very craftily offers us something that will seemingly meet this need. How might he be trying to do that in your life?

3. Remember, the whole purpose of the enemy is to bring you down. How might you stay alert and aware of his schemes?

4. What is God’s answer to your unfulfilled needs?

5. Write a prayer, asking God for wisdom, discernment and trust in Him during your most vulnerable times. Praise Him that He can and does deliver us from evil when ask Him to do that.

November 26, 2007

LOOK: “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-7

LEARN: I want you to close your eyes and imagine this scenario as if you were hearing it for the first time. Imagine you are a fifteen year-old young girl engaged to be married. Suddenly, an angel appears and tells you God has chosen you to carry and deliver His son, the promised Messiah to the people of Israel! Loving God and longing to be obedient to Him, you immediately feel honored to be chosen for such a task. Feeling ordinary, plain and poor, you can hardly believe God would choose you. Could this really be God’s plan?
     Joseph was equally shocked, but desiring to be obedient to God, he soon married Mary and the two of them quietly awaited the birth of God’s Son. When Mary was about to give birth, Joseph is told they must go back to their hometown to register for a census that was being taken. Our modern day minds tend to think, “No problem, just hop in the car and go.” But for Mary and Joseph, this meant a week’s journey to Bethlehem. Joseph walked while nine months pregnant Mary rode on top of a donkey.
     Weary from the long journey, all Mary can think of is a nice, warm, comfortable bed at the inn in Bethlehem. She knew God’s Son would be coming soon. When they were told all of the rooms were already taken by other travelers traveling to various places to be registered, the innkeeper kindly offered them a stall in the barn. Taking the blankets the innkeeper offered them, “Could this really be God’s plan?,” they wondered.
     Soon after getting settled, the time had come. Jesus, the Messiah, was about to be born in a lowly, quiet stable with no one around except Mary and Joseph. God’s presence filled the stable as they trusted Him with this difficult situation. A deep peace feel upon Mary and Joseph as they cradled God’s Son in their arms and watched him sleep. Mary treasured up every moment in her heart. As hard as it was, this was indeed God’s plan.
     As I enter into this story with my thoughts, feelings and attitudes, one question begs to be asked: I wonder how many of us have completely missed being in the center of God’s will because we were too eager to avoid the hardship?

LIVE: DIFFICULTIES CAN BE DECEIVING

1. Describe a time in your life, either past or present, when you may have experienced a difficult situation that made you question whether you were in the center of God’s will for your life.

2. Had Mary and Joseph wanted to take the easy way out, they never would have experienced such a blessing. Are you willing to trust God and His plan, even when it may not seem perfect to you?

3. Decide how will you demonstrate living out that trust. What does living out trust in God look like in real life?

4. Write a prayer asking God to help you trust Him more during difficult times.

November 19, 2007

LOOK: “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8, The Message

LEARN: As we enter into this Thanksgiving week, let’s worship the Lord with gladness and come before Him with joyful songs. I pray each one of us is able to do this with sincere devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For some, you might be experiencing a difficult time right now. For others, you might be rejoicing over something God has done in your life or rejoicing over something from which you have been delivered. In either situation, God wants and deserves our total praise.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever. God is not a God of condemnation, but a God of goodness and compassion. God is a God who longs to be gracious to us, even though we may have slipped and fallen away in our walk. ‘Return to me’ is the cry of His heart towards those who have wondered off. You have nothing to fear. Turn your heart towards Him this week and begin to praise Him. Fear and gratitude cannot exist at the same time.

God has given us a mind to think and a free will to make the choice of what to think about. Take responsibility for what you think; it makes a huge difference in our lives. Regardless of whether we are in a good or bad situation, thinking about good things always seems to bring our lives into their proper perspective. Know there is a bigger picture than what we are seeing and feeling presently. Phil. 4:8 from The Message tells us to fill our minds and meditate on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Let’s praise and worship while we wait for the ushering in of the Heavenly Kingdom.

May this Thanksgiving find you filled with awe and wonder and may you experience His love in an extra special way this week. After all, we are the apples of His eye. Think upon this and be glad!

LIVE: THINK RESPONSIBLY!

1. List ten things for which you are thankful. Share this list with someone.

2. Explain how thinking about good things might bring us hope when our lives are in turmoil?

3. Describe how thinking about good things might change our circumstances?

4. What have you discovered that might motivate you to think responsibly this Thanksgiving?

5. Write out a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God.

October 15, 2007

LOOK: “Remember me with favor, O my God.” Nehemiah 13:31

LEARN: “Remember me with favor, O my God” are the last recorded words of Nehemiah and are often spoken in the last chapter of the book. They reflect Nehemiah’s motive throughout his ministry: to serve and please his divine Sovereign.

We have just finished up a teaching series on Nehemiah at the church we attend. This weekend the pastor presented us with nine questions about our spiritual lives that are addressed throughout this book. Nehemiah gives us so many positive examples of how to live a life that pleases God. He was a leader with a vision who encountered just about every facet of normal life. We have much to learn from Nehemiah. God wants to show us favor, just as He showed Nehemiah. What can you learn from asking yourself these questions about finding favor with God?

1. What situation are you in right now that requires courage from you to act on?

2. Do you feel like you are meeting with people of God or building with people of God?

3. How do you deal with conflict? Do you realize how important your response is?

4. Are you desensitized to hurting people around you?

5. Is prayer a regular past of your fight of faith or is it your last resort?

6. Is having to be known by others more important to your than being known by God?

7. Is your pursuit of joy in God the primary pursuit of your life?

8. Is it hard to admit that you are wrong or take responsibility for sinful actions?

9. Do you grasp the importance of your personal purity in the collective people of God?

LIVE: REMEMBER ME WITH FAVOR, O MY GOD

1. Which one of these questions is the most meaningful to you right now?

2. What has the Holy Spirit brought to your attention through this question?

3. If Nehemiah were here and you were able to speak to him, what might he tell you?

4. What would you have to do in this area if God were to remember you with favor?

5. Write a prayer asking God to help you continue to live in a way that pleases Him, so He will remember you with favor.

September 7, 2007

LOOK: “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throngs at the house of God.” Psalm 55:12-14.

LEARN: Read the following information. Mark anything that you find useful. Discuss this with your small group.

Who has not been betrayed at one time in their life by someone they once loved deeply? Betrayal is nothing new to humanity. David’s cries in Psalm 55 could be the cry of every heart that has been betrayed by someone who was once held so dear to us. In David’s time, he was being threatened by a powerful conspiracy in Jerusalem under the leadership of a former friend. The city is in turmoil, danger is everywhere and there is uncertainty of who can be trusted. David quietly turns to the Lord, whom he knows he can trust.

In my own life, I have been deeply hurt and betrayed by someone whom I loved very much for two and a half years. To continue on in Psalm 55, verse 20 echoes the cries of my heart: “My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.”

Selfishness it seems, is always at the center of every act of betrayal. If people only realized how much their selfishness affects those who love them. No one has the privilege of doing what they want and not have their actions affect others.

How do we get over being betrayed? David has the answer in Psalm 55:22: “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18) The righteous are to: 1. Focus on God; 2. Forgive your betrayer and; 3. Forge ahead. God will one day give you back more of what you lost. There is hope on the horizon for everyone who has been betrayed. God can and will do new and exciting things in your life.

As for the betrayer, everyone will one day have to give an account to Jesus Himself for their actions. Hebrews 4:13: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.” Our betrayers might try to go to great lengths to make sure that their actions are hidden from others. They might try very hard to hide their past life from their present life, but no one escapes being accountable to God.

LIVE: GOD AND THE BETRAYED

1. Identify a time when you were deeply betrayed by a loved one. Describe how this made you feel.

2. Read Luke 6:37. In your own words, explain what this means.

3. Determine how forgiving your betrayer might set you free to forge ahead.

4. Write a note to your betrayer, telling them that you forgive them. You do not need to send the note to them, but keep it in a safe place where you can read it when you start to feel angry and bitter.

5. This is THE hardest thing you will ever have to do as a Christian. Forgiveness can only be done in the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to help you forgive.

Copyright by Ronda Sturgill 2007. All rights reserved.

August 20, 2007

LOOK: “I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8

LEARN: Isn’t it good to know that our compassionate comforter and most trusted friend is always by our side? He never leaves or forsakes us, no matter how alone we might feel at the time. While waiting for a delayed flight out of Fairbanks, AK, I was feeling terribly alone and afraid of facing the long trip home by myself. Sitting there in the airport, I recalled the message I heard that morning in a worship service. When faced with difficult circumstances, God asks us, “Can you trust me?” “Yes Lord, I trust you,” I mumbled under my breath. I trust You with this cancelled flight. I trust You with my fear. I trust You with this overwhelming feeling of emptiness. Just minutes before, I said goodbye to my sweet Alaskan friends. I was only there for 3 days, but in those 36 hours, God knitted our hearts together as we shared many tender moments with our Savior. But now, I was 3800 miles from home and from seeing another familiar face.

LIVE: THE JOY OF HIS PRESENCE
Just after I murmured my resolve to trust Him, a woman walked up to me and asked if I was the author of the Bible study, Wives of the Warriors. When I told her I was, she smiled. “I really wanted to go to the retreat you spoke at this weekend, but we’re going to my mom’s for the week and I just could not make it. But I’ve loved your study. How did the retreat go?” she asked.

We sat and talked until it was time to board the plane. Turns out she was going to Seattle too and we were both on the same planes. You’ll never know what a comfort that was to me. Suddenly my feeling of loneliness vanished. I knew God was with me at that very moment and that He would continue to be with me throughout my entire trip home. Oh, how faithful He is.

Before we utter a cry, He has heard our prayer. Our prayers fall not on deaf ears, but on a loving father who delights in showing us how much he loves us. When we put Him at our side, He really does fill us with the joy of His presence.

1. Identify a situation in your life that is requiring your total trust in God.

2. Read Psalm 16:8-11. Draw a picture of yourself with God sitting right beside you. If a picture tells a thousand words, what would this picture say?

3. Explain what changed in the Psalmists’ life as a result of putting God always before him?

4. How might your life change if you put the Lord always before you?

5. Write a prayer asking God to help you set Him always before you and to be able to experience the joy of His presence.

August 6, 2007

LOOK: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:3-5

LEARN: The one thing I love most about the apostle Paul is his ability to see the big picture. Paul never seemed to get caught up in his present day circumstances, rather, he was able to view everything from an eternal perspective. He endured much hardship, much persecution, and much suffering. Yet, he never seemed to complain that life was unfair. You never heard Paul proclaiming, ‘I don’t deserve this. I’m entitled to a better life.” Paul focused on Jesus, the Gospel, and declared Christ in all things. He knew the power of the cross and that is all that mattered to him. At all cost, Paul was a ‘hanger in there.’ He knew the power of perseverance and his character showed it.

LIVE: GOD IS MORE INTERESTED IN OUR CHARACTER THAN OUR COMFORT
I’m gravely concerned that Christians today don’t realize the value of hardship and suffering. In today’s modern Western culture, we have become such pampered people. We’ll do everything to avoid anything that will make us uncomfortable. After all, isn’t life all about what makes us happy? Aren’t we entitled to that? In light of this mindset, perseverance, hanging in there and, finishing the race at all costs are not even considered options as we face life. We bail as soon as the situation becomes work and no longer gives us immediate pleasure. We never even give God a chance to work on our behalf. We rob Him of that opportunity. We take over, take control and run away as fast and as hard as we can run. What we have as a result of such self-centeredness is a generation of broken and bleeding hearts.

God is all about building and developing our character, rather than providing for our comfort. His purpose is to make us into a people that reflect His glory. He tells us time and again that His power is made perfect in our weakness. He tells us that in the midst of our suffering He is with us, refining our faith, making us mature and, developing our character. Let’s agree to allow God to do His perfect work in us.

Hang in there, my friends. I know life is hard at times. Persevere. It’s not so much about changing our circumstances, but more about asking God and allowing Him to change our character.

1. From the information above, what strikes you as significant? Why?

2. Why do you think Paul was able to endure so much hardship?

3. Read James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Romans 5:1-5. In your own words, what do these verses say about difficult circumstances?

4. Think of a situation you are in right now of which you are on the brink of bailing out: a marriage, a job, etc. What would need to change if you were to apply the previous verses to your situation? How might it impact your life if you were to do this?

5. Write a prayer asking God to help you see the situation from His perspective and to allow Him to work things out.

July 30, 2007

LOOK: “I will walk about in freedom for I have sought out your precepts.” Psalm 119:45

LEARN: Read the following content. Circle that which you find interesting. Share this with your small group.

Psalm 119 is one of my favorite psalms – all 176 verses! Oh, to have such a love for God’s Word and His teaching as this psalmist has. The psalmist sets God’s Word high above all else, acknowledging its purpose to direct our lives, as well as to give us understanding to God’s ways. Here he speaks of the freedom we have when we walk according to God’s laws. I guess some would consider this an oxymoron. How can we have freedom and laws at the same time? Let me give you an example of what I mean.

As I looked out into my back yard, I noticed Ari, our little six-pound Westie/Yorkie/Maltase gazing intently into the woods on the other side of the fence. She wanted to be on the other side of that fence so bad. Much too small to jump over it, our little six-pounder is restricted to our back yard. Within the fence is a very big yard, with a lot of space and lots of fun doggie places to visit. What Ari does not know, is that there is danger on the other side of the fence. We’ve seen wild animals that would gobble her up in a minute. What she perceives as confinement is our way of protecting her.

God’s laws are the same for us. They are not to confine us, but rather to protect us. Just as danger to Ari lurks in the deep, dark woods on the other side of the fence, so do dangers lurk for us outside of God’s laws. Within His laws, we have perfect freedom. We are safe, secure and can have perfect peace. He promises to provide for us. He promises to be watching over us. Outside of his boundaries, however, we come out from under his protection and make ourselves vulnerable to all kinds of dangers. God is no longer responsible for what happens to us. We run the risk of God withdrawing himself from our life, as well as never entering into His rest. If we run into trouble, more than likely, we have brought it on ourselves.

LIVE: WHO NEEDS LAWS ANYWAY?

1. Identify a time in your life, either in the past or the present, when you disregarded God’s laws and ‘jumped over the fence.’ Share with your small group any consequences you may have experienced.

2. Read Hebrews 3:18. Compare the differences of living within God’s laws and living outside them.

3. Read Psalm 119:41-48. Rank these verses in the order of which ones are most meaningful you. How might your #1 verse motivate you to keep from ‘jumping over the fence?’

4. Write out a prayer asking God to help you find true freedom in His laws and precepts.

July 13, 2007

LOOK: “They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 30:10,11

LEARN: Read the following information and mark what strikes you as significant.

Just hearing the phrase, “stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel” makes me shiver in my boots. Do these people have any idea of what they said to the prophet Isaiah? Their sin of disobedience and rebellion was feeling pretty good to them and they simply did not want to hear that what they were doing was wrong. “Give us no more visions of what is right.” They wanted to be told it is OK to go their own way and to carry out their own plans. They wanted to hear it is OK to look for fulfillment and to put their trust in things other than God. They did not want to hear of God’s coming judgment, pending upon their lifestyle choices. What they did not realize is that their sin was like a wall around them that would eventually collapse in an instant.

Isaiah pleaded with the Israelites to turn around and come back to God, but their pride would not let them. Instead, they rejected God’s message of hope and restoration and relied upon the deception that their sin was OK. Yet as stubborn and disobedient as the Israelites were, God longed to be gracious to them and to show them compassion. All He wanted was for them to come with a repentant heart and ask for help. How swiftly He would come to answer their cries and restore their lives.

LIVE: THE LORD LONGS TO BE GRACIOUS TO YOU

1. Identify a time in your life when you may have been involved in a sinful lifestyle. Describe how you felt about your life during that time.

2. The information above presents two different lifestyles: one of sinful disobedience and one of humility and repentance. Distinguish the differences between them.

3. God pleaded with the Israelites to cease their sinful lifestyle and turn to Him. Verbally paint a picture of a life that has been realigned to God’s desires.

4. None of us live a life completely free from sin. What will it take for you to realign your life according to God’s desires? How will this impact your life and the lives of your family members?

5. Write a prayer asking God to help you turn away from your sin and to come to Him with a humble, repentant heart.

May 14, 2007

LOOK: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:3-5

LEARN: The one thing I love most about the apostle Paul is his ability to see the big picture. Paul never seemed to get caught up in his present day circumstances, rather, he was able to view everything from an eternal perspective. He endured much hardship, much persecution, and much suffering. Yet, he never seemed to complain that life was unfair. You never heard Paul proclaiming, ‘I don’t deserve this. I’m entitled to a better life.” Paul focused on Jesus, the Gospel, and declared Christ in all things. He knew the power of the cross and that is all that mattered to him. At all cost, Paul was a ‘hanger in there.’ He knew the power of perseverance and his character showed it.

LIVE: GOD IS MORE INTERESTED IN OUR CHARACTER THAN OUR COMFORT
I’m gravely concerned that Christians today don’t realize the value of hardship and suffering. In today’s modern Western culture, we are a bunch of pampered, spoiled brats. We’ll do anything to avoid anything that will make us uncomfortable. After all, isn’t life all about what makes us happy? Aren’t we entitled to that? In light of this mindset perseverance, hanging in there and, finishing the race at all costs are not even considered options as we face life. We bail as soon as the situation becomes work and no longer gives us immediate pleasure. We never even give God a chance to work on our behalf. We take over, take control and run away as fast and as hard as we can run. What we have as a result of such self-centeredness is a generation of broken and bleeding hearts.

God is all about building and developing our character, rather than providing for our comfort. His purpose is to make us into a people that reflect His glory. He tells us time and again that His power is made perfect in our weakness. He tells us that in the midst of our suffering He is with us, refining our faith, making us mature and, developing our character. Let’s agree to allow God to do His perfect work in us.

Hang in there, my friends. I know life is hard at times. Persevere. It’s not so much about changing our circumstances, but more about asking God and allowing Him to change our hearts.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, give me a heart that is worthy of your love. Give me a heart that always seeks you. Help me to allow You to do your perfect work in me in the midst of my suffering. My hope is that You will develop in me a godly character, making me mature and complete, lacking nothing. In Jesus Name, Amen.

January 29, 2007

LOOK: “I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8

LEARN: David’s prayers were often filled with praises to God for His presence in David’s life. In Psalm 16, David expresses a deep trust in God, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that God was with Him. It was as if God was standing right next to David, at the end of his right hand, filling David with so much joy, he could hardly contain it. But what strikes me as the most important verse in the Psalm is the very last line. David proclaims that the ultimate joy of being in the presence of God is the eternal pleasures that are in store for him. David was able to look at his present situation, see God standing right next to him, and rest in the peace that He is in control. Whatever the outcome of the situation, nothing could rob David of joy and life, even death. David refused to be shaken by the current danger that existed in his life.

LIVE: GOD’S PRESENCE BRINGS US PEACE
What would happen in your life if you would imagine God standing at the end of your right hand? What difference would it make in how you live your life? Would you make different choices? Would you change your behavior? Would you be less anxious or less worried about everyday life if every time you looked up, you saw God standing next to you? This exactly what David is saying in Psalm16. God is standing at the end of David’s right hand, bringing David immense peace. When we choose to look up and see God standing next to us, He too, brings us peace. We can stand firm and not be shaken by the current events of the day, because God is with us. No matter what our circumstances, our lives can reflect His presence by the peace that enters our hearts and minds. Ladies, are you looking? Do you see Him? He is standing at the end of your right hand.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that you are with me. Your word tells me that you are standing at the end of my right hand. Help me to see you there today. In my worries and anxiousness, may the reality of Your presence bring me the peace I so desperately crave. With You at my side, I will not be shaken. In Jesus Name, Amen.

January 18, 2007

LOOK: “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-7

LEARN: I want you to close your eyes and really imagine this scenario. I think we are so familiar with this story, it has completely lost any impact. Imagine you are a fifteen year-old young girl who is engaged to be married. Suddenly, an angel appears and tells you that God has chosen you to carry and deliver His son, the promised Messiah to the people of Israel! Loving God and longing to be obedient to Him, you immediately feel honored to be chosen for such a task. But you feel so ordinary, so plain and so poor, you can hardly believe that God would choose you. Could this really be God’s plan?

Joseph was equally shocked, but he too, wanted to be obedient to God. Soon Mary and Joseph were married and settled into married life, agreeing to remain sexually pure until the birth of God’s son. People would talk and begin to wonder, could this really be God’s plan?

Eight months into Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph is told Herod is taking a census which required them to go to their hometown to register. Our modern day minds tend to think, “No problem, just hop in the car and go.” But for Mary and Joseph, this meant a week’s journey to Bethlehem with Joseph walking and Mary riding on top of a donkey. Could this really be God’s plan?

LIVE: DIFFICULTIES CAN BE DECEIVING
Weary from the long journey, all Mary can think of is a nice, warm bed at the inn in Bethlehem. She knew her son would be coming soon. But all of the rooms were already taken by all of the travelers traveling to various places to be registered. Kindly, the innkeeper offered them a stall in the barn, giving them some blankets to keep them warm.

Could this really be God’s plan? Soon after getting settled, the time had come. Jesus, the Messiah, was about to be born in a lowly, quiet stable with no one around except Mary and Joseph. They sensed God’s presence like never before, as they trusted Him with the birth of this child. A deep peace feel upon them as they cradled their son in their arms and watched him sleep. Yes, all along this was clearly God’s plan. Have you ever experienced a difficulty that made you question God’s plan for your life? Do you think that God’s plan will always be easy? If so, my friend, you better think again. More often then not, God’s plan for our lives involves hardship and difficulty. I wonder how many of us have completely missed being in the center of His will because we were too eager to avoid the hardship? Had Mary and Joseph wanted to take the easy way out, they never would have experienced such a blessing. What about you? Are you willing to trust God and His plan, even when it may not seem perfect to you?

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that things don’t always turn out the way I think they will. I can still be in the center of your will and experience hard times. Hard times don’t mean that I am out of your will. Help me to trust you during the hard times, knowing for certain that you are doing something great and mighty, even though I may not understand exactly what it is at the time. In Jesus Name, Amen.

January 11, 2007

LOOK: “The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.” Psalm 145:13

LEARN: God’s first recorded promise was to Noah. Noah and his family were the only human beings on the earth who were protected from the death and destruction that came to so many caused by a mighty flood. In Genesis 9 we read that God promised Noah that the earth and it’s inhabitants, both human and animal, would never again be destroyed by water. To show Noah His promise was true, God sent a rainbow to serve as a reminder of this promise. At the time of this writing, this promise has held true.

The entire Bible, both the Old and the New Testatments, is the story of how God fulfilled and is currently fulfilling His promise to Abraham. One of the greatest promises ever given is recorded in Genesis 12:2-3 when God promised Abraham that from him there would come a great nation with many people who would inherit many, wonderful blessings. At the time this was spoken, Abraham was an old man who had not even a child of his own, yet history proves this promise was fulfilled.

LIVE: GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES
We are all familiar with the word “promise” and what it means. We all have made promises to others from time to time. And from time to time, others have made promised to us. Have you kept your promises? Have important promises been kept for you? What exactly is a promise and what is the importance to us that they are kept?

To promise means to assure somebody that something will certainly happen or be done. It means to cause somebody to expect something. When someone promises us something, we expect it to happen. To be given a promise is like being given a check from a healthy bank account. We know for sure the money is ours; we just don’t have it yet in our hands.

God gives us many promises in Scripture, all of which we can be certain will happen or be done. In addition to the verse above, Hebrews 10:23 tells us “He who promised is faithful.” As we read God’s promises, we can expect these promises to come to pass. Biblical history has proven that God’s promises are as sure as the rising and setting of the sun.

Describe a current situation that is giving you an opportunity to act upon God’s promises. In what way will acting on God’s promises add to your spiritual growth?

Use the prayer below to ask God to give you more faith so that you can be certain of His promises to you.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that you are indeed a promise keeping God. There is nothing you have promised that has not been fulfilled. Please give me more faith to act upon your promises so that I can be the person whom You created me to be. In Jesus Name, Amen.

July 26, 2006

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer!

LOOK: “The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:8

LEARN: In this section of Chapter 3, Paul addresses the different types of service that God has appointed each person who works for His kingdom. Although all have a common goal and are unified by one purpose, each has a different part to play in reaching that goal. No one person is more important than another. Every one’s work is required and necessary in the process of leading others to Christ. Ultimately, it is God who does the work. It is God who changes hearts and lives, not His workers. We are just His messengers, the instruments through which He accomplishes His work. Paul tells the Corinthians in this verse that what really matters to God is not what part they play in this process, but how they play the part to which God has called them. Are they faithful? Do they work hard? They will be rewarded according for how they work, not for what they did.

LIVE: IT’S NOT WHAT YOU DO, BUT HOW YOU DO IT THAT COUNTS!
A friend of mine was telling me about her new job. Although she did not realize it at the time she was hired, it has turned out to be a telemarketing position. However, it is for a Christian company that offers a service that can potentially change lives for those who participate. She loves the people with whom she works, the hours are perfect and the pay is more than what most telemarketers receive. After looking for employment for some time, this position just sort of fell into her lap.

Although not real crazy about being on the phone for five to six hours a day encouraging past participants to re-enter the program, she looks at each phone call as an opportunity for God to change someone’s life. She prays before each call that God would work according to His perfect plan for the person she is calling. If the person responds favorably, she knows that God has done the work, not her. The Apostle Paul tells us that she will be rewarded for such diligent and faithful service.

What about you? Are you being faithful to that which God has called you? Are you a stay at home mom making one PB&J sandwich after another? Do you work for a company who gives all the glory for your hard work to someone else? Do you feel as though your work is boring and mundane? A simple prayer can turn even the most seeming ridiculous job into something sublime. For that, Paul says, you will be richly rewarded.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be faithful to that which you have called me, no matter how seeming dull or boring that might be. I know that when you are in it, even the most mundane can turn into something magnificent. Show me your magnificence in my work. In Jesus Name, Amen.

June 19, 2006

LOOK: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

LEARN: I love reading about God’s divine appointments in Scripture. A divine appointment is when people are doing everyday, ordinary things, but something extraordinary happens as a result of it. Most people are completely unaware of what is happening at the time, but realize later that God was involved and is clearly in control of every detail. A few of my favorite Scriptural divine appointments are Moses being put into a basket and let go into the Nile river, only to be picked up by the Pharaoh’s daughter and nursed by his own mother. And I love how Ruth innocently finds herself gleaning in the field of Boaz, a distant relative who later becomes her husband. And for the ultimate divine appointment, there is the Samaritan woman who finds herself talking with Jesus on an ordinary outing to get water. Have you ever experienced a divine appointment?

LIVE: DON’T YA LOVE THOSE DIVINE APPOINTMENTS!
On the way home from a recent visit to my son and daughter-in-law in Nashville, I was looking for a place to stop and eat lunch. My travel companion that day was my little six-pound pooch, Ari. It was much too hot to keep her in the car while I ate, so I looked for a restaurant that had an outdoor seating area. After passing by several good possibilities, I finally settled on one that I thought would work for us. I took her carrier out of the car, placed it on my lap and off I went into the restaurant for a quick bite to eat. Oops! This one was very crowded. I couldn’t stay here, so I went to the restaurant next to it.

Shortly after I began to eat my lunch, a mom about my age and her adult son sat down close to me. As I prepared to leave, they noticed the juggling it took to get Ari’s carrier back on my lap with a bottle of soda in one hand and a bottle of water in the other, so they offered to assist me back to the car. We started talking. Soon we discovered we were all Christians in full time ministry. Her son was moving this week to be the youth pastor at a church in Boulder, CO. My son, Toby has just started playing the keyboard in a Christian rock band which ministers to younger generations. After feeling prompted by the Holy Spirit, I gave the youth pastor one of Toby’s band’s CD’s. How cool is that?

Isn’t God good to give us these moments when we are so sure of His presence and providential guidance in our lives? Please e-mail and tell me about one of your divine appointments. I’d love to hear about it!

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that You are in control of every detail of our lives. Nothing happens by accident or by happenstance. It’s in the ordinary routine of our daily lives where You reveal yourself the most. Help us not to miss it! In Jesus Name, Amen.

June 5, 2006

LOOK: “I will walk about in freedom for I have sought out your precepts.” Psalm 119:45

LEARN: Psalm 119 is one of my favorite psalms – all 176 verses! Oh, to have such a love for God’s Word and His teaching as this psalmist does. The psalmist sets God’s Word high above all else, acknowledging its purpose to direct our lives, as well as to give us understanding to God’s ways. Here he speaks of the freedom we have when we walk according to God’s laws. I guess some would consider this an oxymoron. How can we have freedom and laws at the same time?

LIVE: A LESSON FROM ARI
As I looked out into my back yard, I noticed Ari, our little six-pound Westie/Yorkie/Maltase gazing intently into the woods on the other side of the fence. It looked like she wanted to be on the other side of that fence so bad. Much too small to jump over, our little six-pounder is restricted to our back yard. But within the fence is a very big yard, with a lot of space and lots of fun doggie places to visit. What Ari does not know, is that there is danger on the other side of the fence. We’ve seen wild animals that would gobble her up in a minute. What she perceives as confinement is our way of protecting her.

God’s laws are the same for us. They are not to confine us, but rather to protect us. Just as danger to Ari lurks in the deep, dark woods on the other side of the fence, so do dangers lurk for us outside of God’s laws. Within His laws, we have perfect freedom. We are safe, secure and can have perfect peace. He promises to be watching over us. Outside of his boundaries, however, we come out from under his protection and make ourselves vulnerable to all kinds of dangers. He no longer is responsible for what happens to us. If run into trouble, more than likely, we have brought it on ourselves.

Ladies, Ari wants you to know that freedom has boundaries. True freedom lies within the framework of God’s laws. Just as the psalmist declares, they are good, they are great and they are worthy to be followed.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that you have given us your laws and commandments because You love us. You want to protect us and to guide us as we walk on this earth. Please help me to obey your precepts and to live by your decrees. In Jesus Name, Amen.

May 29, 2006

LOOK: “So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor….but the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly.” Exodus 1:11,12.

“I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.” Psalm 57:2

LEARN: As the book of Exodus begins, the Israelites are being held under extreme conditions. The Pharaoh of Egypt is holding them captive against their will. Oppression is rampant on all levels: emotionally, spiritually and physically. The people are absolutely miserable. They want their freedom and to be able to worship God in their own way. For 400 years they had been held as slaves to the Egyptians. No longer able to stand the pain, the Israelites cry out to God. And as they cry out to God, their cries fall on loving and compassionate ears. Not wanting to watch them suffer a moment longer, God swoops in and scoops them up into His arms, delivering them from their captivity in one of the greatest events ever told in the Bible. That is the kind of God we serve. One who, when He hears us call out to Him, swoops into our lives and scoops us up!

LIVE: GOD SWOOPS AND SCOOPS!
As I read this portion of Scripture, I was reminded of a time when I too, was held in bondage. It was not a physical bondage, like the Israelites, but rather a spiritual bondage. I was held captive by my fear that I was not ever going to be good enough for God. I saw the people who were ministry. They were perfect, weren’t they? It sure seemed like it to me. I was paralyzed by insecurity and extremely frightened to take even one step in the direction God was leading me. Calling out to the Lord one day, I asked Him to show me that He really loved me. Did He love me in spite of my sin? I had to know before I could take another step.

The Lord heard my prayer. He swooped down and scooped me up into his loving arms. ‘Ronda,” He seemed to say, “I sent my son to die for you. That is how much I love you. Fulfilling my purpose for your life is not about you being perfect. Just give me your heart and let me take care of the rest.” That seemed like something I could do. So I gave God my heart and I continue to keep giving Him my heart. And as I do, he continues to swoop in and rescue me from my spiritual bondage. Are you presently in some kind of bondage? Have you called upon the Lord? Has He swooped in and scooped you up, delivering you from your misery? If He has, I’d love to know. Feel free to write and tell me.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thankfully you are a God who hears our prayers. Our cries for help fall not upon deaf ears, but rather on ears that are compassionate and loving. Upon our cry, you swoop into our lives and scoop us up out of our bondage. We are forever grateful. In Jesus Name, Amen.

April 17, 2006

LOOK: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.” Romans 15:7

LEARN: As Christians, we live in such a judgmental culture. For some reason, we have a very hard time accepting people who are different from us. Paul often admonishes believers to stop passing judgment on people. James tells us mercy triumphs over judgment and that anyone who judges without showing mercy will be judged accordingly. We are far too quick to form opinions about other people based on whether or not they fit into our perfect Christian box. If they aren’t exactly like us in beliefs, attitudes and actions, then something must be wrong with them. Those who are hurting and desperately seeking love and attention have long been given the message from Christians, “You’re just not quite good enough. When you clean up your life, then you can come into our church.” Our zero tolerance, judgment and condemnation makes them run as far and as fast as they can away from the one person who they need the most: God.

LIVE: MAKE IT A GOAL TO GIVE GRACE
When I first came to know Jesus, I was a mess! My perception of love was grossly distorted by my worldly way of thinking. I’m so glad that the church I first attended was filled with givers of grace and acceptance and not condemnation. Not once did I feel like I was not good enough to be in their church. They knew that God would eventually change me, but they left that part up to Him. They just held out their hands and welcomed me into their homes and into their lives. As their grace bid me to come, I soon discovered that God’s grace would become the foundation of my spiritual growth. God is for me, not against me. I never realized this truth until those people showed me this through the relationships we formed.

Do the seekers who come to your churches and small groups, PWOC meetings and Bible studies feel acceptance or judgment and condemnation? Are they receiving the message of God’s grace or the hopelessness of not living up to the law? Let’s begin to make giving grace and acceptance to everyone a lifelong goal.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to extend grace and acceptance to everyone around me, even if they do things that You might not like. I know that You still love them. Changing people is Your job. My job is simply to create a culture and climate for You to do yours. In Jesus Name, Amen.

April 11, 2006

Happy Easter everyone! May you all have a blessed weekend as we celebrate our Risen Savior on Sunday.

LOOK: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him –to all who call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

LEARN: Isn’t it good to know that our compassionate comforter and most trusted friend is always by our side? He never leaves or forsakes us, no matter how alone we might feel at the time. While waiting for a delayed flight out of Fairbanks, AK, I was feeling terribly alone and afraid of facing the long trip home by myself. Sitting there in the airport, I recalled the message given that morning by the Chaplain at the PWOC retreat just hours before. When faced with difficult circumstances, God asks us, “Can you trust me?” “Yes Lord, I trust you,” I mumbled under my breath. I trust You with this cancelled flight. I trust You with my fear. I trust You with this overwhelming feeling of emptiness. Just minutes before, I said goodbye to my sweet Alaskan PWOC sisters. In the past 36 hours, God knitted our hearts together as we shared many tender moments with our Savior. But now, I was 3800 miles from home and from seeing another familiar face.

LIVE: ARE YOU TRUSTING GOD?
Just after I murmured my resolve to trust Him, a woman walked up to me and asked if I was the author of the Bible study, Wives of the Warriors. When I told her I was, she smiled. “I really wanted to go to the retreat this weekend, but we’re going to my mom’s for the week and I just could not make it. But I’ve loved your study. How did the retreat go?” she asked. We sat and talked until it was time to board the plane. Turns out she was going to Seattle too and we were both on the same planes. You’ll never know what a comfort that was to me. Suddenly my feeling of loneliness vanished. I knew God was with me at that very moment and that He would continue to be with me throughout the entire trip home. Oh, how faithful He is. Before we utter a cry, He has heard our prayer. Our prayers fall not on deaf ears, but on a loving father who delights in showing us how much he loves us. Ladies, whatever you are going through right now, are you trusting God with it?

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to trust you with what I’m facing today. I know you are with me, because you promise to be. But would you please show me in real life that You are near? Please Lord, I need to know this. In Jesus Name, Amen.

March 27, 2006

LOOK: “”You will surely not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4

LEARN: When the serpent approached Eve, I wonder if he was thinking something like this…How can I get Eve to take a bite of the forbidden fruit? Eve is the one I must not let become all she was created to be. She is beautiful, loving, and nurturing. She is Adam’s powerful helper. Unless I do something to stop her, how am I going to win the battle for people’s souls? If I can persuade her to take a bite, my plan to influence the rest of the world will succeed. How can I tempt her to take a bite of this apple?

I know. I’ll tell her God is holding something back from her. I’ll try to make her think that she really does not have to listen to God, and not only that, I’ll tell her that God’s command about not eating this fruit is really silly. I’ll tell her if she eats the fruit, she will be like God and know everything. If I make this apple look really pretty and shine it up real good, I bet she’ll take a bite. And when she does, I’ll know that I really do have the power to influence people’s minds. I will actually be able to hold people captive and enslaved to sin.

So what did Eve do? She listened to him and fell directly into his trap. Having forfeited her confidence in God, she believed that to have the life she wanted, she must take matters into her own hands. (Captivating, pg. 48)

LIVE: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!
Wake up, Ladies! We are at war. And I don’t mean the war in Iraq. I’m not talking about our battle against flesh and blood, I’m talking about our invisible battle against the rulers, against the authorities, and the powers of darkness who reside in the heavenly realms. A cosmic battle is being played out everyday behind the curtain of life and guess who the fight is over? US! The fight is for our minds! Satan’s main strategy in his attempt to keep us enslaved to sin is to influence our minds. He wants to control the way we think. Because he knows that if he can influence our minds, there is a good chance our actions will soon follow suit. We become alienated from God. God becomes an enemy in our minds. (Col.1:21) Does this leave us completely helpless against his slimy schemes?

Absolutely not! Although Satan tries very hard to influence us, he cannot make us do anything. We are responsible for our own actions. For those of us in Christ, we have already been equipped for victory. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age while we await the blessed hope.” (Titus 2:12,13) Ladies, the devil may continue to try to influence the way you think, but take heart. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be wise to the devils schemes. I know that he is afraid of what and who I am in You. As he continues to try to keep me enslaved to sin, help me to recognize this and say no. In Jesus Name, Amen.

March 20, 2006

LOOK: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” Luke 9:24

LEARN: From the footnotes I read in my Bible, no other saying of Jesus is given such emphasis as this statement. It’s quoted in all four Gospels and in two Gospels more than once. I guess this means the concept of saving our lives by losing them and losing our lives by saving them it pretty important. But what exactly does this mean and how do we do it?
My favorite Biblical illustration of one who truly saved her life by losing it is Ruth. With complete abandon, Ruth left her home, her country and her country’s god’s to follow Naomi and her God. Ruth left the familiar to live by faith. There was absolutely no promise for a better future as she went back to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law. Yet, as it turns out, God saw her faithfulness and providentially provided a husband for Ruth and a grandson for Naomi. They were both restored and given back much more than what they left behind. By surrendering her life, Ruth saved not only her own, but her mother-in-law’s as well.

LIVE: TOO SCARED TO SURRENDER? DON’T BE.
Surrender. Now there’s word we don’t even like to hear, yet alone think about doing. To surrender means we’ve given up. It means we’ve lost and someone else has won. In our western American culture, it means we have suffered a humiliating defeat in a grueling struggle. But the one thing