20/20/20 Challenge Day #9

Today's Reading
Genesis 24
Luke 9:37-62

Genesis 24:12

O Lord, God of my master, Abraham," he prayed. "Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master Abraham."

Observation

The prayers of the ancients seemed to carry some key components.  They were audaciously big, driven in faith by a promise, yet they always gave room for the sovereign will of God.

These men and women seemed to know what they needed.  They didn't, however, assume they knew what was best as far as the path and timing of the answer, so they trusted in God by letting him lead and guide the way.

Application

If my prayers lack any of these components, they'll become anemic and faithless.

If they are only audacious, they can easily become about me and my success.  If they are only prayed in God's sovereign will, they give an attitude of resignation that says, "do what you will, I'm only here for the ride," making us spiritually lazy.

They key then, is to pray audacious prayers that are covered by the sovereign will of God and sought after because of the promise that He has laid out before me.  This is the kind of prayer and attitude that God wants me to walk in.

Prayer

Father God, challenge my heart to believe and pray for bigger things.  Let my heart be submissive to your will and let the promise that you have set before me drive me to my knees to believe you for the best.  In Jesus name!

20/20/20 Challenge Day #8

Today's Reading
Genesis 21:1-7
Genesis 21:22
Luke 8:16-25

Luke 8:5

A farmer went out to plant his seed.  As he scattered it across his field..."

Luke 8:15

...and patiently produce a huge harvest.

Observation

The personal pronouns jump out at me in this passage, "his seed," and "his field."  The farmer's job was to use what God had given him to plant in the field in which God had provided.  He didn't plant other's seed and he didn't use others fields.  He was faithful where he was placed and with what he was given.

Application

Like the farmer, we are called to plant the seeds God has given us in the fields that he has provided us.  Some fields are bigger than others as well as the supply of seed.  The important thing is to remain faithful.

It's foolish and unwise to compare ourselves to what others are doing and have.  Our attitude must always remain faithful in the place he's planted us and be happy and celebrate how he's growing the efforts of others around us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for planting me in Tampa.  For blessing me with seed to sow for your kingdom.  Help me to be faithful in what you have given me, and give me the wisdom to see it grow exponentially for your kingdom.

20/20/20 Challenge Day #7

Today's Reading
Genesis 19:15-16
Psalm 3
Luke 7:1-35

Psalm 3:7

Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God!

Slap all my enemies in the face!

Shatter the teeth of the wicked!

Victory comes from you, O Lord.

May you bless your people.

Observaiton

David's enemies were physical people.  They were rulers and despots who had lined him up in their cross hairs and were physically trying to steal his kingdom out from under him.

Our enemies are not physical (Eph 6:2), but rather they are enemies that are out to destroy our soul, the kingdom of heaven in us.  Psalm 18:16-19 says they are powerful, too strong to subdue and they attack us at our weakest points of distress.  They mask themselves as helpers and as allies, but when invited in the y peel back their masks, attack us and leave us for dead.

However, they are no match for Jesus.  When our faith is in him, he supports us and provides a way of safety and rescue (1 Cor 10:13).

Application

The key is for us to know who our enemies are.  What are the things that tempt you most, that come at you in your times of distress.  We must, with the power of the Holy Spirit know and recognize them and know what triggers them as well.  Once the Holy Spirit reveals them, we must then allow the Holy Spirit to support us, lead us to the place of safety and rescue us.  This is his work, what he has been sent to us to do.  He effectively leads us by knowing the triggers and teaches us to walk away from them and to seek help for them when they show themselves.

Prayer

Jesus ,by your Holy Spirit living in me, reveal to me my enemies.  Let me recognize and know the very things that have the power to entice me and mask itself as hopeful things, yet in reality can only destroy.  Reveal the triggers, the situation, thoughts and place where these masked enemies lurk and lead me away from these things.  

20/20/20 Challenge Day #6

Today's Reading...
Genesis 15
Luke 6:22-49

Luke 6:45
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.  What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Observation

The heart is a huge reservoir of all the things that ever happened to a person.  What we allow into that reservoir will have a huge impact on the quality of the water that flows out into the valleys of our own lives, which will have a huge impact on how the crops of our lives grow.  

If we allow negativity, bitterness, pride and such in, it will turn our waters brackish and the fruit of our lives will be less than desirable.  If we allow grace, mercy and forgiveness in then it will sweeten our water and bring life to all it touches.

Application

Am I guarding my heart against all bitterness, pride and unforgiveness?  Am I walking through life with huge amounts of grace, even when people don't treat me the same way?

Only the Holy Spirit can give me the strength and wisdom to turn the sinful things flowing in into streams of living water. 

Prayer

Jesus, guard my heart by the power of your Spirit.  Help me to turn what has the potential to harm me wand others into streams of living water through your grace.

20/20/20 Challenge Day #5

Today's Reading
Genesis 12
Luke 5:1-11

Genesis 12:1

Then God said the Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land I will show you."

Observation

The word "native" means, from which we were born.  It carries with it a familiarity and comfortability that requires little faith to survive.  When God called Abram from his "native" home, he called him from comfort to something far greater, however the path to get there was not an easy one.

Abram, for most of his life, had not sight of the end, however his trust in God kept him walking in the right direction.  He truly brings meaning to the verse in Hebrews, "We walk by faith and not by sight."

Application

I must constantly find direction and hope in Abram's story.  Too often I get discouraged because I can't see the end, the results and the fulfillment to the calling which God has set me apart.

Abram teaches me that faith is not about seeing the end, but about faithfulness in the journey.  It's the journey in which growth takes place, where the gospel truly takes route and it's the faithfulness in it, that eventually leads us to the results.

Prayer

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).  Jesus, may that not only be my prayer but also the path that I live out daily.

20/20/20 Challenge Day #4

Today's Reading:
Genesis 9
Luke 4:14-30

Luke 4:22

Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips."

Luke 4:28-29

"When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious, jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built.  They intended to push him over the cliff."

Observation

When I read the gospels, I'm amazed at how people mocked, laughed at and even tried to kill God; the creator of all - the one whom they were afraid to even speak his name.

The people loved him one minute (usually when he was "performing" the way they liked) and mocked him the next (usually when he said or did what they didn't like).

What humility this took on behalf of Jesus.  Paul writes of this in Philippians 2:1-11.  The almighty God of the universe, who requires righteousness and justice willingly humbling himself to the point of ridicule, so his grace could flow into all who would accept his message.

Application

Am I willing to accept both he gracious words as well as the harsh words of Jesus as both being the words that I need for life?  I can't just cling to those words that make me feel good, but even more so, I must cling to his words that cause my heart pain, not because he's a mean, out-to-get me God, but just the opposite.  The harsh words, those of correction, even though they hurt, are the words that I need the most.  The words that cut out the flesh so the spirit can grow.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for the love you show me. A love that drove you to humble yourself and save us.  May I never take your grace for granite.  May I cling not only to your affirming words, but also to your words of correction.

20/20/20 Challenge Day #3

Today's Reading
Genesis 6
Genesis 7:17-24
Luke 3:21-22

Genesis 7:5, 16, 17

"So Noah did everything the Lord commanded him...Then the Lord closed the door behind him...As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface."

Observation

For those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, life on this fallen planet doesn't become a bowl of cherries where problems don't exist, security abounds and physical prosperity always accompanies us.

Like Noah, the faithful are often thrown smack into the middle of the raging storms that come the way of everyone.  Yet, the story of Noah shows us that in the middle of such storms, Jesus provides a way of escape through him.  He seals our lives from danger and peril just as he shut the door behind Noah and he cases us to float safely above the drowning waters just like he caused the ark to float above the ancient waters of the deep.

Application

Having God's seal on my life, as a believer, guarantees me of the hand of the Lord to protect me from peril and storm.  As a believer, however, I recognize that man was truly created to live in a place much different from the world we live in.  Therefore my hope can never be in this world.  His seal doesn't guarantee my physical comfort and security here, but in a far greater place.

The story of Noah teaches us this.  Although he was sealed and protected he still had to weather the storm, he still suffered great loss and the only world he ever knew was now gone.  Yet in spite of all this, he didn't waiver in his trust in God because his trust was in another place that God was preparing.

God is now preparing a future place for us, one that he promises is far greater than this world.  Therefore, I must not waiver.  I must stay focused and remember to do all God has called me to do.  I can't live for the here and now.  I can't get hung up on pursuing peace, safety and comfort in this world.  I must be willing to get into the boat and weather the storm, for it's in that place that the hand of Jesus prepares me for the life to come.

Prayer

Jesus, may your hand guide me and lead me in whatever direction you set for me.  May my heart be tuned to listen, trusting you like Noah trusted you.  May my eyes never be on the things of this world, but always looking to your vision for the future so that my passions always remain focused on you.

20/20/20 Challenge Day #2

Today's Reading...
Genesis 3
Luke 2:1-21

Subtle Sin

Genesis 3:1

"The serpent was the shrewdest of all animals the Lord God has made.  One day he asked the woman, "did God really say you must not eat of the fruit of any of the trees of the garden?"

Observation

The craftiness of Satan is not his trying to get us to do a complete turn around and walk away from our faith in Jesus, but rather to get us to shift a few small degrees off the course Christ has for us.

At close range, a few degrees will only put you slightly off center, you you still may hit the bulls eye.  However, it's down the road that a few degrees at the beginning will take you far off course.

In 1 Timothy 4:16, Paul reminds us of the importance of keeping close watch on how we live and what we believe, because he knows the slightest shift can have devastating results.

Application

What areas in my own life are most vulnerable to Satan's subtle lies of deception?  Recognizing them is vital to keeping a course that doesn't veer off course.

This is the purpose of the power of the Holy Spirit living in me.  He is there to aid, guide and direct me through his word, showing my how to resist the devil so he will flee (James 4:7).  I don't have this power on my own and God knows this.  I'm just as weak as Adam and Eve.  I choose the bad fruit daily, if left on my own.

But the Bible tells me "I am more than a conquerer through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37).  Therefore, I must invite Jesus every day to lead, guide and flesh out the subtle lies that Satan tries to deceive me with and I must be obedient to follow his prodding.

Prayer

Jesus, may your spirit be so alive in my heart and may the solid truth of your word be consistently in my life.  May you guide me in all truth so that I won't fall prey to the lies of Satan and the world.

A Note:

Thanks to all who responded yesterday.  I look forward to reading your responses today.  Don't forget, to share the scriptures that God has laid on your heart through our Bible reading.

20/20/20 Challenge Day #1

Todays Reading Plan...
Genesis 1
Luke 1:26-38

Does My Life Reflect My Faith?

Luke 1:37-38

"For nothing is impossible with God."  Mary respond, "I am the Lord's servant.  May everything you have said about me come true."  And the angel left her.

Observation

The truth of the angel's words, "Nothing is impossible with God," is a truth that only the Holy Spirit can reveal to a person.  Mary's response, "I am the Lord's servant.  May everything you have said to me come true," is the only accurate response to such a Godly claim.

The understanding that God is truly holy, magnificent and able to accomplish anything demands that those who believe this be completely submitted and obedient to him.  There is no middle ground.  

This is why Jesus said to the church in Revelation 3:15-16, "I know the things you do, they are neither hot nor cold.  I wish that you were one or the other.  But since you are like lukewarm water...I will spit you out of my mouth."

Application

Knowing the things we ought to do and actually doing them can seem, at times, a million miles apart.  God has revealed to my heart his power, his might and his ability to do anything.  My heart, therefore, wants to surrender everything to him.  Yet I often find myself holding back.  Perhaps it's because of fear, selfishness or pride that simply doesn't want to let go.

This is why God sent his Holy Spirit to live and dwell in our lives.  It's only through his power that we can say "yes" to God and be completely obedient to him.

It's no coincidence that the Holy Spirit is mentioned through out my reading today.  In Genesis 1:2 he is present as well as in Luke 1:35.  His presence is there to help us and I must make room in my life for him by clearing out the other areas that he desires to occupy.

The more I do this, the more I'll be able to say, "I am your servant.  May everything you have said about me come true."

Prayer

Jesus, your Holy Spirit has revealed to my heart that you are God and nothing is impossible for you.  Please fill me with your Spirit more and more every day so I can live my life in a way that shows I believe what you say.  Help me Jesus to live by faith and not by sight.

20/20/20 Bible Plan

Starting this Sunday, Connection Church is starting a 6 week journey called the 20/20/20 Bible plan.

It's a plan designed to help us go deeper into the word of God and hear His voice through His word.

Here's what 20/20/20 stands for...

• 20 minutes every day reading from a Bible daily reading plan (for the next 6 weeks we'll read from the same passage included in your Sunday notes or you can download them here.
• 20 minutes every day journaling our thoughts and prayers through the S.O.A.P. Method.
• 20 minutes every day sharing our thoughts with others here on this blog.

Every day from now until the end of February I will post my 20/20/20 experience and invite each of you to post yours in the comment sections of this blog.

Are you up for it?  Are you ready for the Holy Spirit to begin speaking to you like never before?  Then take the challenge with us!

Memories can make all the difference.

I read a story recently in my devotion time that was so good I thought I would share it with all of you. It's a great example of how important it is to have "ebenezer stones"as points of memory to keep us on the right path in life. Here's the story...

I've said time and again that you can tell more about a person by looking at his canceled checks than you can by any other way. Where you place your treasure is an indicator of where your heart will be.

I read of a couple seeking a divorce after twenty years of marriage. The husband anticipated a large financial settlement because he had been quite successful.

As he was going through his financial records he discovered a file of old checks, including on to the hotel where he and his wife had spent the first night of their honeymoon. Another check was written to the physician who delivered their daughter. Still another was the down to the first house the couple purchased.

He became so emotional going through the paper trail of his marriage that he called his wife and said, "I've discovered that I have too much invested in you and you have too much invested in me for us to start all over again with someone else. I wonder if we couldn't get together tomorrow and plan how we'll spend the next twenty years."




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