this material is freely given for the use of texas ... day... · have you decided that you want god...

ThismaterialisfreelygivenfortheuseofTexasBaptistsChurchesandChristianchurcheswhowanttohelppeopledelvemoredeeplyintospiritualformationdisciplines.Youmayuseitinwholeorinpart,simplycreditDr.RyanJespersen,Director,UrbanMissionsTexasBaptistinitsuse.

Thesedailydevotionalsaremeanttobesimpleandbasic.Ourgoalisnotforyoutoreadtheverses,andthenquicklyanswerthequestions,butratherthatyouwoulddrinkdeeplyoftheWordofGod.Eachweekwillhaveadifferentthemerelatedtothedisciplinewearelearningaboutthatweek.Eachdaywewillhaveapassagethatweencourageyoutoreadoverseveraltimes.Answerthefewquestionswehaveaboutthepassage,andmeditateontheversefortheday.Thoughweunderstandthateveryonehasdifferentschedules,weencourageyou,ifpossible,todothisdevotionalsometimeinthemorning.Thisway,youcanreflectonitthroughouttheday.Itshouldnottakeyoulongtocompleteit,butweencourageyoutolingerwiththequestionsandespeciallywiththepassagethroughouteachday.ThesedevotionalsarenotmeanttoserveasyouronlydailytimeintheWord.WeencourageyoutocontinueinyourowndailyBiblereadings.Thankyoufortakingthetimetodelveintothisverypowerfultimeinlearningthegreatdisciplinesofthefaith.Rememberthisisonlythebeginningofalifetimeofpracticingthesewonderfuldisciplinesthatsoenrichus.

Week1

Fasting

Day1

ScriptureReadingforToday:

Matthew6:33

Thisweek’sdevotionalswillfocusonfasting.Wearenotjusttalkingaboutfastingfromfood,butalsofromsomethingelsethatdistractsyou.Thingswefastfromarenotthingsthatarewrong.ThethingsthatareagainstGodandHisWordarethosethingsfromwhichweshouldpermanentlyabstain.Thingswefastfromarethingsthatweneedtoputintoperspective.Theunderstandingmustbereachedthatthesethings,asimportantastheymaybe,arenotthemainthingsinourlives.ThemainthinginlifeistherelationshipwehavewithGodtheFather.Fastinggivesustheabilitytogetthatperspectiveback.Wetakesomethingsuchastelevision,theinternet,orfastfood,andwegiveitupforaperiodoftime.Werealizealongthewayhowimportantitreallywastous,andthenaswegetalongwithoutitforawhile,,wethenbegintorealizehowunimportantitreallyisinourlives.RichardFosterdescribesafastthatCatherineMarshallhadfrombeingcriticalofpeople,andsays,“Inthisselectiononfastingfromcriticalness,noticehowvividshemakestherelationshipwithGod.ItseemsclearthatsheandtheLordhavealivelydialoguegoing,onethatofteninvolvessomeresistanceonherpart,aresistancethatremindsusoftherelationshipAbrahamandMoseshadwiththeAlmighty.”Thisweek,weinviteyoutofast,togiveupsomethingthatyoudoonadailybasis.Perhapsitiswatchingtelevision,unnecessary,non-workrelatedtimeontheinternet,Facebook,orsomeotherthingthattakesupyourtime.Decidethisweektogiveitup,andtofillthetimeyouwouldnormallyspendwithitinprayerandBiblereading.Wewouldchallengeyoutotakeeitherwhatyouhavegivenupfortheweek,oratleastpartofit,anddoitfortheentiretimewedothisBiblestudytogether.YouwillseethatGodwillblessthattime,andtheproblemsofyourlifewillbeputinabetterperspective.

Day2


Matthew8:18-22

Todaywetakeafewminutestoreadandmeditateononeofthemostpowerful,andyetshockingpassagesinallofthescripture.JesusisraisingthebarforthosewhowouldfollowafterHim.Inourworld,itseemsthatmanychurchgoerswanttofollowJesussimplyforthebenefitsthatitbringssuchaspeaceandstrongpersonalrelationships.YetwhenitcomestofollowingafterChristwehavetorealizethatwereallymustbewillingtogiveupeverything.Currentlyyouareintheverybeginningstageofwhatyouhavedecidedtogiveupforthistimeperiod.Thinkabouthowharditistonothaveyour‘go-tohabit’today.Foryou,thisisthebeginningofdevelopingthatwillingnessanddesiretogiveupwhatyouhavebeendoing.Thisisthestart.WhatyouwilldiscoverinthistimeperiodisthatJesusisgenuinelybetterthananythingyoumaybeaskedtogiveup.

QuestionsforReflection

1. Howhardhasitbeenforyoutogiveupwhatyouaresousedtodoing?

2. WhatlessonsdoyouthinkyouwilllearnbytrulylayingdownyourdesiresandfollowingafterJesus?

3. Whatareyoudoinginplaceofyour‘go-tohabit’?Howdoyouthinktheadditionaltimeofscripturereadingandprayerwillaffectyou?

Day3

AnEvaluation


Matthew4:1-4

KeepinmindthatwhenJesuswasonearth,hestillhadthepowertodowhateverhewantedtodo.Jesuswasnotlimitedbeyondwhathechoseashislimitations.ButherewehaveatemptationthatcomesupontheSavior.TheuseofhispowertogetsomethingforhimmusthavebeentemptingforJesus.ButJesusunderstoodthattherewassomethingbetterthanthebreadthatheeasilycouldhavemadeandthathisrelationshipwiththeFatherwasmoreimportantthanthebreadthathemighthaveeaten.HaveyoumadethedecisionthatyourrelationshipwithGodismoreimportantthananythingelseinyourlife?HaveyoudecidedthatyouwantGodmorethanyouwantanythingelse?Inthispassage,Jesusisnotgivingupbreadforever;whatHeisdoingisputtingbreadinitspropersecondarypositiontotheFather.Rememberasyougiveupsomethingyouarenotgivingitupforever;youareputtingitinitspropersecondarypositiontoyourrelationshipwiththeFather.


Takeafewminutesandreflectonthetimeyouspendeachdayonthefollowingactivities.

1. Leisurereading

2. Leisureinternetuse

3. WatchingTV

4. ReadingYourBible

5. Playingvideogames

6. Praying

Putthenumberofminutesyouthinkyouspendeachdaydoingtheseactivitiesnexttotheactivity.Then,puttheminorderwiththeactivitieswiththemostminutesontopandthengoingdownfromthere.Ifwearesimplylookingattimespent,whatisthemostimportantthingforyou?

Sunday,October7


Psalm51:1-10

Day4

“Adayforforgiveness,renewal,andplanningforthedaysahead”

Ifyouarelikeme,thenyesterdaymayhavenotbeenaneasydayforyou.Wetookagenuinelookatwhatwespendourtimedoingandbydoingthis,youmayberealizingperhapsthatlifeforyouiswayoutofbalance.Iwantyoutodaytorealizethatyourlifeisnotdoomedtofailure,andthatitdoesnothavetoremainthisway.Theveryfactthatyouhavetakenupthisstudyshowsthatyoucareandyouwanttoseeyourlifechange.Asyoureadthescripturefortoday,howdoyouneedtorespondtowhatGodmaybetellingyou?Whathaveyouleftoutofyourlifethatyouneedtobeginputtingbackin?


TodaywewanttoreflectonthegoodnessthatwefindintheforgivenessthatGodoffersus.Itistheonlywaywecandetermineawayforwardafterallthatwehaveneglectedinourlives.

1. Whatchangeshaveyoumadeinthesefirstfewdays,thatperhapsyoushouldcontinueafterthis6weekperiodisover?

2. WhenyouaskGodtorenewarightspiritwithinyou,whatdoesthatmeanforyou?HowdoyoufeelGodisputtingtherightspiritwithinyou?

TaketimetoreadPsalm51severaltimes.ThentakesometimetojournalthroughwhatGodisteachingyouthroughthisparticularpassage.

Day5

ScriptureReadingfortheDay:

Matthew6:16-18

“TheSecrecyofFasting”

Earlierinthisnotebook,youreadsomeinstructionsonhowtodoaphysicalfast.OurdevotionaltodayisreflectingontheBiblicalinstructionsoffastingwhich,ofcourse,ismoreimportantthananypracticalinstructionseverwillbe.Jesus’maininstructiononfastingwas,don’tbragaboutit’.JesusknewthathisdiscipleswouldfastafterHewasgone.Infact,hesaysthatinLuke5:33-35.However,thewayhewantedhisdisciplestofastwouldalwaysbeaprivatething.Rightnow,asachurch,wearetakingtimetofast.YoumaywanttotalkaboutthatinyoursmallgroupandinfactIwouldencourageyoutodoso.However,whatyoudonotwanttodoisbragaboutyourtimeoffasting.JesuswasveryclearthatfastingwassomethingthatwastobedonebetweenyouandGod.Youshouldnothaveaspiritualarrogancebecauseofwhatyouaredoing.


Todaytakeafewminutestoanswerthisquestion.HowhavethesefewdaysoffastingbeenhelpfultoyouinyourChristianwalk?

Day6


Nehemiah1

“Bigdecisionsandbigmomentscallforafast”

Nehemiahwasamanwhohadagreatcrisisinfrontofhim.Hewasdealingwithbigmomentsandbigdecisions,andbecauseofthat,Nehemiahknewthatheneededtofast.Inmomentsofcrisis,itisgoodthatyoutaketimetoreallyconsiderwhatishappeningandprepareyourselfforwhatishappeningnext.Theauthor’sexperienceisthatgreatclaritycomesthroughfasting,particularlywhenfastingfromsomethingsuchastelevision,unnecessaryinternet,etc.Itbringssituationsyouaredealingwithintobetterclarity.


TodayIwantyoutotakesometimetojournaloverasituationyoumaybedealingwith.DoyouneedtospendsometimefastingfromTV,orunnecessaryinternet,orevenfood,sothatyoucanhavebetterclarityaboutthesituationathand?

Alsoconsiderthisasyoujournal.NowthatyouareonDay5ofyourfasting,whatsituationshavebeenbroughtintoclarityforyousinceyouhavebeenfasting?

Day7


Esther4

“Fastingintimesofcrisis”

Asyoureadthis,youneedtounderstandthecontext.TherehasjustbeenacommandgivenbytheKingthatallJewswillbekilled.EstherisofJewishdescent,thusthiswillaffectherandherfamily.

Todaywediscoverthatattimesofgreattrialandtimeswhencrisesseemstoruletheday,fastingisimportant.FastingisanimportantwaythatweareabletoseekaftertheLord,andwhenwedoitaccompaniedwithprayer,Godrespondstoourhearts.Inourchurchattheveryendof2008,thingswerenotlookinggoodinregardtoourfuture.Thechurchenteredintoatimeoffastingandprayer,andsincethattimethechurchhassteadilyclimbedinregardtospirit,numbersofpeople,baptisms,etc.IfwecontinuetoreadinthebookofEsther,weknowthatGodusesEsthertosaveherpeoplefromdeath.Allofthisbeganwithfasting.


Todaytaketimetoreadandanswerthisquestion.

Whatcrisisinyourlife,eitherpresentorpast,couldhavebeenhelpedbyfasting?Howwouldfastingeitherfromfood,tv,media,orsomethingelse,putthingsinperspectiveforyouinthissituation?

Week2-Scripture

Day8

SpiritualReading

“UnderstandingWhatSpiritualReadingIs”

Today,wearegoingtolearnamethodofcombiningprayerandBiblestudy.Weneedtokeepinmindthatthesetwothingsgotogether,handinhand.ThewordthathasbeenusedforcenturiesforthismethodisLectioDivina,aLatinwordthatmeans“spiritualreading.”Today,IhavelaidoutforyouwhatiscalledtheS.O.A.Pmethod.ThiswasdevelopedbytheSanAntonioBaptistAssociationandbringsagreatdealofsimplicitytotheprocess.

Today,takeJames,chapter1,andapplythismethodtoit.JournalyourthoughtsandseewhatGodteachesyouthroughit.

PrayerfulReadingcanbeaccomplishedbyusingtheS.O.A.P.Method.

SCRIPTURE--SelectapassageofScripturefromyourdailyreading.

OBSERVE--Observeinthetextawordorphrasethatsticksout,glimmers,orthatyounoticequickly.

APPLY--Readthatwordorphraseseveraltimes,thinkingaboutitsmeaningtoyou.Askyourself,“HowcanIuseitinmylife?”“IfIdidwhatitissaying,whatwouldbedifferentinmylife?”“WhatshouldIchange?”“WhatshouldIbegladaboutandrejoiceabout?”

PRAY--Praywhatyouhavediscovered,learned,observedorappliedtoyourlifebacktoGod.ExpressyourgratitudetoHim.BehonestbecauseHecanhandleyouremotionsandfeelings.

Youmightfindithelpfultoread,reflect,respondandjournalyourthoughtseachday.ItwillbeeasierforyoutorecallwhatGodsaid,orwhatyoulearnedduringtheweek,ifyouhaveitwrittendown.

Day9


Deuteronomy17:14-20

Perhapstoday,youknowthatyouarealeaderandyouhaveledmenandwomenwhohavebeenputunderyourcare.Perhapstodayyoufeelthatyouarenotaleader.Eitherway,mayIsaytoyouthatinsomewayyoudohaveinfluenceoverpeople,whetheritbeyourchildren,yourneighbors,orsomeotherpersoninyourlife.Thereforeinsomeway,youarealeader.

Today’spassageisspeakingtoasituationthatwouldnotdevelopuntilhundredsofyearsafteritwaswritten.YetGodknewthateventuallythepeopleofIsraelwouldwantaking,apersonthatcouldinmanywaysbetheirhero.Thispassagetellsthemthatwhentheygettheirhero,theirleader,theirking,hemustbeamanwhoiscommittedtotheWordofGod.HemustbeamanwhofollowsaftertheWordofGod.

Today,takeafewminutestofirstwritedownthosewithwhomyouhaveinfluence.Youwillbesurprisedwhoyourlistmayinclude.

NowtakeamomenttoaskyourselfwhyitissoimportanttothesepeopleforyoutostayclosetotheWordofGod.ThinkaboutwhattheWordofGoddoesinsideofyouandwhyitisimportantasyouinfluencetheseimportantpeoplewiththatWordthatisaliveandactiveinyou.

Day10

“DevouringtheWordofGod”

EugenePetersoninhisvolume,EatThisBookbringsouttheideaofdevouringtheWordofGod.Thinkofthelasttimeyoufeltsohungryyoucouldliterallyhaveeatenanything.NowtakethatsamefeelingandcompareittoyourfeelingsfortheWordofGod.DoyouhavethesamedesirefortheWordofGodasyoudoforfood?

PetersonshowsusseveralplacesinscripturewhereinsteadofusingtheEnglishphrase,“mediateontheWord”,abetterphrasemightbeto“growlovertheWord.”TheHebrewwordfor“growl”is“hagah”inIsaiah31:4.Yet,inotherplacesitisusedfor“mediate.”

ReadPsalm1:2

ReadPsalm34:8

ReadPsalm63:6

Asyoureadthosepowerfulscriptureverses,takeafewminutesandgivevoiceinyourjournaltowhatyouwanttheWordofGodtobeinyou.

Day11

“TheWordofGodkeepingusfromsin”

TakesometimetodaytodotheS.O.A.Pmethodonthefollowingpassage.

Psalm119:9-16

WhatdoesitmeanforyouandmetomeditateontheWordofGod?

WhatdoesmeditationontheWordofGoddoforus?

WhereistheplaceofsinwhenweareconstantlyintheWordofGod?

Thinkforamomentaboutajugthatiscompletelyfullofconcrete.Theconcretehashardenedwithinthejug.Now,ifyouweretotryandfillthisjugwithanythingelse,couldyou?Ofcoursenot.Thesameistrue,whenwefillouthearts,ourminds,andoursoulsupwiththeWordofGod,sinhastroublegettingafootholdinourlives.Itdoesnotmeanthattemptationwillnotstillcome.Whatitmeans,however,isthattherewillbelessroomforthetemptationwhenyouplacetheWordofGodsecurelyinyourmindheart.

Day12


Psalm119:105

“TheWordofGodDaily”

Inthis40dayperiod,oneofthechallengesisforustotakeadayandfast.Therearepeoplewhodofastingonaregularbasis,otherswhomaynotdoitquitesoregularly.Yetregardlessifyoudoitregularlyornot,youareveryawareofwhatitistotakeanentiredayandnoteatfood.Ourbodiesneedfoodonadailybasis,andwecertainlyneedwateronadailybasis,forwithoutit,wedie.ThesameistruefortheWordofGod.IfwespendweekswithoutreadingandfeastingontheWordofGod,ourspiritsbegintodie.OurspiritreliesontheWordtobeabletokeepgoinginaworldthatissodifficult.Today,wewanttobehonestabouthowwearegoingtoreadtheWordofGodonadailybasis.Therealityis,withoutaplan,itisunlikelyyouaregoingtogetveryfar.Wehaveattachedforyouaone-yearmethodofreadingthroughtheNewTestamentusingtheS.O.A.Pmethod.IfyouwanttotackletheentireBible,perhapstheone-yearBiblewillworkforyou.Beforeyouendthisdevotional,committooneoftheplansthatwillhelpyoutobeginreadingtheWordonadailybasis.Foritisinthatalonethatyouwillhavewhatyoursoulultimatelylongsfor.

Thinkaboutandanswerthisquestion:

HowareyougoingtomaketheWordofGodapriorityinyoureverydayexistence?

Day13


2Timothy3:15-17

“TheWordofGodchanginglives”

YesterdaywetalkedaboutwhatitmeanstoreadtheBibledaily.Youalsoperhapscommittedtoaplanofhowyouweregoingtodoit.TodaywearegoingtostudyhowtheBiblecanchangenotonlyourlives,butalsothelivesofpeoplearoundus.

Weknowthistobetrueinthephysicalrealmthatifweworkoutourbodies,eatright,anddrinklotsofwater,ourbodieswillbegintogetstronger.Wecanalsoknowthatinthespiritualrealm,ifwefeastontheWordofGodandifwestrengthenourselvesthroughprayer,ourspiritswillgetstronger.

TaketimetoreflectonwhattheWordofGodmeansinyourlifeandwhatitcanmeaninthelivesofothers.

Day14

“TheWordofGodinDaysofDoubt”

ScriptureReadingforToday

Job23:8-12

TherearedaysitwhenGodseemssilent.WeaskandyetHedoesnotanswer.ThereisnodoubtthatJobfeltthatwayinallthathappenedtohim.TaketimetodaytoreadJob23:8-12,andthinkaboutJobissayinghere.GodwassilentformuchofthebookofJob.ThiswasallapartofthelessonGodwasteachingJoband,throughJob,thelessonHewasteachingus.Yet,wealsoknowthateveninthesilence,JobwouldfollowGodthroughHisWord.TheBibleinitscurrentformdidnotevenexistwhenJobwasliving,yetevenstillJobfollowedaftertheWordofGod.YouandIhavetheBibleandthuswhenitseemsthatheavenissilentorwhenGodissimplynotspeaking,wecanpickuptheBibleandreadandhearwhatHesaystous.WecanknowthatthoughGodmaynotseemtohaveaspecialwordforusatthismoment,GoddoeshaveawordforusinHisWord.TheBibleistheprimaryplacewhereGodcommunicatestous.

ReadJob23:8-12.

Afterreadingthispassage,whatdoesitchallengeyoutodointhemidstofdifficultcircumstances?

Whatcomfortdoesitgiveyouinthemidstofhardtimes?

Week3

Prayer

Day15


Matthew6:9-15andLuke11:11-13

Thesetwopassageswillcarryusintothefirstfewdaysofthisweek.

Aproblemwiththeterm“OurFather”intheverybeginningoftheLord’sPrayeristhatitbringsourmindstoourownearthlyfathers.Keepinmindthisisourproblem,notaproblemwiththescripture.WemustunderstandfromthatveryfirstphraseoftheLord’sPrayerthatitshowsusthatwehaveanintimaterelationshipwithGod.WeareallowedtocalluponHimasFather.WeunderstandthattherearetimesinscripturethatJesuswilldothingsthatwearenotpermittedtodobecauseofHisspecialrelationshipwiththeFather.Thisisnotoneofthosetimes,however;thisisatimewhenJesusChristspecificallytoldustosay“OurFather.”FurtherexplanationisgiveninLuke11:11-13.TherewebegintounderstandjustwhatitmeansthatGodisourFather,whocaresdeeplyaboutus.

Todayinourtimeofdevotional,taketimetojournalontherealitythatGodisourHeavenlyFather.Writeabouthowyoufeelaboutyourownfather,andhowthathasaffectedyourrelationshipwithGodtheFather,eithernegativelyorpositively.RealizethatGodtheFatheristheOnewholovesyoudeeply,beyondanythingyouwilleverimagine.

Day16


Psalm34:1-3andMatthew6:9b

“HallowedBeThyName”

First,JesushelpsusunderstandwhoGodis,ourHeavenlyFather.Then,JesustakesustotheplaceofworshipoftheFather.WhenwethinkofthenameofGod,Hisnameshouldbeplacedaboveallothernames.AlargepartofourprayerlifeshouldberecognizingandacknowledgingwhoGodisandwhatHeiscapableofdoinginourlives.Therearetwothingsthatthiswillaccomplishinus.

Firstandforemost,itwillaccomplishinus“worship”.AsthePsalmistsaysinPsalm34,

1IwillextoltheLORDatalltimes;

hispraisewillalwaysbeonmylips.

2IwillgloryintheLORD;

lettheafflictedhearandrejoice.

3GlorifytheLORDwithme;

letusexalthisnametogether.

WeworshipGod,andwehallowandglorifyHisname.Wedothisnotbecauseofwhatitcandoinus,butbecauseitissimplytherightthingtodobecauseGodisGod.Itgivesustheunderstanding,thatthoughGodisaclosefriend,andFather,HeisalsoGodall-powerful,andalmighty,andthisissomethingweshouldneverforget.

Thesecondthingitdoes,iswhenweglorifythenameofGodinprayer,ithelpstounderstandthatthereisSomeonegreaterthanus.Thus,wearecomfortedintherealitythatwhenwepray,wedonotpraytoaweakortimidGod,butratherwepraytoaGodwhosenameisgreatandwhoisgreatlytobepraised.Today,takesometimetopraiseHisname.TakesometimetomeditateonthefactthatGodisinHisheavenandthatwearehereonearth.Then,rememberthatGodisandwillcontinuetobeawesome,powerful,andyetcompassionatetowardsyoueverysingleday.TheFatherisalmightyandpowerful,yetcompassionate,lovingandcaringtowardsyou.

Day17


Matthew6:10

“YourKingdomcome,Yourwillbedoneonearthasitisinheaven”

Today,wemovetothetimeofaskingGodforsomething.OftenwhenweaskGodforsomething,itissomethingforourselves.Aswewillseeinadayorso,thereisnothingwrongwithaskingGodforourdailysustenance.However,beforeJesusturnsourattentiontoaskingforourdailysustenance,hedirectsourprayerstothewillofGodbeingdoneandtheKingdomofGodbeingexpanded.Everydaywewakeupandthereseemstobeanotherstoryinthenewsaboutsomethingsadthathashappened.EvenasIsitherewritingthis,IamremindedoftwopeopleIhaveheardofthispastweekwhotooktheirownlives.StoriesliketheseareoneofthemainreasonsGodtellsustoprayforHisKingdomtocomeandHiswilltobedone.WhenGod’swillisbeingdoneandHisKingdomisbeingexpanded,wewillthenhearlessstorieslikethesebecausepeople’sliveswillbeintheprocessofbeingchanged.Ourchurchislocatedinthemidstofaveryoppressedcommunity,poverty,crime,immorality,andhostofotherthingsthatseemtodominatethelandscapeattimes.Peoplewillneverwalkawayfromprostitution,drugaddictions,orimmorallifestylesontheirown.TheywillwalkawaywhenGodenterstheirlifeandHisKingdomtakesupresidenceinthem.

Today,lookaroundinyourlife,theplacesyouliveandwork,andask,“dobigproblemsexist?”Ifyouarelikeme,theyprobablydo.TakethoseissuesandputthemintheHandofGodbyprayingforGod’sKingdomtocomeinthosesituations.Itcouldbethatapersonneedssalvation,whichistheonlywayapersonwillevertrulybechanged.ItmightbeasituationinyourcommunitywhereChristiansneedtohaveinfluence.PraythatGod’sKingdomwillcomeinthosesituationsandforHisglorytofillthoseplacesbecauseitistheonlythingthatwilleverbringpeacetoanyofthem.

Day18


Proverbs30:8-10andMatthew6:11

“DailySustenance:Giveusthisdayourdailybread”

TheBibleencouragesustoaskforwhatweneedtomakeitthrougheachday.Thereisnothingwrongwithbeingfinanciallywealthy;howeverIamnotsurethattheBibleeverpromisesuswealthorencouragesustoprayforit.Thescripturecertainlydoesencourageustoplanforthefuture,however.HeshowsusthatweoughttopraythatGodwilltakecareoftoday.Therealityisthatwhenweprayforourdailysustenance,weareacknowledgingthatonadailybasisweneedGod.EventhosewhohavegreatfinancialwealthrealizethattheyneedGodonadailybasistogivethembreathandlife.Theyalsorealizeasitoftenhappensthattheycanloseitallveryquickly.

TodaytaketimetoacknowledgethatyouneedtheFathertogiveyouthatdailybreadonadailybasis.WithoutHisloveandgrace,youwillneverfindwhatyoutrulyneed.

Day19


Matthew6:12

“ForgivenessinPrayer”

“Forgiveusourtrespassesasweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus.”

TodaywecometowhatisperhapsthemostchallengingpartoftheLord’sPrayer,especiallywherewesay,“God,forgiveusjustlikeweforgiveotherpeople.”Yourealizethat,yes,youdoneedforgivenessdesperately,yetthereseemstobeapriceforforgivenesswhichisourforgivenessofothers.First,let’sunderstandthatGoddoesnotputapriceonHisforgiveness.HisforgivenessisagiftthatisgivenforfreewhenwecometoHiminfaith.Yet,whentheBibleencouragesustoforgiveothersasGodhasforgivenus,itisachallengetousanditalsomeetsaneed.

Thechallengeistoforgive,tounderstandthatGodhasforgivenyouinpowerfulways,andinouracknowledgmentofthatforgiveness,werealizethatwemustalsoforgiveothers.

Yetevenmorethanthis,forgivenessmeetsaneedinus.Weneedtoforgive,becauseifwedonot,wewillbedrinkingthepoisonofun-forgivenessforyearsandyearstocome.Anunforgivingspiritinusmakesusbitter,angryandgenerallybringsusintoaverynegativeattitude.Forgivenessfreesusofallofthat.Thatiswhyitissoimportantweforgive.

ThereasontheLord’sPrayersays,“forgiveusaswehaveforgivenothers”istobothremindustoforgive,butmorethanthat,itremindsusthatwehavebeenforgivenwhichgivesusthefoundationbywhichwecanforgiveothers.

Taketimetodaytorealizehowmuchyouhavebeenforgiven,givingyoutheabilitytoforgiveallofthosewhohavesinnedagainstyou.WeunderstandthatthiswillbemuchmoredifficultforsomethanforothersbutgobacktothefoundationthatGodhasforgivenyou.

Giveyourvoicetothisquestioninyourjournal:

Whatisitthatyouneedtobeforgivenof,andinturn,whereisitthatyouneedtograntforgiveness?

Day20


Luke18:1-8

“Keepasking,keepseeking,keepknocking:

Thepersistenceofprayer”

Thinkaboutthispassageforaminute.Jesusisnottellingustobeunjustjudges,norishesayingthatiswhoGodis.Rather,Jesusisremindingusthatwhenwepray,therewillbetimesthatprayersarenotansweredrightaway.Agoodexampleischildren.Frombeforethetimetheyareborn,wepraythatGodwillblessourchildren,bemercifultothem,guidethem,andhelpthemtobeallthattheyareforHisKingdomsake.Yet,ittakesyearsbeforeweknowhowourchildrenwillturnout.Ittakesyearsbeforewewillseetheresultsofthoseprayers.Throughtheteenageyearswemaywonderifweareprayingpointlessly,yetonedaywhenweseeourchildrenturnoutforthegood,weknowthatallourprayerswereforsomething.Thesameistruewhenweprayforsalvationforsomeone.ItmaybeyearsbeforeweseethemcometofaithinChrist.TheremaybeotherthingsthatweprayaboutforalongtimeandcontinuetowaitforGodtoanswer.Thepointistonever,ever,ever,giveuppraying.Godtellsustopersistinprayer.

Taketimetodaytoconsidersomeareasofyourlifethatyouneedtodevotemoreconstantprayerto.Itmightbeyourchildren,someoneyouknowwhodoesnotknowChrist,orapersonwithalong-termillness.DecidetodaythatyouaregoingtokeepseekingaftertheFatherforthatperson.DecidethatyouarenevergoingtogiveupunlessGodgivesyouadefinitiveno.Taketimeinyourjournaltomentionthosethingsorpeopleyouhaveprayedforovermanyyears.

CorporateExample

Inourchurch,wehavehadaCorporatePrayerGuideforalmost6years.Therearethingsonthatprayerguidewehavecontinuedtoprayfor,andonlynowarewestartingtoseesomeofthemcometofruition.KeepprayingandknowthatGodisgoingtobringaboutgreatthingsthroughyourpersistencyinprayer.

Day21


Isaiah40:8

“ListeninginPrayer”

Whenwepray,oneofthekeyaspectsistocommunicate,butalso,moreimportantly,tolistentowhattheLordmaybespeakingtousabout.WehavetolistentowhatGodmaylayonourheartsinprayer.TherearemanywaystolistentoGodinprayer;infact,wehavetalkedaboutsomeofthoseeventhisweek.ButthebestwaytohearGodinprayeristhereadingofHolyscripture.HolyscriptureistheprimaryplacethatGodhaschosentorevealHimselftous.

Todayisgoingtobeadayoftransitionforus.Wearecomingtothecloseofourweekonprayerandbeginningandourweekofspiritualreading.Thereasonthesetwofindthemselvestogetheristhatyoureallycannothaveonewithouttheother.PrayerandthereadingofGod’swordareinmanywaysoneinthesame.Today,wewanttotakesometimetostudyafewpassagesofscripturethatwillhelpusunderstandhowtheWordofGodspeakstoourheartsandlives.

Taketimetoreadthefollowingpassagesandinyourjournaling,givevoicetothefollowingquestion.Therearealsoquestionswitheachversethatshouldhelpyouwithansweringthebigquestion.

WhatistheroleoftheBibleinyourcommunicationwithGod?

IfGod’swordistheonlythingthatisforever,thenhowmuchtimeshouldwespendwithit?Andhowmuchshouldwebepayingattentionaswereadit?

Week4-Silence

Day22

ThursdayOctober25


Psalm46:10

“Takinga“media”fast”

Oursocietyhasgonefromtheradiototheblackandwhitetv;fromthecolorflatscreentvtothecomputerscreen;andnowinformationstreamstousondevicesthatwecarrywithususuallyatalltimes.Iwastalkingtoafriendtheotherdaywhotoldmethattheycanactuallystreammoviestotheirbedsideeveryeveningontheirphone.“MySpace”wastakenoverby“Facebook,”andnowwehave“Twitter”andothermeansofcommunicationandsocialnetworking.Youhavetowonder,“Doesanyoneevergetawayfromitall?”Today,aspartofourdailydevotional,wearegoingtoreadafewpassagesthatencourageourheartstogetawaywiththeLord.Thisweek,wearegoingtochallengeyoutotakeacompletemediafast.Youmayalreadybeononeaspartofyourfastforthesix-weekperiodbutifyouarenot,wechallengeyoutodoso.

Forthisweek,turnofftheTV,turnoffFacebook,turnoffemailexceptwhatisnecessaryforwork,andturnofftheradiointhecar.Asyou“unplug”,GodwillcertainlyusethatinyourlifetoallowyourhearttolistenandbeclosertoHim.

Givevoicetothesequestionsinyourjournal:

Howdoeshaving24houraccesstomediaaffectyouinpositiveways?

Howdoesitaffectyouinnegativeways?

Day23


Exodus2

“TheTimeofPreparation”

GivevoicetoyourfeelingsonhowMosesmusthavefeltwhenhewasinthedesertland.

WeknowfromotherpartsofscripturethatthisparticulartimeinMoses’lifelasted40years.Whatdoyouthinkitwaslikeinyear2,or10,or20,or30?Doyouthinkhethoughthewouldhavetolivetherestofhislifeinthatplace,neverknowingwhatitwouldbeliketobetheleaderhealwaysthoughtheshouldbe?

Givevoicetothesequestionsinyourjournaltoday.

DoyouthinkthelengthoftimewasnecessaryforMosestobethegreatleaderHewouldbecome?RememberthatMoseswouldgoontoleadthe2millionchildrenofIsrael.Hewouldbecomethesupremeleaderofthisgroupandwiththatrolecameincredibleresponsibility.Doyouthinkhistimeinthedesertbeinga“nobody”helpedhimwiththis?

Whereareyouinyourlife?Areyouinthe“primeseason”,doingallthatGodhascalledyoutodoorareyouintheseasonofpreparation,stillbeingpreparedforwhatGodhasforyoudowntheroad?Keepinmindthatallofushavedifferentcallings,noneofthemgreaterthanothers.Ithinkallofusareineitheroftheseplacesatdifferenttimesalongthewayandweareattimesinbothplacesatthesametime.DonotwastethisdayorthetimeofpreparationGodmayhaveyouin.Itmaybealifeofquiet,humbleservicetoday,andGodmaybepreparingyouforsomethingbigger.ThisisexactlywhatHedidwithMoses.Thetimeofquietoutinthatdesert,andthedays,weeks,months,yearsanddecadesofwatchingthosesheepwaspreparingMosestobetheleaderthatGodwascallinghimtobe.BethankfulfortheplaceGodmayhaveyouonthisday.

Day24


1Kings19:1-18

“ElijahontheMountain”

HaveyoueverbeeninaplacewhereyouwerenotreadytolistentowhatGodmighthavetosayyet?ElijahhadwitnessedmiraclesandhadbeenapartofthegreatthingsGodhaddoneandrightthereonthemountainGodwasabouttogivehimanewmission.Themissionwastofindthemanwhowouldsucceedhim.ElijahlearnedonthismountainthatthoughGodiscapableofspeakinginbigwayssuchasthefirefromheavenhehadrecentlywitnessed,manytimesGodsimplyspeaksinHisstillsmallvoice.ThatisthewayGodworksinourlivesmanytimesaswell.Hespeakstous,afterwehavebeenthroughgreatthings,afterwehaveseentheearthquakesandthefires;GodspeakstousthroughthestillsmallvoiceandinthatweareabletohearHim.

Givevoicetothesequestionsinyourjournaltoday.

Takeafewminutestothinkthroughwhenthelasttimewasthatyouwenttoyourquietplace,your“Mt.Horeb.”Whenwasthelasttimeyouspenttimeinthatplace?

Asyoutakeafewminutestoreadthispassage,tospendtimeinHisword,whatmightGodbetellingyouinHisstillsmallvoice?

Day25


Mark1:34-35

“TheOxygenLine”

WhiletalkingaboutJesus’relationshiptotheFatherhereonearth,authorPhilipYanceycomparedhistimeofprayertoanoxygenline.Jesuscametoearth,andindoingso,HeleftallthatHeknew.HedidnotgiveupHisdeity,butthepowersofHisdeitywereleftbehind.HegaveuppartoftheclosenessHehadwiththeFather.Jesuswasinaveryrealsensea“fishoutofwater”hereonthisearth.HistimeswithGod,thosemomentsthatHespentwiththeFatherhereonearth,werelikegettingthemuchneededoxygenthatHeneededtosurvive.IfJesusneededthisongoingrelationshipwiththeFather,shouldyouandInotalsofeelthesameway?

WeshouldalsomakeitaprioritytopullawaytospendtimewiththeFather.FormanyyearsinEvangelicalcircles,wehavetalkedaboutthe“quiettimeatimewhenwereadourBiblesandspendtimeinprayerwiththeLordthatrangesfrom15-30minutesaday.Itisrealistictosaythatmanypeoplehaveneglecteditbecausetheydidnotseetheneedforit.Yetwhenwethinkaboutitwemustseeitasouroxygenline.Itisourlifelinethatwemusthavetosurviveintheworldwelivein.

Takeafewminutestogivevoicetothesequestionsinyourjournal.

Whatchallengesdoyouhaveinyourlife?Whatissuesandproblemscontinuallycomeupinyourlife?HowdoyouthinktakingtimeawaywiththeLordwillhelpyouindealingwiththeseissues?Howwillthisbeyouroxygenlinetohelpyousurvivetheday-to-dayissuesyouarefacing?

Day26


Matthew14:13-21

“Theworktobedone”

WhenwestudythelifeofJesus,werealizethathelivedaveryfastpacedlife.Hetooktimetoslowdown,buthealsoneverneglectedtheworkthathadtobedone.HelivedoutthecallingGodhadonHislife.

ThispassagebeginswithJesuswantingtopullaway,forhehadheardterriblenewsaboutthedeathofJohntheBaptist,hiscousinandverygoodfriend.Hewantedtopullaway,tospendwiththeFather,andperhapsjustafewdisciples.ButtherearepeopleinneedandJesuswouldnotneglectthemorturnawayfromtheworktobedone.

Taketimetodayinyourjournaltoreflectonsomeofthefollowingquestions.

Howdoestakingtimeawayhelpyouwiththeworkthatyouarecalledtodo?

Whenaretheretimesthatyousimplyhavetoengageintheworkinsteadoftakingtimeaway?Howcanyoucompensateforthattimebytakingothertimesaway?Thinkthroughyourweeklyschedule,thethingsyouhavetodowithyourchildren,yourwork,yourvolunteerworkatthechurch,andtimewithyourspouseorotherfamilymembers.Realizethatthisisworkthatmustbedoneandtakejoyinit.RealizethatGodisgoingtoprovidethetimeforit,butmakesurethatyoudonotneglectthetimealonewiththeFather.

Day27


Proverbs15:22-23

“TakingtimeforSilence:

Puttingitonyourcalendar”

Thedemandsinourlivesaresometimesveryhectic.Therearepeopleandprojectspullingatusfromalldifferentdirections.Nothingseemstogetdoneifitisnotonthecalendaroronourto-dolist.TherearedifferentwaysthatyoucancalendartimeforsilencewiththeLord.Italkedtooneyoungladywhotoldmethatforher,timewiththeLordwasanautomaticthingeverysinglemorning.Itwaslikeeatingbreakfast;itwassimplysomethingshewouldnotdowithout.Forothers,thecalendarbookisveryimportant.Youhavetomaketimeforit,andwhenothersaskyouforthattime,yousimplyhavetoinformthemthatthetimeisnotavailable.Youhavetofigureoutwhatworksbestforyouinregardtoyourschedule.

Todayisadaythatwearegoingtocarveouttimetomakesurethatwhenthis40dayexperiencecomestoanend,wewillnotforgetwhatGodhascalledustodo.

TaketimetowriteinyourjournaladailyplanforhavingtimealonewiththeLord.Makeitarealisticplan,onethatyoucankeepforthenextyear.Also,realizethatifandwhenyoumessup,feelingbadaboutitisnottheanswer;rather,gettingbackupthenextdayandstartingoveris.

Week5

Simplicity-TheprioritiesoftheHeart

Day28


Re-read,andperhapsmemorizePsalm46:10

Wehavecometotheendofourweekofmediafasting.Youmayhave15showsontheDVRreadytobewatchedtomorrow,butbeforeyoudothat,wewanttotakeafewminutestodayandreflectonwhatthisweekhasmeanttoyou.

Taketimetogivevoicetothefollowingquestions:

1.Hasthisweekchangedthedesiresyouhaveformedia?Ifso,how?

2.Haveyoufeltyourspiritbeingcalmedbyhavingthingsquieterthisweek?

3.Hasthisweekputadesireinyoutomediafastagain?

Day29


Genesis22:1-18

Duringthesedays,wehavegivensomethingup.PerhapsitwasTV,internet,orsomethingelsethattakesupourtime.Wehaveworkedonplacingthathabitintoaplaceofsecondaryimportanceinourhearts.Today’sscripturereadingisgoingtodealwithputtingsomethingthatisnotwrong,butcouldbeplacedhigherthanGodintotheproperplaceinourhearts.KeepthisinmindthatGodneverintendedforAbrahamtosacrificeIsaac;HesimplywantedtobesurethatIsaacwasnotanidolinAbraham’slife.

ReadthefollowingprayerwrittenbyA.W.Tozer:

“Father,Iwanttoknowthee,butmycowardlyheartfearstogiveupitstoday.Icannotpartwiththemwithoutinternalbleeding,andIdonottrytohidefromTheetheterroroftheparting.IcometremblingbutIdocome.PleaserootfrommyheartallthosethingswhichIhavecherishedsolongandwhichhavebecomeaverypartofmylivingself,sothatmayenteranddwelltherewithoutarival.ThoushaltThoumaketheplaceofTheyfeetglorious.Thenshallmyhearthavenoneedofthesuntoshineinit,forthyselfwillbethelightofit,andthereshallbenonightthere.InJesus’nameAmen.”

Journalthroughthisquestion:

WhatgoodthingsinyourlifeneedtobeputintoperspectivesothatGodcanhaveanunrivaledreigninyourheart?

Day30


Matthew6:25-34

Weknowthatourworldplacesahighvalueonmaterialthings.Wethinkthatfancyphones,nicehouses,cars,andclothesarenotaluxury,butaneed.Jesusisgoingtoaddressthisissue.Then,thereareothersofuswhohavetoworryonadailybasisaboutwhatwilloccurinthefuturewhenitcomestoourbills,healthcareandotherthings.Jesusisgoingtoaddressthataswell.Heisgoingtohelpusunderstandthatthoughlifemaynotalwayslooklikeitisgoingtoturnout,whenweputHimfirst,italwaysdoes.

IprefertobeintheLord'skitchen.Hehasmadeheavenandearth,andHeHimselfisthecookandthehost.Everydayhefeedsandnourishesinnumerablelittlebirdsoutofhishand.ForHedoesnothavemerelyabagofgrain,butheavenandearth"-MartinLuther

Givevoicetothefollowingareas:

DoyouworryaboutthethingsofthislifeandwhatwouldhappenifyousimplystoppedworryingandbegantoputyourfaithintheOnewhoholdsitallinHishands?

Whatspecificallyareyouworriedabout?Health,retirement,payingthebills,puttingfoodonthetable?DoesGodhavecontroloverthoseareas?GiveexamplesofhowGodhasprovidedforyouinthepast;now,asyoureflectonthosethings,doyoubelieveHewillprovideforyouinthefuture?

Day31


Matthew6:24

“GodandMoney”

JohnD.Rockefeller,America’sfirstbillionaire,wasonceasked,“Howmuchmoneyisenough?”andheresponded,“Justalittlebitmore.”

Rockefellerwassimplyexpressingtheattitudeofsomanypeopleacrossourcountry.Itseemsthatweneverhaveenoughandthatifwecouldsimplyhavealittlemore,lifewouldbesomuchbetter.Thisiswhatitlooksliketoserveourmoney.

Weneedmoneytopayourbillsandputfoodonourtable.Yet,thescriptureisclearthatwearenottoserveit,forindoingsowewillnotbeabletoserveGodalso.

Forsomeofuswhoreadthis,youaresimplystrugglingtogetby,andyouknowthatGodisthetrueproviderofyourneeds.Keepthatinyourheart,andneverletgoofit.Yetforothersofus,thereisaconstantneedtohavemoremoney.Shouldyouworkhard?Yes.Shouldyoubelazy?No.Yet,youalsoshouldnotmakethemaingoalofyourlifetomakemoney,buttoglorifytheFather.WhenyouplaceHimfirstovermoney,everythingelsetakescareofitself.

Journalthroughthisquestion:.

Whatisthemainconcernofyourlife?IsitGodorisitmoney?Inlookingathowyouspendyourtime,whatwouldtherealanswerbe?

Day32


Proverbs30:7-9

“HappywithLess”

Thisisaversewelookedafewweeksago,butIthinkitisworthlookingatagain.Youwillfindwiththedisciplinesthatinmanywaystheygohandinhandandreallybuildoneachother.

Therecomesapointineveryone’slife,sometimesafleetingmomentthatcomesandgoeswhenwerealizethatwesimplyhavetoomuchstuff.TodaywehavetakentimetoreadProverbsandtotakeafewminutestodoaninventory.Thisexercisewillhelpyouunderstandbetterwhatitisthatyouneedandwhatitisthatyoumaynotneed.Simplicitydoesseveralthingsforus.Itmakesourliveseasierbecausewedonothavetokeepupwithasmuchasweoncedid.Itsavesusagreatdealofstresswhenitcomestomoney,becausewenolongerfeelwehavetohaveitall.Itsavesusspaceandmakesourliveslesscrowded.Thesearesomeofthebenefitsoflivingwithless.

Todayandtomorrow,journalthroughthesequestions.Theyarenotmeanttomakeyoufeelguilty,buttohelpyouunderstandexactlywhatitmeanstosimplyhaveyourdailybreadandnomore.

1. Whatarethingsinyourliferightnowthatyoupayforthatreallyaddnothingofsubsistencetoyourdailyliving?

2. Ifyouweretogiveafewofthesethingsup,whatwouldyouneedtodo?Itmaybeassimpleassellingsomethingorcancellingsomething.Itmaybethatyouneedtocommunicatewithafewotherpeopleabouthowyouaregoingtogivethatup.

These2questionsmaytakequiteabitoftimeforyoutodealwith,butdealwiththembecausetheywillhaveatrueandlastingimpactonyourlife.

Day33


2Corinthians9:6-11

“GivingOutofSimplicity”

Itreallydoesnotmatterhowmuchmoneyyouhaveordonothavebecauselifeisaboutperspective.WhenwerealizethatGodhasgivenusallthatwewilleverneed,andthatHehasprovidedandwillcontinuetoprovideforourneeds,wecanbeatpeace.Whenweareatpeacewithourfinancialcircumstances,itisfromthatplacethatrealgivingbeginstooccur.Ifyouaregiver,thentaketimetothankGodforbringingyoutothatplace.AskHim,“amIgivingallthatHewantsmetogive?”Ifnot,praythatGodwillshowyouhowHewantsyoutogivemore.

Ifyouarenotagiver,askyourself,hasGodprovidedforme?HasGodgivenmeeverythingthatIhave?IfHehasdoneallofthis,thenhowcanwewithholdthesmallportionHeasksustogiveback?

Journalthroughthisquestion:

IfIbegintogive,thiswilloccur…..

Asyoujournalthroughthatquestion,yourfirstthoughtmaybe,“Iwillgobroke”,butlet’slookatwhatthescripturesays.Readthroughthepassageagainbeforeyoubegintojournal.

ANoteabout

Days34and35

Overthesenexttwodays,wearegoingtospeakfromtwodifferentperspectives.Someofyoureadingthisaresingleandperhapsyouhaveonlyyourselftotakecareof.Othersofyouhavefamilytotakecareof,toworryover,andtofretwith.Inbothsituations,wecanlearnaboutsimplicityandhowwecancontinuedowntheroadofknowingit.Therealityisthatmostofuswillatsomepointoranotherbeinbothsituations.Thus,weneedtounderstandwhatitmeanstobeabletoserveGodfullyinbothandtograsptheideaofsimplicityinbothlifesituations.

Day34


Proverbs18:22andPsalm127:3

“TheAbundantLifeOfferedbyChrist”

Iusedtobenervousabouthavingchildrenorevenaboutgettingmarried.Iwasworriedabouttheresponsibilitiesthatitbrought.Itunnervedmetothinkabouthavingtoprovideforafamily.Yet,anoldandtruefriend,whowalkedthejourneybeforeme,toldmesomethingthathasprovenoverandoveragaintobetrue.Awifeandchildrenmakelifemorefull.Lifeisfullerineveryway,busier,andwithmoreresponsibility,andinlotsofwaysmorejoyful.

Wethinkthatasparentswearetoprovideourchildrenwitheverything,includingthelatestgreatestgameorthenewestphoneorclothes,andifwedon’t,thenwehavefailedasparents.Therealityismorethananything,ourfamiliesneedtheabundancethatonlyGodcanbring.Ourneedisnotmoremoneyorstuff,buttofallinlovewithJesusandletthatbethesustenanceforourlives.

Journalthroughthesequestions:

Ifyoudonothavechildrenatthispoint,thensimplywritedownhowyoufeelaboutyournieces,nephews,orothersignificantchildreninyourlifeandprayfortheirparentsthattheywouldbegintounderstandthesetruths.

Whatwouldhappenifyoudecidedtoraiseyourchildreninsimplicity,dependingonlyontheabundanceoftheLord?Whatifinsteadoftheplethoraofthingswegaveourchildren,wegavethemthebasicsandaBibletoreadandstudy?

WhatifinsteadofploppingourchildrendowninfrontoftheTVforhoursonend,weinsteadreadwiththem,andtaughtthemthethingsoftheLord?

WhatifwerequiredourchildrentoreadtheirBiblebeforetheydidanythingelseintheevening?Forthatmatter,whatifwedidthatourselves?

Day35


1Corinthians7:32-35

“SimplicityinSingleness”

IsPaultellingusinthisscripturethatthereissomethingwrongwithbeingmarried?No,notall,infactmuchofthescriptureencouragesmarriage.WhatPaulissayinghereisthatthereissomethingrightaboutsingleifitiswhatGodhasforyou.Whenyouaresingle,youdonothaveasmuchtobeconcernedabout,thereforeyouhavemoretimeandenergytoputintotheworkoftheLord.Singlenessforsomeofusispartoflivinginsimplicity.

Ifyouaresingle,journalthroughthisquestion:

HowhasbeingsingleallowedyoutodomorefortheLord?

Ifyouaremarried,journalthroughthisquestion:

HowcanyouandyourspousesimplifyyourlivessothatyoucandomorefortheLord?Ifyouaresingle,youmayalsoneedtojournalthroughthisquestion.

this material is freely given for the use of texas ... day... · have you decided that you want god...

Documents