Week of 6/16-6/22: Living in Light - The King Returns to Live

Day One: 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.  

“DAD’S COMING.” That can be a scary phrase or a good phrase, depending on the circumstances.If the bedroom is destroyed, chores have not been done, or the report card is less than stellar, “dad’s coming” can be a terrible phrase.However, if the circumstance is that the car broke down in the middle of the road while driving or there is a stranger lurking around the yard, “dad’s coming” is a soothing and comforting phrase.

Dad is coming, or perhaps more accurately, brother is coming.Big brother, that is.Jesus.This knowledge, that God is coming to redeem believers and to rescue, restore, and bring justice, should change how believers live their everyday lives.But this is not soothing for unbelievers.God’s coming is also the coming of judgment.Sin will be judged.People will give an account.Knowing this reality should change how unbelievers live their lives, namely, it should bring them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who alone can satisfy God’s righteous anger toward sinners.

The Christian faith is not intended to be a “one day when we get to heaven” reality only.It is supposed to be a life-changing reality now.The knowledge of Christ’s coming should lead people to get their lives lined up with God.Everyday decisions, attitudes, and actions matter.He is coming.He may be today, perhaps tomorrow.Whenever it is, one thing is certain: It is going to happen.Because of that, this should have a profound impact on each moment of our lives.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why should knowing Jesus is returning have an impact on how you live?

▷▷Why do you think most live in ways that ignores this fact?

▷▷What is a way to stay reminded of this truth on a consistent basis?

Week of 6/16-6/22: Living in Light - The King Returns to Live

Day Two: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him: We ask you, brothers, not to be easily upset in mind or troubled, either by a spirit or by a message or by a letter as if from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s sanctuary, publicizing that he himself is God.

THERE ARE THINGS IN THE WORLD created and intended to deter crime.For example, alarm systems in businesses and homes are meant to deter burglars.If they enter the business or home, the alarm goes off, and they flee, because they know the cops are coming.There are cameras set up in stores to deter thieves from taking things.The thief knows that if the person behind the camera sees them, the cops will be on their way.These things aren’t designed to simply catch criminals, but even more so, to deter them.

Likewise, the knowledge that Christ sees all things and is coming again, should lead believers to a rejection of the spirit of antichrist in this w

orld.It should deter Christians from embracing the spirit of antichrist so prevalent.This godless disposition must be rejected if individuals want to walk in accordance with God’s Word and God’s will.

Worldliness is the spirit of antichrist.Anything that will divert attention and affections away from Christ is the heart of antichrist.This must be rejected and aggressively fought against.Christ is coming back! The spirit of antichrist will be defeated and the kingdom of God will finally breakthrough completely.

Everything not honoring and exalting to God will be no more.This should lead believers to keep their sights on the coming Christ who will conquer the spirit of antichrist encountered in the world.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷What are some examples of worldliness or spirit of antichrist you face every day?

▷▷What are some ways these things can be fought against?

▷▷How can believers aide one another in the fight against the spirit of antichrist?

Week of 6/16-6/22: Living in Light - The King Returns to Live

Day Three: Jude 1:20-23 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. Have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

IMAGINE A MAN who owns a diamond mine.He is currently away from it, out of the country.He sends an invitation to a few close friends that he is closing the mine.It will no longer be excavated and have its diamonds extracted from it.The friends are invited to the mine to collect for themselves as many diamonds as they can secure.The amount of time they have to do this is until the mine owner returns to the mine and closes it.They don’t know how long he will be away but he tells them the time of return is coming.

What kind of urgency will those friends invited to collect diamonds from the mine work with? What other activities would they stop doing to focus more time on mining? Their urgency is fueled by the value of the diamonds and their knowledge that the mine owner is on his way and that when he arrives, time for collecting diamonds will be finished forever.

While the story is not a perfect parallel, it is meant to demonstrate the urgency with which believers should be joined to the mission of God in evangelizing the world.Believers have been invited to look for diamonds, the souls of men.These souls are more precious than any diamond, and the time for collecting them into the kingdom is limited because the mine owner, Christ, is returning.When He returns there will be no more evangelizing.The mine will be closed.Only those diamonds collected before His return will enter into the heavenly kingdom.The rest will experience everlasting torment in hell.

Oh friends, the time for collecting is now! Christ is coming and the day for collecting will soon be over.In the same way that many would be fueled with urgency to collect diamonds, which only have earthly value, believers should be fueled with an urgency over the diamonds, the souls, that have eternal value and worth.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷How can you get more involved in the mission of God?

▷▷What are some ways you can stay reminded that Christ is coming soon?

▷▷What are some ways you can reinforce the reality that souls are more precious than diamonds, leading you to greater concern for them?

Week of 6/9-6/15: Living in Light - The King Preserves

Day One: 1 Peter 1:3-9 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls”

EVERYONE HAS A SOFT SPOT for the men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the nation’s military. Most are incredibly proud of those soldiers, past and present that have fought to preserve the freedoms and liberties of the United States and its people. One of the reasons they are so honored and revered is because they show, and throughout history have shown, a perseverance to the task of representing the country, even in the midst of tough times and incredible dangers facing them. Soldiers have stared death in the face and have willingly gone forward into dangerous missions and situations because of their love for their country. When they show such perseverance in the midst of danger, it brings glory to the nation that they are willing to fight for. It exalts the nation in which they fight, when faced with incredible danger, they willingly march forward.

In a similar, yet more powerful way, Christians who willingly face trials, tribulations, and hardships because of their faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ, are exalting the one they persevere for. As believers willingly experience persecution and suffering, and persevere through them, they are exalting the God who is worthy to follow through any and all trials. This is how God is glorified through the perseverance of his people. His worthiness is displayed by the willingness of those who love him, to carry forward, even when times are incredibly tough.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷What are some different types of trials that Christians may face in their lives?

▷▷What are some ways a believer can persevere through these different trials?

▷▷In what ways is God glorified through that perseverance?

Week of 6/9-6/15: Living in Light - The King Preserves

Day Two: 2 Peter 3:8-13 Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat. But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell”

LOUIS ZAMPERINI WAS AN OLYMPIC TRACK ATHLETE in the 1936 Olympics at the Berlin games. He was just a young man at the time and was looking forward to the 1940 games. But when World War II happened, the 1940 Olympics were canceled, so Louis signed up for the military. He joined the fight as a part of the Army Air Forces and flew on a B-24 bomber over the Pacific Ocean.

In April of 1942, while flying over the Pacific Ocean looking for a crashed B-24 bomber, his aircraft crashed into the water. Of the 11 crew members, only three survived, one being Louis. The stories of Louis’ experiences are found in the best-selling book Unbroken. There the story is told that Louis was stranded in the Pacific Ocean for 47 days. When they landed upon the shores of the Marshall Islands, 850 miles away from where they crashed, only two of the three men were still alive. Louis ended up a prisoner of war because the island he landed upon was Japanese occupied territory. He would be a prisoner of war for three years until the end of the war in August 1945.

How did Louis survive on the water for 47 days near starvation? How did he survive the beatings, dysentery, and starvation while a prisoner? His focus was on going home. He dreamed about his mom’s cooking. He dreamed about the things he would do when he was free. His hope was rooted in a future of bliss and blessing. This is the same hope a believer uses to persevere through the daily trials in this life. The hope of the Christian is set firmly in the future realities of the new heavens and the new earth. Though there may be present suffering, one day, in God’s future kingdom, it will end. Paradise will be restored and sin will be no more. That is how a believer perseveres.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why do you think looking forward to future realities is so effective at helping through present suffering?

▷▷What difficult times have you faced recently? How did you handle those times?

▷▷How could focusing on Christ and His promises have changed the situation?

Week of 6/9-6/15: Living in Light - The King Preserves

Day Three: 1 John 2:15-19 Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God’s will remains forever. Children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard, “Antichrist is coming,” even now many antichrists have come. We know from this that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us”  

“IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, IT’S WHAT YOU DO.” This is a fairly popular statement used today to describe the importance of how actions must accompany promises made by words, if they’re to be believed. Many people will vow to do something or will make claims to have particular beliefs, but their actions do not match what they claim. When this happens, it becomes difficult to trust that person in the future.

It is not uncommon any longer for people to say one thing publicly but do something completely different when people aren’t around. It seems ridiculous because our actions really tell others who we are. It is a like a basketball team coming on to the court for a game, but instead of playing basketball, they begin running football plays. They can claim to be a basketball team all they want to, but their actions do not match what they say they’re doing. If someone claimed to be a swimmer, but never got into the water and went swimming, their actions would not match their words.

Similarly, God’s people need to do more than simply talk about perseverance, their actions must match. The people of God show their perseverance by their actions. When persecuted for beliefs, they continue standing for and sharing those beliefs. When facing difficult circumstances in life, they continue trusting God rather than giving way to worldly worrying. Perseverance is a verb that requires actions.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷What are the different type of ways perseverance is demonstrated through actions?

▷▷What reasons do you think so many people have a dichotomy between their words and actions?

Week of 5/26-6/1: Living in Light - The King Declares Guilty People Righteous

Day One: Romans 5:12-14 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned. In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a prototype of the Coming One.”

IT DOES NOT TAKE BEING AN EXPERT in trees to know that if the root system of a tree is diseased, the entire tree will be affected. This impacts the appearance and functioning of all parts of the tree, including the branches. For example, if an apple tree is failing to produce apples, or if the apples produced are rotten, the solution is not to staple apples to the branches. The problem does not originate from the fruit on branches, but rather starts in the roots of the tree. If the roots are healthy, the tree is likely to be healthy. But if the roots are diseased, the whole tree suffers.

We can think of the entire human race much like one enormous tree. Unfortunately, this tree has a very diseased root system. If each person is a branch of this tree, the root of the tree would be Adam. Adam is the father of humanity and, because of this, all of humanity is born into sin. Adam sinned against God, bringing his offspring, or branches, into sin with him. All the branches of this tree of Adam have a sinful nature like him. Just as branches cannot claim autonomy from the roots, neither does any person have the ability to claim autonomy from their first father, Adam. Because of our sin, we are guilty before God. We are under the curse of Adam.

Fortunately, the story doesn’t end there. There is a treatment for this curse of sin, which is found in the gospel. By believing the gospel of Christ, we are given the ability to live on mission for God.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷In what ways do our lives show that we are corrupt and born into sin?

▷▷What are our natural objections against inheriting a sin nature?

▷▷How are those natural objections countered by truth of Scripture?

Week of 5/26-6/1: Living in Light - The King Declares Guilty People Righteous

Day Two: Romans 5:15-21 “But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone. For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Also read Romans 8:1-2 in your Bible.

ALL HUMANITY ultimately branches off from Adam’s family tree. This means we are all under the curse of sin that infiltrated the family tree through Adam. If we are going to be made right before God and have our guilt removed, we must be cut and grafted into an entirely new family tree.

Another analogy can be deployed here.Think of the role of the President of the United States. No matter where he is in the world, he represents the people of the United States. When he speaks, he speaks for the people. He is the figurehead of the country. In the same way, Adam is the figurehead of all humanity.

What Adam has done represents all those under him. In the United States, if the people want a new federal head to represent them to the world, they must vote for a new president when election time arrives. In the same way, if people are ever going to be declared guiltless before God, a new figurehead must stand to represent them.

God sent His Son, Jesus, to begin a new family tree and to serve as a new figurehead to all who put their faith in Him. Those who have accepted and embraced the gospel of Christ are no longer held hostage by the sin of Adam. Their old lives pass away, and they begin a new life under the headship and authority of Christ.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why is it important to understand that all humanity’s family tree begins with Adam?

▷▷Why is it important to understand that we are all represented by a single figurehead?

▷▷How do we become a part of the new family tree and live under the authority of the new figurehead of Christ?

Week of 5/26-6/1: Living in Light - The King Declares Guilty People Righteous

Day Three: Hebrews 9:11-14 “But the Messiah has appeared high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), He entered the most holy place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?”

IMAGINE ITS 1941.A man has just broken the law, and is given two choices: 1) He can spend the next four years in jail, or 2) He can spend the next four years serving his country by enlisting in the U.S.Army.Not wanting serve jail time, he decides to join the war effort against Nazi Germany.

Meanwhile, the German military invades nation after nation, with the ultimate goal of conquering the world. As our fictional soldier begins his service to pay his debt to society, he is approached by a commanding officer. This officer tells the young soldier that his four year obligation has been cancelled, his debt erased, and that he is free to leave at any time. The man has been completely pardoned from his crime and has no further obligation to society. However, the man informs the officer that he is going to remain with the military and continue to fight for his country. His service is no longer aimed at paying his debt, but is a desire and delight to accomplish a mission.

From this admittedly limited analogy, we can see a picture of the gospel and the response of those captured by it.When an individual tastes of the free grace offered by Christ, he or she is immediately pardoned from the debt of all sin. Like the man in the story, this new freedom does not send Christians away from the mission, but rather frees them to carry it out. In Christ, we find complete atonement for sin. But those pardoned from sin do not look for an escape from God’s mission and purposes. Rather, they are freed to live on mission for God. This mission is driven not out of obligation, but out of desire to worship and obey the almighty God.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why is it an error to think free grace will cause people to not serve God?

▷▷What is the difference between service out of obligation and service out of delight?

▷▷Why should Christian service be driven by delight?

Week of 5/5-5/11: New - The Mission of God's People

Day One: Acts 1:4-8 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

In September 1999, Jeremy Neitz stood face to face with a man intent on taking his life. He was not being robbed; he was in a church where a crazed gunman was shooting wildly at students who were celebrating “See You at the Pole.” While everyone else hid and listened to the man spew profanities and curse God, Jeremy stood to his feet and politely answered, “that’s not true, you need Jesus.” Surprisingly, Jeremy’s life was spared as the gunman took his own life.

What a tragic story. However, it points to an even greater reality: it will take teenagers who are passionate for Jesus, regardless of the cost, to complete the mission to which Jesus has called us. His mission for us is clear: we are to be His witnesses.

Being a witness for Jesus will not be easy. Remember, Jesus called Christians to a mission that would require everything when He said that we are to “pick up your cross and die to yourself daily.” This is why when you read about the early apostles; all but one of them was killed for their faith and declaration of Jesus as Savior. They allowed their blood to be shed for the truth. And the Church grew as a result.

Does this mean you have to give your life to be a witness? Yes. And no. Yes, it requires every area of your life to be surrendered to God. No, you may not give your physical life, but as Paul said, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” Either way, God is glorified.

Today is your opportunity to be a witness for God wherever you are. Remember that we are called to live out the truth of Jesus on a daily basis. We must commit to being on mission for Christ. Take a few moments and surrender this day completely to Him.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Do you consider yourself a witness for Jesus?

▷▷What distracts you from being a witness for Jesus?

▷▷Who is someone that you can share Jesus with today?

Week of 5/5-5/11: New - The Mission of God's People

Day Two: I Corinthians 1:18-25 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Jesus crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Jesus the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

DISTRACTIONS CAN BE A KILLER. Think about all the “don’t text and drive” ads that have been produced recently. As tempting as it is to text and drive, the truth is you may cause an accident. Even worse, it could cost someone his or her life. The ad makes sense because it is true: do not let yourself be distracted from the important task of driving!

A similar message can be applied to Christians. We have been entrusted with the single most important message in the world: Jesus died for our sins and we can be saved. We cannot afford to be distracted.

Unfortunately, we often get distracted. The cares of this life, our priorities, and even sin distract us from sharing the one Message that changes lives for eternity. The Enemy will go to great lengths to distract you and keep you from sharing the Gospel.

Sometimes these distractions arise from seemingly good things. For example, imagine God’s disappointment when a church is more concerned over paint colors then about reaching their community for Christ. Or when a school Bible club is more concerned with which T-shirts to wear rather sharing the reality of the Gospel with lost students in the lunchroom.

These potentially “good things” are major distractions. When we as Christians miss opportunities to take part in God’s work, it costs lives for eternity the message of the Gospel must be our top priority. It must be so important to us that nothing else can steal our passion to share it with the world!

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷What are some “distractions” in your life?

▷▷How has the message of the Gospel changed your life?

▷▷Name a few people that you need to share the Gospel with this upcoming week.

Week of 5/5-5/11: New - The Mission of God's People

Day Three: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 For Jesus’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died. And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised. From now on, then, we do not know anyone in a purely human way. Even if we have known Jesus in a purely human way, yet now we no longer know Him in this way. Therefore, if anyone is in Jesus, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: That is, in Jesus, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Jesus, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Jesus’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS IS A LONG TIME to live a complete lie. But that is exactly what Marilee Jones, the Dean of Admissions at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has admitted to doing. MIT is regarded as one of the greatest educational institutions in the United States and the person who represented them was living a lie.

What was the lie? Ms. Ones did not have the qualifications that she claimed. She lied on her resume almost 30 years ago about having very important degrees that she did not have. The woman who represented the school to prospective students was a total hypocrite!

We look at someone like Marilee and wonder how she could have lived a lie that long. Yet, many who claim to follow Christ misrepresent Him even more. It is important to remember that as a Jesus follower, you are a representative, an ambassador of Him. According to these verses in 2 Corinthians 5, God has committed the message of reconciliation to you. You are an ambassador for Jesus.

As an ambassador for Christ, your life holds great significance. Your actions tell a story. Where you find pleasure matters. If you find more pleasure in sin than you find pleasure in God, you are misrepresenting the life that Jesus has called us to live.

Today, focus on representing Jesus accurately in every area of your life.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷What does it mean to be an ambassador?

▷▷On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself on accurately representing Christ in your everyday life?

▷▷What are some ways to improve that score and become a better ambassador for Christ?

Week of 4/28-5/4: New - The Grace Shaped Family of God

Day One: Acts 15:1-5 Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved!” But after Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, the church arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this controversy. When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, explaining in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they created great joy among all the brothers. When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some of the believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses!”

A TOTAL OF 36,000 SADHUS (Hindu holy men) were part of the estimated crowd of 40 million attending the two-month “Kumbh Mela” festival in India last spring. People came from all over to bathe in a specific river as a religious practice. These people believed that mangling and punishing them would gain them approval from a god they didn’t know. As ridiculous as this seems, Christians look as equally pitiful when we think we can add anything to the salvation offered in Jesus Christ.

It’s very dangerous for Christians to view their works as part of their redemption. Problems arise when we believe that how we live dictates how God should move. Here are a few indicators that you may rely on your works more than you realize:

1. You feel like God doesn’t love you when you sin.

2. You feel more approved by God when you do good things.

3. You expect God to fulfill your desires because you’re a “good person.”

When these are true in our life, we take our act of obedience and worship and make it a bargaining chip with God. “God, I’ve done this, so you should do respond the way I want you to…” You may not be bathing in an Indian river, but if you think you can win God’s approval by doing moral works, your mindset is very similar.

Rest today in the completed work of Jesus on the cross for your sin. Worship Him because you have been rescued. Serve others because He has served you.Realize that you can do nothing to change Jesus’ love for outlive in the freedom that the Gospel gives.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why is it dangerous to feel like God doesn’t love you as much when you sin?

▷▷Have you ever expected God to respond to your requests because of how you live for Him? Why?

▷▷Why is it freeing to know that our salvation has nothing to do with our works?

Week of 4/28-5/4: New - The Grace Shaped Family of God

Day Two: Galatians 2:15-21 We who are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners” know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild the system I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker. For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

IMAGINE THIS: YOU’RE STARVING. Even though it is noon, the day has already been long and the lunch lady’s version of “speghana” (that left over spaghetti and lasagna mix) does not work for you this time. So on your way home, you stop at McDonald’s to grab a bit of Dollar Menu deliciousness. After placing your order for a McDouble and large fries, you realize you have no cash. The total is $4.72 but you are broke. No way is this happening!

Out of nowhere a man who had been standing in line puts down a $5 bill to cover your late lunch. He then steps out the door and into the parking lot. There is no way to repay him. There is no way to work for the $5.It is a gift and you have accepted it.

Salvation is God’s gift to you.Obviously, salvation is infinitely more meaningful and costly than a burger. Also, Christ didn’t simply pay a debt and walk away, He paid a debt so He could then build a relationship. But, much like the burger in this story, the gift cannot be repaid or earned. Your only reasonable response is to accept it and then live a life of worship and obedience. The life that we live as Christ followers is a response to what Jesus has already done for us.

Salvation has been given by grace.You cannot be good enough or do good enough.You are not nice enough or even good looking enough (despite what mom says).Salvation is all about Jesus.Take a moment and thank God for His grace today.Thank Him that even though you aren’t good enough, He is!

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷How have you seen grace at work in your life?

▷▷Why is it comforting to know that you cannot earn your salvation?

▷▷How does understanding God’s grace impact how you will live today?

Week of 4/28-5/4: New - The Grace Shaped Family of God

Day Three: James 2:18-26 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder. Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected. So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, and he was called God’s friend. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN SOMEONE THAT claimed to know a famous person? A friend of mine in high school used to tell us his cousin played for the Dallas Cowboys. It was tough to believe him because he didn’t have any pictures, never went to any games, and never visited him. This became a joke to the rest of us. We still don’t know if he was telling the truth or not, but all the evidence pointed to it being a lie.

Unfortunately, this example symbolizes

the perspective of many people who claim to be Christians quite well. “Well, I am a Christian, I have faith in God. I’m just not walking with God right now.” “Yes, I asked Jesus in my heart. I’m not a Jesus freak, I’m not going to hell”. These are modern examples of James 2: I have faith, but no works.

Faith and works are inseparable. If you say you have faith, your life should reflect that truth. If you admit that the God of the universe is alive and inside of you right now, your life should at least begin to look different than it did before Christ.

Our works do not produce salvation for us. We understand our works do not grant us faith. Works can strengthen our faith, but they are not the source of our faith. Our “good works” are actually the fruit of our faith and are a response of worship because of what Jesus has done for us. We do not do good works in order to be accepted. Rather, we do good works because we have already been accepted by God. Today, your good works should flow from a heart of gratitude for what Jesus has done for you.As you love God and serve others, your faith will grow and others will be pointed to Jesus.

PAUSE AND REFLECT:

▷▷Why is it important that our works be a result of our faith?

▷▷As a follower of Jesus, how do we know that God already approves of us?

▷▷List a few ways your life has changed since giving your life to Jesus.

Week of 4/14-4/20: New - God Indwells His Covenant People

Day One: Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.

ELECTRICITY IS AN INCREDIBLE RESOURCE. From the moment your alarm goes off way too early on a school day until the time your head hits the pillow at night, electricity has played an important role in your day. Electricity’s effects are felt when you use your phone, hang out on Facebook, and even when you are in the kitchen finishing your homework. All the technological devices that are so vital to us, or seemingly vital to us, are completely useless without electricity. They simply can’t do anything they were created to do apart from the power of electricity.

Your life as a follower of Jesus is v

ery similar: just as your electronics rely on electricity, you must rely on the work of the Holy Spirit in you.

The Holy Spirit of God moves into your heart the moment you give your life to Jesus. There are many names for the Holy Spirit: Comforter, Counselor, Truth and Power (John 14:17, Luke 1:35).This is important; because the Spirit is God’s presence in your life to guide you and help you grow in your relationship with Him. God doesn’t save you and say, “Good luck! I hope everything works out for you!”

Instead, the Bible says we are “sealed” by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).He indwells us and never leaves us. This truth should bring us great comfort. God calls us to an incredible life and mission; He also gives us his presence to complete it.

You were not created to have all the answers or to be the most talented; you were created to trust the work of the Holy Spirit inside of you. Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, we are incapable of fulfilling the mission to which God has called us.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why does Acts 2:1-4 bring us hope?

▷▷What do you trust in more on a daily basis to help you and guide you: your own ability or the Holy Spirit?

▷▷What is one area in your life you need to trust the work of the Holy Spirit today?

Week of 4/14-4/20: New God Indwells His Covenant People

Day Two: Acts 2:29-36 “Brothers, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not left in Hades, and His flesh did not experience decay. “God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.’ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!”

Read the beginning of the story, Acts 2:22-28, in your Bible.

THE SATURN V ROCKET was created to do one thing: put a man on the moon. It is the most powerful rocket to have ever been built. It burned just over 15,000 gallons of fuel per second. When launched, it generated enough energy to light the entire country of India. The ground shook almost 3 miles out from its launch site.

President John Kennedy gave NASA a mandate: get to the moon before 1970.There were astronauts, there was a mission, and the Saturn V rocket gave men the ability to complete the mission.

As a Christ follower, you also

have been given a mission. Far more important than reaching the moon, the mission we have been given is to make disciples (Matthew 28:19).

And just like the astronauts, you are incapable of completing the mission on your own. In Acts 2:22-36, we see Peter share the truth about Jesus to thousands of people. This is the same Peter that sank while walking on water and that denied Jesus three times.

Peter did not complete this mission on his own, but with the power of the Holy Spirit. On his own, Peter was incapable; with the Holy Spirit at work in him, Peter was unstoppable. The Holy Spirit’s power enabled Peter to do incredible things for God that he would never have been able to do on his own.

The same is true for young our own, we are weak and frail. When we trust the work of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to accomplish what God has called us to do.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷What would you be willing to change today if you knew God would use you in an incredible way for His glory?

▷▷Can you think of a time when you had to rely on the Holy Spirit to help you? What happened?

▷▷Is there a person in your life with whom you need to share Jesus? What keeps you from sharing?