The Conversation...Father, thank you for another day. Thank you for keeping my family safe as we slept last night. I thank you for every youth and child that reads this prayer today. I ask that you will create opportunities for us to excel in our daily lives. Lord, allow doors to open for us to show the world the success that a child of God can have by trusting in you. Let us be great examples of living a full life in Christ. In Jesus name, Amen. The Affirmation...I decree that great opportunities are being provided for me because of obedience to you I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelations 3:8 KJV)  The Resource...The WordThe Lord will open doors that no man can close, and close doors that no man can open! (Rev.3:8) One of the ways to know the Will of God is by open and closed doors, for where He guides, He always provides! Often this is how He gets us to do things: By closing some doors and opening others!--And we sometimes have to accept God's no in order to find His yes! God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform, and sometimes we're just swept along by His current, even when we don't know exactly where we're going. So we should follow His leadings and His guidance. Where He's providing open doors, He's obviously guiding! So don't bother to knock: Just walk right in! Which way does God seem to be leading you? Where do you have an open door of service? Which direction does it seem that He is providing the way and the means? Seek and trust the Lord, and He will lead and show you the way and open the door. Don't get impatient and try to batter it down! Trying to force the situation and push your way through just won't work! Be patient and wait, and He will open the door! The Sound...
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The Conversation....God, We thank you for this day. God, you are magnificent, holy, and worthy of our love, devotion, and affection. God, we acknowledge you as King over our lives and we desire to know more of you. We thank you for the blessing you give us everyday and acknowledge that we fall short of giving you the praise and worship you deserve and desire. God, we are sorry! Help us to change our ways and learn more about who you really are and what you word means. In Jesus name. Amen! The Affirmation...God deserves all of me. I will submit myself to Him. “Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly. Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!” Psalms 96:8-11 NLT http://bible.com/116/psa.96.8-11.nlt  The Resource... The Word!Serving God Hands Down Bible Reading: Mark 9:43-50 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. Mark 9:43 THIS NEXT story actually happened. Really. Two police officers spotted a young man staggering along the roadside carrying a Bible under one arm. The other arm was tucked tightly under the Bible in an attempt to stem the flow of heavy bleeding-where the man had chopped off his own hand! Yes, you read that right. The guy had cut off his own hand. He said he lopped it off to obey Mark 9 :43: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” Apparently his hand had touched something or taken something it shouldn’t have, so he took Jesus’ words literally and whacked off the offending member. Fortunately the police officers were able to retrieve the severed hand from a trash can, and doctors sewed it back on. The point? You had better know what the Bible means, not just what it says. If you took Jesus’ commands in this section literally, you and I and every believer alive would need to get in line for several amputations! Who hasn’t ever sinned with their eyes (lusting, coveting), hands (stealing, hitting), or feet (walking where they shouldn’t)? If you did exactly what the Bible said in this spot, you would need artificial limbs. Jesus was exaggerating for effect and emphasis. People do this all the time: “I’ve told you a million times.” “I was so embarrassed I could have died.” “I could eat a horse.” The statements aren’t literally true but overstated to drive home the point that we were really, really annoyed, embarrassed, hungry, defensive, etc. The real point Jesus was driving home wasn’t that you should whack off body parts left and right. It was that you have two ways to use your physical body-for God’s purposes or against God’s purposes. If your goal is to serve God, and you let your body do things that don’t please him, your body has become your enemy. Jesus wants you, his follower, to give to him not just your soul but your eyes, hands, feet, and every other part of you. Paul put it this way: “I plead with you to give your bodies to God” (Romans 12:1). God isn’t interested in watching you chop yourself to sinlessness, but rather he wants you to discipline your physical body to match your spiritual commitment. It’s not a lot easier, but it’s a lot less bloody! REFLECT: How are you using your body to serve God? PRAY: God, I want to honor you with my body. Help me discipline my physical body to match my spiritual commitment. © 2016 Josh McDowell Ministry. All reserved. No part of these Materials may be changed in any way or reproduced in any form without written permission from Josh McDowell Ministry, 2001 West Plano Parkway, Suite 2400, Plano, TX 75075. www.Josh.org.+1 972 907 1000. Used by Permission
The Conversation...Lord, we thank you for another day of life. Thank you for keeping us safe throughout the night. I pray that today, you would forgive me of all my sins. And as you forgive me, I ask that you would help me to forgive myself. God please allow this to be a day of joy and peace for me, my family, and friends. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. The Affirmation...Today, I declare that I will not live in condemnation of myself. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1 NLT)  The Resource...The WordOops! Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 The result was to make you sorry as God would have had you sorry, and not to make you feel injured by what we said. The sorrow which God uses means a change of heart and leads to salvation without regret. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 RECENTLY, IN A big city the local police raided what they thought was a crack house. After searching for a few moments and finding nothing even remotely suspicious, the police realized they had the wrong house! The crack house was next door. By the time the police realized their mistake, the inhabitants of the real crack house had escaped, and the police had a lot of explaining to do. In another town the local fire department scheduled a practice drill. Using a house they thought was scheduled for demolition, the fire department carefully set fire to it so they could practice their firefighting technique. Unfortunately, the condemned house was a block away! As you can imagine, the person who lived in the house was a little upset when he returned home to a pile of ashes. Usually, our mistakes are a lot smaller than setting fire to the wrong house. But we all make mistakes. We can’t avoid them-they’re part of being human. The important thing is not whether we make mistakes, because everyone does; the important thing is how we respond when we make a mistake. Now, sometimes our mistakes are sinful. Other times they’re just mistakes. But whether our mistakes involve a wrong choice or just a poor choice, the way to respond is pretty much the same. The first thing you can do when you make a mistake is admit it. That may seem pretty obvious, but it’s surprising how many people have trouble doing that. The second part of a proper response to a mistake is to apologize to anyone your mistake hurt. (If your mistake was sinful, this would include God.) The third step is to try to correct the mistake. This isn’t always possible (you can’t “unburn” a house, for example), but you should do what you can to erase the effects of your mistake. Then, if your mistake was sinful, you should accept God’s forgiveness and try (with his help) to do better the next time. Oh, yeah, one more thing-always remember to check (and double-check) the address of any house you intend to assault. REFLECT: What do you think is the difference between a mistake that’s sinful and a mistake that’s not sinful? Are there any recent mistakes you’ve made that you need to admit, apologize for, and try to make amends for? How will you do it? Do you think you’ll ever stop making mistakes? Do you think you can (with God’s help) make fewer wrong choices? Do you think you can (with God’s help) do a better job of admitting and correcting your mistakes? PRAY: “Lord, I admit that I should (or shouldn’t) have_________. I apologize for my sins. Show me how to correct the things I’ve done wrong, and help me not to do them again.” © 2016 Josh McDowell Ministry. All reserved. No part of these Materials may be changed in any way or reproduced in any form without written permission from Josh McDowell Ministry, 2001 West Plano Parkway, Suite 2400, Plano, TX 75075. www.Josh.org.+1 972 907 1000. Used by Permission The Sound...The Conversation...Father God, thank you for waking up us today. Thank you for allowing us to see another day. Father God, I ask that you will continue to watch over us. Father God allow us to have the strength to get through the day. Father God, continue to be the one over our lives that we ask for help. Father God , show us and let us know that you are here. In Jesus name Amen The Affirmation...I believe God. I can do anything I need to do throu Him. What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Mark 9:23 NLT  The Resource... The Word!I Believe — Kind of Bible Reading: Mark 9:14-29 Anything is possible if a person believes. Mark 9:23 “WHY CAN’T you do something for the boy?” The scribe screams a taunt at the nine disciples. “You say the Rabbi has given you power to deliver the demon-possessed, but there you stand powerless while a boy suffers. Let’s see some action here-or stop all this talk about being followers of the Son of God!” In the shadows stands a sorrowful-looking man with his arms wrapped around a pale, thin boy with dark eyes and unkempt hair. Tears streak the father’s weathered face. The boy rests his head on the father’s chest-a blank stare in his shadowy eyes and saliva dripping from his chin. Suddenly the argument stops. The crowd hushes as it turns in the direction of four approaching men-Peter, James, John, and Jesus. Recognizing Jesus, the father half-carries, half-drags his son forward and tells him the story behind the argument. As Jesus draws near, the boy stiffens and moans, and the evil spirit within him wrenches him into violent convulsions. “Have mercy on us and help us,” the father cries helplessly (Mark 9:22). Jesus encourages the man to have faith. But the confused father sobs piercing words: “I do believe, but help me not to doubt!” (verse 24). Is that dad delirious? How can he say he believes and doesn’t believe at the same time? If you have followed Jesus for more than a few feet, you probably know the feeling: “Lord, I really believe in you and your power. But I’m having trouble trusting you in this mess.” The statement isn’t contradictory-it’s reality! And Jesus responded to the dad’s statement by healing the boy. Faith is the ability to see and act on what God can do in a certain situation. Kim can “see” her friend Robin coming to Christ in the future, so she prays for Robin and invites her often to campus Bible study. Ian can “see” God work in his life as a result of quiet time alone with God, so he spends 10-15 minutes each morning reading his Bible and talking to God in prayer. Faith looks ahead to see what God wants to do and then acts on what it sees. But how do you sharpen your vision to see what God wants to do ? You start by soaking in Scripture. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from listening to this message of good news-the Good News about Christ.” The more of God’s Word you get into you, the more clearly you will see where he’s going and what he’s doing. And your faith will grow as a result. REFLECT: When have you felt torn between believing-and knowing you needed to believe more? PRAY: Pray these words to God: “I do believe, but help me in my doubt!” © 2016 Josh McDowell Ministry. All reserved. No part of these Materials may be changed in any way or reproduced in any form without written permission from Josh McDowell Ministry, 2001 West Plano Parkway, Suite 2400, Plano, TX 75075. www.Josh.org.+1 972 907 1000. Used by Permission The Sound...The Conversation...Good morning Daddy, thank you for your position as Abba in our lives. We thank you for your leading, guiding, provision favor & mercy! Please touch our hearts, will's and emotions to receive the love of a Good Good Father and to give that love in return to You and all that we encounter! Help us to guard our gates and to saturate ourselves in the beauty of your holiness so that we may be beacons of your light in a dark and lost world. Thank you for forgiving us when we fall short and loving us in spite of... Daddy we love you! ❤ The Affirmation...I can face today's challenges because for God's with me. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV  The Resource... The Word!Mountaintop High Bible Reading: Mark 9:2-13 This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. Mark 9:7 THE KNOT in Jacki’s stomach tied tighter and tighter during the long ride back from her youth group’s winter retreat. “I want to stay up there,” she moaned. “It’s so easy to be a Christian. The teaching is great. Everyone tries to get along. And there’s none of the hassles of living at home. Jesus is so real up there.” After a week of fun where Bible study, quiet times, and Christian friendships happen so easily, who would ever want to go back home to the tests, trials, and temptations of real life? It’s so much easier to live on the mountaintop. In Mark 9, Peter, James, and John got a taste of the “church-camp high” in a big way. As the Master’s three disciples stared in amazement, Jesus’ appearance changed drastically. Then Elijah and Moses showed up. Peter, a guy who never lacked something to say, stepped forward and awkwardly suggested they build three shrines to commemorate the glorious event. Then God spoke from the clouds, and the mountaintop experience stopped. Isn’t that the way it is when you get away with your Christian friends? Great music, a God-charged atmosphere-Christianity couldn’t be easier. Everything is rosy and bright. But then, thud! Monday morning. Your alarm nags you out of bed, the clothes you want to wear are still dirty from camp, and your mom serves you oatmeal. The thrill is gone! Camp is over! Life with all its disgusting realities and conflicts is back. It’s a brutal fact of life that the only people who get to stay on the mountaintop are camp staff. For everyone else, it’s back to the here-and-now. But wait a minute! Take a look back at the mountain in Mark 9:9. There are four figures winding their way back to the valley from that peak experience. Peter, James, John-and Jesus! That’s the truth you might forget when you slide down from camp, Bible study, or any other spiritual rush. Jesus isn’t chained to a mountaintop lodge, chapel, or sanctuary. He journeys with you into everyday life to help you with nagging alarms, grungy clothes, and gloppy oatmeal. The disciples were no doubt glad to climb to a mountaintop and glimpse a gloriously glowing Jesus. Those rare experiences can help charge your spiritual batteries and even permanently change you. But everyday life is lived in the trenches, not on the mountaintop. And if you just look around, that’s where you find Jesus-hanging out in valleys, helping you live out the mountaintop glow. REFLECT: What can you and your Christian friends do to make everyday life at home a little more like heaven? PRAY: Tell Jesus thanks for being with you at home-and invite him to hang out with you in your valleys. © 2016 Josh McDowell Ministry. All reserved. No part of these Materials may be changed in any way or reproduced in any form without written permission from Josh McDowell Ministry, 2001 West Plano Parkway, Suite 2400, Plano, TX 75075. www.Josh.org.+1 972 907 1000. Used by Permission The Sound... |