real life. real relationships. real purpose. in writing.
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Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:
What are you willing to surrender to God in order to grow in your relationship with Christ?
What are you unwilling to surrender? How may God be inviting you to surrender this area of your life over to Him?
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There’s only one person who was able to live a completely perfect life. As such, no matter how hard you may try, there will be times when you fall short. We are all broken and fractured people living in a broken and fractured world.
Despite the fact that we will all fall short, we are all still invited to live out our Christian faith well. This means that all Christians have been invited to do two things. These include:
Consider the implications of this in your life. If you were to write out a list of just 3-5 things that matter most to you, what would you write? For those committed to following Jesus, what aspects of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus are part of your list? How do you phrase these things in your own words?
Secondly, are you living and speaking with others in such a way that the things that matter most to you are evident to everyone you interact with on a regular basis?
READING & PRAYERS:
ACTS 7:1-60 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: The above passage reveals how a man named Stephen lived and commented what mattered most to him. From your reading of the passage, what were some of the things that mattered most to him?
If you were to write out a list of just 3-5 things that matter most to you, what would you write?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, while I think I know what matters most in my life, when I pay close attention to how I spend my time, energy, and money, it seems clear that what I want to matter most may not be what actually matters most. Change my heart from deep within me. Break my heart for the things that break Yours. May I come to more fully understand the things that matter most to You, and accept Your invitation to have those things also matter most to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Acts 14:21-22 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, where they strengthened the believers.
Interestingly, the word “Christianity” is rarely used in the New Testament. There’s a brief mention of people being referred to as Christians, but in the majority of cases those who adhered to Jesus’ teachings were simply known as His disciples or followers. When His disciples did share the message of Jesus with others, they often referred to it as “Good News.”
Today, some modern translations of the Bible translate the Greek word used for Good News as “Gospel.” Yet it’s clear in the text that every time this term is used, the person sharing the Gospel with somebody is sharing it in such a way that it is Good News.
Christians today may miss out on opportunities to share our beliefs with others when we share the Gospel in such a way that it is not received as Good News. The message of Jesus is indeed good, and we it ought to shared as such.
READING & PRAYERS:
ACTS 8:4-13, 14:21-22 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What is it about the Gospel that first drew you to come closer to Jesus and ultimately place your faith in Him? In what ways did you hear and understand the Gospel as “Good News?”
DIGGING DEEPER: When you share the Gospel with others, how consistently do you share it as “Good News?”
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess there are times when I haven’t shared the Gospel as “Good News.” Continue to help me grow into somebody who experiences Your love and grace so deeply that when I share of it with others, they will see, hear, and know that the Gospel really is “Good News.” I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Throughout human history, there have been many events which have forever shaped the world. Empires such as the Babylonian, Persian, Roman, and more, heavily shaped cultures, languages, and politics for hundreds of years. World War I and II had a significant impact on modern day culture. While these nations and events were significant in our history, their overall influence on the entire world pales in comparison to Jesus’ resurrection.
In his book titled Making Sense of God, author and pastor Timothy Keller writes the following: “Sometimes people approach me and say, ‘I really struggle with this aspect of Christian teaching. I like this part of Christian belief, but I don’t think I can accept that part.’ I usually respond: ‘If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.’”
Human history was forever changed when Jesus did rise from the dead and his followers accepted everything he had taught
READING & PRAYERS:
JOHN 20:1-29 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What do you think of Timothy Keller’s argument, that if Jesus really did rise from the dead, then you have to accept everything He said?
DIGGING DEEPER: Are there any teachings from Jesus you struggle to accept?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that Keller’s argument is a good one — that if Jesus really did rise from the dead then I need to accept everything He said. As I read through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, I ask that You will remind me of this important truth. I pray that as I read, when Jesus says or does something I may not like or agree with, that You would remind me to not only accept it, but to see the wisdom within it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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1 Corinthians 15:3-6 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive…
If there is just one question which modern day historians struggle to answer with clarity it is this: How did Christianity begin? When researching the ancient world, it seems clear that the rise of Christianity would not just be improbable, but impossible. With the power and might of the Roman Empire, it wouldn’t make any sense that a small group of lesser educated fisherman, tax collectors, and women could concoct a story about Jesus rising from death to life. Similarly, it wouldn’t make sense that people believed this story without any shred of evidence. As such, modern-day historians who have researched the beginnings of Christianity have come to one overwhelming conclusion: After Jesus’ death, something significant happened. And with eye-witness accounts from hundreds of people, that something is Jesus’ resurrection.
READING & PRAYERS:
1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-58 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What might be some questions you have about the beginnings of Christianity? Where could you go to find answers to those questions?
DIGGING DEEPER: If you had family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues who had questions about the beginnings of Christianity, would you be read to help answer them?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize there is a lot about the beginnings of Christianity and a lot about my own faith which remains a mystery. While I know I can never understand everything fully, I do desire to be somebody who can lead others to know you more. This week, continue to draw me closer to You so that I may know You more, and share what I learn of You with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:
What are you willing to surrender to God in order to grow in your relationship with Christ?
What are you unwilling to surrender? How may God be inviting you to surrender this area of your life over to Him?
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Col. 4:6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive…
Have you ever had the thought, Life would be so much easier if everybody else saw things the same way I do? Of course you have! Everybody experiences some angst and confusion when meeting somebody else who sees the world through a very different lens.
But when these conversations arise – when it’s clear that you and another individual have very different perspectives – there’s a set of three questions you can ask yourself during the convention in order to keep yourself from being judgmental:
Questions such as these will help you get to know the person, the ways God has created them, and their life experiences. And your conversation will be more gracious and attractive.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 4:2-6, PROVERBS 16:24, 15:23, 18:4, 18:20 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
PRACTICE: Write down these three questions somewhere you will see them often: (1) Am I present or distracted? (2) Am I loving or judging? (3) Am I open or closed to being changed? Begin reflecting on these questions each time you have a conversation with somebody who may look think, live, believe, or behave differently than you do?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m continuing to recognize that not only is Jesus with me and for me, He is also with others and is for them. As I grow more in Christlikeness, I see that I also need to be someone who is with others and for them. Continue to help me see that the person I’m speaking with is of far greater value than whatever topic we may disagree on. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 4:5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
When is the last time you overheard a group of non-Christians talking about how gracious, kind, helpful, loving, and non-judgmental Christians are today?
Sadly, the reality is that in our current cultural climate, Christians are known more for being judgmental than for being loving. There are many reasons for this, and some of those reasons are a mis-characterization of Christians in the media and entertainment industry. However, there are other reasons for this as well, and every follower of Jesus would do well to look inward in order to discover any ways in which he/she may have a judgmental spirit.
Here is just one suggestion for how you may discern whether you may be unknowingly speaking in a way that is judgmental. Pay close attention to your words and thoughts throughout the day. Do you find yourself saying and thinking things about what you’re against (what you see as ‘wrong’ in the world), or do you find yourself more speaking and thinking more about you’re for (the love of God, resting in Him, releasing control.)
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 4:2-6, JAMES 3:13, PROVERBS 11:2, 17:28, 19:8, EPHESIANS 5:15-16 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: In his book Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, Peter Scazzero writes, “When I say we judge people, I mean we turn our differences into virtues of moral superiority. And in doing so, we create never-ending ways to subtly categorize people and diminish their humanity.” Are there any ways in which your words/thoughts may lead others to conclude you’re being judgmental?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today’s reading has been very convicting because I recognize that I spend more time speaking and thinking about what I see ‘wrong’ with others and the world than I spend speaking and thinking in the ways Jesus interacted with others. Continue to transform me into Christlikeness, so that my words, actions, and attitudes are more aligned with His. I pray in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
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Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
In his newest book titled Practicing the Way, author John Mark Comer notes that there are four different types of prayer. These include:
It’s likely that most in Evangelical churches today have a great deal of experience in some of these types of prayer, but little experience in others. Today, consider how God may be inviting you to become more devoted to prayer. Perhaps consider what may be distracting you from experiencing a deeper prayer life. Lessen these distractions, and grow in prayer.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 4:2-6, PHILIPPIANS 4:6, ROMANS 8:26 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Of the four different types of prayer mentioned in today’s reading, which would you say you practice least? What would it look like for you to more intentionally practice this type of prayer more consistently?
DIGGING DEEPER: Regarding the type of prayer in your answer to the above question, take at least 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or even 15 minutes to practice this type of prayer today.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when looking over the 4 different types of prayer in today’s reading I can quickly conclude that I am much more practiced in the first two. As I continue to be more devoted to a life of prayer, may I begin to listen as much (or more) than I speak, and may I grow in my ability to see You as You look upon me in love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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There’s no way to get around it; we were designed for relationships with other people. But
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Take a moment to think of somebody you know who has a really strong prayer life. You know, the kind of person who, when you hear them pray during a small group or church gathering of some kind, you’re left thinking, I’m not sure I have anything to contribute after that! He/She really knows how to pray!
But here’s the thing: in the same way it isn’t wise to compare yourself to others (he/she is so much better than me at art, sports, music, etc.), it isn’t wise to compare the power of your prayers to others. In Colossians 4:2, Paul doesn’t say, “Let those who are strong in prayer step forward and everybody else step back.” Instead, Paul encourages all of the Colossians to devote themselves to prayer. Some may have been very new to the faith, yet they were encouraged to pray.
As Ronald Rolheiser has written, “There is no bad way to pray and there is no one starting point for prayer. All the great spiritual masters offer only one non-negotiable rule: You have to show up for prayer and you have to show up regularly.”
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 4:2-6, 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: How regularly do you find yourself comparing your prayer life to that of others? What are some ways in which this may be hindering your own growth to come to God in prayer?
DIGGING DEEPER: What is something that may be getting in the way of you being more devoted to prayer (e.g., screen time, news media, music, podcasts, etc.)? Consider giving up one thing throughout the week in order to increase your devotion to prayer.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that there are a number of things which may be getting in the way of me being more devoted to prayer, but the greatest obstacle is myself. I sometimes believe the lie that my time apart from You is just as important, if not more important, than my time with You. Thank You for Your grace in this, and continue to help me see the benefits and joy of being with You more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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