real life. real relationships. real purpose. in writing.
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Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:
In what ways have you seen God at work within you this week? Within your family? Within others you may interact with?
In what ways have you resisted God’s word within you this week?
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While Paul likely had very specific plans regarding how to go about beginning new churches, there still would’ve been unforeseen circumstances arise. These circumstances may have forced Paul to change course or reconsider the timing of beginning these new churches.
What didn’t change, however, was his underlying goal. Paul understood that healthy disciples make more disciples, and healthy churches make more churches. As such, his commitment to his future plans was rooted in ensuring he had healthy disciples and healthy churches. He did this by ensuring his followers continually adhered to foundational Gospel principles.
Today, many people commit to their own future by ensuring they have money in the bank for a rainy day fund. When an unexpected expense arises, they have the funds to cover it. But like Paul, we need to be sure our emotional and spiritual well-being has reserves for whatever may come our way. Our commitment to the future requires that we are emotionally and spiritually prepared for anything that may try to thwart the plans God has instilled within us.
READING & PRAYERS:
PHILIPPIANS 4:10-14, EPHESIANS 6:10-20, EXODUS 14:14
QUESTION: In what ways are you emotionally and spiritually preparing for what is to come? In other words, are you currently building up reserves so that are you are prepared for anything that may try to thwart the plans God has given you?
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that I spend a lot of time and money on my education, home, and other payments, but don’t spend nearly as much time and energy on learning how to love You and others well. Today I simply pray that You will work in me in a tremendous way, creating a reserve of emotional and spiritual health so that I can remain fully committed to the purpose You have instilled within me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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What does your prayer life look like? Are you more likely to pray for specific things you want or need, or are you more likely to pray that you and others would come to know God in a deeper way?
In Colossians Chapter 1, The Life Application Study Bible provides some tremendous insight on how the Apostle Paul prayed for the Christians in Colosse. Here’s what it says:
How to Pray for Other Christians:
READING & PRAYERS:
QUESTION: What steps can you begin to take so that you pray for other Christians in the way Paul did?
QUESTION: Will you join us at SRC in praying in these ways for those who are preparing to begin a new church in Bridgeport in 2023?
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today’s devotional is a stark reminder that my prayers are often me-focussed while the Apostle Paul prayed with an others-focussed mentality. Help me grow in praying specifically for others in the same ways Paul prayed for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Oftentimes, when Christians talk about discipleship programs there is some kind of Bible Study or Small Group discussion on what being a disciple of Christ looks like. Unfortunately, many of these programs miss out on some of the steps Jesus took in making disciples. As an example, Jesus was with His disciples for three years. It wasn’t a six or eight week study. Instead, it was a daily, intentional focus on helping His disciples think differently about God, the Messiah, and even themselves.
The Apostle Paul, seemingly, understood the significance of Jesus’ strategy. Acts 19:8-10 reads, Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God…So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him…This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
Paul didn’t execute his plans quickly or erratically. In one of his plans, we see two years of slow, methodical, focussed discussion of the Gospel. This ultimately led to new churches, including the likely beginning of the church at Colosse.
READING & PRAYERS:
QUESTION: Seemingly, Paul wanted to be sure that those who were going to help begin a new church were ready. How has God already prepared you to fulfill His plans in your life and the lives of others? In what ways is God still preparing you to fulfill His plans? Be specific.
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that You already have prepared me to fulfill Your plans and I know that are still preparing me to fulfill them. Admittedly, I don’t regularly pause to reflect on just how You have prepared me. Today, help me to see that You have been with me, You are with me, and You will continue to be with me as I live out the purpose You have for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Christianity began with the death and resurrection of Christ, but historians note that it was the Apostle Paul who ensured the message of the Gospel would spread. N. T. Wright is one historian who has done extensive research on the Apostle Paul and the customs and culture of his day.
What we know from the Scriptures is that Paul was raised and trained as a Pharisee. This indicates he was very well educated, likely having the equivalent of at least two post graduate degrees in today’s world. We also know that Paul fought against the message of Christ, as Acts 9:1 indicates he was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.
But then something miraculous occurred: Paul experienced Christ in a profound way. Afterward, he made it a life goal to spread the message of Christ to as many people as possible.
Historians recognize that what happened next didn’t happen by accident. The Apostle Paul made plans to spread the Gospel message. As you read today, consider this: In what ways are you carefully and strategically planning to share the message of Christ with the world around you?
READING & PRAYERS:
PROVERBS 15:22, 16:9, JAMES 4:13-17
QUESTION: In what ways are you carefully and strategically planning to share the message of Christ with the world around you?
QUESTION: Can you think of any occasion in which it may not be wise to make plans ahead of time?
Take a Step: This week, continue to utilize the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily to begin practicing being with God and resting in His presence. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices. See pauseapp.com for details.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that some days it takes a lot of strength just to get out of bed and go through my normal routine. As such, there are many days in which I don’t even consider what it would look like to carefully and strategically plan to share the Gospel with others. Today, may your truths continue to permeate my being so deeply that I grow in my desire to share of your grace and mercy with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:
In what ways have you seen God at work within you this week? Within your family? Within others you may interact with?
In what ways have you resisted God’s word within you this week?
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Colossians 3:17 (NLT) And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
That monthly report is due – again. The baby’s diaper needs changed – again. The toilet in the bathroom needs fixed – again. Oftentimes we see things such as these as distractions which are preventing us from participating inreal, good, and godly work.
But as was noted earlier this week, this passage communicates a principle which is vital for followers of Jesus to grasp: All of life is ministry. Not only that, but everything we do – writing the monthly report, changing the baby’s diaper, even fixing the toilet; it all can be done as if we’re doing it for Jesus Himself.
This means that every task, no matter how great or small, has a level of significance to it. The monthly report may reveal how the company can grow and have a more positive impact on the community. The baby has been created in the image of God, and needs close attention to grow and mature. Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:17, 3:23-24, MARK 8:34-35
QUESTION: What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me?”
QUESTION: What do you need to do in order to see even the most mundane tasks as something important that you’re accomplishing for Jesus Himself?
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today, I desire to be Your representative in everything I do and say. Help me to have an attitude toward others that says, “You are beautiful. You are important. I trust you. You can trust yourself.” This is a mark of what it really means to love others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT) So we are Christ’s ambassadors…
This passage in 2 Corinthians is easy to read, but is quite difficult to live out each and every day. Throughout this text there are tremendous truths to latch onto. Some of them include:
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:17, 3:23-24, 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-20
QUESTION: Choose at least one or two of the questions from today’s devotional reading and write out answers to those questions.
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that passages such as the one from today can lead me to feel like a complete and total failure. I don’t always allow Your love to control my words and actions. I’m more likely to live for myself than for Christ. I don’t regularly consider where God may be at work in the lives of others and join Him in that work. Yet, You really have provided me everything I need to live this way. It isn’t intended to be stressful, it’s intended to be freeing. Help me to experience real freedom by giving up control and simply following Your lead. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Luke 10:41-42 (NLT) But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Imagine you’re having Jesus over for dinner this evening. You threw out the invitation thinking there was no way He would accept, but then the RSVP shows up in your mailbox. Jesus will join you and your family for dinner.
How would you prepare? Would you rush, rush, rush to make preparations? Or would you make a simple meal, get out your notebook, and prepare to take detailed notes of what He shares with you over dinner?
The Scripture reading today is a story that is very familiar for many of us. But even though we may appreciate it, we fail to actually live out the principle it is teaching. Martha was much more focused on the dinner preparations, but Mary was much more focused on sitting at the feet of Jesus. One was living at the pace of the world, and the other was living at the pace of her soul. A slowed-down life leads to a more fruitful ministry.
READING & PRAYERS:
QUESTION: What is something you may be need to give up in order to begin living at a pace that is truly sustainable long-term? Can you think of anybody who may be able to help hold you accountable to living life at a slower pace?
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when I think of what I may need to give up in order to live at a pace that is truly sustainable, I become tense. There are things in my life I really enjoy that I don’t want to give up, and other things in my life I don’t enjoy that I’m unable to give up. Help me to be more like Mary, sitting at Your feet. May my time with You lead me to put a higher value on the things You value, and as I live out Your principles, may I begin to truly live a life of Real Purpose. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 3:17 (NLT) And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
How would you respond if somebody asked you if you were currently living at a pace that exceeds your limits?
While not everybody would say we’re living beyond our limits, the majority of us probably are. We live in a world that thrives on accomplishments and achievements. You can’t get ahead unless you’re wiling to put in the extra hours. You can’t have what you really need unless you “succeed.”
But the simple reality is, God has created you in His image, for His purposes, and for His glory. Our culture may define success one way, but God defines it very differently. He has given you a soul, and you will do well to live at the speed of your soul.
Admittedly, this is a great challenge. We don’t often think about our lives being lived at a greater pace than our soul. But somewhere deep down, the majority of us can probably recognize there is a great need to pause, slow down, and simply be with Jesus.
READING & PRAYERS:
QUESTION: What do you think it means to live life at the speed of your soul?
QUESTION: Another way to understand the Scripture passage above is to recognize that all of life is ministry. In what ways may you need to slow down in order to minister to yourself and to others well?
Take a Step: This week, continue to utilize the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily to begin practicing being with God and resting in His presence. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices. See pauseapp.com for details.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, it’s so much easier for me to live at the pace I think others want me to live instead of prayerfully discerning the pace You have created for me to live. This week, help me to slow down and discover a pace of living that leads me to better know You, see myself as You see me, and see others as You see them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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