As a young Christian growing up in a Southern Baptist church, what I heard I was supposed to do was not always what I wanted to do.  And, to be more authentic, what I heard my parents asking me to do was not always what I wanted to do.  Why?  

I was generally a good kid, so long as you only observed most of my actions or the actions I wanted people to see.  As early as I remember, I knew right from wrong, yet I didn’t always choose ‘right.’  Why did I not want to do what the Bible taught and my parents asked of me?

Genesis 8:21, Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 51:5, Proverbs 22:15, Ecclesiastes 9:3, and Ephesians 2:1-3 all share that we are sinful by nature and unrighteous from the start. I understand this is not comforting to read.  And, for some of you reading this, you are saying ‘AMEN!’, understanding what you have been delivered from.  Others reading this might be hearing this for the first time.  So, what are we to do with the consistent struggle many people feel to resist evil and live for Jesus?

Here are a few thoughts to consider that I’m praying will help you during our fast for Change in ourselves, our churches, and our city:

The Gift of Salvation: Romans 6:23 shares, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Have you received the free gift of Jesus?  In an age of ‘likes’ and ‘thumbs up,’ it is easy to believe that liking or agreeing with Jesus is enough.  It is not.  The first step is receiving the free-to-us (it cost Jesus everything) gift of salvation.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Did you know the work of God did not stop with the gift of salvation in Jesus?  Acts 2:38 states: “…’Repent and be baptized…and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” As free as salvation is, the story gets even better.  

Keep in step with the Spirit: Believe it or not, there is even better news.  The Holy Spirit walks with us!  Galatians 5:16: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” A decision to follow Jesus comes with a guide (the Bible) and a teacher (the Holy Spirit) to help us understand the guidance.  

Are you keeping in step with the Spirit?  Shifting our minds from what we might believe God wants from us to what God wants for us can transform how we see God and others.  

Change is hard.  But Change with the power of the Holy Spirit is possible.  
  
And this is my challenge to all of us today…are we focused on what we think the Lord wants from us, or can we accept what he has for us?  The beginning of Galatians 5 says: For freedom, Christ has set us free.

Pray with me: “Father, thank you for your gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit, and the working of the Holy Spirit in my life. Many thoughts are flooding my mind about what I might need or want to change. Please quiet my mind and help me see you walking with me today.  Please allow me to hear your still, small voice and be encouraged that you are walking with me, equipping me to do every good work for your glory.  Amen.”

Paul, a 1st century apprentice of Jesus writing to a dysfunctional, yet spiritually-active church in Corinth (modern day central Greece), declares to them that “everything is for their sake.” By “everything” Paul means his recent suffering. He had experienced multi-faceted pain, confusion, physical and emotional attacks, and near death encounters for proclaiming the Way of Jesus. 

All of this led him to conclude that he was “carrying in the body the death of Jesus.” Despite these awful events, he maintained an optimistic attitude. He declared himself to be intact and free from despair. Why? Because Paul understood that his suffering had purpose - “that the life of Jesus would be manifested through our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:10).” Or, in other words, as our passage says: So that grace… extends to more and more people.

Because of his master Jesus’ example, Paul understood that the suffering of a disciple for being a disciple releases Kingdom breakthrough. The Lordship of Jesus is established on the earth not by military conquest but by the cruciform posture of the lives of Christians. And because Paul had sold himself out to his Master’s mission - because he had completely ceded all control of his life to the Messiah - he could authentically rejoice in suffering, knowing that his tribulation would lead to triumph. And what was that triumph?

The new creation world (which Jesus had inaugurated) colliding with the principality-and-power-architected darkness of the 1st century landscape and releasing the life and the goodness of God’s future reign into the present.

And at this, the pagans of the world of the Roman Empire could do nothing but fall to their knees and thank the Father of Jesus. What brings glory to the Creator God? When the human beings he made in his image properly function in their vocation of love-filled, Holy-Spirit-empowered service to destroy the works of the devil and reverse the corruption of God’s creation that occurred at the fall.

This is the template to adhere to if we want to see revival in our day and time. Triumphant kingdom glory is as available to us as oxygen. The cost? The total abandonment of control over our life, a heart fully yielded to the plans of God, and a joyful acceptance of whatever consequences may follow.

So when we cry out to God asking for a move of the Spirit in our lives, our city, our churches, and the world, we may indeed receive divine solutions, heavenly strategies, and anointed ministry models, but we do well not to forget that none of these will come until we first pick up a cross.

If you’re anything like me, I’m not much of a gardener. I’ve never actually been on a farm (other than picking apples in September or pumpkins in October) and I don’t know the first thing about how to grow plants. However, I do know that if you don’t tend to plants, they won’t grow.

When I was in first grade, my elementary school sent everyone home with an evergreen tree and told us to plant it. I told my parents that afternoon, “I know exactly where it should go” and proceeded to plant this tree at the very back corner of our backyard. I had it all planned out; it was the spot that had the most sunlight, would be covered at times but also would be able to get enough rainfall, and would be in perfect view from my bedroom window. Everyday for a year I would take my little watering jug and water this one little tree in the back corner of our yard. I wanted to make sure that this tree would grow tall and strong.

As I reflect on that little tree, I wonder if God was inviting me to learn how to be a “lavish planter” even with a little tree in my parents’ backyard. I wonder if God was showing me that generosity is about “why” to give as opposed to just “what” to give. When we read the biblical story, God models generosity not out of any obligation, but out of a love that he lavishes on us, like water to a thirsty plant. From the garden He created for Adam and Eve; the Promised Land that He gave the Israelites out of Egypt; all the way to the gift of Jesus–the One who paid the debt of sin that we never could–God has modeled a heart of generosity out of a deep love for His people. When we are generous, we are acting with a similar character to the very heart of who God has always been and always will be.

What would it look like to shift your mentality of generosity to model the heart and character of God? Later in 2 Corinthians 9, Paul quotes the psalmist which says: “He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.”

Let us be the type of people who model God’s heart of generosity.

We hear so often that time goes far too quickly– yes, the days may be long, but the years are short. In a world where being busy is our second nature, keeping up with raising and teaching children of all ages can be tiring. If you have a toddler, elementary-aged child, preteen, or teenager in your home, you know that they are fumbling their way through challenges at even younger ages than we as parents and leaders ever thought possible. Maybe you have a young family member or friend that comes to mind. No matter who that person is in your life, there is an urgency for a foundation that won't be shaken as they grow in this ever-changing culture.

Partnering with parents and families is a joy as a ministry leader, and we know that the work is never done. While the church isn't the only place the next generation can meet Jesus, it's where they can find community, love and encouragement. When a child's knowledge of their loving Heavenly Father starts at a young age, our prayer is that they hold on to that for the rest of their days. The busy days in ministry with babies, kids, and teens are a privilege as we walk alongside families in laying the groundwork for a life-changing relationship with Jesus. We want to support and empower the parents and people of influence in our kids’ lives to stay strong in the valleys and rejoice with them on the mountaintops.

As parents, friends and ministry leaders, there are days when fear of the world’s influence creeps in. It can feel like a heavy weight as we raise and guide the next generation, with every parenting or teaching decision feeling more important than ever before. As we lead the next generation, this privileged role is massive, but the weight is not ours to carry alone. We can rest in this truth from Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Our Father wants to lead us as we disciple the next generation, but we must surrender our decisions and discipleship moments and offer the kids we love so deeply to Him every single day, humbly reminding ourselves that they are His. We can have confidence that God hears us and knows our deepest desires for the kids we love.

With the knowledge that our uphill battles in raising and teaching this next generation are no surprise to our Father—the One who created us and gave us life—we want to pause and pray. The very same God that can count the hairs on each child’s head knows exactly what they will face and is not surprised by any of it. He wants us to set an example in coming to Him, knowing Him, and finding our hope in Him. When the next generation watches us surrender our worries and fears to our Father, may they then grow to trust in a God who knows their future and their plans, and who promises them hope (Deuteronomy 29:11).

What a hope we have from a loving Father that He is in all of the details and the daily struggles. No matter the age, we should pray diligently for the kids in our lives: they are the future leaders in their workplaces, homes, and churches. Just as they are beautifully made in the image of God, they are such precious gifts to us as parents, grandparents, ministry leaders, volunteers and friends. We pray for their daily routines and sporting events, for their conversations with friends and dinnertime discussions with parents, and that their light for Jesus will shine so much brighter than the social media posts on their feeds. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." May we raise up the next generation with Christ as their constant in a world that is ever-changing.

Pray with us: “Father, we pray for the next generation. We thank you for who you have created them to be and we lift up their lives to you. We pray their hearts will be close to yours and that discernment, biblical knowledge and understanding will be established and fed at every stage of their lives. We pray you will help us hold them close and that they’ll choose the path that honors you in every big and in every small decision. We humbly pray that the Church would be a catalyst, a support and a safe place to land as they navigate this world. We pray they are bold in sharing their faith and lighting this world. Father God, we pray for revival in the next generation. Amen.”

Squinting, I see shacks in every direction–homemade out of plastic, wood, scrap metal, broken block. I’m visiting the families inside to see if they have a special “Easter burden” we can pray for this morning.

“Who am I kidding? Easter burden? Try daily burden,” I think as I see women washing clothes in a river and babies walking around without diapers. Our family was living in Mexico as missionaries, and although the scene was familiar, it was never easy.

“Mom, we haven’t been down that road yet,” my daughter Emma points to a pathway leading toward the riverbank. Having already heard about more needs than I can help, I am wearing down.

“Okay, one more,” I say. I playfully tousle her hair. “Lord, give me strength.” It has been a season of feeling like we have more work to do than we can possibly accomplish, more children to reach out to than we have helpers, more funding needs than anyone can meet. I walk down to the shacks lining the river. “Buenos días,” I greet the little girl standing in the dirt. “Are your parents home?”

“Not now,” she answers shyly, her eyes full of fear.

Not wanting to scare her, I try a different approach. “We’re here to pray with anyone who wants to talk to God about the worries they may have. Do you have something you want to pray about?”

“Sí, I have something I am worried about,” she says. “Will God do anything about it?”

“He is not a magician, so we can’t ask Him for a trick, but we can share with Him how we are feeling and what we’re afraid of, and He’ll comfort us as we begin a relationship with Him. Would you like that?”

She leads us into her one-room home. Inside are five small children, the youngest is in diapers. There is no food, and the lack of cleanliness makes me wonder how long she has been left in charge.

“We’re hungry,” she simply states. She doesn’t ask for her parents to return, or a bike, or a better house. She just wants food for herself and her siblings. I begin, “Lord, would you bring nourishment for these children? Amen.”

Then I decide I can “fix” the problem. After promising we’ll return, Emma and I walk to a nearby food stand, where I buy several days’ worth of groceries. I hope this will be the answer to their prayers. We return and arrange the food on their makeshift table.

“I’m going to let the pastor know about your needs. I’ll keep praying for you and for your mother’s safe return.” I hug her. I feel good inside, we are leaving them in a better situation than we found them. As we walk away, I put Emma on my shoulders. When we’re about a block away, Emma yells, “Mom, turn around, go back! There are people all around those kids’ house!”

Sure enough, I hadn’t even noticed we were being watched as we walked back to their home earlier, our arms full of groceries and my heart full of good intentions. All the neighbors knew those kids were alone, and now they’ve come to steal their food. By the time we reach the door of the shack, a number of very unfriendly people are milling around. Crying, the oldest girl looks accusingly and says, “Is this how God answers prayers?”

Flustered by her question, and by the people standing around, I panic. “Oh God, what’s going on? Please intervene!” What a mess I had made. To be honest, I wanted to be able to imagine those children filling their bellies so I would not feel so guilty about filling mine. “Lord, forgive me!” As I cry out in His name, my heart is flooded with peace. I know He’s staking His claim over this shack. It feels like a wind blowing, but there’s no movement in the trees. Where the Accuser had been just moments ago, stirring up fear and trouble, the army of angels is beginning to swoop in. One of the Enemy’s favorite tricks is to fill the air with fear, but now, slowly, people begin to walk away. The Prince of Peace was here.

The children and I walk over to a woman in the community who is respected and knows everyone. “These kids’ mamá disappears for days at a time to work,” she says as she scolds them, “Why didn’t you come out sooner and ask for help?” She sets out some warm tortillas on the table. “I will keep an eye on them until their mamá comes home” she says. I nod in appreciation. The oldest girl, falling into a heap, begins to cry softly. Emma and I hug them goodbye, and I let this woman minister to them with an understanding of that life I do not share.

House by house, I had gathered the community’s Easter burdens in my own basket, trying to figure out how to fix everything until I lost sight of why I was there—to listen and love. Burden-carrying can do that to you—it clouds your vision. I can feel sick for little ones who bear burdens they weren’t meant to. I want to blame someone. The government, society, their families, the economy, war… But it’s all of those reasons and none of those. God asks us to go (both locally and globally) and be present in hard stories, to make room for Him to heal. He asks us to listen and work with strength that’s not our own. When I am tempted to carry what’s not mine, I remember how easily I can make it worse without intending.

I love studying the Bible and all its nuance and complexity, but, in the end, it’s pretty much summed up in two words: come and go. God has invited us into a relationship with Him, “Come to me” (Matthew 11:28), “Come to the waters” (Isaiah 55:1). The Spirit says “come” over and over again, and we are to come. The second word is “go.” “Go into all the world” (Matthew 16:15), “Go, stand and speak” (Acts 5:20, KJV). There’s a rhythm of coming and going, and if we just come and don’t go, we miss the opportunity to fulfill God’s will through our lives, but if we just go and don’t come, we miss the opportunity to be filled by God and know Him.

So, in stories I go into and don’t know how to minister or what to share, what’s to be my response? Pray for His strength, connect with others, listen, love well– and in doing so, lighten the burden in His name, and not my own.

I was at Lifetime the other day, and a big dude (almost as big as me ) was wearing a military shirt that said, “Honor those who deserve it!” That caught my attention. At a very quick and visceral level, my mind could agree with that. “Yeah, only honor people that I ‘think’ act honorably or honor those that honor me. Honor people that I like, that like me or are like me and only honor those that act like me or those I agree with.” I quickly discarded that as I thought, “I don’t think that sounds much like Jesus. And whatever I sow I’m gonna reap. I don’t want that.”

And then I quickly thought, “Man, we have a lot of dishonor going on in our culture right now, don’t we?” Social media is a cesspool of tearing people down and dishonoring people we disagree with or are jealous of. Politicians dishonor one another all the time and disparage the other person just because they disagree. Cancel culture is rampant and we as Christ followers are no different. We treat people who don’t agree with our theology as less than or we diminish and disregard those that are different from us. We all do it, all the time.

As Christ followers, we have the opportunity to share the gospel more powerfully and purposefully if we create the culture of honor that Jesus intended us to create. When we show honor, we show Jesus. Creating a culture of honor cannot be left to the subjectivity of the current culture. Honor is from God to all of us and must be displayed through us.

Anyone created in the image of God is deserving of honor. Peter says, “Honor everyone.” Not just some but all. All people are in the image of God, so all people deserve honor and dignity regardless of who they are or what they’ve done. The context of Peter’s words is reminding the people of God of our powerful identity in Christ. Thus, we can live freely showing that identity by showing people honor.

So what is honor and how do we create a culture of honor? Honor means “to give weight, to give value and esteem and dignity to others.” People, by the very nature of being in God’s image, deserve to be given “weight, value, esteem and dignity.” Again–even when they act dishonorably, and even when they don’t honor us.

Peter doesn’t stutter in his words– honor everyone. All people at all times. Choosing to honor doesn’t mean we will agree with people. It doesn’t mean we lay down and become doormats, and it doesn’t mean that we do whatever others tell us to do. But it does mean we will see people as Jesus sees them and sees us. It means that we will give dignity and esteem to others at all times.

Philippians 2 is such a strong reminder of this. Paul reminds us, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” If Jesus put others above himself, then so must we. So how do we do this? A couple things to apply in all of your relationships:

1. Honor sees people. Sees others as God sees them.
2. Honor shows grace. Remember the grace we’ve been given and give it away.
3. Honor calls out gold in others. For every one negative we call out in another, we should fill that with 5-6 life-giving pieces of gold about them.
4. Do conflict in love. When we do the first three things, we won’t avoid conflict and won’t do it in anger, but we’ll do so in love.

So let’s create a culture of honor in and through our lives as Jesus has done for us.

I tried my hand at gardening years ago, more so as an experiment and to see what herbs I could grow. I quickly fell in love with the hobby and particularly one aspect of the process: seeing seeds sprout. It feels kind of miraculous to watch something that was tiny, brown, and dull transform into little, vibrant, green leaves only a few days later. Eventually, with care and some natural resources, the seeds turn into beautiful flowers, fruit, or vegetables for us to enjoy.

I see a lot of similarities between spiritual gifts and seeds. They are something God created and given by Him, and these gifts need to be cultivated to be beneficial for others. Seeds also come in all kinds, producing many different flowers, just as there are a variety of spiritual gifts. All gifts are important and offer a variety of ways for God to move and show His love.

In 1 Corinthians 14:1, one translation starts with “Let love be your highest goal!” We aren’t using these gifts to impress others or make ourselves look good; we are using these gifts to share love. Scripture then calls us to “eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit.” In this new year, it seems like the perfect time to try something new and eagerly desire a gift of the Spirit. Maybe you have always wanted the gift of healing; pray for God to send people who need healing your way and pray for them. The more we step out to see God move, the more likely we’ll actually see God move. Maybe you’ve thought you might have the gift of encouragement; try encouraging one person each day and see how the Lord uses it to bless others and share His love.

In this new year, I encourage us to put to work the spiritual gifts God has entrusted to us. Just as I get excited seeing the seeds come to life and produce leaves and flowers, I know God loves seeing the gifts He’s given out being used and shared to love others!

As you reflect, ask yourself– what spiritual gift(s) do you think God has entrusted to you? (You can find lists of gifts of the Spirit in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28). How could you use that gift to serve others around you? Is there one gift that you want to “eagerly desire” and ask God for?

Pray with me: “Father God, we come to you in this new year wanting to see you move in our lives and the lives of those around us. We know that one way you move is by using us as your children through the spiritual gifts you’ve given us. Help us to steward well the gifts you have already given, and eagerly desire other gifts of the Spirit. We want to build your Kingdom here on earth. We love you and trust you as a good gift giver. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

As we devote ourselves to prayer throughout this journey together, Paul encourages us to be watchful and thankful. To be watchful is to remain completely alert to danger and
opportunities. Yet, we live in a modern culture addicted to distraction. To remain alert and aware of the opportunities around us would require many of us to intentionally put away our digital devices and lift our eyes to what surrounds us. What might we be missing? Do we notice the facial expressions of those who serve us a meal or help us check out at a store? Are we aware of the Holy Spirit’s prompting to speak a word of encouragement or care?

Today, we will ask God to open doors for sharing His love and for our awareness to step through that door into conversations of hope and blessing. I confess that I am often too caught up in my agenda that I miss the open doors around me. Yet, when I pause and live watchfully, I find I am invited into the great adventure of listening to the Spirit. It’s truly the most fun and fulfilling experience of life. Opportunities abound as we ask God to lead us and as we choose words of grace and truth for those we encounter.

Paul is writing this from prison, and he’s not complaining. He’s asking for courage and opportunities for the gospel to advance.

While not even close in comparison, one day I tore a ligament in my thumb playing basketball and had to see an orthopedic doctor. As I went into the office, I sensed the Holy Spirit speaking to me that there was someone I needed to notice. As the nurse walked in, I could tell that her eyes were downcast. I tried to cheer her up at first and engaged in friendly conversation. After a while, I asked if there was anything I could pray for her about. She shared with me that she was really struggling with a challenging situation in her family and losing hope. I let her know that God sees her and cares for her family as well. We prayed together and her eyes lifted with hope as I talked about the grace of God and His love for her.

After the doctor came in and the appointment was ending, I was struck by this thought and shared with her, “What if God loved you so much that He allowed me to tear the ligament in my thumb to share with you today?” We both paused at the thought and thanked God for the divine appointment and open door for His grace. 

Father, I ask you to develop a watchful and thankful heart in me today. What is distracting me from being fully aware and grateful?

Jesus, I ask you to give me courage to care for others as you’ve cared for me. What keeps me from speaking of your amazing love to those around me?

Pray with me: “Holy Spirit, I ask you to open doors for me to share the good news of
forgiveness, connection with God, eternal hope and life that is truly life today. Who
would you lead me to share with today? Amen.”

What names or opportunities come to mind?

Every year, I spend time with young adults walking through a current book on relationships and dating. We dig into the stuff (and I mean all the stuff) that comes with two people getting to know one another and eventually falling in love. I love to hear their thoughts, dreams, struggles and frustrations with the whole process. We share life experiences and lessons with the hope that they can find the healthiest person who will eventually love them with the most amazing, Hallmark movie kind of love.

However, we live in a day and age where the emphasis on healthy relationships and healthy marriages has dissolved into a culture of hook-ups, casual commitment, and the hope (but not determination) that two people might actually last forever. What has brought us to where we are?

There have been books written on the impact of social media, the danger of instant gratification, the ease of access to porn, and the addiction to variety, all of which have a direct correlation to the impact on the marriage union today.

What I love about God’s Word is that it never changes and has something to say about everything we encounter. Jesus has a lot to say about our relationships. Marriage is an earthly representation of Jesus’ relationship with His Church– that’s us!

Ephesians 5:21-33 gives us a beautiful picture of God’s design for us as we pursue a lifelong partner. It’s pretty radical by culture’s standards: a wife is to submit to her husband (as she does to Jesus), a husband is to lead and love his wife (as Christ leads and loves his church), a wife is to respect her husband and a husband is to be willing to lay down his life for his wife. Really? This is the blueprint? This certainly shakes things up.

But, God’s Word is a perfect roadmap. We believe it, and so we trust it. What if, for the single guy and girl, you only pursued someone whose life is centered on Jesus, who chooses sacrifice over self, holiness over impurity, and righteousness over the world? How would that shape your future marriage? How much time and emotion would you save for the right one? How much more prepared would you be for forever?

For those who are in it, those whose “I do’s” were years ago, what if starting today you could look for the most selfless ways to love your spouse, the most generous explanations for weaknesses and faults, and the most gracious opportunities to shower love and respect on the one God brought to you? How would things shift? Imagine the peace that would fill our homes, the security our kids would experience, the legacy we would leave behind for the next generations.

I realize that many of you are in a hard, seemingly impossible season or circumstance, but God promises us that with Him, all things are possible. He is in the business of turning ash into beauty, making the broken brand new, and redeeming what was destroyed.

One of my favorite passages in Scripture is Joel 2:25-26 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm…you will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you.”

That is a promise. God is for you. He is definitely for your marriage. Invite Him today to do something amazing in your relationship. He’s the Healer, He’s the Hope-Giver, He’s the Miracle-Worker.

When I was in high school, I was part of a small church in Central Florida with less than a hundred people on any given week. My pastor decided to lead a class on theology with the handful of high school kids we had. We called it “The Dead Theologians Society.” At the end of the class, he gifted each of us a coffee mug featuring one of the theologians we’d studied who most closely connected with us. I still have mine. It’s got a sketch drawing of Martin Luther on it and this quote, “The Bible is a remarkable fountain. The more one draws and drinks of it, the more it stimulates thirst.”

More than a few times over the years, that quote has rattled around in my head and my heart, reminding me of the power and importance of feasting on God’s Word, regardless of how hungry I feel for it. In some seasons, the hunger seems to come easily. In other seasons, I’ve had to remind myself to eat– that the discipline of drawing and drinking and feasting on God’s Word and listening for Him is itself a way to get hungry again. We need to be hungry for the living and active Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

It’s a two-edged sword—a tool in the hand of a loving Father—that the Holy Spirit will use to refine us and mold us to be more like Jesus, to carry the Kingdom throughout our city. And we don’t just need a hunger to read it or hear it, but a hunger to listen to it and obey it. Because it’s not just words on a page, it’s the living and active words of a God who loves us, longs to speak to us, and wants us to live into the fullness of who he created us to be.

As you reflect, ask yourself: on a scale of 1-10, how hungry are you for God's word right now? What’s a passage or story in the Bible that gets you fired up that you can revisit when you need to renew your hunger for God’s word? How has God spoken to you through His word recently?

Pray with me: “Father, thank you for giving us your Word and speaking to us through it. Give us a hunger and a thirst for your Word that can only be satisfied by more of you. Every time we read it, show us in a fresh way how it is alive and active. Let it show us more of who you are and the Kingdom you’ve invited us to build with you in our city. Amen.”

When you hear the word “freedom” what reaction does it evoke from within you? Maybe the notorious scene of the late Scottish hero and knight, Sir William Wallace in the movie Braveheart as he lets out a guttural cry of freedom for the liberation of his country and people, that seems to echo into the souls of all those that stand watching him in his final hours of life? Maybe, on a more personal level, an allusive reality that is tied into the fabric of wishful thinking concerning the day to day demands and struggles of daily life and your personal journey with Jesus? Maybe it is the distant mirage of hope that stands on the other side of the personal struggle of sin that seems to be squeezing the very life, joy, and peace out of you? 

The truest things about you are who you are under the blood of Jesus. Who you are as a result of the finished work of Jesus. What is now available to you because of the glorious new covenant that we have been brought into as sons and daughters of the living God. Truth needs to teach our feelings to work for us and not against us. The truth is, that freedom is not something you GET, it is something that you ARE. 

The day that you gave your life to Jesus, you were given a blood transfusion with the King of kings and Lord of lords. You were instantly born again and brought into this beautiful reality of the gospel, where it is now no longer you who lives but Christ who lives in you and your old self has been killed off and you have been raised to newness of life with Jesus himself and now you get to live and move and have your being in him. What if freedom is not a distant reality and hopeless heavenly tease but rather what you are actually seated in right now? What if we are trying to get something that we already are and already have as a reality and result of our inheritance in Jesus? But the lie and deception of Satan whispers to us a different narrative that seeks to gather its information from the current weakest parts of our lives that are still learning to catch up and step into revelation of this glorious gospel and finished work. 

I was a drug addict for years. Suicidal. Angry. Hopeless, and a list of many other death sentence phrases. But something changed for me when the reality of the gospel confronted my heart through the words of a spiritual mentor as I was entering into my discipleship journey as a young man; “Matthew, when are you going to realize that you are no longer a drug addict that needs to be fixed, you are a son that needs to come into the revelation of his royalty.” 

First, I weep with you if you have only known, as St. John of the Cross says, a “dark night of the soul” that has left you in bondage, heartbroken, struggling, relapsing, and ashamed. I pray that you would find the arms of our Heavenly Abba that in the words of Christian writer Dane Ortlund, “HE is reaching for the things that you hate most about yourself so that HE might hug them tightest.” 

Second, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, according to the riches of the gospel and ask Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart, that you may see and behold the glory of Jesus as the all perfect Lamb of God that has taken away the sins of the world. That as you behold him you will inevitably become like him and be transformed into his likeness and then freedom will have its perfect way in you, bringing you along into a sanctification that is easy and light rather than tiresome and heavy.

As we close, let us return to the text, “wherever the Spirit of the Lord is…there is freedom”. Dear reader, that is YOU. You are the home address of God the Holy Spirit. If he lives in you then the very attribute and reality of freedom has taken up residency within you as well. You are not the sum of your failures, you are the result of the accomplished work of Jesus that has made you free, holy, and righteous. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look (behold) full in his wonderful face and the things of this Earth will grow strangely dim, as the old hymn recites. Even if you fail and fall as you are learning to walk this out, as we all are, there is a perfect high priest, interceding for you, speaking better words over you rather than the self hatred we scream within ourselves. There is boundless grace and mercy to carry you into your perfect inheritance. Come to Jesus and find that it is not you holding onto him, but rather him onto you, and discover the freedom with which you have been seated in.

Although Jesus may have been speaking directly to his eleven disciples at this moment, the command to “go and make disciples” was for His Church. This is one of the reasons many people call this passage of scripture “The Great Commission.”

The Church was commissioned by God to go and make disciples wherever God calls them. One of the most strategic ways of fulfilling The Great Commission is by planting churches led by called and passionate people committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Although it may seem like churches are on every corner in our communities, churches are closing faster than they are opening. At the current rate, only one church opens for every four churches that close. Now more than ever, we need to plant churches in our city and around the world.

I think it’s easy to forget that every church was once a church plant! The church you
came to faith in or were disciplined in only exists because a group of people committed
to the Great Commission stepped out in faith. That’s why all churches must decide if
they will be the end of the road or if they will invest resources and people into starting
new churches to reach new people in new places.

Spend some time today asking God to create a passion in your life and your church to
see new churches started. Who knows, maybe He is calling you to plant a church!

Willing to be forever cursed? Cut off from Christ? Yikes! This is a very strong language Paul uses here to plead his case. To put this passage in context– Paul is sharing, with the Church in Rome, his burning desire to see his Jewish siblings come to a saving faith in Jesus!

Personally, every time I read these words it brings a chilling conviction to my core. Do I share in Paul’s burning desire to see the unsaved saved? Is my heart filled with ‘bitter sorrow and unending grief’ to see the unreached in my city… reached? And do I even want to know the answers to those questions?

Left to our own efforts and energy, we all will fall short of this “Romans 9:1-3 Bar” to see others come to know Him– each and every time! But thank God this evangelistic burden doesn’t come from our desires, but His. Without the empowerment and enablement of the Holy Spirit, we’ll continue making failed attempt after failed attempt trying to go at this alone.

It’s only in the power of the Holy Spirit that our hearts break for the unsaved. It’s only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we long to even want others to know Him because…it’s through the power and infilling of the Holy Spirit that we become effective witnesses for the King and His Kingdom.

And this Good News gets even better…we don't need to be forever cursed and cut off from Christ for others to enter into the Kingdom. Our salvation is assured and secure in Him regardless of our feelings or evangelistic competency. We who are in Christ are sent out by Christ in the power and authority of His Spirit. We are qualified to do the work of an evangelist.

Pray with me: “Holy Spirit, according to your power at work within me, I pray you fill my heart with bitter sorrow and unending grief for the lost in my city. Teach me how to lovingly share with others who don’t yet know you. Stir in me that I may burn for you in such a way there’s an urgency for the unlikely to come to a saving faith in You. Amen.”

Up to this point, everyone knew that these guys were disciples of Jesus because it was obvious. They were with Him. They followed Him everywhere. They listened to everything He said. They had been eating and sleeping and travelling with Him for years now. But he had also just told them in verse 33 that he would soon be leaving and that they couldn’t come with him. 

So now what? When Jesus is gone, how will anyone be able to identify them as disciples of Jesus? Jesus has this covered with a “new command” (v34). “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” And then He says that this will be their calling card. This is how someone can spot his disciples from a distance. 

How then? How do they love each other the way that He loved them? This whole conversation is in the context of Jesus having just washed the disciples’ feet. He had shed some outer clothing, wrapped a towel around His waist, got some water, and, presumably, gotten on his knees to wash their nasty feet. All of them. Even Judas.

How do we emulate this? How do we express this kind of others-oriented, self-sacrificing love that Jesus displayed all the way to the cross? How do we identify ourselves with Jesus to the world? How do we know we’re “doing it right?” Well, if you find yourself serving people in inglorious ways - even those who don’t deserve it, and if it’s a bit uncomfortable, and if it’s pretty stinky and your back kinda hurts from bending so low… you’re probably on the right track. 

One of the many (some awesome, some not-so-awesome) things I’m discovering as I get older is that I’m not enough. I used to think I was– back in the day when I was entrenched in worldly ideology and focused on my independence and capability. It’s been a minute since I felt so strong. These days I’m mostly aware of my weaknesses; my aching back, my lack of get-up-and-go, my weariness. “I got this!” Nope, I don’t. “You can do it!” Really doesn’t feel like I can.

It’s been such a relief though, as I age, to right-size my own strength. To remember out of necessity that it’s His might I’m relying on, not my own. I don’t have what I’m going to need? Great news! I know Someone who does. Being a leader can feel like a beautiful gift, an awesome privilege, and a huge burden. We can doubt ourselves. We can have a hard time remembering to keep the main thing, the main thing. We can fail to remember that it’s God’s glory we’re after, not our own.

The apostle Paul would likely file the above challenges under the heading “spiritual warfare.” We need to be reminded, again and again, that the battles we fight are not against flesh and blood. The battles we’re fighting are “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” The enemy and his minions are not interested in you or the leaders of your church standing firm, focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ, pointing people to Him and only Him. We’re at war, and we can barely defend ourselves. But God!

He has given us, and your leaders, everything we need: His armor. The armor of the mightiest, strongest, most awesome-in-power God of the universe–that’s the armor we get to put on. But putting it on is an act of surrender, and it’s a choice. We can try to fight our battles with the weapons we fashion ourselves; we can try to defend ourselves with our puny, penetrable, opposite-of-bulletproof vests. Why would we want to do that, though? Only those of us who are still convinced we’re strong enough, wise enough, and resourceful enough are foolish enough to fight in the strength of our own might and not God’s. May we repent of relying on ourselves.

Pray for the leaders of your church, and for all of your brothers and sisters, that we daily reach for the armor of God: His belt of truth, His breastplate of righteousness, His gospel of peace, His shield of faith, His helmet of salvation, and His sword, the sword of the Spirit. Then we can stand and fight. Pray that your leaders be filled with His mighty power and that they lead from a place of dependence on His strength and wisdom.

Whenever I share my testimony, I talk about the first miracle I saw. In college, God healed my friend of terminal cancer during a prayer meeting. I haven’t been the same since.

As I’ve reflected on my faith journey, I realize an equally pivotal moment came years before. I was sitting with some youth group friends discussing a book we’d read about a revival. The author told stories of crazy things happening during this revival– people pulling into the church parking lot and unexplainably bursting into tears. Men walking into the lobby, falling to their knees, and repenting of sin. He even shared a testimony of how one service, the pulpit split in two after an altar call to pursue God more.

A fiberglass pulpit. Split in two. With no one touching it. Again…crazy stuff. Especially for some youth group kids from a traditional church. One friend spoke first and said how amazing that sounded. He wanted to see God move in crazy ways, even though none of this was familiar to him. As he spoke, something sparked in my spirit.

The next friend had a much more “thoughtful” response– “I bet he’s exaggerating to sell books?” and “I wonder if they pre-cracked the pulpit to set that up.” As he spoke, something sparked in my mind. He made good points. There is a lot of money in the book game. And pulpits don’t usually just split… Then eyes turned to me.

My spirit had been sparked with wonder, then my mind had been cooled with critique. The moment didn’t feel significant. I was among friends where either response would be met with grace. And yet, a battle raged inside of me. A battle that I now realize was between cynicism and hunger, and who would have first say over my heart. After what seemed like hours, I spoke. I don’t remember exactly what my mouth said. But I remember what my heart felt: “I must…”

If there’s more to God, I must find Him. If He still speaks, I must hear Him. If the book of Acts can still exist, I must be part of it. During this fast, don’t overlook the battle over the simple moments. Cynicism and hunger are battling for you. Which one will we give the reins of our hearts to?

As you reflect, think about a time you chose hunger for God instead of cynicism toward Him.

Pray with me: “Holy Spirit, cultivate a hunger in us this month that sustains us all year. Let us never give the reins of our spiritual lives to anything but You. Teach us to feed our desire for more and starve the critical spirit. Amen.”

I grew up attending church and hearing a lot about God and Jesus. I sat in Sunday school classrooms with felt boards (Google it if you are too young to have ever seen one!), sweet Sunday school teachers, and other kids dressed in their Sunday best. I then went from my class to “Big Church” as we called it, and sat with all the adults in the pews and listened to the pastor preach and the choir sing. I can honestly say that throughout my entire childhood, youth and early adult years, I never did one study or heard one sermon on fasting!

We actually did a whole lot of eating in the churches I was a part of! The thought of not eating anything or certain things for any period of time seemed so radical. “Only monks and zealots fast,” I thought to myself– no, wait, I never even thought about fasting!

That may be your story, and I am so thrilled that you are reading this and that you’ve decided to embark on this 21-day journey of prayer and fasting. Whether this is your first time trying to fast or it’s your regular rhythm every January, I want to encourage you to approach your season of fasting confident that you can fast!

One of the obscure stories around the birth of Jesus is found in Luke 2. Jesus had just been born and Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple in Jerusalem to be dedicated to the Lord and to fulfill some customs found in the law. As they arrive at the temple, an elderly widow named Anna excitedly greets them and prophesies that their little baby boy is the hope of the world! (Luke 2:38).

I love what Luke says about Anna in Luke 2:37, “She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.” Unlike my experience growing up in church, Anna was very familiar with and accustomed to fasting. There is so much to Anna’s story that is worth reflecting on: she dealt with the loss of a spouse, she never had children, and she understood disappointment. Anna was familiar with pain, but never stopped pursuing God and had a passion for His presence and purpose in the world.

But what I want you to see in her story and be encouraged by in your fasting journey is her dedication to making fasting a regular part of her spiritual disciplines and worship. She worshiped with fasting and prayer day and night. It was while she was fasting and praying, while she was being obedient to what God had asked, that Anna got to see Jesus and experience His presence literally in her life. If an elderly woman (some scholars insist that she stayed in God’s house from the time she lost her husband, meaning that those 84 years were after she was widowed, so she may have been more than 100!) can fast and pray, so can you!

You can fast! As you undertake this 21-day journey, know that God’s power and presence are available to each of you as you invite Him to change your life, your circumstances, and our city. I can’t wait to see how He moves in your life!

“...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3–5

Ahh, the new year! As the earth turns another year older and humanity gains an overwhelming sense of a “fresh start”, our lives are primed for positive change. At the beginning of the year, we often set goals for our spiritual lives, physical health, work/life balance, and much more. We set goals because we know that change is what creates an opportunity for growth. If we don’t change, we will never grow.

But what about uncontrollable or negative change? How do we respond when the changes we experience aren’t things we hoped for, made resolutions about, or planned for? Things like job loss, sickness, a stock market crash, or death? We don’t control those changes and we certainly don’t welcome that change into our lives, yet we live through changes like this every year.
 
Unwanted change can leave us feeling like we’ve been launched into a pit of darkness and suffering. Are these changes still an opportunity to grow in Christ? The apostle Paul seemed to have an answer in Romans 5:3-5. He says “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

The apostle Paul was no stranger to suffering, in fact, he’d probably consider himself a friend to the “pit of darkness” as he often experienced horrible suffering throughout his life. In Romans 5:3-5, he explains how even through suffering (unwanted change), we can be conformed to and renewed through Christ (growth).

For those walking through seasons of grief, loss, mental health changes, or any number of challenges, “rejoicing in your suffering” is certainly easier said than done. But as suffering inevitably comes, we are called to endure the suffering by clinging to the Lord (Psalm 63). Although you might be feeling weaker than you’ve ever been, we know the Lord walks with us, and his power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). When we cling to the Lord as we endure unwanted change, we are becoming more and more dependent on the Lord.  Paul wanted his readers to understand that through suffering we have an opportunity to become more dependent on the Lord, looking to him for our every need. This is growth that makes us look more like Christ; the kind of change that honors him and brings him glory.
 
Our continual dependence on the Lord has no choice but point to our hope in Christ. When all else fails around us, our hope in Christ will always remain (1 Peter 1:3-6). He has ransomed us from our own brokenness and secured for us a home in Heaven, where all pain and sorrow will subside and death will be no more. Even as we endure unwanted change, God displays his love for us through this eternal promise for all to be made right, and new again (Revelation 21:4-5).

If you’re walking through darkness and suffering, I’m so sorry. My heart is so heavy for you. Truthfully, this one-page devotional hardly scratches the surface of the complexities of navigating suffering. My encouragement to you is this– what’s true in the light is still true in the darkness. Whether it’s controlled positive change or uncontrolled negative change, change does give us an opportunity to grow. As you endure your suffering, you have an opportunity to cling to Christ, cement “dependence on God” into your character, be renewed by Christ and hope in his return, and be comforted by the love of the Father.
 
This is the power of the God that we cling to. Even in our suffering and unwanted change, we can rejoice knowing we are renewed by Christ and deeply loved by a heavenly father. In unwanted change, in your weakness, fix your eyes on Christ, and experience the beautiful growth that will come from your dependence on him.

Pray with me: Lord, we need you. Thank you, Jesus, for ransoming us from our own brokenness. When suffering and unwanted change inevitably comes, help us cling to you, be comforted by your love for us, and use our suffering to glorify you. Amen.

When I was younger, I worked for a major retail chain and every Thanksgiving I would finish my pumpkin pie and immediately feel the anxiety of Black Friday set in. It wasn’t necessarily the long hours or the chaotic pace that I feared (to be honest, I found that to be exhilarating). I was fearful of the massive crowds.

The line started forming after Thanksgiving dinner and would build throughout the night. As I watched the line grow, I questioned my capacity and ability to meet everyone’s needs. My facial expressions must have matched my thoughts because at that moment my co-workers and friends reassured me that I wasn’t alone and reminded me that Black Friday was “all hands on deck.”

This phrase, “all hands on deck,” stuck with me through the years. It means all team members are invited to contribute. No one is exempt from the work.

As we examine the scriptures, we find a similar theme among followers of Jesus. John 14:12 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do.” Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Matthew 28:19 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

Throughout Jesus’ teachings there is an unmistakable call to action for all believers. Why? The harvest is plentiful.

The harvest is made up of your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances. People you interact with on a regular basis who are hurting, broken, lost, and desperate for a Savior.

I don’t know about you, but I think it’s absolutely incredible that God invites us into the work of ministry. His calling doesn’t stop at salvation. God calls us–imperfect as we are–to make disciples, equip the saints, and do His will on earth.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Join me in praying for God to send laborers into his harvest: “God, thank you for the faithful men and women who have given their lives to the work of ministry, missions, and Christian service. We ask that you would equip and empower all believers to boldly share the good news of the gospel, we are expectant that you will continue to raise up passionate and gifted vocational ministry leaders within our churches, and we ask for fresh energy and zeal for our seasoned ministry leaders to stay motivated. Lord, we acknowledge that the harvest is yours. So, as your Kingdom advances on earth may you receive all the glory, honor, and praise. Amen.”

This verse is really interesting because it forces us to think about grieving over sin in two different ways. There’s a godly way to do it and there’s a worldly way to do it. There’s a godly way to grieve and a worldly way to grieve. So, what’s the difference and why does it matter?

Well, godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation. I want you to get the picture of godly grief here. It’s acknowledging our sin, it’s feeling sorrow over our sin, and it’s grieving over our sin. It’s a recognition that our sin has offended our Heavenly Father and we need to repent of what we’ve done.

Think of Psalm 51 here, when David has committed adultery with Bathsheba and he is grieving over his sin. He’s crying out for God’s mercy because he knows he has sinned–not just against this woman and her husband, but against God.

“Against you, you only, have I sinned,” he says in Psalm 51:4.

So, he acknowledges his sin, he grieves over his sin, and it produces a repentance that leads to salvation. He turns from his sin because he knows he needs salvation. He knows what he’s done isn’t right and so his grieving leads to action. His grieving leads to a running from sin to the mercy of God in salvation. That’s godly grief. It’s actionable repentance. We turn away from our sin and back to God.

But 2 Corinthians 7:10 doesn’t only describe godly grief. Paul gives us a stark warning against worldly grief too. Worldly grief is different. Worldly grief may acknowledge sin, and may even feel sorrow over sin, but it’s not sorrow over hurting someone else and ultimately it’s not sorrow over disobeying God. Maybe it’s sorrow over getting caught. Maybe it’s sorrow over the effects of sin in one’s life—the pain that sin causes. Maybe it’s a simple sorrow over the circumstances in life that are now our sad reality because of our sin.

But this worldly grief never considers Who we’ve ultimately sinned against. In other words, this sorrowful realization that one has offended the holy God of the universe, disobeyed Him, and many times hurt others in the process isn’t a part of worldly grief.

It doesn’t lead us to run to the mercy of God or plead for His forgiveness. It doesn’t cause us to cry out for the power to turn and not sin again. It never leads us to strive and live with righteousness and holiness for the glory of God.

Worldly grief misses all of that. And in that way, worldly grief doesn’t produce repentance that leads to salvation and life. Instead, worldly grief produces death.

When it comes to sin in our lives–both the sin that we are guilty of right now and the sin that we may commit today, tomorrow or this week– let’s pray that God would give us godly grief over that sin. Let’s pray that we would experience deep conviction and turn from our sin back to God.

Pray with me: “God, I pray for this in my life. I pray that you would cause me, by your grace, by the conviction of your Spirit, to grieve over sin in my life. Like, really to grieve over it, not to treat it lightly. To hate it, to want to turn from it. With everything in me, to want to turn from it. Not to want to turn back to it, but to turn from it. To run to your mercy. To receive your salvation. I want my life to honor you. I want to pursue holiness and Christlikeness and I know I have to turn from my sin to do that so today, with your help and strength, I repent of my sin and turn back to your loving and forgiving arms. Amen.”

Colossians 3:9–10 (ESV) “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

If you have placed faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are a new creation: forgiven, redeemed, made new. However, we must recognize that we are not what we will be, free from the power and presence of sin, until Christ returns (1 John 3:2). We have already been forgiven, we will one day be glorified, but we are currently being renewed. There should be an active ongoing maturing happening for every believer. So, how do we cultivate this spiritual maturity? In our age of immediate gratification and quick-fix methodologies we can be tempted to look for the “Five Easy Steps to Rapid Spiritual Maturity.” However, the Bible tells us we grow like trees, not like weeds (Psalm 1). We grow slowly, in significant ways, over long periods of time, not abruptly. Patience is needed. Lasting spiritual growth is the result of radically ordinary means maintained over a lifetime.

Before we talk about the means of biblical growth let’s establish the goal, because pursuing the wrong end will lead you to the wrong means. The apostle Paul in Romans 8:29, speaking of God’s purposes for us, says, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son..." Regardless of what one believes about predestination this verse makes clear that God’s ultimate goal for every Christian is that they would be conformed into the image of His Son. This means the goal of spiritual growth is not to be a better version of yourself, rather it is to be like Christ (1 John 3:2); to be an image of your Creator. So, how does this transformation happen?

In John 15, Jesus tells us that we cannot bear Christlike fruit unless we abide in Him. He goes on to say, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:10). Obedience to God’s Word is the means by which we abide in the love of God and so grow to be like Him. This is not legalism (the belief that we earn salvation through our obedience) for we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone apart from any of our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is, however, an invitation to walk in a deeper relationship with God (Leviticus 11:44; John 14:15; 1 Peter 1:15–16). As you read the Bible, ask yourself “What does this teach me about God and how must I live in light of who He is?” By the power of the Holy Spirit, God promises to use knowledge of Himself in His Word as a means to grow, mature, and transform us. (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:10).  

This reading and obeying of God’s Word is a planting of your heart in the promises and commands of Scripture. It is a daily practice of cementing yourself in God’s story of redemption. It is a discipline of trusting God’s will over your own. It is a choosing of God himself to be your joy. There is no substitute for Bible reading. We never graduate from this discipline. Be a tree that plants your roots daily and deeply in the Scriptures (Psalm 1:1–3). If you want to grow to be like Christ, the means are not flashy. Pick up the ordinary practice of reading your bible every day to encounter God, do what He says in His Word, and abide in His love. Let the Bible be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path on this long and steady journey of Christlike formation (Psalm 119:105). Read, encounter, obey, abide, and you will be transformed.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the gift that is your Word. Thank you that by it you have given me a way to know you for who you are and to know your love for me in Christ. Would you give me the desire to be in your Word everyday. Please give me eyes to see your beauty and glory as I read. Convict me of my sin and show me where I need to repent and faithfully walk in obedience to you so that I may abide in your love. Satisfy my heart with your steadfast love. Lead me today by the light of your Word. Amen.