31 day devotional

Day 31 “The end is the beginning”

2008-12-17T07:40:00.000-08:00

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
“Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

At some point you have to pay it forward. Your challenge is not over yet. Teach others what you learned and continue to grow. Never stop praying and growing closer to God!

CHALLENGE:
Today I will tell someone about what I have learned through this challenge. And I will encourage them to take the challenge. I will continue this good habit by picking up a life journal and continuing to grow in my relationship with Christ.
Today’s challenge is to do this again tomorrow but with a friend!!!

Day 30 “Discipline wins GOLD”

2008-12-16T06:25:00.001-08:00

Hebrews 12:1-6
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith, Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves,  and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

Ask any athlete they will tell you it all comes down to discipline. We are all athletes in this race of life and God’s discipline is what helps us win. Do not run from His discipline because He will make you the best athlete you can be. His discipline is what prepares us for the long race and with His help we can all be victorious.

CHALLENGE:
Today I will examine my life and really ask God to discipline me in the areas that I need help. As I am running this race I want to be the best I can be and God’s discipline will help me do that.

Day 29 “Amazing Grace”

2008-12-15T13:10:00.001-08:00

Ephesians 2:1-9
“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

We all know the song but do we know the gift? Grace is something we all have. It can’t be earned or begged for it’s simply a gift. There is no greater gift than that of Grace. And by grace alone we have been saved.

CHALLENGE:
Today I am going to think about this free gift I have been given. I will appreciate it more and tell someone about it today. If it was a free gift for me than it can be a free gift for everyone.

Day 28 “Fruit anyone?”

2008-12-15T13:09:00.000-08:00

Galatians 5:16-25
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

There will always be two roads for you to choose from. That choice never changes! Here we see what those two roads look like. You have the chance to have things like love, joy, peace, patience…This is the fruit that you want!!!

CHALLENGE:
Today I will examine the road I am on and see what fruit I have in my own life. I will find the area that I am lacking and do all I can to increase that in my life.

Day 27 “Love is…”

2008-12-15T13:08:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 13:1-7
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophesy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

We all want LOVE but are we willing to be Love? Everyone wants it but few really give it. Its not easy and it takes being intentional but its something that we can all get better at.

CHALLENGE:
Today I am going to practice loving others. Choose a key attribute of love to live out today

Day 26 “My Life is what?”

2008-12-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

Romans 12:1-8
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

What is a living sacrifice? Is it a way to live my life? I can live my life as a sacrifice to God. I can be a team player and respect those around me. Understanding that we all play a part on this team. We all have gifts and can use them as a sacrifice for God.

CHALLENGE:
Today I will live my life as a living sacrifice. The gifts and talents I have I will use for God. Also, I will notice the gifts and talents of my friends and encourage them to use them for God.

Day 25 “I’m a sheep”

2008-12-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

Matthew 18:10-14
“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.”

The one thing we all have in common is that we were all lost. And just like the shepherd searched and found this sheep God does the same for us. Not only that, when He finds us He rejoices because of it. He is Happy when we become “found”

CHALLENGE:
Today I am going to figure out how close I am to the flock. I will purposely do things today to bring me closer to God (i.e. read more, pray longer, talk to others about my story). He is looking and I want to be found!

Day 24 “Don’t Worry”

2008-12-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Matthew 6:25-26, 33-34
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

“Don’t worry be happy” Easier sung than done right? Not according to God. He has so many promises for us and one of them is found here. We are more valuable than any other creation and yet God provides for them. Why do we doubt that He will provide for us?

CHALLENGE:
Today no matter what happens I will refuse to worry about it. Knowing that God is on my side and that He will provide for my every need will keep me from wasting my day with worry.

Day 23 “Ask, Seek, Knock”

2008-12-09T07:28:00.001-08:00

Matthew 7:7-12
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

At some point we all find ourselves looking or searching for something. It amazes me that we always look in the wrong places. If you knew one place had all the answers, would you not go there? Wal-Mart has made a living off of this idea. They claim to have everything you need. God really does have it all… What you seek He has. All your questions, He knows the answer to.

CHALLENGE:
Today I will not look for answers or advice from the wrong places. God has it all and therefore I will run to Him with my needs. Not only does He have it all but He wants to give it to me.

Day 22 “Tired?”

2008-12-08T10:49:00.001-08:00

Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.  Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

We have all hit that so called wall that runners speak of. You know when you feel like you can’t take another step? We all know what its like to feel weak! The greatest thing about this passage is that it talks directly to that thought. God will give you power and strength to face whatever giant or to climb out of whatever valley is in your life.

CHALLENGE:
Today I will draw strength from God. In times when I feel tired or weak I will remember His promise and become strong in Him.

Day 21 “He Knows”

2008-12-08T10:48:00.001-08:00

Psalm 139:1-6
“O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!”

Ever feel like no one really knows you? That may be a real feeling but not a true statement. God KNOWS us! He knows everything about us and “He places His hand of blessing on us”.

CHALLENGE:
Today I am going to walk in confidence that God knows me and wants to bless my life. Even if I feel misunderstood or not heard I will remind myself that God is with me.

Day 20 “Put your Guard up”

2008-12-08T10:47:00.001-08:00

Philippians 4:8-9
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

Guard your mind and heart! If you guard anything it should be those. God has planned so much for you. And your future is limitless in His plan. But to have that you must guard your heart and mind. Think on good things and it will help you keep your guard up.

CHALLENGE:
Today I am going to watch what I think about. And in times of confusion or question I am going to slow down and think about what God would have me do.

Day 19 “Choosing to Forgive”

2008-12-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

Colossians 3:13-14
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

Forgiving is one of the more difficult things to do. We all know that! So why does the Bible tell us to do it? Well, to be honest because Christ forgave us and we can find freedom through forgiving others. We cannot do anything to deserve it so therefore people should not have to earn it from us. This does not mean that what they did was right it just brings freedom to you if you forgive.

CHALLENGE:
Today I am going to forgive someone who has hurt me or done me wrong. I will not make them earn it or ask for it but instead I will freely give it to them.

Day 18 “Talking it out with God”

2008-12-04T06:50:00.000-08:00

James 1:5-8
“If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.”

Everyone faces times where they don’t know what they are doing. In those times it is so important to talk to God. When you do talk to God do it with confidence knowing that He will do all that he promised.

CHALLENGE:
Today I will pray with confidence trusting and knowing that God is on my side, believing what his promises tell me, and acting according to what He says.

Day 17 “Studying God’s Word”

2008-12-03T06:41:00.000-08:00

2 Timothy 3:15-17
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.”

Your Bible is unlike any other book. It is a priceless gift from your Creator, a tool that can be used in every aspect of your life. Make us of this road map for the journey.

CHALLENGE:
Today I am going to focus on what I have learned from God’s Word and begin to apply it by letting it guide my decisions through the day.

Day 16 “Choosing the right Crowd”

2008-12-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 27:17
“As Iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.”

A true friend cares enough to make you better. We tend to become like our friends so therefore we need to be careful who we surround ourselves with. You will probably end up behaving like your friends do so if that is a scary thought I would rethink who I call friend.

CHALLENGE:
Today I am going to look at my friendship circle and really think if I want to be like them. Do they make me a better person?

Day 15 “Choosing to Persevere”

2008-12-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NLT)
“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

Remember that this race is not a sprint it’s a marathon. A marathon calls for preparation, determination and perseverance. We all want to win so lets help each other by encouraging and praying for each other.

CHALLENGE:
Today I am going to encourage someone so that when they feel like quitting I can cheer them on!!! And on those days that I feel like quitting I will surround myself with people that will do the same.

Day 14 "I need some new clothes!"

2008-11-25T16:44:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 4:22-24

“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Which is better an old beat up car or a brand new one? As simple is that answer is we don’t apply it to our daily lives. We walk around like an old beat up car. God clearly gave us a new life. This new life has new thoughts and attitudes!!!

Today I will walk like a new creation. I will check my attitude and thoughts. Today I will replace the old with the new.

Day 13 "I am a Conqueror!”

2008-11-25T16:43:00.000-08:00

Romans 8:37-39

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We all have days where we do not feel like a conqueror. But it is so encouraging to know that no matter what happens there is nothing that can separate me from Jesus or His promises for me. Nothing…

Today I will carry this verse around in my pocket on a piece of paper. No matter what happens or how down I get, I will pull this out and read so that I know nothing can separate me from God’s love.

Day 12 "Do or do not?"

2008-11-25T16:42:00.000-08:00

Romans 7:15-19

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”

There is a lot of “do’s” and “do not’s” in there. But did you notice that Paul deals with the same cycle we all fight? What I want to do, I cant, and what I don’t want to do, I do. There is an end to this cycle but its only found in God.

Today I am going to write down the one thing I keep coming back to. I will journal about the one temptation or sin that I do not want to do but I cannot stop. Then I will pray for God to help me stop this cycle.

Day 11 "Plenty to be thankful for"

2008-11-25T16:40:00.000-08:00

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Have you ever found yourself focusing on what you want or what you don’t have? Instead give thanks to the Lord for every blessing He has given you. Focus on every opportunity and blessing that you have.

Today make a list of ten things you are thankful for and why you are thankful for them. Thank God for each of the things you wrote down, and continue to live every day in a thankful mind-set.

Day 10 "I can barely ski"

2008-11-25T16:39:00.000-08:00

John 6:16-20

“That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. They had rowed three or four mileswhen suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”

Some people have a hard enough time walking period, much less trying to do it on water. What was Jesus trying to teach them? Could it be that no matter the size of the storm or how much doubt we have, as children of God we do not have to be afraid?

Today I will journal about things that I am afraid of and when the storms of life begin to arise I will not be afraid. For I know God is with me…

Day 9 "Who's a Cowardly Lion?"

2008-11-25T09:23:00.001-08:00

Joshua 1:9

“I command you- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

True courage comes from God. Courage is God’s strength to help you. It is important to remain strong and always trust in God. Courage will be there through rough times and help you get through them. God will never fail you and you can find courage in that.

Today I will think of a situation where I lacked courage. How could the outcome of that situation be different if I had courage? Use courage today to stand up for someone or something you are passionate about.

Day 8 “Faith”

2008-11-24T07:11:00.000-08:00

Mark 11:22-24
“Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

Prayer is awfully hard without faith. We must learn to trust or have faith in God that what we pray He hears what we pray. Our faith is strong enough to move mountains if we believe that it can.

CHALLENGE:
Today I will spend some time in thought or journaling about faith and how mine has grown and changed. Journal about what mountains in your life need to be moved and have faith they will.

Day 7 “OOPS!!!”

2008-11-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Micah 7:8
“Though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord himself will be my light.”

Everyone has failed at some point. There is not one perfect person on Earth. There is no need to think and worry about your failures, but look for ways to prevent yourself from making those same mistakes again. Turn to God, say your sorry, and then get back up!

CHALLENGE:
Today I will not focus on my failures. I will choose to learn from them and become better because of them. If our perfect God is gracious enough to take our worst, our ugliest and our most embarrassing failures and forgive them, then it’s time we give each other and ourselves a break.

Day 6 “I’m Lost”

2008-11-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”

Be aware that making good decisions requires judgment for the short term and diligence for the long haul. Since He is the God who knows everything, it makes sense to go to Him for advice.

CHALLENGE:
Today, I will think about some decisions I have to make on a daily basis. Such as, whether to follow the rules at school, or whether to give in to the pressures of the people around you. I will pray about these choices that I have, and then decide to take action on them according to the way Jesus would. I will ask God for guidance in everything that I do, and He will always show me the correct choices to make.

Day 5 "I'm Sorry"

2008-11-21T06:20:00.000-08:00

Romans 2:4

"Don't you realize how patient he is being with you... Can't you see that he has been waiting all this time without punishing you; to give you time to turn from your sin? His kindness is meant to lead you to repentance."

"I'm sorry" is one of the hardest things to say. But it is what saves us in the end. Repentance or saying you're sorry is a huge step in your relationship with Christ. Not only does it solidify that relationship, it can also help the ones you surrounding you life right now.

CHALLENGE:

TODAY i will find someone that i need to say I'm sorry to and i will SAY IT! I will ask for forgiveness and be kind to them as God is with all of us.

Day 4 “Obedience”

2008-11-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 1:19

“Those who obey what they are told will be rewarded.”

Have you noticed that you are ready to accept what direction the Bible gives when it talks about your habits or values in life, but you are hesitant when it comes to issues that challenge or inconvenience you?

CHALLENGE:

Today I strive to overcome the things that I may see inconveniences. Obey what the Word says about those things. Such as: treating others the way that I would want to be treated, be faithful (pray when I don’t feel like it), I will not compromise my beliefs; I will make the hard choices, honoring the Word of God.

Day 3 “Love, Peace and Hair Grease”

2008-11-19T13:15:00.000-08:00

1 John 4:7-11

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.”

You want to know God? Well it clearly tells us how to in this passage. Love is a non-negotiable when it comes to God. It is one of the words that truly defines Gods character.

CHALLENGE:
Today I will Love people more. I will go out of my way to show this Love by doing something out of the ordinary for someone I care about. Also, I will choose to love someone I don’t normally love.

Day 2 “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall”

2008-11-19T13:14:00.000-08:00

James 1:22-25

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

Forgetting to walk the dog can have some serious consequences! But forgetting what God is teaching is even worse. Remember and do what it says and you will be blessed. Be obedient to His plan and you will pass every test.

CHALLENGE:
Today I will remember and obey what I read. It is not enough to read only; I must put actions to what I read. Action starts today! For the rest of the challenge I will obey what I am reading.

Day 1 “One test you can’t fail”

2008-11-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

James 1:12-15

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

We all seem to hate test! But tests are a good judge for where we are at; or how far along we have come. The test of temptation is one we will face but it is definitely one we cannot afford to lose. Notice it says that temptation comes from our own selfish desires.

CHALLENGE:
Today I will look at what temptation I struggle with and look inside myself to find the root of it. If I do not kill the root it will grow into something deadly. Also, I will find someone (an accountability partner) to tell this to.