So I Say

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16) 

Are you open to listening to what the Holy Spirit has to say? It's difficult to know when it is the Holy Spirit leading you, but there are several discernible ways. First, you are open to guidance. Second, you are ready to obey what the Holy Spirit guides you to do even if it is outside of your comfort zone. Third, you know the difference between your feelings and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. So, let the Holy Spirit guide your life.

Right Thing To Do

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (KJV) (Ephesians 6:1) 

Christmas is meaningful. Christmas is fun. But, Christmas can also resurface emotional wounds or spur conflict in the family and extended families. Our heavenly Father encourages us to obey and love our earthly father and mother. Since only God knows how many more Christmases you have, could it be time to wipe away the emotional marks and give grace like God has given to you?

Great Treasure

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (KJV) (2 Corinthians 4:7) 

The light shining in our hearts is the news that Jesus Christ is our Lord. We are charged with the task of showing the world how Christ has changed us. However, when we show these great abilities over time, it is easy to get puffed up and think we are the ones who are responsible for the greatness. Rather, it is important to stay connected to God and always remember He is the ultimate source of power.

Trouble Is Enough

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (KJV) (Matthew 6:34) 

At the very root of worry is fear. Fear of the unknowns or what if's can erode away the security we find in God. Don't let this fear overtake you and allow the worry to creep in your thoughts. Place your confidence in Jesus that He will provide and comfort you. Then pray.

Wiser Than Elders

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. (KJV) (Psalm 119:100) 

Think of someone who you believe to be wise. More often than not that person is older than you. With age comes wisdom, but that is not to say that wisdom only comes with age. When you are obedient to God and his teachings the Lord will bless you with insight.  Have you noticed a growth of wisdom from walking with the Lord?

Peaks and Valleys

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. (KJV) (Ecclesiastes 8:15) 

God wants us to eat, drink and be merry. He wants us to embrace life. But He also knows that life on earth comes with challenges, roadblocks and hardships. It’s a perfectly designed system of peaks and valleys, and it's our memory of the valleys that lifts us up when we experience the peaks. Without those valleys, the route to our Heavenly Father would take longer to reach.

Light of the World

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (KJV) (Matthew 5:14) 

Jesus' death on the cross and His subsequent rise is wonderful news. With this comes the hope that we, too, can join Christ where there is no more pain and suffering. Until that day, we must show the world the light that Jesus brings to us. Yes, it can become tiring and can be a heavy burden to bear, but, oh what a joy it is to carry the torch that brings light to so many others.

Greed

He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. (KJV) (Proverbs 21:26) 

It's very difficult to see greed in the mirror. Stop trying to diagnose greediness, especially in others. Instead, start combatting it in yourself by putting effort into giving.  Surely you will see your heart will soon follow.  Take a moment and figure out who or what organization would you love to bless?

Its Fruit

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. (KJV) (Matthew 12:33) 

We all know what a bad piece of fruit looks like. It's unappetizing and mushy. It gets picked over at the grocery store. God desires more for you, and the fruit of your efforts should be good. What does bad fruit look like? One example is taking advantage of the poor. Conversely, good fruit can be seen when you display integrity, especially when no one is looking. Do your fruits get picked over because they are bad?

Get Wisdom

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. (KJV) (Proverbs 4:5) 

Choosing to follow God will impart wisdom to you through your relationship with Him. Stay tuned into God's word by reading the Bible. When you find yourself drifting away make an effort to stay connected. Make it a priority and do whatever it takes.

Keep On Asking

"And so I tell you, 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." (NLT) (Luke 11:9) 

The power of persistent prayer is incredible. Strength rises up in your voice as you continuously seek God's answer to your prayers. Rest assured that He will always answer: through fulfillment of your prayer, a firm “no,” or by guiding your heart in a different direction, causing you to no longer seek the answer to that prayer. Go ahead and pray a specific prayer daily.

Guard Your Heart

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (NLT) (Proverbs 4:23) 

Solomon, the wisest man, told us to guard our hearts. It can be easy for our hearts to be deceived if we lack awareness. The best solution is to surround ourselves with Godly people and listen to their advice, as it's difficult to see deception ourselves. Is there an area in your life where more than one person has been trying to tell you something?

Take Courage

But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage! I am here!" (NLT) (Mark 6:50)

What do you fear? Is it financial ruin, loneliness, pain, poor health, or the collapse of your family? When you feel afraid, and fear has its strong grip on you, remember this: God is with you. Acknowledging this will allow you to conquer your fear and steady your steps.  As you move forward, step by step, your fear will fade away as you recognize that your strength is with God.  He is with you.

Teaching Tolerance (Day 4 of 4)

SHARING THE TRUTH IN LOVE 

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:15 KJV)

TALKING TO GOD 
Ask God to give you a loving attitude toward people who are different from you and for the opportunities to share His love with them. 

DIVING IN 
Place a dab of toothpaste on your lips. Ask your family members to suggest how they would tell you that you had toothpaste on your lips if you were a famous actor. Have someone else put on the toothpaste and ask the family to address him or her as if that person were your pastor. Continue changing roles to tell a good friend, a school bully, a stranger and a grouchy teacher about the toothpaste on their faces. 

GOING DEEPER 
Just as it might be hard or awkward to tell a famous actor or a stranger that she has toothpaste on her lips, so sharing God's truth can feel difficult. But authentic, biblical tolerance allows you to treat others well, even when you have something to share that they may not want to hear. Think about the way you role-played talking to someone you respected, such as a pastor or a famous person. You were probably careful to show respect and kindness as you shared the truth. By treating all people, including those who are different from you, with the same kindness and respect, you can more effectively share the Gospel with them. In Luke 10:27, Jesus says, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Rely on God's love when sharing His truth. 

TALKING TO EACH OTHER 
- Is it difficult for you to share God's truth with nonbelievers? Why? 
- How could you show God's love to a friend who doesn't believe in Jesus? 
- What kind words could you use with someone whose opinion of God is different from yours?

Teaching Tolerance (Day 3 of 4)

SEEING NEEDS AND SHOWING COMPASSION

Matthew 9:36 — But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Talking to God
Ask God to help you see others as He sees them and to give you a heart of compassion for those who do not have a relationship with Him.

Diving In
Clear a space in your home where you can walk around blindfolded and not hurt yourself. Turn up the volume on a radio so that it drowns out your normal speaking voice. On one side of the room, blindfold a family member. From across the room, have another family member whisper directions that guide the blindfolded person to him or her. Ask the whisperer to gradually speak up until the blindfolded person can hear the directions and safely make it to the other side of the room.

Going Deeper
One of the reasons that Jesus came into the world was to help the blind see. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus says, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." People who do not know God are like people who are blind or blindfolded. They cannot find their way to God and to His forgiveness and love. They are "spiritually blind" and need the guidance of God's truth to lead them in the right direction. To make matters worse, the noises of the world — such as people's differing opinions about God — often drown out the truth that would guide them. They may listen to and agree with many wrong opinions and follow what seems best or easiest to them.

Clear directions helped your blindfolded family member cross the floor amid the blaring sounds of a radio. In much the same way, Jesus wants to help those who do not have a relationship with God find their way to Him. He is the way through the distracting noises of the world, and He has compassion on them because they are blind and confused. As followers of Christ, we should have the same attitude toward those who are spiritually blind.

Talking to Each Other
—How did it feel to try and listen for or give the directions with the distracting noise?
—What "noises" might keep nonbelievers from hearing God's love for them?
—How might thinking of nonbelievers as being spiritually blind help you show them compassion?

Teaching Tolerance (Day 2 of 4)

GOD IS THE JUDGE

Luke 23:34 — Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Talking to God
Ask God to help you show love and tolerance to people who don't have a relationship with Him.

Diving In
Write "Jesus loves you" on a sheet of paper. On a second sheet, write "USEOJOSVUESLY," which is a scrambled version of the sentence. Then tell your family that you have an important message for them. Show the scrambled message to your family. When they express confusion over the message, show them the real message.

Going Deeper
People who don't have a relationship with God are not able to understand the truth of the Gospel. For them, God's Word is just like a scrambled message. Without this understanding, they will make wrong choices in life, even when they're trying to do what is right. In 1 Corinthians 5:12, the apostle Paul says, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside of the church." God is the only one qualified to judge nonbelievers, people outside of the church. People who are not living according to God's Word may frustrate you, but as a believer, you shouldn't judge them or treat them harshly. Instead, you can offer them biblical tolerance — treating them with respect and patience even though you disagree with their poor choices.

Talking to Each Other
—Who can judge nonbelievers?
—How should you treat those who don't know Jesus?

Teaching Tolerance (Day 1 of 4)

BIBLICAL TOLERANCE

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 — I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days.

Talking to God
Thank God for the people in your life who help you learn more about Him. Ask God to help you recognize when other people's opinions do not agree with His Word.

Diving In
Hide a toy or snack in a place where family members would not think to look for it. Set a timer for five minutes, and tell them they can ask you questions about the location of the item while they hunt for it. (Here's the catch: When they do ask, shrug and give them random answers such as "blue" or "astronaut.") When the timer goes off, set it for another five minutes. But this time, answer their questions correctly to help them quickly find the item.

Going Deeper
Notice how it was impossible to find the hidden item when random answers were given. The item was easy to find, though, when the questions were answered correctly. People who are searching for something want clear directions. Some people think it doesn't matter how you seek God or what you believe about Him. This "anything goes" attitude toward God is one form of what the world calls tolerance. The world's definition is not helpful to people who truly want a relationship with God. God's Word, on the other hand, gives very clear instructions. It does not treat all beliefs as equal; instead, it points to the one and only path, which is found in Jesus. Matthew 7:13-14 says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." What you choose to believe about God matters. It is the most important choice of your life.

Talking to Each Other
—How did unhelpful directions make you feel?
—Why are the right directions important when you're searching for something?
—What directions does God give us through His Word?

Decisions (Day 7 of 7)

PRAY: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

READ: The section of Scripture below slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

REFLECT: On what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

RESPOND: To the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 -- Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

Decisions (Day 6 of 7)

PRAY: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

READ: The section of Scripture below slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

REFLECT: On what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

RESPOND: To the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

Psalms 77:11-12 — I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

Decisions (Day 5 of 7)

PRAY: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

READ: The section of Scripture below slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

REFLECT: On what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

RESPOND: To the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

James 1:5-6 — If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Decisions (Day 4 of 7)

PRAY: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

READ: The section of Scripture below slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

REFLECT: On what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

RESPOND: To the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

Psalms 143:7-8 — Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Decisions (Day 3 of 7)

PRAY: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

READ: The section of Scripture below slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

REFLECT: On what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

RESPOND: To the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

Luke 23:38-43 — There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the King of the Jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Decisions (Day 2 of 7)

PRAY: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

READ: The section of Scripture below slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

REFLECT: On what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

RESPOND: To the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

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.

Decisions (Day 1 of 7)

PRAY: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

READ: The section of Scripture below slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

REFLECT: On what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

RESPOND: To the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

Proverbs 3:5-6 — "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Talking With God In Prayer (Day 4 of 4)

 
DAY 4 — YEARNING FOR GOD

John 4:14 — but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Talking to God
Thank God that He loves you and wants you to learn to talk to Him through prayer. Ask God to teach you how to pray.

Diving In
Make three sets of note cards with the following words/phrases on them: grandparent, best friend, your pastor, grocery store clerk and a cousin. Spread out the first stack according to the person you talk to most at the top and the person you talk to the least at the bottom. Arrange the second set in the same way, with the person you most want to be around at the top. Line the third set next to the other two, with the person you most miss at the top. Compare how similar your lists are.

Going Deeper
Prayer is simply talking to God, who loves you and wants what is best for you. Just as you may miss someone you love when he is gone, your spirit misses God when you do not spend time talking to Him. The Bible often says that this longing to be with God is like being thirsty or hungry. Read Psalm 42:1-2: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" You can go to God in prayer and find Him, just as the deer finds water in a stream when it is thirsty.

Talking to Each Other
—What do you think about when you are hungry or thirsty?
—How is being with God similar to being with a person you love? How is it different?
—How might you tell that your spirit is thirsty to be with God?

Talking With God In Prayer (Day 3 of 4)

DAY 3 — RECEIVING FORGIVENESS

1 John 1:9 — "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Talking to God
Silently confess the things you have done that are hurtful to others. Ask God for forgiveness. Then thank Him for forgiving you.

Diving In
At your next family meal, have everyone wear earplugs or earphones but talk as usual, without trying to help each other hear what you are saying. Also wear them as you clear the table as a family.

Going Deeper
When you don't come to God to be forgiven, it is as if you refuse to listen to Him. By not hearing God, you separate yourself from Him, just as you did when you suddenly could not hear your family well. Read Psalm 32:5, "I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord' — and you forgave the guilt of my sin." When you ask for forgiveness, God forgives you. It is as if He removes the earplugs from your ears, and you can hear Him again.

Talking to Each Other
—Have you ever kept something you did wrong a secret? If so, how did trying to hide this secret make you feel?
—What might keep you from going to God and confessing a sin?
—How do you feel when someone forgives you for something you've done wrong?

Talking With God In Prayer (Day 2 of 4)

DAY 2 — PRAISING GOD IN PRAYER

Psalm 145:3 — Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

Talking to God
Praise God for making you and everything you have, including food, a home and people who love you.

Diving In
Think about the things you're grateful for. Make a list of 10 of them. Tell someone why you're grateful for each, and praise God for all that He has given you.

Going Deeper
Through the use of short blessing prayers that relate to everyday life, people learn to praise God and express thanksgiving. The moment you open your eyes in the morning, you might pray, "Thank You, God, for my eyes. Thank You for sight." While getting dressed, you could pray, "Thank You, God, for meeting my needs — giving me clothes to wear, such as these," and at the first sight of the sun, you may declare, "God, You are so great! Thank You for your creation." Psalm 145:1-2 is a great example of how to praise God: "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever." Praise God today and every day!

Talking to Each Other
—How did writing down a list of things you're grateful for change your attitude?
—If you praised God for everything He has given you, how long would it take?
—How might praising God change you?

Talking With God In Prayer (Day 1 of 4)

DAY 1 — GOD LONGS FOR YOU

Matthew 28:20 — "and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Talking to God
Thank God for all the ways He loves and cares for you. Ask Him to show you how much He wants you to talk with Him daily.

Diving In
Line up a number of small glasses next to the kitchen sink. One by one, fill the glasses. Discuss how you could fill every container in your house and water would still flow out of the faucet. In a similar way, God's longing for you won't end.

Going Deeper
God is available to you at all times. Just as you can fill another glass with water simply by turning on the faucet, so you can enjoy God's presence by going to Him in prayer. Read Isaiah 30:18: "The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" God wants you to grow closer to Him, to be filled with His love and peace, because He longs for what is best for you. Although God works on your behalf, He wants you to respond to Him, showing a willingness to share your life with Him. One way you can do that is by talking to Him daily.

Talking to Each Other
—Who is your favorite person to talk to, and what makes this person your favorite?
—Tell about a time when you really wanted to talk to this person. Why did you long to talk to this person?
—Why might God long to be gracious to you?

Finding Real Happiness (Day 3 of 3)

There are mornings when I wake up feeling fragile. Vulnerable. It's often vague. No single threat. No one weakness. Just an amorphous sense that something is going to go wrong and I will be responsible.

It's usually after a lot of criticism. Lots of expectations that have deadlines and that seem too big and too many.

As I look back, I am amazed how the Lord Jesus has preserved my life. The temptation to run away from the stress has never won out — not yet anyway. This is amazing. I worship him for it.

Instead of letting me sink into a paralysis of fear, or run to a mirage of greener grass, he has awakened a cry for help and then answered with a concrete promise.

Zechariah 2:4-5 says, "Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst."

There will be such prosperity and growth for the people of God that Jerusalem will not be able to be walled in any more. "The multitude of people and livestock" will be so many that Jerusalem will be like many villages spreading out across the land without walls.

Prosperity is nice, but what about protection?

To which God says in Zechariah 2:5, "I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord." Yes. That's it. That is the promise. The "I will" of God. That is what I need.

And if it is true for the vulnerable villages of Jerusalem, it is true for me — a child of God. God will be a "wall of fire all around me." Yes. He will. He has been. And he will be.

And it gets better. Inside that fiery wall of protection he says, "And I will be the glory in her midst." God is never content to give us the protection of his fire; he will give us pleasure of his presence.

Finding Real Happiness (Day 2 of 3)

 John 17:24 — Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Believers in Jesus are precious to God. And he loves us so much that he will not allow our preciousness to become our god.

God does indeed make much of us, but he does so in a way that draws us out of ourselves to enjoy his greatness.

Test yourself. If Jesus came to spend the day with you, sat down beside you on the couch, and said, "I really love you," what would you focus on the rest of the day that you spend together?

It seems to me that too many songs and sermons leave us with the wrong answer. They leave the impression that the heights of our joy would be in the recurrent feeling of being loved. "He loves me!" "He loves me!" This is joy indeed. But not the heights and not the focus.

What are we saying with the words "I am loved." What do we mean? What is this "being loved."

Would not the greatest, most Christ-exalting joy be found in watching Jesus all day and bursting with "You're amazing! "You are amazing!"

• He answers the hardest question, and his wisdom is amazing.
• He touches a filthy, oozing sore, and his compassion is amazing.
• He raises a dead lady at the medical examiner's office, and his power is amazing.
• He predicts the afternoon's events, and his foreknowledge is amazing.
• He sleeps during an earthquake, and his fearlessness is amazing.
• He says, "Before Abraham was, I AM," and his words are amazing.

We walk around with him utterly amazed at what we are seeing.

Is not his love for us his eagerness to do for us all he must do (including die for us) so that we can marvel at him and not be incinerated by him? Redemption, propitiation, forgiveness, justification, reconciliation — all these have to happen. They are the act of love.

But the goal of love that makes those acts loving is that we be with him and see his jaw-dropping glory and be astounded. In those moments, we forget ourselves and see and feel him.

So I am urging pastors and teachers: Push people through the acts of Christ's love to the goal of his love. If redemption and propitiation and forgiveness and justification and reconciliation are not taking us to the enjoyment of Jesus himself, they are not love.

Press on this. It's what Jesus prayed for.

Finding Real Happiness (Day 1 of 3)

 2 Corinthians 4:4 — The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Test yourself. What is your mindset? Do you begin with God and his rights and goals? Or do you begin with yourself and your rights and wishes?

And when you look at the death of Christ, what happens? Does your joy really come from translating this awesome divine work into a boost of self-esteem? Or are you drawn up out of yourself and filled with wonder and reverence and worship that here in the death of Jesus is the deepest, clearest declaration of the infinite esteem of God for his glory and for his Son?

Here is a great objective foundation for the full assurance of hope: the forgiveness of sins is grounded, finally, not in my finite worth or work, but in the infinite worth of the righteousness of God, God's unswerving allegiance to uphold and vindicate the glory of his name.

I appeal to you with all my heart, take your stand on this. Base your life on this. Ground your hope in this. You will be free from the futile mindset of the world. And you will never fall.

When God's exaltation of God in Christ is your joy, it can never fail.

Suffering (Day 4 of 4)

Suffering is a fundamental part of the Christian faith ~ 2 Timothy 3:12. And your Godly response to it grows through encountering God and meditating on His Word. The following verses, when memorized, can encourage you toward a Godly response to suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 — Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Galatians 6:2 — Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Peter 4:19 — So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Suffering (Day 3 of 4)

Suffering is a fundamental part of the Christian faith ~ 2 Timothy 3:12. And your Godly response to it grows through encountering God and meditating on His Word. The following verses, when memorized, can encourage you toward a Godly response to suffering.

Psalm 119:75 — I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

Acts 7:34 — I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.

Romans 12:21 — Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Suffering (Day 2 of 4)

Suffering is a fundamental part of the Christian faith ~ 2 Timothy 3:12. And your Godly response to it grows through encountering God and meditating on His Word. The following verses, when memorized, can encourage you toward a Godly response to suffering.

Psalm 9:9 —The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 34:18-19 — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.

Psalm 46:1 — God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Suffering (Day 1 of 4)

 Suffering is a fundamental part of the Christian faith ~ 2 Timothy 3:12. And your Godly response to it grows through encountering God and meditating on His Word. The following verses, when memorized, can encourage you toward a Godly response to suffering.

Genesis 50:20 —You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Ruth 1:20-21 — "Don't call me Naomi," she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me."

Job 2:10 — He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Identity (Day 4 of 4)

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 — Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know ye him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 5:1 — Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 — Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

There is no such thing as a perfect identity. If you always try to be someone that others will like, you'll end up not having peace in your life. To have peace in our lives, we must listen to God and get comfortable being who He wants us to be. We're meant to rely on Him, to know His love for us, and trust that God shows us our identity.

Part of living a godly life is having a group of friends who support you in your relationship with Him. Being a part of a godly community is vital in not forgetting that who we are is defined by God and not others.

In this final episode, the three students must rely on each other to be reminded of who they are, and why having their identity in God is crucial. Watch what happens as all three students learn who God says they are in this episode of Erased.

QUESTION: Which of your friends and family help support you in your relationship with Christ?

Identity (Day 3 of 4)

2 Corinthians 11:30-31 — If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

Ephesians 1:11-14 — In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

We can try to have the highest grades and be the best at school. We can try to be the best at sports. But being smart and good at sports doesn't define who we are. We have to realize that others cannot create our identity.

God has already told us who we are. He says that no matter how smart we are, how weak or strong we are, how athletic we are, or how much people like us, we are loved by Him and matter so much to Him.

Through our weakness we are able to see how great and strong God is. It doesn't matter if others say we aren't good at something, God says He can use all of us to show His love to the world.

In this episode, we learn that Subject 3 wishes he were smarter and athletic so he could be popular. He feels bad about himself because his grades aren't as high as other students'. Watch what happens as Subject 3 learns who God says he is in this episode of Erased.

QUESTION: Who do you think God says you are?

Identity (Day 2 of 4)

1 Samuel 16:7 -- But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Galatians 1:10 -- For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

It can be tempting to let what others say about us define who we believe we are. But that's not where our identity comes from. You are not what others say and think you are; you are what God says and thinks you are.

You are not on your own; you belong to God. You are His, and always will be. People will always look at us on the outside. They'll think who we are depends on how we look and whether we're cool or not. But God looks at our hearts, and we'll only have peace when we believe who God says we are: His precious creations that He loves.

In this episode, we learn that Subject 2 gets teased at school, and wishes she were popular. She does not love who she is, and thinks that other people liking her will make her feel good about herself. Watch what happens as Subject 2 learns who God says she is in this episode of Erased.

QUESTION: What things do you believe about yourself that you've been told by others? Do you think these things are true or false?

Identity (Day 1 of 4)

Genesis 1:27 — So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

1 John 4:4-6 — Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

John 15:4-5 — Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Identity is defined as who you are. It's what makes you who you are; it's what makes you unique. Still, this can be hard to understand because many of us are still learning who we are each day.

People may call us things like "unpopular," or "nerd." They may also call us nice things like "pretty," or say we're good at sports. But God says these things are not who we are. Other people do not choose our identity. God chooses our identity. He tells us who we are.

You were made in the image of God. This is who you are to your very core. No matter what you like about yourself or don't like about yourself, your identity is in God.

He says that we are His creation; He made us how and who we are for a reason. And no matter what others say, you matter to God. He created us to have a relationship with Him.

In this episode, we learn that Subject 1 does not fit in at school. He doesn't like himself because others believe he's an outcast. Watch what happens as Subject 1 learns who God says he is in this episode of Erased.

QUESTION: How does it make you feel to know that you were created in God's image?

RED -- The Overflow Devo (Day 7 of 7)

PERFECT LIFE

This song is about being happy with who God made us to be and what he has blessed us with. We are not to envy one another's belongings and gifts, for God has blessed us each in a different way.

So often the media and TV feed us this lifestyle where we can all have "this" if we just do "that." A picture is painted for us everywhere we turn that we need to keep up with the Joneses.

Sure, we all like to have nice things, but in the end they will not get us any closer to God and His promise of eternity.

Envy is something that comes from within. It can well up inside when we forget that God has blessed us already.

There is a parable that says, "It's not what goes into your body that defiles; you are defiled by what comes from your heart."

Look at what a man invests his time and money into and there you will most likely find his heart.

We need to be careful and guard our hearts from the things the world tells us will make us happy and lead to a better life.

Again, there is nothing wrong with making a life for yourself. God wants us to live and be prosperous.

Things go wrong when we subtract God from the equation and our hearts focus more on what we have instead of on what we have been given.

God's plan is perfect. When we are living inside that plan, we experience life as he intended us to.

Mark 7:22-23 -- "Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

RED — The Overflow Devo (Day 6 of 7)

SO FAR AWAY

At some point in all of our lives we will find ourselves not as close to God as we would like. That is the whole idea of seeking him out daily.

Relationships are two-sided and when only one person is working on the relationship, it cannot thrive like it can when both people are investing the same time and effort

Being a Christian is about having an intimate relationship with the Creator of this world. God desires every part of our life. If we fail to let His presence in our lives be the focus daily, we will start to see how our everyday life begins to unravel.

There have been times in my life where I feel like I can get through certain situations without asking for God's help. Situations where I rely on my strength.

Well if our strength comes from the Lord, how can we expect God to show up when we don't simply ask? We are the ones to blame when God doesn't seem close by.

Job is a perfect example of what it means to have an intimate relationship with Christ. Job had everything a man could ask for. A thriving farm, family and health.

Satan told Jesus to watch Job curse him when he took that all away. Satan was convinced that the only reason Job was praising him was because everything was going so smooth.

Sure enough, the Lord took everything that Job had been blessed with, but because Job had such a passion for Christ and His word, he had no other way of coping with his loss but to shave his head and praise God.

In the end, the Lord blessed him even more than He did in the first half of his life. If Job had turned his back on God like Satan knew he would, he may have never seen what God had in store for him.

Psalms 22:19 — But be thou far from me, O Lord; O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Psalms 73:25-26 — Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

RED — The Overflow Devo (Day 5 of 7)

RELEASE THE PANIC

Fear, Stress, Anxiety... these are a few of my least favorite things.

There is this story about a guy who plays a sport. It doesn't matter what the sport is. All that matters is that he has had one of the worst seasons in his career. At least to this guy, everything seems to be collapsing. Fans are really coming down on him and he himself is stressing with feelings of letting his team, family, and city down.

At this point, he begins to panic and he realizes that he is making things worse by doing so. The interesting part of this whole thing is that this athlete knows a God who loves him and has made a plan way before it has been executed. He knows that he ultimately has no control over the plan but only the ability that has been given to him.

We all know how this story ends in the movies. The athlete has a horrible year but when the championship is on the line, and the play must be made, he of course saves the day and gets the win. The fans believe in him once again, and his team is holding him on their shoulders off the field.

The reality is that we don't always feel like God answers our prayers. We pray for the turn around and sometimes it doesn't happen. Does that mean we stop having faith when we call on God?

No, and that is where we get things wrong. We often forget that God's plan is perfect even if sometimes the answer is "no." That is where we let fear, stress and anxiety creep in. We lose faith.

Faith allows us to be confident that God's plan always has us in His favor.

Deuteronomy 31:6 — "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

RED — The Overflow Devo (Day 4 of 7)

THE MOMENT WE COME ALIVE

Ever had a life changing experience? Maybe the birth of a child or something like the loss of a loved one? Experiences shape us in ways we never thought possible, whether good or bad. The end result is that you are now different than you once were, and it could last a lifetime.

"The Moment We Come Alive" is a song based on someone finding Christ. We see life from a totally new perspective and begin to realize that He alone is responsible for creating us.

I've known many people who have shared with me about what their life "used to be" before finding Christ. It was different. They didn't have that spark. The one that you know when you look at someone that there is something different about them.

Psalms 66:16-20 — Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

RED — The Overflow Devo (Day 3 of 7)

DAMAGE

I love this story of Paul setting sail with a bunch of prisoners for Rome. Since it was taking so long to get ready and it was past the Day of Atonement, Paul warned everyone that it was too late to travel and bad things were going to happen. Sometimes in our own lives people or God, through His word, warn us that if we do this or do that we might cause "Damage" to our lives.

This song is about that moment when we have messed up big time and we are feeling the pain and consequences of our actions. Just like in the story when the storm comes crashing into the boat with hurricane force, it can certainly shake the foundation of who we are and make us feel full of shame and worthlessness.

The best part of the story is close to the end, when everyone has given up all hope of being saved. Paul tells them to take courage no one is going to die. The ship will be destroyed but we will live.

The consequences of our actions can definitely come at a high price, but we should not lose hope for we know no matter what we have done Christ loves us, even through the damage in our lives. In the end we will all reach dry land safely if we listen and obey. So let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and encourage each other along the way.

Acts 27:13-44 — 13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. ¹⁴ Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. ¹⁵ The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. ¹⁶ As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, ¹⁷ so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. ¹⁸ We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. ¹⁹ On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. ²⁰ When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
²¹ After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. ²² But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. ²³ Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴ and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ ²⁵ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. ²⁶ Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

²⁷ On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. ²⁸ They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. ²⁹ Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. ³⁰ In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. ³¹ Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” ³² So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.
³³ Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. ³⁴ Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” ³⁵ After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. ³⁶ They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. ³⁷ Altogether there were 276 of us on board. ³⁸ When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
³⁹ When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. ⁴⁰ Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. ⁴¹ But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.
⁴² The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. ⁴³ But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. ⁴⁴ The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

RED — The Overflow Devo (Day 2 of 7)

GLASS HOUSE

There is a constant battle between who we are inside and what we show people on the outside. Sometimes we feel like a broken mess. The "Glass House" is a reminder that God can see into the deepest parts of our souls. He can see our pain and distress that we have caused on ourselves from trying to put on a face and hide our sin. Only when we surrender to the will of God and what is right in our lives can He make us whole again and put back the pieces. So let's stop hiding and let our true face shine in the light and love of what God's will is for us.

Lamentations 1:20-22 —Behold, O Lord; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.
They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.
Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.

RED — The Overflow Devo (Day 1 of 7)

SAME DISEASE

All have fallen short of the glory of God. We are all sinners yet Christ died for us. That was the greatest love that was ever shown in history. In the song "Same Disease," it talks about how we are all toxic and infected with this thing called sin. Sometimes it can feel like we are the only one that is infected with this disease, causing us to be shameful and to hide our sickness. We need to lean on each other and carry each other's burdens day-by-day, living in the proof of God's Grace presented through Christ as a sacrifice of atonement for our sins.

As Christians it can be easy to say there are two sides to every moral issue, black and white. Which in most cases I would say is true, but we shouldn't have the mindset of Christians against Non-Christians. Since we are all in the same boat, so to speak, with this disease, we need to show that same love that Christ showed for us. Remember, they will know we are Christians by our Love. So let's infect this world with some of God's love today.

Romans 3:21-31
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
²⁷ Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
²⁸ Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
²⁹ Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
³⁰ Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
³¹ Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Making Wise Choices (Day 4 of 4)

1 Samuel 23: 14-18 — "And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house."

John 15: 11-15 — "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."


The friends we surround ourselves with determine who we become. They either support us in making wise decisions, or lead us down a path of bad choices. Choose to surround yourself with friends who make wise choices. Find a friend like Jonathan was to David, one who encourages you to seek God's wisdom.

The decisions we make define the person we become. So in our day-to-day moments we must constantly look to God. He gives us His wisdom for a purpose — so that we may live the life He intended for us.

We must pray and remain connected with Him so that when it comes time to decide, we choose the right path. And in choosing the right path, we choose to be defined by God's wisdom.

Making Wise Choices (Day 3 of 4)

Proverbs 13:1-6 — "A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner."

Proverbs 22:24-25 —"Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul."

The choices we make don't just affect us, they can also affect others in either a good or bad way. When we make bad decisions, we sometimes hurt others and damage our relationship with them. To avoid hurting others with our bad decisions, we must look to God to know how to make a wise choice.

In this episode, we see how Nicole's series of bad decisions leads her to hurt her brother, damaging their relationship.

Making Wise Choices (Day 2 of 4)

Genesis 3:1-13 — "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat."

Every decision you make will affect you, either good or bad. If you make the best choice in a situation, things will be better for you. If you make a bad choice, often things will be harder for you in the long run.

Everyone makes bad decisions at times. But when we do, it's important that we don't run away and hide ourselves from God like Adam and Eve did in the garden. We must stay connected with Him so He can help us through our bad decisions.

In this episode, we see Nicole continue to make unwise choices. She lies and hides from her mother, causing separation in their relationship.

Making Wise Choices (Day 1 of 4)

Proverbs 2: 1-15 — "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:"

Every single day we're faced with decisions — decisions that affect others and ourselves. Often though, what feels like the easy decision, is not the wisest decision. God's wisdom leads us to live the best possible life. He has promised to give us His wisdom when we look for it — so we must look for it by staying connected with Him. Then we'll live the life He designed for us to live.

In this episode, we learn that our choices define who we are. Nicole makes the unwise choice to have her friend Kaylin over even though her parents told her not to. Watch and see what happens as Nicole doesn't choose wisely in this episode of Day Off.

Beating Burnout: Finding Hope and Health (Day 3 of 3)

Matthew 5:9 — "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

RELATIONAL HEALTH: BEING PEACEMAKERS

Stress and burnout can cause us to project our pain and exhaustion on others — usually those closest to us. Some people respond to burnout by lashing out in anger and storming around in a rage as their lives are falling apart.

Exhaustion can cause us to shut down and stop communicating with our spouse or our friends. And by "communicating," I mean both talking and listening. We no longer feel connected to those around us, and we begin not to care about nurturing those relationships that God has placed in our lives.

After not communicating for a while, resentment can develop. Our spouses or friends may not feel comfortable opening up to us anymore, and bitterness can be formed and directed toward us, toward the church, and even toward God.

REFLECT

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus directs us to be "peacemakers." It will take effort and intentionality on our part to bring balance back into our relationships. We are to make peace and strive for unity.

Have you cut off communication with people because you're feeling burned out? Write down their names and a trait you admire about each one of them. Then write down a date you will contact them, making amends if necessary.

Beating Burnout: Finding Hope and Health (Day 2 of 3)

Joshua 1:8 — "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therin: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

SPIRITUAL HEALTH: MEDITATING ON GOD'S WORD

Studying scripture is fundamental to our spiritual health. The Bible is God's Word and His instructions to us. The Holy Spirit illuminates scripture for us. In scripture, we are taught about God's character and reminded of God's faithfulness in the past. We are instructed on how to live holy lives of love, and we are convicted of our shortcomings.

I have personally struggled with consistent Bible study. My life seems to get too busy, and I honestly sometimes just blow it off because I'm running around "doing things for God." And during the seasons when I am lazy and neglect time in God's Word, I realize how simple it is to justify sin in my life. I lose focus on truth.

During the times when we faithfully meditate on God's Word, it's amazing how scripture overflows from our minds and is applied constantly throughout our day.

REFLECT

We're always meditating on something, whether it is scripture, a blog, or a conversation we're mulling over. The key is to shift our focus to scripture and truth as we go about our day. Try keeping God's Word on your mind for a day and watch how your perspective changes.

What are three scriptures you can meditate on today, or this week? What do you expect God to do when you turn your focus to Him during your day?