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?

Beating Burnout: Finding Hope and Health (Day 1 of 3)

Isaiah 30:15 — "For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not."

REST: A QUIET TRUST

The nation of Judah was rebelling against God and not listening to His warning. He promised them salvation if they returned and rested in Him, assuring them that His strength was perfect for them. Yet they refused and instead trusted neighboring Egypt for their help.

Ruth Haley Barton in Leading in Rhythm says, "As disciplines of rest, solitude, and silence rescue us from the brink of dangerous levels of exhaustion, we are restored to a state of quiet alertness, ready to receive guidance from God about what we are to do in the world."

REFLECT

The Egyptians gave Judah horses to help them in battle — something they could see and touch. Often, returning to and resting in God requires us to have faith without tangible reminders of His presence.

Countless times in scripture we are told that it is only through Him that we can live abundantly and in His peace, whether we can see His gifts to us or not.

What things in your life are difficult to surrender to "resting in God?" Like Judah taking the Egyptians' horses, what are a few things that you find security in? What can you surrender and trust God and believe that He will accomplish even as you rest?

Why Do I Need Jesus? (Day 4 of 4)

Galatians 5:16 — "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

Did you know that Jesus paid for all your sins over 2,000 years ago? This means you're completely forgiven!

God doesn't think about the bad things you've done, because Jesus took the whole punishment for your sin on the cross! Live for God today and stop living in your yesterday.

Are you a bad person just because you've done bad things? No! Once you've received Jesus as your Savior, the only thing that matters is what God thinks about you!

God doesn't even see your sin or mistakes any more. Do you know what He thinks about you? Dig into the Bible to find out what God thinks about you!

What He says is more important than what everyone else says about you! You can talk to God and tell Him thank You for forgetting all the bad things you've done in the past.

You can ask Him to help you live for Him with all that you are.

Why Do I Need Jesus? (Day 3 of 4)

Luke 19:10 — "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Jesus died for the sins of the whole world.

It's hard to imagine why anyone would want to take a punishment for something they didn't do. But what if that punishment was death? Only Jesus could do that for us because He's the only one who never sinned even once.

When we behave badly and disobey God, we might wonder how God could ever love us. But God didn't send Jesus to die in our place because we deserved it. No. It's because of His great big love for us.

He knew that Jesus would come to earth as a baby all the way back before Adam and Eve ever sinned. He knew you before you were born, too! He knew everything you were ever going to do and He still chose to send His Son Jesus to die for you. He even came to save people who may seem too bad for Jesus to help.

You can talk to God and ask Him for His forgiveness and ask Him to help you forgive yourself too.

Why Do I Need Jesus? (Day 2 of 4)

Romans 3:23 — "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

You aren't good enough to be friends with God because you follow rules. You're good enough because you believe in and trust the only One who is good: Jesus!

God gave his people rules to show them the way life works best. He wanted them to learn that they could never be good enough without His help.

God's help is a gift called grace. Grace is a gift that can never be earned. We can't earn God's grace by working hard to please Him. He gives it freely. We aren't strong enough to please Him by ourselves. God's grace gives us the power to live free from sin.

It's because we put our trust in Jesus. Not because we're good at following rules. You can talk to God and thank Him for making you good enough with His gift of grace.

Why Do I Need Jesus? (Day 1 of 4)

Isaiah 53:6 — "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

The minute Eve and Adam disobeyed God, they were guilty of sin. God said there is serious consequence for sin. The price required to pay for sin, is death. Adam and Eve's bodies didn't die right away, but their friendship with God was broken. God loved them so much, He wanted them to have a second chance. He had a plan for someone to take the punishment and fix their broken friendship.

Each of us have sinned, too. We have all chosen our way over God's way. If you're reading this, God is giving you a second chance. You can talk to Him and say thank You.