As for Me and My House – Day 21
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. What does it take to win …
DAY 21: GIVE HIM OUR BEST
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
What does it take to win an Olympic gold medal? A life that is dedicated to one thing. An athlete gives hours and hours of practice, training, workouts, special diet and coaching—for years. You don’t become the best of the best overnight. That prize is not easily won.
If people will sacrifice that much for an earthly prize, shouldn’t we be willing to work hard and sacrifice for an eternal prize? We desire to give God our best so that we will be with Him for all of eternity. We give Him our best and He gives us His best.
QUESTIONS Are you working with all your heart for the Lord or for men? What kind of reward are you working for—earthly recognition of your accomplishments or a heavenly prize (your inheritance)? How does knowing you will receive an inheritance affect your attitude toward work?
PRAYER Help me work hard for you, Lord, and not for men. Fill me so I can give my very best in whatever I do.
ACTION Be aware at work, at home, and with others if you are giving your best to serve God who is faithful or man who is not. By your actions, let others get the message, “I see you, I care.”
As for Me and My House – Day 20
Psalm 96:3
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
We can be life changers by telling our stories. Each of us can “declare His glory among …
DAY 20: SHARING STORIES OF HIS GOODNESS
Psalm 96:3
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
We can be life changers by telling our stories. Each of us can “declare His glory among the nations.” If we love God and people enough, we will tell others of His greatness and His marvelous deeds seen in the Bible and in our own lives. Some of us can tell our stories to our neighbors, to our communities, and beyond, in ever-widening circles.
Some of us tell our stories through posts on social media. Some write encouraging notes and letters. Some write blogs, editorials, articles and books about their experiences with the Lord.
Others are prompted to go on short-term missions. Still others might travel to a foreign land to learn their customs and their language, and settle there. After all, isn’t that what Jesus did when He shed His glory to live among humanity and tell His story to us?
QUESTIONS Are you willing to love people enough to tell your story of how God has come into your life? Is God calling you to a short-term or long-term mission?
PRAYER I want to declare Your glory to those who don’t know You, Lord. Help me to humble myself and learn how to do this effectively. Help me love others enough to share what You have done in my life so they can know Your love.
ACTION Pray for three people you want to go to heaven with you. Ask God to help you share your story with them and give them an opportunity to know Him.
As for Me and My House – Day 19
Romans 12:15-16
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Let’s face it—we all struggle with…
DAY 19: BEARING ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS
Romans 12:15-16
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Let’s face it—we all struggle with life’s various difficulties at times. God wants us to empathize with one another through those low points. When someone is feeling down, we who are stronger ought to be there for them.
We should also share in the happiness of those who are doing well and not let ourselves be jealous of their blessings. Jesus was a friend to tax gatherers and sinners. He drank wine at weddings and wept at funerals.
We can’t all be Mother Teresa, ministering in leper colonies, orphanages, and homes for the dying destitute. But each of is called and equipped to do something. Ask the Lord, what?
QUESTIONS Who are the “people of low position” around you? The unemployed? The homeless? Foster kids? Teen moms? The mentally ill? Recent arrivals in America? What is your attitude toward them? How can you “associate” with them?
PRAYER Your Word is clear, Lord—I am to help prisoners, orphans, widows, those less fortunate than I am. Show me how to demonstrate Your unconditional love to those who are so different from me. Let me humble myself now and go and do what You would do.
ACTION Go and do it. Serve the marginalized through a church ministry, a faith-based or secular community-service organization, or even as an individual. But do something. Don’t just read this and miss the opportunity to help bear someone else’s burden. Here are just a few ministries that serve marginalized people in the Phoenix area:
As for Me and My House – Day 18
Proverbs 22:9
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Steve, a 62-year-old homeless military veteran, attempted to earn money by displaying his hand-drawn art…
DAY 18: BLESSED TO BLESS OTHERS
Proverbs 22:9
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.Proverbs 11:25
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Steve, a 62-year-old homeless military veteran, attempted to earn money by displaying his hand-drawn art. One evening, a young woman approached and offered him several slices of pizza. Steve gratefully accepted. Moments later, Steve shared his bounty with another hungry, homeless person. Touched by Steve’s generosity, the same young woman soon returned with another plate of food.
Steve’s story illustrates the principle that blessing others often results in being blessed by others. But we shouldn’t give in order to get something in return. God’s economy doesn’t work that way. He sees our hearts as well as our actions, and tells us if we will refresh others we will be refreshed.
QUESTIONS Do you share with the poor? Have you given to Living Streams’ Food Pantry recently? Do you support local downtown missions? Even if you can’t give financially, can you volunteer some of your time?
PRAYER Lord, You said there will always be poor people in society. Help me to not be cynical, but to give out of my heart to those in need. Open my heart to share out of the wealth of Your abundance to me.
ACTION Share some food with the poor today, no matter how you do it. Donate to Feed My Starving Children — fmsc.org, to the Living Streams Food Pantry, etc., or give a sandwich to a homeless person on the street as the Lord leads you.
As for Me and My House – Day 17
Isaiah 58:6-7
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the …
DAY 17: SOCIAL JUSTICE STARTS IN THE CHURCH
Isaiah 58:6-7
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
How do we please the Lord with our fasting? He says here in Isaiah that He wants us to break the chains of injustice, to set captives free, to share our food with the hungry, and to provide shelter for people who don’t have it. Jesus said simply, we should clothe the naked, feed the poor, and help prisoners, widows, and orphans.
Maybe we can’t solve every social injustice, but certainly, we can find someone beyond ourselves who’s hungry or poorly clothed or homeless. During this time of fasting let’s listen to the Lord and then participate in acts that demonstrate our commitment to what He cares about.
QUESTIONS Do you fast on a regular basis for the things Isaiah mentions? In what ways can you care for those who have such needs?
PRAYER I repent, Lord, of not thinking more about those You care for so much. Help me to hear what You are saying to me right now. Help me to follow through and do what You ask me to do—to help the hungry and the homeless and to clothe those who need it.
ACTION Decide to make an effort to be aware of people around you with basic needs, then give or share with them as God guides you.
As for Me and My House – Day 16
Hebrews 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Eighteenth-century English cleric John Wesley had this for his rule of life: Do all the good you can…
DAY 16: DOING GOOD TO OTHERS
Hebrews 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Eighteenth-century English cleric John Wesley had this for his rule of life:
Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.
His contemporary, writer and poet John Keble, wrote that going out and doing something kind for somebody is a “medicine that never fails to cure” despondency. “To test it, try it. Your visit to the sick, the bereaved, the disheartened, and the lonely, will kindle fires of love and hope upon your own desolate hearth.”
Keble believed that Jesus was cheerful partially because he “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). Remember that doing good for others frees us from bondage to our self-centered gloom.
QUESTIONS What do you do when you are down? What do you think? Will you visit the sick, bereaved and disheartened?
PRAYER Lord, help me get out of my own little world. Help me to see and share from the abundance of what You have lavished on me. When I am down, let me light a fire in my “desolate hearth” by doing for others as You did.
ACTION Take a moment to pray and think of someone you can do something good for. They may be a close friend or someone in your neighborhood. Maybe you can call them or write them a letter or purchase groceries for them. Do it now!
As for Me and My House – Day 15
Mark 10:43-45
...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
WEEK 3
SHARING
As for me and my house, we will serve.
DAY 15: SERVING OTHERS IS OUR CALL
Mark 10:43-45
...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
It has been said that everyone likes to be a servant until they are treated like one. It is not the American way to be a servant to all. But this is God’s way. By the nature of our flesh, we want to be first, not last. But this is not God’s way. Jesus gave us the example of being the ultimate servant and gave His life for us. Will you now give your life to Him? Ask God what you need to repent of to fulfill your destiny and be His servant by serving all.
QUESTIONS What makes it so hard to be a servant? If you could ask God to do one thing that would help you be more like Him, what would it be? How does He want you to fulfill this call of being a servant?
PRAYER So often I am trying to lead instead of following You, Lord. I pray for the ability to grasp what it means to really be a servant to You, to my family, and in other relationships. I want to have Your attitude and to live out what it means to serve others in Your name.
ACTION Ask the Lord to show you how you can serve someone today. Make sure you do something that is what they need, not what you want to do for them. Let God guide you by His Spirit.
As for Me and My House – Day 14
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
DAY 14: SETTING OUR SIGHTS ON ETERNITY
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
We are in the land of the dying going to the land of the living. We are not to love the world because it is not our home. The lust of the flesh, the lust of eyes, and pride of life come from the world. God wants us to meditate on Him, to fix our eyes on Him, and to do His will; and we will live forever because He lives forever. Tell Him that you want to set your sights above—on eternity—not here on our temporary living space on earth.
QUESTIONS What causes you to love the world and the things in the world? What will it take for you to love the Father more than this world? What can you do to declare your love for Him right now?
PRAYER Father, I want to love You more than the world. I know it is passing away and I repent of getting too involved in the temporal. I desire to focus on eternal things and to do Your will and to remember that I will have eternal life in You.
ACTION Declare aloud to Him that you are not of this world. Tell Him you will focus on Him and on eternity and you will do His will. Read 1 John 2:15-17 (above) aloud as a prayer to God.
As for Me and My House – Day 13
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Have you ever had a special possession?
DAY 13: WE ARE HIS SPECIAL POSSESSION
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Have you ever had a special possession? A rare baseball card? A family heirloom? An original work of art? How did you treat it? Most of us take great care of our valuables. We display them in lighted cabinets or lock them in safes. Why? We want to protect them from scratches or tarnish or breakage or theft. What makes them special is their one-of-a-kind status.
That is what we are to God—special, chosen, beloved. He wants us to set ourselves apart exclusively for Him. We owe it to Him, then, to shine His light brightly and tell others of His greatness.
QUESTIONS Do you believe you are chosen? Do you accept that He has chosen you to declare His praises? Will you accept what He says is true of you right now? Will you declare that He has called you out of darkness and brought you into His wonderful light?
PRAYER Help me to realize how special I am as one of your chosen people. You have separated believers out of all the people of the world to live in and share Your wondrous light, Your gift to us. Thank You for choosing me for a purpose.
ACTION Read 1 Peter 2:9 aloud and tell God, “I am chosen, not forsaken; I am who You say I am.”
As for Me and My House – Day 12
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. When Christ died on the cross, we …
DAY 12: HE LIVES LIFE IN ME
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
When Christ died on the cross, we died. He now lives and, by faith in Him, we live as well. What a powerful statement! The life I now live in the body is lived by faith in Him. We have His resurrection life in us. When we accept and experience this truth, how different our life becomes! Because of His love and sacrifice on our behalf, we get to live a totally new, empowered life. The old me is dead, and His resurrected, eternal life is mine—forever!
QUESTIONS Have you ever thought about God living in and through you? What do you need to do to either accept this fact or to reenforce it today? Will you accept His acceptance of you?
PRAYER Help me meditate on this new life You have given me, to value what You endured, and to accept what You did so Your life can be lived through me. I can never make my “old self” acceptable to You. Help me live this life by faith in You—more of You and less of me.
ACTION Take time to write out Galatians 2:20. Read it aloud. Tell God you will allow Him to be your life and you no longer will try to live life in your own power, because Christ lives in and through you.
As for Me and My House – Day 11
Psalm 51:17
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
According to Tim Keller, a broken and contrite heart “knows how little it deserves yet how …
DAY 11: A BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART
Psalm 51:17
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
According to Tim Keller, a broken and contrite heart “knows how little it deserves yet how much it has received.” It is neither self-loathing nor self-satisfied—both of which are self-absorbed.
Knowing how lost and how loved we are takes us out of ourselves, freeing us from constantly being selfish to being selfless.
We need to ask God to create true brokenness in us rather than its counterfeits of self- pity, discouragement, bitterness, or despair. A broken and contrite heart is a humble heart. It produces the character of Jesus and someone who appreciates the love that has been shown to them. And therefore wants to give freely of themselves to others.
QUESTIONS Will you take some time right now and reflect on the ways God has broken you? Does your brokenness cause you to turn from God in shame or do you run to the Father? What will it take for you to embrace His love and grace right now, and know He does not despise you?
PRAYER Create in me true brokenness, Lord. Allow me to be comforted in my shame and strong in Your grace, for when I am weak, You are strong in me. Help me see that you discipline the ones you love, and that I am loved by you.
As for Me and My House – Day 10
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing …
DAY 10: BEING TRANSFORMED
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
God has a beautiful intention and design for each and every one of our lives—a plan that is for our good, His good, and the good of others! It is out of love that God pleads with us to choose the righteous road. However, this path to living in our full potential is a narrow one—one that requires a love that is selfless and sacrificial. The other path is wide—and on this path the enemy promises a quick fix to fulfillment that only leads to misery.
It is easy to be deceived into thinking that we don’t want to work hard, so we cut corners in our relationships, jobs, and finances in order to save ourselves the burden. However, the truth is that we are created to work, and working hard brings great fulfillment! Fighting for purity in relationships, putting forth our best efforts in our jobs, and honoring the Lord with our finances are wonderfully fulfilling, God-ordained tasks.
QUESTIONS How has the enemy tempted you to cut corners in those areas of finances, work, or purity in your relationships? What would it look like for you to abandon the wider road to pursue the narrow road in some areas of your life?
PRAYER God, you have made me according to Your design. Help me walk in that narrow way and allow Your Spirit to guide and empower me.
ACTION Take a minute and listen to the Lord, asking Him about some ways that He made you specifically.
As for Me and My House – Day 9
Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Leading up to the 1994 World Cup, our son collected…
DAY 9: GIVING UP ANYTHING TO OBTAIN EVERYTHING
Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Leading up to the 1994 World Cup, our son collected Upper Deck trading cards. Certain rare cards offered a chance to win the grand prize—an all-expense-paid trip to the championship at the Rose Bowl.
He mowed lawns and sold home-baked pretzels to earn money to purchase hundreds of cards, many useless to him. Whenever he found an eligible card, he mailed it in. But none of them won the contest. Then he read the fine print and learned of a second-chance drawing. His diligence paid off when his name was drawn, and he and his dad were flown to Pasadena, housed in a hotel, and seated two rows behind the Italian bench for the championship game.
Like the man in the parable, our son was willing put all his money into purchasing something as ordinary as a field (or boxes of collector cards) in order to garner something much more valuable.
QUESTIONS What will it take for you to give up everything to gain what Jesus says is everything—eternal life? Have you decided He is all you need? For the joy set before Jesus, He endured the cross. Can you sacrifice what seems like everything to gain the joy of what amounts to more than everything?
PRAYER I get so distracted from what is of real importance, Lord. Help me today to lay down my life and let You take it. I consecrate it for Your purposes. Only You can help me do this. I desire to give myself completely to You.
ACTION Take a moment and tell the Lord, “I give you my life and all that I have.” Let go of whatever holds you back from allowing Him to be your greatest treasure. Move beyond desiring to let Him be Lord to actually letting Him take control of your life.
As for Me and My House – Day 8
James 1:17-18
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Week 2
CONSECRATION
As for me and my house, we will be set apart.
DAY 8: FIRSTFRUITS BELONG TO HIM
James 1:17-18
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
If we are the “firstfruits of all He created,” then that means we are to give ourselves to Him—becoming fully devoted to God. We consecrate ourselves through self-surrender. This means we are no longer the center. He is the center of our lives. We yield everything to Him: our will, our time, our abilities, our possessions.
This is only possible if we are fully convinced that Jesus gave Himself for us. Our love for Him is a response to His great love for us. If He gave all for us, how can we not give all to Him?
QUESTIONS Do you give the firstfruits of your will, your time, your energy, and your wealth to the Lord? Give to Him first because He gave everything to you. Will you remember to give to Him first?
PRAYER I want to give you the firstfruits of all I am and have, Lord. Show me what I need to do to be devoted to You. Teach me how to give and not merely take, to not have a scarcity mentality but a heart of generosity.
ACTION Give the first of your time, your energy, your paycheck today plus anything else the Lord points out to you give as an offering to Him.
As for Me and My House – Day 7
Psalm 9:1-2
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.I will be glad and rejoice in you;I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. Have you ever had a day when nothing went right?
DAY 7: THANKFUL HEARTS
Psalm 9:1-2
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.I will be glad and rejoice in you;I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Have you ever had a day when nothing went right? Nothing you did would work out? Those are great times to learn to thank Him. We rejoice in Him—not in circumstances. He is the one who gives us hope in the midst of despair.
How do you respond when someone unexpectedly gives you something you really love? You thank them! You’re happy!
God has given us everything we need to face whatever comes our way in life. Here are some things you can thank Him for: life, breath, a place to live, food, water, and your body—healthy or not. Thank Him for your family and for all the relationships He’s given you in His body, the church.
QUESTIONS Can you think of twenty specific things to thank God for? What external things can you thank him for? What internal changes can you thank Him for? Will you choose to give thanks and rejoice in Him who is faithful and is the same yesterday today and forever?
PRAYER How can I say thanks for all You have done for me? I am filled with joy at all You provide each day. Help me to be grateful for the stars and the moon and air to breath. Fill my heart with thanks to You.
ACTION Take time to write out a list of things you are thankful for. Read it back to the Lord and tell Him why you are thankful. If you have kids, this is a great exercise to do with them too.
As for Me and My House – Day 6
Ephesians 5:18-20
...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for …
DAY 6: FILLED CONTINUALLY WITH THE SPIRIT
Ephesians 5:18-2
...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Spirit-filled life is focused on the Lord, resulting in absolute balance and self-control, characterized by joy, songs of praise, and thanksgiving. The opposite of this is called “dissipation,” defined as “behavior which shows a lack of concern or thought for the consequences of an action, senseless deeds, reckless deeds, wastefulness, exhaustion, prodigality.” The same word is used to describe the prodigal son who “wasted his inheritance in riotous living.”
Being filled with the Spirit leads to thoughtful, careful deeds accomplished through God’s power. Instead of wasting your energy trying to “do good for God,” let the Spirit give you His power to do those things which God directs.
QUESTIONS How filled with the Spirit are you? Do you see these qualities in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? If not, ask God to put these characteristics into your life by the power of His Spirit.
PRAYER I know I need your help, God. Wash me clean; fill me; let the fruit of your Spirit shine through my daily life in my behavior and speech. Make me willing to surrender my life. Show me how to give thanks no matter what my situation is. Will you put a new song in my heart today, Lord?
ACTION Take ten minutes and ask the Lord to fill you with whichever qualities of the Spirit you need right now, and give thanks in faith that He is doing it. Ask Him to give you balance in your life, then let go and let Him guide and direct you.
As for Me and My House – Day 5
Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
Sometimes it’s easy to praise God. But sometimes, it takes an act of will. When things are not…
DAY 5: CONTINUALLY PRAISING HIM
Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
Sometimes it’s easy to praise God. But sometimes, it takes an act of will. When things are not going our way, when we simply don’t understand the “why”—it is a personal sacrifice to praise Him. Regardless of our present circumstances, we praise God because we know that He is good and He is to be trusted.
This starts with a thankful heart. As we think on who He is and recall all the good things He has done for us, we begin to be humble and become more grateful. Then, as we praise Him and “openly profess His name,” He is honored and glorified, and our faith grows deeper.
QUESTIONS Can you think of three tremendous things He has done for you in the past year? Can you make an audible sacrifice of praise by singing to Him? Will you tell a friend or neighbor who does not know Him how He has worked in your life?
PRAYER Give me courage to boldly proclaim what You have done for me, Lord. Help me to speak aloud Your praise and thanks in specific ways today, so others will know who You are through what You have done in my life.
ACTION Ask God to make an opportunity for you to openly talk to someone about Him today. Put a short testimony on social media that tells what your life was like in the past and what it is now because of what God has done. Give Him credit for the changes in your life.
As for Me and My House – Day 4
Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and …
DAY 4: BECAUSE HE IS SO GOOD, TELL YOUR STORY
Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.
We all have a story of God’s love for us and how He has been faithful or delivered us from trouble. The more we have been delivered, the more thankful we are. When we are truly redeemed and forgiven, we want to tell others what He has done.
When you enjoy your dining experience at a great restaurant, what do you do? You tell others. So, tell people your stories of the great and small ways the Lord enriches your life.
QUESTIONS Have you thought about your story lately? How has God worked to save you in the past, and how He is working now? Will you tell others of His redeeming love for you?
PRAYER I take for granted, Lord, the story of Your working in my life. Help me to speak of Your wonderful, redeeming love for me. I am thankful, so I will speak!
ACTION Look for opportunities to simply tell others how God has worked and shown His love to you personally. Let others around you know. Say something like this to someone today: “I am so thankful that I have seen God at work in my life in _____________(this specific way). How do you see Him working?”
As for Me and My House – Day 3
Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Since 9/11, we’ve learned that even things we used to think of as unshakeable,
DAY 3: HIS KINGDOM IS UNSHAKEABLE
Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
Since 9/11, we’ve learned that even things we used to think of as unshakeable, like New York City’s Twin Towers, can be not only shaken but also destroyed. But we will receive God’s kingdom that can never be shaken. In this assurance, we can rejoice and be thankful. We worship Him with reverence, a deep respect and awe. We are overwhelmed at who God is. Therefore, we worship, bow down, praise Him and thank Him. He who cannot be shaken is absolutely worthy to be praised.
QUESTIONS What picture comes to mind when you think of an unshakeable kingdom? How do you show reverence and awe to our great God? Take time to do that right now.
PRAYER Lord, I am overwhelmed by Your great grace, which allows me to be in your unshakeable kingdom that has no end. Let me worship and give thanks to You all my days. I want to put my trust in You, no matter what is happening around me.
ACTION In recent times, it seems the whole world has been shaken. Meditate now on the fact that, no matter what, our God never changes and His kingdom still stands. Let God speak to your spirit as you watch and listen to Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” or another worship song that deeply moves you right now.
As for Me and My House – Day 2
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving…
DAY 2: GRATITUDE BRINGS PEACE TO OUR SOULS
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.
Rejoice. Don’t be anxious. Pray about everything with thanksgiving. Petition. Present your requests to God. This process will yield peace which we cannot understand.
Some of us have a naturally gentle spirit. But all of us need the Spirit of God to help us rejoice and make His gentleness evident to all.
Paul tells us in every situation we are to pray and “petition” or ask God meekly, humbly, and earnestly for a specific, significant need. We are to do this with thanksgiving. It should be something you cannot get or accomplish for yourself or for others without God’s help. So you ask Him to make it happen.
QUESTIONS What causes you to lose your peace? Are you giving thanks in everything? How can you do this right now, even if you don’t feel like it?
PRAYER I rejoice in You, Lord, and I want to sense and experience Your peace that passes all understanding. I submit my request to You with thanksgiving right now, knowing I don’t have to be anxious. I receive Your peace.
ACTION Choose now to rejoice in whatever situation you find yourself. Pray and appeal to (petition) God now with thanksgiving and see what happens.