Category: Devotions

Devotions, Mark 8

Going for the Ultimate “W”

READ: Mark 8:31-36

What is an athlete striving for on a field or court? What is his purpose. His goal?
We might say things such as improving character or learning teamwork.  While these are admirable and highly essential in any athletic endeavor, they are not the goal.
The main goal on the court or field is to get a “W”….to get a WIN!
How about you?  What’s your main goal in life?  What’s your purpose?  Have you thought about it?
What does a “W” in life look like?
When Jesus took to the fields, courts and lives of people back in the day, he talked much of living a life of purpose.  Many however thought he was breaking the rules on how to do that.  According to them, he wasn’t playing right.  And nobody likes that kind of guy.
Unless…  Unless the “rules” are wrong or they keep it impossible to see or achieve “the goal”.
You see Jesus was revealing God’s ultimate purpose. His mind was focused on the goal: to lay down his life and ultimately to do it for Gods glory. His MIND was fixed on that. Peter’s mind was only focused on “human concerns.” That’s why Jesus had to help Peter (very strongly!) see that he did not see what the “win” looked like ultimately.
Jesus gives a warning and paints a better “glory” than what the worlds ways have to offer. He said,
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Can you even imagine a greater upset…to forfeit LIFE?!
An athletes goal is to win the game. And this is good.  It’s the goal while on the field.  But what if that is all he is thinking about or pursuing in life?   Or take a young man that spends all his time thinking about getting and trying to be with girls. Could it be that he might miss some other important things God is trying to grow in him?
Jesus tells us that if we live our life for Jesus and for the ultimate purposes He has planned, we will not waste it.  We will save it.  That means that if we put God first in all our interests…school, sports, relationships, work and even family…when all these things are gone we will still be longing for the Ultimate Win with Him.
Let’s be young men who are going for the Ultimate W!
THINK:
  • Do you have in mind human concerns most of the time or are you focused on what God is concerned about?
  • What have you been trying to “gain” from the world at the risk of “forfeiting” your soul?
PRAY:  Jesus forgive me for focusing all my attention and time on other things more than on You.  I want to focus on what Your most concerned about for my life.  God I want to learn more of what it means to “deny myself, take up my cross, and follow you.”  Help me with that game plan.  I don’t want to loose what is most important in this life and the next.  I know you can empower me to do this!  Amen.
2 Timothy 1, Devotions, Hebrews 5

Swoll for Jesus: Moving Beyond a Me-Focused-Faith to “Spiritual Swollness”

When I was in the 11th grade I started working out regularly. To be honest, I began because I was tired of being skinny and I wanted bigger muscles.
For adolescents, this is a normal part of growing up…to be comfortable in your own skin.  So my vision of that was the desire to see more muscle on my body.
As I got older though, I saw a shift in my reasons for working out. The desire to be bigger and stronger and feel more comfortable “in my skin” shifted to the desire to be healthy and functionally strong so that I could do many activities well.
What is the point in telling you this?
For many, their relationship with God is all about “feeling comfortable in your own skin.”  What I mean is that their understanding and excitement about God being in their life is very self-centered.  We can hear of Jesus’ great love for us, how he died for us, how he forgives our sins and how he wants to give us eternal life, however that great and encouraging news can lead us to a very “me-focused-faith” if we are not careful.
All those realities are true and right and should make us feel good about ourself. And honestly most of us need to hear that over and over again because our own struggles and negative self image. But our faith must move forward from that.  As the writer of Hebrews says, we should be moving on to “solid food” (Hebrews 5:13-14).
Our relationship with God must move beyond just being “comfortable in our skin” to “Spiritual Swollness.” Our relationship with God can not stay stagnant.  It must grow.  It must possess new “strength” and “flexibility” in it.
True followers of Jesus are constantly challenged in their faith.  Just look at the disciples when Jesus walked the earth.  Every single one of them was not the same man after three years of being with Jesus.  Truly their faith was at new levels and had new power from Him to do some pretty incredible things.
So have you grown stagnant and too comfortable in your faith?
Or are you growing stronger…more “swoll” in your heart and soul for God and His purposes for your life?
PRAY:  “Jesus I don’t want to live my life in a weak way.  May You help me be disciplined in growing in my faith.  Help me to diligently read Your Word, listen and talk to you, and surround myself with other Christians who are serious about knowing and growing in You more.”
2 Timothy 2, Devotions, Proverbs 12, Proverbs 18

The Gift & Danger of Friends

THINK: 
Are you in danger without even knowing it by the type of friends you hang around?
Check out what author Jon Acuff says about friends:
“Whether you’re 14 or 44, the company you keep, determines the heights that you will peak.”
He goes on to say there is a reason your parents didn’t want you to hangout with “that kid”.
“The friends you give your calendar to are vitamins or poisons. The best bring out the best in you, the worst tell you that your worst is best.”
Think about this:
  • Are my friends reliable?
  • Are my friends leading me toward more positive things than negative?
  • Am I and my group of friends encouraging each other to move away (“flee”) from things that dishonor God? Are we instead pursuing “righteousness, faith, love and peace” that God wants in our life?
PRAY: God I really like many of my friends.  But I know I can’t let them hold me back from what You want in my life.  Help me to have courage to speak up or to distance myself from certain “friends” that are leading me down a path I should not go.  Please give me real friends that want to honor You with their life.  May we grow in our love for You Jesus so that you might use us to impact those around us.

The post 100 Words: The gift & danger of friends. appeared first on Jon Acuff.

1 Thessalonians 4, Devotions

Lust

What is lust or how do we determine if a desire is lustful?
READ: ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:3-7‬ ‭NIV  (Yes…right now!)

Let’s get at this first with a definition.  I have written a definition before saying that “sexual lust is wanting and using something or someone for own sexual desires without proper permission, position or concern for the person or object.”   But, I like John Piper’s definition as well where he gets to the very heart of it:

“Lust is a supreme disregard for God and people that fails to honor both with a desire that is otherwise meant for good.”

So to put it bluntly, sexual desire that does not take into account God’s desire for holiness, is evil in His eyes. Therefore if someone does not know God, their desires are going to be tainted and lacking at best or destructive at their worst.

How do we determine if something we desire with our life and body is leaning toward lust? As some may ask in another way, “so are all my physical desires for the opposite sex bad?” To help us filter this out we should ask ourself this great question:  Is this desire holy and honorable to God?   Similarly, does it have in view God’s design for that desire or is it purely selfish or dishonoring to another person?

So we have to get honest here and ask ourself another question: Do I want to live in love more than lust?
Know this…
Love wants to give more.  Lust wants to get more.
Love thinks of others first.  Lust thinks of self first.
Love is God-sighted.  Lust is self and near-sighted.
PRAY: Jesus I really need your help in this area.  If I’m honest, I feel like most of my desires are pretty selfish.  But I know desires can be good.  So please help me to grow in real love by giving me a vision of the way You see others.  I want to honor You by how I view, think about and treat others.  

For more on sexual lust and pornography go here.

Devotions, Isaiah 30, Proverbs 14, Proverbs 16, Psalm 20

Don’t Waste Your Summer

Are these what your summer plans look like?…

Sleep
Play games
Eat
Work (…maybe!)
Sleep
Eat
REPEAT!
If you were like me in high school these might be an accurate list of activities you have planned for the summer.  There is nothing wrong with these of course. In fact they sound like a pretty good base plan.  I say “base plan” because it is the plan that probably most average guys do.
But who wants to be average?  I know I don’t!  And I suspect you don’t either.
So please… don’t be average by wasting your summer!   Do you want to know how not to waste it?  The key is very simple.
Just like if you want to be a better ball player or want to be faster or stronger…you have to have a plan to make it happen.
So let me get real with you.  If you and I want to grow as a strong, confident, humble, Christ-like men, then we have to have a GROWTH PLAN in place to get us there.  Period.
As you look up the scriptures below, ask yourself the “THINK” questions, and after talking with God, write down your growth plan for the summer.  Trust me.  You will give yourself a big mental high five and maybe a “atta boy” when you walk on campus next year.  God will be smiling about you as well.
THINK:
  • What is an area you think God wants you to grow in this summer?
  • How do you want to feel and think about yourself after the summer is over?  Describe it.
  • What will you do and ask Jesus to help you to accomplish that?
Awesome Growth Plan Ideas!
  • Keep connected in fun and friendship with other guys that will encourage your faith…not tear it down.
  • Plug-in to a weekly small group studying the Bible together.
  • Go to worship weekly at your church.
  • Go to a week long church camp/YL camp/Adventure Trip/etc. that is focused on your spiritual growth.
PRAY:  Jesus I don’t want to waste my summer.   Please give me the wisdom to see the circumstances or people that may pull me away from you. Help me distance myself from them and instead lead me to friends and mentors that will encourage me in growth in You.  Also give me the courage and focus to be disciplined in things that help me learn your Word so I can learn to know You better.  Amen.

 

 

 

voicemail-2

Devotions, Philippians 2

What Would Jesus Think?

Think-Like-Jesus_MAIN_rds-1024x576

“then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. …In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” – Philippians 2:2,5

.
This passage talks of following Jesus’ example, to have the same MIND and same LOVE.
You may have heard the saying “What Would Jesus Do?”  Maybe a better question to ask first is “What Would Jesus Think?”   “Doing” is about love.  But what the mind thinks and perceives determines it’s love.   That’s why scripture here says to be “like-minded”.  Our thinking determines our love.
So then, what did Jesus think…and therefore model for us?
➡️ Strength in his identity – He knew he was. He didn’t need to “strut” or “compare” or try to “prove” his greatness. (v.6)
➡️ Humility in his service – In John 13 Jesus models symbolically what he had been doing all along and what he wanted us to think and act like toward those we love and lead. Jesus ultimate humility in service was going to the Cross in our place. (v.7)
➡️ Obedience in his love – Until you and I learn aspects of obedience toward those who God has sent to protect and guide us, we will miss key aspects of life and leadership.  Jesus modeled this kind of faithfulness for us.  He submitted to the plan from the beginning of time even though it was painful. (v.8)
➡️ Exultation by the Father – Because of Jesus’ humility and obedience, God therefore exalted Him with great admiration and love. (v.9-11)
THINK: Ask yourself then: In my modeling of my life…
– Do I find my identity in Jesus…meaning do I know and really believe what God says about me?
– Do I find my mind thinking about what Jesus would think most of the time or what the “world” or my friends think?
– Do I find that I have a heart of a servant and love towards those around me?
– Do I find that I am obedient to those that God has given me to provide and help me grow? Am I obedient to what God says in ALL areas of my life?
PRAY: “Jesus I want to love people better than I do.  Please help me discover more how you thought and lived so that as I seek to live your ways out, you would empower me to walk in my identity as a son of God in great humility and obedience.

What is one small way that you will think and act like Jesus this week? 

Click the link below to send Todd a voice message.

voicemail-2

Articles, Devotions, New Believer's

New Believer’s Devotions

Welcome to the Family!

Just so you know, this Family is all about adventure!   The more we learn to love and follow the leader of our lives…Jesus…the more Real Life you and I will experience everyday. (John 10:10)

Below is a series of devotions and scriptures to help you to really understand WHY we need a relationship with Jesus, WHAT has happened in our hearts and HOW we are to live from this point forward.

Be sure to not just skim through these.  Make sure you spend most of your time looking at the scripture by reading…then re-reading…then thinking…then asking (praying to) God to reveal the truth of what you should gain from His words speaking to you.

Lastly, be sure to TALK, SHARE and/or ASK QUESTIONS from what you are experiencing with someone who is encouraging and mentoring you in your faith.   They will want to guide you and be encouraged themselves by your journey of faith!  Also, you can use the “Ask Me Anything” link on the right if you have a question or just want to post what you learned.

 

Devotions, John 14

Two-timing God

Are you “two-timing” God?

Check out this video: Would you ever marry someone like this?

READ:
John‬ ‭14:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What are his “commands”?  There are many but the greatest is this:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” –‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Places throughout the bible, it describes God’s faithful people as a “bride” (Rev. 19:7) and Jesus as the “bridegroom”.   And so if we say we are followers of Jesus and have given our life to Him, then that means we are “betrothed” to Jesus.  When he comes back we will be fully “married” and fully know Him in all His essence.

Unfortunately many so called Chrisitans say they love God above all others but don’t live like it.

Honestly ask yourself…

  • Do I love Jesus more than the things of the world?
  • Do I have other “lovers” that I put in place of Him?
  • Am I obeying Gods ways he wants me to live or am I just doing my own thing most of the time?

PRAY:  God please forgive me for loving other people and things over You.  Jesus by the power of your Spirit, please give me the desire and ability to put you as the number one person in my life.  Thank you that as I learn more of who You are through the bible and prayer, and obeying You, I will grow into all the things you have for me now and experience the joy of your presence more each day!

1 Timothy 6, 2 Chronicles 15, Devotions, Romans 12

Fighting For Character

Character never grows out of an effortless life.

When we were younger we had great dreams and desires to be great.   We wanted to be the hero of the game or the adventurer on an epic journey to uncover lost secrets and wealth of ages past.   As we get older the vale gets lifted in our understanding and we realize dreams take work and effort.  It is easy and exciting to watch, it is quite another thing to do it.

Why do we continue to kid ourselves into thinking our decision to put our relationship with God as foremost in our life would take any less effort?

READ:

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”  1 Timothy‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

THINK:

  • In what areas of your life are you getting impatient that things are not going as easy as you planned?
  • What negative attitudes, actions or thinking from yourself or others do you need to push back with Gods truth and promises?  Where do you need to ask the Spirit of God to wake up the fighter in you?

If at times you wonder if following Jesus is really worth it, take comfort and be encouraged that God promises there is great reward for those who remain faithful to Him.  It may be difficult now to see,  but you and I will see it in a BIG WAY in the end!

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.””  ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

PRAY:  God thank you that you promise a reward when I don’t give up in trusting you.  I know you want to develop deep character in me.  Empower me to be steadfast in that fight.

Colossians 2, Devotions, John 1, Romans 10

What does it mean to receive Jesus in my heart?

image

What does it mean to receive Jesus in our heart?

The bible correlates these being the same:
Believing = Receiving = Accepting = Being in Christ

READ:

 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9‬ ‭

It is important how we receive/believe Christ. Do we receive Him, as John Piper has said, as an “unwanted guest” or repair man that you want to just keep out in the garage? Or do we receive Him for who he really is?! LORD.

“There are all kinds of ways to receive Jesus into your life that have zero impact on your eternity except to make it worse.“

The question then becomes: If you say you have received Jesus: You received Him as what? 

Listen to the podcast below and search your heart to determine that yourself.

PRAY: Jesus search my heart and help me be totally honest with You.  I don’t want to play games saying I believe in You but not submitting to your Lordship and leadership in my life.   Let me really see how amazing You are in a fresh way.  (And if you really mean it now, tell Him and declare it to God…)  Jesus you are Lord of my life!

Podcast: What Does It Mean to Receive Jesus into My Life? (Episode 726) #askpastorjohn