The Seek God Challenge Day 24

January 24, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

THE GOSPEL FOUNDATION

READ

“21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”

-Romans 3:21-26

THINK

We see quickly in verse 23 that all human beings are what?

Verses 24 & 25 tell us that “redemption” and forgiveness of that sin come as a result of Who? And as a result of what?

We as humans can take hold of this forgiveness how?

And then in verse 26 it tells us that we can be justified or made acceptable by what?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray

Pray that we will clearly see that the truth and our spiritual, eternal condition will be made plain to us

Pray that we will begin to view those around us in light of the scriptures and see their need for Jesus

DO

Take your list from yesterday and write a note to one of the people on it letting them know that you are praying for them. It can be a text message, facebook message, handwritten note, etc. Then take a few more moments and pray that God will give you an opportunity to share the Gospel in there life.

Download the guide here

Filed Under: Seek God Challenge Tagged With: Christ, Christ Jesus, Christianity, Evangelism, God, Jesus, Law, matt rothacher, Religion and Spirituality, Seek God Challenge

The Seek God Challenge Day 22

January 22, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

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THE WORD MUST BE SHARED

READ

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” -2 Timothy 4:2

THINK

Paul’s final instruction to his apprentice Timothy is to “preach the word” what images come to your mind when you hear that phrase?

We often think that it is simply the job of paid staff at churches or other Christian ministries to preach the word however; the Bible calls us to share. What difficulties come as a result of sharing the word in your life?

What fears are there that keeps you from sharing God’s word with others?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray.

Pray that God will help erase the misconceptions about sharing His word

Pray that the Lord will create a Spirit of boldness which will lead you to sharing God’s word with others.

DO

Share with someone today, something you’ve recently read in God’s word.

Download the guide here

Filed Under: Seek God Challenge Tagged With: bible, Christ, Christianity, God, Jesus, Lord, matt rothacher, OT, Religion and Spirituality, Seek God Challenge, Timothy

The Seek God Challenge Day 21

January 21, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

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THE WORD EQUIPS US

READ

“17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

-2 Timothy 3:17

“11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-13

THINK

Paul tells us multiple places that the Word of God equips us, that is it gives us the tools necessary to live like Christ. What are some ways that your life is different than Jesus’?

To get a good picture of equipping think of football. In order to play the game successfully you have to have the right equipment; a helmet, pads, a ball. Without the tools required to play you cannot succeed at football. Likewise without the Word of God you cannot succeed in knowing God and or sharing God. What are some examples you can think of for where the Bible equips? What are the benefits of being equipped?

The Ephesians passage tells us that Jesus “gave the apostles, the prophets”… etc. “to equip his people for works of service” this is describing areas of Christian leadership and how they may aid in the equipping of followers of Christ. Knowing that the Word of God must be central in equipping Christians what must these leaders be centered on in their instruction and leadership? That being the case what becomes in important in who and what we allow to teach us? How do you protect yourself from those who do not hold the Bible as central and important?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray

Pray that God will give you a desire to become an equipped follower of Christ

Pray that God will help you devote yourself to the Word of God so that you may become equipped and be able to equip others

DO

Knowing that we need to be equipped by the Word and then aid in the equipping of other believers, find a Christian friend and talk to them about the importance of being equipped by the Word of God.

Download the guide here

Filed Under: Seek God Challenge Tagged With: bible, Christ, Christian, Epistle to the Ephesians, God, Jesus, matt rothacher, Second Epistle to Timothy, Seek God Challenge, Word of God

The Seek God Challenge Day 20

January 20, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

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THE WORD TRANSFORMS US

READ

“16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” -2 Timothy 3:16-17

“2 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.” -Romans 12:2

THINK

We see that Paul is telling Timothy of the many things that the Word of God will do (2 Tim. 3:16), and training in righteousness is a phrase that may not make immediate sense to us. What do you believe that it means?

Matt mentions that “God’s Word is not just given to us for information. It’s given us for transformation.” How does this kind of transformation take place in our lives?

Paul warns the church at Rome (Romans 12:2) against becoming like “the pattern of this world, “ and then tells them to be transformed by the renewing of your mind” How can you renew your mind? If we begin to gain the mind of Jesus how will that transform our lives?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray.

Pray that you can renew your mind today to become more like Christ

Pray that you will devote yourself to the Word of God so that it will begin to transform you into the image of God

DO

Renewing your mind starts with letting go of the things that consume us in this world. Spend a few moments sitting with your hands closed in front of you, and as you sit there imagine putting all your stress, and hurts, and even goals and desires into your closed hands. Then talk with God and ask Him to help you let go of these things and begin to renew your mind and focus on Him then open them and imagine God taking all of that from you.

Begin to memorize Philippians 4:8 so that you can bring that to your mind when you are tempted to or find yourself picking those worldly things back up.

“8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” –Philippians 4:8

Download the guide here

Filed Under: Seek God Challenge Tagged With: bible, Christ, Christianity, Epistle to the Philippians, God, Jesus, matt rothacher, Paul, Religion and Spirituality, Seek God Challenge, Timothy

The Seek God Challenge Day 19

January 19, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

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THE WORD SAVES US

READ

”8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.11 As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame."12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." -Romans 10:8-13

THINK

We see that Paul says in verse 11, “As Scripture says” we see that our very knowledge of salvation comes from the Word of God. Why do you think we don’t devote ourselves to the Word when such a life changing truth was found in it?

Where did your salvation knowledge originate? Was it at church at home? Have you thought about where did they get their information?

Have you ever desired to know more about something? Have you ever dug in and really researched something you were passionate about? If you were to seek after God in this way and dig through His word, what might be the result in your life?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray.

Give thanks to the Lord for His salvation, and pray Psalm 96 to the Lord today

Pray that the truth of salvation would not be the end all of our searching the word, but rather a jumping off point into seeking deeper truth