Day 16: Rule of Scripture Tuesday Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. ~Matthew 4:4 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart. ~Jeremiah 15:16 The word “hunger” describes the physiological need to eat food to fuel your body. “Appetite” describes the psychological desire for food, whether or not you’re actually hungry. Notice how both a hunger and an appetite for God’s Word are described in the verses above. A Christian is...
Text: Matthew 6:25-34 | Listen to Message As the Coronavirus infection spreads exponentially, unemployment skyrockets, markets plummet, and the pandemic-driven quarantine drags on, many people are understandably anxious. So Jesus’ words about worry in The Sermon on the Mount are as relevant today as the day they were first spoken. Jesus reminds us, though anxious thoughts and emotions may arise – even several times a day – we are not hapless or helpless victims. We don’t have to give in to either worry itself or fear mongering. We can fight back and find inner peace. We’ll unpack this path to victory...
Day 15: Gospel-centeredness Monday For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ~Galatians 5:1, 13 Good news! By the authority and grace of Jesus, the power of sin has been broken and the debt of sin had been paid. You are no longer a slave to sin. You are free to serve a new master – a Savior who...
Day 14: Worship Sunday Theme of Praise: God is the substitute Savior; therefore, we celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ as the source of our salvation, the center of our worship, and the heart of our discipleship. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’ ~Galatians 3:13 Read Isaiah 53. Read over these verses a few times. Meditate on the words. Now, in your own words, what are the writers saying? Use these verses...
Worry + Worship amidst COVID-19 — Worship & Formation Resources
Day 13: Love for the City Saturday So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. ~Galatians 6:10 It’s easy to serve a neighbor when it’s just setting out their trash or loaning a couple of eggs. But sometimes it takes considerable time and energy to serve a neighbor. Sometimes it means going out of your way. Sometimes it means sacrificing what you want for what they need. Sometimes it means committing to follow up for months – or even years. But good deeds...
Day 12: Engagement Friday Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. ~Romans 13:8, 10 If your neighbors were asked to describe you, what do you think they’d say? Would they say you’re friendly and helpful? Or would they say you’re introverted and they hardly even know you? Here’s the real question: how many of your neighbors would say that you clearly love them? Jesus says this – love for your neighbor...
Day 11: Continuing Transformation Thursday If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ~Colossians 3:1-2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. ~Romans 12:2 The Christian life is not about behavior modification, as if God says, “Just stop doing that and start doing this.” The fact is you will never experience Gospel transformation until you change the...
Day 10: Authentic Community Wednesday For the body does not consist of one member but of many. But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. ~1 Corinthians 12:14, 18-20 The human body is a beautiful analogy for how the Body of Believers should function. It points to God’s creativity and intentionality in designing each unique part. There’s no frivolous feature. It’s a brilliant design. Exact. Multiple parts, each shaped differently...