Day 9: Rule of Scripture Tuesday Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! ~Psalm 43:3 God promises to direct our paths through His Word. He guides us into times of celebration, and His Word becomes our song. He walks us through trials and pain, and His Word serves as our comfort. When we face danger, His Word is our protection. When we encounter seasons of confusion, His Word is our certainty. When we are tempted to despair and to turn...
Day 8: Gospel-Centeredness Monday But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. ~Galatians 4:4-7 Abba is the Aramaic equivalent to “Daddy.” By the redemption of Jesus and filling of the Holy Spirit, we’ve...
Day 7: Worship Sunday Theme of Praise: God is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things; therefore, we gladly welcome His preeminence, providence, and provision in our lives. For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. ~Psalm 135:5-6; 103:19 Read over these verses a few times. Meditate on the words. Now, in your own words, what...
Day 6: Love for the City Saturday Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” ~Acts 17:16-23 As Paul walked the streets of...
Day 5: Engagement Friday Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. ~1 Chronicles 16:23-25 Humans are made to praise. Whether it’s a favorite song, a sports highlight, a gym, or a new restaurant, we can’t help telling other people what’s great about the things we enjoy. As C.S. Lewis put it, “All enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise...
Day 4: Continuing Transformation Thursday And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. ~2 Corinthians 3:18 The goal of life isn’t merely to discover who you are. It is to discover who Jesus is – and to discover how your life is intended to be a perfect reflection of His. But this imitation of Christ cannot be accomplished through self-effort. It is something God does in us, by...
Day 3: Authentic Community Wednesday And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ~Acts 2:42, 44 The word “fellowship” describes something far more impactful – and far more costly – than two (or three or ten) Christians getting together for coffee. It describes the intentional sharing of life together: shared experiences, emotions, and resources. Authentic community is only possible when you choose to practice your spirituality (worship, prayer, mission) with others. What does...
Day 2: Rule of Scripture Tuesday Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. ~2 Peter 1:20-21 We submit our lives to God’s Word simply because it’s just that: GOD’s word. The Bible isn’t a collection of the best human wisdom, stories, predictions, and advice. It is the personal communications of the eternal God, shared in “baby talk,” so we can understand His...
Day 1: Gospel-centeredness Monday Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. ~Ephesians 4:32 Read the story Jesus tells in Matthew 18:21-35. We all sin more than we realize. Even when our actions are right, sin often shows up in our thoughts, attitudes, emotions, and motivations. If sin were a debt, none of us would be able to pay even the interest on it. That’s bad news. But here’s the Good News: Jesus paid our entire debt of sin for us. He forgives us by free grace. And forgiven people,...
