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Devotions for March 26-April 1

March 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Pictures of “Witnessing”
Who Is My Neighbor? part 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 1
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be   my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria

1. When you hear that you are to “witness” what NEGATIVE images come to your mind?

2. A “witness” in the court room is only required to tell what he saw and knows. As you “witness” for the Lord you are called on to share what you know and have experienced–nothing more. How does that strike you?

Read John 9:1-34
3. We read this story a few weeks ago. It highlights how “easy” witnessing can be. Write down what the blind man said in each of the following verses:
9:11–
9:15–
9:17–
9:25–
9:30-33–

4. How does his example strike you about what it means to “witness?”
a. Did he give a sermon?
b. Did he quote any verses?
c. Did he seem to be a theologian or pastor-type?
d. Record your thoughts here…

5. In your attempts to witness, what would you like to do differently?

DAY 2
Yesterday, we studied being a “witness,” simply telling what you know and have experienced. Don’t make this harder that it is. Remember the man born blind!  Today we look at a young man you might call a “bringer” or “includer.” For all you introverts, this young man can point the way ahead for you. His name is Andrew.

Read John 1:35-42

This passage is about John the Baptist and a handful of John’s disciples.

1. In verse 38, Jesus asks the men a simple question. “What is it you want?” John’s disciples miss the meaning of Jesus’ question and ask about Jesus’ plans. What Jesus was really asking was something more profound, “What is it you are seeking? What is it you really want from life?”
Could you see yourself asking individual friends and co-workers this question?

Ask God to give you opportunities to do just that!

2. In verse 39 how did Andrew and his friend spend the day?

3. After spending a day with Jesus, Andrew finds his brother. What does he say and do in:
v. 41–
v. 42–

Simon Peter meets Jesus face-to-face and his life is changed. Peter will become one of the most important leaders in the early church. Andrew’s “small” role reaped huge results.

4. Who are some people you could “bring” or “invite?”

5. Pray for them.

DAY 3

The second time we find Andrew is the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus, the disciples, and a crowd were out in the middle of nowhere and people were getting hungry. Jesus told the disciples to feed them. They were astonished! “How could we feed so many?” One of the men figured it would take 8 months’ wages to feed them all. Andrew brought a young boy to Jesus.

John 6:8-9 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, [9] “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

1. What is Andrew’s solution to the problem?

2. What do you think was the effect on the boy with the fish and bread?

Read John 12:20-22
Andrew appears a third time. A group of men want to see Jesus, but are blocked by the disciples.

3. What is Andrew’s role in helping these men meet Jesus?

4. What strikes you about Andrew’s “methods?”
* Includer?
* Bringer?
* Inviter?

5. How could you put one of them into practice this week?

DAY 4

Read Acts 9:36-42

We meet a woman who was a disciple of Jesus’. Her Aramaic name was Tabitha. Her Greek name was Dorcas.
1. What does v. 36 indicate about Dorcas?

2. What do you think her reputation was?

3. This quiet woman’s reputation must have been great. What happened after her death in v. 38?

4. What had been the impact of this woman’s service to the Lord and to people? (v. 39)

5. How does Dorcas’ life encourage you to engage with people?

6. Is there service you can do for the people God’s put around you?

DAY 5

Over the last few weeks we’ve attempted to shatter the LIE of Satan that “witnessing” is something “I could never do.” Witnessing doesn’t mean you have to be a “Jesus Freak,” rude, over-bearing or shove truth down someone’s throat.
Images of witnessing include playing a role in the lives of lost people, sometimes of “mother,” sometimes “father,” “bringer,” “includer,” “inviter,” and server.

Today is our final witnessing image.

Matthew 4:19 “Follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

1. When Jesus gave a vision to this disciples about outreach he used the fishing image. What things do you know about fishing?

2. Law #1 of fishing: YOU cannot make the fish take bait. The same is true of fishing for people. How does that strike you? Does it take the pressure off your witnessing? How?

You can put bait on a hook. You can drop your line in the water. You can put in your time. But, in the final analysis, the fish must decide he likes the bait.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Paul returns to a farming image.

3. What were each of the roles played by the following?
v. 5–Apollos and Paul–

v. 6–Paul–

v. 6–Apollos–

v. 6–God–

4. Is the pressure on you? Read v. 7. On whom is the pressure to create growth from seed?

5. How does Paul sum up our roles in vv. 8-9?

6. What is the biggest thing you take away from this week’s devotions?

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DE-STRESSING YOUR LIFE

March 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s all too easy for parts of our lives to get “all screwed up.” It’s much harder to get them “unscrewed!”

The more screwed up parts of our lives are, the more stress is added to the mix!

Come hear my 4-part series, beginning Easter Sunday, April 8, at 9:30.

You’ll hear important ways to DE-stress your life and the most important parts of your life.

* De-Stressing Your Life and Your Family’s Life
* De-Stressing Your Male-Female Relationships
* De-Stressing Your Work
* De-Stressing Your Finances

You owe it to yourself, your family and those with whom you work to attend!

 

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5 Devotionals for Week of March 19

March 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Relating to God

Your Story; the Story

This week you’ll have an opportunity to develop your testimony, and discover some ways you can engage your story with lost friends and family.

DAY 1
Read Acts 21:37-40
Paul returns to Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders stir up a hornet’s nest of lies and innuendo against Paul. A crowd becomes a mob and seizes him. The crowd seeks to kill him. Word reaches the Roman authorities and troops are dispatched, saving Paul from death.

Paul takes the opportunity to speak to everyone.
1. If you were Paul what would you say?

Read Acts 22:1-5.
2. Paul is speaking largely to a hostile, Jewish mob. Paul was born a Jew, raised in Judaism, and became a famous Jewish teacher. He begins by identifying with the Jewish people. List at least five things he did in his pre-Christian days that would have “made sense” to his Jewish audience.

3. What effect would this have in most conversations?

4. Think of Paul’s story, so far, as his PRE-STORY, life before he became a Christian. What are some elements in your PRE-STORY?
___ Religious.      ___ Irreligious?              ___ “Good kid”
___ Partier           ___ “I can handle it”      ___ Lookin’ for love
___ Tryin’ to be “somebody”                         ___ Lookin’ for fun
___ Other: ________________________________________________________
___ Other: ________________________________________________________

5. When you think about sharing how you came to Christ with your friends, how can you use Paul’s method of identifying with his audience?

6. Write down one name of someone you know. What have you had in common with them, at some time in your life?

DAY 2
Read Acts 22:6-16
Yesterday we looked at Paul’s PRE-STORY. Today we look at his CONVERSION STORY.
1. Paul shares with his Jewish audience how he came to faith in Jesus. He begins with Jesus’ appearing on the Damascus road. What effect should that have had on the Jewish audience? What did the Jewish leaders believe had happened to Jesus? How would His appearing to Paul have struck the Jewish leaders?

2. Paul realized Jesus of Nazareth was speaking to him! Jesus was not dead, but resurrected, just as Christians he had persecuted had claimed. What effect did that have on Paul? (v. 10)

3. What were the important pieces in your coming to faith in Jesus Christ?
___ Something was missing      ___ I realized I had sinned against God and people
___ I needed forgiveness            ___ I realized God loved me (like no one else could)
___ Jesus DIED for me!             ___ I was looking for inner joy/ inner peace
___ Other: _____________________________________________

4. When did you understand Jesus needed to be “Lord” in your life?

5. What were some of the first things you submitted to the lordship of Christ?

6. If you are going to share your faith, you must be clear about how you came to faith in Christ. What were the core essentials for you? Jot down a few words next to each of the following concepts:
* Understanding you were a sinner–
* Understanding your need of forgiveness by God–
* Understanding the death of Jesus on the cross paid for you sins–
* Understanding that repentance meant you were turning over the “reins” of your life from you to Jesus–
 DAY 3
On Day 1, we looked at how Paul shared his PRE-STORY before coming to faith in Jesus. On Day 2, we looked at Paul’s conversion CONVERSION STORY. Today, we’ll look at his POST-STORY. A post-story is simply what God has done in your life since you came to Christ.
Read Acts 22:17-21
1. Once again, Paul shares things from his post-conversion story, items which his audience would have appreciated. What are they?

2. What are items in your POST-STORY? What are things God has done in your life since you became a Christian?
Put a check next to items that are most pertinent to your story:
___ Love             ___ Self-control                    ___ Freedom from guilt
___ Joy               ___ Meaning to your life     ___ Becoming more responsible
___ Peace           ___ Purpose                           ___ Managing your personal life
___ Patience      ___ Dealing with anger       ___ Personal freedom from bad habits
___ Kindness    ___ Dealing with fear           ___ Your life can make a difference
___ Other: _____________________________________________
___ Other: _____________________________________________

3. Are there any lost people in your life who have not heard any part of your story?

4. Is there someone who would like to hear your POST-story?

5. Ask God to give you opportunities to share with one person. Remember, Paul’s POST-story was just a few sentences, not a sermon! :-)

DAY 4
We have focused on your PRE-story, your CONVERSION story, and your POST-story.
However, in trying to share your faith, STARTING with your story is usually not a good idea.
People are far more interested in:
• Telling their story rather than hearing someone else’s.
• Being cared about rather than caring for someone.
• Talking rather than listening
Additionally, some people are leery of having the gospel “shoved down their throat.” They want to know you care about them.
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:6-12
1. Paul spent three weeks at Thessalonica, starting a church, and turning it over to the new believers. He reminds them of the relationship he established with them, the process of sharing his faith with them. In the following verses, describe the nature of the relationship
v. 6-

v. 7-

v. 8-

v. 9-

v. 10-

v. 11-

v. 12-

2. What strikes you about Paul’s approach? Is it different than what you assumed was an “evangelistic” approach?

3. Are there any people that come to mind, in how you should relate to them like Paul did?

 

DAY 5
When we think about evangelism, we usually think about sharing the gospel, all at one time. It rarely happens that way. It is usually a friendship, over time, with little bits of truth shared, pieces of your pre-story, your conversion story, or your post-story.
But before we share our story, we usually need to listen to other people’s “story” first! If you care about people’s story they will usually feel like you care about them.
Read Proverbs 18:13
1. What errors can we avoid by listening.

Read Colossians 4:4-6
2. Paul describes his approach to lost people. What do these verses say about:
* Prayer–
* How you should act–
* How you should relate–

Read Acts 1:8
3. Jesus tells His followers that we will be “witnesses.” “Witness” can have a negative connotation.
If you were in a courtroom and asked to be a “witness” what would you be expected to do? What would you not be expected to do?

4. Apply these same ideas to lost people around you. You give “witness” to what YOU have seen or heard, what has been done to you by God.

5. Pray for a handful of lost people you know. Use Paul’s prayer request from Colossians 4:4-6.

 

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DEVOTIONS FOR THE WEEK!

March 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Seed-Sower; Truth-Teller
Who is My Neighbor? – part 2
Week of March 11, 2012

   Last week we asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Whomever God puts in front of you.
Care is both a noun and a verb. Care must be expressed, relationally, in action, in words.

 

 

 

DAY 1
As you care about lost people, God will give you opportunities to share bits of His truth, His word, the bible.
In the following parable, Jesus called this “sowing seed.”
Read Matthew 13:1-9

1. The image is a familiar one, farming. What does the farmer do?

2. As the farmer sows his seed, it lands in four different places.
List the places the seed lands and the effects on the seeds:

Verse *** Description of the soil *** ***** Effects on the seed in that soil *****
13:4
13:5 1st response:
13:6 2nd response:
13:7
13:8

3. When you share truth with a lost person, what different responses can you reasonably expect?

4. Should you be surprised by resistance?

DAY 2
Yesterday we read the parable of the sower. Today, Jesus explains the parable.
Read Matthew 13:18-23
1. For each of the four “soils,” write in the result of the seed in each “soil,” and why that happens:

Verse  ***RESULT********************************************WHY?
13:19
13:20
13:21
13:22
13:23

2. With the first soil, the path, what role does Satan (the evil one) play? (v. 19)

3. In the second soil, rocky soil, what role does fallen, human nature play?
A. Verse 20:

B. Verse 21:

4. In the third soil, thorny soil, what role does fallen, human nature play? (verse 22).

5. What strikes you about the first three soils?

DAY 3
Read Matthew 13:23 “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
1. What is the natural result of seed landing in good soil?

2. A single seed produces far beyond its little size. How does the size of multiplication of 30, 60 and 100 fold strike you?

3. What is the power in the seed? (vs. 23)

4. What differences are there between the first three soils and the good soil?

5. The life is in the seed. What does this say about what the bible can do in your life?

DAY 4
Sharing our faith rarely happens in one setting! Usually, it happens over time, sharing little bits of truth like the old Lays’ Potato Chip commercial: one chip at a time.
Read John 9:1-34

1. The man born blind comes to faith in Christ, and is immediately thrust into the role of “evangelist.”
Beginning in verse 13, the Pharisees investigate Jesus’ role in the blind man’s healing.
What does the blind man say in the following verses? What “seed” did the blind man sow?
v. 15
v. 17
v. 25
v. 27
v. 30
v. 31-33

2. What strikes you about his “approach” to “evangelism?”

3. Which of the following could you incorporate into your relationships with lost people?
* Tell what you know
* No “sermons” unless you’re at the end of the process!
* Use the potato chip method: offer one chip at a time.

DAY 5
We’ve looked at being a seed-sower, and a truth-teller in bite-sized pieces. Today we’ll look at another approach.
Read Luke 5:27-32

1. Levi, aka Matthew, came to faith in Jesus. What was the first thing Levi did?

2. What do you think motivated him?

3. Who was on the guest list?

4. How could you do the same thing?

5. Look back over the week’s devotions. What is ONE way you could improve your evangelism with people?

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201 Class: How to Grow as a Christian

September 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The 201 class is designed to give you LOTS of ideas to spur you on in growing with the Lord. It’s very practical stuff I’ve used over the last 35 years! It’s helped “unlock” the bible to me, and over time has given me a love for God’s word.

If you’d like to know how to grow closer to God, how to “get more” out of your bible, develop your prayer life and a lot of other good, practical ideas about how we grow, SIGN UP for our 201 Class.

Next Class: THIS Sunday, 4:30–8:00 (includes dinner)

We will take a maximum of 12 people for this class, so that those who come can ask questions and get specific help. There will be time to “practice” what we’re learning, and for you to ask any questions you’d like (more “workshop” than “class”).

Right now we have 6 opennings left. E-Mail me at seth@pacificchurch.com if you’d like to get in!

Remember to bring an appetite as we will be having dinner on our back patio, weather permitting.

 

His friend, your friend…

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*****5 Self-Defeating Strategies–(cont)*****

September 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Strategy

We all have assumptions about how life ought to work. We respond to life in certain ways but there are things we are inclined to do that undermine the very things we want. We set out to get happiness, but in the way we try to get happiness, even when we get what we want it leaves us (and others) sour.

Our strategy is reflective of what we think we need to be happy. We may want a person, a type of job, a style of living, a kind of house. “If I can just have _____, then I’ll be happy.”

Strategies are rarely thought through. Most of the times, our strategies are just done intuitively, without much thought. Our hearts are generating a strategy we may not even be able to put words to.

 

5 Self-Defeating Strategies

The bible identifies 5 different strategies that are all “foolish.” A fool is someone who makes poor judgments. God is usually left out of the decision-making process. Therefore we end up with poor decisions. We “naturally” don’t see ourselves as foolish.

Our hearts have a “defective chip” inside us. Therefore, these strategies will appear good to us.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.

Ultimately, they will undermine the happiness we’re looking for. We may get what we think we want but we won’t be happy for long. Without God’s work we won’t see our own self-defeating strategy!

Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

1. The Easy Way.

Attitude: Confident because he keeps hoping in the wrong thing; naïve, simpleton

Characteristics: lazy streak; big plans; not work out step-by-step plan; expect the big solution; “Magic Key.” Financial: moving from job to job. Quick fix mentality. Moving from Magic Key to Magic Key. Path of least resistance.

Major tools: lazy, lying, squirming, deception.

Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way. But the folly of fools is deception.

Cycle: False HopeàDisappointmentàFalse HopeàDisappointment

2. The Reactive Way.

Attitude: stubborn, reactionary, and determined.

Characteristics: rebellious, adversarial, and manipulative. Once they set their mind, they are going to have their way. They’ll get you to do what they want.

Major tools: Irritability; anger. Upset. Blow up.

Proverbs 27:3 Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both.

We say of people like this, “Don’t tell so-and-so or they’re going to blow.” You tip toe around this person.

3. The Fun Way.

Attitude: Desire, feelings and emotions. “You wouldn’t want me to be unhappy, would you?” Ready to party.

Characteristics: Impulsive; irresponsible.

Major tool: Denial. Block out the rest of the world, and the consequences that are sure to come. They just take what they want. They are prisoners of the moment. Drinking/drugs/affairs, etc.

Jeremiah 5:21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear…

They don’t want to see or hear.

4. The Glory Way.

Attitude: arrogant; attention-seeking; limelight. We demand more for ourselves than is due. Center stage; making sure I get the credit.

Characteristics: self-promoting; pushing themselves upward. Scheming. Plot to get. Critical when not receive recognition.

Major tools: Pushiness. Push others back.

Psalm 75:5 Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.

The two images are a bull (lifting his horns in arrogance) and the giraffe. Pushy. Have to be #1.

5. The Predatory Way.

Attitude: without mercy

Characteristic: godless. If no God to bring justice, all I have to do is deal with stupid people. Ruthless. Joy at others pain. Prefer win–lose.

Major tools: Pretense. Pretend to be one thing so they can get what they want.

Sexual predator: Philip Garrido. Financial predator: Bernie Madoff. 

Isaiah 32:5 No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected. He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the Lord; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water.

The Easy Way; the Reactive Way; the Fun Way; the Glory Way; the Predatory Way

 

My Strategy vs. God’s Strategy

Ecclesiastes 2:26a To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…

·         Wisdom: correct pursuit

·         Knowledge: perspective about what’s going on.

·         Happiness: gift! Not something we get.

Therefore, my goals become “I want to get what God thinks is good” (person; job; location). One thing worse than loneliness—regret. Go after what God wants in a way that honors and pleases God. If I please God he will grant me happiness. If we don’t we are going to run into problems.

                                                            My Way                                  God’s Way

Short-term:                                          Looks great!                            Uh oh             

Long-term:                                          What happened?                     Wow                

John 8:32 If you hold to my teachings, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

All other strategies are self-defeating!

Your strategies make it impossible to ultimately get what you want. You’ll move from job to job, church to church, marriage to marriage, location to location, friend to friend, etc.

God’s kind of life he wants to give you begins with a new heart! You need a new purpose, a new plan, and a new power. The chip inside you starts getting repaired! We grow as we continue to give up our foolish strategies and pursue God’s will from the heart.

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