Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Jesus & Forgiveness: Lesson 1 | Devotion 2

For today’s devotion, your task is to do something simple:
  • List three people who have forgiven you for something you did wrong to them. 
  • Then, list three people you have forgiven. 
As you go through your day, think about the emotions that surrounded these situations, both the positive ones and the negative ones. Then, think of the outcome. How is your life different because forgiveness was given and/or received?

Monday, June 27, 2016

Jesus & Forgiveness: Lesson 1 | Devotion 1

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . .” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” - Mark 2:8-11

Authority. We have a love hate relationship with it for sure, don’t we? We sometimes don’t like to listen to authority. When we have a coach or a teacher or maybe even a parent that tells us something we don’t necessarily want to hear . . . In that moment, we may not really appreciate authority.

But then other times we’re cool with it. When a coach or teacher praises us in front of everyone. Or when someone like a police officer of firefighter uses his or her authority to intervene and save the day.

One of the most interesting parts of this story is that Jesus found Himself in the position to have to prove His authority. He did it in a magnificent way, one that made earthly and eternal impacts on this man’s life. Jesus used His authority to heal the man and to forgive his sins. Now that’s a good use of authority.

Jesus is the only one with the authority to forgive sins. But the cool thing? By forgiving others, you get just the tiniest glimpse of what it must feel like to free someone of the burden of their wrongdoing.

Forgiveness is a gift. Don’t hold back from forgiving someone you know needs it.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Jesus & Tough Times: Lesson 3 | Devotion 3

“I’m here. I love you. I don’t care if you need to stay up crying all night long, I will stay with you. There’s nothing you can ever do to lose my love. I will protect you until you die, and after your death I will still protect you. I am stronger than Depression and I am braver than Loneliness and nothing will ever exhaust me.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

Really look and contemplate the above quote that is meant as a way of describing God’s desire to be with us in tough times.

Close your eyes and imagine those are the words that God speaks to you in a real way.
How does that help comfort you today?

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Jesus & Tough Times: Lesson 3 | Devotion 2

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

We can struggle with what it means to trust in God’s comfort. His peace doesn’t make sense, it’s so different from anything else we can experience that we aren’t sure what to think. We may struggle with how to let God love and comfort us. However, what have you got to lose giving it a try? If you rest in His peace and He shows up then you feel better. If He doesn’t then you feel the same. All it can do is help!

Something To Think About...
  • What does it mean to trust in the way God helps us instead of ourselves? 
  • How can we seek His love and comfort in hard times?

Monday, June 6, 2016

Jesus & Tough Times: Lesson 3 | Devotion 1

Did you know one of the ways God describes himself to us is as our “rock?” In Psalm 18:2 He is described this way:

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Take out the rock you had from group this week. Look at it. Hold it in your fist and try and crush it. It’s solid. If you think of God as a rock, He is unwavering. He protects us, saves us and is the one who gives us peace. Find a Sharpie and write the word, “PEACE” in bold letters on your rock.

Now hold the rock again in your fist. Spend some time asking Him to comfort you in the tough times. Ask Him really what it means that He is your “rock.” Carry it with you this week or put it somewhere that you can see it daily as a reminder that His peace won’t be moved.

Friday, June 3, 2016

Jesus & Tough Times: Lesson 2 | Devotion 3

Take some time today to really go over what you are thinking about God being with you during hard times.

Do you have a tendency to blame God when things don’t turn out the way you want?

Do you trust that He will be with you and help you get through this time? Why or why not?

Do you wish He would just change the situation, when sometimes nothing seems to change?

Today take some time to sit with God and be honest about whether or not you really believe having faith in Him will get you through those hard times.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Jesus & Tough Times: Lesson 2 | Devotion 2

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand . . . Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.” Psalm 40:1-2, 11-12

Have you ever felt like the guy who wrote the psalm above?

Sometimes our troubles are so many we can’t even count them. We can’t even see because it seems like everything is going horrible wrong. Our courage to face a new day is spent. It’s during these times we beg God to be with us. All we can do is ask Him to show us His love and steady our feet on the road as we go forward. In short, sometimes all we have is to cling to Him that He will be with us no matter what.

Something To Think About...
  • Do you believe (like the guy who wrote the Psalm) that God will be at your side to get you through the tough times? Why or why not? 
  • Read the rest of Psalm 40. What are you doing like the Psalmist to hold onto God during your bad times?