Take some time and reflect on this past week.
How did it go? What were the good parts? What were the bad parts? Did you really blow it at some point? Were you an example of Christ’s love at some point?
More than likely you had some good moments and some bad ones.
But were you at least more aware this week of how your actions impacted others and brought glory to God?
If so, how can you keep that same mindset moving forward?
If not, how can you develop more of that mindset?
Friday, August 19, 2016
Thursday, August 18, 2016
God's Glory: Lesson 3 | Day 4
Shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer, John Piper wrote a blog post entitled “Don’t Waste Your Cancer.” Read the following quote from the post:
“This will be an opportunity to bear witness. Christ is infinitely worthy. Here is a golden opportunity to show that he is worth more than life. Don’t waste it.” – John Piper
Think about this as you go through your day:
“This will be an opportunity to bear witness. Christ is infinitely worthy. Here is a golden opportunity to show that he is worth more than life. Don’t waste it.” – John Piper
Think about this as you go through your day:
- What are some areas in your life where you can point others to the truth that Christ is infinitely worthy?
- How can you do that, really? What practical ways can you put this in place?
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
God's Glory: Lesson 3 | Day 3
“But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them.” Luke 21:12-13
Do you like for people to talk bad about you behind your back? Would you ever volunteer to get beat-up? Do you enjoy going through trials, persecution, or suffering? These probably sound like pretty dumb questions to you. Who in their right mind would like these things? Most of us would run in the total opposite direction of all those things.
Read Luke 21:12-13.
None of us really wants to deal with the things we just talked about. And that’s perfectly normal. But these are the types of things that Jesus tells us to expect. Trials and persecution are part of what comes with the territory of following Jesus. While they’re not fun, the cool part about them is that they give us incredible opportunities to point people to Jesus.
Look at verse 13 again. “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.” It’s easier to lash out at those who mistreat you. It’s easier to get frustrated when things don’t go your way. It’s easier to throw your hands up and get mad when you face trials. It’s easy and it’s natural because they’re all fleshly responses.
But, as believers we don’t draw on our own strength. We draw on the strength of Christ, who lives inside of us.
And so when we don’t act like the rest of the world, people take notice and, BOOM! . . . there’s our opportunity to tell people about our God, to tell them that our hope isn’t found in this world.
Some things to think about:
Do you like for people to talk bad about you behind your back? Would you ever volunteer to get beat-up? Do you enjoy going through trials, persecution, or suffering? These probably sound like pretty dumb questions to you. Who in their right mind would like these things? Most of us would run in the total opposite direction of all those things.
Read Luke 21:12-13.
None of us really wants to deal with the things we just talked about. And that’s perfectly normal. But these are the types of things that Jesus tells us to expect. Trials and persecution are part of what comes with the territory of following Jesus. While they’re not fun, the cool part about them is that they give us incredible opportunities to point people to Jesus.
Look at verse 13 again. “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.” It’s easier to lash out at those who mistreat you. It’s easier to get frustrated when things don’t go your way. It’s easier to throw your hands up and get mad when you face trials. It’s easy and it’s natural because they’re all fleshly responses.
But, as believers we don’t draw on our own strength. We draw on the strength of Christ, who lives inside of us.
And so when we don’t act like the rest of the world, people take notice and, BOOM! . . . there’s our opportunity to tell people about our God, to tell them that our hope isn’t found in this world.
Some things to think about:
- Why is it so important for our responses to these types of situations to be different from the rest of the world?
- When you face these types of struggles, how can you fight your natural fleshly response and draw on the strength of Christ in you?
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
God's Glory: Lesson 3 | Day 2
Take minute and read Matthew 5:14-16.
Write verse 14 down on a note card, a sticky note, a notebook or sketchbook app, or something similar. Put it in your pocket. Make it your screen saver on your phone. Do whatever you need to make it super visible.
Take a few moments and think about the time or situation where your light shines brightest for God’s glory. Now, think about the times or situations where it doesn’t shine as bright. Maybe there are some areas where it doesn’t shine as all. Use the card (or whatever you picked) as an encouragement during those times.
If you’re a believer, you have Christ in you! You . . . yes you . . . are the light of the world.
Be encouraged and draw on that verse during those times your light needs to shine brighter.
Write verse 14 down on a note card, a sticky note, a notebook or sketchbook app, or something similar. Put it in your pocket. Make it your screen saver on your phone. Do whatever you need to make it super visible.
Take a few moments and think about the time or situation where your light shines brightest for God’s glory. Now, think about the times or situations where it doesn’t shine as bright. Maybe there are some areas where it doesn’t shine as all. Use the card (or whatever you picked) as an encouragement during those times.
If you’re a believer, you have Christ in you! You . . . yes you . . . are the light of the world.
Be encouraged and draw on that verse during those times your light needs to shine brighter.
Monday, August 15, 2016
God's Glory: Lesson 3 | Day 1
You know what this week holds for you better than anyone else. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You know what temptations are probably coming your way. You know the things that are going to bother you or cause you to have a bad attitude.
We’ve talked about God receiving glory from our actions. Take a little bit of time and think about what’s coming this week. When will you need an extra measure of grace for that person that gets under your skin? When will you be tempted to go down a road you shouldn’t go down? When will you have opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
Now, take some time and write out a short prayer for the week. Ask God to give you the wisdom, strength, and grace you need to point others to him and give him glory.
We’ve talked about God receiving glory from our actions. Take a little bit of time and think about what’s coming this week. When will you need an extra measure of grace for that person that gets under your skin? When will you be tempted to go down a road you shouldn’t go down? When will you have opportunities to talk to people about Jesus?
Now, take some time and write out a short prayer for the week. Ask God to give you the wisdom, strength, and grace you need to point others to him and give him glory.
Friday, August 12, 2016
God's Glory: Lesson 2 | Day 5
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3
We are told that God’s glory is seen through Jesus and the Son of God is the exact representation of God’s very being. Take a moment to let that sink in. Jesus represents God. Fully. He represents God’s glory. Completely. When we read the gospel accounts of Jesus, we get to see the heart, the nature, the passion, power, and the glory of God through Jesus.
Do you ever have those days when you wonder about God and what He is like? Do you ever doubt His intentions? Do you wonder if He really cares? If we wonder about God and who He is, we only need to look at Jesus. God’s glory is displayed through Jesus.
Take the Time: Make it a point to brainstorm characteristics and truths of who Jesus is. Come up with as many words as possible to define who you know Jesus to be. Words like “savior,” “friend,” “healer,” are words you might think of. Take a while to write your list and even keep adding to it over the next few days.
As you look back through your list, realize that God’s glory is displayed through Jesus and Jesus. The more we see Jesus, the more we will see God’s glory.
We are told that God’s glory is seen through Jesus and the Son of God is the exact representation of God’s very being. Take a moment to let that sink in. Jesus represents God. Fully. He represents God’s glory. Completely. When we read the gospel accounts of Jesus, we get to see the heart, the nature, the passion, power, and the glory of God through Jesus.
Do you ever have those days when you wonder about God and what He is like? Do you ever doubt His intentions? Do you wonder if He really cares? If we wonder about God and who He is, we only need to look at Jesus. God’s glory is displayed through Jesus.
Take the Time: Make it a point to brainstorm characteristics and truths of who Jesus is. Come up with as many words as possible to define who you know Jesus to be. Words like “savior,” “friend,” “healer,” are words you might think of. Take a while to write your list and even keep adding to it over the next few days.
As you look back through your list, realize that God’s glory is displayed through Jesus and Jesus. The more we see Jesus, the more we will see God’s glory.
Thursday, August 11, 2016
God's Glory: Lesson 2 | Day 4
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55
Have you ever been the target of lies, gossip, or slander because you’re a Christ-follower? Have you ever been hurt because of your faith? If you have, don’t be too surprised. It’s a hard reality, but as someone who is identified with Christ, you will often walk through tough times. Friends will make fun of you, enemies will hurt you, and people will walk away from you because of your faith.
That’s kind of depressing isn’t it? But, that’s not the end.
In the Book of Acts, Stephen received more than slander, lies, and gossip for his faith. He was stoned to death for it. But take a look at the verse again. Notice what is said about Stephen as the crowd was stoning him to death. You see, in our most challenging times, God always promises to draw close when we are persecuted for our faith. It is then we get to see and experience God’s glory.
Let’s remind ourselves of what God’s glory is like: “Glory” describes the immense weight, or worthiness of God’s character, combined with the honor, splendor, and awe due Him because of who He is.
We can be sure that when we face trials of many kinds that God will draw near and reveal His glory to us.
Have you ever been the target of lies, gossip, or slander because you’re a Christ-follower? Have you ever been hurt because of your faith? If you have, don’t be too surprised. It’s a hard reality, but as someone who is identified with Christ, you will often walk through tough times. Friends will make fun of you, enemies will hurt you, and people will walk away from you because of your faith.
That’s kind of depressing isn’t it? But, that’s not the end.
In the Book of Acts, Stephen received more than slander, lies, and gossip for his faith. He was stoned to death for it. But take a look at the verse again. Notice what is said about Stephen as the crowd was stoning him to death. You see, in our most challenging times, God always promises to draw close when we are persecuted for our faith. It is then we get to see and experience God’s glory.
Let’s remind ourselves of what God’s glory is like: “Glory” describes the immense weight, or worthiness of God’s character, combined with the honor, splendor, and awe due Him because of who He is.
We can be sure that when we face trials of many kinds that God will draw near and reveal His glory to us.
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