Michael Vick Says He's Sorry
Written by Doug Buchanan
At this stage of a story that certainly rivals any tragedy of Shakespeare’s day - it remains hard to tell if Michael Vick means what he says.
He has nothing to lose. His freedom will soon be taken from him. And just minutes after pleading guilty to financing a brutal and deadly dog fighting operation on his Virginia property, Michael Vick made his first public comments surrounding the case that will almost certainly cost the suspended quarterback millions of dollars.
Before dozens of cameras, Vick apologized for the lies he told his bosses with the Atlanta Falcons. He initially denied having any involvement in a dog fighting ring, but now admits to not only financing - but endorsing the killing of poorly performing dogs.
And then their was Michael Vick on Religion - "I'm upset with myself, and, you know through this situation I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God. And I think that's the right thing to do as of right now."
And while some may doubt Vick's new-found faith, other's say it's not for us to judge - at least on this matter.
Reverend Bill Finch of Rockville's St. Raphael Church tells 9NEWS NOW it's in difficult and trying times when many people seek help and forgiveness in Jesus and that God is in no position to turn his back on anyone seeking forgiveness.
Michael Vick could be sentenced to as much as five years in prison when he is sentenced on December 10th. But it is more likely he will receive between a year to a year and half behind bars when he returns to the Federal Courthouse in Richmond.
photo & story courtesy wusa9.com, 8/28/07
34 “‘Because your men explored the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy.’ 35 I, the Lord, have spoken! I will certainly do these things to every member of the community who has conspired against me. They will be destroyed here in this wilderness, and here they will die!”
36 The ten men Moses had sent to explore the land—the ones who incited rebellion against the Lord with their bad report—37 were struck dead with a plague before the Lord. 38 Of the twelve who had explored the land, only Joshua and Caleb remained alive.
39 When Moses reported the Lord’s words to all the Israelites, the people were filled with grief. 40 Then they got up early the next morning and went to the top of the range of hills. “Let’s go,” they said. “We realize that we have sinned, but now we are ready to enter the land the Lord has promised us.”
41 But Moses said, “Why are you now disobeying the Lord’s orders to return to the wilderness? It won’t work. 42 Do not go up into the land now. You will only be crushed by your enemies because the Lord is not with you. 43 When you face the Amalekites and Canaanites in battle, you will be slaughtered. The Lord will abandon you because you have abandoned the Lord.”
44 But the people defiantly pushed ahead toward the hill country, even though neither Moses nor the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant left the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in those hills came down and attacked them and chased them back as far as Hormah.
If you grew up going to church, you probably remember parts of this familiar Old Testament story. The Israelites were going to be punished by God for their disobedience and unsuccessful attempt to enter the Promised Land. The consequences? They were going to wander for 40 years in the wilderness! Whoa! That got their attention! But it was too late!
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about true repentance to God?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain it this way:
14:40-44 When the Israelites realized their foolish mistake, they were suddenly ready to return to God. But God didn't confuse their admission of guilt with true repentance because he knew their hearts. Sure enough, they soon went their own way again. Sometimes right actions or good intentions come too late. We must not only do what is right, but also do it at the right time. God wants complete and instant obedience.
Michael Vick's confession and apology may be sincere or he may be trying to solicit public support in order to play football again in the future.
Only God knows his heart right now.
I hope Vick really has "found Jesus". Either way, he now faces the consequences for his crimes.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.
Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.
This story was written by a doctor who worked in
One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive; as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).
We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.
Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). "And it is our last hot water bottle she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk so in
Your job is to keep the baby warm." The following
During prayer time,
Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything, the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from homeland. I had been in
By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys.
Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!" Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!
Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"
That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that very afternoon." "Before they call, I will answer" (Isaiah 65:24)
This awesome prayer take s less than a minute. When you receive this, say the prayer, that's all you have to do. No strings attached. Just send it on to whomever you want - but do send it on. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards.
Let's continue praying for one another.
Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this right now. I am asking You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence to work through them. Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, guidance, and strength as they learn submission to Your leading. Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You. Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage. Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my fr iend's life. Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them. Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it. I ask you to do these things in Jesus' name.
P.S. Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both. Passing this on to one not considered a friend is something Christ would do. Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you're not willing to move your feet."
Love...sacrifice...death...life
In his book Written In Blood, Robert Coleman tells the story of a little boy whose sister needed a blood transfusion. The doctor explained that she had the same disease the boy had recovered from two years earlier. Her only chance for recovery was a transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the disease. Since the two children had the same rare blood type, the boy was the ideal donor.
"Would you give your blood to Mary?" the doctor asked. Johnny hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled and said, "Sure, for my sister." Soon the two children were wheeled into the hospital room--Mary, pale and thin; Johnny, robust and healthy. Neither spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned. As the nurse inserted the needle into his arm, Johnny's smile faded. He watched the blood flow through the tube. With the ordeal almost over, his voice, slightly shaky, broke the silence. "Doctor, when do I die?'
Only then did the doctor realize why Johnny had hesitated, why his lip had trembled when he'd agreed to donate his blood. He's thought giving his blood to his sister meant giving up his life. In that brief moment, he'd made his great decision. Johnny, fortunately, didn't have to die to save his sister.
Each of us, however, has a condition more serious than Mary's, and it required Jesus to give not just His blood but His life.
picture courtesy images.google.com & story courtesy sermonillustrations.com
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16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the connection between love and Christ's blood?
Jesus loved us so much that He sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. His blood met God's requirement for us to be made "right" in God's sight again. That's the ultimate love - unconditional - we didn't deserve it.
Jesus calls us to love one another just as He loved us. Unconditionally. Even when it feels like "they don't deserve our love". But Christ-like love is an action, not a feeling.
The greatest act of love for someone is to give ourselves for them. We may never have to give our blood to die for another person, but there are ways we can lay down our lives for someone. It means putting others' desires ahead of ours.
Who is someone who needs your love?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
How can connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.
Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.
I received this from a friend, who also goes to MST. I believe it to be so relevent and such an important read. Please take the time,
Forgiveness, true forgiveness, is as much as a gift for the "forgiver" as it is for the "forgiven." Pretty Awesome!!!
Forgiveness is one of those subjects that you hear all kinds of opinions about and sometimes they leave you thinking…did I really forgive that person? Why do I find it so hard to put this all behind me? Will I ever forget all the pain I have been through? Can I really move past this and live a healthy happy Christ-fulfilled life.
Jesus tells us in the bible that if we do not forgive others, He will not forgive us. Forgiveness is mentioned in the Lord’s prayer, Christ’s last words on the cross “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” and in many other verses in the bible Eph. 4:31-32 etc…… It is inevitable that we will get hurt in this life. This is not a perfect world, people will fall short and yes, bad things happen to good people in other words as the bible speaks…”the rain falls on the just and unjust.” This is one lesson we will have to learn and practice over and over in our lives. It is like we are practicing “grace” every day just like Jesus does with us. We give grace or forgiveness to others each day even though they do not deserve it. This is the most self-less act, laying down our pride and pardoning others who sometimes never see their actions as hurtful.
The following is taken from a book I read and is the first book that answered all my questions on forgiveness. I hope this enlightens you as well.
How Do You Define Forgiveness?
One of the reasons many people find it difficult to forgive is that they have a false understanding or a fuzzy concept of forgiveness. Let me be very clear about what I mean, and don’t mean, when I use the word forgiveness.
Forgiveness is NOT based on finding some redeeming quality that makes a person worth forgiving. We can never base genuine forgiveness upon any individual’s “good behavior” compensating for his previously hurtful behavior. Forgiveness is something that happens on the inside of you----it comes solely from your desire to forgive for the sake of forgiving.
Nobody who intentionally harms another person truly deserves forgiveness from the person he has hurt. Even so, it is far better to forgive and to live in the resulting emotional freedom and health than to suffer the consequences of failing to forgive.
Forgiveness does not require that a person minimize the validity of his pain, the amount of pain he suffered, or the importance of a painful experience. To forgive does not mean that a person is saying, “This did not matter” or “This wasn’t a huge wrong committed against me,” Rather, it is saying, “I choose no longer to hold this feeling of unforgiveness toward the person who hurt me.”.
Forgiveness does not mean letting a person off the hook so that no justice is required. A forgiving person can still require a person to appear in court or face legal penalties for a crime committed against him. Forgiveness means putting another person squarely in the hands of God, and allowing God to work His justice in that person’s life. It is trusting God to deal with the offending person, the hurtful situation, the horrible memories of terrible events. It is trusting God to heal the wound inside. In the end, God’s justice, coupled with His mercy, love and desire to redeem and forgive will always be far superior to man’s.
Some contend that emotional wounds heal over time. I have rarely seen that to be the case. Memories may fade slightly over time. People may mature and change over time, but there is nothing about time that causes a painful toxic emotion automatically to dissipate. Extremely painful events in childhood can hurt just as much as seventy or eighty years later.
We must never lose sight of the fact that forgiveness is a matter of the will.
Forgiveness is an act of strength. Some people see forgiveness as a flaw in a weak person. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It takes little inner fortitude to harbor anger, resentment, or hate. It takes a great deal of courage to lay down one’s anger and seek to walk away in peace. Some of the people considered the strongest have voice the need to forgive. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
It Takes Two to Reconcile:
It takes only one person to forgive. It takes two to reconcile. You can forgive a person if he doesn’t forgive you, but reconciliation always requires the wills of both parties involved. That’s an important distinction to make. You may forgive but find the other person unwilling to reconcile. If that happens, know that you have done your part. Leave behind the toxic emotions between you and that person. Trust God to do His work in the other person’s life, in His timing, and using His methods.
Forgiveness opens the door to Love:
Some contend that forgiveness flows almost automatically it seems, from a loving heart. The opposite is true. Forgiveness leads to an ability to love. It is virtually impossible to love a person against whom you are holding a grudge, with whom you have had a painful encounter, or from whom you have experienced rejection or emotional pain. Love doesn’t come first. Forgiveness does. The healthiest people among us seem to be those generous souls who laugh easily, forget unpleasant events quickly, and are quick to forgive even the gravest offenses. This kind of child likeness keeps a person unencumbered emotionally and spiritually, and in the end, unencumbered physically. The bible teaches us to become “as little children” in our relationship with God and in our ability to forgive, believe, and express our faith (Matt. 18:3).
Forgiveness is a Process
We often need to express and feel forgiveness in a step by step progression. I see the process as having these stages:
1) Admit you have been wounded
2) Accept God’s Forgiveness in Your life
3) Openly release the offender to God’s hands
4) Ask God to Help you
5) Voice you forgiveness: focus on the name of a person who has hurt you , harshly judged you, falsely labeled you or in any way brought you feelings of emotional pain or distress. Speak that person’s name in the blank provided in the following prayer : Heavenly Father, I choose today to forgive________________ of any offense committed against me, whether knowingly or unknowingly. I release to You all the memories and toxic emotions of unforgiveness that may be buried in my heart. I declare before You right now that this event, situation, or circumstance of offense against me is now dead forever. Heal me, Father. Help me to move forward in the freedom and strength of forgiveness.
6) Consider whether you need to ask or grant forgiveness to the offending person.
Partial vs. Full Forgiveness
Superficial or partial forgiveness brings no real emotional cleansing. When a person partially forgives another, he may experience a decrease in negative feelings, but he gains no genuine emotional freedom or peace in his heart. Partial forgiveness tends to happen in the head. People forgive because they think it is a good idea or the right thing to do. They mouth the words and think they have forgiven, but deep inside, memories of the offense still trigger pangs of pain and resentful feelings. A person who only partially forgives experiences only a partial reconciliation with the one who offended him. Attempts to restore friendship fail. Hurtful memories continue to rise up. He feels little warmth or affection toward the person who wounded him. Full forgiveness, in contrast, allow a total release of all negative feelings once directed toward the offender. This type of forgiveness is cleansing and cathartic. If you are still working at forgiveness, and you sincerely desire to experience full forgiveness and a cathartic cleansing, be encouraged that release will come if you continue to ask God to help you forgive.
Living in a state of Forgiveness
Choose to live in a state of forgiveness. The only way to do that is to ask God’s forgiveness daily and to forgive daily all those who may have harmed, ridiculed, persecuted, rejected, criticized, or maligned you or who otherwise trespassed on your peace of mind and your personal faith. Ongoing forgiveness keeps toxic, deadly emotions from building up. Daily forgiveness is my foremost prescription for a person’s total mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health.
Is there someone you need to forgive today? Examine your heart and lay it before the Lord. Forgiveness keeps the world moving towards peace and joy. Ask the Lord for the strength, He will do it for you and He alone will get the glory!!!
Love to all,
Cheryl
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The Grace Factor | ||
| Date Created: 8/13/2005 Author: Irma Pennington Scripture References: James 4:6 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 | ||
| Verse Text: James 4:6: But He gives us more grace. 2Corinthians 12:9-10: But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Have you ever felt sorry for a blind person walking, cane in hand, down the street? I have. I would probably say something like, "Oh would you look at that? It's just so sad. Just imagine not being able to see--not a beautiful flower, not a blue sky. Oh, I would simply die!" And yet, I wonder how this person can have such a great attitude. I mean, he's out there living his life and seems joyful even--more joyful than me at that moment anyway. I believe I've come to learn the secret to this being-able-to-handle-life-as-it-comes attitude. You see, we don't have to feel sorry for these people--not at all. And we don't have to fear for ourselves either when life becomes unbearable. God promises that He will indeed give us the exact amount of grace at the exact time that we need it to handle any particular situation. There is but one important requirement--that we humble ourselves before God and receive it. This is essential. We must first come to Him. Thus, in order to keep fear at bay when we're faced with a trial, we must always remember to run to the Souce of that all-sufficient grace, our merciful Father, who cares for us more than we can ever imagine. This, truly, will enable us to live life unafraid and under the power of the "Grace Factor."
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| The Power Of The Cross The Cross | ||
| Date Created: 3/16/2006 Author: Keith Getty Scripture References: | ||
| “The cross was a pulpit in which Christ preached His love to the world." (Augustine) On writing the hymn “The Power of the Cross” we wanted to achieve several things: 1. An opportunity to remember his sufferings: This hymn takes us on the story from Gethsemane to the Cross and affords us time to really consider Christ’s sufferings. In communion we remember His sufferings. Why? So many of the ancient traditions of the church allowed us time to meditate on the cross – through silence, repentance and pardon in liturgy, laments. What about us today – do we forget to really remember? In remembering his sufferings we contemplate just what it took to accomplish our salvation. We see the God of the universe in whom all things are held together prepared to wear human frailty and be ‘pierced for our transgressions’. It also has implications for how we live today – those who follow Christ will know suffering as our bodies and souls clash with the sin of the world and the sin of our hearts. But we also know the promise of life as we fix our eyes on the author of our faith and boldly walk the path He calls us to walk, reaching out to those who also suffer. A path He Himself has walked victoriously. 2. A hymn teaching what Christ’s sufferings achieve on the cross: How can God pardon sinners without encouraging sin? How can He simultaneously show justice in punishment, but mercy in pardoning? How can He turn His enemies into friends and bind them to Him in eternal love? How can He admit men and women into heaven without spoiling its holiness? The answer is the same in every case - The Cross. "When we talk of the Father's plan and the Son's sacrifice, we should not think of the Father laying on the Son an ordeal He was unwilling to bear, nor of the Son extracting from the Father a salvation He was unwilling to bestow. It is true that the Father gave the Son. It is equally true that the Son gave Himself. We mustn't speak of God punishing Jesus or of Jesus persuading God the Father. |
We must never make Christ the object of God's punishment or God the object of Christ's persuasion. For both Father and Son are subjects, not objects - taking the initiative together to save sinners." - John Stott 3. A hymn which explains what Christ’s sufferings on the cross mean for us every day as we live: All of it. Every thought, deed, word, the very disposition of my sinful heart is forgiven completely through the cross and resurrection. Not through my own effort, not through any strength in me, not through any man-made plan but wholly through the power of the cross: ‘O to see my name written in the wounds For through your suffering I am free Death is crushed to death, Life is mine to live Won through your selfless love This the power of the cross Son of God slain for us What a love what a cost We stand forgiven at the cross’ 1 Corinthians 1:18 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." May each of us bring the message of the cross to the lives of those around us this Easter… www.gettymusic.com | |
Of course we know, and have been hearing for a while now, worship is not just the songs we sing. It is a life laid down that says “burn me up God. Use my money, time, energy, skills, family, job, all I have. Help me make you a big deal and pull the attention on you.” Songs are one vehicle that helps a group of worshippers do this. These songs come along and they inspire, remind, and punctuate the life of a Jesus seeker. This being said, the goal of worship is not to just to sing songs. The goal is Jesus, to peel back the beautiful curtain of “the song” and see the one the song is about. Music, songs, art, are vehicles to pull back the curtain. They reveal Him. When we gather around meeting with God, we can know He is there. But simply knowing He is there and treating Him as the centerpiece of the room is different. We should pull Him to the center of the room and let everyone look on Him and say the most beautiful things that can flow from our hearts. That is how I approach leading. The songs are built to honor and convey things to him and about Him through art and creativity. As they are sung, people begin agreeing, “yes, God is like that. Look how wonderful He is.” Songs can be sung as songs but there are days when I am tired of the numbness of just singing. Familiarity to anything can create numbness. I want the songs to open up the windows and throw open the curtains to God. I want to pick songs that will engage my heart and leave room for new songs to come and be opened in that moment. It is simple to pick the top ten CCLI songs and a great band. This would seem to secure how well you pull off a time of singing and isn’t a bad way to start. But we have to go past this. Not that we use the bottom 10 songs on the CCLI chart, but that we keep each song we choose around and about Him for these times. We have to have rooted in us as leaders the idea that this is not for me, this is for my God.
I used to feel such heavy responsibility in terms of leading people. I am learning to release this slowly. Not that I don’t feel the depth of sincerity, but that I don’t feel responsible to make everyone worship. I can help create the atmosphere, free people to engage in God, give them vehicles to seek God, invite the Holy Spirit, place God as the center piece, call all eyes to look on Him and then release the whole thing. It takes God to reveal God. My buddy says that we are Christ’s body and Christ longs to rise to worship His father through his body on earth. Go past the song and to the one the song is about.
I had a roommate once that was so organized and planned out that he would actually pen in a time each day called spontaneous time. I wondered how could you plan a spontaneous time. But this is the very way I view my spontaneity in worship these days. It is common for my band and I to be playing songs that communicate with God and while we are playing we have planned “windows” where we jump out and are musically and spiritually spontaneous. We want there to be opportunities for new things to occur. It would be strange for this to be spiritually powerful every time, but I think going for God and going past the song is most important for us as a band. The idea of moving past singing and past songs to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is most important to the church. How you go about this has endless possibilities as you use your life to be burned up for God and become more than a song singer.
For more thoughts and resources visit: charliehall.com
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Pray
Almighty God and Father, I’m thankful for Your great power and Your faithfulness to care for me so lovingly.
Read
Psalm 54:1-7
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NIV
Reflect
How does the psalmist’s prayer change at the end?
David is being relentlessly pursued through the deserts and mountains of Judah by Saul, his avowed enemy. David cries to God, “Save me! Hear me!” (1,2).
Sometimes life just gets too much. Just when we think we can’t take any more, another catastrophe piles on the pressure! We feel out of breath, weak and tired from running. Does God really hear our feeble cries? “Surely God is my help …” (4) declares David, desperately holding on to his faith.
When I am in shock from a crushing disappointment, a child is sick, a relative has died, a “friend” has failed me, my car is wrecked, or I am in pain: God is my help!
How does he help? “He sustains me,” says David. That means that he strengthens me, he upholds me, he energizes me. One name for the Holy Spirit is “Comforter,” and he literally does bring us through pain and hardship into peace and freedom.
Later on, we may look back in amazement that we ever endured and survived, but we should recognize God’s part in getting us through. He gives us a testimony out of our experience: “… he has delivered me from all my troubles” (7), and with David we can determine to “… praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good” (6).
Apply
Have I recently or am I now feeling weak and pressured by life? Do I turn first to God for strength and help? How has God helped me in the past so that, remembering his help, my faith is strengthened? What help can I praise him for now?
Pray
Lord, I am often so weak! I am thankful that You are strong. When I’m weak, help me to run into Your arms of strength.
Prepare for Tomorrow:
For today, you will need a pair of glasses (prescription, reading, or sun glasses).
Preparation:
Today you will need a bottle of perfume or cologne (or an air freshener).
Warm-up:
Pray through Psalm 45, and think of Jesus Christ, the majestic and conquering Messiah, coming to take His Bride, the Church.
Low Impact:
Open the bottle of perfume or cologne, and spay the scent into the air. Smell the fragrance and think of what it represents. Is it a citrus smell, like sweet fruit? Is it a clean smell of nature? Does it smell of spices? While pondering the aroma, think also of smells that aren’t so pleasant, like garbage, rotten eggs, and even the smell of a dead animal.
High Impact:
Thinking of the power of aroma, read the following verses:
Exodus 30:34-35 • John 12:1-8 • Ephesians 5:1-2 • 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
Like salt as a precious preservative and expensive seasoning in the ancient world, fragrant spices and oils were also a symbol of great wealth and treasure. And when God’s people were under the Law and sacrificial system, God instructed them to create a “designer fragrance” for Him. This fragrant offering, along with the powerful smell of the incense in the temple, was a reminder to the people that God deserves the best things, and the pleasant smells signified the goodness of His presence.
Sweet smelling oils and spices were not just mentioned in the Old Testament. Think of the fragrant gifts at Christ’s birth (Matthew 2:11), the offering of the sinful woman at the feet of Christ (Luke 7:36-50), and the 75 pounds of spices used at Christ’s burial (John 19:39). And with Christ’s ful. llment of the old law, Christians today are the temples of the Holy Spirit; our lives are the sweet-smelling presence of Christ, like the fragrant offerings in the Old Testament, Did you know that of all of our five senses, the sense of smell is the only one that is directly linked to memory in our brain? Although things we touch, see, hear, and taste may remind us of things in the past, it’s the sense of smell that will summon a memory the quickest. Think of smells that do that for you. Perhaps the smell of pine trees remind you of an early Christmas. Perhaps the smell of a pie brings back memories of grandma’s house. Next time you smell something that brings a memory, remember that our lives are a fragrant offering to God. Also remember that we are the sweet-smelling power of life to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and to those perishing, we are the troubling smell of death. How does your life encourage other believers, and how do you challenge those who do not know Christ to experience His power of
new life?
Cool Down:
Spend time thanking God for the sense of smell. Ask Him to make your life a fragrant offering, pleasing to Him. Ask him to use you to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ, and pray for unbelieving friends —that your life would challenge them to seek God.
The Power of Praise
Prepare for Devotion/Lesson
For today, you will need a blank card and an address of someone in full-time ministry.
Preparation:
Today you will need the words to a few of your favorite praise songs or hymns.
Warm-up:
Praise God with Psalm 96 and Psalm 100.
Low Impact:
Open your hymnal to your favorite songs and read the stanzas as a prayer. Do the same with the words to your favorite praise songs. If you have a CD that you like, play one or two of the songs. If you are talented musically, play a song to God on the piano or guitar.
High Impact:
While praising God in solitude, read through the following verses:
John 4:21-24 • Ephesians 5:19-21 • Colossians 3:15-17 • Hebrews 12:28-29
On Day 2, we looked at the importance of staying in God’s Word for healthy spiritual growth. And today, we’re going to look at another essential discipline for becoming spiritually fit: worship. First, we’ll look at the history of worship, and then we’ll explore the idea of how to give God our praise and adoration.
What comes to mind when you think about worshipping God? For many, the idea of praising God involves a church service with a choir or praise team along with a full orchestra or praise band. Although these are elements that help us worship the Lord, the Bible teaches that true worship encompasses more than a song or service. Even at Creation, God established the world to bring Him praise and glory. He created humankind for this same reason, so when we worship God, we are striking a chord that resonates with the core of our souls. Have you felt that way before? Perhaps you’ve sensed the intimate presence of God during a worship service or prayer time, and you knew at that moment that you were bringing pleasure to God for being the person He created you to be.
Before Jesus Christ came to earth, God established a proper way for His people to worship Him with a sacrificial system in the temple in Jerusalem. When Jesus accomplished what the old law required, a new freedom was granted to the Church. This new freedom allowed for Christians to worship God, not in His house alone or on a speci. c day of the week, but now we may worship God at any time and in every place. How are we to worship God? Jesus told the Samaritan woman that a time was coming when God would seek those who would worship Him in spirit and in truth. This means that true worship occurs when our minds, hearts, strength (thoughts, feelings, and actions) converge in order to praise God. This means that we may worship God by reading His word, listening to His word taught, singing alone and with others, serving with our spiritual gifts, giving to His church, and praying to Him.
Cool Down:
Spend time praising God for the freedom to worship Him while at church (“corporate worship”) and while alone (“private worship”). Ask Him to help you connect with Him throughout the week, not just in church, but when you are alone and when you are with others.
Today you will need a candle (or flashlight) and a room without windows.
Warm-up:
Pray through Isaiah 60:1-3 and Proverbs 4:18-19. Praise God for breaking through our darkness with His Light and for providing power to light our paths.
Low Impact:
Enter a room with no windows and turn out all the lights. Sit in the darkness long enough to
listen to the silence. Let your eyes adjust to the darkness. After a couple of minutes, light a
candle or shine a flashlight. Notice how the light exposes everything in the its path. If the room is large enough, walk around with the light, letting the light shine before you. If your light is
High Impact:
Thinking of the light’s power in darkness, read the following verses:
Genesis 1:1-5 • I John 1:5 – 2:6 • John 1:1-4, 14 and 8:12 • 2 Corinthians 4:6
As you study the Bible more deeply, you’ll begin to notice recurring themes from Genesis to
Revelation, such as death & life, weakness & strength, and work & rest, just to name a few.
Perhaps one of the most common themes of the Bible is the contrast of light & darkness.
Genesis portrays God as the Creator of day and night. Exodus tells of God using a . ery pillar of light to lead his people through the wilderness, out of bondage. Leviticus contrasts the light of God’s presences in the Tabernacle and tents of His people, with the vast darkness beyond the settlement, symbolizing his wrath and rejection. In many of the Old Testament books, this theme shines forth, and the New Testament books continue this metaphor, revealing that the Light of Life is none other than Jesus Christ himself. John’s gospel is filled with this theme from the very opening, to one of Christ’s climactic statements in verse 8:12, “I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Christ declared this to a nation that was celebrating the Feast of the Tabernacles — a festival designed by God for His people to remember living in tents and relying on the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night to lead them. They also lit candles as a tangible reminder of God’s directional light, and here before them stood the true Light of God. Jesus shone at Creation. He lit up our dark world in Bethlehem. And today he continues to break through our hearts of darkness with his powerful light. What’s in store for the future? Revelation reveals that Christ’s light will be so brilliant that we will no longer need the sun, and there will be no darkness or night (Revelation 21:22-27). Let His light shine in you today!
Cool Down:
Spend time thanking God for his Light that provides:
• salvation: a passing from death to light (1 Peter 2:9)
• continual transformation into the likeness of Christ (I Thessalonians 5:5-11)
• direction for our life (Psalm 119:105)
• gift for others (Matthew 5:14-16)
Prepare for Tomorrow:
For Day 3, you will need a small plant, either potted inside or any plant outside.
Why Celebrate Thanksgiving?