Reflections for the Week of August 29-September 4
 
"And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." Matthew 6:13

Temptation Part 2

Which temptations are the ones that constantly bring you down? Name them. Naming them allows the Holy Spirit to gain the upper hand in controlling them. This is the process the Bible calls confession. Naming has power. Your next step is confessing that you don't have the ability not to give in, that without God you're powerless.

This Week’s Memory Verse

"When you are being tempted, do not say, 'God is tempting me.' . . . God . . . . never tempts anyone. . . . Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death." James 1:13-15(NLT)

This Week's Prayer

“Lord, please instill in me hope, hope that it is actually possible to resist the temptations that have their grip on me. And please give me one simple victory, one that can lead to one more and one more after that. Lord, it is in your power, strength, hope and love I choose to live. In Christ's Name. Amen"

The Story

40 Days of Prayer
Prayer Focus and Scripture

Day 1: Ask God to prepare the hearts of those who will hear His Story.
“Give yourselves to God…surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.” Romans 6: 13

Day 2: Pray for those who will be telling The Story.
“Now, Lord… enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” Acts 4: 29

Day 3: Praise God for speaking to us through the Bible.
“For the Word of God is living and active…” Hebrews 4: 12a

Day 4: Ask the Lord for guidance as we seek him.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7: 7

Day 5: Thank God for our small group leaders.
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up…” Ephesians 4:11-12

Day 6: Pray that this Story experience will lead us to truth, freedom and hope.
“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.’” John 8:31-32

Day 7: Confess our lack of attention to His word.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22

Day 8: Pray for our friends and family as we share God’s story with them.
“One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.”
Psalm 145:4

Day 9: Pray for spiritual growth in our church.
“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…” Hebrews 6:1a

Day 10: Ask God to bless our children as they learn of His love for them.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14

Day 11: Thank the Lord that his written word is so accessible to us.
“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3

Day 12: Pray that we will be challenged by each week’s message.
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4

Day 13: Praise God for Jesus Christ, the ultimate expression of His love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Day 14: Ask God for wisdom as we apply His story to our own life story.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

Day 15: Thank God for those who prepared the materials for our study.
“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:28-29

Day 16: Praise God for His Holy Spirit who guides us.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.”
John 16:13

Day 17: Pray for our families as they experience The Story of the Bible together.
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Day 18: Pray for conviction of sin in our lives and the willingness to repent.
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22

Day 19: Ask God to make our hearts receptive to His story and protect our minds from distractions.
“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
Philippians 2:13

Day 20: Ask God to be our voice as we boldly share our testimony with those who need Jesus.
“And God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into his favor and be reconciled to him… This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others. We are Christ’s ambassadors.” 2 Corinthians 5: 18b-20

Day 21: Praise God for the abundant grace He has poured out upon His people.
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1

Day 22: Pray for salvation for those who have not taken that step.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

Day 23: Pray for physical protection and good health for our leaders and participants.
“…I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you…” 2 John 3

Day 24: Pray that each person would sense God’s presence in their personal studies.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Day 25: Pray that God’s blessings would be poured out on those who lead and serve.
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10: 42

Day 26: Pray for God’s power to touch each person’s heart to respond to him with praise.
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Psalm 119:103

Day 27: Pray that our church would hunger and thirst for spiritual transformation.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

Day 28: Pray that we would experience deeper relationships and changed lives.
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…” Ephesians 1: 17-19a

Day 29: Ask God to lead us to those in our neighborhoods who need Jesus.
“’You are the light of the world.’ …let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-15

Day 30: Pray that God will bring groups together to share The Story.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Colossians 1:9

Day 31: Ask God for spiritual protection for our leaders and participants.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12

Day 32: Pray that participants will have a renewed desire to pursue spiritual habits in their lives.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2a

Day 33: Pray for each person to have a servant’s heart and to serve wherever needed.
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26b-28

Day 34: Praise God for the hearts that will be changed by this study.
“Create in me a pure heart , O God…” Psalm 51: 10a

Day 35: Ask God to powerfully use The Story to impact our community for Christ.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always…” Matthew 28:20

Day 36: Pray that everyone will grow in their love of God – with all their heart, soul, and mind.
…”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37

Day 37: Ask God to maintain unity and harmony among leaders and participants.
“May they [believers] be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:23

Day 38: Pray for lasting, eternal fruit.
“In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." Matthew 5:48

Day 39: Pray that those who visit our church will be warmly welcomed.
“May our church be a ‘place where the hurting, the hopeless, the discouraged, the depressed, the frustrated and confused can find love, acceptance, guidance and encouragement.’”
Rick Warren

Day 40: Pray that The Story will be a defining experience in our church’s journey.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105

Reflections for the Week of August 22-28

Can you imagine the above picture actually happening?        

"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
Matthew 6:12(NIV)

Is there a greater test of faith, trust, obedience, and belief than that of refusing to let condemnation of other people grow in your heart, particularly when those others have earned it in carrying out despicable deeds? Is there any other path forward, other than forgiveness, which will ever end the cycle of violence and revenge? Indeed, did not Jesus tell every Christian to “take up his cross”? Will you? 

This Week’s Memory Verse

“God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:19-21(NLT)

This Week’s Prayer

“Lord, I confess to certain 'bitter roots' that have taken hold within me. Lord, by your grace, kill them. Do not let them grow and choke our Your Life within me. Even more Lord, give me the strength and grace to see others free from my condemnation so that I am not the barrier that keeps them ultimately away from you. In the Name of Jesus, who bore the cross, Amen."

Reflections for the Week of August 15-21

NOTE: From now until September 11, the time of our 40 days of Prayer for “The Story”, I will send only one reflection per week. It will come on Monday. This is so that you focus on the daily prayers you will receive from me in preparation for our first time ever chronological journey through the entire Bible!

Meanwhile, in order to prepare for Sunday . . . . .. . . . . .


How Do You Handle Discouragement?

“lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:13(NIV)

Sunday’s message will focus on temptation, specifically the temptation to become discouraged. How do you overcome discouragement? Do you let it win? Do you give up too easily? What are the remedies for discouragement? All of that and more will be the topic for this Sunday’s message. I will be referring to Jeff Manion’s book, “The Land Between.” if you want to read more on the topic, I do recommend this new book.

This Week’s Memory Verse

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

This Week’s Prayer

“Lord, please do not let me fall into the temptation to neglect Your Word. Lord, if you want me to memorize this week’s verse, I will do so with your help! And whatever scripture you want me to read, I will read. . with your help. I want to do this Lord . . . .deliver me from the temptation simply not to do so. In Christ’s Name. Amen”

When you are wronged

"If your fellow believer sins against you, go and tell him in private what he did wrong. If he listens to you, you have helped that person to be your brother or sister again. But if he refuses to listen, go to him again and take one or two other people with you. 'Every case may be proved by two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, then treat him like a person who does not believe in God or like a tax collector.

"I tell you the truth, the things you don't allow on earth will be the things God does not allow. And the things you allow on earth will be the things that God allows."

"Also, I tell you that if the two of you on earth agree about something and pray for it, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. This is true because if two or three people come together in my name, I am there with them." Matthew 18:15-20(NCV)

Can you do what the first sentence says?

Today's Prayer
 
“Lord, I will no longer tell others what 'so and so' did to me. Rather I will simply obey your command, take courage and talk directly to the person by whom I feel wronged. I will do this as an act of raw obedience and love for you. And I will do this with all the gentleness, respect and honesty you provide. In Jesus' name, Amen" 

"It is true that all who believe in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins through Jesus' name." Acts 10:43(NCV) 

"But you don't know how bad my sin is." "If you really knew what I am inside, you would know that God could never accept, much less forgive me" Do you find it hard to believe that God forgives you?

"Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods."  CS Lewis

Today's Prayer  

“Lord, help me today to stand up tall and breathe deep the cleansing, forgiving, releasing, refreshing breath of God, by which you intend for me to live fully, freely and alive in You today. Amen" 

"Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven" Matthew 9:2(NLT)
 
"If God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise it's like setting ourselves up as a higher tribunal than God." CS Lewis

Today's Prayer

“Lord, I confess that you have forgiven all my sin, all of it. On the cross you paid the highest price for the evil in my thoughts, heart, motivations, and actions. Because of your love and Jesus' sacrifice I am clean, forgiven and can at every moment live a fresh start in life. Therefore, again today, I admit all sin that I can think of, I thank you for forgiving it, and I will live today, not under the dark cloud of condemnation, rather in the cool, fresh, freeing breeze of the Holy Spirit. Amen" 

"If you don't forgive . . ."
                                      
"If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."  Matthew 6:14-15(CEV)

Do these words frighten you? They do me. What if Jesus means exactly what he says. I prefer to believe that Jesus is using hyperbole, as He often does, to say, "if you harbor unforgiveness then your heart will be unable to receive Jesus' unwithheld forgiveness." Or is that simply another way of saying the same thing?

Today's Prayer
 
“Lord, in some very significant way my salvation depends on my forgiving others, including my enemies. Please, Lord, give me the grace and courage I need to act on what you command. Help me with words, attitude and behavior to withhold condemnation, even of my enemies. Amen"

"As we have forgiven"
                                      
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors"
Matthew 6:12(NIV) 

As you leave for work today or take the kids to the dentist or go about your daily chores, are you aware of anyone who has wronged you? Is that person getting under your skin? Is there someone you're mad at? Do you have any unresolved grudges?

Today's Prayer
 
“Lord, give me the grace today to forgive those who "owe me". Forging me cost you your life. Forgiving others will cost me too, but it will cost me a lot less than the price you paid to forgive me. Lord, help me to pay the price of forgiveness, no matter how long it takes. Amen" 

"unless you . . . .you cannot"                            

"Jesus said again, 'I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life,and I will raise that person at the last day.'" John 6:53-54(NLT)
  
What are you relying on to "get you into heaven?"

Trying to be a good Person? (won't work) Believing in Jesus? (even Satan believes in Jesus). Taking Communion? (no ritual will get anyone past the grave)

Today's Prayer
 
“Lord, as I prepare for Communion this Sunday, I reassert that you substituted your life for mine on the cross. In that act and in that act alone I am saved. I know myself and I am not within light years of deserving what you did for me. On Sunday I will once again act out taking you into myself. Meanwhile please kill all pride and ingratitude that you find in my today. Thank you, Lord. Amen"

"If anyone eats this bread he will live forever"                                    
"I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever."  John 6:48-51(NIV)
  
Where do you find your "daily bread"? Really?

The money you make? Friends? Knowing God? Getting buzzed? Prayer? Going after the "next thing"? Escape? Reading your Bible? Making a mark? Others believers? Shopping? Other? __________________________________

Today's Prayer
 
“Lord, today I seek the "bread" that sustains me in a way that lasts. Help me to reject the quick fix, temporary "bread", that beckons and promises so much, but in the end leaves me lifeless. Please grant me this success through the power of Jesus in my life. Amen"

"you want to be with me because I fed you"

"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you . . . .don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.'"
John 6:26-27(NLT) 
 
Why do you follow Christ?

For what you get out of it? Because Christianity is true? Because of what He has already done for you?

Today's Prayer

"Lord, help me today to seek your presence, guidance, strength, wisdom, courage and energy to do your will today in every task and encounter with others. This I ask because I know that you right now reign over all things and it is from you and for you that all things, myself included, exist. Today I will follow you. Amen"