October 24, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Hebrews 10:25
As Christians, we are called to live in community, to do life together. Community is a beautiful thing, but it’s also messy and requires vulnerability and grace. In our school age years, we are thrown into a group and forced to build community with the guidance of a teacher. As adults, it’s much easier to just keep to ourselves; going to work, paying bills, cooking, and cleaning; Living without any real community.
So, the human connection we all crave leaves a mark. However, if we want to have this community and be faithful to our calling, we must learn to create spaces to connect and build community. We must choose to open our schedule, homes, and our lives to invite others in. Doing life together like Jesus requires us to be vulnerable and this is difficult. Yet, some of our greatest blessings in life are the individuals and families with whom we’ve had the courage to build the type of community Jesus demonstrated. This isn’t easy. It takes forgiveness, patience, sacrifice, and old-fashioned grit. Are you doing life together with anyone? Are you open to being vulnerable and allowing others in?
Father, thank you for not having to walk through life alone. Thank you for the gift of community and doing life together. Guide us to establish deep friendships and to be willing to be vulnerable enough to do life together., prepare us for a new season of growth and that he would open new doors for Adventure! In Christ name we pray, Amen.
Engaging Our Community: Day #44
October 23, 2023 • Devotion Leader • 2 Corinthians 10:5
So much of the world, the community around us has a ‘been there, done that” attitude toward the church. There is a history there. It is easy to settle into different “camps” of “us” and “them.” Often, we don’t even notice we do it. But Jesus came from heaven in many ways, like an invasion force to break us out of the bonds to slavery. We had no hope, but he found a way. We had no reason to live, but He showed us the truth and made us children of God. We must carry the light and expose the darkness for what it is. We have to take the truth in a way they can understand it. This means we need to know the words they use, how they use them, and why, to know how to best communicate the eternal truths and make the idea’s we follow obedient to Christ.
At the same time, we must continue to demonstrate the grace that is in Christ Jesus to those who do not believe.
This isn’t easy. It takes time and we must work hard to not be led away by false ideas that may seem pleasant to the heart. We must trust the Spirit to lead us to the truth and obey it wherever it leads us.
Father, as we look to the people in our community, help us to find ways to understand how to communicate best the truths you preserved in your scripture. Give us the grace to live what we believe, so that the world can see no hypocrisy in us. Father, we pray that our servant hearts demonstrate the engagement we seek with our minds. We pray this in Christ name, Amen.
Following God's Word: Day #43
October 22, 2023 • Devotion Leader • John 17:16–19
What we have when we read the Bible is truly remarkable. Scripture has power in them to cultivate a heart that is soft and malleable in God’s hand. They can sharpen the mind of those who meditate on them. Following the words of scripture is more than just mimicking the behaviors we see there, recognizing habits, passions, virtues and purposes. Then, in turn, making them a part of who we are and what we do. Jesus knew the power words have on our lives. Words can be spoken in anger or in joy and have an impact on the lives of grandchildren’s children. What words are you speaking into your life? What words do you meditate on in the evening and in the quiet? What words are blaring mindlessly in your ears from the radio when you work? All of these words can have an effect on our lives, for good or evil. Let us give attention to what we put on our heart, and see what happens when we let Scripture frame what we put on our hearts and minds.
Heavenly Father, we look to your word for our hope and training. It is by your words that we live, this we acknowledge. Help us to make the words we allow to influence our life be Your word. May it wash over our hearts and guide our minds. May the thoughts and meditations of our heart and mind be pleasing to you, Lord, in Jesus’ name I pray – Amen.
Serving Others: Day #42
October 21, 2023 • Devotion Leader • 1 Peter 4:10–11
Serving is an active deed of love. The act of serving moves the hearts of others and offers comfort. The Bible tells us that God remembers our serving toward others and will reward us. Then the relationship between God and us becomes deeper through serving others.
Today, please focus your prayer efforts on what’s next for Adventure. Pray that God would prepare us for a new season of growth and that he would open new doors for Adventure!
Heavenly Father – I pray that our church family understands what it really means to serve as your Son Jesus taught us in Matthew 20:26-28: ““It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” It is in Jesus’ name I pray – Amen.
Persevering on the Road Ahead: Day #41
October 20, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Galatians 6:9
When we set out on a new journey, even with a plan in place, it can feel daunting. We sometimes get lost in all the work we’re doing, the lack of progress we see or feel, or the overwhelming amount of work required to get to the final destination. In Galatians, Paul is encouraging the church of Galatia to continue persevering and fighting the good fight.
This next chapter as a church is filled with exciting goals and steps forward. We are stepping into this journey together and it will require each of us to pray, listen, step forward in faith, and trust. We must not grow weary of doing good but keep pursuing what God is calling us to. How can we keep pressing on? How can we encourage our family, friends, and our church leadership during this next chapter as a church? What does “pressing on” look like for you? Is it stepping into a new serving role, committing to pray daily for someone, being more intentional in sharing your faith with others? What about pressing on when you don’t see the results you’re hoping for? Today, please focus your prayer efforts on what’s next for Adventure. Pray that God would prepare us for a new season of growth and that he would open new doors for Adventure!
Dear Lord, so many things can take our focus. So many sins can sway the heart’s affection. May we fix our eyes on you and keep pressing on, knowing all we need to keep going you have provided. Give us the steadfast heart of Jesus, for we pray in his name for his glory. Amen.
Holiness: Day #40
October 19, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Hebrews 12:14
Holiness is often avoided when it comes to pleasant conversation. Who wants to talk about that! In truth, holiness is very special in God’s eyes. Holiness is in right acting; having a character that reflects God’s true nature and love. This is exactly why holiness is so important to God. It’s where we develop and show one of the most profound types of intimacy and connection with Him. Holiness is where we live the character of God.
Think about how that can impact how we testify to his love and grace. Think about what living out God’s justice in our own lives can do for the world around us. So many try to make the law reflect God’s character, when he is calling his children to reflect his character. It is easy to make laws, it is hard to live in holiness. And we often avoid holiness in a particular part of life, and it makes our lives more difficult. Spend some time probing areas of your life where God might be calling you to a higher standard and ask what you can do to honor him more.
Father, so much of what we do falls short of who you are. But we want to honor you with our lives. Show us places where we don’t obey and give us the power that resurrected Jesus to help us live a new life! We acknowledge so much of the holiness you see in us comes from him, and we want more reflected in our actions. Teach us Lord and lead our hearts and minds. We pray this in Christ’s name, Amen.
Patience: Day #39
October 18, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Ephesians 4:11–12
Have you ever waited for something? An order at Chick-fil-A? Brakes to finish repair? Someone to get off the phone? We often look through the lens of that moment to see what we want to see. We need to be somewhere, so we want someone to finish faster. Hurry up.
We have spoken those words many times. Rarely do we stop in those hurried moments and think, “What am I missing?” or “What is God trying to do?” Sure, our heavenly Father sees ALL. He knows intimately all that is happening and has a patience that we cannot fathom. But what is he doing to me while I wait at Panera?
Patience is not like a bank account, it’s like a muscle. The more we use it, the stronger it is. Often, God is trying to train our patience to endure when our hope and desire are delayed. For God sees that we often miss how much we need grace. Grace to stumble and learn. Grace to question and find. Grace enough so that our weakness might be made perfect in His strength. We don’t see what people are dealing with. Many times, God is working in ways we can’t so that he can bring about what we can’t do on our own. So, who or what are you waiting on? What situations do you wait for God to work out? What can you do in your waiting that shows your trust in God?
Father, you know the questions and issues we face. You know the victory that is coming, and the people we pray for. Father, help us to work in hope as we show patience. Amen.
Equipping the Saints: Day #38
October 17, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Ephesians 4:11–12
What we have been given in Christ is everything we need to do the mission He has given us. Some of us were given as apostles (those sent as ambassadors), some prophesying truths, some spreading good news, and others overseeing the faith development of new converts and training new teachers. But the end goal for all of these people was to help the church do the work of the ministry, to live a life that speaks of the gospel truths, To love people when no one else would (because that is what Christ did for us), and to lead with a Godly influence for a greater impact in accomplishing the mission. Each of us has that place and is called to use our abilities to build up the church. Spend some time praying over your talents so that in humility, God might multiply what He does with them. So that the church might be more effective at making disciples.
Father in heaven, you know what ability you have given me. Help me refine it, so that I might lead others to know Jesus, and that I might help others refine their abilities so that all the more might know of Jesus and his work among us. We pray this in his name and for His glory, Amen.
Humility: Day #37
October 16, 2023 • Devotion Leader • James 4:7–10
This is a tough idea to write about, even if it is something we all desperately need. The humblest people anyone might have the chance to meet, often go unnoticed. So much of our church culture and the world around us is dominated by pride, it leaves little to wonder why humility often goes overlooked. We want credit owed us. We want the respect we are due. We want to solve the problem. We often genuinely believe we are the piece that is missing. If we just did something more, if we were better in this one aspect of life, or if we had just a little more money, THEN we would be good.
But, as it turns out, we just end up training our hearts to trust the self and depend on another thing, not the Lord. James is counseling the church to remember what you can trust; it’s not your hands, not your heart, It is the work and power of the person Jesus Christ. So then, in any moment, we must work to submit to God, or not. Sometimes that means shutting our mouth. Sometimes it means speaking up. Always it means acknowledging we are not the hero, we must decrease, and Christ must increase.
Father. May I decrease. May Christ increase. His glory, his power, his wisdom displayed in the lives of the Christians at Adventure Christian Church. May you increase in us, for your name’s sake. We pray in the name of your son Jesus, Amen.
Learning from God: Day #36
October 15, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Psalm 119:9–11
Scholars believe this to be a psalm that David wrote for his son, Solomon. David knew sin and God’s redemptive power. Here he is telling Solomon how to stay the course and not be led away from God’s perfect plan for him. In our lives, we want our children, as well, to be able to stay the course without facing the consequences of their sin.
David endured much and he expresses the depth of love he has for God and His Word. He shares that living according to God’s Word, seeking Him with his whole heart, and committing to memory God’s Word is the only way that a young person can stay on the path of righteousness!
We are God’s children, and oh how He loves us. He truly wants us to avoid sin and the consequences. Hiding His word in our hearts, equips us with everything we need to stay on the path of righteousness. As we seek to know Him, we live out His word.
Our loving and trusted Father, thank you for Your Word, The Bible. We come to you humbled because we are sinners and it’s only by your forgiveness and Grace that we can have righteousness. We acknowledge that we need you in every part of our lives. We ask that you help us fill our hearts with Your Words. Help us to always stay the course of righteousness. In Jesus’s name we pray these things. Amen
Rules and Grace: Day #35
October 14, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Colossians 2:20–23
“In religion, acceptance comes out the end, on the basis of assessment of merit. If that is religion, Christianity is not a religion is not a religion. It is a relationship. And acceptance comes at the beginning. That is radical!” Dr. John Lennox. The relationship of the Christian to the unseen Christ is the essential part of what makes being a Christian different than those who adhere to all other religions. We have eternal life now. We have fellowship with God the Father, and the Holy Spirit now. All the rules we have had in the past are not meant to last, for life could not come in the rules; life and acceptance came by faith in Jesus. So let us not forget that our righteousness comes not by rules but by Grace, through our trust and loyalty. That will guard our hearts from the sensual indulgence Paul mentions here.
Father in heaven, help us to be faithful. So that the right living you desire to see in us comes because of the grace you have given to us through the faith we have in your son, Jesus. Let that be the power that crucifies the flesh and restrains the sensual indulgence of our hearts so that our lives reflect the character of Christ. In Christ’s name, we pray, Amen.
Pray for Our Coaches: Day #34
October 13, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Matthew 25:14–30
The first and the second servants explain that they each put their talents to work and have doubled the value of the property with which they were entrusted; each servant was rewarded. The third servant, however, had merely hidden his talent, burying it in the ground, and was punished by his master.
This Bible passage is so relevant to coaches. To understand this, think of it this way. The “talents” are the youth we have on the teams that have been entrusted to us. The servants are the coaches. The true question becomes what does succeeding at the sport look like for the coach. Most would say not losing. We seem to get tied up in wins and losses. As you read the parable, you see that the first two were given more “talent” than the third. But it is not how much they started with, but how much they ended with. They both had to work to double the “talent”. They could have done just like the third and just not lose any of it. The third was afraid to “lose”.
Good coaches work to make everyone better at the sport. The true measurement of how we handled the “talents” we were given should be this: Is everyone more talented today, than they were when the first day on this team?
Father, be with our coaches in all the sports at ACC. Help them to understand what true victory looks like, that it is not wins and losses, but the development of our players. Grant them patience and wisdom in how to work with each of the young talents they have been entrusted so that they can develop them completely. It is in your son Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.
Pray for our Leadership Team: Day #33
October 12, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Luke 22:24–27
Our rescue and redemption from this world requires humility. Just as Jesus was humble in His life, we humble ourselves both before Him and in the way that we live our lives every day among people. Jesus came to serve people and God, not to be served by people. Likewise, we, Jesus’ followers, in any way we can seek to serve people whether our families, circle of friends, and all in our spheres of influence. Pastors, elders, servants, ministry leaders; whoever calls on Christ as Lord is to be conspicuously known by their humility and service, not by position, title, rank, or notoriety.
Heavenly Father King of the Universe who is now and forever, beginning and the end – we praise you for all you have done to equip us to lead well! I pray for Lance Hurley, Keith Elderson, and Andy Hamilton. We ask that you protect them and grant them wisdom as they lead with humble hearts for you. Father let these men become lower and You become greater in their lives! In Jesus might name – Amen.
A Prayer for More Servants: Day #32
October 11, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Matthew 9:35–38
You don’t have to look far to see that many in the world are desperate. People want REAL truth and REAL love, not just smoke and mirrors. That is exactly what Jesus offers, because that is who he is, and he gives himself, no gimmicks, No games. We need people to go, people who genuinely believe and have been changed by the love and truth that is in Jesus. Are you willing to Go? To go love people who don’t deserve it? To forgive the unrepentant? To give to the needy? What is holding back those who would come forward? It is the small things that have a big impact in the Kingdom.
Let’s pray that God will raise up people to serve in the various ministries of the church, or in new ministry not yet started. Who knows where God might lead us. Today, pray that God would prepare us for a new season of fruit and faithfulness!
Father, you have made each of us to do great things, we pray that you would raise up people to serve in ministry focusing them on the mission of loving others courageously and pursuing God radically. Father, help us to know where you are calling us to use our gifts to serve the church and reach the world. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Pray for our Staff: Day #31
October 10, 2023 • Devotion Leader • Colossians 4:2–3
Prayer is an invaluable privilege, and, with this privilege comes responsibility. God expects us to use the unlimited power of prayer for those around us (pray for one another), those that influence our lives (pray for our leaders) and those that are that are working to further the work of the Kingdom of Christ.
As in Colossians 4:2-3, Paul teaches we must devote ourselves to prayer, being both watchful and thankful. During this time Paul was in prison. He asks the Colossians to pray for him - not for his release but rather that God would “open a door for our message”. Paul put the proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ over obtaining his freedom. The staff at Adventure have the same type of commitment and desire to advance the cause of Jesus Christ that Paul had. They have literally devoted their lives to the cause. Because of this they often suffer the burden of being under the constant assault from the Devil. Just as Paul expected prayer from the Christians of that day, we have an obligation to pray for the staff who have dedicated their lives to Christian service.
Father, we thank you for those who have committed their lives to serving You. We thank you for their willingness to serve. We ask that You give them the strength and stamina to complete their tasks. We pray for their protection from the attacks of Satan and his minions. Finally, we pray for their emotional and psychological well-being as they serve in an increasingly hostile world. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
