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Week 4 - Wednesday

July 5, 2017 • Meshali

“Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness.” - Ecclesiastes 5:10 “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” - Hebrews 13:5 “It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.” - Proverbs 14:21 Daily, I’m inspired by people who have mastered the art of cultivating lives of generosity. Some of the most beautiful people I know seem to be the most lavish givers. Making choices to live lives greater than themselves, their hands and hearts are wide open. Embracing the upside down Kingdom of God mentality, they've discovered it indeed is more blessed to give than to receive. Our culture tells us to wait for the big “stuff," big stages, lights, the grandiose moments to do something “great” for God. The generous people I’m referring to look for ways to serve God in the small, everyday opportunities that surround them. They don't wait for the next person to do it - they show up and they do it. That’s what marks lives of generosity: a person who jumps in first and says, “I’ll do it." Standing first in line to meet the needs of others: the kid who needs financial help to go to camp, the cashier at the grocery store who's had a rough day and just needs someone to lend a little time to listen, a man who needs help moving his belongings to his new apartment. Their lives are marked by the understanding that the more they give, the more they get, because of their true Provider: Christ alone. As I watch them freely give their time, money, and giftings I witness their worlds become larger and larger (see Proverbs 11:24). Continually, I’ve evaluated my life and others lives and wondered, “What really holds us back from living fully open handed?” I believe the true struggle behind a lack of generosity isn't always rooted in stingy hearts, but many times hearts rooted in fear... fear of not having enough for ourselves, fear of the future, fear of our own lack. So often, it's not a love issue but a trust issue. An assurance that as we are obedient and pour out to meet needs of those around us, Christ has promised to meet our needs. We have been blessed to bless others. There is a common denominator in the lives of my most generous friends: a deep love and trust in God. I find it interesting that the writer of Hebrews addresses being satisfied with what you have and trust that God will not abandon you in the same passage. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.'” The Bible reminds us that Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides has promised us that He will NEVER fail us or abandon us. As we grow in trust that He will never let us down, our tightly closed fists become open hands to give and live out that abundance. We can rest assured He will take care of us. He won't fail us, ever! A giving life is a Spirit-led life. It’s a grateful life that truly knows the value of all that has it has been given. Generosity and love run parallel to each other, working hand in hand like a well-oiled machine. You can’t have one without the other. Love requires action, it requires generosity, and it will cost us something. Christ modeled this best for us in His life on Earth in that He loved us so much, so deeply, so richly, that He gave. I remember making a vow to myself as a young girl that no matter what, whatever it took, I wouldn’t lack as an adult financially. Through the power of God and His Word, that inner vow I made to myself has had to be broken. I realized I was living out of a false truth I had created long ago: the false truth that money could bring me security or heal a wounded heart in any way. When I was a child, my parents faced a season of divorce and much loss. Among other things, part of the loss we experienced at that time was monetary. At just twelve years old, sitting in our little living room in Arkansas, I remember pulling the curtains back to watch a wrecker service tow our car away. After my parent's divorce, my mom had a hard time financially and the bills caught up to us. That day, I recall feeling the car was one more thing that was uncontrollably slipping through my little fingers. During so much loss and heartbreak, I remember making the vow. I felt money could somehow bring us security, worth, stability. The day they came to take some of our things, I watched my Mom cry about losing our house and our cars. My heart would beat fast and I would awaken at night over money worries. A root of false truth took hold of my heart... a deep concern of not ever having enough. Storms and tragedy in life can sometimes do this to us. The waves have a way of tossing us into uncertainty and mistrust. Over time God has healed this part of my heart by proving over and over (and sometimes over again a million times) that He is my true source, the Meeter of all of my needs. I’ve made a new vow with Him that replaced that old way of thinking. He is my Provider always and He is a good, good Father. Our trouble comes when we mentally misplace who our source is. Our true Source and Meeter of EVERY need is Christ. Provision doesn't lie in money, but in Him. He has promised to supply all of our needs according to His riches. As an old man, Solomon, who is known as the wisest man who ever lived, pours God-given wisdom concerning life and godly living into the pages of Ecclesiastes. He gives us a roadmap to life principles that lead to peace, prosperity, and true satisfaction— things to practice and apply in our lives and ways to run from. Being a man of earthly wealth and power, he attempts to keep us from being misled in our thinking about money. Coming from a man who seemed to have it all, in Ecclesiastes 5 he says people that have a love for money will never have enough or will never be satisfied by it. He calls it meaningless to think that money will ever bring true happiness. If we listen to Solomon’s advice, we can save heartache and trouble, regret, stress, debt, and roads to false idols. He is saying here, earthly goods or wealth will never bring satisfaction to our souls. It will always leave us wanting more. The truth is we become a slave and tied to what we truly worship. We will actually begin to mirror it. If a person worships money, they are sure to become greedy. A person who loves money becomes its slave. No house, no car, no job will ever be enough or bring the internal satisfaction and peace that people seek through it. Greed is a liar. It tells us to hold on to everything we have. The overflow of a greedy heart will always leave us with an empty life. Greed will always leave us with less. The truth about being non-generous? It leaves us: empty instead of satisfied self-focused instead of God focused unkind Practical ways to GROW in generosity: Consider someone you know that you think to be an extremely generous person. Keep close watch on how they serve and the values in their lives they apply to pour out to those around them. We’ve all been freely blessed in areas of our lives that we can give back to bless others, whether it be through our time, resources, money, or giftedness. What act could you do in your personal life that you see as a way to grow in being generous and mindful of the needs around you? Who in your life would benefit and be blessed by your generosity today? Is there something you can do for that person to bless them? This week, no matter where you find yourself in cultivating a life of generosity, I pray we all re- evaluate and ask God how we can grow even more in this area. Ask the Lord daily what needs He has put around you that you can help to meet, whether it be through money, your time, or your gifts. There is always a way to give. Here’s to growing in giving, being obedient, and living richer, more meaningful lives that are bigger than ourselves. In His Unfailing Love, Meshali

Week 4 - Tuesday

July 4, 2017

Week 6 - Friday

July 21, 2017 • Whitney

I'll never forget when he tip-toed down the stairs a little too early one morning, with sleep still in his eyes as he stumbled and squinted his way into my bathroom. No "Good Morning" greeting. No drama. No frills. He just walked up to me and matter-of-factly whispered into my ear, "I think I want to be a missionary when I grow up." Oh, this mama's heart. I believe that boy meant it, and I just knew it was going to be a great day. And then he promptly put his little sister into a headlock. Haha. This is how my days often go in the midst of this discipling gig. I'm constantly celebrating small victories, and then taking my pride and exchanging it for humility at the foot of the cross. Let's just be honest, I'd do better if I just permanently set up camp there. But it's no mistake that God wrote them into my story. They're humans. Real, live humans that somehow God figured it would be okay to entrust into my care for this short time on earth. And most days that brings tons of joy... and makes me break out into a hot sweat. Heh. They're energetic and live out loud, and I just know they'll channel their hard-core passion into great leadership qualities one day (please, Jesus, let it be so). These four have me on my knees, but God also has me on a mission. My biggest prayer doesn't include perfection or easy parenting, though some days it's tempting to desire those things. My mission, by the grace of God, is to raise up the next generation of Jesus-followers who will be so captivated with Him - and so surrendered to Him - that they simply can't keep Him to themselves. The disciples give me hope. Jesus chose a rowdy, eclectic bunch when He chose the twelve. But it was no mistake that He wrote them into His story. It was their hearts, not their perfection or performance, that He was after. In their weakness He became their everything. In their doubt and denying, He became their Truth. As they walked with Jesus they were transformed into worshippers; not of their own reputations or abilities, but of the One who before their very eyes demonstrated that He alone could save the world. Through His death and life they became His witnesses, this bunch of unlikely men who, by the grace of God, used their unique gifts and passions to turn the world upside down for Christ. How I long for God to use our family in this way. But much like my boy, I too can go from SOLD OUT mission-focused to putting the world in a headlock in thirty seconds flat. Hallelujah that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Maybe today you too need to just *stop* and hear it for the first time all over again. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The way to impact the next generation for Jesus doesn't include a long list of things we can acquire, our social statuses, or our constant obsession with self-gratification. Jesus modeled a better way to His disciples: A patient voice filled with His wisdom. Hope not of this world spoken in uncertain times. Desperate prayers in quiet corners. Humble submission to the Father when no one was looking. Passionate words that spoke life, stories that spoke truth, and a countenance that revealed peace in the midst of a broken world. Consistent, faithful, selfless love. A servant surrendered in every way. Often misunderstood, but never wavering. Often rejected, but always pursuing. He sacrificed His life so that they could know real living. He won their hearts so that by His power through them He could reach the hearts of others. It was the plan all along. (A real encounter with Jesus changes people.) So what story will I live to tell? Will my children hear the truth of who Jesus is, day in and day out, even when passions are escalating and personalities are conflicting? Will my husband see the gentleness of Jesus in me when things don't go my way and I'm tempted to whine and give into selfishness? Will others around me hear me stand up and speak Life and Light in the hard places, or will I give in to this loud, distracting world that's relentlessly calling for my affection? He sacrificed His life so that I could know real living. He won my heart so that by His power through me He could reach the hearts of others. What's your story, and who has God written into it? By faith, may we taste the depth of the Father's love like those who physically witnessed the cross with their very own eyes that day. Oh, that this love would transform us so that we might live SOLD OUT lives on mission for Him. *Let's talk: How has God's Word encouraged your heart as we've journeyed through our SOLD OUT study together these past six weeks? At His feet, Whitney

Week 6 - Thursday

July 20, 2017

Week 6 - Wednesday

July 19, 2017 • Sara

Jesus is the son of God. But, Jesus is God. The Trinity is one of the divine mysteries I don't think we'll ever fully understand this side of heaven. One of my favorite explanations of this is in a children's book by Joanne Marxhausen, A Picture of God 3 in 1. This book compares God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to the three parts of an apple - the peel, the flesh, and the core. The different pieces of the apple serve different purposes and are unique, but they are all parts of the apple. And, the apple is not complete if a component is missing. In the same way, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all distinct but intertwined elements of the one true God. So, how do we know that Jesus is God? Jesus inferred that He was God multiple times: "The Father and I are one." (John 10:30) "The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. . . . Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me." (John 14:9 and 11) "You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am." (John 13:13) God calls Jesus God. ". . . but to the Son: Your throne, God, is forever and ever . . . ." (Hebrews 1:8) God says the angels must worship Jesus (Hebrews 1:6). And Scripture is explicit that only God should be worshipped (Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 8:19). This is only a sampling of the passages that point us towards Christ's deity. Some non-believers assent that Jesus lived but argue that he was a prophet or a great moral teacher. C.S. Lewis summed this stance up well in Mere Christianity: "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would be either a lunatic - on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg - or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." God has truly walked among us. Although those of us living today will not physically see Jesus until we get to heaven or until He returns, the model God chose still relays His authenticity. We live in a world where we are busy to the point of distraction, constantly connected but disengaged. But God, in charge of every detail in the universe, is not distracted or disengaged from His creation. He did not send an intern or an Evite or a text. He showed up in person, and He did life with His people. Living on this side of the cross, we have all of God's Word to guide us. And, if we are believers, we also have the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help lead us (Romans 8:26). Jesus was fully man, and fully God. Our response to that should be one of awe, wonder, humility, and encouragement. God cared enough about mankind that He sent a piece of himself to teach, and eventually, to die an unfair death to atone for our sins. Jesus experienced every temptation and has deeply felt every emotion that we know as humans. I think we too often envision God as a distant disciplinarian, seated on a throne somewhere far away. The truer picture is of a present, gentle, gracious Father. He views us through the lens of Jesus, redeemed and purified. Our God sees us. He knows us. He is fully aware of the potential we have for His kingdom and of the limits of our humanity, and He meets us there. Grace and peace, Sara

Week 6 - Tuesday

July 18, 2017

Week 6 - Monday

July 17, 2017 • Jen

Welcome to Week 6 of our study of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Today we are going to take a look at Philip, and like many of the other disciples we aren’t given much information about this man. His name is mentioned in every Gospel, but the only real account of his interaction with Jesus is seen in John 6. A crowd had gathered to hear Jesus teach. It is quite possible that many had traveled a good distance to hear the Great Teacher. They had been there all day and many were now getting hungry. It is at this time that Jesus turns to Philip and asks him where they could buy some food for all these people. We see Jesus testing Philip, as the text says that Jesus already knew what He was going to do. I love that Jesus was pressing into Philip’s faith at this point. Did Philip understand what Jesus was capable of? The disciple seemed confused. He had no clue where you could get food for that many people. He didn’t even consider the possibility that Jesus could provide food just as easily as he could heal the sick. Like Philip, we often find ourselves in situations where we need guidance or help, and we look to everything but God. We ask our friends, we spend hours talking with members of our family, we research online... but we don’t go to the God of all power and wisdom. In Philippians 4 Paul tells us that God will meet all our needs according to the riches of His glory. It does not say He “might” do so, but that He “will." He will provide for you in your time of need! This is really important because God never goes back on His promises. He does not forget or make excuses. He will provide for you and me, though it might not be how we had planned or even hoped. Faith understands that God’s way is better than our way. Jesus tested Philip, and then taught him. He showed this disciple that the Son of God could provide food for all those people in a miraculous way. He fed 5000 with five small loaves of bread and two fish. I am sure Philip - like the rest of the disciples - was astonished. I hope it was an experience that strengthened and matured his faith. God still provides for His people. Without Him we could not even live. He gives us everything we need for life and godliness. No matter how bold or timid, how smart or clueless, above and inside the disciples resided their great God who supplied all they needed to become men who grew in holiness to advance the good news of Jesus. Inside and above every believer resides our great God, who supplies all we need every single day of our lives. Do we always understand His ways? No. But we hold on to the truth that God is good and He keeps His Word. Looking to Jesus, Jen Week 6 Challenge: Pray and ask God to help make you aware of the many ways He provides for your daily needs. This week, keep a running list of His provisions - both big and small - then make sure to spend time thanking Him for His goodness and grace.

Week 5 - Friday

July 14, 2017 • Jen

I imagine if someone had tried to sell Thomas tickets to a timeshare he would have been skeptical. It seems like Thomas’s personality lent itself to being more cautious, thoughtful, and at times, doubting. I imagine Thomas being more quiet, taking things in, and thinking things through. Of course I don’t know if this is what he was like, but we do know that he doubted. And sometimes he doubted God. Of course, he’s not the only one. We all doubt God, and much of the time we don’t even know we’re doing it. This is especially true in regards to God’s goodness, providence, and provision. Some wonder if God is really at work for their good. Others fear He will not meet their needs. Some suspect He has forgotten them. Others even sometimes believe that God is involved in their lives to merely hurt them. We all at times struggle to believe. It seems that doubt is a part of faith on this side of the resurrection. So how do we change? How do we fight against doubt and strengthen our faith? Paul tells us in Romans that faith comes through hearing the Word of God. There are different ways in which we “hear” God’s Word, but all of them strengthen our faith. We hear by reading. As Christians we know that our spiritual life is greatly dependant on our intake of God’s Word. That is why the Scriptures are compared to bread. It is what causes us to grow and stay strong. It keeps us from becoming spiritually sick or anemic. So everytime you open your Bible and read a portion of it you are feeding your soul. Whenever you read your Bible you are hearing God speak to you and your faith grows. We hear by listening to the Word preached. While spending private time in our Bibles is very important, we also need to hear the Word preached. This has been the way of God’s people as far back as we can remember. Both in the Old and New Testament the people of God would gather to hear the Word read and explained. Our verse in Romans 10 is very clear about this. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.” We must make sure that we attend biblically sound churches whose leaders uphold the Scriptures more highly than interesting stories and entertaining anecdotes; whose sermons are filled with proper and clear explanation of the text, and who help us see the practical applications and point us to Christ Himself. While stories are fun and maybe even funny, it is only the Word of God that changes, encourages, and grows our faith. We hear by studying Jesus. I know this sounds weird, but John tells us that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (1 Jn 1:1). Then we find out that this “Word” is the same Word that created and sustains the whole world. When time was right, the “Word” took on flesh (1 Jn 1:14) and He was given the name Jesus. How well do you know this Word? And I don’t just mean the major events of His life. Do you know what we gain from His life? From His death? From His resurrection? Do you know how His baptism pointed towards His death? How His temptation prepare Him to empathize with His people? When you read your Bible or when you hear a sermon are you listening well? Or do you listen to the easy words and discard the hard ones? Faith grows through hearing and receiving all that has been given to us in the Scriptures, by immersing ourselves in the study of Jesus Himself, by accepting the hard truths that Jesus proclaimed, and by resting in the good news of His forgiveness and righteousness. Thomas doubted, but once his eyes were opened to who Jesus was, his doubt turned to faith. Faith gives boldness, and for Thomas, this meant that he gave his life for the good news of Jesus. Be encouraged! Thomas was not a super Christian. He was a normal man who was transformed by the power of Jesus through faith. You and I can be transformed just as much, but we must hear the “Word of God”. Looking To Jesus, Jen

Week 5 - Thursday

July 13, 2017

Week 5 - Wednesday

July 12, 2017 • Angela

Your doubts do not trouble God. He is not surprised by them nor do they make Him pull away from you. When you find yourself struggling with doubt, you find yourself among some of the "Greats" in the Bible like Job, Abraham, Sarah, Gideon, and Thomas, just to name a few. Job doubted God's goodness when his children died and his livelihood was gone. Abraham and Sarah doubted God's promise as they grew older and found themselves still without a child of their own. Gideon doubted God could use a man like him to fight his upcoming battle. And of course, our beloved Thomas, he doubted Jesus rose from the dead... Maybe that's where you find yourself today, too. You doubt God's goodness because of what has been taken from you. You doubt God's promises because His timing is not yours. You doubt God's ability to use a woman like you with your past, your weakness and your mistakes. Like Thomas, maybe you doubt God's resurrection ability for your life. Wherever you find yourself today, realize http://this...it is normal to struggle with doubt. We all do. Even John the Baptist, found himself doubting if Jesus was the true Messiah as he sat in prison awaiting his looming death. "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" - Matthew 11:3 A surprising question coming from the very man who earlier had baptized Jesus in the Jordan River and declared, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" At that moment in his life, John was so certain. Yet, now sitting in prison, he was plagued with tormenting doubts and fears. Had his ministry been in vain? Had he been wrong about Jesus? Was God now punishing him for his mistake? The doubts and accusations surrounding his thoughts made him feel as though he couldn't breathe and he http://wondered...had he lived his life in vain? Getting straight to the point, John sent his disciples directly to Jesus and asked, "Are you the One who is to come...?" Jesus intentionally responds not with condemnation or judgment but with an invitation for John's Disciples to see for themselves. Jesus brought them close and let them see first hand how He was fulfilling the very Scriptures He knew John the Baptist needed to hear. Prophecies brought to life which would bring hope and faith to John's struggling heart. They saw the blind receive their sight, the lame able to walk, lepers cured, the deaf able to hear, the dead raised and the good news preached to the poor. Oh, how gracious our Lord is to go to such an extend to show John's Disciples that He was the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus didn't just speak it; He took the time to live it. He knew John would recognize Isaiah's prophecy in those testimonies and that's exactly what he needed to hear to help build his faith and place his trust back in Christ. Like David in Psalm 13 and John the Baptist in Matthew 11, we need to go to God with raw, unfiltered requests that get straight to the point. You don't have to beat around the bush with Him, He knows your struggles, and He sees your doubt. Just be honest and lay it all out before Him. And don't forget this http://truth...he loves you in the midst of your doubt. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Place your doubts, fears, and anxiety into His capable hands. Then allow Him to take you on a journey from doubt to faith. It may not be a quick trip, but it's worth the ride. It's natural to doubt; it's supernatural to have faith. Right after John the Baptist's Disciples go back to tell him the news, Jesus turned to those gathered around him and said, "I tell you the truth: Among those born of woman there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist..." You see http://that....jesus praised John for the way he lived his life. John's doubts didn't hinder Jesus' praise for http://him...and neither do yours. Next time when you find yourself struggling with oppressing doubts, pray like the desperate father in Mark 9. "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”- Mark 9:24 And Jesus will. Let's Talk: How has God help you to move from doubt to faith? Love God Greatly! Angela

Week 4 - Monday

July 3, 2017 • Angela

I don't know about you, but reading about each of the disciples these past three weeks and learning more about them and their backgrounds just makes me fall more in love with Jesus. I love that He chose men no one else would. Men like Matthew, who was by far the most notorious sinner of the chosen disciples because he was a Jewish tax collector by trade. "Matthew was a tax collector, and tax collectors were on the same level socially as harlots (Matthew 21:32). For a Jewish man like Matthew to be a tax collector was even worse. His occupation made him a traitor to the nation, a social pariah, the rankest of the rank. He would also have been a religious outcast, forbidden to enter any synagogue." - John MacArthur And yet all it took was for Jesus to walk by Matthew's tax collector booth and say, "Follow me," just two small words that changed Matthew's life forever! The Bible states in Matthew 9:9 that Matthew "got up and followed him." From the very beginning, Matthew did what Jesus said. Here was a man, I imagine, who despite his job had a heart to know God. For reasons unknown to us, Matthew was in the most despised job a Jewish man could hold; a very lucrative job that was hated by his people. We don't know what drove Matthew to take this job and become an outcast to his own. But what we do know is when he had the chance to be near Jesus he willingly left everything. And I wonder, how many people do I dismiss because of their occupations? Who do I prejudge based on what they do for a living, automatically making the decision for them that they would not be interested in hearing about Jesus? I'm so glad Matthew was not like me. The VERY next verse we read, Matthew has Jesus and the other disciples to his home for dinner, and he has invited all his friends! They are friends who are in the same social standing as Matthew - tax collectors and "sinners" - the only type of people who would associate with a man like Matthew. As soon as Matthew met Jesus he wanted all of his friends to do so as well, so he provided a way to make that happen. He opened his home and fed them. And Jesus and His disciples ate with them in Matthew's home. Oh how I LOVE this nugget of Scripture! I LOVE that Jesus went to Matthew. He went to the part of town where Matthew's tax collecting booth was located. He went to Matthew's part of town to eat, and He sat at Matthew's table with his friends. Jesus and the other disciples went to Matthew's "kind" and in Luke 15:1, Luke says that "all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him to hear Him (Jesus)." The God of the universe, cloaked in humanity, went to their side of town and ate with them. Besides Matthew, no one else had turned from their lifestyles, their addictions, their sins... yet Jesus still went to them, sat down at a meal with them and because of that, they drew near to Him. I wish I could say I can identify with Jesus and His disciples in this story. But to be honest with you, I can't. I haven't made it a priority in my life to purposefully go to the wrong areas of town. I haven't make it a priority in my life to make sure I'm "rubbing elbows" with people who don't know Jesus. I've allowed myself to get busy with raising my kids, chauffeuring them from one activity to the next, taking care of my family, and running a ministry, that I've failed to see the ministry just outside the walls of my home. Looking at Jesus's example, it doesn't take much. It's just a matter of where I choose to travel or shop, or just do my everyday activities. But I need to do these everyday activities with eyes like my Lord's - seeing how He sees people and then reaching out as I go. An invitation and a meal and Matthew's friends drew near to Jesus. Oh, how that humbles me. I want to be more like Jesus and His disciples. So many times though I feel like I can identify more with the Pharisees in this story than Jesus's disciples... When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"- Matthew 9:11 How many times have I held judgment in my heart for people who I viewed far from God? I'm convicted as I read that verse and hear the prideful judgment in their question, knowing I've asked Jesus the same question at times. Jesus answers, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners."- Matthew 9:12-13 Ironically the very ones who were questioning Jesus needed Him just as much as the "sinners" Jesus was eating with. They just didn't know it. As long as the Pharisees insisted on keeping up their religious elite appearances and hypocritical veneer, there was nothing Jesus could do for them. They didn't realize that they, too, needed a doctor. They needed to share a meal with the Great Physician as well. When it all comes down to it, we all need Jesus - tax collectors, 'sinners,' and those who deem themselves the 'religious elite'. We are all in need of a good meal with our Lord so that we may draw near to Him. Let's Talk: What do you think Jesus means by "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," and how is this lived out in our lives? Love God Greatly! Angela Week 4 Challenge: Look for opportunities to open your home and share a meal with someone you wouldn't usually invite over. Maybe it's the neighbor down the street who is going through a hard time and doesn't know the saving grace of Jesus. Or maybe it's the co-worker who is lonely and has no family in town. Maybe it's a family in need in your community who needs a good meal and someone to love them. Whoever it is, wherever the location... let's make it a point to be more like Jesus and the disciples moving forward in our lives. Reach out to others not like us and share a meal, giving them opportunities to be near to Jesus too. Week 4 Video: We'll resume our weekly videos this fall!

Week 5 - Tuesday

July 11, 2017

Week 5 - Monday

July 10, 2017 • Whitney

There's one in every crowd. You might have heard them referred to as the: Party Pooper. Debbie Downer. Pessimistic Penny. Negative Nancy. I once knew a girl named Vanessa whose friends called her "Depressa". No one wants to carry these labels, but it seems that they just can't help themselves. No matter the situation, they're bent on negativity. They find the one needle in a haystack of good. They look for the minuscule worst in a sea full of best. In every situation they anticipate what will go wrong instead of noticing all that is going right. They're the Eeyores of the world - these dear ones who can't bring themselves to search for that blessed glimmer of hope; the light at the end of the tunnel. Do you know someone like that? Jesus did. Among the Twelve it was the disciple named Thomas. You and I - and even the unbelieving world - use the title "Doubting Thomas," and for good reason. After Jesus rose from the dead the other disciples told Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” But Thomas didn't see him, and until he did, he stubbornly stated that he would NEVER believe. Those are fightin' words at worst; pessimistic at best. Now before we're too hard on Thomas, I want you to see the whole of who he was. Just like modern-day pessimists, there's always more to a person than first meets the eye. When we search Scripture, we find that it was Thomas who was willing to go with Jesus back into Judea to find a dead Lazarus when the other disciples feared danger and death (John 11). In Thomas's mind, it would have been better to die with Jesus than to live without Him. And as the cross was drawing near, it was Thomas who didn't understand where Jesus was going and earnestly questioned how to be with Him (John 14). It appears that he couldn't stand the thought of being separated from his Lord. Even in Thomas's pessimism, he had been courageously faithful. Even in his doubt, his loyal love for Jesus was evident. It was likely Thomas's broken heart over Jesus's death that fueled his pessimism to plunge into the deepest, despairing doubt. Whatever his complexity of emotions, we can learn a few things from Thomas: Distance can breed doubt. "Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came." For whatever reason, Thomas found himself out of fellowship with the other disciples when Jesus first appeared to them after His resurrection. It appears that the other ten (minus Thomas and Judas Iscariot) were there. When we distance ourselves from God and other believers, we remove our very best chance for the interjection of truth, hope, and faith into even the darkest of situations. Left to ourselves, we're much more likely to drift and let the voices of the world speak doubt into our fragile minds and hearts. God's Word tells us to not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). Are you down and distancing yourself from God and other believers? It's not good to be alone. Get back into the fold today, so that you can see and savor Jesus to the fullest. Disbelief can breed dissension. "But he said to them, 'Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.'" It's difficult to know the tone of Thomas's voice here, but it doesn't sound like a positive one. Picture the scene: the other disciples are overjoyed upon seeing their risen Lord. Some of the key pieces of Jesus's kingdom puzzle are just now coming together and there's been a breakthrough moment for the others. Together they've been through earthly hell and back again, and they're finally on a mountaintop of faith... when Thomas strongly voices his unbelief. You can just feel the shift of atmosphere at Thomas's words, and that's exactly what we do when we douse the fire of other's proven faith with our firm unbelief. Dissension enters. Distraction ensues. Instead of focusing on forward kingdom thinking and the glory of God, Jesus's very disciples are left divided and trying to convince one of their own. Is your unbelief causing dissension in the body? Instead, let's model belief like that of Abraham, who "with respect to the promise of God, did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised," (Romans 4:20-21). Delay can breed deterioration. "A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them." Oh, what that week must have been like for Thomas - a miserable week of doubting, grieving, wondering, wishing, and waiting. If you've ever delayed walking in belief, you know that even one day of faith-wrestling living can seem like an eternity. Thomas's delay in believing surely caused him a whole week of strife that, simply stated, could have been avoided if he would have only believed without seeing. James 1:6 says that the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Our minds, bodies, and spirits can deteriorate quickly when we harbor unbelief, even potentially leading us down a path of destruction. Are you in a season where your delayed faith is deteriorating your life, robbing you of living in the fullness of all God has for you? Remember Jesus's pierced hands and feet; His blood that was shed for you; the empty tomb and sin and death defeated. Jesus's resurrection power is available to those who believe. Don't delay another day. Stop doubting and believe (John 20:27). Thomas doubted. But oh, sweet Jesus. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus overcame the physical and Thomas's flesh to bring His peace and presence. Doubt turned to belief. He did it for Thomas, and He can do it for you. Saturate your mind in His Truth, run into His presence, and cry out to Him in surrender today. He longs to help you believe. "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” - John 20:29 *Let's talk: Have you ever experienced doubt that involved distance, dissension, or deterioration? How did God help you overcome these situations? At His feet, Whitney Week 5 Challenge: On a notecard, write out the verse, "I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!" - Mark 9:24. Place this card where you can see it often as a reminder to surrender your doubts to the Lord this week.

Week 4 - Friday

July 7, 2017 • Whitney

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." - Titus 2:11-14 Know what's so amazing about the Bible? One minute you think you're studying the lives of the twelve disciples, but http://every.single.time. another character comes onto the scene you end up unwrapping another intentional, beautiful look into the merciful heart of God. Ah, Jesus, you are so amazing. Sally Lloyd-Jones is right: every story whispers His name. "There are lots of stories in the Bible. But all the stories are telling one big story. The story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them." Jesus came to rescue the world alright, but He didn't do it in a way that the world expected. As we learned a little more about Matthew and Simon the Zealot this week, I'm reminded once again that Jesus does things so opposite of all of my fleshly inclinations. If it were up to me I'd definitely choose the path of least resistance: men with great reputations - low on drama, high on refinement - and I'd for sure run away from anyone or anything that might incite more controversy into an already touchy political scene. After all, there's a world to save, Jesus, and we need buy-in. Let's be real, I'd want the disciples to make me look good. You know, to set me up for some efficient kingdom success. But not Jesus. Jesus had a world to rescue, and every step of the way He wanted us to know that absolutely nothing or no one is beyond His transforming reach. That's just who He is. He took the hard road for us, and that completely wrecks me. Jesus doesn't shy away from human weakness, hangups, heavy pasts, and hard core division. In fact, that's precisely why He came. We already know that Jesus uses all kinds of people - the ones you and I have already written off, and it seems the more unlikely, the better. It's one thing to work with the hasty, bold personality of Peter or the quiet, unassuming Andrew, but a tax collector and a Zealot? The Zealots were a well-known fanatical Jewish party. They hated the Romans on such an extreme level that their passion for Israel and God's law turned them into hard-core assassins. They wouldn't hesitate to kill or be killed for the cause - even to the point of sacrificing their very own wives and children. We would look at their methodology today and think it pure insanity. It was a passion gone seriously wrong - an altruistic stance that became warped by sin and the pursuit of worldly identity and power. Simon was the Zealot. But Jesus is the Cure. Just like walking with Jesus transformed the disciples who came before him, an encounter with Jesus softened Simon's heart and transformed any misplaced, reckless zeal into an unmatched, eager passion for his Savior. Jesus's followers would come by invitation instead of force; by way of servant leadership instead of warped self-promotion. The way Jesus chose and discipled the twelve was a tender and intentional lead-in to the counter-cultural task He would later assign them. Jesus’s example of servant leadership sets him apart from so many historical religious leaders. He was not a God who lorded it over his followers and demanded they follow him or coerced their obedience through authoritarianism and fear. Instead, he called them to the excellence of holiness and yet lovingly served them in order to win their hearts and show them the means of reaching others’ hearts as well.” - Sally Clarkson Jesus would later ask Simon and the others to step out of their comfort zones and be zealous to reach the ones just like them... The ones everyone else deemed too far gone and broken beyond repair. The ones labeled too ordinary and not worth pursuing. The ones whose hearts were hardened and stubborn beyond belief. The ones who seemed too attached to the world to leave its treasures behind. Jesus took the hard road and gave Himself up for these very ones when He chose the disciples, and when He chose the cross. Why? "To redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Oh Jesus, you did that for me. Since You are the Cure, let me live my life in SOLD OUT abandon for You... EAGER (ready and with expectation!) to do what is good... So that they might see You. *Let's talk: Where is God calling you to eagerly do good today? At His feet, Whitney