Day 12

The Bridge / Bricktown Campus

Day 12

My Story - Josh Maples

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

- Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Ever since I was a kid and accepted Jesus into my heart, this has been the verse that I have clung to. It has given me hope and has been the foundation for my life. “And we know…” this means that the statement that follows is to be a core foundational pillar of the Christian faith.

God will cause things to work for good for us so long as we love Him and live according to God’s calling on our lives and by following His purpose for us. This does not mean that we will win the lottery or that nothing bad will ever happen, but if we live according to God’s purpose and submit ourselves to follow His calling on our lives, we will have such things as true joy in life and a place with Him in heaven. This won’t be easy though. I mean, just look to the story of Job.

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. Even though this was my mantra since childhood, I also whole-heartedly agree with the words of Pastor Brian, “I did all of my sinning after being a kid.” Thankfully though, a few verses later in Romans chapter 8, we find that nothing can separate us from God.

“ 38 …nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor

demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of

hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

- Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

Once we truly accept Jesus as our savior: by asking for Him to come into our hearts, believing that Jesus is God’s son, and confessing our sins asking for forgiveness, there is nothing that can separate us from God. We might need some help along the way to realign our lives according to His plan and purpose, but that’s why He also sent the Holy Spirit – to help guide and direct us along His path.

Let’s Pray:

Thank you for sending your Son to live a life that can be an example for us and for dying on the cross to serve as the penalty for our sin. Thank you for loving us and for forgiving us for our sins. We pray that we can live our lives according to your purpose and we pray that we seek your help when we may stray from your path. We love you, thank you for loving us.

Amen.

Day 1

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." These profound words usher us into the cosmic narrative of divine craftsmanship, a narrative that not only initiates the story of the universe but also sets the stage for our own existence. "In the beginning" marks the inception of time itself, a moment when God, in His infinite wisdom and boundless creativity, embarked on the grandeur of creation. Before the mountains stretched their towering peaks, before the oceans roared with their mighty waves, and before the stars adorned the night sky, there was God, the Master Artisan, fashioning the tapestry of existence. The act of creation is a testament to God's intentional design. Every detail, from the microscopic intricacies to the vastness of galaxies, bears the imprint of His divine craftsmanship. As we ponder the expanse of the heavens and the richness of the earth, we glimpse the fingerprint of a God whose imagination exceeds the boundaries of our comprehension. Yet, the narrative of creation is not merely a display of divine power but a manifestation of boundless love. God, in His sovereign majesty, did not create out of necessity but out of a desire to share the beauty of existence. The heavens and the earth, crafted with meticulous care, become the canvas upon which God reveals His glory. As we contemplate Genesis 1:1, let us not be confined to the temporal dimension of creation. Beyond the physical realm, this verse invites us to consider the spiritual implications. In the beginning of our lives, God is present, shaping our destinies with the same loving hands that formed the cosmos. Just as the earth was formless and void before God spoke light into existence, our lives find purpose and meaning when illuminated by the divine presence. Moreover, the story of creation transcends the first chapter of Genesis. It extends into the ongoing narrative of redemption, where God continues to create beauty out of brokenness and order out of chaos. The Creator who spoke the universe into existence is the same God who speaks into the depths of our hearts, bringing forth new life and transformation. As we meditate on Genesis 1:1, let it be a reminder that our lives are intricately connected to the divine narrative. In the beginning, God created, and in each new day, He continues to create, inviting us to join Him in the ongoing work of redemption and restoration. May we marvel at the magnitude of our Creator and find purpose in being part of His unfolding story. Let's Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for including me into the story you have created. Remind my spirit that this story is for your glory and reveal to me where I can show you glory throughout my day and in my life. Bring people into my life that can help show me your story in a new way. Amen.

Day 2

Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." This verse encapsulates the essence of God's grand narrative, woven through the tapestry of time, and echoes the eternal yearning within the human soul. In the enigmatic wisdom of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon reflects on the rhythm of life – a series of appointed times and seasons. Yet, amidst the ebb and flow of existence, there is a profound acknowledgment that God has intricately crafted every moment to be beautiful in its appointed time. This divine orchestration extends beyond the individual threads of our lives; it encompasses the entire panorama of creation. The story of God unfolds in the vast expanse of time, revealing His sovereignty over every season, every joy, and every trial. From the dawn of creation to the culmination of history, God's handiwork is evident. His providence weaves a narrative that transcends the limitations of human understanding, inviting us to trust in the beauty of His divine timing. The verse further unveils a mystery – the placing of eternity in the human heart. God, the Master Weaver, has embedded within us a longing for something beyond the temporal, a yearning for the eternal. It is a divine signature, a mark of His authorship on the very fabric of our being. In our pursuit of meaning and significance, we discover that true fulfillment lies in aligning our lives with the eternal purposes of the Creator. The story of God encompasses both the seen and the unseen, the known and the unknown. As finite beings, we cannot fully fathom the entirety of God's plan from beginning to end. However, we are invited to trust in the goodness and wisdom of the One who holds time in His hands. In the midst of life's uncertainties, we can find assurance in the truth that God, who has set eternity in our hearts, is the anchor of our souls. As we navigate the various seasons of life, let Ecclesiastes 3:11 be a source of comfort and inspiration. Embrace the beauty of each moment, recognizing that God is at work in ways beyond our comprehension. Surrender to His timing, and let the eternal longing within your heart draw you closer to the One who is the Alpha and Omega, the Author and Finisher of our faith. In every chapter of the unfolding story of God, may we find our purpose and peace in His everlasting love. Let's Pray: Heavenly Father, you are the sovereign author of all creation as well as the author of every season of life. Thank you for the seasons of life that are full of hope and the seasons that are difficult. Let the Holy Spirit remind us that you are present and a firm foundation no matter what life throws our way. Even in times of what is known and unknown you son grants peace in the storm. It's in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Day 3

Judges‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬-‭16 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” ‭‭‬ Have you ever felt like Gideon? Perhaps the Lord has spoken to you; But you immediately question what He is saying. In this text, the Israelites are under oppression. Their crops are desolate, they are living in constant fear, they have run out of options. And here we find Gideon, hiding, trying to make some flour to get by. In the midst of this crisis, God calls out to him: “God is with you, mighty warrior!” Gideon’s immediate response? - “Are you sure about that?” Did you catch that? The Angel of the Lord is literally standing in front of Gideon saying “God is with you.” And Gideon responds with doubt. It is easy for us to read about Gideon and cast judgment. However, I have to admit I have acted strangely similarly. God speaks truth to me, but the lies in my mind are so overpowering, I can’t hear Him clearly. I immediately argue. He reminds me He is for me, not against me. I rebuttal with the list of all the wrongs I have endured. “How can you be for me, God, when I have been so mistreated, taken advantage of, left in this miserable place?” What I love about this story is the Angel of the Lord’s response. He does not deny anything about the situation. He does not argue with Gideon or try to make him believe anything is different. Because the truth is, the Israelites are in a bad place, they need saving, they need solace, they need solutions. God does not deny the hardships they are facing, instead He calls Gideon to action - “Go in strength…Am I not sending you?” Again Gideon responds with doubt. He argues that He cannot save Israel… he is weak, the weakest of his family, in fact! The least of the least, “you’ve got the wrong guy, God!” Again, God does not argue with Gideon. He does not tell him how great he is or tell him he can do it on his own. No, He reminds him that God will be with him. In the midst of our trials, hardships, and painful seasons of life - how often do we cry out to God expecting Him to simply take the source of our struggles away. Only to be met with frustration when the situation does not change. We feel abandoned and overlooked, unimportant in the eyes of God. I want to challenge you that God has not abandoned you in this season of life. He is for you. What if instead of taking away your hardship - God is calling you to action? He is not ignoring what you’re going through, it is very real to Him. But perhaps He is calling you to action rather than passively hiding from the source of your trouble. When you are asking who will resolve these issues, what if He is saying “Am I not sending you?” So today let’s pray and ask God to be with us as we face the many trials life throws at us. Let us approach God boldly and ask Him to show us what He is sending us to do. Maybe our action is simply forgiving someone who had wronged us so we can heal. Maybe it is setting a boundary in a relationship in order to protect ourselves and our family. Maybe it is having a difficult conversation at work or at school. Whatever God is calling you to, He will be with you. Let’s Pray: God, I thank you that you are the God of truth. Thank you that you will never leave me nor forsake me. I pray that you will be with me today in whatever I face. Give me your power, wisdom, and courage to overcome any hardship in my life. Let me be active in my faith and help me to do what I need to do. Bring me your peace in the midst of chaos. I trust you Lord and your will for my life. Remind me of who you say I am today. Amen.