TAG CAMP DEVOS
So, camp is over. It was great, but now we’re back home. Now what? Is it “life back to normal” for you?
God did amazing things at camp, but He’s not just God at camp. He is God today. Let’s take some time to stay connected to what He is doing in our lives.
Over the next 11 Days, take time to read one devotional each day as you continue on in your journey with Jesus.
Day 1
IT’S BETTER…
Do you have any favorite “God time” moments from camp?
Would you like God to bring more of those in your life?
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. NIV
This is not something new. It has been part of God’s plan all along. He has already begun a good work in you (Phil 1:6), and he wants to complete it. God has done his part, now it’s up to us to do ours.
Phil 2:12 “So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].” AMP
Sitting around waiting for another God moment to happen isn’t how He planned things to work. He is waiting for us to “cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity.”
There are things you can do, not to help God, convince God, or manipulate Him, but to position yourself, your heart and your mind, to be where He is.
In the next several days, we will discuss things we can think about and focus on to be receptive to what God wants to do in our lives. They are not a secret formula or magic words. They are principles He has given us so we can participate in what He wants to do in our lives and the lives of those around us.
This is not intended to be just a quick 11-day devotional to complete, check the box, and then move on from. We hope this will be something you can refer to over and over again to continually position yourself to be receptive to God.
John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” NIV
If we want a better life, we must stay connected to him. If we stay connected, we will “bear much fruit”.
Are you ready for “Better”?
Prayer:
God, you are awesome. Your work in my life is amazing. Thank you for guiding and directing me toward the good things you have planned for me. Give me the strength and endurance needed to see your plan fulfilled in my life. Forgive me when I stumble and fall short. Help me to get back up and keep going. You are my source and my strength. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Day 2
JESUS MAKES IT BETTER…
Life is full of stuff. Some good, some bad, some indifferent. What you experience in life can be greatly affected by what you focus on. At camp, we spent a good amount of time focusing on God and what He has planned for us. Now that we are back home, it is easy for us to focus on other things.
Heb 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” NIV
There is a difference between things that hinder you and things we know are sin. Most of the time, we do an okay job recognizing sin in our lives. Hopefully, we are working on doing that less. But what about the things that hinder us? They aren't sins, but if they aren’t helping you experience more of God then you might want to consider doing them less, or completely getting rid of them. Sometimes, even good things can get in the way of us following Jesus.
Do you know what those things are for you? They are different for everyone. Ask God what is hindering you. Then decide if you are willing to set it down so that you can experience “better”.
Sometimes coming home from camp is a lot like what Peter experienced in Matt 14:18-33. He had just experienced a major camp miracle (feeding 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish) and then he came back home and got in his boat. Normal life happened earlier than he expected when the wind and waves picked up. Then Jesus showed up and he got excited, like he was sharing his testimony at TAG or something, and Jesus called him out of the boat and he started walking on the water. It was amazing, and things seemed better again, but then he remembered camp was over and he started looking at the wind and the waves again and he started to sink.
Peter could have experienced so much more had he just kept his eyes on Jesus. Can you relate? Have you taken your eyes off of Jesus since camp? We’ve all had the opportunity to look at the wind and waves. But, as soon as Peter called for help, Jesus was right there lifting him out of the water, back into the boat and the storm stopped.
If you’ve found yourself sinking because you are looking at the wind and waves, call on Jesus. Get your attention back on Him. He will help you through the storm.
Prayer:
Heavenly father, thank you for being my strength and my strong tower. You are my Rock, and on you I put my trust. Thank you for helping me in the middle of the storm. Help me to keep my eyes on you. Remind me that you are present with me all the time, every day. Forgive me for looking away and allowing myself to be distracted by things that hinder me. Help me to identify them. Give me the strength to set them aside. All I really want is you, Jesus. In your name I pray, Amen.
Day 3
TIME WITH GOD MAKES IT BETTER…
We spent a crazy amount of time with God at camp. It was built into the schedule. But, now we are back home and it’s up to us to make that time happen.
Don’t be quick to jump back into the same routine as when you left for camp. Avoid staying up late playing video games or scrolling on your favorite social app. Decide you aren’t going to lay in bed until noon on snapchat with your friends. Don’t allow yourself to binge watch that series that just streamed on netflix. Take some time to make some time for you to be with God. Make sure you put him in your schedule.
Have you heard the saying “Good things happen for those who wait”? It sounds like something someone says to you when they want you to be patient. Too often we want to rush from one thing to the next. We haven’t allowed for any slow time or downtime in our schedule to wait on God. (Notice we said “wait on”, not “wait for”.)
That’s kind of what happened right after Jesus was resurrected. You can read about it in John 20:1-18. Mary went early in the morning and found the tomb empty, so she ran to get Peter and John. They ran back with her and found the grave empty. Verse 9 says they still didn’t understand that Jesus told them this would happen. They didn’t wait around to see if they could figure it out. Instead they went back home, discouraged.
Something was different for Mary. She waited a little bit longer. She wanted to know what happened. “Where is my Lord? Where have they taken Him?”
Is that where you are? Are you waiting to see Jesus again, or are you going back to life as “normal”?
Mary waited long enough to get her answer. She was the first one to see Jesus resurrected from the grave.
It seems like we don’t wait around long enough to get the good stuff. We are too quick to move on to something else. But if we can learn to wait…
Ps 46:10 says to “be still and know that I am God.” Find a time and a place where you can be quiet and alone waiting on Him. Make it a part of your daily schedule.
John 10:2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” NIV
God is our shepherd, and we are His sheep. The Bible says we know His voice and hear His voice. Don’t allow yourself, or the enemy, to tell you that you can’t hear God. He said that you will know His voice. Sometimes, most of the time, we are too busy to stop and listen.
Don’t look for Him to speak like the thundering voice you see on TV shows. He will be that still small voice, that gentle nudging you feel on the inside, the peace that leads you. Make time, take time to listen.
Maverick City voices this idea well in the song “Used to This”.
“Time stands still, Whenever I'm with You, No more important place to go, There's no rush, Not in a hurry, It's okay to take it slow. Minutes turning into hours, Doesn't really matter, I just want You, You're the only one I'm after, Spirit come in power, I just want You, Only You (all we want is You), All we want is You (all we want is You),”
Let that be you today, tomorrow, and for days after that.
Prayer:
Father God, you are faithful. You are always present. You are not far away, and You have not given up on me. Thank you for being a God who is present. Teach me to listen to your voice. Help me to know when it is you. Forgive me for not taking time to wait, or listen. I want to hear you when you shout, and I want to hear you when you whisper. Thank you for talking to me today. I will wait for you. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Day 4
THE BIBLE MAKES IT BETTER…
When you get something new, what kind of person are you? Do you read the instructions before or after you start to use it? Do you start, see how far you can get, then you check the instructions when you get stuck?
Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. NIV
That’s how some people view the Bible. They see it as God’s instruction book for us when we can’t figure life out on our own. Yes, the Bible does give us light, direction, and instruction, but it is so much more than that.
In Jer 15:16, God’s word is described as a source of joy. “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.” NIV
Psa 119:11 tells us His word strengthens us to avoid temptation. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” NIV
The Bible even says it gives us life in Prov 4:4. “Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.” NIV
Job even considered God’s word more valuable than bread. Job 23:12, “I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” NIV
Matthew 4:4 records Jesus saying “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” NIV
The Bible is more than an instruction manual. It gives us life. Shows us God's character, and tells us how He wants to relate to us. It is God's revelation of Himself to us. More than just telling us what we should do, it helps us to know Him better.
Several times in the Gospels Jesus asked, “Haven’t you read?” (Mark 12:26, Matt 21:16, Luke 6:3). Jesus didn’t talk about Bible reading as an optional extra we can add to our everyday life. Jesus expected, anticipated, and considered it normal for God’s people to regularly read and be familiar with the Bible.
Spending time in the Bible daily helps us maintain our connection with God. It reminds us of His promises, our dependence on Him, and the great things He has planned for us.
If you are reading it like a book, you are missing out. Read it like it is a letter written specifically to you. Would it be different if Jesus was sitting beside you, reading it to you, telling you His story? Maybe we should act like that is what is happening.
This is how the Message Bible reads. 2 Tim 3:16 There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. - The Message
Everytime we read the Bible, we should expect God to tell us something. We should read the Bible looking for something in it to help us experience His plan for our lives.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. NIV
The Bible is more than just a book with words on a page. It is more than good principles to live by. God’s Word is living, active, and powerful. Let it be alive to you when you read it. Let it speak to you in power and authority. Expect it to make a difference in your life.
Prayer:
Thank you God for seeing all things, knowing all things, and revealing all things to me. I am amazed at your awesomeness. Show me what you have planned for me. Teach me from your written word. Show me something new about who you are today. Help me know when I need to change. Forgive me for not giving it a place of importance in my life. Forgive me for not listening to it. Thank you for helping me see it as real and applicable to me and my life right now. Let it change me. In Jesus name, Amen.
Day 5
PRAYER MAKES IT BETTER…
Prayer is a big deal. There are loads of scriptures that encourage us to pray. We have examples of what to pray, when to pray, and how to pray.
The simplest definition of prayer is having a conversation with God. Is that what it is like for you? Maybe it’s a conversation, but it is often very one sided, with us doing all the talking. It is easy to allow our prayers to be shopping lists or to-do lists that we are giving to God.
It’s possible the disciples had the same kind of struggles with prayer as we do. Spending time with Jesus and hearing Him pray must have been awesome, and maybe a little intimidating. They asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
We find His answer in Matt 6:9-13, commonly referred to as the “Lord’s Prayer”.
While this is an amazing prayer and amazing words (maybe even worth memorizing sometime). Jesus wasn't giving them (and us) words to say. He was giving them (and us) a pattern to follow.
Matt 6:9,“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ (some bibles add) ”for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” NIV
Here is the pattern:
Honor God.
Submit to His will.
Ask for “needs” (not “wants”).
Repent.
Forgive others.
Ask for strength to resist temptation.
Praise Him
Too often, we get stuck on #3. In fact, it is possible that asking Him for stuff is all we ever do. That’s when our prayer life becomes a shopping list or a to-do list. Try adding some of these other points into your prayer time today.
James 5:16b The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]. AMP
Amazing things can happen when we pray. It is very possible, and highly probable, that most of the things we experienced at came were the result of prayers made prior to camp.
We have heard it said like this, “Little prayer, little power. No prayer, no power. Much prayer, much power.” How much power are you releasing when you pray?
When we follow God’s plan and His pattern, powerful things will happen.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, Your name is high and exalted above every name. You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. I submit to your plan and your will for my life. Have your way, Lord. Thank you for providing for me the things that I need for today. I trust in and rely on You to take good care of me. Forgive me for following my own plan, and not listening to Your direction. Today, I choose to forgive those who have hurt me, offended me, and misused me. Help me to stand strong against temptation, both my natural desires and the world's desires presented to me. You are Great and mighty. You deserve all my praise. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
Day 6
FRIENDS MAKE IT BETTER…
TAG Camp was incredible. God was awesome. Worship was amazing. The leaders were cool (hopefully). But it wouldn’t have been the same without your friends. Sometimes friends just make everything better.
God never intended for us to live this life alone. He knew we needed other people. Check out Gen 2:18, Eccl 4:12, Heb 10:25, Rom 12:4-5. He knew we needed others to help us, encourage us, support us, and experience life with us.
Prov 18:24 Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. MSG
Some friendships are very surfacy. They don’t go very deep. When problems come or difficulties present themselves, those friends don’t help much. And with all of our technological advances, friends, likes, and followers, true friends can be hard to find.
Being willing to meet another person's needs is a sign of true friendship. Just like God knew you needed friends to help you, He also created you to be the friend that someone else needs to encourage them. True friends are there to help one another.
Heb 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. NIV
Rom 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. NIV
I Thes 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
All of us need friends that speak more God into our lives. Who do you have in your life that is willing to tell you when you are wrong? Do you have someone who can offer honest, Godly advice when problems come up? Who allows you to be that friend to them?
Having other people in our lives that we can encourage or that can encourage us is all part of God’s plan for “better” in our lives. He wants us to be with others to help one another grow. He didn’t just think it was important for us to have friends. He wants us to help our friends grow in their relationship with Him.
Prov 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].AMP
What do your friends need to hear from you today? Have you prayed for them and asked God if He needs you to help them? You might not know what your friend's life has been like coming home from camp. Some of them may still be flying high on the whole camp thing. Others may have had a quick stumble as soon as they got back. Others may be ready to jump off a cliff. Do your friends need a friend to come alongside them and point them back to God?
Talking about funny videos, sports scores, good books or movies, or new video games won't necessarily change our lives. Talking about God's goodness and His plans for us, offering encouragement and help, will make both of you stronger.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you are better than my closest friend. You know me inside and out. You know how I think, what I feel, and the plans I am making. Whether good or bad, you still love me. Your love is amazing. Help me to be a friend to someone today. Show me who needs a call, a smile, a word of advice. Give me the words to say to bring life, help, and hope to them. Forgive me for not being a friend like I should. Forgive me for judging, bad talking, and mocking those around me. I choose to forgive those who have not been a true friend to me. I pray you will bring blessings and encouragement to those that have treated me wrong. Help me to say only what is helpful and not what is hurtful. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Day 7
PRAISE MAKES IT BETTER…
Some of the most powerful moments at camp were during worship. It is easy to understand why. All of us, in one place, at one time, with one focus, all of our attention on God. Amazing things happen when God is magnified and glorified.
There is a scene in Revelation 4 that describes an amazing praise and worship service in heaven. God is on His throne, surrounded by unimaginable beings, who are forever offering praise to God. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come,’ and ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’” And from His throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.
Psalms 22:3 says God is enthroned in our praise. He lives and moves mightily in an environment of praise and worship. When we spend time praising and worshiping God, we recreate that atmosphere wherever we are.
Often in life, we get things out of perspective. We live in (or around) Austin Texas, which is the 4th largest city, in the 2nd largest state, in the 3rd largest country, on the 3rd planet, in one of 4000 solar systems in the Milky Way galaxy, which is one of billions if not trillions of galaxies in the universe, which rest in the palm of God’s hand, yet we have this HUGE PROBLEM. Perspective.
When we exalt and magnify God in praise and worship, we create the proper perspective. Praise and worship takes our attention off of us and our problems and puts it on to Him who is able to help us in our troubles.
Psalm 34:2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; The humble and downtrodden will hear it and rejoice. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, And let us lift up His name together. 4 I sought the Lord [on the authority of His word], and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. AMP
It is in God’s nature to respond with goodness to those who humbly approach Him with the honor and glory He is due. (James 4:6, Prov 3:34)
So, why only do that when we are all together? Shouldn’t that be part of our daily routine? Yes, it should. Why have we allowed ourselves to think it needs all the hype and fluff to feel real?
Alone in your room, when nobody else is around, should be the easiest place for you to praise and worship God. Then it’s not about performance, it’s not about the band, and it’s not about emotional energy that a group of people creates. It is about you, admitting that you need God. In all honesty and humility, you are honoring and praising the only one who is worthy of your honor and praise. He is God, He is your savior, He is your Lord.
Prayer:
God, you alone are worthy to be praised. I exalt and lift up your name. No other name is worthy of glory and honor. You are my God, my King, my Lord. You are my source and strength. Thank you for your faithful blessings. Forgive me for lifting up others and offering my praise to men. Forgive me for allowing my worship to be expressed toward the created rather than the creator. Help me admire the gifts and talents you have given to men, but not lift them above you. In Jesus name, Amen
Day 8
FORGIVENESS MAKES IT BETTER…
Push ups, bench presses, deadlifts, maybe even giving someone a piggyback ride. How much can you lift? Now imagine lifting that amount, whatever it was, and putting it on your shoulders and walking around like that all day. Sounds exhausting.
When people hurt us, they don’t weigh us down physically, but they do weigh us down emotionally. Carrying around the weight of unforgiveness can be just as exhausting.
That is why the Bible instructs us to forgive.
Col 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. NIV
Eph 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. NIV
We even read this in the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us, as we forgive others”. But sometimes forgiveness isn’t easy. The pain is real and the hurt is deep. Letting go of the pain and hurt is hard. We don't want to let go, we want revenge. We want payback. It is common to feel like they deserve to be hurt because they hurt us.
As long as we hold on to unforgiveness the pain and hurt will remain. We want the pain and hurt to stop. God’s way to freedom and release from that pain is forgiveness. It will only leave when we learn to let go and forgive.
Forgiveness is a choice, not an emotion. Feelings change. Emotions are flighty, changeable, erratic, and undependable. It’s not very often we feel like forgiving.
Most of the time, it’s not that we can’t, it’s that we don’t want to. Forgiveness is a decision we make to let go of the pain and hurt, to allow God to deal with the person who hurt us.
“Forgive and Forget” is a nice cliché, but doesn’t always work. It is NOT Biblical.
Heb 10:17 "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." NIV
He didn’t say He would forget our sins. He said He would not remember them.
He chooses not to remember. That’s hard for us to do. We can’t forget what has happened, but we can change how it affects us.
Luke 17:3 If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him. NIV
Sometimes you will need to forgive the same person for the same instance a number of times.
Forgiveness is not for their benefit, it is for yours. Sometimes they don’t realize the pain they have caused. They don’t need the freedom or release, you do. Forgiveness brings God into the picture and He helps us bear the burden.
God would not be fair to tell us to do something we couldn’t do. If he told us to forgive, then forgiveness is possible. So, it’s not a matter of whether or not we can forgive, it’s whether or not we want to forgive. Forgiveness is something we need to choose to do.
Remember, Jesus died for everyone’s sins (1 John 2:2), and offered forgiveness to us while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8). He is asking us to do the same. And because He did it for us, we can do it for others. (Eph. 4:32).
Prayer:
Lord, I choose to forgive (name of person) for (say what they did to hurt you), even though it made me feel (admit painful memories or feelings). I choose to not hold any of these things against (name of person) any longer. I let go of the negative feelings and emotions associated with what they did, and accept your peace instead. Thank you for setting me free from the bondage of bitterness towards them. I ask you to bless (name of person) and help them wherever they are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 9
REPENTANCE MAKES IT BETTER…
When you were a kid, do you remember being told you have to tell someone you were sorry? Did you knock over another little kid on the playground? Were you ever mean to your brother or sister? What about that one time you said something inappropriate to someone else? Can you hear your mom or dad saying, “Tell them you’re sorry”?
Did you mean it? Was it a “get out of jail free card” for you? Did you learn to throw it out as a quick response whenever you got caught doing something wrong?
Often, when we define repentance, the focus is more on words or actions. When God talks about repentance, it’s all about the heart
It‘s easy for people to say the words, but not change their actions. You can even change your actions without changing your heart.
When repentance becomes a heart change, we experience the most growth and freedom.
2 Corinthians 7:9 … yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. NIV
So how do we get there? How do we say the words, do the actions, and change the heart? We can’t, at least not on our own. We need help for that.
Usually, our sorrow is followed by condemnation and guilt. But godly sorrow (2 Cor 7:9) leads to change. Human sorrow chases us away from God because of fear of punishment. Godly sorrow draws us toward God, which is where we find help.
Heb 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV
The heart changes we need to make cannot happen without God’s involvement. We need to learn to respond quickly when we make mistakes. The sooner we get God involved, the sooner we experience His mercy and grace to help us. His grace gives us the ability to overcome the challenges and struggles we face.
Why do we try to hide things from God? Adam did it in the garden when he hid from God after eating the fruit. We do it when we are ashamed and feel guilty for not obeying God. Why do we think we can hide things from God who knows all things? That doesn't make any sense.
Even though God already knows everything we’ve done wrong, forgiveness doesn't come until we acknowledge it.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV
Prayer:
Father God, thank you for being full of mercy and grace. Thank you for being so patient with me. I confess the sin of _______. I repent and turn from it. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the penalty of my sin. Give me the strength I need to resist the temptation. Thank you for freeing me from the bonds of sin. In Jesus name, Amen.
(It's ok to repeat that prayer as many times as you need, as God leads you to more things you need to turn from.)
day 10
TESTIMONY MAKES IT BETTER…
We love talking about our favorite movies, sports teams, video games, or books we’ve read. We get excited when we get to tell someone about our latest accomplishments, and heroic adventures.
Talking about the things God has done in our lives stirs the same excitement. It’s easy to talk about those things with our friends from TAG, or other christians. But outside of the church world, have we allowed ourselves to be silenced? Society has intimidated us and convinced us that sharing anything about God is offensive and/or insensitive. We need to change that.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. NIV
Power to bring salvation and change lives comes when we share the gospel (good news). We don't have to preach a sermon. We don’t have to quote scripture. We just need to share our stories.
This is super basic, but every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. That’s all you have to share. What were you like in the beginning? What problem, difficulty, struggle did you have? What happened in the middle? What did God do for you? How did He impact your life? What are things like now at the end? What are things like for you now that God has brought healing, freedom, direction, provision, or answer to prayer?
One of the main jobs of the Holy Spirit is to help us share our story.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. NIV
The Holy Spirit gives us power, or boldness to share what God has done and is doing in our lives.
In Acts 4 we read about the challenges the disciples faced when they started sharing about what God did in their lives. The religious leaders had them arrested, questioned, and demanded they not speak about Jesus again.
Their response was the best.
Acts 4:29 “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all. NIV
But they didn’t quit, they prayed, the power of God shook their house, they were filled with the Holy Spirit (more boldness) and continued to share about what Jesus had done. “And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.”
What were you like before? What did God do in the middle? What are you like now? That is your story to share.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I praise you for the work you have done in my life. You are my redeemer. You are my Healer. You are my deliverer. You are my provider. You have great things planned for my life. Thank you for changing my life. Don’t stop. Mold me and shape me into the person you want me to be. Holy Spirit, fill me with power and boldness to share what you have done. Give me wisdom to know what to share, when to share and who to share it with. Forgive me when I have not taken advantage of the opportunities in the past. Give me boldness to share next time. In Jesus name, Amen.
day 11
SACRIFICE MAKES IT BETTER…
Sacrifice? That’s such a harsh word, unless it’s referring to someone else. But we don’t seem to mind it in the physical realm. “No pain, no gain”. Isn't that saying sacrifice is worth it?
It‘s so easy to live a life controlled by our flesh. When it’s hungry, we eat. When it’s tired, we sleep. When it’s bored, we look at our phones. Not that those things are bad, but why do we let our bodies tell us what to do? What about when it tells us to do something we know is wrong? There is only one answer for that.
"Sacrifice. Sacrifice. Sacrifice."
Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. NIV
We need to put those desires to death. Sacrifice. Sacrifice. Sacri….
Do you realize your bodies are not the real you? And it's not your mind or brain that’s the real you either. God is a spirit, and you were made in His image (Gen 1:27). The real you is a spirit being. You have a mind, with a will and emotions. You live in the body that you see in the mirror. The Bible says we need to let the real us control what happens in our lives.
Rom 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. NIV
So how do we do that? Sacrifice. Sacri… (Stop that. Sorry.)
We do that by taking control of our bodies. Paul says he beat his body to make it his slave (1 Cor 9:27), so that it did what he wanted, not the other way around. We don’t have to do something just because we have a desire or a thought. We have been given self-control (Gal 5:23, 2 Tim 1:7) we just need to learn to use it.
That’s basically what fasting is. It is a time when we exercise control and don’t give in to the desires of our flesh. We don’t have to have a snack. We don’t have to sit and play that video game. We don’t have to scroll for hours. We don’t have to do any of that.
When we let our bodies control us, it’s hard to take control back. It’s hard, but it is possible. Just like exercising and “no pain, no gain”, the more we do it the stronger we get.
Set some fasting goals. Plan out when you are going to eat, or play, or scroll. And when it is not in the plan, don’t do it. Pray instead. Read the Bible instead. Get alone in your room, close the door, and dance and praise Him instead. You will be amazed at the change that comes when you live a sacrificial, controlled life.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I praise you because you are my Rock, my strength, my ever-present help in times of trouble. Through you I can do all things. You have given me power, love, and self-control. Help me to live and walk daily in self control. Forgive me for the times I give in to my fleshly desires too quickly, and for the times I don’t offer any resistance at all. Thank you for giving me the strength and ability to say no to my flesh and yes to my spirit. Help me live a self-controlled life that brings glory to you. In Jesus name, Amen.