The 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd — That’s Relationship!

I shall not want — That’s Supply!

He makes me to lie down in green pastures — That’s Rest!

He leads me beside the still waters — That’s Refreshment!

He restores my soul — That’s Healing!

He leads me in the paths of righteousness — That’s Guidance!

For His name’s sake — That’s Purpose!

Yea, though I walk — That’s Progress!

Through the valley of the shadow of death — That’s Testing!

I will fear no evil — That’s Protection!

For You are with me — That’s Faithfulness!

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me — That’s Discipline!

You prepare a table before me — That’s Dependence!

In the presence of my enemies — That’s Hope!

You anoint my head with oil — That’s Consecration!

My cup runs over — That’s Abundance!

Surely, goodness and mercy — That’s God’s Love!

Shall follow me all the days of my life — That’s Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord — That’s Security!

Forever — That’s Eternity!

Amen — That’s Confirmation!

How the Apostles Died & The Death of Jesus

Matthew – Suffered martyrdom by sword in Ethiopia.

Mark – Died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.

Luke – Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous preaching to the lost.

John – Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos. The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in what is modern day Turkey. He died as an old man, the only apostle to actually die peacefully.

Peter – Was crucified upside down on an X-shaped cross. According to church tradition, it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

James – This leader of the church in Jerusalem was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he had survived the fall, his enemies beat him to death with a club. This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during His temptation.

James the Great – Son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, he was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded him, defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, the officer declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.

Bartholomew – Also known as Nathaniel, he was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in what is present-day Turkey. He was martyred for his preaching in Armenia, where he was flayed to death by a whip.

Andrew – Was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by 7 soldiers, they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, he saluted it in these words: “I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.” He continued to preach to his tormentors from that cross for two days until he died.

Thomas – Was stabbed with a spear while in India on one of his missionary trips to establish the church there on that continent.

Jude – Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

Matthias – The apostle chosen to replace the traitor, Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded,

Paul – Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

Perhaps this is a reminder to us. That our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles and disciples during their times for the sake of the Faith.

The (Scientific) Death of Jesus
At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to death. At the time, crucifixion was the “worst” death. Only the worst criminals were condemned to be crucified. Yet, it was even more dreadful for Jesus, unlike other criminals condemned to death by crucifixion. Jesus was to be nailed to the cross by His hands and feet. Each nail was 6 to 8 inches long. The nails were driven into His wrists, not into His palms as is commonly portrayed. There’s a tendon in the wrist that extends to the shoulder. The Roman guards knew that when the nails were being hammered into the wrist, that tendon would tear and break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support Himself so that he could breathe. Both of His feet were nailed together. Thus He was forced to support Himself on the single nail that impaled His feet to the cross. Jesus could not support Himself with His legs because of the pain. So He was forced to alternate between arching His back then using His legs just to continue to breathe. Imagine the struggle, the pain, the suffering, the courage. Jesus endured this reality for over 3 hours! Can you imagine this kind of suffering? A few minutes before He died, Jesus stopped bleeding. He was simply pouring water from His wounds. From common images, we see wounds to His hands and feet and even the spear wound to His side — But do we really realize His wounds were actually made in His body? A hammer driving large nails through the wrist, the feet overlapped and an even larger nail hammered through the arches, then a Roman guard piercing His side with a spear. But before the nails and the spear, Jesus was whipped and beaten. The whipping was so severe that it tore the flesh from His body. The beating so horrific, that His face was torn and His beard ripped from His face. The crown of thorns cut deeply into His scalp. Most men would not have survived this torture. He had no more blood to bleed out; only water poured from His wounds. The human adult body contains about 3.5 liters (just less than a gallon) of blood. Jesus poured all 3.5 liters of His blood; He had 3 nails hammered into His members; a crown of thorns on His head, and, beyond that, a Roman who stabbed a spear into His chest. All that without mentioning the humiliation he suffered after carrying His own cross for almost 2 kilometers, while the crowd spat in His face and threw stones. Jesus had to endure this experience, to open the gates of Heaven, so that you can have free access to God and so that your sins could be washed away; all of them, with no exceptions! JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOU! YES, FOR YOU!

VALUES

“All that is truly valuable in human society both honors God and develops man.”

I counted dollars, while God counted crosses.
I counted gains, while He counted losses.
I counted my worth, my things gained in store,
And He sized me up by the scars that I bore.
I counted honors and sought degrees,
He counted the hours I spent on my knees.
I never knew until one day by the grave,
How vain are the things we spend life to save.

What are your values — what is important to you?

Values, most simply stated, are the things in life that are most important to you. They are the guideposts & convictions that shape your decisions, actions and everyday lifestyle.

Jesus addresses the heart of the issue. Read Matthew 6:19-21.

Three Biblical Insights About Christian Values
1.) There is a strong contrast between the temporary nature of the world and the eternal nature of God’s Kingdom.
2.) Where you invest is where your rewards will be.
3.) Values are an issue of the heart. They begin there and express themselves in your actions.

My Time With God

Preparation Time
Read Colossians 3:1-4.

List the areas that you have not yet settled in your personal value system. In other words, in what areas do you at times question or waver in your beliefs and actions?

Family Values:
Church Values:
Relational Values:
Personal Values:
Career Values:

Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I feel Your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God, You have permission to reveal any wrong values in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there anything I need to know as I enter this day?”

Confession Time
Read Joshua 24:14-15.
Then confess any areas where worldly values have crept into your life…

Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read 1 John 2:15-17 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind:

Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.
Name Request

Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How to Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things.”
Be Honest with God.
Pray “Thy Will Be done.”

Prayer Requests

Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed on me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to take in my obedience to God this week:

Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying, through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse – Romans 12:2

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – Pray through Matthew 19:16-26

Wednesday – Make a list of the values you have settled in your heart to live by.

Thursday – Write a prayer of commitment to God that you will live by His values, as you understand them in Scripture.

Friday – Review your memory verse.

A Prayer For The Pursuit
God, chasing You has been more fun than I thought it would be, because You have allowed me to find You. Really, what has become clear is that You are the One who pursued me and found me. It sure is boring and tedious to look for someone you never find, but it is so rewarding to find someone you’ve searched for high and low.
As I pursue You, daily life becomes more fun as You reveal truth about Yourself. I know, though, it will also be dangerous. Finding the God of Creation and discovering His plan for your life is an amazing adventure. God, I want to know Your mission for me; I want to discern Your will for me. I have already received and run after my first assignment: to accept Your love and love Jesus in return. My first pursuit is loving You with all my heart. My second is to truly love people.
Thank You for being faithful to me when I have been stubborn and passive. I can see Your heart in Your Word and in Your work and in Your world. Your pursuit of me is what makes me chase You. And finding You makes all the chasing more than worth it. Thank You for pursuing me first. I am coming back toward You all the time. AMEN.

38 Year Wait

“Now, there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, He asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’ “
(John 5:2-6)

Jesus’ question seems unnecessary. Here’s a crippled man lying next to a pool of healing and Jesus asks if he wants to get well. You almost expect the guy to respond with a sarcastic, “Well, sir, I’m not here working on my tan!” Why did Jesus even bother to ask?
I am beginning to understand. I’ve discovered there are a lot of people who like to hang around the pool, but they don’t really want to be healed. They like to come to church, but they really don’t want to change. They don’t mind listening to a message, but they like things the way they are and they don’t want to give up their “poolside” lifestyle. They say, “I can’t get into the pool,” when what they really mean is “I WON’T get into the pool.”
Maybe you’re afraid of change. (“We’d really have to downsize.”) Maybe you’ve had 38 years to get used to a certain way of living. (“It’s not a great marriage, but it’s a marriage.”) Maybe you’re surrounded by dozens of un-healed others and have lost sight of what liberty in Christ could mean. (“Well, at least I’m a better father than he is.”)
Maybe you’re too ashamed of the condition of your heart. Maybe you still think you can make it on your own. Maybe you doubt that you have much of anything to offer the kingdom. Maybe you think it’s just too late for you. You have sensed the call of God to live on purpose — on mission — but for whatever reason, you’re hesitant to take action. God is calling you to take the plunge, but you’ve grown comfortable lounging by the pool.
But Jesus doesn’t usually speak in the language of tomorrow. Instead, He calls to you today. He’s not asking, “What if?” He wants you to consider “What now?” Ephesians 5:15-17 challenges us, “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
So, today would be a great day to settle the question. As a follower of Jesus, are you ready to follow wherever, go whenever, and do whatever He is asking of you?

Pursuing Today
What have you given up on or gotten used to? Think of a time (or times) when you clearly sensed that God wanted you to make a change or take some action. Write down what you are hearing. Share your intentions with a friend who will hold you accountable. And prayerfully resolve to “jump in” today.

Not So Alarming

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
(Hebrews 3:15, quoting Psalm 95:7-8)

On a recent flight, I found myself thumbing through the shopping catalog I found in the seat-back pocket in front of me. You know, the one tucked between the airline magazine and the barf bag. The one full of products that you never knew existed and are now convinced you couldn’t possibly live without.
And on this particular flight, I discovered what my incomplete life had been missing: the gentle progression gradual wake-up alarm clock. It had obvious appeal, promising to wake me up gently and gradually using the beautiful sounds of the Tibetan singing bowl while emitting a slow, warming glow into the sleeper’s chambers, reminiscent of a serene mountain sunrise. (Don’t lie — you’re intrigued now too, aren’t you?)
But then it occurred to me: Doesn’t this kind of defeat the purpose of an alarm clock? Isn’t the alarm supposed to be rousing, not calming? Shouldn’t it command our attention and require a response?
Many of us want the gentle progression version of pursuing Jesus. We’re okay with pursuing His plan for our lives as long as He allows us to adjust to it gradually. As long as it isn’t too shocking or uncomfortable. As long as He doesn’t demand an immediate response or drastic action. We’ll say yes to Jesus, but only after we’ve hit the snooze button a few times.
But the gentler the alarm, the harder it can be for us to hear. The longer we put it off, the harder it is for us to respond. Eventually, we may find that we just sleep right through it. What Jesus asks is often challenging and uncomfortable. It will interrupt our routine and call us to action. Why not jump up and go ahead and get moving?
Fortunately, He loves each one of us enough to keep sounding the alarm even when we grow deaf to it. But why wait for something more shocking to happen before we respond with obedience? The time is now and the day is today. Say yes to whatever He’s asking you to do.

Pursuing Today
What has Jesus asked you to do that you have been putting off? What mission has He called you to that you are reluctant to accept? What change have you been hesitant to make? Check into that mission trip; sign up for that small group or Bible study; walk across the street and meet your new neighbor; pick up the phone and volunteer at the shelter, etc. Today.

GO

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ “(Matthew 28:18-20)

One hot summer day in 1956, a young family — father, mother, and 8-year old son — was enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon at home in St. Joseph, Illinois. Two men knocked on the front door. One was named Orville Hubbard. Orville used to work in the oil fields. He had minimal education and was a very normal, ordinary guy. His friend was named Dick Wolf, and he had met this young family when the wives were in the hospital giving birth at the same time several years before. Orville & Dick asked if they could come in; they wanted to talk for a few minutes about something really important to them.There was not much else to do, so the husband invited them in.
He sat on the couch with his wife as Orville & Dick began to present the gospel. They talked about what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The couple sat and listened. Their son, playing with his trucks on the floor, was listening, too, and hanging on every word. That day changed everything for that family. The next week, the mom & dad — along with their young son — gave their lives to Christ and were baptized. Two ordinary men responded to Jesus’ missional command to “go and make disciples,” and Jesus pointed them to this family’s house.
The “Great Commission” of Jesus is not simply a wonderful suggestion. It’s not a strategic idea or a devotional illustration. It is an authoritative command. God sent Jesus to make a way for all of mankind to be rescued. And now, Jesus sends us to spread that good news. GO. Sure, it would be more comfortable to stay. It would be easier to invite them to come to us. GO. Yes, the fear factor would be lower, the expenses cheaper, the risk of rejection slighter. But Jesus commands us: GO.
Of course, He doesn’t send us alone. He promises to be right beside us every step of the way. And He doesn’t place the entire burden of responsibility on our shoulders: We plant seeds, we water, but God gives the growth. Still, our part in the mission is to GO. TELL. Make disciples, teaching them to obey Jesus too.
I’m sure that Orville & Dick could have found other things to do that day. My guess is they were pretty nervous when they knocked on that door. But two men obeyed Jesus’ command to join in His mission. By the way, the couple who answered the door that day, Kyle Idleman, who wrote the book, “not a fan.”, calls Grandma & Grandpa. That little 8 year old boy playing on the floor, was his father. I think it’s fair to say that without Orville & Dick’s willingness to GO, he might not be a Christian, or minister today.

Pursuing Today
Take some time to trace your own spiritual family tree. Do some homework; make some calls.This might take some time, but it could be very rewarding. Thank God for obedient parents, co-workers, or friends. Now consider this: Who is Jesus calling you to go and tell? Eternity is at stake. Commit to respond in obedience today.

When Jesus Says NOT To Follow

“The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’ So, the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”
(Luke 8:38-39)

Sometimes, Jesus says not to follow Him. Let me explain. In Luke 8, we meet a man who is off-the-charts crazy. He is certifiably out of his right mind. Luke records that he had been running around naked and homeless for a long time. He spent most of his time in the cemetery just up the way from a very frightened group of townspeople. They tried chaining him up, but his demonically acquired strength was too much. Perhaps the only grace was that the demons drove him into solitary places.
And then Jesus invades his personal space. Their encounter is fairly brief. The legion of screaming demons is no match for Jesus, much like Richard Simmons is not in the same league as Chuck Norris. (By the way, have you heard that when Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, he had 3 missed calls from Chuck Norris? Or that when Chuck Norris enters a room, he doesn’t turn the lights on, he turns the dark off? I could keep going, but I won’t.) The confrontation is a “no-contest” before it even begins. Jesus drives out the demons, and the man is restored — sitting peacefully, dressed modestly, and thinking rightly.
As you might imagine, he is overcome with gratitude. He is eager to spend more time with this powerful healer. He begs for the privilege of going with Jesus, but Jesus says no and sends him away with a mission: “Return home and tell how much God has done for you” (Luke 8:39). The very next phrase of that same verse records his immediate, complete obedience: “So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”
Sometimes Jesus says not to follow Him. A Jesus follower is obedient above all else, so when Jesus Himself tells you to go home, that’s what he wants you to do. When He tells you to get out of your comfort zone and tell others about Him, silently sitting in your saved seat in the sanctuary (say that 6 times in swift succession) isn’t really a good option. Maybe you’d rather rehearse your story a little longer. Perhaps you’re not terribly sure you will be well received. You question whether you’re qualified to go, or you assume that your neighbors will hear the good news from someone else.
But just maybe, Jesus is telling you that it’s time to quit hanging out with the preacher and the church folks and actually start rubbing shoulders with some lost people. Come to think of it, He actually put it this way: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Matthew 9:12).

Pursuing Today
Reflect on this: Could Jesus be challenging you to move from theory to practice as you pursue Him? What is keeping you from “returning home and telling others what God has done for you”? Obey Him. Introduce (or re-introduce) yourself to the people who live right around you. And then, begin to tell them how Jesus has changed you.

Your Weakness Is Strong

“For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:10-

The apostle Paul made the statement above, and we all know how he was converted on the road to Damascus. In one blinding moment (literally), he was changed from being a Christian-killer to an evangelist, and for the rest of his life he suffered greatly for the cause of Christ. He rose far above his arrogant and vicious past, pouring himself out for the sake of the gospel. He learned to delight in his hardships, because they made it possible for him to lean hard on God’s strength for everything.
Chuck Colson was a kind of modern-day Paul. Before he founded Prison Fellowship, he was the last person you would expect to be converted. As Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon, he was known as a ruthless and corrupt hatchet man. He ended up in prison for his part in the Watergate cover-up, and it was there that he came to know Jesus.
Once, preaching at a Christian college commencement, he said:
“The great paradox of my life is that every time I walk into a prison and see the faces of men or women who have been transformed by the power of the living God, I realize that the thing God has chosen to use in my life is none of the successes, achievements, degrees, awards, honors, or cases I won before the Supreme Court. That’s not what God is using in my life. What God is using in my life to touch the lives of literally thousands of other people is the fact that I was a convict and went to prison. That was my great defeat, the only thing in my life I didn’t succeed in.”

Chuck understood what Paul did, that “[God’s] power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). He understood that losing everything was okay, that it was maybe even necessary to experience the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8). And he experienced the same “delight” that Paul experienced — a front-row seat to the power of God in the weakness of his people. Just wait till you see what He can do through you.

Pursuing Today
You and I may not have such dramatic testimonies, but we are definitely weak. What’s your “great defeat” or current hardship? What insult or difficulty are you currently enduring? Write it down. Then draw a line through it — cross it out. And prayerfully imagine how God’s strength will be clearly seen through your weakness.

Taming the Tongue

“I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.”
(Publius – Greek Philosopher)

The tongue — what a study in contrasts! To the physicians, it’s merely a 2 oz. slab of mucous membrane enclosing a complex array of muscles and nerves that enable our bodies to chew, taste, and swallow. How helpful! Equally significant, it is the major organ of communication that enables us to articulate distinct sounds so we can understand each other. How essential!

Without the tongue, no mother could sing her baby to sleep at night. No ambassador could adequately represent our nation. No teacher could stretch the minds of students. No commander could lead his fighting troops into battle. No attorney could defend the truth in court. No pastor could comfort troubled souls. No complicated, controversial issue could ever be discussed and solved. Our entire world would be reduced to unintelligible grunts and shrugs. Seldom do we pause to realize just how valuable this strange muscle in our mouths really is.

But the tongue is as volatile as it is vital. It was Washington Irving who first said, “A tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.” It was James, the half-brother of Jesus, who first warned us about the tongue: (Read James 3:5-8.)
One word can change the course of human history. Remember, the issue is control, not silence.

3 Biblical Truths Concerning the Tongue:
1. The tongue contains an awesome power for good or evil.
2. No person can control his/her tongue by their own power.
3. We must submit our tongue to the power of the Holy Spirit.

My Time With God

Preparation Time
Read Psalm 39:1.

List out the areas in which you must guard your tongue:

1. Words to my family & friends:

2. Words spoken in anger:

3. Words spoken without thinking:

4. Words spoken out of fear or insecurity:

5. Words spoken out of selfish interests:

Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
Realize that God speaks only truth and love to you.

Search You.
“God, You have permission to reveal any wrong use of my words, and especially my heart…the origin of my words.”

Show You.
“God, is there anything that I need to know about use of my tongue as I enter this day?”

Confession Time
Again, James is not calling for silence as the answer to a tongue out of control, but discipline.
Confess the areas of your heart where your words have hurt God and people (be specific):

Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read James 3:8-12 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind.

First, reflect on the contrast of your ability to both bless and curse with your tongue:

Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.
Name Request

Petition Time – Praying for Yourself
How to Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things”
Be honest with God
Pray “Thy Will Be Done”

Prayer Requests:

Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed on me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to take in my obedience to God this week:

My Goal: To implement the above steps in the next 7 days.

Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse – Psalm 141:3

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – Ask God if there is anyone you have offended with your words, whom you need to ask their forgiveness.

Wednesday – Pray about 3-5 people who need a “word” of encouragement today…follow through!

Thursday – Write out a prayer today telling God of your commitment to use your tongue to His glory.

Friday – Review your memory verse.