Jesus Is Not A T-Ball Coach

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” -Matthew 7:13-14-

All through my ministry, in my preaching and teaching, I have tried to talk people into following Jesus by portraying discipleship as appealing, comfortable, and convenient. My intentions were good, but my interpretation was bad.
One of the reasons we are doing this series based on Kyle Idleman’s book “not a fan.” Is to consider how Jesus defined what it means to follow Him, to be more than just a fan of His. It’s also why we should keep looking for new ways to encourage people to seek Jesus daily, instead of waiting for someone, even a pastor like me, to spoon-feed them. Most of our praying should involve sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to His strong words with a humble heart and open eyes.
I really hope that as we go through this campaign and these devotionals, that you are not looking for stories about Jesus, the T-ball coach, who will pat you on the head at the end of each game and tell you not to forget your free snow cone before you go home. Because when Jesus described the life of a follower, he described a risky adventure down a narrow and difficult path that only a relatively few will take. The Jesus I know and will preach about, is unsettling. He is counter cultural in an uncool way. And He loves you so much that He tells you the truth even when it is hard to hear. It’s because He loves you that He talks more about repentance than forgiveness, more about surrender than salvation, more about sacrifice than happiness, and more about death than life. Following Jesus is anything but easy. When we read in the Gospels about Jesus inviting people to follow Him, we see that some people signed up, but many decided to take the easy way out and walk away.
So, how about you? Are you ready to follow this Jesus? It is the road less traveled, but it’s not a road we travel alone. He is with us every step of the way, giving us exactly the grace and the strength we need as we follow hard after Him.

FOLLOWING TODAY
Describe some ways in which it is hard for you to follow Jesus today. Write down a truth, lesson, or teaching of Jesus, that is especially difficult for you to act on. How is Jesus specifically challenging you to follow Him in a more uncomfortable way?

The Most Important Question

“Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.”(Matthew 16:24-25)

Are you a follower of Jesus? It’s the most important question you will ever answer, and it seems like a good place to begin this journey: Are you a follower of Jesus?
I know. You’ve been asked this question before. And because it’s so familiar, there is a tendency to dismiss it. Not because it makes you uncomfortable. Not because it’s especially convicting. The question is dismissed mostly because it feels redundant and unnecessary. You recognize that this is an important question for many to consider, but for you? Well, it’s like walking into a Lexington pub and asking, “Who cheers for the Cats?” It’s an important question, but you’re so sure of your answer, your mind quickly dismisses it. But before you move on too quickly, let me clarify what I am NOT asking. I am not asking if you go to church or if your parents and grandparents are Christians. I am not asking if you raised your hand at the end of a sermon or repeated a prayer after a preacher. I am not asking if you spent your summer at VBS and/or church camp, have ever worn “witness wear,” or understand phrases like “traveling mercies” and “sword drill.”
Many of us are quick to say, “Yes, I’m a follower of Jesus,” but I’m not sure we really understand what we are saying. One of the most sobering passages in the Bible tells of a day when many who consider themselves to be followers of Jesus will be stunned to find out that He doesn’t even recognize them. Jesus describes a day when everyone who has ever lived will stand before God. On that day, many who call themselves Christians and identify themselves as followers, will stand confidently in front of Jesus only to hear Him say, “I never knew you. Away from Me.” To be clear, that’s not my opinion or my interpretation; that is what Jesus has said will happen. Just read Matthew 7:21-23.
Whether you’ve just assumed you are a follower of Jesus or are faithfully walking with Him, I pray this devotional journey will encourage you along the way as you re-affirm your commitment to follow Him not perfectly, but wholeheartedly. And remember, we are invited to follow by the grace of God, and it is His grace that will give us the power we need along the way.

Following Today
Recall that time you first decided to follow Jesus. Where were you? What prompted you to respond? What, if anything, changed about you in those first days and weeks? Write down your answers to these questions: Are you a follower of Jesus? Are you currently living out that decision?

You cannot consistently perform in a manner that is inconsistent with the way you see yourself.

When Victor Seribriakoff was 15 years old, his teacher told him he would never finish school and he should drop out & learn a trade. Victor took that advice and for the next 17 years he was an itinerant doing a variety of odd jobs. He had been told he was a “dunce” and for 17 years he acted like one. But when he was 32 years old, an amazing transformation took place. An evaluation revealed that he was a genius with an I.Q. of 161. Guess what? That’s right. He started acting like a genius. Since that time, he has written books, secured a number of patents and has become a successful businessman. Perhaps the most significant event for the former dropout was his election as chairman of the International Mensa Society. The Mensa Society has only one membership qualification — an I.Q. of 140 plus.
What made the difference in Victor’s life? Did he all of a sudden get smart at age 32? No. What changed was the way he saw himself. I have to wonder how many of us, as Christians, are like Victor. We’ve lived far beneath our privileges because we believe what others are saying, rather than what God has said about who we are.

In 2 Corinthians 5:16-18, we are encouraged to make a paradigm shift in the way we look at Jesus, others, and ourselves. Paul tells us that if we’ve chosen to invite Christ to be Lord of our lives, we are new creatures; a new species or breed of persons that has never been seen before. Old things are gone. New things have come and we now live from new power and for new reasons. This is our “position” — in Christ. But most of us continue to live by our old experience rather than our new position. Our days are governed by what’s happening on the outside rather than what’s happened in the inside.

Truths about our identity in Christ:
We have a new position — in Christ, mentioned over 150 times in the New Testament (vs. 17).
We have new possessions — new things, spiritual resources inside (vs. 17-18).
We have new potential — a ministry of reconciliation to the world
(Vs. 18).

My Time With God

1.) Preparation Time
“For neither is circumcision anything nor un-circumcision, but the fact that we are a new creation.” (Galatians 6:15)

How have you allowed your identity as a “new creature” to affect your…

Personal Life…
Family Life…
Church Life…
Business Life…
Other…

2.) Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I affirm your work in me, as a new creature, today, and can see it especially in the area of. . .”

Search You.
“God, you have permission to reveal any area where I still live from my old identity:”

Show You.
‘God, is there any area of my self-image that I need to focus on as I enter this day?”

3.) Confession Time

Read Colossians 3:1-3.
This scripture calls you to 3 applications:

Renew your perspective.
Release your past.
Remember your purpose.

Confess areas in which you struggle with these applications:

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

. . . Read Ephesians 1:18-23; 2:5-6, 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.

Even when we were dead in our transgressions, (God) made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.

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

6.) Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing for the people of whom you will now intercede. Pray Paul’s prayer from Ephesians 1:18-21 for these people.

Name Request

7.) Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How to Petition God Properly:
. . . Talk to Him about who you are and who you see yourself to be.
. . . Be honest with God. Tell Him about those areas of your self- esteem that still need the impact of the Holy Spirit & truth.
. . . Pray “thy will be done.”
Prayer Requests:

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

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed upon 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.

9.) Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying through the eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because He has placed you in Christ and has changed your identity!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

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

THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE – (2 Corinthians 5:16-18)

This Week’s Time Alone With God:

Monday – This Lesson.

Tuesday – It’s amazing to think that over 150 times in the New Testament, God refers to us in our new identity: “in Christ.” The words, “in Him”, “with Him,” or “in Christ” are everywhere in Paul’s letters. Today, why not meditate and apply some of those descriptive references? As you look them up, you’ll notice you have wisdom in Christ, you are righteous in Christ, you have the same grace & power that Jesus experienced, now that you’re in Christ. The list goes on and on.
Below is a list of references that will get you started. Jot down what the passage says about you, in Christ. Then, meditate on that truth:
2 Corinthians 5:21
Romans 8:1-2
1 Corinthians 1:30
Ephesians 4:7
Romans 12:3
Ephesians 1:19-20

Wednesday – In those areas of your life that you struggle with seeing yourself in Christ, (see Confession Time from the beginning of this week), jot down your thoughts as to why you struggle. Here are some “trigger” questions to help you get started:

Q: What are the top 3 areas of your life where you struggle with a healthy, biblical self-esteem?

Q: What “voice” or “lie” have you chosen to believe instead of God’s Word?

Q: Has something happened in your past (i.e. a family relationship or work situation) that has made this area a struggle for you?

Q: What is the specific truth God has declared about you, regarding those areas of your life?

Thursday – From the passage in Colossians 3:1-3, we discussed 3 applications earlier:

We must renew our perspective.
We must release our past.
We must remember our purpose.

Q: Why have you not allowed the principle of position (our position in Christ) to affect your self-image?

Q: What is it that keeps you from letting go of your past?

Q: What steps can you take to enable you to cling to your God-given purpose as a Christian in ministry?

Friday – Like our salvation, our spiritual growth doesn’t come by working for it, but by faith. Every step forward in God’s kingdom is a step of faith: seeing something in the spirit realm before it is realized and can be seen in the physical realm.
Experiencing our new identity in Christ requires us to take God at His Word concerning what He’s said about us. Based upon this week’s prayer and study, begin praying for these truths to be realized in your life.
Then, intercede for your loved ones, particularly those who struggle with their security and identity in. Christ, and pray for these truths to be realized in their life as well.

The journey really does start here: learning to be a committed follower. It could be tempting to jump ahead in a desire to be a spiritual leader. It might sound more productive to prescribe 25 days of action steps designed to transform your spiritual life. But it all begins with making a simple decision to follow and learning what it means to live that out daily.
Many Christians and churches work so hard to turn discipleship into a program or curriculum. While those tools can be helpful, the most committed disciples are those who walk closely with their teacher. “What does the lord require of you? …to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Disciples follow well when they know the teacher well.
For these first 25 days of our journey together, I simply want to encourage you to deepen your relationship with Jesus. Really get to know Him better, again, or maybe for the first time. Even more than that, I pray that knowing Him more intimately will lead to following Him more passionately. That’s why you’ll see a daily challenge at the end of each devotion, giving you a practical way to “Follow Today.”
Wherever you are on your faith journey, I hope you’ll take the next step toward Jesus. None of us has yet arrived. I think you’ll find the closer you walk in relationship with Him, the more committed a follower you’ll become.
We’ll start tomorrow. Until then, May God bless you!

Humility is the ability to see ourselves as God describes us.

During the 1970’s, Muhammad Ali reigned as the heavyweight boxing champion for most of the decade. And, no one was more aware of his greatness than Ali himself. He would call himself King, Superman, God, and on countless occasions would remind everyone: “I am the greatest.”
After boarding an airplane one day, however, Ali met his match. The flight attendant was walking up the aisle making sure everyone had their seat belts fastened, when she noticed Ali had not fastened his. When she asked him to do so, he just grunted: “Hmph! Superman don’t need no seat belt!” Unimpressed, the flight attendant just smiled and said, “Sir, Superman don’t need no airplane.” Ali buckled his seat belt.

1 Peter 5:6-7 teaches a profound, yet often overlooked truth. We are instructed to “humble ourselves,” but we frequently miss God’s counsel on how that is done biblically: by casting all our cares on Him. Human pride cannot receive help, nor will it ask for it. Consequently, God “opposes the proud, and gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6). So, when we cast all of our cares on Him, we are in absolute humility, since we are trusting God to intervene, direct, and empower all that we are concerned about. The Tower of Babel, in Genesis 11 is a classic example. The people’s goal was to build a tower that would reach heaven. Actually, that sounds rather noble to me! However, they were operating in pride and self-sufficiency. No call to God for help. Consequently, God confused their efforts and began beseech in the people to return to Him in recognition of their need.

Here is the Contrast between Pride & Humility:

Pride demands equal rights — Humility sees life as a gift.
Pride relies on personal effort — Humility relies on God’s power.
Pride is what religion is built from — Humility is required for the Christian; God gets the glory.
Pride focuses on measuring up — Humility focuses on undeserved mercy.

How Do We Enter into Humility?

Acknowledge our own weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Cast our cares on God (1 Peter 5:7).

My Time With God

1.) Preparation Time

“For thus says the High and Exalted One…I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit, in order to receive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15)

God says He dwells in two places: the holy place and the lowly place. List areas in which you struggle with human pride and self- centeredness in your…
Personal Life:
Family Life:
Church Life:
Business life:
Other:

2.) Waiting Time

During your waiting time, Let God…

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

Search You.
“God, You have permission to reveal selfishness & arrogance in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there any ‘care’ that I need to cast on You as I enter this day?”

3.) Confession Time
“Why does God want to humble a person? Nobody can work for God until humility has taken hold of his life. Otherwise he magnifies himself out of all proportion to God.” (Paul Rader)

“I believe that the first test of a truly great person is their humility. I do not mean by humility, doubt of his own power. But really great people have a curious feeling that greatness is not in them, but through them. And they see something divine in every other person and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful.” (John Ruskin)

Confess areas that you have not cast on Him, and where you have unknowingly resisted His grace and help:

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

…Read Psalm 51:16-17 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.

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

6.) Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people of whom you will now intercede. Look up Philippians 2:3 and pray in line with what that verse says. Pray for success, for God’s richest blessings to fall on these people; start now to set aside feelings of comparison and competition. Pray for God to finish His work in them, whatever that may mean.

Name Request

7.) Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How to Petition God Properly:
-Talk to Him about your obstacles to personal surrender and brokenness.
-Be honest with God. Tell Him about your cares & acknowledge your need for Him in these areas.
-Pray “Thy will be done,” whatever that means in your life.

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

Q: What is the main thing God has impressed upon 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 these steps in the next 7 days.

9.) Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying through the eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His grace and power.

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

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

This Week’s Memory Verse: (1 Peter 5:5-7)

This Week’s Time Alone With God:

Monday – This Lesson.

Tuesday – In our Memory Verse, we are instructed there, to humble ourselves under God’s almighty hand, then we’re told how to humble ourselves: by casting every one of our cares on Him.

Q: In what areas of your life do you see yourself walking in humility?

Q: In what areas do you fail to walk in humility, based upon the fact that you sought control in those areas rather than cast them upon the Lord?

Q: What keeps you from handling these areas in the second question the way you handled the areas in the first question?

Stop and pray. Commit those areas listed in the second question to the Lord, and ask for His grace to enable you to walk in humility.

Wednesday – Read again Isaiah 57:15
Note, once again, that God defines where He will dwell: the high & holy place, and the very lowly place. 2 extremes, but 2 places that shed much light on God and our relationship to Him.

Q: Why does God choose only to dwell among and give His grace to the humble?

Q: What are the similarities between the “holy” place and the “lowly” place? Why would God limit Himself to these two places, based upon those similarities?

In your own words, pray that God would build you into a proper dwelling place for God; a place that is both holy & lowly.

Thursday – Read again Psalm 51:16-17.
It’s always interesting to note how easy it is for God’s people to become so consumed with the external “sacrifices” that look so religious, that we miss the heart posture that God is essentially interested in.

Why do we confuse the external duties with the real issues God wants us to wrestle with inside our hearts?

Jot down the obstacles to personal surrender and brokenness in your life.
Pray for yourself now, regarding the two responses you’ve just written down.

Friday – More than once, the Scripture reminds us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:6; James 4:6). In Genesis 32:24-32, we see that God wrestles with Jacob to bring him to a point of honesty and humility. Only then does he receive the blessing.

Q: Why can God not afford to trust His grace to those who are proud?

God could bless Jacob, because he finally was:
Honest with God.
Alone with God.
Hungry for God.
Broken by God.

Today, pray that these same criteria and results would emerge in your life, and in those that you love and care for around you.

A servant is someone who observes a need and assumes personal responsibility to meet that need, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Bruce Fleisher is a secure man of God who serves the people around him. He serves his wife by taking initiative to listen to her, cleaning their house for ministry meetings, making sure her car is running well, and taking responsibility to make sure they have enough vacation time together. When he is at church, he looks for specific people to encourage, he is aware of people that are standing or sitting alone, and he is always helping with room arrangements or materials needed.
People love to be around Bruce because he is always encouraging, sensitive, warm, and dependable (faithful to the task even when it costs more than he anticipated)!

Take a look at and read about Jesus’ servanthood in John 13:1-17

Biblical Principles From the Above Passage:
…Security in God is the basis for servanthood.
…We love people when we serve them.
…We lead by serving and serve by leading.

My Time With God

1.) Preparation Time
Read Luke 17:7-10.

Who are the people God is calling you to serve?

…In your Personal Life –
…In your Family Life –
…In your Church Life –
…In your Business Life –
…Other –

2.) Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

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

Search You
“God, are there any areas or people I am serving with the wrong motive?” It may be the wrong motive if we are offended if there is no gratitude or acknowledgment.)

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

3.) Confession Time
Read Colossians 3:23-24.

Confess to God any areas where you are not serving wholeheartedly as unto the Lord…

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

…Read Mark 10:42-45 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes and allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

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

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

7.) 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

8.) 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.

9.) 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!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

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

This Week’s Memory Verse: Colossians 3:23

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – Memorize Colossians 3:23

Wednesday – Serve someone in an unexpected way today.

Thursday – Read and meditate on 1 Peter 5.

Friday – Review your memory verses.

“If the meek will inherit the earth, what will happen to the tigers?”

I recently saw a cartoon with an imposing-looking tycoon leaving the church and saying to his wife, “All I’ve got to say is that if the meek are going to inherit the earth, they’d better become a lot more aggressive.”

Robert Ringer wrote a book called “Looking Out For #1,” which became a best-seller. This was a surprise to me, because most people I have met could probably have written it and hardly needed to read it! Along the same wavelength, he produced “Winning Through Intimidation,” a book widely acclaimed and even more widely practiced. Meanwhile, back in the church, preachers were still plodding on with “the meek shall inherit the earth” while many of their sheep either listened politely or said, “You’ve got to be kidding!”

MEEKNESS IS NOT WEAKNESS!

Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones said, “The man who is meek is not even sensitive about himself. He is not always watching himself and his own interests. He is not always on the defensive…all that is gone. The man who is truly meek never pities himself; he is never sorry for himself. He never talks to himself and says, ‘You are having a hard time, how unkind these people are, not to understand you.’ He never thinks, ‘How wonderful I really am; if only other people gave me a chance.”
Self-pity! What hours and years we waste in this! But the man who has become meek has finished with all that. To be meek, in other words, means that you have finished with yourself altogether, and you come to see you have no rights at all…The person who is truly meek is the one who is amazed that God and people can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do. That, it seems to me, is its essential quality.
Gentleness is power under God’s control!

My Time With God
1.) Preparation Time
In this time with God, read the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-29 and prepare yourself to learn gentleness from Him.

2.) 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 un-teachable spirit in my life.”

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

3.) Confession Time
Jesus’ 3 closest friends had some major character flaws and He didn’t give up on them. Peter, James, and John were His 3 best friends; His inner circle. As Jesus and the disciples were walking to Jerusalem, they had to stop at a Samaritan Hilton for the evening. Jesus sent a couple of them ahead. Once people realized who was coming to town, because Jesus was a hot item at this point, they told them they couldn’t come. When they came back, James & John were the first to receive the news. James & John told Jesus and asked, “What should we do? Call down fire from heaven?” Apparently, these were not gentle guys.
Then James & John’s mom came to Jesus one day and said, “Jesus, I want you to guarantee that James & John will sit at Your right and left hand.” They had major character flaws.
Peter is my favorite, because I relate to him the most: talking out of turn; always rushing into things; impulsive; sticking his foot in his mouth. It was Peter who cut off the high priest’s servant’s ear when they came to take Jesus away; it was Peter who pushed past John in the tomb; it was Peter who denied Jesus 3 times. It’s no wonder, in Luke 9:41 Jesus in essence said, “How much longer do I have to put up with you guys?”
Jesus saw the power of their potential, and He knew that as they would give Him control over their personalities, as they would be honest about their defects which God could change, they could become powerful for the kingdom of God. And that’s exactly what happened — these 3 men became pillars of Christianity & the early church. Jesus didn’t give up. They were a little raw at first, but He hung in there.

Confess to God the “raw areas of your life” that are NOT under His control:

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

…Read the following passages slowly a couple of times:
Proverbs 15:4 Philippians 2:4-5 2 Peter 1:7
James 4:1-2 James 3:16
…Close your eyes and allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

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

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

7.) Petition Time
How to Petition God Properly
…Talk to Him about the “little things”
…Be honest with God
…Pray “Thy will be done”
Prayer Requests

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

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

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to take in my obedience to God:

9.) 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!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

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

When someone disappoints you, are you gentle or judgmental? Your response will determine the health of that relationship. Elijah was a great prophet of God. He had some successes and he had some failures.
1 Kings 19 tells us Elijah had just had the most glorious day of his career. He had just defeated 450 prophets of Baal and things were looking good. Except for one thing: there was this woman, Jezebel, chasing him. For some reason, he just lost it and started running from her. As he was running through the wilderness, God came to him and asked him what he was doing there. Elijah said, “I’ve been very zealous for the Lord, I’ve been doing all this work and I just can’t take it anymore.” God told him to go to a cave and wait for Him.
If you knew you had just disappointed God and He told you to go to a cave and wait for Him, what would you be thinking? I think he was a little stressed. He may have been thinking God would say, “Elijah, you’ve had all these victories, and a woman starts chasing you and you run for cover. What’s wrong with you? After all I’ve done for you, and you still don’t trust Me?” Or “This is it! You’re so weak and timid, I’m not going to be able to use you anymore.” As Elijah was rehearsing these things in his head, the Word of the Lord came to him.
God told him to go out and stand before Him on the mountain. As he stood there, the Lord passed by and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire was the sound of a gentle whisper. That’s where God was. Elijah was expecting a flying fist from heaven — he was ducking, expecting a knock-out punch from God, and God came gently, not with judgments or condemnation.
The same is true for us. When we blow it, God is not waiting for you with clenched fists. He’s waiting for you with open arms — just like the prodigal son who came home after squandering half of his father’s wealth, with his head hung in shame, fully expecting to get blasted by his dad. His dad didn’t say, “See, I told you so. I knew you would blow it all.” No. He greeted him with open arms and said, “My boy’s home.” God wants us to run to Him, not against Him.
When someone disappoints you, are you a raging wind that comes in and starts blowing everyone around? Or an earthquake who starts shaking people up? Or a fire who rages? Or do you respond in a gentle whisper? There’s power in gentleness. It gets people’s attention. I think Elijah was shocked at God’s response. Gentle people have their expectations under God’s control.

This Week’s Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:2

This Week’s Time Alone With God
Monday – This lesson

Tuesday – Is my personality under God’s control? Remember the illustration of Jesus’ disciples? Write down an area or two of your temperament that is not under control.

Wednesday – Are my words under God’s control? Carefully watch what you say today. Remember, each word is a gift.

Thursday – Is my perspective under God’s control? If it is, you will start seeing and working for the benefit of others, not just yourself.

Friday – Are my responses under God’s control? Gentle people are proactive, not reactive.

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his own spirit, than he who captures a city.”
(Proverbs 16:32)

A Proactive person is self-controlled.
A Reactive person is other-controlled.

Today, respond to people & situations with a gentleness of spirit.

Failure is not falling down — failure is staying down.

Mary Lou Retton, America’s Golden Girl gymnast at the Summer Olympics in 1984, said that, to succeed, one has to set her goal and be willing to pay the price to achieve it. “Achieving that goal is a good feeling, but to get there you have to also get through the failures. You’ve got to be able to pick yourself up and continue.”

Everyone falls, but not everyone fails. It depends on whether you fail backward or you fail forward.
We fail backward when:
Failure keeps us from trying again…
We become negative about life…
We make excuses and blame others…

We fail forward when:
We learn from our failure…
We discover our own true self…
We turn everything over to God…

“On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.”

Look up & read the following Scripture passages:
Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 23:14; Lamentations 3:22-23;
Matthew 6:20; 1 Peter 1:9; John 10:28; 1 Corinthians 13:8, 13

My Time With God

1.) Preparation Time
List the failure issues you are “wrestling with” in your…
Personal Life:
Family Life:
Church Life:
Married Life:
Other:

2.) Waiting Time
Remember the incredible love the father showed his prodigal son when he returned home after a time of failure?

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 motive in my life.”

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

3.) Confession Time
“The thief (Satan, the author of failure) comes only in order that he may steal and may kill and may destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance — to the full, till it overflows.” (John 10:10 Amplified)

The devil’s mission is to hurt. Jesus’ mission is to heal. Confess areas in your life that have failed because your focus was on the evil one. Confess your desire today to change your focus to the One who promises a full life.

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

…Read Luke 15:12-32 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture & allow God to minister to you.

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

6.) Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede. Pray especially for people who have failed or feel like a failure…

7.) 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

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

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

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to take in my obedience to God:

9.) 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!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

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

This Week’s Memory Verse: John 10:10

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – The beginning of this lesson focused on things that will not fail. Read them. Can you think of others?

Wednesday – Read again the story of the prodigal son. Put yourself in the place of the 3 characters. Which one of the 3 was a failure in the end? Could it be that an attitude of failure is worse than a failure in action?

Thursday – Failure Formula: People fail in direct proportion to their willingness to make excuses for their failures. In what areas are you making excuses?

Friday – Satan’s strategy: “Get Christians preoccupied with their failures. From there the battle is won.” (C.S. Lewis in “The Screwtape Letters”)

Read Philippians 3:13

“I must have an immense quantity of mind. It takes so long to make it up.”-Mark Twain-

The personnel manager had advertised a job opening, and a large group of applicants was waiting in the waiting room. The first young man was ushered into her office, and she began explaining the job to him.
“We need someone in this job who can make fast decisions,” she said, “someone who can really think on his feet. Can you show me that you’re capable of doing that?”
Without a word, the young man got to his feet, stuck his head out the door, and announced to all the other waiting applicants, “Okay, you guys. You can all go home – this job’s just been filled.”

This lesson deals with the daily decision-making process in the life of a Christian. A look at the life of Christ will help you develop a game plan for the continued decisions you must make in life.

Decision-making Principles in the Life of Christ
The Lord always dealt with stressful situations in the same way, whether it was temptation in the wilderness or the hour of decision at Gethsemane. He made the right choice and obeyed. Why, and how?

He held to His objectives. It is impossible to make difficult decisions without a sense of personal destiny. Jesus knew His divinely-appointed assignment and would not be side-tracked or seduced. His heart was fixed on the cross. Every decision He made was tested against His calling.
In order to hold to my God-given objectives, I must wear blinders, like a racehorse, that remove potential distractions from my life, for “my heart is fixed.”

He heeded God’s Word. Jesus didn’t make decisions based on human reason, but stood firmly on the sure Word of God saying, “It is written.” God’s Word answers questions and clears away the fog of confusion that comes from listening to too many voices.
Life can be simpler when we live in accordance with His Word. Most of the struggles in our lives are the result of not doing what we know is right. My dad’s spankings certainly taught me that. If we heed God’s Word, He will fight for us, not against us.

He helped others before Himself. Many people feel used at times, but being used is different than LETTING yourself be used. Serving means unselfishly choosing to put others first without harboring bitterness, anger, or resentment. Jesus said, “No one takes My life; I give it.” When you truly live for others, decisions are much easier to make. You’ve already decided to put others first. J.H. Jewett said, “Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.”

He honored God’s will. Jesus said, “I only say what I hear my Father say, and I only do what I see Him do.” He restricted His decisions to the will of God. When He spoke to people, He was only saying to them what God the Father had already been saying to them.
Life can be simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. If I resist His will, my destiny rests solely in my hands, but if I am obedient to His will, my future rests with Him.

He humbly prayed. Jesus prayed all the time. That was His custom. His faithful example is a constant reminder that the weapons of warfare at our disposal are heavenly, not worldly.
On the night before He named His 12 disciples, He climbed up onto a mountainside and talked to His Father through the night.
In Gethsemane, the night before He went to the cross, He wrestled in prayer through the long dark hours, while the disciples slept.
Scripture says, “Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). We understand it by coming before Him and saying, “Well, Father, I want Your will in this situation, but it’s not clear to me what it is You want me to do.”

My Time With God

1.) Preparation Time
“Rather than viewing our circumstances as God-caused, we should view them as a point on a continuum. Our vocation as human beings is to make decisions, and God’s part in our lives is to work with us. He plants His Holy Spirit in our heart and He begins to change the kind of person we are. When we change, our values change, then our decisions change. Our relationship with God is a process of changing our values to agree with His so that the decisions we make will be godly ones.”

-John Boykin, author of “The Gospel of Coincidence”-

Prayer: “God, change me into the person of your desires. May my heart beat as Yours, so that my thoughts will be Your thoughts, Amen.”

2.) 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 motive in my life.”

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

3. Confession Time
Confess the areas where your heart is NOT like God’s. Right decisions are a result of a right heart.

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

…Read Proverbs 3:1-12 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes and allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

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

6.) Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.

Name Request

7.) 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

8.) 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:

9.) 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!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

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

This Week’s Memory Verse: (Proverbs 3:5-6)

This Week’s Time Alone With God
Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – Memorize the 5 decision-making principles in the life of Christ.

Wednesday – Go to the Preparation Time: How is God changing you? Is it making a difference in your values? What decisions are different today than the ones you would have made a year ago?

Thursday – Go to the memory verse; circle the 4 verbs. What are your responsibilities? What are God’s responsibilities?

Friday – The memory verse has 3 applications:
God will do His part, but we must do our part…
God wants our total trust…no games…
God can handle every area of our life…

There is no limit to what God can do through the man or woman who is fully committed to Him.

Daniel knew the meaning of commitment. When he and his 3 teenage friends were carried away captive to Babylon, he knew trying times would come. He “made up his mind that he would not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8) And he didn’t. He took a risk — made his stand — and God blessed him and his friends. They were sharp young men who excelled in their training. Soon, Daniel found himself on top of the heap — if being second to the king can be called that. Jealousy and rage flew about the palace.

The king made a stupid decree that all people could pray only to him. The palace plotters knew well Daniel’s practice of praying to God 3 times a day in view of anyone who wanted to look. With full knowledge of the consequences — being thrown to the lions — Daniel kept his commitment to God. He didn’t hide. He didn’t scratch his head thoughtfully as he pretended to work on other things. He knelt and prayed. And the plotters caught him.

Daniel had no promise of deliverance. He counted the cost and kept his commitment. He was thrown to the lions. Of course, you know that the lions kept him warm through the night and waited for a morning breakfast of palace plotters. But Daniel didn’t know that would happen. The choice belonged to God. Hebrews 11:32-40 records a list of events that went both ways for committed believers — some to victory and some to suffering and death.

Jesus gives the cost of commitment in Luke 14:25-30. Please find and read this passage.
In this passage, Jesus teaches us 3 things about commitment:

1.) Count the cost before we commit.
2.) Costly, life-changing commitments flow from a life of smaller commitments.
3.) We make the commitment & leave the results to God.

MY TIME WITH GOD

1.) Preparation Time

Read Luke 6:49

What commitments is God calling you to make in the following areas?
Personal Life:
Family Life:
Church Life:
Business Life:
Other:

2.) Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

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

Search you.
“God, are there any commitments I have made that I am not acting upon with full completion?”

Show you.
“God is there anything I need to know as we enter into this day?”

3.) Confession Time
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)

Confess to God any commitments you have made to people or activities that were made without thoughtful prayer or wise counsel:

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

…Read Hebrews 12:1-3 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.

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

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

Name Request

7.) 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

8.) 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.

9.) 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!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

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

This Week’s Memory Verse: Psalm 37:5

This Week’s Time Alone With God:

Monday – This Lesson.
Tuesday – Memorize Psalm 37:5.
Wednesday – Prioritize the commitments in your life.
Thursday – Read & Meditate on Proverbs 20 & 21.
Friday – Review your Memory verses.