Day 27

One of my favorite movies growing up was Aladdin. I'm sure you know it but in case you don't, a street rat named Aladdin, despised by all, found a magic lamp with a genie inside. The genie snapped his fingers and all of a sudden, Aladdin's life was a lot better off (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd07uvkTeKo).

A lot of people think of the Living God as a genie. Sad but true. They make a request (or sometimes a demand) and expect the Living God to do their bidding. But there are a lot of times when the Living God doesn't do what we want him to or he waits. We act like terrorists saying, "God, you'd better do this or else I won't believe in you." But those moments are where our faith can really be tested- not when everything is going our way but rather when it seems like nothing is going our way- will we still cling to the fact that the Living God is good, all the time even if our circumstances are not or will we throw the Living God under the bus so to speak...

Spend 5 minutes thanking the Living God for some of his characteristics (Creator, Savior, loving, merciful, just, poweful, etc.). Ask him to soften your heart and to shape you through His Word...

Check out Psalm 27; Psalm 69; Psalm 107; Exodus 2:23-25

1. Have you ever experienced a time when you felt like the Living God was ignoring you or your suffering or that He was far away and couldn't see what was going on? What was happening that caused you to feel that way?
2. What are some common things you see in all 4 of today's passages? What was happening in all of them? What was the response of the people?
3. Ultimately, what was the Living God's response (especially in the case of the Exodus passage, check out Exodus 19:3-6)?
4. How can these passages help us in tough times, especially when we're doubting the Living God?
5. Is there something in your life right now that is tough for you to face? How are you responding to the Living God? How should you and could you respond according to these passages?
6. Check out Acts 16:19-34. What had happened to Paul and Silas? What was their response to their situation (v. 25)? What happened next? How did the jailer respond (or how did the Living God use Paul and Silas' response for his purposes)?
7. Read Romans 8:28. How does this play into this study on being patient with the Living God and what is happening? What does the Living God do with everything that happens to us, both the good and the bad?

Take some time and memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:18- "give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". Remember it next time you're feeling down because of what's happening in life. Take some time to give thanks to the Living God.

Peace.

Richard

Day 26

In the last entry, we read a passage that alluded to cleaning the outside of a cup and leaving the inside dirty. As we discussed, it's easy to focus on outward behavior and most religions emphasize outwards actions. But Jesus wants to get to the heart of the matter. As CS Lewis puts it in Mere Christianity:

The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says ‘Give me all. I
don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your
work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it.
No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a
branch there, I want to have the whole tree down…Hand over the natural self, all
the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked—the
whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you
Myself: my own will shall become yours

It's an inward heart thing that then flows out into everything else that we do. So let's look at that transformation a little closer today.

Ask the Living God to make your heart new. Spend 2 minutes just talking with the Living God and sharing what's going on in life. Then spend 5 minutes just listening to him.

Check out Hebrews 4:12; Proverbs 4:20-27; Matthew 12:33-37; 1 Peter 1:22-23; Philippians 4:4-9; Psalm 119 (yep the whole thing).

1. What is the word of God compared to? What does it do? This passage refers to both the written Scriptures and to Jesus (often referred to as the Word). How does reading Scripture help us encounter Christ and be transformed according to this? How deep inside us does it go?
2. What advice are we given in Proverbs 4:20-27? What are we instructed to do "above all else"?
3. How does Jesus echo that advice in Matthew 12:33-37? How can we be made into good trees? How can we have our hearts transformed?
4. How does 1 Peter 1:22-23 explain the way that we are purified?
5. What protects and guards our hearts and minds?
6. How can we gain the "peace of God" according to Philippians 4:4-9 (list at least 3, there are at least 4)?
7. Congratulations on making it through Psalm 199- the longest chapter in the English Bible. What is the psalmist's attitude towards the Scriptures, or the Law?
8. What does the psalmist recommend in verse 9-16 to keep ourselves pure and be purified?
9. Count how many times the Psalmist mentions the Law/Scriptures/Precepts of the Lord. Do you think it/they were a big deal to him?
10. Is Scripture a priority for you? Why or why not? What can you do to make Scripture more of a priority for you?

Take some time to thank the Living God for speaking to us and making us pure. Confess anything that needs confessing and ask Him to show you ways to obey Him today.

Peace

Richard

Day 25 (or Day 27)

As we develop self-control, goodness, love, etc. then we'll see some major changes in our hearts and in our lives. Others will notice the change too- especially when we start to get a handle on some of the things we'll look at today- our tempers, jealousy and the other ugly monsters we deal with...



Spend some time praying to the Living God and sharing any concerns or fears you have about following him or from stresses that you're facing.



Check out 1 Peter 1:13-2:3; Colossians 3:1-14; Genesis 4:3-8; Galatians 5:16-26.

1. 1 Peter 2:1 begins with a "Therefore." What is the motivation for us getting rid of the list in 2:1? (check out the verses preceding 2:1, namely 1 Peter 1:13-25)
2. Do you realize that you are made holy (set apart and purified)? How does knowing that change the way you approach your life?
3. What is the spiritual milk Peter is referring to in 1 Peter 2:3?
4. What comparisons do you see between new/young Christians and a newborn baby? How does that apply in your own spiritual journey/faith walk?
5. What advice does the Colossians passage offer for overcoming our sin?
6. Most people focus on outward things when it comes to being a Christian- the do's an don'ts. While the do's and don'ts have their place, the Living God is much more concerned with cleaning our hearts and minds (like cleaning the inside of a cup in Matthew 23:23-28) because he knows the actions [do's and don'ts] will get taken care of if they're flowing out of a pure heart. That's the challenge- how do we get our hearts and minds pure and keep them that way?
7. What can we learn about our anger from Genesis 4:3-8? Especially from verse 7. Do we have to choose sin or can we choose to resist sin? Is that an easy decision (or easy follow through on the decision)?
8. What the two ways of living in Galatians 5:16-26? We can either live by the ______ or live by the _______ ________. Which do you think you've been living by? Why did you answer that way?
9. Look at the lists in verse 19-21 and 22-23. Which list most closely resembles your daily life?
10. How do verses 24-25 offer us a way to live by the Spirit?

Take some time asking the Living God to crucify your sinful nature and keep it on the cross so that you can live by the Spirit. Ask him to show you some specific things you can do to crucify your sinful nature and live by the Spirit.

Peace.

Richard

Day 23 (on Day 26)

There are a lot of times when I hear young people (and older people) say that they wouldn't do "this" or "that" or say "this" or "that" (usually in reference to swearing) in a "church" or a "holy place". But when we remember from Day 22 that we, ourselves, are the Living God's Holy dwelling place that he is creating and forming that changes things. Now it's no longer, I can do certain things certain places but instead, I have to live a certain way everywhere and anytime. So with that, the next couple of days we are going to focus on the changes that need to take place in us if we're following Christ. Some of it will involve language, some of it will involve attitudes, some of it will involve actions- all of it will involve change.

Take some time to thank the Living God for what he's doing and ask him to reveal an area or two in your life that you need transformed in...

Check out 2 Peter 1:3-11; James 3-4; Titus 2:11-14

1. What are we promised in 2 Peter 1:3-4 (there are a couple of promises that are related to one another)?
2. Verse 5 begins with "For this very reason..." For what reason should we work on verses 5-11? (hint: check out the end of verse 4 for the two reasons).
3. What are the 8 things we are to add to our lives in this passage? How do you think we go about adding them?
4. If you begin to add and possess those qualities, what will happen according to verse 8? What might we do if we don't add those things? What could happen as a result of that according to verse 10?
5. So should we begin with just trying to love everyone? If not, where should we begin going off of this passage?
6. James 3-4 is a loaded passage. Read through it 2 more times.
7. What is the hardest thing for us to control? Do you struggle with controlling it? Do you know people that say they're followers of Jesus but they "praise our Lord and Father, and with it [they] curse men"? Do you struggle with that sometimes. (and cursing men doesn't just mean using swear words, it means cutting people down with your words).
8. What are we called to do in chapter 4:7-10? How can we do that? How can you do that today?
9. Have you ever submitted to the Living God? When was the last time you did? We should strive to live every moment in submission to the Living God because that's part of abiding in Him (remember John 15 and the vine analogy)...
10. What does the "grace of God" do for us/to us in this passage from Titus? It's more than just forgiveness right? What is it in addition to forgiveness?
11. What is he redeeming us and purifying us for according to verse 14?

Ask the Living God to give you more of his grace to purify and strengthen you to do "good" today to people. Think of some specific things you could do today and tomorrow before your parents, teachers, or friends ask you to...

Day 22

We have learned that we enter into a new community through our baptism. In this new community, we are called and expected to be a "Kingdom of priests." We also learned that our function as priests is to worship (the literal translation of worship from the Bible is "adoration")the Living God in our daily lives by the way we live and treat others. We are commissioned to live "such good lives" among unbelievers that they will praise the Living God. Today we're going to continue looking at this theme of continuous worship by looking at what happens in us as it compares to what happened in the Temple in Jerusalem prior to the crucifixion.

Take some time to adore ("worship") the Living God through praising what he does and what he has done in your life and in our world.

Check out Matthew 27:51; Acts 17:24; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelation 21:22.

1. What happened in Matthew 27:51? Why is this significant for us as we consider worshipping in spirit and truth?
2. Read Paul's speech in Acts 17:22-34. What does he have to say about the dwelling place of the Living God (the "unknown God" in this particular passage)? Does the Living God dwell in things crafted by men or women?
3. What are our bodies according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 3 and 6?
4. How does that change your view of your body?
5. How do those two passages impact your view of the Living God being present with you or not present?
6. How do these passages shift the debate about worship from something "in our hearts" to something in our whole being, including our bodies? (or another way to look at it- that worship isn't just in our minds or emotions but also in the physical realm)
7. How does that impact how and when you worship?
8. Where is the Temple in the city in Revelation 21:22? Why is there no temple?
9. Based on our work and reflection today, is there anything wrong with the statements, "I'm going to St. Peters First Community Church to worship," "Let's invite God to join us this morning," or "That was a great time of worship today." How would you rewrite these statements to bring them more in line with our reflection today?

Spend some more time adoring (worshipping) the Living God through your words. Then go and worship the Living God in the world by the way you treat others and through your actions today, tomorrow, and the next...

Peace.

Richard

Day 21 (on Day 22)

We looked at the type of new community that we are invited into by the Living God yesterday. One of the key words that Scripture uses to describe the people of the Living God is "priests." have you ever thought of yourself as a priest? Most people don't but as we discovered yesterday, if we follow the Living God, he expects us to be his priests in creation. One of the main roles of a priest is to lead people in true worship of the Living God. In the Old Testament, this involved sacrifices but Jesus took care of that for us (like we looked at on Day 15) so we don't do sacrifices anymore (animal or otherwise). So what do we do as priests? How do we lead others in worship and glorifying the Living God?

Spirit of the Living God, soften our hearts and teach us today. We come today to learn from you what it means to serve you as your Kingdom priests in your world today? Shape us into priests that worship and glorify you and help others to do the same...

Check out John 4:22-24; Romans 12 (whole chapter); Colossians 3:12-17

1. What kind of worshippers is the Living God looking for?
2. Based on Jesus' statement in John 4:22 that the Samaritans worship what they do not know, what do you think it means to worship in truth?
3. Let's speculate about what it means to worship in spirit. What is your spirit? Is your spirit connected to your body? How do you worship in spirit?
4. What "sacrifice" are we supposed to offer in Romans 12:1-2? What do you think it means to offer our lives as "living sacrifices"?
5. After reading the rest of Romans 12 (verses 3-21), do you think Paul (the guy who wrote it) is elaborating on what it means to offer our lives as "living sacrifices"? What are some of the ways he tells us to offer ourselves?
6. Revisit Colossians 3:12-17. What similar items do you see in Paul's list in Colossians as in Romans 12?
7. Based on those lists, what are some ways that you (yes you) can offer yourself as a "living sacrifice" today and tomorrow in your home or in your school? Be specific.
8. Check out 1 Peter 2:12 again. If we live in a way that honors the Living God, what will be "pagans" (or people that don't believe in Jesus) response to Jesus?

It's pretty amazing how the Living God equates the way we live with our worship of him. And how cool is it that the way we live is the greatest tool we have for introducing our family and friends to the Living God. Live in such a way today and tomorrow and the day after that others around you will praise the Living God for your impact in their life.

Ask the Living God to show you opportunities to offer your life as a living sacrifice in an act of Love to Him and to those around you.

Peace

Richard

Day 20 (on Day 21)

Continuing on. While baptism marks an important step (maybe even a starting point) for living in a way that honors Jesus, it's far from the last step. Baptism marks out an invitation for us from the Living God to join a new community that he is establishing to carry out his plans and purposes on earth.

Take a moment to spend some time asking the Living God to continue working out his plan for you and for our community.

Check out Exodus 19:3-6; 1 Peter 2:1-12; Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-35; Galatians 6:1-2.

1. What kind of terms are used to describe the Living God's people in the Exodus and 1 Peter passages?
2. What is the function of a priest? Are these passages written to every Christian or just "fulltime ministers" (people like me that work for churches)?
3. If it's written for all Christians, how do you think you could be used as a "priest"?
4. What are we chosen to do as "priests" according to 1 Peter 2:10?
5. Rewrite verses 11 and 12 in your own words. Insert your name for "Dear friends."
6. Describe the early Christian gatherings that are recorded in Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-35. What are things that they did together?
7. Where do you see those things do you see in your Christian gathering times (church, youth group, or campus life)?
8. Which of them are missing?
9. Revisit Galatians 6:1-2. Was everyone in the early church gatherings the same (were they all rich or all poor, Jewish or not, white or otherwise)?
10. How do you see that in your Christian gathering times (church, youth group, or campus life)?
11. What unified the early church to cause such a diverse (lots of differences) group to come together in such a tight knit way that they would care for each other like they did in Acts 2 and Acts 4?
12. What happened to the size of their groups as a result of their life together?(Acts 2:47)

Take time to ask the Living God to teach you more about the kind of community he is inviting you to be a part of. Ask him to show you how you can help form that kind of community in your faith routine. Thank him for those in your life who are working for the same kind of community.

Peace.

Richard

Day 19 (on Day 21)

Busy... busy... busy. Three words that describe my life at the moment. How about you? We've been reading and talking through some Scripture passages that have focused on Jesus and what the living God is like. Today (and through the next 12 entries) we're going to be looking closer at how we should respond to this amazing news that the Living God loves us and has acted in history to save us and bring us to life and light. We'll begin that today by looking at Baptism- what is it, why do we do it, and what does it do... We'll handle our questions a little differently than usual.

Take some time to just chill with the Living God and praise him. Let him know 5 things that you love or appreciate about him. They can be about his character or about something he has done for you or for us (humans).

Turn to Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-41; Acts 8:37-38; Acts 16:31-34; Romans 6:3-4;1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12. Use support from the Scriptures to explain your answers.

1. In your own words, why do Christians baptize? Or, why are Christians baptized? Where do you see that reason in these Scriptures?
2. What is the purpose of baptism according to these Scriptures? Or, what does baptism do/what happens when we're baptized?
3. If you have been baptized, what was significant about your baptism (why was it important)?
4. If you haven't been baptized, would you want to be and why? What does it mean to you?
   

Spend some time praying for your parents.
Peace.
Richard

Day 18

It's a common response from most people that they feel like they're talking to the wall when they try praying. Today we're going to reflect on the account of two of Jesus' disciples following Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection and see what we can learn from their experience.

Father, thank you for being a teacher for us. May we sit at your feet this day and learn from you. Open your Scriptures to us that our hearts will burn for you. Thank you.

Turn to Luke 24:13-35

1. What were the two discussing on the road to Emmaus?
2. Why do you think they were kept from recognizing Jesus (v. 16)
3. What events do they describe to the "stranger" (Jesus)?
4. How does the "stranger" (Jesus) respond to their description of the events? What does he teach them?
5. Now it was getting late in the day and they planned to stay- what do they do with their new friend? What happens next?
6. What does the "stranger" do that causes them to recognize him as Jesus?
7. How do they describe their experience on the road in verse 32?
8. What is their testimony to the other disciples?
9. What are two significant practices/disciplines in this passage where the disciples encountered Jesus that can be moments for us to encounter Jesus also?
10. What would it take for you to encounter Christ in those two disciplines?

Spend some time talking with the Living God about what's going on. Ask him to reveal himself to you through his word.

Later.

Richard

Day 17

Sorry about being a day behind, I was wiped after our time at Little Turtle and needed to rest up. Here's the post that should have ran yesterday.



Start off with some quiet time with the Living God- five minutes of silence before Him.



Speaking of Prayer, let's check out some of Jesus' teachings on prayer. Got to Luke 10:38-42 and Luke 11:1-13.

1. What were the two different responses from Mary and Martha?


2. What does Martha ask Jesus to do and what is his response?


3. Take a moment to reflect on this account. What do you think the "one thing" is that Jesus is referring to? Be sure to look at the stories before and after this account for any clues.


4. Let's switch gears to Luke 11:1-13. What is Jesus doing when his disciples ask him to teach them to pray? Does it seem strange that they would ask him to teach them how to pray? Does that suggest that there is a right and wrong way to pray? Has anyone ever taught you how to pray?


5. What questions would you have for someone if you wanted to learn how to pray?


6. What stands out to you about the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples? Write verses 2-4 in your own words.
7. What are the two stories Jesus tells to teach about prayer?
8. What stands out to you about the character of the Living God from these two stories?
9. What is it that the Living God promises to give us if we ask him?
10. If you could ask Jesus any question about prayer, what would you ask him?

That's it for this entry. Take some time to ask Jesus to teach you the answer to your question about prayer.

Peace

Richard

Day 16

Yesterday we visited the full extent of the Living God's forgiveness for us and everything we've done or will ever do.

It's tough to imagine the Living God being so gracious with us. It's easy to let ourselves believe lies from Satan and our own sel-doubts that say that "the Living God won't forgive that" or "he didn't really forgive you." Today let's look at some stories Jesus told about his heavenly Father to see what kind of heart the Living God has for us. Remember, Jesus was the Father in the flesh- he did everything exactly how the Living God would and treated people the way the Living God wants people to be treated.

Take some time to just connect and catch up wtih your heavenly Father. Thank him for what he has done in and through Jesus.

Check out Luke 15.

1. What are the three parables, or stories/metaphors, that Jesus uses to talk his Father's heart for the lost? What items are lost and how does the owner react when they lose them and when they find the object again?
2. What would you have done if you were the shepherd? Would you have let 99 sheep in the open country unprotected from wolves and robbers to track down one or would you have stayed with the 99 and hoped the one would be found?
3. Have you ever lost money at your house? What did you do?
4. Have you ever found money in your couch or book bag that you didn't know you had? What was your reaction then? How much greater is your reaction when you find something you know you were missing?
5. What are three questions you would ask the son in the 3rd story? What are two questions you would ask the Father? What is one question you would ask the older brother?
6. Did you know that the younger son's request in verse 12 is the same as telling his Father, "I wish you would die so I could have my inheritance?" Knowing that, how would you expect the Father to react to the younger son's request? Are you surprised by what Jesus says the Father does?
7. How does the younger son plan to earn his own way according to verses 17-20? How does that compare with us trying to earn our way back into the Living God's good graces or into Heaven?
8. How does the Father ruin the younger son's plan? What are some of the things the Father does to welcome back his youngest son (list as many as you can from verses 20-24 but at least 3)?
9. What is the older brother's response to all of this? Who do you think the older brother represents in this story? (hint: check out verses 1-2) Based on those verse, who does the younger brother represent?
10. What is the Father's response to the older brother? How is it similar to his response to the younger brother? How is it different?
11. How does hearing these parables affect the way you approach the Living God? How about the way you approach and treat other people?

Having read this passage, how would your view of the Living God's grace and love for us change if I told you that according to middle eastern culture (where this story was originally told), the accepted response of a father to sons that behaved that way would be to beat them until they apologized. How much more do we appreciate the living God's grace in light of that fact?

Take some time to just bask in the Father's love for you. Reread verse 24 and think about it for a few minutes- insert your name in place of "this son of mine" and read it three times out loud to yourself: "For _________ was dead and is alive again; he/she was lost and is found.' so they began to celebrate."

Peace.

Richard

Day 15

Sorry to get this update posted so late- it's been a busy day. Funny how busyness can drive us from spending time with the Living God, huh? How different would our lives be if we followed Martin Luther's example- "Work, work from early till late. In fact I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer."

Yesterday we looked at some of Paul's writings about the Ministry of Reconciliation that Christ began and invites us to partner with him in. Today, we're going to dwell on one of the significant ways that reconciliation plays out for us- we are forgiven.

Take a few moments just to catch up with the Living God and share any thoughts or fears you have from the opening week of school.

Check out 2 Cortinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:5; and Hebrews 10

1. What promise is made in both 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Revelation 21:5? In other words, does anything change when we accept the Living God's forgiveness and grace? What changes?
2. What does Hebrews 10 say about the sacrifices that humans offered, even in the Jewish system (check out verses 1-4 especially)?
3. If the sacrifices didn't take away sins, what did they do for the people according to the second half of verse 3?
4. Take a moment to reflect on Hebrews 10:5-18. How does this passage compare what Christ did to the Old Testament, Jewish priests?
5. Throughout history, man has wrestled with how to appease "the gods." Knowing that has often involved sacrificing animals (and sometimes humans), crops, religious ceremonies, etc, what stands out to you about the Living God's solution to humanity's guilt?
6. In light of what Christ has done, how should we react in regards to how we relate to the Living God? Check out Hebrews 10:19-25 especially.
7. Based on Hebrews 10:26-31, should we keep on sinning and doing whatever we want in light of the Living God's grace? Afterall, if he likes forgiving and I like sinning, it seems like a win-win. Why do you think we should or shouldn't change (or can we change)?
8. If we're supposed to change the way we live, how do we do that?
9. What advice does the author of Hebrews offer us in Hebrews 10:32-39 when we're facing doubts and persecution (people treating us badly because of our faith in Jesus)?

If you never have, this might be a good time for you to confess that you're a sinner. The Living God already knows that but it's important for us to acknowledge it too. But don't stop there! Thank the Living God for his grace and forgiveness that he offers us in the resurrection life of Jesus Christ! Praise God that you are a new creation in the life of Jesus and that you don't have to remain in the chains of your sin.

In fact, you're not even a sinner after you accept Jesus' grace and mercy- you're a saint that sometimes sins. How does that change the way you think about the Living God and yourself?

Peace,

Richard

Day 14

Hope you had a good day at school today. Yesterday we looked at the disciples' reaction to Jesus resurrection and the commission he gave them to go forth and teach people everywhere to obey everything he had taught them and to baptize people into this new group.

Part of Jesus' mission was definitely forgiveness of an individual's sins. No doubt about it. But what does that look like in reality? Today we're going to take a look at forgiveness from another perspective, from the angle of reconciliation. www.dictionary.com defines reconcile as to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent.." Let's look at some passages how the Living God, through his followers, talks about the ministry of reconciliation.

Take time to thank the Living God for the steps he has taken to reconcile the world to himself, chiefly through the life and death of Jesus and through the life and death(s) of his Church.

Check out Ephesians 2:11-22; Colossians 1:15-23; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.

1. What is the consistent them throughout these passages? (hint: what is it that the Living God is doing?)
2. In the Ephesians passage, what are the two groups/categories of people that is Jesus is reconciling? Is he reconciling them only to the Living God or is he reconciling them to each other as well?
3. Where is the new temple (or dwelling place of the Living God) "located" according to Ephesians 2:21-22?
4. What word is repeated 6 times in Colossians 1:15-23? Is there anything that Christ isn't over or that Christ isn't reconciling?
5. Check out Colossians 1:21-23. Explain these verses in your own words.
6. How should our lives change if we believe what Paul claims in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15?
7. How does believing that claim from question 6 change the way we view people?
8. Reread 2 Corinthians 5:16-17. How does it compare with your answer to question 7?
9. How does this knowledge affect the way you think about yourself and the sins you've committed in the past?
10. How has the Living God invited us to be a part of his ministry of reconciliation according to these verses in 2 Corinthians 5:11-21?
11. How can you take part in the ministry of reconciliation in your school and in our youth group?
12. What does the ministry of reconciliation look like in your school and in our youth group?

Take some time to pray for one or two of your friends that don't know the Living God of Scripture. Ask the Living God to grant you the desire and ability to love them and share the good news of reconciliation with them.

Peace.

Richard

Day 13

What a dark day it looked like some 2000 years ago when it appeared that the forces of oppression and darkness had triumphed over Messiah Jesus. But as Paul Harvey likes to say, now for the rest of the story. We know from reading Psalm 22, which Jesus quoted on the cross, that Jesus saw the crucifixion as the means of victory- this is how the Living God had decided to win over creation and humanity again. He prayed that if there was anyother way to do it, he would but in the end he prayed, "not my will but your will be done." How would our lives and world change if we prayed that prayer and acted in obedience to what the Living God's will was?

Today we're going to consider the proof for the victory of the Living God over the dominion of darkness, the resurrection. We're also going to consider how knowing that proof impacts the way we live today and what we're spending our time doing.



Spirit of the Living God, fill our hearts with your presence today. May we love others the way you have loved us- with a love that embraces and transforms. Thank you for what you've done and what you are doing in us and in our community. Teach us to obey all that you have commanded and thank you for committing to us even until the end of this age.



Check out Matthew 28:1-20

1. Who were the followers of Jesus that discoverd the empty tomb?
2. How do you think they felt when they encountered the scene from verse 2-4?
3. Take a few minutes and imagine that you are one of the Marys in these verses. Describe how you would feel if you had seen everything in verses 2-4 and then encountered what happened in verses 8-10.
4. What happened to Jesus after he died?
5. What did the guards report back to the priests and what plan did the priests come up with?
6. Jews were only raised to worship the Living God. What does the disciples' (who were all Jewish) action in verse 17 reveal about how they viewed Jesus?
7. Check out Acts 2:22-24, 31-33, 36-39. How do these verses explain the disciples reaction in Matthew 28:17? How should we react to the news of Jesus' resurrection?
8. Do you find it hard to believe in the resurrection sometimes? Why is it so hard for us to believe it 2000 years later? What helps us believe in it?
9. What was Jesus last command(s) for his disciples?
10. Do you find comfort in the fact that Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth? Why?
11. How do verses 18-20 challenge you?

This is often referred to as the Great Commission (verses 18-20). According to the original Greek structure, a good understanding of these verses is:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore,
go (and as you are going through your daily life) and
make disciples (students of Jesus) of all people everywhere by
baptizing them and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you
And truly I will be
with you always to the very end of this earth...

1. What are two key things that have to happen/be happening for someone to be a disciple of Jesus?
2. Why do you think those two things have to happen?

Take time to thank the Father for his plan that was carried out through the cross and proven by the resurrection. Ask him to show you how he wants you to carry out his last command to his followers. Ask him to lay someone on your heart to share about him with and ask for opportunities to share the good news with them.

Peace,

Richard

Day 12- The Living God's Victory Over Darkness!!

Yesterday we looked at the events that led up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Today we're going to look at the event itself. Before we do, I want to warn you- it's easy to gloss over crucifixion passages in the gospels because of our pride telling us, "I already know this, I've been hearing it since I was 5." DON"T DO THAT. Resist that temptation and read today's passage in humility, asking the Living God to make it new and fresh in your life and he will do it. The crucifixion is one of the most significant events in world history- it even affects the way our calendars work (AD vs. BC). One of the things that I find most amazing is that the Living God chose to suffer death on a cross, a method of execution that the Romans used to humiliate and demonstrate their dominance over someone. And he did it as the way for him to conquer and take back his creation from its fallenness and the dominion of darkness. Hallelujah!!! He Has Done IT!!

Father, we thank you for choosing to embark on a rescue mission for us. We're sorry that we live in such a way that it takes something so drastic but thank you for your victory. Help us to expand your victory in our own lives and to help others do the same. Amen.

Check out Matthew 27:32-66

1. Who helped Jesus carry his cross?
2. What did they do with his clothes?
3. What was on the sign they posted above Jesus' head?
4. What were some of the taunts that people said to Jesus?
5. What did Jesus cry out at about 3 o'clock (verse 46)? Why do you think Jesus chose those words? Do you think Jesus felt abandoned?
6. That quote is actually the opening lines to Psalm 22. Check out Psalm 22 and read the whole thing. After reading the entire Psalm (especially verse 31), does your answer to question 5 change now? How?
7. What happened in the temple? What was the purpose of the curtain in the temple? (check out Exodus 26:31-33 where it talks about the curtain in the tabernacle)
8. What do you think the tearing of the curtain in the temple was meant to symbolize and communicate to people?
9. What were some of the other amazing events at the death of Jesus?
10. Who buried Jesus? Which of Jesus followers were still with him at his death (check out 55-56 and 61)?
11. Why did they post a guard at the tomb?
12. How does reading through this account, and especially Psalm 22 with it, make you feel? How does it impact the way you live?

Whew... That's a draining passage to look at but it's so good! Isn't it amazing that the Living God chose to die for us in the most horrible way and he took that death and turned it into a victory like Psalm 22 declares- "They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn- for he has done it."

Thank you Father for having done it. Because you did it we don't have to which is awesome because we couldn't have. Cause us to trust in the hope of your victory. Teach us and mold us to follow and imitate you. Amen.

Day 11

We're going to fast forward today to look at the most significant and intense days of Jesus' short life (he died around 33 years old). We saw that Jesus had power over demons but what we're looking at in today's section is Jesus' power and victory over anything and everything, including death...

Jesus, thank you for doing what it takes to bring us back to you. We've wandered in the dark for so long that it's kind of hard to keep our eyes on you and follow you everyday. Help us to know you and the power of your resurrection in our lives. Thank you for being athe Living God who overcomes the world's strength and power through weakness, humility, and love.

Check out Matthew 26:17-27:31.

It's long but it's crucial to our understanding of what it means to follow Christ and what it was that he planned to do.

1. Who betrayed/disowned Jesus (careful, this one is trickier than you might think)?
2. What did Jesus pray about during his time in Gethsemane? List a couple of things he was concerned about.
3. Imagine you were John, one of the disciples that was closest to Jesus. Write in a short paragraph how would you have felt during the events of Matthew 26:47-56?
4. Describe the scene in Matthew 26:69-75. What happened? How do you think Peter felt? In one of the other gospel accounts, Jesus made eye contact with Peter on the third denial (Luk 22:61), how do you think Jesus felt?
5. What were some of the ways Jesus was mocked by the priests, the soldiers, and the thief on the cross?
6. Why do you think Jesus didn't respond in Matthew 27:14? Why do you think the governor was amazed by his silence?
7. How does reading through the events leading up to the crucifixion make you feel?
8. What do these events tell you about Jesus and about God the Father and how they feel about you?

Today was some heavy reflection and teaching. Tomorrow will get a little heavier but a whole lot more joyful as we see how the crucifixion was part of the Living God's plan to restore his creation, all of it.

Peace,

Richard

Day 10

Yesterday we studied Jesus' mission statement, or manifesto. Today we're going to look at one passage where we see Jesus acting on his manifesto. In our culture here in Huntington, many of our friends joke around about ghosts, demons, and magic. I knew friends and people in Haiti who regular dealt with demons. Let's see what Jesus did when it came to the supernatural.

Father, we know that you Created everything and that you are over everything. Show us that you are truly the one who has the power in this world and the next. May your Kingdom, may your will be done. Amen.

Check out Luke 4:31-37 and Luke 8:26-39

1. How would you have reacted if you were in the crowd when Jesus did this?
2. How does this fulfill Jesus' mission from yesterday, at least partially?
3. Do you know anyone that is in to magic or witchcraft and demons?
4. Is Jesus more powerful than demons? How do you know?
5. If Jesus is more powerful than demons, why do you think so many people are fascinated/afraid of ghosts, demons, and witchcraft?
6. What do you think Jesus wants to see happen to the dark places in Huntington?
7. Is it hard to believe that demons really exist? Why do you think it's hard to believe they exist?

Jesus, thank you for proclaiming Good News over the darkside. Protect your servants and take back your world.

Peace,

Richard

Day 9

So yesterday I referred to thanking the Living God for his mission and what he was doing as well as thanking him for inviting us to join him in his mission. Let's check out some passages that set the tone for Jesus' mission.

Living God, we thank you for being a god who is on mission to save your creation. Thank you for saving us and inviting us to join you in your mission. Teach us today what you do and teach us how we can be part of your mission.

Check out Luke 4:14-21. Then read Isaiah 61:1-2.

This passage is referred to by one author as the "Nazareth Manifesto." It is a moment where Jesus embraces what he understands to be a prediction of him and the calling of his mission in life.

1. What are 5 elements of Jesus' manifesto, or mission?
2. Which of these 5 elements stands out to you?
3. What differences do you see between the passage in Luke and its original form in Isaiah 61?
4. Time for your opinion. Did Jesus fulfill his mission?

Check out Isaiah 61:10-11. Turn it into a prayer between you and the Living God.

Tomorrow we'll begin looking at some of the ways Jesus has been working to fulfill his mission.

Peace,

Richard

Day 8

Yesterday we eavesdropped on Jesus' answer to the Pharisees about what is the greatest commandment. We noted that Jesus declares loving the LORD your God with everything you've got is numero uno, but closely connected to it is loving your neighbor as yourself. We also saw how in the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus took the Jewish concept of neighbor and expanded it to include anyone within our reach.

It's funny but we, as humans, tend to think that our relationship with the Living God is just that- our relationship with him alone. But Jesus turns this deal up on its head. He teaches that our relationship with the Living God is impacted by our relationship with our fellow man and vice versa. Let's check out how in Matthew 25.

Take a moment to thank the Living God for a chance to rest with him and to sit and learn at his feet.

Check out Matthew 25:31-46

1. According to this, there are two kinds of people. What are they?
2. What is the fundamental difference(s) between them?
3. What happens to each group at the return of the Son of Man?
4. How does this passage connect with Jesus' teaching that the way we treat our neighbor is tied into our relationship with our Creator?
5. How does reading this affect the way you walk through your daily routine?

Thank the Living God for the opportunity to join him in his mission and ask him to give you eyes to see where he is at work and the courage to join him. Start by loving your family and friends in deep ways today...

Peace

Richard

Day 7

A couple of days ago, we wondered about Jesus' yoke that he talked about in Matthew 11:25-30. A rabbi (Jewish teacher) would have a specific way of interpreting Torah (Scripture, specifically the Law). His interpretation of Torah was known as his "yoke." So the yoke Jesus is talking about is his teaching and interpretation of Torah. For other rabbis and teachers (such as the Pharisees or Sadducees you read about in the New Testament), the easiest way for them to get a snapshot of his yoke (teaching) was to ask him questions. That's one reason why you see them asking so many questions of Jesus (granted sometimes they were trying to trap him). One of the big questions for a rabbi would be, what is the greatest commandment- let's step in there and check out Jesus' response.

But first! Take a couple minutes just to thank your daddy in heaven for 3 amazing things in your life. Ask him to teach you and tell how much you want to be his student...

Check out Matthew 22:34-40.

1. What is the question the Pharisees ask Jesus?
2. How does Jesus reply?
3. Jesus doesn't create a new commandment, he quotes two that would be well known to the Pharisess. Check out Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. Who is your neighbor in Leviticus 19:18? Would it be anyone or would it be a fellow Israelite/Jew?
4. Why do you think Jesus links these two commandments together?
5. Check out Luke 10:25-37. This is where Jesus expounds on his concept of neighbor. How does he define neighbor?
6. Take a moment to list out some of the things that stand out from Luke 10:22-37 (the Parable of the Good Samaritan).

Thank the Living God for his teaching that is easy and lifegiving. Ask him to give you eyes to see your neighbor in need and the ability to serve them and love them as an act of love and service to Him.

Day 6

Let's keep running with this Kingdom Imagery. We often tend to think that the Kingdom of Heaven is something for after we physically die at 85 but Jesus defined both Eternal Life and the Kingdom of Heaven in ways that suggest it begins right here, right now (check out John 17:3). So if Eternal Life is knowing the Living God then that raises some major questions for us- how do I know Living God? I can't see him (or can I), I can't touch him, can I talk to him, can he talk to me? Matthew 6:33 told us to seek after his kingdom and righteousness first and foremost. Let's take a look at some images Jesus used to talk about that process.

Father, give us eyes to see your Kingdom and your life right here, right now. Thank you for being the God that acts and redeems. Thank you for being the God that doesn't give up and continues to pursue us. Open your word and shape and softetn our hearts by it so we can receive you! Amen.

Check out Mathew 7:13-29

1. What are the three images images (maybe 4 if you include the warnings about false prophets) Jesus uses to describe his Kingdom followers versus others in the world?
2. Let's look at the first one more in depth. What are the differences between the two roads and gates?
3. Let's look at the second image now. What are the two kinds of trees?
4. How are we supposed to know the difference between a false prophet and a true one (the two types of trees)?
5. What will happen to the bad trees?
6. Does anything surprise you about verses 21-23? What surprises you?
7. Let's look at the third image. What are the two types of buildings/builders in it?
8. What's the difference between the two types of buildings/builders?
9. What happens to both buildings when the storms come?
10. Have you experienced any storms? Are there more to come?
11. What was the response of the crowd to Jesus in verse 28-29? How do you think you would have responded?

Daddy, thank you so much for showing us the way to life through obeying you. Help us to seek you today in the details and cracks of life and to follow your teaching. Thank you.

Peace

Richard

Day 5

Keep pressing on guys. I know that digging into Scripture and praying everyday are new practices for some of you but you'll begin to reap the rewards of a real relationship with the Living God...



So we've been looking at the character of the coming Messiah. Isaiah spoke those words 100s of years before Jesus showed up and shocked everyone. While the Jewish religious leaders were looking for a messiah to overthrow the Roman Empire, the suffering servant arrived to overthrow the Empire of Darkness everywhere.



Pray to the Living God and thank him for showing up in unexpected ways with some incredibly Good News. Ask that he'll make that Good News real to you and in your life.



Check out Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 66:22-24.

1. What surprises you about verse 1 in Chapter 65 and verse 22 in Chapter 66? What are they talking about?
2. Is that different than what you've heard in the past regarding heaven especially? What's different about it?
3. What are some of the promises the Living God has for the "new" Jerusalem?
4. How will natural enemies and predators behave on the Living God's "Holy Mountain" (the new heavens and earth)? How do you think the people residing there will act toward one another?
5. Can you imagine a place where there is no death of any kind (physical, emotional, or spiritual)?
6. How about Isaiah 66:24? If the rest of this is talking about the New Heavens and the New Earth, what is this verse talking about?
7. Check out Revelation 21:1-8. Sound familiar? What similarities are there between Revelation 21:1-8 and Isaiah 65 and 66?

I hope you enjoyed todays post. It's the centerpiece of our hope as Christians. We'll be following this thread a little more closely over the next week or so- how is the Living God working for his victory and what will that victory look like? Most people tend to think that after we die, we all get wings and a harp and ride around on clouds but Scripture doesn't really talk about that. Let's find out what the Living God has planned for us.

Pray today for the Living God to give you eyes to see how he is working for his purposes and how you can help him in accomplishing them. Thank him for being the God who saves (Jeshua, or Jesus, means the LORD saves).

Even if you're having trouble with the questions, keep posting so we can dialogue on here. The posts are the only way I can measure if you're understanding what I'm saying or if I need to rephrase things. Do your best to answer them. I'm looking for effort, not perfection.

Day 4

Hey gang,
So we started this adventure by looking at the Living God's promise to reveal himself to us if we'll commit to seeking him and working to obey him. Doesn't mean we'll be perfect but it does mean we'll pursue him and his goals. On Day 2, we learned that following Jesus isn't a burden (like one more thing to do on the day) but instead following Jesus lifts our burdens- it's a new way of living. We saw that echoed on Day 3 by looking at Deuteronomy 30 and Psalm 1- following the Living God and his ways is life giving, anything else is life taking. With that recap, let's look at how the Living God proposes to deal with the result of our disobedience so far. I don't think any of us would claim that we've perfectly followed in the way of the Living God and if we reflect on Matthew 11 from day 2 and Deuteronomy 30 from day 3, we're left wondering how the Living God is going to deal with our prior disobedience that led to us finding death and destruction and being burdened instead of the "freedom" we desired by abandoning the Living God. With that in mind, let's kick it with one of my favorite Old Testament prophets today...

Check out Isaiah 52-53.

A little background for you before you do: Isaiah was a prophet about 700 years before Jesus showed up on the scene. He was writing at a time when Israel's consistent track record of disobeying the Living God and worshiping false gods had finally angered the Living God to the point where Isaiah 1 has this passage in it:

Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless. But it wasn't all bad. Immediately after this, the Living God declares to Israel that, "though your ins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are wiling and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.

Let's take a closer look at what the Living God has planned to restore Israel so that Israel can fulfill their role as a kingdom of priest for the rest of the world (Exodus 19:4-6) to reveal the Living God to the nations. Pray that the Living God will open your heart and mind to His word today.

Check out Isaiah 52-53.

Isaiah is full of poetic imagery, which is beautiful to communicate the wonder of what the Living God was up to. This section is part of the messianic and "suffering servant" promises of the Old Testament. That means that these passges (and others) described the coming Messiah. These promises were all fulfilled by Jesus and on at least two occassions (Luke 24:27 and Luke 24:45) , he showed his followers that what he suffered and accomplished was spoken of in the Old Testament long before he showed up.

1. When Isaiah writes this passage, what has happened to Israel (check out verses 1-5 especially)?
2. What is the "Good News" proclaimed in this passage?
3. Why do you think Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7 in Romans 10:15?
4. How does Isaiah describe the appearance of this coming servant? Will he be a dearly loved and popular leader because he has charm and good looks?
5. What do you think the phrase "Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1) means?
6. What is the plan that the Living God promises to enact, as told in Isaiah 53?
7. How is he planning to deal with Israel's (and the world's) sins (or transgressions)?
8. What one verse surpises you the most in the passages today? Why does it surprise you?

Take a few moments to thank the Living God for acting to forgive you, your parents, your friends, me, and everyone else if we'll leave our sin and transgressions and follow the Living God and his way... Remember the Good News from today- Peace to you because your God reigns!!

Day 3

Yesterday we considered that Jesus' teaching, or his “yoke,” was light and not a heavy burden. I don't know about you but I used to think that any teaching or commandment was heavy. But the Living God's commands are different than your mom telling you to clean up your room or not to run by the pool. His commands are more like universal laws or principles, like gravity or eating. When you and I ignore gravity or eating, it has really bad consequences because we fall and get hurt or we starve. And so in the interest of keeping my life, I obey those Universal Laws and I really don't think of them as a burden. When we choose to follow the Living God's way, or his teaching and commands, we are choosing life and freedom, not chains and burdens. Today's Scriptures will deal with this more. Let's dive in...

Start off by thanking the Living God for providing us a way to live and to thrive under his plan. Ask that he would continue to teach you through his Word.

Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, 'Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, 'Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your god, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.

Questions to chew on...

1. What similarities do you notice between these two passages (written at least 500 years apart)?
2. What is promised to the righteous person, or the one who loves the LORD and walks in his ways?
3. What is promised to those that refuse to obey the LORD?
4. What is the result of obedience to the LORD? What's the result of disobedience?
5. How does that compare with a statement that Paul made about 1000 years later: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23)?
6. So which way are you choosing? Almost all of us would choose life but think of the life choices you are making today, are you choosing obedience and life or have you been choosing disobedience and death (not necessarily physical death like your heart stops but like a piece of your soul just died)?
7. What's an area of your life where the Living God is expecting you to obey? In other words, what's something you know he wants you to do that you haven't been doing? Take a moment to pray and ask him to show you an area.

Take a few minutes just to pray and thank the Living God for the ways he has blessed your life- your parents, your dog, good friends, youth group, the amazing sunset, etc. Ask Him to keep providing you strength to follow his way and obey him.

Day 2- The Living God Reveals His Teaching

Hey all,

Welcome back. I hope you all were able to gain some insight into what we're doing here. We're here to seek the Living God. He will reveal himself to us as we seek him by obeying what we already know he wants us to do. Now we all tend to not want to do anything anyone tells us to do. Obedience is a major chore that none of us like and that' s why we need to be reminded that obeying the Living God is way different than obeying just a list of rules. In fact, the whole point to Jesus coming was so that he could reveal to us what the Living God wanted us to know about him and how we should live. Today we're going to check out what Jesus had to say about obeying the Living God in Matthew 11:25-30.

Start by praying and thanking the Living God that He is real and wants us to know him. Ask him to reveal himself to you through His Word (Scripture) and through everything else around you. Then dig into the text and the questions below.

1. Why did Jesus praise the God the Father?
2. What has been committed to Jesus? What do you think it means that "all things" have been committed to him by the Father?
3. Who knows the Son (Jesus)?
4. Who knows the Father?
5. What does Jesus promise for those that are weary and burdened? What do you think might be wearying (tiring) and burdening these people?
6. Read Matthew 12:1-14 and Luke 11:46. What "burdens" was Jesus talking about that would wear people out? [Side note- The Pharisees had 100s (somewhere between 300 and 700) rules to maintain their ritual purity before God. Do you think that might be the "burden" Jesus is referring to?]
7. What is a yoke? Look it up at www.dictionary.com if you don't know what it means. What is Jesus referring to by his "yoke" and his "burden"?

Close this time with the Living God with a brief prayer thanking the Father for lifting our burdens and replacing them with a yoke that is easy and light and refreshes us.

-Richard

Day One

Start by praying and asking the Living God to reveal himself to you through your time together and throughout the day. Then read the Scriptures from your Bible and reflect on them using the questions I've provided or on your own.

The Scriptures for today are 1 Chronicles 28:9-10; 2 Chronicles 7:1-22; 2 Chronicles 15; 2 Chronicles 30:18-20; and Matthew 6:31-34.

Questions to ponder (and comment back to):

1. What advice does David give his son, Solomon?
2. What theme or idea is repeated throughout all of these Scripture passages?
3. Based on all of the passages from Chronicles 1 and 2, what should you be focusing on in your life (especially for the next 30 days)?
4. When we focus on seeking the Living God, what does Scripture promise us?
5. What kind things can get in the way of seeking the Living God?
6. How does obedience tie in to seeking the Living God?
7. What is an area of your life where the Living God is calling you to obey?
8. How does Jesus tell us how to keep the real needs of food, clothing, etc. from getting in the way of seeking the Living God?

Close in prayer by committing to seeking the Living God and thanking God that he will be faithful to reveal himself to you! Feel free to post your responses to the questions in the comments section if you want.

-Richard

Welcome...

Welcome to "Seek God."

We're going to spend the next 30 days in an online community where we'll be reading the same passages of Scripture on our own and posting our thoughts on them, as well as what we think the Living God is teaching us from it. Alongside of this, each of us will be setting aside time to pray every day following a few different prayer formats that I'll teach you along the way. Welcome to the adventure and remember, "The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you" (2 Chronicles 15:2b).

Richard