In Christ by Paul Cunningham, Pastor Listen to Sunday’s Message (2-17-08)

Monday:

Reflect: What current event in the news indicates a deteriorating culture? How do you explain this?

Dig: (Matthew 5:43-48) What is an appropriate response to people outside our faith, when things go badly or they act in a way that is evil?

Respond: Lord Jesus, change my heart and keep me from becoming cynical or indifferent to the suffering and those causing harm.

Tuesday:

Reflect: List three life lessons you have learned that you would pass down to your children and grandchildren. Why these lessons?

Dig: (Joel 1:1-4) What was Joel telling the Israelites to pass down to the future generations? Why was this important?

Respond: Lord Jesus, help me to pass on to future generations the lessons You have taught me and to do it in such a way that I point them to You.

Wednesday:

Reflect: In what ways since your conversion to Christ have you grown closer to Him? More distant?

Dig: (Joel 2:12-14) Why was God commanding an internal response and forbidding an external response? How does Joel describe God’s nature?

(2 Peter 1:19-21) What do these verses say about the prophetic Scriptures? In what practical ways are we to “pay attention” to them?

Respond: Lord Jesus, reveal to me your true nature through Your word. I want to worship you in “truth and spirit” and really know You; not by my own strength and imaginations, concepts or limited experiences.

Thursday:

Reflect: Think on the happiest spiritual times in your life. In your mind, what were the contributing factors that made those times so memorable?

Dig: (Joel 2:18-20, 25-27) What promises does God make to His people when they repent?

(Matthew 5:3-6) How might these passages related to the promises made in Joel?

Respond:

Lord I’m rich in so many ways… I thank you for…

Lord I’m scared of… would you please reassure me that You…

Lord I’ve lost… would you please restore…

Friday:

Reflect: What spiritual blessings do you have in Christ Jesus? Who makes these possible?

Dig: (Joel 2:28-29) In what ways have you experienced God’s grace through the Holy Spirit?

(Ephesians 1:3-9) List the spiritual blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus:

Respond: Lord Jesus, help me to realize the potential I have as your servant. Enable me to know Your Word and speak It boldly. I pray for____________________ (list them) and for you to make me a powerful witness to them.

Saturday:

Lord Jesus, I pray that You pour out Your Holy Spirit on our church, your servants, on me… that we would worship You with one voice, serve with one heart and purpose in Christ.