Weekday Devotional - Week 15 Hope (Day 5) - The Hope of God's Call

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

The Hope of God's Call

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23; 1 John 3:1-3; 1 Peter 1:13-15

Reflection:
Based on these scriptures, how would you describe Christian hope?

What does it mean to live with this hope?

How have you experienced hope in your walk with God?

How would you describe hope as active and dynamic in your life?


Prayer:  Lord, I want to keep my eyes fixed on you and the hope I have in your will for me.  Help me trust in your and participate in the hope you pour into my life.  Help me to live it out.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 15 Hope (Day 4) - Keep Your Eyes on Hope

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Keep Your Eyes on Hope

Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-36; Hebrews 6:9-19

Reflection:
Peter's first reaction was hope that Jesus was really out there on the water.  What does that say about the hope within him?

Why did he start to sink?

How do distractions take our minds off of Jesus and our eyes off of the hope we have in him?

How is hope a firm and secure anchor for your soul?


Prayer:  Lord, call me to walk on the water with you.  Secure my hope firmly in my heart that I may avoid doubt, distraction, and despair.  Be an anchor for my soul.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 15 Hope (Day 3) - Hope Against Hope

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Hope Against Hope

Scripture Reading: Luke 8:40-56; Habakkuk 3:1-19; 1 Timothy 6:17

Reflection:
What does reaching for the edge of Jesus' clothes say about the hope of the woman who was bleeding?

When have you had hope like Jairus?

What can we do to secure our hope in God and not get lost in despair when bad things happen?

Prayer:  Lord, give me the hope and firm belief that you are good and you do great things.  Let me carry within the hope that you fill my heart with and sustain me through times of need.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 15 Hope (Day 2) - Anchored Hope

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Anchored Hope

Scripture Reading: Psalm 25:1-5, 62:1-8

Reflection:
When have you put your hope in something or someone other than God?  How did that turn out?

Why did you think the psalmist so hoped in God?

What promises do the psalms mention for people who hope in God?

Where do you put your hope right now?


Prayer:  God, I know you are the only reliable source of hope.  I know in my mind that I need not look elsewhere, though my mind is prone to wander.  Keep my mind and heart set on your.  Ground me in the hope that you are always with and for me.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 15 Hope (Day 1) - Doubts and Questions

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Doubts and Questions

Scripture Reading: John 3:1-15, 19:38-42, 20:19-30

Reflection:
What kept Thomas from fully believing in the risen Christ?

Have you ever experienced the road from despair to hope?  How did you get from one end to the other?

How does Jesus teach us to see the kingdom of God?

What would you ask Jesus if you could ask him questions like Nicodemus?


Prayer: Lord, when I doubt, would you plant in me a hope that never leaves or waivers with our questions?  I want to believe and hold on to you.  Make me strong and give me eyes to see you clearly. Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 14 Sharing Your Faith (Day 5) - All Things to All People

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

All Things to All People

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Colossians 4:2-6

Reflection:
How can you make the most of every opportunity when you're interacting with those who may not know Christ?.

How can your speech always be gracious and appealing?

What does it mean to you to be all things to all people?


Prayer: Lord, help me see every opportunity to share your story with those who don't know you.  Make my words gracious, appealing, and seasoned with salt. Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 14 Sharing Your Faith (Day 4) - Before the Change and After

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Before the Change and After

Scripture Reading: Acts 26:1-29; Psalm 71:14-24; Psalm 145:1-21

Reflection:
What are some major points of God's movement in your life.

What experiences in your life would you say point to God's great power?

What motivates you to share your faith?

What is your before and after story that you could share with others?
 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for doing an amazing work in me.  Give me eyes to see where you have transformed me and give me words to tell the story. Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 14 Sharing Your Faith (Day 3) - The Whole Story

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

The Whole Story

Scripture Reading: Acts 10:34-48, 13:13-39

Reflection:
Peter and Paul took different approaches in sharing the gospel story.  Make some notes about the differences in the points they cover and how they spoke about Christ.

What would you emphasize if you were to get a chance to tell the whole story?

Write a draft in conversational style of how you would explain the work of God in Jesus Christ with someone who has never heard anything about Jesus.
 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your redeeming work in me.  Thank you for saving me and setting me free for a life with you.  Help me tell everyone I know and meet about your great love. Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 14 Sharing Your Faith (Day 2) - Beautiful Feet

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Beautiful Feet

Scripture Reading: Romans 10:8-17; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Reflection:
Why are the feet of God's messengers described as beautiful?

How do you feel about being called to be Christ's ambassador?

With whom can you share the message of Jesus this week?
 

Prayer: Lord, your love is beautiful, and it is such a lovely thing to be called your child.  Give me passion for your gospel and courage to share that gospel with the whole world Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 14 Sharing Your Faith (Day 1) - Do I Have To?

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Do I Have To?

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:1-9

Reflection:
What does Jesus mean by spiritual power?

What is the message that we share with those who do not know Jesus?

In what ways can you commit to sharing your faith in the hopes of making disciples?


Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for entrusting me with carrying your gospel to the whole world.  Give me the courage to share my faith and the dedication to let everything about my life point to you.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 13 Second Chances (Day 5) - Never too Late

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Never too Late

Scripture Reading: John 5:1-15; Psalm 130

Reflection:
How easy is it to become hopeless and assume you will never get a second chance? Why?

How does Psalm 130 inspire you to continually seek the God of second chances?

What does it mean to you that you are under the care of a God who keeps no record of wrongs?


Prayer: Thank you, God, for not keeping score when I do wrong things.  Thank you for giving me a hope that is alive and real.  Thank you for healing me.  Thank you for your grace and for second chances. Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 13 Second Chances (Day 4) - Good and Bad Attitudes

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Good and Bad Attitudes

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32

Reflection:
How did the respective attitudes of the father, lost son, and older brother shape the story?

Who do you most relate to in the story? Why?

Where in your life might you need an attitude adjustment in order to extend a second chance to someone?


Prayer: God of both prodigals and older brothers, thank you for loving me.  Thank you for extending grace to me wherever I am.  Help me be humble, look for ways to offer second chances, and give your grace freely to others.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 13 Second Chances (Day 3) - Grace Upon Grace

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Grace Upon Grace

Scripture Reading: John 8:2-11; Hebrews 4:14-16

Reflection:
What does the story of the woman caught in adultery tell us about the character of God?

When have you experienced grace you didn't deserve?

How is Jesus asking you to stop sinning?


Prayer: God of grace and mercy, that you for your unconditional love and grace in the form of second chances.  Free me from sin and lead me to boldly approach your throne.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 13 Second Chances (Day 2) - Denial

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Denial

Scripture Reading: John 18:15-27, 21:1-19

Reflection:
Why did Peter deny that he knew Jesus?

What did Jesus continue to forgive Peter and empower him for leadership?

When have you experience a second chance similar to Peter's?


Prayer: Lord, I am embarrassed at the number of times I willingly deny you.  Forgive me for turning my back on you and free me to follow you with joyful obedience. Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 13 Second Chances (Day 1) - The Ultimate Second Chance

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

The Ultimate Second Chance

Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-28

Reflection:
How does Peter describe his belief in Jesus?

What does it mean to "take up your cross?"

How would you describe some second-chance moments in your own life?

What does Peter's example tell us about God's view of second chances?


Prayer: God of second chances, show me how to take up my cross and give up my life to follow you Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 12 Obedience (Day 5) - Obedience that Leads Others to Christ

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Obedience that Leads Others to Christ

Scripture Reading: Acts 3:1-16; 4:1-22

Reflection:
What was the crowd's reaction to the miracle?

How did the obedience of Peter and John lead others to faith in Jesus?

How did Peter and John have the courage to obey?

How can your obedience encourage others to know Christ?


Prayer: Lord, make me a witness of your might work and use me to draw others into your kingdom.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 12 Obedience (Day 4) - Hearing God's Call

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Hearing God's Call

Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:9-6, 33-40, 57-64, 97-104

Reflection:
How does the psalmist seek obedience?

What are some instructions about obedience and pleasing God found in these verses?

How can you apply some of these instructions to your life?

What steps could you take to begin hiding God's word in your heart?

Prayer: Lord, create within me a love for your word and for time with you.  Give me ears to hear you when you call and courage to say yes every time  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 12 Obedience (Day 3) - Not Knowing

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

God's Promises

Scripture Reading: Genesis 6:13-22; Luke 5:1-11

Reflection:
How was Noah able to obey such odd instructions?

How did Noah respond to God's instructions?

Why would Peter and the others feel so compelled to follow Jesus, even when they had no idea what that meant?

When has God called you to something without knowing all the details?  How ere you able to obey?

Prayer: Lord, I will follow you wherever you lead me.

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