Practical Guidelines For A Christian Life
Practical guidelines for a Christian life
Day 1
Give Your Heart to God
"My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways." (Proverbs 23:26) As we consider a life guided by the principles of Scripture, we must begin by making sure that we have truly given our hearts to God. Once God has your heart, he is able to guide and direct you in every area of your life.There are many examples in the Bible of God working through individuals who had surrendered their hearts to him. David had a heart that was after God, and God used him in a mighty way.
Zaccheaus had a burning desire to see Jesus, and he responded immediately when Jesus called him. Caleb showed faith in the power of God in the face of what looked like insurmountable odds. He followed God wholeheartedly and, unlike most of the others who died in the wilderness because of their disobedience, was allowed to enter the Promised Land. Samuel listened to and obeyed the Lord and as a result was used by God as a prophet and judge to the people of Israel. When God approached Gideon, who was the least in his father's household, God recognized a heart that would respond and be obedient to him. Daniel's heart was so committed to God that God felt free to reveal secrets to him.Each one of these individuals had a heart that was fully devoted to God, and all of these people are role models for us today. Their significance in the Bible narrative begins with their relationship with God. Likewise, our significance begins with our relationship with God. When God has your heart, he has everything that relates to you and your life. All of our giving springs out of the genuine relationship that we have with our heavenly Father. As we develop and deepen that relationship, God will work in us and through us. Heart Deposit: Have you given your heart fully to God? Ask him to be first in your life.
Start a relationship with God.
Related Verses:"After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’" Acts 13:22"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’" Mark 12:30
Day 2
Seek God Diligently"For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV) This verse tells us that God responds to those who are seeking him. In fact, it says that God rewards those who "diligently seek him." We show an attitude of diligence by avidly spending time in his Word. It is virtually impossible to know God's will, his mind, his worldview, and his plan for our lives without studying his Word and spending time with him in prayer.When we really study the Bible, we find that it is alive and powerful, and that it effectively works in those who receive it as the living Word of God and not simply as the written words of men. We find God's power evident in many places where he promises to work on behalf of those whose hearts areloyal to him. That is another way of saying that he will reward those who diligently seek him.God tells us that he is pleased when we pursue him. And he also promises that when we pursue him, he will reward us. When we spend time in God's Word, we find that he meets us there and shows us his peace, his presence, his direction, and his goodness in our current situation. And each time we choose to spend time with God, we find that our relationship with him is strengthened.Heart Deposit: In what ways are you diligently seeking God? Do you regularly spend time in the Bible? Honestly, how much time are you taking each day/week to allow the power of God's Word to transform your mind, your will, your emotions, and your attitudes? If necessary, what step(s) can you take in order to spend more consistent time in the Bible?
Pursuing God.
Related Verses:Psalm 53:2"God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." Luke 12:31 "But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." Deuteronomy 4:29 "But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." Related Resources:Click here to read “Knowing God Intimately”Click here to read “Pursue God”
Day 3
Know God and His Ways
"Teach me your ways so that I may know you and continue to find favor with you." (Exodus 33:13) Make knowing God a top priority in life! Moses yearned to know God and to know His ways. In turn, God revealed himself to Moses. Moses found that through this process, he experienced God's presence and his favor. Later, Moses was called to lead God's people out of Egypt. He knew that the Israelites would die in the wilderness without God's favor, so Moses made it a priority to teach the people God's ways. As they lived for God, they too experienced his presence and favor. It was this very presence of God and his favor that set the Israelites apart from others.Things happen when God has priority in our life. His favor opens doors, changes circumstances, causes blessing, gives protection, provides counsel, overcomes barriers, and gives strength, fortitude and hope. He is what we need in order to navigate successfully through this world. As we learn to trust him, especially in our weaknesses, his power and strength become fully active in us.Do you see the evidence of God's favor and blessing in your life? Have you made it a priority in your life to know God and his ways? He promises to show his friendship to those who fear and honor him, and to show them the blessings that come as a result of a relationship with him.It is important for us to study the biblical accounts of the lives of those who came before us. From them we learn what to do and what not to do. When we spend time with God in his Word, we make ourselves candidates for him to show us his ways and to direct us to his purposes. Heart Deposit: Is knowing God the first priority in your life? What else is clamoring for your attention? Are you experiencing God's favor? Are there changes you need to make in your life in order to experience more of God?
Yearn for God.
Related Verses:“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.” Psalm 25:14 (TLB)."Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." Psalm 42:1Related Resources:Click here to read “Bible Verses about Knowing God”
Day 4
Focus on Jesus
"He must become greater, I must become less." (John 3:30) God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to pay the debt for our sin and reconcile us to him. Because of our relationship with God through Jesus, it is a new day when we fully embrace the fact that this life is not all about us, but about Jesus Christ! Once we make this discovery, and realize that our story is part of a much bigger story, his story, our whole worldview and the view we have of ourselves radically changes. We begin to learn to live not for ourselves, but for the One who loves us and died for us. We begin to live for his purposes. As we mature, we find that his purposes for us actually become our purposes.One of the measuring sticks we can use to evaluate whether or not Christ's purposes have become our purposes is this question: "What is consuming my life?" Are you only concerned about matters regarding this temporary world, or do you have an eternal perspective? I like to think of my life as consisting of "three Ts": Time, Talent, and Treasure. How I use the "three Ts" is a good indicator of what is important to me. John the Baptist said, "He [Jesus] must become greater." As we grow in Jesus, he becomes more and more important in our thinking and his agenda becomes the guiding force in our lives. As he becomes greater, the choices we make regarding our time, talent, and treasure will be dictated by his desires.When we soak our hearts in the Word of God, we absorb those words as if we were a sponge being filled with living water. The Word of God begins to transform our thinking and we increasingly delight ourselves in the Lord rather than in the things of this world. It is through this process that Jesus becomes stronger in our lives and self becomes weaker. Heart Deposit: Are the things that are important to Jesus becoming increasingly important to you? Make a list of the ten most important things to you right now. In what ways is Jesus influencing your list?Have your life transformed by Jesus Christ.
Related Verses:"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it." Mark 8:35"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:3Related Resources:Click here to read “Making Jesus Known”
Day 5
Discover God’s Purpose for You
"For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10) As we spend time in the Word of God, we begin to learn that each one of us has been made for a specific purpose. Each one of us is a work of God! The Bible tells us that God is the potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8), that we are engraved on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16), and that he has fashioned each one of us individually (Psalm 33:15 NKJV).A hammer is made for pounding nails, a saw for cutting wood, and a screwdriver for tightening screws. It would be silly to try to saw with a hammer, or tighten a screw with a saw. In the same way we have been created in Christ Jesus for individually unique purposes. Each one of us needs to be zealous in discovering the good works that God has planned for us. Each one of us needs to find out specifically what it is that God wants us to do. And each one of us needs to do the work with the talent God has instilled within us.I have found people are the most fulfilled when they allow God's Spirit to carry out the work God has designed through them. It is incumbent that we make ourselves available to the Lord for him to accomplish his work through us. Heart Deposit: In what ways are you making yourself available to God so that he can work through you? If this is a new concept for you, or if you haven't experienced God using you to accomplish his work, what steps can you take to make yourself more available to him?
Embrace God’s plan.
Related Verses:"Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'" John 6:29"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will," Ephesians 1:11Related Resources:Click here to read “Fulfilling God’s Plan”
Day 6
Renew Your Mind
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will isÔÇôhis good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2) If we have any hope of expecting to see God operating in our lives, we must make a determination as to which audience, God or man, we are trying to please. The world seeks to gain our attention and allegiance by directing our steps away from God. In order to be pleasing to God, we need to separate from the world through the transformation of our ideas and thoughts. To be transformed by the power of his Word will enable us to break away from the crowd.This means we must experience a change in how we think and act, how we perceive the world around us, and how we spend our time. The goals in life that we are pursuing must be in line with God's will. If we truly desire to please God, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This can only come about by exposure to the Word of God, allowing it to penetrate our innermost beings.We constantly and consistently must be evaluating our motives and goals to make sure our objective is to please God, not man. The old way of living and doing things has passed. It is no longer us who live, but Christ lives in us. God has created us, in Christ Jesus, to do new works that he has planned for us! Heart Deposit: In what ways are you currently trying to please God? In what ways are you trapped by trying to please man? Ask God to give you new desires and direction in order to pursue the things that he desires for you!
Focus on God’s will.
Related Verses:"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18Related Resources:Click here to read “Renewing Your Mind”
Day 7
Desire God’s Word
"Like newborn babes, crave pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow up in your salvation." (1 Peter 2:2) When we are hungry, our bodies crave physical food. So also each one of us has a spirit that craves to be fed and nourished with spiritual food. Jesus said that the words he spoke to us would nourish us. His words are spirit and life! In order to grow spiritually, we need to soak our hearts in those words as we desire the "pure spiritual milk" of the Word of God. Jesus also said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled, and that we should labor for the food that leads to eternal benefits. We know that a baby has to drink the milk if it is going to be useful in helping him to grow. So a Bible on the shelf does us little good unless we move its contents, first into our heads, and then into our hearts.If you want to grow in your Christian life, you must develop not only a strong desire to spend time in the Word of God, but the discipline to do it as well. As you spend time with God in his Word, seeking him and implementing his instructions into your life, you will find that your ideas of how to use your time, talent, and treasure will be moved into directions of significance. Heart Deposit: Ask God to give you a desire to spend time in his Word every day. Keep a record of what you are learning and how you see God directing you.
Be scripture driven.
Related Verses:"I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." Psalm 119:16"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17
Day 8
Soak in God’s Word
"When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty." (Jeremiah 15:16) Paul tells us that Christ is living in us. The power of God is actually in us! It strengthens us for living his way. It helps us to minister to people as we focus our minds on what he desires. It flows into our bodies as we allow the Holy Spirit to control our minds. This power works to transform us from being "getters" into being givers.In order for the Holy Spirit to control us, we need to soak our minds in the Word of God. There is no substitute for this, no shortcut. We need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God until it is engraved on our hearts. We are told in our verse for today that Jeremiah "ate" God's Word. That means he digested it! He meditated on it, assimilated it into his innermost being, and delighted in the taste of it.The Spirit's control is a result of delighting in God's Word and allowing the richness and power of it to sink into our very being. God's Word can fill us with power and enlightenment, giving us a taste of heaven. The message for us here is to make sure that we are taking the time to actually "soak" our hearts in the richness of God's Word. This takes intentionality, but it is more than worth it! Soak your heart in God's Word every day and you will experience the truth of Christ, the power of God, and understanding that will help you know what that means for you in your everyday life. Heart Deposit: In what ways are you discovering the delight of God’s Word? In what ways are you focusing your mind on God's truth? As you soak your heart in God's Word, what truth is God impressing upon your heart about your every day decisions?Delight in the Word of God.
Related Verses:"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path." Psalm 119:97-104Related Resources:Click here to study the Bible
Day 9
Sow to the Spirit
"My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer." (Psalm 45:1) If we desire to reap eternal benefits and experience a full life from the Spirit in our mortal bodies, we must "sow" to the Spirit. We do that by focusing our attention on Christ and by reciting his words back to him, for he is our King. The author of this verse had dipped his mind into the depths of Scripture and he "recited" his verses before the king; reciting means he had committed them to memory.Jesus refers to the Word of God as being seed. When we "recite our verses" to our King, we are sowing that seed in the field of our soul and our spirit. As we practice this sowing to the Spirit, he causes the seed of God's Word to be implanted in our hearts, and then to gestate and grow. This wonderful process brings us new life, enlightenment, strength, wisdom, and peace, all of which will impact our lives in a mighty way. I've enjoyed this dynamic experience countless times. We come to the Word of God anxious, and he gives us peace. We come with anger toward someone, and he gives us love and patience. We come dry, and he fills us to bursting with the refreshment of his goodness. It's a daily renewal.Sowing to the Spirit is the best antidote or cure for depression, anxiety, and worry. One of the works of the Word of God is to act as a cleanser. It can rid our bodies of toxins, and replace them with the life and peace of God. The mind and heart saturated with the Word of God becomes "armored" against the wiles of Satan. God's Word strengthens us and empowers us to fulfill the purposes that he has chosen to perform through us. Heart Deposit: Set aside time every day to soak your heart and mind in the Word of God. As you do, sow to the Spirit by reciting the words you are meditating on back to your King.
Take possession of Bible truths through meditation.
Related Verses:"Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart." Psalm 119:111"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17Related Resources:Click here to read “Scripture Memorization”
Day 10
Flow with the Spirit
"Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:8) As we look to God for direction, it is critical that we soak our hearts and minds in the Word of God and that, out of that discipline, comes a sowing to the Spirit. When we are consistent in practicing soaking and sowing, the result will be a flowing of the Spirit in and through our lives. In Romans 8:11, it is made clear that the Spirit of Christ imparts his life to our mortal bodies.As we sow to the Spirit, we reap eternal benefits from the Spirit. In response to this I say, "Flow, Spirit, flow!" I want my heart and my life to overflow with his presence and power so that I can be a more effective instrument for him in this world! This is one of the primary ways that kingdom attitudes begin to grow within us. Crisis by crisis, worry by worry, relationship by relationship, the Spirit of God, speaking to us through his Word and his personal guidance, transforms us into the people he has always intended for us to be.A genuine "spiritual reaction" takes place when we soak our hearts and minds in the Scriptures and let the Spirit flow freely through us. Life, health, power, and hope surge through us like medicine from heaven itself. The life-giving power of God flows through those who pray.So we soak in the Word, we sow-reciting our verses, and the Spirit flows. Soon, we'll need to repeat this process. Our hearts and minds are like a spongeÔÇôthey need to be filled over and over, and we can't let them become dry and brittle. It's an on-going process. And the more we soak, sow and flow, the more we will find that our attitudes are changing in a remarkable way. Heart Deposit: Consistently practice soaking, sowing, and flowing. As this discipline becomes a part of your life, in what ways do you see your worldview, behavior, and witness in this world changing? Record, in some way, what you are learning and the ways you see God working in you and through you.Befuelled by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Related Verses:"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:10"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16Related Resources:Click here to read “Be Filled with the Holy Spirit”
Day 11
Respond to the Spirit’s Promptings
The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. (John 16:13, CEV)Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)After we ask Jesus Christ to come into our lives, it is not long before we realize that we cannot live for him in our own strength. The flesh, or the natural man, is weak. We need to be enlightened and empowered by God's Holy Spirit, which he gives to us at the time of our conversion├ö├ç├┤├ö├ç├┤a conversion from a life of sin to a life with Jesus Christ.From that moment on, God works continually inside of us to work out his will for our lives and to engage us in his plans for the world. Jesus tells us we can do nothing of eternal significance apart from him. And if we want Christ to be doing his work through us, it must be done by the power of the Holy Spirit.As we practice setting our minds on what the Spirit desires, soak our hearts in the Word of God, and then sow to the Spirit, we reap eternal benefits as he imparts his life into our mortal bodies. His life will sweep away the tendencies to be anxious, depressed, or fearful as we focus our hearts and minds on Jesus Christ and trust in the power of his Word. We will find ourselves prompted to go in a certain direction, to make a certain decision, to respond to a certain individual.It works the same as with any form of nutrition: You must eat daily, but eating the right foods begins to bring you a residual health. You are stronger and healthier. As we feed on the Word of God, we also become stronger and healthier spiritually, and the Spirit's influence in our lives becomes greater. The result is a greater dependence on the Holy Spirit for strength and direction. Heart Deposit: Ask God to give you a willing heart and mind to put into action what you are prompted to do by his Holy Spirit.Depend on the Holy Spirit’s guidance.Related Verses:"He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit." Romans 8:4 (NLT)"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'" Galatians 4:6"'My food,' said Jesus, 'is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.'" John 4:34Related Resources:Click here to read “Walking in the Spirit”
Day 12
Ask God for Insight and Wisdom
"'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'" (Jeremiah 33:3)This passage is impossible to read without wanting it to be true! For me, personally, this is a "button pusher." It indicates that God wants to be an integral part of our lives.Not only does God reveal his will to us by his Spirit, but he also shows us other great and mighty things. These can include his counsel, guidance, blessing, or opportunities in our professions or for ministry. Nothing is beyond the sovereignty of the Creator of heaven and earth! Job, when he acknowledged the awesome acts of the God as the One who hangs the earth on nothing, who stirs up the sea in all of its power, and by his Spirit adorns the heavens, said that we have indeed only seen the mere edges of God's ways! This is also true of our relationship with the almighty God. We have so much more to see and experience in the days ahead as we continue to learn more about him. As we cultivate our relationship with God, he will consume our attention and influence every aspect of our time, talent, and treasure. God desires that we be consumed with our relationship with him and with his Word. As a result, building treasure in heaven will become a byproduct of our passion for him.Think about your giving. Do you ask God to direct your giving? God loves the cheerful giver. You need to be giving your time, talent, and treasure with an "I want to give" attitude! Ask God to give you a joyful spirit in your giving and see what happens! Heart Deposit: How often do you "call" to God? What do you think might happen if you started to rely on him for direction? Do you really want this kind of relationship with God? Figure out what small step you might take to grow closer to God.
Rely on God for direction.
Related Verses:"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:5"I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course." Jeremiah 10:23 (NLT)
Day 13
Follow God’s Revealed Will
"The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground." (1 Samuel 3:19)God works in the lives of those who are growing in him and doing what he has guided them to do. God used Samuel in a mighty way because Samuel sought to accomplish God's will among the people. God also used David because David was a man after God's own heart. There are countless examples in the Bible of people who did what God told them to do, and their work was blessed in a unique way.If we desire to grow in the Lord, and if we want to be effective in our Christian walk, we must be willing to act upon the revealed will of God. When God knows that we will follow his direction, we become fit to be used by him and are prepared for every good work that he has for us to do.The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who carefully followed God's Word. It is important that we regularly spend time in God's Word, soaking our hearts in it, sowing to the Spirit by reciting our verses to him, and flowing with the Spirit so that what we do today will echo into eternity. Heart Deposit: Ask yourself: Am I a person that God can reveal his will to, knowing that I will perform it? Am I a person who is consistently practicing spiritual concepts by immersing myself in God's Word? Is Christ increasing in my life and am I decreasing? Am I being consumed more and more by the eternal rather than the temporal?Faithfully do what God tells you to do.
Related Verses:"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Romans 2:13"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever." Psalm 111:10 (NASB)Related Resources:Click here to read “Obedience” Day 14
Anticipate God’s Involvement
"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways." (Isaiah 64:4├ö├ç├┤5)In these verses, we see an example of the soak, sow, and flow principle. Isaiah reaped from the Spirit a response in direct correlation to his relationship with God. This gives us insight into how God moves and works in the life of the believer who has a heart that is hungering and thirsting for his presence! When we spend time with God, we will experience the power that flows from the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to perform the activities that God has planned for us!It is the Holy Spirit who reveals to us what God wants us to do. It is the Holy Spirit who opens the doors of opportunity that enable us to accomplish the works God has set for us to do. It is the Holy Spirit who makes us into instruments that God can use. It is the Holy Spirit who engineers the circumstances that allow us to respond to God's will. We have nothing except what we have received from him.The prospect that God, our Creator, is active in our lives and circumstances through the work of the Holy Spirit is exciting! It is both wonderful and encouraging to know that God has plans for each one of us, and that it is he who will fulfill those plans through us. Heart Deposit: Are you anticipating God’s involvement in the details of your life? Think back over the past week. Where was God actively involved? At what times did you acknowledge his presence? In what ways can you be more sensitive to his direction and leading?Expect Godto act in all your circumstances.Related Verses:"In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." Psalm 5:3"The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Yourlovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands." Psalm 138:8 (NASB)Day 15
Love Others
"For Christ's love compels us." (2 Corinthians 5:14)When we study the life of Paul, there is no question about what compelled him to live as he did. It was the love of Christ! Christ's love provided a vision that enabled Paul to endure the multitude of obstacles and difficulties that he came up against as he sought to accomplish the mission that God had given him to do. And it was the eternal aspect of life that provided the primary motivation in Paul's life. He said that he fixed his eyes on the unseen, eternal things rather than the seen, temporary matters of this world. Something is making you do the things you have chosen to do. Have you figured out what the driving force in your life is? Are you concerned with the temporary, or have you turned your attention to the eternal? We need to ask God to free us from the prison of ourselves, so that we can be good ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is the representative of a foreign kingdom or state seeking to communicate the interests of that kingdom or state to others. In this case we are communicating the gospel of heaven, so that others may have the opportunity to gain entrance to it and have eternal life.We do not want to be one of those who have received the grace of God in vain. We want to be involved in God's work in response to all that he has done for us! One of the ways that we can do that is by being engaged and mobilized for the purpose of helping to fulfill the Great Commission in our generation.God has made it possible for us to be partakers of his divine nature! Christ frees us from ourselves, so that we can be effective in our service toward others. This is going to be an important part of our story when we stand before him to give an account of what we did with our time, talent, and treasure. Heart Deposit: In what ways is God using you to make an impact in his world? What opportunities are currently available to you? Are you willing to be available to God as Isaiah was? "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)
Be propelled by Christ’s love.
Related Verses:"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB)Day 16
Live for Jesus
"Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:14)"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)When we are consumed by the Word of God, Jesus Christ shines upon us and through us. Focusing on Jesus gives clarity and meaning to our lives. For this reason, we must get to know him better every day. He is the one who gives direction on how best to use our time, talent, and treasure in his world. He is the one who gives us lasting purpose for our lives.Great things happen when God's favor shines on us. If we believe in God, and that he is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him, then we will be spending time in his Word, listening to his voice. This allows us to become partakers in the service of Jesus Christ! And as we serve, his light shines on and through us.We have the opportunity to become radiant Christians. Jesus is waiting to shine forth in us! And when that happens, our hearts will swell with joy as we see the hand of God at work in our lives and our circumstances. Are you consumed with having your life hidden in Jesus? Are you consumed with a passion to know him better? When we get to the point that nothing matters more than him, our lives gain sharp focus. Jesus Christ's light then shines through us in amazing ways. Heart Deposit: How do you see the light of Jesus Christ shining on you? On others? Through you? Through others? How is the Holy Spirit working in your life to help you experience Christ in a significant way?
Enable othersto see Christ shining through us.
Related Verses:"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6"'You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.’" Matthew 5:14-15Related Resources:Click here to read “Embracing the Light!”Day 17
Embrace Your Citizenship
"For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14)"For our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20)If you feel unsettled at times and wonder just where you fit into this world, this may be God's way of telling you not to become too comfortable down here. This unsettledness comes because we know that this world, in its present form, is passing away! We also know that the man who does the will of God will live forever. The brevity of this life sends us a messageÔÇôdon't fall in love with this world because we are just passing through.I love the fact that our citizenship is in heaven! Our hearts should be set on pilgrimage. We are strangers in an alien world. We do not have an enduring city. The more we see of this dysfunctional world, the more we need to seek the world to come. Our citizenship may be in heaven, but in the meantime, we are ambassadors for Christ by reaching out to a lost and dying world. In his Word, God has revealed to us what is happening in this world. The whole earth is under the sway of the evil one, and the prince of the power of the air is at work in the sons of disobedience worldwide. The Bible also tells us that our weapons of warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God to tear down strongholds that exalt themselves. Our warfare is against principalities, against powers, rulers of darkness of this present age, and rulers of wickedness in the heavenly spheres. We are engaged in warfare!In the meantime, we are eagerly waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is coming again, and according to the Bible it is going to happen soon! Heart Deposit: Are you looking forward to Jesus' return? What kingdom business are you presently pursuing that indicates your realization that you are a citizen of heaven?
Know that your real home is in heaven.
Related Verses:"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12Related Resources:Click here to read “Be Prepared for Spiritual Conflict”
Day 18
Commit Your Way
"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:5, ESV)This is an incredible statement of fact and promise. When you get up in the morning, do you ever think to commit your day, your way, and even your life to the Lord? The Bible tells us this is the thing to do!Let's take hold of this promise and actually see it work out in our lives. This verse assures us that if we do commit our endeavors to God, trusting in him by an act of faith, he will act! A sense of expectation for seeing the hand of God working in our lives will begin to permeate our days, bringing an excitement to all that we pursue.When we experience times when God feels distant, it is on our side of the equation. The problem is not with God, but with us. We need to keep moving in his direction until our lives are brought into alignment with his will. Remember, we are a part of a much bigger story, his story. Part of committing your way to God must involve daily studying God's Word, in addition to soaking, sowing, and flowing with the Spirit of God. Start committing your way to him each day. Trust him to act in your circumstances! Heart Deposit: How often do you conscientiously commit your day to God? How can you begin to put this principle into practice in your life every day?
Realizes that it is God who makes things happen.
Related Verses:"Listen, my son, and be wise, commit yourself to live God’s way." Proverbs 23:19 (ISV)"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3Related Resources:Click here to read “Becoming Like Jesus”
Day 19
Submit Your Thought Life to the Spirit
"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6, NIV84)The battle for control of our lives is won or lost in our head. Whoever controls our mind ultimately controls us and our behavior. The Apostle John tells us that the whole world is under the sway of the evil one. Therefore, it is all important that we make sure the Holy Spirit is in control of our thinking and attitudes.Think for a moment of your mind as a compass needle. It can point in four main directions: CHRIST being north, WORLD being west, SELF being south, and MAN being east. We always want our needle pointing north! We must make a decision to keep moving in that direction. It will require discipline to focus on the "things above" and to keep our lives hidden in Christ. If we allow our compass to point to the WORLD, SELF, or MAN, we will get lost and fail to carry out the work that God has for us. We are told that the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Paul said that he brought every thought into captive obedience to Christ. Peter told us to pay attention to the Word of God, letting it be a light in a dark world. He also told us to be sober minded and to set our hope fully on the grace that is to be revealed to us by Jesus Christ. Heart Deposit: By faith, have you asked the Holy Spirit to take control of your mind? Are you experiencing his life and peace? In what ways is your thought life helping you fulfill your God-given potential?
Have a Spirit-controlled mind.
Related Verses:"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)Related Resources:Click here to read “Meditate on God’s Word”Day 20
Guard Your Heart
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)Truly, our behavior springs from our hearts! That is why it is critical that we spend time immersed in God's Word every day. God's Word will protect our hearts from being consumed with the things of this world. This is the only way we can obtain a perspective which properly balances temporal and eternal concerns in life. This perspective will impact what we do and do not do in this world. We must soak our hearts in the Word of God! And that takes time. I like to call it "heart time."The ways in which we invest in God's kingdom are truly a reflection of heart time. It determines where we spend our time, talent and treasure. The more time we spend in God's Word, the more we realize that the matter of kingdom investing needs to have a high priority in our lives. Heart time influences our desires. Are our minds preoccupied with the desires of the flesh or with the desires of the Holy Spirit?Juggling the temporal and the eternal can be a tricky endeavor at times. Discernment is needed. Judgment calls have to be made. It is a challenge, but it can be stimulating to see how we can transform time, talent, and treasure into the eternal when we originally were focused primarily on temporal objectives. When we focus on God's goals, it is amazing to see how the Spirit of God molds us to be conformed to God's purposes rather than our own. Heart Deposit: What is currently flowing out of your heart? Are you thinking about the ways your life can have an eternal impact on the lives of other people? How often do these issues occupy your thoughts? What criteria are you currently using to make decisions about how to use your time, talent, and treasure? In what ways are you guarding your heart?
Cultivate a heart protected by God’s Holy Spirit.
Related Verses:"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians4:6-7"My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will greatly rejoice." Proverbs 23:15 (ISV)
Day 21
Beware of Greed
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’" (Luke 12:15)The giants of consumerism and greed can eat us alive. These giants can also keep us from investing in projects and endeavors that will produce eternal rewards. The influence that we have while we interact with one another is important, for each person will live eternally in either heaven or hell. This truth takes on much greater implication when we consider that, in the Word of God, we are told all our worldly endeavors will pass away. But the reward of being used by God to influence others to put their trust in him will last into eternity.Think for a moment about the truth of what is being said here in terms of the judicious use of our time, talent, and treasure. Jesus counsels us to be wise stewards of all with which he has blessed us. He also instructs us to use the unrighteous "mammon" of this world, or our worldly resources, to win friends for eternity. God has given us all things to enjoy. But he also wants us to be generous and willing to share, to do good to others and to be rich in good works in accordance with our means. God loves a cheerful giver! One of the surest paths of seeing God work in your life is to become a cheerful giver. Paul says that God is able to make all grace abound to such a person. So instead of being a "getter," allow God's Spirit to begin transforming you into a giver. Heart Deposit: Take a moment to consider: Are you more fulfilled by the accumulation of stuff or by impacting someone for Christ? What impact in the world are you presently seeking to make that is immeasurable from a human point of view?
Uses all of your resources to win people to Christ.
Related Verses:"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NASB)"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." Luke 16:9"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7
Day 22
Depend on the Power of the Cross
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18)Understanding the power of the cross is instrumental in our understanding of the concepts of KingdomNomics. It is by the cross that we are crucified to the world and have new life in Jesus Christ. Paul boasted about the cross in his own life with regard to his relationship to the world and the passions of the flesh. He was dead to them by the power of the cross. The same can be said of us when we apply the power of the cross to our own lives. God's power overcame Jesus' death on the cross! And it is the power of the cross that gives us new hope and new perspective for living.Through the power of the cross, we are able to overcome the giants of consumerism and greed. They relentlessly pursue us to keep us from giving to the work of God. It is the power of the cross that enables us to overcome these giants by the practice of giving our time, talent, and treasure to those endeavors that will advance God's kingdom. It is the power of the cross that allows us to develop the practice of giving so that when the opportunity arises, our hearts will be open and ready.The sinful nature is ever demanding us to only think of the temporal! By the power of the cross we can put to death these demands by focusing and feeding our minds on our eternal rewards. As we soak our minds on what the Spirit desires, his objectives and desires will grow in us. This growth will cause us to overcome what our flesh desires and enable us to fulfill the desires of the Spirit. By the power of the cross, we are able to become fully invested in God's kingdom. Heart Deposit: How have you seen the power of the cross working in your life? In what ways has the power of the cross influenced your giving? How can you begin to apply this principle to your life today?
Have confidence in the strength of God.
Related Verses:"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel–not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." 1 Corinthians 1:17"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14Day 24
Give Cheerfully
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)When giving is done with the right attitude, it can be a gateway for God to move in significant ways in our lives. It is important to remember that it is not the amount that we give that matters so much as it is the attitude that characterizes our giving. God loves it when we give out of a cheerful and grateful heart, a heart that does not give grudgingly or under compulsion. Each person is to give as he purposes in his own heart.What happens when God loves something that we do? Love is an action word and God's love is demonstrated through action. I have found that he often moves, and when he moves, he can move in a big way. We have seen God's activity as he intervenes in the affairs of men. He is interested in the details of our lives, and he frequently gets involved in them. This is proven by all of the promises he has made in his Word for the believer. He will visit us. Jesus will fellowship with us. The Holy Spirit will impart life to our mortal bodies.When we give of our treasure, it shows there is a conversion of our wallet and bank account from the temporal to the eternal. It helps to break the force of greed in our lives, enabling God to have access to what is so important to so many of us. When we give of our time or our talent, we demonstrate our dependence on God to use our abilities to further advance his kingdom. We are turned outward, rather than inward: "What can I do for others?" rather than "What can I do for myself?"God is giving us the opportunity to partner with him in meeting the spiritual and physical needs of people in this world! He has promised to reward us, even though we are simply giving back a portion of what he already owns. We are the stewards of his provisions. Heart Deposit: Have you made the great discovery of the blessing of giving? What opportunities has God placed in front of you for giving? What blessing has come to you as you have responded to God's direction?give with a willing heart.Related Verses:"Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." Deuteronomy 15:10"Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." 1 Chronicles 29:9Day 25
Receive God’s Blessings
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV84) God's love is immeasurable! And God is able to make "all grace," that is all spiritual and earthly blessings, abound to the cheerful giver (subject of course to his sovereign will). This passage is promising that God will move in the life of the cheerful giver.Giving is an investment in the kingdom of God for which there are both earthly and heavenly rewards. God allows us to trade in a decreasing, temporary currency for an immeasurable, eternal investment. That investment will last forever.God responds to us as we cheerfully give and provides for all of our needs so that we can abound in every good work. He will supply the seed. He will multiply the seed. He will increase the harvest of our righteousness and enrich us in every way so that we can be generous on all occasions.Cheerful giving is "grace giving." It is giving with an "I want to give attitude." It is evidence of our faith and obedience to the gospel. And it results in prayers of gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving to God by those who are on the receiving end of our giving.In addition to the promise of eternal reward, we also experience God's blessing and favor on our lives in this world. Giving is the wise thing to do! Heart Deposit: What are some of the blessings you, and others, have experienced because of your giving? How have you seen God bless your giving? What practical steps can you take to increase your giving?Base all on God’s grace.Related Verses:"He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor." Proverbs 22:9"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25Day 26
Invest in Eternity
"He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return." (Psalm 78:39) All of us have a "loaf "of time. This presents us with a threefold problem. First, none of us knows how long our loaf of time will last. Secondly, we know that with each day, one slice of our loaf is used up, never to be available again. And thirdly, in light of eternity, we have a decision to make as to how best use our loaf of time.In our verse for today, the psalmist describes our life as a passing breeze that does not return. It describes something that is extremely brief. If we are wise, we will use this brief time to focus on the eternal. Not so for most people, for they are focusing their attention only on what they can see and do in this world, without giving any thought as to what will happen in eternity.The wise believer must keep Biblical principles in mind. We are going to die. We will be required to give an account of our life before the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ. We will experience gain or suffer loss of reward depending on how much we have allowed the spirit to live, or flow, through our mortal lives. We will give an account of whether our acts were done through the Spirit of God or the energy of the flesh. The brevity of life points us to the Word of God. We will find our heart is drawn to it as we acquaint ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and allow him to dwell richly in our hearts. Is that happening to you? Heart Deposit: Are you living a life of consumption, thinking only of yourself, or are you participating in Christ's Great Commission for the world? Are you setting your mind and heart on things above or on the things of this world? In what ways are you making the most of today’s kingdom opportunities?Recognize that time for kingdom impact in this life is short.
Related Verses:"You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure." Psalm 39:5"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14Day 27
Advance God’s Kingdom
From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. (Isaiah 48:6-7) Most of the world does not understand the kingdom that has been disclosed to us by the Spirit of God. This kingdom can only be understood as God reveals himself to us. And so many Christians, even though they have some knowledge of God, are still ineffective and unfruitful in their knowledge of Jesus Christ. Since the time is short, it is imperative that those who are consumed by the Word of God focus their will on being empowered by the Holy Spirit to advance the kingdom of God. God has shown all of this to us for a purpose. We are to be engaged, allowing God to work, advance, and move his interests forward through us. We are exhorted to excel in grace living and grace giving. We must continually monitor what is consuming our time, talent, and treasure. God is going to hold us accountable for the revelation that he has given to us.Because our story has yet to be completed, it may be that God still has hidden things to reveal to us for the purpose of engaging us in further kingdom activity. We serve a God who is awesome in power and who is able, according to scripture, to do more than we can ask, think, or imagine, according to his immeasurable power that is at work in us. As we accomplish the tasks he has given us, we qualify ourselves for use, by the master, for additional works that he has prepared for us to do. Heart Deposit: As you spend time in God's Word, what is he revealing to you? What difference is this making in your life? In the lives of others?
Utilizewhat is temporaland leverages it for eternity.
Related Verses:"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does." Psalm 145:13Day 28
Reign with Jesus
And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:9ÔÇô10) Wow! Redeemed to God by the blood of Christ, he has made us priests to serve him; and we will reign on earth for him! Truly, as Job said, we have only seen the edges of God's ways. How awesome he is; beyond words of human description. What a privilege it is that he allows us to worship him and to act on his behalf!It is God who justifies us, not our works, not our behavior, not our giving, nor anything else. Jesus by himself purged our sins. Jesus washed away our sins with his blood. By his blood we are brought near to God. By his blood we are justified. By his blood, he purchased our eternal redemption. His blood is the only acceptable payment to God for our sin. By his blood, we have atonement for our souls. Truly, we are a special people!Our only response should be, I believe, that God desires that we should be zealous for good works, particularly those that facilitate the expansion of his kingdom in this world. We are in a race against time. We are God's chosen instrument for reaching our own generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are destined to reign on earth with him! Now is the time to get to work. Give of your time, talent and treasure and give some more! Heart Deposit: In what ways are you being used by God to bring the message of eternal life to a lost and dying world?
Respond to Jesus Christ’s saving work.
Related Verses:"Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3"Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years." Revelation 20:6Day 29
Live for Eternal Significance
"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:18-19) True faith involves both knowledge and conviction. We first know about God's saving grace and then we act on that knowledge. Conviction moves us to act. Doing good, being generous, and being willing to share are the fruits of true faith. They are an outgrowth of the seed of faith, just as an ear of corn is the outgrowth of a kernel of corn planted in the soil. Our conviction moves us to do the good works that God has planned ahead for us to do as we walk on the path of faith. As God transforms us by the renewing of our minds, we will find ourselves transformed from being "getters" to becoming givers. As we become givers we will be progressively more concerned with fulfilling kingdom objectives. Giving results in our laying up treasure in heaven. When we fully understand the reality of this principle, we truly begin to accomplish great things for God's kingdom! Our giving truly will echo into eternity.The promise of reward is a very real motivating factor as we consider the eternal impact of what we do in this world. The decisions we make here on earth truly will echo into eternity. In our passage for today we are promised, "so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." When we give, we also experience life! Heart Deposit: In what ways are you able to use your time, talent, and treasure to echo into eternity? Is this a new concept for you? Think about some ways you can deposit to your bank account in heaven!Echo into eternity.
Related Verses:"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Colossians 3:1Day 30
Concentrate on Eternity
His disciples remembered that it is written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." (John 2:17) All of our time, talent, and treasure are temporary as far as this world is concerned; however, what we do with them while we are here will have eternal ramifications. Do we even care? The word "zeal" used by John indicates enthusiasm and passion. How much passion do you have for the things of God?Jesus Christ was consumed with doing his Father's will while he was in this world. He knew his time here on earth was short. He ensured that all the work that had been given to him was finished by the time he returned to heaven.So, again, what are you doing with your time, talent, and treasure? Are you wasting them on the temporal, disregarding the eternal reality we all are facing, or are you fixing your eyes on the eternal aspects of life? Are you concentrating on the things that God wants you to do? We have the option of laboring for those things that are perishing, or we can labor for those things that reap eternal benefits, both for us and for others.So many things that I was zealous for in the past, that I thought were so important, have evaporated. They are no longer a part of my life. My thoughts now lie with: What will last forever? Am I building on the foundation of Jesus Christ, or am I striving to construct something on the foundation of self?It is never too late to change course! There is always a new opportunity to become zealous for the things that are of importance to God. Heart Deposit: If someone were to look at your life, what would be the word or phrase that would fill in the blank of this statement: "Zeal for______ consumed him." Is the word or phrase in the blank temporal or eternal? How can you increase your zeal for the things of God?Guide your choices as you fully understand the eternal implications.
Related Verses:"Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." John 12:25"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phlippians 3:14
Day 31
Use Your Time, Talent and Treasure for God’s Kingdom
"Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it." (Habakkuk 2:2, NKJV) God's revelation of himself and his plan of redemption for mankind have been very clearly written in the Bible. We have been reflecting on:
Understanding God's revelation of himself makes this truth very clear: Our time, talent, and treasure are to be used for God's kingdom. What each one of us needs to decide is whether or not we are going to take advantage of what God has revealed to us. Just as God gives us a choice in deciding where we will spend eternity, he also gives us the choice of being consumed by selfish, temporary desires, or by living for his kingdom purposes. If we choose the latter, there is the promise of very great reward in the life to come. This reward is just one of the tremendous incentives for us to find the purpose God has for our lives and the particular works that he wants us to do.We do not have forever to make these decisions. Time is passing quickly. What are you doing with the time God has given you? Heart Deposit: Have you captured God's vision for you personally? In what ways are you pursuing his vision? What opportunities is the Holy Spirit putting before you to make your time, talent, and treasure echo into eternity? How are you responding to those opportunities?
Capture God’s vision and run with it.
Related Verses:"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?" Matthew 24:45"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" Matthew 25:21Day 32
What’s Next?
Congratulations on completing the 31-day devotional “KingdomNomics Applied“!
You will now begin receiving a second devotional series entitled, “Reflections of a Kingdom Boy.” This series only has three devotions per week that are sent on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays plus an occasional bonus email highlighting free online resources that may be of interest to you.
If at any time you no longer want to receive these emails from KingdomNomics, please click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email. Your name will be immediately removed from our devotional list.I trust and pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to use the insights and principles contained within these devotions to help you make strategic investments of the time, talent, and treasure that God has entrusted to you.
May your life echo into eternity,
Phil