Wild Goose Part 4

   We all have stories of times when we know that we followed the Holy Spirit's leading and God worked in a mighty way. We also all have stories of times when we have ignored the Spirit's leading in our lives. In the end our choice to follow the Holy Spirit comes down to two things that I wish to lift up today.
   1.) Do we truly believe that the Spirit is in control of our lives? All too often we act like we are in control or proclaim that life is about getting what we want when we want it. But what if we chose to intentionally live our lives in a way that proclaimed that God was in control? What would it look like for you to relinquish control of your life to Christ?
  2.) Do we truly believe that the Spirit is leading us to the place where our best interest and the Kingdom of God intersect? Far too often even mature Christians are guarded about trusting that God will act upon our behalf, so we try to achieve everything on our own. What if we trusted God enough to follow the Spirit?
   What are some other factors that come into play for you in trusting the Spirit?

Wild Goose 4 Devo

   September 25th, 2016  

Devotional

“Wild Goose Chase: Old Fashioned Guts” -Rev 3:7-8 and 1 Sam 14:1-10

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Open Doors” - Rev. 3: 7-8

While the book of Revelation is most often known for its writings concerning end times, tucked in its chapters and verses are also beautiful words of encouragement for local churches in the area. John is specifically in this passage uplifting the church in Philadelphia, which has been so faithful in the past. 

This church is encouraged to remember that Christ has open doors for them that no one can shut. Even when they feel defeated and as if they lack power to face what confronts them, they can be assured that Christ is presenting them with opportunities to minister to those around them. 

We are given “open door” opportunities in our lives every day as well - the question is simply if we choose to walk through those open doors or ignore them. Sometimes we are so afraid of making a mistake that we walk right past the door that Christ is holding open. Other times we are so afraid of missing the opportunity that Christ is giving us, that we can not help but seize them. 

When it comes to doing the will of God, are you more afraid of missing an opportunity or making a mistake? How does this impact your life?

What open doors are in your life currently that Christ is asking you to walk through?

Prayer: Jesus, sometimes we forget that you have the power to open doors no one can shut and shut doors no one will open. Help us to follow your will and leading to go through the open doors, all for the sake of expanding your Kingdom and glory! Amen. 

Tuesday: “Come Let Us Go” - 1 Samuel 14:1

When picking words to describe Jonathan, son of Saul, some that most readily come to my mind revolve around friendship. He was a true and loyal friend to David, even in defiance of his father and King. But today’s scripture verse focuses on a different side of Jonathan, one that we often do not pick up on. Jonathan is brave and daring.

For an unknown reason Jonathan is left behind when Saul takes the troops into battle against the Philistines. Perhaps his father wanted to make sure he was safe. Perhaps he was simply overlooked. But whatever the reason, Jonathan felt that he was being called by the Spirit to enter into battle, so he left, without telling his father.

If someone had to describe you, what words would they use? Would they say you are brave and daring? Would they say that you are someone who goes on behalf of the Lord? Let us strive this week to follow the Spirit’s promoting in a bold way in our lives. 

Tell of a time that you did something daring for God. How do you feel about this experience as you look back?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that at times we would rather shrink into the background of life than do something bold and daring for you. We fear how other people we react. We fear that we did not hear you correctly and that we will be wrong or fail. Give us the strength and discernment of Jonathan, dear Lord, so we can follow wherever you may lead. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Sitting Around” - 1 Samuel 14: 2-3

In contrast to Jonathan who was willing to go where God lead, we find his father, King Saul, who was sitting. Saul was supposed to be with his troops on the battle field, leading them to victory, but instead he was in the wrong place, sitting around.

Later on in the story of David, when David is King and should be leading his troops into battle, we find him in the wrong place as well - watching a woman bath on a roof when he should have been out on the battle field. 

Sometimes it may seem easier to sit around, twiddling our thumbs, but we must ask a vital question - is this where God is calling me to be at this moment and is this what God is calling me to be doing? There is nothing wrong with taking a moment of rest or discernment, if that is what God is calling you to do, but just like we must be sure that God is calling us to act, we too must be sure when God is calling us to sit. 

Have you ever used your inaction as an excuse not to follow the prompting of the Spirit in your life? What was the result? 

Prayer: Lord, help us not to be idle when you call us to act, and help us not to act when you are calling us to wait. Help us discern your voice and follow your leading. Amen. 

Thursday: “The Rocky Crag” - 1 Samuel 14: 4-6

While Jonathan was sure that God was calling him into battle, he almost immediately faced a problem about how to get there. He was surrounded by rocky crags, or steep mountains, on all sides. 

Many people start out zealous and full of passion when God is calling them to something big for the Lord. But then the steep mountains comes. The details. The finances. The nay-sayers. And far too many people back away from the Spirit’s leading and call because the mountains seem overwhelming. 

In moments of trial, let us have faith like Jonathan. Faith to scale the mountains for the sake of God. 

What is something daring you feel called to do for God? What fears stand in the way of you doing this?

Prayer: Lord, help move the mountains before us that block us from following your leading and call. And, O Lord, if it is not your will to move the mountains, but rather to test our faith, give us the strength and courage to climb the mountains, like Jonathan. Amen. 

Friday: “I Am with You” - 1 Samuel 14: 7-10

When facing the mountains between us and following God, we all need people who will remind us to champion the call on our lives. People who don’t try to talk us out of following God, but instead encourage us to run hard after what God has for us, and who will even climb the mountains with us.

Jonathan’s armor bearer didn’t look at the mountains and tell Jonathan that he was foolish or that they should turn around. Instead he said that wherever Jonathan went he was going with him. We all need people like that in our lives as we pursue the will of God and prompting of the Holy Spirit. 

Who are the people in your life who encourage you to pursue a God-sized vision? 

Prayer: Lord, send people into our lives who will not distract us from you, but instead continually point us to the Wild Goose and tell us to follow. Let us be the type of person for others who does not talk someone out of following you, but instead encourages them to run after your heart alone. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Shiny Gods: Naming our Idols” - Exodus 32: 2-4, Psalm 135: 15-18 and Luke 10:27

Family Activity: Talk about friends. What makes someone a good friend? How do good friends remind us that God loves us and to trust God? 

Wild Goose Chase Part 3

    I have always been a people pleaser. The one who wanted to get the best grades. The one who wanted to make everyone happy and proud. But one of the many problems with being a people pleaser is when you screw up you feel guilty. Disproportionally guilty.
   When I was little I very rarely remember my parents having to punish me, because I would send myself to my room - if I did something wrong. Even if I didn't really do anything wrong but just felt like I had.
  Guilt when used correctly can be a prompting from the Holy Spirit to repent. But guilt used incorrectly, that disproportionate type of guilt or when we keep feeling guilty over and over again for something God has already forgiven us for - can actually hold us back on our faith walk. Hold us back from following the Holy Spirit.
   Take time to assess your guilt. Is there something in your life you need to ask God's forgiveness for? Or are you feeling guilty in a way that is actually hold you back from God? For when God forgives us, we have true freedom. Freedom to follow wherever the Holy Spirit may lead.

Rooster Crow Devo

September 18th, 2016  

Devotional

“Wild Goose Chase: The Rooster’s Crow” - Matthew 18: 21-22, John 18: 13-27

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “They Took Him” -John 18: 13-14

This week we will be journeying with the disciple Peter. Each day I want you to take a moment to imagine that you are the disciple Peter. Peter has just went through a horrific event. He was attempting to pray with Jesus in the garden with a few of the other disciples but he could not stay awake. Next thing he knew people were coming to arrest Jesus. He followed his first instinct and pulled his sword from the sheave by his side and cut the right ear right off of the high priests guard. That was his friend and Lord they were trying to take away! He would do anything to stop him! But Jesus did a funny thing and told Peter to put his sword away, healed the ear of the guard, and then willingly went with those who were trying to arrest him.

Now they were taking Jesus to the Annas, whose farther-in-law was the high priest. Caiaphas did not like Jesus. He thought he was causing trouble and had been heard saying that it was better for this one man, Jesus, to die, in order for the people to maintain peace and order. Peter probably knew what Caiaphas had said. How would he feel as he watched Jesus willingly go to the house of Annas, who followed the teaching and orders of his father-in-law?

What thoughts and feelings would you have as the apostle Peter?

How would you react if you watched Jesus heal the ear of the high priests guard?

Prayer: God, often we do not understand your ways. We do not understand why you willingly gave your life for us, why you willingly went with the guards who came to arrest us? But even though we do not understand, we are thankful. Help us never take your gift lightly. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Followed Jesus” - John 18: 15-18

Peter didn’t know for sure what was going on, but he knew that it wasn’t good. Why else would they arrest Jesus like they did, at night, in the garden? This wasn’t the way things were done. He was probably fearful about what was going to happen, nervous that they would come after him next, and angry at the leaders who had done this all at the same time. So he followed after Jesus, but at a distance.

What is your first reaction when you or someone you love is wronged? Is it to follow after them to make sure that they are safe? Is it to say awful things about the person you consider to be your enemy in the situation? Or is it to pray for those who are against you or who you love? 

Peter’s first error in this scripture passage wasn’t necessary to follow Jesus to the courtyard but not go in. Nor was it the denial of knowing Jesus. Perhaps Peter’s first error was that he did not stop and pray. To pray like the outcome of the situation before him depended upon God. 

In a way many of us are like Peter, people of action. Acting first and then thinking later. But what if we were first and foremost a people of prayer? Praying when a situation is fearful or makes us nervous or angry? What if we would stop, even in the heat of the moment to give what we are facing over to God?

Who do you need to be praying for even when it is hard? 

Prayer: Lord, we confess that we find it easy to pray for those we love, but much harder to pray for our enemies. Even harder still to pray for those who wrong us in the midst of whatever we face or are going through. Forgive us, O Lord, and make us first be a people of prayer. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Why Do You Ask Me?” - John 18: 19-24

When dragged before the high priest Jesus was questioned about his teachings. I love how Jesus answers. He essentially says he has spoken in public and in private with integrity. He has taught what he taught and therefore they should already be able to answer their own questions. 

Contrast this with Peter who just a few verses before had denied even knowing Jesus. Jesus is modeling for us with his words what it means to have obedience with integrity, no matter what the cost. Obedience is important. Following where the Holy Spirit leads is important. But it is also important to do so in an undivided way - not following Jesus in some places and denying him (or not following him) in others.

What makes us lack with a lack of integrity the most? Wanting to avoid suffering. But that is simply not Biblical and is certainly not the example of our Lord and Savior. Jesus, even in the face of great suffering, shows us what it looks like to live a whole life, a life of integrity. 

What holds you back at times form living a life of integrity?

Prayer: Lord, help us to be whole people. Help us to live lives of integrity - not embracing you on Sunday morning and denying you on Monday. Help us live into the example of our Lord and Savior, following your leading in every situation. Amen. 

Thursday: “Again” - John 18: 25 - 27

Peter has already denied Jesus once. Maybe he thinks his lie will act as a safety net, protecting him from other people asking if he knows Jesus or if he is one of his followers. So he sticks around the courtyard, still wanting to hear a word about what is to happen to his friend. Only people don’t stop asking. Peter is questioned two more times about his relationship with Jesus and two more times he denies knowing him. Then the cock crows. And Peter remembers what Jesus had told him earlier that evening - that he would deny knowing Jesus. Peter had been so sure that he would never do that now here he is, just as Jesus had said. 

Peter must have been plagued by guilt. He had done that which he said he would never do. Have we ever been there, feeling like Peter, shocked by the sins we commit or going against our very values and beliefs? What are those experiences in your life when you have felt profound guilt and what set you free? 

What is the “rooster crow” that sets off guilty feelings for you?

What are the two or three experience you regret most in life? How are you set free from the guilt associated with these experiences? 

Prayer: Lord, we confess that at times we have denied you, just like Peter, with our words and actions. Forgive us, O Lord. Free us from the guilt we carry and allow us to follow after you anew. Amen. 

Friday: “Forgive” - Matthew 18: 21-22

Perhaps one of the hardest things to do in this life is to love someone who you don’t feel deserves it. To love someone who has hurt you. To love someone who acted in an unloving way towards you time and time again. 

The truth is, when we forgive people that hurt us, it is just as much for us as it is for them. When we forgive people, even multiple times, it allows us to be freed from the hurt of past experiences so we aren’t continually prisoners of the past. For if we are always looking back how would we follow the Spirit who is leading us forward? 

Christ is telling us with this passage that there are not limits to forgiveness - either ours or Christ’s. May we be a church marked by this type of forgiveness, which changes lives. 

Who do you need to forgive in order to follow the Holy Spirit?

Prayer: Lord, make us be a people of forgiveness. People who forgive others, but also people who seek forgiveness when we cause other’s harm. Empower us to live into your teachings, even when it is hard, so that we can be a witness for you in this world. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

Family Activity: Talk to your kids about forgiveness. Has someone been mean to them in school? How can they forgive that person? How many times should they forgive the person? How does this relate to God forgiving us? 

Wild Goose Chase: Part 2

   The story of the Jefferson Bible goes something like this - Thomas Jefferson liked the word of God, but he couldn't bring himself to believe in the miracles of Jesus. They didn't make sense to him because he couldn't explain them intellectually, rationale. So for 2-3 nights he set forth on a project - to cut out everything in the Bible he couldn't rationally explain. He started by cutting out the miracles of Jesus and just went on from there. Until what he was left with was something he could understand - what we call today the Jefferson Bible.
   Maybe we don't go and physically cut out the parts of the Bible we don't like or can't explain or don't understand, but sometimes we ignore those parts. And sometimes we ignore those parts of the character of God as well. We start to act as if God is made in our image, as if God has to be rationale and predicable in order for us to follow where the Spirit of God leads, but that simply isn't the case. God will be God with or without us, but we have the awesome opportunity to be invited to be part of the work of the Kingdom of God - if we chose to participate, on faith, not on our own understanding.
   What would be possible in this world if we let God be God instead of trying to control everything? What would happen in this world if we let the Spirit of God soar free and we willingly followed? What would happen if we stopped trying to box God in and instead were disciples, no matter what? What would happen?

Wild Goose Chase Pt 2 Devo

 September 11th, 2016 

Devotional

“Wild Goose Chase: Putting God in a Box” - Hebrews 11:9 and Romans 4: 13-25

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “The Promise” - Romans 4: 13-15

At times the apostle Paul is hard to understand for a myriad of reasons, translations, using theological terms, the way he presents an argument - the list goes on and on. Perhaps no letter that Paul wrote is harder for most of us to grasp than his letter to the Roamns. Yet, that is where we find ourselves today.

In today’s passage, Paul is talking to the Romans about the promise that came to Abraham - the promise that he would have decedents more numerous than the stars. While this promise was initially made to Abraham and his wife, Sarah, because it spans generations it was a promise passed down through a lineage, including to the those who have faith in Christ. However, Paul wants to emphasize that the Romans, and other believers, cannot force God to be faithful to his promise to Abraham, just as Abraham could not force the promise to come to fruition is his own way or time. Instead, it is God’s faithfulness alone that makes a promise of this magnitude blossom. 

If someone asked you why they should trust God to be faithful, how would you answer?

Tell of a time that you tried to make God’s will happen in your own way and time. What happened? 

Prayer: God of the Promise, God of Abraham, God of the decedents more numerous than the stars - we confess that at times, we try to force your hand. We try to make you act the way that we want you to act. We try to box you into our ideas and concepts. Forgive us, O Lord. Free us to follow you and believe in your promises, fully. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Not the Law” - Romans 4: 13-15

For years, even as far backs as the early Christians Paul is writing to, we have struggled with the tension between faith and the law. This was particularly hard for those who were Jewish believers, for they knew the Hebrew Scripture (what we refer to as the Old Testament) which contained over 600 laws. 

Paul believed that the law is important, because it is the word of God. But the law does not replace a relationship with God. Another way to state this is to say that one cannot simply be good and follow all the rules and get to heaven. Being in a relationship with God is about trust and faith. 

The law also does not make God’s promises come to pass, only God can do this. Further, what is the law used for? To convict. Paul wants the Romans, yes, to follow the law, but more importantly to look to the one who made the law for assurance. 

How can we balance a relationship with God and following the law?

Prayer:  Lord, at times we substitute your word for a relationship with you. We believe that if we are a good person and read our Bible, that we will be joined with you in heaven, while skipping over the relationship that you made us to have with you. Let us follow the law, O God, because of that relationship with you, not instead of it. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Hope Against Hope” - Romans 4: 16-19

What do you think of when you hear the phrase “hope against hope?” To me, I hear that something is impossible, but that you keep believing in it anyway. Keep trusting that it will come to pass. What is important to remember as Abraham hoped against hope is who he was placing that hope in - not himself or his circumstances. Not his wealth. Not his past or his present. He was hoping in the living God alone, the God who had made the promise with him in the first place. 

Because he hoped God, he believed in God’s word, despite all the things of the world that seemed to be against him - including age and barrenness. He didn’t make assumptions about how God would make the promise come to be, or when God would make it comes to pass. Instead, he lived each day simply trusting God. 

What assumptions in your life could be limiting God’s actions? How can you challenge these assumptions?

How can you hope against hope in all circumstances?

Prayer: Lord, we believe that you want what is best for us - even if it is not exactly what we expect. Free us from our expectations and assumptions so that we can have a renewed sense of hope in you and your promises to us. Amen. 

Thursday: “Fully Convinced” - Romans 4: 20-25

I love the verse in today’s scripture passage that proclaims “being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” You don’t become fully convinced in something or someone over night. Abraham became fully convinced that God was true and faithful and trustworthy because of how God had worked in his life in the past. 

We need to remember, brothers and sisters. We need to remember how God has been faithful to use in the past so that we can be fully convinced about God’s faithfulness in our lives here and now and in the future. The problem is we too quickly forget the actions of God for us, and when we forget we become stuck. We need to have reminders in our lives of God’s faithfulness and continually say thank you to God, in order to faithfully live trusting God now. 

What reminders do you have in your life of God’s faithfulness? 

How can you become free from your spiritual ruts? 

Prayer: Lord, you are so good to us! Even when we forget. Even when we lack trust in you. Even when we don’t say thank you. You are still so good to us! Free us to faithfully follow you, wherever your Spirit may lead, with a sense of trust! Amen. 

Friday: “By Faith” -Hebrews 11:9

While preparing for this weeks sermon I came across a line in a commentary that really struck me - it went something like this - faith isn’t believing in something when there is little or no evidence, it is believing is someone - God alone. That is the faith of Abraham. A faith that didn’t just believe in the promise of God, but believed in the one making the promise in the first place. Believing in God alone is what prompted Abraham to leave the land he knew. It is what he clung to when times were hard. And it was that type of faith that was his legacy from generation to generation.

When we are no longer on this earth, what will other’s say about our faith? Will they talk about the God we believed in? And will our faith effect generations to come? 

Think about how you would like to be remembered - what would you like people to say about your faith life?

Prayer: God, we are blessed to have the opportunity to have faith in you alone. May our faith stretch from generation to generation as we proclaim your name. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Wild Goose Chase: A Rooster’s Crow” - John 18:13-27 and Matthew 18: 21-22.

Family Activity: Talk about promises. What are some promises that your children have made or have had made to them? Do we always fulfill our promises? Why or why not? What about the promises God makes - does God always come through for us? Why?

A Wild Goose Chase - Pt 1

     I recently was interviewed as a follow up to several grants that I have received from an organization over the years and was asked an interesting question - would you describe yourself as a go-getter?
   The question gave me some pause, before I boldly answered yes. What I meant by that yes however was this - I try to boldly follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit in my life. The truth is a lot of times that prompting isn't overly clear. Its not like there is a flashing sign saying "go this way to follow the Holy Spirit" - although that would be nice at times. Rather it is a series of yes's that allows me to be part of God's Kingdom plans.
   When I was in college I studied abroad in Australia and there was a lot of free time. A lot. We only really had classes 2.5 days a week, leaving each of us with a decision about how we were going to spend out time. I was in the candidacy process for ordination, so I was expected to get community service hours. During my free time I volunteered at a drop in shelter for prostitutes one afternoon and worked at a youth group on another. However, both were not in great neighborhoods. But when the Spirit starts to wrestle with your conscious you have a choices to make - whether you say yes or no. I timidly said yes, and took it one step at a time, one day at a time. I look back and those were amongst some of the most formative days in my call.
    What about you? Where are the places in your life God is asking you to say "yes"? Where are the places the Spirit is trying to push you towards, even if its uncomfortable or outside of your normal realm? What are you willing to risk for the sake of the Kingdom of God? Where are you willing to let the Spirit free to lead?

Wild Goose Devo Pt 1

July 3rd, 2016 

Devotional

“The Wild Goose Chase: Goose Bumps” - Luke 9: 59-60, Nehemiah 2: 1-10

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “But First” -  Luke 9: 59-60

Jesus called a man to come and follow him, to come and be his disciple, but the man replied, but let me first go and bury my father. At first, it seems like a reasonable request, doesn’t it. Why wouldn’t Jesus want to let the man bury his father and finish any business he may have before coming to follow him? Perhaps because there will always be a “but first” that will come next preventing the man from following him.

If given time, probably all of us can come up with a list of reasons that would prevent us from fully following the unpredictable movement of the Wild Goose, or Holy Spirit, in our lives. Debt and bills. A house to take care of, kids to feed, a pension to build up. We are too old or too you. Our job wouldn’t allow us to do that. The list goes on and on. We can use the people and things around us as excuses to not fully follow God, which is not what God intends for us to do with the good gifts we have been given. 

What are some of the “but firsts” in your life that could prevent you from following the movement of the Holy Spirit?

What do you think about the ancient celtic description of the Holy Spirit as a Wild Goose? What images and words does this bring to mind? 

Prayer: Loving God, we thank you this day for the gift of the Holy Spirit - wild and free, unpredictable and untamable. We confess at times, O God, we have tried to block the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives with a list of excuses, sometimes even using the good gifts you have given us as reasons not to follow you. Forgive us, O Lord, and ignite in us a passion to follow you no matter what the cost. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Where it Chooses” - John 3:8

Over the years there have been many different images used to represent the Holy Spirit and his movement. The tongues of fire of Pentecost. A dove. The wild goose. On the stole I received for my ordination, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a person freely dancing, arms outstretched. In the gospel of John, the Spirit is described as the wind that blows where it chooses.

The Holy Spirit is free and can lead us to places well beyond our comfort zone - but it requires us to respond “yes” to the Spirit’s promptings. That can be hard for those of us who like to plan - myself included - because the Holy Spirit doesn’t need to adapt to our wishes or plans for the future. In fact the gospel of John says that we do not know where the wind comes from or goes - so it is with the Holy Spirit. 

Sometimes we cannot predict the plans the Holy Spirit has for us, thus they can catch us by surprise. How will you respond when the Spirit moves in your life? With a “yes” or a “not right now”?

What surprises you about the movement of the Spirit?

Are you living a life where you try to get God to serve your purposes or one where you follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit to serve God’s purposes? Why?

Prayer:  Lord, forgive us for the times when we have forgotten that we serve you, and that you do not serve our every want, need, and desire. We confess that sometimes we have let our desire for comfort and having our wants come first get in the way of working for your Kingdom. Use us, again, O Lord, to make your name known. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Turning the World Upside Down” - Acts 17:6

While the movement of the Holy Spirit is unpredictable, there is one very predictable aspect to the results of the Holy Spirit’s presence - it turns the world upside down. The apostle Paul and some of his followers had been staying with Jason, preaching the good news and performing miracles. Unfortunately, not everyone, including the religious leaders of the time, could sense the power and presence of the Spirit amongst them. As a result they drug Jason to the city authorities, accusing him of causing disorder among them. 

Friends, what if the church once again became known as the body of believers that turned the world upside down because we followed the Holy Spirit. Sometimes chaos is beautiful. Think back to the creation story and how God created out of the chaos the whole world. Our God is in the business of recreating out of the chaos and turing the world upside down for the sake of the Kingdom. Is that something you want to be a part of?

Would you describe your faith as safe or one that turns the world upside down? Why?

What life changing adventures has the Holy Spirit lead you on?

Prayer: Lord, shake us from our apathy. Use us to turn the world upside down as we catch the breath and depth of your vision. Make us people who are accused, like Jason, of following you in such a way that people cannot help but notice! Amen. 

Thursday: “What Do You Request?” - Nehemiah 2: 1-4

Nehemiah is known as being the one who lead the people of Israel back to Jerusalem, which had been destroyed when they had been taken captive by the Babylonians. Nehemiah is known as the one who helped rebuild the walls around the Holy City of Jerusalem and the temple. But before Nehemiah did any of that, he had a choice to make. 

Nehemiah was given a vision by God to go and rebuild, but he received this vision while he was still in captivity, serving as a cupbearer to the king of Babylon. Nehemiah was confronted one day by the king, who could tell that he was perplexed and he had a choice to make - to tell the king about his vision from God or not. To make the request or not.

How often do we simply choose to shove aside the visions and calls from God on our lives because we aren’t sure its our place to ask - to ask to be able to go on the mission trip. Or to ask the city if we can perform a certain type of community outreach. Or to ask our families if they are willing to relocate for the sake of the gospel. What would it take for us to stand up, like Nehemiah, and take the first step of asking if we can fulfill the call God has placed on our lives?

What passion has God given you? How have you responded?

What is God leading you to do for the sake of the Kingdom?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for placing a call upon each of us - a call to serve you in specific ways. We know that you have given each of us unique gifts and callings, and we know that you have a specific vision for our church. Make us bold enough, O God, to take the first step in following you. Clear a path, O God, so your name may be made known in this place and beyond. Amen.  

Friday: “Seek the Welfare of the People” - Nehemiah 2: 6-10

How many times when we pray are we seeking the welfare of the people? In other words how many times when we pray are we lifting up ourselves and our own concerns and how many times are we crying out to God for the brokenhearted people?

Mark Batterson in his book Wild Goose Chase said that prayer is vital to our relationship with God, but sometimes we keep praying about things after God has given us clear instructions to act because we hope that God will pass the instructions on to someone else. Sometimes God calls us to action, especially on the behalf o the people. What is God calling you to act upon? 

What are the things God is calling you to do now that are preparing you for what God will call you to do later? 

Prayer: God, help us to be faithful in the small things so that we are prepared when you call us to do big things on behalf of your people later Make us your faithful servants here and now. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Wild Goose Chase: Ceilings” - Hebrews 11: 9 and Romans 4: 18-21

Pick something as a family that you can do together on to serve God. How did this activity help you grow closer as a family? What did it teach you about listening to God?