Sound Mind Set

Today, we close out our week, focusing on hope.Romans15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.Hope is something that often eludes us. Day-to-day, we can get so lost in the stress and anxiety of our culture that our sense of hope feels diminished. That's why this passage cuts through. It starts by saying that we are sons and daughters of the ‘God of hope'. What is an area in your life right now that feels hopeless?It says we will be filled with hope, joy and peace as we trust in Him. Right now, can you reaffirm your trust in our God of hope?It also says the power of the Holy Spirit will cause us to overflow with hope.Can you invite the Holy Spirit to release the power of Hope in your life so that it ‘overflows to those around us?Pray with me: “God of hope, please fill me with joy and peace, and help me trust you in all areas of my life. I ask that your Holy Spirit would fill me with the hope that overflows into those around me. As above, so below. ”

Psalm 77:11-15I will remember the deeds of the Lord;    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.I will consider all your works    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”Your ways, God, are holy.    What god is as great as our God?You are the God who performs miracles;    you display your power among the peoples.With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.There is a Hebrew word that shows up often in the Bible; the word is  ZAKAR, meaning remember. Often when God had provided a way through or a victory, people who witnessed it would stop what they were doing, and build an altar to celebrate the faithfulness of God. Jesus, on his last night with his disciples before his crucifixion, told us all to do this very thing. To take the bread and the cup in remembrance of him. There's more to this practice than just calling back to mind something that has happened. It is ruminating on the faithfulness of God that anchors us. Can you think of a situation where you didn't see a way through, where you had come to the end of yourself, but God came through? Take a moment and put yourself back in that situation of desperation, feel the doubt, feel the fear, and now remember what it felt like when you realized things were going to be OK... when you saw God come through. Ruminate on what it felt like for God to deliver, and know that that same power is available to you right now, whatever you are facingLet's pray together: “Father, help me to commit myself to the act of remembrance. To remember Your faithful power that I have seen at work in my life. Help me to hold on to that awareness when I come into situations where I don't know what to do. As above, so below”

Psalm 107:1-9Oh, thank God—he's so good!    His love never runs out. All of you set free by God, tell the world!    Tell how he freed you from oppression, Then rounded you up from all over the place,    from the four winds, from the seven seas.Some of you wandered for years in the desert,    looking but not finding a good place to live, Half-starved and parched with thirst,    staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion. Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.    He got you out in the nick of time; He put your feet on a wonderful road    that took you straight to a good place to live. So thank God for his marvelous love,    for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. He poured great drafts of water down parched throats;    the starved and hungry got plenty to eat.This is a beautiful Psalm about the goodness of God. So many times in life, we can feel knocked around by circumstances. Feeling overwhelmed by the demands, the responsibilities and the challenges that we all face, can sometimes take our focus off the goodness of God . This Psalm has 34 more verses just like the ones we've read. Over and over, describing God coming to our aid in difficult circumstances and challenges. The common thread of all these verses explains the only thing that we are responsible for is calling out to him… and he comes through. Take a moment to realize the goodness of God in your life is just a request away. Crying out to him doesn't always result in us getting our way, but it does lead us to an abundant life, even amid the circumstances that we find ourselves in. That abundant life is God's goodness, and we can be expectant that he delivers His abundance, peace, and reassurance if we just cry out for him. Be aware that his goodness and presence are all around you regardless of your circumstance.PRAYFather thank you for your goodness which always comes through. Please help me to be patient. Help me to be aware and expectant that amid whatever challenge I find myself in, your abundance… your goodness is always available. As above, so below.

Today our scripture reading is from Colossians 3:15-17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Having a spirit of gratitude is one of the most powerful tools that God has given us. The act of giving thanks, of feeling gratitude can actually change our brain chemistry. No matter what situation you find yourself in, there's always something around you worth giving thanks for. It may be a small thing, it may be a significant thing. Every day we wake up with a choice. That choice is what we focus on. We can focus on a sense of lack, or what we're missing, or we can choose to find and focus on those things we are grateful for. And allow the peace of Christ to rule our hearts. Can you think of one thing that you are grateful for ?Maybe its a person, something that has happened, or something that is a blessing - like health, or provision.Focus on that one thing and everything about that one thing that you are grateful for. Feel it in your body, feel the gratitude and worship Your father in the spirit of gratitude.Pray with me: “Father I have so much to be grateful for. Help me to work into the discipline of choosing to be grateful, of choosing to find things to give thanks for. Let your peace rule in my heart. As above So Below. ”

2 Corinthians 12:5-10….I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.When we look at our lives, they are full of victories and full of setbacks. In these verses, Paul clarifies the true source of strength. God's strength. He also speaks of ‘a thorn in the flesh', placed there to keep him from being conceited. It's interesting to reframe the challenges in our life, failures in our life, and seeing even those play a divine purpose in our lives. What area of your life feels weak right now? What is the difficulty in your life right now?"When I am weak, then I am strong."This message is countercultural to our society which preaches self-reliance. Can you admit your weakness to God right now?Ask for him to give you not only the strength to make it through but also the awareness that in your weakness, He is strong, Turning all things for your good and His gloryLet's pray: “Holy Father, thank you for your power that shines in my weakness. I confess my failings, I confess my weakness, and I acknowledge those areas of struggle and hardship in the very areas where are you are shining brightest through me.”

Romans 12:17-21 NLTNever pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”  Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.There is some great relationship advice in this passage: Don't pay back evil with evil. Live honorably. Never take revenge. Serving even your enemies in times of need proves character comes first. Good will always overcome evil—in His time, in the end.But one of the best pieces of counsel here is found in verse 18: “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” God only expects us to do what we can. We are not responsible for anyone else's actions. We do our part whether they do theirs or not. And who does this apply to? Everyone. Saints and sinners. The guilty and the innocent.In your life right now, is peace your agenda or is revenge on the table? Is it time to let God handle something for you so good can conquer evil?Listen to this priceless passage one more time but this time from The Message Bible:Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. “I'll do the judging,” says God. “I'll take care of it.”  Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. (Romans 12:17-21 MSG)Pray with me:“Heavenly Father, teach me to live honorably. Show me how to live at peace with everyone. Help me to stay away from revenge and leave that with You. When I encounter evil or am tempted by evil, help me to choose Your way. May I learn how to surprise others with Your goodness. As above, so below.”

Matthew 5:21-25 MSG“You're familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill. “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. “Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him.Jesus was crystal clear that His followers must live by a higher standard … His standard. His teaching always pointed to the importance of the intent of our hearts. Anger, verbal insults, careless words, and grudges all come from a troubled heart. But the real point isn't even about holding a standard, but rather what is right for us to live in peace and righteousness, the best thing for us and everyone in our circles.As you heard Jesus's words, did anyone's face pop into your mind? Did these verses trigger an instance in your memory?Listen again to some of the key phrases in this passage:“The simple moral fact is that words kill.” … “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. “Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. (Matthew 5:21-25 MSG)When God brings someone to mind or a circumstance, remember His words: “Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right.”Let's pray: “Father, thank You that You hold us to a standard, yet You have made provision by Your grace and mercy when we fail. Please forgive my words that have killed, do kill, and can kill. Teach me to make the first move to make things right. To let go and give both my hurts and my sin to You. As above, so below.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 NLTGet rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.The phrase, “get rid of,” means to leave no trace of what was once there. The idea here is to not just cut the weed off at the ground so it is no longer visible, but to pull it up by the roots as if it had never existed at all. Interesting that we often use the word “root” in connection to bitterness. But as the apostle Paul often did, he told us what to eliminate, but then next, he also told us what to do in its place. He offered us the qualities of God to replace those things that only harm us.Paul told us to get rid of anger and be compassionate. To get rid of rage and be kind. To get rid of bitterness and forgive. These opposite, contrasting qualities cannot co-exist. They can only be exchanged. Let go of the old and embrace the new.Think about these truth as you listen again to today's passage:Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT)Notice that the reaction to a feeling, like anger, is not a feeling. Paul is not asking us to feel differently - he is asking us to do something. In doing something, in extending grace, we are not condoning any offence, rather we are showing strength, the strength that only a God can supply.Is there any anger that you need to exchange with showing compassion? Any rage that you need to exchange with showing kindness? Any bitterness that you need to exchange with offering forgiveness?Let's pray: “Father, guide me, lead me, help me to get rid of the things that hurt me and displease You. I want to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving, to the depths that You have forgiven me. As above, so below.”

Romans 6:12-14 NLTDo not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace.Granting forgiveness, experiencing total freedom, and letting go for good is a mental, emotional, and spiritual experience. And yes, it can even be physical. Holding onto bitterness affects our ability to smile, facial expressions, countenance, and body language.When our hearts are closed, we look closed off. Giving ourselves completely to God, as Paul tells us here, is as much as about what we let go of as what we take up. To block forgiveness from someone is to allow sin to be our master and keep us under the law, not under grace. And when we can't give grace, we can't embrace grace.If there is someone you struggle to let go of and forgive, think about how this makes you feel, even physically, how it affects your being in every manner? Refusing to let go creates more pain as we work harder to hold on.Listen once again to Paul's commands:Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. (Romans 6:12-14 NLT)Forgiveness and letting go diminishes sin's control, allowing us the freedom to give ourselves completely to God, to glorify Him, for Him to be our Master, not sin. To live under the freedom of God's grace.Pray with me, using Paul's words: “Dear Father, help me to not let sin control the way I live; to not give in to sinful desires, to not let any part of my body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Help me to give myself completely to You and experience new life, to use my whole body as an instrument to do what is right for Your glory. I do not want sin to be my master or live under the requirements of the law. Instead, let me live under the freedom of Your grace. As above, so below.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 MSGA right time for birth and another for death,A right time to plant and another to reap,A right time to destroy and another to construct,A right time to cry and another to laugh,A right time to lament and another to cheer,A right time to embrace and another to part,A right time to search and another to count your losses,A right time to hold on and another to let go,A right time to rip out and another to mend,A right time to shut up and another to speak up.The old saying goes: “Timing is everything.” That is especially true when we consider being obedient to God and His timing. Realizing and accepting when we should let go of holding onto something from our past can be so difficult for us on so many levels. But yet letting go is such a right and natural part of life. Navigating seasons in life, we cannot grab hold of the future until we let go of the past.We cannot die until we are born. We cannot harvest with planting. We cannot tear down that which we never built. We cannot turn away from something we never embraced.Sometimes letting go can make us feel less-than or create the false assumption that we are giving away a part of our heart we may never get back. But think of it this way: we cannot harvest, heal, mend, or dance while holding onto unhealthy things in our lives.Is God calling you to heal but you can't because you're still allowing bitterness to hurt your spirit? Is it time for you to experience a final letting go and forgive someone?Listen again to a personalized version of Ecclesiastes 3:1-7:A right time [for me] for birth and another for death,A right time [for me] to plant and another to reap,A right time [for me] to destroy and another to construct,A right time [for me] to cry and another to laugh,A right time [for me] to lament and another to cheer,A right time [for me] to embrace and another to part,A right time [for me] to search and another to count your losses,A right time [for me] to hold on and another to let go,A right time [for me] to rip out and another to mend,A right time [for me] to shut up and another to speak up,Let today be your day to let go, to forgive, to be born, harvest, heal, build up, laugh, dance, gather, embrace, mend, and speak new life.Let's pray: “Father, thank You for Your timing. That You give us seasons of change. That You allow us to experience freedom from the past, hurts, and harm that we have done and experienced from others. Please grant me the freedom today to forgive and let go. As above, so below.”

Psalm 130:1-7 O Lord, I have cried to You out of the deep places. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears hear the voice of my prayers. If you, Lord, should write down our sins, O Lord, who could stand? But You are the One Who forgives, so You are honored with fear. I wait for the Lord. My soul waits and I hope in His Word. My soul waits for the Lord more than one who watches for the morning; yes, more than one who watches for the morning. … hope in the Lord! For there is loving-kindness with the Lord. With Him we are saved for sure.David has worked through a great deal in his life. He has literally worked out his relationship with God to live in a state of security and blessing once again. He does not claim to be without sin now, but rather, he knows where to go when he does and to go quickly! Being aquatinted with our shortcomings produces humility and a correct posture of dependency on God for His grace and Power.David confesses that God is the only One who forgives, He is loving and kind, and the path to certain salvation. Can you confess with same assurance that the same God that David is talking about here from thousands of years ago is active and available today to you in real time.How would it change the way you approach your day, your relationships to live in the full acceptance of God's loving and kind forgiveness?Also, If God has forgiven you, isn't it time to let the weight of toxic shame go - and be empowered by the grace forgiveness and acceptance that the God of the universe extends to you.A free life is fully available every day, all the time, with God.Let's turn Psalm 130 into our prayer today:O Lord, I have cried to You out of the deep places. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears hear the voice of my prayers. You are the One Who forgives. I wait for You, Lord. My soul waits and I hope in Your Word. My soul waits for You, Lord, more than one who watches for the morning; yes, more than one who watches for the morning. I put my hope in You, Lord! For there is loving-kindness with You, Lord. With You, I am saved for sure. … As above, so below.

Psalm 86:1-7 NLTBend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I'm in trouble, and you will answer me.As we learn to go to God with our sin, our guilt, our past, and all our stuff, we can then begin to sense His constant presence, because while He has been right with us all along and never moved, we finally choose to stop running away and attempting to hide. We see that progression in today's passage as David's 'Psalm 51 moment' is now in his rearview mirror.Our brokenness can produce a humble boldness.Our surrender can provide a sense of security.Our submission can protect us from falling again.Do you recognize, can you feel, God's presence with You as You begin to live in a constant state of forgiveness?Like King David, you can call to God whenever You are in trouble and He will answer You.Let's make Psalm 86 our personal prayer.Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I'm in trouble, and you will answer me. … As above, so below.

Psalm 51:1-4, 7-12 NLTHave mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.  For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. … Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.David longs to not feel stained or dirty or guilty or broken or disloyal or isolated any longer. We all know these feelings much too well.Reflect on David's understanding of how absolute the removal of any trace of sin God can bring. Like it never happened. David talks about how his rebellion haunts him day and night.Is there sin in your past, or even currently, that haunts you day and night?Listen again to what David asks of God in this passage from the Message bible:God, give grace! Scrub away my guilt,I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down.You've seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil.Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.Set these once-broken bones to dancing.Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health.God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!It is likely that whatever the sin that haunts you day or night is not as drastic as the affair and murder that David carries. In confessing and asking forgiveness we are talking to the same God that David did in this passage. We know that God's forgiveness is as absolute then as it is now. God's grace never runs out. His mercy never ends. His love never quits. Can you offer the same grace to yourself that God gives? He promises a clean heart, a loyal spirit, joy of the salvation given to us.Pray with me: “O God, thank You for Your mercy, Your unfailing love, Your removal of guilt and Your cleansing of stains. Thank You for Your restoration, but most of all, thank You for Your presence in my life. As above, so below.”

Psalm 32:1-5 NLTOh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.David's detailed and intense description of his battle with sin and confession offers us such a great encouragement to go straight to the Lord and be honest with all our confessions. We see the journey of David trying to ignore his guilt and pain, his loss of even physical health, and then his ultimate surrender of all rebellion. Healthy acceptance of shame through confession brings us in line with authentic humility and our dependency on God.Is there an area of life that you are trying to rectify on your own? A sin… that you are reluctant to call a sin… or rationalize away? Maybe an attitude or something that we feel entitled to hold onto that we really should confess. something that we know, to use David's words, “are causing our body to waste away”?Listen to verses 1, 2 and 5 once again—the result of full confession and acceptance of forgiveness:Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! … You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. (Psalm 32:1-2, 5 NLT)Can you see the power in confession and surrender?Today, if you relate to any part of David's words, take his advice and make things right. Confess and then accept the joy and freedom of total and absolute forgiveness.Pray with me using David's words: “Heavenly Father, forgive my disobedience. Put my sin out of sight. Clear my record. Thank You for forgiving me. Now, may I let go of my guilt and accept Your grace. As above, so below.”

King David's very vocal wrestling to accept God's forgiveness is a huge help to us as we navigate forgiving ourselves for our mistakes too—past and present.Psalm 25:4-12 NLTShow me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose.In David's personal processing and prayer, He reminds himself of God's goodness and confesses the truth that that goodness is greater than any sin he could ever commit. Finally, David declares that God is the only one who will lead us out of our sin and into safety and security.Think of an area of your life that you need help in forgiving yourself?As I read parts of the passage again, notice how David prays, then in verse 8, he changes to a declaration of what God does, but then in verses 11 and 12 he goes back to personal prayer:Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow….teach me, for you are the God who saves me… I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love…Here's the turn: The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.And now back: For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins… He will show them the path they should choose.David was bold in his brokenness. God is inviting you to the same as you share your heart with Him.What is an area of your life that you can be bold in your brokenness before God?Let's pray using David's own words: “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me. I put my hope in You. Remember me in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord. For the honor of Your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. … As above, so below.”

Colossians 1:11-14 NLTWe … pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.Focus on these key words from this passage. Strength … power … endurance … patience … joy … inheritance … belonging … light … rescue … deliverance … freedom … and forgiveness.On this final day of the week, consider this question …Where does the path to forgiveness lead?Where does it end and where are we when we arrive?The answer is a life filled with the words I just read. But all of those amazing gifts, promises, and qualities are found daily in, and through, and from, a relationship with Jesus Christ.Listen again and meditate on these words — these promises that are yours: Strength … power … endurance … patience … joy … inheritance … belonging … light … rescue … deliverance … freedom … and forgiveness.Let's turn today's passage into our prayer today:Father, I pray that You will strengthen me with all Your glorious power so that I will have all the endurance and patience I need. May I be filled with joy, always thanking You, Father. You have enabled me to share in the inheritance that belongs to Your people, who live in the light. For You have rescued me from the kingdom of darkness and transferred me into the Kingdom of Your dear Son, who purchased my freedom and forgave my sins. … As above, so below.

Romans 5:15-18 NLTThere is a great difference between Adam's sin and God's gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God's gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man's sin. For Adam's sin led to condemnation, but God's free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.Through Adam's choice to disobey God, he brought death. Through Christ's obedience to God, He brought grace and forgiveness. Through Adam's choice to disobey God, he brought condemnation. Through Christ's obedience to God, He brought righteousness, along with the opportunity for a right relationship with God and new life for … who? Everyone who believes.Whose image do you feel like you live in day in and day out? Adam's or Jesus's? Through Jesus we are offered ‘new life' - how does it feel for you to experience that all condemnation is lifted from you right now?Listen again, but this time, we will focus only on what Christ provides for you: There is a great difference between Adam's sin and God's gracious gift. … But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God's gracious gift is very different … God's free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. … But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, … Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. (Romans 5:15-18 NLT)The word “gift” is used five times in this passage. God's wonderful free gift of forgiveness and His righteousness. Today, His gift is yours. Receive it. Open it. Live it. Share it.Let's pray: “Father, thank You for Your gift. Thank You that You offer this gift to me every day. Help me to receive what You give and be grateful that I can walk in true, real freedom and forgiveness. As above, so below.”

Ephesians 1:7 NLTHe is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.Our confession of sin—one time—triggers God's faithfulness, forgiveness, cleansing, removal of sin, kindness, grace, and freedom. What an amazing deal for us once we simply get honest with God about what we have done.If you struggle with forgiving yourself for any past mistakes and sins, maybe it's time to visualize a funeral for them.Confess, place them under the blood of Christ, and ask for forgiveness one final time.Commit to this being the last time you will bring it up. Just like when a funeral is over, you need to walk away once you've said your goodbyes. But now instead of mourning and grief, you say hello to freedom and forgiveness.What is a specific sin you are willing to confess and bury today?Listen once again to God's promises and the finality of what happens once we confess:But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. —Psalm 103:12 NLTHe is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. (Ephesians 1:7 NLT)It is time to say a final goodbye to something God wants to see you let go of… that you know you need to let go of.As you can see, He has made your forgiveness and freedom available to you right now.How does it feel to know that God not only forgives your sins, but He forgets they even happened. What does it look like to accept you are living with a new reality, a clean slate.Let's commit this to Him: “Father, I want today to say a final goodbye to the things that have held me back from receiving all You have for me. Today, I hand these things over You. Thank You now for Your faithfulness, forgiveness, cleansing, removal of sin, kindness, grace, and freedom. As above, so below.”

Matthew 18:21–22Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!Jesus was not teaching the disciples that on the four-hundred-and-ninety-first time someone offends you that you can then take action against them. Peter obviously thought adding up to seven was a huge display of grace, but Jesus corrected his math using multiplication.The idea here is that we forgive so much that you stop counting. We don't add up offenses. We multiply grace and forgiveness.Another way of interpreting this passage is: Don't keep score, just like God doesn't with us. When you apply Jesus' answer to the context of all New Testament teaching, the bottom line is we must forgive others as often as God forgives us.Is there someone in your life that you feel has or is pushing you far past seven times? In fact, you are thinking right now that they might be nearing the “seventy times seven” range? Picture that person in your mind now.Listen to The Message Bible's version of this passage:At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21–22 MSG)I don't know about you, but I am so glad that God doesn't keep score or have a “sin quota” that once we go over, we run out of His grace. Doesn't it make sense that as His followers He would expect us to do the same?Wounded people, like us, tend to want to apply justice to the wrongs that have been done, especially to us. Extending grace does not equal diminishing the offense, or the effect of it. Rather, Grace, in this case, is allowing God to be the judge and jury. Not us. He is our defender. In fact, letting go of offense is actually OUR pursuit of freedom and has nothing to do with the offender. Perhaps, this is why Jesus is so emphatic about it.As we said yesterday - in our strength alone it can feel impossible to let go of offenses.Ask your Father for the strength to surrender the offenses against you.Let's pray: “Father, thank you that You don't keep score with my sin. Please help me to stop keeping score with others. Help me to let things go, I confess I have a hard time on my own strength. Teach me to live in Your grace and share Your grace with others. As above, so below.”

While Jesus certainly taught us all about God's love, mercy, and grace, some of the toughest words He spoke were about forgiveness … and the lack of forgiveness.Matthew 6:12-15 NIV“And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Jesus included forgiveness in a very short example of how to talk to God, in what came to be known as The Lord's Prayer. But then immediately following the prayer, He continued His teaching on forgiveness. It is important that we notice in verse 12 that Jesus says “Forgive us as we forgive.” Connecting that phrase to verses 14 and 15 communicates that God expects us to keep our slate clean and our list empty of what we hold against others. So He can then do the same for us. This does not mean that God is unable to forgive, but because He is God, He has a divine order for everything that He knows is always the best thing for us.Staying free of bitterness and unforgiveness, along with being forgiven for our offenses, is the healthiest path for us all.Do you have an “I will never forgive that person” list? An “I can never forgive that person” list? Sometimes it is only through God's strength that we are able to forgive.Think of that person as I personalize Jesus' words from this passage again:“And forgive me of my sins, as I have forgiven those who sin against me. And don't let me yield to temptation, but rescue me from the evil one. “If I forgive those who sin against me, my heavenly Father will forgive me. But if I refuse to forgive others, my Father will not forgive my sins.” (Matthew 6:12-15 NIV)We need to avoid the temptation to view Jesus's words as harsh, but rather as what it takes for us to be our best and healthiest in the sight of God. Again, often on our strength alone it can feel impossible to take this very important step.Ask your Father for the strength to forgive as you have been forgiven.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I want to lay my list of people I can't, or struggle to, forgive before You right now. I confess I battle with forgiving them. Father, I don't want anything to come between my relationship with You, so please give me the strength and obedience to follow Your words—to release them and forgive them for good—just as You have forgiven me for my offenses and sins against You and others. As above, so below.”

For our final day this week, we are going to meditate completely on Scripture that expresses gratitude. Take these passages into your mind, heart, and spirit.(Psalm 100 NLT) Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.(Psalm 105:1-4 NLT) Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.(Psalm 106:1-2 NLT)Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?(Psalm 107:1-2 NLT) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.(Psalm 108:1-5 NLT) My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! … I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.(Revelation 5:11-13 NLT) I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”Pray “Lord Jesus, thank You for forgiveness and freedom. As I accept Your forgiveness and freedom, help me always to grant forgiveness and freedom to others. You are worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. As above, so below.”

In John 11, we find the story of Jesus coming to Lazarus's tomb after he had died. When He arrived, Jesus said:“Go ahead, take away the stone.” They removed the stone. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I'm grateful that you have listened to me. I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I've spoken so that they might believe that you sent me.” Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.” (Luke 11:41-44 MSG) It's fascinating that the first thing Jesus did was to have the stone removed that was blocking the tomb. Then to raise a man from the dead, He began by expressing gratitude to God, His Father. After thanking God for listening and responding, He commanded the man's resurrection and ultimate freedom.Think about a situation in your life where you are struggling. Is there a situation that seems hopeless - that feels dead and you desire new life.Listen once again to Jesus's main commands: “Go ahead, take away the stone.”… Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I'm grateful … Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, … Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.” (Luke 11:41-44 MSG) Our stone can be rolled away to free us. Can you trust God to resurrect hope that seems dead?You can come out of your struggle with a renewed and transformed life from witnessing God's miraculous power.Let's pray together: “Father, thank You for resurrection and new life. Thank You that You have power over sin and death. Thank You that You forgive and offer real freedom. I believe You today for all these in my life. As above, so below.”

Matthew 8:2-4 MSGThen a leper appeared and went to his knees before Jesus, praying, “Master, if you want to, you can heal my body.” Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there, all signs of the leprosy were gone. Jesus said, “Don't talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed body to the priest, along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.”The famous saying by St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel everywhere and if necessary, use words”. Francis's wisdom reflects Jesus's teaching in that a radically healed and changed life will always speak louder and be respected more than any sermon from a life that just looks like everyone else's.When God forgives any sinner and sets that person free, the reality of a changed life will result in a constant reflection of gratitude to Him that flows out of a transformed heart.How has your heart been changed or transformed through Jesus? What is noticeable about your life that points towards God and His Grace ?Listen once again to Jesus's final instructions to the healed leper: Just quietly present your healed body … along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.” (Matthew 8:2-4 MSG) St. Francis was certainly right in his day, and most especially today in our current culture. People are longing to witness a forgiven, grateful, and transformed life. That message never gets old and always makes a difference. Today, choose to let your cleansed and grateful life bear witness to what Jesus has done in your attitudes, words, and actions.Let's pray to that end: “Father, may all I am be a reflection of all You are. May my life speak loud about You and all You have done for me. Today, I am forgiven. Today, I am grateful. As above, so below.”

Psalm 138:1-3 MSGThank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!” Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.In this passage, King David's gratitude is all encompassing. Everything in him says “Thank you.” Nothing is held back. All of his heart, soul and mind kneel and worship God.David's gratitude is expressed specifically about God's love, His faithfulness, His name, and His Word.David's gratitude has an origin and a reason for being: the moment I called out, You stepped in and brought strength.Gratitude cannot be fully expressed until the reason for gratitude has been fully recognized. Our busy, often distracted lives can cause us to miss God's goodness. Our self-focused perspective can keep our eyes on our perceived lack, not our realized gain.Listen again to David's appeal to God: Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!” Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength. (Psalm 138:1-3 MSG) If you know Christ today, if you have a relationship with God, then He has indeed stepped in; He has most certainly made your life large with strength, even in Your darkest moments. There is power for daily living in gratitude.What are areas of you life, or people in your life that you should express your gratefulness right now?Can you thank him for the challenges too, knowing He will use them for you good?Let's pray using David's words: “Thank you! Everything in me says ‘Thank you!' Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength. As above, so below.”

In Luke 7, Jesus was teaching about forgiveness and gratitude Luke 7:41-47 MSG Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.” “That's right,” said Jesus. … but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”Oftentimes, we view sin as if God has levels of disobedience. We can get into debates on whose sin was the greater. While God in His perfection sees things as black and white, He knows the sin we struggle with causes us to view things in such a skewed way. Here, Jesus was allowing for that mindset by acknowledging that the more we are forgiven of, the more grateful we will be. Why? Because the more shame we feel, the greater relief we experience when forgiven. The farther we have fallen, the higher we can rise up.In your life, how have you experienced this dynamic—what is something that you have felt the most shame for?Knowing that, if you have asked for it, that sin is completely forgiven… like it never happened, how does that make your heart feel?Focus on feeling that great gratitude, let it uplift you spirit.Listen once again to Jesus's main points: Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?” … speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman?... She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.” (Luke 7:41-47 MSG) The path to avoiding arrogance and staying humble is to maximize our gratitude. The road to staying forgiven before God is to continually acknowledge sin and practice being grateful each day.Let's pray: “Father, I never want to take Your forgiveness for granted. I also don't want to view sin as what I do being less than anyone else's offense. Help me to stay clean before You. Help me to keep my list short and my gratitude constant. As above, so below.”

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NLTIf I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.What does loving others on God's terms have to do with setting and attaining our personal goals? … Everything. … People, quote-unquote, win and succeed every day and reach amazing goals, but they harm and hurt people along the way. Is a win actually a win if we have made someone else lose? What good can come of a goal met if someone has been pushed aside in the race?The one who loves like Christ, as Paul defines in this passage, will win. That person will attain their goals because others have been placed first, people have seen Christ, and God has been loved more than self.Listen to verses 4-7 again from the Message Bible:Love never gives up.Love cares more for others than for self.Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.Love doesn't strut,Doesn't have a swelled head,Doesn't force itself on others,Isn't always “me first,”Doesn't fly off the handle,Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.Let love set your goals. Let love drive your goals. Let love be your goal. After all, that is the true goal Christ came, died, and rose again to allow us to gain and attain.Let's agree in prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be patient and kind, to not be jealous or boastful or proud or rude, to not demand my own way, to not be irritable, and to keep no record of wrongs, to not rejoice about injustice, but rejoice whenever the truth wins out. May my love for You, in You, and from You, never give up, never lose faith, always stay hopeful, and endure through every circumstance. As above, so below.”

Joshua 1:6-8 NLT“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.For those who love God, for those who follow Christ, the way to reach the life goals that God created us to attain is only through Him—His way, His will, and His Word. To become everything He planned for us when He formed us in our mother's wombs.When God spoke to Joshua on behalf of the people of Israel about moving to the Promised Land, He twice said to “be strong and courageous,” and then to be very careful to follow His Word. Then they would prosper and succeed. The same is true for us today. Follow God's way, His will, and His Word, which in today's culture, will take being strong and courageous.Listen once again to this rephrasing of today's passage, this time for the Message Bible:Strength! Courage! Give it everything you have, heart and soul… Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.” (from Joshua 1:6-8) It is clear in this passage how important it is to Study and Meditate on God's word to be successful. The path to success and achieving goals for the believer only comes through an uncompromising path through His Word.Let's pray: “Father God, please give me a hunger for Your Word, a desire to study Your Book, to meditate on it, and be careful to obey what You tell me. As above, so below.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIVForget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.This passage from the prophet Isaiah, offering God's words to the people of Israel, is both beautiful and poetic. As followers of Christ, we can apply these promises to our own lives because God has opened every door and provided every gift He holds in His storehouse for us through Jesus.God has created for us a way out of the past and into the realm of the new He has made. He wants us to see, understand, and embrace all He has for us. In what was once a wilderness, He makes a way and what once was a wasteland, He creates a stream. That, my friends, opens up the doors for us to not only set new and exciting goals for our lives, but actually see them come true.Listen to The Message Bible's version of this passage: “Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.Declare this with me: I will forget the former things; I will not dwell on the past. I will see the new thing that God is doing! He is making a way in my wilderness and a stream in my wasteland. (from Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV) Let's commit this to prayer: “Father, thank You for the new thing You are doing in my life. I receive it and want to see it happen. Bring Your way, create Your stream, through my life to live as You desire and designed me to live. As above, so below.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 MSGYou've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.Paul used runners in a race as a metaphor for the Christian life. Notice he never mentioned the prospect of losing, only what must be done to win. A major mental and emotional dynamic of serious athletes is to constantly envision winning. For you to set and attain your goals in life, try to take losing off the table. Run to win. Train hard. Give it everything you've got. Stay alert. Envision winning. Why? Because we tend fulfill the personal prophesies that we create in our minds.Listen again to Paul's inspirational speech: Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 MSG) What do you need to let go of, or what do you need to start doing to race like you never have before?Let's declare Paul's words out loud: I run to win. I will give it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I will stay alert and in top condition. (from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 MSG) Let's pray together: “Father, I desire to win any and everything that You intend for me to win in life. Teach me to think Your thoughts and live as one who desires to win and cross Your finish line. As above, so below.”

Philippians 3:12-16 NIVNot that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.While we all have a past on some level, and things we've done that we aren't proud of, the apostle Paul had the execution and imprisonment of Christ-followers in his recent past. He had overseen the stoning of Stephen recorded in Acts 7. So when he says “forgetting what is behind, straining ahead, and pressing on to his goal,” that effort is no small feat. But Paul lived first and foremost from the knowledge that Christ had forgiven him.Anyone can set goals, but reaching for, straining toward, and winning that goal takes great courage. To make major progress and reach new heights in our lives, we must let go of the painful events, relationships, and things of our past that hold us back from becoming who we need to be.Listen once again to Paul's action phrases from this passage:I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. … one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.All of us … who are mature should take such a view of things. … let us live up to what we have already attained.(from Philippians 3:12-16 NIV)Does your past effect you making goals?Like Paul had to do, let go of your past. Press on towards Christ. Be mature and live up to what He has already provided for you—forgiveness, redemption, freedom, grace, strength, courage and love. … It's time to move towards the goals He has place in your heart.Pray with me: “Father, help me to press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Help me to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. May I live up to what I have already received from You. … As above, so below.”

Matthew 26:36-39, 45-46Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”Then he came to the disciples and said, “… look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let's be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”The most courageous moment in the history of humankind is when Jesus made the final decision to redeem us. As fully human, like you or me…He stood at the last crossroads before the actual cross and said yes for us. The turning point in that battle was when He stated, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”In our final day of this week's series on courage, the way we may live in confidence and express courage in the face of any trial is by stating to God: “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”Think about the stories we have visited this week, David, Gideon, Ruth, and Esther—each one had to come to the place of saying “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Even David the warrior would have preferred to not risk his life that day, but he knew there was a much higher purpose for his life than protecting sheep.Where in your life today are you battling a decision or struggling with a calling? Where do you need to let go and follow Jesus into saying, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” And even repeat His words: “Look—the time has come. Up—let's be going.” The reality for you, though, is that your decision will not end in death. In fact, your personal courage could potentially create far more life than you ever knew before.Let's pray: “Lord Jesus, thank You that You made the choice for me in the garden. You chose God's will for redemption and sacrificed your own will and life. Help me now to follow Your example and continually say to You: “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” As above, so below.”

Today, we jump into the story of Queen Esther and Mordecai where the most critical decision of Esther's life is about to take place:Esther 4:8-16 NLTMordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews. He asked Hathach to show it to Esther and explain the situation to her. He also asked Hathach to direct her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people. So Hathach returned to Esther with Mordecai's message. Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai: “All the king's officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.” … Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “… If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”When Esther was suddenly elevated out of nowhere to become queen, the last thing she saw coming was to risk her life to save her people. But that was exactly what happened and the position God placed her in.So often, our places of greatest responsibility are the same places we must exhibit the greatest courage. The two just seem to go hand in hand.Where is your greatest place of responsibility right now? Where are you being called to show the most courage? Has God placed you there “for such a time as this?”Listen to Mordecai's challenge to Esther and her response one more time: “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “I will go … If I must die, I must die.”If there is a place in your life right now where God is calling you to take action, to speak up, to intervene, to show a confidence like you never have before, then take courage, my friend. Call on God's strength, know He has called and created for a purpose, and be bold in obedience.Let's commit this to prayer: “Father God, where you have given me great responsibility, I know You ask me to display great courage. Help me to make the hard call and do the right thing for You, in Your name. As above, so below.”

Today, we'll jump into Ruth's story when she and Boaz first met.Ruth 2:5-12 NLTThen Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? … the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since …” Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don't go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” Ruth thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.” “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”You must remember that quite often you are being courageous, but you can't see it. … But others do. In fact, most often courage is something we experience but may not even recognize until later, once we are past the circumstance. God has a unique way of providing confidence when we don't know it. Just like Ruth, there is a humility that coincides with that kind of courage.Think for a moment about the last time you knew you exhibited strong confidence and courage. Did you know it at the time? Did you feel it? Likely not. You may not have seen it in the front windshield but now you clearly see it in your rearview mirror. But like Boaz with Ruth, others were encouraged by watching you have courage in a tough situation.Listen again to Boaz's words: “But I also know about everything you have done… I have heard … [so] May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” (Ruth 2:11-12 NLT) Whatever you are walking through today, remember that God is giving you confidence, not in yourself but in Him, to be courageous, not just for you, but for others. He sees you. He knows what you are doing. He hears you. And so do others. Your life is making a difference as you walk through every struggle.Let's pray: “Father, Thank You for Your confidence and Your courage. Help me to encourage others as you give me the confidence to press on. As above, so below.”

Today, we're going to look at the moment of truth in Gideon's life:Judges 6:12-16 NLTThe angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn't they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt'? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you! “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you.”Gideon had the opposite mindset of David, our Bible story from yesterday. But while two different men had two different perspectives of what they could accomplish, one factor was same: God had called them.Gideon even named himself the least man, in the weakest clan, of all the people. In today's language, he would say: “Lord, I'm the last guy you want to pick for this job.” But the Lord said, “I will be with you.” That truth is exactly what gave David and Gideon the courage and the confidence they needed to face their enemies.Do you feel like David today, ready for your big moment, or more like Gideon, “I'm the last person you want to pick, God.”Listen again to what the Lord said to Gideon this time from the Message Bible: ““God is with you, O mighty warrior!” … “God faced him directly: “Go in this strength that is yours. Save Israel from Midian. Haven't I just sent you?” … God said to him, “I'll be with you. Believe me, you'll defeat Midian as one man.” (Judges 6:12, 14, 16 ).What if God appeared to you right now and called you a hero? How do you know He isn't? Maybe he looks upon you and what you are pushing through right now in your life and sees your courage? Regardless of how you may feel or see your life, this much is true: He is telling you to go at your life with the strength you have because He is with you. And He is most definitely saying today: “I will be with you.”Declare this after me: “Lord, I know You are with me.”Let's pray: “Dear Lord, thank You for examples like David but also those like Gideon, so we can see that the Source of our courage and victories are You. Help me live today knowing, believing, that You are with me. As above, so below.”

Today, we're going to pick up on the story where David is about to face off with Goliath:1 Samuel 17:32-37 NLT“Don't worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I'll go fight him!” “Don't be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There's no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You're only a boy, and he's been a man of war since his youth.” But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father's sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I'll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”David saw his life of being alone in the shepherd's field as preparation for just such a moment. He saw the protection of his sheep from the mouths of lions and bears as training for protecting God's people from the hands of a giant. David didn't see a difference in the circumstances because he had the same God helping him defeat the threat in both places.Listen to the shepherd-warrior's words once again: “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I'll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (1 Samuel 17:34-37 NLT) No, you aren't fighting lions and bears or even giants, but the principle behind David's mindset can be yours today.Can you remember a time that God gave you the strength to do something beyond your own ability? A time where you prayed and asked for help, and God showed up and gave you strength you didn't know you had? Picture that situation.The same God is with you now. He has never left you since He formed you in your mother's womb. He is here to help you in every battle and struggle your life.Fill in David's words with your own right now. When I pause, in your own mind, fill in the blanks for you: The Lord who rescued me from … will rescue me from this too!”Let's pray: “Father, thank You that You have always been with me. Strengthen me and fill me with Your courage today to face my giant. Like David, I know You are with me. As above, so below.”

Luke 2:27-33 MSGAs the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. With my own eyes I've seen your salvation; it's now out in the open for everyone to see: A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel. Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words.Imagine for a moment taking your child to what we would think of today as a baby dedication and having a total stranger walk up and tell you more about your child than you know—all because God had told him. Simeon explained Jesus' entire life mission while holding a baby. Now, that is faith.In our final day of this series, I want you to know, while of course there was and will only be one Jesus, because of His life, each of your children have a distinct and unique plan, purpose, and mission in their lives. God has their life mapped out.You don't have to see it today, just like Jesus' parents couldn't, but God does … and God can ... and God will.Read once again: Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words.Imagine one day being “speechless with surprise” at watching what God does in the life of your child, with the life of your child. That kind of vision is available to you as a parent through a relationship with Christ. Will you trust there is a plan greater than you can imagine for your child that is already mapped out? Now, can you embrace that God thought you would be the perfect parent for that plan He has for your child? How does it feel to know your are right where you are suppose to be as the parent of your child according to God's Plan?Let's pray: “Father, thank You that You have a plan for my child and you even know where they will work with You and where they will fight You, just like I did. Please draw them close to You, guide them, lead them, protect them to be all You want them to be. And I'll just be grateful to get to watch. As above, so below. Amen”

Hearing the Christmas story outside of the holiday can bring a new context. Today, let's focus on Mary and Joseph as new parents in this story: (Luke 2:12-19 MSG) The angel said, “Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.Consider for a moment this strange truth: God entrusted His Son that He sent to redeem the world to a man and woman who were sinners. The same scenario that started the mess to begin with. At least, the first couple wasn't sinners in the beginning. But Mary and Joseph were. Why would He do something so illogical? Simple. To redeem everything that went wrong the first time through the same method: Obeying His direction through free will, free choice.Read the last verse one more time: Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.When life got hard, when being the Messiah's mom was difficult, when following God's plan looked crazy, when Jesus was on His way to the cross, Mary held on to the God of messes and miracles, of shepherds and angels, of death and new life.When life gets hard for you, maybe as a parent, when being your kid's parent is difficult, when following God's plan looks crazy, when fear, pain, and struggle are in your face, hold on to the God of messes and miracles, of shepherds and angels, of death and new life. Hold onto the things of God in your heart, deep within you.Let's pray: “Lord Jesus, what awesome parents You must have had. Help me to take as much care with my children as Mary and Joseph did with You. Hold me close while I keep You in my heart. As above, so below.”

Matthew 7:9-11 NLT“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.Jesus often used a form of exaggeration to make His points and to get people's attention to deliver a strong truth. As you hear this passage, of course you wouldn't give your child a rock when they were expecting food. Of course, you wouldn't put a snake in their happy meal or lunchbox.While we understand the point clearly, as parents, we can still paint God with an ill intention or subtly accuse Him of some sort of bait-and-switch when things don't turn out like we thought they might.Jesus is clear—God does not and will not play games with our lives, with our hearts. Others will, even we will, but He won't.Read Jesus' words once more for the Message Bible: “Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?What was the last good gift God gave you?What good gift are you praying for right now?In the quietness of this moment, dismiss the tempting thoughts of God giving stones and snakes to you and your children.Expect and embrace the bread and fish, the good gifts He will multiply in your life.Let's pray: “Father, forgive me when I get into a stones and snakes mindset with You. I know that is not your heart for me and my children. I ask Your blessing, Your provision, Your protection, and Your favor on my home. As above, so below.”

1 John 3:1-2 NLTSee how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him. Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is..One of the primary and consistent names for God throughout the Bible is Father. From the prophets in the Old Testament to the New Testament with Jesus and the disciples who took the Gospel to the world, He is called Father. And of course, only someone with children can be known as Father.In today's passage, John describes a loving Father who loves His kids. We are His children and we will come to look like Him and eventually be with Him face to face.You are a child of your own parents and perhaps you are a parent of your own kids, but accepting … receiving the fact that God is your Father who deeply loves you is a fact you have to believe and embrace for yourself.Imagine the depth of your love for your child. Now accept the love your Father has for you. The way He thinks about you all the time. The way He fiercely protects you. The way He would give anything to have closeness with you. Sit in the awareness that you are always on the mind of the creator of the universe. Your Father.Read once again, this time as His child, as we personalize the passage as intended - for you:See how very much [Your] Father loves [you], for he calls [you] his child, and that is what [you] are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that [you] are God's child because they don't know him. Dear friend, [you] are already God's child, but he has not yet shown [you] what [you] will be like when Christ appears. But [you] do know that [you] will be like him, for [you] will see him as he really is.  (1 John 3:1-2 NLT).Embracing the fact that you are a deeply loved child of God will powerfully impact your life, because that mindset and viewpoint will be passed down to your children and those around you. God's love alive in you will reinforce God's love through you to others. His parenting of you will become a powerful part of how you parent.Declare this: “Father God, I know I am your child and I know that You love me.”Let's pray: “Father, thank You that I am a parent because you were a parent first. I can love my kids because You loved me first. Thank You that You know me and call me Your child and thank You that You know my children and call them your own too. As above, so below.”

Listen to Jesus's words about the prodigal Luke 15:18-24 NLT I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”'“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.Jesus told this parable for us to get a visual picture of the depth and devotion of God's love, to visualize the level of grace and mercy available to us. No matter what we have done in the past, our decision today to come to Him can end in a restored and redeemed future.Is there something that you are carrying in your life that you feel ashamed of right now?The most powerful scene in this story is that the father was watching the road for his child to come home. His heart was fixed on seeking his child.Listen again this time from the Message Bible:“When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'“But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a prize-winning heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time. (Luke 15:20, 22-24 NLT) Always remember, God is watching, not to judge, but to love.But here's an important question:Have you, will you, receive His love, His gifts?Will you allow yourself to FEEL the celebration your Father is throwing for you? And allow yourself to let go of the failures and sin that kept your from Him? He is not interested in revisiting your shortcomings. He is celebrating your return to his arms. He runs to you. Not reluctant of hesitant - but full of excitement - Yes, that's right. He is excited, happy, full of joy to have you close.Let's thank Him together: “Father, thank You for meeting me on my road, for loving me, giving me Your gifts and Your life, and a home forever. As above, so below. Amen”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NLTSo be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.The bottom line of courage as a Christ follower is not about us at all, but the fact that God has promised us throughout His Word that we can be strong, we can be brave, we can have courage, we don't have to be afraid, we don't have to panic in the face of problems, because His presence is with us.Oftentimes when our kids are scared, they will ask, “Are you going to stay with me?” We say yes. Then they ask, “So, you won't leave?” Now our answer must change to no. Interesting how often God will tell us what He will do, but then, just like a perfect Father, He will also tell us what He won't do! In today's passage, He adds, “I won't fail or abandon you.”What is going on in your life right now where you desperately need God's courage to fill you?Take comfort in His words. Take them in as if He were speaking only to you. In fact, let's personalize this passage: So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic. As the Lord your God, I will personally go ahead of you. I will neither fail you nor abandon you.”Picture whatever seemingly impossible situation is in your life right now. Now consider how that situation looks to the God of the universe. Can you accept that is the way your Father wants YOU to see that situation - from His point of view.Let's thank Him together: “Father, thank You for Your strength, Your courage, that I don't have to be afraid any longer, that there's no need to panic. Thank You that You go ahead of me to face what I cannot see, that You never fail me or abandon Me. Help me to believe that, feel that, live that truth. As above, so below. Amen”

Job 42:1-5 NLT“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?' It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.' I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.”The story of Job begins with him being the most blessed man on the planet and then within a short time, he is completely wiped out through the death of his children and the loss of his wealth. Then a horrible illness set in with great pain and embarrassment. By the end of his encounter with some religious friends and a face-to-face stand-off with God Himself, the man is vindicated and blessed far beyond his original state.Probably the greatest confrontation in this story, however, is when he displayed the deepest level of courage a human can exhibit—facing yourself. Job had to search his heart, humble himself, and come to some tough conclusions that brought him into a relationship with God like few have ever experienced.Think about your worst moment, your lowest time in life thus far.Listen again to Job's culminating confession to God, this time from the Message Bible:“I'm convinced: You can do anything and everything.Nothing and no one can upset your plans.You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water, ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?'I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me, made small talk about wonders way over my head.You told me, ‘Listen, and let me do the talking.Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.'I admit I once lived by rumors of you;now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!Facing humiliation, shame, guilt, and pain in front of others is humbling and hard. But facing the person in the mirror and admitting truth is the hardest, yet most courageous thing we will ever do.Let's pray: “Father, please take my Job moments and help me to process and apply those to realize they have been an opportunity to see You with my own eyes and experience You in a way I may never have otherwise. As above, so below. Amen.”

Matthew 25:34-40 NLTThen the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'Christ followers' lives will be marked by bravery and courage—the kind it takes to love the unlovable, see those invisible to others, and get messy in other people's messes. Many times the best people to do that are those who have experienced brokenness themselves. Because you learn to operate out of empathy, not sympathy.Does someone come to mind when you think about the words - sick, naked, thirsty, hungry, stranger? Who are ‘the least of these' that God might be bringing to your attention, that you might deliberately reach out to?Listen once more to only Jesus' words about Himself from the Message Bible:I was hungry and you fed me,I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,I was homeless and you gave me a room,I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.'Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'The biblical brand of courage will always be intertwined with loving and serving others, not for personal glory, but only for the sake of Christ.Let's pray: “Lord Jesus, thank You that You made it very clear what is important to You about our lives here. While we often pray and ask You for Your will in our lives, in verses like these, You already gave us the mission. Help us to simply be courageous and obey. As above, so below. Amen”

Matthew 16:13-17 NLT“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.”There was confusion amongst the people early on, even among his own disciples, about who Jesus truly was. Was He John the Baptist returned from the grave after his execution? Or was He one of the Old Testament prophets coming back for “round two?” Men were trying to identify Jesus as another man, when He was actually God.Is your faith your own? Do you feel you inherited it from someone or maybe felt pressure at some point in your life to believe?Listen closely once again: “Jesus … asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16 NLT) Courage is making your own decision about Jesus and sticking by it. Each person must make their own choice and “own” their own faith. No one should be talked into a relationship with Jesus, so no one can talk them out of it either. As Jesus told Peter, “You didn't learn this truth from a human, but from God. He reveals the truth to hearts.”Today, for you, all that matters is who you say Jesus is, to you, for you.Let's pray: “Lord Jesus, You are who You said and say You are—the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. As above, so below. Amen.”

Luke 6:27-31 NLT“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.The world's definition of courage at times mirrors God's, but plenty of other times does not at all. One of the greatest examples is that the Jewish people were looking for a Messiah with the type of courage that rides in on a horse, wields a sword, and administers justice by force. But God sent His Son who became a carpenter that taught peace and unconditional love. His courage came to conquers hearts, not kingdoms.Jesus' words are just as counter-cultural today as they were back then. To offer love to those who offend … People then thought, “Who does that?” People today think, “Why would someone do that?”Who is one person that comes to mind that you can do the unexpected, unwarranted act of kindness towards? The person that requires courage to humble yourself and serve?Listen closely once again to Jesus, this time from the Message Bible: “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously. Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!”The Kingdom of God has always run in full opposition to the world's ways. Man says to hate the haters; God says to love the haters. Man says to get revenge; God says to repent. Man says to take; God says to give. Man says you only give to get; God says you get so you can give. Who does that? We should. Why would someone do that? Because He told us we should. That is real courage.Let's pray: “Lord Jesus, the only possible way we could have such courage and do any of the things You tell us is because You empower us to do so. Teach us, guide us, lead us, en-courage us to act like You. As above, so below. Amen”

Philippians 2:1-5 NLTIs there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.Paul was asking the believers at Philippi, first, have they received any benefit from being in their community of faith. Knowing their answer would be yes, he encouraged them with some basic dos and don'ts of loving one another. He closes the thought with the challenge of having the same attitude as Jesus. Why? Because we all know our attitude drives our thoughts, words, and actions.A community in Christ is going to be marked and known by its attitude that reflects His nature first. All else will follow from that source.Think for a moment about the circles you frequent. What is the attitude of each? How do they impact your own attitude?Listen again to Paul's very intentional words from the Message:If you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.This passage is about our attitude. As we close and you breathe a few deep breathes, ask God to reveal your attitude to you. Is it selfless and sacrificial or selfish and self serving?The good news of the Gospel is you can have the attitude of Christ Himself and your community will benefit by your choice.Let's make Paul words our prayer today: “Father, thank You for the encouragement in belonging to Christ, the comfort from Your love, the fellowship together in Your Spirit that allows our hearts to be tender and compassionate. In my own community, guide me to live in wholehearted agreement with others, love, and work with one mind and purpose. Help me to not be selfish; not work to impress others, to be humble, and think of others as better than me, to not look out for my own interests, but take an interest in others. May I have the same attitude as Christ. As above, so below. Amen”

Proverbs 27:17 NLTAs iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.If you take a dull knife and a sharp one and begin to rub the blades against one another for the purpose of sharpening the dull one, the reality is that both are going to be sharpened in the process. Even in mentoring relationships where an older and wiser person is pouring into a younger one, both are blessed by the interaction and learn from each other. So, the reality of our interaction within a Christian community is that iron sharpens iron—both ways. Everyone wins.For the Christ follower, interacting in a community is always a two-way street. Because of the very nature of Christ's Spirit living within us and leading us, we will always grow and mature by and through the relationships we share.Right now in your life, who are you in the sharpening process with?Listen to The Good News Bible's version of Proverbs 27:17:People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.This slightly different twist allows for the fact that in the kingdom of God, even a brother or sister that we may disagree with on some issues, we can learn something of value from. Being an active part of a biblical community means teachability and humility are necessary dynamics for us all. Growing, challenging, teaching, sharing, and sharpening. Today, who is one person you can thank for being a constant sharpening force in your life - don't wait to let them know. And who might God bring to mind that you can be an active sharpening tool for in your circle?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for all those in my life that sharpen me, whether in full agreement or some disagreement. Thank you for all those who allow me the privilege of sharpening them. May I stay teachable, humble, fully obedient to You. As above, so below. Amen”

Romans 15:4-6 NLTSuch things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.From the first day of creation, God birthed order, purpose, and unity into all things. Even after sin and rebellion entered the world, His ways were still available to practice as we see in the lives of those in the Old Testament. Regardless of how anyone else may choose to live, He has given us the ability to commune together in patience, encouragement, harmony, and unity. Both our individual work and our corporate worship can reflect His nature, producing good and blessing to others.At any age we are and any stage of life, the community to which we commit our hearts and minds is crucial to our personal quality of life and faith. Those we join together with will determine our life and our future.Is there a community you need to leave or have outgrown?Is there a community you need to commit to and add your voice?As you consider these questions, listen to this passage once more from the Message: … May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!A community that lives in complete harmony? Sounds a lot like Heaven, doesn't it? But Scripture is clear that we can get started right here, right now. What is one way you can move towards strengthening the harmony between those in your community today?Let's pray: “Father, while I wait for Your promises to be fulfilled, please give me patience and encouragement, help me live in complete harmony with others, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Lead me to join my voice to the community that gives praise and glory to You, Father. As above, so below. Amen”

Ruth 1:16 NLTWherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.This is, of course, the well-known answer Ruth gave to her mother-in-law, Naomi, recorded in the Book of Ruth after Naomi tells Ruth to go back to her own family, after both had lost their husbands.Ruth's declaration to Naomi that you are now my family and I am committed to you is as admirable as it is poetic.There is a strong connection in Christ that causes His followers to have deep roots that intertwine and strengthen each other in Him. This level of commitment that Ruth expressed is found in true biblical community. We have the same God, have made the same commitment, therefore we have a heavenly connection that He began and only He will separate if His purposes decide.Think for a moment about who you have this depth of love toward and who has the same towards you. Maybe this is a reminder to reaffirm and encourage someone in your life, letting them know how grateful and committed to the friendship you are.Listen once again: Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. (Ruth 1:16 NLT) The key to this type of community in Christ is never about ourselves, but the other person. We place others first to love and care for them, trusting and knowing they will do the same, without expectation, without fear, in grace and truth. Is there someone in your life that you can say with this conviction - your people are my people? Does that person know your commitment to the connection you have?Pray with me: “Father, thank You for the freedom we can experience in friendship and community in You to be free to love and trust because ultimately what we share is in You and about You. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of sharing life with others, knowing You are our God. As above, so below. Amen.”

Proverbs 18:24 MSGFriends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.In our culture today, people have never been busier and never so isolated. Couple that dynamic with social media and we quickly find that real friendship, true friends of the heart and soul, have become somewhat of a lost art. For those who follow Christ, the opportunity to develop a core circle to go deep together will always be possible.We all know that friends we choose can become closer than some family. The kind of friend Solomon described in today's verse stays steady and true while others move in and out of our lives. We pick up right where we left off, no matter how long ago the last visit has been. You never have to explain yourself because you are forever understood and accepted.Picture in your mind those one or two friends that are there for you, no matter what. What are your favorite things about them? How do they make you feel when you are down? Thank God for them, the gift of true community.Listen again to Proverbs 18:24: Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.For the next few minutes, focus on the best Friend you will ever have, the One who is there during the victories of the day and the heartaches in the night, the One who created you, redeemed you, and brought you into His family forever—Jesus Christ.Ask God to reveal an even deeper level of intimate friendship with Him.Let's pray, friend: “Dear Jesus, thank You for my heart friends, my soul friends, those You have placed in my life that truly do stick by me closer than family. Thank You for Your friendship and allowing me to be Your friend. As above, so below. Amen”

Luke 18:15-17 NLTOne day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”Jesus made His message clear: He wants parents to bring their children to Him to touch and bless. He wants no one to stop His interaction with His kids for any reason. There is no such thing as “bothering” Jesus for you or your kids. In fact, He said His kingdom belongs to children. No matter how old someone is, the way to enter His presence is to have the heart and faith of a child.Is it time for you to take your kids to Jesus and, all of you, even you as their parent, become like little children before Him?How would it look different in your life to approach your Father as a little child? Maybe there would be less pressure on trying to be perfect to approach Him? Picture yourself coming to His open arms as the little girl or boy that you were.Read just verses 15 and 16 again with the emphasis only on the parents, the children, and Jesus:One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. … Jesus called for the children and said …, “Let the children come to me. … For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”Today, for our closing prayer, in this quiet moment, envision bringing each of your children before Jesus.Ask Him to hold them, love them, and bless them.And while you're there, as His child, allow Him to do the same for you.“As above, so below, Amen.”