Entries categorized as ‘Devotional’
If you would like to see or hear Craig Groeschel speak on this subject, please CLICK HERE.
OPEN
- Watching the news, listening to Talk Radio, or reading the newspaper, what fears are people dealing with around the country?
- Are we, as a nation, making decisions based on Faith or Fear?
READ
EXPLORE
- What happened when the woman touched Jesus’ cloak? (5:29)
- How did Jesus’ reply give the woman comfort and reassurance? (5:34)
- What happened while Jesus was still speaking to the woman? (5:35)
REFLECT
- How does Jesus’ treatment of the sick woman offer comfort to us today?
- How do you hope that Jesus will work in the situations that cause you fear?
APPLY
- What is one fear that you ask Jesus to help you overcome this week?
- With what concrete action can you show your faith in Jesus this week?
Categories: Devotional
If you would like to see or hear Craig Groeschel speak on this subject, please CLICK HERE.
OPEN
- What are some common fears that people have?
- What are some fears that you struggle with?
READ
EXPLORE
- Who was Jairus, and why did he want to see Jesus? (5:22-23)
- What was Jairus’ attitude toward Jesus? (5:23)
- Whom did Jesus tell not to be afraid and to “just believe’? Why? (5:35-36)
- Who were the only people that went with Jesus to Jairus’ home? Why? (5:37-38)
- How did people react when Jesus expressed confidence that the dead girl would be all right? (5:40)
REFLECT
- How does Jesus’ treatment of Jairus offer comfort to us today?
- In what situation in your life do you need to heed Jesus’ words, “Don’t be afraid, just believe?”
APPLY
- What is one fear that you can ask the Lord to help you face this week?
- With what concrete action can you show your faith in the Jesus this week?
Categories: Devotional
“How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?”
Proverbs 1:22
It’s seems a very straight-forward question, but it raises much deeper thoughts. You might say that you are not a simple person, you’re very smart, well educated, and in regards to God, you spend a lot of time IN Scripture and Bible Study. And that’s a good thing. But as James points out, we shouldn’t be ONLY hearers of the Word, but DOERS. (James 1:22)
How many of us THINK ourselves better/holier/wiser /more righteous than others? How many of us refuse to give up on our little habits that we KNOW keep up from living COMPLETELY sold out for God, yet STILL call ourselves His children?
Proverbs 1:22 reminds us that we are just being stupid (simple) and we need to seek God’s knowledge. We need to give up OUR wisdom and substitute GOD’S. Our wisdom tells us that we’re too busy for quiet time. Our wisdom tells us that as long as we’re doing stuff for God, that’s good enough for Him. Our wisdom tells us that our little “pet sins” are being looked over by God because of everything else we do in His name.
Our wisdom will lead us to Hell. God’s wisdom will lead us to brokeness, humility, and ultimately salvation.
So, who’s wisdom are YOU following, yours or God’s?
Categories: Devotional
Tagged: Proverbs, Simple, Wisdom
If you would like to hear Craig Groeschel’s teaching, visit LifeChurch.tv.
OPEN
- If you were to update your resume today, what recent accomplishment would you want to include?
- What do you feel are your most valuable gifts or skills?
READ
EXPLORE
- In what sense was Paul not boasting, even though he was calling attentions to his accomplishments? (3:7-9)
- Why did Paul consider his past accomplishments as “rubbish”? (3:8)
- What was Paul’s status with Jesus Christ? (3:9)
- What longings did admit to the Philippians? (3:10-11)
REFLECT
- Why do we tend to base our worth as Christians based on our performance?
- Why should our identity and confidence only be in Christ Jesus?
APPLY
- What do you need to start counting as “rubbish” for the sake of Christ?
Categories: Church · Devotional
If you would like to hear Craig Groeschel’s teaching, visit LifeChurch.tv.
OPEN
- What is the best gift you have received?
READ
EXPLORE
- Why did God make those who were dead alive in Christ? (2:4-5)
- What describes God’s actions in making us alive? (2:5)
- What position has God given Christians in Christ by His divine power? (2:6)
- How do we receive salvation? (2:8)
- Where does salvation come from? (2:8)
- Why can no one boast in their own salvation? (2:8-9)
REFLECT
- How would you describe God’s grace towards you?
- Why doesn’t anyone deserve God’s grace, riches, or mercy?
APPLY
- Who can you share the news of God’s mercy with TODAY? How?
Categories: Church · Devotional
We’re continuing our series, You Don’t Have What It Takes. If you would like to hear Craig Craig Groeschel’s sermon on this subject, please visit HERE.
BIG QUESTION:
Do you live for God by choosing to find your acceptance in God, rather than people?
Quick, think about the people in your life…which of them do you really feel pressured to please? Why? The Bible says that our purpose is to please God, and not people. God is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.
The reality is that God will give us all we need every day ONLY IF we live for Him and make the Kingdom of God our primary concern. Instead of pleasing others, we MUST please God.
PRAYER
God, help us to believe you will give us all we need from day to day. Help us choose to live only for you and make your Kingdom our primary concern.
Categories: Church · Devotional
“We make it our aim…to be well pleasing to Him.”
(2 Corinthians 5:9)
It’s usually not a lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but a lack of working to keep our eyes focused on the proper goal: pleasing God. That must be our primary responsibility, not winning souls, establishing churches, or having revivals. It must be to please, and be acceptable ONLY to God.
Anything that diverts us even to the slightest degree from the central goal of being “approved to God” (2 Timothy 2:15) may result in our rejection from further service for Him. It requires a conscious decision and effort to keep out minds and bodies under control. Paul spoke of the importance of controlling his own body so that it wouldn’t take him in the wrong direction. (1 Corinthians 9:27)
We MUST learn to relate everything that we do/say/think to the primary goal, pleasing God. Our worth to God publicly is measured by who we really are in our private lives. Is your primary goal in life to please God and to be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how ‘Godly’ it may sound?
Categories: Church · Devotional
If you would like to hear Craig Groeschel’s teaching, visit LifeChurch.tv.
OPEN
- What is the best gift you have received?
READ
EXPLORE
- Why did God make those who were dead alive in Christ? (2:4-5)
- What describes God’s actions in making us alive? (2:5)
- What position has God given Christians in Christ by His divine power? (2:6)
- How do we receive salvation? (2:8)
- Where does salvation come from? (2:8)
- Why can no one boast in their own salvation? (2:8-9)
REFLECT
- How would you describe God’s grace towards you?
- Why doesn’t anyone deserve God’s grace, riches, or mercy?
APPLY
- Who can you share the news of God’s mercy with TODAY? How?
Categories: Devotional
We’re continuing our series, You Don’t Have What It Takes. If you would like to hear Craig Craig Groeschel’s sermon on this subject, please visit HERE.
BIG QUESTION:
Do you live for God by choosing to find your acceptance in God, rather than people?
Quick, think about the people in your life…which of them do you really feel pressured to please? Why? The Bible says that our purpose is to please God, and not people. God is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.
The reality is that God will give us all we need every day ONLY IF we live for Him and make the Kingdom of God our primary concern. Instead of pleasing others, we MUST please God.
PRAYER
God, help us to believe you will give us all we need from day to day. Help us choose to live only for you and make your Kingdom our primary concern.
Categories: Church · Devotional
