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The Purpose Driven Life
A series of meditations & daily readings including memory verses
and questions for reflection:
Compiled by Pastor Philip Johnson
For Grove Lake Lutheran Church
Pelican Rapids, MN Lent 2020
Thank you for joining us in these 40-days of purpose. This
guide is a summary of meditations from the book “The Purpose
Driven Life” by Pastor Rick Warren. The way you will benefit most
from this 40-day journey will be by reading each of the meditations
from the book on a daily basis, pondering the questions asked both in
this booklet and in the book, and joining in a small group for the pur-
pose of mutual discussion, prayer, and caring.
I also suggest that you write your responses either in this
booklet, or in the book, if you are reading it. Write down the
thoughts that strike you as insights you haven’t thought of before.
Also write any questions this reading brings to mind, or a challenge
this thought places in your mind.
Also, try to memorize the verse. If you are reading the book
you will notice the memory verses come from a variety of transla-
tions. For this booklet I have used exclusively the NRSV as it is the
translation we use in worship.
If you don’t read the book this summary will give you my re-
flections and reactions. However, this booklet will not provide you
with the spiritual challenge that time spent in the book would give
you. Finally, and most importantly, use this guide as a way to focus
your prayers.
May God lead and bless you this Lenten Season.
Pastor Philip Johnson
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A Lutheran Companion to
The Purpose Driven Life Pastor Rick Warren’s book is filled with wisdom, insight and
helpful instruction for people of faith. I am delighted that you are
reading this booklet and may even be reading the book itself along
with me and I am confident that God will use it to help us grow. Now
Pastor Warren is a Baptist minister. As a result there are some ideas
and themes that we as Lutherans don’t agree with. In reading the
book, I earnestly hope that these issues won’t close your minds to that
which is good and helpful. But because some of the issues are
significant, I felt it was important to comment on some of them. I also
want to extend my thanks to ELCA Pastor Eric Burtness for his initial
draft of this Lutheran companion which I modified for this booklet.
On Pain, Suffering and Tragedy. In many places, Pastor
Rick says that every aspect of our lives is determined by God, either
directly (“He blended the DNA that created you.”) or indirectly
(“God deliberately allowed...”) This is one way, but not the only way
of dealing with the question of why we have pain, suffering and
tragedy in our lives. I believe that it is not necessary to believe that
everything that happens to us happens because God wants it to hap-
pen. Some of the things we experience are the result of our own
actions, not God’s. Even our own sins! Hence, what we say and what
we do matters! What we say and what we do affects us and those with
whom we come into contact for the rest of our life. We should not
blame God for suffering when suffering comes as a result of our own
foolish and sinful choices.
Additionally, some of the bad things that happen are the result
of other people’s sinful actions. There are 6 billion people on this
earth. If all of them are, at one time or another doing sinful actions
there are a lot of opportunities for people to suffer as a result of the
sinful and foolish choices made by others.
Finally, some of the bad things that happen simply reflect the
reality of the “brokenness” of creation. That is, we believe that
creation itself no longer reflects the complete wholeness and goodness
that God first had in mind when creation was made. The results of sin
have caused creation itself to be broken.
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Group Agenda
1.) The leader should welcome everyone present. Be sure to let
everyone know that others are welcome to join in this group in
future weeks. Groups are not meant to be “closed,” A good way
to remember that is to make sure there is an empty chair in your
group. In that way if someone walks in, they know there is a spot
for them. Once the chair is filled be sure to pull up another one!
Then pray that it be filled.
2) Take the time to have each person in the group share at least
one “high,” (that is a good or positive event from the week) as
well as one “low” from the week.
3) Review the theme for each reading by asking questions like:
A) What caught your attention from this reading?
B) What surprised you or gave you a new insight?
C) Does anything from these readings inspire you to make
a change in your life? What is it?
D) Reflect on the questions printed in this booklet for
each of the readings from this week.
4) Conclude with prayer 15 minutes before your ending time by
giving everyone the opportunity to offer prayer. Keep in mind
special circumstances that may have arisen during the group
meeting. Hopefully everyone will pray something during the
prayer time. If their response is, “I pass” let it be. One thing I
would ask you to pray for is your empty chair, that it would be
filled the next time you meet.
Thank you for your time spent in this 40 day journey
during the season of Lent. It is now holy week. A week to honor
the most important event in history. The crucifixion and
resurrection of Jesus. Our focus on these events allow us to
remember again, “It’s not about me, it’s not about you. It is
about God. Praise be to God that He loves the world so much
that he gave us his own dear son!
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Small Group Meetings
Thank you for being part of a small group. There are
many different types of small groups. Some groups focus on
service such as the quilting group. Some small groups have a
focus on fellowship such as a bowling league. Some small
groups exist for the purpose of learning, and some for the
purpose of spiritual development, and prayer. Additionally,
some small groups are designed for a long life span and some for
a short life span. When you become a part of a group it’s good
to know what you are getting involved in.
These groups are designed with a primary emphasis on
spiritual development and prayer during the season of Lent. You
will have opportunity to meet about 6 times and then it is
expected that your life as a group will come to an end.
To gain the most from these few times of being together
it will be best if you focus your attention on the following agenda
when you meet.
Finally, it is very important that you have time for prayer
at the end of your study time. Please allow 15 minutes for such
prayer. If you use all the time, well and good, if not, that is OK
too. Agree with everyone in your group when the starting time
and ending time of each meeting will be. You each need to
commit yourselves to this time frame in order for the group to
work. I suggest a group time length of one and a half hours.
(That means of course going beyond the normal time allotted for
this gathering)
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The results of this brokenness are seen, for example, in the existence
of genes that cause birth defects.
As a result, we often don’t know if the suffering we
experience was actually given to us by God or not. What we do
know, and where I agree heartily with Pastor Rick, is that “…
in all things, God is at work for the good of those who love him…”
Romans 8:28. We know that God can not cause evil, but we also
know that God can and does work good even in the midst of evil.
(You will find this issue arising on days 2, 12, 25, 30, 31 and 35.)
On Eternity. Rick believes that in eternity, we will each have
different rewards and different responsibilities, and that how we live
now will determine how much of each we receive in heaven. This
belief in various “rewards,” becomes, for Pastor Warren, a
motivation for serving and growing, as a way to “prepare for
eternity.”
I believe this idea is not well supported in the Bible. More
importantly, even if it is true, it should not become a motivator for
us to be involved in doing the work of God. If we serve others out
of a desire to gain rewards or status in heaven, or out of a fear that
we might lose these things, then our service is really self-serving.
This “serve-us,” attitude (rather than service) is not Christ like at all!
Jesus sets us free from greed or fear so that we can be motivated to
serve others through genuine love for God and others. (You will
find this issue arising on days 3,5,15, 29 and others.)
On the Bible, the Word and Jesus. On Day 24 Rick writes
about the power of the word of God to make us more like Jesus.
The Bible says much about the power of “God’s Word.”
Unfortunately, many people use that phrase to refer exclusively to
the Bible itself. It is very important that we are clear about what the
word of God is. First of all, the word of God is Jesus. For example,
John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God,... and the word became flesh and
lived among us.”
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Rick writes that “God’s Word generates life, creates faith,
….brings things into being…” This is true of Jesus, the word of
God, especially as we remember the work of the Holy
Trinity. For it is the Holy Spirit who generates faith.
Secondly, the Word of God is also the proclaimed
message of who Jesus is and what that means to us. In the days
of the early church saving faith was born in the lives of listeners
as the disciples proclaimed the word of God (the message of
Jesus) and people were converted. So there was faith, there were
Christians, there was even a church, long before there was a
complete Bible! In fact the New Testament wasn’t compiled until
hundreds of years after the church began. So, as you read the
devotion for this day, bear in mind that most of what Rick says
about the Bible is actually more true of Jesus himself. For
example, “I must accept it’s authority,” becomes “I must accept
Christ’s authority.” With this in mind, Day 24’s devotion
becomes a powerful call into personal relationship with the living
Lord, Jesus himself!
Yes, we as a Lutheran church do teach that the Bible itself is the
word of God, sometimes though, it is helpful to stress these
fundamental building blocks. For the Bible is not the focus of our
worship. The triune God is!
On Baptism. On Day 15, Rick writes about Baptism and says
much that is true and helpful. However, this is a point on which
Lutherans and Baptists have always understood the Bible
differently. We believe that baptism is much more than a
symbolic act. We believe that, in Baptism, God personalizes
God’s saving action. That is, when Jesus died on the cross he
died for the world (John 3:16). However, when you and I are
baptized God speaks individually to you and me saying: “The
death and resurrection of Jesus is for you!” It’s one thing to know
Christ died for the world, it is another to know Christ died for
you!
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4) What will be the communication of my life? What is my sto-
ry that can be shared with those who do not believe?
5) What will be the community of my life? Where will you
practice the “one another” commands of God.
It may take weeks or months to write a purpose
statement. Pray, think, talk and reflect on scripture. It is helpful
to have both a detailed purpose statement and a shorter slogan
that summarizes the five purposes in a way that’s memorable
and inspires you. Remember to focus on God’s purpose for your
life, not your goals or plans, since they shift. One way to think
of that is, “What would you like on your tombstone?” or “What
would you like your family and friends to say about you at your
funeral.” Of course, the only thing that matters is what God
says...
God wants to use you: Now, in this day, in this lifetime.
The future is as bright as the promises of God.
Memory verse: Acts 13:36
David, ... served the purpose of God in his own generation...
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
When will I write my purpose statement!
Are you willing to work with your church so that together this
may be a “Purpose Driven Church?” This takes a serious com-
mitment of time, a willingness to learn from others, and a vision
for God’s work that is much greater than our own congregation.
Remember. “It’s not about you...it’s also not about us.
This is Holy Week. Although this booklet is completed
we are just now entering the days in which we especially
remember what God has done for us in Christ Jesus, His
crucifixion and resurrection. As we share these days together in
worship may the richness of God’s love and mercy embrace you
these holy days. Then, may God’s love get us moving according
to God’s purpose.
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Day 40: Sunday April 5 “Living with purpose”
“Living with purpose is the only way to really live.
Everything else is just existing.” Most people struggle with three
questions: the first is identity, “Who am I?” The second is
importance: “Do I matter?” The third is impact: “What is my
place in life?” Jesus washed feet and said, “Now that I have
done this, blessed are you as you do it too. Over the next few
days develop a purpose statement for your life then review it
periodically. What is this?
1) It summarizes God’s purpose for you: In my words
I affirm God’s purpose for me. Not a list of goals, goals
are temporary, purpose is eternal.
2) A statement that gives direction in life: As I write
this down it forces me to think of the path God has for
me. Such a statement tells me what I need to do with
time, life, money etc. It also implies what I should not be
doing with the same list of things.
3) It defines what success is for me. 4) It clarifies my role. Roles can change, purpose stays.
What role should I be fulfilling right now?
5) It’s a statement that expresses my SHAPE.
Guide for writing such a statement: Don’t do it all in one
setting. It takes time, give it time. Also, allow it to be flexible
and editable. Ask these five questions.
1) What will be the center of my life: This is a question of what
you worship. Some options include: God, career, family, sport,
hobby, money, fun... Whatever is at the center is your god.
2) What will be the character of my life? This is a question of
discipleship. We take our character into eternity. List the
character qualities you want to work on and develop in your life.
3) What will be my contribution? This is the question of service.
Based on my shape what is the best role I can play in God’s
family?
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As a result we Lutherans (as well as many other Christians)
emphasize baptism as an action of receiving a precious gift from
God. In contrast, those of a Baptist tradition see baptism as their
gift to God.
This is a fundamental reason why we will baptize infants,
while those of the Baptist tradition will only baptize someone
who is older. This is also why those in the Baptist tradition do not
recognize our baptism as being valid. We, on the other hand,
recognize any baptism done by any believer, “In the name of the
Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.” as being a valid,
one time occurrence that never needs to be repeated and can never
be reversed. Therefore, we will not re-baptize! (Nor can we
“un-baptize!) It comes down to direction. Lutherans see Baptism
as an action of receiving from God. The Baptist tradition sees
baptism as an act of giving to God.
I stress this point not so we can say, “We are right, and
they are wrong,” I stress this understanding of baptism because it
is fundamental to our identity and understanding of the faith. I
consider this theology to be a precious gift that we as Lutherans
share with the world. It is also the basis upon which we do
evangelism.
Finally, we must understand that Baptism is not a “work,”
that we do that somehow obligates God to “save” us. Actually,
there is nothing we can do that obligates God! We can never do
anything that gets God in a position of “owing” us. However,
God in God’s goodness has done what we cannot do. God’s
salvation took place when Jesus died on that cross so long ago. In
that event God took upon himself the sin, judgement, and
brokenness of this world so that none of those things would
separate us from God’s love. God’s personal salvation was given
to you in your baptism. When you were baptized into Christ
Jesus you were baptized into his death so that just as Christ was
raised from the dead by the glory of the father you too might live
a new life. (Romans 6)
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Finally, faith, is the trust and confidence that you and I have
placed in God’s work through the life, death, and resurrection of
Jesus Christ our Lord. From this faith, this confidence we have
in God’s Grace, we can live a life of faithfulness to God. A life
filled with purpose and meaning. A life that is A Purpose
Driven Life.
May God’s Peace and purposeful leading be with you.
Pastor Phil Johnson,
Interim Pastor,
Grove Lake Lutheran Church
Ash Wed, February 26, 2020
P.S. A Note about the 40-days of Lent.
The 40-day cycle of Lent that begins on Ash Wednesday
and concludes on Saturday before Easter Sunday is meant to be
a time of spiritual growth and renewal. When the 40 days for
lent were set aside in the ancient church Sunday’s were always
excluded because each and every Sunday was meant to be a
mini celebration of Easter, the Resurrection of our Lord. As a
result, the forty days of lent can be a challenge to count.
The following devotions follow a 7 day a week cycle.
Therefore, the 40-days of meditations conclude during Holy
Week. It is my hope and prayer, as this book of meditations
comes to a close, that Holy Week itself , with the reading of the
passion narrative will provide for you and your loved ones a
focus on the last days in the life of our Lord. Providing for us
an opportunity to see again how God gave himself for the world
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Day 39: Saturday April 4 “Balancing your Life”
“Blessed are the balanced, they shall outlast everyone.”
The best way to keep your life on balance is by joining a group of
people who will help you be accountable. Another way is by
Journaling. Purpose driven people have these habits:
1) Talk about life with a spiritual partner or group. We learn best in community. We are meant to grow
together. Luther considered “conversation among the
saints” as just as important as all other aspects of
Christian living.
2) Give themselves a regular spiritual check-up. Evaluate yourself periodically. Five times the Bible
encourages us to test ourselves.
3) Write down progress in a journal. Writing helps
clarify what God is doing.
4) Pass on what you know to others.
Remember, it’s for God’s Glory.
Memory verse: Ephesians 5:15
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise,
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
Which of the four activities will I begin in order to stay on track
and balance God’s five purposes for my life?
Who does God bring to your mind that you could share the life-
changing message of “The Purpose Driven Life?”
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Day 38: Friday April 3 “Becoming a world class Christian”
It’s your choice. “A world class, or worldly class
citizen.” Worldly ones look to God mostly for personal
fulfillment. They are saved but self-centered. The opposite is
true of world class Christians. (Or those on a journey of
deepening and maturing faith) World class Christians are fully
alive people. “There is nothing more important than the way
you think!”
1) Shift from self-absorbed to other-centered think-
ing: “Think like mature people.” It is contrary to
advertising. We must think a moment by moment
dependence on God. That is the work of the Spirit.
Also, we need to ask for God’s spiritual guidance.
2) Shift from local to global thinking: Praying for
other countries. Prayer is the most important tool for
mission. Pray for opportunities to witness, courage to
speak up and spread God’s word. Another way is
through mission trips.
3) Shift from here and now thinking to eternal think-
ing: We must maintain an eternal perspective. Shift
from thinking of excuses to thinking of creative ways to
fulfill your commission.
Memory verse: Psalm 67:2
That your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: What part of your life message has God given you to share with
the world?
What steps can you take to prepare for a short-(or longer) term
mission experience in the next year?
How has reading the book “The Purpose Driven Life” helped
re-shape your life purpose?
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Day 1: Ash Wednesday February 26 “It All Starts With God”
It’s not about you. The purpose for your life is greater
than your own personal fulfillment, peace of mind, or even your
own happiness, greater than family or career. If you want to
know why you were placed on this earth, you must begin with
God. The way to find God’s purpose for you is through the Holy
Scriptures. By reading and praying over them we will discover:
1) Our identity and purpose comes through relationship to
Jesus Christ.
2) We do have many choices we can make; spouse, career,
hobbies etc. But we have no choice over God’s purpose
for us. It was there before we were born.
3.) The purpose for our life fits into a large, cosmic pur-
pose. God’s eternity.
Memory verse: ...all things have been created through him and
for him.” (Col 1:16b)
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
What do you think are implications of the first sentence of the
book, “It’s not about you”?
Despite all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself
that life is really about living for God, not myself?
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Day 2: Thursday February 27 “You Are Not an Accident”
“You are not an accident. Your birth was no mistake or
mishap. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did.”
God made us as we are with all the gifts, abilities, and
personality that are us. Even the things we might regard as
flaws are things mysteriously under God’s rule. You were
created as a result of God’s love for you. God wishes to use the
uniqueness of who you are to carry out his divine purpose in
you.
In this devotion Pastor Rick implies that God had
everything to do with creating me and you and if we don’t
accept that we might as well accept that we are a total accident.
I personally find this to be an extreme thought that does not take
seriously God’s wonderful creating activity in the midst of the
fall and evil. For instance, I don’t believe all things about me
are the way God wants them to be! I can accept that God has
given me both strengths and weaknesses as part of his
consider weaknesses because God has made us unique.
However, I also need to recognize an ungodliness resides deep
within me. This ungodliness the church calls original sin.
When we do not acknowledge this part of ourselves it becomes
too easy to deceive ourselves and even call evil good. For this
reason, confession of sin and the hearing of forgiveness is of
vital importance to both new Christians and those of maturing
faith. That does, however, bring us back to this verse.
Memory Verse: Isa 44:2
Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you in the
womb and will help you: Do not fear, O Jacob my servant,
Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
Question for prayerful reflection on your own, with a part-
ner, or in a small group:
Knowing that God uniquely created you, what areas of
your personality, background, and physical appearance are you
struggling to accept?
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Day 37: Thursday April 2 “Sharing Your Life Message”
There are four aspects of your life message:
1) Testimony: How God began a relationship with you.
In a court room a witness tells their story. You have a story. If
you don’t tell it, it will be lost. Unbelievers see pastors as
“professional salesmen” therefore you have more credibility!
2) Life Lessons: Are the most important lessons God has
taught you. These don’t have to be personal experiences; they
can be the experiences of others! There isn’t enough time–nor
can we take the pain of learning by error! Write down major life
leaning so you can share them with others.
What has God taught me through failure, lack of money,
depression or sorrow, through waiting, disappointment, illness,
how about from my family, church, relationships, critics?
3) Godly passions: God is passionate. As you grow
closer God will teach you passion about something God loves.
God gives you passions to speak for a cause, or a people.
4) The Good News: That is, the message of salvation is
God’s most important statement. “If you have been afraid to
share the Good News with those around you, ask God to fill your
heart with his love for them.” What am I willing to do so that the
people I know will go to heaven? Invite them to church? Share
this book, take them a meal, pray for them daily.... Don’t miss the
opportunities God gives. Of the 5 purposes, only the fifth will be
finished in this world. The other 4 continue through-out eternity.
Memory verse: 1 Peter 3:15-16
Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands
from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;
16yet do it with gentleness and reverence
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
As I reflect on my personal story, who does God want me to share
it with?
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Purpose # 5
You Were Made for A Mission
Day 36: Wednesday April “You were Made for Mission”
God wants us to have a ministry and a mission. Ministry
is for God’s people, those within the church. Mission is to those
outside the church. Fulfilling your mission on earth is an
essential part of living for God’s glory.
It is a continuation of Jesus’ mission on earth.
The commission is given to every follower Matthew 28 19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
This is not the great suggestion, it is, rather, a commission.
1) We have a responsibility for the unbelievers around us.
2) It is a privilege to work with God and for God.
3) Telling others of the promise of eternal life is the
greatest thing you can do for them. Sharing this greatest
news is the greatest kindness we can show anyone.
4) Your mission has eternal significance. It impacts the
eternal destiny of others. So, it’s more important than a
job. Nothing you do is more important than helping
people in relationship with God.
5) Mission gives you meaning in life. “The best way to
use life is to spend it on something that outlasts it.” If we
fail in this, we will have wasted life. There are people that
only YOU can reach.
Memory verse: Matthew 28:19-20 (above)
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
What fears have kept me from fulfilling the mission God made
me to accomplish?
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Day 3: Friday February 28 “What Drives My Life”
Everyone’s life is driven by something. Some lives are
driven by a need for success and the desire for wealth. Others
may be driven by problems, painful memories, fear, etc. There
are hundreds of circumstances, values, and emotions that can
drive your life. Some of these emotions include; fear,
resentment, anger, or the need for approval. In these 40-days we
will see what it means to be driven that is, guided, directed, and
controlled by God’s purpose for your life. The advantages of
being driven by God’s purposes are:
1) It keeps me from being driven by other things such as:
guilt
resentment or anger
fear
materialism
need for approval
2) I receive the benefits of being purpose driven:
meaning in life
a simplified life
preparedness for eternity.
Memory verse: Isa 26:3
Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—
in peace because they trust in you.
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
What do you feel drives the lives of most people? What has been the driving force in your life?
What would my family and friends say is the driving purpose in my life?
What would I want them to say?
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Day 4: Saturday February 29 “Made to Last Forever”
This life is not all there is. “You will spend far more time
in eternity than what you do here.” When we realize this, we will
live life differently. Pastor Warren uses this meditation as a
reminder that in this life there are many choices we make. There
are only two eternal options: heaven and hell. “If you learn to love
and trust God’s Son, Jesus, you will be invited to spend the rest of
eternity with him. On the other hand, if you reject his love,
forgiveness, and salvation, you will spend eternity apart from God
forever.” He says, “Short term thinking has been the most
damaging aspect of contemporary living.”
Who goes to heaven and who goes to hell has always been
one of those questions of which people of faith have wrestled? In
Luther’s small catechism he says, “On the last day the Holy Spirit
will raise me and all the dead and he will give me and all believers
in Christ eternal life.” (Explanation to the third article of the
creed). I like the way Luther avoids a blanket category of who
goes to hell. This is something that belongs to God. What
belongs to us, and to our witness is this statement of faith, “he will
give to me and all believers in Christ eternal life.”
Memory verse: 1 John 2:17
The world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the
will of God live forever.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
Because of eternity, what is one thing I should start doing
and one thing I should stop doing? (This obviously leads to
another question: “Then why am I not doing it now!”)
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Day 35: Tuesday March 31 “God’s power in your weakness”.
God loves to use weak people. When speaking of
weaknesses, we are not talking about things you can change.
The unfortunate thing about this is that what is changeable in
one person is not in another, or at least not easily changed in
another.
The blessings of weaknesses are 1) They help us depend
on God, 2) They keep us humble, 3) It encourages fellowship.
We need each other. (Strength breads an independent spirit).
4) They give us sympathy in ministry.
Honestly Admit Your Weaknesses. Own up to imperfections.
Stop pretending you have it altogether.
Be Content with Your Weaknesses. Our weaknesses help us
rely on God, they keep us from becoming arrogant and keep our
ego’s in check. Weaknesses also keep us in fellowship with
other believers because we need one another. Weaknesses also
help in our relationships with others. As we learn to understand
our weaknesses and limitations. We also receive the ability to be
patient with others in their limitations. They have weakness
they can’t do anything about too. Their weaknesses are different
than yours.
Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9
He (Christ)said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness.”
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?
How have you seen God’s power demonstrated through you
when you felt weak?
40
Day 34: Monday March 30 “Thinking Like A Servant”
Service starts in the mind. This requires a change in
attitudes. God is interested in “why” we do something as well
as “what we do.” Real servants have a Godly mind set.
Servants think more about others than about themselves. Servants focus on others without thinking less of themselves.
They just think of themselves less often. This is what it means to
“lose your life.” When we stop focusing on our own needs, and
we become aware of the needs of others. A reality in this world
of ours is that a lot of service is self-serving. We do it to others
so that we would be rewarded, or feel good, or be admired or
achieve our own goals. In these cases, service becomes
manipulation, not ministry. Real service is not natural.
Servants think like stewards, not owners. First thing:
God is owner. The most important thing a servant needs to
remember is that a servant must be faithful to their master. It’s
not that you “should not” serve God and money, you cannot!
Servants think about their work, not about what
others are doing. They don’t’ have time to compare because
they are too busy doing the work God gave them. “Real servants
don’t complain of unfairness, don’t have pity-parties, and don’t
resent those not serving.” They just trust God and keep serving.
Servants base their identity in Christ. We must settle
our identity in Christ. Only secure people can serve self-less-ly.
Insecure people are either going to worry about how they appear
to others, or they will compare themselves to others. “The
closer you get to Jesus the less you need to promote yourself.”
Servants think of ministry as opportunity, not obligation. Memory verse: Philippians 2:5
Let the same mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding
ways to serve others?
11
Day 5: Sunday March 1 “Seeing Life From God’s View”
The way you see your life shapes your life. How you
define life determines your destiny. Your perspective will
influence how you invest your time, spend your money, use
your talents, and value your relationships. With what comparison would you describe life? Some
have said, life is like: a circus, a journey, a dance, a roller
coaster, a puzzle... The important thing to realize is this. “How
you see life influences your expectations, your values, your
relationships, your goals and your priorities.” If you believe life
is a party how does that influence your day to day decisions?
Pastor Warren encourages us to see life under three
Biblical metaphors.
1) Life is a test: The word test appears 200 times in the
Bible. We have the stories of Adam & Eve, Abraham, Joseph,
etc. Testing does two things to us. It both develops and reveals
character. How do you live even when you don’t feel God’s
presence with you? The Good News is God wants us to grow
from and pass every test!
2) Life is a trust: Our life, the resources we have in our life
and the resources we have around us are a trust given by God.
God has entrusted to us the management of all God has made.
Our culture says, “If you don’t own it, you won’t take care of it.”
The Christian has a higher standard. “Because God owns it, I
must take the best care of it I can.”
3) Life is a temporary assignment. (Next reading)
Memory verse: Luke 16:10
Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and
whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: What has happened to me that I now realize was a test
from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to
me?
12
Day 6: Monday March 2 “Life Is a Temporary Assignment”
Life on earth is a temporary Assignment. Two important
truths come from this reality: first, compared with eternity, life is
extremely brief. Second, earth is only a temporary residence.
One of the results of these truths is the reality that we will never
completely feel “fulfilled,” here in this life. We will always have
longings that will never be fulfilled this side of eternity. We are
not completely happy here because we don’t belong here. Earth
is not our home! Another reality is this. We must not think the
promise of “fullness of life,” means material prosperity or popular
success. Rather, it is life in fellowship with God and God’s
purpose.
Memory verse: 2 Cor 4:18
We look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be
seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen
is eternal.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
It has sometimes been said of Christians, “They are so
heavenly minded they are no earthly good.” I think there
are some spiritual dangers in thinking of this life as a mere
temporary assignment. What could those dangers be?
If everyone understood that life on earth is really
preparation for eternity, how would we act differently?
How should the fact that life on earth is “a temporary
assignment” change the way I am living right now?
What have you been attached to that could keep you from
Living for God’s purpose?
How do these questions speak to the larger question,
“What drives you?”
39
Day 33: Sunday March 29 “How Real Servants Act”
We serve God by serving others. The world values those
who control. Power, position, prestige, and possessions are the
way the world measures success. Jesus on the other hand said
greatness comes from service. The primary way we serve must
be according to our SHAPE, however, when a need comes up that
we can do, our first call is to service. No special talent or gift is
required to stay after a meeting to pick up trash or stack chairs.
Anyone can be a servant. So what are the qualities?
Real servants make themselves available to serve. This means
our agenda’s must be flexible. God might call upon us to help
someone just when we think we need to get “somewhere else.”
Real servants also pay attention to needs: We might not get a
second chance to offer help. The need maybe simple or profound.
It might be an individual or a group, organization or government
Real servants do their best with what they have. We must not
wait around for the right conditions. On the other hand, it doesn’t
have to be perfect, but does need to be authentic service.
Real servants do tasks with dedication. It requires all our heart.
Real servants are faithful to their ministry. That is they
complete their task, they are faithful to the commitment at hand.
Real servants maintain a low profile. Jesus criticized the
Pharisees because they did good for show.
Memory verse: Matthew 10:42
Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones
in my name truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: Which of the six characteristics of real servants
offers the greatest challenge to me?
38
Day 32: Saturday March 28 “Using what God Gave you”
God wants us to serve him with our best. Therefore, we
discover our SHAPE in order to serve in a way that brings out
our best, bring a sense of pride, and is least likely to cause
frustration. The best way to assess our ability is by serving in
various areas. There are lots of tests out there, but they tend to
work in reverse, that is, they try to assess us, then tell us what
we should do. A better way is to experiment by serving in ways
that look appealing. Understand this, you have many different
talents and abilities. It is important that you learn to serve
within the context of those abilities. (This is why many people
change jobs at the age of 30+ They discover they have abilities
in areas of their life they haven’t been using)
You also need listen to your heart and personality. In
this way we can accept and enjoy our own SHAPE. It is a gift
God has given us. If we try to serve in areas outside of our
shape we will only end up with frustration. At the same time,
we must realize there will be people who have shapes close to
ours, who work and serve in areas that are like ours. We must
be open to learning from one another without comparing
ourselves to one another. Comparing can cause us to feel either:
“I’m better than they...or “I’m not as good as they.” Either way
we end up putting someone else down or putting ourselves
down. Comparing isn’t helpful. Learning is.
Memory verse: 1 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him,
a worker who has no need to be ashamed,
rightly explaining the word of truth.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
How can I make the best use of what God has given me?”
13
Day 7: Tuesday Mar 3 “The Reason for Everything”
“It’s all for God.” The ultimate goal of the universe is to
show the glory of God. It is the reason for everything that exists,
including you. You were created for God’s good pleasure. To a
certain extent all things in creation reveal God’s glory. From the
wonder of a small seed that can give life, to the beauty of a baby,
all things reveal the greatness and wonder of God.
The greatest wonder of God is that God became a part of
our world through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. On
the other hand, only two things in creation fail to give glory to
God.
1) Fallen angels (the devil and his court) and
2) Humans. We fail to give God glory because of sin.
“All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.”
So how can we bring God glory?
1) Through worship, it is our first responsibility to God.
2) Through loving other believers who belong to the
family of God.
3) By becoming Christ-like, from maturity in spirit. Our
model is Jesus who served by washing the feet of his
disciples.
4) By serving others with our gifts. God calls us to act
where our gifts meet the needs of the world.
5) We bring glory to God by telling others about him.
Who are you going to live for? That is the most important
question that faces us this Lenten season. Will we live for
God or for ourselves?
Memory verse: Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever. Amen.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: How can I become more aware of God’s Glory?
14
Purpose # 1
You Were Planned for God’s Good Pleasure
Day 8: Wednesday March 4 “Planned for God’s Good
Pleasure”.
God wanted you alive and your birth brought God
pleasure. The first reason for your life therefore is because your
life brings pleasure to God. You are a child of God and each
child is precious in the eyes of their parents. As a result, your
life has tremendous significance simply because you can give
God your love. Bringing pleasure to God is called worship.
Psalm 147:11 says:
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Public worship is done with other people. In the
Lutheran church worship includes confession of sin and
receiving of forgiveness, giving praise to God through song and
liturgy, hearing God’s word through scripture and preaching,
offering to God prayers and gifts, receiving God in a very
physical way through the sacraments of Baptism and Holy
Communion.
Worship is also personal through devotions. We
“devote” ourselves to God through prayer, reading, and
reflection.
Worship is not for our benefit! We don’t worship for
what, “we get out of it” We worship because God wants our
worship. Worship is also not part of your life. It is your life.
“Whatever you do, do it in the name of God.” All of life is
worship. Luther said, “A dairymaid can milk cows to the glory
of God.” The secret to worship is doing everything as if for God.
Memory verse: Psalm 149:4
The Lord takes pleasure in His people
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner,
or in a small group: What Common task could I start doing as
if I were doing it directly for Jesus?
37
Day 31: Friday March 27 “Understanding Your Shape”
SHAPE language began yesterday. Having spoken of
S-for spiritual gifts and H- for heart, we now move to A-bilities.
Only You can be you. Your abilities are the natural gifts God
gave you when you were born as well as what you have done since
that time to develop some of the abilities you have been given.
Spiritual gifts are given to believers in God, abilities are given to
everyone. Each blend of abilities is unique in each person and
you have many more abilities than you will ever use. The key is to
give thanks to God for the abilities you have. To understand they
are there for giving praise to God, and to realize that we have
enough of them so we can use the ones we have a special interest
in. We are also given freedom. Therefore, we don’t have to
develop every ability we have.
Personality Your personality is unique, Celebrate it!
Experience Is also unique for each person. Each of us is
shaped by our families, education, vocational experiences,
spiritual background, all the ministry that we have already done,
and other experiences. Some experience is good, some is painful.
All of these things, plus our individual DNA help shape us as a
person. The painful experiences are often key experiences that
give us a special ability to serve God. I don’t want to say, “God
causes painful experiences.” What I do know is that God works
all things for good for those who love God. Therefore, the painful
experiences we have experienced can serve God’s mission and
ministry and bring fullness of life for us.
Memory verse: 1 Peter 4:10
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one
another with whatever gift each of you has received.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
“What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer to my
church?”
36
Day 30: Thursday March 26 “Shaped for serving God”
You were shaped to serve God. Everything about you;
body, mind, psychological make-up, emotional strength, and
more all come together to make you who you are. This also
makes you different from everyone else. This unique SHAPE is
something that God delights in. Your SHAPE is also unique
because no one else can serve God the way you can. What is
meant by SHAPE?
S= Spiritual gifts,
H= Heart,
A= Abilities
P= Personality
E= Experience.
Spiritual gifts are given only to believers. “Those who
are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spir-
it” (1 Cor 2:14) The gifts of God are given to you. You
don’t get to choose what they are. At the same time, they are not
given for your benefit, they are given so that the community of
faith can be built up and so the ministry to all people can be
served. There are different gifts, but only one God is served.
Read 1 Corinthians 12 for further information on spiritual gifts.
Heart Your heart is where your passion is. When we
speak of serving God it must be according to where our
ambitions lie, and where our hopes and dreams are formed. As
we serve God in the long haul it must be a service of things
which we love to do. This way we can serve God with our heart.
Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 12:6
There are varieties of gifts, but it is the same God
who activates all of them in everyone.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: “In what way can I see myself passionately serving others and
loving it?”
15
Day 9: Thursday March 5 “What Makes God Smile?”
One pastor said, “The smile of God is the goal of your
life.” So, what is it that makes God smile? There are five actions
of worship that accomplish this:
1) When we Love God supremely: God loves you and
there is nothing better we can do than love God back. God
desires a relationship with you.
2) When we Trust God completely: Trust is an element
of faith, “faith is the assurance of things hoped for,” It
means we can move forward in life with confidence in
God’s goodness and love even if, at the time, we are facing
some terrible things in life.
3) When we obey God wholeheartedly: Obedience is
something we are good at compromising. We are better at
obeying God when we want, rather than obeying God in all
things. Yet God desires complete and joyful obedience!
4) When we praise and thank God continually: The
amazing thing about this is that when we bring this pleas-
ure to God it comes back to bless us.
5) God Smiles when we use our abilities: Anything that
we do that is not sin brings pleasure to God. So, fix the
car, paint the trim, write a poem, clean the floor, wash the
dishes, cook the meal, remodel the house, love your
spouse, sing a song, etc. God loves it when we use our
abilities!
Memory verse: Psalm 147:11
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my
life do I need to trust God the most?
16
Day 10: Friday March 6 “The Heart of Worship”
The heart of worship is surrender. It is an unpopular word.
Disliked almost as much as the word submission. The word is used
almost exclusively to define a negative situation. A criminal
surrenders to authorities. In a war the defeated side surrenders.
Yet true worship happens when you give yourself to God. Romans
12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,
by the mercies of God,
to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God,
which is your spiritual worship.
Pastor Warren writes pages of material on what it means to
surrender. It is some of his best writing. He wants us to
understand that we all surrender to something. One of his points is
there is a moment of surrender (this, of course, is a strong Baptist
emphasis). A time when you make a conscious decision that your
life will be led by God’s will and purpose for you. One Christian
man put it this way, “I actually wrote out a contract and it said,
“From this day forward I am a slave to Jesus.” Then he signed it.
That was the moment.
For many Christians, and I suspect most Lutherans, there is
the practice of daily surrender. That is, daily living dedicated to
God. Luther spoke of this kind of surrender as something rooted in
our baptism, (as opposed to being rooted in our giving our life to
God). He called it a daily “dying to the old self and rising to the
new life born in us in Christ.” Luther always points us to God as
the source of all that really matters.
Memory verse: Romans 6:13b
...Present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from
death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of
righteousness.
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: What areas of my life do I hold back from God?
Which tradition most closely reflects your identity before
God. The Baptist tradition of a day of surrender, or the
Lutheran tradition of daily dying and rising?
What is the value of each tradition?
35
Purpose #4
You Were Shaped for Serving God
Day 29: Wednesday March 25 “Accepting Your Assignment”
You were placed on earth to contribute. You weren’t just
put here to consume (Contrary to what our advertisers say). This
ministry of service is spoken of many times in the Bible.
1) You were created to serve God. Eph 2:10 “You were
created in Christ Jesus for good works,” God has
prepared us for good deeds–service.
2) You were saved to serve God. You don’t serve God
out of guilt, fear, or even duty, but out of joy and deep
gratitude for what God has done for us. You are healed to
heal...blessed to be a blessing.
3) We are called to serve God. Every Christian is called
to service. An oxymoron is a “non-serving Christian.”
4) You are commanded to serve God. Jesus said, “I did
not come to be waited upon, but to serve.” Service is just
the opposite of “serve – us.” Mother Teresa said, “Holy
living consists in doing God’s work with a smile.”
Such service fulfills God’s purpose in us for today, it
makes this world a much better place in which all of us can live.
Finally, It prepares us for eternity. Heaven is also a place of
service. It is joyful service to God.
Memory verse: Ephesians 2:10
For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: “What is holding me back from accepting the call to serve God.”
34
Day 28: Tuesday March 24 “It Takes Time”
There are no shortcuts to maturity. It takes a full season for
the fruit to mature. It takes time for the fruit of the Spirit to ripen.
God is patient with us. We need to face some facts:
1) We are slow learners: We often need to learn the same
thing repeatedly. Some of us never do get it!
2) We have a lot to unlearn: Let’s face it. We learn a lot
about life from some pretty terrible sources. The internet,
TV–both the programing and the commercials. There are
also other sources; music, movies, electronic games,
billboards, newspapers, magazines, and all the stuff we
hear and see around us. Much of what we learn is not very
godly.
3) We are afraid to humbly face the truth about
ourselves: Luther said we were at the same time “Saint
and Sinner.” The sin part of us is too often something we
would like to deny or simply pass off as not important. The
importance of recognizing our sin cannot be overstated.
4) Growth is often painful and scary: There is no growth
without change, no change without fear, no fear without
loss, no loss without pain. It’s easier to say, “That’s just
the way I am,” than it is to do the work of change.
5) Habits take time to develop: Your character is the
sum of your habits. To stop bad habits is hard, to develop
and hold on to new ones is just as hard.
6) Believe God is in your life even if you don’t feel it!
7) Keep a notebook or journal of lessons learned.
8) Be patient with God and with yourself
9) Don’t get discouraged.
Memory verse: Philippians 1:6
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among
you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient
and persistent?
17
Day 11: Saturday March 7, “Becoming Best Friends with God”
It is amazing to me that “Friendship with God” is a theme that
starts out so mushy and ends up being developed so well in his
book. Prayer is us talking to God. It is also more. It is listening
as well. Prayer as meditation, is less understood. Meditation is
close to worry. The difference though is the focus of our
attention. Worry is a focus on self. The problems of the self, the
world of the self, etc. Meditation on the other hand, is a focus on
God. God’s word, desire, and goal. When we learn to focus in
this way God begins to share secrets the same way friends share.
Maybe secret isn’t the right word, it would be better to say that
God takes us into God’s confidence. That is, God begins to trust
us well enough to know when certain things should be said and
when they should not be said.
Pastor Warren’s question “What is something I can do to
remind myself to think about God throughout the day?” is exactly
why people started wearing a cross, or the rosary beads, or the
WWJD bracelet. Such jewelry can become a reminder of the one
in whom we are in relationship. The important thing is the
friendship, not the jewelry.
We can wear signs of our love for God. In faith we also
understand that God gives us signs of his love as well. In bread
and wine he gives us his body and blood with the promise of
forgiveness of sins and new life. In the water of baptism he
gives us a sign of his eternal promise. “You have been joined to
the death and resurrection of Jesus.”
Memory verse: Psalm 25:14a
The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
and he makes his covenant known to them.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to
God more often throughout the day?
How is friendship with God like any other friendship, and how is
it different?
18
Day 12: Sunday March 8, “Developing Your Friendship With
God”
You are as close to God as you choose to be. Like any
friendship it doesn’t happen by accident. It takes desire, time, and
energy. Some important ways we deepen friendship with God are:
1) To choose to be honest with God. God doesn’t expect us
to be perfect, but God does expect honesty. Many passages
of scripture even reveal God’s people expressing their
disappointment in God! (Psalm 22, 44, 88 etc.)
2) To obey God in faith: We may not think of obedience
and friendship as going together but they do when we think
of Jesus. He said, “You are my friends if you do what I
command.”
3) To choose to value what God values: What is it that Jesus
valued? He wanted all people to be in relationship with
God. Therefore, friends of God tell other people about their
friendship with God.
4) To seek friendship with God that is authentic. The
Psalms use words like this to describe our desire for God:
yearning, thirsting, hungering. God is passionate about and
for you. Therefore, God calls us to value our relationship
with God more than anything else.
Memory verse: James 4:8a
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to
God?
When is it appropriate to express anger to God?
33
Day 27: Monday March 23 “Defeating Temptation”
There is always a way out. God has promised never to
allow more ON you than he puts WITHIN you to handle it.
1) Refocus your attention on something else. The key
is this. You can’t resist temptation. Especially you can’t resist it
by trying to not think about it, that usually causes us to think of
it more. That’s way diets don’t work. People think about food
all the time! One solution is “replacement” Satan can’t get your
attention if your focus is on something else. In this regard we
need to monitor our media intake. Your mind is your most
vulnerable organ. Keep your mind occupied with God’s Word.
2) Reveal your struggle to a Godly friend or group.
The model for this kind of caring are the multitude of 12 step
programs that are available. The first one of course was for the
treatment of those who were alcoholics.
Pastor Warren developed an eight-step program.
For help in dealing with temptation.
3) Resist the devil. The Bible often speaks of Christian
life as a battle against the evil forces.
4) Realize your vulnerability. Don’t place yourself in
tempting situations.
What I appreciate about this section is something that is
lost to much of the church today. That is a concern for the
seriousness of sin. Our culture too often sees sin as something
to be embraced! “Go on! Indulge yourself!” is the message we
hear in so many ways! Sin is a reality that needs to be taken
seriously.
Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13b
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your
strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so
that you may be able to endure it.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
“Who can be my spiritual partner.” A person who will help me
defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me.”
32
Day 26: Sunday March 22 “Growing Through Temptation”
“Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.” On the
path to maturity temptation becomes a steppingstone rather than a
stumbling block. To help discern what a temptation is look to what
is opposite of a temptation. Begin with the fruits of the spirit of
God. “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control.” Temptation comes in the form of
opposites to these qualities. We are tempted to be unloving when
we are dealing with unloving people. When we are tempted to be
unfaithful then we are put in the position of having to make a
choice. So temptations are opportunities for God as well as
temptations to go against God’s will and purpose.
Temptation proceeds as follows: 1) Desire: Either we are
tempted to misuse a God given desire, or we desire that which is
wrong. Temptation then, comes from within, it is internal, not
external in its origin. 2) Doubt: We begin to doubt that it is wrong.
We go through self-justification. 3) Deception: The tempter uses
half-truths and half statements to deceive us. 4) Disobedience:
That is, we give in.
To overcome temptation:
1) Refuse to be intimidated. We will always be tempted,
in fact, Satan targets godly people.
2) Recognize your pattern of temptation and be
prepared for it. Avoid situations that bring temptation.
3) Request God’s help. That is, pray. Remember God
tempts no one! Although the Lord’s prayer does say, “Lead
us not into temptation,” better translation would be, “Do not
bring us to the test.” Think of the way Jesus was tested or
tempted by Satan.
Memory verse: James 1:12
Blessed is anyone who endures temptation.
Such a one has stood the test
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the
most common temptation I face?
19
Day 13: Monday March 9 “Worship That Pleases God”
God wants all of you. God wants all your heart, soul,
strength, and mind. God desires your full devotion not
part. Therefore, the following is true:
1) God is pleased when our worship is authentic. When
we worship God looks past our words to see the attitude
of our heart. God gave us a heart, or emotions, so we
could worship God with feeling. God gave us minds so
we could worship with thoughtfulness. God gave us
bodies so we could be gathered together to praise God
with our body. And God gave us a soul that our worship
would be from the essence of who we are. God also gave
us a will so we could worship intentionally.
2) Worship must be practical: For this to be true we must
do it with our body. You have heard people say, “I can’t
make it to the meeting tonight, but I’ll be with you in
spirit.” Do you know what that means? Absolutely noth-
ing! It’s worthless. Your spirit can only be where your
body is! To offer a sacrifice of worship first means we are
present in body. Of course, that sacrifice is more obvious
to us when we are tired, or worn out.
Memory verse: Mark 12:30
You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your mind, and with all your strength.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: Which is more pleasing to God right now, my public worship or
my private worship? What will I do about this?
20
Day 14: Tuesday March 10, “When God Seems Distant”
God is real no matter how you feel. Friendships are often
tested when you are divided by physical distance or you are unable
to talk. God doesn’t always “feel” close. The fact is, for many
people God feels quite distant. I don’t know why this is, but I do
know it is a reality. Sometimes God feeling distant is related to
what we have been doing in our lives. Sin causes us to feel
separated from God. Confession is good because it wakes you up
to God’s presence even if you don’t feel it. Additionally, when we
fail to worship, God will feel distant.
However, I, and probably you, have experienced many
times when God feels distant, even absent! When that happens we
can really feel alone. When that happens, we must cling to God’s
word, to God’s promise. For God is here whether we feel God or
not!
A major problem develops in our Christian life when we
begin to think, “an experience with God,” is what verifies God’s
reality to us. Experiences are good. I encourage opportunities that
allow people to experience the closeness and wonder of God.
Retreats, camps, special gatherings are some ways in which God
may give this gift to you. On the other hand, we run into a danger
when we seek “an experience of God,” rather than seeking to
worship God. The fact is God doesn’t want us to trust our
emotions, God wants us to trust God.
Memory verse: Hebrews 13:5b
For he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
How can I stay focused on God’s presence, especially when God
feels distant?
Share something you learned from a time when God felt distant?
31
Day 25: Saturday March 21 “Transformed by Trouble”
“God has a purpose behind every problem.” No one is
immune to pain or insulated from suffering. Some people are
very fortunate in not having many problems, others are loaded
with problems. It doesn’t seem fair. Yet God can use whatever
problems we face to show us his love and build us up. I will not
say God causes the problems, I will say God loves you amid
them, and God wants you to grow closer to God in the midst of
them. This is not automatic. Some people become bitter, some
lose heart and faith. God has said he will be with you in all
things and he will protect you in such a way that nothing evil can
separate you from God’s love.
In times of trouble it is good to remember that God’s
purpose for you, God’s hope for you, is much bigger than the
trouble you are experiencing. You can respond.
1) Remember that God’s plan is good. This is true
even if what you are experiencing now is not good. Jesus
being crucified was not good. What God did with that
was good.
2) Rejoice and give thanks. This seems impossible. Yet
Paul said we should give thanks IN all circumstances, not
FOR all circumstances. There is a big difference!
3) Refuse to give up. Let God to be your strength.
4) Refuse to give up your identity as a child of God. If
you are being abused by another person you may need
God’s strength and the protection given by community
and laws. Your story needs to be told.
Memory verse: Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for good
for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?
30
Day 24: Friday March 20 Transformed by truth.
The truth transforms us. Spiritual growth is the process
of replacing lies with truth. To become more like Jesus we must
fill our lives with the word of God. God’s word is unlike any
other word. It is a lively word. God’s word doesn’t just
announce things, it causes them to be. Therefore, we need to
receive it, read it, research it, remember it, reflect on it and act
on it.
1) Accept the authority of the word. The Bible is the
written word of God and I must accept its authority. It
also means I must read it and reflect on it with
seriousness.
2) Assimilate its truth. In order for this to happen we
need to devote time to reading the Bible. We must not
deceive ourselves into thinking that watching 3-hours of
TV can be balanced by 30 seconds of Bible reading!
How we fill our minds is extremely important. If you
read the Bible 15 minutes a day you can read the Bible in
a year. There are many good ways this can be done.
Memory verse John 8:31-32
If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you
will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
What has God already told me in his word that I haven’t started
doing yet?
21
Purpose #2
You Were Formed for God’s Family
Day 15: Wednesday March 11 “Formed for God’s Family”
God wants a family and God wants you to be a part of it.
God treasures relationships. God is identified as a relationship of
“Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” God doesn’t need the relationship
of people, God does, however, desire a relationship with you and
all people. The beginning place of being part of the family is
baptism. If you are not baptized already allow this time to be the
invitation for you to be baptized into Christ and into the Christian
family.
When we place our faith in Christ, we then honor God as
our Father, and we hear ourselves being named as God’s children.
Other believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church
becomes our spiritual family. The family of God includes all
believers; past, present, and future. As a result, your spiritual
family is even more important than your physical family because
it will last forever. Our families are wonderful gifts, but children
grow up and leave the home. Loved ones in our family, such as
parents and grandparents die. Additionally, family relationships
are often separated by great physical distances and sometimes
they are separated by great emotional distances. On the other
hand, our spiritual family will be there forever. Both in this life
and in the age to come.
Memory verse: Ephesians 1:5
He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ,
according to the good pleasure of his will.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
How can I start treating other believers like members of my own
family?
22
Day 16: Thursday March 12 “What Matters Most”
Life is all about love. Because God is love, the most im-
portant lesson God wants you to learn on earth is how to love. To
love unselfishly is not easy. It runs counter to our self-centered
nature. God calls us to love everyone and especially, God calls us
to love a particular people. The members of God’s family. This
is the second purpose God has given us. God wants us to be
known for this characteristic more than for anything else. In
order to do this, we must be in close fellowship with other
believers.
1) Life without love is worthless. Relationships are more
important than achievements or the accumulation of
things. Here is a good formula. Life minus love equals
zero.
2) Love will last forever. When Paul wrote to the church
in Corinth he said, “Faith, hope, and love abide... The
greatest is love.” This is true because in eternity faith is
fulfilled, hope is fulfilled, but love...love continues, love is
eternal.
3) We will be evaluated on our love: The essence of love
is not what we think or prove for others. It is best spelled
T-I-M-E. The best measure of love is not flowers or gifts.
It is, rather, focused attention. To love is to give up my
own preferences, comfort, goals, security, money, energy,
.... for the sake of someone else. The best time to show
love is NOW. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
Memory verse: Galatians 5:14
For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment,
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
In all honesty, are relationships my first priority? How can I
ensure that they are?
What barriers in you keep you from loving other believers?
29
Day 23: Thursday March 19 “How We Grow”
God wants you to grow. You were not meant to remain
as spiritual children. Spiritual growth is an intentional
commitment that is not automatic. You must want to grow,
decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing.
It is at this point that most people miss God’s purpose for
them in their life. Many people refuse to make a commitment to
anything, others make only halfhearted commitments, still others
make commitments to the wrong things like worldly goals. The
choices you make are important, so move with God’s Spirit.
1) God’s part and your part: Christlikeness is the result
of making Christlike choices depending on God’s Spirit
to help you fulfill these choices. You will need to let go
of old routines and develop new habits. You need to
change the way you think. This is not how to be saved, it
is about how you grow in God’s Spirit. It is not about
earning God’s favor, it is about growing in fellowship
with God.
2) Changing your autopilot: To change your life you
must change the way you think. “As you sow a thought
you reap an action, as you sow an action you reap a habit,
as you sow a habit you reap a character....As one thinks
so one goes.” We must change our “automatic
settings.” (Or to use computer language, our default
settings). The reading on p. 181 is very good at
addressing this. The way you think determines the way
you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you
act.”
Memory verse: Romans 12:2b
Be transformed by the renewing of your minds,
so that you may discern what is the will of God
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group: What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start
thinking God’s way?
28
Purpose # 3 You Were Created to Become Like Christ
Day 22: Wednesday March 18 “Created to Become like
Christ” You were created to become like Christ. God’s purpose
has to do with character development, not career placement.
God’s purpose does not mean a narcissistic focus on me
achieving my goals or getting rich or whatever. We are not to
think our purpose is making things comfortable for us on earth.
Heaven is a goal, but for now there is work to be done. To be
made like Christ means to follow as did Christ.
1) God uses God’s word, people, and circumstances to
mold you. God’s word first of all is Jesus himself. For
Jesus is in a living relationship with you. God also uses
God’s word, the Bible, as a way to bring you the truth
you need to know in order to become like him. God uses
people around you, both those inside and those outside
the church. Finally, God’s Holy Spirit works through
circumstances and events in your life. All of these, plus
your response to all these things, help shape you.
2) Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process. You
are a work in progress that will take all the years of your
life. God is much more interested in who you become
than in what you do for a living, or your career, etc.
Those decisions God gives to us to make. God certainly
cares about them, it’s just that God is much more
concerned about your character than any of those other
issues.
Memory verse 2 Corinthians 3:18b
And all of us, ... are being transformed into the same image... for
this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
“In what areas of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit’s power
to be like Christ today?”
23
Day 17: Friday March 13 “A Place to Belong”
You are called to belong, not just to believe. Even in the
sinless environment of Eden God said, “It is not good for man to
live alone.” We are created for community. While our
relationship to God is personal, it is not meant to be private. A
finger severed from the body cannot live...At the same time,
when the body loses a finger, it too suffers...even though it can
survive and adapt. However, a body without fingers, or hands, or
arms or feet or legs, is a handicapped body.
Why you need a church family:
1) You will be identified as a genuine believer.
2) Church moves you out of self-centered isolation. Only in contact with ordinary, imperfect believers, can
we learn real fellowship.
3) Develops spiritual muscle–conditioning and
coordination. God wants us to “_____for one another.”
The “blank” is filled with 50 different words in the Bible;
love, pray, admonish, greet, serve, teach, accept, honor,
forgive. The list goes on.
3) The body needs you. Your role is your ministry!
4) Sharing in the mission. Teamwork to reach the
world.
5) Keeps us from backsliding. The body of believers
keeps us from sin by providing accountability.
Memory verse: Romans 12:5
So, we, who are many, are one body in Christ,
and, individually, we are members one of another.
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
Does my level of involvement in my church demonstrate that I
love and am committed to God’s family?
What are the most common excuses people give for not joining a
church, or being uninvolved, and how would you answer them?
24
Day 18: Saturday March 14, “Experiencing Life Together”
Life is meant to be shared. This is a wonderful reflection
on the need for real fellowship where people share with one
another who they are authentically.
In real fellowship people experience authenticity: It is a
place where we are genuine, not superficial and talk can be heart
to heart, gut to gut, without fear of betrayal. Too often the church
lacks this sense of genuine authenticity. It requires courage and
honesty. When courage and honesty are missing authenticity will
be absent as well, and the system will feel “unhealthy.”
In real fellowship people experience sympathy: That is
people feel they are being understood and cared for.
In real fellowship people experience mercy. When we are
hurt by someone we have three choices. One is to retaliate that is,
to get even. Secondly, we can withdraw by removing ourselves
from the fellowship. The third option is the best. It is to move
toward resolution into forgiveness. There is a tremendous need
for forgiveness! Forgiveness allows us to stay connected so that
trust can once again be developed. There is a difference between
forgiveness and trust. Forgiveness has to do with the past, trust
has to do with the future. We need to forgive the past, then, trust
can be built over time.
Memory verse: Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way
you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at
a more genuine heart to heart level?
What would make it easier for you to be able to share your
needs, hurts, fears, and hopes with others?
27
Day 21: Tuesday March 17 “Protecting the Unity of the
Church”
It is your job to protect the unity of the church. The New
Testament gives more attention to this than to either heaven or
hell. God deeply desires harmony among God’s people. It is the
soul of fellowship.
Just as parents want their children to get along with one
another so also God desires unity. Jesus prayed earnestly for unity
just before his crucifixion.
Our culture reflects the need for unity. The Civil war was
fought in order to protect the unity of the nation. That is how
important unity was. Just like the nation, the church is more
threatened by other sheep than it is by the wolves. Keys:
1) Focus on what we have in common, not differences. One Lord, one body, one purpose, one father one spirit,
one hope one faith one baptism...”
2) Be realistic with expectations. There is a gap between
the way the church is and the way it should be. Live in the
tension! Believers will let you down, but that is no reason
to stop fellowship.
3) Choose to encourage rather than criticize. It’s very
possible that your criticism interferes with God’s business.
4) Refuse to listen to gossip. Gossip is passing on
information when you are not part of the solution or the
problem. Listening to gossip is as damaging as saying it.
Have the courage to cut it off.
5) Practice God’s method of conflict resolution. Go first
to the person, then, if needed bring a third party, then use
the larger group. Always the purpose is for reconciliation.
Memory verse: Romans 14:19
Pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up building.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family
right now?
26
Day 20: Monday March 16 “Restoring Broken Fellowship”
Relationships are always worth restoring. Because life is
about loving, God wants us to value relationships and maintain
them instead of discarding them when there is a rift, hurt, or
conflict. You must learn to be a peace maker; not by avoiding
conflict or running from problems, not by appeasement or
always giving in, but by seeking reconciliation. Never be
ashamed to be the first person to move toward reconciliation!
Biblical steps for restoring fellowship...
1) Talk to God before talking to the person. Pray!
2) Always take the initiative. It doesn’t matter who’s
“at fault,” God wants you to make the first move!
3) Sympathize with feelings. Use your ears more than
your mouth
4) Confess your part of the conflict. Don’t make
excuses or rationalize or trivialize your behavior.
5) Cooperate as much as possible.
6) Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution. Agreement may not be realistic. It might be fine to
simply agree that you don’t agree with one another.
Memory Verse: : Romans 12:18
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you,
live peaceably with all.
Question for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
With whom do I need to restore a broken relationship today?
Key point: Relationships are almost always worth restoring.
What are the steps you need to take to accomplish this?
Can you think of a time where seeking to restore a broken
relationship might cause more harm than good?
25
Day 19: Sunday March 15 “Cultivating Community”
Community requires commitment. A commitment to
setting time aside to be together as well as a commitment to
certain principles and actions.
1) Honesty. Without honesty there is superficial
interchange. We need to be frank without feeling we have
a license to say anything.
2) Humility. A great quote: “Humility is not thinking less
of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”
3) Courtesy. Manners matter. What brings us together is
not compatibility but Christ. Therefore, we also need to be
courteous to one another–even though we may be dealing
with difficult people.
4) Confidentiality. What is said needs to stay within the
group in which it is said. Gossip kills everyone.
5) Frequency. Community is built on an intentional
getting together of people, not just when it is convenient.
There are 9-characteristics of Biblical fellowship:
1) Authenticity- we share true feelings. 2) Mutuality- we
encourage each other. 3) Support- (sympathy) for on another.
4) Forgive one another- (show mercy). 5) Honesty-speaking the
truth in love 6) Humility 7) Respect differences.
8) Confidentiality–not gossip. 9) Frequency– we make the
gathering a time priority.
Memory verse: 1 John 3:16
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us
—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.
Questions for reflection on your own, with a partner, or in a
small group:
How can I help cultivate today the characteristics of real
community?
What can I (we) do to protect and promote unity in our church?