Day 5
Day 5 concludes our look at “rise”, where we see that all the possibility we have to rise comes from the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit…
Devotional Point 4 today:
…now is the time to RISE!
Scripture 4 today:
“Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?” James 4:5 NIV
Reflection 4 today:
On this last day of this series on “Rise”, the focus is on the ‘how” of the concept of “Rising”. It is all from the source of all the “Rise” we will ever have: the work of the Holy Spirit in us. He longs for us to “want to” serve, not because we have to or have been commanded to, but because we very deeply could not imagine any other way to live. Living the life He wants for us comes from serving…
Question for the day: How is the Holy Spirit calling you to participate in ushering in His Kingdom? I am being called to provide leadership in the next cycle of the church, the “Engagement Cycle”
Other Notes: Really hope you have enjoyed these last few days focus on “Rise”, We are next going to dig into a 10 day series from Christine Caine called “Staying Hopeful”, invites later today…
Day 4
Day 4 gives us a snapshot into the hope we have in Jesus, that no matter what happens, “the best is yet to come”…
Devotional Point 4 today:
…the best is yet to come…
Scripture 4 today:
“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”
Psalms 103:17-18 NIV
Reflection 4 today:
The blessings that come from following God are incomprehensible. We need a continuous experience of that blessing, which happens when we step out to do the work of the work that He has for us. Every day it gets more wonderful and more amazing, and the more amazing it is for us, the more amazing it is for those around us who watch what happens to us. We are swayed by the amazing things God does, things that can’t be attributed to anything but Him. The more that the world see these in us, the more they will want what we’ve got…
Question for the day: How does remembering how God has been faithful in the past help you trust him today? Every one has dry periods, the memory keeps the good parts fresh…
Other Notes: pay attention to the format of this praise and worship video. You will notice that it is not an audience in front of a band and singers. It is a band and singers in the round where they were almost indistinguishable from the audience. This is a trait of the new “engaging” cycle of the next stage in the development of the church…
Day 3
Day 3 gives us the solution to the troubles we will face: His Peace
Devotional Point 4 today:
…As we give our hearts to Jesus, it’s important to give him everything…
Scripture 4 today:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Reflection 4 today:
The possibility of difficulty for us is a given. Not if but when and how much… So, first we must prepare new believers for the fact there will be difficulty, Satan is not remotely interested in the growth and discipling of new believers, he will do everything within his power to thwart that. We have to wake up and see it coming, get in front of it with Jesus, and help those we are charged with discipling and building…
Question for the day: What is one thing you are holding onto that you need to trust God with? Probably my pride that I can “do it myself”…
Day 2
Day 2 brings us the understanding of the Father’s love for us…
Devotional Point 4 today:
…Run to Him today…
Scripture 4 today:
“So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 NIV
Reflection 4 today:
This story has very deep implications as to how we see the world we are reaching out to. Most of us quite easily slip into the trap of thinking we are “not that bad”, which is for the most part right. Needing Jesus just as much as anyone else, but for the most part acceptable to the worlds we live in. But Jesus came to redeem every one, and we need to be focused on reaching all parts of that “everyone” out there…
Question for the day: How does it feel to know that God is pursuing you? It is what makes living every day possible
Day 1
Day 1 of Rise dives right into the power behind our adventure with God: the Holy Spirit…
Devotional Point 4 today:
…every day has the potential to be an adventure with God
Scripture 4 today:
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 NIV
Reflection 4 today:
In this very first reference to the concept of salvation with Nicodemus, Jesus makes clear the role of the Holy Spirit. in Ephesians 1 we see that every person who “believes” gets the full measure of the Holy Spirit at that very moment, nothing special or more has to happen after that. And the role of the Holy Spirit in each person cannot be measured or quantified by any of us humans. he wants to blow power and authority and life into each of us. There is no class to go to for this, it is all about listening and yielding to that wind and the power it brings, silence today
Question for the day: How might your heart and life change if you earnestly sought to walk in step with the Spirit today? it all starts with the silence necessary to hear the wind and follow it…
