Posted by acgosser on February 21, 2010
Day 1: Read Genesis 12:1-7 and Genesis 15.
Can it be said that God had a vision for Abram (later renamed Abraham) and his descendants? If so, describe in your journal what that vision looked like. If your Bible includes maps, locate the land described in Genesis 15:18-21. You may wish to search maps on the internet.
Day 2: Read Exodus 1.
As the nation of Israel multiplies greatly, other nations are threatened by its size. As he always does, Satan seeks to thwart God’s plans. In what way(s) is Satan active in Exodus 1? Why is Satan opposed to the growth of the nation of Israel? In your prayer time today ask God to teach you about His vision for the nation of Israel.
Day 3: Read Exodus 12:31-42, Deuteronomy 34:1-5; Joshua 1:1-6.
In your journal write down the ways that God was at work in these passages to fulfill the promises He made hundreds of years earlier to Abraham. What have you learned about God’s involvement in His vision for Abraham’s descendants? What have you learned about Satan’s involvement in God’s visions? Ask God to guide you as you meditate on these questions.
Day 4: Read Esther 1-5.
Again, the nation of Israel is threatened by one who hates the Jews. Will God allow the destruction of the nation of Israel? Invest some extra time today in reading the first five chapters of the Book of Esther in light of your knowledge of God’s vision for Abraham’s descendants. In your journal write your thoughts about Mordecai and Esther. What was the foundation of their faith? How did their faith impact their behavior?
Day 5: Read Esther 6-10.
What an exciting story of God’s faithfulness to His people! It is eerily similar to the events found in today’s news about the nation of Israel. Find some articles in the newspaper or on the internet about the threats against the nation of Israel today. Satan is still bent on destroying Israel, but Almighty God is still in control! In your prayer time today, thank God for His sovereign authority over all things and all beings.
Day 6: Read Revelation 7:1-8.
In John’s Revelation we read of God’s provisions for Abraham’s descendants. Never has God or will God forget His children. Review your journal for this week and recall those you read about who were faithful to God: Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Mordecai, Esther. You too can be counted among the ranks of the faithful – those who take action based upon faith in God’s sovereignty!
Posted by acgosser on January 3, 2010
Day 1: Read I John 4:7.
Many people spend their lives, as the song goes, “Lookin’ for love in all the wrong places.” So, how do we find real, lasting love? Love comes from God. In your journal list some ways people search for love in this world. Include your thoughts about how those sources of love may be lacking in true love. Pray asking God to teach you how to love others like He loves you.
Day 2: Read Matthew 22:37-39.
Many people think that God is only interested in rules. But God is all about love. Jesus, God the Son, reminds us of the most important “rule.” Meditate on Jesus’ instructions on how you are to love God. Ask God to search your heart, soul, and mind. Listen as He prompts you to respond in love to Him. Commit to obeying Him as He guides you in your meditation.
Day 3: Read Matthew 22:37-39.
Meditate today on Jesus’ instructions on how you are to love others. Ask God to heart, soul, and mind. Ask God to search your actions and words as well. Are there any areas in which you feel powerless to love others? Re-read I John 4:7. Pray and ask God to give you the love that you need to express toward others.
Day 4: Read 1 John 4:7-10.
Anything you have done that is not loving separates you from a loving God. You don’t have to murder or commit armed robbery to “sin.” Sin is simply breaking God’s commandment to fully love Him and others. His only Son Jesus Christ died and rose again to “atone” for your unloving behavior. Atone means to make “at-one.” When you confess your lack of love (sin) and believe that Christ died and arose for your sin, you are forgiven and are “at one” with God and His love. Talk to God about your response to this passage.
Day 5: Read 1 John 4:11-12.
Re-read today’s scripture as follows: “Dear friend, since God so loved me, I also ought to love others. No one has ever seen God; but if I love others, God lives in me and His love is made complete in me.” What a wonder? You live out God’s love to others. Do others see God in the way that you relate to them? Spend some time today reflecting on any recent experiences that God brings to your mind. Are there any words or actions that He would like to make holy in you?
Day 6: Read I John 4:11-12.
We get to know God and His love better through reading His love letter (the Bible), talking to Him (prayer), and being with those who also love Him (the church). The better we know God, the easier it is for us to obey His commandment to love Him and others. Re-read all of this week’s scriptures and spend some time praying and journaling as God speaks to your heart, soul, and mind.
Posted by acgosser on December 14, 2009
Day 1: Read Luke 2:1-5
This was no speedy ride to the hospital for their baby’s birth. Mary and Joseph traveled about one hundred miles across rough terrain during Mary’s final stages of pregnancy. So many questions must have been going through their minds: Mary’s condition, separation from their families, housing in Bethlehem, safety while traveling… What lies ahead for them? Journal your thoughts.
Day 2: Read Luke 2:6-18
Glory to God in the highest! A savior has been born. He is Christ the Lord! Yet, he is born in a stable, placed in a feeding trough to sleep, and wrapped in strips of cloth for warmth. His first visitors were ordinary shepherds. Christ comes to all, even to you! Do not be afraid. The Good News is for all people. Receive him and be full of joy. Receive him!
Day 3: Read Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 2:21
What’s in a name? Do you know the meaning of your name? Look it up here. How did Jesus get his name? The angel told Joseph to give the baby the name Jesus, “because he will save his people from their sins.” Immanuel, “God with us.” What do these names mean for you personally? Journal your response.
Day 4: Read Luke 2:22-24
In obedience to the law of the Lord, Joseph and Mary consecrated Jesus to the Lord. Consecrated means to “dedicate” or “devote.” If you have ever dedicated a child or children to the Lord, reflect upon that event. What did it mean to you at that time? Perhaps, events have occurred since that occasion that you never imagined. Consider how Joseph and Mary might have responded to events that occurred later in Jesus’ lifetime. Write you reflections down in your journal.
Day 5: Read Luke 2:25-38
The child’s parents marveled at what was said to them. Imagine what they must have thought and felt in response to Simeon’s and Anna’s words… God, why did you choose me to parent this child? I am unworthy. The enormity of the responsibility and privilege to raise God’s own son! And the piercing of their very souls, the depth of their love as well as the anguish they would suffer over the course of his sufferings. Journal your thoughts.
Day 6: Read Luke 2:39-40
Joseph and Mary did everything required by the law of the Lord. Most of all, they loved their son! Their child, God’s child, grew and became strong, filled with wisdom and grace. In what ways did Jesus grow strong? In what ways was wisdom and grace evident in Jesus’ life? You have the same resources available to you that Jesus had; God himself can make you strong and fill you with wisdom and grace. Consecrate yourself to God, obey his laws, and ask him to make you strong, to fill you with wisdom, and to fill you with his grace.
Posted by acgosser on December 7, 2009
We are in the second week of celebrating Advent, which is the four week period before Christmas. The Church celebrates the first coming of Christ and anticipates his second coming. The word “advent,” means “coming” or “arrival.” The season of Advent is focused on the “coming” of Jesus as Messiah.
The focus of the second week of Advent is PEACE. The New International Version of the Bible defines peace as “state of calm; freedom from strife or discord; harmony in personal relationships.” Using the concordance in the back of your Bible or www.biblegateway.com, search for Scriptures with the word peace. Throughout this week, read these Scriptures and examine how you live your life. Is your life one that is calm, free from strife? Do you have harmony in your personal relationships?
For 15 minutes each day, sit quietly by yourself. Without music, TV, or others talking with you, ask the Lord to show you the wisdom in the Scriptures and how you can apply it to your everyday ordinary life. Daily write your thoughts in your journal.
You can use the Scriptures below to start you on your quest:
John 14:27
John 16:33
Philippians 4:7
Colossians 3:15
During the week, talk with others what you are learning from the Word of God and how you are applying it to your life. Continue to unwrap Christmas!
Posted by acgosser on November 30, 2009
DAY 1: II Corinthians 9:15
The Message translation reads, “Thank God for this gift, His gift. No language can praise it enough!” Maybe we cannot praise him enough in our language, but we can praise him a LOT! On a sheet of paper, write the letters of the alphabet down the left side. On each line write something God has given you that starts with that letter. Write “God’s Gifts” at the top of the column. As you write your list, thank God for each of his gifts. (Save your list throughout this week – we’ll be adding to it!)
DAY 2: James 1:17
On your list begin a new column entitled “Why.” Next to each item write a phrase that describes why God gave you each gift. For example, for “Music” you might write, “to give me pleasure and a means to praise him.” As you write your list, thank God for giving you his precious gifts.
DAY 3: John 4:10
On your list start a new column (or add another sheet) entitled “Attributes.” For each item on the list, write down whether the gift is personal and/or practical. The item is personal if it fits your unique needs. Remember, God knew you needed a savior, and he gave himself personally for you. The gift is practical if it is something you can use – just like life in Christ gives you abundant life. Now that’s something you can use!
DAY 4: Matthew 7:9-11
On your list in the “attributes” column, write down whether the gift is pleasing and/or permanent. Most gifts will, in time, become dust collectors and even fade. A pleasing gift is a gift that satisfies and sustains. A permanent gift has lasting value. It does not break, and our desire for it never diminishes. A permanent gift could be rejected, but it is never rescinded.
DAY 5: John 3:16
When God gave his one and only son, he gave an unconditional gift. He knew Jesus would make the ultimate sacrifice to purchase your salvation. The gift of eternal life was bought for you and given at a great cost. On your list in the “Attributes” column, write down whether the gift was purchased. Was there a cost associated with the gift? Thank God especially for each gift that he purchased for you!
DAY 6: Reread each of this week’s scriptures.
“Thank God for this gift, His gift. No language can praise it enough!” Give praise to God for his many gifts to you. As you plan your gift giving this Christmas, consider the attributes of your gifts. Are they personal, practical, pleasing, permanent, and purchased? Let God’s gift serve as an example to you.
