Back To The Bible - Church Of The Redeemer

back to the
bible
60 days in god’s word
by pastor dale A. o’shields
The Bible is full of the truth we need
to live wisely and well. Travel with us as
we go “Back to the Bible” and spend
60 days mining truths in bite-sized
daily nuggets. These brief devotional
thoughts from Pastor Dale O’Shields will
encourage you to find fresh insights in
God’s Word and live with a renewed
sense of purpose and passion for Christ.
Let’s get growing!
Day
01
>> Who’s In Charge
Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All
authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me.”
There’s only One who is loving and wise
enough to control your life. When Jesus is in
charge, ever ything changes for the better. Jesus
takes control when you wholeheartedly give
yourself to Him and follow His instructions. What
part of your life do you need to turn over to
Jesus? Will you choose to give all to Him today?
Day
02
>> A Three Letter Word
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the
glor y of God.
No one likes to talk about it, but it ’s real—
SIN. What ’s sin? It ’s anything we think and do
that ’s contrar y to God’s Word and will. It ’s when
“I” is the center of your life rather than God.
We’re all born with this problem. The solution
is Jesus!
Day
03
>> Faith Food
Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the
message, and the message is heard through
the word about Christ.
Want stronger faith? You have to eat the
right spiritual food. When you regularly feed on
God’s Word something supernatural happens:
your faith muscles grow and your spiritual energy
increases. Take personal time ever y day to read
your Bible. Take time ever y week to study God’s
Word with God’s people. You’ll be amazed at
what happens to your faith.
Day
04
>> Getting It Right
Romans 10:9-10
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised
him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it
is with your heart that you believe and are
justified, and it is with your mouth that you
profess your faith and are saved.
Religion doesn’t get people to heaven.
We’re saved through a personal relationship with
God by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Making Jesus
Christ the “Lord of your life” is something you must
do for yourself. No one else can do it for you.
You do it by sincerely declaring to God and
to others your faith in Jesus as the Savior who
died for your sins and rose from the grave. If you
haven’t done this, do it today.
Day
05
>> Under the Influence
Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to
debaucher y. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
There are lots of intoxicating
substances and influences in our world.
Partaking of them can lead to a host of mistakes,
problems and heartaches. They often leave a
wake of destruction in their path. God offers
something greater than any worldly substance.
He offers the presence of His Holy Spirit filling us.
There’s no better influence than this. Don’t settle
for anything less! Ask Him and He’ll fill you.
Day
06
>> Going Public
Romans 6:4
We were therefore buried with him through
baptism into death in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead through
the glor y of the Father, we too may live a
new life.
Going public with a commitment is a powerful
moment. It ’s a declaration to the world that you
mean business. It ’s putting yourself in front of
others and saying, “This is real!” That ’s what water
baptism is all about. It ’s a declaration to the
world that you’ve committed your life to Jesus. It ’s
powerful. It ’s important. If you haven’t done it, go
ahead and take the plunge.
Day
07
>> Better Together
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds,
25
not giving up meeting together, as some
are in the habit of doing, but encouraging
one another—and all the more as you see
the Day approaching.
No matter how strong you are, you still
need others—especially in your spiritual journey.
You need to be encouraged, taught, prayed
for and lovingly challenged by the example and
words of other believers. That ’s what church is
all about. You need the church, and the church
needs you. Make it a priority.
Day
08
>> Body-building
1 Corinthians 14:12
...Since you are eager for gifts of the
Spirit, tr y to excel in those that build up
the church.
In our culture there’re lots of things tearing
people down. We’re regularly bombarded with
bad news, hateful words, people who reject us
and situations that stress us. We all benefit from
some “building up.” Make it your personal mission
to be a “builder of others.” Use the gifts God’s
given you to lighten someone’s load.
Day
09
>> Price Paid
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through
his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in
accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Redemption means “to buy back.” Because
we’re sinners—people who reject God’s Word
and will and substitute “I” where God should
be—we owe God a debt. Just like a convicted
criminal owes a debt to society, we owe a debt
to God. Jesus came and gave His life blood in
payment for the debt we owe God. He “bought
us back!” Aren’t you glad to be redeemed by
His grace?
Day
10
>> Character Counts
1 Chronicles 29:17
I know, my God, that you test the heart and
are pleased with integrity...
Anyone can put on a front that fools
others. Wearing certain clothes, plastering on
a plastic smile, playing a role to tr y to impress
people—we’ve all done these things. Shallowness
and phoniness are common. What ’s uncommon is
character. A person of character has substance
in their soul. They ’ve done the heart-work to
really be right, from the inside out. When God
looks at people, He looks past the outward,
superficial stuff. He looks at the heart. He looks
for character.
Day
11
>> Wise Up
Proverbs 9:10-12
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is
understanding. 11For through wisdom your
days will be many, and years will be added
to your life. 12If you are wise, your wisdom will
reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone
will suffer.
Fear is usually considered a bad thing. It ’s
something people work hard to overcome. Yet
the Bible tells us that a certain kind of fear
is healthy, good and the starting point for
becoming a wise person. We’re told to “ fear the
Lord.” What ’s this all about? Fearing God means
reverencing God’s wisdom and authority so much
that you take His Word as the final word for your
life. When this is your attitude you’re in the right
position to learn lessons from God that will make
your life the best it can be.
Day
12
>> Mind Change
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test
and approve what God’s will is—his good,
pleasing and perfect will.
It’s been called “stinking thinking,” and
ever ybody has it. It ’s that messed up way we
have of looking at God, other people and even
at ourselves that ’s twisted, distorted, painful
and unloving. It ’s the bad thinking that causes
us to do things, then ask ourselves, “ What in the
world was I thinking?” God wants to change your
mind. As you get to know God’s perspective
and principles you start viewing people and
situations in a healthier and holier way. You think
better thoughts and better thinking always leads
to better decisions.
Day
13
>> no worries
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in
ever y situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7
And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
Do you have a worry list? Of course you
do. We all do. Most probably there are things
you’re worried about right now. Your anxieties
are robbing your peace and draining your
emotional reserves. What are we supposed
to do with our worries? The Bible gives us the
answer. We’re to turn our worr y list into our prayer
list. We’re told to give our cares to God—all of
them—and let Him handle them. It ’s an exchange
program—our problems for His peace. Sounds
great to me!
Day
14
>> what’s great
Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest
commandment. 39And the second is like it:
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
What’s important to you? There’s a simple
way to know. Honestly look at where you spend
your time, energy and money. What do you think
about most, when you’re choosing what you get
to think about? Unfortunately, when we’re truthful
about the things occupying our attention, we
often discover that our focus is on stuff that
doesn’t really matter. How easy it is to ignore
what ’s really important—loving God and loving
others. Jesus taught us that this is what real life is
all about.
Day
15
>> IN-JOY
John 15:11
I have told you this so that my joy may be in
you and that your joy may be complete.
In Sunday School kids are sometimes taught
what ’s called the JOY equation. To have JOY,
you should: J—put Jesus first, O—put others
second, and Y—put yourself last. While the
order of the last two must be tempered with
an understanding that you’re not much good
to others if you’re stressed out and messed up
yourself, one thing’s for sure: to have joy, Jesus
must always come first. He’s the Source and He’s
ready to supply joy to you.
Day
16
>> FAVORED
Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the
Lord bestows favor and honor; no good
thing does he withhold from those whose
walk is blameless.
Bestowed favor. What a promise! Favor
is something someone does for you because
they know and love you. Favor opens a door
of blessing and opportunity you couldn’t have
opened for yourself. It ’s a benefit that comes out
of relationship. Favor flows from the generosity
and goodness of a giver to an undeserving
recipient. God has favor to bestow on you. Why?
Just because He’s good and generous, and He
loves you. Watch for His favor.
Day
17
>> Kind and Benign
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy
and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience.
All through the Bible there are lists of
qualities that describe how we’re supposed to
treat other people. One word that ’s regularly
repeated is kindness. It shows up in practically
ever y list. The biblical term refers to something
that ’s useful and benign. It ’s about speaking
encouraging words and doing gracious
things for others. Kindness is a way of relating
to people that ’s not harmful, malignant or
destructive. It doesn’t inconsiderately cut or
bruise hearts. It enhances instead of hurting.
Where do you need to practice more kindness?
Day
18
>> Just Do It
2 Peter 1:5
For this ver y reason, make ever y effort to
add to your faith goodness...
Effort is something we’re all familiar with.
Getting up in the morning, tackling a tough
assignment at work, coaxing ourselves to go
to the gym (and actually working out), along
with a whole host of other things require effort.
Accomplishing anything worthwhile in life is the
result of effort. It ’s true for your spiritual life too.
A strong, rich spiritual life only happens when
we’re willing to invest the effort.
Day
19
>> LITTLE THINGS
Luke 16:10
Whoever can be trusted with ver y little can
also be trusted with much, and whoever
is dishonest with ver y little will also be
dishonest with much.
There’s a little phrase that ’s often repeated,
“Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Whoever coined this
must ’ve missed one of Jesus’ lessons. He told us
that how someone handles small things is one of
the primar y tests of a person’s character. What
we do with our little bit predicts what we’ll do
with a lot. According to Jesus, if we’ll learn to be
faithful with the minuscule, we’ll be trusted with
much more. If we handle the minors well, we’ll be
prepared for the majors.
Day
20
>> BEAR-ABLE
Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be
patient, bearing with one another in love.
Maybe you know someone who’s a
“bear ” to be around. They ’re grumpy, grouchy,
temperamental and unpredictable. At least
that ’s your opinion of them. What you’ve likely
failed to understand is that they (and others)
have an opinion of you too. And let ’s be
honest—none of us are the perfect picture of
peace and pleasantness all the time. Here’s a
perspective that ’ll help you deal with the “bears”
in your life: remember, sometimes you’re a “bear ”
too. “Bear with one another in love.”
Day
21
>> UNDER CONTROL
Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God has appeared that
offers salvation to all people. 12It teaches
us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly
passions, and to live self-controlled, upright
and godly lives in this present age.
Most of us don’t mind telling other
people what to do. We’re quick to pontificate
our opinions, give our advice and offer our
suggestions. We’re experts at tr ying to control
and change others. And you’ve likely observed
that few people pay much attention to your
efforts. Here’s a suggestion. Forget about
controlling and changing others and start with
yourself. Practice self-control.
Day
22
>> NEW You
Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former
way of life, to put off your old self, which is
being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to
be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24
and to put on the new self, created to be
like God in true righteousness and holiness.
History is divided into two parts: B.C.
(“Before Christ ”) and A.D. (from the Latin Anno
Domini, “in the year of our Lord”). As a Christian,
you have a B.C. and A.D. life. There’s the person
you were before you met Jesus and the person
you now are after coming to know the Lord
Jesus Christ. Make sure you’re living in a way that
reflects your A.D. life rather than your B.C. life.
Day
23
>> FINDERS AND KEEPERS
Day
24
>> ROOTS
Romans 12:11
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your
spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.
Have you ever lost something that was
valuable to you? You probably started a mad
search and enlisted ever y available person to
help you find it. We naturally fret when we lose
important things. Passion for God is important.
Don’t lose it. If you’ve lost it, do whatever ’s
necessar y to find it.
In a hurricane trees that have the strongest,
healthiest and deepest roots survive. The wind
and rain can’t destroy them. They ’re grounded.
Storms are a part of life. We face financial
storms, marital storms, employment storms and
physical storms. What ’s the difference between
those who survive and those who don’t? Spiritual
roots that are strong, healthy and deep. How ’s
your root system?
Day
25
>> YES, HE WILL
Day
26
>> ON ASSIGNMENT
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help us in our time
of need.
Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with
all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in
mind, be alert and always keep on praying
for all the Lord’s people.
When you need help it ’s great to have
someone to call on. It ’s especially wonderful
to have a relationship with someone who has
promised their availability and assistance to you
before a crisis arrives. Their advance promise
of help gives you confidence to reach out to
them when you need them. God’s done this
for you. Before your time of need arrives, God
has promised to help you. When the hard times
come, confidently take Him up on His offer.
An assignment is a responsibility you’re
asked to handle. It ’s something important that
involves your attention and effort. God has given
all of us an important assignment. He’s given
us the responsibility to pray for others. Why?
Because prayer makes a difference. Your prayers
shape other ’s destiny. Accept your assignment
and expect great things to happen in the
people you pray for.
Day
27
>> HERE HE COMES
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NLT)
For the Lord himself will come down from
heaven with a commanding shout, with
the voice of the archangel, and with the
trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who
have died will rise from their graves. 17Then,
together with them, we who are still alive
and remain on the earth will be caught up in
the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then
we will be with the Lord forever.
Many years ago God promised that He
would send His Son into the world. It happened
in a little village called Bethlehem. Jesus was
born. He lived, ministered, was crucified, rose to
life and ascended back to heaven. But that ’s
not the end of the stor y. He promised to come
back again. And as surely as Jesus came the first
time, He’s coming the second time. Are you ready
for His return?
Day
28
>> TRADING PLACES
2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin
for us, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God.
Most of us have exchanged gifts with
someone at Christmas. Usually the gifts we
exchange are of relatively equal value. Not so
with God. God sent Jesus to offer us a gift that
is so great, its value can’t be measured. What
do we give Him in exchange? Nothing but our
sinfulness. Jesus took our sin and gave us His
righteousness. That ’s called “amazing grace.”
Day
29
>> GRACE THAT WORKS
Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this is not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so
that no one can boast. 10For we are
God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus
to do good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do.
The greatest gift we can receive
is salvation—having our sins forgiven and
receiving eternal life in God’s presence. Jesus
made this possible by what He did for us on the
Cross. When we accept His work, we receive His
grace. We can’t be good enough to get it. It ’s
graciously and freely given when we put our faith
in Jesus. And once we’ve received it, the same
grace that saves us empowers us to do God’s
work in our world.
Day
30
>> PUT TOGETHER
1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, do not conform to
the evil desires you had when you lived in
ignorance. 15But just as he who called you
is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is
written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
What does the word “holy” mean to you?
People have lots of strange ideas about what
it means to be holy. According to the Bible, to
be holy is to be whole. It ’s to have the sinful and
shattered places and pieces of your life put
together by God. And when you’re made whole
by God, you want to love and obey Him wholly—
you want to be holy.
Day
31
>> something better
Day
32
>> good news
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.”
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
because it is the power of God that brings
salvation to ever yone who believes: first to
the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Everybody needs hope. You can’t make
it far in life without it. Hope comes from the
assurance that something better is ahead,
something promising and purposeful. When you
give yourself to God, you open your life to hope.
When you follow God, there’s always something
good ahead for you.
News is powerful. It impacts us. Some news
is good and some bad. Some news is positive,
helpful and empowering, and some news is
negative and destructive. The stor y of who Jesus
is and what Jesus did for us is good news. It ’s
powerful. When people hear it with open hearts,
they ’re forever positively changed by it. Are you
sharing the good news of His stor y?
Day
33
>> Let Go
Day
34
>> Followers
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God
forgave you.
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “ Whoever wants
to be my disciple must deny themselves and
take up their cross daily and follow me.”
When someone hurts you, it is likely that
you want them to hurt in return. Payback for pain
is part of the world’s way of thinking. God calls
us to do things differently. When people create
heartaches for you, remember all the heartache
you’ve caused God. Remember the many times
He’s forgiven you. Give other people the same
grace God’s given you.
Followers can be categorized. There are
committed followers, casual followers, reluctant
followers and resisters or non-followers. When
it comes to following Jesus, you fit one of these
categories. Which best describes you?
Day
35
>> this is war
Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the full armor of God, so that you
can take your stand against the devil’s
schemes. 12For our struggle is not against
flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers
of this dark world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
No wise and trained soldier goes into
battle without the proper equipment. Winning
a war requires the right resources. As Christians,
we’re in a war with the spirits of darkness. It ’s a
real war with real casualties. Don’t take it lightly.
Dress appropriately for your spiritual battle.
Day
36
>> not about me
Mark 10:43-45
...Whoever wants to become great among
you must be your servant, 44and whoever
wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For
even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as
a ransom for many.
Most of us have three favorite people in our
lives—me, myself and I. Don’t believe it? Listen
to your words and watch your actions. Honest
self-observation usually confirms that we’re highly
concerned about getting what we want, when
we want it, in the way we want it. Jesus taught
and modeled something different. He reminded
us that truly great people look for what they
can give, not get, and where they can serve, not
be served.
Day
37
>> The Value of Everyone
Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being; you knit
me together in my mother ’s womb. 14I praise
you because I am fearfully and wonderfully
made; your works are wonderful, I know that
full well.
Life is precious. Life is holy. Life is a gift. Life
is from God. From the moment of conception,
God’s great miracle called life declares His
glor y and goodness. Value what God values.
Honor what God honors. Celebrate life!
Day
38
>> Go, Show and Tell
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All
authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. 19Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey
ever ything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the ver y end
of the age.”
You’re in the ministry. Yes, you! You may not
be a pastor or church staff member, but if you’re
a follower of Jesus, you’re a part of His mission
force in the earth. You’ve been strategically
placed by God to reach people no one else
can reach. You’ve been given opportunities
and influence to uniquely share the love and
message of Jesus with others. Let Him use you.
Day
39
>> power aid
Day
40
>> Worth It
acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Revelation 5:12
In a loud voice they were saying: “ Worthy is
the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power
and wealth and wisdom and strength and
honor and glor y and praise!”
“I can’t” is a phrase that keeps lots of people
from doing good things and reaching their
highest potential. It is a disqualifying statement.
Successfully sharing Jesus with others is something
we can’t do ourselves. Without God’s help all
our efforts to reach people for Christ will be
useless. The good news is that God gave us a
promise of power. He promised the power of the
Holy Spirit to do through us what we can’t do
ourselves. When we ask Him to fill us with the Holy
Spirit, He answers. He qualifies and empowers us
to do His work.
What are your most valuable possessions?
Your list may include jewelr y, your financial
portfolio, a collection of artwork or perhaps
some family heirloom. This is how we measure
worth on earth. Heaven measures it differently.
The most valuable and worthy thing in heaven
isn’t a thing–it ’s a person, Jesus Christ, the Lamb
of God. Our lives significantly change for the
better when we accept heaven’s definition of
worth and give Jesus the worth He deserves.
Day
41
>> Grow Up, Go Up
Colossians 1:28 (CEV)
We announce the message about Christ,
and we use all our wisdom to warn and
teach ever yone, so that all of Christ ’s
followers will grow and become mature.
Do you know someone who refuses
to “act their age?” Our thoughts about them
scream “Grow up!” Some folks never grow up
in their walk with God. They ’ve known Jesus for
years, but still act like spiritual children. They ’re
high-maintenance believers, continually needing
spiritual pampering. They haven’t yet accepted
responsibility to mature. Don’t let this be you. To
get going with God you have to get growing
with God.
Day
42
>> Generation Next
Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right. 2”Honor your father and
mother ”—which is the first commandment
with a promise— 3”so that it may go well
with you and that you may enjoy long life
on the earth.” 4Fathers, do not exasperate
your children; instead, bring them up in the
training and instruction of the Lord.
Becoming a parent is much more than a
biological event; it ’s accepting a spiritual
responsibility. God expects parents to impart
values to their children. They ’re specifically
instructed to teach their children obedience
and honor, and to give them a vision for God’s
purpose in their lives. To teach obedience,
you have to be obedient. To teach honor, you
have to be honorable. To impart vision, you must
have vision. Be this kind of person and impact
the next generation.
Day
43
>> you-turn
Acts 20:21
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks
that they must turn to God in repentance
and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
U-turns are important. When you’re heading
the wrong way, a u-turn gets you back on the
right track. The Bible has a word for spiritual
u-turns. It ’s called repentance, and it ’s one
of the smartest things you can do. When you
discover that you’re on the wrong track with your
life, make a you-turn immediately. The sooner you
turn back toward God, the less time you waste
and the more fruitful your life will be.
Day
44
>> say what?
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Your words change things. They can add
or subtract strength. They win friends and build
peace or create strife and generate division.
They can inspire hope or kill it. What you say
matters. Taming your tongue is tough, but it is
worth the effort. Think before you speak.
Day
45
>> the way out
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except
what is common to mankind. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when you
are tempted, he will also provide a way out
so that you can endure it.
Say it with me, “No!” Go ahead, say it again,
like you mean it. This little two-letter word can
be one of your best friends and most powerful
spiritual weapons. When temptation shows up,
bring out that secret weapon—”No!” When
ugly attitudes and bad behavior beg your
cooperation, say “No!” When the devil whispers
his lies to you, rise up with a firm “No!” It ’s your
way out.
Day
46
>> who’s the boss
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your
heart, as working for the Lord, not for human
masters.
By nature we tend to work better when we’re
being watched. But life gets better and our work
takes on more meaning when we stop working
well only when a human spotlight is on us. When
your work becomes a part of your worship, you’ll
find that you give your best efforts and do your
best work. Why? Because you’re working for
God—for His pleasure and to advance His will.
Great things happen when you get a new Boss!
Day
47
>> upside down
Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)
Don’t be selfish; don’t tr y to impress others.
Be humble, thinking of others as better than
yourselves. 4Don’t look out only for your own
interests, but take an interest in others, too.
“ What’s in this for me?” This question says
a lot about a person’s heart. It says something
about what ’s really important to them. It exalts
personal wants, plans and advantages. It causes
people to make bad decisions that often hurt
others. The key to a joyous life is the ability to
consider other ’s desires and needs as carefully
as you consider your own. When you think this
way, it improves the direction your life takes and
the impact you make.
Day
48
>> word
Hebrews 4:12 (GNT)
The word of God is alive and active,
sharper than any double-edged sword. It
cuts all the way through, to where soul and
spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come
together. It judges the desires and thoughts
of the heart.
What’s in your heart? The truth is, none of
us really know what ’s in our hearts without God’s
help. He knows us completely and thoroughly.
One of the ways He helps us to know ourselves
is by His Word. The truth of God’s Word shines
light on the dark places inside us. It shows us our
motives, our attitudes, what we’re really wanting
and who or what we’re really serving. Knowing
God’s Word is the best way to know yourself.
Day
49
>> let god
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are wear y and
burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find
rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and
my burden is light.
Is your soul tired? Spiritual and emotional
fatigue is the deepest kind of tiredness you’ll
ever experience. It ’s something that requires a
supernatural fix. Jesus offers the cure. He invites
you to come and release all your burdens to
Him. Unload your cares on Jesus. Trust Him with all
the things that concern you, and you’ll find the
rest only He can give.
Day
50
>> just imagine
Revelation 21:3-4
And I heard a loud voice from the throne
saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now
among the people, and he will dwell with
them. They will be his people, and God
himself will be with them and be their God.
4
’He will wipe ever y tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death’ or mourning or
cr ying or pain, for the old order of things
has passed away.”
After a long journey or extended trip
somewhere, there’s nothing like coming home.
When you get home, you’re “home!” Words
really can’t describe it, but there’s a comfort, a
familiarity, a “something” that only happens “at
home.” That ’s what heaven is like for the believer.
When we get there, we’re finally “Home!”
Day
51
>> set free
John 8:31-32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus
said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are
really my disciples. 32Then you will know the
truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Ask anyone who’s incarcerated what
they most long for; the predictable answer is
freedom. When you’re locked up, bound up, held
up or holed up you want a way up and out. You
want cell doors to be opened, barriers to be
removed and chains to be broken. Jesus came
to do this for us—to free us from the horrible
bondages that incarcerate our soul. The key is
truth. Not just any truth, but the truth of His Word.
It ’s your way to real freedom.
Day
52
>> the blessing of boundaries
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
It is God’s will that you should be
sanctified: that you should avoid sexual
immorality; 4that each of you should learn to
control your own body in a way that is holy
and honorable.
Fire confined to a fireplace is warming
and charming. Fire unleashed is horrible
and destructive. Sex is wonderful in the right
boundaries. When it ’s shared between a man
and a woman in a committed relationship
called marriage, it ’s a great gift—something
ver y special. When it ’s unleashed beyond
God’s intended boundaries it can wreak
havoc on souls and bring destruction to lives.
You’re blessed when you honor God’s sexual
boundaries.
Day
53
>> making the most
Ephesians 5:15-16
Be ver y careful, then, how you live—not
as unwise but as wise, 16making the most
of ever y opportunity, because the days
are evil.
Every day we’re all given the same gift,
twenty-four hours. No one gets more or less. You
have as much time as ever yone else. Have you
noticed how some people get more done with
their time than others? Why? They make time
count. They don’t waste it, they invest it. They
look for the opportunities in the moments. When
we do this, the Bible calls us wise.
Day
54
>> more than enough
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly
will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows
generously will also reap generously. 7Each
of you should give what you have decided
in your heart to give, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful
giver. 8And God is able to bless you
abundantly, so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in
ever y good work.
Farmers understand that the size of their
harvest is determined at planting time, not
at harvesting time. The amount of seed sown
predetermines what will happen months later
when it ’s time to bring in the produce. A smart
farmer decides beforehand what he wants his
harvest to look like and sows accordingly. It ’s
true for you too. If you want great increase later,
generously sow the right seed today.
Day
55
>> Taming A Tiger
Ephesians 4:26-27
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun
go down while you are still angr y, 27and do
not give the devil a foothold.
“Anger” is one letter away from “danger.”
What turns “anger ” to “danger?” A bad
decision. What you decide to do with your
anger determines how it affects you and others
around you. You can handle it productively and
respond to people and situations graciously,
or you can become resentful, bitter and vicious.
The choice is yours. The consequences are
yours too.
Day
56
>> All In
Ephesians 5:21, 25, 33
Submit to one another out of reverence for
Christ. … 25Husbands, love your wives, just as
Christ loved the church and gave himself up
for her. 33... and the wife must respect
her husband.
Commitment is a key to success. To be
successful in business, athletics, friendships or any
area of life you must make firm commitments. It ’s
true for marriage too. Strong marriages are built
when a man and woman make strong marriage
commitments. They burn their escape bridges,
remove their relational back doors and choose
to work through the challenges of building
strong, lifelong bonds. They ’re all in.
Day
57
>> faithful
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the
marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge
the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Marriages are made strong by faithfulness.
To be faithful is to be true to one’s commitments.
It ’s to be loyal when you’re being watched and
when you’re not. Faithful people create trust. And
trust makes communication and intimacy possible.
You honor your spouse and God when you
choose to be faithful.
Day
58
>> look around, look up
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Attitudes make or break people. There’s no
attitude uglier than ingratitude. To be blessed,
cared for, provided for and helped by others
without feeling gratitude, showing appreciation
and saying “ thanks” is a mark of weak character.
Thankful people are attractive people. They look
for blessings in all situations. They express their
praise for the good they see and the blessings
they have.
Day
59
>> The Secret
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need,
for I have learned to be content whatever
the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be
in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content
in any and ever y situation, whether well fed
or hungr y, whether living in plenty or in want.
13
I can do all this through him who gives
me strength.
Search for books titled “The Secret of ...“
and you’ll find hundreds, if not thousands
of them. Ever ybody ’s looking for the secret
of something—the pathway that insures the
development of something that brings ultimate
fulfillment and happiness. The Bible gives us the
secret for real, lasting joy—learn to be content.
Contentment is not a passive complacency
about life. It ’s an acceptance of what is with
the goal of doing the best you can with what
you have.
Day
60
>> Lane Markers
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
ever ything that hinders and the sin that
so easily entangles. And let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us.
Racers are assigned lanes. Each runner ’s
lane is clearly marked. When the runner pays
too much attention to the lanes of other runners,
she is distracted. When she moves outside her
assigned lane, she’s disqualified. God’s given
you a life lane to run in. Stop comparing your
lane to someone else’s. Stay in the lane God’s
marked for your life. You’ll be happier, healthier
and much more fruitful.
>> about our pastor
Dale A. O’Shields is the founder and Senior
Pastor of Church of the Redeemer, a multicultural, multi-site, multi-generational church
based in Mar yland. Church of the Redeemer was
founded in 1986.
Known for his practical teaching style, Pastor
Dale’s messages are regularly broadcast through
radio, television and online. His heart to equip
and encourage pastors and church leaders
has led him to be a key founder of the United
Pastors Network and a frequent conference
speaker. He has also written several books,
devotionals and Bible study guides.
Pastor Dale and his wife Terr y have two married
daughters and five grandchildren.
resources
ABOUT
>> Church of the Redeemer
The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ came
as God’s gift to the world with a message of
good news. When we believe and obey Christ
and His message, we discover real life and a
hope for eternity.
Our mission is to communicate this wonderful
news. We believe in God’s power to change
lives through His Word, with practical
application that makes a difference in who we
are and what we do!
You and your family will find a warm, friendly
environment here for children, youth and adults
to grow in your faith and discover more of God’s
plan for your life. We look forward to worshiping
with you!
>> Church-Redeemer.org
- Pastor Dale’s Blog
daleoshields.com
-Video on Demand
church-redeemer.org/video
-Download MP3s
church-redeemer.org/mp3
- Church Online
church-redeemer.org/church-online
-Spanish
iglesiadelredentor.org
facebook.com/COTRedeemer
@church_redeemer
@church_redeemer
Back To The Bible
© 2013 by Dale A. O’Shields
Published by Church of the Redeemer
Gaithersburg, Maryland
www.church-redeemer.org
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in
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All Scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy
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by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture references marked NLT are from taken from The Holy Bible,
New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House
Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Wheaton,
Illinois 60189.
All rights reserved.
Scripture references marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English
Version. Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the Good News Translation.
Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society.
ISBN 978-0-9898891-0-0
Printed in the United States of America
Printing: Spectrum Printing & Graphics, Rockville, MD