Back To The Bible - Church Of The Redeemer
Transcription
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 any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. All Scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 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