New thru 30 - Day 11

Day 11 - 1 Corinthians 12:1 - 2 Corinthians 13:14

What a day! How is God speaking to you through His word? Today you are finishing up 1 Corinthians and going through 2 Corinthians. I love Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 13:13

"...but now faith, hope and love abide these three,

but the greatest of these is love."

As you read today and tomorrow, and throughout the rest of this challenge I want you to keep this verse in your mind. It is because of the LOVE that Christ has for us, that He was willing to pay the ultimate price for our lives. Today let that LOVE shine through, as you minister to everyone that you come into contact with.

New thru 30 Day 10

Day 10 - 1 Thessalonians; 2 Thessalonians; 1 Corinthians 1:1 - 11:34

Where has this week gone? Time is flying by and today is day 10 of the New thru 30 challenge. Today you are reading through 1 & 2 Thessalonians and the first 11 chapters of 1 Corinthians. I pray that God would speak to each of you in a mighty way today as you soak up all that that each verse of scripture has for you.

Just a quick piece of insight from today's reading. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 is a simple yet very profound and very very strong statement from Paul to the church at Thessalonica. It is a call to stand firm in the truth. As you read these verses today and through 2 Corinthians and Romans to finish out the week, ask God to speak to you and to refresh your spirit. Make it an AWESOME day!

New thru 30 Day 9

Day 9 - Mark 12:1 - Mark 16:20; James; Galatians

How is your week? It is amazing to me the words that God is speaking into my life, and the way that He truly revealing Himself to me in a new way, it awesome to see Him at work.

Yesterday I was asked this question -

God’s word says to pray and believe, and you will receive – don’t doubt, but how do we know if what we are praying and believing for is God’s will for the particular situation in our lives?

My answer is based on James 1:3-8

The DEEPER you GROW in your FAITH and the STRONGER rooted you become in God’s word, the more in tune with the Holy Spirit you become, and as a result of your GROWTH your desires will begin to resemble the vision that God has for you life!

It isn't about molding God's vision to your desires, rather it is all about you molding your desires and dreams to the vision that God has set out for your life.

New thru 30 Day 8

Day 8 - Mark 1:1 - 11:33

Are you charged up and ready to go for week 2 of New thru 30? If last week and this past Sunday were a sneak peak, a simple glimpse at the words that God is going to pour into our lives and the race that He is calling us not only to run, but to lead out in as a church and as individuals then I can't wait for to see what this week holds in store for us!

Today we are reading through the first 11 chapters of Mark, and I believe it contains one of my favorite passages of all times. I have probably preached on this passage more than any other, simply because it demonstrates a characteristic that I and many of you struggle with - patience! In Mark 5:21-43 we see 2 stories unfolding

1. the healing of Jairus' daughter
2. the woman with the issue of blood

Both of these stories are unique and all of that fun stuff, but I want you to focus on 2 verses -

35While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
36Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

These verses tell the story because Jairus had gotten to Jesus first and they were on the way to his house when the woman touched Jesus, Jesus stopped and healed her, but no where do we read that Jairus was there rushing Jesus, saying "Come on Jesus we've got to get to my house." Jairus was patient, and even when others said she is dead, Jesus said, "Don't be afraid, just believe." I don't know where you are or what you are going through today, but I do know this, if you simply ignore what the world is telling you and focus on Him and believe that He can do what He has promised in His word that He would do then you will learn what it is like to live in faith not fear!

New thru 30 Day 5

Day 5 - Acts 16:1 - 28:31

Wow, what an amazing week! I pray that God has spoken to you as you have read through the books of Matthew and Acts this week. Today you should be finishing up week 1 of New thru 30, and if your week has been like mine I know that God has challenged you, spoken to you, showed you areas that you need to work on and on top of all of that has refreshed your spirit as you have absorbed His word.

One of my favorite verses in the passage that we are reading today is Acts 26. In that chapter I love v.19 & 28. Paul is standing before King Agrippa, being questioned about his ministry and basically fighting for his life, when he speaks these words in v. 19 -

"So King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision..."

What about you, can you honestly say today that you have done everything that God has called you do, have you been obedient to the vision that He has laid out before you, are you seeing the seeds that you have sown ready for the harvest? Look what happens in v.28 -

Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

Theologians have argued about the specifics of this verse, but my belief, Smoak's interpretation of this verse is simply this, God spoke to Paul and Paul was obedient to the vision and because of the way that Paul lived his life and the transformation that had taken place, King Agrippa wanted to know more about Christianity. Today, I challenge you to live your life in a way that everyone you come in contact with wants to know more about Jesus!

New Thru 30 Day 4

Day 4 - Acts 5:1 - 15:41

Can you believe that you are on the down side of week 1? I am amazed at some of the things that God has shown me and reminded me of this week. It is my prayer that you finish this week strong, don't let up, instead let God continue to pour His word into your life and use that word to stand strong against all that you are facing at this very moment!

One of my favorite parts of the book of Acts is the conversion of Saul. We all know the story and while I love what God did in his life on the Damascus Road, my favorite verse of scripture is
Acts 9:10 -

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.

As I read that verse I am reminded of God's desire for us to simply answer yes every time that He calls our name. As God revealed to Ananias what He wanted Him to do, sure Ananias was fearful, he was unsure of what was going to happen, he was hesitant, but through it all he always went back to his answer when God first called his name - YES!

I don't know what God is asking or calling you to do today or this week, but I do know this, no matter what it is, where it may take you or what it may require of you, God WILL provide the way!

New thru 30 Day 3

Day 3 - Matthew 24:1 - 28:20; Acts 1:1 - 4:37

Wednesday is here and today we finish up the gospel of Matthew, and turn to perhaps one of the most intriguing books in the NT, the book of Acts, and the ascension of Christ, and the birth of the New Testament Church.

One of my favorite verses in today's passage has to be Acts 1:8. Not only is it a command for the disciples, but it is also Christ commission for the church! We are to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and even to the remotest parts of the earth...in short EVERYWHERE we go we are to SHARE the LOVE and SHINE the LIGHT of Christ!! The classic example of this scripture being lived out is in Acts 3:6 when Peter and John are talking to the lame beggar and
Peter says, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - walk!"

As you go throughout your day today let others see what God is doing in your life and enjoy the journey as you soak up ALL that God has for you to hear and see!

New thru 30 Day 2

Day 2 - Matthew 13:1 - Matthew 23:39

I am amazed, as I continue on this journey thru the NT in 30 days, at the things that God is teaching me. I believe that one of the most challenging passages for me today was in Matthew 17:14-23. Here are 2 verses that really stuck out in my mind as I read:

17And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me."

21["But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."]

I believe these verses really hit home when it comes to our society today because we want EVERYTHING instantaneously! We want it our way right away, but when it comes to our spiritual lives that isn't exactly how it works. We serve an GREAT God, yes, but His desire for us is to see some spiritual growth EVERY TIME we face a trial or temptation, EVERY TIME we wage a battle in the spirit or we stand strong in the faith we should see GROWTH! If we simply bring it to God, and He fixes the problem, and it cost us NOTHING then we have gained NOTHING.

V.20 talks about the littleness of your faith and what me must understand is that FAITH is something that is grown over time, and what Jesus is trying to get across here is that when we have a LITTLE faith you can get A LOT accomplished (v.20 ...NOTHING will be IMPOSSIBLE to you.), but when you use LITTLE faith nothing happens (v.16 I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.)

I pray that God will continue to guide you and speak to you as you seek Him along this journey!

New thru 30 Day 1

Day 1 - Matthew 1:1-12:50

What a refreshing way to start off the week, reading about the genealogy, the birth and the ministry of Jesus. I hope that you are off to a GREAT start as you read through the New Testament with us, and that God is speaking to you as you read.

Perhaps the verse that spoke to me MOST in today's reading was Matthew 9:29,

Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done to you according to your faith."

As we continue on this journey through God's word, I challenge you to ask God to GROW your faith, and as He grows your FAITH, friend be willing to hear His voice, submit to His calling, and to be used in His kingdom!

Make it a GREAT Monday!

Ready or not here we GO.....

The count down is on, in less that 4 days or 96 hours or 5,760 minutes or 345,600 seconds (whichever form best suits you) the journey begins!! I am excited about all that I believe God is going to do through this journey that we are taking together.

You can find the reading guide for our series by going here New thru 30. For those attending worship this Sunday there will be one in your worship guide.

It is my prayer that you will bathe this effort in prayer and that you will rise to the challenge that God has given to us as His children. As we seek to GROW closer to Him may the DESIRE in our HEARTS be stronger and more passion filled than ever before. I can't wait to see and hear about ALL that God is going to do in the coming month, ready or not here we GO! See you Sunday!

New thru 30

To say that I am excited about our new sermon series that we are starting this Sunday (January 10) would be an understatement. I believe that God is going to do some AMAZING things IN and THROUGH this series.

It is going to be challenging, it isn't for the faint of heart, there will be sacrifices but the ways in which God is going to USE and BLESS you will be unlike ANYTHING that you have ever experienced before!!!

If you would like to join us, simply comment on this post so that we can pray for you as you journey with us through the ENTIRE New Testament in just 30 days! That's right the entire NT in just 30 days!

I will post the reading the guide on here later this week, and starting next Monday January 11, I will be posting a DAILY (for those that know me that will be an AMAZING feat in itself!) tidbit on what God has taught me that day and a challenge to each of you that are going through this with us. Get ready, God is on the move and I can't wait to see all that He has in store for us!!!