Lies About God God is not really good. God doesn't love me. God is just like my father. God is cruel and overbearing. God is not really enough. God's word is not sufficient. I need someone or something more than God (food, shopping, friends, house). God can't forgive me for what I've done. God's ways are too restrictive. God should fix my problems. God has not come through for me. Lies About Me I am not worth anything. I am not responsible for my sinful choices. I can't help the way I am. I can sing and get away with it (no reaping and sowing). Someone else is responsible for the way I am. It's ok to do what I need to do in order to get my needs/longings met. I should not have to live with unfulfilled longings (if I want it I should go get it; sexual, lustful. and I should have it now). I have my rights (fosters rebellion). My sins are not really that bad. I can't walk in victory over sin. A career outside of my home is more satisfying than being a wife and mother. I don't have time to do everything I'm supposed to do. External beauty is far more important than inner character. I am a victim. My depression is probably caused by a chemical imbalance. Lies About Marriage I must have a husband to be happy. My husband is the reason I am unhappy. Marriage is a democracy. It's my responsibility to change my husband. I just can't take any more. My husband is supposed to serve me and make me happy (bondage). My circumstances will never change.  If I submit to my husband I'll be miserable. If I don't step in and take the 'bull by the horns' it won't get done. Everything will fall apart. I can have an emotional relationship with a man and it will not harm my marriage. I would be so much better off if I could just run away. My marriage is hopeless. I'm better off getting a divorce than staying in a bad marriage.  If my husband is unfaithful to me I am free to leave. If my husband is unfaithful to me I could never forgive him. If my husband doesn't love and respect me I have the right to leave. I shouldn't have to put up with suffering in my marriage, and neither should my friends. I would be happier if I were married to another man. Lies About Children Children are a burden. I must decide how many, and when I will have children. All children go through teenage rebellion. I could do more for God if I didn't have children. Children need to be exposed to the 'real world'. I am not responsible for how my children turn out. TRUTH ABOUT GOD. God is good. God loves me. God can be trusted. God's grace is sufficient for my situation. Jesus is Truth, His Word is Truth.

DAY THREE-ABUNDANT LIVING The fatherly advice of this wise saying contains a warning and a promise humility and godly living bring health and well-being. The two parts are inextricably bound together. Wise King Solomon warns us of the foolishness of worldly living. The king teaches that we must NOT be wise in our own eyes, that we MUST fear the Lord and we MUST shun (or push away) evil. If any man could smugly claim to be wise, it would be Solomon. In 1 Kings 3:12, God Himself called Solomon the wisest man of all time. In his great understanding, Solomon knew that earthly wisdom is vanity (a quickly fading mist). His writings in Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 confirms this fact: “I thought to myself, ‘Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.’ Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” Presuming to know all the answers is folly indeed. A clear illustration of such conceit is the frivolity of trying to make science and the Bible correspond exactly. Science is always changing. Spiritual truth is 100% accurate and eternal. Any scientist worth his salt will never claim to have all the answers. We can be confident that God’s Word will survive the scrutiny of skeptics and stand the test of time. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Proverbs, states that one of the greatest enemies of spirituality is arrogance and rationalism. A proud, unbelieving person will not trust God’s guidance. The assumption that we could possibly know more than Our Creator about the direction of our lives is ludicrous. In 1 Corinthians 2:14, Paul the apostle reminds us that the fleshly man cannot comprehend the things of God. The mind of the flesh is death, and the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. • Have you ever experienced a time when you joyfully trusted God’s wisdom even if you didn’t know the solution to your problem? Was it difficult for you to trust Him? Did you find it easier or more challenging to follow your own direction instead of God’s? • How does your view of God affect your worship? Are you afraid you cannot bring your cares and troubles to Him? Is your fear of God based on terror or reverence and trust? • How have you demonstrated to your children your seeking of what seeking God’s wisdom looks like? Have you showed them how to pray, how to fear, how to shun evil? Do they know what evil lurks? • Can you think of a time when you obeyed God’s leading and you experienced “health and well-being”-His tangible blessings upon your life? GODLY FEAR AND HUMILITY In Proverbs 9:10, Solomon reveals “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” The Hebrew verb Yare implies that a godly person knows that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Simply stated, God does all, knows all, and sees all. Only One with the scope of His perspective could be able to guide the universe. Our comprehension of His greatness is what causes us to trust Him completely and avoid evil behavior and influences at all costs. Notice that the first sentence of our focal passage is contrasting two mutually exclusive principles: you cannot be wise in your own eyes and fear the Lord. The passage goes further than the coupled statement of not living by our own wisdom, fearing our God, and shunning evil. The good result of obeying God is that living in this manner will bring a promise of blessing. We will gain health to our body and nourish our bones. Spiritual, emotional, and physical health also produces a balanced life and functional relationships. In short, Solomon describes the abundant life. Remember that God gave us free will so that we could choose to believe and benefit from proper and improper choices. The Hebrew word for “evil” in this passage is rich with meaning. The primitive root word means “to spoil or break in pieces.” Other connotations for “evil” are to afflict, to displease, to harm, to vex, or to worsen. In short, to make evil choices will ruin abundant life. By choosing to disregard God’s commands, we destroy every relationship around us, including our intimacy with our Heavenly Father. The Greek corollary to “evil” is the word “sin.” Three New Testament words explain the concept of sin. The first, “sin,” connotes falling short of the righteousness of God. The second is “iniquity” or moral crookedness. Romans 1:18-32 describes the degeneration of personal integrity that causes one to violate their conscience, their moral compass. The third, “rebellion,” means we purposefully step across the line and disobey God’s Word. Solomon tells us that we don’t have to experience such devastation if we worship and follow the God who created us to be blessed and to be a blessing to others. Our bodies will be healthy and our bones nourished because we will live a healthy lifestyle. God wants to nourish us and enrich every relationship that we have. • Can you think of ways God has blessed you because you have chose to follow Him when He gave you specific direction? What were the circumstances that surrounded your good choice? Was it tough to make that leap of faith? Why or why not? • How has sin, iniquity, or rebellion affected your life? Can you identify areas of your life that could have been better if you had “shunned evil?” What were those choices? Spend some time confessing those sins to God. Remember the promise of 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” NIV • What relationships have been enhanced since you followed God’s advice? Has it affected your work relationships? your family relationships? your relationships with your friends? ONE MAN’S TESTIMONY When I was in my thirties, I was a practicing Christian. I was active in a church, attending worship services and teaching the Bible every Sunday. Yet in my heart I was arrogant and hypocritical. I was confident that I had all the answers to interpreting the Bible and living a holy life. My prayer time was spent asking for prosperity and self-gratification. The concept that Christ should have input into my life’s direction was foreign to me. I didn’t cultivate friends that were spiritually mature. They were believers in name only. Was I healthy according to Solomon’s definition? I was running marathons, I was considered intelligent and at the top of my chosen career ladder. I had accomplished all of the goals I had for my life and I wasn’t even forty. If you looked only at the exterior, I had it all. Inside, my heart was crying from childhood fear and abuse. Underneath my self-satisfied exterior, my heart was closed to fully loving my family, my wife, and my children. Every day I struggled to prove my self-worth. Then my marriage fell apart. I awoke in my midforties to discover that I desperately needed a personal relationship with God. I finally realized I needed to seek God and know Him as my Lord. My heart was broken and devoid of feeling. God alone brought me to a place of healing and restoration. SCRIPTURE STUDIES Read the following scriptures and write your observations below: Proverbs 3:7-8; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Matthew 22:16; Mark 12:13; Matthew 6:2, Luke 11:16-36; 1 John 1:9

DISCIPLINE GOD’S WAYPROVERBS 3:11-12 “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” NIV The concept of discipline conjures up all kinds of images—punishment, asceticism, regulation, authority, control. For many people, discipline is to be avoided at all costs. However, Solomon teaches us to welcome discipline, especially when it comes from God. Solomon’s terse statements are rich with meaning, and are intended to provide us with counsel that will enrich our lives. Accepting rebuke from the Lord and seeing God’s love in His discipline when we stray is a sign of spiritual maturity. Receiving God’s correction implies that the disciplined one is confident of God’s love and wisdom, and is willing to respond to His direction. The Hebrew term for discipline, in this context, is sophronismos, derived from the root sophron, which means “saving the mind.” Discipline would then include the connotation of setting the mind straight, or changing one’s thinking and perspective. The word used for rebuke is elencho, meaning “to convict, refute, or reprove.” The Holy Spirit of God convicts us of our sinfulness and God’s holiness. Mathew Henry, in his Bible commentary, refers to God’s correction and discipline as an irresistible, powerful force, giving us the capability to know how to live our lives as God intended. The unregenerate man wants to be his own sovereign being, but without God’s guidance, which includes rebuke and discipline, he will ultimately fail. As God’s children, we need to submit to God and be willing to allow Him to guide. If we resist, then we become our own god and defy Him. Jeremiah, the young Israeli prophet, painted a lovely picture of God’s grace in re-making Israel from a rebellious, decadent nation to a people after His own heart. The prophet described God’s sanctifying process as careful artistry in Jeremiah 18:1-7: “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: ‘Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message.’ So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: ‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?’ declares the LORD. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” NIV What will the Heavenly Father’s finished product look like? Paul unveils the masterpiece that God has designed in Romans 8:28-30: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…” NIV Every circumstances of life-every difficulty, every challenge, every life event is used by God to conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. If we keep our eyes upon Jesus, we can see God’s hand in discipline as loving and wise. Solomon enjoined us to not despise God’s discipline, because God delights in us. He sets His affection on us and enjoys us. Discipline is simply a means to an end—preparing us for our heavenly home. • Can you remember a time when you were disciplined by God? What did you feel and think as you went through that process? Were you frightened, angry, confused, confident, peaceful, or trusting? • What is your view of God? Do you see Him as a Father who loves you? Do you see Him as distant and harsh? Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His love for you. Pray through Psalm 25. Ask Him to reveal His plan for your life in specific ways. • How will Solomon’s words help you to respond to God’s discipline in the future? Do you fear the future? Do you anticipate the future with excitement? • If you have children, how would you describe your feelings about disciplining them? Don’t you seek to develop good character by choosing to train them and set boundaries for their lives? How do they respond? What can you learn about God as a loving Father from your own love for your children? GOD’S PERFECT WORK We must further examine the two verbs “despise” and “resent” in connection with our response to God’s chastening. “Despise” or “disappear” means to spurn, to throw off in contempt and “to be weary” implies to cut off or to cut short. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, outlined the process whereby God’s discipline should not be cut off or short-circuited because there is great blessing for the Christian who patiently endures God’s training: “ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” Romans 5:3-5 NLT Paul’s words give us clear-cut insights into the whole process of God’s discipline. The benefits include strength of character, hope, and God’s love filling our hearts. However, Paul goes even further. He tells us to welcome discipline. James, in his New Testament letter, tells us we do not have to face our difficulties blindly. (James 1:5) We can truly ask God to give us understanding regarding the trials we have. But the most definitive discussion of God’s discipline occurs in Hebrews 12. The writer to the Hebrews tells us we have all God’s heavenly saints encouraging us to follow God. We can endure our suffering by watching Christ’s model. God’s discipline is a sure sign that we belong to Him. God is a wise Father and never disciplines us unjustly or inappropriately. Finally, we are prepared for heaven by God’s child-training. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy He knew would be His afterward. Now He is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. Think about all He endured when sinful people did such terrible things to Him, so that you don't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, His children? He said, ‘My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and he punishes those He accepts as His children." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn't discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children after all. Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our Heavenly Father and live forever? Hebrews 12:1-9 NLT • Examine the Hebrews chapter thoroughly. How is sin described? How is our response to God described? What are some sins you need to lay aside? What are the benefits of doing so? • What are the rewards we receive for our perseverance? How does our child-training from God bind us to His heart as our Father? • Take a look at Jesus in this passage. What do we learn here about our Savior? List His attributes and His acts. Spend some time thanking Him for “trail-blazing” this life for us.

Satan has a trap. He wants us to think the word “idol” doesn’t apply to us. However, because sin affects everyone, so does idolatry. As Pastor Evans mentioned, “idolatry is the most disgusting sin because all other sins come from it.” Idolatry is defined as any person, place, thing, or thought that we look to as our source. It is anything in God’s kingdom that competes with God himself. Chapter 14 of Ezekiel explicitly states God’s stance on idolatry: Therefore speak to them and tell them, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Any man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will be brought to give him an answer in the matter in view of the multitude of his idols, in order to lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel who are estranged from Me through all their idols.’” Even though Christians may recognize that idols are sinful, all humans have a propensity toward idolatry. The reason why we look to idols is that they make us feel like we are in control of our lives. Despite that feeling, it is actually the idol that has control over us. Idols are so deceptive that they will simultaneously block the flow of God’s grace and attract demons to situations in our lives. We can begin to address our own issues with idolatry when we remember a few key points: God is transcendent: He is outside of time and space and distinct from all of creation. When we operate outside of His timing, we are competing with Him. When God says, “I am that I am,” He means that He is not subject to our definition of who He is. Furthermore, He does not accept our excuses for participation in idol worship. Additionally, “I am that I am” means God is self-sufficient. He does not need our help to do anything. Once we acknowledge that idolatry is intimacy with a false image, we can open our hearts to intimacy with the true, living God. GETTING STARTED Scripture makes it clear that God wants absolute exclusivity as the ruler in our lives. Make a list of the specific area(s) that you have not given Him total reign over you. When we want to pick and choose the areas of life that we want God to enter, we are using a cafeteria approach to our relationship with Him. Say a prayer reverencing God’s authority in your life, and give Him total and complete dominion over the things that you listed above. LET’S GET PERSONAL Another factor in understanding idolatry is that who or what we worship, we become. When we worship God, we reflect His image and likeness. When we worship other things or people, we are not honoring God, advancing His kingdom, or giving Him glory. We can’t expect answers to our prayers if we are not positioned under His authority properly. Make a list of three things you can do to eliminate the current idols in your life. Ask a friend or family member to pray with you daily and hold you accountable for dealing with your specific idols. TAKE THE NEXT STEP Meditate on the following verses: Psalm 135:18  and  James 4:3 . RENEW YOUR MIND “Therefore say to the people of Israel, This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!” Ezekiel 14:6

Technology is designed to be a tool that serves and informs us, not a master that dictates how we live. Through science, entertainment, and communication, technology makes our lives easier and more enjoyable. Because God gave us the ability to develop and advance technology, we should thank Him for this convenience. Unfortunately, many Christians do not use technology the way God intended. Technology becomes an idol when we start to worship our devices instead of worshiping our God. Genesis 11 is an example of technology gone rogue. Once the people on earth misused the tools they were given to build a city, God confused their speech and it was impossible for them to communicate effectively. As we continue reading this passage, we see that God refused to make the speech understandable because the people were rebelling against Him. Once something becomes an idol, it becomes God’s enemy. God wants us to use technology; however, He wants to remain first in our lives. For some of us, our whole lives are attached to technology through text messages, email, calendars, and more. The more connected we are to these things, the greater the tendency for us to move further away from God. GETTING STARTED Imagine how it would feel not to have cell phones. Have you ever misplaced or broken your cell phone, tablet, computer, or video gaming device? What was your initial reaction? LET’S GET PERSONAL On any given day, social media encourages us to keep track of followers and friends. Problems arise when we are trying to gain and influence more followers for ourselves than for Christ. Scroll your timeline and take note of the many ways people try to create more attention for themselves. Now take a look at your own posts. Do they reflect an attempt to highlight yourself or God? TAKE THE NEXT STEP Take an honest evaluation of the amount of time you spend using technology each day. Compare that to the amount of time you spend studying the Bible and in quiet time with the Lord. Which do you do more? Make a list of at least three ways that you and your family can decrease your amount of screen time and increase the time you spend in the Word. Share that list with small group members, friends, or colleagues and ask them to help keep you accountable. RENEW YOUR MIND “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” Genesis 11:7

Revive Our Hearts Day 1: What You’ll Find Between the Covers We’re so glad you have taken the challenge to read the Bible daily for the next thirty days. It’s going to be a true challenge, because it won’t always be easy. But as with most worthwhile choices in life, you won’t regret it. God will use Scripture to help you know Him better and to discover His wonderful plan for all mankind—His plan for YOU! As you get into His Word, you’ll begin to see how all of it fits together, with the wonderful story of God’s redemption woven through each and every book. As you read, verse by verse and chapter by chapter, you’ll begin to sense God speaking to your heart. He may give you some marching instructions for your day or awaken you to a truth you’ve never seen before or show you an area of your heart or mind that He wants to transform so He can make you more like Jesus. So let’s get started. “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” — Proverbs 30:5 ESV We hope you’re enjoying your time reading the Scriptures. No matter where you read, you’ll find that God’s Word is an extremely practical, relevant, and timeless book. Use what you learn from Bible characters’ examples—good and bad—to challenge your own walk with God. Life’s struggles aren’t meant to discourage us, but to help us grow as we apply the truth of His Word. Some of the stories in the Bible will be familiar to you, but ask God to help you read with fresh eyes. You may see something you’ve never considered before! Let Scripture reading become your daily delight . . . the joy and song of your heart. If you’ve chosen to read through the Bible from beginning to end, you’ll discover that the first books are foundational. Genesis is the book of first things. It teaches us about the origin of our world as well as the early history of God’s people. Many of the things you see in our world today—especially the ugly consequences of sin and the struggles between nations of people—are a result of what happened in that early history. History, poetry, romance, prophecy, wisdom literature . . . there’s so much to discover between the covers of God’s book, and it is all “profitable” for us (2 Tim. 3:16). It’s our prayer that your biggest discovery will be that God and His plan for the world is much bigger than you can imagine. Keep up your reading, with joy! Action Step: Today as you read, look for something you never knew before or for something that speaks to a personal need. Day 2: Hey, That’s Mine! “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12 ESV It’s fun to check emails—to see if friends have written us or if a special message has arrived—but imagine if someone else read your messages all the time and then just passed along parts of them to you. After a while, you’d likely say, “Hey! I want to read those messages myself, thank you!” It’s the same with Scripture reading. Perhaps you’ve heard lots of sermons or read books about the Bible. That’s great, but it’s not the same as reading the Bible yourself. It is God’s love letter to you; it’s meant to be personal. When you read a letter, you notice who wrote it, but also what they said, when they wrote it, perhaps where they were when they wrote, and even why they wrote. Follow that same observation technique as you read the Bible. Ask the questions, “Who, what, when, where, why, and how?” Look for the people involved. Look for the subject, event, or action. Try to determine when and where the verses were written. Determine why God wanted you to hear this message. Finally, ask questions for application, like: “How does this apply to my life?” “How can I change my thinking or behavior so it lines up with biblical truth?” “How does God want me to respond?” Ask the Holy Spirit to be your teacher and give you insight and wisdom. In this way, you’re not just getting into the Word; the Word is getting into you! The Word of God is alive and powerful (Heb. 4:12), and God will use it to transform your life. Keep on reading; keep on listening; keep on growing! Action Step: As you read the Bible today, ask yourself application questions like the ones above. Day 3: It's All Good “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” —2 Timothy 3:16 ESV If you’re like most people, you’re going to have favorite Bible passages. There are some we simply return to over and over again—passages in the Psalms, Proverbs, Philippians, etc. We love certain Scriptures because they speak to us in our needs, satisfy our curiosity, comfort us in struggles, etc. But have you ever heard a pastor speak about reading “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27)? Every Scripture is important, because each passage has a purpose. Even those socalled “boring” genealogies have nuggets of amazing truth in them, for those willing to search them out! Discipline your life to read in an area of the Bible you’ve never (or seldom) read before, and watch God stretch your thinking. The Bible will help you know God, but it can also help you discern error, make wise choices, gain insight into human nature, understand the times, and so much more. The Scriptures will ground you in a shaky world, because you will discover God’s perspective and priorities—usually so different from the world’s. Reading the Bible is a huge adventure of faith, because God will likely give you opportunities to “try out” your new understanding of Scripture in the circumstances of life. God wants to transform you and make you more like Jesus (Rom. 8:29), and He will use His Word to challenge, encourage, and teach you, and sometimes even to warn you, because He loves you. The entire Bible is God’s precious gift to us. We hope you’re enjoying it! Action Step: Choose a part of the Bible you’ve never read before (or one you seldom read), and make note of what God teaches you through it. Day 4: Lovin’ the Word “I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.” —Psalm 119:162 ESV We all want to spend time with the people or things we love, don’t we? Think about that a moment. Do you love a particular sport or hobby? You probably can’t wait to finish work so you can take some time out for those activities. Do you love someone with all your heart—a family member or friend? It seems like you can’t get enough time with him or her, right? George Mueller, a godly man of prayer who established many orphanages in England in the 1800s once said, “The one main thing to which I attribute my lifelong happiness is that I’ve been a lover of the Word of God.” Mueller said he loved the Bible, and it made him a happy, blessed man. How about you? Is Bible reading a passing fancy, or do you genuinely love the Word ofGod? It’s easy to have “devotions” without having true “devotion.” Yet throughout Psalm 119, the psalmist said he delighted in God’s Word—he loved the Word! It was precious to him, his greatest joy. Does that express your heart? If not, how can you increase your love for the Scriptures? It’s simple. You need to fuel (or feed) your hunger. In other words, the more you “eat” the Word, the more you will desire it . . . and ultimately, the more you will rejoice in it (Jer. 15:16). Little snacks on the Word will help with some of your soul’s cravings, but substantive, daily meals are what really satisfy. We pray your love for God’s Word will increase! Action Step: Identify the things that sidetrack you from spending time in God’s Word. Then identify what helps you get “hungry” again. Day 5: What’s A-E-I-O-U Have to Do With It? “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” —James 1:25 ESV We can approach the Word of God in so many ways, and some of these techniques help us get a fresh vision of God’s purpose in giving us the Scriptures. The AEIOU method of Bible reading and study is a fun way to approach the Word. “A” stands for “ask questions.” (We mentioned some of those in an earlier email—the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” questions you can ask for clarity and understanding.) “E” stands for “emphasize key words and phrases.” Notice what words stand out in the text or are repeated. “I” stands for “in your own words.” Try writing a brief summary of the text. Paraphrase it. (This will help you keep alert when you’re sleepy!) “O” stands for “other related Scriptures.” Notice the cross references, or try to think of other places in the Bible that refer to something about what you’re reading. Check a concordance or other reference books for additional insight. And finally, there is the “U”, which stands for “use what you’ve read—make application to yourself.” That last letter is a key point. You don’t want to just read and go away unchanged or unmotivated. Find something to put into practice, to memorize, or to share with others. In other words, respond to what you’ve read. It’s not enough to know the truth; we need to obey it (James 1:22). We’re in your corner as you seek new ways to keep your Bible reading fresh. Action Step: Has God motivated you to respond to something you’ve read? How? Step out, and act in obedience today. Day 6: Victory Is Yours! “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” —Romans 6:14 ESV When was the last time you thought about our victory in the risen Christ? Your enemy, Satan, wants to sidetrack you in your commitment to Bible reading, because he knows how powerful it is—but remember, Satan is a defeated foe! You can claim and live in victory every day. The power of the gospel of Christ was not just to give us salvation, but also to give us all that we need to conquer our sinful habits and tendencies to ignore the things of God that will help us grow in righteousness (Rom. 6). Do you hear the whispers of the enemy today? “You don’t have time for God’s Word.” “You can do that later.” “You’ve already read the Bible; read something else.” We need to surrender our ears to the Lord and listen to Him calling us to dig into the Scriptures. Jesus died and now lives so that you can enjoy the fullness of eternal life with Him forever. His story is told in the Bible you hold in your hands every day. But there is so much more God wants you to know that pertains to “life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). Christ is risen, and He is your victory! Remember that when the enemy tempts you to ignore God’s Word. Action Step: Look for ways that God is giving you victory because of something you read in His Word. Day 7: Too Busy? Schedule an Appointment. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” —Luke 10:42 ESV It seems that most of us have three speeds these days—busy, super busy, and crazy overwhelmed-coming-unglued busy! Sometimes technology comes to our aid, and sometimes it just creates more work and distractions. Perhaps you’ve found that if you don’t take time out to read God’s Word in the morning, it’s not going to happen. If at all possible, plan time with God and His Word before all other work. Quiet times are the soothing oil that makes the gears of our busy lives function. Without it, we may find our lives clogging up with busyness, anxiety, and frustration. We don’t know whether Jesus rose up early to read the Scriptures, but we do know He got up very early in the morning to spend time with His Father (Mark 1:35). But there’s no need to get on a guilt trip if your mornings are “impossible.” If you can’t make morning Bible reading work, you can always plan in a special time later in the day, scheduling it just as you would an important doctor appointment or time with your family or friends. The important thing is to make a plan and follow through. While we’re thinking about our busy days, take a moment to ask this question: “Is there anything I’m doing that I could set aside for a while or give up entirely in order to make more time for Bible reading?” Maybe it’s a television show (or several). Maybe it’s time on the Internet or with Facebook. Watch out for time killers. If you want to read more, you can! We’ll pray that you will in the days ahead. Action Step: Look at how you spend your time, and identify any time killers that keep you from reading the Bible. What can you change or eliminate from your schedule? Day 8: When Not to Steer Clear . . . “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” —James 4:8 ESV When we have offended someone, we tend to steer clear of them. We don’t want to be reminded of our offense, insensitivity, or sin. The same is true with God and His Word. Christian author C. S. Lewis once said, “Either the Bible will keep you away from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” The truth is, when we are living in sin or harboring a secret sin, we don’t want the Word of God to remind us of our shortcomings or how we are failing to obey God—so we avoid His Word. As you’ve been reading, has your conscience been pricked? Have you sensed something between you and God? The Bible says that if you will agree with God about your sin, He will forgive and cleanse you (1 John 1:9). Also, if you are holding on to a grievance with others—bitter and unwilling to forgive—this can also get in the way of your relationship with God and His Word. God wants you to forgive others in the same way the Lord forgave you (Col. 3:13). As the old hymn says, “Nothing between my soul and the Savior, so that His blessed face may be seen. Nothing preventing the least of His favor; keep the way clear! Let nothing between.” God may have spoken to you about a specific sin that is clouding your view of Him in the Word. We encourage you to take care of that with Him. His Word is part of the cleansing process (John 15:3). Don’t let sin keep you away from the Bible. Keep the way clear! Action Step: Is there any sin that’s clouding your vision of God? Ask Him to search your heart and show you anything you need to confess. Day 9: Can’t Concentrate? Try These Ideas! "I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” —Psalm 119:16 ESV Do you struggle with concentration as you read the Bible? A practical way to help you focus is to write things down in a journal or on paper in a notebook. 
 You can simply write out portions of the Word of God that speak to you—or passages you want to memorize. You might want to write out topics you want to research from your reading. Maybe you can write out your personal responses to what you’ve read or insights and wisdom God gave you. You can do something as simple as the “S-A Method,” which stands for SummaryApplication. Write down one or two sentences that summarize what you’ve read and then one or two sentences of personal application—how the Scriptures spoke to you or what it meant to you or what God asked you to do as a result of the reading. If you don’t want to write in a journal or notebook, you might at least use a simple marking system in your Bible. You can circle repeated words or phrases, and develop your own code for quick reference—such as drawing a heart next to any verse that deals with the heart or a smiley face next to a Scripture about joy. You might want to write down the date next to a Scripture God used in your life on any particular day. The point is, try to interact with the Scriptures. This simple practice will help you concentrate, and when you’re done, you’ll have a record of your time in the Word. Blessings to you as you read and record the lessons God has for you today! Action Step: Choose a method that helps you interact with Scripture, and start using it today. Day 10: S-L-O-W-I-N-G D-O-W-N As You Read “Blessed is the man . . . delight is in the law of the Lord.” —Psalm 1:1–2 ESV When we were children, many of us heard our teachers say, “Put your thinking caps on.” Our teachers wanted us to pay attention and consider what we were learning. This is how we should approach the Word of God. We don’t skim quickly over the words; we take time to read the Word carefully and thoughtfully. Stop as you read . . . pause . . . think about what the passage is saying. Let the Word of God absorb into your system as you take time to dwell on key phrases. Ponder the words—mull them over in your mind. Read the Scriptures as a gift and love letter, a precious text from your Father God. Take time to meditate on them. Fix your thoughts on what the Word is saying with the goal of knowing God, His words, His ways, and His will. God promises success to those who meditate on His Word (Ps. 1:2–3; Josh. 1:8). Also, many of the psalms were the psalmists’ meditative thoughts put to music, and they bless us as we read them. Try putting Scriptures to music or singing them. Another way to meditate is to memorize Scripture, so you can think about passages anywhere, anytime. For some help, check out the Scripture Memory section on our website. When it comes to Scripture, there are many ways to “put on your thinking cap”—try them all! Action Step: Choose a Scripture passage that’s meaningful to you, and start committing it to memory. Day 11: They’re Watching You Read! “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” —Deuteronomy 6:6–7 ESV How are you doing with your reading? The reading of Scripture is a blessing and encouragement to your own hearts and one way to honor God, but did you know that when you spend time reading the Bible, you may be influencing others? Whatever you spend time doing in life indicates to others what you value most. Those who know you best will see your commitment to the Word of God and know you value the Bible and your time with the Lord. Every one of us is leaving a legacy for the next generation. The Bible you mark up as you read, your journal notes, and even your quiet times with God—observed by your family or friends—are a living legacy of faith. And even if you have no one in your home to observe your daily practice, know that God is watching. He is your most important audience. He knows how much you love Him and His Word when you spend time reading. You can be a woman of influence—a woman of living faith—every single day! Action Step: Look for a way to start leaving a legacy to someone you love. Day 12: He Wants to Spend Time With YOU! “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:13 ESV Have you ever kept a friend waiting? Or perhaps, you waited for a friend to arrive—and when the friend never came, you left, disappointed. The wonderful truth is that the Lord is always waiting for you, no matter when you come into His presence. He is longing for your company. Your quiet time with Him in prayer and your time reading the Word are how you enter into His presence. Our friend, pastor Bill Elliff, once said, “Everything flows from the presence of God.” Everything you need comes from resting in God’s presence—His power, peace, provision . . . everything! Have you found it true that when you read God’s Word, you always find something that you can apply to your life? Maybe a story about a Bible character’s struggle gives you hope or a psalm comforts your anxious spirit or a teaching from Paul gives you understanding about your finances or relationships. There is so much to glean from the Scriptures. The psalmist said, “My hope is from him” (Ps. 62:5). When you come to your Bible reading time, come with the expectation that God wants to give you something or teach you something. Ask Him to speak directly to your heart with a clear message. Are you eager to spend time with the Lord today? He is always waiting. Action Step: Have you sensed God’s Spirit asking you to do something? Today is the time to take action. Day 13: Making a Difference! “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” —2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV We like to know that what we are doing makes a difference, don’t we? We don’t want to feel that we are just spinning our wheels, going nowhere. The good news about Bible reading is that when you are consistent, you will see four practical effects of spending time in the Word. First, when you read God’s Word and commune with Him, your heart will be brought into submission. You will sense the need to adjust your will to agree with God’s will. Second, God will give you direction. No matter your season in life, God will offer wisdom for your relationships, your finances, your work, your habits, your choices, and so much more. Just ask Him for it (James 1:5)! Third, God will bring things to your attention as you read that can be turned into prayer requests. Maybe you’ll read about anger, and pray for an angry relative or coworker. Maybe you’ll see an example of servanthood, and ask God to make you a better servant. Fourth, you will experience transformation, becoming more like Christ. We tend to take on the characteristics of those we spend time with or are close to; when you look into the Word of God, you will behold the glory of God (2 Cor. 3:18) and see ways that you are not like Him. You will see how much you need to grow in godliness. God wants to use His Word in us, but we have to spend time with Him! Action Step: Has the Word of God made a difference in your life in any of these four areas? Share it with someone. Day 14: Infused with Scripture “For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” —Deuteronomy 32:47 ESV Do you sense how important the Bible is to daily living? Unfortunately, many people tend to think of the Bible as an “add-on” to life rather than a vital central core. If you have ever made a cup of tea, you know what infusion is. When a tea bag is placed into hot water, the tea infuses into the water—it becomes part of the water itself. In a similar way, your faith will be transformed by the consistent infusion of the Scriptures into your heart. Some women are content to carry the Word of God with them to church every week; others want to be identified as women of the Word. The Word becomes part of who they are. The third “we will” commitment statement of the True Woman Manifesto affirms women’s desire to behave in ways that reflect the truth of the Scriptures. It says, “When will be women of the Word, seeking to grow in our knowledge of Scripture and to live in accord with sound doctrine in every area of our lives.” Can you say, “Yes, Lord . . . that’s what I want!” to that statement? Do you want to grow in knowledge of the Bible and embrace the sound doctrine of Scripture? The incredible truth is that you will never know God any better than you know His Word, and beyond that, the Bible can protect you from sin, guard your heart, renew your mind, and refresh your spirit. It’s vital to your faith and growth! Are you a woman of the Word? Let it infuse your life today! Action Step: How have you seen God’s Word become a part of you? Day 15: Building a Firm Foundation Starts . . . Now “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” —Matthew 7:24–25 ESV One of the blessings of reading the Bible is that it helps to build a firm foundation for the future. The truth is, it’s harder to build the foundation of your spiritual house after a storm starts. You build it long before a storm comes. You build it now. In Matthew 7:24, Jesus said that if anyone hears His words and does them, he is like “a wise man who built his house on the rock.” We build on the solid rock of the Word when we listen and obey. It’s foolish to just read the words of God with no intention of obeying Him. If we have a flimsy foundation, we won’t be able to stand in times of trial. Every one of us will face varying degrees of struggles. Disasters and crises come to each one of us at some time in our lives, but those who have a strong foundation will be able to stand. A strong foundation includes knowing God as He reveals Himself in the Word, knowing His plan for salvation through Christ, and knowing His will for us in daily living—a godly perspective. An old hymn says, “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.” How strong is your foundation? Is there some part of your spiritual foundation that is weak or crumbling? Don’t be afraid to reach out for prayer. Commit yourself to reading the Word of God, and ask God to firm you up! Action Step: How strong is your foundation? Ask God to show you any areas where it might be weak and to “firm it up.” Day 16: Who Are You Turning to for Advice? “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” —John 16:13 ESV One of the blessings of reading the Word of God is that we have the opportunity to receive counsel from the Lord. We can ask God to counsel our hearts according to the Word of God—the Word of truth —and enable us to understand it. The Bible says that Jesus is our “Counselor” (Isa. 9:6), and the Spirit of God counsels us, as well (Isa. 11:2), giving us wisdom and understanding. It is the Spirit of God who illuminates and interprets the Word of God for our hearts and minds (John 16:12–13; 1 Cor. 2:9–12). It’s so easy to get our counsel and advice from the world, even from well-meaning friends. Christian friends may even give us some pretty good advice, and yet it may not be what God wants us to do. We need, first and foremost, to search the Scriptures prayerfully, and then listen for the voice of God in our hearts. He will never counsel us to do anything that is contrary to the Word of God. As we read, we can also ask, “Lord, what is Your agenda for my life? Is there something You want me to do today?“ The counsel of God and His Word is precious. Thank Him for it today. Action Step: Write down how God has counseled your heart and given you a greater understanding of His Word during this challenge. Day 17: A Fresh Start “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” —Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV Our schedules seem to gain momentum even after they’re already full, don’t they? The danger is to just go through the motions of spirituality instead of communing with God in His Word and seeking His direction for each day. Remember that you are on a pilgrimage with God, and accepting your reading challenge today is as important as it was on Day 1. If you are discouraged in your reading because you’ve succumbed to the rush, don’t despair. You can start fresh today. Proverbs 24:16 says the righteous man falls down seven times and gets up again each time. Don’t give up, Friend. Get up, get your Bible, and get going again. God is faithful and His mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:22–23). He is faithful to help us (1 Cor. 1:9). Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), and God expects us to be faithful to what we’ve said we will do. In Psalm 15:4, the writer commends the righteous man “who keeps his oath even when it hurts.” Stay faithful, friend. Action Step: Has God enabled you to be faithful in reading the His Word? Did He remind you of your commitment, or clear your schedule to give you more time? If so, thank Him for that. Day 18: Before, During, and After You Read “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” —James 1:5 ESV How are you doing with your reading? One thing we’ve learned is that your enemy, the devil, doesn’t want you to enjoy your Bible reading. He doesn’t want you to grow spiritually. He doesn’t want your life to be transformed as you renew your mind (Rom. 12:2). That’s why it is so important to saturate your time in Scripture reading with prayer. Before you read, ask God to open your eyes and give you understanding. Ask Him to reveal Himself in the Word and show you His heart and ways. As you read, ask God for wisdom—ask Him to teach you. Be a learner. Ask the Holy Spirit to make the words come alive in your heart make the words fresh to you. Acknowledge your dependence on the Spirit of God. And then, as you end your time with the Bible, ask God to help you obey and respond to the truth you read. Pray for a submissive heart. Confess any sins God has revealed to you during your quiet time. Ask God to help you live a life that is consistent with the Word of God. This prayerful approach to Bible reading will help you focus on the Lord and His will, rather than your own desires. It is our prayer that God’s Word will become more meaningful to you every day. Action Step: Try this prayer approach before reading Scripture. Did it change your thoughts as you read, or how God spoke to you about His Word? Day 19: Hanging Onto Every Word “And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.” —Luke 10:39 ESV Are you a “Mary,” sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words? The beautiful picture in Luke 10:38–42 is of Mary, Martha’s sister, hanging on every word Jesus spoke. Jesus said Mary did well in this devotion to His words. It is the one thing that was “necessary.” Jesus didn’t say “serving is necessary,” or “singing is necessary,” or “giving is necessary”—no, He said this one thing is necessary—listening to what He says . . . really listening, with the intent to obey. Everything else we may do for God may be good, but reading the Bible to hear His voice is necessary. It’s foundational and essential. Mary made the choice to sit at Jesus’ feet, to hear His words, and to worship Him; and Jesus said her good choice would “not be taken away from her.” What she gained in hearing His words would last. As you make the choice to read the Word of God, realize anew that God is talking to you and that what you are learning will stick with you. God will use it in your life so you can stand and be strong as a believer. Action Step: As you read today, pray, “God, I want You to speak to me.” Day 20: Fighting for Time with God “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:10–11 ESV Are you a warrior woman when it comes to the Word of God? Sometimes we have to go to battle to protect our time alone with the Lord. There are many good things we can do—for ourselves, our families, our friends, our community, and our church—but we won’t be fruitful and we won’t be a threat to the enemy’s agenda for our lives if we’re not taking time to be alone with God. So how do you “do battle” and protect this precious time with Him? First, get prepared. Start the night before! Prepare your place and materials (Bible, journal, pen) so it will be ready. Second, get a plan for a regular routine, a habit connected to a time and place, and as regular as brushing your teeth or eating dinner. Third, get alone. Follow Jesus’ example (Mark 6:45–46) and be sure you are alone and undisturbed. For us, that might mean turning off the radio, television, and other distractions. Fourth, get creative. Don’t be afraid to try new things or adjust how you read. For example, if you’re reading through a difficult part in the Bible, you might also want to read a few verses in another passage to encourage your heart. In other words, don’t throw out a routine just because it’s a routine. Keep it fresh! Bible reading is so crucial. Be a warrior woman, and protect that time with God! Action Step: Ask God if there is something new you can do to protect your quiet time of reading. Day 21: Heart-Ready for Scripture Seeds “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” —Luke 8:15 ESV Are you enjoying your reading? Is what you read sinking deep into your heart? In Luke 8, Jesus told an interesting parable about four kinds of soil. A sower sowed seed, and some fell on a hard path where it didn’t take root; it was trampled and birds ate it. Some fell on a rock, but as the seed grew, it withered because there was no moisture to keep it alive. Some seeds fell among thorns and were choked out. But some fell into good soil, and the seed grew and yielded a big harvest. If we listen with the ears of our heart, we’ll understand that the seed was the same in each case, but it was not “received” in the same way. The seed represents the Word of God, which is necessary for salvation but also for growth. The condition of the soil of your heart will make a difference in how you receive the Word of God. Sometimes the Word enters a hard heart. The Word just stays on the surface and doesn’t penetrate the heart. Sometimes the Word is received with joy, but there are no deep roots because the truth isn’t watered daily. Sometimes the cares, riches, and pleasures of life choke out growth and there is no maturity. But when the seed falls into a heart that is eager to hear from God and obey Him, there will be fruit. It may take time to develop, but it will come. Guard your heart, and prepare it for the precious seed of the Word! Action Step: Is your heart ready to receive the Word of God? If not, ask Him to prepare your heart and allow the truth to take root and produce a harvest. Day 22: If Not for God’s Word . . . “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” —Psalm 119:103 ESV Have you noticed how your time in the Word has grown increasingly sweeter over the past few weeks? You are on the final stretch of this challenge now, and God can give you strength to complete it! As we move toward the end of the month, let’s take some time to actively thank God for His Word. Did you know that one of the ways you can express your gratitude for the Scriptures is to spend time reading the Bible? It’s true. We spend time with the people and things we love and are grateful to have. What are you grateful for that you have because of Scripture? Take time to list them today. Here are just a few ideas: • A relationship with God Himself! • God’s power to overcome sinful habits. • Understanding of God’s character and heart. • A perspective of hope for a crazy, mixed-up world. • The promise of eternal life. • Understanding of God’s provision and protection for His people. I’m sure you can think of other reasons to be grateful. Bible translators have worked for years and years to get the Bible to people groups all over the world, because they knew how much everyone needs to hear the story of salvation. When many of these native people receive a Bible in their own tongue, they have tears in their eyes. They are so grateful. You may have many copies of the Bible in your home, but people in lands where the Bible is rare or banned are grateful for even a page or two. Are you truly glad to have the Bible? Have you told God “thank You” lately? Action Step: Make your own list of things you’re grateful for because of the Bible. Day 23: Tyranny of the Urgent “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” —Mark 1:35 ESV Life never lets up, does it? To-do lists lengthen and are replaced with more to-do lists. Sometimes, even the weekend doesn’t provide much time to catch your breath. Some things go on like clockwork. Bible reading will go by the wayside if you haven’t established it as part of your regular routine, but if you have made time in the Scriptures as crucial as your daily meals, you’ll be more likely to keep doing it. If you’re not careful and intentional to keep first things first, the nagging pressures of the urgent will crowd out your time with God. But today is always the perfect time to realign your priorities. George Mueller said this out of personal experience: “Since God has taught me this point, it is as plain to me as anything that the first thing the child of God has to do morning by morning is to obtain food for his inner man. As the outward man is not fit for work for any length of time, except we take food, and as this is one of the first things we do in the morning, so it should be with the inner man . . . and here again not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe, but considering what we read, pondering over it, and applying it to our hearts.” Do you consider food for your “inner man” as much of a priority as your daily meals? Feast on the Word today! Action Step: Think through one way to prioritize your “spiritual meals.” Day 24: Light for Living “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” —Matthew 4:4 ESV We know from letters we’ve received that many of you are blessed by your Bible reading. What an answer to prayer! God wants the Word to be your very life (see Matt. 4:4). He wants to continue to revive you in the Word. We can live in light of the Word one minute, and depart from it in the next. We need to have fellowship with God all day, because without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5); but we need to intentionally walk in the light of the Word (Ps. 119:105) as children of light (Eph. 5:8), or we will stray into darkness. It’s an ongoing process for every child of God. God also wants to use the Word of God, flowing through your life to others, to dispel the darkness in your corner of the world. Use the Scriptures personally, practically and powerfully, shedding light wherever you go! Spend some extra time in the Word today to celebrate the blessing of the Scriptures in your life. Action Step: Look for ways that God has given your light for your journey. Day 25: Make Melody in Your Heart "Make a joyful noise to the Lord . . . Come into his presence with singing!” —Psalm 100:1, 3 ESV When we add music and worship to our time of reading, it can serve as a precious aid toward worship. Just as you gather materials and resources for in-depth Bible study, you might want to grab a hymn book for your Bible-reading time. Something you read may bring a hymn or spiritual song to mind, and you can stop and “make melody” in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19). If you don’t have a hymn book, you might find the music you’re looking for at The Cyber Hymnal. As you read about how God takes care of His people, you could sing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” When you read about the cross, “Amazing Grace” might come to mind. If you prefer, you can begin your reading time with music on your CD player or iPod. Music will get your mind and heart in a right frame of mind to be receptive to the Word. Or you could end your quiet time with music for some lingering “takeaway thoughts” for your day that you can sing over and over again. Action Step: Choose a song you would like to meditate on today. Day 26: Be Intent to Obey “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” —James 1:22 ESV Do you sometimes feel you are “just reading” the Word? It’s a common problem. God wants us to listen with the intent to obey. An opening prayer can encourage you each day, because your receptivity will be increased as you invite God to work in your heart and to prepare it—like cultivated soil —for the seed of the Word. Here is a suggested prayer, straight from the Scriptures, that will encourage this process of receptivity: Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. . . . Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. . . . Make me to know your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. . . . ‘Teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’ (Ps. 119:18, 34; 25:4–5; Job 34:32). Read . . . listen . . . obey. It’s a beautiful sequence. Action Step: Take time to pray today before you read, asking God to prepare your heart to receive His Word. Day 27: Try a “Megadose” of the Word! “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” —Psalm 1:1–2 ESV Do you feel you are reading and reading and “getting nothing” out of the Word of God? One of the reasons for that is we simply don’t read enough of the Bible in one sitting. We’re too content with “snack bites” of Scripture. Instead, try to get a “megadose” of the Word of God, no matter how busy your day. What you get out of the Bible might depend on what your goal is as you read. Are you reading to cover a lot of territory and “get finished”... or are you reading to “find God”? If you get through the entire Bible, but you don’t get to Him, you’ve missed the whole point. Dig for the treasure hidden in the Word (Prov. 2:3–5). If you feel you’re getting nothing from your Bible reading, put more into it! (A boy who struggled with math once told his mother that he hated the subject. Her response: “Dig in deeper!” Soon, that boy began to work math puzzles as a way to develop more of an interest. Today, that grown boy is a math teacher!) Another way to get more from the Scripture is to respond to it. When God shows you something, teaches you something, or warns you about something, respond to God in prayer or write down immediately how you will respond. Maybe you read about the children of Israel forgetting God, and the Spirit of God prompted you to examine your own heart. Decide right then how you will not forget the Lord. Take your megadose of Scripture today. You won’t regret it. Action Step: Write down your response to what you’ve read today. Day 28: Let Truth Change Your Core “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” —Romans 12:2 ESV What you are reading cannot help but affect your behavior. That’s true of anything you read. If you read cookbooks every day, don’t be surprised if you find yourself becoming better in the kitchen! If you read good literature, you will become more “literate.” As you read the Word of God, there are many potential results. You might become more spiritually literate, knowledgeable about biblical stories and truths. You might be motivated to do something with what you’ve read—to teach, to counsel others with biblical truth, etc. You might find something in your life changing, because you see that your lifestyle doesn’t quite line up with the Scriptures. What you believe will eventually affect action . . . or to say it another way, the way you live reveals what you really believe. Truth will always make a difference in your life. It’s not to be stored away; it’s to penetrate the core of who you are. Pause and think about this a while. What are your core beliefs? How many of them come from the Word? How many align with the truth of the Word? God’s Word is truth, and it’s not going to change. It is our hearts and minds that must change. The enemy wants us to believe many lies, but when we are armed with truth, we can confront those lies and find freedom through the power of the Scripture. What does your lifestyle reveal about your beliefs? Time to read some more truth? Action Step: Has God shown you that something you used to believe was actually a lie? What is the truth? Day 29: You're Almost There! “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” —Matthew 13:45–46 ESV Can you believe how quickly this month has passed? The daily commitment to read the Bible may have been hard, but what a blessing you’ve received! Any struggles you’ve experienced have been worth your time and effort. We all instinctively know that rewards are good motivators, and the Word of God speaks of rewards. Everything done through the power of the Lord will earn rewards that last! The Bible says that Jesus will give rewards to every person according to the work they have done for Him while living on earth (Rev. 22:12; 1 Cor. 3:8). God has taken notice of your hard work to read and learn. Take a moment to think about what you have learned as you’ve read the Bible this month. This 30-day challenge is closing soon, but this is just the beginning of a newlyformed habit of being in the Word! Studying the Word of God isn’t an activity we do once and master; it’s a lifestyle change and commitment. Just as you surrendered to the challenge to read the Scriptures, surrender now to continue obeying God in everything He has taught you. Let your heart be revived in His Word (Ps. 85:6). To God be the glory; He has done great things! Action Step: List out your spiritual goals moving forward after this challenge. Day 30: The Beauty of Jesus “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, every one who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory.” —Isaiah 43:6–7 ESV As you get into the Word today, remember that the entire purpose of the Word of God is to help us see and experience God in all His beauty and glory. From Genesis 3:15 until the cross and the empty tomb, and then all the way to the promise of Christ’s return in the book of Revelation, the Word is united by the thread of God’s radiant majesty. Isaiah 43 tells us we were created for God’s glory. This isn’t selfish of God—on the contrary! He expresses unimaginable love to us by directing our attention to Christ’s majesty, to give us fullness of joy as we meditate on Him (Ps. 16:11). We were designed to worship Him now and throughout all eternity; nothing short of His presence can satisfy our thirsty hearts. Have you seen this thread of God’s glory in your reading throughout the past month? Take time to see Jesus as He is—as the King of King and Lord of Lords, your Savior, the coming Prince of Peace. Perhaps you have seen Jesus more clearly and known Him more intimately this month. Let’s continue to press ever deeper into the Word to behold fresh visions of God in His beauty, igniting our hearts to worship. May our hearts reflect the same cry as the saints in Revelation 4:11: “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power.” Action Step: Take time to praise Jesus for who He is. Share Your Encouragement with Others! How has this challenge changed your heart and life, dear friend? Did God encourage you as you read His Word? Were there difficult days where you simply needed to leave the results to God? Remember that God is faithful, and He will bless you for your willingness to obey Him. One thing is sure—you will never be the same because of your commitment to be more like Christ! Would you take a moment to share with us how this challenge has affected your life?

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1: 19-21 1. What does „being quick to hear‟ allow for? What is the benefit of that? Is he just talking about the act of audibly listening? 2. Now, not only does James say to listen quickly, but at the same time he says to speak with slowness. What does the combination of these two lead to in our hearts. Look to Philippians 2: 3, 4 for clues. 3. What do we tend to do in the heat of the moment when a politician says something that is against our preferences, or someone pulls out in front of us, or a spouse or friend crosses our wills? What is our tendency? 4. In your own words, what is the righteousness that God requires? Have you ever been, or are you now, under the assumption that anger brings this about? 5. What are some ways that Christians invoke anger to bring about the righteousness of God? What are some ways you have seen this in your own life? 6. Notice that Peter charges „every person‟ to live life the way he puts forth. No one is exempt. Have you thought in the past, or in certain situations that you deserve a right to be angry because of the magnitude of the situation or the effect it is having on you or your family, regardless of these commands? 7. Describe a time when you put on mercy instead of anger, kindness instead of rage, forgiveness instead of revenge. What was that like and what effect did it have on the other party? 8. Why do you think that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God? What does produce the righteousness of God then? 9. How can you apply Matthew 7:1-5 as you seek to live out this passage? 10.So, since the anger of man doesn't accomplish the righteousness of God, Peter instructs us to put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and instead receive the Word with meekness, which is able to save our souls. What does filthiness and rampant wickedness have to do with anger? Aren‟t they separate issues, unaffected by one another? 11.Why does it require meekness to receive the implanted Word? 12.Would you say the Word is implanted in you? What parable does this remind you of? If not implanted, what are the other three options? 13.What strikes you as interesting that Peter begins talking about anger, then finishes with talking about saving souls via the Word. How in the world does he get from something that is so commonplace as anger and then challenge the believers regarding their willingness to accept the Word of God? 14.It is common in many Christian homes to have what the world offers pumped into our living rooms via TV, internet, publications, movies, music, etc. How are you challenged with this, as Peter charges to put away „all filthiness and rampant wickedness‟? How might these very vehicles give weight to unrighteous anger in you? Below is an excerpt from Jesus Freaks, by D.C. Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs. It displays the life and death of ones who could very easily have been given to anger, but chose the implanted Word instead. Extreme Love Jackie Hamill and Juliet Philippines, 1992 The service was over. Jackie Hamill, a young Australian prison evangelist, was excited abut what God was doing. She had felt the love of Jesus reach out to these inmates. Jackie and fourteen members of her church had traveled to the Philippines to minister in a military prison there. They were concerned for the lost souls of the inmates, many of whom were communist guerrillas in prison for murder. Suddenly, the quiet was broken by the sounds of fighting and gunshots. The inmates were rioting and had overpowered the guards, seizing their guns and ammunition to make an escape. The evangelists were taken hostage and held for three days. During this time, Jackie and one other girl were raped repeatedly. But even in the moments when she suffered the greatest shame, Jackie prayed for her captors and spoke to them about God‟s love. Her face did not show panic, revulsion, or hatred, but glowed with the brightness of God‟s light. During her imprisonment, she led the team in singing God‟s praises and presented the Gospel to her captors. One of the rioting inmates threw down his gun and received Jesus as his Savior. On the third day, there was a shoot-out between the prisoners and soldiers who came to stop the riot. Jackie and Juliet, a 16-year-old, were shot. Even as Jackie lay dying she raised her hands to God, praying for the rioting inmates and for the soldiers. She died while singing to God.” 15.What must absolutely take place in your heart to be able to treat others the way these girls treated their abusers, even in the midst of persecution, disappointment, assault, etc.? Will you pray this day that God does a work in your heart so that you return good for evil, kindness for slander, love in the face of trial, and return Jesus to those who have served you wrongdoing? 16.Who do you need to go to that has been the bullseye for your anger? Is it God, a spouse, a child, a boss, co-worker, or all of the above? Last week, we studied humility. Will you let that lesson be a platform for you to deal rightly with those who need to see your repentance? Instead of continue to kill the relationship, will you seek to heal it?

Introduction Have you ever seen someone try to experience the benefits of something without doing what was required to gain them? As an onlooker, it can be frustrating watching a person attempt to receive what isn’t theirs when they are unwilling to do what it takes to get the blessing. In the book of Luke, Jesus has an encounter with a lawyer who asks a question many ask: “what shall I do to inherit eternal life”(v. 25). This question about life is really one about the benefits a life with God offers. Eternal life is not only about the greater reward that is to come after physical death, but also a level of our experience with God in this life. Jesus, in typical fashion, replies back with a question to get this man thinking about what he already knows. He asks him about the law of God and what God requires. The lawyer was able to respond with the correct answer, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. (v. 27). Having the right answer, however, does not necessarily guarantee access to the benefits. In the case of this lawyer, he lacked sincerity, humility and obedience because he was unwilling to honestly seek a life with God. Jesus’ answer gives us insight into who received the benefits of eternal life. In order to experience the blessing of eternal life, it requires obedience to God’s commandment of love. This love must be expressed first and foremost to God, learning to love Him with everything we possess: our heart, soul, strength, and mind. It is a whole body, whole spirit, whole life kind of love. And because of that level of love aimed towards our heavenly Father, the overflow will result in love being poured out to those neighbors around us. Loving people well means making the conscious choice to put their needs above our own, to be compassionate and to seek their well-being. These two commands summarized the whole essence of Old Testament law and, when fulfilled, lead to the benefits of eternal life. Jesus goes on to expound upon what this neighborly love looks like with an illustration. He shares a story of a man who was robbed, beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. Both a priest and Levite came walking by from their place of worship. They chose not to stop and help, but rather cross to the other side to avoid any interruption or interaction with this man in need. He didn’t receive the help so desperately needed until a Samaritan, a people group despised and looked down upon by the Jews, came and stopped to care for him. This picture shows us that our “neighbor” is not just the people who are like us. For Christians, the definition of neighbor extends to anyone in need we come across. The benefits of eternal life are extended to those who learn to love everyone and not withhold their compassion based on their own biases or prejudices. The benefits of eternal life come to us when we are willing to show compassion to anyone, whether or not there are cultural lines drawn in the sand that would normally preclude us from caring. The benefits of eternal life are not limited by racial identity, but rather are forged by our identity in Christ. Are you wanting to experience the benefits of eternal life? Are you willing to do what God asks when it comes to receiving that blessing? Do you love Him with your whole self? Are you loving others unconditionally, no matter what divides you on the outside? The benefits of eternal life belong to you if you will choose obedience to the great commandment of love! Getting Started 1. Read Luke 10:25-37. What do you think the ulterior motives of the lawyer were in this passage? 2. What would you say are the benefits of eternal life? Let’s Get Personal 1. In what tangible, practical ways are you seeking to love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind? In what ways could you seek to love Him more? 2. How are you doing at loving people? Who in your life is easy to love? To whom do you find it hard to give compassion and love? Why is it hard? 3. What does the Samaritan’s care for the hurting man teach you about how we are to approach race and racism? Given the current climate and racial tensions, how could Christians lead the way in loving people across racial lines in order to bring healing and reconciliation? 4. What prayers do you need to pray when it comes to loving God and loving others? Pray it together. Take the Next Step 1. What are three practical things you could do this week to express love to God more fully? For example, you can spend time in silence and solitude with the Lord, read Scripture or practice praying regularly. 2. Write out a specific prayer about loving someone you may find it hard to love. Ask God to strengthen you as you seek to show compassion to that person. Pay attention throughout your week for ways you might be able to serve that person in love and then implement it. 3. Write out Luke 10:27. Keep it in a place you will see it often, such as your car or bathroom mirror. Try to memorize it and refer back to it as you think about your to-do list. 4. Want to dig deeper? Read the following passages: Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 6:27-36; James 2:8; and 1 John 3:16-18. Renew Your Mind “And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And He said to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.’” Luke 10:27-28

Introduction Life is full of battles, wars in both the physical and spiritual worlds. Even being a follower of Jesus, you may eventually come to experience what feels like nothing but loss or spiritual defeat. In the book of Ezekiel, the people of God found themselves captives of Babylon because of their rebellion against God. The prophet Ezekiel received a sign from the Lord amid their struggle. There among the rubble and bones of his people, Ezekiel is asked a question by the Lord and given a task: “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘Lord God, You Yourself know.’ Again He said to me, ‘Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘You dry bones, hear the word of the Lord’” (Ezek 37:3-4). The people of Israel had experienced spiritual defeat and were in both a natural and metaphorical valley of dry bones. They were living as captives because of their rebellion against the Lord. Their army was hopeless, helpless and weak. What got them there? For Israel and for us, spiritual defeat is the result of distance from the Lord. As their rebellion took them further and further from God, they eventually became dry bones in a valley of defeat. Like the people of Israel, our idolatry can lead us into spiritual deserts, full of hopelessness, weakness, disconnection and spiritual ineffectiveness. When we become captives of the enemy, we cannot fight against the enemy. Even though their own sin and waywardness brought them into this valley, the Lord was not finished with them. Spiritual defeat was an opportunity to experience the promises of God. Ezekiel knew there was nothing that human hands could do to turn the situation around, so he appealed to the only One who could do something about the situation. It was through this dependence upon the will of God, the grace of God and the faithful commitment of God that hope would begin to burst forth for the people of God. To overcome the spiritual defeat—to bring the dry bones of a rebellious and captive nation to life—God’s instructions were clear: hear My Word. Through the prophetic Word of God, life was restored to Israel, and it is also how it is restored to us in our own spiritual defeat. The combination of the Word of God and the work of the Spirit revives the dry bones back to life. Victory comes after the most desperate of situations reveal to us who God is. The Lord wants to speak over your spiritual bones: “Behold, I am going to make breath enter you so that you may come to life. And I will attach tendons to you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin, and put breath in you so that you may come to life; and you will know that I am the Lord” (Ezek 37:5b-6). The Lord is willing and able to bring to life all who died because He loves you. He wants to use the power of your spiritual resurrection to impact the culture for His glory. Through prioritizing God, His Word and His Spirit, we can find triumph after spiritual defeat and be a part of His mighty army, joining Him in changing this generation. Let victory be yours today. Getting Started 1. In what ways have you seen spiritual defeat for the people of God in our generation? 2. What are some specific idolatries and rebellious choices that have led to dry bones in American churches? How has that made the Church an ineffective army? Let’s Get Personal 1. When have you experienced spiritual defeat? What led up to that point? 2. Why is learning to lean on God’s promises so important in those desert valleys? 3. How has God used His Word and His Spirit to bring victory in your life? In what ways do you need to experience victory, and how can you lean on His Word to do so? 4. Where does God want to revive dry bones in your life so that you can impact the culture for His glory? How has He already brought life where there was once death? Take the Next Step 1. Thinking of where you are spiritually, what idolatries tend to lead you into spiritual defeat? Either having been in spiritual defeat and experienced victory or being in a place of defeat currently, what is God asking you to do next? Do you need to share the victories you have experienced for His glory? Do you need to spend time in His Word and with His Spirit so that He can bring what is dead to life? Do you need to confess and repent of specific disobedience and sinful choices? Take the time to make that next step. 2. How can you celebrate the spiritual victories in your life? How can you bring God glory through spiritual victories? 3. In what ways do you need to pray right now when it comes to your current spiritual defeat? Spend some time in prayer for those things. 4. Want to dig deeper? Take a look at the following verses: Jeremiah 29:14; Ezekiel 36:22-32; 2 Corinthians 3:15- 18; John 6:63; 7:37-39; 16:13 Renew Your Mind “The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. He had me pass among them all around, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and behold, they were very dry.” Ezekiel 37:1-2

Introduction Certain things hopefully come with age as we grow and mature: more understanding, more wisdom, more responsibility and more expectations. Parents recognize this as they approach their children in different stages of development. A father would never sit his young baby down and demand that they start picking up their toys or feed the dog each day. However, as the child grows in understanding of the world around him or her, a father’s expectations increase. In the same way, God expects every Christian to become a spiritually mature follower of Christ, using their growth and God’s wisdom to influence those around them. This principle of spiritual maturity happens when a believer consistently lives his or her life from a spiritual perspective rather than a fleshly one. When a Christian starts to function out of a divine view rather than a human one, he or she can begin to see a deeper understanding of the things of God. The apostle Paul likens it to the difference between an infant and an adult. In his letter to the church at Corinth, he said, “And I, brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but only as fleshly, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like ordinary people?” (1 Cor 3:1-3). An infant can only consume milk, not solid foods. There comes a time when the child should be eating meat rather than merely drinking milk, and that was precisely what Paul was pointing out to that church and us. They should have been further along in the process. Still, their lives were showing an immaturity that did not reflect their chronological age. How do we move spiritually from infancy to maturity? The process begins as a Christian grows in his or her knowledge and application of God’s Word. Rather than simply consuming truth, the mature believer lives it out. This progression of growing in spiritual maturity often happens most through the struggles and trials of life. These struggles and trials offer the believer an invitation to move to the next level of spiritual growth. The process takes time, but with consistency in Scripture and its application to real-life challenges, one can heed the words of the author of Hebrews: “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity” (Heb 6:1a). The end result of spiritual maturity is a faith worthy of imitation. As we grow in our understanding and application of truth, we can begin to discern, having been “trained to distinguish between good and evil” (Heb 5:14b). With that depth of spiritual character, we can be part of other believers' spiritual development through God’s wisdom that comes through time and a hearty diet of God’s Word. Ultimately, we get a deeper experience of the priesthood of Jesus Christ as we pour out and help others grow in their spiritual journey. Through this stage of our development, we understand what Jesus is doing in heaven and how that grace is poured out to us here on earth. No matter how long you’ve been a believer, there is always room to grow in spiritual maturity. Getting Started 1. When you consider your faith walk right now, are you where your spiritual age suggests you should be? If you’ve been a committed follower of Jesus for some time, are you teaching truths to those around you? 2. What are some of the signs of maturity? What are some ways that a child becoming an adult learns to become more mature? 3. What would you say are the marks of a spiritually mature believer? Describe someone in your life who has developed in their faith. Let’s Get Personal 1. Would you consider yourself spiritually mature? Why or why not? 2. How can a person learn to operate from a God-centered spiritual perspective rather than a human-centered one? What are some practical ways you have learned to function from a divine perspective instead of a secular one? 3. How well do you apply God’s Word to your life? In what ways do you struggle to do so? In what ways have you learned to respond to the truth appropriately? 4. How have trials matured your faith in Jesus? What struggles have grown you and taken you to the next level in your spiritual journey? Take the Next Step 1. In what ways do you need to mature in your faith? What are 2-3 practical, next steps you can take to grow in that way? Who can you ask to hold you accountable? 2. How committed are you to the spiritual development of others? Who can you influence and help develop in their walk with God? What is one way you can work toward that this week? 3. How can you ask the Lord to grow you spiritually? Pray and ask God to help you grow up. 4. Want to dig deeper? Take a look at these passages: Hebrews 5:11-15; Colossians 1:28-29; and 1 Corinthians 2:14-16. Renew Your Mind “I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like ordinary people?” 1 Corinthians 3:2-3

Introduction Have you ever been involved with a remodeling project? It can be a very messy undertaking. Because the goal of remodeling is to make something better from its worn and broken state. With multiple pandemics, we are facing a divine disruption, destruction and discipline because God is remodeling something that has become old, stale and broken up. Before Jesus returns, worldwide disruptions will take place to usher in the anti-Christ. At His return, Jesus will set up His millennial kingdom on a new earth . . . a remodeled earth. In the meantime, God does smaller remodeling projects in your life and our world because He wants to disrupt something to highlight the spiritual over the physical. He is calling your attention to a spiritual reality that has become marginalized with His principles ignored. In Luke 5:29, Levi, the tax collector, is giving Jesus a big reception where a great crowd shows up. A group of tax collectors and sinners . . . not the ideal company for the religious elite. When the Pharisees find out about the party, they begin to complain to the disciples. They could not understand why Jesus partied with tax collectors and sinners, which was totally unacceptable to the day’s religious leaders. Jesus answered them in verses 31-32, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.” When Jesus shows up to your party, it becomes His party because He plans to make a spiritual impact on people whose hearts are spiritually sick. But these religious leaders still had a problem with Jesus’ party. In verse 33, they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.” Although John the Baptist’s disciples are the ones who prepared the way for Jesus, the Pharisees felt their religious commitment was more significant because they did not party. For clarity, there is only one required fast in the Bible. Found in Leviticus 16: 29-31, it is known as the Day of Atonement, an annual cleansing from the guilt of sin. Every other fast in the Bible was voluntary because fasting was tied to a need or crisis where God’s intervention was necessary. When God only required one fast, the Pharisees made fasting a requirement twice a week. In fact, in Luke 18: 10-12, the Pharisees were praying in the Temple, thanking God that they were not like other sinners since they fasted twice a week and paid their tithes. The religious leaders took a biblical principle and stacked it with human additions. False religion is when you place man-made additions to God’s requirement to make you feel more acceptable. 2 Timothy 3:5 calls it a form of godliness for which they denied its power. Like the Pharisees, we can be duped into religious rituals at the expense of a relationship. The Pharisees had made a religion out of a mountain of regulations. How do you reset when so many Christians are acting foolishly? Studying the Bible about Jesus is not enough. You must invite Him to hang out with you. It may be your house, but it is His party because He wants to make a spiritual impact in your life. We get an amazing illustration of this in Luke 24: 25-43 when Jesus encountered two depressed disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were sad because Jesus had been crucified. Jesus appeared and walked with them. Not only had they listened to the Living Word, but they had also invited the Living Word into their house. The proximity or closeness of Jesus turned their depression into a celebration. Your intimacy with the Lord should be the driving force of your life, but you first must invite Him in. Look at Luke 5:36-38. Notice the number of times the word ‘new’ is used. Jesus had come to do something new, not to patch up the old. He tears up the old religious order that holds people hostage. He uses the parable of the new garment and new wine to illustrate you cannot mix the new with the old. The old cloth and old wineskin represent the traditions of men that are stacked on our faith. We must remove unholy mixtures, and Jesus must become the center of all we do as Christians. Getting Started 1. What one point resonated with you from this week's sermon? 2. Do you think you have an intimate relationship with Jesus where He is the center of your life? Why or why not? Let’s Get Personal 1. Have you experienced a problem where you realized it was a divine disruption? What circumstances led you to believe that God was disrupting your life? Share your experience with your group. 2. What was Jesus teaching the disciples with the parables of the new garment and new wine? Can you think of a time when you tried to pour new wine into an old wineskin? What happened? 3. COVID-19 has changed our lives completely. In what ways, good or bad, has your life been affected by this pandemic? How has the pandemic allowed you to reset your life? 4. How have you allowed God to use you to minister to others during the pandemic? Have you discovered creative ways in which you can help others and/or stay in fellowship with one another? Take the Next Step 1. It is exciting to know that when God begins a good work in us, He will complete it. And when we get sidetracked, He will allow a disruption to get us back on track. How will this affect your attitude towards God and your circumstances when problems arise in the future? 2. What new thing are you expecting God to do in your life in the New Year? What steps are you taking to prepare for it? 3. Want to dig deeper? Look at the following passages: Luke 5:29-38, Lev. 16: 29-31, Luke 18:10-12, 2 Tim. 3:5, Luke 5:36-38, Luke 24:25-43 Renew Your Mind “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.” Luke 5:31

The chilly morning was full of promise. Listening to a bubbling creek, I watched curious ground squirrels scampering near my seat. When a single red-tailed hawk began making lazy circles in the sky high above the canyon walls, my playful squirrels dove for cover. Surprisingly, in this idyllic setting, I was doing homework. Quietly, I had paid my entrance fee into the arboretum. The book bag that swung over my shoulder stored my Bible, a pen, a journal, some trail-mix, and a water bottle. I hiked down a shaded path and began searching for a place of serenity. Adventuring across a swaying bridge, I climbed a hiking trail south of Queen Creek. In the shadow of a deep cliff, I found my isolated bench. Here the water’s melody muted the voices of the other park visitors; but from my vantage point, I was clearly visible to those across the divide. I had made the journey to Boyce Thompson Arboretum to complete a seminary class assignment. Since August, I had been practicing the spiritual discipline of solitude for my class. Now it was March, and I was trying for the first time to spend two full days alone with God. Knowing it is easier for me to hear God speak in nature, I longed to pick an outdoor setting for my extended retreat. Yet, physical safety was one of my goals as I prayed about where to spend this extended time of listening. As a woman, I wanted to be wise. I knew I didn’t want to pick a remote mountain trail where no one would hear a cry for help. I was also searching for some anonymity. As a native Tucsonan and a pastor’s wife, it is difficult for me to visit anywhere in Tucson without running into someone who knows me. So the commute to Boyce Thompson felt like the perfect solution. At the end of the day when the park closed, I planned to get a hotel in nearby Globe, Arizona and then I would return the next morning to complete my second day of silence at the arboretum. My desire was not to be a legalist about the need for solitude; instead, I was trying to cultivate some space so my spirit could thrive. When I first ventured into the park, under a canopy of ancient trees, I had no idea how restorative this exercise would be for me. I was just trying to complete a seminary assignment in the middle of a busy semester. From the witness of creation God refreshed me and renewed my strength. He also reminded me of the wonderful benefits of visiting a kept garden. You will remember the Bible teaches that life began in a garden. Instinctively we know this. All of us know in our hearts that just like Adam and Eve, we were designed to live in paradise. It is this instinctual knowledge which offends us when our lives hit a big bump in the road. Somehow deep within us, we all know a perfect garden is where we belong, and it is why our emotions can be so intense when we suffer. In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we learn it wasn’t just any garden Adam and Eve were given. It was a kept garden. Remember that a kept garden is built and designed by someone who did the backbreaking labor before we arrived to enjoy it. Adam and Eve thrived in the Garden of Eden. And while their assignments in the garden were deeply purposeful, it was never a curse for them to work there. It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word translated “paradise” in the book of Genesis means “a walled garden.” Now a garden is usually walled for two reasons. One is for privacy and the second is protection. Privacy is significant if you want to enjoy an outdoor room without the fear of intrusion, so a garden might be walled for privacy. Secondly, a garden might be walled to protect the inhabitants from marauders or from animal critters who might try stealing the produce of the land. However we imagine it, the Garden of Eden was a place of paradise. Like Boyce Thompson Arboretum, we were first designed to live in a kept garden, but something happened there. The Garden of Eden was filled with every fruit and vegetable you can imagine. God had only one request from Adam and Eve, “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat...” (Gen. 2:17a). But, they saw that it looked good to eat, and so they rebelled and ate the one forbidden fruit. Maybe they didn’t think it was a big deal, but their rebellion unleashed a terrible destruction upon the earth. That fruit was the only thing God had withheld from them, and as occurs in all forms of rebellion, relationships were destroyed. With their hurtful actions, Adam and Eve broke God’s heart. Theologians call this act of rebellion the “Fall of Man.” When faced with this broken relationship, God cursed the ground, the earth. Adam was told he would now have to farm the land by the sweat of his brow if he or his family were to eat. God’s curse on the earth was to be a sign of man’s broken relationship with God. Paul talks about this even in the New Testament in Romans 8:19-21. Paul says that since the time when the earth was cursed all of creation has been groaning for the children of God to be revealed. Creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. ESV Paul is teaching that creation was subject to decay when Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the garden. Before the Fall of Man, roses didn’t wilt and plants did not decay. What Paul is emphasizing in this passage, is that creation has been waiting in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. When the earth sees the revelation of God’s children she knows it won’t be long before she, too, will be liberated from her bondage to decay. Isaiah 35, the passage we have been digging into for the last two lessons, is a prophecy vividly describing the restoration of the human race to God and the future restoration of creation. Specifically, Isaiah 35 is describing what the desert is going to look like when she has been set free from the curse, which was placed on her when Adam and Eve rebelled in the Garden of Eden. In lesson two, we learned the spiritual significance of how the Hebrews wrote poetry. In today’s teaching we see the seriousness of the prophecy in this passage. Isaiah 35 is a prophecy about Jesus’ second coming when miraculously the blessings of Eden will once again be restored. The desire to dwell in paradise is a universal thirst. This yearning to return to Eden is evidence of our deeper need to be restored to God. Isaiah 35 is written in two different literary styles, poetry and prophecy. Consider some of the critical points made in this lesson. 1) Life began in a garden. The Bible teaches that humans were designed to live in paradise. Have you ever been frustrated because your life was not a bed of roses? Explain. 2) Have you ever attributed your frustration to the Fall of Man? Why? Garden Challenge: Before you continue on with the next lesson, carve out some time to visit a kept garden. Pack your Bible, a pen, paper, and a water bottle. Try to go alone and find an isolated spot to read Isaiah 35 again. If you are busy with young children, go to a park with a playground where you can keep a steady eye on your children. Pick a place where they will safely be entertained and leave you free for a moment of contemplation. Gently start to notice the sky, the trees, the birds, or anything unique about this garden. 1) What stands out today about Isaiah 35 that you missed before this garden reading? 2) Did your visit to a kept garden refresh you? And if so, in what ways were you refreshed?