Apicontent

Time for a day of reflection … If you have time today for only one question to reflect upon, let it be this one: In what ways are you seeing Jesus working in you and through you?

If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Yes, You Can Have a Relationship with God!

You Shall See Greater Things!

Encounters with Jesus

The Humility of Jesus

Finding Security and Comfort

Jesus Is Calling You

Reflection

As you are learning more about God through His Word, what are you learning about Him and about being in a relationship with Him?

One of the key points in this week’s lesson was:

“Knowing about God is not the same as knowing Him personally and intimately.”

Why do you think it is important for you to have a relationship with God? In what ways is your relationship with God making a difference in your life?

In the introduction to the new devotional series this week, we read:

“No one is beyond his [God’s] love and compassion.”

What do you think of that statement?

Have you ever felt beyond God’s love?

Are there people you know who you think might be beyond God’s compassion?

What does the Bible tell us about God’s acceptance of each one of us (if necessary, take some time to do a little research as you answer this question!)?

In the first devotional in the new series, Beth Yoe included these encouraging words from David Platt:

“The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, the Helper, the Guide, the very presence of God living in you. The great promise of God in prayer is this: We ask God for the gift—He gives us the Giver. We ask God for the supply and He gives us the Source. We ask God for the money and He doesn’t give us cash; instead, so to speak, He gives us the bank … He delights in giving us himself. The resources of heaven are ready and waiting for the people of God who desire to make much of him in this world.” 

What is your initial reaction to this thought?

What would happen in your life if you really embraced this principle?

Beth Yoe wrote, “It is no strange thing to meet with discouragement and hindrance. However, when we seek the Master we find security and comfort.” Think about the keywords in this sentence for a moment: discouragement, hindrance, security, comfort. In what ways is God teaching you more about Himself through situations in your life that would include those words?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for another article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: Growing Closer to God The Trinity

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Be still and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10

Every day you are receiving information that has the potential to change your life. As you read God’s Word and reflect on the life of Jesus, what difference is it making in your life?

As you consider all that you read this week, what is one overarching statement you can make about how you are experiencing God?

If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Becoming Like Jesus

Just One Touch

No Obstacles

Desperate

Jesus Has the Power

Let Others Know!

Reflection

This week’s lesson was about new life in Christ. A new life is often exciting and full of possibilities, but what types of things have the potential to distract or discourage you from growing in your relationship with Christ?

One of the key principles to living a victorious life in Christ is surrender to the God through the Holy Spirit. What thoughts and feelings do you have about surrender?

In a devotional this week, Beth Yoe included a quote by George Mueller:

“Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.”

What would it mean in your life to truly take a step out in faith?

Life does not suddenly become easy when Jesus comes into our lives. Sometimes life is just hard. Jesus encourages us with these words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

What is causing you to be weary?

In what ways are you burdened?

What “rest” do you seek? Take time to pray and ask God to lead you into His rest.

Yesterday Beth Yoe challenged us with these words: “God has placed each one of us in this specific time and place to be a beacon of light in this dark world. We are to shine like stars. We are to be salt that has not lost its saltiness; the preservative that permeates this decaying world.”

In what ways are you shining the light of Jesus in our dark world?

In what ways are you salt?

What situations and relationships in your life need the light of Jesus?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for another article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: Embracing Your New Identity in Christ

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 1:6

A daily dose of God’s Word can make a huge difference in our lives. As you consider all that you’ve read and reflected on this week, in what ways is God changing you? Blessing you? Challenging you? Using you?

If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Who is the Holy Spirit?

In the Right Place at the Right Time

Living Water

Are You Thirsty?

Making Things Right

Set Free

Reflection

What are you learning about Jesus that you never knew or never thought about before?

This week Beth Yoe wrote:

“Why is it that it is often easy for us to argue with Jesus? As His followers, all the promises of Scripture are ours, yet we often question His plan, or His ability, or His compassion, or His love. If we do not see a visible sign of how Jesus will accomplish a promise, we often dismiss it. Our understanding of His ability to achieve a promise is inconsequential, yet unfortunately, we still lean all too often on our own veiled wisdom.”

In what areas of your life are you questioning God’s plan, or ability, or compassion, or love?

In what ways do you lean on your own wisdom to accomplish the things God has put in front of you?

What steps can you take to have a greater dependence on God and the Holy Spirit’s power in your life?

Beth also wrote:

“We need to be open to the Holy Spirit’s conviction so that we can live in the liberation that Jesus bought for us on the cross.”

In what ways do you sense the Holy Spirit convicting you? 

What liberation do you think Jesus has for you?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for another article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: Depending on God for His Power

Write It On Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5–6

God is a personal God … and He is reaching out to you personally through the work of the Holy Spirit. In what ways are you experiencing God’s care, His power, His compassion, His peace?

It’s time to think about all that you’ve read this week! If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Put the Truth of God’s Word into Your Life!

You Matter to Jesus

Good News

Lord, Help Me!

In the Presence of Jesus

Priorities

Reflection

This week’s lesson focused on the truth of God’s Word. The Bible is the primary way that God communicates His desires for His people to His people! By taking time to read God’s Word on a regular basis, you will continue to grow spiritually and be able to stand firm when difficulties and deceptions come into your life. The Bible is nothing less than the words God himself chose for us to hear! The Bible is God’s “road map” for your life.

Do you actually own a Bible? If not, read the Bible in this app. It is an English version called the New English Translation (NET) Bible.

If you cannot actually get a hard copy, with today’s technology it is easy to read the Bible online or download it in many different languages. For information on other versions of the online Bible in different languages, refer to Read the Bible.

This week’s devotionals were based on Jesus’ interactions with a woman who needed His living water, a woman who had a demon-possessed daughter, and His dear woman friends, Mary and Martha.  

Which encounter encouraged you most at this point in your life?

Did you find yourself asking questions after any of the exchanges?

What one lesson from these three interactions can you take into next week?

In what ways do we see God’s love, compassion, care, and/or confrontation in these stories? 

In what ways do you think God is speaking to you right now?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for another article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: God’s Word

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize these verses:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16–17

God is reaching out to you personally through His Word, the Bible. Honestly, how much time are you spending each day reading your Bible and learning about God’s love for you and His desire to work in you and through you?

Take a few minutes to consider all that you learned this week through the New Life in Christ lesson and the daily devotionals. If necessary, go back and read anything you received that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

God is Communicating with You!

The Holiness of God

Thank You, Jesus

Jesus, Have Mercy on Me!

What Do You Need from Jesus?

Praise to God

Reflection

This week’s lesson continued our focus on taking time each day to read God’s Word. The Bible is the primary way that God communicates His desires for His people to His people! There is no short cut to making God’s Word a part of your life, you simply must take time to read it on a regular basis. 

This week’s devotionals were based on Jesus’ interactions with ten lepers and a blind beggar.

As you think about Jesus’ interaction with the lepers, where would you place yourself in the story? As one of the lepers who forgot to say thank you, as the one leper who returned to Jesus, as one of the disciples hearing the story and learning from it, as someone in the crowd? What kind of response do you need to give to Jesus?

Why is it important for us to say, “Thank you”?

Beth Yoe wrote, “The beggar cries out with faith and fervency to Jesus for mercy and favor. He believes Jesus is able to help him. Do we believe as he? Jesus is able to come to our aid! Jesus is able to come to our rescue! Jesus is able to meet our needs! Jesus is able to fill our empty cups! Jesus is able!”

Do you need Jesus to come to your aid? Do you need Jesus to come to your rescue?

What need do you have that only Jesus can meet?

In what area of your life do you need to say, “Jesus is able!”?

What one principle can you apply to your own life from Jesus’ interaction with the blind beggar?

In what ways is God speaking to you as you reflect on the past week’s information and inspiration?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for an article with additional information on how to study the Bible: Bible Study Tools

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”—Psalm 119:105

For the past couple of weeks, we have been focusing on the fact that God is a personal God. He is reaching out to you every day and you have the opportunity to converse with Him about every aspect of your life.

Take a moment to reflect upon all that you read and experienced this week. If necessary, go back and read the lesson or devotionals.

Quick Links

Talk to God!

We Have Hope When We Have Jesus

God’s Faithfulness

Jesus Knows Our Every Need

Jesus Is King!

Trusting Jesus

Reflection

The lesson for this week emphasized that prayer is an incredible privilege for each one of us. We are invited to come directly into God’s presence and talk with Him about whatever is on our hearts. And He promises to listen!

Prayer is one of the ways we come to know God in an intimate way and it is also the way in which we experience fellowship with Him.

Beth Yoe articulates it well when she writes, “The Holy Spirit helps us pray. Faith makes our prayers effective. God’s Word teaches us who God is and how to pray. Prayer is the means whereby God moves in the accomplishment of His mighty operations on the earth.”

What is your current experience with prayer? Is it important to you? Is it difficult? Is it meaningful?

What are some of the questions you have about prayer? Where can you go to get those questions answered?

What steps can you take to incorporate prayer into your everyday life?

What are some of the distractions that keep you from praying? How can you minimize those distractions in order to gain the time you would like to pray?

This week was filled with a diverse collection of readings! Think about all of the different interactions Jesus had in many different situations: with the ruler and his daughter and the crowd around them, with the disciples, with Pilate, with the criminals that were executed with Him.

Which encounter encourages you most at this point in your life?

Did you find yourself asking questions after any of the exchanges?

What are you learning about Jesus that is surprising to you, is troubling to you, is encouraging to you?

In what ways is God is speaking to you in the midst of your days?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for an additional resource to stretch your thinking as you consider talking with God: Does God Speak to Us?

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” —Hebrews 4:16

It takes time and intentionality to grow in your relationship with Jesus. It takes time in God’s Word, it takes time to pray, and it takes time to connect with other believers. Are you finding that time? And if you are not, why not?

As you take time today to consider all of the ideas and principles that you’ve been exposed to over the past six days, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Get Connected

Follow Jesus!

Beyond Our Imagination

Highlights in the book of John

Born Again

God’s Great Love

Reflection

This week’s lesson emphasized the need for each one of us to connect with other believers.

It really is true that one of the main reasons many Christians live defeated lives is that they have isolated themselves from other believers.

Do you think you can go it alone? In what ways are you trying to stay connected to Christ without being connected to other believers?

Have you made it a low priority to find a church or join a group of other Christians? If so, it is only a matter of time before you become frustrated and discouraged, don’t set yourself up for defeat! What sources do you have available to you to join with other Christians?

If you already are a part of a church or a group, what are some of the benefits you have experienced from connecting with other believers?

This week we completed the Encounters with Jesus devotional series and began a new series in the book of John.

As you consider the many different people Jesus encountered throughout his ministry, what stands out most to you about who Jesus is?

How is your relationship with God changing as you learn more about Jesus and about God’s love for us?

The first two devotionals from John emphasized our need for a Savior. In Romans 5:6–8, we read: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God loves us! We must let the truth of these words resonate in our souls. We must impress them upon our hearts and our minds. God loves us so much that He gave us His one and only Son to take on the punishment that we deserved for our sins. And because Jesus did that for us, those who believe in Him will experience life in abundance both now and forevermore.

In what ways are you embracing God’s love? In what ways are you resisting it?

Go a Step Beyond

Check out this article with additional information on how connecting with other believers can strengthen your relationship with God: Connecting with God’s Family

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” —2 Corinthians 5:17

This week’s lesson and devotionals focused on how a relationship with God brings about a changed life! When we ask Jesus to come into our life, He gives us a desire to do what He wants us to do. That desire is rooted in our relationship with God, our heavenly Father!

Take a few moments to reflect upon all that you read this week and how it is making an impact on your life. As you do that, go back to the lessons or devotionals that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Obedience

Worship in Spirit and Truth

Jesus, the Lord of Life

Believe

Bread of Life

The Living Bread

Reflection

This week’s lesson focused on obedience and how it makes a difference in our walk with Jesus. That lesson really set up the week for the devotionals focusing on worship, Jesus’ work in our lives, and our response to Him.

The New Life in Christ lesson highlighted these principles:

“The more we know Him the more we love Him. The more we love Him the more we desire to worship Him. The more we worship Him the more we desire to serve Him. Our worship of Him mirrors the condition of our hearts. The true worship which God desires from His children works from the inside out. Our worship of Him should result in personal transformation.”

How much desire do you have to worship and obey Jesus?

In what ways are you currently serving Him?

In what ways are you being transformed?

“Obedience is a lifestyle choice, and it is one that is often rebelled in society today.”

How do you feel about obeying God? What changes in your perspective do you need to make in order to embrace obedience to God and His plans for your life?

The “I am” statements of John were highlighted in one of the devotionals this week.

“I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). Jesus is our sustenance, our sufficiency.

“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Jesus is our guidance, our direction.

“I am the gate for the sheep” (John 10:7). Jesus is our access to the Father.

“I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11). Jesus is our caring protector, our total safety.

“I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Jesus is our surety.

“I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus is our eternal counselor.

“I am the true vine” (John 15:1). Jesus is our source of strength, our power.

Which one of these statements is most real to you at this point in your life?

How do these statements relate to the principle of obedience?

Beth Yoe quoted Dr. Steve Childers who said, “The goal of the gospel is not merely to forgive us, but to change us into true worshippers of God and authentic lovers of people.”

How is the idea of change related to the principle of obedience?

In what ways are you a true worshiper of God? In what ways are you an authentic lover of people?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for another article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: Submit to God the Father

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  —Galatians 2:20

Another day to step back and reflect on all that you’ve read, thought about, and experienced in the past week.

In what ways are you seeing the work of Jesus in your life? 

As you reflect on what you are learning about what it means to have life in Christ, if necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Spend Time with God Every Day!

Truth Comes from Above

Satisfying Our Spiritual Thirst

The Light of Life

The Truth Will Set You Free

Redeeming Our Time

Reflection

This week, what Biblical truth challenged you? Encouraged you? Convicted you?

In this week’s lesson, the point was made that “everything we are and everything we do is grounded in the relationship that we have with our heavenly Father.”

Think about your personal relationships. In what ways do you deepen those relationships? How do you show appreciation? How do you interact? How much time do you give them? What transferable lessons are there for your relationship with God?

On a scale of 1–10, how does your time use demonstrate that your life is grounded in your relationship with our heavenly Father?

Are you spending time with God every day? What difference is this making in your life?

If you are not spending time with God every day, what is getting in the way of your ability to do so?

What changes can you make in your daily schedule to allow specific space for God in each day?

In “Satisfying Our Spiritual Thirst” Beth Yoe wrote,

“Unfortunately, we often seek to quench our spiritual thirst with almost everything but the Living Water! From money to pleasure to honor to prestige to self-indulgence—there is no limit to our chase for satisfaction or the careless handling of our own souls. We seem to go to great lengths not to pursue what ultimately satisfies.”

In what ways are you pursuing what ultimately satisfies?

How is our spiritual thirst quenched by spending time in God’s Word?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s a twist on this week’s recommendation for additional information. Check out Francis Chan’s challenge in this video: Stop and Think featuring Francis Chan

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40:31

It’s time to think about all that you’ve read this week!

God’s love is not based on how good you are or how you feel, it is grounded in His nature of Love. His love is part of who He is.

In what ways are you currently experiencing (or not) God’s love?

If necessary, go back and review any of the readings from this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

God’s Great Love for You!

Life … Abundantly!

Jesus, Our Good Shepherd

Truly God or Merely Man?

Jesus, The Resurrection And The Life

Surrender

Reflection

God is a personal God … and He is reaching out to you personally through the work of the Holy Spirit. Many people have a hard time embracing this fact. As you think about what you are currently learning and experiencing in your life, in what ways are you experiencing God’s care, His power, His compassion, His peace?

In “God’s Great Love for You” we read,

There may be times when you don’t feel like God loves you, or when the circumstances of your life are overwhelming and it seems as if God doesn’t care, but the fact remains that God’s love extends beyond all of our circumstances.

In what ways do you measure God’s love for you by your present circumstances—either good or bad?

What key principle about God’s love do you want to remember from this week’s readings?

What does it mean to you that Jesus is your “Shepherd”?

What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is the “resurrection and the life”?

Yesterday, Beth Yoe wrote,

“We often have trouble realizing that it is not all about us–our ease, our comfort, our wants, our pleasures. The focus of the believer in Jesus Christ is to be on Him—willingly emptying ourselves of selfish ambitions and empty conceits.”

Are there times in your life when the relationship you have with God is really all about you? What can you do to keep your focus on God?

What do you think Beth means when she says, “emptying ourselves of selfish ambitions and empty conceits”?

What does it mean to you that God loves you?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for an article with information on what it means to experience God’s love for you: Know God Personally.

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize these verses:

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” —1 John 4:9–10