Apicontent

It’s always a good idea to take a step back and look at the big picture … what was the most meaningful thing you learned this week? In what way(s) is it making a difference in your life on a day to day basis?

What is one overall principle that you are integrating into your life as you read through the devotionals that are coming your way?

As you prepare to reflect upon this week’s reading, go back and read anything you received this week that you missed or want to reconsider.
 

Quick Links

“One Another” Body Life

Pray … and Don’t Stop!

God WILL Answer

Humility

We Come to God Only Through Jesus

God, Have Mercy on Me!

Reflection

This week’s lesson made focused on the names of God and what we learn about his character through his names. The lesson also included several names for God that are used consistently in the New Testament:

• God who is always with us
• Our Lord and Master
• The strong, faithful One
• The Sovereign Ruler of the entire universe
• Everlasting God
• The God who sees
• God Almighty

Which of these names is most meaningful to you at this time in your life?

Which name in the lesson was most powerful to you?

How can remembering the names for God encourage you when you are facing a difficult situation or circumstance in your life?

In “Prayer with Persistence,” Beth Yoe discussed praying with persistence and boldness.

Which characteristic is easier for you: persistence or boldness?

Which characteristic do you need to strengthen in your life? What steps can you take to make that happen?

In what ways is your life bearing fruit? Be specific!

Go a Step Beyond

This week’s lesson focused on some of the names of God. Give yourself a few minutes to reflect on who God is as you watch this week’s video resource: Be Still.

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Time for some reflection. What are you learning about Jesus’ life and teachings as you read the devotionals from the book of Matthew? In what ways is your life becoming more Christlike day by day?

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

Quick Links

Live for Eternal Significance

Exalted by God

Our Work for God

Reluctant or Willing?

Faithful in Service

Accountable

Reflection

How did you answer the question included at the end of this week’s lesson, “Live for Eternal Significance”: In what ways are you able to use your time, talent, and treasure to echo into eternity?

What are your thoughts about having your life echo into eternity? Have you thought about this before?

How can you be more intentional with the use of your time, talent, and treasure?

In “Exalted by God,” Beth Yoe included this quote by Thomas a Kempis: “Man sees your actions, but God, your motives.”

How does this quote relate to the issue of using your time, talent, and treasure in a way that will echo into eternity?

Which of this week’s devotionals was most meaningful to you?

In “Accountable,” Beth Yoe wrote: “The failure of the servant to put his talents to work was an indication of his lack of faith in the master’s response to him upon his certain return. The servant failed to put forth any effort to improve the lot given him.”

In what ways do the ways in which you are using your time, talent, and treasure show your faith, or lack of faith, in God?

In what ways are you currently focused on living for eternal significance?

Go a Step Beyond

Life can be hard! If you are looking for some additional encouragement or inspiration, take some time to watch and listen to Pastor Tony Evans. The video we are recommending for this week contains an entire sermon of reassurance and motivation to persevere. When You Feel Like Giving Up

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” —Colossians 3:23–24

Time for some reflection. As you read through this week’s devotionals, what thoughts and feelings did you have about following Jesus?

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

Quick Links

Jesus: God’s Beloved Son

God’s Vineyard

Rejection of the Son?

Jesus, Our Cornerstone

Broken to Pieces

Choose to Follow the Truth

Reflection

This week we began a new lesson series on God’s great love for us. The lesson focused on Jesus, God’s beloved Son.

In the introduction to the lesson, the author stated: “Love begins with God. God loves us, not because we did anything to deserve it, but simply because it is His nature to love. He values us. He longs for us. He has our best interest at heart.”

What is your personal response to the above statement?

In what ways are you currently experiencing God’s love?

What difference does knowing God and experiencing His love for us make as we live day to day?

Which of the devotionals this week was most meaningful to you?

In “Rejection of the Son?” Beth Yoe wrote: “May we not be found in the place of desolation! Consider for a moment all that God has blessed us with! Think about His constant love for us!”

What blessings are you currently experiencing from God’s hand?

In what ways are you experiencing God’s love?

Are there any ways in which God seems distant from you right now?

Yesterday, Beth Yoe wrote in “Choose to Follow Truth”: People are clearly given the choice between following the world and following God. God does not want us to do a limping dance between the two options—a divided mind and heart will never stand.”

In what ways are you currently following the world? In what ways are you following God?

When in your life do you tend to “do a limping dance between the two options”?

How can you remember to follow Jesus?

This week we completed the “Parables in Luke” devotionals. What are some of the important lessons you have learned over the past several weeks of reading, studying, and reflecting?

Go a Step Beyond

Take a few moments to be encouraged as you follow God! Check out this video: Follow

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” —Jeremiah 17:7–8

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 past week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Jesus Tells the Story of the Lost Sheep

Introduction to Highlights in Matthew

Can You See God’s Grace?

Are You Willing to Repent?

Come, Follow Me!

God Is at Work!

Reflection

The lesson this week was on the parable of the Lost Sheep. The lesson ended with this question: How might accepting that God values you and takes joy in you affect your relationship with Him?

This week we began a new series of devotions from the book of Matthew. Which of the devotionals was most meaningful to you?

In “Can You See God’s Grace,” Beth Yoe included a quote from Robert J. Morgan: “No sea is deeper than the ocean of His love. There is no army stronger than His hosts, no force greater than His throne of grace, no enemy who can overcome His direct and indirect work in our lives.”

In what ways are the observations about God included in this quote encouraging to you?

What things in your life are you facing right now that you need to apply God’s grace and power to?

In “Come, Follow Me!” Beth Yoe wrote: “It is God’s desire for us to live our lives with open hands—not holding on to any earthly treasure or endeavor.”

In what ways are you living your life with open hands? In what ways are you “holding on” to things here on earth?

Yesterday, in “God Is at Work!” Beth wrote, “There is always much more going on than what we can see. God is always working whether we see His hand or not.”

In what area of your life do you need to trust God’s work?

Go a Step Beyond

Take a few minutes to watch this inspirational video: Life with God

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” —Ephesians 3:20–21

Every day you are receiving knowledge from God’s Word that has the potential to change your life. As you read about and reflect upon the life and love of Jesus, what difference is it making in your life on a day-to-day basis?

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

Quick Links

Jesus Tells the Story of the Lost Son

Choosing to Follow Jesus

You Need a Savior

The Next Step

Are You Ready?

The All-Encompassing Compassion of Christ

Reflection

This week’s lesson focused on the parable of the Lost Son.

Which person do you most relate to in this story: the father, the lost son, the older son?

In what ways do you currently view God’s love?

The lesson ended with this question: Can you identify any wrong thoughts that are keeping you from fully receiving your heavenly Father’s love?

Beth Yoe wrote in “Choosing to Follow Jesus”: “Emotional zeal will not sustain us when the winds of life blow hard. Our love for Jesus must be grounded in the knowledge of the truth of His Word.”

How do you most often handle “the winds of life”?

In what ways are you grounding your love for Jesus in the knowledge and truth of His Word?

In “The All-Encompassing Compassion of Christ,” Beth included this quote by D.A. Carson: “It is rare that Christians earnestly seek the Lord’s face when things are going swimmingly, when material blessings abound and we seem to be protected from the vicissitudes faced by others. But in the blackness of discouragement, when we are harassed and downcast, we may indeed turn to the Lord and acknowledge our helplessness apart from his grace; we may do so knowing that God is a compassionate God and that Jesus’ compassion was particularly directed toward the harassed and the helpless.”

What place are you at in your life today? Where things are going very well? In a place of “blackness”? Ask your heavenly Father to meet you there.

In what ways are you experiencing God’s compassion?

Go a Step Beyond

Take a little extra time to focus on your relationship with God. You will experience spiritual growth as you put your trust in Jesus Christ. And as you grow, you will be able to trust God increasingly with every detail of your life. Take a few minutes to watch this video: Develop the Relationship

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” —Psalm 119:89

As you take a day to reflect on the past week’s lesson and devotionals, what difference is it making in your life that you know you have a relationship with a loving heavenly Father? What is He teaching you about Himself and His plans and purposes?

Take 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

Jesus Heals a Lame Man

We Just Hate Looking Foolish!

What’s Your Treasure?

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Is Your Heart in the Right Place?

Praise God!

Reflection

The lesson this week focused on Jesus’ compassion as seen in his interaction with a lame man. The lesson concluded with this challenge: Recall a time when you treated someone with God-led compassion. How did that experience affect you? How did the other person respond?

Why is God’s compassion such an important character quality for us to know and experience?

Which of this week’s devotionals was most meaningful to you?

Which of this week’s devotionals was most encouraging to you?

In “Fix Your Eyes on Jesus,” Beth Yoe wrote: “Just because we are in the middle of a great turmoil does not for one second mean that we are not in the center of God’s will”

In what ways is your focus on the wind and turbulence of your circumstances?

What steps do you need to take to make your first response to focus on the truth of Jesus?

Yesterday, in “Praise God!” Beth Yoe wrote: “Faith comes in believing what God says is true. It is trusting that He has our best interest at heart and that His ways work out to our advantage in the end. This is not to say that our paths will be easy or painless but they will always accomplish God’s good work in us. We can trust Him.”

What in your life do you need to trust Jesus in today?

Go a Step Beyond

Take a few minutes to be still and know God is your provider, counselor, strength giver, peace giver, and so much more. For inspiration, watch the following video: Be Still

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” —Philippians 3:7–8

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 experiencing the love and power of God 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

Jesus Rescues a Woman Caught in Adultery

Trust in God’s Goodness

Who Do You Say that Jesus Is?

Total Transformation

Go Directly to Jesus!

Forgiveness … Jesus’ Way

Reflection

In this week’s lesson describing how Jesus rescued a woman caught in adultery, the author made this observation: Over and over again we need to experience the essential truth that God values us beyond comprehension. In relationship with God and others who share His love, our minds and hearts are transformed. God’s love becomes real to us so that our whole nature and way of thinking changes.

In what ways is your life being transformed by God’s love?

How is your life changing because you are experiencing God’s love?

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

In “Trust in God’s Goodness,” Beth Yoe wrote: “It is God’s desire for us to depend on Him alone. We need to trust His provision. Relying solely on Him—on His sure sufficiency—this is the way of rich blessing, even though it may lead us down difficult paths we would not have chosen. Being content with His provision for us will keep us from being plagued with fear and anxiety. This means we are able to leave the results in His very capable hands.”

What does it mean to you to depend on God alone?

In what ways are your currently depending on God? In what ways are you depending on yourself?

Is there anything that frightens you about depending on God alone? Ask Him to reassure you!

Yesterday, Beth Yoe wrote in “Forgiveness … Jesus’ Way”: “Wouldn’t it be far more civil and compassionate—not to mention more merciful, loving, and obedient—if when offended by a brother or sister in Christ, believers would observe our Lord’s instructions presented in our verses for today? Instead, when offence occurs, we oftentimes unforgivingly run straight to everyone else. We love to talk about the wrong doing, and get in our version of how we were wronged, instead of lovingly going first to the offender. We are often likely to head for people we know who will be sympathetic to our case, building an alliance to defame and shame those who have hurt us. Hatred and hurt and anger fester and bleed and ultimately produce bitterness. This unwillingness to forgive, and a desire for revenge, bring us much harm.”

In what ways do you typically handle a situation where you need to forgive someone?

When is hardest for you to forgive others? When is hardest for you to receive forgiveness from someone else?

How can you remember to depend on God’s love and power when you need to extend forgiveness?

Go a Step Beyond

Take a few minutes to think about who God is and how He works through your life. Click on the link below to access a video by Josh McDowell: Attributes of God (Part 2)

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” —James 2:12–13

Time for some reflection. As you are reading the devotionals about Jesus, what thoughts and feelings are you having?

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

Quick Links

Jesus Shares the Secret of Life with a Pharisee

How Much Mercy?

The Blessing of Jesus

One Thing

Jesus Has It All under Control

The Mark of Humility

Reflection

The lesson this week was on Jesus’ interaction with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. In the passage of scripture that gives us this story is contained the words of this verse, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Why is it important for us to understand that God’s love is at the center of what He has done for us?

In what ways have you experienced God’s love?

Which of the devotionals this week was most meaningful to you?

In “One Thing,” Beth Yoe included this quote by Ellen G. White: “The gift of Christ reveals the Father’s heart. It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are ‘thoughts of peace and not of evil’ (Jeremiah 29:11). It declares that while God’s hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death. Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work. No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed. Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift. The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save. Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says, “All these are for man. Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven. His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me.”

What do we learn about God’s love from Ellen White?

In what ways have your experienced God’s love in this way? In what ways is this kind of love new to you?

Ask your heavenly Father to help you experience His love in a new way.

In “Jesus Has It All under Control,” Beth wrote: “God’s mighty strength sustains us, supports us, and holds us steady, lifting us high above the fears and concerns that drag us down. His hand has us firmly and lovingly in its grasp. This is the hand of the One who cherishes us, the One who died for us.”

In what ways are you experiencing “God’s mighty strength”?

In what way is God supporting you?

In what ways is God holding you steady?

In what ways is God lifting you above your fears and concerns.

Are there steps you need to take to experience God’s love and care?

How can you remember to let your heavenly Father be your source of security?

Go a Step Beyond

Take few minutes to watch the following video. Pastor Jim Cymbala talks about what our lives will look like when they are characterized by the love of Jesus. A Life Characterized by Love

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” —Colossians 3:12

As you take a day for reflection, what are you learning about Jesus and His love for you?

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

Quick Links

Jesus Commands a New Way of Life

How Humble Are You?

Here He Comes!

Yes, I Will

Love God, Love Others

Be Prepared

Reflection

The lesson this week was on Jesus’ command to love.

What new ideas were communicated to you in this lesson?

In what ways are you currently loving as Jesus commands?

In what ways are you experiencing the love of Jesus?

Which of the devotionals this week challenged you the most?

Beth Yoe’s devotional entitled “How Humble Are You,” closed these verses from Philippians 2:3–5 : “Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus.”

How is our humility related to Jesus’ command to love?

Is there anything about humility that is hard for you? That you struggle with?

In “Yes, I Will!” Beth included this verse from Ephesians: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (v. 10).

In what ways is love an important aspect of our good works?

In “Love God, Love Others,” Beth wrote: “God wants us to love as He loves—selflessly, freely, graciously, compassionately, kindly, gently, humbly, and patiently.”

Which one of these words most describes you? Which word do you struggle with most?

How does God’s love empower us to love as He loves?

Go a Step Beyond

You are an important part of God’s family. You are the hands and feet of God’s love to the world. You are God’s chosen ambassador! Take a few minutes to watch the following video and be reminded of your important role in God’s family. What Is the Church?

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” —Matthew 22:37–38

Time for some reflection. As you are reading the devotionals focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus, what emotions are you experiencing? What thoughts and feelings do you have about the reality of Jesus’ death?

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

Quick Links

Jesus Is the Vine

Totally Misguided

He Was My Friend!

We Only Find Forgiveness with God

Jesus Suffering Was Real

Jesus Was the Son of God!

Reflection

This week’s lesson focused our attention on abiding in God’s love. The author included these words: “God designed us to abide in His love—to let His love permeate our being so that it flows out of us to others. When we remain in His love, we bear fruit—we radiate the nature of Christ. Fruit of the Spirit is God’s nature expressing itself through us.”

What are you doing to permeate your being with God’s love? Reading His Word? Taking time daily to pray? Asking the Holy Spirit to guide you? Gathering with God’s people? Something else?

In what ways do you currently see God’s love expressing itself through you?

What does it mean to you to be attached to Jesus as the vine?

What new insight did you receive this week from the devotionals?

Have you ever found yourself “misguided” as you’ve been following Jesus? How did God redirect you?

When have you had to offer forgiveness to a friend?

In “We Only Find Forgiveness with God,” Beth Yoe wrote: “Our Heavenly Father always has our best interest at heart. We can trust Him. Our Father loves us with an everlasting love. He has engraved us on the palms of His hands. He longs to be gracious to us and has wonderfully great plans for us. He is constantly with us and holds us by our right hand.”

Is there something in your life right now that you need to ask God for forgiveness? Take time to do it! Receive his forgiveness!

What difference has the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus made in your life?

Go a Step Beyond

If some inspiration to be more diligent in your Bible study is what you need, take a few minutes to watch this video: Jim Caviezel Powerful Testimony

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” —John 15:5