Apicontent

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

This week’s devotionals were focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus!

What thoughts and ideas did you have as you reflected on Jesus’ sacrifice for you?

What emotions did you have as you read about his resurrection and power over 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 Prays for Us

Jesus Is Not in the Grave!

The Great Cover Up

Singular Focus

Do Not Be Afraid!

The Presence of Jesus

Reflection

The lesson this week focused on how Jesus prays for us. What difference does knowing this make in your life?

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

Which one of the devotionals this week encouraged you most?

In “Jesus Is Not in the Grave!” Beth Yoe included this quote by John Piper: “As humans, we have heads, and therefore must be given facts and evidences and arguments in order to make reasonable commitments. And we have hearts with longings and yearnings and hopes and fears and desires. Therefore, if someone urges me to commit myself to a certain goal, he must persuade my head that the goal is really there as he says it is; and he must move my heart to feel the value of attaining it.”

Is your faith most influenced by your head or by your heart? What impact does that have?

In what ways do you need to strengthen your head response to Jesus?

In what ways do you need to strengthen you heart response to Jesus?

How does the right balance of a head response and a heart response to Jesus affect your love for Him and for others?

In “Do Not Be Afraid,” Beth wrote: “The busyness of life, the cares of this world, the demands of a job, a home, a family, all keep us from a closer intimacy with the God of all creation.”

What most often interferes with your intimacy with God?

What steps can you take to balance out your responsibilities with your desire to be closer to your heavenly Father?

When do you typically experience the presence of Jesus?

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:13

Time for some reflection. What have you learned about Jesus’ love over the past several weeks?

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

Quick Links

Jesus Surrenders to His Father’s Will

Go and Make Disciples!

Introduction to Highlights in the Gospel of Mark

Prepare the Way for the Lord!

John, the Nonconformist

God’s Love … To Us and Through Us

Reflection

The lesson this week was on Jesus’ surrender to His Father’s will.

What one new idea or concept was presented to you in this lesson?

What one idea or concept was difficult for you to integrate into your own life?

What one idea or concept was encouraging to you in this lesson?

This week we wrapped up the devotionals in the Gospel of Matthew?

What is one overarching lesson you have learned from reading all these passages in Matthew?

What is one way you have been encouraged in your faith over the past several weeks?

What is one way you have challenged to love in a new way over the past several weeks?

In “John, the Nonconformist” Beth Yoe wrote: “John came into the world for a special purpose and he was focused throughout his life on that purpose. John arrived on the scene living out the gospel. Many of us follow after the world and its futile pursuit of happiness simply because it’s the easier path and we want to blend in.”

In what ways are you currently “blending in”?

In what ways are you living the special purpose God has for your life?

Yesterday, in “God’s Love … to Us and through Us,” Beth included this quote by Oswald Chambers: “God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it was His nature to do so. Now He commands me to show the same love to others by saying, ‘love one another as I have loved you.’”

God loves you! Do you really believe it?

In what ways are you showing God’s love to others?

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19–

Take a few moments to think about all that you have learned about God’s love! What difference is that knowledge making in your life? How is God’s love flowing through you to those around you?

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

Quick Links

Sabbath

Follow Me

True Authority

Healing

Prayer

Work to Do

Reflection

Our lesson this week was about celebrating the Sabbath

What thoughts have you had this week about incorporating a Sabbath into your life?

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

In what way are you currently following God’s plans and purposes for your life?

In “True Authority,” Beth Yoe wrote: “As disciples of Jesus we are to have a limitless confidence in our Lord’s authority. We are not to lean upon our own limited resources, abilities, and knowledge.”

In what areas of your life do you have limitless confidence in Christ’s authority?

In what ways do you lean on your own resources? Your own abilities? Your own knowledge?

What step of faith do you need to take to experience more confidence in Christ’s authority?

In “Healing,” Beth wrote: “Are we not all in that predicament—hurting, or weak, or failing? Do we not all need a healing touch from the Master’s hand? God’s healing covers all of our spiritual, emotional and physical needs!”

In what ways have you experienced God’s healing?

Is there something in your life right now that you need healing from? Ask God to intervene in your life, today!

In “Prayer,” Beth quoted William Mountford: “Let God do with me whatever He will.”

If you were really going to live out William Mountford’s words, what do you think it might mean for your life?

Are there parts of your life that you are keeping from God? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the courage and strength to open up all of your life to Him.

Go a Step Beyond

God has so much He wants to give to you. And as you grow in your relationship with Him, you will be able to trust Him more and more. Take a few minutes to watch this video by Francis Chan: Stop and Think (the Movie)

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Come, follow me.” —Mark 1:17