| Day 1 Learning from Jesus Read Hebrews 12:1-4 Consider him. . . so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:3 Strength for the journey? Are you in need of some strength right about now? Life is a strength sapper. Pressures, decisions, and commitments sometimes overwhelm us. Throw temptations, sin, and guilt into the mix, and we find ourselves weakened and in dire need of help. Thankfully, the Strength Creator and Strength Giver is holding on to you as you hold this book. He journeyed from heaven to earth and back home again. As a true human being, he knows how easily life in a world saturated in sin can weaken a person. And yet, our Lord Jesus lived a sinless life in our place and in his open tomb broke through even the wall of death, clearing a path to heaven for those journeying in his footsteps—that's us! What an honor to be chosen to journey through each day as a follower of Jesus But what about that need for strength you may be feeling today? Are you ready to take that need to the foot of Jesus' cross? Are you ready to ask your Savior for the strength you need for your faith journey? Then forgiveness, hope, and God's strength are yours through Jesus' journey into death and resurrection victory Strength for the journey is yours because you're his. Hold on as you read—and live out—these strength-filled words of help and hope: Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Hebrews 12:2-3 The MESSAGE (Prayer Hint) Help me keep my eyes on you, Jesus. Show me how you did it. You continued on your journey because you wanted to walk with me on a journey that will end only in eternity. I need your strength, Jesus! I know it's mine because I am yours! Amen. (Day 3) Learning from the First Followers Strength from the Word: Read Acts 2:42-47. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 When seeking strength for our daily journey through life with the Lord, we can learn a lot from those first believers, who placed their faith in Jesus after his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. This growing group of Christians knew the source of their strength, and they reveled in it while the Lord blessed them daily. They prayed for and relied on God's strength. These men and women made a commitment to follow Jesus, even though it brought ridicule, danger, and even death to many of them. Acts 2:42-47 clearly spells out the source of their strength to live the Christian life: Jesus! The first-century believers focused on his love, and they soaked up what they learned about him from his disciples and apostles. Relying on him, they modeled for us what it means to live as the body of Christ—encouraging and helping each other. They lived lives of worship. They. . • devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching; • found blessing in the fellowship of other believers; • continued faithfully in prayer; • relished the faith-encouraging gifts God gave to them; • supported and helped one another with Christlike acts of service and love; • met regularly together in worship, praising God in every aspect of their lives; and • lived out their Christian calling with sincerity and a joyful attitude of service. Their God-directed lives opened many doors for the Holy Spirit to work in powerful ways in the lives of many other people—bringing those people to faith in Christ Jesus in greater numbers than we can imagine. While living in difficult times, these followers received the strength they needed by focusing on the Strength-Provider. As he gifted them, they responded with lives of worship and service. What a powerful example they've left us as we journey through difficult days of our own, walking by faith in the same Lord who sustained them! (Prayer Suggestion) Lord Jesus, we thank you for those who have gone before us, leaving us an example, as we follow in your footsteps. Grant us lives of faith that will serve as faithful examples for future generations. In your name we pray— and live—with joyful and sincere hearts. Amen. Day 5 – Learning for Simon Peter Strength from the Word: Read Matthew 16:13-20. You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16 The disciple Simon Peter journeyed with Jesus for three years while our Lord walked here on earth. Peter listened. He learned. He failed. He was forgiven. He imitated. He spoke. Like Peter's, our journeys with Jesus are founded on and often begin with a profession of faith. Jesus asked his disciples who people thought he was—what he was all about. The disciples gave a variety of answers. But then Jesus asked another important question (Matthew 16:15, emphasis added): "Who do you say I am?" Jesus made the question personal. Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Jesus knew Peter couldn't make this profession of faith on his own: God—the Faith Creator—had revealed this truth to Peter. Jesus came to earth as the Christ—the anointed Savior of the world, the very Son of God, the living God. Those statements envelope miraculous truths. Jesus is the world's Savior—and our personal Savior. He is the only way to heaven. He offers forgiveness for our sins, along with the promise to remember them no more. He gives us strength, and he himself is our strength. Jesus is ... oh, we could go on forever. And miraculously, we will go on forever, because he is our living Savior—living for us and in us. Who is this Jesus? Why am I following him? Jesus makes the question personal: "Who do you say I am?" Are you ready to profess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God? Maybe you've acknowledged that throughout your lifetime, or maybe this is the first time anyone has invited you to do it. Whether you have always done so or are doing so now for the first time, know that the Holy Spirit has created a saving faith within you. The One you profess with your mouth and hold in your heart stands as your strength throughout your life as a child of the living God. (Prayer Suggestion) Jesus, I am so undeserving of your gift of an abundant, forgiven, and eternal life. ButI believe it is mine because of all you've done for me. I journey on, strengthened by your presence and promises. Amen. | | Day 2, Learning from Paul Read Galatians 2:20. I live by faith in the Son of God. Galatians 2:20 Rearview and side mirrors. Drivers use these safety features more than they realize. Looking at what's behind us can be helpful, but in some instances it can be anything but helpful. You can't drive safely by looking only in the rearview mirror! That's also true in life. Each day brings with it the temptation to focus on past failures, hurts, and regrets. When that happens, Jesus responds quickly, reminding us to turn our eyes back on him and his plans for our future. At the same time, he's transforming our view of the past into one that reveals his faithfulness, grace, and forgiveness toward us. and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). Instead of living in the past, Paul could boast Jesus Christ had come to live within him. The presence of Jesus changed both the present and Paul's hope for the future. That change was forever! Yes, the call to follow Christ necessitates our commitment and transformation, and it makes that commitment and transformation possible. When Christ takes over, miraculous things happen as we live by faith in the Son of God, who loves us, having given himself for us. Through Jesus' death and resurrection in the past, we enjoy a future overflowing with hope, joy, and peace. The apostle Paul, once known as Saul can read about how Jesus dramatically changed his life in (Acts 9:1-31.) Jesus transformed Paul's life from disgrace to grace. Once Paul had used his prestige and influence Christ's followers, but Jesus' love transformed Paul so he could do away with living for himself. Self-glorification and self-righteousness were out of the question. The strength for Paul's journey in living for Jesus Chris who transformed every aspect of his life. He could boldly-- miraculously—profess, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). Instead of living in the past, Paul could boast Jesus Christ had come to live within him. The presence of Jesus changed both the present and Paul's hope for the future. That change was forever! Yes, the call to follow Christ necessitates our commitment and transformation, and it makes that commitment and transformation possible. When Christ takes over, miraculous things happen as we live by faith in the Son of God, who loves us, having given himself for us. Through Jesus' death and resurrection in the past, we enjoy a future overflowing with hope, joy, and peace. (Prayer Suggestion) Thank you for living within us, Jesus, as we journey toward heaven. Work in us so that we die to our disgraceful past and rejoice in your grace in the present. We pray this, rejoicing in your name. Amen. Day 4 – Learning from Barnabas Strength from the Word: Read Acts 4:32-37; 11:19-26. [Barnabas] was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. Acts 11:23 Most of us have been given a nickname at one time or another. We may have received that name because of something we did or said. The apostles gave a special name to a man named Joseph. He obviously had an amazing heart filled with gracious gifts, because they dubbed him Barnabas, which meant "Son of Encouragement." What a compliment! He must have been a huge blessing to the apostles. Sometimes we take the gift of encouragement for granted. Certainly we'd all love to surround ourselves with encouragers—and to be one ourselves. Barnabas isn't mentioned often in the New Testament, but the life and salvation of Jesus Christ obviously influenced him. He had been strengthened in his journey through the encouragement of God's grace, as well as the encouragement of other believers. He couldn't help but respond in a similar way—by strengthening others in their journey of faith as he generously used the Holy Spirit's gift of encouragement. Consider the blessing you receive when someone shares the gift of encouragement with you. It can change your focus, your outlook, and your attitude. Remembering that those who encourage you are responding to the encouragement they themselves have received from God can affect your faith. God has gifted us individually in various ways. Like Barnabas, some have the gift of encouragement (Romans 12:6-8). Who is the Barnabas in your life? Has God placed you in someone's life to be a Barnabas-encourager? There is great strength in the gift of encouragement! Be encouraged as you read this passage from Romans 15:4-6: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Prayer Suggestion) Lord, we thank you for the encouragers you've placed in our lives and ask you to help us take on that role in the lives of others. We are most grateful for the constant encouragement from you—the love, forgiveness, and hope you so freely give! Amen DAYS 6--7 TIME FOR REFLECTION Strength from God’s word as I live the Christian Life Over the next two days, begin to commit the following Scripture to memory. Allow the Holy Spirit to transform these faith-strengthening words from head knowledge to heart knowledge. Sink your mind and faith into these words from the apostle Paul: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." … For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Strength for Facing Challenges I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all our speaking and in all your knowledge—because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of out-Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his So, Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Corinthians 14-9 | |