Jan
31
My Priority Time: Roger Greene
Have you ever found yourself going through the motions of Christianity without actually having a relationship with Christ? Whether the relationship has never been developed or it’s just for a season of time, it is hard to follow Christ without having a relationship with Him. Roger Greene shares his story of first “acting” like a Christian to now being inspired by God through His Word.
Read More >>Jan
31
Classroom Session 1: Break Apart Scripture
Take a step into the classroom to get a more in depth look at what it means to have a priority time. Chris Conlee shares how he has learned to break apart Scripture and apply it to his own life.
Read More >>Jan
31
Ephesians 2:19–22
19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God’s household, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Focused Thinking: Who is of God’s household now? This “spiritual” Israel (see 2:12) includes both Jews and Gentiles who have been reconciled to God and made into his household. How was this house built? The foundation was laid by the apostles and prophets. Christ is the cornerstone that holds the structure together. How will this house become a holy temple? This temple isn’t merely a building. It is a body. The temple is holy because it is inhabited by God. What is the new temple? 22in whom you also are being built together...
Read More >>Jan
30
Ephesians 2:14–18
14For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17And He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near; 18for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Focused Thinking: How do you find peace when there are people who have “no hope and are without God in the world”? How do you find peace in a hopelessly broken world? How do you find peace in a non-peaceful world? 14For He Himself is our peace. He is peace because “He made us alive together with Christ.” He is peace because “He raised us up with Him.” He is peace because...
Read More >>Jan
29
Ephesians 2:11–13
11Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Focused Thinking: (Eph 2:11–13) What does Paul want us to remember? Remember that we (the Gentiles) were separate from Christ. Remember that we (the Gentiles) were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel. Remember that we (the Gentiles) were strangers to the covenants of promise. Remember that we (the Gentiles) had no hope and were without God in the world. How could Paul be more clear about our condition without Christ? 12…having no hope and without God in the world. The...
Read More >>Jan
28
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Focused Thinking: What does it mean that we are His workmanship? We are created in His image to have relationship with Him. We are created in His image to reflect His image. We are the pinnacle of His creation. We are the masterpiece of His creation. Why were we created? 10…created in Christ Jesus for good works. We weren’t created for our pleasure; we were created for His pleasure. We weren’t created for attendance; we were created for good works. What is the purpose of our good works? God wants our good works to bless others and glorify Him. Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. When did God prepare our good works? God designed us with good works in mind. God designed us with specific gifts for specific...
Read More >>Jan
27
Ephesians 2:8–9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Focused Thinking: How are we saved? I am saved by GRACE through faith. I am saved by the undeserved kindness of God. I am saved by the undeserved goodness of God. I am saved by grace through FAITH. I am saved by grace through confi dent trust that God is who says He is. I am saved by grace through confi dent trust that God does what He says He can do. Grace isn’t from me; it is from God. Ephesians 2:8b-9 8 …it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Faith isn’t from me; it is from God. Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ. What is the significance of it being a gift? Ephesians 2:8b-9 8 …it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. No one can boast. We...
Read More >>Jan
26
Ephesians 2:4–7
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace You have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Focused Thinking: The words “But God” demand worship. In light of my refl ections and responses to verses 1–3 in yesterday’s priority time these words are even more overwhelming. I could not save myself from trespasses and sins, but God did. I could not save myself from selfishness, but God did. I could not save myself from hopelessness, but God did. I could not save myself from unhappiness, but God did. God is rich in mercy: “not giving me what I deserve.“ The wages of sin is separation and I deserve separation because I’m...
Read More >>Jan
25
Ephesians 2:1–3
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Focused Thinking: What does it mean that I was dead in my trespasses and sins? My sin separates me from God. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Everyone pre-Christ has a former way of life. Everyone pre-Christ walks according to the ways of the world. Who determines what the ways of the world are? 2…according to the prince of the power of the air, 2…of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. (The devil, The Liar, The Enemy) The sons of...
Read More >>Jan
24
Revival: Museums or Churches?
Today I took Andy and Jason with me to go through the Billy Graham Center Museum at Wheaton College. I’ve been to the museum twice before, but it is inspirational in a different way each time. Today was distinctly different because of God’s activity in my life over the past thirteen months. In December of 2008, I believe God re-communicated to me His promise of revival through Judges chapter 6. I say re-communicated because I believe God birthed this church with a promise of revival through Exodus 3:11–12, 33:18, 34:6 and 34:10. Today, I went to the museum and experienced the history of the first and second great awakenings through the promise of a future revival. The theme of the museum is two-fold: the history of evangelism in America and the life and ministry of Billy Graham, but it is impossible to miss the role that true revival has played in the history of evangelism. Revival occurs when the Holy Spirit revives the hearts of...
Read More >>
