Thursday, April 11 - 40 Days Luke

Thursday, April 11, 2019 

More than the Law

Greetings Lake Deaton Family! Have you ever wondered if you had lived during the time of and if Jesus had stopped and asked you to “Follow me” whether you would have followed him? I want to think that if he had given me the opportunity, I would have jumped at the chance. In today’s scripture we read about a young man that is given that opportunity. Hidden within his conversation with Jesus there is a call… “Then come, follow me.” Several things hinder the young man: his wealth and possessions and his understanding that all that is needed for a relationship with God is to keep the commandments. God’s call to us is deeper than that… This Lent season if Jesus is saying… “follow me,” I hope we can lay our assumptions aside and follow Christ in spirit and truth.

Read: Luke 18:18-30

Questions to Consider:

1.     Did Jesus expect too much from this young man? After all, this young man was a “good” person.

2.    The young man thought that all he needed to do was keep the commandments to inherent eternal life. What are some things we do that today, like the young man, that do not really get us any closer to eternal life?

3.    What then, do you believe is really needed to gain eternal life?

Activity for the Day: Examine the weekly newsletter again. Where is God calling you to serve outside the walls of the church? 

Blessings, 

Jim 

Wednesday, April 10 - 40 Days Luke

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 

Humble Prayers

It is easy for me to get caught up in asking God for “stuff” when I pray.  It is also easy for me to do all the talking when I pray.  I am one of those people who have a hard time just sitting in silence, however, I know that it is good to be still before God and just listen. One of my favorite, almost silent ways to pray and be still before God is by practicing breath prayer.  Check out this linkto learn more about it.  

Read: Luke 18:1-17

Questions to Consider:

1.     What is your favorite way to pray?

2.    Do you have a favorite place to pray?  

3.    Do you want to discover another way to pray?  Check out this linkto learn about Lectio Divina.  

Activity for the Day: Write a simple, honest, humble, prayer. 

Blessings, 

Kristyne

Tuesday, April 9 - 40 Days

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 

Coming Kingdom

I used to worry about many things.  However, the thing I worried about most was the world ending. I especially worried about this around Y2K.  Do you all remember that?  I was in my mid 20s and was not actively in a relationship with God.  I worried, worried, worried about what was going to happen on December 31, 1999.  Of course nothing happened.  Today I am a different person and I do not worry about such things.  Do you?  

Read: Luke 17:20-37

Questions to Consider:

1.     What do you worry about? 

2.    What can you do instead of worrying about the end of the world?  

3.    What is your favorite Means of Grace?  Why? 

Activity for the Day: How is your practice of the Means of Grace going? Write about this in your journal or in the Facebook Group.  

Blessings, 

Kristyne 

Saturday and Monday April 6 and April 8 - 40 Days

Monday, April 8, 2019 

Watch Over Each Other

I find that I do best in my life when I am in a small group. It is easy when you are doing life without a small group to convince yourself that everything is okay. However, when you are traveling along with a small group, it is hard to deny when things are going wrong.  Click herefor a great video about small groups.  Then read the reading selection for the day and then watch the video from me.    

Read: Luke 17:1-19

Questions to Consider:

1.     What is or has been your “no” for not joining a small group?  How can you or did you change that “no” into a “yes”.  

2.    What is the difference between and information driven group and a transformation driven group?

3.    Why is it important to have a small group? 

Activity for the Day: Are you in a Faith Group (small group)? If you are not in a group and are interested in signing up you can fill out a form by clicking hereand someone will be in contact with you. If you are in a Faith Group do something this week to appreciate your group.  

Blessings, 

Kristyne

Saturday, April 6, 2019 

The Other Lazarus

Happy Saturday to you all! Today is a preparation for tomorrow, as we will be focusing on the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus during our time of worship. With this in mind I encourage you to read the text and watch my video hunting for all the details of the story you can find and by writing down any questions you may have. Then as you listen to my sermon tomorrow you can see if I answer your questions and if I spot the details of the story that you uncover.  Happy Hunting!

Read: Luke 16:19-31

Questions to Consider:

1.     This is the only parable in all the Gospels where Jesus uses a name, Lazarus and uses the qualifier “a certain” when describing the rich man. Do you think this means something? If so, what do you think it means?

2.    What happens when both men die? How do their roles reverse? 

3.    I think the most significant verses of the whole passage are 16:30-31. What do you think is the significance of the rich man wanting someone sent from the dead? Does this have anything to do with that fact that Jesus is using the name Lazarus? 

Activity for the Day: 

Tell someone your elevator story.

If you are not sure what this is refer back to Wednesday (April 3) for instructions on how to write your elevator story. 

Blessings, 

Jim

Friday, April 5 - 40 Days

Friday, April 5, 2019 

God and Money

Lenten Greetings Lake Deaton Family. Money and possessions from a biblical perspective are interesting things. On the one hand, they are needed for us to live. On the other hand, they can cause us to stumble. On the other hand…       Wait, there is no other hand! 

When Loida and I got married we immediately learned that Loida was much better at handling our finances. She likes numbers… I prefer not to deal with them. She likes details… I’d rather look at the big picture. However, as followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to be good stewards, to recognize that whatever we own and possess really belongs to God, and to use all our resources wisely. I have always struggled with the parable Jesus used to teach about handling resources prescribed for today’s scripture reading. Jesus’ point may have been that even a dishonest manager thought carefully about using resources available to him to get ahead. Jesus was not proposing that we would become dishonest in our handling of our money and possessions, but that it doesmake a difference what we do with what we own. Let us not fool ourselves. We come to this world owning nothing and we leave with nothing. However, God has given us so many resources for us to manage here on earth, primarily to benefit those around us.

Read: Luke 16:1-18

Questions to Consider:

1.    Do you think it is appropriate to talk about personal finances and the use of money within the church? Why or why not?

2.    Looking back in your life, can you think of one or two occasions when you used your resources well to benefit someone else?

3.    Would you be willing to help someone learn how to make wise financial decisions? If so, talk to Pastor Jim.

Activity for the Day: It has been a week since creating your Earn, Save, Give plan.  How are you doing?  Do you need to renew your commitment? Find a way to bless someone else today with the resources God has given you. 

Blessings, 

Jim