40 day of Grace 2016

Quest for Hope

A Narrow Gate 3-16-16 Intro 

Luke 13:22-27

Yesterday, we read about the religious blindness that hinders humanity from taking a posture of repentance before God.  When we repent, we are choosing to turn to God’s way of doing things.  God’s way and purpose for us is for grace to cause us to bear fruit.  Today, in our quest for hope, we will explore a statement from Jesus about the “narrow gate” that leads to the Kingdom of heaven, as well as the difficulty humans encounter trying to enter.  I will post the passage this morning, so please read it.  We will invest time in interpreting the passage this evening during our Wednesday worship time and I will post the conclusion following our discussion.

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Quest for Hope

Religious Blindness 3-15-16 

Luke 13:1-9

Yesterday, we read about how the Spirit seals us in Truth, so we can come to God on his terms.  It is the work of the Spirit who helps us recognize and apply the Truth of how God intends for us to live.  Today, we will read a passage from Luke about repentance.  I recently taught on this very passage and look forward to revisiting it.  Repentance is paramount to understanding the need for the crucifixion, as well as the power out-flowing the resurrection.

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Quest for Hope

Sealed by Truth 3-14-16 

Psalm 24:1-6

On Saturday, our focus was on the cost of the cross when entering the Kingdom of God.  Jesus will call us to pick up our cross and follow him.  Today on our quest for hope, we will read about how our hearts are sealed by truth and we are saved by the righteousness of Christ, yet in his song David reveals there are terms.  Let’s read about them.

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Quest for Hope

The Kingdom and the Cross 3-12-16 

Matthew 16:21-27

Yesterday, the gospel of Matthew guided us to reflect on what actually makes us clean on the inside before God by identifying the human problem.  The real problem is we are dirty at the core of our being and outward religious observances cannot make us holy.  Only the work of Christ can wash our internal being and make us pleasing to God. Today, on our quest for hope Jesus explains what is involved in following him to that cleansing: a cross for our will as we surrender to the eternal work of the Kingdom.

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Quest for Hope

Internal Problem 3-11-16 

Matthew 15:11-20

Yesterday, we read Jesus’ example of what makes good soil in the heart for receiving His Word and letting it take root.  Today, we will read more wisdom from Christ as he teaches the disciples about what really defiles (contaminates) a person before a holy God.

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Quest for Hope

Human Soil 3-10-16 

Matthew 13:3-9

Last night, we enjoyed talking about the “rest for our souls” that Christ provides.  A rest that includes physical refreshment and a rest that brings spiritual freedom, because we are “joined” with him.  Today, we will look at the soil of our hearts, because the seed of the Word will fall there and either flourish or die.

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Quest for Hope

Time to Rest 3-9-16 

Matthew 11:28-30

Yesterday, we invested time reading about what it means to be a wise worshiper of Christ.  Today, Christ calls us to join him in a place of refreshment and rest; he is our River of Life and Guide by our side. 

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Quest for Hope

Time to Rest 3-9-16 Intro

Matthew 11:28-30

Yesterday, we invested time reading about what it means to be a wise worshiper of Christ.  Today, Christ calls us to join him in a place of refreshment and rest; he is our River of Life and Guide by our side.   Tonight, we will be investing more time in our study of this rest during our worship time.  In the meantime, here is the passage:

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Quest for Hope

A Wise Worshiper 3-8-16 

Matthew 7:21-27

Yesterday, we read about God’s plan for us to sow (offer) our wills for his guidance in order to reap the spiritual prosperity he has for us.  We can be wise or foolish; we choose the path. Today, we will look at how God’s Word and His wisdom plays into that prosperity.   Here’s our passage for today:

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Quest for Hope

Sowing and Reaping 3-7-16 

Psalm 1

The Lord is always teaching me in practical ways about His Kingdom.  On Saturday morning, my devotional time was spent in reflecting upon the spiritual armor God provides.  When I put on the full spiritual armor of God, I can stand in His strength.  I needed that righteous armor many times this past weekend; God is so good to make sure we remember His promises are available at all times!  Today, the Spirit is taking us to Psalm 1 where we will look at sowing seed and reaping fruit; a promise from the Lord that when we put the Word (seed) into our spirits it will flourish and cause us to prosper (fruit).  Likewise, if we do not mediate on the Word or allow it to penetrate our hearts to bring about change, we will reap a joyless and scattered life apart from the purposes of God.

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