2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Faithfulness without a finish line.

Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

In 1977, Nike posted this ad:

God's love for you in Jesus has no finish line.

Imagine your faithfulness responding to Jesus without a finish line. What would you keep?
What would you go? What would you share first and keep sharing?

Psalm 65

Read Psalm 65

Mark 12:41-44; Acts 5:1-11

Read Mark 12:41-44; Acts 5:1-11

Think about the spirit of giving in each story. With what kind of spirit do you give to God?

[Art credit: http://www.pinkchocolatebreak.com/2013/08/19/monday-quotes-giving/?lang=en]

Luke 18:1-8 The buzzard, the bat, and the bee

Read Luke 18:1-8

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 How are you using the Bible?

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

How are you using the Bible?


[Art credit: http://kjvchristianwallpapers.blogspot.com/2010/06/ii-timothy-31617.html]

Psalm 119:97-104 What do you think about?

Read Psalm 119:97-104

What do you think about?

When you mind inclines to wandering, to day-dreaming, where do you direct your thoughts?

Jeremiah 31:27-34 What is on your heart?

Read  Jeremiah 31:27-34

What is on your heart is no less important than what is on your mind. Notice how you usually feel before your think.

[Art credit: http://dlyrflctns.blogspot.com/2013/10/october-16th-reflection-pledge-by-bill.html]

Mark 12:41-44; Acts 5:1-11 What do you want to give to God?

Read Mark 12:41-44; Acts 5:1-11

An unpleasant story: (Yes, the Bible has some of those.)

What do you want to give to God?

[Video credit: http://www.danstevers.com/store/ananias_and_sapphira/]

Isaiah 7:10-17; Matthew 1:18-23

Read Isaiah 7:10-17; Matthew 1:18-23

How can you help someone to know God personally?

Isaiah 7:10-17; Matthew 1:18-23

Read Isaiah 7:10-17; Matthew 1:18-23

How do you know God personally?

Luke 17:11-19 Who are you in the story?

Read Luke 17:11-19

Who are you in this story?

All 10 were glad to be healed, relieved of their disease and the burden that their illness make them spiritually as well as physically unclean.

1 said "Thank you" to the One who healed.

Who are you in this story?

[Art credit: http://newlifecommunitychurchblog.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html]

2 Timothy 2:8-15 Remember Jesus

Read 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Remember Jesus.

In the act of remembering, you bring an experience from the past into the here and now of your life. 

In this present awareness, remember Jesus and that he lived, died, and lives for you.

[Art credit: http://noisydecentgraphics.typepad.com/design/2005/09/remember_jesus.html]

Psalm 66:1-12 On the right track

Read Psalm 66:1-12

Relying on God to keep us 'on the right track,' we remember that Jesus' presence in our lives gives us more than we would ever have on our own. This abundance is received as we live with confident faithfulness, loving as Christ loves.

We may still make mistakes and less than best choices; but, from even those God's great love for us in Jesus restores us, returning us to live in the direction that God has designed for our lives.


[Art credit:http://seedstuff.blogspot.com/2013_10_01_archive.html]

Jeremiah 29: 1-7 Pray for where you are

Read Jeremiah 29: 1-7

Read verse 7 again:

Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare. (CEB)

Living in exile means that your address has been imposed on you. You had no choice; nor is there any indication that your condition will change anytime soon. It may seem counterintuitive - if not absurd - to pray for a place that you do not want to be; yet, those are God's explicit instructions.

There is a connection between where you are and how you are. There is a common good that affects us all.

Wherever you are today, whether by choice or circumstance, pray for that place and for all the people there.


[Art credit: http://www.torontocall.com/2012/08/16/jeremiah-297/]

Read 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Luke 17: 5-10

Read Luke 17: 5-10

Read verse 10 again:

In the same way, when you have done everything required of you, you should say, ‘We servants deserve no special praise. We have only done our duty.’”

Compare and contrast in your own life the power contained in the smallest amount of faith and how you constrain it by expecting recognition of what the presence and power of the Holy Spirit accomplishes through you.

[Art credit: http://fumcob.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/doing-faith-until-you-have-it/]

1 Timothy 1:1-14 The goal of instruction

Read 1 Timothy 1:1-14

Read verse 5 again:

The goal of instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. (CEB)

Knowing that the goal of spiritual instruction is love enables you to clarify your condition as you start and progress toward that goal.

For a pure heart, what feelings towards someone do you need to acknowledge and change? Toward yourself?

For a good conscience, what thoughts do you need to redirect? What subjects do you need to ignore except in prayer?

For a sincere faith, in what ways are you trying to fool God? To fool yourself?





[Art credit: http://relevantfaithchurchpeoria.com/belief-statement/]