Day 40 - The New You (Colossians 4:2-6)

First of all, I want to congratulate and encourage any and all of you who have followed through the 40 Days of Prayer journey.

We have spent time in praise, repentance, asking, and yielding ourselves to God.

Today is day 40, and you can do what you want with it.

You can pat yourself on the back, which you should.

You can go forward in your conversation with God, building on the habits and priorities you've experienced over these last few weeks...

In fact, I would highly recommend that... take a look at today's reading in Colossians 4:2-6.

Devote yourself to prayer. The Bible reveals that this is a can't-miss growth process in your walk with God. Keep the friendship and conversation going...

Make the most of every opportunity. You have made the most of these 40 days. Don't hurt yourself and those you love by failing to stay on this same track - heading this same direction - pursue the presence of God, pursue intimacy and knowledge and love of God.

Ask God to speak through your life... He wants to help you experience a greater relationship with Him, and He also has a mission full of adventures, challenges, blessings, and learning in store for you...

Dear God, take us to the next step... Help me continue to pursue you, continue to seek you, continue to listen, to talk, to praise, repent, ask, and yield.

I want to continue reading your word, thinking about you, and learning from you.

Thank you so much that you never treat me like a 40-day project... and I don't want to treat you that way, either!

but rather, you treat me as your son... and you are fully invested in this relationship. I love you and want to continue following you with my life!

Day 39 - The New You (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35)

Some of you have been praying and reading for thirty-nine days! Way to go - only two more days left!

That is both a congrats and an encouragement to keep going... keep going in your pursuit of God, your efforts in prayer, your willingness to read God's word.

I wonder what life would be like if every Christ-follower you know would follow through and passionately pursue God. What would it look like if your church, your group of friends, or even just your family really took God seriously.

What if every man, woman and child not only opened their hearts and minds to the greatness of God and the love of Jesus Christ - but they actually made HIM their top priority?

Can you imagine the kind of impact a group of people like that could have in their neighborhood? In their families? In their school district? In their facebook network?

Well, there was once such a group of people... today's reading is about them... take a moment to read Acts 2:42-47 (below), and see what a contagious passion for God can do...

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

There you have it.

A group of people so sold out to God, so committed to prayer and denying selfish living...

And the world took notice.

They "enjoyed the favor of all the people." Can we say that about Christians today?

The Lord "added to their number daily." Can we say that about Christians today?

What do you think made these people, and their way of life, so attractive?

Day 38 - The New You (2 Peter 1:3-11)

Click here for today's reading.

2 Peter 1:3-11.

Love the passage. Need those words. Must keep growing. Don't stop.

Notice Peter's mention of the old identity in verse 4, challenging you to "escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." I think everyone wrestles with (or just gives in to) evil desires. Greed. Lust. Jealousy. Pride. Anger.

Oh yeah.

But following Jesus is NOT just about leaving those things behind. Let's never make Christianity about the "do's and don't's."

Following God, more importantly, means that we get to start something incredible.

Look how Peter describes this new life earlier on in verse 4 - "you may participate in the divine nature."

Are you serious? I get that kind of connection with God? "Participate in the divine nature."

The divine nature - the new life in Christ - involves increasing faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, and godliness.

Who wouldn't want that stuff? Why don't we pursue that stuff with all our intensity and heart?

Dear God, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to know you, learn from you, pursue you... help me continue to grow in those areas... today it seems like more perseverance would be helpful, but I know that I will always be growing in those areas, as long as I am connected with you.. I look forward to that "rich welcome" in your eternal Kingdom!

Day 37 - The New You (John 3:1-21)

Sometimes in our society, the phrase "born again" gets a bad rap. This phrase has become a stereotype or cliche for people who mean well but are out of touch with the realities of life. "Born again" comes with the connotation or background of someone putting spiritual pressure on you and "bashing" you with words from the Bible.

When Jesus coined the phrase, "born again," it was a much different set of circumstances.

He was approached by an older gentleman who was at once worn down by the burden of the spiritual laws, and curious about the miraculous powers demonstrated by Jesus.

Nicodemus (pictured) approaches Jesus in today's reading of John 3. He has seen Jesus turn water into wine, and heard rumors of other healings and powers. He basically tells Jesus, "Nobody could do the things you are doing without God's power and blessing."

For all we know, Nic is looking for a dose of that same power in his own life.

Jesus seizes the moment to tell him about a much better demonstration of God's power - a completely new life. A fresh start. A second chance. A new upgrade from God, a "life to the fullest." All these things and more are captured when Jesus tells him, "You must be born again" (3:7).

Yes, you must start over. You must stop playing the game like everyone else. Stop trying to figure it all out on your own. Stop creating God in your own image. Stop trying to impress others or appease your own guilt. Stop living as if God is some distant, cosmic judge, ready to pounce on you at will when you mess up.

Start over. Believe in Jesus. Whoever believes in Him - depends on Him - seeks to know Him and trust Him - you're going to find NEW LIFE, ETERNAL LIFE - starting now.

Jesus explains that God didn't send Him here to condemn me, but to save me. I was already "condemned" because of my own sin... God sent Jesus as the rescue plan... as the "new life" plan... the incredible role model, mediator, and sacrifice for my sins and yours.

The New You starts and ends with Jesus Christ.

Dear God, it's so awesome to read again those familiar words, that you "so loved the world," that you sent the greatest leader and lover of all time into our world. Jesus, thank you for bringing new life, new birth, new death -- a life that will last forever. Thank you for not condemning me every day as I deserve, but for treating me with patience, love, and grace. Please help each of us today, Lord, to be reflections of your grace... Help us be good examples of this "born again" life - it really is a terrific thing!

Day 36 - The New You (Psalm 40)

God has made the first move, but I must respond.

God offers a friendship. Just like any healthy friendship, I have to make some effort too.

God is the "strong one" in this relationship, and His commitment to me is certain and clear.

It is my commitment level that comes and goes.

Today, the reading in Psalm 40 shows some of the effort that David makes in his pursuit of God.

Even as the song starts out, "I waited patiently for the Lord..." How many people today are doing that? How many times do I just focus my thoughts and begin to pray, and wait on God for something...

It's healthy to remember that God doesn't operate on my time schedule.

It's also healthy and right to remember that God is worth waiting for, however long it takes.

Unfortunately, most people expect God to serve up answers to prayer and serve them "your way" just like a Whopper Jr. at a drive-thru Burger King. And, if God isn't giving answers when we want them or how we want them, we turn to other things to make us happy..

Look at the attitude David takes while waiting... Verses 7-8 have him saying things like... "Here I am (Lord)... I desire to do your will, O My God... your law is within my heart..."

Sounds like David is serious about pursuing a deeper relationship here...

"Here I am..." (willing to make yourself available, honest, and ready for whatever God might want to do in your life...

"I desire to do your will..." (sounds like the words of Jesus in the all-famous "Lord's prayer" - "your kingdom come, your will be done..." - am I willing to ask for, pray for, and make myself available for God's will and purposes here on earth?)

"your law is within my heart..." (David has transformed his heart and mind by reading, memorizing, studying, and reflecting on God's word - the Bible. If you're serious about being close with God, why would you NOT read His words to you?)

Dear God, please help me pursue you with the humble heart of David. Teach me to WAIT for you... to be patient... to continue to seek your presence, your will in my life, and your guidance through the truth in Scripture. Thank you for always making the first move - for pursuing me through my life, my circumstances, my friends - and through the Bible. You have made your desires and love very clear. Help me to continue to pursue you personally through prayer...

Day 35 - Dear God, I'm Yours (Reflections)

The white flag. It's a symbol of surrender. When you realize you cannot (or should not) fight this battle any longer, you raise the white flag.

You give up control.

You admit that someone else is better than you.

Joshua raises up the white flag of faith in this passage. "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).

In Israel, many of Joshua's friends had turned to worship other gods. "Gods" from Egypt, other "gods" from Canaan and "gods" of the Amorites. In those days, people made up different gods to symbolize different things - money, power, fertility, love, nature - you name it!

In comparison to God in Heaven, all other "gods" fall far short.

Here in 2009, it's common for people to worship the gods of pleasure, comfort, selfish desires, and security. We surrender time, money, thoughts, and physical effort trying to meet our own needs in these areas.

Joshua has had enough of that kind of living. He challenges his people (and us) - "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..."

Who will you choose?

Every day, you and I face choices... opportunities, really, to serve God or to reject God.

Joshua has made the choice to serve the Lord. The word itself ("Lord") means 'leader,' 'ruler,' 'owner,' 'master,' and 'overseer.'

Who will you choose?

Dear God, teach me what it means to make you the complete 'master' over my heart and decisions and priorities. I know that my life and my circumstances are controlled by your will and your oversight of the universe. Help me surrender my own self-made plans and hopes to you, and seek first Your kingdom and Your ways for me.