Monday, March 1

Begin by reading:

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not whither. Whatever he does prospers.

Prayer: Ask God to quiet your heart and mind so that you may find “delight” in his word today.


Philippians 3:12- 16
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

“Maturity” can be measured in different ways. Our physical bodies grow into maturity by the late adolescent years – but few of us are emotionally or relationally mature by that stage of life. A marriage may be regarded as “mature” when it reaches 25 years – yet one or both of the partners may be quite immature when it comes to – say – understanding the use of money.

Paul here is urging us to press on toward spiritual maturity. He shows us that the first step in growing toward maturity is to be willing to “consider” ourselves – to know ourselves. He writes, “…I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it …” In other words, even though Paul was one of the greatest Christians who ever lived, he was willing to look honestly at himself – at his own strengths and weaknesses.

Take a few moments to consider your own growth in the following areas of spiritual life.

• Taking hold of God’s word
  
• Taking hold of community
  
• Taking hold of prayer
  
• Taking hold of service
  
• Taking hold of generosity
  
• Taking hold of influence

Now take a few minutes to consider – with God’s help – the areas in which you would like to grow in the coming year. Ask him to help you develop an intentional plan to grow more mature in those areas.

Brian Coffey

Friday, February 26

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5

There is something different and attractive about Christians who view themselves as less important than others. What often strikes us about many people is not their humility – it’s their conceit. When I worked as a camp counselor at a Christian camp, we would give the “I Am Third” award to the camper(s) who’s actions reflected that they had God first, others second, and themselves third in their hearts. Ironically, It was the most coveted award in camp and kids would try to outdo each other in selfless acts.

How does a spirit of humility impact non-Christians?

Many non-Christians already feel believers are arrogant and conceited. You have probably heard comments about the hypocrisy, narrow-mindedness and arrogance of “those Christians”. Sadly; there are many Christians who portray the confidence they have in the love and forgiveness of Christ as a kind of spiritual arrogance or elitism. This kind of attitude is in direct conflict with the heart of the gospel message; we are all sinners in desperate need of the grace of God through Christ!

The Sri-Lankan born evangelist D.T. Niles once famously and appropriately said, “Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”

Or as Paul wrote to Titus; He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. – Titus 3:5

One of the most attractive qualities in a person who truly knows and follows Christ is their joyful humility. In our world where most people are consumed with themselves, their needs, their schedule, their importance, we have a wonderful opportunity to put on display the humility, joy and freedom of living differently!

Ask God to cause the importance of others to increase in your mind and your own importance to decrease.

Ask God to give you an opportunity today to tell somebody how important he or she is to you.

Jeff Frazier

Thursday, February 25

Begin your time with God by reading this passage from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those who are under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

There is often a great barrier between Christians and unbelievers. To some degree that is to be expected, because we view things from a different perspective, and live by biblical principles that the world either does not accept or does not understand.

Many times, however, this barrier is in place because Christians have so far removed themselves from unbelievers that they have absolutely no connection with them.

The Apostle Paul wasn't like that. He made a point of being like the people he wanted to influence for Christ. He did this without compromising or falling into sin. Of course it is not a good idea to go out and get drunk with some friends as a way to try and connect with them and win them to Christ.

Paul looked at what was good or morally acceptable in people, and then worked to make some kind of connection there. His sole motivation for doing so was to influence people for Christ.

I know a guy who is not much of an outdoorsman, but is learning to fly fish simply because he has a friend from work who loves it. This man is working to build a bridge of connection because he loves his friend and he wants him to know the love of Jesus! (kind of gives an interesting twist on the phrase “fishers of men” huh?)

Consider the people in your life that you would like to influence for Jesus Christ…

What opportunities do you see to build “bridges of connection” with them for the sake of the gospel?

Jeff Frazier

Wednesday, February 24

When we hear the words evangelist or evangelism, most of us think of Billy Graham crusades, TV preachers, and old time revival services.
But the word evangelism comes from the NT Greek word euangelion, which means, “good news”.

And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15

Strictly speaking, an evangelist is simply one who shares the good news of Jesus Christ.

There are multitudes of ways in which this sharing of the good news can happen.
In other words, you don’t have to be a preacher or a public speaker to be an evangelist.

Even in the Bible we see different approaches used by different people to reach others with the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul was an intellectual and liked to debate and reason in his evangelistic efforts (Acts 17:16-34). Peter was a pretty bold guy and his approach was often confrontational (Acts 2:14-39). Matthew was a relational guy and in Luke 5:27-31 we see him throwing a party and inviting all of his friends to come and meet Jesus. The Blind man in John 9:24-25 didn’t have many answers for theological questions, he simply told the story of what God had done in his life.

Since most of us probably aren’t going to become big time evangelistic preachers to huge crowds of people, where do we begin?

The simple answer to the question, where to begin, is that we should begin right where we are, with the people we already know. The people you know already have a certain level of trust in you, they are less likely to doubt your motives, and they are already “in range” of your spiritual influence.

Who do you know?
That lives in your neighborhood? That your kids go to school with? That has kids on the same team with your kids? That goes to your gym or fitness center? That rides the train with you? That works with you? That works for you? That cuts your hair? That uses the same doctor or pediatrician as you?

Thank God for these people in your life.

Ask God to help you see them the way that He does.

Ask God to help you see opportunities to share His love with them.

Pastor Jeff Frazier

Tuesday, February 23

Have you ever lost something of value (wallet, planner, wedding ring) only to find it again later? Of course most of us have this kind of experience. How did you feel when you realized it was missing and as you frantically searched for the valuable item? Remember the relief you felt when you found it again?

In Luke 15 Jesus tells three parables in a row; the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son (sometimes called the parable of the prodigal son). Jesus often told parables (stories) to drive the truths of his teachings into the hearts of his listeners. However, this is the only time in the Gospels where Jesus tells three parables back to back to back. Why?

What caused him to keep telling these stories? Did he just get carried away? Was Jesus just kind of on a rant here?

No, Jesus was not ranting. Everything Jesus said and did was thoughtfully directed at teaching his disciples about life in the kingdom of God.
So what was it that caused Jesus to tell these three parables?

Read Luke 15:1-24…

What elements do each of these stories have in common?

How would you summarize the primary message from these three stories?

All three stories deal with something of great value that is lost or missing. In all three stories the lost item is restored to its owner and there is great a great celebration. While there are many layers of meaning and messages in this parable, one of the central themes is that lost people matter to God!

Jesus says (in effect) I’m going to tell you, not one, not two, but three stories in a row, just to make sure everybody understands who really matters to God and how much they matter to Him.

When you realize that these parables are not just talking about God’s love for other people, but they are also about His love for you, then you begin to see others differently…

Thank God that His love has pursued and found you and brought you to Him!

Ask God to use you to help pursue and find others who are lost without His love.

Pastor Jeff Frazier

Monday, February 22

Have you ever been excited about an idea only to find your enthusiasm waning once you began to realize how much effort was going to be required of you to turn the idea into a reality? I remember how excited I was when I decided to finish our basement myself. I would come home from work each night and head downstairs, flip on the radio, strap on my tool belt, and set to work. But 6 months later I was no longer very motivated and my basement was only partially finished.

When it comes to evangelism, many of us have this kind of experience. We know that God loves people (at least we say we know it). We know that God has called us to share His love with people. But for some reason we struggle to share His message of grace and forgiveness with the people in our lives.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Romans 1:16

What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says that he is “not ashamed”?

Have you ever felt intimated, inadequate or insecure about sharing your faith with someone? (me too)

There are lots of reasons for why we feel this way…

Some of us don’t feel like we are equipped to know what to say.
Some of us are afraid of being rejected.
Some of us are worried about questions and objections we cannot answer.
Some of us have just never really tried and we are missing out on what God wants to do in & through us.

Perhaps the greatest thing we can do to be bolder with our faith is to become stronger in it ourselves! If you struggle to share the love of God with others, maybe it is because you are not experiencing much of it yourself? After all, you cannot share what you do not have.

Are you convinced that God loves you and that He has set you free from sin and given you the hope of eternity?
Has the love of Jesus Christ penetrated your heart?

Consider these words from the Apostle Paul

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Pastor Jeff Frazier

Friday, February 19

Psalm 31:19
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Begin with prayer – thanking God for his goodness and for being your refuge today.



2 Corinthians 9:7
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Some refer to this teaching as “the principle of the harvest” – meaning, of course, that a farmer can only reap that which he sows. If he sows corn he will reap corn. If he sows a few seeds, he will reap only a small crop. It makes perfect sense.

But what does it mean in the context of our generosity?
Is Paul saying that if I give more I will get more? If I give a certain amount of money to my church am I guaranteed to get more money in my next paycheck?
Not exactly.

While God certainly may pour out financial blessing as the result of your generosity – he will most certainly reward generous giving with the blessing of joy and the pleasure of knowing that your gift both helps others and enriches the harvest of the gospel. Furthermore, our generosity brings pleasure and joy to God himself – “for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Now the question is: How much is “generous?”
Notice that Paul shifts the standard from the Old Testament “tithe” (which was 1/10th of the harvest, produce or wealth returned to God as an act of worship and thanksgiving) to the heart - “each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give.”

Most scholars believe that Paul is actually raising the bar for Christian generosity here – that he is assuming the “tithe” and then going above and beyond to generosity!

For many of us raised in the consumer-driven culture of North America – this standard seems almost hopelessly unattainable! But notice where it all begins: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give.”

This means that whatever your generosity has looked like in the past – whether you have given far beyond 10% of your wealth to the Lord in gratitude – or struggled to give anything at all – you can start today with a conversation of the heart.

Simply invite the Lord to meet with you over your finances. Ask him for his guidance in establishing priorities, habits and disciplines that will not only please him but create the freedom of heart that will allow you to express more and more generosity toward his kingdom and his work. If you invite him to do that – I promise you he will!

Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I do not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

Pastor Brian Coffey

Thursday, February 18

Begin by reading this Psalm that focuses on the wonder that the God of the universe cares about us!

Psalm 8:3-5
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

Offer a prayer of worship and thanksgiving to the God who cares for you – and ask him to open your mind and heart to hear his voice today.


2 Corinthians 8:7,9
But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving…For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty we might become rich.

So why do we give? Maybe you grew up in a faith tradition that used guilt to motivate people to give their money to the church. Maybe you were taught that giving was simply your obligation or duty as a Christian – like paying your taxes. Notice that Paul is teaching us here that the motivation for Christian generosity is not guilt or obligation – ut rather grace! He writes, “…see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

Then he anchors our expression of grace in our experience of the grace of Christ: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that through his poverty we might become rich.”

Paul is saying that when we experience God’s grace through Jesus Christ; when we realize that despite our sin and selfishness Jesus loved us enough to suffer in our place so that we might receive both forgiveness and his own righteousness; that our hearts are both shattered and filled as Paul describes in Ephesians 3:17-18:

“…how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and (that you might) know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

And when we have experienced this grace the natural response is to “excel in this grace of giving.”

Again, a few questions to consider in light of the truth of God’s word:
Do you excel in the grace of giving?
Does your own generosity reflect your personal experience of the grace of Christ?
Have you ever seen the connection between God’s grace and your own generosity before?
Spend a few moments in prayer reflection – asking God to continue to teach and encourage you express generosity in a way that reflects what he has done in your life.

Pastor Brian Coffey

Wednesday, February 17

Begin by lifting this song of praise to your God!

Psalm 103:1-5
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things…

Thank God for all the benefits (blessings) you have received from him.

Today we continue building our understanding of Paul’s teaching about both God’s generosity and our own.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay of treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Here God’s word is teaching us not only the relationship between God’s blessing and our generosity – but also the relationship between our generosity and eternal life itself!

Notice the remarkable truth that when we are both rich in good deeds and generous with our wealth – we lay up for ourselves treasure for the “coming age.” Most scholars believe that Paul is reminding readers of Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…(Matthew 6:20)” and is referring to the promise of heaven for believers. While we know that eternal life cannot be earned – rather it is the gift of God that is ours through faith alone – these verses do suggest that there is some kind of relationship between our generosity and our experience of eternal life in heaven.

While we cannot know exactly what this means – we can understand that Paul is teaching us that our generosity is an investment in eternity. Furthermore, that investment, Paul says, enables us to “take hold of the life that is truly life!”

So here’s a question for you to consider. How healthy your investment portfolio? Not the one you have with your bank or broker – but the one you have in heaven?

Of all the investments we ever make – only that which is given to God and for God will last forever. Ask God to help you make a priority of “investing in eternity.”

Pastor Brian Coffey

Tuesday, February 16

Make this verse the focus of your prayer as you begin your time with God.

Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Timothy 6:17-18
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Here Paul reminds us of our privilege and responsibility as those who have been blessed with material abundance. In response to the goodness and generosity of God, we are to:

• Be rich in good deeds
  Be generous and willing to share

Paul is talking about two forms of generosity. To be “rich in good deeds” is to be generous with our time and service. To “be generous and willing to share” is to be generous with our material possessions and money.

Take a few moments to do a “generosity inventory” of your life.
Are you intentionally generous with your time and talents? Do you give time consistently to serving others in some way – perhaps through church or in your neighborhood or community? How can you grow “richer” in good deeds?

Are you intentionally generous with your wealth? Do you share your resources with those in need? How might you grow even more generous with your wealth?

Ask God to help you increasingly reflect his generosity in your life.

Pastor Brian Coffey

Monday, February 15

Begin your week with this reminder that everything you see, everything you have, and everything you are belongs to the Lord!

Psalm 24:1-2
The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all the blessings – both seen and unseen – that he has already showered on you today!

1 Timothy 6:17
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

It’s ironic in a way that 2000 years after Paul wrote these words we are still learning the truth that wealth is uncertain! Over the past 18 months almost all of us have felt the impact of the global economic crisis. Paul is simply reminding us where our certain hope lies – not in our wealth – but in our God!

Take a few moments to think about the following:

How often do you think of yourself as one of “those who are rich in this present world?” The truth is that most of us are well within the top 1% of the wealthiest people on the planet! God is talking to us in these verses.

How often do you evaluate yourself, your happiness and success on the basis of material wealth? If you were to suddenly lose half of everything you have – income, clothes, house, cars – would you feel differently about yourself or about God?

Ask God to help you trust more in him than you do in anything else – including money and material things!

Brian Coffey

Friday, February 12

A man I know just recently returned from Haiti. He was there for almost two weeks working with a team to establish a few basic medical clinics in the more remote regions. He told me that the very first morning they arrived in the region, before they had even begun to set up the clinic, dozens of people began crowding around begging for medical attention. He told me that the sheer volume of people in need was completely overwhelming.

Clearly the people of Haiti need all of the prayer and support we can give them. But you don’t have to go all the way to Haiti to feel overwhelmed by the amount of physical and spiritual needs in the world.

Have you ever felt this way – a little overwhelmed at the magnitude of the needs out there and a more than a little inadequate to meet them all? The Biblical concept for this feeling is “dependence”. Totally dependent on God…this is a good place to be!

The people God calls us to serve have all kinds of needs – physical, emotional, relational, financial – but at rock bottom their greatest need is to be rightly related to God! Of course this doesn’t mean that the Word of God and prayer will pay all their debts or feed their stomachs.

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:15-17

We must do what we can to help put food on the table, but unless we help people to know the love of God through Jesus Christ, whatever help we do give will only be temporary, a quick fix in light of eternity. This is one of the major differences between genuine Christian service and mere humanitarian benevolence. Both can put food on the table and shoes on the feet, but only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can put grace in the human heart!

After all, if all God wanted was to get the work done, He could send an army of angels, and they could do it better and faster. But God not only wants to do something through us, he also wants to do something in us.

When you serve, God is both using you to meet other s needs and He is working on changing you as well!

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Jeff Frazier

Thursday, February 11

One day Jesus caught his disciples off guard with a “compliment.” I suspect they were initially pleased by his apparent commendation but then became completely confused as they tried to figure out what he meant:

For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me. I was in prison, and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:35-36 NIV.

I can imagine the puzzled looks on the disciples’ faces as they question Jesus: “Lord, are you sure you’re thinking of the right disciples? We don’t remember feeding you when you were hungry or visiting you in prison. We sure don’t recall you being naked and us giving you some clothes. Were you ever sick? Must have been when you got up early and went to the other side of the lake. We think you’re getting your facts mixed up.” And Jesus responds with those unforgettable words:

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NIV).

Most of us stop there in the biblical narrative. Jesus’ words are already convicting because we realize how little we’ve done for the sick, the poor, those in prison, the homeless. But then he takes it one step further:

He goes on to say that whatever we have NOT done for the least of these, we have actually not done for Jesus! (Matthew 25:41-46)

Do you get it? Jesus tells us that we have made two huge mistakes: We haven’t taken care of those in need, and by failing to take care of them, they have failed to take care of him!
Ask God to help you see how you have failed to serve Him by serving others…
Ask God to help you see the needs of those around you as tangible opportunities to express your love to Jesus…

Jeff Frazier

Wednesday, February 10

When I was a kid I loved football (okay I still do). Like many young boys, I would dream about playing in the NFL someday. My father’s favorite player was Chicago Linebacker Dick Butkus. My dad told me that Butkus was the greatest to ever play that position and one of the all time greats of the game. I remember imagining what it would be like to be called one of the all time greats. (Ahh, the dreams of our youth)

What does greatness look like in our culture? Achievement, wealth, fame, power, influence, etc.
Make a quick mental list of individuals you would consider to be “great men” or “great women”…

Now read and reflect on the following passage from the Gospel of Matthew…

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)

How does Jesus compare and contrast the leaders and rulers of the world with those who are “great” in the Kingdom of God?

When people come into positions of wealth & power they generally use their position to benefit themselves. (If you want evidence of this, just pay attention to the politicians of our own state) Very rarely, if at all, will someone use their power, wealth and influence purely for the sake of others with no consideration for how they will benefit.

Take a few moments to reflect on the fact that Jesus had all the wealth, power of the universe and the ultimate position in the universe, and He gave it all up. In fact He gave up His very life as a ransom for the world!

How different is Jesus from all others? How “great” is He?

Greatness in God’s eyes is measured by how much we give, how much we serve and how much we love!

Praise God for the Greatness of His love for you…

Ask God to give you a spirit of humility and service like His Son Jesus…

Jeff Frazier

Tuesday, February 9

Begin your time with God by reading and reflecting on these selections from John 13 (if you have your Bible handy, you may want to read through the entire chapter)…

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. – Jn. 13:3-5

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. – Jn. 13:13-17

Foot washing in Jesus day was the job of the lowest servant. It was shocking and debasing for a respected Rabbi like Jesus to do such a thing.

I remember meeting with a young couple who said that they wanted to wash each other’s feet as a part of the wedding ceremony. At first they wanted to wash all of their bridesmaid’s and groomsmen’s feet too, but I told them that since they had 12 in their wedding party, that might take a little longer than they expected. I have to say that the humble image of that bride & groom kneeling to wash each others feet right in the middle of the ceremony was a powerful symbol of what we are called to as Christians.

What does the washing of feet symbolize for us today? What is it that He is calling us, as His disciples, to do?

Near the end of the chapter Jesus says…
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. - John 13:34-35

It is interesting that Jesus says this is the way in which the world will recognize us as belonging to Him – by our love for each other!
But how does the world see that we love one another? By our kindness, our compassion, our generosity and by the way we serve. We should think of our service as love on display or love in action!

Ask God to help you see where His love needs to be put on display in your life…

Jeff Frazier

Monday, February 8

Did you ever play the game “Truth or Dare” when you were a kid?
Were you more likely to share the truth or take the dare? If you say that it depends on what the dare is, then you’re probably not the daring type.

At the risk of stretching this little analogy too far, we might look at God’s word as a kind of “Truth and Dare” game; God gives us His truth and (in a sense) dares us to believe it.

Consider this passage…
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Do you see that? You are gifted by God! It’s true, do you dare to believe it? You might not think of yourself as a gifted person, you might struggle with self doubt and low self-esteem. Regardless of how you view yourself, God’s word declares that if you belong to Christ, then you have been gifted by God to be used by the Holy Spirit in service to others.
In a way, God “Double Dares” us; He dares us to believe that we are gifted, and He dares us to use our gifts.

Which of these truths (and/or dares) are most difficult for you?

Do you struggle to believe that you actually have gifts, which God can use?

Do you struggle to take action and put your gifts into use for God?

Have you ever stopped to consider how it might feel to God for you not to believe that He has uniquely gifted you, or how it might feel to Him for you to refuse to put the gifts He gave you into action?

Spend a few minutes in prayer…

• Praising God that He has uniquely gifted you to make a difference in the world for His glory!
  
  
• Asking God to forgive you for either failing to believe or failing to use the gifts He has given you.
  
  
• Resolving to use what God has given you in service to others and for Christ!

Jeff Frazier

Friday, February 5

Psalm 40:1-2
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

Begin your time with God today by realizing that as you call out to him – he turns to you and hears! Thank him for meeting with you today.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

If we remember that Paul wrote these words from prison – this becomes an astonishing and powerful paragraph from God’s word!

He doesn’t pray for release; he doesn’t pray for justice and fairness; he doesn’t pray for better treatment; he says, “Don’t be anxious about anything…” and then “the peace of God … will guard your hearts and minds…”

What kind of prayer is this? What kind of peace is this?
This is the prayer of a man who knows that most of what we worry about – including being in prison – are insignificant in comparison with the knowledge that our lives are in God’s hands!
This is a peace that assures us that nothing can happen to us that God cannot redeem into his purpose and glory.

To “take hold” of prayer means to open your heart to God in complete honesty, believing that He both hears and has the power to answer our requests; trusting Him to give us what He knows is best for us, then resting in His peace.

Close your time with him today by asking the Lord to help you to continue to take hold of prayer – and to know the peace of Christ in your heart.

Thursday, February 4

So what if you pray sincerely and faithfully – and nothing happens? What if you ask God to move a mountain in your life and He seems not to answer? Does that mean He didn’t hear you? Does it mean God doesn’t care? Does it mean He lacks the power to act?

Sooner or later we all have to deal with the difficult problem of “unanswered prayer.” Read the following verses to learn how the Apostle Paul dealt with his experience of unanswered prayer.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
To keep me from being conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given to me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleased with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Paul had a deep and personal relationship with Christ. He believed in the power of prayer. He asked the Lord to remove some manner of suffering (we’re not sure exactly what Paul meant by “thorn in my flesh”) from his life – the request was not granted. Yet, Paul had come to understand that while God had not granted his request, He had answered his prayer. God gave Paul something else – the grace and strength to live with his suffering and to use it for greater ministry.

Is there something you have been asking God for in recent days that He has not yet chosen to give?

Are you willing, like Paul, to ask the Lord if perhaps He wants to answer your prayer in a different way?

Ask God to grant you the grace and strength to trust Him even in your weakness.

Wednesday, February 3

Jesus taught us that prayer is a relationship with God – and that as His children, we not only have access to God but that we can ask him to meet our daily needs.

In this passage from Mark, Jesus goes further – teaching us that prayer also gives us access to the power of God.

Mark 11:22
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself in to the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

While we understand that Jesus is not promising to rearrange the topography at our whim – but rather is using a striking metaphor to emphasize the power of God – he does seem to be inviting us to ask not only for our basic needs – but for the “mountains” in our lives to be moved!

Do you have any mountains in your life right now?
Are your mountains comprised of emotions like anger, grief or bitterness? Are your mountains built of strained or broken relationships? Do you have a mountain of financial stress – or perhaps of illness?

Are you ready to trust God with your mountain? Jesus is simply reminding us that God is able to do that which seems impossible to us – and that prayer is what accesses His power.

Take some time to identify the mountains of your life and heart – and take those mountains to God in prayer.

Tuesday, February 2

Begin your time with God today by taking about five deep breaths. Each time you breathe out – imagine you are exhaling all the stress, tension and concerns that burden your heart – and just trusting them over the God as you prepare to meet with him.


All relationships begin with and depend on some degree of honesty. The writer of this Psalm understood that – and understood that genuine prayer begins with honesty with God.


Psalm 13
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.

Have you ever felt like you were praying the right words – but still somehow felt disconnected from God?

Have you ever felt angry or disappointed with God but tried to hide those feelings behind flowery and “proper” words?

Jesus taught us that prayer is a relationship – and therefore that prayer begins with honesty. When we hold back our “less than pleasant” emotions from God – we are like Adam and Eve hiding in the garden. Remember in Genesis when God pursued them saying, “Where are you?”

In the same way, God invites us to be completely honest with him. The psalmist understood that and blurts out what is almost an accusation, “Will you forget me forever?”

Take some time to open your heart completely before God? Is there any way in which you may have been withholding something – anger, disappointment, resentment, fear – from the One who knows and loves you perfectly? Trust that God is big enough to understand and absorb all that you carry in your heart. Ask Him to help you trust him and release those things to Him.

Use your journal if it helps you to write out your thoughts and prayers.