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