Devotionals

Week 2

Week Twenty-two, Day One

Why is Purity Such a Big Deal?

Most religions encourage people to live morally pure lives. So, what sets Christians apart from the rest? One thing that sets us apart is motive, or what we hope to get out of choosing to live morally pure lives. As followers of Christ, we DO NOT choose to live in a God-pleasing way to:

    1. earn forgiveness or heaven (It cannot be earned)
    2. outweigh the good things with the bad choices that we may have made (every sin is forgiven when you accept Christ as your Savior)
    3. outshine others (compete with other people to look more “holy”)
    4. help God out (He doesn’t need our help)
    5. or bring attention to ourselves (worship of self).

Study Matthew 5:13-16 to discover one reason why true followers of Christ choose to live morally pure lives.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

  • Ask God to purify your motives for living a morally pure life.
  • Ask God to draw others to Himself through His work in your life.
  • My family Monday…

FOR FURTHER STUDY: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

*CHALLENGE*

Good news, it’s time to add another verse to your memory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 is a reminder that every single decision you make, large or small, is important and has the potential to impact eternity. As followers of Christ, we’ve got to stay focused and keep our goal of bringing glory to God in sight at all times! You’ll want to get this verse under your belt as quickly as possible, so go ahead and get started right now.

 

Week Twenty-two, Day Two

What Drives You?

Followers of Christ are different from other people that attempt to live morally pure lives because Christians get their desire, strength, and power to live pure from God so they are able to do what those who try to go it alone could never do. What drives you to follow Christ and live pure?

Study 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 and Romans 8:12-17.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

  • Thank God for blessing you with the opportunity to live a life that pleases Him and clear reasons to stay on course.
  • Thank God for making you His heir and ask Him to begin to show you all that is yours because of Jesus.
  • Your church…

FOR FURTHER STUDY: Acts 4:23-31 and 2 Corinthians 4:7

 

Week Twenty-two, Day Three

Giving Jesus Control

Study Romans 6.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

  • Thank God for setting you free from sin.
  • Commit to honor and obey Christ just as a slave obeys his/her master. Ask God to help you serve Him out of gratitude for what Jesus has done for you.
  • Witness Wednesday…

FOR FURTHER STUDY: Romans 8:1-11

 

Week Twenty-two, Day Four

The Struggle We All Face

Study Romans 7:14-25.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

  • Tell God about your struggle to overcome self. Be as specific as possible.
  • Ask God for the strength to admit your own faults and rely on God’s power and wisdom.
  • Thirsty Thursday…

FOR FURTHER STUDY: James 3:13-18 and 2 Timothy 1:7

 

 

Week Twenty-two, Day Five

“I don’t really think that American Christians have to sacrifice like the people in the Bible did. Even when we think we have it tough, we probably have it better than people in most other places in the world, and no one really does anything to us when we say what we believe. Not really. We’re kind of spoiled and then we get mad or feel punished when God says no and doesn’t give us what we want. We get lazy about God things then. Sometimes, I think that if we really had to give up stuff to follow Jesus, we would take it more seriously and gripe a whole lot less. Maybe that’s what we need. Maybe we need to get the chance to hurt a little for God. I can’t even believe I’m saying this, but I think it may be true.”

Andy, high school student

Personal Sacrifice

Study 2 Corinthians 6:1-10.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

  • Ask God to give you a glimpse of the “bigger picture” so that you can better understand how your sacrifice brings glory to Him.
  • Commit to see all that is “yours” as God’s so that you won’t feel the same sense of loss when called upon to make sacrifices.
  • Friends Friday…

FOR FURTHER STUDY: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

 

The Weekend

Suggested Reading: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80, Matthew 3:1-17, John 3:22-30, and

Matthew 11:1-11, 14:1-13, in that order.

This is the story of John the Baptist, a truly humble servant of the Lord Jesus. As you read, think about the personal sacrifice required of him and his family. Think about the power and authority given to him by God and the obvious love and respect that Jesus shows for him in these passages. What did it cost John to live a life of moral purity and strength of character? Was it worth the sacrifice? Is it worth your sacrifice?