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Devotion Time: 2012 Devotions: Gracepoint Core Values December 24 – December 31, 2012
Monday, December 24
During this final week of 2012, our DTs will go through various passages that capture the 7 Core Values of our church.
Connecting with God
BIble Text
Read the following passages.
The Bible as God’s word and as our highest authority
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Personally experiencing and testifying to God’s saving grace
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1 John 1:2-3
2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:29
29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
Depending on God through prayer
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Philippians 4:6
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Ephesians 6:18
18 Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…
Doing all that we do as acts of worship unto God
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 15:58
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Romans 12:1
1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Which of the following areas have I grown in this year? What are the circumstances or what acts of obedience led to growth in this area?
- The Bible as God’s word and as our highest authority
- Personally experiencing and testifying to God’s saving grace
- Depending on God through prayer
- Doing all that we do as acts of worship unto God
In which of the above areas do I want to experience growth in this coming year?
Reflect on one verse that particularly hit you.
tuesday, December 25
Growing up
Bible Text
Read the following passages.
Being faithful in spiritual disciplines
1 Timothy 4:13-16
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Psalm 1:2
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Maturing in godly character
Matthew 5:16
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Romans 13:14
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Growing in love and service for others
Galatians 5:13-14
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Ephesians 5:1-2
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
1 John 3:18
18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
The vital role of spiritual leaders for discipleship
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
2 Timothy 2:2
2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Hebrews 13:7
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:17
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Which of the following areas have I grown in this year? What are the circumstances or what acts of obedience led to growth in this area?
- Being faithful in spiritual disciplines
- Maturing in godly character
- Growing in love and service for others
- Submitting to the vital role of spiritual leaders for discipleship
In which of the above areas do I want to experience growth in this coming year?
Reflect on one verse that particularly hit you.
wednesday, December 26
Living it out
Bible Text
Read the following passages.
Living out scriptural values and mandates in all areas of life
James 2:17
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
1 John 5:2-3
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Luke 9:57-62
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Luke 14:25-27
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Forming a biblical, countercultural community
Acts 2:46-47
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Romans 12:2
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Ephesians 5:8-11
8 For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Honoring and emulating exemplary Christians - historical and contemporary
Hebrews 12:1
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
1 Peter 5:9
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
1 Corinthians 11:1
1Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Philippians 2:29
29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men…
Leaving a spiritual legacy for the next generation
Joshua 4:4-7
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 5 And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”
2 Timothy 1:13-14
13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Which of the following areas have I grown in this year? What are the circumstances or what acts of obedience led to growth in this area?
- Living out scriptural values and mandates in all areas of life
- Being an active member of a biblical, countercultural community
- Honoring and emulating exemplary Christians - historical and contemporary
- Leaving a spiritual legacy for the next generation
In which of the above areas do I want to experience growth in this coming year?
Reflect on one verse that particularly hit you.
thursday, December 27
Giving it all
Bible Text
Read the following passages.
Living a passionate and sacrificial life
Matthew 26:6-13
6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.
8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”
10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
Romans 12:11
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
2 Corinthians 11:23-29
23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
2 Timothy 4:6-7
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Generosity in giving time, money, talent and energy
Matthew 6:19-20
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
2 Corinthians 8:2-3
2 For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord…
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Working hard and doing our best
Acts 20:34-35
34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Which of the following areas have I grown in this year? What are the circumstances or what acts of obedience led to growth in this area?
- Living a passionate and sacrificial life
- Generosity in giving time, money, talent and energy
- Working hard and doing our best
In which of the above areas do I want to experience growth in this coming year?
Reflect on one verse that particularly hit you.
FRIDAY, December 28
Getting close
Bible Text
Read the following passages.
Doing life together in all its ups and downs
Romans 12:5
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Galatians 6:2
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Hebrews 3:13
13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Having open homes and open lives
Acts 2:44-46
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts…
Acts 20:18
18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia”
Romans 12:13
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.