For This Purpose: Scripture, Prayer & Application

Worthy of His Calling

Scripture: 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Prayer: Lord, we pray that we would be worthy of your calling. That we would have resolve in our pursuit of You, and that our lives would honor the glory of You and Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen

Application: There is no greater purpose in life than to pursue the calling of God. Jesus sacrificed everything in pursuit of His Father and called for us to do the same. We are all gifted by God in different ways (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, Teachers).

What is your natural gifting, and how does it align with God’s calling?

Overcome the World

Scripture: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Prayer: Lord, we are so grateful for your strength and overwhelming power. We thank You for granting us peace through Your promises. May we have the confidence to give You all our heart, all our soul and all our mind, and let your peace wash over us. Amen.

Application: Jesus tells us to expect trials and tribulations in our lives. He also tells us that he has already overcome the world, that we have been saved by his sacrifice. It is easy to make our world so big that we forget how the story ends (in His victory).

Is there something or someone that you are allowing to steal the peace He promised us?

Diligent

Scripture: The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. Proverbs 13:4

Prayer: Lord, we pray for strength, clarity, and continued diligence in our service to you. We trust that your promises are true and that we do not labor in vain.

We ask that you remove laziness and sluggishness from our minds and bodies, and that we would use our energy and enthusiasm to worship and praise you.

Application: Laziness is always available to you, it’s rewards are in this very moment, but the reward is an empty craving for something real and sustaining.

Your soul is seeking the richness of God, how will you be more diligent today in pursuing Him?

Trust in God

Scripture: 3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Psalms 146:3-4

Prayer: Lord, we place our trust in you and you alone. We know that placing our trust in man is a fools game.

Even the most accomplished among us only have temporary impact, but through Jesus Christ we follow the path to eternal life. Amen.

Application: We spend an inordinate amount of time planning for and working toward goals that have nothing to do with God’s Kingdom. We rely on the promises of men, governments, businesses, even ourselves as we map out our futures.

A wise person once told me, “if it can be taken away from you, it’s not who you are”. What is something you are trusting in that isn’t from God?

The Peaceful Fruit of Righteousness

Scripture: For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

Prayer: That we would embrace spiritual disciplines to draw ourselves closer to God daily, even when they are inconvenient or uncomfortable.

That we would be granted peace as we grow in faith and confidence in God and His righteousness.

Application: Which spiritual disciplines (scripture reading, prayer, fasting, service, giving, worship) are you leaning into this year?

If you are feeling distant from God, or unsure of where he is leading you? Pick a spiritual discipline (or several) to lean into and give Him space to work!

Relax and let Him lead, do not be rigid or stiff-necked, God has already blessed you, you are already saved, He promises He will not forsake you. Doesn’t the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” sound incredible? God promises that it is real.

Attitude & Sunday Scaries

Scripture: I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:12-14

Prayer: That we would adopt a fearless attitude and boldness for the Lord that perseveres through any situation, no matter how difficult.

That we would keep our eyes fixed on our purpose in Christ, and not be distracted by worldly challenges.

Application: As we return from the holidays to our normal schedules, many are letting that negative mindset known as the Sunday Scaries affect their attitude.

Let us follow the example of Paul who saw every day and every situation as an opportunity to spread the gospel. Despite imprisonment, he was encouraged and excited by the spread of the gospel to the prison guards and prisoners!

Where can you bring that kind of energy and attitude to your life this week?

Reflection & Transformation

Scripture: And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Prayer: That we would be aware of the ways that God is transforming our lives and the presence of the Spirit in those transformations.

That we would behold the glory of the Lord and acknowledge His good works in all that we do.

Application: To one degree or another, all those in the presence of the Spirit of the Lord cannot help but be transformed by His glory. As you reflect back on 2019, how have you been transformed?

Do Not Be Slothful in Zeal

Scripture: Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:11

Prayer: That we would get excited about the incredible blessings that the Lord has given us, and use them to serve Him always.

That we would not only serve, but serve with energy, enthusiasm and joy.

Application: I don’t know about you, but the middle of winter after Christmas is my absolute least favorite time of the year. Short, dark, cold, cloudy days actually feel like they are sapping my energy and momentum before I even get started.

What gives me energy is reminding myself that it’s not about me. God certainly does not tell us to rest because the weather is gloomy.

Where in your life can you take something that is dragging you down, and make an intentional choice to dive in with zeal for the Lord? Reach out to that person that God has been putting on your heart in prayer. Tackle that task that is becoming a barrier and distraction from God. You will feel better, He promises!

Empty Things

Scripture: 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 1 Samuel 12:21-22

Prayer: That would keep our eyes fixed on God always, knowing that He will not forsake us and that His promises are true.

That the Lord will glorify His name, and for our part, that we would praise and worship Him in His glory.

Application: Where in our lives are we turning to empty promises that cannot profit or deliver?

The “security and safety” of money and material wealth, “approval” from friends/family/society… often we are seeking what God has already promised and freely given. Let us be aware of the blessings in our lives, and seek to glorify God in all that we do.

Sow Bountifully in 2020 & Beyond

Scripture: 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6

Prayer: That we would trust in God, that those seeds which are planted with a heart aimed at Him will yield fruit. That we would not need immediate reward and gratification to motivate us toward service of others.

Application: As we set our New Year’s resolutions for 2020, are we taking into consideration the seeds we are planting for kingdom impact that may not be harvested immediately?

Lose weight, save money, become a better version of you, but do so with a purpose. Use your newfound health and energy to lift up others, save so you can be more generous, become the better you that God wants you to be.