Monatana Devo
- 1. Page 1 Montana 2016 Devotions Tuesday June 28- Grace Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 5:6-11 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. —Ephesians 2:1-10 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. —Romans 5:6-11 Has there been a moment in your life when you felt like God can’t save your sins? Do these passages provide assurance that God can indeed forgive you of your sins? How so? How is Christianity different from all other religions in the world? Do you feel the love and grace of Jesus in your life? Talking on Ephesians 2:8-10, David Platt posits that we are saved from work to work. What do you think that means? Is there a difference in those kinds of work? What motivates you to work?
- 2. Page 2 Wednesday June 29- Mercy John 7:53-8:11; Romans 8:1-2 They went each to his own house, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” —John 7:53-8:11 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. —Romans 8:1-2 Paul gives us a pretty clear picture of the freedom we have received in Christ. Being, free, how then should we live? Was there ever a time in your life when you felt you did something or said something that could not be forgiven? Did you feel the burden of that thing condemning you? Explain. Has there been a time when you wanted to ‘cast a stone’ on a fellow peer because of something he or she did? What was the end result of the situation? Did you forgive them and realize that you need grace just as much? Elaborate a little. Spend some time in prayer with God. If there’s anything going on in your life right now to make you feel condemned, now’s the time tot give that up to his everlasting, all- sufficient grace.
- 3. Page 3 Thursday June 30- Worship Psalm 19:1-2,148 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord! —Psalm 148 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. —Psalm 19:1-2 After reading these passages, do you feel more inclined to worship the Creator and Orchestrator of the Universe? Why? In simple terms and in your own words, what is worship? Is it more than just singing? Do you think it is important to spend time constantly praising God? What are some ways that you do that right now? If you’re not, how can you? Take some time to spend in adoration and awe of the Creator. Worship Him in the truest sense of the word.
- 4. Page 4 Friday July 1- Growth 1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 4:8 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. —1 Peter 2:2 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. —2 Peter 3:18 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. —2 Timothy 3:16 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. —James 4:8 What are you doing to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ? Are you craving the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word? Do you find yourself more reliant upon yourself or God? Why? What are some ways to draw closer to Him? How do you know that the Bible is God’s Word? Have you seen it played out in your daily walk with Christ? Explain. Spend some time in prayer and closeness with God. Is there anything in your life right now that is causing youth draw further from Him? If necessary, spend some time confessing your sin, knowing that He will forgive you of that sin and establish Himself in you. Remember that confession needs to be followed by repentance. Commit to turn away from the sin that was once in your life.
- 5. Page 5 Saturday July 2- Prayer 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:9-13 Pray without ceasing. —1 Thessalonians 5:17 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. —Philippians 4:6 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. —Matthew 6:9-13 Briefly describe the last time you prayed. Do you pray, as Paul writes, without ceasing? How can you better do that? Do you continually cast your worries upon God, knowing that He can and will take care of it? Why or why not? If not, do you think you should? Take a few minutes and write out a prayer to God, using the Model Prayer as a guide. It might be helpful to follow the ACTS acronym (Adoration, or worship; Confession of sin; Thanksgiving to God; and supplication, or reverently bringing your requests before God).
- 6. Page 6 Sunday July 3- Discipleship Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:6-11 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18-20 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” —Acts 1:6-11 Jesus said both of these things to His disciples right before He ascended into Heaven. Does that increase the importance of those things? If yes, how so? What are some things that you are doing to reach your Jerusalem (Prattville)? Judea (Alabama)? Samaria (The United States)? The ends of the earth? Are there any other ways you could reach these areas? Jesus said that He would be with us through the end of the age. What are some ways that He was with you during this project? When is the last time you have shared the Gospel other than this trip? Do you think there is some room for improvement? Explain.
- 7. Page 7 Monday July 4- Country Luke 9:23; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; Philippians 3:7-10 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. —Luke 9:23 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. —2 Corinthians 4:7-12 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. —Philippians 3:7-10 Looking back on your life recently (within the past month), have you ever had to give up something for Jesus? In other words, has following Jesus cost you anything? In what way(s)? Even though we will face tough times when following Jesus, Paul tells us that it will not be more than we can bear (even though it still may hurt). Briefly describe a recent experience where you were “afflicted, but not crushed.” In the light of these verses, can following Jesus and the classic “American Dream” be achieved concurrently? Why or why not? Spend some time in prayer. During this time, further commit yourself to the spread of the Gospel, and give yourself over to the mission for the sake of Christ.
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