For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Today we conclude our 40 days of Discipline journey. As in prior years, you are encouraged to use today to review lessons you have learned and commitments you have made. We engage in this 40-days journey each year with the sincere desire to improve our walk with God through daily practice of the Disciplines. We do not want this to be a purely “theoretical” exercise.
This year we focused on the theme: a world in need. The 11 Disciplines we reviewed are powerful tools to minister to the world if we practice them with the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. With that guidance and power, we are equipped to let the world know that God loved them so much that He gave his one and only Son. The world so desperately needs to know and accept this.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Let’s do so with reenergized gratitude for God’s amazing grace and a renewed commitment to share His love with the world.
Suggestion:
Pray specifically for God to show you what he wants you to focus on from the 40-days journey.
April 11, 2020 at 7:35 am
Thank you Norman for this year’s 40 days you always do an amazing job & I look forward to doing it with you every year & learning. Thank you also to all who commented on the passages & answered the questions I have learnt from you all. My journey continues more aware of the areas I need to work on. May you all be safe. May everyone have a blessed Easter. He has risen alleluia!!! Thank you Father for your Son.
April 11, 2020 at 9:14 am
Thanks for the opportunity to partner with everyone on this journey.
April 11, 2020 at 10:52 am
What a wonderful and uplifting experience this has been for me focusing once again on the disciplines in view of a world in need. Yes our world is in need of a Saviour. l have been challenged to walk closer with my Lord. Thanks so much to all the participants who shared in this journey as we prepare to celebrate once again our risen Saviour. Hallelujah He is risen.
April 11, 2020 at 12:42 pm
Thank you so much for the time, and all the messages for 40 days study of God’s Word. I learned a lot from the lessons as well as from the comments of each and every participant. Let’s continue to pray for one another, for all the leaders of the world, and most especially for the healing of the world. This year is sad because of Covid19 crisis. For sure, the Lord’s plan will prevail and something good will come out after all the dust settles. God is Good and He is with all of us. He never slumbers, His ways are perfect and He is a promise keeper. May you all have a Happy Easter even though we could not be at the house of the Lord physically. Tomorrow my church here in Japan is of course going to have a special on line Easter Service. Jesus is Alive!
April 11, 2020 at 12:55 pm
He’s got the whole world in His hands is a song I remember from my childhood. God also has everyone of us in His heart and on His mind. I need to remember that and also keep His creation in my heart and mind. Until we meet again. God bless!
April 11, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Thank you Norman & everyone who commented these 40 days. In Roman’s 12:2 we are told to not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. II know that only by God’s help is this possible. Prayer ,& Service are the 2 disciplines which stood out for me. Although we cannot visit each other, I was led to begin a prayer time with my daughter, my sons (one of whom is in NY) and their wives. Their children also took part. We had the first one on Monday via zoom. Everyone then wanted a weekly family prayer time. Thanks to this Bible study for clearly showing me the importance to find a way.
Keep safe everyone. Thanks again. God bless.
April 11, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Thank you Cedric. This was wonderful!
Have a blessed Easter!
He is risen!
April 11, 2020 at 4:59 pm
Thanks for teaching how to get closer to Jesus and to thrive to be more like him.
Your diligence and humility has taught me a lot.
I say thanks to all whose comments also taught me a lot.
I hope we see from all of this that it is not about the “I” but about the “US”
God’s Blessings to ALL.
April 11, 2020 at 5:02 pm
Thank you Elder Norman for facilitating a great annual project promoting spiritual growth. I have been greatly blessed to participate each day. Thanks to everyone who participated and the various persons commenting. May God bless you all. Our world is in great need and I will seek along with God’s people to help meet some of those needs. Thanks again for the opportunity.
April 11, 2020 at 7:37 pm
Spiritual Disciplines and A World in Need
The world’s need for God has never been more evident, yet eyes grows increasingly blind.
A virus has laid bare the limitations of medicine, politics, science, technology, commerce and religion. We may be brilliant, but we are not divine.
Across the globe, politics and most politicians are woefully lacking except in the service of a select few and in the view of sycophantic masses who seek to attain and/or preserve power.
Religion is losing its relevance in most places and in many instances has sold out to money, power, and popularity.
Civic institutions, NGOs, socially conscious companies, and multilateral institutions are establishing themselves as the new conscience of the world but for every cause there is a counter-cause, and truth is subjectively defined and parochial interests reign.
Yet, instead of turning to God, most pursue rehashed solutions that have always failed and will continue to fail.
As believers, we are expected to be salt and light but to be effective we must habitually be:
Prepared – Bible Study and Spiritual Warfare
Empowered – Prayer and Fasting
Inspired – Worship and Creation
Supported – Fellowship and Counsel
Motivated – Service
Resourced – Stewardship
Refreshed – Sabbath
Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can practice these Spiritual Disciplines and demonstrate to the world that they need Jesus!
April 11, 2020 at 9:00 pm
Thank you Lord for keeping us together always. Worship songs keep playing in my head when I need them , and I can sing that song of Rudders (Trinidad) that begins “Give Praa-ay-ise” as loud as I want for his love and the fellowship we have shared which brought up my weaknesses of which there are many. JESUS my Saviour ,My Life is front of my doings may I not stray. Got to get my candles and lights out now for the Big Light is nigh. Allelulia