40 Days of Discipline

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40 Days of Disciple: Day 18 – Challenge (God’s Word)

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11, English Standard Version)

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. (Hebrews 4:12, English Standard Version)

Introduction

Our third challenge recognizes the importance of God’s word.  With technological advancements, it is now very easy to find Bible verses on electronic devices even if you only have a few search parameters.  However, the benefits of being able to recall passages of Scripture from memory remain.  Too often we convince ourselves that memorization is an activity that we grow out of. Bible verse memorization helps us to “renew our mind” at any age.       

Challenge #3 – God’s Word 

Memorize the following 5 verses from Isaiah and Philippians over 5 days: 

Isaiah 26:3-4 (English Standard Version)

3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.


4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Philippians 4:6-8 (English Standard Version)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

10 Tips to Consider

  1. Pray for God’s help as you memorize the verses.
  2. Read the verses in context to ensure you are comfortable with their application.
  3. Partner with others (this is an excellent challenge to do in community).
  4. You can use your favorite Bible translation (i.e., NIV, ESV, KJV, etc.)
  5. Use an approach that fits your learning style.
  6. Use physical memorization aids (e.g., notebooks and Post-it Notes).
  7. Use digital memorization aids (e.g., mobile phones and voice recorders). There are also free, add-free Apps such as VerseLocker that focus on Bible verse memorization. 
  8. Be alert to opportunities to share the memorized verses to help someone.
  9. Incorporate the verses in your prayer.
  10. Exact recall is not the objective.  The focus should be application.


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40 Days of Discipline – Postscript

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”  8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”  (Matthew 28:1 – 10, New International Version)

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:16 – 20, New International Version)

Hallelujah, He is Risen!

Celebratory Song: 🎵 So Will I (100 Billion X) 🎵


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40 Days of Discipline – Postscript (Resurrection Day)

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”  8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”  (Matthew 28:1 – 10, New International Version)

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:16 – 20, New International Version)

Hallelujah He is risen!

Please click on the link below:

In Christ Alone (Michael W. Smith)

See you next year.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 7 – Bible Study

1Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. 5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” 12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 16 “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’— 18things known from long ago. 19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” (Acts 15:1 – 21, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Context:

Our passage is a bit long today, but that shouldn’t be a problem when we are considering Bible Study, right 😊?  As we consider today’s passage, we are reminded that biblical interpretation is an essential component of Bible study. Differing biblical interpretations can result in serious differences amongst believers and also between believers and non-believers. We encounter such a situation in today’s passage. 

Scripture Passage:

The passage is from Acts 15:1 – 21 (presented above) and embedded in the story is a very important role for the local church where biblical interpretation is concerned.  Please prayerfully read the passage and note how the local church functioned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in interpreting Scripture. 

Questions:

  • What role did the local church play in addressing the clash of interpretations?
  • How do you see this role being displayed in your local church?    


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40 Days of Discipline: Postscript

1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. (Luke 24:1-8)

Hallelujah – He is Risen!

See you next year.


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40 Days of Discipline – Postscript

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. (Luke 24:1-8)

Hallejuah – He is risen!  Live in victory and see you next year.

 

 

 


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40 Days of Discipline – Day 4 Post

As we wrap up our preparation for some intense focus on the Disciplines, which will commence on Monday next week, I have faint recollections of how I had to prepare for the start of a school term.  There would be the inevitable check to make sure that I had all the class schedules, text books and other essential materials.  One essential item that I thought about in preparation for our 40 Days of Discipline is a calendar (physical, electronic or mental).  I once read that if you had access to a person’s calendar and their check book or credit card statement, you could tell what really matters to them.  I believe this is true.  Let me just focus on the Calendar today.  If you are going to get the most out of the 40 Days of Discipline, odds are you will need to modify your calendar.  What are you committed to changing?  You may have to get up a bit earlier or give up on some TV watching or use your lunch time differently.  Start thinking about your calendar and ask yourself, when God examines your calendar at the end of the 40 days will he conclude that you were serious about deepening your relationship with him?


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40 Days of Discipline – Day 3 Post

Several years ago the topic of love languages became very popular.  Many people tried to determine what their love language is and they also tried to see if their loved ones knew their love language.  The Bible tells us that for God, obedience is a clear love language. 2 John 1:6(a) says, “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.”  As you have read carefully about the Disciplines are you seeing them as a list of rules or are you seeing them through the lens of love?  Ask yourself why God would want you to practice the Disciplines?


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Day 1 Thoughts

On Day 1 of the 40 Days of Discipline journey I meditated on Psalm 34:8 – Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.  What really struck me was that I have used this verse many times without thinking about how credible a reference I am.  David the Psalmist was a credible reference.  If I tell someone to taste a type of mango because it is good, they may take me seriously because they likely know how much I love mangoes.  Is there something about my life though, that would make them want to taste and see that God is good.  Obviously the statement should be believed because the Word of God says it, but I was convicted today to think about this from the vantage point of being a reference for the statement.