40 Days of Discipline

Category Archives: 2023

Year of Journey


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 21 – Fellowship

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20, New International Version)

Theme:  Rejoicing and Thanksgiving

Context:

Yesterday we considered how rejoicing and thanksgiving results from the fellowship of believers working together to advance God’s kingdom. Today we focus on the essential ingredient for joy filled fellowship. To do this, we will consider a current event that has been very topical.

Recent events at Asbury University have prompted many discussions about revival with varying opinions.  We will not enter into a debate about the varying opinions.  Instead, we will focus on two quotes from the students and staff that were central to the Asbury experience. These quotes address the topics of fellowship, and rejoicing and thanksgiving.  Quote #1: “No celebrities except Jesus.”  Quote # 2: “We experienced joy.”   Putting these two quotes together we get a clear message – the essential ingredient for rejoicing and thanksgiving in Christian fellowship is Jesus.    

Bible Passages:   

Our passage of Scripture today describes a memorable occasion after Jesus’ resurrection when He physically entered a room to meet with his fearful disciples.  In His presence, the scene changes dramatically.  In what seemed like a hopeless moment, Jesus became the central focus  of the fellowship of His disciples, and their despair turned to joy.   

Please study the passage and consider the question below.

Question:

What are some of the major obstacles to Jesus being the central focus of Christian fellowship?          

Please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 20 – Fellowship

17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.  They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.   (Nehemiah 2:17 -18, New International Version)

 40 The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, 41 as well as the priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets— 42 and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. 43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away. (Nehemiah 12:40 -43, New International Version)

Theme:  Rejoicing and Thanksgiving

Context:

Thanks to all those who shared their insights over the last three days as we considered how the discipline of Worship supports a lifestyle of rejoicing and thanksgiving.  Today we turn our attention to Fellowship.  The impact of restrictions on fellowship over the last three years highlighted the fact that God made us to live in community.  The ability to return to more normal modes of fellowship has certainly resulted in rejoicing and thanksgiving.  It is helpful to consider some of the biblical reasons why fellowship is so essential. 

One reason is that there is joy in performing God’s work in community.  Accomplishing big objectives by ourselves is certainly satisfying but there is something really special about team accomplishments.  The Church has the clear purpose of advancing God’s kingdom.  Pursuing this purpose in community is a recipe for rejoicing and thanksgiving. 

Bible Passages:   

In the first passage above, the Children of Israel commenced the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem as a community.  In the second passage, the fellowship evolves into a memorable time of rejoicing and thanksgiving. 

Please study the passage and consider the question below.

Question:

Can you recall a time of rejoicing and thanksgiving that resulted from working with a group of believers to accomplish a project.       

Please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 19 – Worship

22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” (Exodus 15:1 and 20-21, New International Version)

Theme:  Rejoicing and Thanksgiving

Context:

Well, no one shared the lyrics to their worship song yesterday 😊, but the comments were once again inspiring. 

Yesterday we read about Moses and Miriam leading the Children of Israel in worship after they crossed the Red Sea.  The story provided an excellent example of how rejoicing and thanksgiving can be incorporated in our daily lives through worship.  The picture painted was one of gratitude for God’s ability to supply all that we need.  Unfortunately, we often forsake gratitude and follow a path of grumbling, which is defined by the Oxford dictionary as, “expressing a complaint in a bad-tempered way.” 

Bible Passage:   

Our Bible passage today tells us that shortly after the time of worship characterized by rejoicing and thanksgiving came a time of grumbling.  Later on, in Exodus chapter 16 when the Children of Israel grumble again about insufficient food, Moses tells them that they are not really grumbling against Moses and Aaron, they are grumbling against God.

Please study the passage and consider the question below.

Question:

Like the Children of Israel, we often encounter battles between gratitude and grumbling. Why is the practice of worship essential in winning these battles?    

Please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 18 – Worship

1Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.

20Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted.  Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.” (Exodus 15:1 and 20-21, New International Version)

Theme:  Rejoicing and Thanksgiving

Context:

A big thank you again to those who shared their reflections on Worship yesterday.  Their was a clear message that effective worship involves submission/obedience to God, which results in rejoicing and thanksgiving.  It was also clear that worship needs to be an every day experience.  In fact, we diminish the power of worship when we limit it to a certain time or place (e.g., in a church service).  As we think about a lifestyle of rejoicing and thanksgiving, it is interesting to observe how worship was sometimes interwoven into the daily lives of the Children of Israel.

Bible Passage:   

In today’s Bible passage, the children of Israel have just witnessed the mighty hand of God in rescuing them from the hands of their oppressors. Moses and the Israelites sang acapella and then Miriam and the women added instruments and dancing. The verses of Moses’ song go from detailing what occurred to proclaiming what will occur. Moses describes God’s defeat of the Egyptians and also speaks of what God will do in the future. Miriam adds to the singing with dancing and tambourine with a simple, short song that serves as a reprise.

Please study the passage and consider the question and activity below.

Question and Activity:

How do you incorporate worship into your daily activities?      

If you are in an artistic mood, you may want to follow the example set by Moses and Miriam and write your own lyrics about how God is working in your life.  

Please leave a comment or maybe some lyrics.  We would love to hear from you.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 17 – Worship

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”  6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”  “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.  “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”  8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.  9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”  “Here I am,” he replied.  12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”  (Genesis 22:3-12, New International Version)

Theme:  Rejoicing and Thanksgiving

Context:

This week we will focus on the disciplines of Worship and Fellowship.  We will start with Worship. 

At the heart of biblical worship is an attitude of submission/obedience to God.  Worship, therefore, extends beyond time spent at church.  As we submit to God in worship in our daily lives, we experience God’s faithfulness and rejoicing and thanksgiving are natural outcomes.  

Bible Passage:   

In our Bible passage today, a Hebrew word shachah, translated as worship, is used for the first time in the Bible (verse 5).  In this popular story, Abraham is prepared to make an unbelievable sacrifice as an act of obedience.  What is even more amazing though, is how God saves the day.  Without question, Abraham’s obedience was repaid with abundant supply, which led to rejoicing and thanksgiving. 

Please study the passage and consider the question below.

Question:

How does Abraham’s commitment to obedience inspire you to worship?    

Please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 16 – Review

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, New International Version) 

Theme:  Rejoicing and Thanksgiving

I hope you had a blessed time of reflection yesterday whether you fasted or not.  Today is dedicated to reviewing what we have learned over the past five days.  As you perform your review, please consider catching up on any comments you may have missed.

Question:

How have you been blessed by thinking about rejoicing and thanksgiving through the lenses of Prayer and Fasting?    

Please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 15 – Fasting

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35, New International Version)

Theme:  Rejoicing and Thanksgiving

Context:

Today is dedicated to Fasting.  Please consider sacrificing a least one meal and spend dedicated time focusing on God.  If you are considering fasting, please take your health into account.

As we discussed yesterday, effective fasting will concentrate our attention on God’s sufficiency.  As you fast today, please consider the following requests. 

Requests:

  • Spend quality time in worship and prayer.
  • Dedicate time to giving God thanks, including thanking Him for being the source of joy.
  • Ask God to intervene in the lives of loved ones you know who are struggling with mental health challenges.
  • As you pray for individuals, institutions, and countries facing challenges, give God thanks in spite of the challenges.    

Throughout the day, feel free to share prayer requests, words of encouragement, or passages of Scripture.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 14 – Fasting

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”  (Joel 2:12, New International Version)

 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight.  I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. (Psalm 43:4, New International Version)

Theme:  Rejoicing and Thanksgiving

Context:

We turn out attention today to the discipline of Fasting.  Please be reminded that tomorrow will be dedicated to fasting. If your health allows you to, please consider participating and giving up at least one meal for the day.

Understandably, fasting is not often associated with rejoicing and thanksgiving.  On the contrary, it is often associated with mourning, repentance, and intractable problems.  There is nothing wrong with those associations, but we know that God calls us to fasting because he is the source for all we need, and His supply is cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving.        

Bible Passages:   

In our first passage today, we see an example of God calling His people to an “all-in” relationship that includes fasting.  In our second passage David declares that God is his joy and delight.  Please study the passages and answer the question below.       

Question:

Do you view fasting as an opportunity to draw closer to rejoicing and thanksgiving?    

Please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 13 – Prayer

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  (Psalm 139:13-15, New International Version)

Theme:  Rejoicing and Thanksgiving

Context:

So far we have considered two important sources of inspiration for prayers of rejoicing and thanksgiving – (1) God, and (2) some of the people in our lives.  Today we conclude with a third source of inspiration – our individual traits. 

It might seem a little vain to rejoice and give thanks for the way we are made but there is no concern when the recipient of our gratitude is God.  In fact, giving thanks for the way God made us is a necessary rejection of the way some people in society assess the worth of individuals.   When we think about things like aging, disabilities, health, or popular standards of beauty and success we may be more inclined to be discouraged about ourselves than to rejoice and give thanks. 

Bible Passage:   

In our passage today, we return to the book of Psalms.  David’s reflection on God’s involvement in his individual traits results in a prayer of praise.  Please study the passage and answer the questions below.       

Questions:

  • Clearly the presence of sin means we are not perfect.  In your own words, what was David praising God for in Psalms 139? 
  • Do you employ this practice in your prayer life?    

Please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 12 – Prayer

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3 – 6, New International Version)

Theme:  Rejoicing and Thanksgiving

Context:

Yesterday we considered the first of three important areas that we can include in our prayers as we practice rejoicing and thanksgiving.  Our focus yesterday was on God (who He is and what He does).  It was great to hear how some of you rejoice in God and thank Him as you pray.  Thank you!

Today we turn to the second area of focus – people in our lives.      

Bible Passages:   

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul is thankful every time he remembers his partners in the sharing of the gospel in Philippi.  Paul sets an example that is worthy of consideration as we think about a life of prayer that includes rejoicing and thanksgiving.  Please study the passage and answer the questions below.     

Questions:

  • What categories of people in your life inspire you to thank God? 
  • Do you remember these people with joy in prayer?        

Please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you.