Friday, August 7, 2009

Moments with God


Moments with God is a bible study that involves scripture reading, answering a thought provoking question, journaling a prayer to God, and writing truth that God has spoken to you.  My prayer is that you will have many moments throughout your week that involve deepening your understanding and knowledge of God and what He is calling you to do.




Moment #1


“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble.”  Psalm 37:39


What is your trouble?



What does God’s word say about who is your strength?



Write a prayer to God about your trouble and tell Him that you need His strength.



Moment #2


“ The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1


What do you fear?



What does God’s word say about fear?




Write a prayer to God about your fears and ask God to show you how to allow Him to be your strength.



Moment #3


“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  Job 1:21


Describe a time in your life when you have experienced a great loss.


What does God’s word say about who gives and takes away; and how we shoudl respond?


How can you praise Him in accordance with this truth?



Write a prayer asking for a submissive heart to be able to praise Him in the mist of your pain. 


Moment #4


“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippines 4:6-7


What are you anxious about in your life?



What does God’s word say you need to do to over come being anxious with the peace of God?



Write a prayer out to God about your need for His peace.







Moment #5


“...casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...”  2 Corinthians 10:5


What thoughts do you have that go against the truth of God?



What does God’s word say about how you can over come these thoughts?



Write out a prayer to God asking for His truth to help you take steps to over coming these thoughts.




  Moment #6





“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7


What fear is keeping you from experiencing the power and the love of Christ?



What does God’s word say about the spirit He has given to the children of God?



Write out a prayer to God about your desire to experience the power and love of God over a spirit of fear.





Moment #7


“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”  2 Samuel 22:35


In what areas in your life do you  struggle to trust God?



What do you need to trust God with so that you can feel the protection of the shield of God?



Write a prayer to God about your desire to trust Him.








Moment #8


“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices a much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”  1 Samuel 15:22



How does God want you to obey?




What does the word of God say about what He delights in?





Write a prayer to God about your desire to obey Him.

Moment #9


“I pour out my complaint before Him; before Him I tell my trouble.  When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who knows my way.”  

Psalm 142:2-3



What do you need to complain to God about?



What does God’s word have to say about who knows the way for you?




Write out a prayer to God about your desire to know the way out of trouble.




Moment #10


“If anyone among you thinks that he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”  

James 1:26


What are somethings that simply do not need to be said to those people in your life?



What does God’s word say about how are tongue and heart can effect our religion?




Write out a prayer to God about how your heart and tongue effect people in your life.




Moment #11


“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5



How does God need to direct your heart so that you can grow in your love of God and into the patience of Christ?



What does God’s word say about who directs your heart?




Write out a prayer to God about what needs to change in your heart so the He can direct it.





Moments #12


“ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14



How can the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart be acceptable to God?



What thoughts/ words come to mind when you think of God as your redeemer?



Write a prayer to God about praising Him as your Redeemer.





Moment #13


“Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Psalm 29:2


Why does the word of God say we should worship Him?



How can you worship the Lord today?




Write a prayer to God about His holiness and beauty.






Moment #14


“ For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”  1 Corinthians 14:33



Where in your life is there confusion?




What is God the author of according to God’s word?





Write a prayer to God about how you need His peace.






Moment #15


“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13



In what area(s) in your life do you need joy and peace?



What does God’s word say about how we are giving joy, peace and hope?




Write a prayer to God about your need for all three today.






Moment #16 


“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”  James 1:2-3



What trials are in your life?



What does God’s word say about trials and patience?



How can you gain patience during your trial?



Write a prayer to God about your trial and your need to see the your patience growing in your life.


Moment #17


“ Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”  1 Timothy 6:12



In what areas of your life are you in a battle for faith in God?



What does God’s word say about that battle?



How can you fight the good fight?


Write a prayer to God about the battle you are living and ask Him for strength the strength to fight the good fight.




Moment #18


“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth...” 2 Timothy 2:24-25


What areas in your life do you quarrel with others?



What does God’s word say about a quarrelsome spirit?


What is the difference between fighting the good fight and being quarrelsome?


Write a prayer to God about your need to know the difference between fighting the good fight and being quarrelsome.

Moment #19


“Do all things without complaining and disputing.” Philippians 2:14


What do you complain about the most in your life?



What does God’s word say about complaining and disputing?



How can you apply God’s word to your life today?



Write a prayer to God about your need to see the areas in your life where you complain and dispute with others and how your attitude toward complaining and disputing.



Moment #20


“ And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and giving Himself for us...” Ephesians 5:2


How can you walk in love instead of complaining and disputing?



What does God’s word say why we should walk in love?



How can you walk in love today?



Write a prayer to God about your need to walk in love and to show you how to live out walking in love.





Moment #21


“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10


In the hardest of times, how  do you normally describe yourself?



What does God’s word say about how He describes His children?



In what ways can you see yourself differently if you believe the truth of God’s word?



Write a prayer today about your need to see yourself as God sees you.



Moment #22


“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23



In your life, how do you struggle with the fruit of the Spirit?



What does God’s word say about why we should live out the fruit of the Spirit?


What are you doing today to show the fruit of the Spirit?


Write a prayer to God asking Him to show you how you can live out the fruit of the Spirit today.




Moment #23


“I will dwell in them and walk among them.  I will be their God and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16


In your daily life, do your feel like God dwells in you and walks with you?



What does God’s word say about God’s desire to have fellowship with you?



In what areas in your life do you need to know that God is there?



Write a prayer to God about your need to know that He is there, walking with you,  dwelling in you.




Moment #24


“ For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33



Is there confusion in your life?



What does God’s word say about what He is the author of for the saints?



How can you allow God’s peace to over take the areas in your life where there is confusion?



Write out a prayer to God about your need for peace.



Moment #25


“ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31



In what areas of your life do you struggle with bringing glory to God?



What does God’s word say about how we should be bringing glory to God?



How can you bring glory to God in simple tasks in your daily life?



Write a prayer to God about you need to understand how to bring Him glory in areas where previously you have not.




Moment #26


“ Therefore by Him(God) let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15


In what ways do you struggle with giving praise and thanksgiving to God?


What does God’s word say about how our lives should give praise and thanksgiving?


How can you give praise and thanksgiving to God today?



Write a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God.





Moment #27


“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear.” 2 Timothy 4:17


Do you feel the Lord standing by you when you are telling someone about Him?


What does God’s word say about what He does for us to that we can tell others about Him?


How can you learn to trust in His constant presence in your life so that you can have boldness to tell others about Him/


Write a prayer about your need for God to reveal His presence in your life and His strength in your life.





Moment #28


When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:4


In what areas in your life do you struggle to let Christ be the center of your life?


What does God’s word say that we can be confident in if we are a child of God?



How can you make Christ your life?



Write a prayer to God about your need for Christ to be your life.


Moment #29


“ But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8


In your life, how do you struggle with the idea of your sin?


What does God’s word say about how God has chosen to deal with your sin?


In what areas of your life do you need to confess your sin to God?



Write a prayer to God about your need for His continued forgiveness.






Moment # 30


“ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 8:16


Do you or do you know of someone who has ever doubted that you/they are a child of God? If yes, describe.



What does God’s word say about what the Spirit does for us?



How can you know for sure that you are a child of God?( Romans 8:31-39)



Write a prayer asking God to reveal if you are His child.  If His Spirit confirms that you are His child, praise Him.  If you still have questions read through the following scripture: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13.  Spend some time praying for God’s understanding of the previous scripture and for God’s guidance to know what to do.  If you are following the scripture it will lead you to know how to become  a child of God.  If you make that decision today-connect with a Christian church and speak with a pastor about your experience with God.





The Journey continues...


Even though our time together has come to a close. My prayer is that you will continue this amazing journey to know God in a deeper way.  Everyday we have moments that we can choose to spend with God and I hope that you will take full advantage of those moments.  He truly does love you and desires an intimate relationship with you, allow Him to reveal Himself to you.


Thursday, August 6, 2009

Camp Daily Devotional Time


Day One

Our main scripture this week is Psalm 145:4.  It talks about how each generation will tell the mighty acts of God to the next generation.  I believe to be able to be apart of the mighty acts of God our heart must be attuned to God and His desires.  This week as we spend time with God, our focus is going to be to on our desire for God to know our heart.  Our intro verse each day will be Psalm 139:23-24.  This verse is going to be  our prayer for God to know our hearts and for Him to speak truth into our hearts and to guide our hearts in His way.  Let’s pray:


Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24


Our focus verses that  we are going to study to day is Psalms 119:36-40.  

It says: “ Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness( selfish gain).  Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things.  And revive me in Your way.  Establish Your word to your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You.  Turn away my reproach(guilt) which I dread, for your judgements are good.  Behold I long for Your presence; Revive me in Your righteousness.”  Psalm 119:36-40.


Spend some time rereading these verses and then answer the following questions in your journal.  Then spend some time writing out a prayer to God about what He has said to you.



            1. What are things in your life that are for selfish gain instead of for God?
            2. What are things that take up space in your life that are worthless in comparison  to the Truth of God’s will in your  life?                         


            3. Are you a servant of God( Have you had a moment in your life where you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior)?  If yes, describe that experience.  

            
4. Are you carrying guilt around in your life because of choices that you have made?  If so what were those  choices.    




During your prayer time today, spend some time asking God to forgive you of the areas of sin in your life.  Write out your confession.



End with a prayer.




Camp Daily Devotional Time


Day Two


As we begin today let remember what our desire is: it is to teach the next generation the mighty acts of God.  For us to be able to do this we are going to focus on God knowing our heart and guiding our way.  Lets pray.


Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24


Our focus verse to day is Romans 12:9-16.

Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another.  Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.  Do not be wise in your own opinion.”  Romans 12:9-16


Reread the focus verse today and answer the following questions.


        1. How can you cling to what is good?


        2. What are ways you can give preference to others this week?


        3. How can you serve the Lord this week?


       4. How can you bless those people who wish you harm?


       5. How can you be wise in what God desirers instead of being wise in your own opinion?



Spend sometime writing out a prayer to God about what you desire Him to do in your life this week.







End with prayer.




Camp Daily Devotional Time

Day Three


As we begin today lets remember our focus for God to know our hearts and to guide us so that we may experience His might acts so that we can tell the next generation.  Let pray.


Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24


Our focus verse today is Matthew 22:34-40.

“But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.  Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying ‘ Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?’  Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:34-40


Spend sometime rereading these verses and then answer the following questions.


  1. What questions do you have for Jesus?


        2. How can you love God with all your heart?


        3.How can you love God with all your soul?


       4. How can you love God  with all your mind?


        5. Who is your neighbor? (list some names)


        6. How does loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind help you to love your neighbor?



Spend sometime writing our a prayer to God about areas within your heart, soul, mind that need to love Him.



End with prayer.







Camp Daily Devotional Time

Day Four


As we begin our last day of camp, let remember that our desire during this time has been that we want God to know our hearts and to guide our way so that we can experience the mighty acts of God and tell the next generation.


Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24



Our focus verse today is 1 John 2:28-3:3.

“And know little children, abide in Him, that when He appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.  If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!  Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed  what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him,for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”  1 John 2:28-3:3


Reread these verses and answer the following questions.


       1. How can you have confidence before God?


        2. What does it look like for you to abide in God?


         3. Are you ac child of God?(Have you had a moment in your life when you have surrender your life to Jesus?) If so        

             describe that experience.



          4. If you are a child of God, how should your out look on your circumstances change?



           5. How can you seek a pure heart?



Spend some time writing out a prayer to God about how you want to live your life different when you get home from camp.



End with a prayer.