COMPASSION

“Next to love, compassion is the most powerful gift we can give or receive.”

A pastor went to dinner in the home of one of his church families. The evening began with a pleasant exchange of conversation and warm fellowship. The pastor, however, noticed that the parents were unusually strict with their 5 year-old daughter. Perhaps they just wanted her to be on her best behavior for the pastor.

Halfway through the dinner, the little girl knocked over her drink and instantly looked up at her parents with mortal fear written all over her face. The pastor, watching all this, purposefully knocked over his drink. Another couple present knocked over theirs. The anger on the faces of the parents slowly melted away and turned to a smile. They both reached out and knocked over their drinks as well! The whole group broke out into hysterical laughter and had a wonderful rest of the evening, all because of the compassion of the pastor for the little girl.,

Jesus teaches us compassion in another situation found in Matthew 9:35-38. Read about it.

3 Biblical Truths on Compassion
Compassion requires being with people & looking for their needs.
Compassion requires identifying with the people’s situation and what they feel.
True compassion results in action.

My Time With God

Preparation Time
Read Psalm 111:1-4.

Which area of your life does your level of compassion need improvement and why?

Compassion with your Spouse:
Compassion with your Children:
Compassion with your Friends:
Compassion with your Co-workers:
Compassion with Strangers:

Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I feel Your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God, you have permission to reveal any lack of compassion that You see in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there anything that I need to know as I enter this day?”

Confession Time
Read Matthew 25:40-46.

Confess the issues that God is speaking to you about in the area of compassion:

Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read these Scripture passages slowly a couple of times:
Psalm 78:37-39
Psalm 111:2-4
Mark 1:40-41
Mark 5:33-37
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture & allow God to minister to you.

Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind:

Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede. Pray God’s mercy & compassion over them.
Name Request

Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How to Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things”
Be honest with God
Pray “Thy will be done”

Prayer Requests

Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed upon me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to Take in My Obedience to God This Week:

My Goal: To implement the above steps in the next 7 days.

Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying, through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse: Psalm 111:3-4

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Wednesday – This Lesson

Thursday – Write a prayer describing the compassion Jesus had for us when He went to the Cross.

Friday – Make a list of hurting people and pray for their needs.

Saturday – Ask God to lay a name on your heart of someone who needs a touch of compassion; then YOU do it!

Sunday – Review your memory verse.

BROKENNESS

“My greatest strength is that I have no weaknesses.”
-John McEnroe, Tennis Player-

Contrast that statement with 1 Corinthians 1:26-27.

Bible Paradoxes

If I want to… I must…
…save my life… …lose my life; Luke 9:24-26
…be lifted up… …humble myself; James 4:7
…be the greatest… …be a servant; Matthew 20:20-22
…be first… …be last; Matthew 19:30
…rule… …serve; Luke 22:26-27
…live… …die; Romans 8:13
…be strong… …be weak; 2 Cor. 11:30; 12:9-10
…inherit the kingdom… …be poor in spirit; Matthew 5:3
…reproduce… …die; John 12:24

The goal of this time is for you to be broken in the right places.

BROKEN vs. BEATEN
“I care” “I don’t care”
“I can’t – God can” “I can’t”
“I can help others” “I can’t help, I need it”

My Time With God

Preparation Time
Prepare yourself by thinking on the things broken in God’s Word that became very effective:

Broken Pitchers (Judges 7:18-19) – and the light shone out
A broken box (Mark 14:3) – and the ointment was poured out
Broken Bread (Matthew 14:19-20) – and the hungry were fed
A broken body (1 Corinthians 11:24) – and the world was saved

Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I feel Your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God,You have permission to reveal any unbroken area in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there anything I need to know as I enter this day?”

Confession Time
Confess to God the areas of your life that need to be broken by Him:

Bible Time

We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read Luke 22:39-45 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes and allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind.

Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.

Name Request

Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How to Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things”
Be honest with God
Pray “Thy will be done”
Prayer Requests

Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed upon me?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to Take in My Obedience to God:

Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying, through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse – John 12:24

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Friday – This Lesson

Saturday – Study the Bible Paradoxes. How are you doing?

Sunday – Go to the Bible Time. Notice when the angel came and ministered to Jesus. What is the relationship between consecration, obedience, and an angel ministering to Jesus?

Some of the “One Another’s” of the New Testament

Be at peace with one another… (Mark 9:50)
Love one another… (John 13:34)
Be devoted to one another..Honor one another. (Romans 12:10)
Live in harmony with one another… (Romans 12:16)
Stop passing judgment on one another… (Romans 14:13)
Accept one another… (Romans 15:7)
Instruct one another… (Romans 15:14)
Greet one another… (Romans 16:16)
Serve one another… (Galatians 5:13)
Carry one another’s burden… (Galatians 6:2)
Be patient, bearing with one another in love… (Ephesians 4:2)
Be kind and compassionate to one another… (Ephesians 4:32)
Forgive one another… (Ephesians 4:32)
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs…
(Ephesians 5:19)
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ…
(Ephesians 5:21)
In humility, consider one another better than yourselves…
(Philippians 2:3)
Teach one another…Admonish one another… (Colossians 3:16)
Encourage one another… (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
Build one another up… (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Spur one another on toward love and good deeds…
(Hebrews 10:24)
Do not slander one another… (James 4:11)
Don’t grumble against one another… (James 5:9)
Confess your sins to one another…Pray for one another…
(James 5:16)
Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another…
(1 Peter 5:5)

WISDOM

Wisdom – Knowing the right things to do at the right time for the right purpose.

A small factory had to stop operations when an essential piece of machinery broke down. No one could get the machine operating. An outside expert was finally called in. The fellow looked over the situation for a moment, then took a hammer and gently tapped the machine at a certain spot. It began running again immediately and continued to run as if nothing had ever been wrong. When the expert submitted his bill for $1000, the plant supervisor hit the roof and demanded an itemized bill. The bill the man submitted was as follows: For hitting the machine, $1; for knowing where to hit the machine, $999.
In James 1:5, we are taught that wisdom comes from God in response to prayer. When James writes of “the wisdom that is from above” (James 3:17) he uses a present tense participle to make his point. He says, “wisdom is coming from above. Wisdom from above is not available in one time allotments, nor is it to be procured on the installment plan.” James presents it as a steady flow from the mind of God to His children. It just keeps on coming. The supply of God’s wisdom never runs dry. It comes to us continually from above to meet the demands of each hour. When we walk with Him in the light of His Word, He daily gives us the wisdom we need for our lives.

Three Biblical Conclusions About Wisdom:
1.) It comes from God.
2.) We must ask for it.
3.) It comes on a daily basis.

My Time With God

Preparation Time
Read Ecclesiastes 1:17.

List an issue you are “wrestling with” in your…
Personal Life:

Family Life:

Church Life:

Business Life:

Other:

Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I feel your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God, you have permission to reveal any wrong motive in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there anything that I need to know as I enter this day?”

Confession Time
Read Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Confess areas that you boast in, that have no eternal significance.

Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read James 3:13-17 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes and allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind.

Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving for the people of whom you will now intercede.
Name Request

Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How To Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things.”
Be honest with God.
Pray “Thy Will be done.”
Prayer Requests

Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed on me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to Take in my Obedience to God

My Goal: To implement the above steps in the next 7 days.

Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying, through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by Recognizing WHO HE IS!

Thank God by Recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – Write a letter to God that acknowledges the 3 Biblical conclusions about wisdom. Incorporate each conclusion in your letter.

Wednesday – Practice boasting today according to the Scripture, Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Thursday & Friday – Read again James 3:13-17. What kind of wisdom is from above (vs. 17)? Spend these two days demonstrating to others the qualities that are in your life because of this heavenly wisdom.

The 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd — That’s Relationship!

I shall not want — That’s Supply!

He makes me to lie down in green pastures — That’s Rest!

He leads me beside the still waters — That’s Refreshment!

He restores my soul — That’s Healing!

He leads me in the paths of righteousness — That’s Guidance!

For His name’s sake — That’s Purpose!

Yea, though I walk — That’s Progress!

Through the valley of the shadow of death — That’s Testing!

I will fear no evil — That’s Protection!

For You are with me — That’s Faithfulness!

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me — That’s Discipline!

You prepare a table before me — That’s Dependence!

In the presence of my enemies — That’s Hope!

You anoint my head with oil — That’s Consecration!

My cup runs over — That’s Abundance!

Surely, goodness and mercy — That’s God’s Love!

Shall follow me all the days of my life — That’s Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord — That’s Security!

Forever — That’s Eternity!

Amen — That’s Confirmation!

How the Apostles Died & The Death of Jesus

Matthew – Suffered martyrdom by sword in Ethiopia.

Mark – Died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.

Luke – Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous preaching to the lost.

John – Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos. The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in what is modern day Turkey. He died as an old man, the only apostle to actually die peacefully.

Peter – Was crucified upside down on an X-shaped cross. According to church tradition, it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

James – This leader of the church in Jerusalem was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he had survived the fall, his enemies beat him to death with a club. This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during His temptation.

James the Great – Son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, he was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded him, defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, the officer declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.

Bartholomew – Also known as Nathaniel, he was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in what is present-day Turkey. He was martyred for his preaching in Armenia, where he was flayed to death by a whip.

Andrew – Was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by 7 soldiers, they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, he saluted it in these words: “I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.” He continued to preach to his tormentors from that cross for two days until he died.

Thomas – Was stabbed with a spear while in India on one of his missionary trips to establish the church there on that continent.

Jude – Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

Matthias – The apostle chosen to replace the traitor, Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded,

Paul – Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

Perhaps this is a reminder to us. That our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles and disciples during their times for the sake of the Faith.

The (Scientific) Death of Jesus
At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to death. At the time, crucifixion was the “worst” death. Only the worst criminals were condemned to be crucified. Yet, it was even more dreadful for Jesus, unlike other criminals condemned to death by crucifixion. Jesus was to be nailed to the cross by His hands and feet. Each nail was 6 to 8 inches long. The nails were driven into His wrists, not into His palms as is commonly portrayed. There’s a tendon in the wrist that extends to the shoulder. The Roman guards knew that when the nails were being hammered into the wrist, that tendon would tear and break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support Himself so that he could breathe. Both of His feet were nailed together. Thus He was forced to support Himself on the single nail that impaled His feet to the cross. Jesus could not support Himself with His legs because of the pain. So He was forced to alternate between arching His back then using His legs just to continue to breathe. Imagine the struggle, the pain, the suffering, the courage. Jesus endured this reality for over 3 hours! Can you imagine this kind of suffering? A few minutes before He died, Jesus stopped bleeding. He was simply pouring water from His wounds. From common images, we see wounds to His hands and feet and even the spear wound to His side — But do we really realize His wounds were actually made in His body? A hammer driving large nails through the wrist, the feet overlapped and an even larger nail hammered through the arches, then a Roman guard piercing His side with a spear. But before the nails and the spear, Jesus was whipped and beaten. The whipping was so severe that it tore the flesh from His body. The beating so horrific, that His face was torn and His beard ripped from His face. The crown of thorns cut deeply into His scalp. Most men would not have survived this torture. He had no more blood to bleed out; only water poured from His wounds. The human adult body contains about 3.5 liters (just less than a gallon) of blood. Jesus poured all 3.5 liters of His blood; He had 3 nails hammered into His members; a crown of thorns on His head, and, beyond that, a Roman who stabbed a spear into His chest. All that without mentioning the humiliation he suffered after carrying His own cross for almost 2 kilometers, while the crowd spat in His face and threw stones. Jesus had to endure this experience, to open the gates of Heaven, so that you can have free access to God and so that your sins could be washed away; all of them, with no exceptions! JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOU! YES, FOR YOU!

VALUES

“All that is truly valuable in human society both honors God and develops man.”

I counted dollars, while God counted crosses.
I counted gains, while He counted losses.
I counted my worth, my things gained in store,
And He sized me up by the scars that I bore.
I counted honors and sought degrees,
He counted the hours I spent on my knees.
I never knew until one day by the grave,
How vain are the things we spend life to save.

What are your values — what is important to you?

Values, most simply stated, are the things in life that are most important to you. They are the guideposts & convictions that shape your decisions, actions and everyday lifestyle.

Jesus addresses the heart of the issue. Read Matthew 6:19-21.

Three Biblical Insights About Christian Values
1.) There is a strong contrast between the temporary nature of the world and the eternal nature of God’s Kingdom.
2.) Where you invest is where your rewards will be.
3.) Values are an issue of the heart. They begin there and express themselves in your actions.

My Time With God

Preparation Time
Read Colossians 3:1-4.

List the areas that you have not yet settled in your personal value system. In other words, in what areas do you at times question or waver in your beliefs and actions?

Family Values:
Church Values:
Relational Values:
Personal Values:
Career Values:

Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I feel Your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God, You have permission to reveal any wrong values in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there anything I need to know as I enter this day?”

Confession Time
Read Joshua 24:14-15.
Then confess any areas where worldly values have crept into your life…

Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read 1 John 2:15-17 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind:

Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.
Name Request

Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How to Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things.”
Be Honest with God.
Pray “Thy Will Be done.”

Prayer Requests

Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed on me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to take in my obedience to God this week:

Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying, through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse – Romans 12:2

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – Pray through Matthew 19:16-26

Wednesday – Make a list of the values you have settled in your heart to live by.

Thursday – Write a prayer of commitment to God that you will live by His values, as you understand them in Scripture.

Friday – Review your memory verse.

A Prayer For The Pursuit
God, chasing You has been more fun than I thought it would be, because You have allowed me to find You. Really, what has become clear is that You are the One who pursued me and found me. It sure is boring and tedious to look for someone you never find, but it is so rewarding to find someone you’ve searched for high and low.
As I pursue You, daily life becomes more fun as You reveal truth about Yourself. I know, though, it will also be dangerous. Finding the God of Creation and discovering His plan for your life is an amazing adventure. God, I want to know Your mission for me; I want to discern Your will for me. I have already received and run after my first assignment: to accept Your love and love Jesus in return. My first pursuit is loving You with all my heart. My second is to truly love people.
Thank You for being faithful to me when I have been stubborn and passive. I can see Your heart in Your Word and in Your work and in Your world. Your pursuit of me is what makes me chase You. And finding You makes all the chasing more than worth it. Thank You for pursuing me first. I am coming back toward You all the time. AMEN.

38 Year Wait

“Now, there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, He asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’ “
(John 5:2-6)

Jesus’ question seems unnecessary. Here’s a crippled man lying next to a pool of healing and Jesus asks if he wants to get well. You almost expect the guy to respond with a sarcastic, “Well, sir, I’m not here working on my tan!” Why did Jesus even bother to ask?
I am beginning to understand. I’ve discovered there are a lot of people who like to hang around the pool, but they don’t really want to be healed. They like to come to church, but they really don’t want to change. They don’t mind listening to a message, but they like things the way they are and they don’t want to give up their “poolside” lifestyle. They say, “I can’t get into the pool,” when what they really mean is “I WON’T get into the pool.”
Maybe you’re afraid of change. (“We’d really have to downsize.”) Maybe you’ve had 38 years to get used to a certain way of living. (“It’s not a great marriage, but it’s a marriage.”) Maybe you’re surrounded by dozens of un-healed others and have lost sight of what liberty in Christ could mean. (“Well, at least I’m a better father than he is.”)
Maybe you’re too ashamed of the condition of your heart. Maybe you still think you can make it on your own. Maybe you doubt that you have much of anything to offer the kingdom. Maybe you think it’s just too late for you. You have sensed the call of God to live on purpose — on mission — but for whatever reason, you’re hesitant to take action. God is calling you to take the plunge, but you’ve grown comfortable lounging by the pool.
But Jesus doesn’t usually speak in the language of tomorrow. Instead, He calls to you today. He’s not asking, “What if?” He wants you to consider “What now?” Ephesians 5:15-17 challenges us, “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
So, today would be a great day to settle the question. As a follower of Jesus, are you ready to follow wherever, go whenever, and do whatever He is asking of you?

Pursuing Today
What have you given up on or gotten used to? Think of a time (or times) when you clearly sensed that God wanted you to make a change or take some action. Write down what you are hearing. Share your intentions with a friend who will hold you accountable. And prayerfully resolve to “jump in” today.

Not So Alarming

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
(Hebrews 3:15, quoting Psalm 95:7-8)

On a recent flight, I found myself thumbing through the shopping catalog I found in the seat-back pocket in front of me. You know, the one tucked between the airline magazine and the barf bag. The one full of products that you never knew existed and are now convinced you couldn’t possibly live without.
And on this particular flight, I discovered what my incomplete life had been missing: the gentle progression gradual wake-up alarm clock. It had obvious appeal, promising to wake me up gently and gradually using the beautiful sounds of the Tibetan singing bowl while emitting a slow, warming glow into the sleeper’s chambers, reminiscent of a serene mountain sunrise. (Don’t lie — you’re intrigued now too, aren’t you?)
But then it occurred to me: Doesn’t this kind of defeat the purpose of an alarm clock? Isn’t the alarm supposed to be rousing, not calming? Shouldn’t it command our attention and require a response?
Many of us want the gentle progression version of pursuing Jesus. We’re okay with pursuing His plan for our lives as long as He allows us to adjust to it gradually. As long as it isn’t too shocking or uncomfortable. As long as He doesn’t demand an immediate response or drastic action. We’ll say yes to Jesus, but only after we’ve hit the snooze button a few times.
But the gentler the alarm, the harder it can be for us to hear. The longer we put it off, the harder it is for us to respond. Eventually, we may find that we just sleep right through it. What Jesus asks is often challenging and uncomfortable. It will interrupt our routine and call us to action. Why not jump up and go ahead and get moving?
Fortunately, He loves each one of us enough to keep sounding the alarm even when we grow deaf to it. But why wait for something more shocking to happen before we respond with obedience? The time is now and the day is today. Say yes to whatever He’s asking you to do.

Pursuing Today
What has Jesus asked you to do that you have been putting off? What mission has He called you to that you are reluctant to accept? What change have you been hesitant to make? Check into that mission trip; sign up for that small group or Bible study; walk across the street and meet your new neighbor; pick up the phone and volunteer at the shelter, etc. Today.