FreshBread

The Bait of Satan Day #27

Read pages 157-158  and then complete day #27 in the devotional guide section.  Make some notes and plan to discuss your findings and questions with your life group this week.

Day’s verses Romans 14:19

19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

My deepest prayer is that all of us at FreshStart would rest in this verse today.  There is no reason that God would call us to this task if it was impossible.  It is possible but must be the desire of our heart.  It is the desire of mine, not just for unity sake, but I believe that honesty and unity is one of the largest testimonies to the world in which we live.  May God have his way at FreshStart as we lay aside gossip, back-biting, or anything else that the enemy would use to divide us and let us give ourselves to building each other up.  IN FACT, Why don’t you send an E-mail of encouragement to someone at FreshStart that has been a blessing to you and tell them about it.

Let’s talk in the AM

Scott

The Bait of Satan Day #26

Read pages 155-157  and then complete day #26 in the devotional guide section.  Make some notes and plan to discuss your findings and questions with your life group this week.

Day’s verses Matthew 5:24

24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Why is it important to be right?  The people that argue the most is because they have to be right. Well, beware, there is something going on there.  Jesus does not call us to be right but to stand for truth…and the truth of His words say that before we bring our sacrifice….we need to reconcile with our brother or sister.   Got anybody you need to reconcile with? That is a great action step for today!  I am praying for you!

Scott

The Bait of Satan Day #25
 
Read pages 149-152  and then complete day #25 in the devotional guide section.  Make some notes and plan to discuss your findings and questions with your life group this week.
 
Day’s verses 1 Peter 4:8
8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
 
Yesterday, Len, did a great job challenging us with Forgiveness. God commands us to forgive…..but understand that true forgiveness takes time, for our heart and mind and actions need to line up.
I once shared with a counselor that I was dealing with being angry.  He asked me who I was angry at and so I made a list of 13 people.  He asked me to go to each one of them and ask forgiveness, for this is what God would want me to do.  So I did it.  The problem was even though I felt good about doing that, I was still angry in my heart.  I obeyed with my mind, but my heart had not followed.
Since that time I chose to forgive in my mind.  When I feel anger, I choose to think good thoughts and pray for the person I am angry at. Over time (and it varies) my heart begins to change and I feel true forgiveness and love for this person and I can go and talk to them asking forgiveness and really meaning it.
WARNING: Some people use this as an excuse saying after years they are waiting for their heart to catch up…it has never taken me that long.  I am praying for all of us!  May God have the glory!
Scott