RENEWED DAILY: FINDING YOUR MISSION IN CHRIST (2 CORINTHIANS 4:16)

Week of 6/16/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Encouragement

Scripture:  2 Corinthians 4:16

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

Thought:  This is a message of being a disciple for the glory of God. it clearly conveys to us that we are mortal, but as we build God's kingdom we are gaining life, eternal life. 

Application:  Fix my eyes on Godly things, not worldly things.

Response:  Father, please strengthen me to stay in your word so I can be the best son son, husband, and father that I can be. As I live my life I hope that many ask “what does that guy have, " and when I have the opportunity to answer them I can say I have you, I have Jesus.

Looking back Today (2025):  In this chapter we are told that the life of Jesus is revealed in our mortal body and that, “life is at work in you.”  I often find myself thinking what is my mission?  How can I be a better son, a better husband, a better father, but I am often troubled wanting to  know my mission, what would Jesus have me do to spread his word?  I ask myself questions like, how do the small changes in my life affect the world around me?  Perhaps the answer is found in verse 15?  “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”  There is not a “big mission,” rather the small mission of grace, of giving something freely to others so that God is glorified.  I started to realize this when I began sharing these journal entries, but today it hit home for me.  We are supposed to so simple things over, and over, and over again and to have FAITH that God will handle the rest.  

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2CO.4.16

CULTIVATING A LIFE OF PURPOSE: EMBRACING GOD'S GRACE THROUGH KINDNESS AND DISCIPLESHIP

Week of 6/16/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Discipleship

Scripture: John 15:8

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Thought:  Keep Jesus close to your heart.  (Share) Love and watch love happen all around you.

Application:  Put aside judgement of others and love.

Response:  Father, please help me push aside prejudices and judgement so I can love people for who they are.  Thank you for staying true to me when I have been not worthy.

Looking back Today (2025):  I am grateful to not feel as though I have been pruned with “trials and difficulties” as mentioned in item 4 below.  While life does not come without difficulties, it is comforting to know that everything in life passes.  Maybe not as quickly as we would like, but with Jesus we “WALK THROUGH” this valley of death called life (https://www.bible.com/bible/463/PSA.23.4).  We may have some detours along the way, but with him “WE WALK THROUGH.”  WE..., Jesus and me, Jesus and you, as a team WE WALK!  I am a work in progress and plenty of room for growth in items 1 - 3 below, but I am a better man today because of the men that have encouraged me along the way to be a better man tomorrow than the one that I am today.

Pruning

To Remove Hindrances for Greater Fruitfulness: Spiritually, "pruning" refers to God, the "gardener," removing things from a believer's life that hinder their spiritual growth and fruitfulness. This isn't about punishment, but about refinement. These "hindrances" can be:

1. Sinful habits or attitudes: Things that are clearly contrary to God's will.

2. Distractions or worldly attachments: Even good things that take up too much time or energy and detract from one's relationship with God or ability to serve Him.

3. Self-reliance or pride: Anything that prevents a person from fully depending on Christ for their strength and purpose.

4. Trials and difficulties: These can be used by God to strip away superficiality and draw a person closer to Him, leading to deeper character and more authentic spiritual fruit.

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.15.8

EMBRACING KINDNESS AND GOODNESS: FINDING HOPE AND PURPOSE THROUGH GOD'S GRACE

Week of 6/16/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Eternal Life

Scripture: Titus 3:7 (Verse 7 needs the surrounding verses for context) 

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, 7having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Thought:  Do what is right and be kind to others because this is good for everyone.  It feels good to everyone.

Application:  Live a good, Godly life, pursue good and the truth.

Response:  Father, I pray that I push bad from my life and accept good. 

Looking back Today (2025):  I didn’t have too many words for this entry in 2017.  However, when you read the several verses that surround the verse 7 that interested me in 2017 it is a fairly simple message:  Be good to each other, avoid arguments, and separate yourself from divisiveness.  We all learn this from our parents! 

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/TIT.3.7e

ENCOURAGEMENT AND READINESS: LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD

Week of 6/16/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Discernment

Scripture:  1 Thessalonians 5: 21-22

Test everything; retain what is good.  Refrain from every kind of evil.

Thought:  Encourage all to seek the Lord and live your life knowing that the Lord will come like a thief in the night. do not procrastinate, be ready! 

Application:    ~~~ left blank in 2017 ~~~

Response:  Father I pray that the gift of encouragement stays strong in my heart. I feel the blessing, the gift, you have given me when I engage others, thank you. 

Looking back Today (2025):  This chapter encourages us to live in the “day” and with the qualities and spirit of the Lord.  Our lives are to be a “light” to others and prepare us for the Lord.  We want the world to see Jesus by how we live our lives.  In contrast, consider that sin is something that we often hide from others and is hard to be seen, this is a life of “darkness.” We must be able to discern areas in our own lives where we pull ourselves from a life of darkness and shine brightly in the light.  In summary, I will leave you today with the guidance provided from verse 11:  “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.”

https://www.bible.com/bible/463/1TH.5.21-22

REFLECTING ON YOUR PATH AND SEEKING GOD'S PURPOSE: A PERSPECTIVE FROM HAGGI

Week of 6/16/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Decisions

Scripture:  Haggai 1:5

Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.

Thought:  Reflect on how you have lived your life, and more importantly how you will live you life from this day forward.

Application:  ~~~ left blank in 2017 —

Response:  Father, thank you for where you have place me right now, today!  Please engage with me as I make decisions in life.

Looking back Today (2025):  As I reread Haggai this moring my mind is flooded with the thought that prayer is not just for when you are in times of need.  In verse 9 we are reminded that we are to be building a house for the Lord… at all times.  Perhaps try rewiring your thinking with me.  When I begin to ask for something in prayer, I want to to include the words, Lord, what would you have me do.

Haggai 1:9 ➡ “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house."

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/HAG.1.5

FINDING COURAGE AND BALANCE: LESSONS FROM DEUTERONOMY 7

Week of 6/16/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Courage

Scripture:  Deuteronomy 7:21  “Driving out the Nations”

The Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.

Thought:  When you honor God's laws he cares for you, your family, your animals.. your domain.  

Application:  Remember the Father provides all that we need… not want.

Response:  Father I pray that I will give up all that you detest and am sorrowful for failing you.

Looking back Today (2025):  This bible verse is contained in the Chapter titled “Driving out the Nations.”  It is a road map showing the Israelites who were about to enter the Promised Land how they would conquer nations stronger than themselves.  The  covenant of the Lord made with them was bound by their behavior.  Their actions had consequences.  “9Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”  “12If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your ancestors.”  There is a simple lesson in this chapter that we hear repeatedly throughout the bible.  In verse 25 we are reminded to not covet money.   “25Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the Lord your God.”  I don’t believe that we are being told to not strive to “make a living.”  Rather, we are cautioned to not be blinded by the ambition to MAKE MORE and the expense of our relationships… with God and those that we love.  It takes courage to do what is right in many situations if we are to keep God's commandments. I hope that we can seek balance and faithfulness in our lives!

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/DEU.7.21

FINDING CONTENTMENT: A PATH TO GODLINESS AND AVOIDING THE TRAPS OF MATERIALISM

Week of 6/9/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Contentment

Scripture:  1 Timothy 6:6,10

Godliness with contentment is great gain.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Thought:  Love of worldly things can make you withdraw from a life leading to salvation.

Application:  Be happy with what God provides in your life.  Stay focused on him.

Response:  Lord, than you for all that you provide.  I am blessed by your action in my life and pledge to build your kingdom.

Looking back Today (2025):  Focus… Why is it so hard for so many to focus on what is important?  Personally, why do I learn the same lessons repeatedly?  All I can offer you today is the reminder to love those that God places in your path each day.  You may not know why they have been placed in your path, but consider for just a brief moment that they have been placed there for you to do his work.  Don’t complicate things!  It may be just a smile someone needs, a kind word, a simple thank you.  Keep it simple!

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1TI.6.6