Day 10
We Are Family
Matthew 12:46-50
“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers, stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”
Promise: God promises that belief in Him, and obedience to Him, brings us into His family.
Have you ever thought about what it means to be in God’s family? It is the best of our earthly family and much more! It is security, love, care, trust, and gatherings with family members. The best family reunion ever will be in heaven, as there will be no bickering, mourning, crying or hurt feelings. Our membership in God’s family is evidenced by our obedience and love for one another. Praise God for His great mercy and love for us through Jesus and for giving us a new family through Him. Cherish and love your brothers and sisters in Christ. They are your forever family.
Lessons and Truth:
1.Belief and obedience bring me into God’s family.
2.God is relational and desires a relationship with me.
3.God is my Father, and I am brought into His family when I accept Jesus as my Savior.
4.Being in God’s family requires treating other believers as family.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins so that I can be in a family relationship with you. I know you want me to glorify you in all that I do. Help me to be the best brother, sister, or mother I can be. Give me greater love and care for my earthly family, as well as those from my spiritual family. Pull me closer to your Word that I may walk in obedience to you. Amen.
What is my response to God’s promise?
Have I chosen to be in God’s family by believing in Jesus?
*If you have not done this, do it right now. Confess your sins before God, profess your belief in Jesus as His Son who died for your sins, ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life and to send His Holy Spirit to indwell you. Now you are in God’s family—welcome!
What kind of brother, sister, or mother am I in God’s family?
Promise Confirmation: Mark 3:34-35, Romans 8: 28-30, Hebrews 2:10-12
Day 11
Incorruptible Treasures
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Promise: God promises incorruptible, heavenly treasures if I will set my heart on eternal, not earthly, things.
Have you ever given thought to what you can take with you when you die? Things that we buy, make, achieve in our jobs, and learn about the world will be of no value in heaven. We won’t be able to take them with us. Only those things with eternal value will endure and be with us in heaven. Relationships, kindnesses done for others, faith in Jesus, work for the kingdom, witnessing, preaching, studying about God, memorizing Scripture, prayer, eternal life, righteousness, joy, peace and growing more like Jesus are all things that will be with us eternally. Where are you storing up treasures?
Lessons and Truths:
1.Godly treasures are eternal and have great value.
2.Earthy valuables are temporal, just for now.
3.The things I treasure reveal my heart attitude and motivation in life.
4.God’s rewards are far greater than anything I could possess now.
Prayer: Lord, help me to examine the goals that are motivating me today. Create in me a heart attitude that seeks to place your treasures above the desire for things that surround me. Open my eyes to see the treasures you reveal and provide in your Word each day. Amen.
What is my response to God’s promise?
What do the things I value in life say about my heart attitudes?
Which of God’s treasures do I want to see more of in my life?
Promise Confirmation: Proverbs 23:4-5, Matthew 13:44-46, Luke 12:32-34, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Day 12
Godly Living
Joshua 1:8
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.”
Promise: God promises that living by His Word each day, and keeping my focus on Him will bring me prosperity and success.
What is prosperity and success in God’s eyes? God explains in this promise that following His Word, keeping our thinking on His precepts, and living a God-driven life will glorify Him. Would that kind of life bring you happiness and success in relationships? Will it provide freedom from stress, guilt over sin and worry? God’s ways are in contrast to the self-driven and self-gratifying goals of this world. God knows that following the world’s standards leads to glorifying self. Which goals do you want motivating you?
Lessons and Truths:
1.I am to meditate on God’s Word in order to absorb its truths.
2.God’s Word demands careful attention.
3.Living God’s way brings God-given blessings.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your Word and your promise to bless me if I will live by your Word. Give me a heart to read, meditate, and study your Word faithfully. Help me to set godly goals that will glorify you. Thank you for what you have already done and what you will do in and through me. Amen.
What is my response to God’s promise?
What am I doing to put God’s Word into my daily life so that I can live by it?
How has God already blessed me since I began this study?