Category Archives: Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual maturity is not automatic. It will not happen by chance. We have to work at it day-by-day and moment-by-moment. If we want to grow spiritually and be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ, being intentional is a necessary part of the equation. Make it a priority to grow your faith on purpose.

Posted on

Spiritual Blindness

“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5).

Without a doubt, you have been here on more than one occasion. You begin sharing what God has done in your life with an unbeliever. You tell them about Jesus. You explain their inability to reach God on their own merit, and how Jesus died on the cross for their sins. You plead with them about the importance of turning away from their life of sin and surrendering their life to Jesus. Your effort, however, seems totally useless.

Jesus said, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19).

No matter what you tell them, they are simply not interested. They really don’t care about spiritual things. They believe everything will work out just fine in the end. Before God brought you into His family by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, you were spiritually blind. Because of your sin nature, you were born this way. Not only did you live in darkness, you were darkness. You were alive to sin, and dead to God. Regardless of your educational background, you did not have the spiritual capacity to understand the things of God. Why? These realities are spiritual in nature.

Spiritual realities are understood and applied as God awakens our spirit when He shines His light of life in our hearts. For this reason, God is the One who receives all of the credit for our spiritual understanding. God is the one who receives all honor and glory for our salvation.

Paul wrote, “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:13-14).

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you are no longer spiritually blind. Don’t get discouraged when you share God’s love with others and they laugh in your face. Don’t get upset when people reject Jesus. Refuse to argue with those who are spiritually antagonistic. Remember, these individuals are spiritually blind. They can’t see spiritual realities as you do. Why? They are unable to see God’s ways because they are spiritually blind.

Read:  Open your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: Who is the one responsible for spiritual blindness? What specifically can’t they see and why?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

Posted on

Still Searching

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:16-17, NIV).

Have you ever lost something of great personal value? If so, how long did you continue searching for what was lost? The more we value something the more we pursue it. Have you ever considered what God values? Since God never loses anything, what could He possibly need to find?

We know that God’s desire is to live in a shared relationship with His people. This idea serves to remind us of God’s great love for authentic fellowship. God is looking for people who recognize their spiritual emptiness. He wants to fill this emptiness with His perfect presence. God is still searching.

God is not looking for spiritual puppets, but He is searching for empty vessels. An empty vessel in the hands of an Almighty God is powerful. He is not looking for great performers, but He is searching for the right heart to carry out His great work.

God is pursuing those who want to follow His ways, and worship Him in spirit and in truth. Consider this: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Today, as you read this devotional, is your heart broken and empty before the Lord? When you sin, does it trouble you deeply and bring you to sorrowful repentance? Repentance means a change of direction. If you are not allowing God to deal with your sin, you are not broken.

If this is the case, don’t expect a rich spiritual experience. Personal holiness precedes authentic fellowship. Are you willing to live a life of personal holiness? Paul pleaded with the believers in Rome, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1, NIV).

Your sin should point you to the Savior. First, remove the things from your life that continue to lead you into sin. Second, get ready to love and worship God like never before. God is still searching to fill hearts that are broken and empty. If today you are unforgiving and resentful, your heart remains full.

Read:  Open your Bible and read 2 Chronicles 16:9, and Psalm 511-19.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: How can I demonstrate a broken and empty heart before God? What would that look like?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

Posted on

The Master Designer

“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3).

Some of the most entertaining shows online and on television have to do with professional cake making: designing and preparing gourmet cakes for special events. These shows enter into the world of professional cake design.

Depending on the complexity of the client’s order, a cake can take anywhere from four hours to more than sixteen hours to design, bake and build. You learn the secrets to what keeps a cake together and how they endure refrigeration challenges, travel, and unexpected surprises. Some professional bakers design a beautiful cake, but in the end do not satisfy the client. Why?

In some cases, because the cake does not hold together until the very end. When it arrives at the event, an important section falls apart. When the weight of the cake is too much for the support structure to endure, the cake slowly falls apart from the inside out.

Jesus is the master designer of life, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host” (Psalm 33:6, ESV). Jesus Christ is the architect of life. He is the One who created all things for life to exist. Everything and everyone you see is the result of His work. Since the master designer has created us, we all have eternal value in God’s eyes.

Everything was created by Jesus, and for Jesus. In Him, all things exist, move, and have their place. Jesus is the source of life. He is Lord of all. Jesus is our sustainer. Jesus personalized the reality of eternity when He decided to leave His glory in Heaven and live among us: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Jesus came as the physical manifestation of God’s spoken Word. He is the Living Word. Jesus represented the revelation of God’s Word in the Old Testament. Can you imagine looking into the face of Jesus and knowing that He was the One responsible for everything you’ve studied from God’s word? What a powerful thought.

Remember to thank the Lord Jesus for His magnificent creation. Remember to point others to God through the visible work of His hands. What a great work He has done!

Read:  Open your Bible and read Psalm 33:6, and John 1:14.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: What part of God’s creation can I share with others today to point them to Jesus?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

Posted on

Replaced to Shine

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Imagine living a life without hope, without peace, and without God. Now imagine knowing someone living with the power of God inside them. We were all once without God’s perfect presence living within us. But what if you are the one who has the life of God in you? Don’t you think now is the best time to start shining your light and telling others about the gift of life in Jesus?

Paul wrote, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far-gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11-12).

When you connect with others in conversation, don’t just talk about baseball, the new cable show or the latest news flash. Plead with them to embrace the life. Plead with them to consider God’s mercy, forgiveness and unchanging love. When you connect with people, make sure you intentionally connect them to the light of life. God not only wants us to trust Him for our salvation, but also to live for Him through our daily sanctification.

You don’t have time to continue flirting with sin. You don’t have time to invest in the things that have no eternal value. You only have time to shine! Your old life has been replaced to shine. God’s counting on you to shine the life of His Son through your life. He’s counting on you to replace your old desires with His desires. He’s counting on you to shine.

Your real life, your total fulfillment and satisfaction, is found in Jesus (John 15:1). His life in you is the light of this world. His life in you is the hope for those who live in spiritual bondage. Jesus is the power of God for salvation to those who are eternally lost. This is the message that must visibly shine through our lives every day. Others can embrace the power of life as you allow God’s light to shine through your life. People desperately need to see the light of life.

You have the light of life permanently living within you. “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3, NIV). Your life has been replaced with Christ’s life. Why? So you can freely live for God and express His love to others.

Read: Open your Bible and read Matthew 5:14-16.

Reflect: Prayerfully consider the following: Where can my light begin to shine brighter? What old patterns of ungodly behavior need replacing?

Respond: As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

Posted on

Embracing the Life

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).

Do you remember, as a child, when you first realized the light in the refrigerator did not always remain on while the door was closed? You knew the bulb shined brightly when the refrigerator was open, but you had doubts about whether or not it stayed on when the door was closed. If you were the curious type, you may have wrestled with this thought for days and asked, “How long does this light last? What happens to the food when it’s dark? Do scary creatures walk around inside?”

The Apostle John spends considerable time contrasting life and death and light and darkness. He wants his readers to know explicitly that Jesus is the life, the light of the world. Jesus is not only the source of life, but also the distributor of life. His presence on Earth served in part to shine light into the darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. Through the power of His presence, Jesus distributed life into a world filled with darkness, pain, and hopelessness.

Jesus, the light of life, was the true light. There were no gimmicks or empty promises. Jesus delivered on His every word. He brought freedom from spiritual bondage, healing for the brokenhearted, and rest for those who were tired of figuring life out on their own. Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). The life of Jesus is to be accepted and embraced. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Jesus’ life was exactly what people needed 2,000 years ago, and it is exactly what people need today to break free from their world of sin, brokenness, and despair. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). If you are a believer, you now have the light of life living within you. Embrace the light and live in the light! Leave the darkness alone. Remember, in Christ, you are the salt and light of the earth.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

Read: Open your Bible and read John 12:46.

Reflect: Prayerfully consider the following: Is any part of my life drifting closer to the darkness? What can I do to stop this pattern right now?

Respond: As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

Posted on

A Perfect Design

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13, ESV).

Have you ever worked on a difficult project for several weeks? Whether a project from your professor, employer, or customer, perhaps it stretched you personally, and required more time than you originally planned. You were responsible for the design and the delivery of the project. In the end, though, everyone was delighted because all of your work was intentionally and perfectly designed for the desired outcome. You have also been perfectly designed by the Lord to accomplish His purposes for your life.

You are not a mistake. You were intentionally created by God to display His qualities to those who do not know Him and to bring honor and glory to His name. Before you took your first breath, God already knew you. You are who you are by divine design. You are not an accident. God does not make mistakes: “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).

God has carved out a good plan for your life. In Christ Jesus, you have all of the resources necessary for this plan to be realized. You were perfectly designed by God to accomplish His purposes for your life. No matter what breaks down around you, Jesus has the power to keep you together. He provides the strength needed to endure every challenge, from the inside out and from the outside in. Since Jesus is the designer and sustainer of your life, He is the One who holds you together.

God’s perfect work in your life is a direct result of His perfect design for your life. He wants to use your experiences, both good and bad, to display His unlimited power. He wants to use your education to teach and encourage others. He wants to use your talents, gifts, and abilities to skillfully serve His church. God wants to use your finances and material things to demonstrate His heart of generosity.

God made you by His perfect design. He has designed all that you are to be all that He wants you to be. He knows exactly how you function best. He wants to use your life for His will, and He knows just where to place you. You can trust God completely with your life. His master design is perfect for your life.

Read:  Open your Bible and read Psalm 139:1-24.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: Am I afraid to let God use every part of my life? If so, why do I have such a hard time trusting God?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

 The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

Posted on

Every Member a Minister 4 of 4

THE BASICS: Every Member a Minister

4) When are you going to do this?

  • In weekly Life Group gatherings
    We have discovered that weekly Life Group gatherings are the ideal place for doing life together. When they happen less often than every week, it is easy to get distracted by life and simply neglect meeting with other believers, except on Sundays. When a Life Group gathering is balanced with social interaction, worship of God, Bible application and intercessory prayer, there are few things that are as powerful to help us walk with Jesus on a consistent basis.
  • In occasional conversations outside of the gatherings
    Life is more than weekly gatherings. Real friendships are forged when we work at encouraging one another on a consistent basis, throughout the different stages of the year (and week.) Phone calls, texts, emails and even gathering for lunch or coffee can become wonderful tools of encouragement and growth.
  • In social situations
    One of the things that stood out about the Church in the book of Acts was their gathering on an ongoing basis for food and life! Group members can help each other in reaching out with love to others through service projects, Matthew parties and life events throughout the year (birthdays, Christmas, etc…)
  • In Church settings (services, prayer meetings, retreats, etc…)
  • The 10 Minutes BEFORE and AFTER (Connect, Invest, and Invite)
  • The power of PRAYER
  • “Is there anything I can pray about for you this week?”
  • Follow up to the prayer
  • Connection, encouragement, growth as God answers
  • More can be accomplished in a weekend retreat than in a month of sermons

5) Where are you going to do this?

  • For the majority, a home environment will be the best
  • For a few, a work or public environment will have its advantages
  • We may host ONE or TWO Life Groups at the Church to help new people take their first steps into a small group environment

Back to the Basics – Acts 2:42-47 NLT 42
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

By Russell Johnson

Posted on

Every Member a Minister 3 of 4

THE BASICS: Every Member a Minister

2) What are you going to do in a Life Group?
I’ve observed, since 1993 when we first began having Care Groups (then Cells groups, then Small Groups, now Life Groups) that one of people’s greatest fears of being involved as a leader is the question: “What am I going to do?” which is usually followed up with “I’m not a preacher or a teacher!”

Let me calm your fears in this area: you don’t need to be a preacher or teacher, in fact, it’s probably best if you’re neither of these! Here is the passage of Scripture that clarified for me the main job of a Life Group leader:

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.”

You are going to teach them to “obey” all things that Jesus has commanded us.

As pastors, it is our responsibility to “equip the saints” and “preach the whole counsel of God.” It is our job to seek God’s direction concerning the teaching that our Body needs and then present it in the best way possible to our congregation. BUT, that is not where the responsibility ends; it’s not simply a matter of “teaching them all things” (that would be easy) it’s a matter of “teaching them to OBEY all things” and that’s where we need two things:

  • First, a smaller environment where questions, applications, doubts and real life scenarios can be fleshed.
  • Second, a facilitator that is willing to be used by God to help people learn and walk in the ways of the Lord.

1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

You are going to show them “the Way” to live the life of Jesus in every circumstance and situation.

3) How are you going to accomplish these objectives?

  • By sharing YOUR walk and story with them
  • By modeling a growing walk with Jesus
  • By helping them understand and apply the Sunday messages OR the subject matter being dealt with in the Life Group
  • By teaching them to use and follow the One Anothers in every relationship in their life
  • By teaching them to Abide in Christ – living a moment by moment relationship with Jesus
  • By helping them change the destructive patterns and habits in their life through their abiding relationship with Jesus
  • By helping them learn how to share their faith with others and begin taking steps in feeding others what they have learned (Discipleship & Multiplication)

Keep it Simple – As Small Group Leaders we need to create discussion questions that will touch their Head, Heart and Hands. By doing this we give them something to Know, Feel and Do.

1) HEAD: Closed-Ended Questions – To get facts straight, understand concept biblical story, etc.

2) Heart: Open-ended questions that lead to greater discussion. This is where the Truth becomes personal and applies to everyday life. Personal transparency, testimonies, etc.

3) Hands: Open & Closed Ended Questions – What do we do with what we’ve learned? Closed-ended for specific steps that apply to everyone. Open-ended to figure out how it applies to individuals.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:8-13 NLT
8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. 9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you. 10 You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God— that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers. 11 And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. 12 We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. 13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.

Suggested Reading & Viewing:

  • Soul Revolution – John Burke
  • The Way of the Shepherd – Kevin Leman & William Pentak
  • Life in the Vineyard – Marcel Sanchez
  • Making Small Groups Work – Henry Cloud & John Townsend

By Russell Johnson

Andando con Jesús by Marcel Sánchez (Seattle: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014)

Introducción

Es uno de los mayores desafíos que enfrentan los creyentes en todo el mundo. No importa si usted es soltero o casado, joven o viejo, educado o ignorante, rico o pobre. Esta lucha no hace distinciones. Es común a todos los creyentes. Usted puede preguntar, “¿Cuál es este gran desafío?” Es la lucha para iniciar Andando Jesus-Digital Cover-01y desarrollar un tiempo personal diario con el Salvador para crecer en su amor a Dios, su conocimiento de su Palabra y recibir alimento espiritual. Es la lucha de separar tiempo todos los días para estar a solas con el Salvador. El reabastecimiento espiritual no es automático. Usted tiene que trabajar para ello intencionalmente.

No se pierda esta próxima frase, “Dios está obrando en su vida.” Él está haciendo una buena obra en usted. Esta obra se inició en el momento de su salvación y continúa hasta que se encuentre con Cristo en la gloria. El apóstol Pablo escribió: “Estoy persuadido de que el que comenzó en ustedes la buena obra, la perfeccionará hasta el día de Jesucristo” (Filipenses 1:6). Mientras cumplía su tiempo en la prisión, él les recordó a sus amigos en Filipos sobre una realidad alentadora. Lo que Dios comienza, Él lo termina. Dios tiene la intención de terminar la buena obra que Él comenzó en su vida.

Compra el Libro: Andando con Jesús

Su tiempo personal diario con Dios es una parte de esta buena obra. Sirve para perfeccionar su fe y conformarle a la imagen del Señor Jesucristo. Es la forma de refrescar su espíritu y transformar su alma. Su tiempo personal diario con Dios es lo que Dios usa para cambiar su forma de pensar y alinear sus pensamientos con la mente de Cristo. Es lo que Dios utiliza principalmente para cambiar su actitud, hacer ajustes a su comportamiento y transformar su forma de hablar con los demás. Es lo que alimenta su espíritu. Es necesario que su madurez espiritual florezca. Este es el centro de una vida que permanece en Cristo (Juan 15). Usted no puede crecer espiritualmente sin ello. Es absolutamente esencial para su fe.

Aunque esto puede ser una gran lucha para usted en este momento, también puede convertirse en su mayor oportunidad de experimentar a Dios como nunca antes. Las luchas personales a menudo se pueden convertir en grandes avances espirituales. ¿Está usted listo para un gran avance espiritual? ¿Está listo para profundizarse en la Palabra de Dios y vivir en una mayor obediencia? ¿Desea que Dios le use de una manera poderosa para cambiar las vidas de los que le rodean? Si es así, comience por permitir que la Palabra de Dios le transforme de adentro hacia afuera. Siga sus mandamientos con todo su corazón, toda su mente, toda su alma y toda su fuerza.

Este devocional diario fue diseñado para ser leído una vez al día durante cinco días a la semana durante un periodo de un año. Deliberadamente deja dos días libres para que usted pueda hacer algo diferente como revisar toda la semana, memorizar pasajes bíblicos claves, tener un tiempo prolongado de oración, asistir a un grupo pequeño y participar o acudir a un servicio de adoración en vivo.

Por favor, no se apresure a través de cada devocional. Deje que la Palabra de Dios se profundice en su corazón y le cambie de adentro hacia afuera. Reflexione en oración sobre el progreso a medida que estudiamos el libro de Juan por secciones. Para reflexión personal, cada devocional es seguido por un plan de tres partes:

Repase

Leer las Escrituras es muy importante. Leer pasajes paralelos es muy útil para comprender mejor la sección de cada estudio. Le animo a leer cada pasaje paralelo en voz alta por lo menos dos veces. Piense pausadamente sobre la relación entre el devocional diario que se lee y las escrituras paralelas previstas. Pregúntese: “¿Cómo una complementa a la otra?”

Reflexione

Esta sección le ayudará a analizar las Escrituras desde múltiples ángulos con un claro enfoque en la aplicación personal. Está diseñada para ayudarle a descubrir más sobre el texto con el uso de preguntas y observaciones. Usted aprenderá más sobre las características de Dios y las formas únicas que Él obra por medio de su Hijo, Jesús. Por último, se destacará la aplicación personal para empezar a aplicar estas verdades a su vida, inmediatamente.

Responda

A medida que crecemos en nuestro tiempo personal con el Salvador, tenemos que estar dispuestos y listos para responder a Sus impulsos internos. Se trata de pedirle: “¿Qué tengo que cambiar y cómo puedo empezar a hacer estos cambios?” Nuestra respuesta requiere un plan de acción. Cada cambio requiere acción. Pregúntese, “¿Cuál es mi siguiente paso en la obediencia a la Palabra de Dios?” Aquí es donde el avance espiritual ocurre—a través de la obediencia a la Palabra viva de Dios—mientras el Espíritu de Dios usa la Palabra de Dios para transformar nuestro corazón.

Mi oración es que usted desee experimentar más de la presencia y el poder de Dios obrando en usted y a través de su vida, mientras usted lo busca más cada día. Que usted le sirva más mientras Él le revela Su amor y Su buena obra en su vida momento-a-momento.

Marcel Sánchez

www.MarcelSanchez.com

Compra el Libro: Andando con Jesús

 

Walking with Jesus by Marcel Sanchez (Seattle: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014)

Walking Jesus-Digital Cover-01Introduction

It is by far one of the biggest challenges faced by believers worldwide. It does not matter whether you are married or single, young or old, educated or uneducated, rich or poor. This struggle does not make any distinctions. It is common to all believers. “What is this great challenge?” you might ask. This struggle, we all face is to start and develop a daily personal time with the Savior, to grow in our love for God, our knowledge of His Word, and to receive spiritual nourishment. It is the struggle to set aside time every day to be alone with the Savior. Spiritual replenishment is not automatic and it is never easy. You have to work at it moment-by-moment.

Don’t miss this next statement: God is at work in your life. He is doing a good work in you. This work started at the moment of your salvation, and continues until you meet with Christ in glory. The Apostle Paul wrote, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, ESV). While serving time in prison, the Apostle Paul reminded his friends in Philippi of an encouraging reality: What God starts in your life, He always finishes. God intends to finish the good work He started in your life. This is thrilling.

Your daily personal time with God is a part of this good work. It serves to perfect your faith, and to conform you to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is how you refresh your spirit and transform your soul. Your daily personal time with God is what God uses to change your thinking and align your thoughts with the mind of Christ. It’s what God primarily uses to change your attitude, adjust your behavior, and transform the way you speak with others. It’s what fuels your spirit. It is necessary for your spiritual maturity to flourish. It is at the heart of an abiding life (John 15). You can’t grow spiritually without it. It is absolutely essential to your faith.

Although this may be a significant struggle for you right now, it can also become your greatest opportunity to experience God in a completely new way. Personal struggles can often be converted into spiritual breakthroughs. Are you ready for a spiritual breakthrough? Are you ready to dig deeper into God’s Word and live in greater obedience? Do you long for God to use you in a powerful way to change the lives of those around you? If so, it begins with allowing His Word to transform you from the inside out as you follow His commands with all of your heart, all of your mind, all of your soul, and all of your strength.

This daily devotional is designed for you to read five days a week for an entire year. It purposely leaves out two days for you to do something different such as review the entire week, memorize key scriptures, have an extended time of prayer, participate in a small group or attend a live worship service. Please don’t rush through each devotional. Let God’s Word sink deep within your heart. Allow God’s Word to work in you and change you from the inside out. Prayerfully reflect on the progression as we unfold the book of John section-by-section, and include other important scriptures for you to meditate on. Each devotional is followed by a threefold plan for personal reflection:

READ

Reading the scriptures is very important. Reading parallel passages is very helpful to further understand the section being studied. I encourage you to read each parallel scripture out loud at least twice. Think through the relationship between the daily devotional being read and the parallel scriptures provided. Ask yourself, “How does one compliment the other?”

REFLECT

This section helps you analyze the Scripture from multiple angles with a sharp focus on personal application. It is designed to help you discover more about the text through the use of questions and observations. You will learn more about God’s characteristics, and the unique ways that He works through His Son, Jesus. Finally, personal application is highlighted to help you start applying these truths in your life right away.

RESPOND

As we grow in our personal time with the Savior, we have to be willing and ready to respond to His inner promptings. This involves asking the Lord, “What do I need to change, and how do I begin making these changes?” In other words, our response requires a plan of action. Every change takes a step of action. The question we have to ask is, “What is my next step in obeying God’s Word?” This is often where spiritual breakthrough takes place—through our obedience to the Living Word of God—as the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to transform our heart for God.

My prayer is that you would experience more of God’s presence and power working in and through your life as you seek Him more each and every day. May you serve Him more as He reveals His love and His good work in your life day-by-day, and moment-by-moment.

Marcel Sanchez

www.MarcelSanchez.com

Buy the Walking with Jesus Book Today