Daily Disciples

Date: September 29, 2020 at 1:10 AM CDT

Topic: +DEV+  Our Faithful Conqueror

Our Faithful Conqueror

“I am convinced that neither death nor life… neither the present nor the future, nor any powers… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Romans 8:38-39


Scripture Focus: Romans 8:28-39

The knowledge of God’s unceasing love is foundational to the stability of my life. Yet at times I feel like I’m running on empty, drained by the negative experiences of life. “Why is this happening?” I cry. Like Job I ask, “Have I not walked in faithfulness and truth?”

Moments like these draw me back to Jesus, the Living Word, and to the truth of the written Word. Paul tells the believers at Rome that God’s goal for them is to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus, the firstborn among many brothers. We are to share in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. His “divine conspiracy” is to make us more like Christ and to let us share in His glory. We might not always enjoy or appreciate the process, but He is at work.



We often let our sufferings result in hardness of heart, bitterness, blame, and even defiling others. But the furnace of affliction refines and purifies as God does His work in us. We find that we can conquer, but only because our faithful Conqueror triumphed over suffering, sin, and death for us.



Insight: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29)

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Michael D. Inman

September 29

Today's Reading: Isaiah 7; Ephesians 2

Today's Thoughts: Hearing God’s Voice

And when they say to you, "Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter," should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? Isaiah 8:19

We are doing a study right now on hearing God’s voice. We didn’t realize how many misconceptions there were and how much fear exists in the lives of the people who say that they hear the Lord. The fear mostly deals with wondering if it was really God who spoke. There is a definite problem if we question hearing God’s voice because we would end up more double minded than if we didn’t consult the Lord at all. If we just do what we want to do, we deal with the consequences of our own decisions and actions and don’t have to get God involved. When we get God involved, even if our interpretation is wrong, we end up having an issue with Him.

When I see a large group of women all struggling with the same thing, I know that the enemy is having his way. Why? Because satan tries his hardest to distract the believer and make them doubt their faith. There is not very much victory in the church today, so if a group of people are dealing with the same issues without victory, satan is involved. How do we resolve the problem of doubt and fear when hearing God’s voice?

The verse above shows us that God’s people have been struggling with the same thing for a long time. It is easier to consult mediums and spiritualists who really don’t know than to consult the Lord. A medium or spiritualist whispers and mutters and focuses on the dead while a Christian should be all about life. But to hear God’s voice takes time, effort and the fighting of the flesh. To know the will of God means that we need to get into the Scriptures and acquaint ourselves with the character of God as well as our own desires before Him. Then we need to lay down our desires so that the Lord can work on our hearts from His perspective instead of our own. That’s how His desires become ours. When we are not threatened by God’s ways, we are able to hear His voice. We have to remember that God is on our side. We are His children; He does not want us walking around confused and frustrated. He wants us walking around sensing His love and His life. If you are a Christian who struggles with knowing the voice of God, talk to Him about it. Tell Him that you don’t want to consult anyone or thing else because His will matters most to you. He is not going to reject a prayer like that. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and follow. Be sure that you are listening because you do hear if you have come to know Him. He will not lead you astray and His will is not to confuse you. Ask, seek and knock and you will find God. That’s a promise.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

September 28

Today's Reading: Isaiah 5; Ephesians 1

Today's Thoughts: Here am I! Send Me.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." - Isaiah 6:8

The prophet, Isaiah, was blessed with an incredible experience…he found himself in the throne room of God. He saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up and the train of His robe filled the temple. He saw glowing celestial beings, or seraphim, around and above the throne. And then, Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord say to him, "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?"   Without hesitation, Isaiah shouted out, “Here am I! Send me.” His life would be forever changed.

Isaiah had a tough ministry as a prophet. The people did not want to hear what he had to say. His prophecies foretold of destruction and doom. Why would anyone want to hear such dreadful predictions about their ultimate desolation? Isaiah did not have a glamorous life and he did not die in an honorable manner. Jewish tradition says that he was sawn in half when he was about 90 years old. He answered the call of God but the call on his life brought much pain and suffering. For people today to answer the call of God there must be an awareness and acceptance of the pain and suffering that comes with the call. It is a tough place to live, especially in a world engrossed in comforts and pleasures.

Many Christians today are afraid to say, “Here am I! Send me.” They are afraid to surrender and to really take up their cross and follow Jesus. The price is high…very high. When the flame starts getting too hot to handle, they step back and cool off. I know because I have been there. So, why be an “Isaiah” if we do not have to be? We can be saved, live a nice life and wake up in heaven. Why go through all of this other stuff? There is only one reason, one answer, to that question: to have the experience of standing before the throne of God and hearing His voice. To experience His presence in such an intimate way that you feel as though you are melting at His feet. To see His glory and majesty as Isaiah did. Once you have tasted and seen, you will never ask “why” again. The pain and the suffering cannot compare to the glory of the Lord.

But first you must be willing to step out and be sent. Are you ready? Do you want more? If so, then start praying. Read the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah to learn more about their lives and how God called them. You will never know all God has for you until you let go and ask Him to send you out. As Christians, this is our great commission.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

September 26

Today's Reading: Isaiah 1; Galatians 5

Today's Thoughts: Take Time to Stop

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

"Be still" is a phrase often commanded by parents. Children have an abundance of energy that seems to have no limits at times, regardless of where they may be. The command to "be still" usually comes when either the energy level has reached a fevered pitch or when the environment is not conducive to an overabundance of activity, such as riding in a car or sitting in church. However, getting a child to be still from just speaking the words is most often a futile attempt at best; sometimes, more serious action is required.

As children of God, we are not so different. We tend to lead overactive lives filled with busyness and activities that seem to have few boundaries themselves. The difference is that, as adults, we have no one telling us to "be still" and slow down. We think the busier we are, the better we are for us and for those around us. Most of us even feel better just by staying active and over stimulated.  Our society not only endorses this behavior but also has, for the most part, created the standards for it. How many of us would like to be known as weak, feeble, or slack? We most likely would be insulted by such words. But God says that we are to "be still," which is defined in Hebrew with such words. God is the One who tells us not to put anything above or before Him in our lives, even our energy levels and activities.

Just as with a child, sometimes our attention must be captured by God using more drastic actions. I heard the Lord telling me to slow down but it took physical changes in my life before I began to listen and obey. All God wants is more of us. He wants to be with us and He wants our undivided attention when we are with Him. It is a command to "be still," to be weak and to be at rest, before our God. Take time today to stop and be still before the Lord. Pray that you can "know" that He is your Lord and Savior and that you can be with Him in stillness and peace. If you hear Him telling you to be still, then listen and obey and do not wait: start today.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

September 25

Today's Reading: Song of Solomon 6:1-17; Galatians 4

Today's Thoughts: Song of Love

Where has your lover gone, most beautiful of women? Which way did your lover turn, that we may look for him with you? - Song of Solomon 6:1


While reading the Song of Solomon, I can almost blush. The book is so intense regarding the extent of a love between a man and woman. There are times that the dialogue between the man and woman shift to the woman and her friends. Both sets of conversations focus on love, not the kind of love we associate with Jesus, but sexual love. The Song of Solomon talks about breasts and passion. I read the verses almost forgetting that I was reading the Bible.

I have heard scholars say that the Song of Solomon should not be in the Bible because Solomon's counsel about women is wrong. After all, he had 700 wives and 300 concubines and his behavior was certainly not biblical. They continue to say that Solomon's attitude toward women turned him away from the pure worship of God, so his counsel is as a heathen not as a believer. I have a difficult time with this thought because God would not have allowed it to make the cut into His Holy Word if He did not value the book. I have heard others say that the Song of Solomon represents the love that Jesus has for the church. He loves us as His bride and this love is a passionate and a self-sacrificial love. Personally, this is difficult to accept because the book is about sex. Can we equate Jesus' love for the church as sexual?

I believe that the Song of Solomon is as inspired by the Holy Spirit as every other book in the Bible. I also believe that Jesus loves us more than anyone else can, and we can draw similarities between His love for the church as His bride. But I also believe that the sexual love between a man and woman in marriage is godly. Sex was in the Garden before sin. God made a woman's body in such a way that Adam wanted her sexually. We sometimes spiritualize our desires too much and presume that sex, passion or the instincts of the body are sinful. Not true. Sex between a man and woman is normal and spiritual. It is that union that keeps them one and brings them together in intimacy.

God is not afraid of our sexuality. He wrote a book about it—the Song of Solomon. If you have not read it, try to read it without blushing. But while you are reading it, allow the Lord to minister to you in the areas that you need Him to intervene in your opinion and views about your sexuality. Do not hide these thoughts from Him; He already knows them. Include Him and He will do amazing things because He loves you.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

September 23

Today’s Reading: Song of Solomon 1; Galatians 2

Today’s Thoughts: Your Home and Family

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” - Ephesians 3:14-15

I am going home for a few days to see my family. As I say the words “home” and “family,” I catch myself wondering what my definition of these two words really are to me today. Technically, I have three families: one in my own home, the second in the family I grew up, and third is the family of God. The same context applies to with the word “home.”  For some of us, home is somewhere away from the family and vice versa. Confusing? Now let’s add what Paul says about our “family.” We are all one big family in heaven and earth named by our heavenly Father. Our real home awaits us in heaven. Until then, we all seek and search for that loving embrace and acceptance from our earthly homes and families.

So, what is the point? For me, every time I “go home,” I end up dealing with certain emotions, feelings and thoughts. Some are pleasant and some are not. Death, divorce and disease are just a few of those unpleasant ones that have touched my family. However, there is also that family connection God has put within all of us of a desire to spend time together and have fellowship. For me though, I am most thankful for the family of Christ. As I look around my life today, I realize that the friendships I have represent the family that God has given me. I am so very thankful for the love and fellowship in the body of Christ.

Even if our earthly families are not the most stable and strong, we can be encouraged to know that our heavenly family is one in the Lord. It will not matter when we get to heaven who did what to whom or how much pain was involved. Our heavenly Father will take care of us all and home will be with Him. The old saying says that, “home is where the heart is,” I believe that to be true. If my heart is with Jesus, then there my home is also, not just with Jesus in heaven but here on earth with His family. I love and appreciate my family very much but I take much comfort in knowing that I have the greatest family of all in the body of Christ.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

September 22

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 10:12; Galatians 1

Today’s Thoughts: His Everlasting Love

The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” - Jeremiah 31:3 

God is love. You cannot separate Him from love and He works in our lives because of His love. Many of us know that God is love, but how many of us live like we believe it? Fear, doubt, guilt and thoughts of self-condemnation are all factors that wage against the love of God. So each time that we worry, we are not resting in the love of God. Each time we feel fearful regarding our finances or health, we are not resting in the love of God. What does it take to accept that God loves us unconditionally so that we can rest in His love?

For me, I understood my need for a savior far greater than my need for love. I was raised in a church that reminded me of my unworthiness weekly. Jesus was identified dying on the cross because of my sins much more than He was identified with the hope of His resurrection. As a result, I expected God to be angry with me each time I opened the Bible. Reading verses such as, “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” seemed foreign, as if God wrote them to the patriarchs and not to me.

However, as I continued reading the Bible, I realized that these “beloved” patriarchs were very much sinners also. They each had shortcomings and each made mistakes. Slowly, I began to realize that God knows and accepts my sinful ways better than I do. That’s why He made a way through Jesus to save me….because He loves me. The love came first!

God loves you so much that you cannot do anything to separate yourself from His love. He understands your struggles and limitations. But through it all, He wants you to find rest as you accept His love and love Him back. After all, 1 John 4:19 says, “We love, because He first loved us.”

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc

September 21

Today's Reading: Ecclesiastes 7; 2 Corinthians 13

Today's Thoughts: The Cross is Enough


For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23

Where do you find a group of people who openly admit that they are sinners but do not go to church? Traffic School. A few years ago, I had the opportunity of being with a group of people who openly admitted their sins to each other as we went around the room explaining what wrong we had committed. These people may not have actually called themselves sinners but they all knew they were wrong with something in their driving. By showing up for traffic school, we were protected from insurance premium increases, points placed on our licenses and the DMV. While at traffic school, the instructor (who was a professional comedian—after all it's hard to admit you are wrong) sets the class up in three ways: what you want to know, what you need to know and what you should know in order to bypass future consequences. By the end of the day, I was filled with so many statistics of future repeat occurrences that I fully believed that I would break the law again—somehow, someway, some day. What are their motives for inducing such fear, guilt and inadequacy? Well, in this traffic school class, the organization was selling "lifelong memberships" to traffic school. I watched the whole class buy a membership, and then, he looked at me. And I said in front of everyone, "Is this legal? You are soliciting a profit off of our sins?" They are right that I will break the law again (it does not take much to realize that); however, their intent was wrong. 

Man's ways are not God's ways. God demonstrated His love towards us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus' motives and intentions are pure and selfless. He went to a cross, innocent and blameless, to become sin for us so we can be made righteous by His blood. Jesus paid the price of a debt we could never afford to pay. Every day we need to come to the cross of Christ to acknowledge our sins before Him. We need to confess them and believe that His sacrifice is enough to cleanse us of our sins. Every day we need to come to His feet and beg Him to use us and convict us of the wrongs we do. Every day we need a new filling of the Holy Spirit so that we can be used by Him to bring others into His freedom from old habits and behaviors. God has a plan for you. Jesus went to great lengths to help you to believe, for no other reason and for no personal profit, but because of His love for you. He was crucified and you are cleansed. Will we continue to sin? Absolutely. But do those sins now separate us from God? Never. All He wants from us is to believe. Do you believe? Is Jesus enough? Is Jesus all you want? Today, pray that God will open the door for you to share with someone else the hope you have found in Jesus.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

September 20

Today’s Verses: Ecclesiastes 4; 2 Corinthians 12

Today’s Thoughts: Friendship


Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 

We spoke at a church retreat where the theme was Friendship. Everyone who attended received a small card that had a picture of two little girls and the words, “Two are better than one…for if they fall, one will lift up his companion.” It was very sweet and very cute, just like we expect little girls to be. However, shouldn’t this verse apply to adults too? Running a large weekly women’s study, we know that many come looking for friendship. But, as adults, friendships are not defined nor identified in the same terms as when we were young. We grow up, we grow distant, and we get too busy to spend time with, or even maintain, friends. That is not how Jesus intended friendships to be. He knows that we need each other, in times of prosperity and in times of failure.

Jesus had a way of putting things in perspective. When the disciples asked who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus showed them the little children. As adults, we need to become childlike, not childish, with others. Children do not worry about the boundaries or the real motive behind every spoken word. They just want a friend, someone to hang out with. Jesus also talked about friends. He said that a friend is someone willing to lay down his life for another. Maintaining friendships as adults is difficult because true friendship does “not [seek] its own” desires (1 Corinthians 13:4); true friendship is selfless and giving.

Jesus is our perfect example of friendship. He laid down His life just for us, because He is our true Friend. Today, we can take comfort in knowing that no matter what happens, Jesus is always with us. Do you have a friend or companion who is there for you? Regardless of how alone we may feel at times, we need to take heart in knowing that Jesus is always our Friend, and He is the best one of all. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

 Daily Disciples Ministries

September 19


Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 1; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Today’s Thoughts: Things That Matter

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. - Ecclesiastes 2:11

It seems that time is passing so fast; birthdays come faster and even the holiday season comes sooner every year.  But in reality, time is set at a fixed and constant rate and does not change. So I am not getting older faster than I used to, and holidays do not come sooner than they used to, but rather, time is passing at a constant speed. Why does time seem to be passing too fast?

The author of the book of Ecclesiastes had come to the point in his life in which he understood just how little time we really have. In the first chapter, the author identifies himself as David's son, the king of Jerusalem. He also calls himself the Preacher and he spends twelve chapters preaching on the meaning of life—the meaningless of life. His main point centers on how much time we spend on things that are "vanity." The word vanity means emptiness, unsatisfactory, and vapor. Too often, the things we chase after in life are done in vain, and end in emptiness. How many of us look back on things we chased in life and see the worthlessness of the time wasted and the end result? How many of us would love the chance to go back and do certain things over again? Let us go forward with a new mind, set on the things that matter.

Today, take time to stop, slow down and find the real meaning in your life. Our Savior was born to give the only gift that matters. A gift that is not bought, earned or labored for; it is totally free.  Jesus has given the gift of everlasting life to all who believe in Him. In this gift, however, there is so much more than just what awaits us in eternity. Our gift starts today. Jesus promised that He would not leave us alone. He has given us His Holy Spirit who lives within us; and because of Him, we have love, joy and peace. Take the time to worship and praise Him for all that He has given you.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

September 18

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 30; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Today’s Thoughts: When God Exalts

On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life. Joshua 4:14

Joshua had already been appointed by the Lord and by Moses to lead the people into the promise land. But, the Lord waited until everyone (except the priests holding the Ark of the Covenant) had crossed the Jordan before He exalted Joshua in the eyes of the people. At that point, the Lord told Joshua what to command the people to do. Joshua went from being their leader to being their commander. The Lord knew what lay ahead of them and the people would need a strong, courageous leader to get them through the battles.

There comes a point in time when the Lord steps in and exalts His leaders, teachers, commanders, whomever He has chosen for His purposes. Often times, we want to help God in this way by exalting ourselves. We may know in our hearts that we are called for a specific purpose and we even know that He has gifted us for the task, but no one else will respect or submit to that calling until God reveals it to them. The people needed to fear Joshua and respect his authority but only God could instill that in them. The Lord will do the same today for His people that He has chosen to lead others, whether in teachers, leaders, and so many other areas of service. Wait on the Lord to let others know what He is doing with you.

Have you been called for a role in leadership, maybe in your church or in an area of your workplace? Whatever the role and wherever the place; if the Lord has placed that on your heart and is leading you in your role; trust Him to give you the authority to do the job. Be careful not to push your authority on others or do things to promote yourself. When the Lord exalts you, it is for His purpose and in His timing. People will see you differently, not because of you, but because of the Holy Spirit revealing those things to them. Take comfort in what God did with Joshua and be of good courage in all that the Lord is leading you to do.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

Today's Reading: Proverbs 27; 2 Corinthians 10

Today's Thoughts: Winning the Battle

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Did you know that there is an ongoing battle for your mind? Many of us realize that there is a battle taking place inour minds, but the real battle is forcontrol of our minds. This may sound a little like science fiction and weird but that is just what our enemy wants us to think. We are in a spiritual battle every day for control of our thoughts. For some of us, the intensity of conflicting thoughts can torment us for hours. For others of us, we have learned such mind control that we do whatever it takes to press down those thoughts. Regardless of how we handle them, they are still there.

The only effective weapons that we can use are the ones given to us by God. The weapons of the flesh, such as mental imagery or positive thinking will not bring us the victory that God has for us. Many people use such tools and claim dramatic results, but the deceptions are dangerous. Why? Because the focus and the power are placed completely on us, not on the Lord. The more power we think we have in ourselves, the more power Satan has over us. Scary thought? Let’s go for the real power and learn to bring our thoughts before Christ.

Are you in a battle today over things in your mind? There are two things you must incorporate into your daily routine. First, open your Bible and read at least one verse in the morning. Use a devotional or a Psalm or Proverb, whatever works for you. Second, take what you have read and ask the Lord to put His words into your mind throughout the day. If you will do this every day, in time you will begin to remember God’s words and will think about them because His Spirit will bring them to your thoughts. For those things that you are struggling with in your mind, start talking to the Lord about them. Pray that His words will bring comfort and hope instead of torment and guilt. Let the Lord fight for you by letting Him have the control over your mind instead of trying to handle it yourself.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

September 16

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 25; 2 Corinthians 9

Today’s Thoughts: An Everyday Retreat

...
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Have you ever attended a weekend church retreat or fellowship outing? It is usually a great time of fellowship filled with a lot of love and laughter. It is an opportunity to meet new friends, share hidden struggles and spend time together. But why do we often wait until we attend such an event to reach out and enjoy others? Why can't we get along like that all the time? In one weekend, we can find out more about a person than after a whole year in church together. What happens at a retreat that causes our barriers to come down and our kind, loving, accepting personalities to come out? There are many burdens carried by people who attend a retreat, but somehow those burdens become a lot lighter by the end. The answer is God.

A retreat is the one place that we incorporate the Lord in everything we do. We sing to the Lord, we learn about the Lord, we talk to others about the Lord, we pray together to the Lord, and we are at a facility that is dedicated to the Lord. It is all about the Lord. We live out Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus said unto him, 'You shall love the Lord thy God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

We need to pray that we can understand this kind of love and kindness all year round. We get busy and focused on our own struggles, trying so hard to make it through the day that we forget others are in need too. But what we are really forgetting is a Who—the Lord. We need to include the Lord in the busyness of our days so that we can represent Him to others. Pray that you can be used by the Lord and that you can incorporate Him in everything you do today. You just might be able to help someone along the way. And, keep going to those retreats—we all need those special weekends with the Lord and with others.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

September 15

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 22:1-33; 2 Corinthians 8

Today’s Thoughts: Small Adjustments for Big Breakthroughs

“Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: why should you destroy yourself?” - Ecclesiastes 7:16

I tend to be the main point person when dealing with the retreats that we attend. So it’s up to me to do mostly everything from communicating with the church to finding out the specifics of the retreat. Well, last weekend’s retreat was no different. When Bobbye asked me what she should bring, I pulled out the list and started reading it to her: sleeping bag, flashlight, pillow, towels, toiletries. She listened intently and asked, “Is this a camp ground? Are we going camping this weekend?” I said, “No, it’s a retreat center,” without giving it another thought.

The weekend came and we were greeted with willing arms to help us carry our things. As I popped open my trunk, the pillows, towels, extra blankets and sleeping bags were right on top. One of the girls said, “You do not need any of that.” Confused, I rechecked the packing list just to find out that I had stapled my 7th grade daughter’s retreat list to the church’s information. I had been following the wrong list.

How can you be so prepared and organized while being so radically off base? It took a lot of extra time, thought and effort to pack things that I didn’t need. I had never questioned the list, trusting in my own skill set.

This was a small mistake in the big picture of things but it made me examine other things in my life. How many times am I going out of my way to make things harder on myself, absolutely convinced that I am right? I might be heading the right way and even able to get to the right place but am I prepared with the right things when I arrive? Am I making the trip of life more difficult in the process? Am I willing to listen to others who are personally involved? Am I spending more time doing or am I really thinking things through? These were great questions for me to ponder while away in the mountains. Sometimes it is not about making big changes but making small adjustments that can lead to huge breakthroughs.

Everything considered, the retreat was amazing!  Women got saved and clearly women changed. The testimonies absolutely reflected that God is still in the business of setting captives free. Despite packing the wrong kind of things, we really had the right kind of time.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

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