Devotionals: Week 3, Days 2-5

Day 2:
Luke 4:16-19

• What are some things that keep the Holy Spirit from empowering you to live on mission like Jesus?
• When you think of serving the poor, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed in your community or city, what specific activities come to mind?
• What excites you and/or terrifies you about verbally proclaiming the good news to those who haven't yet embraced Christ as Savior and Lord?

Lord, I give You praise for being the Lord of the harvest. Forgive me for failing to see that people are harassed, helpless, and without a shepherd. Cleanse me from a lack of compassion. you know, O Lord, that the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. Help me to know it, too. Send laborers into the harvest here in Northeast Ohio ( or wherever you are, reader) and beyond. And yes, Lord, send me. Amen

Day 3: 

John 4:34-38

• How might you need to be humbled by God? What would the bottom line evidence be that God has opened your eyes?
• Before meeting Christ, Paul worked hard at persecuting Christians. How has God changed the focus of your life’s direction? Who will benefit from your calling?
• Who do you know whose eyes are currently closed and what kind act might you perform for them while asking God to open their eyes?

Lord, I praise You because You are the One who opens the eyes of the heart. Cleanse me of my pride that keeps me from participating in Your mission in this world. Help me to see Jesus and humbly receive the message that He would speak to and through me. Burden my heart for those around me who are blind to the truth about You. By your strength, help me see others turn from darkness to light and receive forgiveness of their sins.

Day 4:

Psalm 126:5,6

• What difference does it make for you to know that the Lord Himself has given you the authority to make disciples?
• What are the excuses you most often use to keep you from making disciples of Jesus?
• What would you say to a person who claims that this mission of God to make disciples is optional?

Lord, Jesus, I praise You for having all the authority in heaven and on earth. Lord, forgive me for looking at myself and my own weaknesses instead of Your power and Your promise to be with me always. I want You to use me to make more and better disciples for You! Please help me make Your commission my life’s mission.

Day 5:

Acts 12:6-8

• What will it take for you to access the power Jesus makes available for His missionaries?
• What changes need to take place in your life for you to be a witness?
• What is your Jerusalem? What is your Judea? What is something tangible for you to do to be a witness in your Jerusalem and in your Judea?

Father, I praise You that You empowered the early disciples to change their world so that I now have received the good news of Your salvation. I acknowledge my reluctance to allow Your power to flow through me to influence others to come into Your Kingdom. Help me to change my mind and commitment to allow You to work in and through me I ask for You to demonstrate Your power through Your Spirit in me as I give myself to You to employ in Your service.