Isn’t Jesus in the business of changing lives? He made fisherman, fishers of men. He made a crazy, naked, bloody guy an evangelist (Mark 5). He made crooked, dishonest men like Zacchaeus into an honorable man. He transformed the life of an outcast, lonely woman who had been bleeding for 12 years into a woman of faith. Jesus has mastered the art of change.

So how do we make changes? I mean real, life-change. How do we make dramatic, significant changes?

If you really want to make changes turn the pages with caution.

Do you ever wonder how you should pray, the disciples did. When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray He spoke these familiar words. Do not let the familiarity of these words make you numb to their power. Speak these words to our God as if for the first time (for some it will be the first time). 

‘Our Father in heaven, 
hallowed be your name, 
¹⁰ your kingdom come, 
your will be done, 
   on earth as it is in heaven. 
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread. 
¹² And forgive us our debts, 
   as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one.’

that they may know You, the only true God,

and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

John 17:3-4

 Take a minute to think about who has served you well and who you have served.  When a friend needs a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on- are you there to serve them?  When you see a person on the street holding a sign "hungry," are you there to serve them?  When someone calls from church asking you to make a meal or work in the nursery- are you there to serve them?  When your neighbor, who has no boundaries, sends her 3 year old over to play- are you there to serve them?  

If you were asked to name someone who has a "servant’s heart," who would you name?  Is there anyone on the planet who might name you?

The Bible makes it clear that our deeds alone do not get us into heaven.  But God’s word also makes it clear that we are to do the will of our Father.  Jesus came to serve us- not to be served.  

Ask yourself how you can be a better servant- to your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and strangers.  Choose now to lead a life marked by service.  

Day 4 of 28 (start at day 1 by clicking HERE)

]]> http://www.tenthdotministries.com/progress-part-4-of-28/feed/ 5 http://www.tenthdotministries.com/progress-part-2-of-28/ http://www.tenthdotministries.com/progress-part-2-of-28/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:02:55 +0000 Danny http://www.tenthdotministries.com/?p=3229 PROGRESS

Living for today but planning for tomorrow

Day 2 of 28 (start at day 1 by clicking HERE)

Today we are going to discover some vital life lessons from the book of Haggai. This book will give us powerful insight into becoming the people God has designed us to be. It is only as we uncover the treasures within the Scriptures, that we will be able to progress in the faith. Listen to the word of the LORD.

Haggai 1:3-4

Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house [God's house] remains a ruin?"

Matthew 6:31-33

"Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern” 

]]> http://www.tenthdotministries.com/progress-part-2-of-28/feed/ 14 http://www.tenthdotministries.com/75/ http://www.tenthdotministries.com/75/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:24 +0000 Danny http://www.tenthdotministries.com/?p=2478 There is something that yearns within me to spend time with the One I love.

There is a passion in my bones to please my Daddy.

Who is your teacher? Seriously.

Who teaches you how to behave? How to respond to disaster?

How to live? How to love? How to have a relationship?

Whose teachings do you follow for daily living?

Find something new as you read through His teachings today.

(so read yesterday’s devo first!)

It would be impossible to reveal the value of the gift He has given us-this gift is priceless. So in light of this Jesus comes to us right now and says, "Do not worry." He will take care of us. He will provide for us. He will meet all of your needs.

Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Jesus commands us not to worry. In the same way that we are commanded not to kill, or steal or covet, we are commanded not to worry. Shouldn’t we as followers of Christ look radically different from the world? The economy falls apart- we don’t worry. Are children get sick- we don’t worry. How can we do this?