Day 15/60

1 Cor 3:1-23

vs 1-4 Christians have a process of maturity. Here it is compared to a baby going from milk to solid food. When we become Christians there should be a growth process. Unfortunately here Paul is still seeing jealousy and fighting. They are not seeing that Christ is the one to follow rather then the ones that told them about Christ. 

vs 5-9 The first part gives the analogy of a farmer. Paul planted the seed, Apollos watered it and God made it grow. Pastor Mike and I as well as your life coaches,  do all the planting and watering we can so that you will come to a maturity in Christ. Only God will make things grow, with your cooperation. You should want to grow in Him. If you dedicate yourself to what God wants in your life to read the Word, to pray and to listen to the Spirit each day. This is the part that you have.

vs 10-15 The next part gives the analogy of a builder. One started the foundation and the other is building something upon it. The foundation is Jesus Christ. Ones work will be seen for the effort and the material put into it. 

vs 16-17 You are God's temple. God's temple is sacred. You are sacred Do not destroy that.

vs 18-23 Do not think of yourself higher then you ought. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. So do not boast about your self but in the work of the Lord.

Day 14/60

1 Corinthians 2

vs 1-5 Paul is really humble here to show that compared to the power of the Spirit, he is nothing. He is not wise or a good speaker. Even though Paul feels like this he allowed the Spirit to use him. He made himself available in service.

vs 6-9 The wisdom that Paul speaks of is given by the Spirit. It comes with the maturity and growth that one has in Christ. No one can conceive the magnificence of God and what He has prepared for us. 

vs 10-16 No one knows what goes on in the mind of the Lord, except His Spirit. So try to listen to the truth of God through His Word and Spirit.

Day 13/60

1 Corinthians 1:10-31

vs 10-17 There seems to be division in the church. People are starting to follow the people that God sends to them rather then God, himself. Paul makes a good point that he does not baptize in the name of Paul but rather the few baptism that he has done has been in the name of God.

vs 18  The message of the cross is different for the two sides. to some it is foolishness. For those who are being saved it is the very power of God.

vs 19-25 Many men think they are wise but even the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom. God can use every part of ourselves if we offer it to him because the power of God comes out through our weakness.

vs 26-31 Think of where God has brought you from. His power has brought you from where you were to where you are today. This is why we do not boast in ourselves but in the Lord. We are nothing without the power of our God.

I really like this chapter. It is humbling to think that I am only at where I am today because of the power of God in my life. We need to celebrate more about what God has done in our lives so glory can be brought to Him.

Day 12/60

Romans 14:1-15:6

vs 1-4 Do not judge a man based on his own convictions. If one tries to stick to following rules in order to live out his faith, it is that mans own convictions that allow him to do so. 

vs 5-8 One man might pick a specific day to keep holy another will consider them all similar. Either way do not live for yourself but for the Lord and do not get argumentative about how one observes the rule.

vs 9-11 Do not judge.

vs 12-15 Each one will be judged before God. This is not our place. If someone has their convictions and you have yours do them unto the Lord.

vs 16-18 "Anyone who serves Christ is pleasing to God."

vs 19-21 Do not get worked up, let us live a life of peace. Do not allow yourself to cause another person to stumble .

vs 22-23 "Everything that does not come from faith is sin."

Ch 15:1-4  Help those who are weak. Build them up.  Everything that has been written has been done to help teach us and to give us hope.

vs 5-6 All these things are done so we can be brought together in unity. 

Day 11/60

Romans 13

vs 1-5 Submit to governing authorities. This is a little easier said then done some of the times. A lot of laws are similar to what God has asked of us. He does not want us to steal, however the only difference with government than God is that the punishment is served out during our lifetime. And with God their is room for forgiveness if one seeks it.  When one rebels against the authorities, they are also rebelling against God. God has established the authority. 

The interesting thing about this statement is that Paul had a few jail stints. But the reason he was in jail was not for breaking God's laws but because he was spreading the love of God. So in order to do what God asked him to do, he had to take chances. So learn to follow the heart of God. Discern how He wants you to live.

vs 6-7 No one likes taxes, but we all have to pay them. Give what you they ask of you. While it is not easy there are many services that we would not be able to have without taxes. Police Dept, Fire Dept, School systems, services everyone need.  Not only do we honor God through this bu by giving people respect  and honor is important as well.

vs 8-10  Those who love have fulfilled the law. The ten commandments narrow down to the greatest commandments of love God and love neighbor. 

vs 11-14 It is time to wake up!  Realize how you are living and turn away from sin. Follow Christ, Clothe yourself with Christ. If you clothe yourself, it always goes with you wherever you go.

Day 10/60

Romans 12

This is one of my favorite chapters. 

vs 1-2 Offer your bodies as living sacrifices. You are alive yet you offer your body out of love to be used for Christ. This is what we do in worship. Worship is not just singing songs, it is so much more then that. Worship is how we live our lives. Be transformed, so you can live out what God's will is in your life. Stay attuned to what He wants from you.

vs 3-8 Do not think of yourselves so highly. In the world we live in this is difficult because we can custom everything to our needs, we can broadcast ourselves online with facebook, youtube and more. But is is not about ourselves receiving the acknowledgment, rather then allowing the body to work together as one. We each have different parts sharing in the body of Christ. Allow each to use their gifts that have been given to them for the use of the community.

vs 9-13 Be loving, devoted, honor one another above yourself, be zealous always, be joyful, patient, faithful, generous,  hospitable. 

vs 14-16 Bless your persecutors, do not curse (bring harm), rejoice and mourn with those who do the same. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, conceited or stuck up.

vs 17-21 Do right, live peacefully, do not take revenge. Vengeance is only the Lord's to have. Feed and give drink to your enemy, this will make him feel weird. Overcome evil with good.

9/60

Romans 10

vs 1-4 This is a great prayer for anyone to have, that they may be saved. He picks a flaw in them that he sees their zeal is not based on knowledge. They tried to do things on their own rather then relying on what God can give them. Only Christ allows them to have righteousness.

vs 5-13 If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth, will be saved. It takes more then faith. It is an outward confession. A response  from ourselves on who God is and how it changes us. 

--from the heart comes believe and are justified.

--from your mouth that you confess and are saved.

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

vs 14-21 How can someone know about Christ without us bringing to them the new either from our mouths or God's word.  So anyone who brings the Good News to others is awesome.  Faith comes from hearing the message. 

Different messages

1. Words of Christ- Words to the end of the world

2. Moses- envious by those who are not a nation

3. Isaiah- found by those who did not seek

Day 8/60

Romans 8: 18-39

vs 18 This is a powerful statement. I am sure that some of you are going through something that makes it seem like you life just cannot get any worse. But God has so much more planned for you then the temporary pain and suffering. Imagine how you will feel when you get through this, overcome it and then how God can use you because of the strength and confidence you received when he helped you get through it. 

vs 19-21 No one was created to stay where they are at. Whether good times or bad, there will always be need for growth to become more like Christ. We were not meant to stay in this bondage but to be set free.

vs 22-27 What a statement of hope. We cannot  for what we already have. We have the Spirit in us to bring us to where He wants us to be.  So we hope patiently for what God has promised. When we are weak, we allow the Spirit to work in us. At times when we have not words and do not know how to go on the Spirit intercedes for us.

vs 28 "God works for the good of those who love Him." 

vs 29-30 Gods plan for us. 

1. conform to the likeness of his son.

2. called, justified, glorified.

vs 31 "If God is for us, who can be against us."

vs 32-34 God gave His Son as a sacrifice for us. So why wouldn't he give us anything else we need? 

vs 36-38 Because of Christ we are conquerers. 

vs 35, 39 Nothing will separate us from the love of Christ, if we love Him. 

Day 7/60

Romans 7:1-25

vs 1-6 Death breaks one from the law. The example given here is marriage. So when we received new life it allowed us to bear fruit, and to serve in a new way of the Spirit.

vs 7-12 The law is holy, righteous and good, and apart from law sin is dead.

vs 13 Sin produces death.

vs 14-20 We do not understand what we do at times. "What I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do." It is a struggle, it becomes the sin living in us. The sinful nature compels us, drives us to this. 

vs 21-25 The self is at war with itself. We delight to follow God's law but struggle and wrestle with ourselves. Only God, through Jesus Christ will be able to deliver us in this. 

Challenge you to read Romans 8:1-17 and see how we can have this life.

Day 6/60

vs 1-4 Many people stay in sin because they think it is a trap, that we are human and we will always fail. However this is not true. We are to in cooperation with Christ live an abundant life (John 10:10). What is an abundant life? It is a life totally devoted to God, relying on His grace in times but moving forward to become more like Christ.  This is why we were baptized. As Christians we are to die to sin, and are born into a new life. 

vs 5-7 It is  the baptism that shows we are united with Christ. We die as we are laid back in the water. We are cleansed, and we raise again as we are brought to new life.

8-14 Now it is time to live  together for Christ. Since Christ already battled death and won it is impossible for Him to die. In the same way our old selves have died and we are now alive in Christ. So do not offer your bodies to sin, but rather to God. Sin will not be our master. 

15- 18 For the second time Paul asks if we should sin because we are under the grace of God rather then the law? His answer, no. We are no longer slaves to sin. Who or what do we obey. Whatever we obey, we are slaves to. We have been set free from sin. 

19-23 The benefit of becoming a slave to righteousness and God, leads us towards holiness and eternal life. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life."

Day 5/60

Roman 5:12-21

vs 12-14 Sin affects us all. We are all held accountable for the law.

vs 15-19  Just as Adam's sin affected all. Jesus' grace affects us all. Able to cancel out the sin if we follow Christ in faith. How much better is the second gift!

vs 20-21 Where there is sin, their can also be forgiveness, and where there is forgiveness there is eternal life.

Day 4/60

Romans 4

vs 1-3 Not justified by works, this would give us the credit for everything we do. Yet we are righteous only by faith.

vs 4-6 Just as someone who works receives a paycheck, one who trusts God his faith is built up.

vs 7-8 Those who have belief, who trust and follow God will not have their sins count against them.

vs 9-12 Righteousness is credited with faith and not a religious ritual.

vs 13-17 God promised Abraham, but Abraham's part is to live in faith. 

vs 18-25 Abraham lived in faith, God strengthened his faith through crediting him righteousness. This same promise can be for us as well.

Day 3/60

vs 21-26 Righteousness comes through faith in Christ to all who believe. We all need this because we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We are justified by his grace. Justified is a forgiveness that brings us to a place of total peace with God. We are able to have this because of the sacrifice Christ made for us. It mentions it was an atonement. This is what makes us one with Jesus. We are able to be justified because of his atonement of our sins. He did this to make things right, because God knew we were not able to achieve it on our own. So he did it for us. 

vs 27-31 This does not change the old law but rather builds it up through the faith of all persons whether Jewish or Gentile. Gentile is a word use for anyone who is not Jewish. So I am considered a Gentile as are the majority of you.

Day 2/60

vs 1-4 Why do you condemn/judge the people of things that you are guilty of as well? It is not our place as man to judge anyway.  God's kindness is what leads us to repentance. His kindness brings us forgiveness and we turn away from our past to live for Christ.

vs 5-11 Don't let stubbornness get in the way of repentance. Humble yourself to reveal yourself in the wrong. Seek the glory and honor of God. Reject the evil that separates us from God. It is not worth the trouble to follow evil. It will only bring distress to you and the ones around you.

vs 12-16 Only those who obey the law will be seen as righteous in God's eyes. It is not enough to read it like you are doing now. It is not enough to hear it at church and youth group. Yet it is something that is supposed to be lived out and applied to your life. 

New Challenge- 60 Days w/ Paul... Day 1

Most of these passages are shorter then what we read each day in the Gospels but Romans is packed with so much truth that I will walk through and help you understand a little about what Paul was talking about.

Romans 1:16-32

vs 16-17  The gospel is something he was not ashamed about and is willing to do anything for it. He knows that the gospel story brings the power of God through salvation for anyone who believes. In the gospel God includes the right living that we need in our lives and shows us how to live by faith.

vs 18-20  God shows us how we should live whether through Scripture or Spirit so we are without excuse of being able to know how to live for him. Make sure you fall on the side of God!

vs 21-23 Many people claim to know God but do not follow His ways. This is the important part of being the church. We need to live it out.  We need to be careful how we think, and protect our hearts from the darkness. So many times we choose the mortal (things that will die, have an end) rather then focusing on the one who had not beginning and will have no end.

vs 24-25 How many times have we traded God for what seems convenient. Are we living our lives in a way that is honoring God out of our convictions or are we living in a way that is convenient for us and changing our beliefs because it seems like an easier way to live. Do not exchange the truth for lies or convenience.

vs 26-27 This is one of those specific ways of life that is addressed in scripture that many people dance around because it offends some people. "Men abandoned natural relations with women and inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent act with other men." 

With this verse I first want to say that as a Christian we should never treat any person differently because of their beliefs. We do believe that homosexuality is a sin and as you can read in this verse that it is an unnatural way. So how do we address it in the church. We need to accept anyone and everyone. We are all broken, each in our own way. We need to fight the temptations that we have to live the way that God expects us to live. Continue to "Love God and Love Neighbor. Give people grace, compassion and treat them the way that you would want to be treated.

vs 28-32 You will have to choose for yourself how you will use the truth you know. Will you obey it and live a fruitful life, or disregard it and live against God's plans for you?

 

Day 30

We are finally here. The end of the first 30 day challenge. How do you think you did? Was it worth it? What did you learn. How has your life changed. Remember it is one thing to learn something but completely different to apply it to your life. I hope the second is true. 

I will be starting in on the next challenge starting Monday. This is when we will start a 60 day challenge reading through a lot of the epistles. The epistles are the books written by Paul. I hope you guys continue on in this to challenge yourself to become more like Christ in the process.

Luke 24

vs 1-12 One thing you have to remember is that the guards have been here this whole time. Yet when  the woman arrive the stone was rolled away and there was nobody in the tomb. Jesus was nowhere to be found.  Two angels appeared to them and tell them "Jesus is not here; He is risen. Remember he told you this was going to happen. They went and told all these things to the 11 disciples and no one believed them. But Peter ran to the tomb to see for himself.

vs 13-49 Jesus appears to the

1. Two of the disciples were down and tell Him about what happened, they did not recognize Jesus. It wasnt until he broke the bread and gave it to them when they realized it was the Christ.

2. Appears to the rest of the disciples, saying "Peace be with you." The look like they just saw a ghost. He eats with them. And tells them they are all witnesses and to share it with the world.

vs 50-53 Jesus taken up to heaven.

The death and resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our belief. We must believe this. It is imperative. This is supposed  to encourage and challenge us to live out our faith. In Luke he appeared to 12 people. But in John 20 he appears to Mary Magdalene. In Acts 1, it says he was on earth for a period of forty days. In all Jesus revealed himself to over 500 witnesses. How much proof do you need to know this is real?

Day 29

Matthew 27

This is when the Bible for me starts to look like the Passion movie. For those who have seen it know what I am talking about. I am very visual so when I read this I picture what takes place in the movie. 

vs 1-10 Judas starts to feel guilty about what he had done. He goes to return the coins to the chief priests. But of course they do not care, rejected him. Judas leaves and goes to hang himself.

vs 11-26 Jesus goes on trial before Pilate. Pilate gives the crowd an option of which prisoner they would like released. This is something that happens every year at this time. I think Pilate thought that they would release Jesus but it backfired on him and they asked to release Barabbas. Barabbas was the worst of the worst. 

Pilate's wife warns him not to do anything with Jesus, he is innocent. So he is passive and decides to ask the crowd what they want to do with Jesus. The crowd replies crucify him. The crowd was starting to revolt. Since Pilate did not want riots to ensue he released Jesus to the crowd and wiped his hands of any responsibility.

vs 27-31 This is when it starts to get really crazy, soldiers mock Jesus.

1. Stripped him of his clothes.

2. Put a scarlet robe on him. 

3. Twisted a crown of thorns and set it into his head.

4. Put a staff in his right hand. 

5. Bowed down before him. 

They mocked Jesus because he claimed to be king. So they dressed him up like a king with a robe and a crown. 

6. Spit on him. 

7. Led him away to crucify him.

vs 32-44 Jesus needed help carrying the cross. So the soldiers forced a man named Simon to do it.  They divided up his clothing by gambling for it. 

"He saved others but cant save himself."  Hurling the worst insults possible. This is not normal. No one can continue in these circumstances. Especially when Jesus has all the power to stop it at any time. He continued to say. "Not my will but yours be done." He gave up everything, including his own life. He did this act to save us from our selves and our selfish sins. 

vs 45-56 At the darkest point of his life. "He says, God, why have you forsaken me?"  Jesus dies. At this the curtain in the temple was torn. This curtain was the passage way into the Holy of Holies, which is the very presence of God himself.  Only priests were allowed in there to do the priestly duties of sacrifice being the representation of the Jewish people. If the priest were not pure when he entered he would die. Because only pure people could enter into the presence of God and live to tell about it. But with the ripping of the curtain it showed a new start. All people could now be in the presence of God. They did not need a priest to represent them any longer. God would now be able to connect with us at all times. What an awesome story.

vs 57-61 Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus in a tomb.

vs 62-66 Guards make plans to guard the tomb of Jesus so the disciples cant come and steal the body of Jesus to proclaim that he rose again.

Day 28

Luke 22 

vs 1-6 Judas after being taken over by Satan agrees to betray Jesus.

vs 7-38 Jesus asks them to go prepare Passover. Passover for someone who is Jewish is like a U.S. citizen  celebrating the 4th of July. Passover was celebrated to commemorate being freed from slavery in Egypt. Specifically what made Pharaoh release the slaves at first, when whoever did not make a sacrifice and paint the top of their doors with the blood of a lamb, would lose their first born son. 

This was Jesus last passover, this is the story where we have adopted the sacrament of communion. This is when we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. We take the bread and eat because the bread represents Jesus body which was broken for us. Then we the cup and drink because it represents the blood Jesus spilled for us.

Jesus also tells Peter that he will betray Christ 3 times before the rooster crows. Peter denies and said I will go with you to death.

vs 39-46 Jesus praying, knowing what was about to come about, prayed, "Father if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done." What a powerful statement. What if we all lived our lives like this? I believe we can and we should all live with this attitude.

vs 47-53 Judas kisses Jesus, which is a sign for this is the man you want to arrest. Peter takes out his sword and cuts off one of the soldiers ears. Jesus stopped the rebellion, picked up the ear and healed the man.

vs 54-62 Peter just hours after he protected Jesus with a sword, denied not knowing Jesus to a little girl. How weak is that. To someone who shows no harm, a little girl made Peter disown Christ. He again disowns Christ, and for the third time an hour later denies knowing Christ again. At that moment the rooster crowed and Peter remembers what Jesus had told him, and weeps bitterly.

vs 63-71 The guards mock Christ. Christ goes in front of Pilate and Herod. They ask him if he is the Christ. Jesus replies, "You are right in saying I am."

Day 27

Mark 13:1-37

vs 1-31 Signs of the end to come. 

1. Wars and rumors of wars.

2. Earthquakes.

3. Brother will betray brother.

4. Fathers will betray children.

5. Children will rebel against parents.

6. All men will hate you because of your faith in Jesus.

Be on your guard. Son of Man will come in the clouds. Send his angels and gather his followers. Heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will never pass a way. When Jesus says Heavens here. He means the sky, the vastness beyond in the universe. Not where we will all live with God forever.

vs 32-36  No one knows when this will happen. Do not be fooled by all the books and movies talking about when it is going to happen. Just know and prepare for Christ's return so we can spend that time in heaven with Him.

Day 26

John 11

vs 1-16 Jesus tells the disciples that he must go to Judea because Lazarus has died. The disciples try to talk him out of it because the last time Jesus was there the people tried to stone him.

vs 17-37 Jesus arrives in Judea to find out that Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Martha blames Jesus for him dying because he was not there. Jesus responds that Lazarus will rise again. It was Jewish custom that in the last day all would  rise again. But Jesus was not referring to that. Jesus was moved by the sadness and tears that he wept himself.

vs 38-44 Jesus tells Lazarus to come out of the tomb, and of course he walks out. Praise God for miracles like this. It strengthens my faith to think about some of the things He has done.

vs 45-57 Many people chose to put there faith in Jesus. But others decided to tell the Pharisees. Caiaphas was the high priest and all the pharisees listened to him. He prophesied that Jesus would have to die, so the whole nation would not perish. So they started to plot how they could take His life.

Day 25

John 10

vs 1-6 Know who is a robber and who is a shepherd. 

Shepherd

1. uses gate

2. sheep listen to his voice

3. leads them out of the pen

4. sheep follow him

Stranger/robber

1. sheep do not listen to their voice, they do not recognize it.

2. climbs over the fence

vs 7- 21   Jesus tells the disciples he is the...

1. gate- who ever enters through me will be saved- there is protection in the pen.

2. good shepherd- lays down his life for the sheep, know the sheep and they know me, listen to his voice

vs 10 "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full." This is one of my favorite verses and one we will discuss in length in two weeks at youth group. Follow Christ and you will be able to have an abundant life. The thief is only looking for his own needs. Yet Jesus is looking out for you.

vs 22-39  This is a story extending from the first half of ch. 10. Jews ask him if he is the Christ. But he tells them that he has already told them but he did not hear Him because they are not his sheep and they did not listen to his voice. And he responds that He and the Father are one. This is blasphemous for the Jews because they do not put man as equal to God. They do not see Jesus correctly. So they pick up stones to stone him, and Jesus escapes their grasp.

vs 40-42 many believed in Jesus.

Day 24

Luke 20

vs 1-8 Jesus answers a question by asking a question. I love how he does this. He turns the attention onto them and stumps them by asking a similar question to theirs.

vs 9-19 Parable- An owner/landlord of the field send someone to collect the rent, each time the tenants beat up the people that were sent to collect the rent. Finally the owner sent his son. The tenants for some strange reason thought that if they killed the son, they would get the inheritance.  This parable is referring this story to the rejection of the capstone. He was quoting scripture from Psalm 118:22 but was referring to himself and how people have rejected him.

vs 20-26 Jesus turns another question from the Pharisees who are trying to trick him into blasphemy into a question for them. This question is about the authority of God vs. Caesar. He told them eventually to give to God what is God's and give to Caesar what is Caesar. 

vs 27-39 Jesus is asked a question about marriage in heaven. He says people will neither marry nor be given in marriage in heaven. 

vs 41-47 Many people try to turn their knowledge of faith into a show of long prayers, flowing robes and the important seats. Rather let us focus on God rather then men.