Most of us don’t have to go far from our home to see the poor. We’re confronted with poverty at freeway offramps, street corners and sidewalks. Something inside says we should care. At the same time, we’re uncomfortable, so we don’t do anything. Day after day, we face this tension.

The poor are more than those we see locally on the street corners. Sections of entire cities are home to the impoverished.

If we think globally, then our minds picture dirt roads, makeshift homes, undernourished children and villages that have so little.

The Bible commands us to help the poor and needy. Especially the orphans and widows. Today, we'll see how we can be prayer warriors these people, and how it will change our lives.

KEY PASSAGE:

I John 3:16-18 (NIV)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

God tells us to “be holy, because I am holy” (I Peter 1:16 NIV). What a tall order. Sure, we want to be holy, but it seems totally out of reach.

The Bible promises this: “For those he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29 ESV). Do you realize the significance of this promise? You know Jesus as your Savior, right? You will be like Jesus, who was 100% holy. It’s your destiny.

But getting from here to there is the issue. Today, in our audi9o devotional, we will see how prayer plays a key role.

KEY PASSAGE:

Romans 8:28-32 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who i have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

If we know it’s futile, why do we keep worrying? I have a hunch, but I’ll get to that in a minute.

It’s been a problem since the fall of man. It was important enough for Jesus to address it in his day:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes” (Luke 12:22-23 NIV).

I’d say that’s straightforward. Jesus addresses our short sightedness. He sees the big picture, beyond our daily needs. That’s a hint for how to deal with worry.

We'll dig into it more today.

KEY PASSAGE:

Luke 12:22-26, 29-31 (NIV)

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Who was the biggest failure in the New Testament? A person that comes to mind is Peter. This man was an enthusiastic follower of Jesus. He pretty much stated he’d go to the ends of the earth for his Lord.

However, he failed Jesus in his hour of greatest need. As the Savior was going through the suffering leading up to the crucifixion, Peter was asked three times if he was an ally of Jesus. Each time, he denied even knowing him. Peter was a terrible friend that night. He failed Jesus.

How do you feel when you fail Jesus? Depending on how severe the offense, you probably experience a range of emotions.

Today, we'll explore how to climb out of the hole.

KEY PASSAGE:

Galatians 2:20-21 (NIV)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

A lot has been said about faith and works over the centuries as they relate to the Christian life. We know that we are saved through faith –

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)

Yet, works do have a part in our relationship with God –

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17 ESV)

Let's explore this further in our audio devotional.

KEY PASSAGE:

Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

I’ve never heard the phrase “courageous parenting,” but it’s certainly a quality moms and dads need for their overwhelming roles. Looking through Scripture, even kings had varied results raising their kids. Today, we'll look at three, followed by three parenting principles and one key verse.

KEY VERSE:

Colossians 3:21

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (NIV)

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (ESV)

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

We all have to come face to face with our humanity. When we’re hit with a surprise diagnosis or a pain that lingers, our mind should go right to God. Our dependence on him should deepen, our hope in him should spring fresh. Instead of fear, confidence in God can grow.

That looks good on paper, but it’s not easy to live out.

Paul was plagued by a secret illness or disease that theologians have been trying to figure out for centuries. It was so intense, Paul describes it this way, “I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me” (2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV).

Today, we'll see how Paul dealt with it, and how we can deal with our health issues, too.

KEY PASSAGE:

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Here's the scene: You have to deal with a conflict, rift in a relationship or bringing a friend to accountability. And as difficult as it may be, avoiding these hard conversations usually causes more harm to the other person. If you come to them with the right spirit, you’re saving them pain in the future. Let’s look at one of the hardest conversations in the Bible and see how courage saved the day.

KEY PASSAGE:

Colossians 4:2-6

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com