DAY 29 - Accepting Your Assignment

Point to Ponder: Service is not optional.

Verse to Remember: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Question to Consider: What is holding me back from accepting God's call to serve him?

DAY 30 - Shaped for Serving God

Point to Ponder: I was shaped for serving God.

Verse to Remember: "God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all." 1 Corinthians 12:6 (Ph)

Question to Consider: In what way can I see myself passionately serving others and loving it?

DAY 31 - Understanding Your Shape

Point to Ponder: Nobody else can be me.

Verse to Remember: "God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings." 1 Peter 4:10 (LB)

Question to Consider: What God--given ability or personal experience can I offer my church?

DAY 32 - Using What God Gave You

Point to Ponder: God deserves my best.

Verse to Remember: "Do you best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Question to Consider: How can I make the best use of what God has given me?

DAY 33 - How Real Servants Act

Point to Ponder: I serve God by serving others.

Verse to Remember: "If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42 (NLT)

Question to Consider: Which of the six characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenges to me?

DAY 34 - Thinking Life a Servant

Point to Ponder: To be a servant I must think like a servant.

Verse to Remember: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2/5 (NIV)

Question to Consider: Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others?

DAY 35- God's Power in Your Weakness

Point to Ponder: God works best when I admit my weakness.

Verse to Remember: "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)

Question to Consider: Am I limiting God's power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?

DAY 22 - Created to Become Like Christ

Point to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ.

Verse to Remember: "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." 2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT)

Question to Consider: In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?

DAY 23 - How We Grow

Point to Ponder: It is never too late to start growing.

Verse to Remember: "Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect." Romans 12:2b (TEV)

Question to Consider: What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God's way?

DAY 24 - Transformed by Truth

Point to Ponder: The truth transforms me.

Verse to Remember: "If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32 (KJV)

Question to Consider: What has God already told me in his Word that I haven't started doing yet?

DAY 25 - Transformed by Trouble

Point to Ponder: There is a purpose behind every problem.

Verse to Remember: "And when we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Question to Consider: What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?

DAY 26 - Growing Through Temptation

Point to Ponder: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.

Verse to Remember: "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NLT)

Question to Consider: What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?

DAY 27 - Defeating Temtation

Point to Ponder: There is always a way out.

Verse to Remember: "God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up again. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." 1 Corinthians 10:13b (NLT)

Question to Consider: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?

DAY 28 - It Takes Time

Point to Ponder: There are no shortcuts to maturity.

Verse to Remember: "God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again." Philippians 1:6 (NCV)

Question to Consider: In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent?

DAY 15 - Formed for God's Family

Point to Ponder: I was formed for God's family.

Verse to Remember: "His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ." Ephesians 1:5a (NTL)

Question to Consider: How can I start treating other believers like members of my own family?

DAY 16 - What Matters Most?

Point to Ponder: Life is all about love.

Verse to Remember: "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Galatians 5:14 (NIV)

Question to Consider: Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?

DAY 17 - A Place to Belong

Point to Ponder: I am called to belong, not just to believe.

Verse to Remember: "In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." Romans 12:5 (NIV)

Question to Consider: Does my level of involvement in my local church demonstrate that I love and am committed to God's family?

DAY 18 - Experiencing Life Together

Point to Ponder: I need others in my life.

Verse to Remember: "Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (NTL)

Question to Consider: What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?

DAY 19 - Cultivating Community

Point to Ponder: Community requires commitment.

Verse to Remember: "We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers." 1 John 3:16 (GWT)

Question to Consider: How can I help cultivate today the characteristics of real community in my small group and my church?

DAY 20 - Restoring Broken Fellowship

Point to Ponder: Relationships are always worth restoring.

Verse to Remember: "Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody."
Romans 12:18 (TEV)

Question to Consider: Who do I need to restore a broken relationship with today?

DAY 21 - Protecting Your Church

Point to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect the unity of my church.

Verse to Remember: "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together." Romans 14:19 (Ph)

Question to Consider: What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?

DAY EIGHT - Planned for God's Pleasure

Point to Ponder: I was planned for God's pleasure.

Verse to Remember: "The Lord takes pleasure in his people." Psalm 149:4a (TEV)

Question to Consider: What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?

DAY NINE - What Makes God Smile?

Point to Ponder: God smiles when I trust him.

Verse to Remember: "The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love." Psalm 147:11 (CEV)

Question to Consider: Since God knows what is best, in what area of my life do I need to trust him most?

DAY TEN - The Heart of Worship

Point to Ponder: The heart of worship is surrender.

Verse to Remember: "Surround your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes." Romans 6:13b (TEV)

Question to Consider: What area of my life am I holding back from God?

DAY ELEVEN - Becoming Best Friends with God

Point to Ponder: God wants to be my best friend

Verse to Remember: "Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him." Psalm 25:14a (LB)

Question to Consider: What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?

DAY TWELVE - Developing Your Friendship with God

Point to Ponder: I'm as close to God as I choose to be.

Verse to Remember: "Draw close to God, and god will draw close to you." James 4:8a (NTL)

Question to Consider: What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God?

DAY THIRTEEN - Worship That Pleases God

Point to Ponder: God wants all of me.

Verse to Remember: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your sould and with all your mind and with all you strength." Mark 12:30 (NIV)

Question to Consider: Which is more pleasing to god right now - my public worship or my private worship? What will I do about this?

DAY FOURTEEN - When God Seems Distant

Point to Ponder: God is real, no matter how I feel.

Verse to Remember: "For god has said, 'I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.'" Hebrews 13:5 (TEV)

Question to Consider: How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when he feels distant?

DAY ONE - It All Starts with God

Point to Ponder: It's not about me.

Verse to Remember: "Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16b (Msg)

Question to Consider: In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

DAY TWO - You are not an Accident

Point to Ponder: I am not an accident

Verse to Remember: "I am your Creator. You were in my care before you were born." Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)

Question to Consider: I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

DAY THREE - What Drives Your Life

Point to Ponder: Living on purpose is the path the peace.

Verse to Remember: "You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you." Isaiah 26:3 (TEV)

Question to Consider: What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life What do I want it to be?

DAY FOUR - Made to Last Forever

Point to Ponder: There is more to life than just here and now.

Verse to Remember: "This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever." 1 John 2:17 (NLT)

Question to Consider: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the thing I should start doing today?

DAY FIVE - Seeing Life From God's View

Point to Ponder: Life is a test and a trust

Verse to Remember: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones." Luke 16:10a (NLT)

Question to Consider: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?

DAY SIX - Life is a Temporary Assignment

Point to Ponder: This world is not my home.

Verse to Remember: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

Question to Consider: How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?

DAY SEVEN - The Reason for Everything

Point to Ponder: It's all for him.

Verse to Remember: "For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything in for his glory." Romans 11:36 (LB)

Question to Consider: Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory?

Let the journey begin!

I'm looking forward to beginning the journey with all of you! Let me know if there's anything else you want to include on the blog.

I have included a feed of the Forward Day by Day which is an official non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church known for the daily devotional Forward Day by Day which provides daily meditations based on scripture readings appointed by the lectionaries and Daily Office. Each day's meditation will automatically show up on the blog in the right hand corner.

I have also included a list of some useful links that relate to The Purpose Driven Life as well as our life at Saint Stephens.

Finally, I added a chat box so if anyone wants to arrange to meet online for an online "chat" the option is there for you. Just type and hit enter.

Thanks Beth for inviting us to join you on this journey. In faith and love,
Lynne