The Vineyard Church

I love watching Survivor. I get this weird, comedic pleasure out of watching people fail to start a fire from scratch. They know they are going on Survivor. They know know they will need fire to survive. Yet, they do not learn how to start a fire. It might even be forgivable if they couldn't start the fire, but at least built the proper structure for one and attempted to start it.

It just boggles my mind.

The failure isn't so funny when you watch someone with a God-given gifting fail to fan it into flames. Or, because of their timidity or their lack of power, love, or self-discipline, they allow the flame to go out.

Paul knew that Timothy needed some encouragement. As the pastor at the Church of Ephesus, Timothy was faced with some daunting challenges. Paul didn't want his young protege to give up or wear out.

So Paul gives him some great advice, "I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

As a new Christian I had a lot of things I knew needed cleaned out of my life. I prayed and struggled, and still they remained. I asked God to help me...and it didn't seem like things changed. I kept asking...and nothing happened. One day I asked God, "Why aren't things changing? Why aren't you doing this for me?" He said, "I won't do it for you! I will do it with you."

God works with us...He won't do it for us. Oswald Chamber's in his classic book My Utmost for His Highest said, "God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome...If we will do the overcoming, we shall find we are inspired of God because He gives life immediately."

Paul knew God wasn't going to do the work for Timothy...Timothy had a role to play. Just like Timothy, we have to fan our God-given gifts into flames and step out in the power, love, and self-discipline that comes as we work with God to bring His Kingdom into our world.

Today, maybe you need to start fanning your gift...believing that as you do, God will empower it.

Eric Wright

Today's Reading: Luke 20, 2 Timothy 1-2

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Today's Reading: Luke 19, 1 Timothy 4-6

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

1 Timothy (along with 2 Timothy and Titus) are known as Paul's pastoral letters. In these letters Paul is writing to two young pastors, Timothy and Titus. The letters include guidelines for great pastoring and instructions for handling difficult situations.

In Luke 18, Jesus is using rapid fire illustration. Here are some of the points he makes through His stories:

The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Never give up, never surrender, pray at all times, be persistent.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
A lesson in humility and seeing our selves rightly as we approach God in prayer. Humility is a key to prayer. We humble ourselves when we pray especially when we confess that we can’t make it on our own.

The Rich Ruler
What are the two great commandments? Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. Serving and giving to the poor is the connection point. When we love God truly and love our neighbors truly…action happens. Love is active not passive. No action equals no true love.

Steve Bowen

Today's Reading: Luke 18, 1 Timothy 1-3

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

2 Thessalonians is a letter of encouragement to help believers understand the signs of the times. Some may have misunderstood Paul's first letter so he is writing to bring more clarification. He also writing some important instructions about lazy people.

Paul, in some of his writings, tells the people he is praying for them. The prayers of Paul are powerful prayers. I often use one of Paul's prayers as a model to pray for the people of the Vineyard, our church leaders, my family, and our city.

Example:
"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

I pray that my God will make the people of the Vineyard worthy of the life God has called us to. I pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all our good intentions and faithful deeds.

I pray this so that we will all give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus. I pray we will be honored with Him.

Father this is only possible because of Your undeserved favor that we have received from You and Your son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Steve Bowen

Today's Reading: Luke 17, 2 Thessalonians 1-3

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Today's Reading: Luke 16, 1 Thessalonians 4-5

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

I was at an amusement park with my son Michael. He was three at the time and wanted to go down some giant slides designed like pirate ships. We had to do a lot of climbing and crossing nets and planks to reach the one he was interested in traveling down. To my surprise, adults could not follow. The only way I could catch him at the bottom was to return the way I came. Without warning, Michael went flying down the slide. I began to run to get to the bottom only to find out that he had vanished. I was surrounded by a sea of people and my son was gone, nowhere to be seen.

When I read the stories in Luke 15 about lost coins, lost sheep and a lost son, I am reminded of the heart of the Father. God’s nature is always to restore and care for what is lost. The details, reasons and mistakes fade away when we focus on the nature of the Lord whose biggest concern is retrieving what is His. It doesn’t matter if he has a hundred sheep, a bank-load of coins or 11 kids…The Father relentlessly seeks to find and then rejoice over the one found: “Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:24).

We are to be imitators of this relentless pursuit. Whether it is a family member, a friend or a stranger, we are called to find what is lost. As Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, “We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.” God wants us to have His same heart. Paul stresses this as he attempts to encourage those he is ministering to: “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory" (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

Paul clearly understood what it meant to have a Father’s heart for the people. He stresses his concern as he decides to send Timothy back to check on the Thessalonians to make sure all is well and none are lost: “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10).

When I found my son that day, it was a time of rejoicing. I was ready to celebrate him being safe in my arms again. Whatever has happened in your life, understand that the Father’s only concern is to get you back. God’s love is not diminished by you getting lost in the process. It is not in the Lord’s nature to ever be disillusioned with you. He has seen the end from the beginning. He has always been there for you and always will be. The Father’s desire is to celebrate your return.

Blessings,
Rebecca

Today's Reading: Luke 15, 1 Thessalonians 1-3

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Small Groups are an important part of the 9 Challenge. To help you in your small group, we want to provide you with the resources necessary to lead a successful small group. Each week we will be providing a study guide to help you in that process. To see the Nine Challenge Small Group resource click here. Or to download a pdf version by clicking here.

The importance of healing in the New Testament (and in the Kingdom of God) once again rises to the forefront in Luke 14 as Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath in direct opposition to the religiosity of the Jewish leaders. He follows with a discourse on humility, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11), which leads to serving, "… the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” … those who, “do not have the means to repay you” (Luke 14:13-14). These are characteristics of people of the Kingdom, and the heart of The Vineyard … to love and serve others without expecting anything in return.

How is it really possible to do this? I think that we can get a few clues about this in Colossians chapters 3-4. The Apostle Paul encourages us to, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God’ (Col. 3:2-3). He also says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col. 3:17). Where can we obtain this kind of focus? Again Paul directs us to, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving…” (Col. 4:2). He further admonishes us to, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Col. 4:5-6).

These are some pretty incredible instructions for us to live by! I don’t know about you, but my flesh (i.e. sinful nature) resists this kind of living. We live in a consumer culture that continually pushes us to consider how to make “me” even better, first, on top, ahead of everyone else, etc. Yet, that is not the way of the Kingdom. When I break down the essence of chapters 3 & 4 in Colossians, I find twelve things that we are persuaded to “put off” (immorality, impurity, passion & lust, evil desire, greed, idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, lying; Col. 3:5, 8-9) and twelve things to “put on” (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, love, unity, peace, thankfulness, Word of Christ; Col. 3:12-16). I have become convinced that if I make the choice to focus on those things that I am to “put on” that all of the things that I am to “put off” will begin to diminish in my life. I believe that it is the Heart of the Father, for us to be transformed into His character, His nature while we are yet here on the earth so that others will have the opportunity to see and experience the Kingdom through how we conduct ourselves as we serve the Lord. Please join me in the prayer that Paul closes Colossians chapter 4 with, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

Kevin Hoffman

Today's Reading: Luke 14, Colossians 3-4

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Today's Reading: Luke 13, Colossians 1-2

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

There used to be a popular bumper sticker that read: "He who dies with the most toys wins!" The Beatles said it this way, "Money don't get everything it's true...What it don't get, I can't use...Now give me money...That's what I want." I find it easy to spot this kind of greed in my life. It is like a giant pink elephant in the middle of the living room...you just can't miss it.

What I find hard to notice are the many small ways that I fail to trust God for my security. I think about my job as the source of my income...my 401k as the source of my future security...I view all of these things as what guarantees my stability. When this happens it is more subtle...more easily overlooked...but just as detrimental.

Luke 19:22-31 says, "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. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes...Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 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.'"

In the midst of the economic instability and government bailout packages, God promises that we will have everything we need to live. The lilies of the field are appropriately clothed. The animals do not have to worry about where their food is coming from. We do not have to chase after such things because our Father already knows what we need.

The uncertainty can not take away from God's ability to care for His people.

Eric Wright

Today's Reading: Luke 12, Philippians 3-4

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Today's Reading: Luke 11, Philippians 1-2

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Maturity is one of the most elusive things in our walk with Christ. There is, on the one hand, the fact that our God is perfect, holy, and blameless. In this we recognize that grace is there for us precisely because we do not measure up with God, nor will we. We are wholly dependent rather than dependably holy. Because of this, there is often a struggle in the minds of Christians about the role of maturity and our efforts to attain it. In our reading today we are challenged in Ephesians 4 to become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, and to no longer live as the Gentiles do in futility of thinking, being made new in the attitude of our minds, putting on the new self, and being like God in true righteousness and holiness.

The key is to understand that we are called to be mature rather than having it all together. The effort we put forth cannot earn us our salvation, this is the free gift of God. But growing in Christ is our responsibility. As it has been said, we cannot go with God and stay the same. When we go with God we are called to live a life that includes doing a good days work, controlling our anger, making peace with others, and not letting unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but instead speaking only what is useful for building others up. Sometimes when we call people to this lifestyle it is viewed as legalistic or rule driven, but in fact the Bible calls it being imitators of God.

If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then maturity is the process by which we set out to flatter God by treating others just like he would, and by thinking like he thinks, without the fear of legalism.

Hal Hester

Today's Reading: Luke 10, Ephesians 4-6

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Today's Reading: Luke 9, Ephesians 1-3

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Here are some questions to consider as you read Luke 8 today…

How is the soil of your heart right now? Is it hard or rocky? Is your heart ready to receive God’s word...and put it into practice? Is there a storm in your life that you need God to calm? What foundation is your life built on? Is there a broken area of your life that you would like for God to heal? Have you ever reached out to touch Jesus for healing?

When a demon-possessed man was changed through his personal encounter with Christ, immediately he began telling people what Jesus had done for him. Revelation 12:11 states, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Who did they overcome? The “accuser of the brothers” (the devil or Satan). Something happens in our lives when we tell others what God has done in our life. It releases power, faith and the truth of God’s word.

It’s amazing to me how many different things Jesus did and taught as he went along his way. In this one chapter of Luke Jesus healed the demon possessed man, taught the parable of the sower and the seed, calmed a storm, and a woman was healed simply by touching Jesus’ coat as he passed by while on his way to raise someone’s little girl from the dead!

John chapter 21:25 says that, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” Based just upon this one chapter in Luke, I think that must be true!

Now shift from the Gospel of Luke to another of Paul’s letters, this one to the churches in Galatia (located in modern day Turkey). Note that Paul expresses his concern for his friends who have slipped back into legalism. (They were attempting to keep the law versus walking by faith or in the Spirit). Paul equates living under the law to slavery. The law didn’t bring freedom it brought bondage. It didn’t bring life it brought death. It is the Spirit that brings life!

Paul then compares two lists: The acts of the sinful nature and the fruit of the Spirit. Take special note of the differences in these two lists…

Paul wraps up his letter by telling his friends to restore someone caught in sin…to carry each other’s burdens and to do good. Galatians 6:10 states, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

God really does want us to be “do-gooders!”

Scott Sliver

Today's Reading: Luke 8, Galatians 4-6

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Small Groups are an important part of the 9 Challenge. To help you in your small group, we want to provide you with the resources necessary to lead a successful small group. Each week we will be providing a study guide to help you in that process. To see the Nine Challenge Small Group resource click here. Or to download a pdf version by clicking here.

We are impressed with fame and fortune. Sports figures, famous actors, politicians, musicians, and all kinds of stars, continually draw attention. They are adored, idolized, praised, and often given special favors. An important gathering is held with the promise that “…anybody who is anybody will be there!”

Jesus drew no distinctions. Be it the prominent Centurion, the poor widow, or the town harlot, Jesus ministered to all. He saw sickness and he healed. No interviews, no qualifying criteria, no judgment calls, no hesitation. And yet, Jesus was criticized by some of the “important” leaders for this.

Even when speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus said, “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

This may have created some confusion among his followers. But even while speaking highly of John the Baptist, Jesus was really trying to tell us what is important. And that is to be a member of the kingdom of God.

Jesus was impressed by simple faith. The law keepers, the rich, the powerful, none of these could hold a candle to what moved Jesus’ heart. Jesus was impressed by simple faith.

David Anderson

Today's Reading: Luke 7, Galatians 1-3

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Today's Reading: Luke 6, 2 Corinthians 12-13

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

In school we received grade cards measuring our success. A good report card might be reason for us to feel favor from the teacher and especially from our parents. In much the same way, we sometimes think that if we “do well” with God, we will find favor with him.

But this ignores the fact that God accepts us right where we are. Jesus did not search the land for 12 good men to do his service. Instead, he called men literally out of their place of work. Jesus took them warts and all. Simon Peter’s humility and realization of his own sin did not exclude him from service; they qualified him for service.

Jesus, of course, recognized Simon Peter’s anxiousness. That is why Jesus told him “Do not be afraid.” An encounter with God’s power may be far out of our comfort zone, but it provides us with an opportunity to live the life we were created for.

Paul the apostle recognized his own shortcomings. As did his detractors. Several times in his letters he answered these critics with a perfect balance of humility and boldness. God can and will use us just as we are. Then we can let him begin and continue a good work within us.

David Anderson

Today's Reading: Luke 5, 2 Corinthians 10-11

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

After His baptism Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. And returned in the power of the Holy Spirit.

After being tempted by the Devil for 40 days He overcame, was strengthened by angels and returned with the power of the Holy Spirit. Pause for effect… Now things are going to get interesting…From this point forward the Holy Spirit enabled Jesus for his mission.

We too can be led by the Holy Spirit, and be filled with the Holy Spirit and fulfill our mission by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives us power:

• To hear God’s voice
• To overcome temptation
• To serve, to care, and to pray for others

Today's Reading: Luke 4, 2 Corinthians 7-9

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Luke is a doctor…he is writing from a research perspective. He is also penning the chronological order of events of the life of Jesus. A central character of Luke is the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist is a cousin of Jesus. He was the forerunner…the one who guided people's attention to the One who was to come.

He stated in Luke 3:16, "I baptize with water, but someone is coming soon who is greater then I am--so much greater that I am not worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

Key idea: Our relationship with God is more important than what we do for God.

Before Jesus ever did one miracle, ever did one healing or ever spoke one word in a public setting… He was affirmed by His Father in Heaven: "You are my beloved son and I am fully pleased with you" (Luke 3:22).

The idea: He cares more about who we are (his kids, sons and daughters whom He loves) than what we do for Him. Our security as believers stems from His love and unconditional acceptance of who we are through His Son. Serving others flows out of knowing we are loved, accepted, and forgiven by God. We serve not to gain favor but because we have His favor upon our lives.

Many believers live a stressful Christian life. The stress come from attempting to work to somehow gain God’s favor.

God’s favor is a gift given freely through His Son.

When we receive the gift of salvation – we become God’s kids – we become favored.

Now we can express our gratitude by thanking and serving God through Jesus Christ.


Steve Bowen

Today's Reading: Luke 3, 2 Corinthians 4-6

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Today's Reading: Luke 1-2, 2 Corinthians 1-3

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

It was the end of October 1974 when I decided to get baptized. I was a teenager, a prodigal that saw no other way to be done with the past then to enter the ice-covered waters of Caesar Creek’s streams. These waters and nearby paths were trails blazed by Tecumseh and Daniel Boone, a heritage I thought somehow was being passed to me, and I was about to leave my mark on those waters in my own unique way. Two reverends came out for the occasion in rubber overalls and Wellingtons wondering if I had lost my mind. They asked more than once if I really wanted to do this, which seemed strange at the time as I pondered why two preachers would not being anxious to see this transformation take place. With ice on the ground, I could appreciate their hesitation. In all my foolishness, I knew this was one of those times in life when I could not wait for the weather to break.

As I stepped into the waters, I could not feel my legs, the water was that cold. By the time I was dunked under, I could not feel anything. It was the most numbing, isolated sensation I had ever experienced. When I rose up out of the Ceasar Creek waters I had a natural as well as spiritual sense of newness of life. It was as if heaven and earth met, like two worlds coming together under October skies that left a life-long impression on a country girl from the Midwest.

When I read about the death and resurrection of Christ in Mark 15-16 it brings back those days of what I laid down, but even more what Christ laid down for me. It has taken me a life-time to understand that the cross was death to Christ but life to me. So often I have walked a path of thinking that my death in baptism was paying for something. It is Christ alone who bore my sin so that I can live a life in the spirit. As it reads in the passage of 1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”

Christ was mocked, abandoned by friends and those who loved Him. He took on all that was corruptible in this world in order for us to have a new DNA that would graft us into a kingdom of beauty, love, and a life of abundance. I “die daily” to the old self that believed I was unworthy, that my nature was inescapable, that life was about the survival of the fittest and that people only love by conditions. The more I die out to old forms, the more I see the nature and power of Christ come to life in me. How remarkable!

I appreciate how Paul responds to this mystery in 1 Corinthians 15:10: "But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain….” I couldn’t agree more. We are made new in Christ, and we are what we are because of Him, not because of our own abilities and strengths. As we grow and experience the transforming power of His resurrection, we move toward a life of kingdom thinking and living, which is our new inheritance. Within this new realm we receive gifts as it says in 1 Corinthians 14. We have the privilege to use these to edify, exhort and comfort those around us.

We are all sojourners, trailblazing a path to show others what Christ has done to transform our lives. We share a common heritage and a command to "go out into the world." As you share your own story of the Lord’s transforming power through His death and resurrection, may He set your heart on a pilgrimage to reveal His glory, majesty and wonder.

Blessings,
Rebecca Holihan

Today's Reading: Mark 15-16, 1 Corinthians 14-16

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Mark 13-14 provides for us a glimpse into some of the events that transpire in the last week or so of Jesus’ life. This section begins with Jesus foretelling His future and ends with Peter’s denial of Christ. Packed in between is a roller coaster of emotions as we read about Jesus being anointed at Bethany, Judas’ agreement to betray Jesus, Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples, the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ’s betrayal, His arrest, and His appearance before the Sanhedrin Council.

1 Corinthians 11-13 presents us with some instructions for public worship, the order of the Last Supper, information about spiritual gifts, the importance of our relationships with each other as the Body of Christ, and of course, the “love chapter” which culminates with, “Three things will last forever — faith, hope, and love — and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

On the first full weekend of each month, we celebrate Communion as a church, also known as The Last Supper. What is Communion? It is a celebration of Jesus’ work on the cross for us! It is also an opportunity to connect with Christ spiritually, to “touch the hem of His garment” so-to-speak. It is more than a time of contemplation and reflection, although this is a very important part of our Communion experience … Communion affords us the occasion to press in, in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, for fresh forgiveness, a touch of healing, refreshment from the Holy Spirit, etc. It is so much more than a memorial feast or sacramental experience --- it is a moment for some to perhaps connect with Jesus for the very first time, for others it may be a juncture for re-connecting or returning to Christ after a time away from your relationship with Him. Whatever the place you find yourself in relation to Christ, I want to encourage you to join me as we fully engage ourselves in pursuing a revitalized relationship with Him during our ‘09 challenge … by doing so we will be better positioned to fulfill Paul’s words, “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1, NLT).

Kevin Hoffman

Small Groups are an important part of the 9 Challenge. To help you in your small group, we want to provide you with the resources necessary to lead a successful small group. Each week we will be providing a study guide to help you in that process. To see the Nine Challenge Small Group resource click here. Or to download a pdf version by clicking here.

Today's Reading: Mark 13-14, 1 Corinthians 11-13

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Today's Reading: Mark 11-12, 1 Corinthians 8-10

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Today's Reading: Mark 9-10, 1 Corinthians 5-7

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

They say there is no such thing as a dumb question. I disagree...I have heard some pretty dumb questions. Sometimes, though, not asking the right questions causes confusion and misunderstanding. So I guess it is okay to ask a dumb question rather than miss something very important later.

Take Jesus' disciples as a good example...

Mark 9:30-32 says, "Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, 'The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.' But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it."

It would seem like Peter, who is always saying something, would just go ahead and ask what everyone else is thinking...but he doesn't. Someone, anyone could have asked, but they were afraid to ask him.

I am sure an element of pride stood in their way. They didn't want to seem ignorant in front of their teacher...or each other. So they kept quiet.

The problem with this approach is that their ignorance is revealed in the very next passage...Mark 9:33-34 says, "They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the road?' But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest." They were so focused on the Coming Messiah being a conquering, political hero that they missed Jesus' actual purpose. They expected that He would set up a Kingdom, destroy the wicked, set up a time of peace and justice, and make them His leaders and council.

But Jesus was not fitting that mold.

In the late 90's, I was working at a church that I believed God had called me to serve...but things were not going well. There were conflicts that threatened the ministry of the church, and I was unsure of if and why God had called me to serve there. After asking a few of my own questions, God showed me that it wasn't necessarily about that particular church...it was about what He was teaching me in the process.

Sometimes our life circumstances do not fit the mold we expected, and we fail to see how God is working behind the scenes. We also fail to ask God for insight and wisdom to discern where He is leading. Life isn't always what we expect it to be, but God is always working in and through our circumstances to help us grow personally and spiritually.

Today, take some time to ask God those "dumb" questions you really need to ask. Have a pen and paper (or a journal if that is your thing) and a Bible ready. Ask the question...do some reading in God's Word...then sit for about 5 minutes listening quietly...then write down what you sensed. You will be surprised how much God wants to tell you.

Eric Wright

Today's Reading: Mark 7-8, 1 Corinthians 3-4

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Today's Reading: Mark 5-6, 1 Corinthians 1-2

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Early on in my walk with Christ I was perplexed, wondering why we did not have the best in the world of everything: the best music, the smartest people, the richest people, the most powerful people, the most beautiful. In all of these things I was a new babe in Christ and I was determining the “best” in worldly terms. I wanted the church to look good, be powerful, and be astute. I was really dismayed by what I perceived as the church and Christianity falling behind the world until I read 1 Corinthians 1 & 2. Then I read, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” I also read, "Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.”

It is not that God never uses the well known, the powerful, or the intellectual, but that globally we who are many are weak in the eyes of the world. We are underestimated, counted out, and dismissed. At the beginning of the twentieth century we were told that our God was dead, and that our cause was lost, while secularism, humanism and technology would usher in a new era of peace, reason and freedom from disease and war.

Here at the dawn of the twenty-first century the global church has grown faster than in any other time in history. Secularism is nearly dead, and technology has met new challenges, often times created by technology itself. The declaration of the church as triumphant is more clearly in focus than ever before. We may not be impressive but we are destined for a glory God determined before time began (1 Corinthians 2:7).

Hal Hester

Today's Reading: Mark 3-4, Romans 16

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Mark, the second of the four Gospels, covers a broad range of topics…shorter snippets of situations that the other Gospels elaborate on in greater detail. Mark covers everything from John the Baptist announcing Jesus as the one who “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” to the crucifixion and resurrection.

In our reading from day 9 (Matthew chapter 17) Jesus likened John the Baptist to Elijah. Peter, James and John were asking Jesus, "'Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?' Jesus replied, 'To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.' Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.”

This stresses to me the importance of reading the entire Bible…for the 9 Challenge, the entire New Testament. Often times, the Gospels each give details and lend support to the others. It’s important to have the whole picture to fully understand what God is saying to each of us through His word.

The disciples were always asking questions of Jesus. They really wanted to understand the point Jesus was trying to make. Jesus often led the disciples to the right conclusion. Other times he had to spell it out for them as he did in Matthew 16’s recounting of when Jesus cautioned the disciples about “the yeast of the Pharisees.” The point wasn’t about bread it was about their teaching. In so many words Jesus said, “You still don’t get it?”

Do you ever feel like you still don’t get it? I do…

Mark was originally written to residents of the Roman Empire. He explains Jewish traditions, apparently for the benefit of all the non-Jewish readers. Take note of these various traditions as you make your way through this Gospel and how Mark describes events compared to how Matthew does.

Mark was also known as John Mark. He was the cousin of Barnabas (a.k.a. the Son of Encouragement!) who took Paul under his wing and validated his change of heart with the other Apostles. (Small world! Did you also know Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins?)

In today’s readings, as we start another Gospel, we will also nearly finish the book of Romans. Romans chapter 14 is one of my favorite passages in the entire Bible! It gives insight as to how people live out their faith in different ways. In verse 13 it talks about not passing judgment on one another and not putting “stumbling blocks” in each other’s life; it says that what we do, say, and the decisions we make affect each other.

There are a couple of very powerful statements in Romans 14, “Whatever is not of faith is sin” and, “What you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” This chapter has helped me establish guidelines for my life, to think through how others perceive life’s issues and how what I choose to do could cause another person to stumble. Verse 19 states, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

Words to live by, don’t you think?

Scott Sliver

Today's Reading: Mark 1-2, Romans 13-15

There are several resources you can use to listen online.

You can listen to the Bible at the NIV site by clicking here. Type the book of the Bible and the chapter into the lookup line. You can only put in one chapter at a time. Hit the "Lookup" button. On the following page, there will be a small button at the top of the webpage, just above the biblical text, that says "Listen." This will open a small window that will begin playing the chosen book and chapter.

You can also listen to the Bible reading online at Biblegateway.com by clicking here. Simply choose the book of the Bible and the chapter you would like to listen to. When you click play audio, the website will open your RealPlayer and begin playing the verses.

Small Groups are an important part of the 9 Challenge. To help you in your small group, we want to provide you with the resources necessary to lead a successful small group. Each week we will be providing a study guide to help you in that process. To see the Nine Challenge Small Group resource click here. Or to download a pdf version by clicking here.