Day 1
~Take a second to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself in Scripture~
Let’s be real. How often do you get to be still with God? Is it easy or hard? Is it something that you think about doing during the day? Think about it for a second.
For Adam and Eve, walking in the presence of God was an everyday thing for them. Genesis 2-3 speaks of the close bond they had with their Creator. Imagine God creating a new animal and pulling up to to Adam with it all excited like: “look, how cool this one is!” and Adam saying “Wait, you’re so right. I’m calling it a capybara.” That’s how close God was with Adam and Eve. The garden of Eden, quite actually Heaven on Earth, was the perfect refuge for them to reside in. They knew God on a personal level. Unfortunately, we all know how the story goes. Satan made a cameo, Adam and Eve ate the apple, and then L humanity. That moment when sin entered the world, Heaven from the Earth, leaving Adam and Eve below to bear their shame. Their first reaction was to hide the moment they realized they messed up. But God went looking for them, regardless. In fact, God instantly started cooking up a plan to make sure that He could be with them again.
Fast forward to 33 AD. Jesus was sentenced to death on the Cross. The same God who enjoyed life with Adam and Eve, endured humiliation by the people He loved. Why? Because He knew that shame was a barrier in our relationship with Him. He took all of our shame upon Himself so that we don’t have to hide.
Okay so, extra fast forward to 2023. Do you ever hide from God? A lot of times there are barriers to connecting with Him. Sometimes we have questions, doubts, and shame. We don’t want to face God with certain things because we’re afraid He might be mad at us. Other things prevent us from going to Him, too. But Scripture says in 1 John 1:9; “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” God can handle it when we mess up. In fact, God wants us to run TO Him when we do something wrong. We can take refuge in the Lord. Psalm 46 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” His presence is our Eden.
Take a second to reflect on the back.
Where would you like to grow in your relationship with God?
When have you experienced God as your refuge?
What’s something you want to share with Him?
Let’s Pray: Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice and Your forgiveness that sets me free. Help me to grow closer to You and open up to You more! Create a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Help me turn to You, even when I feel like I can’t. Make Your presence known to me. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Day 2
~ Breathe and ask the Holy Spirit to give you revelation through His word :) ~
Acts 2:24-27 goes like this. After Pentecost, the church is established. They’re all trying to figure out what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. They can’t do it alone, though. A small skip ahead shows us that the believers grew together in the Spirit and were just chilling with the joy of the Lord as their strength. All of this is because of the love they had for God and for each other. As a result, God sees what’s going on and is like, “now that’s what I’m talking about.” and BOOM He blessed the Church with more people giving their life to Christ every day.
Proverbs 27:17 says: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Which means that Godly friendships and community are a way that God shapes us into His image. In the Acts church, because God honoring conversations and activities were constantly taking place, the Holy Spirit was able to bestow His transformation power. That’s what Godly friendships are all about. People who constantly push you to Christ and hold you accountable in your faith. It’s the opposite way around too!
Community is so important in the walk with Christ. Being with others is supposed to bring humility and remind us that we can’t do it alone. Friendships keep us in check and don’t let us get too ahead of ourselves. In fact, when we’re struggling, we’re told to set aside our pride or the concern about how others may think of us and tell someone. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”
Yesterday, we talked about God wanting to be with us and turning to Him when things go wrong. He wants us to confide in Him but He also wants us to confide in others. It’s so important to have a faith based community to be able to trust in. Who are the people you go to when you have done something wrong? Ask God to reveal who that “iron sharpening iron” someone is in your life. If you can’t think of someone, ask God to send that person your way.
Take a second to reflect on the back
What does it look like to have friends who love God and hold you accountable?
Are you that friend for someone?
Take a moment to pray for Auburn Wesley Foundation
Let’s pray: Father, thank You for friends who mirror what it looks like to be in a relationship with You. Lead me to friends who are going to help me seek You and know You. I ask that you bless the Wesley Foundation and that You pour Your favor over it. Help me become molded into Your image and help me to confess to others when I mess up. In Jesus’ name, Amen.