February 10-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
John 20:21, Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 112-113, Week 6, Day 1: We are called to share God’s love by participating in the ministry of Jesus in the world and in His Church. Jesus says we are to continue the work He started and do what God is calling us to do. If we are prayerful and discerning, God will reveal what He has planned for us and then enable us to do it. Ephesians 2:10, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We were made into a new creation, a “masterpiece” as one translation puts it, designed to do good things- not just any good thing, but those good things God has planned for us and has sent us to do. Our redemptive purpose is to help bring people closer to the Lord and to restore creation.
Relate it to your life.
As a Jesus-follower, my purpose in life calls me to join Him in the most amazing work known to mankind.
Do something.
“Father, help me to capture the vision and feel the passion You have for this broken world. Amen.”
February 11-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:6-8, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted page 115, Week 6, Day 2: Jesus had every reason, every right, to come from a position of pride, power, and superiority, but “He made Himself nothing.” Other translations say Jesus “emptied Himself.” This means that, in becoming a man, He gave up His desires, His will, and gave all of Himself to those He was serving: God the Father first, and then the people around Him. Through Jesus’ humility, we see His heart of true service. It wasn’t about Him. It was about the One who sent Him. The passage goes on to say that Jesus didn’t want the glory. He directed that to the Father. Jesus’ heart was pure, and His motive was love.
Relate it to your life.
Because Jesus was willing to descend into deep humility, I have no reason not to do the same.
Do something.
“Father, I cannot get over how Jesus emptied Himself to rescue me and all of creation. Praise be to the Your glorious name. Amen.”
February 12-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Genesis 12:1-3, The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 119, Week 6, Day 3: What an amazing promise by God. But did you notice something significant about that promise? Abraham was blessed so that in turn he would become a blessing to others. The saying, “We are blessed to be a blessing” rings true. This important truth helps us understand the epic story of the Bible. Throughout God’s Word, we see he was interested in the people of Israel, and revealed Himself in the Old Testament primarily through their history. His working among them was not just for their sake, but also for the whole world. Ultimately, through the chosen people of Israel, God introduced a Savior through whom the whole world could be reconciled back to Him. This is the way God works. He blesses people so they in turn can become channels of His blessing to others.
Relate it to your life.
There is no other reason: I have been blessed to share it with others.
Do something.
“Father, help me see that all I’ve been given is for the great purpose to generously bless others. Amen.”
February 13-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Romans 8:11, And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 123, Week 6, Day 4: The power of the Holy Spirit comes to us in many ways. He gives us spiritual gifts. He also strengthens us when we are weak, giving us the fortitude to press on when we are overwhelmed. He gives us wisdom, guiding us through difficult moral decisions. He also orchestrates situations to enable people to see God’s work in their lives. He gives us words to say to someone in need of encouragement or help. He is the One who intercedes for us when we pray and can’t even think of words to say. Because our Father knows it is impossible for us to serve Him in our own strength, or shake that bridge in our own power, He has sent the Holy Spirit to give us all the power we need. The Holy Spirit is our key to serving God in any significant way.
Relate it to your life.
I have no excuse because I am powered by God’s very Spirit to serve and bless others.
Do something.
“Father, give me the grace and strength to fully surrender to the Holy Spirit’s power in me. Amen.”
February 14-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Hebrews 13:20-21, Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, pages 126, Week 6, Day 5: One way to discover how God has uniquely gifted you follows these three steps. Examine: You may have already seen hints of spiritual gifts in your life. Perhaps you have a natural tendency to serve, organize, or teach. These tendencies are now Spirit-empowered for service. Begin identifying the gifts that excite you, and then think about how they can be used for God. Experiment: Seek opportunities to use these gifts. If you might have the gift of hospitality, consider joining the greeting team at church. Evaluate: This is the test of your gifts. All Spirit-empowered ministries will bear fruit. There are two primary tests: Is God glorified? Are His people edified? Also, listen and look for the ways others affirm what God is doing through you.
Relate it to your life.
I am spiritually equipped to do the work God has called me to do.
Do something.
“Father, help me to discover and deploy my gifts for Your glory and the edification of the church. Amen.”
February 15-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Hosea 4:6a, “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, pages 131-132: Camille and Esther Ntoto tell that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second largest country in Africa. The country has the second highest total Christian population in Africa. The genoicide in Rwanda in 1994 created the worst humanitarian crisis since World War 2 in the DRC. The war that spread into the eastern DRC has claimed close to 6 million people. Perpetuating the violence, armed groups-sponsored by neighboring countries like Rwanda and Uganda. Sadly, the religious leaders, supposed to be a part of the solution, find themselves on the wrong side of the moral compass. We became aware of the atrocities through an email we received from a friend. A few months later, through a series of God-orchestrated circumstances, we found ourselves in Eastern Congo. Our vision was to introduce a new era of leadership, empowerment, and opportunities using their potential and becoming the people God created them to be.
Relate it to your life.
We never know how God might lead us to serve in His redemption of people and nations.
Do something
“Father, I choose today to be obedient to the challenging calls to serve I may receive. Amen.”
Write out the Scripture.
John 20:21, Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 112-113, Week 6, Day 1: We are called to share God’s love by participating in the ministry of Jesus in the world and in His Church. Jesus says we are to continue the work He started and do what God is calling us to do. If we are prayerful and discerning, God will reveal what He has planned for us and then enable us to do it. Ephesians 2:10, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We were made into a new creation, a “masterpiece” as one translation puts it, designed to do good things- not just any good thing, but those good things God has planned for us and has sent us to do. Our redemptive purpose is to help bring people closer to the Lord and to restore creation.
Relate it to your life.
As a Jesus-follower, my purpose in life calls me to join Him in the most amazing work known to mankind.
Do something.
“Father, help me to capture the vision and feel the passion You have for this broken world. Amen.”
February 11-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:6-8, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted page 115, Week 6, Day 2: Jesus had every reason, every right, to come from a position of pride, power, and superiority, but “He made Himself nothing.” Other translations say Jesus “emptied Himself.” This means that, in becoming a man, He gave up His desires, His will, and gave all of Himself to those He was serving: God the Father first, and then the people around Him. Through Jesus’ humility, we see His heart of true service. It wasn’t about Him. It was about the One who sent Him. The passage goes on to say that Jesus didn’t want the glory. He directed that to the Father. Jesus’ heart was pure, and His motive was love.
Relate it to your life.
Because Jesus was willing to descend into deep humility, I have no reason not to do the same.
Do something.
“Father, I cannot get over how Jesus emptied Himself to rescue me and all of creation. Praise be to the Your glorious name. Amen.”
February 12-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Genesis 12:1-3, The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 119, Week 6, Day 3: What an amazing promise by God. But did you notice something significant about that promise? Abraham was blessed so that in turn he would become a blessing to others. The saying, “We are blessed to be a blessing” rings true. This important truth helps us understand the epic story of the Bible. Throughout God’s Word, we see he was interested in the people of Israel, and revealed Himself in the Old Testament primarily through their history. His working among them was not just for their sake, but also for the whole world. Ultimately, through the chosen people of Israel, God introduced a Savior through whom the whole world could be reconciled back to Him. This is the way God works. He blesses people so they in turn can become channels of His blessing to others.
Relate it to your life.
There is no other reason: I have been blessed to share it with others.
Do something.
“Father, help me see that all I’ve been given is for the great purpose to generously bless others. Amen.”
February 13-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Romans 8:11, And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 123, Week 6, Day 4: The power of the Holy Spirit comes to us in many ways. He gives us spiritual gifts. He also strengthens us when we are weak, giving us the fortitude to press on when we are overwhelmed. He gives us wisdom, guiding us through difficult moral decisions. He also orchestrates situations to enable people to see God’s work in their lives. He gives us words to say to someone in need of encouragement or help. He is the One who intercedes for us when we pray and can’t even think of words to say. Because our Father knows it is impossible for us to serve Him in our own strength, or shake that bridge in our own power, He has sent the Holy Spirit to give us all the power we need. The Holy Spirit is our key to serving God in any significant way.
Relate it to your life.
I have no excuse because I am powered by God’s very Spirit to serve and bless others.
Do something.
“Father, give me the grace and strength to fully surrender to the Holy Spirit’s power in me. Amen.”
February 14-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Hebrews 13:20-21, Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, pages 126, Week 6, Day 5: One way to discover how God has uniquely gifted you follows these three steps. Examine: You may have already seen hints of spiritual gifts in your life. Perhaps you have a natural tendency to serve, organize, or teach. These tendencies are now Spirit-empowered for service. Begin identifying the gifts that excite you, and then think about how they can be used for God. Experiment: Seek opportunities to use these gifts. If you might have the gift of hospitality, consider joining the greeting team at church. Evaluate: This is the test of your gifts. All Spirit-empowered ministries will bear fruit. There are two primary tests: Is God glorified? Are His people edified? Also, listen and look for the ways others affirm what God is doing through you.
Relate it to your life.
I am spiritually equipped to do the work God has called me to do.
Do something.
“Father, help me to discover and deploy my gifts for Your glory and the edification of the church. Amen.”
February 15-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Hosea 4:6a, “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, pages 131-132: Camille and Esther Ntoto tell that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second largest country in Africa. The country has the second highest total Christian population in Africa. The genoicide in Rwanda in 1994 created the worst humanitarian crisis since World War 2 in the DRC. The war that spread into the eastern DRC has claimed close to 6 million people. Perpetuating the violence, armed groups-sponsored by neighboring countries like Rwanda and Uganda. Sadly, the religious leaders, supposed to be a part of the solution, find themselves on the wrong side of the moral compass. We became aware of the atrocities through an email we received from a friend. A few months later, through a series of God-orchestrated circumstances, we found ourselves in Eastern Congo. Our vision was to introduce a new era of leadership, empowerment, and opportunities using their potential and becoming the people God created them to be.
Relate it to your life.
We never know how God might lead us to serve in His redemption of people and nations.
Do something
“Father, I choose today to be obedient to the challenging calls to serve I may receive. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals