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Sunday, 15 June 2008
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"Man of God Challenge - Introduction''
Devotion for June 14, 2008
By: Dr. Joe Savage
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Let me be very direct and succinct today.
The honorable job of being a parent is more important than your prestigious job as an NFL coach, scout, general manager, or whatever other capacity that you hold!
Let me say it again (in case you are reading rather quickly).
Your calling as a parent is MORE IMPORTANT than you constructing your career!
Oh I know you love your children, but do they know how much you love them? Are you depositing as much love into them as you are money into your savings or retirement account?
Think about it. Every ounce of love that you deposit into your children today will not only pay off instantaneously, but will also greatly pay off down the road.
This past week, we held the WIN Conference that featured me, Phil Savage, Romeo Crennel and the Tressel brothers (Dave, Dick, and Jim). The underlining message that came out from each was the importance of their father.
Tim Russert, the NBC Washington correspondent and Meet the Press host, died yesterday. One of his greatest and most gratifying achievements was a book about his father and other fathers across America.
AMERICA has lots of needs, but our greatest need is for MEN to be GODLY FATHERS.
During the next four weeks, I am going to biblically examine what a MAN of GOD looks like. I am asking you to join me in praying and evaluating your own life as a person of influence and a person of God.
Will you take the next four weeks to seriously seek God and ask Him to do a deep work within you so that you will be a more effective parent, spouse, influencer, and man or woman of GOD?
How?
1) Pray daily and invite God to do a deep work within you.
2) Make the commitment to spend time in the Scriptures daily.
3) Make the commitment to reflect upon my weekly devotion for the next four weeks.
4) Prayerfully spend time reflecting on your life, your career, and how you can best juggle your many responsibilities.
5) Take a moment and surrender yourself to God right now by offering yourself to Him.
Take the MAN of GOD challenge for the next four weeks!
Prayer
"Father, I have been asked to reflect and evaluate my life during these next four weeks. Lord, give me the desire, the time, and the commitment to answer this appeal. Help me to really seek you and to become all that you desire. Father . . . I surrender to you right now and invite you to form me into whom you desire. In Jesus' name. Amen."
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Sunday, 01 June 2008
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"Tear the Roof Off!''
Devotion for May 31, 2008
By: Dr. Joe Savage
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The man was crippled. He could not walk. He needed help. Jesus was in town and the crippled man's friends knew if they could get the man to Christ then he might be healed. The problem: The man could not get to Jesus alone.
Fortunately for this man, he had four friends who made it a priority to carry him on a stretcher, climb on top of the packed house crowd that had gathered to see Jesus, tear a hole in the roof, and drop the crippled man down into the house right in front of Jesus.
The result: The crippled man encountered Jesus and walked out both forgiven for his sins and healed from his infirmities (Mark 2:1-11, see below).
People everywhere know that they need a touch from God. The problem: They don't know how to get to Him. They don't feel worthy. They don't feel able! They want to, but they can't for whatever reason.
This is where you come in!
It is up to you to help people find God. It is up to you to "carry" people to Jesus. It is up to you to go the extra mile and do whatever it takes to bring people to Christ (even if it means tearing off the roof)! God has not simply asked us to do this. Instead He commands us to do this (Mt. 28:19-20).
Oh I know and recognize this type message is not politically correct. I understand that our culture wants to make every religion the same. I get it, when people are uneasy when talking about Jesus.
BUT, deep down people are longing for peace, joy, security, hope, and answers. They can and will find it in Christ. They simply need someone to help them get there!
Make it a point this week and every week to look for those who need a touch from Christ. When you encounter them, "carry" them to Christ, "tear off the roof," and drop them directly in front of Jesus.
How? By taking them to church, a special event, or some other event where they can encounter Christ. Encourage them to read their Bible especially the stories of Christ. Personally share with them about what Christ has done in your life. Love them enough to do whatever it takes to get them in front of Jesus and let God do the rest! The person may just walk out healed and forgiven forever!
This Week's Prayer
"Dear God. Help me to be aware of the needs of those around me. Help me to make extra effort to bring people to Jesus so that they can encounter Him and be changed forever. Father help me to bring someone to you this week. I pray, in Jesus' name. Amen."
This Week's Verse - Mark 2:1-12
"After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren't able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, 'Son, I forgive your sins.'
Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, 'He can't talk that way! That's blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins.' Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, 'Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, 'I forgive your sins,' or say, 'Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .' (he looked now at the paraplegic), 'Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.' And the man did it-got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him."
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DR. JOE SAVAGE
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