Living in Community

I Want a Life Like That

READ: EPHESIANS 1:3-14; HEBREWS 13:5; 1 PETER 1:3-9; 5:7 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=EPHESIANS%201%3A3-14%3B%20HEBREWS%2013%3A5%3B%201%20PETER%201%3A3-9%3B%205%3A7&version=NIV] Whoa…I want to live in a house like that. Whoa…I want a life like that. I want a family like that. I want to look like that. I want… Do you ever find yourself comparing your life to someone else’s? I know I spend a lot of time on social media, just dreaming of what life would be like if I could switch places with one person I follow. She seems to have it all together, and she seems to be content. But is she content because of everything she has…or because of her faith in God and the contentment He offers? Is she even content, or does she just look that way on social media? We compare ourselves to others all the time, and we quickly notice that we have less than some people do. We might start to feel like we haven’t been blessed like they have. We can easily find ourselves wanting more out of our lives—simply because we’ve seen others who seem to have things we don’t. This is called coveting. And God wants so much more for us than comparison and coveting. Jesus has come to give us life in abundance—and through His death and resurrection He has already poured out every blessing on us! So, what can we do when we realize we’re envious of someone else? We can turn to Jesus, remembering that He doesn’t play favorites, and He isn’t holding out on us. We can stop coveting as we rest in Jesus, thanking Him for what He’s given us. In this broken world, we won’t have perfect lives. But, no matter what, we are blessed because Jesus has made us part of His kingdom and given us an inheritance that will never be shaken. • Emily Acker • In what ways do you tend to compare yourself to other people? • What are some of the good things God has given you? What are some ways He has met your needs or brought you enjoyment? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! (James 1:17) • God cares about all our needs, and one of the ways He provides for His people, is through His people. If you or someone you know doesn’t have what you need, who is a trusted adult you could talk to about this today? • If you want to dig deeper, read Exodus 20:17; Psalm 131:2; Matthew 6:25-34; 28:20; John 10:10; Romans 2:11; 8:32; 12:13; Philippians 4:4-19; 1 Timothy 6:5-21; Hebrews 12:28. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

The Twelve

READ: MARK 3:13-19; LUKE 6:12-16; JOHN 6:66-71 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MARK%203%3A13-19%3B%20LUKE%206%3A12-16%3B%20JOHN%206%3A66-71&version=NIV] Have you ever considered the twelve disciples? No, not the pale, scholarly figures from the picture books, but the real people described in the Bible. Some of them were fishermen—sunburned and wind-leathered—with loud laughter and rough manners. Peter (also called Simon and Cephas) was one of these, ever the one to stand tall and speak up (Matthew 14:22-33). His brother Andrew probably wished he’d keep quiet at times. James and John, sons of a man named Zebedee, were also fisherman and were known as the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). Matthew must have felt a little out of place, a former tax collector who would’ve been considered a traitor to his own people (Matthew 9:9). Then, there was Philip—curious and eager to follow Jesus (John 1:43-46). Of Bartholomew little is known. Thomas is often remembered for his moment of doubt (John 20:24-28). James, son of Alphaeus, is sometimes called “James, the Younger” to distinguish him from John’s brother. Next is Judas, often called Thaddeus to keep him from being confused with Judas Iscariot (Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16). Simon the Zealot was the revolutionary, a Jewish patriot looking for the glory of Israel (Luke 6:15). Finally, Judas Iscariot was a thief fighting with himself (John 12:4-6). He saw the goodness of Christ, yet he betrayed Him into the murderous hands of the religious leaders. The Twelve must have been a sight to behold as they followed Jesus all over the countryside. How did this rabble stay together, even after Christ’s resurrection and ascension? With Jesus—the risen Savior—uniting them in His love, and by His Spirit poured out on them at Pentecost, they became a close-knit community. Together, they saw God turn the world upside down by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through the disciples, God worked to change the course of history. Not because of who they were, but because of who they followed. • Cheyenne Craven • Which of the disciples do you relate to the most? Why? • The Twelve came from a variety of different backgrounds. How can we learn to look past, and even appreciate, differences in other Christians and see what we have in common in Christ? Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household. Ephesians 2:19 (NIV)

With You in Your Pain

READ: PSALM 73; ROMANS 8:35-39 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALM%2073%3B%20ROMANS%208%3A35-39&version=NIV] Throughout our lives, we all go through times when we feel depressed and discouraged. When we’re in pain, we may forget that we can talk with God, even if it’s just to be angry. Remember: nearly half of the psalms are complaints—also known as laments. Psalm 73 is my favorite gripe. Asaph is angry and deeply discouraged. He concludes that following God is a waste of time. He describes himself as “a brute beast before” God (verse 22). I’ve identified with that many times. I’ve met God in my failure, my frustration, my falling into sin. You too may meet Him in those ways—or in illness, a broken relationship, loss, or a lifelong burden. While it can be so easy to believe that God is distant or separated from us, in truth, Jesus is right there with us in the darkness (Psalm 139:7-12). In the midst of his misery, Asaph prays, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand” (verse 23). He connects with God in the midst of his struggle. And God is already there. He has been all along. We could say that Asaph invites God into his pain. Here’s the good part: When we go to Jesus, our situations may not change, but we do. Our Lord always points us somewhere—upward. Asaph continues, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (verses 24-25). So we can always have hope—no matter what—because we have a Savior in heaven. A Savior who has promised to return and put an end to sin, death, and suffering. A Savior who is with us through it all—who feels our hurts as His own. We can meet Jesus in our pain. • Peter Lundell • Can you think of a time you were in pain, but you could see how God was there with you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this, and invite Him into any pain you’re in now. • If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 28:20; Philippians 3:20-21; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 21:1-5. • If you’re wrestling with depression or other deep pain, who is someone you could share openly with about what you’re experiencing? If you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

Learning Through Studying the Bible

READ: PSALM 119:12-16; JOHN 20:31; 1 CORINTHIANS 2 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALM%20119%3A12-16%3B%20JOHN%2020%3A31%3B%201%20CORINTHIANS%202&version=NLT] It can be difficult to make time to read the Bible, and it can also be tough to understand some of the things the Bible has to say. But the good news is, God has not left us alone in studying His Word. Once we know Jesus, He provides us with the Holy Spirit to help deepen our understanding of the gospel as we dig into the Bible (John 14:26; 2 Timothy 3:14-16). As you seek to learn through studying the Bible, here are some tips to get you started: First, read Bible passages slowly. We don’t need to feel like we have to rush through what we’re reading. Instead, we can take our time. There’s no rule about the amount of chapters or verses we need to read in a day. Instead of trying to read a lot, sometimes it’s better to try to get a lot out of what we read. Even if we only get through a couple verses, going slowly can help us learn more than we would if we sped through. Second, do some research. If we’re not sure what a certain passage is trying to say, it’s wise to do some searching. We can look for other Bible versions of the same passage and compare how each one is worded. We can also read commentaries on the passage that’s confusing to us. It’s important to look into a variety of sources and see what they have to say about what we’re reading—and, of course, to always be discerning about what or who we trust in our research. Third, don’t do it alone! It’s vital to be part of a local church body that loves Jesus and preaches His Word. And, especially when we’re stuck on a certain passage, it can be helpful to talk to trusted Christians in our lives, asking them to read the passage with us and talk together about what it means. As we study the Bible, the Holy Spirit will help us understand more and more deeply God’s message of good news, and what He has done for us in Jesus. He is eager to reveal His boundless love for us (Ephesians 3:14-21), and to help us “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). • Emily Acker • Consider taking some time to reread today’s Bible passages. Why is it so important that the whole Bible points to Jesus? (For more about the gospel, the good news of Jesus, see our "Know Jesus [https://unlocked.org/knowjesus/]" page.) • What questions do you have about the Bible? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can bring these questions to? Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4 (NLT)

God Still Speaks (Part 2)

READ: 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17; HEBREWS 1:1-4; 4:14-16 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20TIMOTHY%203%3A14-17%3B%20HEBREWS%201%3A1-4%3B%204%3A14-16&version=NIV] Wouldn’t it be great to have God speak to you today as He did to Elijah in 1 Kings 19? Sometimes, when I have a particularly pressing concern, I just want God to speak audibly to me so I can know exactly what He wants me to do. A gigantic, neon sign—instead of earthquakes or fire—would suffice. Although God may not speak to me in the dramatic ways I would like Him to, He does still speak. In fact, God wants so much to speak to His people that He came to earth and lived among us. When Jesus spoke to us, He taught us that God created us for relationship with Himself, but then our sin separated us from God. Jesus came so we could be close to God again. He was willing to suffer and die on a gruesome cross so we could be with Him forever. But what about after Jesus rose from the grave and ascended into heaven? Jesus explained in John 14, “These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (verses 24-26). Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus as our Savior, we can know that we have access to God Himself, always. The Spirit of Christ lives in us! Hebrews 1:1-3 really gets to the heart of the matter: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son [Jesus]…The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” How incredible that we can listen to the God of the Universe through His Word, the Bible, and that we can talk with Him any time through prayer! In the Old Testament, God spoke to the prophets and His people in various ways. When God the Father sent God the Son to us, He spoke in the most powerful way of all: showering upon us His mercy, grace, and unfailing love. In Christ, God speaks. • Savannah Coleman • The same God who created the world and spoke with Adam and Eve wants to speak to us too. Even before sin entered the world, God had a plan to bring us back to Himself. Through Jesus, God made the way for us to have fellowship with Him and receive the forgiveness we desperately needed. How could you set aside time to listen to God in His Word and in prayer? The Son [Jesus] is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)