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BEYOND SUNDAY
Daily Devotionals and Bible Study Discussion Guides 

Go deeper with Five Daily Devotionals and a Bible Study Discussion Guide to go along with each weekly sermon.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

[Sept 15, 2024] Phillipians: Pursuing Joy in Relationships
Click on any of the timestamps [mm:ss] in the content below to play relative clips from the sermon.

Day 1: Cultivating Gratitude in Relationships
Gratitude in relationships helps us focus on the positive aspects and reduces resentment. By choosing to remember the good times and the positive qualities of those we are in relationship with, we can transform our perspective and bring joy into our interactions. This practice is not always easy, especially when conflicts arise, but it is a powerful tool for maintaining healthy and joyful relationships. When we intentionally practice gratitude, we shift our focus from what is lacking to what is present, fostering a sense of appreciation and contentment.

In Philippians 1:3-5, Paul expresses his gratitude for the believers in Philippi, highlighting the importance of being thankful for the people in our lives. Gratitude is a choice that requires us to actively remember and acknowledge the blessings and positive attributes of others. This practice can transform our relationships, making them sources of joy rather than stress. By being grateful, we can create a positive atmosphere that encourages growth and mutual support. [12:45]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Reflection: Think of a specific person in your life. What are three positive qualities or actions of theirs that you can be grateful for today? How can you express this gratitude to them?


Day 2: The Power of Prayer in Relationships
Praying for our relationships, especially strained ones, can change our hearts and align us with God’s will. Prayer invites God’s presence and power into our relationships, fostering love, wisdom, and integrity. It is hard to stay mad at someone while genuinely praying for their well-being. When we pray for others, we open ourselves to God’s transformative work in our hearts and in the hearts of those we are praying for.

In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul prays for the believers in Philippi, asking God to help them grow in love, make wise choices, and live with integrity. This passage underscores the importance of prayer in nurturing and sustaining our relationships. By praying for others, we invite God’s guidance and intervention, which can lead to healing and reconciliation. Prayer also helps us to see others through God’s eyes, fostering empathy and compassion. [16:08]

Colossians 4:2-3 (ESV): “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.”

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that is currently strained. Spend a few minutes praying for that person and asking God to bless and transform your relationship. How does this prayer change your perspective on the situation?


Day 3: Believing the Best About Others
Trusting that God is at work in the lives of others helps us to be patient and hopeful. We should remind people of their potential and exercise patience, knowing that God will complete the good work He has begun in them. This perspective encourages us to see beyond current struggles and believe in God’s transformative power. By believing the best about others, we foster an environment of trust and encouragement.

In Philippians 1:6, Paul expresses his confidence that God, who began a good work in the believers, will carry it on to completion. This assurance can be applied to our relationships as well. When we trust that God is at work in the lives of others, we can be more patient and hopeful, even in difficult times. This belief helps us to see others through the lens of God’s grace and potential, rather than their current shortcomings. [19:23]

Hebrews 10:24 (ESV): “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is going through a difficult time. How can you encourage them today by reminding them of their potential and God’s work in their life?


Day 4: Loving Like Jesus
Loving others like Jesus does means showing unconditional love and grace. This love is not just a feeling but an action that requires us to lay down our lives for others, forgive, and overlook faults. The Holy Spirit empowers us to love difficult people, reflecting Jesus’ sacrificial love. By loving like Jesus, we can transform our relationships and bring joy into our interactions.

In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them. This commandment is a call to action, requiring us to demonstrate love through our actions and attitudes. Loving like Jesus means extending grace and forgiveness, even when it is difficult. It means putting others’ needs before our own and seeking their well-being. This kind of love can transform our relationships and bring about healing and reconciliation. [24:36]

1 John 4:11-12 (ESV): “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is difficult to love. How can you show them unconditional love and grace today, reflecting Jesus’ love for you?


Day 5: Reflection and Forgiveness
Taking time to reflect on our relationships and seek God’s guidance can lead to healing and restoration. We should ask God to cleanse us from bitterness and unforgiveness, and to fill us with the fruit of the Spirit. This process helps us to pursue joy and peace in our relationships. By reflecting on our relationships and seeking God’s guidance, we can identify areas that need healing and take steps towards reconciliation.

In Ephesians 4:31-32, Paul encourages believers to get rid of bitterness, rage, and anger, and to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ forgave them. This passage highlights the importance of forgiveness in maintaining healthy relationships. By reflecting on our relationships and seeking God’s guidance, we can identify areas where we need to extend forgiveness and seek reconciliation. This process can lead to healing and restoration, bringing joy and peace into our relationships. [27:48]

Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV): “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Reflection: Take a few minutes to reflect on your relationships. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? Ask God to help you take the necessary steps towards healing and reconciliation.

BIBLE STUDY DISCUSSION GUIDE
DAILY DEVOTIONAL

[Sept 8, 2024] Living for that Final Day
Click on any of the timestamps [mm:ss] in the content below to play relative clips from the sermon.

Day 1: The Inevitability of Death and the Hope of Resurrection
Death is an unavoidable reality that every human must face. Despite our best efforts to defy it, death remains a certainty. However, the belief in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting offers a profound hope that transforms our fear of death into a motivation to live better and love more deeply. By focusing on the reality of death, we can live our lives without regret and with a vision for eternity. This hope encourages us to live fully, making the most of our time and prioritizing our lives around Christ.

Understanding that our bodies are temporary and that our spirits will be with the Lord upon death provides a sense of peace and purpose. When Jesus returns, there will be a resurrection of the body, a promise that gives us hope and purpose. This belief helps us to live with a sense of urgency and intentionality, knowing that our ultimate destination is to be with the Lord. [04:53]

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV): “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”

Reflection: How does the reality of death and the hope of resurrection change the way you live your daily life? What steps can you take today to live more intentionally and with a vision for eternity?


Day 2: Living Fully Alive in Christ
To live for Christ is to live fully alive, filled with joy, peace, and love. This means living with purpose, knowing that our ultimate purpose is to know God and love Him and our neighbors. It also means living with peace and joy that transcend our circumstances, and with significance and security that come from knowing we are loved unconditionally by God. Living fully alive in Christ involves embracing the abundant life He offers and sharing that life with others.

When we live fully alive in Christ, we experience a deep sense of fulfillment and contentment that is not dependent on our external circumstances. This kind of life is marked by a profound sense of joy and peace that comes from being in a right relationship with God. It also involves living with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that our lives have eternal significance. [13:47]

John 10:10 (ESV): “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Reflection: What does it mean for you to live fully alive in Christ? How can you cultivate a deeper sense of joy, peace, and love in your daily life?


Day 3: The Importance of Purpose and Significance
Our purpose in life is to know God and love Him and our neighbors. This purpose gives our lives significance and security, knowing that we are loved unconditionally by God. Living with this purpose helps us to live fully alive and make the most of the time we have. When we understand our purpose, we can live with a sense of direction and intentionality, prioritizing our lives around what truly matters.

Living with purpose means aligning our lives with God’s will and seeking to fulfill the unique calling He has placed on our lives. It involves using our gifts and talents to serve others and advance God’s kingdom. By living with purpose, we can experience a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, knowing that our lives have eternal significance. [14:56]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Reflection: What is your unique purpose in life? How can you align your daily activities with this purpose to live a more intentional and fulfilling life?


Day 4: The Reality of Eternal Life
Eternal life begins when we are spiritually awakened and continues as we prepare for eternity. Death is not the end but a doorway into eternal bliss. This perspective helps us to live our lives with hope and purpose, knowing that our ultimate destination is to be with the Lord. Understanding the reality of eternal life changes the way we view our current circumstances and gives us a sense of hope and anticipation for the future.

Living with an eternal perspective means focusing on what truly matters and investing our time, talents, and treasures in things that have lasting value. It involves living with a sense of urgency and intentionality, knowing that our time on earth is limited and that we are preparing for an eternity with God. [23:39]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Reflection: How does the reality of eternal life change the way you view your current circumstances? What steps can you take today to live with a greater sense of hope and purpose?


Day 5: Investing in God’s Kingdom
To grow our heart for God, we must invest in His kingdom with our time, talents, and treasures. This investment will help us to live fully alive and prioritize our lives around Christ. By doing so, we will be rewarded in the life to come, and our lives will have a lasting impact. Investing in God’s kingdom involves using our resources to advance His purposes and make a difference in the lives of others.

When we invest in God’s kingdom, we are storing up treasures in heaven that will have eternal significance. This kind of investment requires a willingness to sacrifice and prioritize God’s will above our own desires. It also involves being faithful stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us and using them to further His kingdom. [37:11]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Reflection: How are you currently investing your time, talents, and treasures in God’s kingdom? What changes can you make to ensure that your investments have eternal significance?

BIBLE STUDY DISCUSSION GUIDE