achieve in our jobs, and learn about the world will be of no value in heaven. We won’t be able to take them with us. Only those things with eternal value will endure and be with us in heaven. Relationships, kindnesses done for others, faith in Jesus, work for the kingdom, witnessing, preaching, studying about God, memorizing Scripture, prayer, eternal life, righteousness, joy, peace and growing more like Jesus are all things that will be with us eternally. Where are you storing up treasures?
Lessons and Truths:
1.Godly treasures are eternal and have great value.
2.Earthy valuables are temporal, just for now.
3.The things I treasure reveal my heart attitude and motivation in life.
4.God’s rewards are far greater than anything I could possess now.
Prayer: Lord, help me to examine the goals that are motivating me today. Create in me a heart attitude that seeks to place your treasures above the desire for things that surround me. Open my eyes to see the treasures you reveal and provide in your Word each day. Amen.
What is my response to God’s promise?
What do the things I value in life say about my heart attitudes?
Which of God’s treasures do I want to see more of in my life?
Promise Confirmation: Proverbs 23:4-5, Matthew 13:44-46, Luke 12:32-34, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Day 12
Godly Living
Joshua 1:8
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.”
Promise: God promises that living by His Word each day, and keeping my focus on Him will bring me prosperity and success.
What is prosperity and success in God’s eyes? God explains in this promise that following His Word, keeping our thinking on His precepts, and living a God-driven life will glorify Him. Would that kind of life bring you happiness and success in relationships? Will it provide freedom from stress, guilt over sin and worry? God’s ways are in contrast to the self-driven and self-gratifying goals of this world. God knows that following the world’s standards leads to glorifying self. Which goals do you want motivating you?
Lessons and Truths:
1.I am to meditate on God’s Word in order to absorb its truths.
2.God’s Word demands careful attention.
3.Living God’s way brings God-given blessings.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your Word and your promise to bless me if I will live by your Word. Give me a heart to read, meditate, and study your Word faithfully. Help me to set godly goals that will glorify you. Thank you for what you have already done and what you will do in and through me. Amen.
What is my response to God’s promise?
What am I doing to put God’s Word into my daily life so that I can live by it?
How has God already blessed me since I began this study?
Promise Confirmation: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 103:20-22, James 1:22-25
Day 13
Growing God’s Way
John 15:1-2
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
Promise: God promises pruning (discipline, training) to make me grow in Christ so that my life will be more fruitful.
I love my garden and the beautiful flowers and vegetables that I grow. They are pleasing to look at and a joy to eat. The image given in these verses is that just as I need to cultivate, prune, and water my garden, God needs to do the same with me. He directs, guides, and causes me to hurt at times to produce a more steadfast character that is deeply rooted in Jesus. I don’t particularly like the pruning, as it is often difficult, but I can look back and see how those hard times caused me to draw nearer to Him and walk more closely in trust. I know that God wants the very best for me and that He is good. His ways are not my ways, yet He will cause me to grow and develop that steadfast character He desires, if I will trust Him and depend fully upon Jesus to guide, mold, and uplift me.
Lessons and Truths:
1.Jesus is the source of growth and life for the believer.
2.A believer’s life must show fruit.
3.God disciplines those He loves.
4.God’s pruning produces even more fruit in my life.
5.God tends to me. He oversees my growth and productivity.
Prayer: Father God, I know that pruning and discipline are difficult when they come into my life. I want to joyfully thank you for loving me and molding my character so that I will be able to stand firm in my faith. Produce in me your fruit that I can be used more effectively for your kingdom. Let others see Jesus in me. Amen.
What is my response to God’s promise?
What kind of fruit is evident in my life? Galatians 5:22-23a says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Promise Confirmation: Psalm
