Bad Can Be Good | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Can something “bad” turn out good for other people? Check out the answer in the life of a guy who got attacked, arrested and falsely imprisoned.

Game Plan:

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” Philippians 1:12-14, NAS

Time Out:

What is your first thought when something “bad” happens?

Is it, “Darn it. Why me?”

Or, try this thought: “God, this is a blitz.

What is the opportunity to accomplish Your purpose and increase your fame through this?”

God’s purpose for us is simple – to become more like Jesus and help other people meet Jesus and become more like Him.

Go Deep:

Write yourself a mission statement that reminds you that your purpose in life is to do God’s purpose – love Him and love others.

Let each “bad” thing that happens be a blitz. Ask God to show you its opportunity and give you the strength to use it for His bigger purpose.

God’s purpose for us is simple – to become more like Jesus and help other people meet Jesus and become more like Him.

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UBUNTU-A Team Identity | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Do you think a lot about yourself and the plans you have for yourself? You need some UBUNTU.

Game Plan:

“For [together] we are God’s masterpiece [a plural identity of complementary togetherness]. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10, NLT

Time Out:

Think about the contrast between “UBUNTU” (I am because we are) and “I am the captain of my own fate”. Individualism is anathema to God. He is three in one; Father, Son and Holy Spirit – relationship personified. He made us to be interdependent, not independent, and that happens best when we identify as part of a His team, a body of people.

Go Deep:

Ask God and think deeply about who you need to be grateful for. Thank them for what they mean to you. Who do you need to affirm and include in your planning and actions? Think of yourself as part of a team, part of a body. Don’t act alone. Live for the benefit of others, not just yourself.

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Paradox of Forgiveness | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Steve Largent’s in the Hall of Fame, but this reconciliation stands taller. Watch how apology leads forgiveness.

Game Plan: 

“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:24, ESV

Time Out:

Holding on to unforgiveness and bitterness has been likened to “drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

Forgiveness happens in the heart, but reconciliation happens person-to-person.

Those conversations are hard. That’s why Steve Largent’s apology to his dad who’d left the family was so powerful. It broke the ice. It built a bridge. It softened his dad.

Forgiveness happens in the heart, but reconciliation happens person-to-person.

Go Deep:

Keep in mind that most people are doing about the best they can with the tools they have. Jesus knew that about those who killed Him. If you have maturity, and especially if you have accepted God’s forgiveness, you can look at your own faults and not just your hurts. Then, you can begin reconciliation by apologizing for even the relatively small things on your part.

Who hurt you? Are you distanced or divided? Take an inventory and consider what you have done or have not done that deserves an apology. Start the reconciliation. There is power in our apologies and our forgiveness?

 

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Ultimate Blitz | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Please watch this story. It’s so familiar we easily miss the fact that it is the epic event of human history…and it can change everything about how we live.

Game Plan: 

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” I Corinthians 15:3-4, ESV

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8, ESV

“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” I Peter 2:22-25, ESV

 

Time Out:

Imagine that you or I had to figure out how to save the world, defeat Satan and rescue us humans from death into eternal life. I doubt our plan would have been like God’s. Would we have thought to sacrifice our only child? Would we have chosen to die for others?

What God went through to gain our abundant and eternal life shows that facing intense difficulties, trials and tribulations is a central part of how we must discover God’s good in our fallen world. Jesus faced the ultimate blitz with faith, courage and a focus on blessing others. Do you have those traits? Faith, courage and a focus on blessing others.

Jesus faced the ultimate blitz with faith, courage and a focus on blessing others. Do you have those traits?

Go Deep:

Meditate on these verses today and this week. Enter a dialogue with God this week. Ask Him to show you what He desires for you.

Ask Him to help you do the following:

• To believe and confess Jesus as your only hope for salvation and life.

• To surrender control of your life to Jesus…health, relationships, career…identity, dreams, possessions…secrets, sins and addictions.

• To face the reality that trouble will come and God will meet us there.

• To drop your complaining and pessimism and ask Jesus for His perseverance and confidence to face whatever circumstance and blitzes come your way?

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From Quadriplegic to Mega-Encourager | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Joni Eareckson Tada broke her neck. But her broken neck didn’t break her spirit. Watch how her grief became greatness…God’s way.

Game Plan: 

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21, ESV

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20, ESV

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose… to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Romans 8:28-29, ESV

 

Time Out:

God’s has a purpose for us. It’s to become conformed to the image of His Son. To become like Jesus. Evil and bad stuff happens in a fallen and rebellious world. God is not to blame. He is actually the master at converting bad to good. But, we must accept that He loves us and choose to trust Him. That’s what Joni Eareckson Tada did. Jesus was a giver, a healer, a provider of hope…and so is Joni.

Evil and bad stuff happens in a fallen and rebellious world. God is not to blame. He is actually the master at converting bad to good.

Go Deep:

Please remember that God is not our enemy. Nor are other people. Satan is God’s enemy and ours. Take the bad thing that happens and ask God to use it to make you like Jesus…one who suffered but overcame. Take His love and His courage. Give love and encouragement to others. Turn your trial to triumph. Turn your blitz into blessing?

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Don’t Compare Insides to Outsides | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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I was jealous of some other guys, and it was really dumb. Watch and read why.

Game Plan: 

““For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.” James 3:15, NLT

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25, NIV

Time Out:

Comparison is a toxic mixture of self-centeredness, jealousy and fear of what others think about you. It’s a trap.

Comparison with other people is a losing proposition. If we judge that we are doing better than others, we are feeding arrogance, the root of sin. If we judge that they are doing better, we feed jealousy and discouragement.

Plus, we are notoriously inaccurate at assessing things. We compare our inner turmoil and angst against our inflated picture of other people’s circumstances, not their inner turmoil and challenges.

Comparison is a toxic mixture of self-centeredness, jealousy and fear of what others think about you. It’s a trap.

Go Deep:

How much comparison is there in your life?

Are you jealous and obsessing about what you want your life to be like?

Is there a boss, a peer, friend or family member whose opinion of you and influence on you causes you to worry, compare or be jealous? That is fearing man more than God. You need to be set free. Tell God exactly how you are comparing or fearing. Ask Him to set you free?

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Pass On the Baton | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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When your days on this earth are over and you “pass on the baton”, what will you be remembered for? What you intentionally (or unintentionally) pass on today is what you’ll be remembered for tomorrow.

Game Plan: 

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” 2 Timothy 4:6-8, NIV

Time Out:

Saul of Tarsus had a huge turn-around in his life. He became Paul, Jesus’ apostle. He lived as an ambassador for Jesus’ message. He modeled following Jesus and gave so much to others.

How about you? What is the baton you want to pass on to your kids or those who follow you?

What is it that you are praying for and living for that will equip the next generation to run their life’s race and win a crown from the Lord Jesus.

Is your faith an honest and visible anchor in your life…something you share with your child or others?

Go Deep:

Is your faith an honest and visible anchor in your life…something you share with your child or others? (This not religion, and it’s way more than morality or out-sourcing your kids to Christian programs at church or school.)

Are you secure in your identity and helping your child or others find their identity? Deeply loved and fully forgiven in Christ…gifted with a story and strengths…called to bless others. That is the foundation of our identity.

Are you helping others find their way to healthy relationships and a winsome picture of marriage? God’s got the blueprints for relationships, marriage, sex and family.

None of us can write letters as inspired as Paul did, but writing letters to your kids may be just one part of the intentionality it takes to pass the baton well?

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Love Transcends Boos | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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So what if I got booed once (well, maybe twice) — listen to how my son joked about it and think about how we’ll be remembered.

Game Plan: 

“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19, NLT

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” I Peter 4:8, NIV

Time Out:

What will your kids remember about you? Funny and embarrassing stories? Will it be hugs, kisses and playing with them? It may be your sacrifices to put your marriage and family ahead of yourself or career.

Jesus lived and sacrificed Himself in a way that is remembered. He valued meals together, special celebrations and surprising servant hood (washing dirty feet). He is the only one whose love can literally cover over a multitude of our sins. But it’s a great encouragement to know that the way we love can erase dumb or damaging deeds in life, whether others’ or our own.

What will your kids remember about you? Funny and embarrassing stories? Will it be hugs, kisses and playing with them? It may be your sacrifices to put your marriage and family ahead of yourself or career.

Go Deep:

Give some thought to the question, “How do I want to be remembered?”

I want the answer to be, “He loved us.”

What’s your answer…and what’s the next step to shaping those memories.

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The Gideon Principle | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Find out what encouraged a fearful ancient warrior and a ten-year old baseball player with a broken arm.

Game Plan: 

“And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” Judges 6:12, NLT

“So, encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11, NLT

Time Out:

Your past does not determine your identity. Nor do your failings or your fears. God determines your identity. He created you. He sacrificed for you. He adopted you. He invites you to accept His love and be His representative to others so they can know Him and His love.

Parents, spouses, grandparents, mentors…we live out our highest purpose when we call another person into their identity. Affirm them. Name them. Declare their character and purpose…even before they see or demonstrate it. God did this for Gideon.

Your past does not determine your identity. Nor do your failings or your fears. God determines your identity.

Go Deep:

Accept the identity God gives you…a beloved son or daughter…a man or woman of valor…a representative of God to show His love to others.

Pass on that kind of encouragement and identity to those you love and lead. Don’t focus on their past or their present. Define their future…the potential God sees and can shape in them. Be like my friend to her son. Be like God to Gideon. Define the good in their heart. Call out their destiny. Practice the Gideon Principle.

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Your Perfect Dad…Forgive, Thank, Live | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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You may have mixed emotions on Father’s Day…watch and be reminded of the Perfect Father.

Game Plan: 

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13, NLT

“Honor your father and mother —which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” Ephesians 6:2-4, NIV

Time Out:

One of the hinge points of life is that our identity is so dependent upon father. The secret is to base our identity on how the perfect Father relates to us, not our human father. Human fathers can do great good and great harm. The perfect Father in Heaven designed us, sacrificed for us and saved us. Drawing toward Him and accepting His love does the greatest good for our identity and life.

The perfect Father in Heaven designed us, sacrificed for us and saved us. Drawing toward Him and accepting His love does the greatest good for our identity and life.

Go Deep:

Forgiveness sets us free. It does not ignore reality or pain, but it moves beyond it. Draw on God’s forgiveness. Write down the hurt and pain caused by your dad. Forgive it. Then, shred or burn the list.

Write a letter to your dad to honor him as your dad and thank him. Seek anything good and appreciate it. God does good things in us when we forgive and honor our parent.

For inspiration, go to HonorYourFathertoday.com for stories about fatherhood, healing, and growth. You may even want to post your own video honoring your father.

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