2010 Daily Devotions*
—by Deidre Franklin
(March 8-14) Print
Monday, March 8: Deuteronomy 30:11-16
What is the most difficult decision you have ever made?
After reading this passage through twice, can you relate to the objection that Moses is confronting? What objections have you heard, or used, that are similar?
Moses assures Israel that God’s word is in their hearts, and in their mouths. What does this mean in real life?
Read Paul’s explanation in Romans 10:6-10.
Tuesday, March 9: Joshua 24:14-28
Joshua received the mantle of leadership from Moses, and led Israel into the promised land. He too reminded the people of their covenant with God.
What is the critical decision to be made here?
What does Joshua’s statement entail?
How does our church help you to maintain the commitment you have made to follow Christ?
Wednesday, March 10: Hebrews 2:1-4
Try to remember the last time you felt ignored. How did you respond?
What danger is the author of Hebrews warning us of? What does it mean to drift away?
Have you experienced “such a great salvation?” How has it been confirmed in your life?
Why is it easy to ignore such a powerful experience? Have you ever felt yourself drifting away?
Find a Community Group, where friends will continually remind you of God’s goodness.
Thursday, March 11: Philemon 8-21
If you don’t know the story behind Philemon, read it in a Bible introduction. Philemon is faced with a difficult choice, to receive with kindness the runaway slave, Onesimus, or to punish him according to the law of the land.
Consider the pros and cons of both options.
Why doesn’t Paul exercise his apostolic authority and declare Onesimus free, and keep him as a partner in the gospel?
Like Onesimus, do you have something you need to return, or make right?
Like Paul, can you help someone else in an effort of reconciliation?
Friday, March 12: Colossians 3:1-17
Have you reclaimed your spring/summer clothing from its winter storage yet? Did you find anything that needs to be discarded?
Paul says that we wear our holiness, our transforming selves, like a whole new wardrobe. Note the key elements of this new wardrobe in Col. 3:12-14.
Before we can put on the new clothes, we must discard the old. See some examples in verses 5-9.
Working back to verses 1 & 2, Paul tells us how to do this. What is the difference between setting our hearts on things above, and setting our minds on things above?
Do a quick survey of how you spend the bulk of your time and money. According to this quick test, on what have you set your heart? Would you say it is “earthly?”
Which friend could you call upon to help you focus your attention on things above?
Saturday, March 13: Romans 12:1-8
Have you ever prayed for, and urgently desired to know God’s will? What was the situation?
What is the key, according to verses 1 & 2?
Moses assures Israel that God’s word is in their hearts, and in their mouths. What does this mean in real life?
How can you offer your body as a living sacrifice? In what ways do you make it a practice?
How has verse 1 informed your idea of genuine worship?
What is your spiritual gift? How are you using it to strengthen your church, or Community Group?
Sunday, March 14, 2010—Fourth Sunday in Lent
Psalm: Psalm 32
Old Testament: Joshua 5:9-12
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21