STIX 'N STONES

Day 27 of The "28 Day Challenge"

CHALLENGE

For the past couple of days the "buzz" about Winter Retreat gets stronger every day.  There's drama practices, human video practices, videos being produced and so much more.  A lot of people are working very hard to make Winter Retreat the best it can possibly be.  There's a lot of students that are involved as well as adults.  It's a great team effort.  It's so rewarding to watch everyone work together to make it happen.  I'm so proud of everyone involved and we haven't even had the retreat yet.  Wow.  I LOVE MY TEAM!

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to Read Acts Chapter 27

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TO MEMORIZE:

Acts 2:17: "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people."

PRAYER POINTS:

• Declare the following: "I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ.  I can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives me strength.  Nothing is impossible with God who lives in my life."
• Take some time to express your love to Jesus. 
• Pray for the requests that you have.

Day 26 of The "28 Day Challenge"

CHALLENGE

Lately I've been meditating on the NAME OF JESUS.  It is a powerful name!  In fact, it's the most powerful name in the universe.  It holds miracles, authority, breakthrough, healings, answers, holiness, peace, joy and more!  And we have the privilege of using that name.  Jesus said in John 16:23, "My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."  Wow.  Think about that.  Meditate on it for awhile.  We don't have to beg God for answers.  We already have access to the answers we need.  We just have to go through Jesus Christ and believe by faith that He has already provided what we ask for.  How?  Through the name of Jesus.  The name that is above every other name!

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to Read Acts Chapter 26

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TO MEMORIZE:

Acts 2:17: "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people."

PRAYER POINTS:

• Thank Jesus for giving us the right to use His name for anything that we have need of.
• Make a list of the things that you need in your life.  Pray about them using the name of Jesus and believe that He will answer.
• Pray about something that requires a miracle from God.  As you pray, recognize that you are calling on the most powerful name in the universe, Jesus Christ!

Day 25 of The "28 Day Challenge"

CHALLENGE

Make sure you treasure the "small" moments in life.  It's often those times that become the most meaningful and significant.  We just don't always recognize it at the moment.  It's only when we look back that we realize how BIG those occasions really are.  I was reminded of this yesterday when Ryan (my oldest son, 8 yrs old) and I went snow tubing at Wildwood Highlands.  It was just the 2 of us, so we had some quality time without interruption.  Every time we went down the hill (except once), we connected our tubes so we could be together.  Why?  We both agreed it was just more fun that way.  We could yell, smile, laugh and talk about how cool it was as we rode down the hill.  The whole experience was something we shared.  This might seem like a "small" moment in life, but I know to Ryan it was HUGE.  Quite honestly, it was for me too.  I had an absolute blast!  It's a moment we'll never forget.

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to Read Acts Chapter 25

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TO MEMORIZE:

Acts 2:17: "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people."

PRAYER POINTS:

• Pray that everyone who attends Winter Retreat will be impacted in a powerful way
• Pray against any distractions, disunity or attacks of the enemy on Winter Retreat
• Pray that God will prepare the heart of every person who attends retreat so they can fully receive what God has in store
• Surrender yourself to God to live life His way.  Ask God to show you favor and begin to fight for you!

Day 24 of The "28 Day Challenge"

CHALLENGE

Do you want to get God on your side?  Then constantly strive for humility.  1 Peter 5:5 says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."  If we live with pride in our lives (doing our own thing and going our own way), God will oppose us and stand against us.  However there is a way to get God on our side.  When we make a decision to humble ourselves and do things HIS WAY, God will show us grace and work in our favor. It's much better to live life with God fighting FOR us than God fighting against us!

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to Read Acts Chapter 24

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TO MEMORIZE:

Acts 2:17: "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people."

PRAYER POINTS:

• Ask God to reveal any areas of pride in your life.  Take some time to repent of those things.
• Surrender yourself to God to live life His way.  Ask God to show you favor and begin to fight for you!

Day 23 of The "28 Day Challenge"

CHALLENGE

If you are not happy with where you are spiritually, realize that you alone are responsible for your level of spiritual passion and intimacy with Jesus.  It's easy to pass the responsibility off on another person, busyness, stress or many other factors.  However, it's important to realize that nothing and/or no one can stand in between our relationship with Jesus.  Take full responsibility to increase your spiritual passion by "fanning it into flame" as the apostle Paul told Timothy.  Here are some practical ways you can do that:

• Spend time in extended personal worship
• Read a book that will challenge your faith
• Listen to sermons (you can do this for free with many podcasts)
• Spend time with people who are "on fire" for God
• Attend weekly worship services and get involved with a small group
• Make it a priority each day to spend time with God in prayer and Bible reading

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to Read Acts Chapter 23

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TO MEMORIZE:

Acts 2:17: "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people."

PRAYER POINTS:

• Ask God to help you stay away from people and things that could influence you towards evil.  God has promised to pour out blessings on your life if you choose to live apart from evil. 
• Spend some time thanking God that you can find pleasure and satisfaction in Him. 
• Pray the following: "I declare that I will have a big impact on advancing God's plans in my world.  Whatever I get involved with that pleases God will have great results.  I am blessed by God.  He calls me blessed and I accept that blessing on my life."   

Day 22 of The "28 Day Challenge"

CHALLENGE

Being TEACHABLE is a fantastic quality to have in your life.  It's about being open to instruction and correction.  The word "instruction" appears 14 times in the book of Proverbs and the word "correction" appears 9 times in Proverbs.  TEACHABILITY is really a condition of the heart.  A wise heart is TEACHABLE.  In fact, it's the key to continued growth in our lives in almost every area.  The moment we stop being TEACHABLE is the moment we stunt our growth.  It's a great practice to regularly ask a respected leader and/or friend the following questions:  Do you see anything in my life that you think I need to change?  What could I be doing better?  If you want grow, then being TEACHABLE is the way to get there!

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to Read Acts Chapter 22

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TO MEMORIZE:

Acts 2:17: "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people."

PRAYER POINTS:

• ADORATION: This means to worship and praise God.  Spend some time worshipping God and praising Him.  Use worship music if you like.
• CONFESSION: Ask God to reveal any areas of sin in your life and take the time to ask for His forgiveness.
• THANKSGIVING: Spend some time thanking God for all of the blessings He's given you as well as the answers to your prayers.
• SUPPLICATION:  This means to make your requests to God.  Ask God for the things you need in your life and in the life of those around you.

Day 21 of The "28 Day Challenge"

CHALLENGE

This is the last week of our "28 Day" Challenge!  That also means that Winter Retreat is just around the corner.  I can't wait for February 29th!  Actually, there's a whole lot we need to do before that time - but I'm still excited.  Retreats aren't just times to get away to have fun.  Don't get me wrong, you'll have an absolute blast if you go.  But what I'm referring to is the way that lives are impacted on retreats.  I have seen so many people have life-changing encounters with Jesus on retreats.  This year, I'm expecting even more lives to be changed.  I've seen God move in unique ways at each retreat we've hosted.  He always seems to do whatever He needs to in order to touch people's lives.  I don't want to put God in a box and dictate how He's going to change lives this year.  I'm simply coming with a huge heart of expectancy and being open to whatever He wants to do! 

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to Read Acts Chapter 21

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TO MEMORIZE:

Acts 2:17: "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people."

PRAYER POINTS:

The following prayer points are taken from 1 Chronicles 4:10:

• Pray that God's blessings will be on your life, your family, your school, your work, your friends and everything that you do.
• Pray that God would give you greater influence in all areas of your life.
• Thank God that He never leaves you and is always there.  Pray that you would follow His ways and not your own.
• Pray for God's protection over your life and your family.  Ask Him to give you good health and a long life.
• Pray that you will make decisions in life that please God.

Day 20 of The "28 Day Challenge"

CHALLENGE

This week we looked at 2 more questions to help guide the choices and decisions we make.  Combined with the questions from the prior week, that gives a total of 5 questions to help guide decisions you make in life.  Your life will be radically changed as you use this serious of questions every day.  Here they are:

1. Does It Please God?
2. Does It Strengthen Me or Weaken Me?
3. Does It Control Me?
4. Will It Cause Someone Else To Compromise?
5. Am I Fully Convinced That This Is The Right Thing To Do?

BIBLE READING: 

Click Here to Read Acts Chapter 20

• Who told Paul to go to Jerusalem?
• What kinds of warnings did the Holy Spirit give Paul about his missionary travels?

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TO MEMORIZE:

Acts 3:19: "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away."

PRAYER POINTS:

• Pray through each of the 5 questions listed above and ask God to show you if your are violating any of the those Biblical principles in your life
• Repent of anything that you are doing to violate those principles from the Bible.
• Pray the following declarations to God:  "I choose to live my life to please you.  Give me strength to overcome any obstacle of the enemy.  I allow you to lead in every area of my life and to be my only master.  Cause my life to honor Jesus and be a reflection of who He is.  Give me a pure heart that is lead by the Holy Spirit."

Day 19 of The "28 Day Challenge"

CHALLENGE

The impact that we have on others shouldn't only be defined by what we choose NOT to do.  I would rather live my life in a way that proactively makes the name of Jesus famous!  Here's are some  questions to consider:

• Does your life cause people to attracted towards God or does it push them away from Him?
• Does your life cause people to want more of Jesus or less of Him?
• Does your life cause people to say, "If that's what following Jesus is all about, then I want to do  that too."  Or does it cause them to say, "If that's what following Jesus is all about, then I don't want anything to do with it."

It's astounding to realize that by the choices and decisions we make, we have the opportunity to promote Jesus Christ!  Your life is actually the "loudest message" you will ever preach.  What is it saying?

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to Read Acts Chapter 19

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TO MEMORIZE:

Acts 3:19: "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away."

PRAYER POINTS:

• Ask God to help you live your life in such a way that it makes Jesus Christ famous!  Be open to the changes that God will ask you to make in your life. 
• Pray that God will set you free from any habits that pull you away from Him.  Declare the fact that He has set you free from sin and has made you a brand new person. 
• Identify the impossible situations in your life or in others that you know.  Ask God to provide His miracle working power in those areas. 

Day 18 of The "28 Day Challenge"

CHALLENGE

Yesterday we focused on the impact our lives have on other people.  I've heard Pastor Jeff use the phrase, "What you are strong enough to handle, may be too much for those who follow you." Just because you feel something is OK for you to do, doesn't automatically mean that you should do it.  Stop and consider the effect your actions will have on people that you influence.  There are numerous things I choose not to do, simply because of the potential impact it will have on people who follow me.  What about you?  Are there things that you choose not to do because of the way in can effect people you influence? If you do not have an answer for this question, I challenge you to prayerfully identify some things.

BIBLE READING: 

Click Here to Read Acts Chapter 18

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TO MEMORIZE:

Acts 3:19: "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away."

PRAYER POINTS:

• Ask God to reveal choices and decisions you make that can potentially impact others in a negative way.  Take some time to listen to what He tells you. 
• Pray that God will give you success over tempations that you face.  Don't expect to be defeated.  Instead, expect to walk in victory!
• Pray the following: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable and pleasing to you God.  Help me to use my mouth to speak faith, blessings and encouragement to people.  Guard my mind from thoughts that are impure, unholy and discouraging.  Use me for your purposes today. "