Sunday, January 23, 2011

Connecting with God!

So if you are reading this, you were probably at the 10 am JHigh service at Journey Church today!
Over the next few weeks I will post scripture readings for you! I would love to hear how God is speaking to you through His word, prayer, and the people around you!
I would also love to hear your thoughts about what worship is to you.
Think about this and talk to Jesus about it. Is He guiding your path in a direction that will require more intimacy with Him?
Yes, yes he is!!! He wants ALL of you!! And it is the most freeing, wonderful, exciting thing you can ever do!
He loves you more than you can ever comprehend! And so do I! :)

Here are some readings for you! Feel free to just read and read, but if you don't know where to start, this may help!

Day One: John 1-3
Day Two: John 4-6
Day Three: John 7-9
Day Four: John 10-12
Day Five: John 13-15
Day Six: John 16-18
Day Seven John 19-21

More to Come next Week!!! You can respond on the blog or email me at tana.shaw@journeychurch.tv

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Bring on The Rain!

Okay, so the title really doesn't have to do with todays devo, but I just sat outside on my porch enjoying the rain fall gently over me while drinking a cup of tea! :)

So the title should really be,

Blessed Assurance, pt. 2

First I want you to read Romans 5:1, 4:1-5, and 4:25.
What word stands out to you in all three passages?

Justification!!

Do you remember the little play on words that was oddly hard to understand on Sunday?
Justified = "Just if I'd" never sinned!
Praise God for that! Can you begin to truly fathom what it means to be declared righteous by God! Ultimately, it means that we get to spend Eternity in His presence, never to be separated from His love and forever separated from pain, shame, grief, guilt, and our sin!
But it also means that you have a freedom from your sins. You do not have to be tied to the identity that your past sins carried. You do not belong to a lifestyle of sin, but one of righteousness. And righteousness is living your life in a way that is consistent with God's character, His faithfulness, truthfulness, justice, love, etc. . . And since you are unable to do that on your own, God's gracious gift of His son, Jesus, does it for you. You can't be good enough to obtain the righteousness of God, but it's through trust in Christ Jesus that you put on His righteousness and begin to be the person that God created you to be through the power of Jesus' sacrifice rather than through your own hard work.

What is this saying to you? How does this change your perception of how you are and how you will live your life?
Go back and read the full chapters of Romans 4 and 5.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Blessed Assurance! Jesus is Mine!!

Hey Ladies!
I hope that the first Monday of your freshman year was amazing!
So last night we talked about Assurance of Salvation! That we can know that we are saved, not by our actions but by the actions of Jesus Christ!

But first a side note from last night's talk: The Jews were circumcised as babies. It represents the covenant that the Israelites made with God to be pure and set apart! So when the Bible refers to someone as uncircumcised, they are out of relationship or covenant with God. Basically, you want to be considered "circumcised" spiritually speaking.

Your assurance is the comprehension or deep understanding of the facts and provisions of salvation through faith in Jesus! This week we are talking about the foundational truths from the Bible about our assurance.

Start by reading Romans 8:32 Even if you were there last night, reread these scriptures and ask God to reveal His truth to you even more!

Foundations of Assurance
The Word of God
1. The Word promises Eternal Life
John 3:36 and 1John 5:11-13
2.Forgiveness of ALL Sin
Acts 10:43 and Colossians 2:13
3. Freedom from Condemnation
John 5:24 and Romans 8:1

If there are words that you don't understand, please ask through the comments.
Share through the comments what these scriptures say to you about your salvation.
How do these truths affect how you live your life?

"Many wise pastors have insisted that the basis for knowing that I am a Christion is not what I do but what God's word says about what Christ has done and contiues to do for those who have believed (John 1:12 and 1 John 5:13). I know I belong to Christ because I have believed in Jesus Christ as my ONLY SAVIOR and REDEEMER from eternal destruction. It's not the evidences of my life that are my basis for knowing that, It's the Word of God! That settles it!"

It's not a matter of clinging to an experience (camp, altar call, great sermon, etc...)but by the sure witness of the WORD OF GOD!!!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

With My God I Can Scale A Wall!!!!

First, I want to apologize! Between my car causing an entire day of problems last Thursday and me not feeling very well, I haven't gotten the blog up!

Second, I want to tell you that I love you! The things I see God doing in your lives right now and in the future, gets me so excited!!! So be thinking about what you feel God is asking you to do with your life, this school year, college, career, ministry, etc. . . We are going to be talking about goals tonight and if you have already been thinking about it, our discussion can be that much better! :)

So for today's reading I just want you to read the Psalms for today! Psalm 18, 48, 78, and 108! As you read, take your time, read over the parts that stick out to you, and write down anything that you feel God is saying to you!

I have a really cool idea for Wednesday nights, for those of you that are spending time reading, I would like for you to take turns sharing with the rest of the small group what God is teaching you during your quiet time. Just a mini-devotional, not a whole sermon. ;) This will help you become more comfortable in sharing with others and will hopefully encourage them to begin spending time in the Word and one on one with Jesus! :)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

A Very Good Place to Start

Good Morning Ladies!

The reading today is John 1:1-34. This passage starts with the creation of our world and ends with the baptism of Jesus. Read through it and write down the parts that stand out to you. If you don't know, John the Baptist is Jesus's cousin. There is more about him in the first few chapters of Luke. You may want to read about him for a little background!
When John is talking about the Word, who is He referring to? What does this passage tell you about Jesus? Why do you think it was important for John to come before Jesus?
John was sent to pave the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance. This was how he was able to point them to the One and Only Begotten Son! How can you pave the way for Jesus in the lives of those around you?

Psalms for today: 10, 40, 70, 100, and 130!

Have an amazing day!

Monday, August 9, 2010

I Am My Beloved's And He Is Mine!

Good Morning ladies!
Small group was awesome last night! I'm so excited to be a part of each of your lives and am looking forward to seeing how God molds you into the women that He created you to be!!!

Today, let's just start with reading from Psalms! Psalm 9, 39, 69, 99, 129. Before you begin reading, ask God to speak to you through His word.
Read it and write down anything that speaks to you or questions that you have about the scripture.
If there is a passage that seems to be jumping out at you, reread it, read it out loud, write it down, try to memorize it(if you want), etc. . .
As for commenting on the blog, feel free to share what God is speaking to you through the scripture, ask a question, answer a question, encourage one another, etc. . .

Father, We ask that You make Your Word come alive to us as we read it today. Transform our hearts and our lives. Cultivate a deep desire in each of us for Your Word and for You. You are so good and so faithful! We love You!!! Amen

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Your Evangelism Style!

Hey Ladies! Here is the 411 on the different evangelism styles! If you missed group tonight, and want to figure out what your style is text me your email and I will email the quiz.

Confrontational:
Biblical Example: Peter in Acts 2
Theme Verse: 2 Timothy 4v2
Personal Characteristics: Confident, assertive, direct, bold, skips small talk, likes to get right to the point, has strong opinions and beliefs
Cautions: Ask God to help you be sensitive and tactful when you talk to your friends. Avoid judging people who approach evangelism with a different style.

Intellectual:
Biblical Example: Paul in Acts 17
Theme Verse: 2 Corinthians 10v5
Personal Characteristics: Curious, analytical, logical, likes to debate, more concerned with what people think than how they feel
Cautions: Avoid letting discussions become heated arguments. Remember that your attitude is always important.

Testimonial:
Biblical Example: The blind man in John 9
Theme Verse: 1 John 1v3
Personal Characteristics: Clear communicator, interesting storyteller, good listener, open and honest about personal ups and downs, able to see connections between their own experience and the experiences of others.
Cautions: Be careful no to tell you story and leave it at that, challenge your friends to think about how your experiences might apply to their lives.

Interpersonal:
Biblical Example: Matthew in Luke 5
Theme Verse: 1 Corinthians 9v22
Personal Characteristics: Warm personality, comfortable in conversations, friendship oriented, compassionate, sensitive, focuses on people and their needs.
Cautions: Be aware of putting friendships ahead of sharing the truth.

Invitational:
Biblical Example: The woman at the well in John 4
Theme Verse: Luke 14v23
Personal Characteristics: Quick to include others in their activities, hospitable, persuasive, enjoys new people, committed, sees outreach events as a great opportunity for sharing faith.
Cautions: Try to avoid letting others do all the talking for you. Your friends need to hear how Christ has influenced your life.

Serving:
Biblical Example: Dorcas in Acts 9
Theme Verse: Matthew 5v16
Personal Characteristics: Humble, others-centered, patient, sees needs and finds joy in meeting them, shows love through actions more than words, recognizes how small tasks can be meaningful to others.
Cautions: Don't underestimate the power of your actions. Make sure you let people know that Christ is the reason for your actions.

Okay, read your Biblical examples and verses. What have you learned about yourself ? How do you think you can better share your faith? What other thoughts do you have about relational evangelism?