question for the week:
“Do I let my possessions get in the way of my search for faith?”

Daily Prayer:
Lord, help me to let go of all that stands in the way of knowing and following you. Amen.

Read Philippians 3:7-10

How much time do we spend in worry about things? How much time to we spend in prayer? in community? building relationships? It is easy to get caught in the world of stuff - a new phone or MP3 player, bigger TV, nicer car - but how much of it really matters? How much of it really increases your faith?

Rather than giving something up, think about adding something in. Find time this week to spend time in relationship! Spend time in prayer or devotion or service - relationship to God. Or, spend time with someone you care about, have a conversation with a good and trusted friend, play a game with your children, invite a neighbor over for dinner - relationship to each other.

->God’s Joy<-
Gus Brockmann

Question for the week:
“Do I forgive others as God forgives me?”

Daily Prayer:
Lord, help me give your message of peace to others, so that they may be brought back to you. Amen.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

God set us free from sin through Christ's sacrifice for us. Our sins are not held against us! We are forgiven! Spread the word!

Looking for ways to spread the word? Volunteer as a greeter or usher at church! Help with Vacation Bible School in the summer. Volunteer at shelters or food banks, work with habitat on the weekends. Get out and take some action!

->God’s Joy,_
Gus Brockmann

Question for the week:
“With each rising sun, do I allow God’s Spirit to nourish me and help me grow?”

Daily Prayer:
Lord God, I turn to you, Please show me mercy. Amen.

Read Isaiah 55:6-7

Lent is a season of reflection and repentance. To repent means to turn around. In Isaiah, the wicked and evil are called to abandon their ways and to return to the Lord, who will forgive them. That same forgiveness is offered for all.

You may be fasting from a temptation during Lent, like chocolate or expensive coffee. If you are, turn your fast into something more by setting aside the money you save by fasting and donate it to a worthy cause. If you are not fasting - try to add something positive to your life! Make a commitment to morning prayer, or evening prayer. Set aside time each day to read the Bible, or make a commitment to help at the local food bank, or volunteer in a school or at church.

->God’s Joy<-
Gus Brockmann

Question for the week:
“Do I think of my community before I think of myself?”

Daily Prayer:
Lord, please help me to look beyond earthly things today. Focus me on the bigger and greater things you have in mind. Amen

Read Philippians 3:18-21

In this passage from the letter, Paul (and probably his friend Timothy) talk about a god that is the belly. A god that we create out of the things that we hunger for; power, wealth, fame, etc. He reminds us that we are citizens of a different kingdom, where those things do not matter and encourages us to look to Jesus, our salvation.

Commit as a household this week to each do one “daily deed” in service to one another. Look around and think about small deeds that could be done to show love and care to one another. Is there laundry to sort or are there dishes to be washed? Is there a floor that needs sweeping or a room that needs dusting? Put up a list of the “daily deed” each person commits to carry out for each day.

->God’s Joy<-
Gus Brockmann

Lent – Week 1

Question for the week:
“What things tempt me, which then make me thirst for forgiveness?”

Daily Prayer:
Lord, make me strong when I am tempted today. Help me to do what is right and good. Amen.

Read Hebrews 2:9-18

We are tempted daily by objects that we want but do not need, by the desire for power and money, and by countless other things. The author (or authors) of the book of Hebrews reminds us that Christ, too, was tempted and tested. Through Christ’s temptations, he is able to help us as we are tested.

Either by yourself – or better with a close friend or family member – talk think and talk about a time when you were tempted. What happened? Compare that to Jesus’ temptation by the devil in Luke 4:1-13. What can we learn from how Jesus responded to the devils temptation?

–>God’s Joy<–

Gus Brockmann