Woodland 101 Daily Devotions
Week of 11/19 - 11/23
Woodland 101 Daily Devotion Guide – Lesson 11
Monday, November 19
Explore:
God reveals the fullness of his parental care in Isaiah 66:13, when He says, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” God desires to comfort and care for all his creation, especially his children. As you consider your life, how has God specifically comforted and cared for you? Share below:
Study:
In the context of the Trinity, God is recognized as “God the Father.” In the Woodland 101 series, we affirmed “God the Father” and Jesus confirmed this truth in John 10. Jesus spoke with the crowd about “God the Father” and shared the close relationship that existed between he, the Son and God, the Father. As you read John 10:25-42, consider the following questions:
- How secure are those who are in the Father’s hand? How does this provide hope for people of faith?
- How do Jesus, the Son and God, the Father work together to ensure an eternal relationship for all who are their “sheep?”
- Jesus claimed he was sent to do the work of God, his Father. Why did the people of Jesus’ time have difficulty understanding and believing this?
Pray:
“God, you truly are a good father! Thank you for loving and caring for me daily. As your child, you comfort me when I hurt. You encourage me when I am downtrodden. You lift me up when I feel down. O, God how great you are! Please lift my eyes to see your faithfulness and your love today. You promise peace to all who trust in you and strength to all who ask. Today, I ask for the peace and strength that is needed for each moment. Thank you for being a good father to me. In Jesus name I pray, amen.”
Woodland 101 Daily Devotion Guide – Lesson 11
Tuesday, November 20
Explore:
In John 10, Jesus promises that he is the “Good Shepherd.” In verse 11, Jesus says, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” He was true to his promise, as he did lay down his life for us! Faith and trust in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection affords the opportunity to know Jesus as Shepherd and to be counted as one of his sheep. Take a few moments to consider how Jesus is your “Good Shepherd.” Specifically list below how he has offered his provision, safety and guidance in your life.
Study:
During the Woodland 101 series, we affirmed Jesus’ divine nature. In addition to being “God, the Son” Jesus is also the “Good Shepherd.” This was not the first time God has functioned as a shepherd for his people. In Ezekiel 34, God promised to be Israel’s shepherd. As you read, Ezekiel 34:1-16, consider the following questions:
- What message did God ask for Ezekiel to deliver to the leaders of Israel? Had they been faithful in caring for and leading Israel?
- What promises does God make to Israel when he declares that he will be their shepherd?
- What similarities do you see between God being Israel’s shepherd and Jesus being the “Good Shepherd?”
Pray:
“Jesus, thank you for being my shepherd. You truly are my good shepherd and are faithful to offer your protection, guidance and presence in my life when I need it most. Whenever I wander, you restore me back into your loving arms. Whenever I am hurt, you are diligent to administer the care that restores my soul. Whenever I am lost, you quickly seek me out. Jesus, you truly are worthy of being called the good shepherd! I give you praise for the ways you have been good to me. May I be quick to share your goodness, mercy and love with those I meet today. In your name I pray, amen.”
Woodland 101 Daily Devotion Guide – Lesson 11
Wednesday, November 21
Explore:
In John 14:16, Jesus made this promise to his disciples, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” This promise was not just for the disciples, it was a promise for all people of faith! The Holy Spirit is an advocate or “helper” for all people of faith, even in 2018. How can the Holy Spirit function as an advocate in your current season of life?
Study:
During the Woodland 101 series, we learned more about the person and work of the Holy Spirit. It is quite incredible to consider that God’s Spirit lives within us! In addition to living within us, the Holy Spirit works on our behalf to offer God’s wisdom, guidance and strength to us daily. As you read Ephesians 1:13-23, consider the following questions:
- According to Paul, what is the “seal” of our salvation? Why is it important to affirm our personal salvation?
- What is the result of having God’s Spirit of “wisdom and revelation?”
- Is there a connection between God’s power that “raised Christ from the dead” and God’s powerful Spirit that dwells within his people? If so, what is the connection?
Pray:
“O, God thank you for sending your Spirit to live within your people. Thank you that your Spirit resides in me and provides me strength, wisdom and guidance to know how to reside in your will. Holy Spirit please provide me with strength, patience and direction in my life today. God, may I remember that you dwell in me and may I rely upon your Spirit to show and share your love to those around me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Woodland 101 Daily Devotion Guide – Lesson 11
Thursday, November 22
Explore:
Consider the lyrics for Isaac Watts’ hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross:
“When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.” How do the words from this hymn speak to the sacrificial love of Christ’s death on the cross?
Study:
The Woodland 101 series introduced and described the four main theories of atonement. Each theory points to the salvation afforded by Christ’s death. The death of the Messiah was prophesied about several times in the Old Testament. One specific account is found in Isaiah 53. As you read Isaiah 53:1-12, consider the following questions:
- According to verse 5, what do we receive in exchange for the Messiah bearing the punishment for our sin?
- What specific similarities do you see in the life and death of Jesus and the words of the prophet Isaiah?
- Does reading and interpreting this passage with the knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection offer more hope? Why or why not?
Pray:
“Jesus, thank you for living a life that I could not live. For dying a death that I deserved. And for overcoming death with your resurrection. My faith in you leads to life and life everlasting. May I cling to the life you provide me today. In your name I pray, amen.”
Woodland 101 Daily Devotion Guide – Lesson 11
Friday, November 23
Explore:
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus promised that if we “seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be given to you as well.” Seeking God, his kingdom and his righteousness can be done in solitude, but it is more fulfilling when done alongside other people of faith. As you consider your time at Woodland, how have relationships with other people of faith aided you in seeking God, his kingdom and his righteousness?
Study:
The Woodland 101 series affirmed the importance of the body of Christ, the Church. Many books in the New Testament were written to offer instruction on how Christians should gather, unite and disperse. Gather, so that relationships with other people of faith can form. Unite, in order to illustrate to the world the unified power of God’s love. Disperse, to go and share of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness with people near and far away. The preliminary step in this process is to gather. As you read Hebrews 10:19-25, consider the following questions:
- Where does the confidence of God’s people, the church, reside?
- What characteristic of God allows people of faith to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess?” How has God proven this characteristic to you in your life?
- What does the writer of Hebrews wish to see as a result of Christians meeting together? Who in your life can you encourage “toward love and good deeds?”
Pray:
“God, thank you for your church. Thank you for Woodland Baptist Church and the ways the people of faith at Woodland have loved and encouraged me. When I pause to consider our church, I give you praise for (name a few people that you are thankful for at Woodland). May I seek to encourage and show love to those around me in the same way (names of the people you mentioned) have to me. I pray that you would continue to bless the people, church staff and ministries of our church. Thank you for your unfailing love and your faithfulness to me and to Woodland. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”