Temporary or Necessary

Key Scripture

Matthew 6:19-20 TPT

19 “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. 20 Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value.

Question number 1

Does this align with my Priorities

Luke 12:29-31 TPT

29 I repeat it: Don’t let worry enter your life. Live above the anxious cares about your personal needs. 30 People everywhere seem to worry about making a living, but your heavenly Father knows your every need and will take care of you. 31 Each and every day he will supply your needs as you seek his kingdom passionately, above all else.

Question number 2

Does this advance my Purpose

Proverbs 19:21 NLT

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Question number 3

Does this welcome His presence

Matthew 6:33 TPT

“So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.

Prove it

Key Scripture

John 13:34-35 NLT

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Luke 10:30-37 TPT

30 Jesus replied, “Listen and I will tell you. There was once a Jewish man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when bandits robbed him along the way. They beat him severely, stripped him naked, and left him half dead.

31 “Soon, a Jewish priest walking down the same road came upon the wounded man. Seeing him from a distance, the priest crossed to the other side of the road and walked right past him, not turning to help him one bit.

32 “Later, a religious man, a Levite, came walking down the same road and likewise crossed to the other side to pass by the wounded man without stopping to help him.

33 “Finally, another man, a Samaritan, came upon the bleeding man and was moved with tender compassion for him. 34 He stooped down and gave him first aid, pouring olive oil on his wounds, disinfecting them with wine, and bandaging them to stop the bleeding. Lifting him up, he placed him on his own donkey and brought him to an inn. Then he took him from his donkey and carried him to a room for the night. 35 The next morning he took his own money from his wallet and gave it to the innkeeper with these words: ‘Take care of him until I come back from my journey. If it costs more than this, I will repay you when I return.’ 36 So, now, tell me, which one of the three men who saw the wounded man proved to be the true neighbor?”

37 The religious scholar responded, “The one who demonstrated kindness and mercy.”

Jesus said, “You must go and do the same as he.”

Key Number 1

Love lends a helping hand

Mark 1:40-42 TPT

40 On one occasion, a leper came and threw himself down in front of Jesus, pleading for his healing, saying, “You have the power to heal me right now if only you really want to!” 41 Being deeply moved with tender compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the skin of the leper and told him, “Of course I want you to be healed—so now, be cleansed!” 42 Instantly his leprous sores completely disappeared and his skin became smooth!

Key Number 2

Love heals hurt

Psalm 147:3 NLT

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

Key Number 3

Love covers the cost

Luke 6:29-30 NLT

29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.

The worry, the wait and the wonder

Key Scripture

Nehemiah 4:14 NLT

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

Key Number 1

Keep Trusting

Genesis 22:5 NLT

“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

Genesis 22:13-14 AMP

13 Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide. And it is said to this day, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be seen and provided.”

Key Number 2

Keep Looking

Luke 15:20 NLT

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Key Number 3

Keep Believing

Genesis 48:8-11 NLT

8 Then Jacob looked over at the two boys. “Are these your sons?” he asked.

9 “Yes,” Joseph told him, “these are the sons God has given me here in Egypt.”

And Jacob said, “Bring them closer to me, so I can bless them.”

10 Jacob was half blind because of his age and could hardly see. So Joseph brought the boys close to him, and Jacob kissed and embraced them. 11 Then Jacob said to Joseph, “I never thought I would see your face again, but now God has let me see your children, too!”

Wear Love Out

Key Scripture

Colossians 3:13-14 NLT

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Key Number 1

Love has a Language

1 Corinthians 13:1 TPT

If I were to speak with eloquence in earth’s many languages, and in the heavenly tongues of angels, yet I didn’t express myself with love, my words would be reduced to the hollow sound of nothing more than a clanging cymbal.

1) Ask Permission

2) Speak with patience and compassion

3) Stay Silent

Key Number 2

Love Uplifts Us

John 13:34 NLT

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

Key Number 3

Love requires refilling

Romans 5:5 TPT

And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!

After Midnight

Key Scripture

Psalm 30:5 TPT

I’ve learned that his anger lasts for a moment,

but his loving favor lasts a lifetime!

We may weep through the night,

but at daybreak it will turn into shouts of ecstatic joy.

Luke 24:1-8 TPT

24 Very early that Sunday morning, the women made their way to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared.

Key Number 1

Don’t let the darkness deceive you

2 Arriving at the tomb they discovered that the huge stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside, 3 so they went in to look. But the tomb was empty. The body of Jesus was gone!

4 They stood there, stunned and perplexed. Suddenly two men in dazzling white robes shining like lightning appeared above them. 5 Terrified, the women fell to the ground on their faces.

The men in white said to them, “Why would you look for the living One in a tomb? He is not here, for he has risen!

Key Number 2

Don’t get stuck on Saturday

6 Have you forgotten what he said to you while he was still in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man is destined to be handed over to sinful men to be nailed to a cross, and on the third day he will rise again’?”

8 All at once they remembered his words.

Key number 3

Remember what He said

Defining Moments

Key Scripture

Joshua 24:14-15 NLT

14 “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Key Number 1

Make a Decision

Acts 9:8-9 TPT

8 Saul stood to his feet, and even though his eyes were open he could see nothing—he was blind. So the men had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. 9 For three days he didn’t eat or drink and couldn’t see a thing.

Deuteronomy 30:15 NLT

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.

Key Number 2

Follow Directions

Acts 9:13 NLT

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!

Key Number 3

Fulfill your Destiny

Galatians 1:15-16 TPT

15 But then God called me by his grace; and in love, he chose me from my birth to be his. 16 God’s grace unveiled his Son in me so that I would proclaim him to the non-Jewish people of the world. After I had this encounter I kept it a secret for some time, sharing it with no one.

Jeremiah 1:5 MSG

“Before I shaped you in the womb,

    I knew all about you.

Before you saw the light of day,

    I had holy plans for you:

A prophet to the nations—

    that’s what I had in mind for you.”

Christ is in the Crisis

Key Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 TPT

Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. 9 We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out.

Matthew 8:23-27 TPT

23 They all got into a boat and began to cross over to the other side of the lake. And Jesus, exhausted, fell asleep. 24 Suddenly a violent storm developed, with waves so high the boat was about to be swamped. Yet Jesus continued to sleep soundly. 25 The disciples woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We’re going to die!”

26 But Jesus reprimanded them. “Why are you gripped with fear? Where is your faith?” Then he stood up and rebuked the storm and said, “Be still!” And instantly it became perfectly calm.

27 The disciples were astonished by this miracle and said to one another, “Who is this Man? Even the wind and waves obey his Word.”

Key Number 1

Don’t shift in the storm

1 Corinthians 15:58 TPT

So now, beloved ones, stand firm and secure. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures.

Key Number 2

Fuel your Faith

Hebrews 11:32-34 NLT

32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

Key Number 3

Prepare for arrival

Job 8:7 TLV

And though your beginning was small, your future would flourish.

Painful Places can be Powerful

Key Number 1

Don’t be moved

Acts 16:25 TPT

25 Paul and Silas, undaunted, prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God, while all the other prisoners listened to their worship.

Key Number 2

Speak into the Darkness

Acts 16:28 TPT

28 when Paul shouted in the darkness, “Stop! Don’t hurt yourself. We’re all still here.”

Key Number 3

Revival is the Reward

Acts 16:31-34 TPT

31 They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all your family.” 32 Then they prophesied the word of the Lord over him and all his family. 33 Even though the hour was late, he washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized. He took Paul and Silas into his home and set them at his table and fed them. 34 The jailer and all his family were filled with joy in their newfound faith in God.