Safety - Day 3

Sometimes just categorizing issues can help us process them in a different way and let us see more clearly the effects they have on our lives since different issues require different amounts of energy and time. As you have thought about areas of change, separate them into one of the following three categories to help you organize and prioritize your efforts.

Very difficult – Issues that are very severe such as things induced by traumatic events like abuse, or death.

Difficult – Issues which create significant stress in your life. These could be relational issues, job or financial problems for example.

Minor – Issues that are problematic or annoying but not very serious. These could be bad habits or everyday common obstacles. Minor issues can be deceptive as we can often ignore them or play them off as not serious enough to address, but they can add up to larger issues or become inflated in their difficulty when we have to deal with something far greater.

Prayer: Pray that God helps you to clearly see the effects of your issues on your life.

Safety - Day 2

As you thought about areas where you may need change yesterday, you may have been either excited or intimidated by tackling these issues. Often when we think about our progress, we hold to expectations that are too high which can create trepidation in our start or frustration in our failures along the way.

We will try to look at very realistic and practical ways to deal with change, so don't be worried. As we look at change, be realistic with yourself about what you need and where you will be. The more difficult issues are, the more time they take to work through, but every day offers the reward of improvement.

Look back at the issues you thought about yesterday and think about the grace you need to give yourself for each one as you move forward.

Prayer: Offer these issues to God and pray for his grace on them.

Safety - Day 1

We have heard many times that we can't save the world, but it may be more accurate to say that we can't save anyone. We can offer help, but it is up to each person to own their issues as much as they are capable. Unless we take responsibility for our own issues we will never experience transformation. Sometimes we are faced with change that we must face or ignore, but other times we need to seek out areas where change needs to occur.

Think about areas where you know change is needed in your life and what that change might look like. Also, think about issues that you have let live in your life without taking time to process them deeply enough to find where they begin.

To deal with deep change we must be very honest with ourselves about what needs work so that we can plan properly.

Prayer: Pray that God will help you own your issues and give you the strength to confront them.

Patience: Tuesday January 5

What are things in your life that you may be impatient with right now? Is there anything that is frustrating for you to deal with, a problem at work or home? Is there something you are learning that is difficult for you? Compare these issues to the list of things you wrote from yesterday. How do these things compare? Does this change your outlook at all for worse or better?

Prayer: What is challenging in the now may be surprisingly small in comparison to the tragectory of your whole life. Pray that God will help show you a larger view of your life.

Stewarship: Saturday December 12

Today we will process these topics in the context of relational influence.

Think about the people that have helped to define these values in yourself and the effect that had on you and maybe others you know of. Have you or can you be that same sort of influence to someone else?

Are there people in your life now that share these values and maybe a similar purpose? Who could you share these ideas with that could help support you?

Prayer: Pray that God would show you the power of relationships and that He would help you find your place among your peers as a person of influence and a person to be influenced.

Stewardship: Friday December 10

As you consider your purpose, talents and passions you have probably started to think about your direction. Even before reading these devotions you may have had some ideas of direction and purpose that you want to act on.

Today, think about obstacles that may stand in your way. Are these obstacles real or perceived? We have talked about receiving permission through God's unique grace for each of us. We have talked about receiving talents and passions from God as He created us for unique purposes. You have written a purpose statement to help you discern your direction. Hold your obstacles up against these truths and see how they measure up.

Prayer: Ask God to put your difficulties in perspective to your calling.

Stewardship - Tuesday December 8

Think about the Purpose Statement you created yesterday. Considering
that God created you and has unique and specific plans for you, what do
you think God's Purpose Statement would be for you? Do you think that
would differ from the Purpose Statement you made for yourself? If so
why?

On a broader level, what do you think God's Purpose Statement might be
for all of humanity at this particular time considering our current
culture and events. What about His purpose for the church in this
culture?

Prayer: Pray that God's mind and purpose will be increasingly revealed
in your life.

Stewardship - Monday December 7

Monday
In the first service of the month Lisa talked about writing a Purpose Statement when she was in college which helped her focus on a life direction. As a result she mentioned many major accomplishments that have allowed her to create significant change in the world around her.

Today think about a Purpose Statement for yourself. Be BOLD! Consider your passions, reoccuring ideas and brainstorms. Consider your most important values. Give yourself permission to be you! Remember this isn't a Plan, this is a purpose which will help you focus decisions and plans in your future. Don't worry about locking yourself into this for the rest of your life, this can change as your life changes. This is for you alone.

Prayer: Pray that God will help you sort through your deepest values and help you create a guide for your future.

Stewardship - Saturday December 5

Saturday
As you have pondered deeply the ideas of ownership and offerings of your time, talents, money and efforts, what factors have you found motivate you to offer these things in a joyful way? What factors may give you uneasy feelings about these offerings? Where do you think these ideas come from?

Prayer: Pray that God gives you and honest and real picture of your heart as a steward.

Stewardship - Friday December 4

In church we talked about how God already owns everything so, when we offer of ourselves, we essentially offer back what is already God's.

When you think about offering your life's resources back to God, which are the hardest ones to offer and why? When you think about the things that maybe you should give up to make space for more valuable and healthy things, think deeply about any difficulties you have with allowing yourself to do so.

Prayer: Pray that God will teach you more about the value of your resources as you think about these issues.

Gratitude: Wednesday November 18

As we understand what it really means to be the body of Christ, how well do you feel that you know your part within this body? Do you feel the real benefits of having the other parts around you. Do you feel that others are benefiting from the talents and purposes that God made you to do?

Prayer: Ask God to help make you aware of the distance and the functional relationship between those around you.

(Convergence has access to some good assessment tools for anyone that would like to get some insight into how they may be gifted in certain kinds of ministry. Ask any staff members and we will get you started.)