Redo-How To Be An Influencer- Part 2
How To Be An Influencer- Part 2
--from October 29th --
Days 1-3 written by Jamie Walker- Days 4-5 written by Pastor Nate Altom
--from October 29th --
Days 1-3 written by Jamie Walker- Days 4-5 written by Pastor Nate Altom
Day 1
Read: 2 Samuel 12
I think we all are familiar with the saying "the tongue cuts like a razor". Whether it be gossip, lies, insults or hate speech. It is easy to forget verse 14 which says " but if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth". "Selfish ambition" this sin can be committed by not saying a word.
Do you owe somebody an apology or is there a truth you know that can set somebody free?
Even if you were once lost and have now been found, there may still be a truth that you need to own up to but feel like you can't because of how it will make you look. David complained "my wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness".... Think about how much more hurt was caused by David not being able to admit his sin earlier. A man who was once "a man after God's own heart," David eventually did tell the truth but the Bible tells us this story so we can learn from David's mistakes and maybe too to let us know that it’s still not too late if we haven't.
Have you taken time to realize where you have sinned and been honest with God about that?
What is it that you need to repent of today?
How does this become a part of your prayer today?
I think we all are familiar with the saying "the tongue cuts like a razor". Whether it be gossip, lies, insults or hate speech. It is easy to forget verse 14 which says " but if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth". "Selfish ambition" this sin can be committed by not saying a word.
Do you owe somebody an apology or is there a truth you know that can set somebody free?
Even if you were once lost and have now been found, there may still be a truth that you need to own up to but feel like you can't because of how it will make you look. David complained "my wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness".... Think about how much more hurt was caused by David not being able to admit his sin earlier. A man who was once "a man after God's own heart," David eventually did tell the truth but the Bible tells us this story so we can learn from David's mistakes and maybe too to let us know that it’s still not too late if we haven't.
Have you taken time to realize where you have sinned and been honest with God about that?
What is it that you need to repent of today?
How does this become a part of your prayer today?
Day 2
Consider the Definitions of wisdom:
The soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment: the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.
Read Titus 3:2 & Read Galatians 5:19-25 & Proverbs 3:7
When you read James 3, does a certain image come to mind? When you think of a wise person, do you picture, Mr. Owl, like I do? Sitting atop a tree, where people come to him asking questions about lollipops and he answers in a very rhetorical way? Or does an image of someone else pop into your mind? When you read Galatians, compare the type of person you think of as wise and think about the other qualities this person might have that emulate the fruits of the spirit. Are there any wise people you know that are not meek?
What if we considered that in all of us is wisdom. We are all different levels and capacities of wise. It isn’t really a destination, it’s a journey. Think about what type of wise you are and what wisdom you have that God may be encouraging you to share with others. What type of wilderness or fire have you been in, for which you have developed wisdom that you may want to share with others?
How may you share that wisdom while still having the fruits of the spirit (love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness?)
The soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment: the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.
Read Titus 3:2 & Read Galatians 5:19-25 & Proverbs 3:7
When you read James 3, does a certain image come to mind? When you think of a wise person, do you picture, Mr. Owl, like I do? Sitting atop a tree, where people come to him asking questions about lollipops and he answers in a very rhetorical way? Or does an image of someone else pop into your mind? When you read Galatians, compare the type of person you think of as wise and think about the other qualities this person might have that emulate the fruits of the spirit. Are there any wise people you know that are not meek?
What if we considered that in all of us is wisdom. We are all different levels and capacities of wise. It isn’t really a destination, it’s a journey. Think about what type of wise you are and what wisdom you have that God may be encouraging you to share with others. What type of wilderness or fire have you been in, for which you have developed wisdom that you may want to share with others?
How may you share that wisdom while still having the fruits of the spirit (love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness?)
Day 3
Read: 1 Corinthians 14:33, Luke 21:25-26, and Proverbs 3:5-24
Did you ever have one of “those” days? Where maybe you sleep in, or get up on the wrong side of the bed? Then nothing seems to go right. It sets the day in a spiral. I seem to have those more often than I’d like. Reading these verses makes me realize that in those days, so many things get looked over or rushed, but mostly, it is my bible reading, journaling, and prayer time that I skip. Confusion tends to seep in and my to-do list seems unbearable on those days. After reading these verses, what would you do differently on those days where you just aren’t feeling right? For me, full disclosure, I tend to make one bad decision after another. I will say, “no time to make breakfast, I have to hit a drive through.” Anyone with me? Then I’ll sit in the Dunkin line for 15 minutes! Even if you are running out the door, are there ways you can “catch up,” with God? So even in the Dunkin line, I think I could listen to a Christian podcast ( I hear Keystone offers some good ones 😊). I could use the time instead, meditating and resetting my day.
What are 2 things you could focus on this week to help keep your days from the curse of confusion?
What are 2 times you notice that things tend to get out of order for you?
What are 2 distractions that you notice that you let take up the mindless time and maybe go a little too long unwinding?
How does this become your prayer today?
Did you ever have one of “those” days? Where maybe you sleep in, or get up on the wrong side of the bed? Then nothing seems to go right. It sets the day in a spiral. I seem to have those more often than I’d like. Reading these verses makes me realize that in those days, so many things get looked over or rushed, but mostly, it is my bible reading, journaling, and prayer time that I skip. Confusion tends to seep in and my to-do list seems unbearable on those days. After reading these verses, what would you do differently on those days where you just aren’t feeling right? For me, full disclosure, I tend to make one bad decision after another. I will say, “no time to make breakfast, I have to hit a drive through.” Anyone with me? Then I’ll sit in the Dunkin line for 15 minutes! Even if you are running out the door, are there ways you can “catch up,” with God? So even in the Dunkin line, I think I could listen to a Christian podcast ( I hear Keystone offers some good ones 😊). I could use the time instead, meditating and resetting my day.
What are 2 things you could focus on this week to help keep your days from the curse of confusion?
What are 2 times you notice that things tend to get out of order for you?
What are 2 distractions that you notice that you let take up the mindless time and maybe go a little too long unwinding?
How does this become your prayer today?
Day 4
Read Proverbs 2:1-15
Studying for this sermon reminded me of how incredible these verses are. I love this section of Proverbs and the writers attempt to make a poetic point that is so practical hidden in such picturesque language. I wish I had the ability to communicate deep theological points wrapped in words that command a moment of your time to sit and take the image you just saw and try to unpack its thoughts. So this passage is my new memorization goal. If you didn’t get a lot out of it and think I am overthinking it, I challenge you to slow down in it and spend time doing more than just reading. The goal of the Bible is not to just get you to read it. That is step one. After you read it, you should meditate on it and then get up and walk away. Later, come back to it again. Then, a month or a year, come back at it again.
Ironically, that is what this passage is about. The pursuit of the wisdom of God. What it is describing here is not a one time event, but a lifetime adventure.
How do you “make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding?”
How specifically do you “seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures?”
Why do you think it is important to be reminded in many places in the Bible, that God gives wisdom and then to connect that idea to the words from His mouth?
How does this become your prayer today?
Studying for this sermon reminded me of how incredible these verses are. I love this section of Proverbs and the writers attempt to make a poetic point that is so practical hidden in such picturesque language. I wish I had the ability to communicate deep theological points wrapped in words that command a moment of your time to sit and take the image you just saw and try to unpack its thoughts. So this passage is my new memorization goal. If you didn’t get a lot out of it and think I am overthinking it, I challenge you to slow down in it and spend time doing more than just reading. The goal of the Bible is not to just get you to read it. That is step one. After you read it, you should meditate on it and then get up and walk away. Later, come back to it again. Then, a month or a year, come back at it again.
Ironically, that is what this passage is about. The pursuit of the wisdom of God. What it is describing here is not a one time event, but a lifetime adventure.
How do you “make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding?”
How specifically do you “seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures?”
Why do you think it is important to be reminded in many places in the Bible, that God gives wisdom and then to connect that idea to the words from His mouth?
How does this become your prayer today?
Day 5
Read Proverbs 8:22-36
One of my favorite things outside of pastoring is stand-up comedy. I am not talking about a person that is naturally gifted at being funny and also naturally gifted at not being able to get a job, so therefore they stand on stage and make fun of people and tell all sorts of dirty jokes for a cheap laugh. I hate that. The majority of comedy in clubs seems to be that more than anything. I am talking about those people that know how to take words and form them in ways that leave you off balance when you are trying to follow them and they take your mind in a totally different direction that you didn’t expect. One person can tell a story and it is somewhat interesting, and the same story or idea in the mouth of someone that has the craft of words figured out, can take the same story and turn it into a captivating moment that takes everyone through a journey that causes your eyes to fog up with tears and your side to hurt with laughter. If you don’t know what I mean, just look up the comedian Nate Bargatze…and you're welcome. (After the devotion though!)
Slow down. Try to see the words as you are reading them. This is a craft and this artist just painted with words a theological truth that you need to read, hear, and see. All of those are important. Even if you are not the type of person that appreciates artistic displays, be that person for this small moment. See this text.
What do you see as you read this text? Be specific.
Why does the writer think it is important to tell this perspective?
Now that you have seen it, what do you learn in this passage and why does that matter?
How does this become your prayer this week?
One of my favorite things outside of pastoring is stand-up comedy. I am not talking about a person that is naturally gifted at being funny and also naturally gifted at not being able to get a job, so therefore they stand on stage and make fun of people and tell all sorts of dirty jokes for a cheap laugh. I hate that. The majority of comedy in clubs seems to be that more than anything. I am talking about those people that know how to take words and form them in ways that leave you off balance when you are trying to follow them and they take your mind in a totally different direction that you didn’t expect. One person can tell a story and it is somewhat interesting, and the same story or idea in the mouth of someone that has the craft of words figured out, can take the same story and turn it into a captivating moment that takes everyone through a journey that causes your eyes to fog up with tears and your side to hurt with laughter. If you don’t know what I mean, just look up the comedian Nate Bargatze…and you're welcome. (After the devotion though!)
Slow down. Try to see the words as you are reading them. This is a craft and this artist just painted with words a theological truth that you need to read, hear, and see. All of those are important. Even if you are not the type of person that appreciates artistic displays, be that person for this small moment. See this text.
What do you see as you read this text? Be specific.
Why does the writer think it is important to tell this perspective?
Now that you have seen it, what do you learn in this passage and why does that matter?
How does this become your prayer this week?
Devotions
Archive
2024
January
March
2023
January
February
July
October
2022
October
November
2020
2019
November
No Comments