Beginning Time Alone with God (Youth)

Sunday, March 24, 2024

 

     He was talking and acting as if the whole idea of the temple was to point to him. He was talking as if everything the temple pictured was actually coming true now that he was around. He was claiming that in him – his life, his teachings, his body, his actions – heaven had finally invaded earth.

     What happens when heaven invades earth?

     Sins get forgiven.

     Outcasts get taken in.

     Nobodies become somebodies – the poor in spirit become blessed; Simon becomes Peter the Rock.

     Human beings receive divine purpose: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.”

     The cross seemed to put all such talk at an end. But then came the story of the resurrection, in which the ultimate invasion of earth by heaven was said to have happened.

     To the great question behind this book “Who is his man?” came at last- with difficulty, with reluctance, with great joy – an answer. He must be, people said, something more than just a man. Humanity and divinity somehow intersect in this one man. He became like us so that we might become like him.

     All of the wonders that we have been exploring through this book turned out to find their fullest expression in him: all roads meet; all threads are woven together in the tapestry of this life.

     Heaven is not overlapping earth. Anybody who wants to get in on it can. People invite this man into their lives, and heaven starts invading earth through them. Paul said, “You yourselves are God’s temple.” In other words, Jesus woke something up started something new, so that now heaven can invade earth through ordinary human beings.

    God wants his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. God wants a new map of the world. It doesn’t require money, degrees, status, looks, talent, connections, or clout. In fact, those probably get in the way as often as they help. Anyone can be part of this…Then, once again, the temple is at the center of life. An ordinary human being becomes the nexus where heaven is invading earth.

John Ortberg, Who Is This Man pp. 200f (2012)

 

MONDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on those who need salvation.

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

                      Your Purity before God.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure –

        Read and think and imagine – John 20:1, 2

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

TUESDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on the need to grow and become like Jesus.

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

                               The Presence of God in your life.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure –

        Read and think and imagine – John 20:3-9

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on those who need healing.

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

                      The Passion of God in your life.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure

       Read and think and imagine – John 20:10-13

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

 

THURSDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on the missionaries all over the world – Monica Padilla Trueman, Colorado Christian Services

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

                               The Power of God in your life.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure

        Read and think and imagine – John 20:14-18

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

 

FRIDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on giving thanks for Creation.

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

                               God’s Freedom in your life.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure

       Read and think and imagine – John 20:19-31

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

 

SATURDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

  Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on life all around you.

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

      God’s Hope in your life.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure –

        Read and think and imagine – John 20:1-18

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

 

SUNDAY 

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – Talk with God about church and worship today at WLCF.

       Petition – Ask God to help you worship Him today.

Bible Adventure –

       Read and think and imagine – John 20:19-31

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.