E100-83

 

THE ARMOR OF GOD

Ephesians 6:10-20

Kevin's Commentary

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Ask God to share wisdom from his Word about how to resist the many temptations that come at you every day.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. Some people dismiss the idea of spiritual warfare as superstitious. What do you think? What evidence of it have you seen?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• Do you believe there is such a thing as spiritual warfare? If so, what is it like?
• Have you ever been in a spiritual battle? If so, what happened?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Make a list of the “full armor of God” listed here. Memorize the “pieces” and make a plan to “put on” or strengthen as many of them as you can in your life.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord God, I want to have the strength and maturity I need to “fight the good fight” and win.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with the topic #E100.

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POSSIBLE DEVOTIONAL

E100-33

 

DAVID AND GOLIATH

1 Samuel 16:1—18:16

Kevin's Commentary

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Lord, may I confront any challenges this or any day trusting in Your awesome power and Your love for me.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. Do you think David was really courageous or just foolhardy to fight Goliath? How can you judge when it’s right to take on such a fight? Do you face one now?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• What do you think really motivated David to challenge Goliath? Have you ever experienced that same motivation?
• Do you face any “Goliaths” in your life? What are they and how might faith in God help you confront them?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Courage to face the “goliaths” of life come from a strong faith and the support of others. Take some concrete steps, beginning today, to strengthen both.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Ask God for courage to face any “goliaths” in your life. Pray to be able to trust him as young David did.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with the topic #E100.

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POSSIBLE DEVOTIONAL

E100-82

 

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:16—6:10

Kevin's Commentary 

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover.  God, You know what my life is like and what I want it to be. Make it a fruitful life, I pray.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. There’s a challenge that says “If you were on trial accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”. What evidence would you present?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• Which of the qualities of the “fruit of the Spirit” do you think are hardest to cultivate in one’s life? Which are hardest for you?
• What “fruit” would you like to see more of in your life? How can you cultivate it?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Memorize the list of the fruit of the Spirit in this passage. Choose one or two that you think you most need to cultivate in your life and ask God’s help to grow them.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Ask God to help you understand all that it means to live in the freedom he intends for you to have.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with the topic #E100.

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POSSIBLE DEVOTIONAL

E100-32

 

KING SAUL

1 Samuel 8–10

Kevin's Commentary

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Thank God for the leaders of government (at all levels) and pray for him to give them wisdom to lead well.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. What habits, desires or attitudes threaten to make you a slave to sin? How can you combat them and grow a freer, more fruitful life?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• God directed Samuel to anoint Saul as king and leader of his people. What would you say are the traits of a good leader?
• Are there Christian leaders—today or from history—that you admire? Who and why?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Write a note of encouragement today to a local or state political leader. Praise them in any way possible and assure them of your prayers for them as they lead.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, remind me to pray for my government leaders and to support and encourage them in any way I can.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with the topic #E100.

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POSSIBLE DEVOTIONAL

E100-81

 

MORE THAN CONQUERORS

Romans 8

Kevin's Commentary 

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Great God, I’m thankful today that there is nothing I can face that You can’t help me through.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. What does it mean to be “more than conquerors”? Are you one? With all the suffering around us, can we really say God works all things together for good?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• Would you say anything “controls” you? If so, what?
• What might it mean to be “controlled by the Spirit”? Are you?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Think of one situation where you feel helpless or out of control. Ask God to help you be “more than (a) conqueror.”
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, give me the faith I need to believe that You are working all things together for my good.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with the topic #E100.

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#Hashtag

#Spirit

#Trust

POSSIBLE DEVOTIONAL

E100-31

 

SAMUEL LISTENS TO GOD

1 Samuel 1-3

Kevin's Commentary

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Thank You, God, that You speak to me in the Bible. Help me to listen and learn well today.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. Have you ever felt that God was speaking directly to you somehow? How could you tell? When you speak to God how do you know that he really hears you?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• Hannah cried out in desperation to God for a son. Have you ever cried out to God in desperation? What happened? How did you react?
• God clearly spoke to the boy Samuel. Do you think God still speaks to people today? If so, why and how?
• To what extent do you think young children such as Samuel can hear from the Lord, understand and respond? Do you know any children like that? Explain.
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. If there’s anything deeply troubling you today, set a time to share your trouble with God in prayer as soon as you can.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, I’m grateful that you hear my prayers and want to give me what is best for me.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with the topic #E100.

Video

#Prayer

#Listen

#Devotion

POSSIBLE DEVOTIONAL

E100-80

 

THE TRIP TO ROME

Acts 25–28

Kevin's Commentary 

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Lord, this is the day that You have made and lovingly given to me. I am very thankful for it.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. There’s a challenge that says “If you were on trial accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”. What evidence would you present?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• During the time he was on trial, sailing to Rome and then in prison, how do you think Paul felt-that things were out of control or all going according to plan?
• Paul’s purpose in life was to fulfill the call God gave him on the road to Damascus. Do you have a God-given purpose in life? If so, what is it? How are you fulfilling it?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. At his trials, Paul gave a “spiritual biography” and defense of his life. Set aside time soon to write your own, brief “spiritual biography.”
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Confirm in my heart and mind, Lord, what I believe and know about You so that it can never leave me.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with the topic #E100.

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#Hashtag

#MakeDisciples 

#Outreach 

#Missions

POSSIBLE DEVOTIONAL

E100-30

 

THE STORY OF RUTH

Ruth 1–4

Kevin's Commentary (link to commentary)

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Thank God for the gift of love, for his love for you and the love that you share with others.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. Why do you think this is regarded as such a special story? What can you learn from Ruth’s story and example to help you in your life today?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• What character traits are most evident in Ruth’s life? Which do you admire most? Why is that so?
• What character traits would others say are most evident in your life? Which of Ruth’s character traits would you like to develop or develop more?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Think of someone who may be older, in need or overlooked. Decide what you can do to show them love and care in a practical way today.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. God, I want to be a loving, loyal and caring person like Ruth. Show me how to begin today, I pray.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with the topic #E100.

Video

#Hashtag

#Faithfulness

#Loyalty

POSSIBLE DEVOTIONAL

Before the Next Time: Ask God to show you how you can work through, in his strength, any issues you are facing. Recall the pitfalls Samson fell into and ask for help to avoid any pitfalls in your life. Identify any areas where you need greater faithfulness and ask for God to help you have the same faithfulness Ruth had.