Day 1 – What on Earth Am I Here For? / It All Starts with God
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Point to Ponder: It’s not about me.
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Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
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In spite of all the advertising around you, how can you remind yourself that life is really about living for God and not yourself?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 2 – You Are Not an Accident.
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Point to Ponder: You are not an accident.
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Isaiah 44:2
This is what the Lord says – he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
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Knowing that God uniquely created you, what areas of your personality, background, and your physical appearance are you struggling to accept.
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 3 – What Drives Your Life?
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Point to Ponder: Living on purpose is the path to peace.
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Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
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What is the driving force of your life (according to your friends and family)? What do you want it to be?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 4 – Made to last forever.
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Point to Ponder: There is more to life than just here and now.
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1 John 2:17
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
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Since you were made to last forever, what is the one thing you should stop doing and the one thing you should start doing today?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 5 – Seeing life from God’s view.
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Point to Ponder: Life is a test and a trust.
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Luke 16:10
Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will be dishonest with much.
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What has happened to you recently that you now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest things that God has entrusted to your care?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 6 – Life is a temporary assignment.
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Point to Ponder: This world is not my home.
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2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
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How should the fact that life on earth is a temporary assignment change the way you are living right now?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 7 – The reason for everything.
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Point to Ponder: It’s all for Him.
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Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
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Where in your daily routine can you become more aware of God’s glory?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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PURPOSE #1 – YOU WERE PLANNED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE
DAY 8 – Planned for God’s pleasure
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Point to Ponder: You were planned for God’s pleasure.
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Psalm 149:4
For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
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What common tasks could you start doing as if you were doing it directly for Jesus?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 9 – What Makes God Smile?
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Point to Ponder: God smiles when you trust Him.
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Psalm 147:11
the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
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Since God knows what is best, in what areas of your life do you need to trust Him most?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 10 – The heart of worship
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Point to Ponder: The heart of worship is surrender.
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Romans 6:13
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
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What areas of your life are you holding back from God?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 11 – Becoming best friends with God
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Point to Ponder: God wants to be your best friend.
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Psalm 25:14
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
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What can you do to remind yourself to think about God and talk to Him more throughout the day?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 12 – Developing your friendship with God
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Point to Ponder: You are as close to God as you chose to be.
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James 4:8
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
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What practical choices will you make today in order to grow closer to God?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 13 – Worship that pleases God
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Point to Ponder: God wants all of you.
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Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
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Which is more pleasing to God right now… your public worship or your private worship? What are you going to do about this?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 14 – When God seems distant
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Point to Ponder: God is real no matter how you feel.
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Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
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How can I stay focused on God’s presence even when He seems distant?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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PURPOSE #2 – YOU WERE FORMED FOR GOD’S FAMILY
DAY 15 – Formed for God’s family
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Point to Ponder: You were formed for God’s Family.
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Ephesians 1:5
he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ,
in accordance with his pleasure and will
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How can you start treating other believers like members of your own family?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 16 – What matters most
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Point to Ponder: Life is all about love.
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Galatians 5:14
The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
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Be honest: Are relationships your first priority? How can you ensure that they are?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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DAY 17 – A place to belong
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Point to Ponder: You were called to belong not just believe.
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Romans 12:5
so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
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Does your level of involvement in a local church demonstrates that you love God’s family and are committed to them?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 18 – Experiencing life together
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Point to Ponder: You need others in your life.
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Galatians 6:2
Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
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What one step can you take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine heart to heart level?
ANSWER: _______________________________________________________
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Day 19 – Cultivating community
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Point to Ponder: Community requires commitment.
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1 John 3:16
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
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How can cultivate the characteristics of community in my small group in my church today?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 20 – Restoring broken fellowship
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Point to Ponder: Relationships are always worth restoring.
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Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
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Who do I need to restore a broken relationship with today?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 21 – Protecting your church
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Point to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect the unity of my church.
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Romans 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
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What am I personally doing to protect the unity in my church right now?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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PURPOSE #3 – YOU WERE CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST
Day 22 – Created to be like Christ
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Point to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ.
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2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
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In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit’s power to be like Christ today?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 23 – How we grow
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Point to Ponder: It’s never too late to start growing.
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Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
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What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God’s way?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 24 – Transformed by truth
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Point to Ponder: The truth transforms me.
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John 8:31-32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
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What has God already told me in His Word that I haven’t started doing yet?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 25 – Transformed by trouble
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Point to Ponder: There is a purpose behind every problem.
additional notes…
You’ll never know that God is all you need until God is all you’ve got. We are to give thanks in all circumstances, but not for all circumstances. As we grow we will begin to pray less comfort prayers and more conformity prayers.
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Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
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What problem in my life caused the greatest growth in me?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 26 – Growing through temptation
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Point to Ponder: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.
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James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
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What Christ-like character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I am facing?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
Day 27 – Defeating temptation
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Point to Ponder: There is always a way out.
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1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
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Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner who could help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
Day 28 – It takes time
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Point to Ponder: There are no shortcuts to maturity.
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Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
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In what area of my life do I need to be patient and persistent?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
PURPOSE #4 – YOU WERE SHAPED FOR SERVING GOD
Day 29 – Accepting your assignment
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Point to Ponder: Service is not optional.
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Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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What is holding me back from accepting God’s call to serve Him?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
Day 30 – Shaped for serving God
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Point to Ponder: I was shaped for serving God.
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1 Corinthians 12:6
There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
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In what way can I see myself passionately serving others and loving it?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
Day 31 – Understanding your shape
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Point to Ponder: Nobody else could be me.
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1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
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What God-given ability of personal experience can I offer to my church?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
Day 32 – Using what God gave you
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Point to Ponder: God deserves my best.
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2nd Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
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How can I make the best use of what God has given me?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 33 – How real servants act
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Point to Ponder: I serve God by serving others.
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Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.
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Which of the 5 characteristics of service offers the greatest challenge?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 34 – Thinking like a servant
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Point to Ponder: To be a servant, I must think like a servant.
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Philippians 2:5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
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Am I usually more concerned with being served or finding ways to serve others?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 35 – God’s power in your weakness
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Point to Ponder: God works best amid weakness.
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2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
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Am I limiting God’s power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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PURPOSE #5 – YOU WERE MADE FOR A MISSION
Day 36 – Made for a mission
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Point to Ponder: I was made for a mission
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Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
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What fears have kept me from accomplishing the mission that He has given me? What keeps me from telling others the good news?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 37 – Sharing your life message
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Point to Ponder: God wants to say something to the world through you.
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1 Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
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As I reflect on my personal story and my life message who does God want me to share it with?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 38 – Becoming a world-class christian
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Point to Ponder: The Great Commission is my commission.
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Psalm 67:2
that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
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What steps could I take to prepare to go on a short term missions experience in the next year?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 39 – Balancing your life
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Point to Ponder: Blessed are the balanced.
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Ephesians 5:15
Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise.
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Which of the four activities will iIbegin in order to stay on track and live a life of balance and purpose?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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Day 40 – Living with purpose
Point to Ponder: Living on purpose is the only way to really live.
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Acts 13:36
For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.
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When will I take the time to write down my answers to life’s 5 great questions? When will I put my purpose on paper?
ANSWER: ________________________________________________________
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ABOVE TEXT: Simple “Unofficial” Outline of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
