DAY 3

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“Go and I will be with you”

Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

1. This week we have talked about having a firm foundation, standing firm in trials, and walking in the armor of God in your everyday life. Reflect back on the things God has spoken to you this week and write it down. 

2. Today, there is another promise for you. Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20 “GO and I will be with you.” Yesterday, you should have written down the name of someone in your life who needs to hear about Jesus. Write it down again. What are some fears you have about sharing with them? What is holding you back? Spend some time praying for them and asking the Holy Spirit to remove any obstacle in your way.

3. What are some steps that God has shown you to take as you go home? How has God asked you to step out in faith in your family? Group of friends? School? Maybe a mission trip? 

 

As you close out your time today, thank God for all that He has done this week! Rejoice in the victories that God has given you and apply the tools as you move forward. Remember to daily clothe yourself with the armor of God to help you stand firm in all your trials and everyday life. Most of all, remember God’s Word. Know the Truth, hide it in your heart, and walk confidently knowing your God is with you wherever you go! 

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DAY 2

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Armor of God - Stand Firm in your Calling

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

1. In order for you to stand firm in your every day, it is essential that you armor yourself up with the armor of God. This may be weird for you but read those verses again and as you do, literally imagine yourself putting on each piece of armor. 

2. Let’s break down each piece of armor.

• The Belt of Truth - Know God’s Word, know the Truth! Just like any belt, it keeps your armor in place.

• Breastplate of Righteousness - A breastplate covers your heart. The only way you can keep your heart pure is to have it set on Jesus. When your heart is right with Jesus, only then can you live a righteous life.

• Shoes Ready for the Gospel - Know the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be ready to share with others wherever you go.

• Shield of Faith - A shield is used for protection. The enemy will throw fiery darts at you and your faith is the very thing that can extinguish those attacks from the enemy.

• Helmet of Salvation - Protects your mind. Once you’ve made Jesus your King and Savior, you are covered in the blood of Jesus. Renew your mind every day and proclaim you are a son/daughter of the King of Kings!

• Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God. The Bible is our weapon against the enemy. When we KNOW the Word, we know the Truth and we can slay any lie the enemy tries to throw at us.

• Spear of Prayer - It ends with prayer. Roman soldiers at the time were also equipped with spears. Prayer is like a spear. You don’t have to be near someone to use it. But it is a vital piece of the armor; pray at all times, without ceasing. Be on alert and pray. 

Which of these pieces of armor do you feel like you struggle the most with? Spend some time with God and write down anything that comes to mind.

 

   3. As you think about your everyday life, how do you think that remembering to start each day with the armor of God will help you move forward? 

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As you close out your time today, maybe you need to read those verses again and act out putting on each piece of armor. Ask God to help you see yourself as an armored up warrior as you go into the war every day. Pray for boldness and courage. Ask the Lord to show you who you can share the gospel with, write down their name and start praying for that person. 

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DAY 1

 

FIRM FOUNDATION
Matthew 7:24-27

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Matthew, chapters 5-7, are known as the “Sermon on the Mount”. A crowd had gathered around Jesus and He began speaking in many parables. He was addressing the law of Moses, which most of them knew from childhood, and teaching the real meaning behind it. He was sharing with the people how to live with love and compassion for others. As Jesus approaches the end of the message, He shared verses 24-27.

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

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1. In your words, what do these verses mean? 

2. Where do you find yourself in this story? Is your “house” or life built on the rock or on the sand? What are some examples that make you feel this way? 

3. What are some steps you can take today that will help put your life on the rock? List them out. 

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As you close today, ask God to help you walk in obedience to His word. Spend some time in prayer and mark it in your journal or your bible. From this day, make a stand. No longer will I waiver by the storms and trials that come my way, but I will do what the Word of God says and use it as the foundation of my life. 

 

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STAND FIRM IN TRIALS 
 

Daniel 3:8-30

Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?

 

Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?”

 

They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon

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1. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like an outsider like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Maybe with your friends? At school? Maybe even at home? How did it make you feel? 

2. In those situations, did you decide to stand firm in your faith or did you waiver to fit into the crowd? Would you do anything differently if the same situation happened today? 

3. Explain a time when you made a decision to stand firm in your faith and you felt like there was someone (Jesus) with you but you couldn’t explain it. 

 

As you close today, ask the Holy Spirit to cover you in supernatural obedience and confidence so that no matter who is around you, you can stand firm in your faith! Ask for forgiveness for the times you chose to fit in rather than stand out for Jesus. Walk confidently knowing that you are a child of God, dearly loved and chosen by your Father!