Sermon-based Devotions - Discovery Church - Nondenominational Church in Hickory North Carolina

Monday: Living for a Change - Salvation

1/25/2021

Today's Reading:
2 Samuel 9:4-8 (NIV)
4 “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” 5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. 6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “At your service,” he replied. 7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” 8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”

Consider This:

Have you been saved?
What did you “see” that lead you to want to be saved?
What are you drawn to in this passage?
What do you imagine Mephibosheth looks like?
How do you think he spends his days?
What kind of an existence is this?
Is God happy with what is happening with Mephibosheth?
What does God want for him?

Treasure Application:

David invited Mephibosheth to eat at his table. Do you feel that Jesus has invited you to eat at His table?
If so, what feelings does that create in you?
Do you love God out of obligation/fear or out of gratitude for the grace you have received from Him?

Friday: Living for a Change - Esther

1/22/2021

Today's Reading:
Esther 4:13-17
13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Consider This:

How does Esther 4:16 end?
Have you ever done anything that could cost you your life?
Name the things or the people that you are willing to die for. Can you think of anything that is worse than dying?
How does Jesus’ actions mirror that of Esther?
How do Jesus’ action differ than hers?
What decision does Esther make that results in the deliverance of the Jews?
Where do you find that decision?
What would you have decided if you had been Esther?

Treasure Application:

Who was showing love for their neighbor in Esther?
Who discovered joy?

Thursday: Living for a Change - Esther

1/21/2021

Today's Reading:
Esther 4:15-16
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Consider This:

What is Esther’s response to Mordecai’s request?
How does she demonstrate “wisdom” with her request?
Do you seek God before you make decisions?
What good can come from three days of prayer?
Do you believe that God answers prayer?

Treasure Application:

How was Esther serving the Jews? How were the Jews serving Esther?
How were Esther and the Jews serving the people around them?
What relationships experience healing because of the service provided?

Wednesday: Living for a Change - Esther

1/20/2021

Today's Reading:
Esther 4:14
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Consider This:

What do you think Mordecai means by his statement in Esther 4:14?
Is Mordecai being unfair too Esther?
Is he putting her under pressure?
Is Mordecai wrong to put pressure on her?
Does Mordecai give Esther a reason to believe her life has a purpose?
What affect does this kind of realization have on a person?
What affect would it have on you?

Treasure Application:

We don’t see prayer as a significant element in the book of Esther. Do you think the Jews were praying and the author didn’t mention it, or do you think the Jews had given-up on prayer? Why?
When the events of Esther occur, do you think you are seeing God at work? Why or why not?

Tuesday: Living for a Change - Esther

1/19/2021

Today's Reading:
Esther 4:13-17
13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Consider This:

How do you picture the scene that takes place between Esther and Mordecai?
What feelings are present?
How would you have felt?
Do you find anything surprising or interesting about what takes place?
Where do you see God in this scene?

Treasure Application:

What is Mordecai teaching Esther in this passage?
Esther believed Mordecai. What form of freedom did this provide for Esther?

Monday: Living for a Change - Esther

1/18/2021

Today's Reading:
Esther 4:13-17
13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Consider This:

Have you ever been the source of someone else’s deliverance?
This could include “deliverance” from drugs, relationships, depression, destructive thoughts etc. How did this happen?
What did you have to risk in order to provide help?

Treasure Application:

In the book of Esther, do you ever see Esther invite God into the situation?
Do you think God was involved in the events of Esther’s day?
Given the actions of Esther and Mordecai, do you think they loved God?

Friday: Living for a Change - Gideon

1/15/2021

Today's Reading:
Judges 6:15-16
15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” 16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

Consider This:

What does Gideon believe about his weaknesses?
Can God use us in spite of our weaknesses?
What are your weaknesses, and can God use you in spite of them?
What does God say is the determining factor in whether Gideon will be successful or not?
What is your mission for God, and do you believe in it?

Treasure Application:

By following God, who were the people Gideon was showing his love for?
How might Gideon and the Israelites have discovered joy through Gideon’s service?

Thursday: Living for a Change - Gideon

1/14/2021

Today's Reading:
Judges 6:14
14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

Consider This:

What are the angel’s instructions to Gideon?
What gifts do you have that God wants you to use for His glory?
- Are you using your gifts?
- What are you using your gifts for?

Treasure Application:

How was God calling Gideon to serve others?
How may Gideon and the Israelites experienced healing through Gideon’s service?

Wednesday: Living for Change - Gideon

1/13/2021

Today's Reading:
Judges 6:13
13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

Consider This:

What evidence does Gideon have for doubting?
Do these seem like good reasons?
Have you ever thought like this?
What role does the devil play in our willingness to accept these reasons?

Treasure Application:

Is God willing to hear you when you bring your questions, concerns, or complaints to Him?
Would you pay much attention to God (see God) is you never had pain or challenges in your life?

Tuesday: Living for a Change - Gideon

1/12/2021

Today's Reading:
Judges 6:12
12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

Romans 8:31
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Consider This:

What does the angel want Gideon to believe?
What difference does this belief make in our lives?
Where else do you see this principle in scripture? Example: Romans 8:31
Do you believe that God is with you?

Treasure Application:

What types of bondage is Gideon in?
In Judges 6:12, what is Gideon learning in can allow him to find freedom the bondage he is in?
In Romans 8:31, what can you learn that can release you from the things you are in bondage too?

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Newton, NC 28658
(828) 855-2200

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