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Your Turn With Money
by Allison Antrim
It’s easy to feel like you just need more money – to pay that bill, buy that thing you want, build up your retirement fund – and then you’ll be okay. All around us is a culture chasing after wealth. Hop on social media and you’ll either see people showing off their money or wallowing in complaints and worry about their lack of it. We know that these attitudes toward money lead to discontent and despair, but how do we pursue a different path?
Enter stewardship. If God owns everything, you can look at your money as his, given specifically to you. Then consider how God made you – your personality, your interests, the things of God that speak especially to your heart. You will find opportunities to steward your money to bless others in Jesus’ name in a way that only you can. That way brings freedom as you put his money to work for the sake of the gospel.
Do you trust God to meet your needs? What wold change for you this week if you viewed your money as God’s money?
The Book of Acts Reading Plan:
This Fall-Winter we will be diving into the Book of Acts. For context, check out these brief videos on the major themes in Acts from our friends at The Bible Project.
[Monday, August 5]
Acts 1:1-11
The book of Acts is written by Luke, who also wrote the gospel of the same name. Thus it is fitting that he begins his new book by picking up where the first book ended. Jesus spends 40 more days on earth with his disciples, teaching them about the kingdom of God. But in verse 6, it’s clear that they are still interested in human kingdoms, particularly the restoration of Israel. Jesus doesn’t directly answer their question about it, but instead reminds them that God alone knows the “times and epochs…fixed by His own authority” (v. 7). And Jesus’s final words to them indicate that they will testify about him to the capital city, to the region, and even “the remotest part of the earth” (v. 8). What does this suggest about God’s plans versus our own? Have you ever asked God a question, only to see him answer it in a way much broader than you imagined?
[Tuesday, August 6]
Acts 1:12-26
After Jesus goes to heaven, the 11 apostles return to Jerusalem. Other followers of Jesus enter the scene, including “the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, along with His brothers” (v. 14), along with a large group of about 120 others (v. 15). Peter explains to this group what happened to the twelfth disciple, Judas, and the need to elect another to join the apostles in his place. How do the apostles go about choosing Judas’ replacement? What does this tell you about how Jesus-followers can make decisions?
[Wednesday, August 7]
Acts 2:1-13
The holiday upon which this momentous event occurs is called “Pentecost,” a Greek word meaning “fiftieth,” because it marks 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead. The Holy Spirit fills the apostles, tongues of fire appear over their heads, and devout Jews from every nation suddenly hear the apostles proclaiming God’s greatness to them in their own languages. Yet not everyone is amazed; some think the apostles have had a little too much to drink. Why do you think God causes tongues of fire to appear over the apostles? Look back at Luke 24:49. How does this Pentecost event in Acts 2 fulfill Jesus’ words in Luke?
[Thursday, August 8]
Acts 2:14-24
Dispensing with the accusation of drunkenness, Peter reminds his audience of the words of the prophet Joel, which predicted that God would “pour out His spirit” and cause amazing things to happen. Peter summarizes Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in three verses, pointing out that Jesus’ “miracles and wonders and signs” (v. 22) made it clear that he was God’s son. He also explains to the audience that it was God who planned Jesus’ death and was the one to raise him back to life. Why is it “impossible for [Jesus] to be held in [death’s] power” (v. 24)? How is this good news for those who believe in him?
[Friday, August 9]
Acts 2:25-41
Peter shows that Jesus was promised in the Old Testament, revealed to King David and written about in the psalms (specifically Psalm 16, Psalm 131, and Psalm 110). He isn’t shy about telling the audience that they crucified Jesus, but God raised him again and made him Lord. When the people ask what they should do next, Peter offers simple and powerful instructions that still apply today: “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the Holy Spirit” (v. 38). If you have repented and been baptized in Jesus’ name, what evidence do you have of the Holy Spirit within you? If you haven’t repented and/or been baptized, what is holding you back?
If you’re interested in learning more about baptism at Heartland, contact us HERE.
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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