Today’s Scripture
We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.
2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (NLT)
Big Idea
Relying on yourself is a recipe for spiritual death, but relying on God brings spiritual life.
Today’s Thought
Ever heard the story of The Little Engine That Could? It’s a classic tale for kids
about a little engine that climbed a high mountain because it had a positive
attitude and kept repeating the phrase “I think I can, I think I can.” It’s a
great story to teach young children about the importance of hard work and dedication. But is it a good strategy for spiritual growth?
Look at 2 Corinthians 1:9. Paul makes a fascinating statement: “We stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God.”Wow! Paul didn’t think he could — in fact, he knew he couldn’t without God’s help.
You will become a radical example of a changed life as you stop relying on yourself and learn to rely only on God. When we rely on ourselves, we become tired and frustrated because of our human limitations. When we rely on
God, we have the opportunity to tap into a limitless source of strength and creativity and inspiration and encouragement and transformation.
Perhaps we can take The Little Engine’s idea and adapt it: I think I can — rely
more and more on God! I think I can — become an r12 Christian as you work
in my life! I think I can — become a radical example of a changed life!
We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.
2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (NLT)
Big Idea
Relying on yourself is a recipe for spiritual death, but relying on God brings spiritual life.
Today’s Thought
great story to teach young children about the importance of hard work and dedication. But is it a good strategy for spiritual growth?
Look at 2 Corinthians 1:9. Paul makes a fascinating statement: “We stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God.”Wow! Paul didn’t think he could — in fact, he knew he couldn’t without God’s help.
You will become a radical example of a changed life as you stop relying on yourself and learn to rely only on God. When we rely on ourselves, we become tired and frustrated because of our human limitations. When we rely on
God, we have the opportunity to tap into a limitless source of strength and creativity and inspiration and encouragement and transformation.
That’s what it means to be an r12 Christian. Relying on God means being: surrendered to God,
separate from the world and its values,
sober in self-
assessment,
serving in love, and
supernaturally responsive to evil with good.
Prayer
God, You’re so much more powerful than I am, and nothing is impossible for
You. Help me learn how to rely on you every day for answers and protection
and transformation. I want to become a radical example of a changed life, but
I know that only happens as I become more like You. Make me into a growing,
healthy, authentic r12 Christian who is rooted in a deep relationship with You.
Amen. 
Loved this! I wish I would've started earlier! I may go back through the ones I didn't get to do!(:
ReplyDeleteI really Enjoyed being a part of Crosslink, i feel that i've grown so much because of all of the lessons and i know that i'll just grow more because of crosslink :) --Tori Darden
ReplyDeleteI really liked doing these, I think Claude should post more things like this for us to do!!-gabby
ReplyDelete