Daily Pattern
- Check the daily content below (watch video etc.) 5 min.
- Talk to God using the Shout (meditating, declaring etc.) using TWA (thanking, worshipping, asking) for 20 mins.
- Do the Discovery Bible (read the words of the Bible, reflect on the meaning with the Holy Spirit, make decisions to obey, etc.). 25 mins.
- Pray for brothers, and others on your prayer list, etc. 10 mins.
- Share thoughts and decisions with your brothers.
DAY 1
Steve Jobs – founder of Apple said:
“Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent… ”
It’s not by accident – it is God’s design that there is a limit on this current life. We’re all going to be dead soon. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe in 50 years time – either way, it is just a moment in time and then we’ll be reigning with Christ for eternity.
The goal of life is not to live long – but to live well; to the fullest in what God has for us; to be faithful and fruitful with everything He gives us: our time, money, relationships, gifts. Everything.
Take these 40 days as a serious opportunity to realign yourself to your eternal purpose in Christ, and fully surrender to Him.
Today, we begin by reading Hebrews 12, verses 1 to 13.
As you read, ask yourself these questions; write out the answers and the decisions you know you need to make; share them with your brother:
- What hinders me?
- What is the sin that entangles me?
- What do I need to do to “keep my eyes” on Jesus?
Embrace these 40 days; put off all distractions, throw off any sin habits that entangle you, and commit to the lifelong race set before you.
4 PILLARS
As we begin the challenge, keep the 4 PILLARS – Vision, God Connection, Brotherhood, Disciplines – constantly before you.
VISION
Today, reread your VISION for doing this challenge; where do you want to be on DAY 41? Where do you want to be in a year, five years, ten years? Offer these 40 days to the LORD as a sacrifice of praise; a time to reset and refocus.
SHOUT
Take up to 20 minutes – memorise and meditate on today’s passage using TWA (thanking, worshiping, asking).
Continue a conversation with God during the day.
The world and its desires pass away,
but he who does the will of God lives forever.
One John two, seventeen.
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you through His word in Hebrews chapter 12. (Refer to the notes on how to do a simple three-step discovery.)
Ask yourself the questions above and share some insights with your brothers.
DAY 2
Humility and the fear of the LORD are two foundation stones we need in our hearts – lifelong attitudes that will keep us in a place where God is able to help us.
The opposite?
Pride and indifference towards God. This will harden our heart, and keep us from receiving His blessings. Perhaps the fight is with laziness and lack of focus. We can easily let the physical, material world grow up and choke the seeds of God’s word in our hearts.
Practically speaking, taking an hour a day, if possible the first hour, is one way we walk in the fear of the Lord, and remain humble before Him.
If you’ve never made this a daily habit before, it may be costly, difficult – but commit, persevere, stick in there. The rewards are greater than you could imagine.
GOD CONNECTION
Check out the notes on developing your GOD CONNECTION.
Invite the Holy Spirit and set some goals for connecting with God daily – and commit to them.
Share your goals, and any doubts or struggles with your brothers – and have them pray for you.
SHOUT
As you memorise today’s SHOUT – come to Him with no reservations!
Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord
And He will lift you up.
James chapter four, verse ten says.
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Men are well practiced at being fake – but in today’s passage, we see one religious man who is fake, and “sinner”, being completely honest and crying out to God. What is God speaking to you through this passage?
Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 3
“Lord” is not just a name we use for God – it’s the role he must have in our lives.
Is He LORD of your life, or just part of it?
When we first come to God we “surrender” and ask Him to be Lord of our lives. We can pray that prayer in just a few seconds – but it takes a lifetime to understand and walk it out.
We use the phrase “unconditional surrender” to mean that we come completely open handed, giving each and every aspect of our lives to God; we hold nothing back.
This is not a popular message.
My flesh says: “I want to be my own master; I want to rule my own life; I want to be forgiven and go to heaven when I die; but do I have to give everything, every right to God?”
Many Christians live with one foot in the church, and one one foot in the world – as a result they are really never comfortable in either.
The only way to fully experience the life of Christ – is to fully enter into his DEATH through complete surrender.
SHOUT
As you do TWA and memorise today’s shout, ask God if there is any area of your life where He is not yet Lord.
I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
Apart from you I have no good thing.”
Psalm 16, verse 2.
DISCOVER
Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 4
Jesus came announcing the simple words:
“Repent and believe, the Kingdom of God is near.” (Mark 1:15)
Simply put, turn around, leave your life of thoughts, words, actions, attitudes that do not honor God, and instead, follow Jesus. As you do, you will begin to experience more and more of His Kingdom right here on earth, growing and increasing to its full expression in eternity
Now that is the gospel – the good news of the Kingdom that Jesus preached, and commissioned us to share too; not just with words, but with concrete actions of obedience and faith, just as He showed us.
However, many believers compromise this simple mandate and commission through fear, doubt, disobedience, laziness, distractions – as well as sinful life choices that keep them bound.
Time to get clean!
It’s good to create a regular habit of repentance. Pray through Psalm 139:23-24 slowly, and as God brings to memory things we need to confess, offer each one to Him in humility, thanking Him for His forgiveness, cleansing and asking Him to lead you in His eternal paths.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” 139:23-24
To journey into His Kingdom, it must begin with repentance – turning away from sin and turning towards Christ.
SHOUT
As you memorise today’s shout, and discover His heart through His word, offer your heart again; if God shows you anything you need to repent of, simply speak it out, confess it, and receive His forgiveness and cleansing.
Search me God, know my heart;
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm one-thirty-nine, twenty three and twenty four.
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Take notes from today’s discovery passage and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 5
When it comes to sin, there is definitely no need for pretense with God – He already knows everything about us much more than we could ever know about ourselves. As we open up with God, He will confirm to us that He has forgiven us and washed us from all righteousness – as clean and white as Christ Himself.
However, God will also convict our hearts when we have sin issues that we need to confess to others; sometimes to a trusted brother, sometimes to the person we sinned against.
As uncomfortable as it is, confessing our sin, mistakes, weaknesses, fears etc. out loud to one another is an essential part of the body of Christ, and often a key to being healed and free from habitual sin.
It might be humbling, sometimes embarrassing, but His grace is enough to help us form and maintain deep, vulnerable relationships with other believers.
SHOUT
Use TWA as you memorise, meditate on and speak the shout out-loud.
Blessed is the man whose sin
the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Psalm 32 verse 2
DISCOVER
Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 6
When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, He told him to come “barefoot” – He required Moses to relinquish all rights when He called him. (Exodus 3:5)
Jesus also challenged those who wanted to follow Him to surrender every desire – legitimate and illegitimate – fully to Him, on the altar of obedience. (Luke 9:57-62)
Desires for financial security, career, future – longings for comfort, relationships, family, sexual fulfillment.
As difficult as it sounds, this is the only path of true joy, satisfaction, fulfillment – to die to self, to surrender all rights we have to Christ, and trust him with full control in every area.
Sexual desire is one of the most powerful driving motivations humans experience – especially for men. Submitted to God it can be a source of incredible joy, bonding, life in marriage; outside of God’s plan and guidance, it can bring destruction and a life-time of pain and suffering.
Are there areas in your life that you are still trying to hold control of? Sexual fulfillment, comfort, money, career, health, future?
As we come today, fully surrendering rights, desires, longings – ask Him for a revelation of His goodness – he is committed to Your eternal joy, more than you are!
SHOUT
Talk to him as you memorise the shout, meditate on the Discovery Bible passage – and ask Him to help you fully surrender and fully trust Him.
If we died with Christ,
we will also live with him.
Romans six, verse eight
DISCOVER
Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another. Share if God showed you anything to surrender to Him.
DAY 7
We are one week into the challenge.
Take time to reflect on the week, and plan time together with your brother/brothers if you haven’t already arranged it.
- Share the highs and lows from the week.
- Share how well you’ve been able to stick to your vision, prioritise your God connection and keep to the disciplines.
- Without condemnation, confess where you might have fallen short and refocus as you move forward.
- Are there things you need to change in your VISION?
- Do you need to adjust any of your DISCIPLINES? Talk and pray about them.
Have you been challenged to trust God fully in every part of your life? Brothers, it’s all or nothing.
You are incredibly loved – but if you want to experience that love and remain in it, you have to surrender the love of the world entirely to Him, renouncing each and every other love that has your affections. God is our biggest supporter! But sometimes we are are biggest enemy.
This is a dangerous prayer – but well worth it to realign our hearts to His.
“Lord, I choose to fully trust You. Show me any idols I have in my heart. Right now I will bring them to you. I renounce them and ask for Your grace to fully remove them from my life. Give me a revelation of the love of the Father. Teach me how to trust You more and more.”
SHOUT
His grace is available for this – use TWA as you memorise and meditate on today’s passage.
You keep in perfect peace, The mind that’s fixed on You
Because he trusts in you, Isaiah 26 v3
DISCOVER
Take notes and share your thoughts and decisions with your brothers, and remember to pray for one another.
DAY 8
God loves us as we are. But loves us too much to leave us that way! He constantly leads us into newness and growth… if we’re willing.
And our willingness begins with being completely honest with Him about the condition of our hearts. He is the “all knowing God” – He already knows every hidden thing – but still loves us unconditionally. To receive that unconditional love – we must be completely honest with Him – holding nothing back – coming as children.
It’s important that we name it. Jesus asked “What do you want me to do for you?” even though he already knew their exact problem. One first step in humility and fear of the Lord is honestly defining exactly what our issue is and what we want God to do for us.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, do what the Psalm says and “pour out your heart to Him” in complete honesty. Use TWA to thank Him, worship Him, but also allow the cry of your heart reach His heart!
Trust in him at all times, you people;
Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm sixty two verse eight.
DISCOVERY BIBLE
When we were children, we were totally reliant on our parents. We were filled with trust and abandon. As we grew, we learnt the “ways of the world” How to fear, how to mistrust, how to pretend.
What is God speaking to you through today’s passage?
How can you come as a child to inherit the good things of His Kingdom? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 9
When we are first confronted by personal weaknesses and defects, our first response is usually DENIAL. Often times we get angry at ourselves or someone else. We try to rationalize our behavior – but usually arrive at DEPRESSION, feeling powerless to change. Often, men just ACCEPT their failures and weaknesses as who they are – and believe they can never change.
To grow, we need raw courage to take an inventory of life choices until now, and examine past errors. We take responsibility then, by the grace of God, we make an action-plan for change.
It is ESSENTIAL that we follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance to review the past. Otherwise, the danger is that we will constantly re-live past failures and never rise above them. Or, we might brush over significant issues and ignore them saying “the past is the past” and there is no need to think about it.
Both extremes are fleshly, and will keep us in pain and sin. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to guide us as we take an inventory of past errors, sins – and things that are still keeping us bound.
Bring each one to the foot of the cross; speak out loud as you give them to Jesus; in return, receive the cleansing, healing flow of the blood of Jesus. Thank Him and praise Him!
SHOUT
Use TWA as you memorise, meditate on and speak the shout out-loud.
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth;
Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86, 11 says:
DISCOVER
The rich young ruler was confronted by his idols. He felt powerless and depressed. We hope that he ended up making the right decision after this!
What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 10
God doesn’t look at our sins;
Once you’ve given them to Him, the Bible says that he no longer remembers them (Heb 8:12) and removes them from us, as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12)
He is committed to giving us everything we need to live as the righteousness of Christ – to become like Christ; this is our lifelong journey.
So, as we continue on our journey, keep asking, keep surrendering, keep crying out to Him for complete freedom, complete healing, complete wholeness – and whatever you need.
The battle against the flesh can be tough at times. We have an enemy who is out to tempt us to fail and give up. But God gives us His very own presence, the Holy Spirit. And He has given us amazing promises in scripture to run after.
From tomorrow, we’re going to look at who the Holy Spirit is and what He does in our lives to help us walk in freedom and wholeness.
But today, set your heart and mind to not give up until you see the breakthrough that God has promised you.
SHOUT
Let these famous words of Jesus be on your lips all day today – shout them out loud, and personalise them with the things that you are asking and seeking God for.
Ask, and keep asking.
Seek, and keep seeking.
Knock, and keep knocking.
Matthew 7:7
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Discover God’s heart as you read the passage today. What is God showing you? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 11
One of the most important parts of the Bible is John chapter 13 to 17 – Jesus’ final words to the disciples before the cross. These five chapters are rich with promises, and warnings, for those who follow Christ. The most wonderful promise of all? His very own presence with us and in us: the Holy Spirit.
Listen to these promises:
The Spirit of God will live with you and will be in you. John 14:17
The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and will remind you of everything that Jesus has taught you. John 14:26
The Spirit will testify about Jesus to you. John 15:26
The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth. He will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13
The Spirit of God is the comforter, counselor, advocate, intercessor and strengthener. We cannot do life without Him.
And Jesus promised us in Luke 11, if we ask, the Father will give us His Holy Spirit.
SHOUT
Let’s ask! I don’t know about you, but I need more of Him and all that He has promised. Don’t just ask for his help or blessing – but ask for the Spirit Himself, His very presence to fill you up.
Your Father in heaven gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
Luke 11 verse 13
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Discover God’s heart and leading for you through today’s passage in John chapter 16. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 12
Does a plant ever get frustrated, trying to produce fruit?
Of course not! It just remains in the soil, and with the right environment – sunshine and water – it will produce fruit.
Jesus promised in John 15:1-8, that if we simply “remain in Him” we will bear fruit.
Listen to these words of Jesus:
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.” John 15:7
Producing fruit and answers to prayer have this condition: that we remain in Jesus and His words.
Remain is a passive word – it just means to stay in one place! But with all the distractions that are trying to pull us away from Him, it takes great effort and focus to remain in that place of His presence.
SHOUT
As you do TWA and memorise today’s shout, ask God how to remain in Him.
Remain in me, I will remain in you. And you will bear much fruit. John 15, verse 4.
DISCOVERY BIBLE
As you continue to discover God through His word, ask him if there are are distractions that need to be removed from your life so you can focus on Him. Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 13
Jesus said “you will know a tree by its fruit.” (Matthew 7:16) In other words, you will know a follower of Christ because they have the fruit of the Holy Spirit visible in their lives.
Now, none of us are perfect – and we will still have days when we feel very fruitless. But if we remain in Christ we will be constantly growing and producing the “fruit of the Spirit” and that fruit should be an internal reality in our hearts and lives when no-one else is looking, as well as be visible to the people around us.
Paul lays out the fruit of the Spirit in very clear terms:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
It’s important to remember they are fruit – welling up from our inner spirit – as a result of being filled and remaining in the Holy Spirit. For example, we don’t pray “God, please give me patience!” as much as we say “God, thank-you for Your patience living in me. Now please help me manifest patience and remain in it.”
SHOUT
As you declare each of the fruit of the Spirit – picture them like seeds in your inner man, wanting to grow up, and become visible, tangible words, attitudes and actions in our lives. Each of these seeds is already in you!
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
Goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
If we live by the Spirit we keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Discover God’s heart as you read today – what is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 14
Imagine a tap – connected to a water supply. Even if the plumbing is all connected correctly, the water only flows once you open the tap.
Colossians 2:10 says that we have been given “fullness in Christ.” The source of God Himself, the Holy Spirit, is living in us. The pipe is connected!
Jesus said in John 7:37-38,
“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
It actually doesn’t matter if you feel that or not. It’s truth. Through baptism you became a new creation in Christ. The source of the eternal love of God now lives in you.
The challenge today, is not to necessarily feel that, but to believe it by faith and speak it out. Let the feelings come later. Just come as a child and say thank-you, as you drink deeply of the water that Jesus gives you.
SHOUT
Imagine yourself asking, receiving and drinking the pure water of the Holy Spirit from Jesus. Thank Him and worship Him for it – as you declare today’s shout:
I drink of the water that Jesus gives. John chapter 7, verse 37.
We have all been given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12, 13
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart and guidance through His word today. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 15
Jesus said “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
How can we possibly do this? Without His love flowing through us – it is impossible! But His Spirit is in you – and the first mentioned “fruit of the Spirit” is love.
Jesus himself, looked down from the cross, on those who were killing Him, with love and compassion, and said: “Father, forgive them…” Luke 23:34
God wants us to allow the “water” of His love, to flow through the “pipe” of our lives to the people around us.
Do you have people around you who are difficult to love? Great! That is an opportunity for God to train you in how to allow His love to flow through you.
Actually, this has a lot to do with walking in freedom. Remaining angry, bitter, unforgiving, resentful, or even indifferent towards people actually keeps us as slaves to them, and slaves to sin.
But when we choose to allow the love of God to flow through us – even to our enemies – we actually begin to walk into freedom. We will begin to see people through His eyes, and our own hearts will be touched and softened by His love.
SHOUT
Right now, as you declare today’s shout, ask God for His perspective on any “difficult” people in your life. Allow God to flow His love through you as you pray blessings over their lives.
Love each other deeply,
Love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4 verse 8
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover His heart for you to set you free to love fully, and unconditionally, by His Spirit living in you.
DAY 16
Joy is serious business!
It seems that the world is consumed with a head-long pursuit of fun and joy – however, real joy comes only from above. And it wells up within us as a fruit of the Holy Spirit as we yield to His presence in us.
It says in Hebrews that Jesus was able to endure the cross because of the joy that was set before Him. (Hebrews 12:2)
In fact, in Jesus’s final prayer for us, He prayed we would have the full measure of His joy within us. (John 17:13)
This joy is no small thing! It’s certainly not just a nice feeling or a happy worship song. It is a deep, foundation stone in the love of God that enables us to endure the most difficult circumstances and seasons of life.
It’s something we choose to do. I will rejoice. I will worship. I will shout. I will dance. I will celebrate.
Psalm 2:11 says
“Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.”
Rejoicing while trembling in the fear of the Lord is entirely appropriate.
Psalm 89:15 says
“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you…”
… so rejoicing and celebrating is something that we can set our hearts and minds on learning, through practice and perseverance.
I want to implore you – to live in freedom – you will need to learn to rejoice in each and every situation. When you’re happy or sad, elated or devastated, healthy or sick, hopeful or hopeless.
SHOUT
Continue to use TWA as you ask God to teach you how to rejoice.
Serve the LORD with fear
Rejoice with trembling.
Psalm 2, verse 11
DISCOVERY BIBLE
What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 17
Peace is not the absence of difficulties and trials; it is living according to the inner source of eternal peace, the Holy Spirit, in the midst of obstacles and storms.
Listen to what Jesus says about peace, just before one of the most troubling episodes for the disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Jesus doesn’t just tell us we don’t have to worry – he commands us to not worry. In this sense worry is a sin!
When we worry and fear, we remove our eyes from Him and His promises, and fix them on problems and worries – and meditate on them instead. It’s like idol worship.
Worry and fear are outside of His purpose for us. And because He commands us not to fear or worry, we can trust Him to give us the means, through the Holy Spirit, to remain in peace.
How? Paul gives a powerful promise:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
The peace of God is in us by His Spirit. Through prayer, thanksgiving and worship we allow it to well up into our hearts and minds. Sometimes there is quite a battle to defeat negative emotions and doubts, to allow His peace to reign.
Don’t give up! Keep thanking, worshiping, and praying in the Holy Spirit until you sense His peace filling your mind and heart.
Jesus also tells us that we can give our peace away to others. As He sends the disciples out He commands them to speak peace over homes:
“If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.” Luke 10:6
In Christ, by the Holy Spirit, you carry the very presence and peace of God.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s promise over yourself, allow His peace to fill your heart and mind, and look for opportunities to give that peace away.
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
Will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4, 4 to 8
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 18
It’s not about me! It’s not about you. It’s about Jesus – and His eternal purpose being manifest through us – His people.
Hebrews 11 is a fascinating chapter on people of faith; it mentions both those who overcame, and saw breakthroughs. It also mentions those who died because of their faith.
Then it has these amazing and mysterious verses:
“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40
Our lives are intertwined with those who lived before, and with those who will come afterward. Together, we will be “made perfect” – fulfilling God’s eternal purpose: one heavenly family, under the Father, with Christ as the head. As we remain patient, and don’t give up, we get to participate in His eternal plan.
We may or may not see the fulfillment of this “goal” in our lifetime, but we can all receive the “prize” for being faithful to the small part that God has for us.
Do you have Christ’s heavenly “goal” in view? Have you set your eye on the prize?
Many Christians hold strong for 10 or even 20 years, but when things don’t go the way they expect they give up. When tiredness or disappointment set in, when prayers don’t get answered the way they hoped, bitterness can take root, the heart can become sick and they give up pursuing God altogether.
Brothers, the Holy Spirit releases patient endurance to us as we wait on Him. Let’s take our eyes off ourselves, and press on toward the goal to win the prize. (Philippians 3:14)
SHOUT
As you declare the shout today, abandon your own self-centeredness and become God-centered in your thinking. Ask Him to show you both the goal that we are all a part of achieving, and the “prize” that He has prepared for each of us.
I press on toward the goal, to win the prize,
To which I am called heavenward.
Philippians 3, verse fourteen.
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Discover God’s heart as you read. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 19
From before you were born, God knew you, and prepared good works for you to do!
Listen to these amazing words:
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
He didn’t want to do it alone – God wanted a family of believers to do His works – that’s why Jesus said to the disciples:
“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7
And:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12
Jesus was limited to just one physical body for his 33 years, but now in the Holy Spirit millions of Christians – “little Christs” – are running around doing the “good works” that he has prepared for us.
We are the righteousness of God! Not one day, not when we die. Right now. We are the ones through whom God wants to display His righteousness – physically, and visibly. We are vessels of the Holy Spirit to display His kindness and goodness to a broken and bound-up world.
All the more reason for us to get fully free!
The more the Holy Spirit has of me, the more free I am to be myself and be the person God has made me in Christ – and the more I will release his goodness, kindness and righteousness to bless the world around me.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, don’t think “one day” – declare right now “I am free from sin” and “I am the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
I’m free from sin and I have become
a slave of righteousness.
Romans chapter 6 verse 18
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Discover God’s heart as you read the passage today. What is God showing you? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 20
God is not in control of your life!
That may come as a surprise. He is your Lord, and in charge. But by His Holy Spirit He enables you to have self-control.
Having the Holy Spirit living in us is not about us becoming puppets or robots that just do whatever He tells us – but about Him freeing our spirit, so we can take full charge of our heart, soul, and bodies, and learn to daily walk in obedience.
You see, the problem with thinking that God controls you is that we neglect the sovereign responsibility, the authority that God has given to us, to control ourselves. We quietly blame our sin on Him. We are offended when circumstances don’t go our way.
We feel trapped in situations that we cannot control. We wait for Him to come and “save us” and change things for us, rather than realising that He is already here, empowering us to control ourselves, and grow through these situations and circumstances.
In the Bible and even today many Christians are imprisoned for their faith – they have no control on their physical situation. But they always get to steward their hearts. They have a choice to worship, bless, forgive, let go – and walk in step with the Holy Spirit.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, remember that by His Holy Spirit God is training you to have self control over your mind, emotions and attitudes.
Make every effort to
Add to faith goodness
Knowledge and self-control;
Steadfastness and godliness
Brotherly kindness and love.
2nd Peter one, five to seven
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Discover God’s heart as you read the passage today. What is God showing you? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 21
“Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 1:16
What do you think when you hear the word “holy”?
I like this example: there are many different types of brushes in your house. Toothbrushes, hair brushes, clothing brushes, sink brushes, toilet brushes. Each one has been specifically made and “set apart” for its purpose. We keep them separated for very good reasons – you had better not mix them up!
In the same way, holiness means exactly that; in Christ, we have been removed from the mundane and unclean things of the world, and have been set aside specifically for God and His purposes. We still live in the world in our physical bodies, but now, as members of Christ, we dwell in a different Kingdom, by a whole different set of values.
Firstly, God has made us holy by placing us in Christ, His perfect Son, giving us His very own righteousness. Then through His Spirit living in us we can confidently walk in holiness each day. If we stumble or fall, we simply repent, turn back to Him, thank Him for His cleansing and grace, and continue walking in holiness.
We have the promises of His grace and His very own Spirit living in us:
“Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, let go of the lie that you don’t measure up. God has placed you in Christ and given you everything you need to walk in holiness!
I am chosen to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1 verse 4
DISCOVERY BIBLE
What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 22
Men are always trying to prove themselves!
Jesus, had no need at all to prove Himself to others:
Jesus “did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.” John 2:25
And:
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal… and began to wash his disciples’ feet…” John 13:3-5
Because Jesus knew who He was, He was able to serve those around Him. Not only that, a few hours later, He was able to die on the cross for all humanity, including His enemies. It was an amazing act of humility, gentleness and service.
Believe it or not, through the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ living in you, you too can walk in that degree of self-less humility and gentleness too.
You have nothing to prove in this life! You don’t need to have your abilities or achievements recognised. No one needs to know about your service or diligence. Your wealth and possessions mean nothing in eternity.
God Himself has “proved” us, by placing us in Christ, and placing His Spirit in us. The most important thing is what God thinks of you. God has qualified you!
SHOUT
In a world where everyone is trying to find value through their own achievements, come humbly today, tell Him how satisfied you are in Him, and just thank Him. Like the Psalmist, speak out with confidence:
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. (Psalm 23:1)
DISCOVERY BIBLE
What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 23
A man played a joke on a co-worker by telling him in the morning “You look sick!”. Then he secretly got the other workers around the workplace to say the same thing. And what happened? By midday the co-worker felt so sick he went home for the rest of the day!
You’ve been lied to! By the devil, by society, by well-meaning people. Probably by your own parents, family members, teachers, doctors, coaches. Perhaps many thought they were helping you – but they didn’t know the truth and instead spoke lies that you received as truth.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Jesus said:
“…he will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13
We are commanded to discern everything we hear by the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit and accept it or reject it according to what He says to us. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 commands us to:
“Test all things and hold to that which is good.”
If we don’t do this, we can end up receiving a lie as if it is truth. Those lies or half-truths keep us in pain and sickness and could even kill us.
… 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.” John 8:31-32
Freedom doesn’t come from just knowing the truth, it comes from firstly holding to Jesus’ teachings. There is an active process required to take each and every thing we believe, about God, ourselves, other people – and hold it up to the light of His word. So when your own thoughts or words spoken to you don’t line up with the Word of God revealed by His Holy Spirit, we must reject them.
Brothers, for many this literally will be life or death!
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, invite the Spirit of Truth – the Holy Spirit – who lives in you, to reveal any lies you believe about yourself and replace them with His truth!
If you hold to His teaching
You will know the truth
And the truth will set you free
John chapter 8, 31 and 32
DISCOVERY BIBLE
What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 24
Before the disciples were filled by the Holy Spirit, they ran away under persecution – Peter even denied that he knew Jesus.
But just a few weeks later, after being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter stood up in front of a huge crowd, at the risk of being arrested, and proclaimed boldly the gospel of Jesus Christ.
These men had been transformed from shivering cowards, into bold, faithful witnesses – through the Holy Spirit living in them. Ten of the eleven remaining disciples would go on to be martyred for their faith.
Many men worry if they can follow through on their promises – and as a result they hesitate to commit fully to what is in front of them. Whether it is to a woman in marriage, to a job, a ministry, or to following Christ.
But the result of the Holy Spirit living in you is having His faithfulness, even unto death.
The more we remain in Christ, and live in step with the Holy Spirit from our spirits within us, the bolder we will be, and the more faithful we will become.
The beginning of this journey is to fix our eyes on the Faithful Witness, Himself, and entrust ourselves fully into His hands.
Do not fear – even if we stumble in weakness, we just get up, surrender our lives once more and keep walking faithfully. Remember Peter, who once denied Christ, became a bold witness in a hostile environment and ended up being crucified up-side-down for his faith.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, ask God if there are commitments that you are avoiding. Thank Him for His faithfulness living in you that gives you strength to be faithful.
A faithful man will be richly blessed. Proverbs 28:20
DISCOVERY BIBLE
What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 25
People are desperate for hope. With depression and anxiety rates in the world increasing each year, there is a mad quest for hope in life; or a desperate attempt to not think about it.
As believers – in the Holy Spirit – we have the source of eternal hope Himself living in us.
Listen to this wonderful, but challenging, promise in Romans chapter 5:
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5
We have all hoped for things and been disappointed. Perhaps an opportunity regarding education or a job; perhaps a relationship. Perhaps we even hoped for things we thought God had directed us to, or promised us – but it didn’t come out the way we had hoped.
If we have been disappointed in hope – be assured that it was not “this hope”; the hope of the glory of God never disappoints us! It actually strengthens us more and more to persevere through every trial, tragedy and temptation. It refines our character.
It is all fueled by having God’s love poured out daily into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s powerful promise, ask God to show you more about the hope of the glory of God. Ask Him for the grace to stand in it, and receive the love of God that the Spirit pours out into your heart.
We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
This hope does not disappoint.
Romans 5, verse 2 and 5
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 26
The more we live focussed on heaven and eternity the more we can live fully on earth.
10,000 years from now – what will remain from my life today?
Jesus, Paul and the other New Testament writers all frame their commands, teaching and encouragements in eternity. If we don’t have an eternal perspective we will be crushed and burdened by the fears and lusts of the world. If we don’t fix our eyes on the as-yet unseen prize, we will believe the lie that what we are giving up to follow Christ, is more than what we will receive in eternity.
Nothing is further from the truth! Listen to these words:
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
The Holy Spirit in us “tells us of the things to come.” (John 16:13) He shows us what really matters, day to day, and reassures us that there is always eternal meaning. If we’re willing to obey and walk with Jesus even a cup of water given in his name will be remembered in all eternity! (Mark 9:41)
First Corinthians 2:9-10 tells us that,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a glimpse of what He has prepared for us in eternity. Ask Him to show you the eternal nature of your decisions today.
Everything I do, everything I say
I do it all for Jesus, I do it in His name
Colossians three verse seventeen
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 27
When David failed in sin, he was broken, repentant – but came back quickly.
He knew he wasn’t deserving, but at the same time he understood the love and mercy of God. He knew that God delighted in him. He didn’t waste his time focussing on his own failure and sin. He repented quickly then focussed on God’s goodness, love and delight.
Look at these words of David after repenting for a season of living in disobedience to God:
“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19
Brothers, do you know that God delights in you? He doesn’t just put up with you! He likes you, and wants you to know and live in His delight.
Think of a loving father with his adventurous two-year-old at the park. The son runs off, to a place he shouldn’t be, and gets covered in mud and garbage. But the Father welcomes him back, cleans him off. The father only has one thing in mind – removing everything that hinders the relationship, so they can continue to delight in one another.
Many believers prefer to remain in the pig pen of their own failures – focussed on themselves, their own weakness, failure and sin. But the Holy Spirit in you wants to give you assurance of forgiveness, cleansing and a growing understanding of His delight in you.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout – remember God is not just putting up with You. His delight means that He is waiting expectantly to spend time with you. Ask Him to show you more of His delight for you.
The LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm one-forty-seven, verse eleven
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 28
What gives believers courage, strength and joy – to face the most difficult circumstances, and even death?
It is the source of all courage Himself living in us – the Spirit of Christ – the Holy Spirit.
Today, this very day, many believers around the world will be persecuted and die for the name of Jesus. They will find a strength and grace well-up within them by the Holy Spirit that gives them courage, peace and joy – beyond anything humanly possible.
Remember the disciples, having been beaten and imprisoned for their faith – were rejoicing and worshiping Jesus. It brought about a harvest of souls! (see Acts 16:16-40)
Over the centuries, countless millions of believers have found courage and strength far beyond their own human ability – when they had to face trials or death for Christ.
Famous Christian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed just before the end of WWII by the Nazis on April 9th, 1945. Rather than being fearful, he was full of joy, encouraging those who were left behind. The doctor, who had to witness the executions, remarked that he watched Bonhoeffer kneel and pray before being led to the gallows.
“I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed… In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.”
We don’t have to worry whether or not we will have that courage in the time of testing – we need only to trust in His presence in us, and His promise that His grace will be sufficient in each and every situation.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, thank God that the Holy Spirit in you is the same Spirit who is giving strength and courage to brothers and sisters who are facing persecution and death. Ask God to show you more!
We do not lose heart.
Our inner man is being renewed day by day.
2nd Corinthians four, sixteen
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 29
The Spirit in you longs for relationship with the Spirit in me, and other brothers and sisters. God’s eternal plan, to create one one family in Christ, advances when we humbly love and serve one another. His plan is hindered when we don’t prioritize or pursue relationships with one another, or when we let things like unforgiveness, bitterness or judgements hinder our relationships.
Psalm 133 says:
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!… For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 133:1, 3
Ephesians 2:22 says:
We are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:22
The Spirit lives in us so we can overflow with His fruit; but also that His presence and fruit; love, joy, peace etc. can flow between us. Much of the new testament addresses living at peace with one another so we can fulfill His eternal purpose. This is all based on the cross where Jesus took all our own sin, as well as all our pain of betrayal, rejection, and injustice.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, thank Him for the cross that has both forgiven us for all our sin and unrighteousness, and empowered us to forgive anyone who has offended or hurt us. Repent of judging others and speak out forgiveness and blessing on anyone God shows you.
Be reconciled to your brother;
then offer your praise
Matthew five verse twenty-four
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 30
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
When elephants are very young trainers use a simple rope to tie them. At that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break free – so even as a much stronger adult they never try.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
As a follower of Christ Jesus, filled with His Holy Spirit, you have the source of all freedom Himself living in you. He is more willing than you could ever imagine to lead you into complete and full freedom. But if you believe the lie that you cannot be free – you will probably never try and will remain captive to the past.
If, however, you remain in His Word and believe what He has promised you, then you will grow in freedom and fruitfulness.
A young man struggling with an ongoing pornography addiction believed that he could never be free. One evening in a dream, God spoke clearly to him:
I was in prison, wearing chains and prisoners’ uniform, in the cafeteria with my meal looking for a place to sit when I saw Jesus. He had the same uniform, but no chains. I asked him: “Can I sit with you for dinner.” He said: “Of course!”
After dinner, I said to Him: “Jesus, can we eat dinner together every day?” Again, He said: “Of course.” then added: “But did you know that the door of the prison is open?”
We have spent the last 16 days looking at the different fruit that the Holy Spirit wants to bring into your life. From tomorrow, for the last 10 days of FREEDOM40, we’re going to look at practical choices that you can make to stay on the journey to full and complete freedom.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, do TWA and thank Him and praise Him for the freedom that lives in you. Ask Him to show you more of how to walk in it.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!
2nd Corinthians 3:17
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 31
What’s the most important command in the whole Bible?
It’s a trick question! Most Christians would quickly answer:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30)
However, Jesus says this is the most important command in the law. (Deuteronomy 6:5) Just before the cross Jesus gives, I believe, the most important command in the whole of scripture:
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9
Remaining in Jesus’s love – staying firmly rooted, grounded and living in His love – what does that like for you?
—————
INTERVIEWS (see video)
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Listen to this promise from Jude:
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:20-21, 24-25
Do you want God to keep you from falling? Do you long for Him to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy? That’s what He will do!
But don’t forget your part of the promise:
- Build yourselves up in your most holy faith.
- Pray in the Holy Spirit.
- Keep yourselves in God’s love.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout – thank Him for His love, and ask Him for concrete ways that you can remain in His love, all day, everyday.
As the Father has loved me,
so have I loved you.
Now remain in my love.
John chapter 15, verse 9
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 32
If something is important to you, you will schedule it. If you don’t schedule it or prioritize it – then it probably really isn’t that important to you.
Jesus said:
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
Practically speaking, following Christ includes intentionally changing your personal priorities, lifestyle, habits, time usage, money usage, everything; so that you can obey and follow Him.
Life coaches and scheduling specialists talk about the importance of the first moments of the day; this is the best time to focus on purpose and establish goals for the whole day.
Jesus saw the need to wake early and go to quiet places to pray by himself (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12). If Jesus Himself, the incarnate Son of God, needed to do this, how much more do we!?
What are your daily priorities? How do they reflect your commitment to following Christ?
No two men are the same – but we can always challenge and encourage one another with our personal stories. Listen to some of these brothers sharing.
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INTERVIEWS (see video)
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If you don’t yet prioritize your relationship with God daily, take some time now to ask God to help you. He doesn’t just want you to be fruitful every day in serving Him, but He delights in meeting and spending time with you; and He desires to fill your heart with joy in His presence from the very beginning of each day.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, ask Him to help you make the practical changes necessary to put Him first every day, in every area of your life.
Satisfy us in the morning
with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy
and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90, verse 14
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 33
We don’t need a sprinkling of the Word of God – we need a constant shower! The Word of God is full of promises to those who value and prioritize it – storing it up in our hearts and minds, and keeping it always on our lips.
Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165
(The one who) delights in the law of the LORD, and meditates on it day and night – he is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:2-3
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
Do you want to have “great peace”, and to never stumble? Do you want to be kept from sin, and walk righteously? Do you want to be prosperous and successful? Then soak your mind and heart in the Word of God, and walk with the Holy Spirit to obey it every day.
Listen to how some brothers are doing this:
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INTERVIEWS (see video)
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Here’s a few other ideas:
- Write out a verse to take with you all day – speak, sing or shout it out as much as you can.
- Use the Bible app to listen to the Word of God whenever you can.
- Use Bible plans by yourself, or with a friend. Share your thoughts daily.
It’s not a competition on how much you can read, know or study. It is about letting “the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16) so that your spirit within you rises up and leads you, according to His word – rather than being tossed to and fro by emotions and circumstances.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, ask God to help you fall in love with His word. May we thirst more and more for Him, as revealed by His word. May we walk in the grace of simple obedience.
Abundant peace belongs to those who love your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble. Psalm 119:165
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 34
Jesus chose twelve men to walk with for three years.
Jesus also had three – Peter, James and John – with whom he had a particularly deep relationship. And then John is called “the disciple who Jesus loved”. It is believed that he had a particularly close friendship with him.
I believe these groupings are key to how we need to relate with one-another as brothers in Christ – one very close, deep friend; three or so close, trusted friends; and twelve or so men to walk with daily. Exact numbers are not important, but rather the nature of the relationships.
Relationships are difficult. It takes humility, time, effort, risk and perseverance – to build friendships with brothers in Christ – but it’s well worth it.
God wants to flow His blessing to you, through others, and to others, through you.
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INTERVIEWS (see video)
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I hope that during FREEDOM40 you have had the opportunity to build deep and lasting friendships with some men.
I encourage you to make it a priority to meet regularly and build one another up in Christ.
And if you are yet to develop the deep friendships that you would like, rather than seeking those friendships – I encourage you to just simply be a friend to someone – practice what it means to love someone unconditionally in the love of Christ.
Ask God to lead you to someone to be their friend.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, ask God about who and how you can encourage and build up today. Ask Him for ways to practically build lasting friendships with your brothers.
Encourage one another,
Build up one another.
First Thessalonians five eleven
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 35
Scientists talk about the connection between our physical and mental state. Everything is interconnected! Good exercise, good diet, good sleep, and many other physical disciplines affect our mental and emotional state.
Our body and brain work with mental circuits. For example: I feel like dancing – therefore I dance. Or, I choose to dance – therefore I come to feel like dancing. Both can be true.
By constant practice we get to learn to mentally align ourselves to the truth of God’s word, and allow it to affect our whole being. Often, when our thoughts and emotions don’t line up with the truth of God’s word, we simply ignore them, and continue to focus on His truth: thanking, worshiping, singing, dancing, proclaiming the Word of God – and it brings transformation to our emotions too.
I encourage you to make physical exercise and disciplines, not just a part of your lifestyle, but a part of your spiritual worship to God.
Let’s hear how some brothers have incorporated these things into regular life:
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INTERVIEWS (see video)
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Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
Even in times of sickness and physical weakness – continue to offer your body, a temple of the Holy Spirit, as a spiritual act of worship to honor God.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, ask God to show you how to continue to make exercise and physical disciplines a part of your spiritual act of worship.
Life to my mortal body, you give life to my mortal body
Life to my mortal body, through the Spirit of God living in me.
Romans 8, eleven says:
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 36
Paul said:
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18 NIV
Although all sin is sin – outside of God’s plan for us – sexual activity seems to have particularly negative consequences. Even when sexual sin doesn’t involve anyone else – obessive sexual thoughts, lust, pornography, masturbation – these all open a door to other problems: shame, irritiablity, uncontrolable thought patterns, frustration, self-hatred, depression, anxiety.
Secular researchers have found this too, and there is even a movement amongst non-Christian, non-religious men away from pornography and masturbation, and towards self control – and a more biblical understanding of sexuality, although most don’t even realise it.
No matter where you are, or where you have been, regarding sexual sin, today is a new day – the slate can be wiped clean, you can be washed and renewed in the Blood of Jesus – and you can receive the grace of God to realign your mind, heart and actions to His word.
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INTERVIEWS (see video)
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Perhaps you just need a little encouragement on the path.
Or perhaps you need a complete overhaul of your personal thought life and habits.
Either way, I encourage you to share about your fight with some trusted brothers and set your heart towards being completely free.
I also encourage you to be open and vulnerable about these things to help other brothers. So many are suffering silently by themselves. Let’s reach out and help each other.
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, ask God how you can grow more and more in sexual freedom and purity.
I beat my body
I make it my slave
So that I might get the prize.
First Corinthians 9, 27
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 37
“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” — but I will not be mastered by anything. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”–but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 1 Corinthians 6:12-13
During FREEDOM40 we’ve put aside some legitimate pleasures – certain foods & drinks, social media, games, screens etc. to seek God. As you complete your 40 days, I challenge you to take time to reevaluate these things. Even if they are legitimate, permissible things – is there anything hindering or limiting your fruitfulness?
It is often said, the enemy of something great – not something bad, but just something that is not as good. The OK or good things in life can take away from the great things that God has in store for us.
For example, the way I use my time might be stopping me from reading and learning about God or relationships, a new language, a musical instrument, or any number of skills. The media might not be bad – but is there a better use some of that time? My diet might be bad – but could it be improved?
Listen to some of these brothers share about habits:
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INTERVIEWS (see video)
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Researchers say that being alone, times of meditation and reflection, and times of boredom are all good for us to learn more creativity. Modern, busy life, media, the internet often steal these opportunities from us.
This is a dangerous prayer, but I encourage you to pray it and ask God to help you in these areas:
Lord, my life belongs to you.
Everything I do – I lay it before you. My time, lifestyle, habits — everything.
Is it really beneficial? Am I mastering it, or being mastered by it?
Lord, is there something better I could be doing?
Do I need more control on the amount of time I use in certain activities, money usage or food consumption?
Please guide me!
SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, remember that your life is not your own – but Christ has given you all things! Ask Him to guide you.
My body’s for the Lord, and the Lord for my body.
First Corinthians 6, thirteen.
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 38
What do you do practically to actually change your thinking? How do you get rid of negative, impure or destructive thoughts and focus on positive, pure, constructive thoughts?
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
I have a simple technique to take captive my thoughts: I imagine my mind like a stage – and somehow it has gotten cluttered with wrong thoughts.
As I pray, and offer my thoughts to God, I consciously imagine the stage being lifted up, His light shining on it. Then I see His hand coming down, and wiping everything off it.
My mind is now clear and then I say, “God, what thoughts do you want me to put on my stage?” I then begin to declare the truth.
You might try the same thing with a mental white board – or anything that helps you visualize this transformation or change of your thinking. The more you do it, the easier it will become. No matter how long you have been battling negative or wrong thinking, by the grace of God you can change your thought patterns. You might have to start by doing it hundreds of times a day! That’s OK. Do anything you need to do to align your thinking to the truth of God.
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INTERVIEWS (see video)
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SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, ask God to guide you in this ongoing, lifelong process of changing our thinking to be Christ-like.
Whatever is true, whatever is noble
Whatever is right, whatever is pure
Whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy
Think about such things, think about such things.
Philippians 4 verse 8
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 39
Reaching out to help others is one of the best things you can do to help yourself.
Taking your eyes off yourself – asking God – “who can I serve today?” and just simply living self-lessly to see others blessed and succeed – this is the core of the gospel message.
“For God so loved the world that He gave… ” John 3:16
Giving and serving selflessly is at the very centre of God’s character. And as people made in His image, we find the most fulfillment, satisfaction and purpose in life when we live for others.
Jesus said:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
This is not just a principle regarding finances, but everything in life.
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29
As we give of our time, money, effort – God joyfully gives back to us much more – one hundred times more! – both now and into eternity.
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INTERVIEWS (see video)
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SHOUT
As you declare today’s shout, ask God how you can give of your time, money and effort. Ask Him to guide you to needy people to be a vessel of His love and kindness to others.
Give, and it will be given to you.
With the measure you use, it will be measured to you
Luke 6 verse 38
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
DAY 40
It’s not how well you start – it’s how well you finish.
Jesus spoke specifically of those who seemed to start well:
“There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” Matthew 21:28-31
How has FREEDOM40 been for you?
Has it helped you grow? Have you seen some breakthroughs?
If so, we celebrate with you!
If not, don’t worry – just keep going. Keep connecting with God – keep connecting with brothers. Keep inviting the Holy Spirit to lead you. Keep remaining in the Words of Jesus.
If we live by the Spirit we keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25
Life is a long journey – day in and day out walking with the Holy Spirit – good days, bad days, mountain tops, and valleys. No matter what sort of day it has been – there is always tomorrow and the Holy Spirit is with us to comfort and to guide.
Listen to these brothers share about how they walk in step with the Spirit.
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INTERVIEWS (see video)
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SHOUT
Today’s shout is a song – the first half of Psalm one. I encourage you to memorise it all – keep it on your lips and speak it back to God as a wonderful promise over your life.
The man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked
The man who doesn’t stand in the path of sinners
The man who doesn’t sit in the seat of mockers
He will be blessed, he will be blessed.His delight is in the law of the LORD,
And on His law he meditates
Day and night. Day and night.He meditates on the lawHe is like a tree planted by the streams
Which yields its fruit in season
He is like a tree planted by the streams
Whose leaf does not wither.Whatever he does, whatever he does
He prospers, he prospers
In Psalm one, verse one, two and three He prospers
DISCOVERY BIBLE
Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us. What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.
We encourage you to continue to make the Discovery Bible a part of your everyday intake of God’s word.
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Thanks for journeying with us for these last 40 days. If you’re interested, please get in touch. Let us know how it has been for you. Tell us if you have any ideas for improvement. mail@onfire.jp If you’re not already connected, we also have regular online and in-person meetings.
I want so say “Ganbatte!” (keep going! in Japanese) – but I’m just going to say “Todomatte!” (remain!) instead.