(From our church-wide devotion book at Pinedale Christian Church, "You 2.0”)

Day 27
Which of the “troubleshooting areas” this week spoke to you most clearly? What will you do to address this area in your life?
Read John 14:15-31. Jesus said this, on the night He was arrested, preparing His Disciples for His departure. How does the Holy Spirit help us...
...when we are afraid? (Psalm 56:3-4)
...when we are tempted? (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
...when we fail? (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
...when we are unsure? (John 16:13)
...when our hearts get cold? (Ephesians 2:11-13)
How is your heart? (write down) Stop and pray right now that God reveals what is true in your heart and heal it.

Father – You tell us in Your Word that we have all sinned and fallen short of Your glory. We know that about ourselves. Lord, I confess that in my life, I am often frustrated by how often I stumble. I need a Savior. Thank You for sending one! Thank You that right after Paul says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” that he adds, “and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...” Thank You, Lord, for Your gift of grace.
When I am afraid, Lord, give me a bigger view of You and remind me that You are on the throne. When I am tempted, strengthen me from the inside-out and help me to stand in you. When I feel sure, open my eyes and guide me in Truth. When my heart gets cold, help me to remember You and draw me close again. And when I fall, pick me up, in Your mercy, and make me whole again.
Thank You, Lord, for Your grace. Thank You for loving me. Help me to share the love and hope and light of Jesus with those around me. In Jesus Name, Amen

Day 28
One of the most interesting characteristics of God was shared by Paul during his preaching tour in Athens: “...[God] gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:25-27)
God is writing a grand narrative on the pages of human history. The stories that He is writing in each life make up the pages, and the places and interactions the chapters, and the epochs are His sections. This grand narrative is indexed in the last book of the Bible, Revelation, and hints at a glorious ending where ALL that happens in human history is judged, sifted, and reconciled to the character of God and the finished work of His Son. Firmly stationed in the middle of Revelation is a profound statement:

“They overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony...” (Revelation 12:11)

Cash these two scriptures out and think about the God we serve: Our Lord is PASSIONATELY writing stories in the lives of His children because, in the end, they become the fuel of praise that burns for eternity!
This week, we will look intensely at five individuals that God used in scripture. Some parts of their stories probably won’t connect with yours, but other parts will transcend time and space to run a course directly beside your story! You have permission here to READ YOURSELF into their story and attempt to grasp what God is up to with your own life. Simultaneous, with this, you will interact with other testimonies within the Body here at Pinedale. Again, some stories you may not connect with, but others you will find yourself in lockstep to.
Why does God write the story of His glory on our lives like pages?
Why do you think God sometimes keeps us in the dark as He writes on the pages of our life?
Great stories involve a set-up (beginning), a play-out (middle), and an ‘a-ha’ moment (end) where the set-up is played out and an unexpected and glorious ending is revealed. What stage does God have you in right now as He writes His story on your life?
How are you fighting against God right now, trying to subvert His outcomes in your life?
Attitudinally, how can you be working with God in the writing or your story?