Overcomer - Final Lesson

Friday  November 13 - Final Installment

2 Corinthians:1-11

1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

Forgiveness for the Offender

5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. 6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9 Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Notice that Paul writes a second time addressing a topic he brought up earlier in his first letter.  Some scoundrel is involved in terrible sexual sin.  However this time the tone in kinder and gentler.  Don’t let your correction of a sinful person turn you into a sinner yourself.  Notice too that forgiveness is shared vs 10-11.  If you forgive - I forgive.  Wow - what a great example.

Reflect

Questions

Isn’t it sometimes hard to forgive someone who has offended a friend or relative?  Clearly if others can find the grace to forgive then we should too.  Who do you need to forgive for what they did to a friend?

Prayer
Lord God I know there are times I am too hard on others and too easy on myself.  Teach me to be forgiving and gracious.  Help me to never allow the enemy to turn my anger into something sinful.  Forgive me and make me more and more forgiving of others.   In Jesus’ name - Amen.

Memory Verse

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:26 NLT

Share

Forgiveness is a shared response according to this passage.  Who can we all agree needs to be forgiven and encouraged today?

Pray for each other.

DFM Nation

This is the final Daily Devotional in this Series.  

Next Sunday Pastor Glenn will conclude the Overcomer Series with a message about overcoming wrath and anger with forgiveness.  Join us and bring a friend.

Overcomer - Share Forgiveness

Thursday November 12

Matthew 18:21-35 

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

The last verse of this story from the lips of Jesus is pretty harsh isn’t it?  I guess forgiveness really matters to God.  In fact lack of forgiveness shows up many times in the teaching of Jesus as a serious offense against God.

Reflect

Questions

How do you tend to rationalize being unforgiving?  Who is someone you find it hard to forgive? Why?

Prayer

Almighty God you know how hard it is to forgive.  Jesus even forgave those who nailed him to the cross (including me.) So right now I invite your Holy Spirit to live in me and change my heart so that I become more and more forgiving.  I know I don’t deserve your grace - so I should be quick to share a gracious attitude with those around me.  Help me today.  In Jesus’ name - Amen.

Memory Verse

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:26 NLT

Share

Who is someone who forgave you?  Have you told them thank you lately?

Pray for each other.

DFM Nation

Next Sunday Pastor Glenn will conclude the Overcomer Series with a message about overcoming wrath and anger with forgiveness.  Join us and bring a friend.

Overcomer - Watch your Words

Wednesday November 11

Proverbs 15:1-18

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,

   but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,

   but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,

   keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,

   but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,

   but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,

   but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

   but the hearts of fools are not upright.

8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,

   but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,

   but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;

   the one who hates correction will die.

11 Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—

   how much more do human hearts!

12 Mockers resent correction,

   so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,

   but heartache crushes the spirit.

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,

   but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,

   but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord

   than great wealth with turmoil.

17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love

   than a fattened calf with hatred.

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,

   but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

This passage from the pen of the wisest man who ever lived begins and ends with anger.  Notice the consequences of not being in control and not making peace with others.

Reflect

Questions

How differently does a hot-tempered person and one who gives a gentle answer handle conflict?  How are you doing with this these days?

Prayer

Almighty Lord - I need your help to guard and guide my words.  Unless you live in me and speak through me - I am way too likely to stir up anger than calm a quarrel.  So since Jesus is the Prince of Peace I invite him to rule and reign in my life today.  In Jesus’ name - Amen.

Memory Verse

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:26 NLT

Share

When was the last time you made a wise choice and helped to calm a situation that could have led to a quarrel?  

Pray for each other.

DFM Nation

Next Sunday Pastor Glenn will conclude the Overcomer Series with a message about overcoming wrath and anger with forgiveness.  Join us and bring a friend.

Overcomer - Get rid of anger etc

Tuesday November 10

Colossians 3:5-17

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Here is another clear teaching about the ways in which our inner life gets expressed in our outer life.  Notice the long list of varying expressions of wrath and anger in vs 8 and the ways we can overcome them listed in verses 12-14.

Reflect

Questions

What are the various ways that wrath tends to get expressed in your life?

Apparently love is like a sweater we pull on overtop of all the other good virtues we are ‘wearing’.  How are you doing with that?

Prayer

Lord Jesus help me to resist the old ways of anger and foul language.  Instead please fill my mind and my mouth with loving, kind words.  I need more of you each day as I walk with you.  Fill me up Lord.  In Jesus’ name - Amen.

Memory Verse

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:26 NLT

Share

What are you tempted to get angry about today to the point that it becomes unhealthy?  How can you overcome that feeling?

Pray for each other.

DFM Nation

Next Sunday Pastor Glenn will conclude the Overcomer Series with a message about overcoming wrath and anger with forgiveness.  Join us and bring a friend.

Overcomer - Forgiveness vs Wrath

Monday November 9

Ephesians 4:26-32

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Here it is plain and simple "anger gives a foothold to the devil."  Paul's very clear instructions to his friends in Ephesus ring true for us today - don't they?  People who let anger take hold and take over get into all kinds of trouble.  With God's help we should get rid of anger in its various forms (vs 31) by forgiving others. Easier said than done - isn't it?

Reflect

Questions

Read this passage slowly thinking about all the ways anger can get a grip on your heart.  How dangerous is anger - really?

There is the slow burn and the quick fuse type of anger - both are dangerous - why?  Which is more common for you personally?

Prayer

Father in heaven in light of all the many ways you have forgiven me - how can I hold a grudge against those who have wronged me?  Please help me today to let go of my anger.  In fact help me to get to the place where I actually wish the best and pray a blessing on those who have wronged me.  I know that will take a miracle but I am trusting you for it even now.  In Jesus’ name. Amen

Memory Verse

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:26 NLT

Share

Gather some family and friends together and read this passage. Then discuss this question:  How can we each become more forgiving toward others?  Is there anyone in particular you need to forgive today?   Pray for each other.

DFM Nation

Next Sunday Pastor Glenn will conclude the Overcomer Series with a message about overcoming wrath and anger with forgiveness.  Join us and bring a friend.

OVERCOMER: Contentment vs Envy

Friday November 6, 2015

Philippians 4:10-20

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Here toward the end of Paul's letter to his friends in Philippi we get another section of practical application.  God's people typically give to provide for those whom God uses to provide spiritual food and encouragement for us.  And those who receive the generous gifts of God through the kindness of others have no reason to complain or to worry.  God is in control.  All of us can trust Him.

Reflect

Questions

Read this passage slowly thinking about ways in which God has provided for you.

When you appreciate what you have - how can you still be envious of others?

Prayer

Father in heaven I am so blessed to live a life of plenty.  Even though at times I wish for more - in you I have enough.  Help me to be grateful for what I have and not to focus so much on what I don't have - in Jesus’ name. Amen

Share

Gather some family and friends together and read this passage. Then discuss this question: How can we become more thankful and truly content with our live? Pray for each other.

DFM Nation

Pastor Shane Bengry will be preaching about Contentment this Sunday.  Join us and bring a friend.

Overcomer Memory Verses

REVIEW & CATCH-UP

Davison Free Methodist Church took a break from our “Overcomer” series to celebrate our 135th Anniversary.  The series and related devotionals will return.  In the meantime please use this time to brush up on our first six memory verses.

#1 OVERCOMER

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.  1 John 5:5

#2 HUMILITY

Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:2

#3 GENEROSITY

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25

#4  DILIGENCE

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.  Hebrews 6:10

#5 PURITY

You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20

#6 SELF-CONTROL

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22-23a

Overcomer Memory Verses

REVIEW & CATCH-UP

Davison Free Methodist Church took a break from our “Overcomer” series to celebrate our 135th Anniversary.  The series and related devotionals will return in two days.  In the meantime please use this time to brush up on our first six memory verses.

#1 OVERCOMER

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.  1 John 5:5

#2 HUMILITY

Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:2

#3 GENEROSITY

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25

#4  DILIGENCE

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.  Hebrews 6:10

#5 PURITY

You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20

#6 SELF-CONTROL

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22-23a

Overcomer - Memory Verses

REVIEW & CATCH-UP

Davison Free Methodist Church took a break from our “Overcomer” series to celebrate our 135th Anniversary.  The series and related devotionals will return in two days.  In the meantime please use this time to brush up on our first six memory verses.

#1 OVERCOMER

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.  1 John 5:5

#2 HUMILITY

Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:2

#3 GENEROSITY

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25

#4  DILIGENCE

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.  Hebrews 6:10

#5 PURITY

You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20

#6 SELF-CONTROL

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22-23a

Overcomer - Is it Helpful?

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

This passage taken from the first letter to the Christians at Corinth gets to the heart of the whole business of gluttony vs self-control.  Is there stuff we can eat and drink or otherwise consume without sinning?  Sure.  But would it help us or hurt us in the long run?  Good question.

Reflect

Questions

Read this passage slowly thinking about things you have consumed that were not really wrong - but didn’t really help.  How do you become more careful about your consumption?

How important is it to you - not to make other people stumble?  How’s your example?

Prayer

Father in heaven you have given me every opportunity to grow up in my faith.  You have blessed me and forgiven me.  Now I pray that you will help me  cultivate a healthy conscience so I live a life that is a good example to the people around me.  Live and love through me today - in Jesus’ name. Amen

Memory Verse

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22-23a

Share

Gather some family and friends together and read this passage. Then discuss this question:  What is something you feel OK about yourself that might be a poor example to others?  Pray for each other.

DFM Nation

Sunday we are celebrating the 135th Anniversary of Davison Free Methodist Church.  You are invited to join the party and bring a friend.