Devotional

BIG Challenge

By Rachel Zillmer

Ready 

"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." 2 Timothy 2:10

Set 

Paul writes in Romans and Jesus says in John that we are not to be of "this world" and in effort to doing so University of Mary FCA is taking on the BIG Challenge.  I know what most of you are thinking... what is this BIG Challenge?

One of the highest viewed tv shows in America is called "Biggest Loser" which if you didn't know deals with people losing the most weight. Doctors have been telling us time and time again that being BIG is not a good thing, but here at UMary we think the opposite. BIG stands for Bring Incredible Glory, and that we what we are striving to do... not alone, but together in Christ. Which is where our verse of the year comes into play, "

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20


God is always calling us to do His will and sometimes, heck what am I saying, many times He is calling us to do things we are not comfortable with. Kris Allen sings on how we have 86,400 seconds in his newly released song "Live Like We're Dying", but how many of us actually GRASP how blessed we are to live another potential 86,400 seconds daily?
 
It always seems like we are chasing something as humans. Chasing time, chasing wealth, chasing accomplishments, chasing acceptance, chasing SOMETHING to fulfill that hunger that seems unquenchable but when is the last time you chased God? Going BIG is where it starts. We don't bringing incredible glory for God naturally, our first instinct is to bring incredible glory for ourselves which is why we need God's help. We need to chase Him, so He can transform our hearts and our thoughts-which in turn change our actions.
 
Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." 
 
We learn God's good, pleasing and perfect will by spending time with Him in His word (aka-The Bible) and spending time in conversation with Him (in prayer).
 
Living for yourself is what the world says life is all about. (I only know this because I struggle with this same issue). The problem is a lot of us have accepted this as true without knowing the truth. “...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 
 
God is asking you everyday if you are going to go BIG, by Bringing Incredible Glory for Him, or keep living your life for your self. The future isn't just in a year or a week, it's a day, an hour, a minute, or only a second away. What's holding you back from going BIG?

Go 
  1. When is a moment you or someone you know has portrayed the BIG challenge? Do you remember the feeling it gave you inside?
  2. Say when you wake up in the morning you had the chance to earn $86,400 in your bank account for every single second you took on the BIG challenge you earned a dollar. What would you do or maybe I should be asking is, HOW would you live?  
  3. As previously asked-what's holding you back from going BIG?
  4. What are some ways you can break through whatever is holding you back? (Some examples: opening your life and welcoming Jesus into your heart, prayer, daily devotional time to get into the word, finding an accountability partner,etc)
Workout 

Romans 12:2

Galations 2:20

John 10:10

 

Overtime 

In a world that yells at us in magazines, newspapers, commercials, billboards and movies that smaller is better, you say the opposite Lord. You have called us by name to GO BIG-and that is to Bring Incredible Glory for your name sake. Help us to daily kneel at your cross and live our day for you, all 84,600 seconds worth. Marianne Williamson sums it up by stating in her poem "Our Greatest Fear" by saying "Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And when we let our own light shine,we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear,our presence automatically liberates others." We welcome you into our hearts, so we can know your will and Bring Incredible Glory to you.    Amen

Ministry 
College