Reading our Bible EVERY DAY may seem overwhelming. Hey, that’s like 730 days! So, what if I blow it and miss a day…or ten?

Let me just encourage you for a moment.

You may or may not make it every day. However, this time with Him is so important, so valuable, we’re going to do everything we can to make it happen. Maybe these things will help:

1-Set up an appointment with Jesus each day. If you need to, write it on your calendar. Set aside that time and guard it.

2-Keep in mind this is not a task to complete, this is a relationship to nurture and grow. We’re wanting to spend time with Jesus, listening and paying attention to His direction for our lives.

3-If you do forget and miss a day, get right back in there. The only one who really wants you to feel so guilty and give up, is the devil. Jesus, however, will still be there the next day with a big smile on His face waiting to hang out with YOU.

By the way, if you haven’t decided on your reading plan, start in the book of Matthew. The first four books of the New Testament are all about Jesus. And that’s just what we’re going for!

Here’s a great idea of what I hope and pray the next two years will bring to your life:

2 Peter 1:3-11

Prayer thought:

Lord, thank you for equipping me for a godly life. Please protect my mind, set it apart for you. I ask that you would protect me from feelings of guilt and failure. Help me to recognize quickly that those are not of you. I ask that you would bring me quickly and gently back to you when I wonder, and bring me your peace that passes all understanding, so that even when I don’t understand, I will choose you. Amen. 

“And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2 AMP)

Now that you’ve made your commitment…it won’t be easy. This week I’d like us to review each of our four commitments…and prepare for the battles ahead.

In general, let me start today with these words from our Leader:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

I underlined it for you. Go read it again. 

I do not know exactly what’s around the corner, but I do know two things for sure:

1-It won’t always be easy and in fact it will hurt at times.

2-I don’t want to be anywhere but right on the heels of Jesus following Him wherever He leads.

We should celebrate what God has been doing in our lives and hearts over the course of these last six weeks. The next two years, no doubt, will be amazing.

But, you better buckle up. It might just get a little bumpy.

Prayer thought:

When trouble hits, let praise be our response.

Nehemiah writes “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (8:10). When we praise it gives us strength and proclaims our faith. Praise teaches us to turn our focus away from what is wrong and turn our hearts to the one who heals, provides, saves, and redeems.  

The Psalmist writes “As for me, I will always have hope. I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure” (Psalm 71:14-15). 

Spend some time praising God today, praise for what He has done in your life, and praise because of His greatness! 

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 106:48 NIV)

Just in case you missed last night’s Epic Launch Party, here’s what we announced…and then celebrated!

301 families have committed to more than $2,700,000 for the next two years!

Our ALL IN offering total for this weekend: $131,175.05

We’ll be holding off for our grand total of commitments for two more weekends. So, if you missed this weekend you are not “out of it”. You can add your family’s commitment any time during the week by dropping it off or mailing it to the office. You can also bring it with you this coming this weekend.

Please take a moment and read the prayer we find in Colossians 1. It represents how I feel about each of you and how I want us to be praying for each other as we set out on this journey together.

Colossians 1:3-14

Prayer thought:

Using the above Scripture as our guide, let’s take some time to pray for the holy and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ throughout this Valley. (V1)

• Thank God for them. (V3)
• Pray for them to be filled with knowledge through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (V9)
• Pray for them to live a life worthy and please God, that they would bear much fruit. (V10)
• Pray for supernatural strength. (V11)
• Pray that they would have thankful hearts. (V12) 

In a way we are wrapping up our The Epic Life study, but in another way…we’re just getting started. With your LifeGroup, use this time to prepare for a seriously exciting two years that lay ahead of us all.

Stepping In: Getting things started!

1-What was your favorite part of all that happened at Community this weekend? 

2-“A growing relationship with Jesus is INTENTIONAL not ACCIDENTAL!” Why is this statement so accurate?

Building Up: What is God Saying? 

Read 2 Peter 1:3-4. God has given us everything we need to experience The Epic Life. How are His promises a key for us as we follow through on our commitments?

Read 2 Peter 1:5. Before we get into the list Peter gives, how do you think “make every effort” goes along with our plans? How is it that we need to make every effort, but our own effort will never be enough?

Read 2 Peter 1:5-7. In this list, which one do you need to work on most right now?

Read 2 Peter 1:8-9. After reading these verses, answer the following questions:

What is the key to possessing these qualities in “increasing measure”?

What do you think of the contrast of the blessing or consequence that Peter gives here? 

What would it be like to live a life that was effective and productive?

Living Out: How do I obey?

1- Take time to thank each other for these last several weeks together. Point out what you appreciate about your experience in your LifeGroup so far. Thank others for specific ways they’ve helped/encouraged you. Pray about our commitments and our next steps together. Thank God for inviting us into The Epic Life!

2-Keep your eyes open for a family your LG can adopt for the holidays.

I had nothing to do with choosing the family, time or place when I entered this world. That was God’s business. Now, however, I find myself in an amazing time and place with opportunities through the roof!

Our last principle is a very important one. In The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn ends with this one…as we will. Actually, in many ways, this is just the beginning of our new journey in The Epic Life.

God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

How does he come up with that one? The idea is presented through the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth.

You can read it in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.

Go back and look at verse 11. Here’s my own take on it: “When you are generous, God will put money back in your account so you can be even more generous. It never ends. When you keep giving, God keeps replacing, people are blessed and God is honored.”

We get to be a part of that! We get to have God pour His blessing through our lives. We get to see people be loved, helped, led to Jesus, encouraged and blessed. We get to see it because we are invited to be a part of it. Simply amazing.

Thank you God!

Prayer thought:

Be open with the Lord about your fears, temptations, and struggles in this area. Remember that He is in control and He brings freedom, let that bring you comfort. Invite Him into your finances. Ask for wisdom, conviction, correction, comfort, peace, strength, and courage. We don’t need to pretend with God, He knows our hearts and knows our worries before we do. Keep that open communication and let Him guide you. Admit when you don’t know what to do, or when you don’t want to do it, just be honest and then be willing. Ask to be set free from any form of greed in your life. 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Mathew 6:33 NIV)