Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 21 -- Dec 31, 2008

Scripture Focus -- John 10:10

Thank you for joining us on the 21^st and last day of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. We see today as an ending and a beginning. Our pilgrimage ends with the commencement of our new journey. May God richly bless and prosper you as you chart a new course of stewardship for God’s glory.

Let’s begin our last day on this journey together by reading John 10:1-18. Highlight, underline and even write down the promises of God for you in these words of Jesus. Stand on, and  live into these promises for you today.

And, please join us in prayer today:

God we celebrate Your goodness to us today.

Help us to celebrate to the fullest extent the life You have given to us.

Help us to live the abundant life You have showered us with today.

Thank You for giving us life through Your life.

Thank You for loving us and caring for us in the deepest and most personal ways.

Thank You for guiding us and leading us into greater and greater abundance and prosperity.

We thank You for everything good and perfect and wonderful that You have given us.

Everything is Yours.  Thank You for entrusting Your creation to us.

We humbly and joyfully accept Your call on our lives to be faithful servants and stewards.

In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

For this moment, and from this day forward, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 20 -- Dec 30, 2008

Scripture Focus -- Romans 8:18

Thank you for joining us on the 20^th day in our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. Thank you for opening your lives to God and sharing this journey with us.

As we started yesterday, let’s take the time to read slowly through all of Romans 8. Take a few moments and write down all the ‘identity statements’ that are made about those who live for God. Focus today, on what it is like to live according to your identity in God.

And, please join us in prayer today:

Our Great and Mighty, Awesome and Majestic God -- we worship You.

We praise You for Your Son who shows us the way to live for You.

We praise You for Your Spirit who empowers us to live for You.

Thank You for courage and strength because You are in us and with us.

We thank You for this moment, and look forward to the future with expectant belief in You.

Please take us and shape our lives into the image, the likeness, the character and the activity of Your Son Jesus.

Through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, unite Yourself to us that we can live a Jesus-life today.

Thank You for Your amazing love for us.  Help us to choose to live in the blessing and favor of Your love today.

Yes! And, AMEN!

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 19 -- Dec 29, 2008

Scripture Focus -- Romans 8:17

Thank you for joining us on the 19^th day in our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. Thank you for investing your time and your energy to walk with us on this journey.

Please take the time to read slowly through all of Romans 8 at least once all the way through. Breathe deeply, and try to take it all in.  Look at all the challenges. Look at all the blessings for a life lived for God. Look at all the awe-inspiring promises. Take it in and carry it with you today.

And, please join us in prayer:

God, thank You that we are free to live in You.

Thank You that we can live in the power of the resurrection today.

Thank You that we are alive; alive to live to the fullest of what we have been created to be and to do.

Thank You that we are Your children, and that You give us the opportunity for the deepest and most intimate relationship with You.

Thank You for the reality and the promise of Your inheritance for us. 

Thank You for the Holy Spirit who fills us with the Reality of God in this moment.

Thank You for Your infinite love for us.

Help us today to choose a life that counts for You and for Your kingdom.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 18 -- Dec 28, 2008

Scripture Focus -- Acts 20:35

Thank you for joining us on the 18^th day in our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. Today we see a snapshot of the Apostle Paul, one of the best examples we could have to teach us and show us the way of God-empowered and God-honoring stewardship.

There is so much going on in here in this passage. Please read Acts 20:18- 38 a few times. Take special note of the powerful teachings and modeling that the Apostle Paul gives to all believers. Take hold of what is said and what is modeled here for us.  With God, purpose in your heart to model one of these stewardship principles today.

And, please join us in prayer for today:

Lord, thank You for giving us eternal life; Thank You for living with us and in us. Thank You for transforming our lives for Your purposes.

Thank You for empowering us to choose a life that testifies to the wonders of Your love, Your power, Your truth, and Your goodness.

Thank You for giving us an eternal inheritance. Help us to see the reality of Your Kingdom-Inheritance right now.

Thank You for the truth that ‘it is the best when we give,’ and that we are most like You when we give.

Thank You for the calling and the opportunity to live a life of effective stewardship.

We give our lives as an offering to You today.

In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

For right now, and from this moment forward, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 17 -- Dec 27, 2008

Scripture Focus -- 2 Corinthians 9:7

Thank you for joining us on this day, the 17^th day in our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. May God richly bless you as you offer your heart, mind, soul, and strength to Him.

Let’s dig into this verse’s context to begin. Please read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 a few times. There is no question; there are some great challenges here to for our lives.  But once again, let’s look at the promises that surround these challenges. Write down these promises. Let them be the driving force for your stewardship journey today.

And, please join us in prayer:

God we praise You because You have given us everything… EVERYTHING!!

We thank You that You bless us and poor Your favor upon us as we joyfully give.

Help us to today to purpose in our hearts to give out of all that we are and out of all that You have given us.

Thank You for Your grace that You richly shower us with each moment of our lives.

Thank You that; in You and through You, we can abundantly serve in every good thing we do.

Help us to see that You abundantly bless us in every way and in every facet of our lives.

Thank You for Your indescribable goodness to us.

Help us to bless, to serve, to love, and to give so that Your character would be revealed in our lives.

Yes! And, AMEN!

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 16 -- Dec 26, 2008

Read Luke 6:38

Once again, thank you so much for joining in our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. Day 16 is full of challenge, opportunity, and blessing.

To begin, read through Luke 6:27-49 a few times. Wow!  It looks more than a little overwhelming. But hang in there, life change is on its way. As we read this, let’s look for the blessing in the midst of the challenge. Let’s look for the opportunity for excellence in the midst of responsibility.

And, please join us in prayer today:

God, Our Father, You who are compassionate beyond thoughts and our words.

We ask that Your love would fill us and that Your Holy Spirit would empower us today.

We want our lives to count for You and Your Kingdom.

We stand amazed at how Your laws, Your principles, and Your precepts sustain all that is.

With You, we can align ourselves to live according to Your ways.

With You, we can see Your supernatural work and blessing in our lives.

With You, we can choose to love, bless, give, and share.

With You, we can live into all You have created us to be.

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -- now, and from this moment forward, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 15 -- Dec 25, 2008

Read Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

Thank you for joining us on day 15 of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. This is quite a challenge -- thank you for joining us on this pilgrimage.

To begin, read through Ecclesiastes 3 9-15 a few times. The sobering words of Solomon also bring promise and insight into a life of intentional stewardship.  Take the time to write down one or two key statements for you today. Throughout your day -- at home, work or wherever -- give attention to these focus points and see what difference is made in your life.

And, please pray with us today:

Almighty and Wonderful God, we consider all You have done, all Your beauty displayed throughout the universe, and we are awe-struck by You. You are amazing!

Thank You for transforming all of creation. Thank You for transforming each area of our lives.

Thank You for our work. Thank You, that because of You, our work has purpose and meaning.

Thank You, that You have placed the reality of Your Presence, the reality of Your Kingdom, in our hearts, our minds, our souls, and our bodies. 

We open all that we are today to receive the Wonder and the Power of You.

We open our lives to Your transforming work within us today.

For Your glory, and for Your honor, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 14 -- Dec 24, 2008

Matthew 6:33

Thank you for joining us on day 14 of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. It is an honor to take this journey with you. It is exciting to know that God is transforming us throughout this intentional time of contemplation and prayer.

To begin, let’s read all of Matthew 6. There is enough great stuff here for numerous studies. Read it again slowly. Let the power of God’s Word lovingly and powerfully transform the depths and the core of who you are. Read Matthew 6 over and over again if you have the time. Let God’s Word change you today.

And, please join with us in prayer today:

Our Father, You are far above and beyond all You have created,

Yet You are here with us right now.

We release our anxiety, our fear, our worry.

We receive Your love, Your power, Your Wisdom, Your strength, and Your goodness.

With You, we can be excellent stewards of all You have given us.

With You, we can seek Your Kingdom, Your dominion, and Your reign in our lives.

With You, we can seek righteousness.

Please fill us and empower us to live today in a purposeful, meaningful, and excellent way.

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

For right now, and from this moment forward, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 13 -- Dec 23, 2008

Luke 12:48

Thank you for joining us on day 13 of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. We believe the steps we are making now on this 21 day journey, can make a difference for us, and for the generations that will follow us.

Let’s begin the next step of our study today by reading Luke 12:13-48. These words of Jesus are rich with the calling, the opportunity, and the responsibility of stewardship. As you go through these verses, take special note of how Jesus reveals the character and the purposes of God in these teachings. Be especially attentive to how the revelation of God’s character points us in the direction of how we can live our lives.

And, please take a few moments to join with us in prayer:

God, You teach us to call Your our Father.

You care for us, You provide for us, You protect us.

You calm our fears, You bring peace to the depths of our souls.

You meet our needs, You richly bless us.

You call us to give, to serve, to love; to show Your character to everyone in our world.

Fill us with courage through Your Holy Spirit to respond to Your call to steward our lives-

That we would become all we have been created to be-

That You would be honored, that You would be glorified.

In the Name of Jesus, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 12 -- Dec 22, 2008

Luke 19:15

Thank you for joining us on day 12 of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'.  We celebrate the opportunity to walk with you and to witness God’s work.

Let’s read Psalm 138 for our prayer study today. Step into this Psalm and write down a few adversities that David sees that we can equate with our journey to being effective stewards. Second, take note of the promises of God that are here for our journey; these are some of the promises of God that carry us through the adversities.

Carry these promises in your heart and mind today, proclaim them as you face challenges today.

And, please take a few moments to join with us in prayer:

Great and All-Powerful God,

Though the ‘gods’ of our times are all around me,

I will praise You for Your love and Your faithfulness.

I will praise You from deep within my soul, and proclaim Your Name and Your Word.

You have saved me for Your purpose.

Open my heart, mind, soul, and strength to receive the fulfillment of Your purpose for me. 

I trust in You God, Your love for me is all-consuming and infinite.

I want Your purpose for my life, because I know that Your purpose is Your best for me.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 11 -- Dec 21, 2008

Luke 19:13

Thank you for walking with us on day 11 of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'.  We have just passed the half-way mark, thank you for joining us on the journey.

Let’s go to Psalm 72 for the next steps in our study today. This Psalm is obviously one that is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  But let’s look at this Psalm for us today. What do our lives look like as we grasp to a greater level what it means to live in the blessing, abundance, and prosperity of our Almighty God? Take hold of a couple of these insights today, and let them change your life and your world.

And, please pray with us today:

Amazing and Almighty God, we praise Your Glorious Name right now and forever.

Open our eyes and our hearts to see how the whole earth is filled with Your glory.

Help us to see and stand in awe of Your marvelous deeds.

And, as we praise You Our God, transform us.

Help us to believe You, to trust You, to live for You.

Help us to abundantly share Your goodness, Your blessings, Your prosperity with everyone we come in contact with today.

Help us to live in Your glory and to share it in ways that You are glorified.

In the Name of Jesus, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 10 -- Dec 20, 2008

1 Timothy 6:17

Thank you for walking with us on day 10 of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'.  We are so thankful to God for what He will do in and through you and through us.

Let’s read 1Timothy 6:11-21 to start. Look at how Paul expands Timothy’s vision of who God is. Look at how Paul expands Timothy’s vision of how to live for God. Write down one key insight from this portion of scripture that is life-changing to you, and focus on this insight throughout the day.

And, please pray with us:

God, You are the blessed and only Ruler,

You are the King of kings and Lord of lords,

You alone are immortal and live in unapproachable light,

You who are beyond our vision, to You be honor and might forever.

We put our hope in You; You who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Because of You, we can be rich in good deeds; we can be generous and willing to share.

In your power we pray, work and serve to lay up the treasures for Your eternal kingdom’s rewards.

Today we take hold of the life that is truly life; Your life for us.

Yes, and AMEN!

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 9 -- Dec 19, 2008

2 Corinthians 8:7

Thank you for joining us on Day 9 of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. What a great challenge and a great opportunity!

Let’s begin by reading 2 Corinthians 8:1-15. Look at the powerful words the Apostle Paul uses to encourage the Corinthian church and us to live generous lives. So, let’s act on those words today. Intentionally give generously to a ministry, a young child, a shut in, or the waitress who served you today. Let’s do it. See the difference it can make!

And, please pray with us today:

Our Good and Giving God, You are full of grace,

You are infinite in ways beyond our words,

You gave Your Son, He became poor for us,

So that through His poverty, all of God’s infinite blessings would be ours.

With You, we can be generous.

With You, we can give our lives to make a difference.

With You, we see the power and the wonder of a generous life.

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

For right now, and from this moment forward, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 8 -- Dec 18, 2008

Luke 19:11-26

Welcome to Day 8 of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources', thank you for joining us today.

Read through this amazing parable again. This time, think specifically about what promises of God are woven within this parable. As we go into today, let’s accept the sobering challenge of this parable with God’s wonderful promises to accomplish His calling for our lives.

And, please join us in prayer for today:

God we praise You, and stand in awe of You. 

Today we thank You for entrusting to us all You have given us.

Today we see Your laws, Your principles, and Your promises at work in our lives.

Today we offer You all you have given us.

We have seen Your supernatural increase at work in our lives,

Today we ask You to bless all we offer to You. Today we ask you to pour Your favor on all we offer to You.

Today we ask for Your supernatural increase in all we offer to You.

And we will bless. We will give favor. We will share Your increase with all we come in contact with today.

Yes! And AMEN!

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 7 -- Dec 17, 2008

Matthew 6:28

Thank you for joining us for Day 7 of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources.’  We consider it an honor to walk with you on this journey.

Let’s begin by reading Matthew 6:19-34.  These are amazing, challenging, and encouraging words by Jesus to His followers 2000 years ago and for us today.  Take a few moments to think through and even write down some powerful promises that are revealed here in Jesus’ teaching.  We encourage you to confidently stand on those promises for today.

And, please join with us in this prayer for today:

Today Lord, I hear Your words to me.

Today I will work, serve, and pray towards the rewards of your kingdom.  Today, right now, my heart and my life are with you in the reality Your kingdom here for us at this moment.

Today, I live with in the assurance that You are my Heavenly Father.  You are the source of everything I am.  You are the faithful and loving provider of all I want, desire, and need.

Today, I know that life is found in trusting You.

Today, I know that indescribable rewards come to me as I seek the reality of Your Kingdom, Your reign, Your dominion in my life.

Today, I choose the life You reward; I choose righteousness, holiness, purity, and Your presence.

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, right now and from this day forward, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 6 -- Dec 16, 2008

Genesis 1:28

Thank you for joining us on our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'. Thank you for walking with us.

Let’s begin by reading Genesis 1:26-31. Try to take in all the dignity, opportunity and responsibility God gives to humanity. 

Throughout the day, be attentive to our God-given destiny as the steward-kings and steward-queens of God’s creation.

And, please join with us in prayer:

Oh God, how thankful and amazed we are!

We can hardly fathom what it means to be created by You; in Your image and likeness.

Today we accept our God-given destiny.

We are Your children. We will fill the earth. We will work with You to bring Your kingdom.

We will steward Your goodness to us. We will rule in Your power, Your wisdom, Your love, Your goodness, and in Your Name!

Open our hearts to see all we have been created to be; all we have been created to do.

Empower us to live our lives to the fullest of our God-given potential.

For You and Your glory -- AMEN!

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 5 -- Dec 15, 2008

Colossians 1:16

Thank you for joining us on the fifth day of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'.

As we begin our fifth day together, read Colossians 1:1-23. There is enough here to spend a month on. Write out one promise that jumps out at you for you today. Carry that promise with you throughout the day and read it at least 3 times throughout the day.

And, please join us in prayer:

Father-God, our voices proclaim Your Son’s Name, Jesus!

You created everything through Him and for Him.

We praise Your Son.

Jesus, You sustain all things and hold all things together.

You have brought us together to live in God.

You have given us new life, abundant life!

You have given us peace, that we find wholeness in God.

You are our life, You are our peace!

Yes! And Amen!

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 4 -- Dec 14, 2008

1 Chronicles 29:12

Thank you for joining us on the fourth day of our ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'.

As we begin our fourth day, read 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 at least a couple of times. Take a few deep breaths, and try to take in all the magnificent things David says about our wonderful God. Write down the things that make your soul ‘stand on tip-toe’ and carry them with you throughout the day.

And, please join us with David in prayer:

Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power, and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things.
In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name.

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from your hand… AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 3 -- Dec 13, 2008

Psalm 89:11

Thank you for joining us on the ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources', three days in, and our lives are changing!

As we begin our third day, take a few moments and read Psalm 89:1-17.

As you know, the Psalms were the songs of worship and the prayers for God’s people. Try it today, read through these verses as a prayer to God. Let the Word of God stretch your vision of who our God is, and how our God revels in and provides for His children. 

And, please join us in our prayer to our God who is Wisdom and Knowledge:

God, You are amazing!  You spoke all that is and all that ever will be into existence. There is no one and no-thing that compares to You.

In Your loving-kindness and power you created all things for Your glory. It is amazing that you also created all things for us, Your children.

We confess our selfishness and confusion about ownership. Thank you for still believing in us- still entrusting us with Your creation.

We ask You with expectant belief- help us today to steward our lives, our things, so that You are seen in our decisions and our choices.

In the Name the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for now and forever, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 2 -- Dec 12, 2008

Romans 11:36

Thank you for joining us on the ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources', we greatly appreciate the opportunity to walk with you.

As we begin our second day, take a moment, open your Bible, and read Romans 11:33-36.

After reading this, one thing that comes to mind is that the Apostle Paul really got it! He opened his life to the creative work and wisdom of our Almighty God. He exemplifies for us the heart and mind of an effective steward living a life amazed by God. In the midst of your day today, take note of the things that are genius that are a part of your everyday world, and whisper, speak, sing or shout your praise to God.

And, please join us in our prayer to our God who is Wisdom and Knowledge.

Creator and Sustainer-God, we celebrate You, You who are Wisdom, Knowledge, and Truth.

You are so far beyond our words, and yet You are here with us.

You are so far beyond our thoughts, yet You choose to reside within us.

Thank You for the wonder of Your creation that cries out for a Creator-God.

Thank you for the genius of our inventions, which undeniably point to our God who is Wisdom, Knowledge, and Truth.

Today we ask that You would fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so that we can live in Your Wisdom, Your Knowledge, Your Truth.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.

Stewardship Pilgrimage Day 1 -- Dec 11, 2008

Psalm 24:1

Thank you for joining us on the ‘Stewardship Pilgrimage, 21 Days to Encourage Effective Management of God’s Resources'.

For our first day together, let’s begin by reading all of Psalm 24.

After reading this great Psalm of David, step back in your heart and mind, take a deep breath, and consider all that David has said about our amazing God.

Take a moment and jot down a couple key thoughts that captured you, and carry those thoughts with you for the next day or two.  Give special attention to the beauty and the splendor of God’s handiwork through the next week.

And, please join with us in a simple prayer to our wonderful and amazing God today:

Creator God, we are amazed at Your power and Your grace,

We are captured by Your beauty and splendor in all of creation,

We are sustained by Your love, Your power, and Your goodness.

Thank you for the steps we have made so far in our response to be great stewards of all you have given us.

And though we know we have a long way to go, we believe that with Your love, Your power, Your wisdom, and Your goodness, we can honor and glorify You in our thinking, our treasures, our time, and our talents. We praise You, we thank You… we love You, we worship You!

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -for right now, and from this moment forward, AMEN.