Scripture Focus:  Luke 4:1-13

When we are moved from those places and passages that are comfortable we find ourselves in wilderness.  We seldom travel this road of our own choosing.  It comes when things in our life break down or unexpected forces take over. It comes when the road before us seems unclear and we diverge from the original path.   

There are two paths in the wilderness.  One is a self reliant path.  You look for strength within you and with all of your wisdom and cunning try to find a way out.  You seek for the easy way, the path of least resistance and find yourself covering the same ground again and again.  Fear grows. Defensiveness grows.  Physical forcefulness grows.  But exhaustion leads to despair as you move deeper into wilderness with no hope. 

The other path looks always for resources outside you.  It is the path that recognizes weakness and knows that the wilderness cannot be conquered alone.  You look for wisdom beyond yourself.  You know that the tests you face are temporary.  You look for strength from the depths of faith and rely on promises given by the one who faced the deepest challenges of the wilderness.   

To Know:  We are weak and need God's help.

To Feel:  Hope that God is present and your guide.

Scripture Focus: Joel 2:12-13, 15-17

The road most traveled is the road of recognition and self-glory.  We want to receive credit for a job well done.  We feel like we must offer lavish praise upon people in order to receive their best.  We know also that when recognition is not available we can avoid doing the right thing.  We become discouraged when no one notices our good work and feel unappreciated to the point of giving up.  

The less traveled road is the road of humility that does what is right when no one is looking.  We trust that our treasures are in heaven and thrive in pleasing God as we serve our neighbor.  On this road we practice our faith without a fanfare knowing that the immediate reward comes in having a life worth living; a life of God given identity and purpose. 

To Know:  We will never receive accolades enough to fill the empty places in our lives.

To Feel:  The good and faithful things we do are received by the God who loves us.

Scripture Focus: Luke 9:28-36<

Scripture Focus: Mark 2:1-12

Imagine the scene...a huge crowd gathered around Jesus, making it impossible to get anywhere near him...the room and surrounding area completely full of people wanting either his healing touch, to hear him preach, or simply to be in his presence. You can almost feel the crush of the crowd. And then some men, determined to help their friend, get creative about how they are going to get him close to Jesus. Not only do they fight the crowd, carrying a cumbersome load, but they, when met with difficulty, refuse to give up. All for the sake of their friend who so desperately needs their help.

Are there people in your life who would do that for you? Maybe they already have. Are you a friend like that? What about to those you don't know? Are you one who goes the extra mile for people in need? Do you see the incredible need to connect with others in faith, both to share and receive. 

Sometimes it's easier to turn the other way and pretend we don't need others; but we were created by God to be in community. In community we are nurtured for growth and given support to become the person God wants us to be.  We are not created to do it alone.  We are also called to be in community so that we can give to those who need our witness and help. The life of faith is meant to be done in community.  "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another." Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)  

Scripture Focus: Luke 5:1-11

Jesus is clear about the purpose of his disciples.  They will fish for people.  It is our calling.  The net we cast is the Word of God that reaches the eyes and ears of people.  It is important that we grow to maturity in our faith life so that we see beyond our needs (catching fish to simply sustain our own lives), to the needs of the other's body and soul.

Jesus is also clear that we will not fish for people on the side of the boat that we think should be fished, but where he directs us.  We impact others in many ways not the least of which is to put our resources where Jesus tells us to put them into an effort to reach the people of around us.