TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Genesis 3:7
TODAY’S MESSAGE
The world is broken. It’s something repeated over and over in the Bible. Adam and Eve choose to question God. The Israelites craft golden calves to worship in the wilderness. Later they turn to Baal and other gods hoping for security. The Israelite kings disobey God by forming political alliances instead of trusting God’s protection. Politicians and religious leaders take advantage of the poor. The Bible makes it clear that people often forsake God to do their own thing. They trust in something other than God. They realize there’s a problem but don’t see God as the solution. But there is another way presented in the Bible. It’s the way of turning to God. People acknowledge their way isn’t working and ask God to forgive them and help.
The gospel offers the only true solution to life. When we finally realize who God is and how he views us, this offers freedom we’ve never experienced before. If we’ve accepted the gift of life offered through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus—we’re adopted into God’s family. Watch this video as Pastor Jeff Manion reminds us we are infinitely loved, treasured and secure because of what Jesus has done for us. Instead of looking for the things around us to solve the brokenness we experience, we recognize only God can satisfy. That’s GOSPEL CHANGE, and as we see this week, it shapes our material desires.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Ask God to help you ground your identity in the amazing truth of the gospel. Pray that you remember how bad your sin problem was—but even in the midst of that, God loves you and calls you into his family. If you’ve accepted his free gift of life, you are his beloved daughter or son. You are a child of the king, and nothing can take that away. If you’d like to have a conversation about what it means to accept this free gift, reach out to us at btw@adabible.org.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
March is FASTING. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES TIP. An important part of fasting is growing in dependence on God to sustain us. Rather than relying on something material to fill us or meet our needs—we recognize God will sustain us instead. As we wrap up FASTING as a Spiritual Practice this week, share with us how you have turned away from something else regularly to turn closer to God.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
