Mars Hill Fellowship

>>Daily Theme |  Vision (Knowledge + Learning)
 
>>Memory Scripture |  Psalms 32:6-11
 
>>Read | 2 Chronicles 1:1-17
 
>>Devotional Reading  |

Vision is a clear and compelling strategic understanding of God’s purposes that allows us to focus our time, energy, and talents.  With Godly vision, all things are possible but we must understand God’s part of the vision and our part of the vision.  Vision often forces us to enlarge our understanding and humble ourselves before God.  During this consecration, we have asked for vision from a spiritual and physical perspective, we now turn to vision from a knowledge and learning perspective.  In order to accomplish God’s purposes, we will have to learn new things in this year.
 
Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”  Daniel, one of the great bible heroes, was known for his extensive knowledge and understanding.  King Nebuchadnezzar was looking for young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace.  Daniel 1:17 records that Daniel, along with his 3 friends, excelled because “God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.”
 
Solomon was another bible hero that the Lord blessed with great wisdom and knowledge.  When the Lord prompted Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted, Solomon asked for wisdom.  As a result of Solomon’s faith, the Lord not only increased him in knowledge, but also in resources.  The Lord favored him so much that it was said of Solomon that God had given him “wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.”
 
Regardless of our vocation or career path, we need the Lord to give us knowledge and understanding in our fields of endeavor.  A part of the vision of Mars Hill Fellowship Church is to see God’s people equipped for their life’s vocation.  During this new year, we are determined to increase in knowledge and understanding in the multiple areas of our lives. God has called us to walk in integrity and to be faithful stewards in our families, homes, church, workplaces and schools, so we must gain wisdom in these areas.
 
Does your vision for 2011 include growing?  If yes, then allow yourself to be stretched in knowledge.  Does your vision for 2011 include getting better at various responsibilities in your life?  If yes, then allow the Lord to show you things that you may not know. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.  (Proverbs 9:9)

>>Respond |

Every year, I update my matrix of responsibility that details my various roles, responsibilities and goals for the upcoming year.  Included in the matrix of responsibility are specific areas or things that I want to learn.  These areas are connected to my current areas of commitment and areas that I believe God is leading me towards. Take a look at your list of commitments from Day 2 and assess what are some of the areas that you need to increase in knowledge and understanding.
 
Once you have completed a list of some of the areas that you want to grow in, find various resources that will help with that growth.  They can be books, study groups, workshops, classes or self-teaching.  Make a plan to be diligent in these areas and take time throughout the year to periodically assess how you are progressing in the vision for growth and knowledge.
 
Of course, any growth starts with growing in the knowledge of the Lord.  Look to see how can you develop your knowledge of God’s character and nature through His Word.  Consider starting a bible reading plan.  Youversion.com has multiple plans that will keep you accountable and on-track to grow in your knowledge of God.

>>Reflect |  Journal or pray through these questions

*Adapted from Experiencing God by Claude King.

1. What has God revealed to you about Himself?
2. What has God revealed to you about His purposes?
3. What has God revealed to you about His ways?
4. What has God revealed to you about yourself?
5. What has God revealed to you about your priorities?
6. What has God revealed to you about your relationship with Him?
7. What guidance has God revealed to you about your circumstances?
8. What adjustments is God asking you to make (start doing _______, stop doing ___________, continue doing ___________).
9. What can you thank God for today?
10. What further steps of obedience do you know God wants you to take?

 
 
>>Next Steps  |
 
Pray
I will pray about  __________________ consistently, asking for ability, guidance, and discipline to listen + obey by God’s strength
 
Ask
I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me to ____________________
 
thanksgiving
I will thank God for ____________________
 
obedience
I will start ______________________