Waters Edge Church

MONDAY: Today, read about the family of Noah. Write one key word or concept for each verse below that describes the “weird” way that Noah and his family managed tension:
- Genesis 6:9
- Genesis 6:22
- Genesis 8:20
- Genesis 9:1

TUESDAY: Consider the family of Abraham and Sarah today. Abraham dealt with family conflict through putting others first. Read about this in Genesis 13:1-12. Now read about God’s blessing in Abraham’s life in Genesis 13:14-18. Is there some tension in your family? If so, put others first and watch as God blesses that decision.

WEDNESDAY: Read about Elkanah and Hannah in 1 Samuel 1. Note the following:
- Where did Hannah go when she was in need? (verse 9)
- What did Hannah do when she was in need? (verses 10-13)
- How did Hannah’s attitude change? (verses 17-18)
- What did Hannah do with the gift of a son? (verses 24-28)

THURSDAY: A Christ Follower’s family will have normal tension but should manage that tension in abnormal ways. Read Romans 12:1-2. What are the abnormal ways that you deal with the following tensions in your family?
- Tension of Schedule
- Tension of Money
- Tension of Conflict

FRIDAY: Ephesians 5 and 6 give some “weird” ways that families should act toward one another. Read the following verses and look for one practical way to apply each in your familial relationships:
- Ephesians 5:21
- Ephesians 5:22
- Ephesians 5:25
- Ephesians 5:33
- Ephesians 6:1-3
- Ephesians 6:4

SATURDAY: Choose a verse or a question from this week that really challenged you. Re-read it multiple times, emphasizing a different word each time. Think about why this verse or question is so challenging. What application do you need to take away?

MONDAY: Jesus had some pretty “tense” sayings, many of which are found in “the Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5. Read the entire chapter. Which verses create the most tension for you? Do you think God might be using this tension to get your attention about an area of your life?

TUESDAY: Read Luke 9:23-26. These difficult words of Jesus are hard for many to swallow. Complacent, common, and casual Christianity simply do not exist according to Jesus. Consider these words from author F.F. Bruce in his book, Hard Sayings of Jesus: “Denying oneself is not a matter of giving up something: it is a decisive saying ‘no’ to oneself, to one’s hopes and plans and ambitions, to one’s likes and dislikes, to one’s nearest and dearest, for the sake of Christ. It was so for the first disciples, and it is so for many disciples today.” In what ways are you daily denying self?

WEDNESDAY: If faith is meant to be public, in what ways are you sharing yours with others? Read Romans 10:13-15. You play a role in sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. Who is God laying on your heart today that needs to hear about Jesus? Pray for them.

THURSDAY: Consider the following verses about obedience and ask God to speak to you:
- Deuteronomy 11:22-23
- Joshua 22:5
- Jeremiah 7:23
- 2 John 1:6

FRIDAY: Use today to express gratitude for the way that God is working in our church. If you’ve been at Waters Edge for the last several months, reflect in your heart and mind about Unstoppable, Easter, and now Sunday’s baptisms. Thank God for His work. Pray today for God’s continued favor in our church. Read Acts 2:43-47.

SATURDAY: Choose a verse or a question from this week that really challenged you. Re-read it multiple times, emphasizing a different word each time. Think about why this verse or question is so challenging. What application do you need to take away?

MONDAY: Compassion and love should be a guiding principle in the way we deal with difficult people. Look at Jesus’ example to meet needs and feel compassion in Matthew 9:35-36. Read also, Luke 6:27-28. Who are difficult people in your life? How do you express compassion and love toward them? Pray specifically for the difficult people in your life today.

TUESDAY: Criticism is a reflection of a spiritual problem and is the overflow of judgment. Read the following verses:
-James 4:11
-Romans 14:10
-Matthew 7:1-5
In what ways do you tend to have a critical spirit and toward whom? Ask God to help you not to be critical.

WEDNESDAY: When dealing with a critical person, sometimes you give an answer. Read Judges 8:1-3 for an example of a time in the Bible when an answer quieted the critics. Now read Proverbs 26:4. Remember, consider the source when answering! If you’re facing a “Critical Chris,” ask God for wisdom as you consider if you listen, answer, or ignore.

THURSDAY: An overly needy person needs boundaries. Read Mark 1:35-36. Jesus had boundaries concerning his time. What boundaries do you have in place with the needy people in your life? Remember your role may be to help but never enable. Now read Galatians 6:7-8. Some overly needy people are experiencing the harvest of the seed they have sown. You can’t rescue them from that! Pray for “Needy Nancy or Ned” in your life.

FRIDAY: You must learn to let go of bitterness when dealing with “Backstabbing Billy and Barbara.” Read Ephesians 4:31-32. As you read these verses, ask God to reveal to you any of the negative traits noted in these verses that are in your heart. Confess your sin to God and express your forgiveness toward others.

SATURDAY: Choose a verse or a question from this week that really challenged you. Re-read it multiple times, emphasizing a different word each time. Think about why this verse or question is so challenging. What application do you need to take away?

MONDAY: Read what Jesus said about trouble in Matthew 6:34 and John 16:33. Trouble should not surprise you…it certainly doesn’t surprise Jesus. Reflect on the trouble you’re facing today and talk to God about it.

TUESDAY: God is near! Read what the Psalmist prayed in Psalm 22:11 and Psalm 69:18. Ask God to be near to you during your time of trouble. Just quietly sit for a few minutes in the presence of God. Recognize that God is near. Focus your mind and your heart on his nearness in your life.

WEDNESDAY: Read Psalm 91:1-9. Focus on the imagery of these verses. How is God speaking to you about His presence in times of trouble?

THURSDAY: Read the declaration of Jeremiah 1:19 as a declaration over your own life. Work on memorizing this verse to help you overcome troubled times in your life.

FRIDAY: Read Isaiah 43:1-3a (a = first ½ of verse). One scholar found that the command “Do not fear” or “Do not be afraid” is used by God in the Bible 366 times. He noted that this command was given to us as a reminder for every day of the year, including the leap year! We don’t have to be afraid because of God’s presence in our life. God is near. Thank God for this reality today.

SATURDAY: Choose a verse or a question from this week that really challenged you. Re-read it multiple times, emphasizing a different word each time. Think about why this verse or question is so challenging. What application do you need to take away?

MONDAY: Gratitude is the antidote to negativity. Like negativity is often spoken and spread, gratitude should be the same way. When you are truly grateful, you’ll say it and show it. Read Luke 6:45 and Proverbs 18:21. Make it a point to speak your gratitude toward others today.

TUESDAY: Read Numbers 14:36-38 and Joshua 1:1-2. Negativity often results in punishment but gratitude in reward and blessing. Are you more like the 10 spies or Joshua and Caleb? Confess to God your tendency toward negativity and ask for His help to embrace a grateful outlook.

WEDNESDAY: Read Colossians 3:14-17. Think about the words in these verses that reflect a different spirit and attitude than negative tension. Ask God to speak to you through these verses.

THURSDAY: Paul and Silas are two Biblical characters who very easily could’ve turned negative; instead, they were grateful. Read their story in Acts 16:22-26. Gratitude gets God’s attention and breaks the chains that bind you. How will you overcome negativity with gratitude today?

FRIDAY: The key to avoiding negativity in your life is the “official review!” Review what happened and reconsider the call. Read Lamentations 3:21-25. What has God done for you and in what ways has God been good to you that you need to recall today?

SATURDAY: Choose a verse or a question from this week that really challenged you. Re-read it multiple times, emphasizing a different word each time. Think about why this verse or question is so challenging. What application do you need to take away?

MONDAY: Read Luke 22:14-23. Imagine the tension in the room surrounding Jesus’ words. Today, think about the body and blood of Jesus. Read also, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. How is the death of Christ and His resurrection changing your life?

TUESDAY: Read Luke 22:24-27. Look at the timing of this dispute…it happens right after The Lord’s Supper. Sometimes we leave the most “spiritual” moments only to be distracted by the things of this world. On this “post-Easter Tuesday,” what is distracting you from the things God wants you to focus on?

WEDNESDAY: Read Luke 24:13-35. It’s easy to miss the reality of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Think about the impact of Easter today. Ask God to open your eyes to the reality of Jesus in your life daily.

THURSDAY: Read Luke 24:36-49. Look for 4-5 highlights from these verses. What do you think God is saying to you from this passage of Scripture?

FRIDAY: Read Luke 24:50-53. What responses did Jesus’ followers have in these verses? Do these words describe your response to Jesus? If not, why?

SATURDAY: Choose a verse or a question from this week that really challenged you. Re-read it multiple times, emphasizing a different word each time. Think about why this verse or question is so challenging. What application do you need to take away?

MONDAY: Read Psalm 5:12. Think about the imagery of being surrounded with a shield. God’s favor is all around you – you just have to look for it and walk in it. Ask God for a clear ability to see His favor today.

TUESDAY: Read Genesis 39:20-22. Notice that Joseph received favor from God 1) in a difficult situation, and 2) in the eyes of someone else. Sometimes favor doesn’t come in the form that we might expect. If you’re going through a difficult trial or dealing with a difficult person, pray today for the favor of God.

WEDNESDAY: Read Proverbs 16:15. If a king’s favor is like a cloud with spring rain, imagine how much greater and refreshing God’s favor toward us is. Think about your life. When have you experienced the favor of God?

THURSDAY: God’s favor is most evident on the cross. That’s why God demonstrated his favor toward us. Read Romans 5:7-9.

FRIDAY: Today is Good Friday…the day we remember the death of Christ on the cross for our sins. Read John 3:16 and Matthew 27:11-66. Take time today to remember the sacrifice of Jesus for our sin.

SATURDAY: PRAY for tomorrow’s Easter experiences! If you still need a ticket or know someone who does, visit EasterRocks.com.

MONDAY: According to Pastor Steven Furtick, “The favor of God is the guarantee of His presence and the provision of His power to accomplish His special purpose in and through my life.” Think about the elements of this definition. Read Psalm 84:11 and thank God for His favor today.

TUESDAY: Be intentional today and throughout the remainder of the week by taking note of God’s favor in and through your daily experiences. When and where do you see God’s presence and power in your life? Read Exodus 33:17. Receive these words as a message from God to your life today.

WEDNESDAY: Think about the presence of God. Read Psalm 139:7-16. Allow these verses to help you find the favor of God through His presence in your life.

THURSDAY: Read Romans 8:37-39. If nothing can separate you from God’s love, you have found favor. Thank God for the truth and reality of these verses.

FRIDAY: Stu said that knowing the presence and the power of God are with you and for you, changes everything! Think about how God’s favor has changed your life. Read an example of this from Genesis 39:1-4.

SATURDAY: Choose a verse or a question from this week that really challenged you. Re-read it multiple times, emphasizing a different word each time. Think about why this verse or question is so challenging. What application do you need to take away?

MONDAY: Read about the event that happened just before Jesus fed the multitudes in Matthew 14:6-14. Think about the circumstances that surrounded one of Jesus’ greatest miracles. Notice what Jesus did in response to the news of John’s death. If you’re going through a difficult time, take heart! Sometimes difficulty is the breeding ground of miracles.

TUESDAY: It is John who informs Jesus that the fish and loaves actually came from a young boy in attendance that day. Read John 6:8-9. Imagine what that boy told his mom when he got home! Imagine how he felt to have such a significant part in the miracle Jesus performed. Thank God today that He has allowed you to be a part of His mission and the miracle of Waters Edge Church Newport News.

WEDNESDAY: Notice who “distributed” the miracle in John 6:11, Luke 9:16, Mark 6:41, and Matthew 14:19. God uses us in His work. How are you a part of the work of God? Think specifically today about God’s work in and through the local church. Are you allowing God to work in and through you at Waters Edge Church?

THURSDAY: The first question Stu asked on Sunday was “do you know anybody who is hungry?” Take time today to pray for someone specifically that you hope will be reached through Waters Edge Church Newport News. Consider getting an Easter ticket for them and inviting them to join you!

FRIDAY: Jesus set the example of thanksgiving as he took the loaves of bread and the fish and looked to heaven. Read Psalm 111 as a prayer today of Thanksgiving. Give thanks to God for His goodness to you and to our church.

SATURDAY: Choose a verse or a question from this week that really challenged you. Re-read it multiple times, emphasizing a different word each time. Think about why this verse or question is so challenging. What application do you need to take away?

MONDAY: Read Exodus 31:1-11. What do you see in these verses about the two men God chose to use to build a portion of the Tabernacle? God can use anyone, with any skills, as long as they are available to Him. Are you available to God to be used for a great work? Ask God to use you!

TUESDAY: David is another example of a Biblical character that God built greatness into so that He might use him to build something great. David desired to build a temple for God’s presence. Read his prayer in I Chronicles 29:10-19. Focus especially on verse 14. It is truly an honor and privilege to be a part of God’s great work. Ask God how He wants you to be a part of building something great for Him.

WEDNESDAY: Read Mark 12:42-44. Jesus’ model for generous giving was a widow who gave her last penny. She had nothing else to rely on but the promise of God to meet her needs. She ultimately decided to trust God with everything she had. Are you trusting God with everything? As you prayerfully consider your financial commitment, ask God to speak to you about generously giving to build something great for Him.

THURSDAY: Read II Corinthians 9:6-7. Think about the law of sowing and reaping. Are you willing to sow generously into the work of God so that you might reap a tremendous harvest? As we approach this Sunday, consider that your willingness to sow is an indication of your trust and belief in the promises of God.

FRIDAY: Read the following passages about the blessing of God: Psalm 84:11, Psalm 8:5, Jeremiah 29:11. As you read these passages, insert your name into them. Now, re-read each verse and insert Waters Edge Church into the verse. Today, you can have confidence that God has a great plan and a great blessing in store for your life and our church!

SATURDAY: Pray today for clarity of mind and an obedient heart. Commit to do what God says and pray that others would do the same!