Spiritual Emphasis Week Devotions

SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS WEEK 2023

A NOTE FROM MR. BRAZELL

Students,

I want you to know that you, yes you, have been specifically prayed for by name in preparation for this week. Some might not understand the phrase “Spiritual Emphasis” or the incredible value it can bring to your life. Some might even ask, “Why do we need something called Spiritual Emphasis Week? Isn’t that the goal of Christian education in the first place?” The answer to this question and the purpose surrounding spiritual emphasis at CHCA both begin with our mission and vision statement and are at the very core of who we are.

This week we have scheduled intentional time to learn, reflect, and connect with Jesus. Our desire is that you will grow in your relationship with Him, strengthen relationships with your classmates, have accountability with each other, and foster a school culture where you feel bold enough to live out your faith. The importance of setting aside dedicated time in these spiritual areas can be compared to studying for a test, preparing for a program, or playing a scrimmage in athletics. Extra focus and energy are put into each of these events to better prepare yourself and your team for the future.

Each day the schedule is filled with exciting and important activities that make up the school day. Spiritual Emphasis Week creates time to pursue deeper connections and an understanding of who He is, what He’s done, and the opportunity to take the first or next step to strengthen our relationships with Jesus. We hope you enjoy the daily devotions found in this book and find them meaningful. We are grateful for the intentional investment made by Mrs. Ali White and Katie West to produce these for this week. We pray that your heart will be softened and that you are open to hearing His voice as you set aside time each day. CHCA’s mission, above English and math, is to provide you with an opportunity to hear the gospel, know the gospel, share the gospel, and live the gospel. Spiritual Emphasis Week teaches us to share God’s truth and spread His love. This week is more valuable than any quiz or tests we give. This is our mission as we keep the main thing the main thing!

Please know that we love you and are praying for you! Let’s get ready to go “ALL IN” this week.

With CHRIST as my coach,

CHRIS BRAZELL Head of School

MONDAY

ALL IN Devotion

Are you ready? This week is not a normal week. This week is a week set aside for spiritual emphasis. Maybe that doesn’t mean anything to you. Maybe your spiritual life is non-existent. Maybe you think because you take Bible and go to a Christian school, you are good. Wherever you find yourself today, will you decide to be focused and be open to what God wants to do in your life and in the life of our school? The most important job we have at CHCA is to make sure that you have heard the gospel and give you an opportunity to respond to what Jesus did for you on the cross.

35Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

John 6:35-40 (NLT)

This passage means that no matter how you would describe your spiritual life today, Jesus was sent to earth for you. He traded His crown for you. He put on skin and came to earth as a man for you. Verse 37 says, “I will never reject them.” That means no matter what you have done or think you have done up to this point, Jesus will accept you and He made the decision to love you and forgive you. The hardest part is accepting that love and deciding to go ALL IN with Jesus. What do you have to lose? Will you give Him a chance to show you this week just how much He loves you and how much He has in store for you?

Read these verses and write down questions or thoughts you have as you read.

Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 16:3, Philippians 3:13, 2 Timothy 2:15

TUESDAY

TRUST ISSUES

Devotion

The key to any relationship is trust. Dating, friends, and especially if you are going to be in a relationship with Jesus. You have to be able to trust Him. Do you believe that the Bible is true? Do you trust that Jesus is really who He says He is? Do you believe that Jesus wants to be in a relationship with you? Do you believe that no matter what, Jesus loves you and died on the cross for you?

It is really helpful to know the definition or the context of words. Sometimes it totally changes the understanding of a statement. So, creep back with me to your vocabulary workbooks and look at these definitions. Faith is defined as complete trust in someone or something. Belief is defined as a statement that something is true or that something exists. Trust is defined as a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Now think about the meaning of these words as you read this verse.

And without faith (complete trust) it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe (rely on) that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Check out these other verses:

1 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 11:1, Isaiah 43:10

Jesus is ALWAYS reliable. He will never let you down. You can trust Him with anything. You can believe in Him. If there has not been a time in your life when you made that decision to ask Jesus to be the boss of your life, would you do that today? Trust Him and believe that He loves you and that His plan for you is to have an eternal future with Him in heaven. It isn’t complicated and you don’t have to be in church or Bible class to do this. You simply pray and tell Jesus you believe in Him and you believe He died on the cross for your sins. Ask Him to come into your heart to have a relationship with Him. This is the greatest decision you will ever make. It will change your life. Now would you do us one more favor? If you prayed that prayer, would you tell someone, a friend, a teacher, or an administrator? We want to celebrate with you.

If you have already made that decision, AWESOME! Are you living each day as though you have? Would people in your friend group know that about you? If not, that is really simple. Just ask Jesus to forgive you and make the necessary adjustments that you need to make.

WEDNESDAY

PRAY Devotion

Let’s just be really honest. Today most of you “talk” to your friends over the screen. Snapchat, DM’s, maybe texting. If you left your best friend on read for days, would that person be your best friend anymore? The answer is absolutely NOT! The lesson here is when you are in any kind of relationship with another person, there must be talking, communication, words written or spoken. Now let’s think about your relationship with Jesus. If you don’t talk to Him on a regular basis, are you going to feel close and connected to Him? This is why prayer is such a big deal. And the beautiful thing about praying to Jesus is that you can say anything that is on your mind. It is having a conversation with your Savior, the one who knows you best and loves you the most. Maybe you have said “I feel so awkward praying sometimes. Like I don’t know what to even say and I don’t use big words and it just sounds weird. And I am not praying in front of my friends!” Prayer is simply a conversation.

There are other benefits to praying. Prayer reduces stress, increases empathy (look this word up), builds relationships, and improves your emotional health. Prayer is also a spiritual discipline. If you find it hard to pray, consider writing your prayers down in a journal. Make prayer/having a conversation with Jesus a priority. The Bible says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Meaning pray all throughout the day. “Lord, help my attitude”. “Lord, please help me make good choices” Don’t overcomplicate this. Check out these other verses and write down some thoughts and questions. Ask God for big things this week. James 5:16. Matthew 21:22. Philippians 4:6. 2 Chronicles 7:14. Matthew 6:6. Mark 11:24

THURSDAY

AVAILABLE Devotion

Jesus wants you to know that you don’t have to compete or impress anyone. Many of you feel like you have to put your best out there. Take Instagram for example. Do you post pictures of yourself with bedhead or a goofy look on your face? Of course not! You would never! We curate the “perfect” photos to post in hopes our followers will think we have it all together and are living this great life when in reality, that is rarely the truth. So, what if you don’t have it all together and you don’t have it figured out?

The Bible is full of people that God used in powerful ways that we might disqualify. Look at Moses. He wasn’t a good communicator. In fact the Bible says in Exodus 4:10 (NLT) “10But Moses pleaded with the LORD, ‘O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.’”

And yet God called Moses to lead a nation. David was the runt of his family and just a shepherd boy. God saw something great in him and knew he would slay Goliath, be King, and later be called a man after God’s own heart. Paul (God changed his name from Saul) hated Christians and persecuted them.

1 Timothy 1:13-15 (NLT) says “13even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. 15This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I am the worst of them all.”

We can come up with plenty of excuses for why God should choose someone else to use. God sees something amazing in us, something He can use for His glory just like He did with Moses, David, and Paul. Tell the Lord today that you are available and ask for His strength to help you fulfill His purposes for your life. Do it every day. David was a man after God’s own heart, not because he was sinless or perfect. But because every time he messed up, he admitted it to the Lord and asked for sincere forgiveness. Time and time again. Jesus is not concerned about our ABILITY; He is only concerned about our AVAILABILITY. Take a few minutes and write down some thoughts on what if God were to choose you.

FRIDAY

TODAY IS NOT THE END. IT IS JUST THE BEGINNING. Devotion

Chapel this morning with Clayton and Jacob King. WKND251 starts tonight. How do you get ready for the weekend? Let me encourage you to do a few things. Read Romans 12:12-21 and jot down a few notes on how to prepare.

Prepare Your Heart – take inventory of areas in your life that you know are hindering your relationship with Jesus. (jot them down)

Prepare Your Mind – be open to the things of Jesus and be open to change. Be expectant – eager, hopeful, excited, sitting on the edge of your seat for what will happen at WKND251.

“O taste and see that the LORD [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.”

Psalm 34:8 (AMP)

Thank you for being committed to your daily devotion. We pray that the Lord does amazing things in your life this weekend. Do your part and be open, be excited, and be ready for what He wants to do! Have fun, build relationships, and be looking for Jesus. You WILL find Him when you seek Him.