Join Our Community Group Chat
Share Takeaways on the Signal Messenger App
Our goal in this community group chat is to encourage everyone to mimic Jesus in Mark 1:35 by waking up each day and sharing a takeaway from spending time in the Word and prayer with God.
How to Join:
Download Signal Messenger & Create a Free Account.
2. Click Group Link Below.
Note: Make sure you have downloaded the Signal App first before joining the group.
Here’s How it Goes.
As a part of giving God our first and best each day, it’s important to dive into the Bible, God’s Word. This is a lot easier said than done. Our goal for the First Light Group Chat is to be a means of accountability and encouragement to like-minded followers of Jesus by sharing our takeaways and prayers. We hope you decide to jump in and join us!
Takeaway from Daniel
“If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” James 3:3-5 ESV
It’s so easy to slip up and cuss but, as James reminds us here, our words carry lots of weight and those words not only have an impact on others but also impact the way we act. All it takes is a crack in the foundation and slowly sin will work its way into our lives. I’m as guilty of falling short in this area as anyone and I really think James is spot on about the importance of this. Hope everybody has a great day!
Takeaway from Matt
My devotional this morning was around 1 Timothy 1:15 - “It is trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all”
The prayer at the end was too good not to share with y’all. Gives me so much hope for today and beyond.
“God, how grateful I am You would love me enough to blind me with the light of the truth that I, too, have sinned and come short of Your glory. Take my life now and use it for cause of righteousness. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.”
Takeaway from Jack
Philippians 1:29 - “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear I still have.”
Paul was fearless preaching the gospel because Jesus had such an impact on his life. Turning his life in a complete 180 degrees, he’s sold out to Jesus. I think a big part of our lack of obedience is the watered down gospel that we get fed by society here in the Bible Belt. We see so many people attending church but so few following Jesus in obedience. I pray this morning that we would yearn to know God and Jesus so much that we’d be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. “Suffering” in today’s time isn’t going to look like Paul’s but it’s going to cost you something to follow Jesus and advance the gospel - time, giving up personal interests, being tired, living within your means, etc. How far are we willing to go?
Takeaway from Avery
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV
I was listening to an old sermon Monday night from summit while in the hotel, and the verse today has me thinking about some situations in my own life as I try to magnate where God wants me. If the situation:
A.) Is messy. It’s probably not from God, BUT God can use it.
B.) If it doesn’t bring peace or hope, it’s probably not from God, BUT he can use it.
C.) Causes anxiety, depression, or fear, it’s probably not from God BUT he can use it.
On the other hand, if it DOES bring peace, hope, and it’s clear, it’s probably a gift or direction from God. A little all over the place this morning but I think that’s okay sometimes. Trying to keep it real.
