180

INTRO: Before You Start...Read This.

An 180-degree turn means change. That’s exactly what Jesus calls us to when we step into a relationship with Him.

Jesus saves us, not so we can be more like us, but so we can become more like Him. This doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it’s a life-long process. Thankfully, He has given us a beautiful gift to help us along the way:

His Word: the Bible.

The challenge for many of us is the Bible seems overwhelming. What does it all mean? How do I understand it? Can I even hope to understand it? If I can’t understand it, what am I even supposed to do with it?

I remember being there. It was discouraging and made reading the Bible something to be endured rather than enjoyed.

And then I experienced someone’s preaching that showed me how I- on my own- could read, understand, and apply Scripture to my life. That literally changed everything for me!

That’s why I wrote 180. There is no more life-changing habit than daily reading, understanding, and applying God’s Word. 180 will help you do just that as you read through the Gospels- the written accounts of Jesus’ life- over the next 6 months.

Understanding the Bible starts with realizing that it’s not about how much you read; it’s about whether you understand and apply what you read. That’s why each day’s reading is not multiple chapters, but a portion of a single chapter. Every day is a chunk that is perfectly manageable, whether you’re just starting a daily habit of reading the Bible or you’re life is so busy that you barely have 10 minutes to spare from the time you get up to the time you lay down at night. That portion of Scripture is the most important thing you will read every day. Don’t skip it!

The next step is beyond reading: it’s asking “What is God saying to me? What does He want me to do?” That’s why each day highlights a single verse from the reading, and it includes an observation and a practical next step so you know what to do with what you just read. That next step is called “180”- because each next step is a part of the journey to becoming the new you that Jesus calls you to be. It’s a change for what you are doing to what Jesus calls you to do.

The final part is what is often left out of a devotion plan: prayer. To grow deeper in any relationship requires two-way communication. God communicates to us through His Word and we communicate back to Him in prayer. Each day will include a prayer based on the highlighted Scripture to conclude to conclude your time with God.

My hope is this is just the beginning of a life-long habit of spending time with Jesus every day, and I pray that at the end of the next 180 days you will see a 180 degree change in your life, which in turn will encourage you to continue going to God in His Word every day, armed with the knowledge that you CAN read it, understand it, apply it, and pray it- all on your own.

There’s nothing more life-changing than that!

So let’s get started.

Dillon Schupp

Day 1: You’re Part of Something More

Reading: Matthew 1:1-17

Matthew 1:1- This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

The first words of Matthew’s account of the life of Jesus are more than just the introduction. These words define the purpose of Matthew’s writing. More than that, “This is the genealogy of Jesus” shouts at the introduction of the New Testament one simple fact:

This is Jesus’ story. Jesus is the focus. Jesus is the object. Jesus is who the entirety of Scripture revolves around.

Better yet: Jesus is who the entirety of creation revolves around. And He’s who are lives are meant to revolve around. The opening statement of Matthew is driving at this point.

Our story isn’t really our story. Our story is meant to be a part of his story. Our story is meant to be a part of the symphony that God has been writing throughout the ages that points to Jesus Christ.

We’re a part of much more than just working a 9 to 5, paying the bills, and trying to just get by. We were created to be a part of something glorious and majestic that will echo through eternity: the story of Jesus Christ.

180: If my life is meant to be a part of Jesus’ story, then my life is not meant to be lived for myself. This is why, as a church, we like to define our purpose as a church and individuals as, primarily, “Live for God.”

As you journey through these 180 days, start with this prayer:

Father, I so often live for myself; for my hopes, my dreams, and my goals. Yet your Word makes it clear that I am meant for something more. I am meant to be a part of Jesus’ story; I am meant to live for you. Show me where I am living for myself, and change me to live for you. In Jesus’ name, amen
Day 2: Just Do It

Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew 1:24- When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

In our context, it’s difficult to imagine just how difficult this step was for Jospeh. In a nutshell, taking Mary as his wife would have meant embracing public shame and disgrace. Mary, in being found pregnant before marriage, would have been shunned by the community she lived in (and, come on- who was going to believe that it was a miracle that she was pregnant?).

No “self-respecting man” would take such a woman as his wife…unless he was the father to begin with.

The community at large would have concluded that Joseph was not a faithful and just guy- but a fool at best and the immoral father of an illegitimate child at worst.

And yet Joseph did exactly as he was commanded. And all indications are that he did so as soon as he had the opportunity.

This is how change happens in our lives. Change happens when we hear what God commands us- and we obey without delay.

180: To begin to “live for God” means that we start obeying what He says- and every single one of us has something in our lives that God is commanding us to do right now. The question is simply whether you are being obedient. Yes, it will be difficult, but as Joseph shows us, the difficulty of obedience does not relieve us of the responsibility to obey.

As you reflect on this passage, chances are something comes to mind that you have failed to obey God in. Today as you pray, take time to repent for your disobedience, and ask God to give you the courage to obey what He has commanded.

Father, I realize that, as you have commanded me to ___________, I have not been obedient. I have delayed obedience, which is disobedience. I am sorry for my actions, and I pray you will give me the courage to listen to what you tell me to do- even when it is difficult. In Jesus’ name, amen.