Daily Devotional: Friday, March 5

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Self-Control

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Happy Day by Tim Hughes; No Not One by Christy Nockels; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin.

Read: Exodus 13:17-22; Exodus 14:19-20; John 14:16; John 16:13

Think: As we wrap up our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, it seems fitting to make sure we see source - the power -behind that fruit. The Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament we can read the account of Israel's escape from Pharaoh and how God led them by a "pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night" (Exodus 13:21). There have been a lot of times in my life I've prayed God would send me a pillar or two to lead the way... How about you?

Awhile ago I read a great discussion on the parallel between this cloud in the wilderness and the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christ-follower. The author said that just as the cloud was a gracious gift to Israel as they fled, in the same way the Holy Spirit is a gift to any who trust in Jesus. Jesus said it Himself, "I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper" (John 14:16). The pillar of cloud was provided to guide the children of Israel. In just the same way the Holy Spirit leads us as we live for Jesus.

Jesus promised that the Father would send the Spirit, who would stay and live within believers forever (14:16). So, God Himself lives within our hearts. He's there to guide us and lead us so we then can live lives characterized by all that we've been studying these past weeks: love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5: 22-23).

Do: Don't try to live your faith on your own power - tap into the power of the Holy Spirit that lies within you. He's been there from the moment you said yes to Jesus. He will be there always to provide the strength you need to live this life for the Lord.

Pray: Holy Spirit, I want to live my life in your power and strength. Fill me today and everyday so I can truly live for You and be who You have designed me to be. Lead me and guide me as I navigate this day, and let all I do be pleasing to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Thursday, March 4

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Self-Control

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Happy Day by Tim Hughes; No Not One by Christy Nockels; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin.

READ: Mark 1:9-13; Matthew 4:1-11  

THINK: When listening to Ben's sermon on Sunday about self-control, my role model, Jesus Christ became front and center again.

There are so many situations that Jesus faced in his short but world-changing life! He endured so much hardship and was able to withstand overwhelming temptation. According to Mark 1:9-13, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and he was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit and was led out into the desert for 40 days to be tempted by Satan. I don't know about you, but if I had been taken into the desert all alone to be tempted by Satan I'm certain my self-control would have been broken.

Jesus was in the desert for 40 days and during that time the Devil used bread as a temptation to cure his hunger. I skip one meal, I get a little low blood sugar and start feeling like I am going to pass out.  He did it for 40 days! Satan tempted Jesus by twisting the scriptures to trip up Jesus. When I memorized John 3:16 in AWANA way back when, my parents threw a party for me! I am sure I wouldn't have had the self-control and discipline to understand the bible to that degree and articulate the differentiation between the bible verse and the meaning of Psalm 91:11-12.

Lastly, when Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, Jesus had amazing self-control and self-denial. This wasn't just a cellphone, upgrade for my PC or a new car like I talked about in last devotionals- Nope, this was all the kingdoms of the world simply if Jesus worshipped Satan. That is amazing self-control that provides the high watermark I strive to achieve every day in my walk with the Lord.

DO:  Define the baseline of your high water mark for living for Jesus. Write down specific goals for improving your self-control over the next year. Evaluate your progress month to month.

PRAY: Dear Lord, I humbly come to you and ask for your guidance and direction on improving my self-control. Teach me and encourage me to gain in strength and endurance in my walk with you. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Tuesday, March 2

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Self-Control

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Happy Day by Tim Hughes; No Not Oneby Christy Nockels; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin.

READ:  Matthew 5:28-30 & Matthew 6:22-23

THINK: You've heard the saying" the eyes are the window to the soul", I think this statement is so true. Do you remember when you were a kid and you were watching TV or a movie with your parents and when a scary part came on they would always say, "Cover your eyes or you'll have nightmares!" They knew those images were difficult to shake. Once they're in our brain it's hard to get rid of them!

It seems funny that I got the warning as a little kid but never once as a teenager did my dad ever say to me while at the beach, "Cover your eyes son or you'll be tempted to sin!"   It sounds funny just hearing the two analogies, but knowing what I know now, I am more sensitive about what my kids watch on TV or see on the Internet than parents of an earlier generation.

In listening to Pastor Ben's sermon, I reflected on Matthew 5:28-30. I don't believe there is any clearer bible verse that better describes self-control especially when it comes to our eyes and what we see: "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."  

I've heard some great ways to proactively deal with temptations. Here are just a few examples I know of to help master self-control against lust or other temptations:  

• Choosing to never be alone with someone of the opposite sex - even a coworker - other than your spouse (learned this one from Billy Graham!)
• Asking for the movie channel to be turned off in a hotel room when traveling
• Asking for phone calls at 12:00 am from accountability groups or trusted friend while in especially tempting places or situations like Las Vegas 
• Purchasing Internet filtering software like Cyber Sitter or Net Nanny   

God wants us to take seriously what we allow in our lives - He knows the power of what we see and what we think about. It so often is the beginning of a road to sin. Just like our passage from the Book of Matthew, do whatever you need to do to protect yourself from even starting down that road.   

DO: In so many cases kids or adults have stumbled upon pornography that soon became an addiction or led to destructive behaviors! Don't let your eyes make you stumble today. Realize that you are human, that you need to do your part to protect yourself from sin. Be strong in your faith, build boundaries in your life to protect when you are weak.

PRAY: Dear Lord, I pray that you protect me, guide me and mold me into the Christian you want me to be. I pray that you grant me the strength to make this the last day that I struggle with self-control, especially with my lustful eyes. Show me the boundaries I need to set TODAY to make sure I honor You in what I see and what I think about. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Monday, March 1

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Self-Control

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Happy Day by Tim Hughes; No Not One by Christy Nockels; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin.

READ: 2 Peter 1:6-8

THINK: As a kid, teenager, young adult and now middle aged man, self-control has probably been the weakest link in my Christian walk. Soon after I became a Christian, I started feeling guilty about my sins but especially those regarding self control. This was a very good thing because it meant that the Holy Spirit was working on my conscience to mold me to be more like Christ... And part of that is pointing out my sins and my need for repentance.

Being a Christian teenager for me seemed like an oxymoron. It just didn't seem possible that they were to go together. But still the Holy Spirit was working on my conscience and my sins. Things didn't improve much in college but shortly after, things really started to change. I wasn't surrounded by 70 guys all encouraging me to sin, I was all by myself and able to clearly hear listen the Holy Spirit telling me that what I was doing was wrong.

I started to work on separating myself from people, places, things and situations that caused me to stumble in the past. Day after day, hour after hour, I would work on putting away the sins that would cause me to fall. A book that was incredibly valuable in my Christian walk was called, "The Vanishing Conscience" by John MacArthur. It talks about sins, why we sin and steps on overcoming sin. My goal became - and still is - to grow closer to the Lord and farther away from my previous lifestyle. Satan had shoved me so low in my own guilt from sin that I was useless in doing the Lord's work. I now feel a freedom and purpose as I live how God wants me to live - not always perfectly - but certainly better and better each day!  

DO: We all sin. As Christians we know that Christ died for our sins, but the evil one wants you to feel that your sin makes you unworthy of Christ's love... and that is simply not true. It's Jesus' who makes us worthy and nothing can ever change that!  

PRAY: Dear Heavenly Father, provide me the strength to get real with my sin. Lord, help me to understand my areas of weakness especially when it comes to self-control.  Show me how to work toward removing the temptations that cause me to stumble. Father I pray for people who can walk alongside me and encourage me to live for you. When I do stumble remind me to immediately ask for your forgiveness. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Thursday, Feb 18

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Goodness & Faithfulness

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Just the Same by Northwest College; Runby Hillsong United; To the Ends of the Earthby Hillsong United; From the Inside Outby Hillsong United; Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath.

Read: 2 Samuel 11:1-17; James 1:14-15

Think: As part of his message Pastor Ben talked about the kind of love that remains faithful - and an important way in which that occurs:  through staying away from the edge.

I must confess when Pastor Ben started speaking about avoiding sexual temptation I thought ‘Why me? Why the week I'mwriting the eDevotionals?' As I listened, I realized while Ben was talking about staying away from the edge in regard to temptation and sexual sin the principles apply for many areas of temptation.

In our passage for today's "read" section we discover how King David began by watching a woman bathe and ended up an adulterer, a murderer and distanced from God. Sometimes getting close to the edge makes it way too easy to jump over! How close to the edge do we go? Surely David was rationalizing his late night observance as just being curious about who this beautiful woman was perhaps...  David should have stayed away from the edge and gone back inside when he saw her in a private moment. If he had simply avoided (fled) the temptation he would have avoided the slippery slope he went down. Self control is easiest when the temptation and cliff edge are further away so the decision to avoid has to be made long before the opportunity presents itself.

Most of us have been on diets but how many would go to Cold Stone while on one? We could rationalize our choice to go inside by saying we were there just to be with people... to see the ice cream choices... or just for a teeny tiny taste of a few flavors maybe? We can easily see ahead of time putting ourselves in tempting situations is just not sensible. It's not rocket science - but it is plain and simple common sense!

The key to avoiding falling off the cliff from temptation to sin seems to be to set your boundaries well ahead of time. You will help protect yourself from overwhelming temptation - that which is more than you can handle - and prevent the trap of sin.

Do: Consider the area(s) in which you are especially vulnerable to temptation. (Sadly we all have them to some extent.) Decide right now what boundaries you need to put in place to keep you far away from the edge! Now tell a trusted friend so he/she can be part of your plan to stay away from the sin that "so easily entangles" (Hebrews 12:1).

Pray: Lord, I ask you to convict me of areas in my life where I am too close to the edge or at risk of falling into sin against You. I seek Your wisdom and guidance as I put boundaries in place. Thank you for those around me who can support me and help me stay true to You and Your plan for me. Amen

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Feb 17

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Goodness & Faithfulness

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Just the Same by Northwest College; Run by Hillsong United; To the Ends of the Earth by Hillsong United; From the Inside Out by Hillsong United; Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath.

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4: 11-13

Think: This Sunday Pastor Ben talked about the kind of love that remains faithful. Many times that can be more easily found when we realize "I won't be happier if..."

In the book The Hiding Place the story of Corrie Ten Boom is told. She was a Christian who was sent to a concentration camp for hiding Jews during Hitler‘s reign in Germany. While imprisoned there as a young girl, she and her sister Betsie were able to hold bible studies in their small hut using a bible they had smuggled in. These times with other prisoners served as the only source of encouragement or hope in terrible circumstances. Even so Corrie found it hard to bear due a terrible infestation of fleas in her hut. Her sister thanked God for them while Corrie struggled seeing other huts with no fleas. Years later, long after her sister had died in that hut, Corrie met a former guard who told her this: His squadron was supposed to go into the hut and stop the studies but didn't because of the amount of fleas. The very thing that upset Corrie so was the thing God used to ensure their biggest blessing.

For most of us the situation we are looking at longingly will not be flea-free bedding thankfully. But the feeling is the same: A longing for something that is not ours or not what we want. It may be a relationship, money, job, car or maybe even a specific person. God wants us to learn to be happy and content and to value where we are and what we have. Right here and right now.

In a classroom I once saw a sign saying "Eeyore or Tigger - choose!" Sometimes it is not easy to choose to be content with our situation but perhaps that's why God combines "be joyful always" with "pray continually". One of the phrases that Ben shared continues to come to mind, "the grass is always greener where you water it". If a situation is looking more inviting let's water where we are with prayer.

Do: Write down a few things you are happy with in your life and thank God for them. Be sure to include the people you care about, signs of God‘s provision and blessing.

Pray: Lord, thank you that you have the best plan for MY life. Please help me to see how You have blessed me and help me to remain faithful especially when I see what I think to be better elsewhere. Give me the strength to accept things that are difficult for me in this life and to recognize all the blessings I do have. Thank you Lord for how good you are to me. Amen

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Tuesday, Feb 16

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Goodness & Faithfulness

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Just the Same by Northwest College; Runby Hillsong United; To the Ends of the Earthby Hillsong United; From the Inside Outby Hillsong United; Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath.

Read: Matthew 18:21-35; Colossians 3:13; Matthew 5:7

Think:This weekend at Timberlake Pastor Ben talked about our desire for the kind of love that shows consideration (gentleness). He talked about relationships being two way and valuing what is important to the other person, giving them time and being concerned about what they have to say more than what we want to have said.

When my children were young they, like many others, discovered the never-ending question: "WHY...?" Among the many times that was posed to me there was one occasion I specifically recall that I answered without thought - but I believe now it was God who answered it for me. "Why do we have two ears and only one mouth?" My reply... "So we listen twice as much as we talk" If only we all did that what a difference it would make!

Being concerned and showing true gentleness or consideration to another person (whoever they are) also means we have to forgive their failures that have affected us somehow. Often we make excuses when people disappoint us or make mistakes but in our hearts the pain and bitterness many times is still there. Colossians 3:13 tells us we need to not only forgive but do it in the same way that God forgave us... Perhaps that means giving them room in our lives to make mistakes again. This doesn't simply give them freedom to fail or succeed in the future but as we learn in Matthew 5:7, it releases us to become more who God wants us to be and allows Him to show us mercy.

Our reading passage in Matthew 18 today shows this so well. Which do we want to be?

Do: Extend a love that is gentle and considerate today by taking time to listen to someone - really listen. Give them your full attention. Perhaps now is also the day to deal with any past hurts that are holding you back from being in the place of love that God wants you to be.

Pray: Dear Lord, I want to honor You in all my relationships. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me to be gentle and considerate. Give me the opportunity to improve my relationships today, help me to listen without rushing to comment or to move onto something else. Father please give me strength and peace as I deal with past hurts and I ask that You would heal the wounds carried in my heart. Amen.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Monday, Feb 15

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Goodness & Faithfulness

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Just the Same by Northwest College; Run by Hillsong United; To the Ends of the Earth by Hillsong United; From the Inside Out by Hillsong United; Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath.

Read:  Mark 10:13-16; Romans 15:2; Ephesians 4:29

Think: This weekend Pastor Ben talked about us all wanting the kind of love that is grounded in goodness. When he made the point of doing "the right things in the right way" that was an easy way to sum up just what that means to live that out in day-to-day life!

The phrase ‘their intentions were good' is often used when something goes wrong despite the person's plan. Today before church, as many of us do, I checked Facebook and had a message from someone who while attempting to make a joke called me a few names. Usually I'd let that run off my back but these things pressed particular buttons where I am sensitive. The other person has no idea of the effect of their words and I'm sure they were not intended in the way I received them but I remembered them as Pastor Ben spoke. In Romans 15:2 we are told we must all "bear the burden of being considerate" because we never know how it will affect the person on the other side of it whether that is words or actions.

Ephesians 4:29 tells us to use "only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed", treating people with love and respect and honoring those who invest in our lives.

In our passage today from the Gospel of Mark, we read about the disciples turning away the children from Jesus and I'm sure their ‘intentions were good'; wanting Jesus to rest and make the most of his time but Jesus saw from a view of love and encouragement and His actions were different.

Do: Today let's follow Jesus' lead and show love and encouragement when we are pushed for time and priorities. Become someone's cheerleader and encouragement or show thanks to someone who has invested love and time in your life.

Pray: Dear Lord, please help us be an encouragement in the lives of those You love today. We ask for opportunities to show love and for wisdom in our words that we may build others up and show them Your love in action through us. Amen.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Feb 10

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Patience & Kindness

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Salvation is Here by Hillsong United; Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; Your Name by Paul Baloche; Let Us Adore by Hillsong.

Read: I Samuel 1 and I Samuel 2:1-10

Think: I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. -1 Samuel 1:27

For anyone who has either been waiting for their own baby to arrive or for a little bundle of joy to be born to someone special in their life, nine months can seem like forever! For the mother-to-be the months are filled with hormonal ups and downs, morning sickness, crazy emotions and changing appetites with late-night cravings where only pizza, chocolate, and dill pickles will do. The excitement begins and continues to build for the happy day which seems forever away. Then, just like that, the waiting is over. Nine months become like yesterday's news - a memory replaced by pure joy!

In the Biblical account of Hannah, her wait for that big day began even more slowly. For years she was unable to have a child. She was "crushed in soul" (1 Sam. 1: 9) and felt unfulfilled, so dishonored (1 Samuel 1). But the Lord remembered her, and she conceived. Her joy was made complete. Hannah waited patiently and saw the Lord turn her sadness and questioning into joyous celebration. Her song (2:1-10) is a reminder that disappointment and even the most bitter distress can lead to fulfillment and delight when we trust God and His timing.

As Pastor Ben talked about patience last weekend, for many of us we are waiting on the Lord. We wonder if He hears, why He doesn't seem to care and if His promises are real. Let Hannah's story remind you - He does hear, he cares more than you can know and his promises are true and trustworthy! In the same way that an expectant mom awaits the birth of a little one you must trust that your long hours of enduring will one day give way to rejoicing, too.

Do: Don't give up on the situation you have been praying for and seeking God's help with. Don't stop pleading your case. God hears, be patient, trust Him.

Pray: God, I know that you are good. I know that you love me and your plan for my life is perfect. Help me to draw closer to you than ever as I wait patiently on you to answer my plea and my prayer. Until that time, I choose to trust you and yield my wants and desires to you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Tuesday, Feb 9

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Patience & Kindness

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Salvation is Here by Hillsong United; Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; Your Name by Paul Baloche; Let Us Adore by Hillsong.

Read: Habakkuk 1:2 and 2:1-3; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 8:28

Think: Waiting is hard for me. I want answers now and action yesterday. Postponements drive me crazy! So when I'm sure God needs to intervene in a situation I'm often baffled by His delay. I'm left wondering why just like the prophet Habakkuk was who said: "How long, O Lord?" (Habakkuk 1:2) Have you asked that question yourself lately? Maybe

• How long O Lord do I have to withstand this miserable situation?
• How long O Lord do I have to wait for my spouse to open his/her heart to You?
• How long O Lord do I have to wait to see justice served?

The prophet Habakkuk wanted answers and action as well, but God in His infinite wisdom chose to take His time. And isn't Habakkuk's response interesting? "I will stand at my guardpost . . . to see what the Lord says and how he will answer" (Habakkuk 2:1). And God did indeed respond: "Wait patiently; for it will surely take place" (v.3).

What God wants from us is simple patience - which shouldn't be so hard knowing that He sees all things, knows all things and works for our good in all things. Sometimes we have to relax and wait and trust that despite appearances, all is well because God, our loving Father is at the helm and His timing is ALWAYS perfect.

When things seem at a standstill or we are forced to wait, let's use the time as our chance to pray and watch - just as our friend Habakkuk did! Rather than grow anxious, impatient, or just plain annoyed, look with eyes that see beyond the situation at hand to what God might be trying to develop in us as we wait... Patiently!

Do: In whatever situation you are looking for God to  intervene and it just isn't happening, choose to be patient. Trust Him and allow Him to use the delay to develop your character as you wait on Him.

Pray: Lord, you are never slow in keeping your promises and your timing is always right. You see well beyond the current circumstance and trouble and I trust you to take the action needed at the right time and in the right way. Teach me to be patient as I wait on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org