Coming soon – "Days of Destiny"

Four-week devotional ... Ideal for study by
individuals, small groups, and congregations

COMING SOON – 28-day study that tackles often-avoided topics that affect everyone who wants to be close to God

Days of Destiny – Introduction

Check back soon to order this book. (This page is under construction.)

Interested in using this book and video for a church-wide study? Email us or phone LifeTree Books at (916) 483-7236.

If you are new to faith, this study will encourage you. If you are a seasoned Christian, this study will challenge you.

In this four-week study, you will find practical, biblical answers to key reasons people do not feel connected to God, church, or other Christians. Topics include:

•  Feeling inadequate in church

•  Racial prejudice

•  Cliques in church

•  Being mistreated in church

•  Recovering from personal failures

•  Judging people by their pocketbook

•  How to grow closer to God

•  How to make a difference in the world

Days of Destiny – Outline of book

Week one. Belong (Getting Connected)

Day   1: "I'm not good enough to go to church"
Day   2: "I'm uncomfortable with my financial situation"
Day   3: 'I'm bothered by racial prejudice"
Day   4: "I'm uncomfortable because of personal failures"
Day   5: "Someone at church mistreated me"
Day   6: "I'm uncomfortable with church cliques"
Day   7: "I'm not sure about Jesus"

Week two. Believe (Believe the Truth)

Day   8: Believe that . . . God love you
Day   9: Believe that . . . Jesus offers you a new life
Day 10: Believe that . . . Jesus is the (only) way
Day 11: Believe that . . . Jesus is (your) Lord
Day 12: Believe that . . . The Bible is God's Word
Day 13: Believe that . . . You can trust God
Day 14: Believe that . . . You are special to God

Week three. Become (Let God transform you)

Day 15: Ask God to change you
Day 16: Read the Bible for personal application
Day 17: Spend quiet time with God
Day 18: Clean the inside of the cup
Day 19: Depend on God's strength, not your own
Day 20: Pray for a passion to serve God
Day 21: Pray to love others

Week four: Be (Be contagious)

Day 22: Pray for a spirit of adventure
Day 23: Focus on the positive
Day 24: Be an encourager
Day 25: Speak courteously and respectfully
Day 26: Share the Good News
Day 27: Respond to mistreatment with love
Day 28: Get involved in church ministries

Days of Destiny – Sample daily study (devotional)

Day 1: "I’m not good enough to go to church"

Several years ago, I had lunch with a friend. When I invited him to come to church, his answer surprised me. He said, "I have too many problems, and my life’s a mess. I’ve got to get some things straightened out, and then I’ll come." I wasn’t able to overcome his objections.

Have you sometimes felt like that–that Jesus wouldn’t want you as his friend because of all your shortcomings? Let’s take a look at a passage from the Bible that helps us know what Jesus really thinks.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." (Matthew 9:10-12)

As you can see, Jesus was glad when people wanted to be with him. He didn’t turn them away because they were "sinners."

Personal application:

Have you felt like pulling back from God because you came up short? Yes __ No __

If you checked "yes," what can you learn from Matthew 9:10-12?

Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees (the Jewish leaders of the day) was clear. He didn’t mind at all that he was eating with "sinners."

The title "Pharisee" isn’t used in our churches today, but a lot of people react the same way if people come to church dressed in old dirty clothes, or with smoke on their breath, or with alcohol on their breath.

When people get upset over visitors’ outward appearance, they usually don’t intend to seem mean. They usually are thinking that people should show respect in God’s house.

But they are making a giant mistake; they are trying to change outward behavior instead of loving people and helping them change on the inside.

Jesus is glad when less-than-perfect people come to church!

Personal application:

Have you sometimes judged people negatively when they walked through the church door? Yes __ No __

What types of outward appearances tend to bring out the worst in you?


How do you think Jesus would want you to respond to people who appear this way?

This study will transform your understanding of what it means to know God. Whether you go through it in a small group setting or read it by yourself, it will help you connect to God – and to other people – in a new and fresh way.