Climbing Higher! The beginning

Greetings!

This is the last book in a 3 book sceries that I have been writing. Each was done using the Methodist Christian calendar. The first 2 books were Steps of Faith, & Digging Deeper. You can find the first 2 books on this blog. This book is called, "Climbing Higher". It is my prayer that you will use this book to help you as you climb spiritually higher towards God & heaven. It also could be used as a tool for teachers & preacher to use as a starting point when preparing a lesson or sermon. Feel free to do so.

Blessings!

Toni Whitacre~Kratochvil

Digging Deeper~ the end

This ends the book, "Digging Deeper". I pray that this book helped you to grow and get closer to God.

Blessings!
Toni Whitacre-Kratochvil

Digging Deeper~ 25th week after Pentecost (last week after Pentecost)

Ez. 34:11-16,20-24:Instructions to the Israelites on what to celebrate & how to do so. these were celebrations that  thanked God. 

Ps. 100:A song praising & thanking God

Eph. 1:15-23:Paul gives thanks to God because of the gift Jesus gave us us, & for the Ephesians Salvation & good works in responds to that gift.

Mat. 25:31-46: Christians being judged for what they did not do for the least of these.

As I write this, we here in USA is getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. On that day, we are to stop and thank God for all the great gifts God has given us all year long. No matter where we live, we should take some times away from our lives to stop and thank God for all his gifts including salvation.

Challenge of the week:

Take some time out this week to thanks God for all the gifts that he has given you.

Accomplishment of the week:

What did you thank God for? How did that help you to be more thankful then you were before?

Digging Deeper~ 24th week after Pentecost

Jud. 4:1-7:The children of Israel did evil in the site of the Lord, so God let King Jabin oppress them for 20 years. God rose up Deborah to be judge over them. They went to her to be judged. 

Ps. 123: A song that speaks of ever keeping our eyes on God. 

1 Thess. 5:1-11:Paul speaks to the Thessalonians of how the 2ed coming of Jesus will be like and how they are do act until He comes. One thing we should do is be ever watchful for it.

Mat. 25: 14-30:Jesus tells a story showing what the Kingdom of heaven is like. In this one he tells of a man who gives talents to men before he goes away. Then it tells of how he rewards them when he come back by how they used the talents. 

The theme is being faithful to God & his will. 

In  Psalms 123, we read a song that tells the Israelites to every keep the eyes on God and be faithful to him. In Judges 4:1-7, we see what happened to the Israelites when they were not faithful to God and his will for them. They undergone 20 years of oppression from King Jabin of Canaan. We also see how Deborah was faithful in judging the people during that time. 

Jesus tells a story about the the kingdom of heaven and talents God gives to us to to use for the kingdom of God (Mat. 25:14-30). This story tells us what God expects us to be doing after we become Christians until the day we either die or Jesus comes back for us. Paul tells the Thessalonians to be ever watching for Christ's return (1 Thess. 5:1-11).

Challenge of the week:

This week, seek ways to keep your eyes on God, the kingdom of God while using your talents for Him & growing the kingdom of heaven. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So how did you go about doing the challenge? How did that bring you closer to your spiritual goal & God?

Digging Deeper~ 23rd week after Pentecost

Jos. 24:1-3a,14-25:Joshua tells the people what God told him to say. That they now needed to choose whom they would serve the real God or the gods of Egypt. Then he said, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Ps. 78:1-7: a song telling the people to listen when Jesus spoke of the Godly things in stories called parables. 

1 Thess. 4:13-18: Paul encourages the Thessalonians about those who died as Christians raising from the dead first when Christ returns. 

Mat. 25: 1-13:Jesus shares a story explaining that we must be ever watching for Christ's return or we will miss going into the kingdom of heaven. 

 Just like the people of God had to do when thy were getting ready to enter the promised land. Each day, we must choose whom we will serve also (Jos. 24:1-3a, 14-25). Jesus shared many stories that explained God &  the kingdom of heaven(Mat. 25:1-13). God's people use to sing a song letting God's people to listen when Jesus comes and tells the stories called parables (Ps.78:1-7).We too should listen and learn from his parables. As well as the whole word of God.

Challenge of the week:

This week let's be more active in the kingdom of God.

Accomplishment of the week:

How did you do? How did that help your walk with God?

Digging Deeper~ 22ed week after Pentecost

Jos.3:1-17:God talks to Joshua telling him how to get the people across the Jordon River. 

Ps. 107:1-7,33-37:Song of how God lead the Israelites out of bondage, across the river and into the promised land. 

1 Thess. 2:9-13:Paul speaks to the Thessalonians of how he had worked day and night while preaching to them so not to burden them. 

Mat. 23:1-12:Jesus tells he followers to obey what the scribes & Pharisees who sit on the seat of Moses says, but not how they live. For they seek to lord over people. God's leaders should serve and not be served. 

The theme is being a leader for God among the people. In these verses above, we read how those who lead others should say & act. We also read the warning of how leaders should not act. 

Challenge of the week:

This week search yourself to make sure you are leading others in the way in which god wants you to do. 

Accomplishment of the week:

In doing the challenge of the week, what did you find out? How did you go about fixing it?

Digging Deeper~ 21st week after Pentecost

Deut. 34:1-12: Moses is the only prophet that ever talked face to face with God until Jesus came to earth. But he disobeyed God, so God took him up on a mountain and let him see the land that was promised to the Jewish people. then told him that he would not let him go into the land. then Moses died there & God buried him. But before Moses died, he laid hands on Joshua. 

Ps.90: 1-6,13-17: A prayer Moses prayed.

1 Thess. 2:1-8: Paul, Silas, and Timothy write to the Thessalonians thanking God that they show their faith by showing love to one another, as well as, endure hardship for Christ. 

Mat. 22:34-46:The Pharisees test Jesus in asking him which is the greatest commandment. Jesus silences them when he sums up all the commandments in 2 commandments. Then Jesus asks them a question that they can not answer. So they leave him.

The theme is obeying God & loving your neighbor. In doing both, we fulfill all of God's commandments. We see what can happen when we do not obey God in Moses' life(Deut. 34:1-12).

Challenge of the week:

This week work to obey God's Word & love your neighbor. 

Accomplishment of the week:

In what ways did you accomplish the challenge of the week?