ECHO 2013 Jonathan Pearson All rights reserved.

. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, without the written permission of the author. Scripture quotations noted NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New international Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved. While you may not resale the ebook or any of its content, you are welcome to share it with people you know and want to encourage. For questions regarding reproduction of the book or if youd just like to contact the author, email info@echodevo.info

HOW TO USE
ECHO is best used one day at a time. You are encouraged to read it in the morning, but any time during the day is good. The devotional is best read in a quiet and solitary setting. Allow God to speak to you. A journal would be a great companion over the next 14 days as well.

SECTIONS
Each devotional is comprised of 3 sections. The rst part of each day provides a key scripture for you to read. This scripure will be the basis of the devotional for the day. The second section is the devotional content section. The quiet portion of the devotional provides a way to move beyond just reading by allowing you to mediate in various ways on what you just read. Be sure to have your journal ready during this time. Each devotional ends with a share it section. This is one sentence that sums up the days devotional. This sentence can be easily shared on all of your social networks.

about the author

Jonathan Pearson is a Christian, husband, millennial, communicator, and encourager. He is the Orangeburg Campus Pastor at Cornerstone Community Church, an ethnically-reflective church with multiple campuses, and Assistant Director of The Sticks, an organization that inspires small town leaders to lead BIG. Jonathan is also the co-creator of MillennialLeader.com, a toolbox for young leaders. Jonathan writes, tweets, & speaks to communicate Christ, vision, & bold living. Jonathan can be found online at JonP.me and JonathanPearson.net and on twitter as @JonathanPearson. Jonathan is married to Melissa and they live in Orangeburg, S.C.

SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

You are loved.!

DAY 1

1 John 4:18!(NIV) -!There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,!because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We live in a world of insincerity and make believe love. It's easy for us to translate the disappointments we've experienced with the people in our past to the love of God. The truth is, there's nothing to fear when it comes to the love of God. You don't have to fear that you're just one mistake away from him leaving you or one failure away from waking up in the morning and having him abandon you. His love is perfect, so perfect that it leaves no room for fear of anything else. Whatever you're facing today and whatever you have heavy on your mind and heart about your past, God loves you. Dont let imperfect humans determine your rst view of God. Look past that.! Look at the Father's perfect love. Don't fear... Just love him back.

QUIET

Listen. Do you hear it? Try again. Close your eyes. Picture Jesus whispering that he loves you. Think about all that he's done to prove it. Do you think he'd quit on you now? Never.!

share IT

God's love is perfect, so perfect that it leaves no room for fear of anything else. #ECHODevo

SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

DAY 2

Hebrews 2:18 (NIV)! -!Because he himself su"ered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

I have never been snow skiing. I've been by ski resorts, I've been in stores that sold ski equipment, and I've even watched skiing in the Olympics. I'd even go as far as to say that snow skiing is one of my favorite winter Olympic sports. Ask me to teach you how to ski, though, and you'd be in deep snow without a shovel. I know nothing about the technical aspects of actually skiing. I have no idea what it feels like to be rushing down a mountain with the snow under your feet and the wind in your face. What we often forget about Jesus is that he's been down the mountain when it comes to the things we're tempted with and faced with on a daily basis. He's experienced it. Do you remember? In Matthew 4, Jesus is tempted big time by the Enemy. That's the time we all know of, but Jesus was tempted throughout his life. The Bible goes as far as to say that whatever you're being tempted with, he was too (Hebrews 4:15). Whatever it is you're dealing with... doubt, fear, alcoholism, sexual sin, anger issues, self image problems, or anything else, he's been there. Talk to him about it. Confess it to him. Ask him to reveal the root of the issue in your life. Ask for the strength to resist. Tell someone else so they can help you. He's been there.!

QUIET

Be still. Get quiet. Feel that feeling in the pit of your stomach? That's what God is calling out in your life. Don't let guilt overcome you, but rest in the forgiveness and freedom that has already been bought for you. Spend the next few moments In silence and worship Jesus for the freedom he lived and died for. Celebrate the victory rather than wallowing in the past defeat.!

share IT

What I'm facing presently has been defeated in Christ's past. He's been there. #ECHODevo

SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

DAY 3

Exodus 13:17-18 (NLT) When Pharaoh nally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.!

God led them in a round about way. Now, if Im an Israelite, Im not liking this round about thing. I dont even like having to make U turns because I feel like Im going out of the way. I certainly dont want to take a round about way as they had to take. Ive been in slavery and Im ready for God to make good on his promise. Sometimes, God still takes us on a round about way to make good on his promise. Its not up to me to know exactly why, but I have to trust the same God that made the promise to make good on that promise in His most graceful and wise way. Thats why Hes God and Im not He knows. Whatever God has been promising you: a child, a new job, a family member to accept Christ, a second chance, acceptance into school, a spouse, healing for a loved one, etc. Dont give up because you seem to be going in a round about way. Keep trusting Him step by step call by call, day by day.

QUIET

Spend some time thinking about your past experience with God. Remember the times you wondered how he was going to get you through things? God's past faithfulness is a great reminder of his future action.

share IT

God's past faithfulness is a great reminder of his future action. #ECHODevo

SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

Imagine this

DAY 4

Genesis 7:6 (NIV) Noah was 600 years old when the ood covered the earth.!

Youre 600 years old. Youre a stranger to rain. Youre asked to build a boat A big boat. That seems ludicrous. Ridiculous even. Thats where Noah was. He found himself in unfamiliar territory with strange instructions. What did he have? Faith. So he did. He built the boat. He put his faith in action. We miss that step many times. Faith does. Faith moves us to do something beyond what we would normally think was possible or what most people would consider normal. My question to you?!Is your faith doing? Faith that does moves beyond wishful thinking and into solid belief. Faith that does grows because its been tested and has passed through the re. Faith that does looks at whats around, but trusts Who holds it all in His hands. Regardless of how tough it may be or how tired I may get or how big the waters rolling in may seem. Our faith must do.

QUIET

For the next 5 minutes, sit in the quiet and ask God to speak to you about what your faith should be doing in your life. Think about your normal day. What's God saying should be changed because of the action of your faith?

share IT

Faith means we can look at whats around, but trust Who holds it all in His hands. #ECHODevo

SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

DAY 5

Psalm 147:5 (NIV)!Great is our Lord!and mighty in power;!his understanding has no limit.

When I was 8 years old, my family took me to a local city's family festival. You know, one of those festivals that all smaller towns have with crafts and entertainment. Well, we had been there for an hour or so when I forced my family to the puppet tent. I was watching the demonstration when I kept hearing my mom tell me it was time to move along. After asking me several times (and using all 3 of my names like moms do) she told me to move with them to another spot. Thinking I had followed, my parents moved on, each believing I was with the other one. After a couple more minutes of puppet watching, I turned around to say something to my mom and realized she wasnt there No one I knew was around! I panicked! I started looking everywhere. After what seemed like an hour, I nally found a police o#cer and told him I was in trouble. He asked me a few questions like what color shirt my folks had on and found them in a matter of minutes. They were in a crowd of people by the main stage. I couldnt see them. All I could see was the back of a bunch of onlookers. The police man could see so much more. His perspective allowed him to see over the back row of people. I think we live like this sometimes. We seek God, we wait on God, but we cant see him working. We have the promise from him that He's going to take care of us and provide for us, but from our perspective, we dont see it. We dont see the promise in the midst of the perceived problems. Today, trust Him even when you see nothing but a bunch of backsides.

QUIET

Be quiet. Breathe deep. Find your pulse. Feel that? God knows exactly what makes your heart beat and the details of how you're made. You're safe in His hands. He has the power. When you're with Him, nothing is worth your panicking.!

share IT

God's power is greater than my perspective. I have to trust him. #ECHODevo

SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

DAY 6

1 John 2:16!(NIV) For everything in the worldthe lust of the esh,!the lust of the eyes,!and the pride of lifecomes not from the Father but from the world.

The world o"ers me a lot of things that I crave: stu", popularity, money, a good time. I admit, I want those things. I have something inside of me that desires every one of those things in some way, to some extent. The thing about all of those? When consumed by themselves, they do nothing to satisfy, just provide stronger cravings. In other words, without anything to come back to after we get the stu" of the world, were left with nothing but a deeper and stronger craving for even more stu" of the world. So, we end up on an endless circle to have more money, more popularity, more fun, in order to fulll our need. That need is left with a craving as long as we keep trying to ll it with the things of the world. When we begin to nd our identity in something stable, something suitable, something sustaining, something solid... when we begin to nd our identity in Christ, all those things get put into perspective. Sure, money is good. Sure, fun is good. Sure, laughing is good. But only when we have an identity to return to. Without that identity, all we do is return to the craving. So, were left with a choice. Find our identity in Christ and be lled, or search for a need in the world and be left craving more. Only Christ o"ers eternal fullllment.

QUIET

Ask God to reveal to you where you tend to go rst to ll the craving. Write down what God says. Spend time asking God to steer you back to him and make Him your rst place to go when you need lling. Signify it by marking through or crossing out the things God pointed out earlier that are wrong.

share IT

My identity isn't tied to my actions. Christ satises. #ECHODevo

SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

DAY 7

Genesis 7:1 (NIV) The LORD then said to Noah, Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

What if Noah, after all that he had done, all the steps of obedience hed taken, refused to get in the boat? What if Noah, after spending his time, energy, and e"ort building this big boat, would have failed to step inside? What if Noah, would have failed to make the leap after the preparation? What if Gods been preparing you for something? What if Gods been working something in your life? Guiding you through the process. Teaching you step by step. And you refuse to get in the boat and obey? Dont waste what Gods done in and through you because youre unwilling to get in the boat and take the step! Get in the boat and obey.

QUIET

Get really still. Close your eyes. Ask God to reveal to you where you need to take a step of obedience.!

share IT

Never wait until tomorrow for what God has called you to do today. Step out and obey! #ECHODevo

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SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

DAY 8

Philippians 3:14 (NIV) !I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

When I rst got my drivers license, my friends and I used to have a little fun in our cars. What we did wasnt that safe for our lives or for our cars, but heres what we liked to do Wed nd a straight stretch of road with little tra#c. Wed come to a complete stop. Wed put our car in neutral, hit the gas, and pop the car into drive. The result was squealing tires and black marks. We loved doing this. Ultimately, we were just creating friction between our tires and the road. We were creating friction by forward movement. Ive come to realize as my life has progressed that much of life works this way Forward movement creates friction. When were laying low and staying comfy, friction is usually minimal. When we begin to move forward with our lives and pursue the vision and follow the call of God, friction becomes heavy. Paul understood moving forward and the friction that it created. Heck, before his miraculous encounter with Christ, he helped create some friction for believers. If you feel that the friction in your life has gotten more apparent recently, remember Forward movement creates friction.

QUIET

Ask God if the friction you may be currently feeling is the friction of forward movement. Write down what he says about it. What do you need to do to keep pressing on?!

share IT

Just because what we're doing is right, doesn't mean it's easy. Keep pressing forward! #ECHODevo

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SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

DAY 9

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.!Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.!In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

There are 2 kinds of light: Natural Light (genuine light) and Man Made Light (fake light). The sun is a natural light. No matter what, the sun is shining. Regardless of the clouds. Regardless of the time of day. The sun is always shining. A lamp isnt a genuine light. It can be turned o". The bulb can burn out. The power can go o" and cause the lamp to lose its power source. We are called to be the sun. No matter what the occasion, we are called to shine our light to the world. Regardless of the clouds that come our way. Regardless of the time of day. We are called to take our light wherever we go. To church. To work. To activities. To the community we live in. To our home. The people with the genuine light may be a"ected by the clouds, but they wont be extinguished. The people with the genuine light will never burn out. The people with the genuine light will be used to grow others and light a darkened world. The people with the genuine light will inherent eternal life. Is your light genuine?

QUIET

Take a few moments. Grab a cup of co"ee or turn on some music. Bask in the light of Jesus. When!we concentrate on the love of Jesus, our light is charged and brightened.

share IT

Tell me how great your sin is, I'll tell you how gracious my God is. #ECHODevo

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DAY 10

Colossians 3:23 (NIV)!Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

Our attitude matters. Whatever you're doing today. Wherever you're going to go today. You're not just going and doing for the sake of making it through another day. Sure, it may feel like your work, your job, your duties, and your chores are just things to get done, but they're so much more than that. Everything you and I do everyday, we're getting to do for such a larger purpose. We lose sight of that. Somewhere along the way in our Christian walk, we've gotten to the point where life has become less about living for Jesus and more about making it to heaven and through another week. That attitude changes when we realize who we're really working for. Everything you do, do it as if you're doing it for God. It'll changed the e"ort you put in and the result you get out.

QUIET

Think about your day. What are you going to be doing today or what have you!done that you usually just try to 'survive'? Ask God to show you how that attitude can!change. Ask Him to show you what that same activity would look like and feel!like!if you were doing it specically to honor him.!

share IT

My motive matters. The goal of what I do determines how well I'll do it. #ECHODevo

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SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

DAY 11

Luke 5:10-11 (NIV)!Then Jesus said to Simon, Dont be afraid; from now on you will sh for people. So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.!

Most of us that have been in church know the story of Peter. Peter was out nishing a long day of shing when Jesus hijacked his boat and began to teach a crowd from it. After Jesus gets done teaching, he tells Peter to go out into deeper water. Peter, having just nished a long day on the job, argues with Jesus a little, but eventually decides to do what hes told. After they get in the deeper water, Peter is told to lower his net. Peter, once again, argues with Jesus. Peter had to be thinking, Dude, I do this for a living, this is what I do, Ive had a long day today. I just wanna go home and sit in the recliner and watch some Duck Dynasty (Peter shed, he had to like hunting too, right??). Finally, though, Peter lowers his net. Luke gives us a beautiful picture of what happened. Peter caught so many sh that his net could hardly hold them all and the boat started to sink from the weight. Peter went from catching nothing, to more than he could handle. Peter went from shing to get by to shing for eternity. Peter bows down to Jesus and Jesus tells him that hell be shing for people from now on. That moment with Jesus changed Peters everything. It changed Peters mission. It changed Peters priorities. It changed Peters everyday. It changed his life. Peter saw what meeting Jesus could do and it changed him. Has Jesus changed you? Has it changed your day to day life? Your everything? It did for Peter. Jesus swept Peter o" of his feet.

QUIET

Be still. Take a few deep!breathes. Can you remember what you were like before Jesus saved and changed you? Do you!remember!how it felt? Think about how you feel now that you've met Jesus. Think about the freedom and hope you have now. Thank God for it!

share IT

Jesus has my everything or nothing. He demands it all. #ECHODevo

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SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

We need to remember

DAY 12

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)!Be strong and courageous.!Do not be afraid or terried!because of them, for the!Lord!your God goes with you;!he will never leave you!nor forsake!you.

God doesnt forget us even when it seems as if He hasnt been near. God hasnt abandoned us even if it seems were losing the ght. God hasnt given up on us even when Hes had the right to. God has a grand plan A plan for His people to prot. A plan for His people to be with Him. A plan to use you to further His kingdom. A plan for Him to show His might. Sometimes, it may seem like its taking longer than it should or it isnt turning out as He promised, but its all in that same plan. Today, maybe all you need to know is. God hasnt forgotten you, abandoned you, or given up on you. His grand plan is still playing out. Hold on!

QUIET

Read Isaiah 12. Mediate on these verses for the next few minutes. Identify the words or phrases in these verses that talk about how much attention God is paying to you right at this very moment.

share IT

God hasnt forgotten you, abandoned you, or given up on you. His grand plan is still playing out. Hold on! #ECHODevo

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SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

DAY 13

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)!Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

A few months ago, I was getting ready to go somewhere and accidentally dropped my wedding ring behind the dresser. You know how this goes Im in a hurry to leave the house. No one else is at home but me. I know my wife is meeting me and I need my wedding ring. So, I do what any good husband would do, I got a y swatter and tried to get to the wedding ring without moving the dresser. No luck. So, I went to plan B. I grabbed one corner of the dresser, lifted, and shimmied the dresser out from the wall. I did this on each corner until there was enough space for me to reach my hand behind the dresser and get my ring. Being a little OCD, I did the same thing to move the dresser back to its original spot (in the indentions that it had made in the carpet before). A couple of months later, my wife and I relocated with the help of some friends. When it came time to move the dresser, we each grabbed a corner and carried it out of the house with not much of a problem. What had taken me a lot of e"ort and heartache took nothing when I had enlisted help from some other capable people. Life is kinda like that. We are so much better, more productive, and more e#cient when we have the help of others. When were all moving in the same direction with each other. Dont be a lone ranger. Get help. Move together. Move with some friends, not alone.

QUIET

Think for a second -!who are those!people!that help you do the 'heavy lifting' in your life? Write down their names. Spend some time thanking God for!these!people. Today, contact some of these people and thank them for being 'lifting' friends (maybe even email them this!devotional).!

share IT

Real friends are like oxygen. You rarely think about needing them because they're always there. #ECHODevo

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SCRIPTURE ECHO DEVO

Picture this.

DAY 14

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)!Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

You woke up this morning. You got out of bed. You took a shower. You looked in the mirror. You brushed your teeth. You got dressed and ate breakfast. You went out the door, drove to work, and sat down at your desk. The rst person you saw at work was a good friend of yours. Being an honest friend, they ask you why you're at work without combing your hair.!You think back to your morning and realize that you looked in the mirror, but never did anything else. Looking into the mirror didn't comb your hair for you. While looking into the mirror doesn't automatically comb your hair, it should compel you to comb it yourself. That's what we should be doing with scripture too. It's not just enough to read it, but we have to apply it. We all know those people that know a lot about something but never do any of it. We can't be those kind of Christ followers. His love must compel us to follow him and do what his word tells us. It's a ght. It's not easy to stand out and live out the Bible in our daily lives. We have to stay focused on why we do it. Jesus makes it all worth it. He compels us to follow him. When we look at him and see how short we fall and how he loves us through it all, our response should be to follow.

QUIET

At some point today (now would be great), do an online search of "scriptures about Christ's love." Spend a few minutes slowly reading through these and thinking about the response you'll give to this today. Be quiet and listen to him remind you of his love.!

share IT

Don't just hear, do! I completed the #ECHODevo. You can have it for free at!EchoDevo.info.