30 Days in Exile

Living for Christ with Courage and Expectancy in the West

by Roger Sappington on May 16, 2022

Devotionals
Biblical References Jeremiah 29

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Today, many Christians in America feel as though they have been dropped via cultural tornado into some strange, chaotic Oz. The place they call home just doesn't feel familiar anymore. In fact, it feels almost foreign. Like exiles taken to an unfamiliar and hostile nation, American Christians sense that they are now aliens in this place. 30 Days in Exile: Living for Christ with Courage and Expectancy in the West is a one-month journey through key texts of Scripture to gain much greater clarity in your calling as a Christian exile and help you live faithfully as a follower of Christ.

Read it online here or order a print copy.

1

Life in Oz

Article · 5 min read

The New Testament regularly uses the metaphor of exile to describe the experience of God’s people. Wherever we happen to live, our citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven. Meanwhile, God calls us to live faithfully for Christ where we are, loving both Jesus and our neighbors.
2

In the Driver's Seat

Article · 5 min read

If God had good intentions for his people, why would he allow them to go into exile?
3

Be Fruitful and Multiply

Article · 4 min read

Even when they are in exile, God calls his people to flourish and to promote flourishing.
4

Welfare Workers

Article · 5 min read

God calls His people, even in exile, to be active and intentional in bringing His blessings to their neighbors.
5

Prophets and Pundits

Article · 4 min read

In every era God’s people have had to tune their ears to God’s voice above the noise of false prophets, political pundits, and others who have sought to influence in ways that are not in line with his Word.
6

Celestial Status

Article · 4 min read

As Christians, we are members of a particular country, but we also have membership in a celestial community.
7

Peace, Man

Article · 4 min read

For Christians living in America today, the need for us to take on the role of peacemaker may be greater than at any other point in our lives.
8

Dispatches from the Front Lines

Article · 4 min read

Prayer is essential for gospel victory in our spiritual battle.
9

First Things

Article · 5 min read

When your mind is not zeroed in on a particular task, what are your thoughts most consumed by?
10

Countercultural

Article · 5 min read

Sometimes living as a faithful ambassador means rejecting the prevailing view of the predominant culture. Daniel's story encourages us to live courageously in our culture.
11

Into the Fire

Article · 5 min read

For each Christian who has experienced persecution, God’s promise to never leave or forsake them has been realized. Though we may have to endure persecution because of the name of Jesus, we can prepare our hearts and minds for persecution that might come.
12

A Home Away From Home

Article · 4 min read

While we are awaiting the "blessed country" to come, we are called to live faithfully as strangers and exiles.
13

A Pilgrim's Position

Article · 4 min read

Though none of us knows the future we will face, we can take heart that through the cross of Jesus Christ we have been declared to be victors over all things.
14

Identity Politics

Article · 5 min read

The distinct identity of Christ's followers should lead them to worship and mission.
15

Your Honor

Article · 4 min read

Christians in the West need to live differently than the culture, while graciously extending Christ’s love to the world.
16

Swamp People

Article · 4 min read

To honor the Lord and silence their opponents, God's people are responsible to submit to the governing authorities.
17

Witness Protection

Article · 5 min read

To share our hope in Christ, we need not worry about our persuasive skills or know how to combat every argument; we simply need faithfulness and a measure of courage.
18

Turf War

Article · 5 min read

Our primary struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against supernatural authorities. Because God is with and in us, we have no need to fear the spiritual forces who attack us.
19

One Blood

Article · 5 min read

Christ alone is the hope of true racial reconciliation.
20

Painful Joy

Article · 4 min read

God is using every experience in our lives, even our trials, to mold us more into the image of Christ.
21

Love 'Em

Article · 5 min read

When our greatest aim in life is God’s glory, we are freed to express love in the most courageous of ways, even to those who hate, curse, and abuse us.
22

Speak Up!

Article · 5 min read

God's compassion and desire for justice should move us to speak up for the vulnerable.
23

Life Is A...

Article · 5 min read

Life is a struggle, but Jesus is with us. Life is a struggle, but Jesus is able.
24

Glamping

Article · 4 min read

When our experience in our earthly bodies causes us to groan and long for more, we can be confident there is much more prepared for us in the life to come.
25

Ambassadors

Article · 4 min read

As sons and daughters of the Most High King, we have been set free by his message of reconciliation and enabled by his grace to represent him to others.
26

Persecuted, Not Forsaken

Article · 5 min read

Whenever the thing that the culture worships is threatened by Jesus, persecution is close by. But even persecution can bring blessing and opportunity.
27

26.2

Article · 4 min read

Christians should view their lives as a race run for the sake of the gospel, and run it with determination, direction, and discipline.
28

Render Unto Caesar

Article · 4 min read

God calls his people to be subject to our governmental authorities in matters for which they have been granted power and responsibility– whether they are dictators like Caesar or duly elected leaders like the President of the United States.
29

So Heavenly Minded

Article · 4 min read

We are of the most earthly good when we set our hearts and minds on things above.
30

Right Where You Need To Be

Article · 5 min read

God has provided what you need and placed you where you need to be. Set your heart on how to join him in the work he is accomplishing where you are.
31

Fixer Upper

Article · 5 min read

What awaits us in our soon-to-be, perfectly transformed, God-inhabited home on the new earth is beyond comparison or analogy.
32

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Article · 3 min read

We need a radical, supernatural reorientation of how we view our lives in this world. As ambassadors of the King, we have ben called to bring his appeal of reconciliation to the world.

About the Author

Dr. Roger Sappington (D. Min. Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, M. Div. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the Executive Pastor of Central Bible Church and the author of 30 Days in Exile.

Collection Topics

Cultural Engagement (Worldview and Culture) Perseverance (Life Issues) Living Faith Publicly (Life Issues) Devotional Collection (Spiritual Growth )

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My favorite Psalm is Psalm 91

In Philippians 4:6 we are called not to be anxious.

In Phil 4:6 we are called not to be anxious.

In Phil 4:6-8 we are called not to be anxious and if anything is excellent or praiseworthy to think about such things.

God's commandments serve as a template for godly living today. Exodus 20:3-17,22-25

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30 Days in Exile

Living for Christ with Courage and Expectancy in the West

by Roger Sappington on May 16, 2022

Devotionals
Biblical References Jeremiah 29

Ways you can share this content

Collection Topics

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Basic Formatting

Scripture References

Additional Resources

Countercultural

30 Days in Exile Devotionals - Day 9

Not of This World

Living as First Kingdom People in a Second Kingdom Place

Commendable Christians (Study on 1 Thessalonians)

A one-week study of 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10