Ryan Dunn Edited by Jarred & Elizabeth Dunn
Download 151.39 Kb.
|
Special Powers/Abilities: Groot can regenerate his body on a cellular level. He has been “killed” at least three times and has always been able to regrow himself. He has immense superhuman strength due to his tree-like form. Groot is also extremely durable because he is composed of very dense wood. He is immune to most weapons including fire, which could obviously consume most woods. Story: Groot is very close friends with Rocket Raccoon, and is often perceived to be Rocket’s hired muscle. Despite his rough exterior and limited vocabulary, Groot often displays a softer side. On one occasion, he grew a flower and gave it to a little girl. He even saved his teammate Drax the Destroyer’s life when Drax had done things to jeopardize and betray the safety of his team. Groot ultimately sacrifices himself for his team, who are also his friends, to save their lives and defeat the enemy. He truly cares about his team, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and shares a deep bond with them. Although fierce in battle, he is truly a gentle giant. Do you view gentleness as a sign of weakness? 1 Corinthians 4:21 NLT Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit? The apostle Paul was dealing with some very arrogant and stubborn people. Regardless, Paul loved these people he was writing to in the churches and was appealing to them with his question. Which approach would they prefer, an approach of love and gentleness, or one of harshness? He wanted them to have an attitude of repentance, so he could show them the love and gentleness he had in his heart towards them. One of the Fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5 is gentleness. It is a very important quality to exhibit in living our life for Christ. It has nothing to do with being weak; it is a way of showing compassion to one another. When we have a spirit of gentleness, people are more likely to be receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The world we live in is lacking love, kindness, and gentleness. We can definitely take a lesson from Groot and start having an attitude of gentleness towards others. Ephesians 4:2 NLT Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Where and to whom in your life can you be gentler? Are you having trouble being patient and kind with someone? What is something you can do to show the love of Christ to that individual? Day 22: Fin Fang Foom Super Villain Snapshot: Real Name: Fin Fang Foom Home: Valley of the Sleeping Dragon, China Created by: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby Special Powers/Abilities: Fin Fang Foom is a dragon that possesses massive strength and is extremely resistant to injury, which makes him one of Iron Man’s fiercest foes. He also has the ability to fly and breathe fire like most dragons. Despite his fierce and lizard like appearance, Foom possesses a genius level intellect. Story: The villainous dragon Fin Fang Foom was thought to be from China, but was actually an alien navigator on a starship from a planet called Kakaranathara. His name means, “He whose limbs shatter mountains and whose back scrapes the sun.” Foom, and some others of his race, left their planet to set out to conquer other worlds. He and his crew arrived in ancient China where the people confronted them. The natives killed a member of Foom’s crew sending the alien invaders running. The remaining crew, with the exception of Fin Fang Foom, hid their dragon-like appearance with shape shifting abilities. Like most dragons in ancient folklore, Foom ended up sleeping in a cave for a few centuries. He later awoke in modern times and became a foe of Iron Man. Read Revelation Chapter 12. Revelation 12:3-4 NLT I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept away one-third of the stars in the sky, and he threw him to the earth. A seven headed dragon in the Bible? The dragon the Bible is referring to is the devil. Fin Fang Foom is a huge fictitious dragon-like super villain, but he is nothing compared to the real evil that is Satan. Satan will rise up in the end times to deceive and cause people to turn their worship towards him. As Christians, we have the ultimate hope in the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus will return on a white horse with armies and the angels of heaven following him! Jesus will defeat that ancient dragon, the devil, and lock him in the pit of fire for a thousand years. We win! There will be no more sin and no more night. The perfect world God intended will come to life! God is good and has a perfect plan; as Christians, we have hope that the enemy will one day be defeated! Revelation 21:3-4 NLT I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” We serve a winning and victorious God; do you show this winning attitude in your own faith? Day 23: Juggernaut Super Villain Snapshot: Real Name: Cain Marko Home: Berkley, California Created by: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby Special Powers/Abilities: Juggernaut has a regenerative healing factor, which allows him to heal almost instantly when injured. He also possesses superhuman strength, stamina, and durability. He has virtually unstoppable momentum and he is immune to mental attacks due to his specially designed helmet. Story: Cain Marko is the stepbrother of the X-Men’s professor Charles Xavier. While growing up, Cain was abused by his father, leading him to bully and abuse his stepbrother Charles. He joined the army and quickly deserted while in Korea. He wandered into a cave where he stumbled across a large magical ruby, which transformed him into a “human juggernaut” and unstoppable super villain. Once the Juggernaut begins to walk in a given direction, there is nothing that can get in his way. No obstacle or force on Earth can stop the Juggernaut! Micah 4:13 MSG On your feet, Daughter of Zion! Be threshed of chaff, be refined of dross. I’m remaking you into a people invincible, into God’s juggernaut to crush the godless peoples. You’ll bring their plunder as holy offerings to God, their wealth to the Master of the Earth. What is a juggernaut? A juggernaut is defined as an “unstoppable force, or something that demands blind devotion or sacrifice.” When you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you have some work to do. We are called to die to our old way of life and begin living our life for Christ. Living your life for Christ requires using Jesus as your example. You can do this by reading your Bible, praying, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you and through you. God will mold you into a “juggernaut for Christ,” someone who is totally devoted and unstoppable in their faith! You may encounter roadblocks like temptation, loss, or stress, but staying committed to your faith will help you bust through those barriers. In being an unstoppable force for Jesus Christ, you can share your faith with others no matter what the cost! You can do it! Are you ready to be a juggernaut for Christ? What’s stopping you? What roadblocks can you tear down today? Day 24: Silver Samurai Super Villain Snapshot: Real Name: Keniuchio Harada Home: Japan Created by: Steve Gerber and Bob Brown Special Powers/Abilities: Silver Samurai is a mutant who possesses the power to generate a field of energy around his katana sword that enables it to cut through almost any material on Earth except for adamantium. He can apply the energy to any object and use it as a weapon, but prefers to use his powerful katana sword. He is also a master in the martial arts, specializing in weapon use and hand-to-hand combat. Story: The Silver Samurai is the illegitimate son of a Japanese Crime Lord. He was also the brother of Wolverine’s first love Mariko. He has been a bodyguard and a mercenary. He eventually became the head of the Yashida clan, leaving the criminal Yakuza underworld. He remained an enemy of Wolverine for many years, eventually changing his ways; he became a part of the superhero team, Big Hero 6. He wields very strong samurai armor made out of steel, and is never without his mighty katana sword. His sword can cut through anything, and he views the inanimate object as his ally. Hebrews 4:12 GNT The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. Ephesians 6:17 NLT Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Why is the Word of God, the Bible, compared to a sword in these verses? God’s Word, like the sword of the Silver Samurai, is alive with energy and can cut through every defense of the enemy, the devil. We can use it to cut to the heart of a problem and reveal truth to help us solve it. All other pieces of the armor of God are defensive; a sword is an offensive weapon. We have to use the Bible in our life to fight the good fight. We can apply what we learn and become mighty warriors for God. God’s Word will encourage us, convict us, equip us, and reveal God’s plan for our lives. Like the Silver Samurai, it should always be our weapon of choice. Do you read your Bible everyday? After finishing this devotional, what steps can you take to make sure you read the Bible everyday? Day 25: Mephisto Super Villain Snapshot: Real Name: Mephisto Home: Hell Created by: Stan Lee and John Buscema Special Powers/Abilities: Mephisto is extremely powerful. His powers and abilities are all derived from the use of magic. He possesses super human strength, shape-shifting abilities, can alter time, and is immortal and extremely resistant to injury. He also has the unnerving ability to acquire people’s souls. Story: Mephisto is often referred to as the Lord of Lies, the Devil, and Mephistopheles. He is an evil demon who loves to steal and torture souls. He has many enemies in the Marvel Universe, including Silver Surfer and Ghost Rider. He has a son who is also a super villain, named Blackheart. He steals souls by using contracts, often tempting and cheating people out of them. He is pure evil and is most powerful when he is residing in his dark dimension, which is similar to Hell. “Don’t think of Satan as a harmless cartoon character with a red suit and a pitchfork. He is very clever and powerful, and his unchanging purpose is to defeat God’s plans at every turn – including His plans for your life.” — Billy Graham 1 Peter 5:8 NLT Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Satan is real. He is not a little red devil with a pitchfork; he is not a cartoon character. Satan is our enemy. We cannot let the devil win in our lives. We Christian’s face temptation everyday. We have to let the Holy Spirit have victory in our lives as we live for Christ each day. Lean on God when you are tempted, pray without ceasing, memorize scripture to pull to mind when needed, and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. The devil wants us to give in when it’s hard, he wants to put up roadblocks in our lives. Your biggest defense is your relationship with Jesus Christ. When you accept Christ as your personal Savior, the devil has no power over you. He can only try to make you stumble. That is why it is so important to be grounded in your faith and in the Word of God. Stay alert! Are you struggling with temptation or doubt? How can you pray today to free yourself from the roadblocks of the devil? Day 26: Moon Knight Super Hero Snapshot: Real Name: Marc Spector Home: New York City Created by: Doug Moench and Don Perlin Special Powers/Abilities: The Moon Knight is skilled in hand-to-hand combat and is also a skilled acrobat and gymnast. He has many Egyptian weapons given to him by the cult of Konshu, such as bolas, darts, and an ivory boomerang. He wears a cape that can also be used as a glider. His powers and strength increase and decrease as the moon waxes and wanes. Moon Knight is most powerful when the moon is full. Story: Marc Spector was a mercenary who was left for dead in the desert in Egypt. He was found and nursed back to health by followers of the Egyptian Moon God known as Konshu. He became the Moon Knight when Konshu gave superhuman powers to him. He returned to the United States where he began to use his powers to fight crime. He also has a unique struggle with multiple personality disorder, making him a very tormented and struggling character. Colossians 2:7 NLT Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Moon Knight’s powers are at his strongest when the moon is full, and is at his weakest when it is just a sliver, barely visible in the night’s sky. As Christians, when we are fully committed to our faith, we are at our strongest in Christ. Often times, when we are struggling or not putting much effort into our relationship with Christ, we are at our weakest in our faith. Colossians 2:7 tells us that we have to let our roots grow deep in Christ, and we need to have a firm foundation built when it comes to our faith. We have to put the time in when it comes to being rooted in our faith. We have to completely give our lives to God and then we can truly fulfill His purpose for our life. Do you struggle with a waxing and waning faith, a faith that is constantly up and down? In what area of your faith do you need to let your roots grow deeper? Day 27: Captain America Super Hero Snapshot: Real Name: Steve Rogers Home: New York City Created by: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby Special Powers/Abilities: Steve Rogers was given a Super-Soldier Serum, which transformed him into peak physical perfection. Captain America can lift twice his own body weight, is an expert military strategist, an Olympic-level martial artist and gymnast, and he is resistant to disease and fatigue. He also carries a vibranium shield into battle, which is virtually indestructible. Story: Steve Rogers was born in the 1920s. He was very puny and scrawny and was often bullied. Even when others bullied him, he would stand up to them. He had a huge heart and was full of courage and integrity, always willing to stand up for what is right. He wasn’t afraid of bullies and was angered by the Nazis and their evil ways when WWII began. He wanted to enlist in the army to fight the evil Nazis and protect the country he was so proud of. He tried to enlist in the army but was told he was too scrawny and weak. They saw how much courage and heart he had and gave him the Super-Soldier Serum, which transformed him into Captain America. Have you ever been bullied? Read Ephesians 3:17-23. Bullying has always been a problem in school. One in four kids are bullied on a regular basis. What can you do to help yourself when it comes to bullying, or to help others in your school? Sometimes the best thing you can do is pray. Pray that God will guide you to help deal with the bullying. Pray that God will open up the bully’s eyes to what they are doing. We are also supposed love everyone, even our enemies. It can be very difficult but sometimes the best way to combat bullying is to respond with love. Kill them with kindness and you take away the satisfaction they get from bullying you. If you or someone you know is being physically abused, you definitely need to tell a teacher, principal, or staff person at your school. God is in control and He is powerful, always go to Him in prayer when you are facing challenges in your life like bullying. It may even give you the opportunity to lead others to Christ! How can you take a stand against bullying in your school? Who can you pray for today? Day 28: Bullseye Super Villain Snapshot: Real Name: Lester Home: The Bronx Created by: Marv Wolfman and John Romita, Sr. Special Powers/Abilities: Bullseye can throw any object as a projectile and strike a target with amazing, often lethal accuracy. He turns everyday items like toothpicks and playing cards into deadly weapons. He is also a skilled martial artist and an expert marksman. Like Wolverine, his skeleton is reinforced with adamantium steel making him extremely hard to kill. Story: Bullseye is one of the deadliest assassins in the comic book universe. He throws any object with lethal force and never misses his mark. He is the archenemy of Daredevil, and is even responsible for killing two people who were very close to him. In the Bible, David is also very skilled at hitting his target with lethal accuracy. 1 Samuel 17: 48-50 NLT As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. David knew he could take down the mighty Goliath with just a sling and some stones. He slung his sling and buried a stone with deadly accuracy into the head of an evil giant. Bullseye has nothing on David! Why was David so sure? David had unshakable faith in God. He knew God had his back and would lead him to victory. Trusting God will always keep you on target. We have a lot of “giants” in our life that can cause us to miss the mark. We have to stay focused on our relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer and reading His Word daily. Staying close to God keeps us on the mark. Bullseye! Are you living a life of unshakable faith like David or do you keep missing the mark? How can you get refocused on the target today? Day 29: Human Torch Super hero Snapshot: Real Name: Johnny Storm Home: Manhattan, New York Created by: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby Special Powers/Abilities: Johnny Storm can take on a fiery form, engulfing his entire body in flames, which allows him to fly. Transforming into the Human Torch also creates a shield, which protects him from damage. He has the ability to absorb heat energy and can control fire by force of will. Johnny is also a skilled race car driver and mechanic. Story: Johnny Storm joined his sister on a mission to space in Reed Richards’ experimental rocket. While in space, he was part of an accident where he was exposed to cosmic rays. These rays gave him the power to burst into flames and to fly! Johnny then became a founding member of the Fantastic Four taking the name Human Torch. As a member of the Fantastic Four, Johnny has an adventurous attitude that is sometimes not shared by his more serious-minded teammates. He definitely enjoys his celebrity super hero status. 1 Timothy 6:12 NASB Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. We learned earlier that you can be on fire for your faith, or as cold and dead as Mister Freeze. The Human Torch is a great picture of what this Biblical concept of what an on fire faith looks like. Johnny Storm is not only literally “on fire,” but he has an adventurous attitude when it comes to using his powers for good. Are you fighting the good fight of faith? We should all have an adventurous attitude when it comes to our faith as Christians. We should burn with a passion to reach others for Christ and do the work God has set before us! Be an adventurer, be a super hero for Christ! What adventures has God set before you? how can you adjust your attitude to be more adventurous when it comes to your faith? Day 30: Jesus Christ Super Hero Snapshot: Real Name: Jesus Christ, Son of God Home: Heaven Created By: God the Father Special Powers/Abilities: Jesus can do anything, no weaknesses or limitations. He’s invincible! Who was your superhero growing up? We have looked at many superheroes and villains over the last thirty days. Most of them started out as men and women who looked just like us. Through different events they were transformed into an entirely different person. With this new identity came the power or ability to do superhuman things other people couldn’t do. Do you know you have been made a superhero by Jesus? When you accept Jesus as your Savior, your old identity died and you were made brand new. With this identity change came power and ability to do superhuman things. He gives us all gifts that we can us to further his kingdom and fight the battle against sin. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NCV If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new! When you become a Christian, you don’t just join a club. You become a brand new creation, a superhero! The Holy Spirit comes to live in you and give you power and authority to be a hero to the people around you. Just like superhero teams like the X-Men or the Justice League, we have allies through our brothers and sisters in Christ. As Christians, we have to team up with people who can support us, pray for us, and help hold us accountable. Live today looking for opportunities to help people like a superhero. Extend your help, give a smile, pray a prayer, be friendly to the person who speaks badly about you. Keep your joy when your classmates gossip about you. You have the ability to live this life, because God Himself lives in you! Directory: 2016 2016 -> Senate, No. 627 State of new jersey 217th legislature 2016 -> 2017 afoCo Landmark Scholarship Program 2016 -> Instructions for the Preparation of Camera-Ready Contributions to the Conference Proceedings 2016 -> Strategic Plan South Sudan Country Office Context 2016 -> Original: English 2016 -> Step student Scholarships for Year 10-13 2016 -> Resolution 2016 -> American bar association adopted by the house of delegates Download 151.39 Kb. Share with your friends:
|