Day 11: “A Glorious Inheritance”
“[I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives
you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him
[for we know the Father through the Son]. And [I pray] that the eyes of your
heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with
light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the
divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the
riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people),” Ephesians
1:17-18 AMP
Paul prayed that the Father would grant the Ephesians the
spirit of wisdom and that He would give them revelation. But these
are not so they may see into the lives of others, have the ability to predict
events, or do what we commonly think of as “prophet stuff.” He wanted them to
have the spirit of wisdom and revelation simply so that they
would have a better knowledge of Him (God).
Our Christian life must be centered around this purpose - to
know God as He is in truth, as revealed by His Word, and to correct our false,
idolatrous ideas of who God is.
The hope of His calling has its perspective on the future.
As believers we have a glorious future of resurrection, eternal life, freedom
from sin, perfected justification, and glorious elevation above the angels
themselves.
What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the
saints: Paul wanted Ephesians to know the greatness of God’s inheritance
in His people. We usually think only of our inheritance in God, but Paul
wanted them to understand that they are so precious to God that He considered
them His own inheritance.
This is your glorious inheritance - you are a child of God,
so precious to God and you are His own inheritance!
Day 12: “The Tender Hearted”
“Concerning the words which you have heard— because your
heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what
I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become
a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also
have heard you,” says the Lord. II Kings 22:18-19 NKJV
Because your heart was tender:
Josiah’s heart was tender in two ways. First, it was tender to the word
of God and was able to receive the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit. Second,
it was tender to the message of judgment from Huldah in the previous
verses. Read verses 14-19.
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Is your heart
tender to the voice the Holy Spirit?
Day 13: “Authentic Friendship”
Friendship, a state of enduring affection,
esteem, intimacy, and trust between two people. In all cultures, friendships
are important relationships throughout a person’s life span.
Without a doubt, people who are able to step outside of
their perspectives to try to understand someone else make the best sort of
friends. Likewise, those who are not offended when someone thinks differently
than they do, are a joy to be around.
Jesus said in John 15:12-13 (NIV), “My command is this: Love
each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down
one’s life for one’s friends.”
Jesus really cared that His disciples love one
another, and that they do so according to the measure and quality of His
love for them.
“We are sent out into the world to love one another.
Sometimes we live as if we were sent into the world to compete with one
another, or to dispute with one another, or even to quarrel with one another.”
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s
life for his friends: Jesus described the measure and
quality of His love for them, to use as a pattern for the way they should love
each other. His love is complete and of surpassing greatness, laying down its life.
You will find that folks willing to get past themselves are
a rare and precious breed. But hold out for those friends! They are worth the
love and delight they will bring to your life. Be discerning and take an honest
look at the current friendships you are putting time into.
Do something every day that has the potential to last
forever - PRAY!
Day 14: “A New Creation”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has
come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
If anyone: This is a promise for anyone.
Anyone! It doesn’t matter what class, what race, what nationality, what
language, or what level of intelligence. Anyone can be a new creation in
Jesus Christ.
Is in Christ: This is a promise for anyone
who is in Christ. This is not a promise for those who are in themselves,
or in the religion of men, or in someone or something else. This is for those in
Christ.
He is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold,
all things have become new. Paul here teaches the great
principle of regeneration. Jesus Christ changes those who come to Him by
faith and who are in Christ. The saved are not “just forgiven.”
They are changed into a new creation.
It is unfair for us to expect those who are not in Christ
to live as if they were a new creation. However, it is not unfair
to expect a changed life from people who say they are Christians.
However, being a new creation doesn’t mean that we
are perfect. It means that we are changed and that we are being
changed.
“The Gift of the Gospel “
“So, for my part, I am ready and eager to preach the gospel
also to you who are in Rome. I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the
power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who
believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans
1:15-16 AMP
I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also:
This is boldness talking. “Talk of your brave men, your great men, O world!
Where in all history can you find one like Paul? Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon,
marched with the protection of their armies to enforce their will upon men.
Paul was eager to march with Christ alone to the center of this world’s
greatness entrenched under Satan with the word of the cross, which he
himself says is to the Jews, an offence; and to Gentiles, foolishness.”
I am not ashamed of the gospel:
This reveals Paul’s heart. In a sophisticated city like Rome, some might be
embarrassed by a gospel centered on a crucified Jewish Savior and embraced by
the lowest classes of people - but Paul is not ashamed.
For it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who
believes: This is why Paul is not ashamed of a gospel
centered on a crucified Savior. He knows that the gospel - the good news of
Jesus Christ - has inherent power. We do not give it power, we
only stop hindering the power of the gospel when we present it
effectively.
Day 15: “The Gift of the Gospel“
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the
power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also
for the Greek.” Romans 1:16 NKJV
A “gift” is something good you receive or something good
that happens to you, even though you might not deserve it. It’s nothing you can
do to earn it. God’s grace and desire for all to receive it.
Paul does not say that the gospel brings power, but that it is
power, and God’s power at that. The gospel’s power to salvation comes to everyone
who believes. God will not withhold salvation from the one who believes;
but believing is the only requirement.
For it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who
believes: we only have to believe to receive it.
Read today’s verses in multiple versions. There are many
free apps available. My favorite is YouVersion.
Day 16: “Light in the Darkness”
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of
the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of
life.”
John 8:12 NKJV
I am the light of the world:
Light was an important symbol in the Feast of Tabernacles. During the feast,
many emblems and ceremonies remembered the pillar of fire that gave light to
Israel during the Exodus. Now, Jesus took this important symbol and simply
applied it to Himself: I am the light of the world.
Many Bible scholars connect the light of the world
sayings with a ceremony associated with the Feast of Tabernacles known as The
Illumination of the Temple. “It was the custom during the first night, if
not during every night, of the feast of tabernacles, to light up two large
golden chandeliers in the court of the women, the light of which illuminated
all Jerusalem. All that night they held a festal dance by the light.”
Jesus, being the light of the world, brings light to
those who follow Him. When we follow Him, we stay in the light and do not walk
in darkness.
Scriptures speak of God’s Word as light.
· Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my
path (Psalm 119:105).
· Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead
me (Psalm 43:3).
Since Jesus is the Word (John 1:1), it makes perfect
sense that He is also the light.
Day 17: “Awakened Love” is today’s gratitude prompt
“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to
one another and to all, just as we do to you,” I Thessalonians 3:12 NKJV
“May the Lord make your love for each other and for everyone
else grow by leaps and bounds. This is how our love for you has grown.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12 CEV
Jesus spoke of the essential place love has as an identifying
mark of the Christian: By this all will know that you are My disciples, if
you have love for one another (John 13:35). The Apostle John also
emphasized this principle: If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his
brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen,
how can he love God whom he has not seen? (1 John 4:20)
Abound in love to one another and to all:
Paul looked for the Thessalonian Christians to show love to one another and
to all. This love begins in the family of God, but it must go
beyond. Jesus told us that our love is small and shallow if we only love those
who love us also (Matthew 5:46-47).
Just as we do to you: Paul daringly
set himself as a standard of love to be emulated. We should live such Christian
lives that we could tell young Christians, “Love other people just the way that
I do.”
Let your life be “living proof” of God’s love to everyone
you meet.
Day 18: “Healing”
- “by Whose
stripes you were healed.” It’s already done! Receive it.
““He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so
that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have
been healed.”” 1 Peter 2:24 NIV
“Christ carried the burden of our sins. He was nailed to the
cross, so we would stop sinning and start living right. By his cuts and bruises
you are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 CEV
“He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross
[willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we
might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live
for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.” 1
Peter 2:24 AMP
Peter quotes Isaiah 53:5, “He was pierced for our
transgressions…” which primarily refers to spiritual healing but also includes
physical healing. The provision for our healing (both physically and
spiritually) is made by the sufferings (stripes) of Jesus.
On the cross, Jesus paid the sin debt of every person who
ever lived. And the moment we accept him as our personal Savior, his provision
is applied to our life—the full penalty of our transgressions removed
forevermore.
We can be healed and restored by Jesus’ suffering for us.
Day 19: “A New Perspective”
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 NKJV
Do not be conformed to this world:
This warns us that the “world system” - the popular culture and manner of
thinking that is in rebellion against God - will try to conform us to its
ungodly pattern, and that process must be resisted.
Transformation begins with our thinking and with our
consciences that are committed to listening to and obeying God. Our minds are
renewed as we study His Word and our hearts are changed as we submit to Him.
When we live in the center of God‘s will, we live our very best life and there
is nothing in this world that compares to that.
But be transformed by the renewing of your mind: This is the
opposite of being conformed to this world. The battle ground between
conforming to the world and being transformed is within the mind of the
believer. Christians must think differently.
“I don’t want to be conformed to this world. I want to be
transformed. How do I do it?” By the renewing of your mind.
Decide today that you will not think like the rest of the
world. You will let God renew your mind.
Instead of becoming fixated on what you see, fix your
thoughts on Jesus. He made you. He will sustain you. He can carry you,
strengthen you, and empower you to do what He’s called you to do.
You are more than a conqueror through Christ. God is more
than enough. And nothing can separate you from God’s love. Let God change your
thinking. He will change your life and then you will have a new perspective!
“I don’t want to be conformed to this world. I want to be
transformed. How do I do it?” By the renewing of your mind. The problem
with many Christians is they live life based on feelings, or they are
only concerned about doing.
The life based on feeling says, “How do I feel today?
How do I feel about my job? How do I feel about my wife? How do I feel about
worship? How do I feel about the preacher?” This life by feeling will never
know the transforming power of God, because it ignores the renewing of
the mind.
The life based on doing says, “Don’t give me your
theology. Just tell me what to do. Give me the four points for this and
the seven keys for that.” This life of doing will never know the
transforming power of God, because it ignores the renewing of the mind.
God is never against the principles of feeling and doing. He
is a God of powerful and passionate feeling and He commands us to be doers. Yet
feelings and doing are completely insufficient foundations for the
Christian life. The first questions cannot be “How do I feel?” or “What do I
do?” Rather, they must be “What is true here? What does God’s Word say?”
Transformed: This is the ancient Greek word metamorphoo
- describing a metamorphosis. The same word is used to describe Jesus in His
transfiguration (Mark 9:2-3). This is a glorious transformation!
The only other place Paul uses this word for transformed
is in 2 Corinthians 3:18: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a
mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from
glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. For Paul, this
transformation and renewing of our minds takes place as we behold the face of
God, spending time in His glory.
Day 20: “Mentors, Teachers, Leaders"
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7 NIV
“Remember your leaders [for it was they] who brought you the
word of God; and consider the result of their conduct [the outcome of their
godly lives], and imitate their faith [their conviction that God exists and is
the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider of eternal salvation through
Christ, and imitate their reliance on God with absolute trust and confidence in
His power, wisdom, and goodness].” Hebrews 13:7 AMP
A mentor is an experienced, trusted advisor.
A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or
formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire
knowledge, competence or virtue.
Teachers can be mentors and mentors
can be teachers. Both have an important and necessary place in education. ...
And while a mentor's priority is on personal development, the mentee must
possess “know-how” skills. And so mentoring will always have an instructional
component.
A leader is the one in the charge, the person who convinces
other people to follow. A great leader inspires confidence in other people and
moves them to action.
When you look at the life of Jesus, which one was He? I see
Him as all three. An experienced, trusted advisor; helped His disciples acquire
knowledge; and He convinced them to follow Him.
Then He (Jesus) said to them (His disciples), “Follow Me,
and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 NKJV The NLT version says, “I
will show you how to fish…” Leaders are accountable to God and are stewards of
everyone who follows them. Throughout the Gospels we see Jesus mentoring,
teaching and leading His disciples, as well as His followers.
Jesus calls His people to live at a higher level than the
rest of the world.
Be Blessed and be a blessing
Comments
Post a Comment