Today's full reading: 1 John 4:1-21
"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:9-11 NIV)
Eternal security is found in the presence of the Holy Spirit living in and through us. Based on this entire chapter, we see that genuine expressions of love flow from the outpouring of God's Spirit living in us. It is His Spirit that compels us to love others deeply and transparently (no self-serving motives).
And what does godly love look like? Turn to God and you will see. The most beautiful expression of love was made when God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to take away our sin. Jesus "did not come to be served, but to serve," and we should do likewise. (Mark 10:45)
Today, as an act of worship, respond to that great love by reaching out to someone new in your life. Open your eyes to see the people God has brought across your path. Love God, and love one another.
Showing posts with label Mark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark. Show all posts
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Strength Will Rise: Obeying The Will Of God
"The following night the Lord stood by [Paul] and said, 'Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.'" (Acts 23:11 ESV)
Paul set an amazing example of persevering in the will of God. He endured much grief, pain, stress, and persecution for the Kingdom. Acts chapter twenty three records a turning point in his ministry and future. It is here that we read the clear word he received from the Lord about him going to testify in Rome. What great assurance and joy it must have given Paul to know he was on track with God's will for his life. This was a huge moment of confirmation.
Each of us who desire to live a Christ-centered life need to know what God's will is.
We need to pursue it will all our heart. I t can sound confusing and very mysterious to hear some people describe the process of discovering the will of God. There are certainly things we cannot know about the will of God, however there is still much we can and should know about his will for our lives and his church.
A good word of advice I once received from a Christian friend about discovering the will of God is this: "Don't worry about the mysterious and confusing aspects of the will of God until you are certain you are obeying what is clearly identified in the Bible as the will of God."
Here are some verses that clearly identify what God's will is for every Believer.
Today, as an act of worship, surrender your life to the will of God as outlined in his word. Praise him for promising to strengthen us to go where he wants us to go, do what he wants us to do, and be who he wants us to be.
Enjoy the video below (on the blog) of "Love The Lord" by Lincoln Brewster. It's a great song based on Mark 12:30 which we read today. I'm excited about learning the song and using it in corporate worship sometime soon. (I use it in personal worship quite frequently already!)
Paul set an amazing example of persevering in the will of God. He endured much grief, pain, stress, and persecution for the Kingdom. Acts chapter twenty three records a turning point in his ministry and future. It is here that we read the clear word he received from the Lord about him going to testify in Rome. What great assurance and joy it must have given Paul to know he was on track with God's will for his life. This was a huge moment of confirmation.
Each of us who desire to live a Christ-centered life need to know what God's will is.
We need to pursue it will all our heart. I
A good word of advice I once received from a Christian friend about discovering the will of God is this: "Don't worry about the mysterious and confusing aspects of the will of God until you are certain you are obeying what is clearly identified in the Bible as the will of God."
Here are some verses that clearly identify what God's will is for every Believer.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. living as servants Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.(Mark 12:30, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, 1 Peter 2:13-17)
Today, as an act of worship, surrender your life to the will of God as outlined in his word. Praise him for promising to strengthen us to go where he wants us to go, do what he wants us to do, and be who he wants us to be.
Enjoy the video below (on the blog) of "Love The Lord" by Lincoln Brewster. It's a great song based on Mark 12:30 which we read today. I'm excited about learning the song and using it in corporate worship sometime soon. (I use it in personal worship quite frequently already!)
Sunday, June 01, 2008
All Authority Has Been Given
John 19:7-11
Today we read Jesus' last words to Pilate. To set the stage, Jesus had been arrested, tried, found innocent yet was flogged, and is now on the verge of being sentenced to death or released. Pilate is visibly upset at hearing the real charges the Chief Priests are bringing against Jesus, "We have a law," they said, "and according to that law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God." (John 19:7)
The ball was now in Pilate's court, and he had to make a judgment. He chose to take Jesus inside and question him one more time. At first Jesus refuses to speak to him. Then in response to Pilate's question, "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." (John 19:10-11) This is the focus of today's devotion. God gave Pilate the authority.
Do you recall Daniel's interpretation of the Babylonian King's dream. He said, "the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." (Daniel 4:25) We know, based on the whole of scripture, that the cross was God's idea. It was his plan to redeem us from having to pay for our sin. He had already chosen to purchase us with his blood from the very beginning and set things in motion to do so. Pilate was not acting alone. In fact, Jesus said this was the very reason he came to earth, "to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)
God is sovereign over our lives. He does have a purpose for your life. He has given you a platform. He has given you relationships with people who need him. He has given you authority to chose and act according to his word or not. So what will it be? What will you chose?
Today as an act of worship praise God for his amazing grace. Thank him for the cross. Thank him for being sovereign over the kingdoms of men. Thank him for giving you the influence and authority you possess. Now go and leverage all that you have to bring glory to his grace.
Today we read Jesus' last words to Pilate. To set the stage, Jesus had been arrested, tried, found innocent yet was flogged, and is now on the verge of being sentenced to death or released. Pilate is visibly upset at hearing the real charges the Chief Priests are bringing against Jesus, "We have a law," they said, "and according to that law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God." (John 19:7)
The ball was now in Pilate's court, and he had to make a judgment. He chose to take Jesus inside and question him one more time. At first Jesus refuses to speak to him. Then in response to Pilate's question, "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." (John 19:10-11) This is the focus of today's devotion. God gave Pilate the authority.
Do you recall Daniel's interpretation of the Babylonian King's dream. He said, "the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." (Daniel 4:25) We know, based on the whole of scripture, that the cross was God's idea. It was his plan to redeem us from having to pay for our sin. He had already chosen to purchase us with his blood from the very beginning and set things in motion to do so. Pilate was not acting alone. In fact, Jesus said this was the very reason he came to earth, "to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)
God is sovereign over our lives. He does have a purpose for your life. He has given you a platform. He has given you relationships with people who need him. He has given you authority to chose and act according to his word or not. So what will it be? What will you chose?
Today as an act of worship praise God for his amazing grace. Thank him for the cross. Thank him for being sovereign over the kingdoms of men. Thank him for giving you the influence and authority you possess. Now go and leverage all that you have to bring glory to his grace.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
House of Prayer
The Christian life is about having a relationship with God which is provided exclusively through the death of Jesus Christ for our sins. By dying on the cross, Jesus made it possible for us to be "right" with God permanently for all eternity. But, like any gift, if we are going to enjoy it we must first receive it. The gift of forgiveness of sin and eternal life is available for everyone, but it's not automatic. We must ask Him for it; we must make a move toward God; we must turn to Him.
The primary reason I'm mentioning this is simply because in order to receive this gift of salvation one must exercise the simplest of all Christian disciplines - PRAYER. Prayer is the basic vehicle of communication between man and God. The Bible has many great key teachings on prayer; some are listed below. Let me draw your attention to one particular passage right now.
"On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" (Mark 11:15-18)
Jesus is very serious about the exercise of prayer. If fact, He is so serious that He dramatically drives out the people buying and selling in the temple complex. The simple truth that we can easily glean from this is - prayer is more important than a lot of the other things we do at church.
Today, as an act of worship, let's pray fervently, without ceasing, and believing that God will act on behalf of His people.
Food for thought and comment: Compared to the other elements of a public worship service, what percentage is prayer? How much time do you spend in pray each week? What are the major challenges to maintaining a healthy prayer life? What solutions can be found in God's Word?
The primary reason I'm mentioning this is simply because in order to receive this gift of salvation one must exercise the simplest of all Christian disciplines - PRAYER. Prayer is the basic vehicle of communication between man and God. The Bible has many great key teachings on prayer; some are listed below. Let me draw your attention to one particular passage right now.
"On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" (Mark 11:15-18)
Jesus is very serious about the exercise of prayer. If fact, He is so serious that He dramatically drives out the people buying and selling in the temple complex. The simple truth that we can easily glean from this is - prayer is more important than a lot of the other things we do at church.
Today, as an act of worship, let's pray fervently, without ceasing, and believing that God will act on behalf of His people.
Food for thought and comment: Compared to the other elements of a public worship service, what percentage is prayer? How much time do you spend in pray each week? What are the major challenges to maintaining a healthy prayer life? What solutions can be found in God's Word?
Friday, September 09, 2005
What Can I Do?
Worshiping God is ultimately the greatest thing you can do on earth. The Bible clearly ranks this as the greatest of all commands. Jesus said it this way, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Perhaps you have heard this before, but let me ask you to consider this question a little longer. How can I demonstrate my love to God? (Think about it for a moment.) What can you do to show God how much you love Him?
The answer can be several things such as go to church, read the Bible, pray, minister to hurting people… Those are all very good things to do, and many people do them religiously. But, consider this, loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is not a one-time thing nor is it a program you can attend. Loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is referring to your lifestyle.
Our culture is very much into fame of fortune. Think of some ways your lifestyle can change that will magnify the fame of God. That’s right, we want God to be famous; we want people to worship Him! A great instruction with this in mind is found in 1 Corinthians 10:31 which says, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory [fame*] of God.” I could not agree more.
Everything, except sin, can become an act of worship if you do it for the fame and glory of God. Today let me encourage you to be creative in the way you worship God. Take time to honor God in whatever you do.
(Related scriptures: Colossians 3:17 and 3:23) *emphasis added
Perhaps you have heard this before, but let me ask you to consider this question a little longer. How can I demonstrate my love to God? (Think about it for a moment.) What can you do to show God how much you love Him?
The answer can be several things such as go to church, read the Bible, pray, minister to hurting people… Those are all very good things to do, and many people do them religiously. But, consider this, loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is not a one-time thing nor is it a program you can attend. Loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is referring to your lifestyle.
Our culture is very much into fame of fortune. Think of some ways your lifestyle can change that will magnify the fame of God. That’s right, we want God to be famous; we want people to worship Him! A great instruction with this in mind is found in 1 Corinthians 10:31 which says, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory [fame*] of God.” I could not agree more.
Everything, except sin, can become an act of worship if you do it for the fame and glory of God. Today let me encourage you to be creative in the way you worship God. Take time to honor God in whatever you do.
(Related scriptures: Colossians 3:17 and 3:23) *emphasis added
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