and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)
Thoughts: The Lord, is the Lord of love. He calls us to love, and elicits love from us by His great example. He awakes us to His love by His Holy Spirit who makes the love of 2,000 years ago real to us today.
Our task is to walk in the way of love This means to walk on the road of love to heaven. It means walking with the God who loves us and will never forsake us. It also means imitating Jesus upon that road of love. For Jesus shows us how to love and give ourselves to others. He gave Himself as a fragrant offering- a sacrifice for us. He is the one who gave Himself up as a hostage for us (Mk. 10:45) out of sacrificial love.
Prayer: Lord, let me love as you first loved me. May my love be a kind response to your great love.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
3-15-15- In His Steps
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. (1 Peter 2:21)
Thoughts: To walk in His steps is to follow after Christ. This passage implies follow after Christ even if that following involves suffering. To think that there is no suffering in life- that it is an illusion (maya in Hinduism), or is meaningless gives no hope at all. But to know whose steps we are following and that these not only lead to the cross (Lk. 9:23) but also to the resurrection and the fulfillment of our hope.
We cannot think of this verse without thinking of Charles Sheldon. Sheldon began his career in a Topeka Kansas newspaper that printed 12,000 copies a day. He would always ask the question during and at the end of his articles, "What would Jesus do?" The circulation of the newspaper went up to almost 400,000! Later his articles and sermons were turned into a classic Christian book called "In His Steps" published in 1896 with 30 million copies sold (one of the best sellers of all time). In the 1990s and even today many wear a bracelet that says "WWJD?" Thomas A'Kempis (1380-1471) similarly wrote "The Imitation of Christ." To follow in His steps means to live like Him and to say, as Jesus did, "Not my will but yours be done." Of course there is no perfect discerning of Christ's will in each situation, and of course we bring our past and subjective views into everything- but of course- we have to live somehow. This question is a good guide to the way of love.
Prayer: Help me to imitate you. Send your Holy Spirit to inspire and guide me to walk in your way.
Thoughts: To walk in His steps is to follow after Christ. This passage implies follow after Christ even if that following involves suffering. To think that there is no suffering in life- that it is an illusion (maya in Hinduism), or is meaningless gives no hope at all. But to know whose steps we are following and that these not only lead to the cross (Lk. 9:23) but also to the resurrection and the fulfillment of our hope.
We cannot think of this verse without thinking of Charles Sheldon. Sheldon began his career in a Topeka Kansas newspaper that printed 12,000 copies a day. He would always ask the question during and at the end of his articles, "What would Jesus do?" The circulation of the newspaper went up to almost 400,000! Later his articles and sermons were turned into a classic Christian book called "In His Steps" published in 1896 with 30 million copies sold (one of the best sellers of all time). In the 1990s and even today many wear a bracelet that says "WWJD?" Thomas A'Kempis (1380-1471) similarly wrote "The Imitation of Christ." To follow in His steps means to live like Him and to say, as Jesus did, "Not my will but yours be done." Of course there is no perfect discerning of Christ's will in each situation, and of course we bring our past and subjective views into everything- but of course- we have to live somehow. This question is a good guide to the way of love.
Prayer: Help me to imitate you. Send your Holy Spirit to inspire and guide me to walk in your way.
Friday, March 13, 2015
3-14-15 To Glorify the Name of Jesus
11With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 1:11,12)
Thoughts: 1 & 2 Thessalonians are two of the earliest books of the New Testament we have. It is clear that very early on, Jesus is called Lord. Thomas fell at Jesus' feet and exclaimed, "My Lord and my God." The name "Lord" does not just mean "Master" (like "Baal").
"Lord" (Kurios in Greek) is a name of relationship. He is our Lord, and we are His by covenant. The Lord is glorified when God makes us worthy of His calling. The Lord is glorified when by His power He brings our good deeds and fulfill faith to fruition. God is blessed when we are blessed for trusting in His power. When we have faith- and live that faith out- in other words, God is glorified and Jesus is seen as the good Lord that He is. When we are good- we are reflecting God's glory. When we have faith- it is a reflection of the One who is worthy of faith and elicits faith from us. To glorify the Lord and His name is to reflect Him in our life and faith.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the power and the faith to glorify your name.
(Psalm 86:12; John 12:28; Rev. 15:4 cross references).
"Glorify The Name" song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nNlmywqqPo
Thoughts: 1 & 2 Thessalonians are two of the earliest books of the New Testament we have. It is clear that very early on, Jesus is called Lord. Thomas fell at Jesus' feet and exclaimed, "My Lord and my God." The name "Lord" does not just mean "Master" (like "Baal").
"Lord" (Kurios in Greek) is a name of relationship. He is our Lord, and we are His by covenant. The Lord is glorified when God makes us worthy of His calling. The Lord is glorified when by His power He brings our good deeds and fulfill faith to fruition. God is blessed when we are blessed for trusting in His power. When we have faith- and live that faith out- in other words, God is glorified and Jesus is seen as the good Lord that He is. When we are good- we are reflecting God's glory. When we have faith- it is a reflection of the One who is worthy of faith and elicits faith from us. To glorify the Lord and His name is to reflect Him in our life and faith.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the power and the faith to glorify your name.
(Psalm 86:12; John 12:28; Rev. 15:4 cross references).
"Glorify The Name" song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nNlmywqqPo
Thursday, March 12, 2015
3-13-15- God Keeps us for Eternity
24To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 1)
Thoughts: This is one of the most assuring verses in the Bible. It is a tribute of doxological praise to God who is able to keep us in perpetual perfection and joy. It affirms God as our Savior and affirms Jesus as the Lord. Sometimes we would call Jesus the Savior and the Father the Lord. But here the usual attributes are crossed on purpose. Jesus is called our Lord before the world began (all ages), our Lord of the present, and our Lord of the future. Since He will win as the Lord of all time- we should not hesitate to give him glory,majesty, power and authority. The praise of who God is does not change with time- and teh reason why is God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does not lie and His promises can be counted on (Nbrs. 23:19). Because God is not glorious one minute and ignominious the next,He is worthy of praise always. God keeps us forever and He has kept us. He is worthy of all we are.
Prayer: Lord, you are worthy of my praise yesterday when I was a child; today as an adult; and tomorrow in eternity. Keep me from thinking my praise should cease.
Thoughts: This is one of the most assuring verses in the Bible. It is a tribute of doxological praise to God who is able to keep us in perpetual perfection and joy. It affirms God as our Savior and affirms Jesus as the Lord. Sometimes we would call Jesus the Savior and the Father the Lord. But here the usual attributes are crossed on purpose. Jesus is called our Lord before the world began (all ages), our Lord of the present, and our Lord of the future. Since He will win as the Lord of all time- we should not hesitate to give him glory,majesty, power and authority. The praise of who God is does not change with time- and teh reason why is God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does not lie and His promises can be counted on (Nbrs. 23:19). Because God is not glorious one minute and ignominious the next,He is worthy of praise always. God keeps us forever and He has kept us. He is worthy of all we are.
Prayer: Lord, you are worthy of my praise yesterday when I was a child; today as an adult; and tomorrow in eternity. Keep me from thinking my praise should cease.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
3-12-15 Suffering for the Lord
20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:20,21)
Thoughts: This passage reminds us of how Jesus endured for us- He did good and was innocent but suffered any way. This passage also says that enduring suffering for doing good is to our credit and commendable before God. In fact, Peter even says, we are "called" to suffer for doing good. Included in this is suffering at all. The Christian who thinks they deserve to be comfortable at all times because they simply exist or because they are God's children, deceive themselves and set themselves up for disappointment with God and with their lot in life. Suffering is a part of life. To find meaning in it is a Christian virtue. Suffering can mold us, sharpen us (as iron sharpens iron), and cause us to call on God more. It is hard to hear that suffering has value when we are in the middle of suffering, or when our hearts are breaking with grief. But the alternative- that there is no meaning in suffering brings with it the idea that there is no meaning in life. The cross, is the saddest act- an innocent suffering- but it is also the most meaningful act.
Prayer: Lord, help me to endure as you did. Help me to follow in your steps as my Lord.
Thoughts: This passage reminds us of how Jesus endured for us- He did good and was innocent but suffered any way. This passage also says that enduring suffering for doing good is to our credit and commendable before God. In fact, Peter even says, we are "called" to suffer for doing good. Included in this is suffering at all. The Christian who thinks they deserve to be comfortable at all times because they simply exist or because they are God's children, deceive themselves and set themselves up for disappointment with God and with their lot in life. Suffering is a part of life. To find meaning in it is a Christian virtue. Suffering can mold us, sharpen us (as iron sharpens iron), and cause us to call on God more. It is hard to hear that suffering has value when we are in the middle of suffering, or when our hearts are breaking with grief. But the alternative- that there is no meaning in suffering brings with it the idea that there is no meaning in life. The cross, is the saddest act- an innocent suffering- but it is also the most meaningful act.
Prayer: Lord, help me to endure as you did. Help me to follow in your steps as my Lord.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
3/11/15- Walk as the Lord walked
3We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5But if anyone obeys his word, love for Goda is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)
Thoughts: How are we assured of being in His love, grace, and favor? How are we assured of His presence? There is a link in love and obedience. We are called by Christ in word and example to love God and neighbor. When we obey his command to love we walk as Jesus did. To walk in Jesus' path is the royal, holy, privileged walk. To walk in His way is the path of life and the path of truth. To be a disciple or follower of Christ means to walk after His example- seeking His will and choosing His way over the temporary and fickle way of selfishness.
Prayer: Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, to see the way and walk in it. Help me to hear a voice behind me saying, "This is the ancient and good path, walk in it."
Thoughts: How are we assured of being in His love, grace, and favor? How are we assured of His presence? There is a link in love and obedience. We are called by Christ in word and example to love God and neighbor. When we obey his command to love we walk as Jesus did. To walk in Jesus' path is the royal, holy, privileged walk. To walk in His way is the path of life and the path of truth. To be a disciple or follower of Christ means to walk after His example- seeking His will and choosing His way over the temporary and fickle way of selfishness.
Prayer: Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, to see the way and walk in it. Help me to hear a voice behind me saying, "This is the ancient and good path, walk in it."
Monday, March 9, 2015
3-10-15 Lord of Lords
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, (1 Timothy 6:14b,15)
Thoughts: Jesus is Lord of lords. There is no ruler, no politician who is greater than He is. Ironically, the most powerful government at just about the height of its power- the Roman empire under Augustus crucified Him. Yet Jesus has influenced and ruled over far more people than Augustus could dream of. Rulers look to Him- and should! His power- which created the world is greater than any rulers ability or power. His governing the world in His providence is greater and more intimate and knowing than any ruler's governing. He will come and put an end to all earthly powers at the proper time- His own time. It is common in the New Testament when it talks about Jesus' second coming to speak of it as a triumph over all earthly powers. It does no one good to fight against God. Only the Lord has power to give eternal life. Earthly rulers may take life away, but they cannot give it. Jesus shows this when he raised people from the dead (like Lazarus and Himself). At the end of history, it will be clear that He is King of kings and Lord of lords. We may as well be on His side, work for His kingdom, and glorify His name. He will win and every knee will bow and every tongue confess on heaven on earth and everywhere that He is Lord.
Prayer: Lord, I submit myself myself to you. You are worthy of my listening, my worship, and my praise.
Link: Hillsong- "He is Lord"
Thoughts: Jesus is Lord of lords. There is no ruler, no politician who is greater than He is. Ironically, the most powerful government at just about the height of its power- the Roman empire under Augustus crucified Him. Yet Jesus has influenced and ruled over far more people than Augustus could dream of. Rulers look to Him- and should! His power- which created the world is greater than any rulers ability or power. His governing the world in His providence is greater and more intimate and knowing than any ruler's governing. He will come and put an end to all earthly powers at the proper time- His own time. It is common in the New Testament when it talks about Jesus' second coming to speak of it as a triumph over all earthly powers. It does no one good to fight against God. Only the Lord has power to give eternal life. Earthly rulers may take life away, but they cannot give it. Jesus shows this when he raised people from the dead (like Lazarus and Himself). At the end of history, it will be clear that He is King of kings and Lord of lords. We may as well be on His side, work for His kingdom, and glorify His name. He will win and every knee will bow and every tongue confess on heaven on earth and everywhere that He is Lord.
Prayer: Lord, I submit myself myself to you. You are worthy of my listening, my worship, and my praise.
Link: Hillsong- "He is Lord"
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