Read 1 Peter 1:13-16
Context: 1 Peter has a lot to say about how to live a Christian life. In the introduction of the letter Paul has reminded his readers of the glorious hoped offered by the resurrection.
Text:
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."[a] (NIV)
Footnotes:
1 Peter 1:16 Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7
taken from www.biblegateway.com
According to my NIV Study Bible, "to be holy is to be set apart -- set apart from sin and impurity, and set apart to God. The complete moral perfection of God, whose eyes are too pure to look on evil with favor, should move his people to strive for moral purity."
Do we even know what moral purity is any more? We are bombarded by society's 'morality' more than any other generation. Many of us remember when television of the '50s and '60s was considered too racy...wow, things have changed! Our children are so used to seeing sex, violence, materialism, and immorality that they can easily think that the 'impure' is normal behavior, not evil.
Other than living in a cave, how do we turn away from all that we see? The only direction we can turn to find purity is toward God. Examine the things you are exposed to. If Jesus were sitting next to you (and he is!) would you listen to that music, watch that show, or read that book? It would be easy to sound legalistic or fanatical about purity, but in the end it has to be an agreement between each Christian and God. He is the role model for holiness, and we can only become more holy by learning his ways.
How is God telling you to act today?
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Amazing Power
Read Psalm 29 (yes...the WHOLE thing...it's not too long)
Context: This is a hymn of praise written by David.
Text:
1 Praise the Lord, you angels;
praise the Lord's glory and power.
2 Praise the Lord for the glory of his name;
worship the Lord because he is holy.
3 The Lord's voice is heard over the sea.
The glorious God thunders;
the Lord thunders over the ocean.
4 The Lord's voice is powerful;
the Lord's voice is majestic.
5 The Lord's voice breaks the trees;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes the land of Lebanon dance like a calf
and Mount Hermon jump like a baby bull.
7 The Lord's voice makes the lightning flash.
8 The Lord's voice shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The Lord's voice shakes the oaks
and strips the leaves off the trees.
In his Temple everyone says, "Glory to God!"
10 The Lord controls the flood.
The Lord will be King forever.
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace. (New Century Version)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Where in nature do you best see God's power? Some see it in disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, others see it in Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon, where his hand has created amazing wonders. It is hard to comprehend how God's words alone have such power...enough power to cause a black spot in the universe to become an inhabited planet by his commands alone.
God speaks, and mountains crumble. He commands, and the stormy seas calm. Yet when he tells humans the truth, he allows us to decide if we want to take action. Many of us turn our heads and move in a different direction, thinking that we have a better answer. He could open his mouth and we'd be swallowed up by the earth, yet in his love and patience he speaks again. And again. He wants to share his strength with us, to give us his peace. All we have to do is trust and obey.
Context: This is a hymn of praise written by David.
Text:
1 Praise the Lord, you angels;
praise the Lord's glory and power.
2 Praise the Lord for the glory of his name;
worship the Lord because he is holy.
3 The Lord's voice is heard over the sea.
The glorious God thunders;
the Lord thunders over the ocean.
4 The Lord's voice is powerful;
the Lord's voice is majestic.
5 The Lord's voice breaks the trees;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes the land of Lebanon dance like a calf
and Mount Hermon jump like a baby bull.
7 The Lord's voice makes the lightning flash.
8 The Lord's voice shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The Lord's voice shakes the oaks
and strips the leaves off the trees.
In his Temple everyone says, "Glory to God!"
10 The Lord controls the flood.
The Lord will be King forever.
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace. (New Century Version)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Where in nature do you best see God's power? Some see it in disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, others see it in Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon, where his hand has created amazing wonders. It is hard to comprehend how God's words alone have such power...enough power to cause a black spot in the universe to become an inhabited planet by his commands alone.
God speaks, and mountains crumble. He commands, and the stormy seas calm. Yet when he tells humans the truth, he allows us to decide if we want to take action. Many of us turn our heads and move in a different direction, thinking that we have a better answer. He could open his mouth and we'd be swallowed up by the earth, yet in his love and patience he speaks again. And again. He wants to share his strength with us, to give us his peace. All we have to do is trust and obey.
Monday, September 10, 2007
The Best Roses Have Thorns
Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Context: Paul writes this second note to the Corinthians in response to news of false teachers influencing the church. They were teaching incorrect doctrine and they were challenging Paul's credibility as an apostle. This passage follows a description of "a man's" vision of Heaven (interpreted as Paul's vision).
Text:
7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (The Message)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
These verses are pretty familiar to those who have been studying God's word for even a short time. I liked Steve's advice to read familiar texts in a different version, so today's scripture is from The Message version of the Bible.
God knows that we need to understand our limitations. I've never thought of physical and emotional challenges as 'gifts' as they are interpreted here. What would happen if we didn't have human temptations and suffering to remind us that we are mere mortals? How often have the 'thorns in your flesh' (terminology from other versions) driven you to your knees?
Satan is the one who wants you to dwell on your limitations and complain about how you wish things were different. When we focus on the negative, he is ecstatic because we have taken our eyes off of God.
Your challenge today is to actively thank God for the challenges he has given you, for the daily reminders you have that you are only flesh and blood. See them as the gifts they are -- God's loving reminders to rely on His power in your life instead of your own.
We may not realize the value of the gift on this side of Heaven, but imagine your joy when God shows you what you could have become without it....a pretty scary thought.
Context: Paul writes this second note to the Corinthians in response to news of false teachers influencing the church. They were teaching incorrect doctrine and they were challenging Paul's credibility as an apostle. This passage follows a description of "a man's" vision of Heaven (interpreted as Paul's vision).
Text:
7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (The Message)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
These verses are pretty familiar to those who have been studying God's word for even a short time. I liked Steve's advice to read familiar texts in a different version, so today's scripture is from The Message version of the Bible.
God knows that we need to understand our limitations. I've never thought of physical and emotional challenges as 'gifts' as they are interpreted here. What would happen if we didn't have human temptations and suffering to remind us that we are mere mortals? How often have the 'thorns in your flesh' (terminology from other versions) driven you to your knees?
Satan is the one who wants you to dwell on your limitations and complain about how you wish things were different. When we focus on the negative, he is ecstatic because we have taken our eyes off of God.
Your challenge today is to actively thank God for the challenges he has given you, for the daily reminders you have that you are only flesh and blood. See them as the gifts they are -- God's loving reminders to rely on His power in your life instead of your own.
We may not realize the value of the gift on this side of Heaven, but imagine your joy when God shows you what you could have become without it....a pretty scary thought.
Friday, September 7, 2007
God's Still Working
Read Philippians 1:3-11
Context: Paul is sending the Philippians a thank you note for the support they have provided and an update on his missionary journey.
Text:
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
So many of my Christian doubts stem from my own inability to follow God's word perfectly -- or even adequately. I know that no one can be perfect, but I really want to get this right! How many times can I mess it up before God throws up his hands in disgust and turns the other way? I think I've far surpassed the 'seventy times seven' that Jesus proclaimed.
Then, just as I'm feeling really discouraged I come across Philippians 1:6. God has just started his work with me (even though it's been several years since I accepted him as Lord). In some areas he's still having to use a chain saw to cut off the rough branches, but in other areas he's moved on to a fine chisel to create his own special design. Both can hurt, but as I look back I can see that I have changed a lot from where I was when he started on me.
Like everything else, God will complete his work in his own time. Then I will be perfect in his eyes...a much harder target to reach than I'm capable of imagining right now. Yet that is really all that counts. I am so thankful that he doesn't give up!
Context: Paul is sending the Philippians a thank you note for the support they have provided and an update on his missionary journey.
Text:
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
So many of my Christian doubts stem from my own inability to follow God's word perfectly -- or even adequately. I know that no one can be perfect, but I really want to get this right! How many times can I mess it up before God throws up his hands in disgust and turns the other way? I think I've far surpassed the 'seventy times seven' that Jesus proclaimed.
Then, just as I'm feeling really discouraged I come across Philippians 1:6. God has just started his work with me (even though it's been several years since I accepted him as Lord). In some areas he's still having to use a chain saw to cut off the rough branches, but in other areas he's moved on to a fine chisel to create his own special design. Both can hurt, but as I look back I can see that I have changed a lot from where I was when he started on me.
Like everything else, God will complete his work in his own time. Then I will be perfect in his eyes...a much harder target to reach than I'm capable of imagining right now. Yet that is really all that counts. I am so thankful that he doesn't give up!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
God Sees Jesus
Read John 17:20-26
Context: Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane. His disciples are sleeping as they wait for him to finish praying. He has prayed for himself and his disciples, and now he is praying for us.
Text:
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The first time I read this passage I was amazed, and it continues to touch me every time I see it. Jesus knew that some day we would be believers, and he prayed that God would love us as much as God loves Jesus!
Jesus is 'in us' as he prayed he would be, and when God looks at you and me he sees his son. How cool is that?
Context: Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane. His disciples are sleeping as they wait for him to finish praying. He has prayed for himself and his disciples, and now he is praying for us.
Text:
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The first time I read this passage I was amazed, and it continues to touch me every time I see it. Jesus knew that some day we would be believers, and he prayed that God would love us as much as God loves Jesus!
Jesus is 'in us' as he prayed he would be, and when God looks at you and me he sees his son. How cool is that?
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Read 1 John 4:7-12
Context: This book was written by the apostle John to all believers. He wanted to expose false teachers and to give believers the assurance of salvation. A major theme of the book is love -- the love of God and the love believers can have for God and each other.
Text:
7 Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God's child and knows God.8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.9 This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his one and only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. 10 This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God's love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.
11 Dear friends, if God loved us that much we also should love each other.12 No one has ever seen God, but if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is made perfect in us. (NCV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Ever since I was little I've been taught that God wants us to love everyone. I frequently have trouble with that concept...how do you love people who do really mean things? Who are always negative and argumentative? Who go out of their way to mess up your day? Those who abuse, torture, and kill?
I always thought of love as an emotion -- a sense of joy, well-being, and positive feelings, as in: I love my family, I love chocolate, I love going to the beach. But as I've grown I've learned that 'love' is a verb, an action that you take. By doing nice things for other people you are showing love.
God is love. He has created this world for us to enjoy, and when his laws got too cumbersome he sent the most important person he had, his son, to show us a better way. God wants his love to be made perfect, and he relies on those who believe in him to be his hands and feet. To demonstrate his love in tangible ways.
So today when you see someone who is frustrated, angry, or who is just having a 'ho-hum' day, show God's love by doing something tangible and nice for them. You get extra points if this is one of those people who doesn't act very loving toward you!
Context: This book was written by the apostle John to all believers. He wanted to expose false teachers and to give believers the assurance of salvation. A major theme of the book is love -- the love of God and the love believers can have for God and each other.
Text:
7 Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God's child and knows God.8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.9 This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his one and only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. 10 This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God's love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.
11 Dear friends, if God loved us that much we also should love each other.12 No one has ever seen God, but if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is made perfect in us. (NCV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Ever since I was little I've been taught that God wants us to love everyone. I frequently have trouble with that concept...how do you love people who do really mean things? Who are always negative and argumentative? Who go out of their way to mess up your day? Those who abuse, torture, and kill?
I always thought of love as an emotion -- a sense of joy, well-being, and positive feelings, as in: I love my family, I love chocolate, I love going to the beach. But as I've grown I've learned that 'love' is a verb, an action that you take. By doing nice things for other people you are showing love.
God is love. He has created this world for us to enjoy, and when his laws got too cumbersome he sent the most important person he had, his son, to show us a better way. God wants his love to be made perfect, and he relies on those who believe in him to be his hands and feet. To demonstrate his love in tangible ways.
So today when you see someone who is frustrated, angry, or who is just having a 'ho-hum' day, show God's love by doing something tangible and nice for them. You get extra points if this is one of those people who doesn't act very loving toward you!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
How Cool Is That?
Read Ephesians 3:14-21
Context: Paul wrote to the Ephesians to expand their understanding of God and his purposes. This prayer comes in the center of the book -- Paul's second prayer for the Ephesians in this letter. Paul visited them twice -- once for a short time when he left Priscilla and Aquila (Corinthian tent makers) to teach the people, and a second time to teach them himself. He wrote the letter from prison.
Text:
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Ephesians 3:15 Or whom all fatherhood
taken from www.biblegateway.com
There are many things that I don't understand about God -- the trinity, why people suffer, why evil often appears to triumph, and how he created such a fascinating world, just to name a few. But more than anything, it is hard for me to comprehend how He is able to love each one of us so much as separate individuals.
I struggle with the concept that Jesus died for me. I could see how he died for mankind, so that all have the chance to live in Heaven eternally because of the sacrifice he made, but it is harder for me to personalize that and to understand that he would have done this even if it only saved one person -- me (or you...). How can our God have so much love that he creates and knows each one of us before we are even a twinkle in our Daddy's eye? That he watches over us, protects us, and gives us all good things? That he knows exactly what I need today, even when I don't have a clue about that myself? That he would sacrifice his son so that I can be with him in eternity?
I'm glad this passage tells us that God's love surpasses knowledge. That means I can quit trying to understand and just accept it, resting in the fact that he loves me more than I can comprehend. Isn't that cool?
Context: Paul wrote to the Ephesians to expand their understanding of God and his purposes. This prayer comes in the center of the book -- Paul's second prayer for the Ephesians in this letter. Paul visited them twice -- once for a short time when he left Priscilla and Aquila (Corinthian tent makers) to teach the people, and a second time to teach them himself. He wrote the letter from prison.
Text:
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Ephesians 3:15 Or whom all fatherhood
taken from www.biblegateway.com
There are many things that I don't understand about God -- the trinity, why people suffer, why evil often appears to triumph, and how he created such a fascinating world, just to name a few. But more than anything, it is hard for me to comprehend how He is able to love each one of us so much as separate individuals.
I struggle with the concept that Jesus died for me. I could see how he died for mankind, so that all have the chance to live in Heaven eternally because of the sacrifice he made, but it is harder for me to personalize that and to understand that he would have done this even if it only saved one person -- me (or you...). How can our God have so much love that he creates and knows each one of us before we are even a twinkle in our Daddy's eye? That he watches over us, protects us, and gives us all good things? That he knows exactly what I need today, even when I don't have a clue about that myself? That he would sacrifice his son so that I can be with him in eternity?
I'm glad this passage tells us that God's love surpasses knowledge. That means I can quit trying to understand and just accept it, resting in the fact that he loves me more than I can comprehend. Isn't that cool?
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