2nd Corinthians 3:18 NIV
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.
11/24/06-11/26/06
We Christians are able by the Holy Spirit to view God’s glory as revealed in Scripture, in our circumstances as we trust Him and look to Him, and in our hearts as we spend intimate time alone with Him in prayer and worship. The more we focus on Him, the more we will become like Him as the Holy Spirit works in us. Christ likeness is nothing less than unwavering love, devotion, and commitment to God, perfect obedience, and complete surrender to the will of God. As we become more like Christ, the glory of God is reflected in us and in our lives. We become a beacon of light shinning in the darkness of this world. Let us pray, “Lord, open the eyes of our hearts that we may see You and behold Your glory. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, the author and perfecter of our faith. As we focus on You, Jesus, may Your Holy Sprit be at work in us making us ever more like You. Stir in our hearts a passionate desire to spend time in intimate fellowship with You and build in us a confident trust in You. Place Your desires in our hearts. May we love what You love and hate what You hate. May Your glory and Your grace be seen in our lives. May we so shine for You that those around us will see You in us and through us, and will desire You for themselves. Lord, fill us every day with an awesome sense of Your presence in us and with us. Amen.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
#21 1st Corinthians 13:12-13 NIV
1st Corinthians 13:12-13 NIV
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
11/21/06-11/23/06
Even the best mirrors back in Bible times were poor and unclear. Likewise, our view of God is dim and warped and it cannot be otherwise. Sin still lives in our bodies and is all around us twisting our view. We should always keep in mind that all our thoughts of God have been twisted and do not compare to His goodness and glory. But the time is coming when we, having been made perfect, will see Him with prefect clarity – face to face. We will finally be able to know and see Him as He really is. But for now, let us live in faith that He is truly righteous and good, in hope of the salvation He gives to us and the perfection we will receive, and in love toward Him who in His mercy and love toward us saved us and called us to be His own. Pray, “Lord, help us to see You as You truly are. And when things happen that we don’t understand, when our view of You becomes twisted, then strengthen our hearts with Faith, hope, and love in You. And Father, id there is any sin in our lives that we hold on to, help us to see it as it is and to understand that it only further distorts our view of You. Lord, help us to recognize and turn from the things in our lives that keep us from truly knowing You and drawing near to You. May we desire to live lives holy and pleasing to You and may we see that You are at work in us giving us the desire to obey and the power to do what pleases You (Philippians 2:13 NLT). May we do all things through Christ, our strength and life. Amen.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
11/21/06-11/23/06
Even the best mirrors back in Bible times were poor and unclear. Likewise, our view of God is dim and warped and it cannot be otherwise. Sin still lives in our bodies and is all around us twisting our view. We should always keep in mind that all our thoughts of God have been twisted and do not compare to His goodness and glory. But the time is coming when we, having been made perfect, will see Him with prefect clarity – face to face. We will finally be able to know and see Him as He really is. But for now, let us live in faith that He is truly righteous and good, in hope of the salvation He gives to us and the perfection we will receive, and in love toward Him who in His mercy and love toward us saved us and called us to be His own. Pray, “Lord, help us to see You as You truly are. And when things happen that we don’t understand, when our view of You becomes twisted, then strengthen our hearts with Faith, hope, and love in You. And Father, id there is any sin in our lives that we hold on to, help us to see it as it is and to understand that it only further distorts our view of You. Lord, help us to recognize and turn from the things in our lives that keep us from truly knowing You and drawing near to You. May we desire to live lives holy and pleasing to You and may we see that You are at work in us giving us the desire to obey and the power to do what pleases You (Philippians 2:13 NLT). May we do all things through Christ, our strength and life. Amen.
#20 1st Corinthians 6:19&20 NIV
1st Corinthians 6:19&20 NIV
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you bought at a price. Therefore, honor God in your body and Spirit which are God’s.
11/18/06-11/20/06
Since your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, then you are always within God’s temple and always in the holiest of holies in His presence. If we could truly take hold of this truth, any sin would be unthinkable and most particularly the sins that harm the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer our own, we belong to God. Jesus Christ has bought us with His own precious blood. Because of this, we should always honor and glorify God in everything we think, say, and do. We once were slaves to sin, but He bought us and made us His own. He came to live within us – transforming this simple flesh into a temple for His glory. He has made us His priests and we are ever in His presence. Therefore, everything we do can and should be done as service to our great God. Let us pray, “Father, help us to remember that we are Your temple, for You live in us. May we live every day in an awesome awareness of Your presence. Let everything we think, say, and do be to Your glory – worthy of our position in You and worthy of Your name. thank You for rescuing us from sin and death. For making us so entirely Yours by living in us and being with us forever. Thank You, Jesus, for Your blood on the cross that washes us clean. Lord, may we truly be dedicated to You by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you bought at a price. Therefore, honor God in your body and Spirit which are God’s.
11/18/06-11/20/06
Since your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, then you are always within God’s temple and always in the holiest of holies in His presence. If we could truly take hold of this truth, any sin would be unthinkable and most particularly the sins that harm the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer our own, we belong to God. Jesus Christ has bought us with His own precious blood. Because of this, we should always honor and glorify God in everything we think, say, and do. We once were slaves to sin, but He bought us and made us His own. He came to live within us – transforming this simple flesh into a temple for His glory. He has made us His priests and we are ever in His presence. Therefore, everything we do can and should be done as service to our great God. Let us pray, “Father, help us to remember that we are Your temple, for You live in us. May we live every day in an awesome awareness of Your presence. Let everything we think, say, and do be to Your glory – worthy of our position in You and worthy of Your name. thank You for rescuing us from sin and death. For making us so entirely Yours by living in us and being with us forever. Thank You, Jesus, for Your blood on the cross that washes us clean. Lord, may we truly be dedicated to You by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
#19 Romans 12:1&2 NIV
Romans 12:1&2 NIV
Therefore, I urge you in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
11/15/06-11/17/06
Because all things are made by God and for God and to His glory and because of the great mercy and love He has poured out on us, we should give all ourselves completely over to Him. To be a living sacrifice you must surrender yourself daily, even several times a day. Complete surrender to God is the only way to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God and is the truest worship possible. Since worshiping God is to proclaim that He is worthy of all praise, obedience, love, and service – nothing says or does this better than giving all we have and all we are. Do not outwardly be like the world. We have been called out of the world and are called to be a light to the world. If they see no difference in us and in our lives they have no reason to be interested in the God we claim. But if we renew our minds and our spirits through prayer and intake of God’s word, we will find our lives transformed as the Spirit of God works in us. Then we will be a light for all the souls in darkness around us, and then we will find God’s will in our lives. Let us pray, “Lord, help us to surrender all our selves to You and to live every day as a living sacrifice that our lives may be holy and pleasing to You. Holy Spirit, work in us as we study scripture and transform us with ever-increasing glory into Christ likeness. Amen.”
Therefore, I urge you in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
11/15/06-11/17/06
Because all things are made by God and for God and to His glory and because of the great mercy and love He has poured out on us, we should give all ourselves completely over to Him. To be a living sacrifice you must surrender yourself daily, even several times a day. Complete surrender to God is the only way to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God and is the truest worship possible. Since worshiping God is to proclaim that He is worthy of all praise, obedience, love, and service – nothing says or does this better than giving all we have and all we are. Do not outwardly be like the world. We have been called out of the world and are called to be a light to the world. If they see no difference in us and in our lives they have no reason to be interested in the God we claim. But if we renew our minds and our spirits through prayer and intake of God’s word, we will find our lives transformed as the Spirit of God works in us. Then we will be a light for all the souls in darkness around us, and then we will find God’s will in our lives. Let us pray, “Lord, help us to surrender all our selves to You and to live every day as a living sacrifice that our lives may be holy and pleasing to You. Holy Spirit, work in us as we study scripture and transform us with ever-increasing glory into Christ likeness. Amen.”
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
#18 Romans 10:9 NIV
Romans 10:9 NIV
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
11/12/06-11/14/06
To confess “Jesus is Lord” is to acknowledge and claim the truth of God who proved the validity of all that Jesus said and set Him as Lord over all creation by raising Him from the dead – which is why belief in the resurrection is necessary for salvation. In not only acknowledge the truth of Jesus as Lord, but in also claiming that truth, you claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You cannot do one without the other. Many people try to claim Him as their savior without claiming Him as Lord. Those who do this are trying to escape hell and judgment without entering into a true relationship with God and without ever turning from their sin. Such “faith” cannot save. God does not give us salvation apart from fellowship with Him. True faith in Jesus Christ as savior – as having paid the penalty for our sin must work in the believing heart a desire to draw near to the God who loved us so much and a desire to serve out of gratitude and a responding love. You who claim to trust Christ for your salvation but have no desire to engage in fellowship with Him, no desire to serve Him, no desire for true freedom from all sin – examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine (2nd Cor. 13:5). Pray to the Lord for firm assurance that your faith is genuine and ask Him to help you to surrender all yourself to Him and to stir your heart with love for Him and a desire to obey. He will answer, for this is His desire for you.
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
11/12/06-11/14/06
To confess “Jesus is Lord” is to acknowledge and claim the truth of God who proved the validity of all that Jesus said and set Him as Lord over all creation by raising Him from the dead – which is why belief in the resurrection is necessary for salvation. In not only acknowledge the truth of Jesus as Lord, but in also claiming that truth, you claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You cannot do one without the other. Many people try to claim Him as their savior without claiming Him as Lord. Those who do this are trying to escape hell and judgment without entering into a true relationship with God and without ever turning from their sin. Such “faith” cannot save. God does not give us salvation apart from fellowship with Him. True faith in Jesus Christ as savior – as having paid the penalty for our sin must work in the believing heart a desire to draw near to the God who loved us so much and a desire to serve out of gratitude and a responding love. You who claim to trust Christ for your salvation but have no desire to engage in fellowship with Him, no desire to serve Him, no desire for true freedom from all sin – examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine (2nd Cor. 13:5). Pray to the Lord for firm assurance that your faith is genuine and ask Him to help you to surrender all yourself to Him and to stir your heart with love for Him and a desire to obey. He will answer, for this is His desire for you.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
#17 Romans 8:31-32 NIV
Romans 8:31-32 NIV
What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
11/09/06-11/11/06
It is God Himself who called us, justified us, and promised us glory in Him. Who can undo what God has done? Who can stand against the purpose of God? The Father sent His only Son to die in our place to bring us back to Him. Having given the greatest sacrifice possible we can be sure that He will give us all we need. If we ask in His will for anything, He will answer. Knowing all He gives to us, we should be confident in His love, protection, and provision. Too many Christians tend to think (consciously or not) that God is reluctant to answer our prayers and provide what we need. And though others and even our own conscience point to our sins and declare us unworthy, we must remember that our sins are covered and removed from us. God has made us holy and blameless before Him. He has given us rights as His beloved children and among them is the right to ask with confidence and expectation, if we ask with the right attitude of the heart – not for selfish gain but for our real needs and for the advancement of His kingdom and for His glory.
What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
11/09/06-11/11/06
It is God Himself who called us, justified us, and promised us glory in Him. Who can undo what God has done? Who can stand against the purpose of God? The Father sent His only Son to die in our place to bring us back to Him. Having given the greatest sacrifice possible we can be sure that He will give us all we need. If we ask in His will for anything, He will answer. Knowing all He gives to us, we should be confident in His love, protection, and provision. Too many Christians tend to think (consciously or not) that God is reluctant to answer our prayers and provide what we need. And though others and even our own conscience point to our sins and declare us unworthy, we must remember that our sins are covered and removed from us. God has made us holy and blameless before Him. He has given us rights as His beloved children and among them is the right to ask with confidence and expectation, if we ask with the right attitude of the heart – not for selfish gain but for our real needs and for the advancement of His kingdom and for His glory.
# 15 Romans 8:18-19&22-23 NLT
Romans 8:18-19&22-23 NLT
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future say when God will reveal who His children really are. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We to wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as His children including the new bodies He has promised us.
11/03/06-11/05/06
Even the best of our experiences with God here do not even compare with the joys that wait in the future when we will be free from sin and will stand fully perfected before our God and Savior. Just as the best here so far cannot compare, so the worst we experience here which must be temporary, had no comparison to the eternal glory which God through Christ will give to us. Therefore, lift up your heads all you children of God for though we wait it is with hope and eager expectation for every day brings us closer to the fulfillment of His promise. That promise is complete perfection of our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies. There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Rev. 21:3-5).
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future say when God will reveal who His children really are. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We to wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as His children including the new bodies He has promised us.
11/03/06-11/05/06
Even the best of our experiences with God here do not even compare with the joys that wait in the future when we will be free from sin and will stand fully perfected before our God and Savior. Just as the best here so far cannot compare, so the worst we experience here which must be temporary, had no comparison to the eternal glory which God through Christ will give to us. Therefore, lift up your heads all you children of God for though we wait it is with hope and eager expectation for every day brings us closer to the fulfillment of His promise. That promise is complete perfection of our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies. There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Rev. 21:3-5).
#16 Romans 8:28-30 NLT
Romans 8:28-30 NLT
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him, and He gave them right standing with Himself, and He promised them His glory.
11/06/06-11/08/06
We must always remember that all that God allows, (and if He did not allow it, it would never happen) whether good or bad will be turned to the good of God’s children. Sometimes we may never see in this life the good He brings out of trouble but we can have certainty that some eternal good for us or others will come out of any evil and out of all our suffering. Those who belong to God have been chosen by Him to become like Christ – perfect in righteousness, obedience, and love. He calls us to Himself and makes us able to come by justifying us and He promises us glory in Him, in being His, in being like Christ.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him, and He gave them right standing with Himself, and He promised them His glory.
11/06/06-11/08/06
We must always remember that all that God allows, (and if He did not allow it, it would never happen) whether good or bad will be turned to the good of God’s children. Sometimes we may never see in this life the good He brings out of trouble but we can have certainty that some eternal good for us or others will come out of any evil and out of all our suffering. Those who belong to God have been chosen by Him to become like Christ – perfect in righteousness, obedience, and love. He calls us to Himself and makes us able to come by justifying us and He promises us glory in Him, in being His, in being like Christ.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
#14 Romans 8:15&16 NIV
Romans 8:15&16 NIV
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, nut you received the Spirit of adoption. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God.
10/31/06-11/02/06
We have no reason to fear any longer. As God’s children we need not fear death since it is not final, we need not fear God and His judgment upon sin for we are now His children made righteous by the blood of the Lamb, and we need not fear what the future may bring for we know that God holds the future and us in His hands. He knows His plans for us and they are good, they are plans for our hope of the future. We have received God’s Holy Spirit and because of His Spirit in us we have an intimate and loving relationship with the Father. The Spirit confirms this to us by producing fruit in our lives – by working in and through us.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, nut you received the Spirit of adoption. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God.
10/31/06-11/02/06
We have no reason to fear any longer. As God’s children we need not fear death since it is not final, we need not fear God and His judgment upon sin for we are now His children made righteous by the blood of the Lamb, and we need not fear what the future may bring for we know that God holds the future and us in His hands. He knows His plans for us and they are good, they are plans for our hope of the future. We have received God’s Holy Spirit and because of His Spirit in us we have an intimate and loving relationship with the Father. The Spirit confirms this to us by producing fruit in our lives – by working in and through us.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
# 13 Romans 7:15&24-25 NLT
Romans 7:15&24-25 NLT
I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: in my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
10/28/06-10/30/06
As God’s children, we desire to obey Him but we still live with a sinful nature and so we must struggle against it daily. But God has put His Spirit in us and by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us we can overcome the sin nature. As we walk in close fellowship with God, we will be able to recognize sin and in His power we can resist temptation though now we battle daily against sin, the flesh, and the enemy and sometimes fall, yet we know that in the end we will fully and finally be free when we go home to be with the Lord forever.
I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: in my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
10/28/06-10/30/06
As God’s children, we desire to obey Him but we still live with a sinful nature and so we must struggle against it daily. But God has put His Spirit in us and by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us we can overcome the sin nature. As we walk in close fellowship with God, we will be able to recognize sin and in His power we can resist temptation though now we battle daily against sin, the flesh, and the enemy and sometimes fall, yet we know that in the end we will fully and finally be free when we go home to be with the Lord forever.
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