Heb 4:12-13 NLT - 12 For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. 13 Nothing in all creation can hide from Him. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes. This is the God to Whom we must explain all that we have done.
02/07/07-02/09/07
The Word of God is more than words on a page, it is the very heartbeat of God. It is the power of God to transform the reader or hearer if we will only open ourselves to it. It will reveal to us – by the power and work of the Holy Spirit in us – our motivations, our true desires, of what sort it is. For the word of God is truth (John 17:17) and anyone who is willing to be open to it will know the truth and be set free (John 8:32) from deception and error. Therefore, we should fill our minds and hearts with the word of God for thusly will God keep us in the light of truth. We cannot hide from God nor the truth, for God sees and knows all and we shall all one day stand before Him. Come before Him now while things might yet be changed. May we pray, “Lord, let us never try to hide anything from You, as though we ever could. But in trust and humility let us say, “Search me and know me, trace out all my ways*. Lead me in Your way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).” Lord, teach us the importance of filling our minds with You and Your Word that we would not sin against You (Psalm 119:11) and that we might not be led astray from Your truth. Amen.”
*See the song To the Praise of Your Glory.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
#45 By the Grace of God Alone for His Glory - 2 Timothy 1:9
2nd Timothy 1:9 NLT – It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan long before the world began—to show His love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus.
02/04/07-02/06/07
It is God alone who has saved us by His grace and mercy, it has nothing to do with who we were or what we have done. It is the gift of God, not by works so no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). He has chosen us to live a life holy and dedicated to Him. Oh, live for God alone you who claim to be His! He has shown this great love and kindness to us: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He did this not because we deserved it (for all have deserved is death, as scripture says, “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23) but by God’s grace and according to His own sovereign plan and purpose (for scripture also says, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23).
May we pray, “Lord, help us to remember that all creation is about You. For through You and to You were all things made (Romans 11:36). Even our salvation was to put the glory of Your love, grace, mercy, and kindness on display in and through us*. Your work on the cross shows that You have power to triumph over sin and death by claiming for Yourself a people to be cleansed from sin, made holy and blameless forever. Oh, Lord, may we lay everything – all our selves – at Your feet, for You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. You do all for us, may we give all that we are to You alone. Draw us closer to You that we may indeed live a holy life to which You have called us (2 Thess. 1:11-12) and for which You have chosen and saved us. You chose to die for us, You do more than we deserve. Lord, may we follow You forever and serve You alone*. To You, the only God, who sits enthroned over all creation forever, be all glory through all that You have made and done. Amen.”
*See the song It’s About You and All for Your Glory.
02/04/07-02/06/07
It is God alone who has saved us by His grace and mercy, it has nothing to do with who we were or what we have done. It is the gift of God, not by works so no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). He has chosen us to live a life holy and dedicated to Him. Oh, live for God alone you who claim to be His! He has shown this great love and kindness to us: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He did this not because we deserved it (for all have deserved is death, as scripture says, “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23) but by God’s grace and according to His own sovereign plan and purpose (for scripture also says, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23).
May we pray, “Lord, help us to remember that all creation is about You. For through You and to You were all things made (Romans 11:36). Even our salvation was to put the glory of Your love, grace, mercy, and kindness on display in and through us*. Your work on the cross shows that You have power to triumph over sin and death by claiming for Yourself a people to be cleansed from sin, made holy and blameless forever. Oh, Lord, may we lay everything – all our selves – at Your feet, for You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. You do all for us, may we give all that we are to You alone. Draw us closer to You that we may indeed live a holy life to which You have called us (2 Thess. 1:11-12) and for which You have chosen and saved us. You chose to die for us, You do more than we deserve. Lord, may we follow You forever and serve You alone*. To You, the only God, who sits enthroned over all creation forever, be all glory through all that You have made and done. Amen.”
*See the song It’s About You and All for Your Glory.
Monday, February 05, 2007
#44 The Life to Which He has Called Us - 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT – 11 And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which He called you. And we pray that God, by His power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. 12 Then everyone will give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you, and you will be honored along with Him. This is all made possible because of the undeserved favor of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
02/01/07-02/03/07
God will make us worthy of our life in Him by transforming us with the power of His Holy Spirit in us. He will, by His power, fill us with the desire to do good and will produce the fruit of the Spirit and good deeds in our lives so that the world may see our good deeds and transformed lives and glorify and honor God (1 Peter 2:12). So let us pray, “Lord God, we continually ask that You will make all of us, Your children, worthy of the life to which You have called us in Christ. May we see You at work in us*. Lord, by Your unlimited and almighty power at work in us, fulfill all the good intentions and faithful deeds that You have given to us. Then may all the world give honor to Your name, Lord Jesus, because of us and Your work in and through us, and may we be honored in and with You. For we are Your workmanship, created anew in Christ Jesus to do the good works You prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Thank You for Your undeserved favor – our God, Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
*See the song Make Me.
02/01/07-02/03/07
God will make us worthy of our life in Him by transforming us with the power of His Holy Spirit in us. He will, by His power, fill us with the desire to do good and will produce the fruit of the Spirit and good deeds in our lives so that the world may see our good deeds and transformed lives and glorify and honor God (1 Peter 2:12). So let us pray, “Lord God, we continually ask that You will make all of us, Your children, worthy of the life to which You have called us in Christ. May we see You at work in us*. Lord, by Your unlimited and almighty power at work in us, fulfill all the good intentions and faithful deeds that You have given to us. Then may all the world give honor to Your name, Lord Jesus, because of us and Your work in and through us, and may we be honored in and with You. For we are Your workmanship, created anew in Christ Jesus to do the good works You prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Thank You for Your undeserved favor – our God, Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
*See the song Make Me.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
#43 Be Set Apart to God Alone - 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
1st Thessalonians 5:23-24 NLV - May the God of peace set you apart for Himself. May every part of you be set apart for God. May your spirit and your soul and your body be kept complete. May you be without blame when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. The One Who called you is faithful and will do what He promised.
1/29/07-1/31/07
It is God Himself who has set us apart for Him, and He desires to have all of us completely surrendered over to Him alone. We have been justified and made blameless by the blood of Christ. God is the One who has called us and what He began He will complete for He is the faithful and true (Revelation 19:11)* who does what He promises. God has said, “Be holy for I am holy.”(1 Peter 1:15-16) This is the essence of what it means to be set apart. It also means that we offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). However, even though God commands it of us, this is not something that we can do by ourselves or in our own strength. Like everything that God commands of us, He must also work it in us by His Holy Spirit and we must ask that He do so. For we must realize that such work is impossible for us, but that all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26). Therefore, we pray, “Our Father, You have called us to be Yours, set aside for You that we might be conformed to the likeness of Christ and live our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). For the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ who purchased us for this very reason, set us apart for Yourself that our whole selves would belong to You, dedicated to You, and used by You. Lord, call Your people out from the world to be separate (2nd Corinthians 6:16-18) and unite us to Yourself that all may see that we have been made holy by You. May we become a light in this darkness, a city on a hill (Matthew 5:13-15). May we so shine for You that the world may believe. Father, call Your children into a life of holiness – lived for You and seeking after You to the praise of Your glory and grace. Be glorified in us*, oh, our God, every day of our lives and from now through forever. Hear us now and for the sake of Your great name, answer us, oh, Lord. Amen.”
*See the song Take All of Me on the Faithwriters link.
1/29/07-1/31/07
It is God Himself who has set us apart for Him, and He desires to have all of us completely surrendered over to Him alone. We have been justified and made blameless by the blood of Christ. God is the One who has called us and what He began He will complete for He is the faithful and true (Revelation 19:11)* who does what He promises. God has said, “Be holy for I am holy.”(1 Peter 1:15-16) This is the essence of what it means to be set apart. It also means that we offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). However, even though God commands it of us, this is not something that we can do by ourselves or in our own strength. Like everything that God commands of us, He must also work it in us by His Holy Spirit and we must ask that He do so. For we must realize that such work is impossible for us, but that all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26). Therefore, we pray, “Our Father, You have called us to be Yours, set aside for You that we might be conformed to the likeness of Christ and live our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). For the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ who purchased us for this very reason, set us apart for Yourself that our whole selves would belong to You, dedicated to You, and used by You. Lord, call Your people out from the world to be separate (2nd Corinthians 6:16-18) and unite us to Yourself that all may see that we have been made holy by You. May we become a light in this darkness, a city on a hill (Matthew 5:13-15). May we so shine for You that the world may believe. Father, call Your children into a life of holiness – lived for You and seeking after You to the praise of Your glory and grace. Be glorified in us*, oh, our God, every day of our lives and from now through forever. Hear us now and for the sake of Your great name, answer us, oh, Lord. Amen.”
*See the song Take All of Me on the Faithwriters link.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)