Learn to Love 8/20

1 Corinthians cuts deep into a person’s heart and daily thinking to almost any decision. Am I self serving, wanting something in return?  Am I self promoting, wanting to be known as a good person?  Am I thinking that I’m better than the next person, because of all the good that I’m doing, or because I do not have ill intent toward others?  I’m additional, our culture seems to be sliding to greater division and anger. 1 Corinthians 13 is considered a weak and ineffective method to address many social problems. But God’s method is viewed as foolish by the world’s standards. God’s upside down approach emphasizes that love is self sacrificing with no strings attached. Being unconditional and fair are symptoms of a changed life because of the Spirit’s residence. 

“God intends us to penetrate the world. Christian salt has no business to remain snugly in elegant little ecclesiastical salt cellars; our place is to be rubbed into the secular community, as salt is rubbed into meat, to stop it going bad. And when society does go bad, we Christians tend to throw up our hands in pious horror and reproach the non-Christian world; but should we not rather reproach ourselves? One can hardly blame unsalted meat for going bad. It cannot do anything else. The real question to ask is: Where is the salt?” — John R.W. Stott

Produce Fruit 8/19

 There are a lot of reasons I haven’t cooperated with the Holy Spirit in the past, even though I knew God was present in my life. One big reason was not paying attention to Scripture, thinking I was too busy or occupied with other responsibilities. But even now, God is showing me that I need to pray the Scriptures, not just study a passage. Being aware and awake to what the Spirit is doing is key for cooperation, instead of living in my own little bubble  

Lord, Thank you so

Much that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.  Thank you for the assurance we have that your sacrifice on the cross was a one time painful traumatic crisis, providing the needed exchange and payment for my sins. Amen

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“We should not ask, ‘What is wrong with the world?’  For that diagnosis has already been given. Rather we should ask, ‘What has happened to the salt and light?.’” — John R.W. Stott

Experience Joy 8/18

 Full joy is hard to put into words because there is no comparison and it not based on circumstances. This joy is present during the best of times and worst of times. Even when life is uncertain and difficult to handle, the joy of knowing Christ is present, giving reassurance that God will provide the grace to handle our situation at just the right moment. Even when everyone around us seems to join the angry divisional chatter about our culture, we can bring a refocus on the joy, hope, and love found in Christ  

“The major mark of justified believers is joy, especially joy in God himself. We should be the most positive people in the world. For the new community of Jesus Christ is characterized not by a self-centered triumphalism but by a God-centered worship.”

— John R.W. Stott

Discern 8/17

 His presence in our hearts provides great joy that no circumstance can replace or destroy. Happiness, in my thinking, is circumstantial and can disappear depending on what is happening in the moment. But true joy is deeper than what is happening because Jesus sympathizes with our circumstances and has died for our sins. Our loyalty and fidelity to Him is far deeper and steadfast than any situation we encounter  

God’s great aim has always been, and will forever be, relationship with us. Sometimes, He may deprive us of something in order to draw us to Someone. And when we reciprocate—when we decide that we want Him more than we want His stuff—the most amazing thing happens. We are rewired and our requests are either altered as we grow to know and to prefer what He wants for us, or they are simply answered because, in seeking first the kingdom of God, “all these things” are given to us as well (Matt 6:33).

Pete Greig

Renew the Mind 8/16

 Pursuing the mind of Christ, capturing every thought to be put before Him, is so important if we want to grow deeper with Christ. Our world is filled with many varying systems of thought that can distract us away from Christ. Some of these ‘systems’ seem to focus on parts of the Bible, seemingly good ideas. But without the mind of Christ as central to the teaching, we can be led astray. I pray that you and I always be focused on Him. 

So I'm waiting for God, and God is waiting for me to see if I am really waiting for him, and not just wanting things from him.

Pete Greig

Walking in the Word 8/15

 I’ve experienced ‘dabbling’ in God’s Word, with the idea of knowing just enough to get by in my Christian life. I used to think that my private life as a Christian could be separate from my public life. But the idolatry of our cultural distractions show how fake my half hearted devotion to Christ really was. I used to think powers, possessions and prestige were the American dream but I’ve realized that these will be worthless from an eternal perspective. I want to be all in for Him because He is in me. His sacrifice paid for my sin and I want His kingdom to come fully into my heart, glorifying Him as my true King. 

But I am learning to understand that I may never fully understand. I am learning to be a bit more okay with not being okay. Life sometimes hurts, but I’ve discovered that deleting God from the equation doesn’t actually help. It merely removes all meaning and morality from the mess and all real hope from the future. And so I’m sort of stuck with God, even when I don’t understand him. Even when I don’t completely like him. Turns out he is all I’ve got. And maybe this is where hallowing actually begins.

Pete Greig, How to Pray

Experiencing God’s Best 8/14

Obedience has a negative tone in our culture because it is associated with being forced to do something, destroying our independence. I’m sure there would be a huge disagreement about what obedience to God means in our culture. But from Scripture, the view changes to a choice, or a decision to follow Christ out of love for Him. Being compelled to obey is a freedom of living like no other philosophy or belief system. Obeying Him is life changing, leading us to an inner character change and the fruits of living by the Spirit. 

Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

“If you put yourself in the center of your world, you will find plenty of things to complain about.” - Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional