4/16/2020 0 Comments From Death to LifePaul is describing the choice between two masters – sin or God. We are free to choose between these masters ,but we are not free to adjust the consequences of our choice. The currency of a life spent pursuing sin is eternal death. However, the currency of putting our faith and trust in Christ alone, is eternal life! Eternal life is a free gift from God through repentance from sin, belief, and faith in Christ. It cannot be earned or paid back. A reasonable response to the gift giver might be grateful acceptance with gratitude. How are we doing? He saved us because of His great mercy that we did not deserve and we could not earn. How great a Savior is our God, Jesus Christ!!
Questions for further thought: 1. In what ways have you been evidencing gratitude for what God has done? Why or why not? 2. What choice have you made in response to Jesus? Have you turned from your sin and turned to Him? Challenge: Take heart and pursue living a Holy life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Make Bible reading and prayer a regular part of each day and let God do a great work in you. (See Philippians 1:6)
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4/15/2020 0 Comments The Law KillsPaul quotes Deuteronomy 27:26 to prove that, contrary to what the Judaizers claimed, the law could not justify and save; it can only condemn. As we talked about yesterday, breaking even one commandment brings a person under condemnation. And it reasons then, that because we all have broken the commandments, we all stand condemned. The law can do nothing to reverse the condemnation. What a conundrum! However, God had a better way as He punished Christ for our sin as the curse of the law was on Him as He hung on that cross. Believers, we will not have to bear the punishment of death our sin deserves because Christ took that punishment for us. We must now receive that free gift of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf through repentance and faith in Christ as the only provision for that forgiveness! Have you done that? If not, do it today!
Questions for further thought: 1. In the contrasting ideas given above, what value system are you putting your trust in? 2. Have you ever found yourself in the cycle of “I’ll do better next time” or “I’ll never do that again”? What are some examples? What were the results? Challenge: Do a word search in your Bible this week of law, substitution, and grace. Use your Bible’s concordance, dictionary, or Biblegateway.com. You may be surprised at the results. 4/14/2020 0 Comments Law or Grace?It appears that there is no wiggle room when it comes to God’s law. The law of God is not a series of detached injunctions, but a basic unity that requires perfect love of Him and our neighbors. Although all sins are not equally damaging or heinous, they all shatter the unity and render us transgressors; much like hitting a window with a hammer at only one point shatters the entire window. James addresses his very religious readers and says, “You are lawbreakers. If you have ever said an unkind thing, if you have ever cursed the chariot driver who cut you off on the Appian Way, and if you have ever shown favoritism—then you’re no better than a murderer. You have broken God’s law. You deserve his judgment.” But here’s the good news. All of us have sinned, even religious folks. All deserve judgment. But guess what, God offers you mercy, so receive it. His mercy triumphs over judgment for all who would repent and believe!
Questions for further thought: 1. According to verses 10–12, how would you respond to someone who said, “I’ve kept seven of the Ten Commandments. That’s a passing grade, right?” 2. According to that standard, are you a “transgressor” of the law? How do you feel about that? Does that seem harsh to you? Challenge: If you have been working hard to keep God’s rules, and you’re troubled by this assertion that breaking even one command makes you a lawbreaker, talk with a pastor or teacher about this. Ask how to unpack the idea of God’s “mercy.” 4/13/2020 0 Comments Dead or Alive?There are a couple of deeply ingrained myths that our culture believes about evil; (1) The main problem in the world is other people, and (2) Deep down, we’re really not that bad. However, read verses 1-3 as these myths are debunked. Paul was talking about “you”—the Ephesians—but suddenly he includes himself and it becomes “we” and “all of us.” Notice that the past tense is used here for this group of people (and we can include ourselves in that group). We were dead in sin. We used to live in those sins. We lived among them at one time. Wrath is a holy God’s righteous anger at human sin. He is correct to be angry; however He is also a loving and forgiving God to those that turn to Him in repentance and faith. Many people have the idea that we have to earn our salvation by doing good things. This passage makes it clear that we can never do that. We’re spiritually dead. Salvation is a gift. And then, once we’re welcomed into a relationship of God’s grace and our faith, we are empowered to do the good things God designed us to do. Good works are good, but they’re the result of our salvation, not the path to it.
Questions for further thought: 1. In verse 1, we read “You were dead in transgressions and sins.” What does that mean? How does it make you feel? 2. According to verses 4-7, what has changed? What has God done for us? Challenge: If you know someone who’s trying hard to earn God’s grace, what can you say—in a gentle, loving way—to present the truth of Ephesians 2 to him or her? Share God’s truth in a gentle and winsome way. 4/10/2020 0 Comments IsolationMany people are spending more time alone than they ever have in their lives, which can be very lonely. While some are still working, it is very common for people to be off work or working from home, away from human contact and interaction. There is a real danger of becoming lonely and depressed without the normal interaction we have with others.
Questions for further thought: 1. Are you feeling lonely or depressed during this time? 2. What things are you doing to draw close to God and allow Him to fill the void you are feeling? Challenge: God is waiting for you to turn to him for relief and help for your feelings of isolation and loneliness. Time in scripture and prayer will bring real comfort, as well as reaching out to friends, family and fellow church members to help you along the way. Be creative in how to communicate with others from a distance, there are more ways now than ever to accomplish this. Lean into God, he is there for you! 4/9/2020 0 Comments Fear NotOur world today is different than it ever has been in my lifetime. We are told to stay at a distance from others, for fear that we never know who could be carrying sickness that the world is struggling with. It is easy to become overwhelmed and filled with fear as everything around us is telling us we should be. It is right to be responsible and smart in these times, but not to act irrationally out of fear of the unknown.
Questions for further thought: 1. In what ways have our world’s present situation affected your daily life? 2. What are you doing to guard yourself from panic and fear? Challenge: Now more than ever it is important to spend time with God on a daily basis. We are facing many more unknowns today than we ever have before. All the more reason for us to focus and draw our strength from God and His promises rather than what the news is telling us. Get in the Word and rely on His strength today. 4/8/2020 0 Comments Unfailing LoveAs people we are imperfect, and even though we try to love each other the best we can, we fail often. In this passage we are reminded that God's love is perfect, unfailing, and he does not give us the punishment we deserve. This does not mean our lives are going to be perfect and free from pain and struggles, but He will be with us and give us the strength to overcome this world.
Questions for further thought: 1. Can you think of a time when someone you love hurt you? 2. How did you react: with grace and forgiveness, or with anger and resentment? Challenge: We as people cannot even come close to matching the perfect love God has for us. We make mistakes and mess up because we are imperfect people short of what God demonstrates for us. Our job is to strive to be more like Him, realizing we will never fully complete our task until we are with Him in glory! 4/7/2020 0 Comments Free GiftGod has given us the most valuable gift we will ever receive; all we have to do is accept it and be thankful. There are many times today when it is customary or almost expected to give gifts, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas. In this case God knew we would desperately need this gift in order to save us, so he gave it freely even at a great cost to himself.
Questions for further thought: 1. Think back on the last gift that meant a lot to you. What made it so special? 2. When was that last time you gave a gift that was not deserved, but you gave it anyway? Challenge: God sent his only Son to earth to die for our sins as a gift to us. Personally, I can't wrap my mind around what that would be like; it is unimaginable to me to make that kind of a sacrifice. We need to live our lives in a way that honors that sacrifice that has been made at great cost for us. 4/6/2020 0 Comments All in this TogetherThis verse is a great reminder that we are truly all on the same playing field. Whether we walk with God on a daily basis or we have lived a life away from God, we are all the same in His eyes. This brings humbleness to people that have walked with God most of their lives and great hope to those that have lived a life away from Him.
Questions for further thought: 1. Honestly, have there been moments in your life that you have thought of yourself as “better” than others? 2. In what ways have you grown past this feeling or are you still working on it? Challenge: At Hillcrest we strive to be a welcoming place for people regardless of where they are in their faith. We do a good job but can always be better. Be on the lookout for ways you can make others feel welcome no matter where they are on their faith walk. 4/3/2020 0 Comments Don't Worry?!Paul says not to worry about anything and instead pray about everything. Easier said than done?! But here’s the catch: tell God what you need. You and I can’t control this virus or its consequences, from lost work to staying home. But we can control what we do, and one thing we can do is pray. Tell God what we need. Be bold and don’t sugar coat it. God’s answer to our prayer might differ from what we want, but we can expect to receive His peace.
What do you need from God today? What can you thank God for today? Challenge: Boldly tell God what you need. Write it down and also write down what you’re thanking God for today. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
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