8/17/2021 0 Comments Love Like ChristYou may notice that this devotional’s scripture is out of order. Don’t worry; this was intentional. The next three verses tend to be the verses that send one side or the other screaming their heads off, leaving the section after to be ignored. Paul says husbands must love their wives. That word – love – has become impotent in our culture, so let’s put it into perspective. He commands husbands to love like Christ. When Christ loved he was beaten, flogged, spit on, insulted, and crucified. He took upon himself all of God’s wrath to keep us from the consequences of our actions and the evil in this world. He protected and suffered and gave himself up. Keep in mind this radical, overwhelming love when Paul’s instructions for wives come around.
Questions for further thought: 1. Why did Paul compare a husband’s love to that of Christ’s love for the church? 2. How does this metaphor change your thinking about the roles in a marriage relationship? Challenge: Do some research on the Greek words for love and extend your thinking on this concept.
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8/16/2021 0 Comments Foot of the TablePaul begins this section with a command: to submit to one another. This acts as the theme which he expounds upon later using different earthly relationships – the first of which is wives and husbands. This overarching directive is a familiar refrain. Throughout the gospels, Jesus’ teaching continually returns to this concept. In essence, it is humility. It is putting someone before you, physically and emotionally. It is a dignity outside of this world’s proud definition. Paul finishes the statement with the “why” of the matter. We should submit out of reverence for Christ, who laid down everything for us: those who don’t deserve it.
Questions for further thought: 1. How and why does our world push against the idea of putting others before yourself? 2. What are some ways you can submit (place someone else ahead of yourself) to others this week? Challenge: Take the above ideas and run with them. Even Jesus, our Lord, Teacher, and Savior submitted to those around Him. Love radically. 8/13/2021 0 Comments OnlyJesus is speaking with the disciples and telling them that he is preparing a place for them in His Father’s house and he quizzes them with the statement, “you know the way to where I am going.” They are confused and say they have no idea. Jesus answers and says no one can “come to the Father except through me.” How many people do we know who are confused about how to receive a new life in Christ? Jesus answers the question in one simple verse.
Questions for further thought: 1. What have you done to let others know the way to eternal life in Christ? 2. If it is so simple to receive salvation, why are we so reluctant to tell others about it? Challenge: Do not shy away from any opportunity that God gives you to share the salvation message with others. 8/12/2021 0 Comments TrustIt seems that in the world today there are all sorts of conspiracies. I hear people say I am afraid the government is doing this or covering up this. The JFK shooting has been studied over and over trying to find a conspiracy. I have heard that the moon landing is a conspiracy. Isaiah is saying we do not need to dread or fear a conspiracy, we must fear the Lord and we will find peace in His holiness. As Christians we do not need to fear what the world fears, we must trust the plan that God has for us.
Questions for further thought: 1. How many conspiracies have you heard in the last month? 2. Do your fear the things of this world, or do you fear the Lord? Challenge: Put your fear in the Lord this week and do not dread the things of this world. 8/11/2021 0 Comments TruthThe Psalmist is asking who can reside with the Lord? The answer: one who speaks the truth in his heart. We must speak the truth about who Jesus is. We must fear the Lord and not be shaken. We must have integrity, not gossip, be kind to our neighbors. We must stand firm in our belief in Christ. If we do these, we know we are speaking the truth.
Questions for further thought: 1. How do you show others you know the truth? 2. What can you do to speak the truth in a world that is fighting it? Challenge: Make time each day to spend time in the word, so the truth will be on your heart each day. 8/10/2021 0 Comments LoveDo we love each other like Christ loved us? Are we willing to lay our life down for our friends? This is what we are being challenged to do. Follow Christ’s example: he loved us so much that he gave His life on the cross for our sins. Our natural instinct is to want to be right, to preserve ourselves. That is so contrary to what we are called to do. We are called to sacrifice for each other. We are to love each other and be willing to give our lives so that all may come to know Christ.
Questions for further thought: 1. What can you do to show others that you love them like Christ loves you? 2. What are you willing to do so that all may come to know Christ? Challenge: Step out of your comfort zone, and do something that will show Christ’s love to others. 8/9/2021 0 Comments RespectHusband and wife – two people, one commitment to honor each other and to glorify God. Satan attacks marriage hard because two people united are much stronger and can have a greater impact for the kingdom. One way Satan attacks a marriage is by making us feel that one person in the marriage owes more than the other. In Corinthians 7 Paul is telling us that we are equal in marriage and that we must respect each other. We are not to be selfish, but love each other and not let Satan tempt us.
Questions for further thought: 1. How do you show respect for your spouse? 2. How are you being selfish in your marriage? Challenge: Take time this week to do something special for your spouse. If you are not in a relationship, do something for the person that has helped strengthen your relationship with Christ. 8/6/2021 0 Comments Be Filled with the SpiritThe word “walk” describes the day to day conduct of the believer. Those who are truly trusting in the grace of Christ will turn from sin and pursue a life of obedience to Christ. Paul warns us to walk as wise and not as unwise calling us to bear the fruit of genuine faith. We must demonstrate our trust in Christ with our obedience to Him. Those who bear good fruit have no need to fear Christ’s judgment, but those who refuse to repent and so be saved have no assurance of salvation. Part of the fruit is described as being filled with the Spirit. Being “Spirit- filled” is living a life marked by the ordinary and glorious fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Questions for further thought: 1. How have I been deceived into thinking that repentance is not necessary for assurance of salvation? (Mark 1:15) 2. When will I confess and forsake my sin and put my trust in Christ alone as the basis for my forgiveness? Challenge: Confess your willingness to give into prideful tendencies and ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you with His strength to live for Him. (Ephesians 5:18) 8/5/2021 0 Comments Exposed!In verse 10, Paul talks about “trying to discern what is pleasing to the Lord”. It carries the idea of testing or proving to learn by clear and convincing evidence what is truly honoring to God. As believers walk in the light of the truth, the knowledge of the Lord’s will becomes increasingly clear. However, equally important and significant to walking in the light, is to avoid the “fruitless deeds of darkness” or any pleasure or activity that results in sin. Moreover, take a closer look at verse 11 and you will see something very interesting. Paul is actually instructing believers not only to avoid these deeds of darkness, but to also expose these things because our silence may be construed as approval. God wants His people to stand for what is right and speak out against evil in our midst.
Questions for further thought: 1. How can I be a change agent against “fruitless deeds of darkness? 2. In what ways can I look to expose and war against those things that are ungodly by speaking the truth in love? Challenge: Pray that God would place His desires within your heart so that you would delight to do His will. 8/4/2021 0 Comments Darkness Vs. LightLook at the interesting language in verse 6 as Paul talks about being deceived. No Christian will be sinless in this present life, but it is dangerously deceptive for Christians to offer assurance of salvation to a professing believer whose life is characterized by persistent sin and who shows no shame for that sin or hunger for the holy and pure things of God. They are headed for wrath and the believer must not partner in any of their wickedness (v7). Darkness describes the character of the life of the unconverted as void of truth and virtue in intellectual and moral matters (1 John 1:5-7). In contrast, the fruit of light speaks of that which is produced by walking in the light, namely moral excellence of heart, righteous behavior, and integrity. However, as we have learned, the believer can take no credit for this behavior as it was driven and supplied by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Questions for further thought: 1. In what ways have I been guilty of living in darkness? 2. How will I begin to pursue a life of living in the light? Challenge: Commit to pursuing a life of living in God’s light. Maybe start reading God’s Word every day or engage in prayer on a regular basis. Try it and watch God work! |
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