8/17/2023 0 Comments How Do Others See You?Going further towards what yesterday’s lesson was about, this one is vitally important. How do you think others see you? This is important not because of any kind of stature (or disdain) that you might receive, but because we are “light” that Christ said we would be for the whole world. The question is: are we acting like it and showing that light of His to others consistently?
Questions for further thought: 1. Were you “light” for someone today, or not as much as you’d wish you could have been? 2. If you think you showed His light to someone else today, how’d that go and make you feel? How did the other person react? Challenge: We are to be His light in the world. There will be tough days (perhaps today WAS one) and it’s not always easy to be that light on some days and with certain people. Yet we must try to be. Our perseverance is not in vain! God Himself told us that, and we need to embrace that truth, no matter the day or circumstances (or people). Thank you, Lord, for entrusting us to be your light today. Even when it’s difficult, help us to be that tomorrow and in the days to come no matter what!
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8/16/2023 0 Comments How Are You?“How are you?” If this isn’t the most loaded question in the history of personal questions, it’s hard to think of another. But in this capacity the question more pertains to “How are you [around others]?” How we act around others is one of the most powerful things that we humans do in our lifetimes. Jesus was always thinking about how He should act around others, and He is God Himself. How much more so should we be careful in word and action around other people?
Questions for further thought: 1. So, how DID you act today around other people: positively and with love, or negatively and with (fill in the blank)? 2. If the answer to question 1 was negative, what steps should we take (prayer, perhaps?) in order to have tomorrow be better with our words and actions? Challenge: No doubt about it, Jesus is a tough act to follow. He is perfect and He acted perfectly to everyone, regardless of who they were. But we are also His and He will give us power to be more LIKE Him tomorrow than perhaps we were today. Let’s pray that prayer so that, tomorrow, people would know exactly the answer to “How are you?” 8/15/2023 0 Comments To Whom Do You Belong?All of us come from a family of some kind. When we’re little, we often learn and point out and say “mom” and “dad” or “brother” or “sister.” We belong to our blood relations, of course. But as Christians we also know that we’re part of a much larger family of brothers-and-sisters-in-Christ. That’s a large clan! But do we ACT towards them the same way we do the people living at our house?
Questions for further thought: 1. Can you think of a time when you were brotherly or sisterly to one of your fellow believers, and how that made you feel? 2. On the opposite end, can you remember when you didn’t act that way towards your siblings-in-Christ? How’d that feel afterwards? Challenge: As literal brothers-and-sisters-in-Christ, we are to act as He acted towards His followers and brothers and sisters. In fact, we’re even to show love to those who AREN’T (yet) a part of His family of believers. And that’s hard. It’s hard with our own families and it’s certainly harder (sometimes) with people we don’t know very well. But by so doing (and praying for strength in the doing) we’re showing that we are truly His and showing His light and love to others who desperately need it. We also show people to Whom we truly belong. 8/14/2023 0 Comments Where Are You From?It’s usually the first thing people ask once they meet you and say “hello!” It’s a daunting question for some, as they’re from many different places over their lives. Yet, God wants us to think about the very beginning of our lives. So, “Where are you from?” should mean something very different as Christians when we think about it.
Questions for further thought: 1. When was the last time you thought about your “ultimate origin” of where you are from? 2. How does that impact you in thinking about that you’re originally from the same place as God? Challenge: Everyone always thinks about where they were born, grew up, their hometown, home state, country, etc. and everyone is different in that way. But there’s a way in which all people, believers and non-believers, are alike: all of us, without exception, came from God and where He is first. Think about that each day that you or others you know feel discouraged or down about life’s travails. We come from the best place in the universe. 8/11/2023 0 Comments Joy in Living For ChristPaul gives here one of the main themes of the letter; rejoicing in the gospel no matter what the circumstances. This kind of joy is not blind, naïve, or in denial about the suffering in the world. It is joy that finds its confidence in the fact that God’s purposes will triumph in the end. Paul’s joy is evident, even as he faces a personal dilemma. He considers the possibility of death by Roman execution, and wonders which is better: remaining on earth to labor for Christ or dying and being with Christ. Either way, since Paul values Jesus above all things, Christ will be honored. When we are consumed with a passion for the person and purposes of Jesus Christ, neither life nor death can destroy our joy; both are opportunities to demonstrate that Jesus is our ultimate treasure.
Questions for further thought: 1. If presented with the option, which would you choose: To live is Christ or to die is gain? 2. What is your reason for your answer to question #1? Challenge: Ask God to give you such an awareness of the supreme value of Jesus that nothing can threaten your joy. Pray that Christ would be so satisfying that it could be said that, for you, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Paul’s remarkable prayer for the Philippians overflows with gospel truth. The good news about Jesus has brought tremendous joy to Paul, not only because the Philippians have partnered with him in the work of the gospel, but also because he is confident that God will continue His work of salvation in their lives. The church is supposed to be a thankful community that is confident in God’s ongoing work in and through us. Like Paul, we should celebrate the partnership we have with one another in the gospel mission. God’s work in advancing the gospel is not hindered by Paul’s imprisonment. Rather, God is actually using Paul’s suffering to advance the gospel and His glory. Paul’s persecution has actually spurred others to proclaim the gospel more boldly. Like Paul, our confidence and joy in the gospel must never be overwhelmed by trials. The suffering we face brings us into profound closeness with the One who suffered mightily for our sake. This should cause us to speak the Good News without fear.
Questions for further thought: 1. When was the last time you saw your suffering as an opportunity to spread the Good News of Jesus? 2. How do you believe you can be a used as a conduit for the Gospel today? Challenge: Suffering does not hinder the work of God’s Kingdom. Pray for those you know who are in a season of suffering. Ask God to comfort them and to use their trial for the glorious purposes of His Kingdom. 8/9/2023 0 Comments Joy in His LoveThe new commandment (John 13:34) can be understood only in the light of the finished work of Jesus. God has always called His people to a life of love for their neighbors, but the new commandment requires us to first set our attention on Jesus. The greatness and glory of God is clearly on display through Jesus’ love manifested through His people. The greatness of Jesus’ love for us is now the motivation for our love for others. Because we have experienced the merciful love of Christ for us, our hearts are learning to show the same love to others, including the unlovely, the oppressed, those with different political persuasions, and even those whose actions have damaged us. Let us be a people that are joyful in His love.
Questions for further thought: 1. In what ways is this in complete opposition to what the world says? 2. How have you witnessed the love of Christ being manifested in action? Challenge: It is true that obedience to the truth can bring joy. Pray that your trust in Christ would bear good fruit, and that He would empower you for worshipful and uncompromising obedience. 8/8/2023 0 Comments Joy in His GraceHow long did you make it this morning before your first sin? Had you finished your shower or your cup of coffee? Did you survive your commute without sinning? Chances are your early interpersonal interactions offered plenty of opportunities to stumble: cruel thoughts, impatient words, gossip, slander, boasting. You can feel like a failure before the day even begins. But you live under grace! The purpose of the law was to reveal sin. Without the law, you would be oblivious to God’s standards of right and wrong—it teaches you and exposes the sin in your life. But hear this: None of God’s children are under the law. All who know Him through Christ are under grace. God has immersed you in a system of grace so that when He sees you, He sees what He is changing you to be and not what you are. When you fall, get up. When you fail, don’t wallow in your failure, crushed by the weight of the law. God is transforming you. You are not in charge of your own transformation; He is (Philippians 1:6). And God is empowering you to live it out, giving you grace for today through His indwelling Spirit.
Questions for further thought: 1. What messages does Satan use to discourage and defeat you? In contrast, when God looks at you, what does He see? 2. In what area of your life do you need to start living under His grace in the power of His Spirit? Challenge: So when you feel discouraged, don’t quit. You’re under His grace. Live like it! 8/7/2023 0 Comments Joy in His IntercessionIn Romans 8:26-30, Paul gives us the fuel to strengthen our faith as we patiently wait for the full restoration of the universe. He tells us that as we wait the Holy Spirit intercedes for us by speaking with God on our behalf. He explains that God knows everything, has power over “all things”, and secures our eternal salvation. We have been surrounded with absolute protection! Reflecting on this can bring joy and calm our hearts so that we can give glory to God for the utter stability of our deliverance.
Questions for further thought: 1. When was the last time you pondered the thought of the Holy Spirit’s intercession? 2. In what ways have you witnessed the intercession of the Spirit in your life? Challenge: Give thanks and praise to God because the salvation that Christ has accomplished is secure for those who trust Him to the end. We did nothing to earn it, and there is nothing we can do to lose it. Praise and thank Him today!! He is Good!! 8/4/2023 0 Comments Doing What We're Created to DoRobots were created for a specific purpose. We were also created for a purpose, but do we always do what we were created to do? Maybe we let doubt, worry and fear get in the way. Why don’t we start with this: loving God and loving others?
Questions for further thought: 1. What is one way you can show your love for God and others today? 2. How has someone’s loving actions toward you been an encouragement? Challenge: Read 1 John 4:7 and let it soak in. Then write it down on a sticky note or card to put on your bathroom mirror or your vehicle dashboard. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
May 2024
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