12/15/2023 0 Comments PreeminentPreeminent is defined as “highly distinguished or outstanding” – standing out among all others because of superiority. It seems as if Jesus is given this title by virtue of “all things being created through Him and for Him” (v.16) In Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell and sinful mankind is reconciled or brought into right relationship with God the Father through faith in Him. Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross paid the full penalty for the sin of all who would repent and believe and made reconciliation with the Father possible and actual. When we are reconciled, we will persevere in faith and obedience because, in addition to being declared righteous by Jesus’ finished work, we are actually made new creations (2 Cor. 5:17) with a new disposition that loves God, hates sin, desires obedience, pursues holiness, and are energized by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. So I must ask, are we growing in these things?
Questions for further thought: 1. After reading this passage, how has my perception of Jesus changed? 2. Am I pursuing happiness or am I pursuing righteousness? Which do I think God would want me to pursue? Challenge: Ask God to provide opportunities for you to share the message of salvation in Jesus Christ this week and beyond. Be prepared as God works.
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12/14/2023 0 Comments Remain SteadfastIt is no surprise that Paul’s last writing admonishes Timothy to remain faithful to what he had learned and had firmly believed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul was being held up in a Roman prison with no chance of release, he sought to encourage Timothy to contend for the faith and to use the Scripture in a manner in which God had intended it. (v.16-17) As Paul had shown in the beginning of Chapter 3, Godlessness was increasing and would continue to increase. In verse 12, he speaks directly to the heart of the issue as he states “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”. Any questions?
Questions for further thought: 1. How have I experienced persecution because of my faith in Jesus Christ? 2. If I was in a court of law and was being tried for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me? Challenge: Persevere and hold fast to the promises of Scripture. Be encouraged if you are God’s child as He is for you. 12/13/2023 0 Comments Halfhearted CommitmentThis passage discusses the church in Laodicea and its lukewarm stance toward God. The believers didn’t stand for anything as their indifference had led to idleness. In verse 15, Jesus said, “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were one or the other.” You would think that lukewarm would be more acceptable to Him, because it is somewhat close to hot. But, how often do you ask the lady behind the counter for a lukewarm cup of coffee? Never, because it is distasteful and unsatisfying. Jesus was saying “I don’t want lukewarm or halfhearted commitments. I want you to decide. I want you in, or I would rather you were out.” If you’re on fire, if you’re walking with the Lord, then you are where he wants you to be. If you’re cold, hopefully you will realize your need for the Savior and come to him. However, the lukewarm person is riding the fence, sometimes in and sometimes out, a self-deceiving prophecy with eternal ramifications. What is your spiritual temperature today?
Questions for further thought: 1. What is my spiritual temperature? Have I been guilty of halfhearted commitment? 2. What are some steps that I can take to make sure my commitment to God is wholehearted? Challenge: Resolve to let Christ fire up your faith and get you into the action. Pray for God’s strength as His Spirit works through you. 12/12/2023 0 Comments CaughtThis story is of the woman caught in adultery. It seems as if the scribes and Pharisees were looking for a way to indict and bring a charge against Jesus by asking Him a trick question. If Jesus would reject the law of Moses, His credibility would be gone. If He held to the Mosaic law, His reputation for compassion and forgiveness would have been compromised. But amazingly, Jesus, being perfectly full of grace and truth (John 1:14), uttered the statement “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone” (v.7) Jesus was calling them to a man in the mirror experience as He was charging them to examine their own sinfulness first before pronouncing judgment on another. What happened next is profound as one by one they all went away until Jesus was left alone with the woman. It seems as if no one was left to condemn her. Full of grace, Jesus also does not condemn her. However, full of truth, He calls her to commit to “Sin no more” by leaving her life of sin.
Questions for further thought: 1. Would I characterize myself as more of a grace person or a truth person? 2. Who could I ask to see if my characterization is correct? Challenge: Seek to exhibit both grace and truth in your relationships this week 12/11/2023 0 Comments ImmediatelyHave you ever read the first few chapters of Mark and been amazed at how many times Mark utilizes the word “Immediately”? This was brought to my attention as I was reading the story of when Jesus called the first disciples. Just a few verses earlier marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry as He proclaims to all people the gospel of God and for all people to “repent and believe in the gospel” (v.15). He then calls the first disciples, Peter and Andrew. He charges them to follow Him and He will make them “fishers of men”. It then says that they “immediately” dropped their nets and followed. He then calls James and John and they also “immediately” followed Him. I mean if I told you that your lights are on in your car, how would I know if you were listening and obedient? Sure, by your action in getting up and shutting off the lights and providing a remedy for the situation. It appears the disciples were fully obedient to Jesus’ command “right now”. Not next week, not just when I get around to it, but directly when asked. I wonder if we might take this to heart and act when Christ asks us to do something.
Questions for further thought: 1. How can the disciples’ willingness to act encourage me as I seek to follow Christ? 2. What spiritual disciplines could I pursue in order to follow Jesus more closely? Challenge: Commit to one spiritual discipline (prayer, Bible reading, etc...) and follow through with it every day this week. Christmas is both a time of cheer and sometimes of fear. Fear of what we think we “should” have done, or did do, this past year and also cheer for the things God has given us that we are grateful for. We do have our brothers and sisters in Him to be grateful for.
Questions for further thought: 1. When was the last time you wrote a “thank you” note for a friend or relative or neighbor thanking them for just being who they are? 2. When you did that, what was the reaction from that person? Challenge: Being intentional during Christmas (and all year) is all about letting others know that you not only think about them, but you care that they are here on earth with you during your life! Let’s pray that, if we haven’t been as intentional during Christmastime as we aim to, that we will be this year. Also, write that thank you note to someone in your life who is truly worthy of it! Amen! 12/7/2023 0 Comments Gifts of GodChristmas is a time for both giving and receiving gifts. There are many gifts that God has given us, and keeps giving us, each and every day, year after year. Are we aware of these? Some examples might be the gift of life, family, a warm home, food, good friends, and a church family, etc. Other gifts He gave to us for His glory, as He gave to so many individuals in the Bible.
Questions for further thought: 1. Reflect on the gifts that God has given you throughout your life. 2. Do you thank Him for those gifts? Have you asked Him to help you use them to bless others? Challenge: God is the provider of all good things in this world and in heaven, including His gifts to us. We didn’t earn them; He just gave them to us because He loves us. And we are to love one another with those gifts, as many of His faithful servants (not just Daniel) did throughout history. May He make us both grateful, and mindful, during this Christmas and beyond. 12/6/2023 0 Comments Right ReverenceThere’s a right way, and a wrong way, to revere our Lord. Some use scripture as a weapon against others, often, against people they merely disagree with. Some, though, revere and love our Lord because He first loved us, even before they know Him completely. Christmas especially is a great time to really remember our love for Him for coming into the world to save us all.
Questions for further thought: 1. During the holidays, do your family and friends often quarrel? 2. Do you sometimes see Christ used as a weapon to stop people from questioning Him, or to stop disagreements about other things? Challenge: Christmas is a time to revere and love our Lord. It isn’t a time to win arguments against family members and friends (or on social media). This Christmas, let the spirit of unity be present in us as it was for those who gathered to witness His birth on that blessed day. With recent events in Israel, one might think that division and deceit in that region is unprecedented, but that is incorrect. Governmental authorities often try to use (and abuse) the Word for their own ends. They do so now, and they did then as well. So, how do we fight that deceit? Answer: study the Word of God and talk to Christians about things occurring now and compare to then.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you know anyone who’s confused on recent events in the Holy Land? 2. What do you make of similar efforts of political deceit back in the time when Christ was born? Challenge: We are all prone to deceit and disinformation about any number of subjects in our world. We need clarity that only the Spirit can provide so we are not deceived, whether now or back in ancient times when our Lord was born. Pray for that clarity today. 12/4/2023 0 Comments The Intent Behind the IntentionIn the mad rush of Christmastime, we often forget exactly what the circumstances were for Jesus when He came into this world. It was an interesting time for the Jewish people. Let’s remember to take time to ponder the birth of our Lord and how He changed everything.
Questions for further thought: 1. What do you think Mary and Joseph really thought of bringing a new child into the world at this time of turmoil? 2. What might have been going through your own mind if you had lived during this time of turmoil? Challenge: Remember “challenging times” during Christmas is nothing new. It’s been that way since He was born. But we do need to keep our eyes on Him first in order to grasp the full meaning of the holiday. Let’s pray that we do so first and not get caught up in the mania surrounding it. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
May 2024
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