Month: April 2023

April 9th – Ecclesiastes 3:1

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Ecclesiastes 3:1

I love the quote by theologian John Henry Newman which says, “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” No one likes change. It’s hard, unpleasant, and takes work. But life is about change. And the Christian life is about changing into the image of Jesus. For each one plays a part in making us who we are. And far from being just random events that happen, we know that God is in control, and has a time and purpose for everything in our lives. For He sees beginning to end, and knows the wonderful grand plan He has for each of us. All we have to do is embrace the ebb and flow of life, trust God in all things, and find meaning and purpose in each moment no matter what it may bring.

April 8th – 2 Corinthians 3:18

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2 Corinthians 3:18

One of my heroes in the Bible has always been Paul. He’s the perfect example of how no one is beyond God’s reach. Previously known as Saul of Tarsus, a great persecutor of Christians, through the transformation of the Holy Spirit, he became Paul, a great disciple of the Lord. Our God is so loving that He never wants to leave us as He found us. He wants to transform us into all we are meant to be. But that transformation won’t come easy. Because the Christian walk is a lifelong journey of growth and change. There will be times when that change will be hard, frustrating, and painful. But if we keep seeking God, allow the Holy Spirit to work both in and through us, change will come. Until then keep trusting God, keep moving forward, and remember this quote by Joyce Meyer which says, “I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be!”

April 7th – Isaiah 6:8

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Isaiah 6:8

Have you ever thought you washed a window to crystal clear perfection only to find it full of streaks when the rays of the sun shined on it? That’s how it is with us. No matter how hard we try, or how clean we think our lives are, they are nothing more than dirty, streaky, windows compared to the perfect goodness of God. But because of His boundless love, just like He did for Isaiah, God provides a way for our sin to be taken away and forgiven. That way is Jesus Christ. Through His work on the Cross and the shedding of His precious blood, the minute we receive Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit goes to work. First he humbles and convicts us about the filthiness of our lives. Then He begins transforming, cleansing, and getting us ready for God’s service. No longer unworthy, and like the prophets before us, we can be eagerly obedient to God’s calling. And after our own life changing encounter with the Lord, with a thankful heart we too can say to God, “Here am I. send Me!”

April 6th – Psalm 131:1

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Psalm 131:1

Psalm 131 is a little Psalm that packs a big punch. For in its few lines lies the secret to happiness, success and victory. The secret being humility and contentment. This is victory that I myself so desperately yearn for. Because like David, I too want to have a humble heart before the Lord. I too want to be content, happy, and thankful in all things, placing my complete trust in God alone. David’s message of humility and contentment is a big contradiction to a world that says more is better, and to value ourselves above all others. But as Christians we don’t live like the world. We live like our Lord. And no one exampled humility greater than Jesus. For as it says in Philippians 2:8, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” If our Lord could let go of any pride, be content in all things, and trust God completely, so can we.

April 5th – Galatians 6:7

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Galatians 6:7

Only those who hate God would dare mock Him right? Preacher Charles G. Finney wrote, “To mock God is to pretend to love and serve him when we do not. To act in a false manner, be insincere and hypocritical in our professions, pretending to obey, love, serve, and worship Him, when we do not.” No true believer has to pretend to love God. Yet even though our devotion to Him is strong, we’ve all been guilty of behavior that could be called many things, except godly. I myself have disobeyed God, not walked as Jesus teaches, and at times acted more like a Pharisee than a Christian. But thankfully we serve a loving God who, when we confess our sin and repent, is faithful to forgive and restore our fellowship with Him. The world is constantly looking at us to see if we practice what we preach. By living lives of integrity, sowing seeds of the Spirit, and being examples of the grace of God, instead of seeing mockery and hypocrisy, the world will see shining lights that glorify our Father! (Matt. 5:16)

April 4th – Ephesians 4:1

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Ephesians 4:1

When we receive Jesus as our Savior we receive a calling to walk away from our old, sinful lifestyles, and walk worthy of our new calling. And what is our new calling? To live life in a manner that is consistent with the high standards and values of the Christian faith. It means intentionally choosing to die to self daily. Instead walking in obedience to God and following the example of Jesus Christ. This includes living a life of humility, love, and forgiveness as our Lord did. For as Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” When we surrender our own desires and plans, allowing Christ to live in and through us, we walk worthy of our calling. And that in turn leads to a life centered on God and His purposes, rather than our own.

April 3rd – Colossians 3:11

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Colossians 3:11

With inclusivity being the word of the day, there is only One who welcomes all to join His family. And that is God. Regardless of our ethnic, social, or cultural background, the Lord invites all to come to Him and receive His free gift of salvation. One of the most radical things Jesus Himself did was to reach out to the outcasts of the day. Eagerly the Lord loved the unlovable. These included tax collectors, prostitutes, and lepers. And you and me. That’s the beauty and awesomeness of God’s grace. He extends it to all. No matter who we are or what we’ve done, when we come before Him in true repentance, God forgives. Because the inclusiveness of God isn’t rooted in political correctness. Instead it’s rooted in His love for all people and His desire to reconcile us to Himself. This is why the message of the Gospel is good news for all people, and why the invitation to follow Jesus is open to anyone who is willing to receive it.

April 2nd – 2 Corinthians 4:16

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2 Corinthians 4:16

Being personally chosen by Jesus to live and work with Him in His ministry was truly an honor. But it also came with it’s own dangers. Paul experienced beatings, imprisonment, scorn, and hate. Yet despite it all, Paul never gave in to despair. And he encourages us all to do the same. Even though Paul suffered physically for sharing the gospel, spiritually, he grew stronger everyday. How? Because of the renewing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, as they seek to follow God’s will and live according to his commandments. From the moment we are born, our physical bodies begin to decay. But even though those bodies may age and deteriorate over time, our spiritual selves can continue to grow and develop as we deepen our relationship with God. We can be like Paul who encourages us to persevere in our faith despite the challenges and hardships we may face in life.

 

April 1st – Romans 12:2

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Romans 12:2

As we mature in Christ, our attitudes, opinions, and values are influenced less by the world and more by the Holy Spirit working within us. The outcome is spiritual discernment and the ability to judge what is good and pleasing to God. A transformed, renewed mind resulting in a new way of thinking. Which then leads to a change in behavior and a lifestyle that glorifies the Lord. But to get such a mind we need to dig into God’s Word daily, meditating on it day and night. And we need to have a strong prayer life, constantly communicating with the Lord. Being transformed in this way allows us to know God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives. But such a transformation isn’t easy. It requires a commitment to seeking God and being open to change. It involves surrendering our thoughts, desires, and will to God. And most of all, allowing Him to work in and through us for His kingdom and glory.