"Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the Word and not my feelings. Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words, and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be. Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity... rather than a personal inconvenience. And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, 'Great is your love toward me.' You already see the ways I will fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize Your love for me is not based on my performance. You love me warts and all. That's amazing. But what's most amazing is that the Savior of the world would desire a few minutes with me this morning. Lord, help me to forever remember what a gift it is to sit with You like this. Amen." - Lysa Terkeurst |
What would it look like if I believed that nothing would separate me from God or His love for me today? Not my feelings or moods. Not my circumstances. Not my worries. No spiritual attack. No lie or accusation. Nothing from my past, present or future. Nothing in all creation can separate me from Him.
How would I live my life today knowing that I am loved by God and His love toward me is great! Would I live more confidently? Would I trust Him with what worries me? Would I choose to see myself as He sees me instead of how I fear others see me or how I see myself?
Paul writes in Romans that we must never interpret the darkness of earthly life as evidence of God's lack of love for us. Nothing we do can keep Christ from loving us, and nothing that happens to us can mean that Christ no longer loves us. Paul builds a list of some of the worst things that can happen in this life, including trials, hardship, persecution for our faith in Him, hunger, lack of clothing or shelter, physical threats, or death by violence. None of this can separate us from Christ's love. None of this means Christ does not love us. Just the opposite is true. He loves us enough to bring us through these things (John 16:33).
"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33
How would I live my life today knowing that I am loved by God and His love toward me is great! Would I live more confidently? Would I trust Him with what worries me? Would I choose to see myself as He sees me instead of how I fear others see me or how I see myself?
Paul writes in Romans that we must never interpret the darkness of earthly life as evidence of God's lack of love for us. Nothing we do can keep Christ from loving us, and nothing that happens to us can mean that Christ no longer loves us. Paul builds a list of some of the worst things that can happen in this life, including trials, hardship, persecution for our faith in Him, hunger, lack of clothing or shelter, physical threats, or death by violence. None of this can separate us from Christ's love. None of this means Christ does not love us. Just the opposite is true. He loves us enough to bring us through these things (John 16:33).
"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33
"Lord God, let me never forget all that you do for me on a daily basis. Sustain me with the hope of my salvation and the other countless blessings you provide with your continuous presence in my life. Lead me to live my life in testimony to your incredible blessings, that your love may be known and experienced by all those I serve, in Jesus' name. Amen." - Chaplain Rick, Dakota Ranch How easily I take God's forgiveness for granted and unappreciative of His daily graces in my life. Let me not forget all the benefits of His forgiveness:
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What would it look like to walk in recognition of the forgiveness that I received? Would I walk in freedom, free of guilt. Would I recognized the peace that is available to me in abundance? Would I experience His peace and joy? Would I desire to walk in thankfulness and obedience because I know that I am loved and forgiven?
Dear Jesus, Because you have set me free from the power and penalty of sin, I ask that you give me the strength, power and wisdom to walk in that freedom. I know you would not ask that I do anything that you would not equip me to do through the power of your Holy Spirit. Your word says that you work in me to "will and to work" in order to fulfill your good purposes. You have purposed me to walk in faithfullness to your word. You have purposed me to walk in righteoousness which has been gifted to me through your grace. You have purposed me to be an instrument to do what is right for your glory so that I can walk in the newness of the life given to me. Holy Spirit, remind me of your promises and prompt me to turn to you and ask you for help so that I will battle against my flesh and not give in to what comes easy. I thank you for walking beside me. I also ask that you fill me today and equip me with your presence indwelling inside me. In your name, I pray and receive. Amen. "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Philippians 2:13 |
What would it look like if I chose to allow my body to be an instrument to do what is right rather than an instrument to serve sin. How would I do that so that I didn't rely on my own strength, desire and will?
Instruments of Righteousness (taken from study notes on Romans 6)
The Greek word translated "instrument" could also be translated as "tool or weapon". Thinking in terms of choosing to commit to be a "weapon of rightesousness" encourages us to think more strongly of taking action; where as the words "instrument or tool" can be thought of as choosing that which is useful in walking in righteousness. Regardless, we are not encouraged to live passively.
We are commanded "do not let sin reign". This is a "present imperative active verb". It is not passive and it does not refer to a past action but a constant, present awareness and decision. We are to prepare our minds to recognize when we are warring against sin in our lives so that we do not let sin take a foothold and rule over us. So that we don't "obediently" follow and give in to sin as if sin is our master.
In orderr to do so, we must change the way we think about ourselves. We must no longer think of ourselves as self-reliant, self-serving, independent operators that are subject to the influences of our fleshly desires and worldly thinking. Instead, as people in Christ, we must think of ourselves as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. He commands us to engage in battle with our desires. Don't let sin tell you what to do, he writes. For the saved Christian believer, sinful desires are not the boss anymore. Christians should not give over control to those urges.
"Therefore, with minds that are alert (prepare your minds for action, "gird up") and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had wehn you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written "Be holy because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16
Instruments of Righteousness (taken from study notes on Romans 6)
The Greek word translated "instrument" could also be translated as "tool or weapon". Thinking in terms of choosing to commit to be a "weapon of rightesousness" encourages us to think more strongly of taking action; where as the words "instrument or tool" can be thought of as choosing that which is useful in walking in righteousness. Regardless, we are not encouraged to live passively.
We are commanded "do not let sin reign". This is a "present imperative active verb". It is not passive and it does not refer to a past action but a constant, present awareness and decision. We are to prepare our minds to recognize when we are warring against sin in our lives so that we do not let sin take a foothold and rule over us. So that we don't "obediently" follow and give in to sin as if sin is our master.
In orderr to do so, we must change the way we think about ourselves. We must no longer think of ourselves as self-reliant, self-serving, independent operators that are subject to the influences of our fleshly desires and worldly thinking. Instead, as people in Christ, we must think of ourselves as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. He commands us to engage in battle with our desires. Don't let sin tell you what to do, he writes. For the saved Christian believer, sinful desires are not the boss anymore. Christians should not give over control to those urges.
"Therefore, with minds that are alert (prepare your minds for action, "gird up") and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had wehn you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written "Be holy because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16
Father, Thank You for giving me a new idenitty in Christ and for reminding me through your word who You created me to be...your workmanship. Why would I want to listen to any of the lies I have allowed myself to believe about myself - I'm not good enough, I'm not beautiful enough....I'm not enough. You've made me to be more than enough because you made me to be just who I am and I was made with purpose. I recongize that I am not enough based on my own merits but I am of value because You say I am. You had me in mind before I was born. You thought about me. I wasn't created on accident. I wasn't an after thought. You formed me and molded me with Your own hands. I am enough if I don't srive to be something I'm not....I can be perfectly authenticially me. And because You made me, You made me with a purpose in mind and ordained every day of my life. Help me to live each day with prupose in mind. Let me not waste a moment. Let me see others as your creation. Remind me that they have purpose too and they are also Your workmanship. I ask that You reframe my perspectives and that You let me see others from Your view |
How differently would I live my life if I recognized that I am God's workmanship? Would I be as critical? Would I not compare myself to others? Would I be less afraid to be me in front of others? Would I live with confidence knowing that the God of the universe thought of me and purposesly made me? Would I live each day differrently knowing that God had ordained Sundays as well as Mondays? Would I treat others differently if I saw them as God's workmanship also?
God calls us His workmanship or His artwork, from the Greek word poiēma. We are something crafted, with skill and a purpose, by God, for His purposes. Specifically, we are "created in Christ Jesus for good works." Good works do not give us salvation, but they are absolutely meant to be the result of salvation.
Interestingly, God prepared what He wanted us to do for Him long ago. He has already planned what He wants us to do with our lives. We do not need to copy what someone else has done or is doing. He has a unique plan for each of us to serve Him in this world. This includes certain spiritual gifts and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to lead us in service to Him. (Bibleref.com)
God calls us His workmanship or His artwork, from the Greek word poiēma. We are something crafted, with skill and a purpose, by God, for His purposes. Specifically, we are "created in Christ Jesus for good works." Good works do not give us salvation, but they are absolutely meant to be the result of salvation.
Interestingly, God prepared what He wanted us to do for Him long ago. He has already planned what He wants us to do with our lives. We do not need to copy what someone else has done or is doing. He has a unique plan for each of us to serve Him in this world. This includes certain spiritual gifts and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to lead us in service to Him. (Bibleref.com)
Father, during this period of shelter at home, the feeling of isolation may set in for many people. During the times that I felt shut off from the world, I have been enriched by knowing that You are with me and I am encouraged by seeing my neighbors walking with their families and I love connecting with others in new ways. Strangely, even though this "shut off" was ;mandated, I have never felt cut-off. Lord, I lift up those who are lonely. I pray that those who know You are also enriched by your presence and know they You are watching over them. For those who do not know You,, I pray that their hearts will be made more tendered by the Holy Spirit so that they can hear His voice and respond to His outstretched hand. During the early days of this mandated shelter at home, I felt the fear and urgency of the situation but rejoiced knowing that others were seeking You during this time. But as this "new normal" has set in and become more famliar, I feel a settling in...of acceptance. Lord, I know You are in control but I want to know Your peace and know that it is coming from You and not just in getting used to what is familiar. I pray that those who are seeking You will conitnue to seek You with all thier heart until they are able to walk with You in close relationship knowing that You will neverr leave them and that they will never have to be far away from You again. I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen. |