Tag: Devotions

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Created for Good Works

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Today’s Verse: Ephesians 2:10

 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do

Ah, to know that we are fearfully and wonderfully made is a great encouragement but to know that we are “God’s handiwork, created ‘in’ Christ Jesus to do good works” is an added blessing. As it is another reminder that God is intimately involved in our lives from birth to rebirth and even to death – as we know that He alone has “numbered our days”, (Psalm 139:16 and Job 14:5). It is also a beautiful invitation or clarification that He wants us, even expects us, to be actively involved with Him in His work.

Understandably, to know that God created “good works” for us to do can also be a bit daunting and challenging – both in concept and in the reality of knowing what those good works are – and carrying them out. However, we must remember that what He has called us to do – He has also equipped us to do, (2 Peter 1:3-4).

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

2 Peter 1;3-4
Check out today's inspiration @ 'our daily verse'

Going Further

What does Ephesians 2:10 mean?

Ephesians 2:8–9 is an extremely popular passage of Scripture. Since those two verses are so often quoted, many miss out on verse 10 when seeking to understand God’s salvation by grace through faith. However, this important statement offers tremendous insight into what God desires after salvation. 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
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Through Him…I Can

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About a month ago I subscribed to “Our Daily Verse” – which is simply that, a daily verse I receive in my inbox every morning around 6:30. Each verse comes with a short comment from the host as well as a quote, song, and picture of the day. I use the verse as a morning prayer prompter, and then I watch for ways that God chooses to use it in or through me during the day. In full disclosure, depending on the busyness of the day, I sometimes forget the verse by mid-morning or afternoon, but at the close of the day I try to circle back to it and reflect on how it may have applied to my day or been used to encourage someone else.

– To bridge the gap between studies and keep us journeying through the Word – I will be sharing one of these daily verses and a link to their content, past or present, for the next two weeks. I believe you will find them a blessing and look forward – with hope – to hearing your comments, thoughts, or questions.

Verse of the Day: Philippians 4:13

I started this morning reflecting on this empowering truth from Philippians 4:13 …

The thoughts and prayers it prompted …

Father, you are good! You have given me Jesus and You have given me Your Spirit and through them I can not only draw near to You but I can do all “this” — All that You have called me to and/or allow in my life. You – Father, Spirit, Son – You are my STRENGTH, my SONG, my HOPE and my JOY! Oh, how I worship You.

You make me brave when I am afraid – You whisper peace and You give grace for each moment and fresh mercies every morning! When I am weak You are strong – When I don’t know the way You show me – When I hurt You comfort me – When my body fails I look to You for healing power – When I am tempted You show a way of escape – And when the storms come You walk with me through the waters and hold me up so I that I am not overcome by them!

I rejoice in these words by Oswald Chambers –

“God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome.”

Through Christ You empower me to live – to endure – and to walk in confident HOPE that all of Your promises are “Yes and Amen in Him” who has overcome the grave; and through whom I can do all things!

Check out today's inspiration @ 'our daily verse'
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Remaining or Cut Off

Read Proverbs 2:11-22 (SOAP: 21-22)

For the upright will live in the land,
    and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
    and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

Proverbs 2:21-22 NLT

This section of reading makes it clear that righteous living, that which is based on the wisdom of God, is better than those who live in perverse ways, delighting in doing wrong and rejoicing in evil. Solomon concludes this section of sayings with pointed instruction to “walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous”. Why? Because he knows that these are the people who will obtain and dwell in the land the LORD had promised long ago. “Dwelling in the land” was a phrase known as a great reward in that day because it indicated that they were heirs to the promises of God. (see Genesis 12; 2 Samuel 7:16) He also understood that those who were unfaithful – who chose to not follow the ways of wisdom would forever be “cut off from the land”. From Solomon’s instruction and words of warning it is clear Solomon wanted more for his “son” than this.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, I am a child of God. Because I have believed He has made me an heir and I have a share in the promises and blessings of God’s people. (Galatians 3:17-29; 4:4-7 and Hebrews 3:12-14)Like Solomon, I must be faithful to tell my children and the generations to follow what God desires and what He has promised.

 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Galatians 4:7
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout
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The Baptism of Jesus Matthew 3:13-17

John had been baptizing those who were repenting and turning to God. Now Jesus comes to be baptized by John. What an honor, right? John, however, understood that Jesus was the Messiah and did not need to repent of anything or turn to God, as was the requirement for baptism (Matthew 3:6). If anything, John understood his own sin and believed he should be baptized by Jesus not the other way around.

Reflection Question:

How did Jesus change John’s mind?

What happens after the baptism is relayed by Matthew in a beautiful picture of words that describe the love, joy, and pleasure that God took in seeing His son baptized – a symbol of being buried in death and raised to life. He also describes a scene of God’s Spirit descending like a dove, which one of my favorite Bible references describes like this:

God the Father immediately responds to Jesus’ baptism in a powerful way. As Jesus emerges from being fully immersed in the water of the Jordan River, the heavens are opened. Jesus sees God the Holy Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and coming to rest on Him.

It’s unclear from the descriptions in the other Gospels whether only Jesus saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descend. This might have been witnessed by everyone present. Or, perhaps it was only perceived by Jesus and John (John 1:32). Luke does specify that the Holy Spirit took solid, bodily form (Luke 3:22). However, the phrase “like a dove” can either refer to the visual appearance of the Spirit, or to the manner in which the Spirit descended. As such, it’s not explicitly clear that the Holy Spirit looked like a literal dove.

Bibleref.com in regard to Matthew 3:16

While John’s experience with Jesus is unique to only him, I am reminded what a privilege it is to serve God/Jesus in any way. I am equally convicted to remember the privilege and have a humble spirit like John, who surrendered to serve/baptizing as Christ requested – knowing, as Jesus told him, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” 

Posted in Quiet Time
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Today’s Video

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 136 (S.O.A.P. 1-2)

Question of the Day: Each verse includes the phrase, “For His loyal love endures”. What else do you notice is included in each verse? Why do you think the Psalmist repeatedly combined both things? Share your answer or thoughts below in the reply box.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
for His loyal love endures.[b]
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for His loyal love endures.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for His loyal love endures,
4 to the one who performs magnificent, amazing deeds all by Himself,
for His loyal love endures,
5 to the one who used wisdom to make the heavens,
for His loyal love endures,
6 to the one who spread out the earth over the water,
for His loyal love endures,
7 to the one who made the great lights,
for His loyal love endures,
8 the sun to rule by day,
for His loyal love endures,
9 the moon and stars to rule by night,
for His loyal love endures,
10 to the one who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for His loyal love endures,
11 and led Israel out from their midst,
for His loyal love endures,
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for His loyal love endures,
13 to the one who divided[c] the Red Sea[d] in two,[e]
for His loyal love endures,
14 and led Israel through its midst,
for His loyal love endures,
15 and tossed[f] Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea,
for His loyal love endures,
16 to the one who led his people through the wilderness,
for His loyal love endures,
17 to the one who struck down great kings,
for His loyal love endures,
18 and killed powerful kings,
for His loyal love endures,
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for His loyal love endures,
20 Og, king of Bashan,
for His loyal love endures,
21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
for His loyal love endures,
22 as an inheritance to Israel his servant,
for His loyal love endures,
23 to the one who remembered us when we were down,[g]
for His loyal love endures,
24 and snatched us away from our enemies,
for His loyal love endures,,
25 to the one who gives food to all living things,[h]
for his loyal love endures.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for His loyal love endures!

After thoughts