Category: purpose

My Identity or God’s?

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This year I have been talking about personal identity. We have so much confusion in our culture today. I want to direct my reader’s thinking towards what God says. In this passage the apostle Paul talks about some of his experiences with the Ephesian believers. While Paul did many things, in verse 24 he directs the reader’s attention to the Lord. Paul considered his life to be in last place and service to Jesus to be first.

Our culture pushes a “me first” identity. Sadly as believers we sometimes choose this thinking. We need to remember that me, myself and I should be in last place. Our energy should be more focused on the things of the Lord. How do we do that? Study God’s Word, pray and spend time with people who will pray with you and direct your thinking to God.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us examples like Paul who had proper priorities. Please help us to follow his example and make our lives about You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Weak Groanings

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 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called he also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.

Last week I talked about how I must believe that God will give wisdom. I know that can be a weakness for me. I am thankful for this passage in Romans that tells me the Holy Spirit intercedes for me when I don’t know what to pray. He gives support to help in my greatest time of need.

I know there are times that my faith can be weak. God has provided help for those of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ. God gives what I need.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Spirit to help me when I don’t know how to pray. I cling to that promise. May Your name be praised for this marvelous gift.

I praise this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

What Sticks

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People spend a lot of time and money on plans. Planning is a good concept, but Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that the only ones that stick are the plans of God. Does this mean we don’t make plans? No, there are plenty of times where the Bible tells us to be prepared (1 Peter 3:15, Proverbs 6:8; 24:27). As a believer I prayerfully make plans and remember that God is in control.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making plans that will stand. Please help me to make plans that are in line with Your will.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Love with Discernment

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The apostle Paul wanted the Philippian believers to increase in their love. Sadly, we have seen culture misuse this concept. Society wants to define love their own way. I’m confident that is why the apostle Paul said that the love should abound “with knowledge and all discernment.” Verses 10 and 11 continue the concept, “so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Our love needs to be directed by the truth in the Bible (the only source for truth). The only way we can know the truth is to read and study God’s Word. The pursuit of Biblical knowledge is very rewarding.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us absolute truth in the Bible. Please give us an insatiable desire to read and study Your Word. Help us to have discernment to know the truth.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Heavenly Minded

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Every now and then, I hear the saying, “Don’t be so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.” I think we need to define what that means. True heavenly mindedness is commanded in the Bible. Colossians 3 begins by telling us to “seek the things that are above”. 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:23 tell us everything needs to be for the honor and glory of God.

I think we know people who seem out of touch with the here and now. That may be true, but it doesn’t change the commands of the Bible. God has told us that He is to be the center of our lives. Everything I do should honor and glorify my Heavenly Father.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the instruction You provide in Your Word. Please help us to obey what You have commanded by living our lives only for You. Give us the strength we need.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

A Better Boast

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We can get so caught up in our own identity, that we miss a better option. This passage talks about circumcision which was a big deal to the Jews in Bible times. They were more interested in the fact of their circumcision than in the cross of Christ which made circumcision unnecessary.

Today, the variety of choices for identity are overwhelming. That is why we need to narrow our choices down by looking at what the Bible says. We can rejoice in what God has done as we read and understand God’s Word. A better identity is waiting. Let’s pursue it together.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing a better identity through Jesus’ death on the cross. Thank You for providing a way to that identity through the instruction in the Bible. Please help us to pursue it.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

How to Hold Fast

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19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:19-25

I love this passage of Scripture. It reminds children of God that we have confidence in going to our Heavenly Father. Verse 23 is my favorite part – I need to hold fast and God is faithful. I know there are many times I don’t feel as though I can hold without wavering. Yet my loving, heavenly Father is faithful – unwavering.

One help God has provided is other believers. Verses 24-25 tell us what we are to do for each other. God knows we cannot be faithful without other believers. We need to be a network of strength for each other. The end of verse 25 tells us that we need to encourage one another more as time goes on. We need to read and study God’s Word and encourage each other with what we have learned. The more difficult life gets, the more we need to band together – holding each other up.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for giving us instruction in Your Word. Please help us to hold fast and encourage each other to do the same. Please draw us nearer to You each day.

I pray this in Jesus name.

God is so good.

Vigilance for Life

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Our hearts are considered the seat of our emotions, intellect and will. Proverbs tells us to “keep our heart with all vigilance”. Emotions are powerful and can lead us astray without proper use of the intellect and will. Our society pushes allowing our emotions to lead. God knew this would happen and gave us guidance in His Word. The book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom to help us lead our emotions appropriately.

Managing our emotions is challenging, but a worthwhile pursuit. Living the way God tells us is always worth the effort.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom You give. Please guide us to be vigilant with our hearts. We need Your help to direct our emotions, intellect and will towards Your ways.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Exceedingly Abundant

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Ephesians 3:20 can give us goosebumps as we think of all the happy things God can do.  However, as I look at the context – one of spiritual growth and maturity – my mind goes down a different path.  I believe the Christian life can bring much joy, but there is sorrow as well.  The difficult things often bring about the most spiritual growth.   So, what is the exceeding abundance?  I believe 2 Corinthians 9:8 gives us the answer. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”  God’s grace brings the abundance that He wants.  Abundance for every good work.

I fear we come to verses like Ephesians 3:20 with selfish thoughts.  Selfishness is often a part of our identity.  We need to give our own desires to God and He will give us His grace for abundant good works.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the abundance You provide.  Please help me to see the ways You want to change my identity from self-centeredness to grace filled good works.  Please strengthen me for the tasks ahead. I give You praise for all You do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Who Am I?

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When I was in high school, society pushed teens to ask, “Who am I?”.  It was a big thing for us to “find ourselves”.  I fear we are seeing the effects of too many years of wanting our own identity.  Ephesians 2:10 tells us that those who trust in Jesus Christ are His workmanship.  Our purpose is good works.  Good works “which God prepared beforehand”.  Reading and studying the Bible as well as praying will help us understand those good works.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making us Your workmanship.  Please help us to seek what You desire for good works. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.