Category: Scripture

Proper Freedom

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As I continue to write about the Kingdom of God, I have to talk about freedom. I am very thankful to live in the United States where I have great freedom. However, I have watched over the years as Americans – many times even Christians, take advantage of that freedom.

Today’s verse reminds us that we are not to use that freedom “for the flesh”. Our freedom is supposed to be used to serve others. We will need God’s help to use our freedom correctly.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminders in Your Word of how to use the freedom You give. Please help us to seek opportunities to serve others.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

God’s Temple Today

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In the Old Testament we learn about the temple Solomon built for God to dwell in. At Pentecost (in the book of Acts), the Holy Spirit came to dwell in people. 1 Corinthians reminds us that our physical bodies belong to God because of this.

Jesus’ example prayer can help us remember that God’s kingdom, including His residence of our physical bodies, is more important than our own desires. This should give us the desire to take care of our physical bodies to the best of our ability.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that our physical bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Please help us to live with that thought in mind.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

God’s Pleasure

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Jesus’ example prayer reminds us to pray that God’s kingdom would come. This refers to the earthly kingdom that God tells us about in the Bible. God gives us many commands to follow, which fit into His ultimate purpose. Unfortunately, as flawed human beings we want our own way. Too many don’t like Philippians 2:13, because it talks about God’s work being for His pleasure. We want our own pleasure. We want good for our own sake. However, if we take the time to study the Bible, I think we will find the benefit of God’s way. We also need to consider the eternal benefit. We will learn more of that by studying the Bible.

I hope that my readers will put time and effort into reading God’s Word and finding out what God’s good pleasure is. I think we will find it pleasurable ourselves.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing to work in us. Thank You for sharing Your pleasure with us. Please help us to seek Your way and not our own. The selfish pleasures of this world can have a strong pull. Please give us the strength to say no as well as the knowledge of how much better Your way is.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

God’s Kingdom

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I think one of the hard parts of Jesus’ example prayer is “Your kingdom come”. I don’t think we realize how often we seek to build our own kingdom. 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 talks about having freedom for the sake of building others up. I fear that we want freedom for our own selfish purposes too often. The Bible repeatedly talks about using our freedom to build others up. In this passage we are told “all things are lawful, but not all things build up.”

We need to make choices that help build God’s kingdom. We do that by living in a way that draws people to the One we serve. We need to share that hope to those who have never heard and remind the ones who know Christ of how wonderful the eternal hope of God’s kingdom is.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us direction about how to use the freedom You allow. Please help us to be aware when our own selfishness takes over. Please help us to use our freedom for the sake of the gospel and do everything for Your honor and glory.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Approaching in Awe

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As I continue to study Jesus’ example prayer, I find more rich truths about how to pray. When I think of all the ways to praise God, I should be humbled by the fact that a Holy God wants anything to do with me. God is perfect and does no wrong. He lovingly directs in the lives of those He calls children. I am in awe that God would want me.

I am thankful that God is approachable. However, I do want to go “boldly to the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16) with awe in who my God is.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for being approachable. I praise You for choosing me to be one of Your children. I am in awe of who You are. I am thankful for Your loving direction. Please help me to show others what You have done.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Always Faithful

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It is rare that we can legitimately use terms like always and never. We sometimes use those terms when we are frustrated with things that don’t seem to be going well. One time we can use the term always is in regards to God’s faithfulness. I am so thankful that despite my lack of faithfulness, God is still faithful. This gives me daily hope.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your faithfulness. I am grateful that You remain faithful despite my lack. The hope You provide is so needed for the challenges we face. Please help us to cling to Your faithfulness and remember that hope.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.