365 Days of Praise
WE ARE MEMBERS of ONE ANOTHER
“laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.“
In recent years, our ears have been tuned to Washington where lying seems to be increasing. We’ve been shocked. However, our ears have also been tuned to people in positions of spiritual leadership who have lied, and we’ve been disheartened. Why does it hurt us to an even greater degree when Christians lie to one another? The answer is because we are members of one another. And, as Ephesians 4:24 reminds us, we are to be living by our “new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the TRUTH.” What does this mean to us? We are not to lie to ourselves, God, or others. Before we hurl stones at Washington, perhaps we should check our hearts. Are we lying to ourselves about something? A sin? A promise? A relationship? Are we lying to another person-either directly or by withholding information? If we are, then today is the day God is calling us to “lay aside falsehood and speak truth; for we are MEMBERS of ONE ANOTHER.” Our lie never just hurts us. It hurts others. It hurts Christ.
Heavenly Father, forgive us for any way in which we have not spoken truth. Forgive us for any way that we have lived in or spoken falsehood. May we by the conviction and power of Your Holy Spirit lay falsehood aside and may we speak truth to one another.
WE ARE RIGHTEOUS
“put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.“
Heh Righteous! That’s right. I’m talking to you. If you’re a Christian, the Bible says you and I are righteous because of the substitutionary work Christ did on the cross when He paid our sin debt with His blood. I wonder if you’re thinking what I am? 1. Praise God for declaring me righteous. 2. I need to put on then new self, which has been created in righteousness. Why not greet your Christian family and friends with this reminder? Lets call each other who we are in Christ, and more importantly live accordingly.
Heavenly Father, thank You for declaring me righteous. Help me live according to the new person You have created me to be.
Have a great day, righteous friend.
WE ARE RENEWED in the SPIRIT of OUR MINDS
“…be renewed in the spirit of your mind,..”
Fascinating research has been done the last several years on the brain and how it can be “renewed.” Dr. Caroline Leaf in her book, Switch On Your Brain, explains, “As we think, we change the physical nature of our brain. As we consciously direct our thinking, we can wire out toxic patterns of thinking and replace them with healthy thoughts. New thought networks grow. We increase our intelligence and bring healing to our brains, minds, and physical bodies. It all starts in the realm of the mind, with our ability to think and choose – the most powerful thing in the universe after God, and indeed, fashioned after God.” (page 20) Ephesians 4:23 is more than a verse over which we should hurriedly read. It is a lifeline to new thoughts and behavior. Believers have the great hope and reality of a renewed mind and therefore life. Through the Spirit and the Word of God, we can be renewed in the spirit of our minds.
Heavenly Father, my heart is overwhelmed as I think on YOU; and that because of the way You created and recreated me in Christ Jesus, I can be renewed in the spirit of my mind. Help me take Your Word seriously and do my part to be increasingly renewed in the spirit of my mind.
If you’re looking for studies or books to help you be “renewed in the spirit of your mind,” please visit our bookstore.
WE HAVE A NEW SELF
“you, lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
It sounds simple, doesn’t it? “you, lay aside the old self.” The problem? If we could, we wouldn’t need a Savior. We would obey the Ten Commandments and all would be well. So why is a command given to lay aside our old self if we can’t do it? The answer isn’t simple, but it’s critical for us to understand. The command is given so we know what we are to do. Our stinky old self needs to be laid aside from our lives. But, here’s the point: we can’t do it in our own strength and with our old mindset. Therefore, we have to be renewed in the spirit of our mind. We have to learn Christ’s ways. Then, we have to call out to Christ to fill us with His Spirit. (put on the new self) Only then are we empowered to lay aside our old self (nature) and live in the likeness of God.
Heavenly Father, we know what to do; yet so often fail. Help us be renewed in the spirit of our minds and walk in the new self; Your likeness, righteousness, and holiness of truth.
WE are to GROW UP in ALL ASPECTS
“…we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,“
It was Peter Pan who sang, “I won’t grow up.” Do you remember the lyrics?
“I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up
Not me,
Not I,
Not me!
So there!
‘Cause growing up is awfuller
Than all the awful things that ever were.
I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up,
No sir,
Not I,
Not me,
So there!”
I wonder if the Lord Jesus Christ ever looks upon us as having a “Peter Pan” attitude about growing up in ALL ASPECTS into Him? In other words, do we have a stubborn streak in some area? For instance, rather than “growing up” and being forgiving, do we harbor resentment? Instead of growing up in ALL ASPECTS into Jesus, do we maintain our “right” to do what we want, when we want, how we want; rather than do that which our Heavenly Father commands us to do? Rather than grow up in ALL ASPECTS into Jesus, do we worry rather than pray, exercise our right to indulge rather than exercise self control, hate rather than love? Maybe we should take a hard look in the mirror and then answer the question, “Do I look and sound more like Peter Pan or Jesus?”
Heavenly Father, I love how You provide specific instructions to us. Thank You for the reminder we’re to GROW UP IN ALL ASPECTS into Christ Jesus!
WE SPEAK the TRUTH in LOVE
“but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,“
The word “but” is important. It connects who we are in Christ to the prior verse that explains who we are NOT to be: children carried about by every wind of false doctrine. In other words, as a vessel at sea, we are sailing through the rough waters of life. Storms of false teachings beat against our sails. BUT we keep our course. Our eyes are on the heavenly shore of Christ’s Kingdom. Rather than be blown off course, we study God’s Word and then speak the truth in love. Unfortunately, some will try to silence us. But we are to continue to speak the truth in love. It is our calling. It is our purpose to represent Christ as we sail to the heavenly shores.
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the responsibility to represent You. Thank You for the reminder that we ARE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH, even though it may not be popular or politically correct. Help us be faithful and bold to speak the truth of Your Word; but to always speak it in love.
Looking for a study to take you deeper in the Word? Visit our bookstore.
WE ARE NOT
“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;“
This year, we’ve been talking about who we are in Christ. But today, I’d like to focus on who we are NOT to be in Christ. We are not to be children. We are not to be carried away by false doctrines. We are not to be tricked into believing like the world on issues that are black and white in the Bible. What happens when we are craftily deceived? We may not know it or experience the harmful effects of the serpent’s bite immediately. But, the vile bacteria of his sting of deceit will cause us to rot from the inside out. How do I know? That’s what’s happening right now with my lab, Abby. A snake struck her two times, but apparently it was a “dry strike” with little or no venom. However, the vet explained that a snake’s mouth is filthy; filled with bacteria. Abby didn’t show signs that she’d been bitten until a full day after it happened. She’s gradually become worse and worse; even with treatment. The sting of the serpent is vile. Jesus said Satan is a serpent and deceitful. If we don’t want the vile bacteria of his lies in our lives, we must guard our thoughts and beliefs; holding firmly to Biblical truth. We are NOT to be children, carried by every wind of doctrine, trickery, and craftiness in deceitful scheming.
Heavenly Father, the only way that we can avoid the serpent’s vile sting is to hold close to Biblical truth. Thank You for giving it to us so clearly. If we have strayed, help us quickly return. If the poison of worldly thinking is already running through our veins, cleanse and heal us.
WE ARE GIFTED
““When He ascended on high,
He led captive a host of captives,
And He gave gifts to men.”“
Sometimes it’s hard to believe. I know. Pastors tell us we’re gifted, and we just don’t buy into it. We look around at other people, and think, “Yes, he’s a gifted teacher. She’s gifted with faith. He’s gifted with administrative abilities. She’s gifted to be a great encourager. Me? I have nothing.” BUT, as with many of our innate thoughts, we’re wrong. We have to put on the new self and mind that are ours when we become Christians. And, one of the “newbies” is “we’re gifted.” This gifting is not a natural talent with which we’re born. Rather, it is as Ephesians 4:8 states, it is related to Christ’s resurrection celebration and pouring out spiritual gifts on all His followers. If you are a Christian, He gave you a birth day gift. It’s not wrapped with paper and bows. It’s in your new inner man and is to be unwrapped and used for Christ’s kingdom. When you use it, it will make you super happy. It’s like you finally find yourself and your purpose for existing. Have you unwrapped your gift? Are you using it? It opens up like gift wrapping tissue being flung from a gift bag when you’re walking in step with Christ. Here are a few of the fun ways you’ll see gifts being expressed. Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. If you don’t immediately identify your gift, why not start by exercising your faith and encouraging others? (2 of the gifts!)
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gifts of Your Spirit. What a joy to serve You with them!
WE ARE RECIPIENTS OF GRACE
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.“
What does it mean to you that you were “given grace.” Do you know what “grace” means? It’s a word that is spelled closely to “grave.” Change the “v” to “c” and it changes your destiny – your eternity. You see, because of graCe, your soul does not go to hell when your body goes in the graVe. Because of graCe, you’re forgiven. Your graCe filled soul goes to heaven when your body goes in the graVe. For what does the C stand? Christ. His love, compassion, goodness, and sweet favor extended to us on the cross. Raise your eyes toward heaven. Bow your knees. Call out to God, a God of GRACE and glory. Praise Him. Then, ask Him to USE the graCe He has extended you to serve others with the graCe gift He’s given you.
Heavenly Father, it overwhelms me when I meditate on Your GRACE, and that I am the recipient of it. Thank YOU! I sing Your praises and ask You use me to pour out Your graCe on others.
WE HAVE GOD’S POWER WORKING WITHIN US
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,“
Do you think you’re “hard wired” genetically and can’t change? Or perhaps your habits are so deeply ingrained that you’ve given up and ceased striving to change or improve? If so, your mind is not in alignment with God’s, but it can be believing this one little verse. Read Ephesians 3:20 again….slowly. As a Christian, you have a dynamic force at work within you that overrides your innate inability to change. We can change because of “HIM who is able.” So, yes, maybe we’re not able to change on our own, but we have “HIM WHO IS ABLE to do FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY BEYOND.” And, God’s “far more abundantly” ability is BEYOND all that we even ask or think. We have God’s “power that works within us.” It is HIS power that even drives you to read this post. He is working within you. Our job is to BELIEVE HIM, turn to HIM, and grow in HIS WORDs. I’ll have more on this in a new study on which I’m working. I can’t wait to share it with you. In the meantime, pray for me – that all God wants me to share with you about “how we change,” He first works in, out, and through me.
Heavenly Father, You give us hope. More importantly, You give us truth. We can change; not because of our innate ability, but rather because of YOUR POWER WORKING WITHIN US. What a great hope, and we thank You!