365 Days of Praise
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.
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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!
WE’RE ROOTED and GROUNDED in LOVE
“you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,“
A few days ago I was dismayed to discover that the cucumber plant I had planted in my vegetable garden was gone. I had noticed it wasn’t thriving like the other plants. I had noticed it was looking poorly. But I thought it was simply off to a slow start. Then, one day, it was simply gone. Since I’m fairly new to gardening, I had no idea what happened. I wondered, “Did my dog dig it up? Did another animal get into the garden and eat it?” I had no clue. A few days later, I noticed a second plant was beginning to look poorly and observed a few holes in the leaves. I inspected the plant, but didn’t see caterpillars or other insects on them. However, I decided to play it safe and sprayed them with an organic bug spray. And, so, we are like the plants. God has rooted and grounded us in the fertile soil of Christ’s love. We lack for nothing. However, we must be on guard for sometimes unobservable but very real infestations of greed, bitterness, pride, and overly busy schedules that eat away at the leaves and fruit God intends for us to bear. God has rooted and grounded us in love. What’s eating away at you?
Heavenly Father, sometimes we feel that something is wrong, but we don’t know what it is. We know in our minds that You have rooted and grounded us in love, but something is “eating away” at us. Please show us what it is. We pray that we thrive in the garden of Your love and bear the fruit of Your love to others.
WE ARE STRENGTHENED with GOD’S SPIRIT in the INNER MAN
“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,“
Do you ever feel weak? Are you ever concerned for loved ones who seem “down and out?” If so, you might consider doing and praying as outlined in Ephesians 3:14-16: “I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man…” Now, that’s a sermon! 1st – Paul BOWED before the Father. 2nd – He acknowledged the RICHES of God’s GLORY. 3rd – He acknowledged that our Father can GRANT us things. 4th – He asked that we be STRENGTHENED with power in our INNER man. When was the last time you prayed that for your child, spouse, parent, friend, pastor, or self? It’s a wonderful prayer. Why not believe it, pray it, then proclaim, “I am STRENGTHENED with POWER through GOD’S SPIRIT in MY INNER MAN.”
Heavenly Father, would you please strengthen my loved ones and me according to the riches of Your glory with power in our inner man?
WE ARE A DWELLING of GOD
“…in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.“
It amazes me when I read verses that refer to my body being a dwelling place of God; or the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) I like how commentator Matthew Henry explains this passage in Ephesians: “Observe, not only the universal church is called the temple of God, but particular churches; and even every true believer is a living temple, is a habitation of God through the Spirit. God dwells in all believers now, they having become the temple of God through the operations of the blessed Spirit, and his dwelling with them now is an earnest of their dwelling together with him to eternity.” When we wake in the mornings, go about our day, and end our evening, shouldn’t this thought be ever present on our minds: “I am a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” If it were on our minds, how would it affect what we do and say?
Heavenly Father, please make me increasingly mindful that I am the dwelling place of Your Holy Spirit so that all I do and say bring You honor and glory.