If God is In Control
WE ARE ENCOURAGERS
“Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.“
Could you use some encouragement today? I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t appreciate being encouraged. Why? There are so many ways and things that can discourage us; that a person who has an encouraging heart is a breathe of fresh air. Are you that breathe in people’s lives? Are you an encourager? Do you realize what a great gift that is? Today, while writing, I received an email from a friend. It was a word of encouragement about how much our study of If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case? has meant to her. My heart soared when I read her words. As a matter of fact, I reread, printed, and saved the email. It’s precious that she took time to email me. God used this “sister” in my life today. Would you be an encourager to someone today?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope that is in You. Use me to encourage others in their daily walk and struggles. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
WE ARE FAMILY
“…our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. …and also with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you of the situation here.“
I grew up in a loving family. My mama had three sisters and one brother and their families lived only a few blocks from our house. We were together for every birthday, holiday, and in between for watermelon on hot summer days or hot chocolate on cold ones. “Yoohoo!” alerted us that someone was walking in the unlocked front or back door. “Come on in,” was followed with hugs and greetings. As we continue to discuss who we are in Christ, it’s important that we remember that the Bible identifies believers as family. God, our Heavenly Father, has adopted us. Christ is our brother. You are my sister and brother. What does this mean? A world of things. We are to treat each other kindly. We can be open with one another. We are to take interest in each other’s lives. We are to help each other. You may not have had a good family experience growing up or even now. But, in Christ, you have the opportunity to learn what it means to be family; to be brothers and sisters in Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You for adopting me into Your heavenly family. Thank You for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me treat them with love, kindness, and respect. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I AM to BE WISE & GRACIOUS
“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.“
Do you ever do anything you’re ashamed of? Are you ever careless with your words? Or, to take it a step further, have you ever intentionally chosen words that were critical or unkind? Do you sometimes miss rather than make the most of opportunities to share Christ? I’m guilty on all accounts. If you join me in acknowledging that your actions are not always wise, that you don’t always make the most of opportunities to speak to non-Christians about Jesus, and that your speech isn’t always gracious; then consider these verses again. Reflect on them. Then, if convicted that Christ wants us to reflect Him through our conduct and words, repent. It’s never too late for us to start doing the right thing.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for my behavior and words that are unwise and ungracious. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today so my conduct is wise and my words graciously reflect you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I PRAY with as ATTITUDE of THANKSGIVING
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.“
Have you ever said of someone, “He’s got an attitude!”? Or said to a person, “You need a better attitude!” Thanksgiving, eucharistia, means thankfulness. If we can see other’s attitudes, don’t we realize God sees ours? How do we think it makes God feel when we pray with an ungrateful or negative attitude? Which of the following attitudes is reflected in your prayers?
- I don’t know if You’re listening, God.
- If You’re listening God, You probably won’t do what I’m asking, but just in case…
- I don’t know why I’m praying. It never does any good.
A few days ago I walked on the front porch and heard the loudest tweeting I’ve ever heard. I expected to see a gigantic bird and watched for the branches to rustle so I could spot the happy caroler. Instead, my eyes fell on a tiny little bird. It was the cutest thing I’d ever seen. It was stretching and straining, causing the bough to bend up and down. As I listened and found pleasure watching that little bird, I thought how much pleasure my heavenly Father must have when we stretch our tiny arms heavenward and praise Him. Does God see us? Of course He does! Does God note the one who joyfully comes to Him thanking Him for answered prayer? Yes!
A negative question from a negative loved one or negative co-worker doesn’t engage us as a positive question from a thankful one. For instance, there’ve been times when my husband has asked me to do something I wasn’t in the mood to do; but I couldn’t resist his engaging grin and playful big brown eyes. What does God see when we call on Him? A sullen, doubting saint or an expectant, hopeful one?
Heavenly Father, Thank You for who You are and all You are. Thank You that You are ever present for me to pray to You. Thank You that I can pray to You with confidence; knowing You hear and answer my prayers according to Your will.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I AM ALERT in PRAYER
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it...“
As believers, we are not only to be devoted to prayer; we are also to be ALERT in it. Alert is a powerful word. In this verse, it means “to watch, give strict attention to, take heed lest through remission some destructive calamity suddenly overtake us.” Does that describe our prayer life? If not, it should motivate us to give more strict attention to it. Why? What destructive calamity could possibly overtake us if we fail to be devoted and alert in prayer? We find the answer in 1 Peter 5:8 where Peter warns us of the devil who prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We’re reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 26:41 to keep praying because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Ephesians 6:11-18 warnings of principalities and spiritual forces of darkness in the heavenly realms come to mind. If we are wise, we will not only pray. We will be alert it in.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the warning to not only be devoted to prayer, but to also be alert in in it. In Christ, I have access to You 24/7. May I be an ever-increasingly devoted, alert prayer warrior.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I AM DEVOTED to PRAYER
“Devote yourselves to prayer,“
“In Christ,” we have the opportunity to be different from those who do not know Christ. We have the opportunity to scale the heights of heaven with our needs, concerns, and praises. We are not isolated or alone. The Holy Spirit is glued to us for eternity and is available to help us pray our deepest concerns. Our part? Begin the conversation with God. Open the spiritual door. And, keep it open. How? When your eyes open in the morning, train yourself to open a conversation with God. “Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You that You are with me. Thank You that You are with my loved ones. You are a good and gracious God. Thank You for your presence with me. Direct my mind and thoughts to honor You today.” Then, keep praying whatever is on your mind. You may pray while still in bed. You may begin while waking, then move to a place where you “meet with God” for Bible study and continued prayer. But the point is, as Christians, we are to do more than pray The Lord’s Prayer at funerals and weddings. Rather, God’s instruction is to DEVOTE myself to prayer. “Devote” comes from a word that means “be steadfastly attentive to, continue in, persevere, be in constant readiness for one.” So, we are attentive to our first thoughts when we wake and turn our thoughts to prayer. We continue in prayer through the morning, afternoon, and evening. We are in constant readiness to pray when concerns arise or we are tempted. DEVOTED. That is the word that describes the Christian’s prayer life; unlike the unbeliever’s occasional “arrow prayer” in crisis.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of being able to talk to You. May I never take the opportunity to pray for granted. Rather, may You know me as one who is devoted to prayer.
Correction: The Scripture reference for the prior 365 Days of Praise:, “I HAVE a MASTER in HEAVEN, is Colossians 4:1.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
NAS Bible Verses, Bible Gateway, #bgbg2
*http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/10/17/this-map-shows-where-the-worlds-30-million-slaves-live-there-are-60000-in-the-u-s/
I WORK As for the LORD, Principle 5
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;“
In my book, If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?, I include “15 Principles of Work” that are related to this and the next few verses in Colossians. Principle 5 is: I Am to Work As If I Am Working for the Lord. When Paul wrote Colossians, slavery was an established institution in the Roman Empire. According to author Warren Wiersbe, there were 60 million slaves. Many were well-educated people with great responsibility, who served in the homes of the wealthy and helped to educate and discipline children. Christianity introduced a new perspective on slaves and masters. Masters were no longer to treat slaves as objects, but rather as fellow heirs of salvation. Slaves were not to halfheartedly serve their masters, but were to work as if they were serving the Lord. Paul points out that everyone has someone “over” them. In regard to our relationships, we are to work/serve in sincerity of heart rather than be “man-pleasers” who give external service with an insincere heart. The Lord often brings this verse to my mind when I’m faced with tasks I don’t want to do or if I’m having a difficult time completing a task. It’s a relatively easy verse to memorize and definitely worth it as it makes so much sense. If our lives are Christ’s, then both menial and important tasks should be done with integrity and without complaining; for we’re serving the Lord. If we’re exhausted at the end of the day and tired of taking care of little ones, being a care-giver, paying bills, or working a 12+ hour day, we can remember that God sees us. What we’re doing and the attitude in which it’s done is important to Him, even if no one else notices. It is God whom we serve.
See right here for more of what the scriptures have to say about work and what every Christian needs to know about it.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to serve You in whatever work I am doing. Help me keep this verse on my mind as I remember who I am in Christ.
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Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I HAVE the WORD of CHRIST & SONGS of PRAISE RICHLY DWELLING in Me
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.“
I love this verse because it reminds us that we may have been raised in a home where we heard how bad or unworthy we were, but now we have “new tapes.” We have the Word of Christ richly dwelling in us. We have new songs to play in our minds – spiritual songs about our Heavenly Father, how much He loves us and we love Him. If you’ve listened to the “tape” that you’re not a good singer or decided you don’t care for Christian music, replace that thought with the truth of today’s verse. Singing in our hearts to God isn’t a performance before others. Rather, it changes us from the inside out. If you aren’t familiar with Christian songs or hymns, listen HERE for FREE. Tune into Christian music to tune your heart to the many blessings and joy that are yours in Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank YOU for giving me new words – the Word of Christ and new songs – songs of praise.
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Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
CHRIST RULES in MY HEART
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts;“
When we become Christians, we become citizens of the kingdom of God. We fall under HIS GODLY RULE. Rather than being slaves to our old temperament or slaves to sin, we are freed to experience His peaceful rule. Rule means to be an umpire, decide, determine, direct, control. Commentator Wuest quotes Lightfoot on this passage. “Whenever there is a conflict of motives or impulses or reasons, the peace of Christ must step in and decide which is to prevail.” When you’re experiencing Christ’s peace, a traffic jam doesn’t throw you for a loop because you know God can make all things work together for good. Peace is not going crazy when well-laid plans fall apart because you know God has a better plan. You prayerfully turn your situation over to Him and let Him rule. Peace is knowing that God can work in your child’s life even when things look dismal. Peace is letting Christ calm the raging storm that threatens to blow you off course. Peace is trusting your marriage to God as you let Him rule over your emotions, mind, and actions. Peace is not fearing the unknown, but rather resting in God who knows all. Who is ruling your heart? Christ is offering.
Heavenly Father, thank YOU for the unbelievable gift of Christ and His rule in my heart.
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Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I AM CHRIST’S VESSEL
“put on…humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another,“
As we consider who we are in Christ, it’s important to remember that we’re His vessels on earth. Humility stands in stark contrast to pride. It isn’t cringing-submission or thinking poorly of ourselves. Rather, it’s humble submission to God and service toward others. Gentleness isn’t weakness. It’s power under control. It’s a mother firmly, lovingly disciplining her children rather than lashing out. It’s a spouse boldly speaking the truth in love rather than being cutting and rude. To be patient and bear with one another means to be long-tempered rather than short-tempered. It’s holding up under pressure. We may tire of situations or even people. However, as Christ bears with us, we’re to bear with others. To bear with one another and forgive means “to hold up, sustain, endure.” It’s the opposite of quitting on each other. It affects every relationship of our lives. Whether you’re in a difficult marriage or work relationship; in the throes of child rearing, serving as caregiver; or battling your own sins, God has a word for you: Don’t give up. Hang in there! With God, nothing is impossible. Lk 1:37
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder of who I am in Christ. Fill me and use me today as Christ’s vessel.
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Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?