IIf God is In Control
GOD OPENS DOORS
“praying…for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ,“
Have you thought of the fact that God can open doors for you? He can! That’s the reason Paul asked for that specific prayer. He was conscious that God could do what he couldn’t do. Paul yearned to fulfill the mission God had given him. Therefore, his prayer was in accordance with God’s will. God can open doors for you, too. Are you praying that He does? Are you asking others to pray that for you? Are the doors you’re asking to be opened in accordance with God’s calling? Do the doors you desire to open have to do with furthering God’s kingdodm; or are they self centered? Remember, our purpose for remaining on earth after receiving Christ has nothing to do with “getting ahead in the world” or pleasure seeking. Our presence on earth has everything to do with Christ’s commissioning words, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;” (Matthew 28:19-20) Christ’s focus while on earth and His final thoughts before ascending into heaven were on this age, this age ending, and the future age of eternity in heaven or hell. Let’s allign our priorities with Christ’s. Then, let’s pray God open doors for us to teach others about Him.
Heavenly Father, Forgive me when I become self-centered and think only of “doors” to my pleasure and happiness. Redirect my thoughts and impassion me with the same fire Paul had to walk through doors You opened for Him to share Christ with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
CHRIST’S POWER MIGHTILY WORKS WITHIN ME
“For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”
Does Christ’s power mightily work within you? It can. It should within each of us. The apostle Paul, who wrote these words was flesh and blood – just like us. What made him different was that he was “sold out” for Jesus. What does that mean? It means that he had an encounter with the living Christ and believed that Jesus was who He said He was; that nothing made more sense than committing his life to serving Christ. Paul said Christ’s power mightily worked within him. In this verse, working means “working efficiency, used only of superhuman power.” It is power in exercise. Our word energy is derived from this word. Mightily is power in the sense of natural inherent ability. Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament for the English Reader says, “The struggle is carried on in proportion, not to Paul’s natural powers, but to the mightily working energy of Christ within him.” Isn’t this exciting? The mighty working energy of Christ is in you if you’re a Christian. Perhaps if we’re spiritually impotent it’s because we’re living by our strength rather than Christ’s.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Christ’s Spirit and power which mightily works within the believer. Help me be ever sensitive to His Spirit and serve Him wholeheartedly.
I AM GOD’S STEWARD
“Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit…”
In 2013 we looked at the many ways in which the Bible describes God. This year, we’re looking at how Christians are described. In Colossians 1:25, the apostle Paul refers to himself as a steward of God. A steward was one to whom the head of the house entrusted the management of his affairs, the care of receipts and expenditures, and the duty of dealing out the proper portion to every servant. The New Testament repeatedly describes God as the head of the household (believers). And, it describes believers as God’s stewards, who are to serve Him by using the gifts He has given us. Consider what 1 Peter 4:10 says: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Paul writes to believers, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” His exhortation to the Corinthian believers continues to us, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” 1 Cor 4:1-2. Our identity in Christ begs us to examine ourselves. Are we simply happy that we’re saved? Or, are we humbly serving the One who saved us?
Heavenly Father, help me be ever mindful that You, as my Head, have entrusted gifts to me to use in Your household. May I be a faithful steward.
Holy, Blameless, & Beyond Reproach
“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—”
Picture it. You’re in heaven. Myriads of angels surround God’s throne. You’re overwhelmed by God’s glory and majesty. You fall prostrate before Him. Then, suddenly, Christ presents you to His Father. “This is _(insert your name)___.” Jesus continues, “She/he is holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.” Gulp! Me, holy? Me, blameless? My mind is whirling with sins I’ve committed.” But neither God the Father or Son seem concerned. Their faces show only love. Their eyes welcome me. Jesus extends His nail scared hand. “You are holy, blameless, and beyond reproach. I took care of things in your past for you.” There is no way to describe the relief, the weight lifted from my chest. “Christ is going to present me holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.” Say it to yourself. Say it often. Then in gratitude, bow and worship.
Lord God, no words can describe what it feels like as I contemplate that Jesus will present me to You as holy, blameless, and beyond reproach. Thank You for the great sacrifice You both made! Thank You for the gift of forgiving my sin and the guilt of my sin.
from If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
UNDERSTANDING
“…we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His (God’s) will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,”
Last year we looked at who God is. This year we’re looking at who we are in Christ.Today, we’re considering the gift of “understanding.” Understanding “is what the Greeks sometimes described as critical knowledge, meaning the ability to apply first principles to any given situation which may arise in life.” When Paul prays for believers to have wisdom and understanding, he’s praying we not only understand the great truths of Christianity, but we also apply them to everyday living. In other words, it’s not enough to have head knowledge of God’s Word. We must take the great teachings of the Bible and apply them to our hearts and daily lives. We must connect the dotes between what the Bible teaches about child rearing and how we actually raise our children. We must connect the dots between what the Bible teaches about marriage and how we treat our spouse; between what the Bible teaches about difficult people and how we handle relationships.
Perhaps we’re sometimes “basket cases” because we fill our minds with spiritual teachings, but leave them at the church door rather than apply them when our child is upset, we’re under financial pressure, our spouse angers us, we’re at wits end with a co-worker, or despair looms like a black cloud. But, we have a choice! We can choose to live filled with God’s gift of understanding.
Lord, thank You that You not only supply Biblical truths, but through the filling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, I can apply Your teachings to my life.
from If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
