Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, Colossians 1:15
Who do you say Jesus is? This is one of the strongest statements about the divine nature of Christ anywhere in the Bible. How I answer this question is important, because what I believe about Jesus impacts how I live … or it should! Because of who he is, I can see who I am, and how much I need Him in my life. The fact that He was fully man, allows me to relate to Him, and the fact that He was fully God, allows me to surrender to Him. So maybe the real question today is this, What will my life tell others about Jesus today?
Father today, help me to live what I believe! Help me to see Jesus in the light of your Word fully man, but fully God. Help me experience Him as Savior and surrender to Him as Lord so that I don’t miss any opportunity you bring my way. In Christ Name I pray!
Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Confession, I worry much, and pray little. For some reason, of all the spiritual disciplines, prayer seems to be the most difficult for me. Now, don’t get me wrong, I pray, just not as much as I’d like too. However, when it comes to worry, I can do that without even thinking about it. Sometimes even my worries have worries. I’ve had sleepless nights where my mind is racing with thoughts that I cant get rest I need. I’ve had days where I’ve tried to work faster, longer, and harder to make something happen, as if to eliminate a worry. Sometimes, these things have worked … but many times they haven’t. But when I pray, something different happens!
Sometimes, prayer is a hard concept to understand until you experience it for yourself. Two years ago, it seemed my life was flipped upside down. Our youngest son was having seizures and spending time in the hospital, there was pressure at church, our finances were a rec because of medical bills, and to top it off, I found out that I had high blood pressure. (wonder why) It was in this time that I realized something had to change or I was going to worry myself to death. I remember praying and asking God, “Why?”, “Why is this happening?”, “What is going on?”, “Why, did you move us here away from all of our friends to go though something like this alone?”
You name it I asked it! It caused me to pray, not just pretty, feel, good, Sunday school prayers. It caused me to pray as if my life depended on it! In this time I was also reading His Word searching for guidance, encouragement, and answers. The more I prayed, the more peace I felt, the more I read, the more confidence I gained. Through this process God was doing something on the inside of me that was radical to the things He had done in the past. My worry was decreasing and worship was increasing. I understood that in the midst of chaos, God still had control and He was refining me in the process.
Today, because I have experienced the power, peace, and the presence of God that comes from prayer, I understand how vitally important prayer and time spent alone with Him is. Now, my desire is to spend more time with God by praying and reading. I’m learning to talk with God about the little things and not just the big things and it’s changing my life, one prayer at a time.
Father, thank you for all you have done! Your presence, power, and peace can’t be described in words, but must be experienced. Help me not to try to control situations, but to pray about EVERYTHING knowing that you are in control. Let me pray with urgency, because my life truly does depend on it! In, Jesus Name I pray, Amen!
Dear Brothers and Sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are enemies of the cross of Christ. Philippians 3:17-18
If my life was a realty show and I had a camera on me 24/7, what would others see? Would I be myself or would I act differently knowing that others were watching? Would others be encouraged or disappointed? Would I be seen as being a person with real faith or a person who is real fake? Paul was so confident in the way that he lived that he told others to follow his example. He understood that if people were going to believe in Christ, they were going to have to see a real live example of what a Christ Follower looks like. Today, it’s no different! The world around me needs to see Christ in my life so they can see what it means to be a Christ Follower.
Now this doesn’t mean that I put on a show as to say, “Hey, look at me!” It simply means that I live a humble imperfect life that allows people to see the how Jesus can impact someones life. Please understand that it doesn’t mean that life will be easy either. In fact, being a Christ Follower can be very challenging because it goes against our sinful nature. But it can also be very rewarding because of our pursuit to be used in powerful ways and to do good things. Either way, I want to live in a way that others can see Jesus in me.
Here are two questions I am asking myself today:
How close am I truly following Jesus? What areas do I need to surrender control over to Him?
If someone followed my example, whether a new believer or a mature believer, what kind of Christ Follower would they become?
Father today, examine my life and show me the areas that I am still trying to control. Give me a passion, a burning desire, for Your Word and Your Way, where I can’t help but live it, talk it, and share it! I want to know you more so I can experience the Power that raised Christ from the dead! Yes Lord, this is the desire of my heart!!! It’s in Jesus Name I pray, Amen!
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
The same attitude as Christ …. wow I have some work to do! Sometimes I take this out of context and think that Jesus never got mad or felt a negative emotion. If that was the case he would have not been fully man like he was fully God. What made Jesus different from me was the attitude in which He lived. Even though He was mad and turned over tables in the temple, He did not sin! His anger was a holy anger. (now just because I may put the word holy in front of the word anger when I am angry, doesn’t mean that my attitude is the same as what Jesus had.) Jesus felt emotion, but in these moments he did not sin!
This is very important! He could have very easily went off with his words, could have retaliated, could have even went OT and called out some bears to take care of the Pharisees, but He didn’t! Why, because He came to serve and He knew there was much more at stake. You see, Jesus knew how to live in the moment without getting caught in the moment. He kept His eyes on the Father instead of the things happening around Him. He kept his attitude surrendered to fulfilling the purpose in which He came … to rescue all from the bondage of sin!
Often times people excuse selfishness, pride, or evil by claiming their rights. They think, “I can cheat on this test; after all, I deserve to pass the class,” or “I can spend all this money on myself – I worked hard for it,” or “I can get an abortion; I have a right to control my own body.” But as believers, we should have a different attitude, one that enables us to lay aside our rights in order to serve others. If we say we follow Christ, we must also say we want to live as He lived. We should develop His attitude of humility as we serve, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts. This leaves me asking the question, Am I selfishly clinging to my rights, or am I willing to serve?
Father, today, let be me mindful of the things Christ did for me. Let me remember how he lived in the moment but didn’t get caught in the moment. How he showed emotion but kept under control in every situation. Help me to live today with eyes on you and not what happens around me. Help me to live in the moment, but not get caught in the moment, so you can have the greatest influence on my life and the lives of others that are watching. I Jesus Name I Pray, Amen!
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
Under construction or flip this life are just two phrases that describe my life in this verse. Praise Jesus that what I am today is not the finished product! (And Everyone says …. AMEN). The truth is, I am still in the refining process. In this process God is refining my character and building my integrity through the time I spend with Him. These aren’t the only things God is flipping in my life. He’s also growing and stretching my faith, purifying my thoughts and actions, changing the way I think and talk, and I am starting to reveal on the outside what He has been doing on the inside. I am thankful for the transformation that has already taken place, but I look forward to the person I am becoming.
Father, thank you for you patient work in my life. I know there are days that the process seems slow and takes longer than it should, but in spite of my shortcomings, lack of discipline/commitment, and plain out rebellion you still patiently continue to shape me into the image of you Son, Jesus Christ. Today help me allow you to work on the difficult areas that need to be refined in-order to be more like Jesus!
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For weare not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17
When I was younger I use to have this weird dream of showing up to school in just my underwear. Maybe I’m the only one, but I think many others have had that same dream. I’d wake up in the morning thankful it was just a dream. However, it saddens me how many Christ Followers leave their house naked … not in a physical sense but in a spiritual one. They leave their house not fully dressed for the day ahead. Yes, they may have spent hours in-front of a mirror, they may have pressed all their close and they may look good on the outside, but they have done nothing to pre-pare themselves for the day ahead on the inside.
As a Christ Follower, it is important for me to be pre-pared for the day ahead. It’s like getting in the zone before a big game. When I spend time with God, I am pre-pairing myself for the day. I’m getting in the zone so I can be victorious over the temptations that the devil will bring my way that day. Many battles with sin have been won and lost based on my time spent with the Lord. However, when I put on the armor, I am pre-pared for the day. The belt of Truth, guides my thoughts, the Breastplate of Righteousness guards my heart, the Shoes of peace, allows me to run from or stand firm against sin, the Shield of Faith, allows me to hide behind when the devil unleashes his attack, the Helmet of Salvation, keep me secure and protects my thoughts, and the Sword of the Spirit allows me to advance His Kingdom. God has given us these things so we can stand against the evil one, so when he comes to attack, lets not be naked, but fully clothed so we can stand against him.
Father, today, help me be fully clothed. When the temptations come today, and I know they will, give me the power to stand my ground, to resist the temptation and push toward the victory. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen!
When you read Ephesians 6 what passage spoke to you?
Imitate God, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love. following the example of Christ. Ephesians 5:1-2
Have you ever tried to be like someone else? Have you ever watched to see what someone else did first? Have you ever changed your answer based on what others thought. Have you ever …. ? If you’re like me the answer is YES! Fortunately for me I have had some great mentors in my life who have shown me what it means to imitate God in everything. Their love for God and desire to be like Jesus challenged me in so many ways. As a teenager, their example was so different than what I was seeing or had seen at school and sadly at church. As I look back on it now I am so thankful for their consistent and authentic pursuit of becoming more like Christ daily. I don’t know I would be where I am today without their example.
Fast forward several years! There has never been a more important time in my life than now for me to be an imitator of God. Having a family, working with Teenagers & Adults, coaching my sons baseball team, and living in what seems to be a glass house, are all areas that God has placed me to live and lead by example. Everyday I have a choice to imitate someone or something. Some-days I feel like I fail big, while others days I feel like I’m a little more successful. But the desire of my heart is to imitate God in everything. That means giving God credit where credit is do, and confessing the things that are not pleasing to Him. It means living authentically and pursuing Christ daily so that the next generation, will look at my example in the same way I look at some of the great examples in my life! It’s time to pass the baton, they have passed it to me, and now it’s my responsibility to pass it to the next generation!
Father, today I want to imitate you in everything! I pray that I would surrender the thing things that keep me from you, exposing them to your light so the dark places in me could become victories you use to bring Glory to your Name. I pray that my example, will cause others to chase after you daily I pursue to live authentically, confessing my failures and celebrating the victories. It’s in Jesus Name I pray, Amen!
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:21-24
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find myself trying to fit back into my old nature. It can happen in a split second by saying something that I really shouldn’t say or being in a place that I shouldn’t have allowed myself to be in causing me to do things or act in ways I shouldn’t act. However, living in the new life and striving to put on the new nature is a choice that has to be made daily. This is why it is so important for me to spend time with God. It’s in these times that God speak to me through His Inspired Word (the Bible) and the power of the Holy Spirit begins to renew my thoughts and attitudes. It’s here that I am convicted of sin and conformed to image of Christ. The more time I spend with God the easier it is to live in the new life He’s provided through the Cross of Christ. Daily, I remind my self I have been Born Again!
Father, help me live in the newness of life you have provided though the Cross. Help be to delight in you so you can be shown through me. Give me the power to resit the Devil by renewing my thoughts through the power of your Holy Spirit. Let me guard my heart, In Jesus Name, Amen!
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20
Have you ever felt like you were at the end of your rope? Has life ever seemed unfair? Have you ever asked yourself, “How am I going to do this?” Have you ever just sat down and had no idea where to start? These are just some of the things that I have wrestled with over the last three years. Believe it or not, these questions have actually drawn me closer to God because of this promise … God is Able!
You see, when I offer the situation, my feelings, my fears, and opportunities to Him, His power works through me accomplishing more than I could imagine or more than I could do on my own. His ways are wiser, His thoughts are deeper, His power is supreme and His resources are endless. He can and has done infinitely more than I can think or imagine and He can do the same for you when you give Him ALL the Glory!
Father, thank you for the power, wisdom, forgiveness, and blessing you have shown me when I turn my worry into worship and ask for you to take control of the situation. Will you continue to do infinitely more than I ask or think! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. Eph 2:4-5
We were dead in our sins, BUT GOD … We were rebels against him, BUT GOD … We were enslaved by the devil and our sinful natures, BUT GOD … These may be the two most welcome words in all of Scripture: “BUT GOD.” God could have left us spiritually dead, in rebellion against him and in bondage to our sins. But He didn’t!!!!! He did not save us because of, but rather in spite of, what He saw in us. Therefor, we shouldn’t just thank him for what He has done for us, we should also show humble patience and tolerance for others who seem unworthy of undeserving of our love and compassion. They may be spiritually dull, and rebellious toward God. So were we; BUT GOD LOVED US ANYWAY!
Father, I am so thankful that you chose to step in on my behalf. Help me to be mindful of the depth of your love then and the depth of you love you have for me know! Sometimes I forget that you still love me in this way! Help me to reflect this love toward others so they to can see how much you love them! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!
Dan Gould 