Category: Uncategorized

Proverbs 16:18 (16:16 LXX)

A man wise in his deeds is a discoverer of good things,
But he who trusts in God is the most blessed.

Encouraging Words…

2 Peter 1:5-7

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self- control, to self- control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

Personal Challenge…

Faith is just the beginning of our journey of theosis, or being in the image of Christ. We are to be striving to grow, to do good works that take us up the rungs of this ladder of spiritual growth. As we look at these verses we find that those things so often lifted up as the ultimate in godliness, faith and knowledge, are only the beginning steps of our journey. There is so much that must be done with these two virtues to be living in the image of Christ.

Hebrews 4:9-10

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

Encouraging Words…

We have a promise here, a promise that if we remain in Christ we will someday enter into His place of rest, His kingdom. This implies that our days here on earth are to be days of work. Work for Him, work for our fellow humankind, work that draws others to Him and addresses the needs of our neighbor. What a glorious promise to look forward to.

1 Timothy 6:11-12

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Personal Challenge…

Living a godly, Christian life is a never ending battle. A battle of fleeing from the passions and pursuing the virtues as presented in these verses. As long as I am present in this body and living in this fallen world I will be fighting these passions. But by the grace of God we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to help us through these struggles.

John 15:15-17

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.

Encouraging Words…

What a blessing it is to know that we are not just some followers of a set of rules and requirements, but that we are considered as friends to our Lord. We will never be His equal, however He chooses to treat us as His peers. This makes me ask the questions, “Am I living my life as a friend of my Lord? Or am I living it as an acquaintance or a servant?” Truly some profound questions to ask because of the difference in how the behavior plays out. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Luke 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Encouraging Words…

Once again we see where Jesus sets the example for us in human growth and development. Even though He is God, He was also human and had to go through the normal growth process as all of us do. And in so doing He shows us the way to grow in Him and be a witness to those around us.

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

Personal Challenge…

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not ours to change or manipulate in order to be popular in this world, in this culture. It is God’s gospel that He has entrusted to us to take into the world and make disciples in all the nations. It cannot be watered down or made more attractive so as to not offend. It is through this gospel, as it is, that mankind will find God. If His gospel is unpopular with those whom I share it to, then so will I. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Encouraging Words…

As I read through this prayer that Paul lifted up on our behalf centuries ago I can close my eyes and see him pleading our case, on our behalf, before God constantly even now. As a saint asleep in our Lord he is in the presence of God petitioning on the behalf of those still on this earth. I can also see my father who constantly prayed for his children and their families continuing to petition the Lord or our behalf. Glory be to God!

Hosea 2:20-22

Psalm 9:1-2 (2-3 LXX)

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your wondrous things;
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

Personal Challenge…

What should our response be to the immeasurable love and grace that God has poured out upon us? We should respond with thanks…a thanks that consumes our entire being. We should respond by telling everyone that we come into contact with about how wondrous our God is…whether we do this in word or by our actions. We should live our lives full of gladness, rejoicing, and singing praises to Him. Sounds like a constant celebration of Him to me. Glory be to God!