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
The book of Hosea has so much imagery of God’s love for His creation. Even though we pursue the life of the harlot and abandon God for the things of the earth, He remains faithful. And in that faithfulness He betroths Himself to us, His Bride, and brings us into His home so that we may know Him. Glory be to God!
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!
Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Personal Challenge…
Our lives in Christ are never to be static. We have the need, the expectation, to always be in forward motion toward that goal of eternal life that God has laid out before us. This goal is not some tangible or physical object, but the likeness of Christ. Our pressing on is that struggle we have every moment, every breath, to break away from our temporal desires and passions and to pursue our God. It is not about gaining stuff, or wisdom, or recognition. To the contrary it is about putting off all of that and putting on Christ. Glory be to God!
Deuteronomy 29:28
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Personal Challenge…
God has revealed to us all that we need to know about Him in His scriptures, His Son, and the teachings and traditions of the Church. We must be very careful to not go down the path of attempting to learn His secret things. He has chosen not to reveal these things to us and pursuing them leads to heresy and error. He wants us to pursue Him and to live out what He has revealed to us and commanded us to do so that He will be glorified and His kingdom expanded.
1 Peter 3:8-12
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For
“He who would love lifeAnd see good days,Let him refrain his tongue from evil,And his lips from speaking deceit.Let him turn away from evil and do good;Let him seek peace and pursue it.For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,And His ears are open to their prayers;But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Personal Challenge…
Oh, how easy it is for me to slip into the mode of thinking badly about someone in my life and then following that up with talking about them to someone else. And with today’s advent of “social media” I am provided more fuel for the fire that my tongue ignites. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. My challenge is the state of my heart and knowing were that fine line is of stepping into a situation and challenging someone when they are harming others or twisting God’s truth to the detriment of others or leaving the situation alone. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
John 15:9-11
As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Encouraging Words..
Esther 4:13-16
And Mordecai said to Hathach, “Go and say to Esther, ‘Do not say to yourself that you alone will be saved in the kingdom apart from all the other Jews. For if you choose not to heed this request at this time, help and deliverance for the Jews will arise elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. Besides, who knows whether it is for this occasion you reign as queen? ‘” Then Esther dispatched the one who came to her to Mordecai, saying, “Go and assemble together the Jews in Susa. Fast for me; do not eat or drink for three full days and three full nights. I and my maids will also fast. Then I will go to the king, contrary to the law, even if I am to perish.”
Encouraging Words…
This passage is such a clear challenge to the concept of predestination. Mordecai makes it clear that God has a plan for His people, and that Esther may have a critical role in that plan. However, he also makes it clear that Esther has a choice and if she chooses not to be a part of this plan then God will find someone else who is willing. God did create us with free will, the ability to choose for ourselves what we want to do. He does not force us to do His will. It is a mystery. However, when we choose to do His will we are blessed. This passage also speaks against individualism in the body of Christ. We need each other. We need to do things throughout life with each other in our Christian community. We are not Lone Rangers. Fellowship and companionship is exhibited in the trinity and should be in our lives as well.
Verse of the Day 