Acts 17:26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
Here we have the proof text that all humans are God's creation. We are all one human family. The unity that would please the Lord is that which would stem from His desire to see us minister to and love one another... hmm sounds familiar, doesn't it? Think about being a father and looking down upon your little children whom you love so much each one individually and all collectively, would it not warm your heart to see your kids dwell together in harmony and genuine peace? Conversely would it not be sad or distressing to watch your children act destructively toward one another, or worse to see some of your children act selfishly with the blessings you have given them and become unwilling to help the others who may be desperate for help? From this, the epitome of the Father heart of God is where we derive our motivation to Matt. 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
APPLICATION
Lord help me to increasingly more learn of your heart and to align my own heart toward yours. In light of this I commit to memorize Matt 28:19-20 and to go on a hike tomorrow morning allowing this area of Scripture to be my meditation.
Welcome
One of the most effective ways to allow the Word of God to affect your life is to study it inductively. That is what this blog is all about. Typically one verse per day will be mined for insight and then followed up with how I plan to implement that insight practically. My prayer is that in some way you find this useful in your journey and that it may impact you positively. -G
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
To Love by God's Grace
Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
I picture Paul in the dank Mamartime prison cell in Rome struggling with the conditions, darkness, dampness, metal cuffs on his wrists. We know also that his eyesight was poor so the light of a candle or an oil lamp was no doubt barely sufficient yet he somehow puts pen to paper and finds a way to communicate this letter to the people of Philipi. Years earlier he was instrumental in bringing this small group to the knowledge of Christ and then he lived among them discipling many into maturity in the faith. I am certain that this man who also penned out the very words of God on what love is, in his previous letter to the Corinthian believers also truly and dearly loved these people with all the fullness of God. In light of this is it any mystery that every time these sweet Philippian people come to Paul's mind it causes him to be grateful to God for them?
Do I love others in that way? Perhaps when I learn to consistently love others in accordance with 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 then the natural state of the heart is this kind of outpouring of gratitude.
APPLICATION
I will commit to memory 1Corinthians 13:4-8 as a reminder and meditation so that I may begin to learn to truly love others by God's grace.
I picture Paul in the dank Mamartime prison cell in Rome struggling with the conditions, darkness, dampness, metal cuffs on his wrists. We know also that his eyesight was poor so the light of a candle or an oil lamp was no doubt barely sufficient yet he somehow puts pen to paper and finds a way to communicate this letter to the people of Philipi. Years earlier he was instrumental in bringing this small group to the knowledge of Christ and then he lived among them discipling many into maturity in the faith. I am certain that this man who also penned out the very words of God on what love is, in his previous letter to the Corinthian believers also truly and dearly loved these people with all the fullness of God. In light of this is it any mystery that every time these sweet Philippian people come to Paul's mind it causes him to be grateful to God for them?
Do I love others in that way? Perhaps when I learn to consistently love others in accordance with 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 then the natural state of the heart is this kind of outpouring of gratitude.
APPLICATION
I will commit to memory 1Corinthians 13:4-8 as a reminder and meditation so that I may begin to learn to truly love others by God's grace.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Peace
Philippians 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul's greeting to the Philippians is to bestow grace and peace upon them. These are two of the most marvelous benefits of being in Christ. Grace is the empowering to do the will of God and peace is the guide for our conscience, for without peace we cannot proceed. It shows us how to do the will of God, God's way.
APPLICATION
I need to be more sensitive to the peace of God so today I commit to memorize the following verse:
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Intentional Single Focus
Acts 17:24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.
Paul is directing the attention of his listeners toward one central truth, through all the clutter and chatter, distractions, fables and fallacies Paul points to the true and living God. In this same way if we are able to maintain our single focus on God and our part in His plan for the world then we will be able to clearly reveal Him to those within our circle of influence. Here in 1 Corinthians Paul reveals the secret of his passion...
1Cor. 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
This single mindedness served Paul and it will serve us as well. Even more so in this modern age with all the many ways that our attention can be misdirected we have an obligation to deliberately and intentionally discipline our focus heavenward. Paul said it this way.
Colossians 3:1-3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
APPLICATION
Today I intend to intentionally commit to keep my mind heavenward, therefore I will memorize these verses from Colossians.
Paul is directing the attention of his listeners toward one central truth, through all the clutter and chatter, distractions, fables and fallacies Paul points to the true and living God. In this same way if we are able to maintain our single focus on God and our part in His plan for the world then we will be able to clearly reveal Him to those within our circle of influence. Here in 1 Corinthians Paul reveals the secret of his passion...
1Cor. 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
This single mindedness served Paul and it will serve us as well. Even more so in this modern age with all the many ways that our attention can be misdirected we have an obligation to deliberately and intentionally discipline our focus heavenward. Paul said it this way.
Colossians 3:1-3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
APPLICATION
Today I intend to intentionally commit to keep my mind heavenward, therefore I will memorize these verses from Colossians.
Friday, April 20, 2012
CONTINUE
Phil. 3:16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
This is Paul's admonition to continue the work of sanctification, to build upon the foundation which was already laid to this point and to go further. It is a very common occurrence to for a believer to experience the life change that happens at salvation and as we go along we realize how our lives are really different and we begin to become familiar with being sanctified. The tendency at times can lead us to a somewhat backslidden mindset where we erroneously think that we are now "holy enough" I mean compared to the way I was I'm clearly so much closer to God... Paul is saying press on, continue, do not rest and especially do not compare your self to your old nature but proceed toward the high calling and experience even greater sanctification.
APPLICATION
Today I will commit to memorize this verse so as to press on.
This is Paul's admonition to continue the work of sanctification, to build upon the foundation which was already laid to this point and to go further. It is a very common occurrence to for a believer to experience the life change that happens at salvation and as we go along we realize how our lives are really different and we begin to become familiar with being sanctified. The tendency at times can lead us to a somewhat backslidden mindset where we erroneously think that we are now "holy enough" I mean compared to the way I was I'm clearly so much closer to God... Paul is saying press on, continue, do not rest and especially do not compare your self to your old nature but proceed toward the high calling and experience even greater sanctification.
APPLICATION
Today I will commit to memorize this verse so as to press on.
Rescue Me
Phillippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. niv
The people of Phillippi according to Paul are God's Holy People, they are Holy because they are in Christ Jesus. In Christ Jesus means that they are sanctified by the work of Jesus and are covered by His sacrifice and made Holy in God's sight. As we abide in Christ we too are Holy, sanctified and covered by the blood of Jesus, though we are yet likely and capable of sin we are no longer under its power. No longer bound to sin, we have been set free of the bondage to sin, previously we had no alternative, we had to sin but now we can sin if we allow our free will to take us there or we have the option to not sin as we abide in Christ.
APPLICATION
Today I will be careful to walk in the Spirit and abide in Christ. I will ask Jesus to place a guard over my mouth, my heart and mind and to meditate on this verse from the book of Romans.
To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. niv
The people of Phillippi according to Paul are God's Holy People, they are Holy because they are in Christ Jesus. In Christ Jesus means that they are sanctified by the work of Jesus and are covered by His sacrifice and made Holy in God's sight. As we abide in Christ we too are Holy, sanctified and covered by the blood of Jesus, though we are yet likely and capable of sin we are no longer under its power. No longer bound to sin, we have been set free of the bondage to sin, previously we had no alternative, we had to sin but now we can sin if we allow our free will to take us there or we have the option to not sin as we abide in Christ.
APPLICATION
Today I will be careful to walk in the Spirit and abide in Christ. I will ask Jesus to place a guard over my mouth, my heart and mind and to meditate on this verse from the book of Romans.
Romans 7:21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law;23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Full Hearted Obedience
Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
God has a purpose for us in His plan for the world, and for His plan for our circumstances today. Our task is to figure out what that plan and purpose is.
Prov 2:3-5 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,4 and if you look for it as for silve and search for it as for hidden treasure,5 then you will understand the fear of the Lordand find the knowledge of God.
As we seek this out we shall walk in obedience to all that we do know, that obedience will lead us to the fullness of His plan for us today. As we press on His plan and purpose for our lives unfold.
APPLICATION
To be obedient today to what is on my plate today, not being concerned for the next thing or the next season but to focus on serving with a full heart devoted to Him.
Monday, April 9, 2012
The Power of Example
Acts 20:32 "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Here we have a view into the heart of a pastor, as Paul departs from his flock of believers which he nurtured and discipled into the faith personally. He has done all that he could to guide them, give them the tools to navigate, and to instruct them in the truth so that they can discern right from wrong. So he then does the last thing any good pastor would do and that is to commend them into the hands of God and implore them to remain in the Word and grace of God.
We all have to walk out our own salvation no one can do it for us. Some will have the great benefit of being personally discipled others will not. Certainly when we allow another more seasoned believer into our lives and are willing to learn from their words and example our walk is enhanced and more clearly defined. As we find the principles in God's Word lived out in another persons life we learn by example, which can make it much easier to live by that principle.
APPLICATION
Today I will make it my responsibility to find a particular principle in God's Word that I live by and then make sure to help someone else recognize the value in living it out.
Here we have a view into the heart of a pastor, as Paul departs from his flock of believers which he nurtured and discipled into the faith personally. He has done all that he could to guide them, give them the tools to navigate, and to instruct them in the truth so that they can discern right from wrong. So he then does the last thing any good pastor would do and that is to commend them into the hands of God and implore them to remain in the Word and grace of God.
We all have to walk out our own salvation no one can do it for us. Some will have the great benefit of being personally discipled others will not. Certainly when we allow another more seasoned believer into our lives and are willing to learn from their words and example our walk is enhanced and more clearly defined. As we find the principles in God's Word lived out in another persons life we learn by example, which can make it much easier to live by that principle.
APPLICATION
Today I will make it my responsibility to find a particular principle in God's Word that I live by and then make sure to help someone else recognize the value in living it out.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
John 13:4 Soul Promptings
4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
A leader is someone who realizes the right thing to do and then does it without having to be told.
In preparation for the task at hand Jesus took off his outer garment and presented himself as a servant.
A leader will intuitively know what the next right thing to do is.
Being led by the Spirit, His inner voice told Him what to do, and when to do it. Jesus only does that which the Father tells Him to do. He is clearly our example of how to walk a Spirit filled life. The challenge for us is to keep the flesh in check on a consistent basis, so that we can have confidence to do things according to the spirit of God who is always willing to speak to us and guide us.
Today I will try to be extra sensitive to the inner voice of the spirit in me and look for ways to do things according to his promptings.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
God First John 13:3
3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.
The clarity of these statements is staggering. Jesus was completely cognizant of who He was and where He came from and where He was going and of His mission, which He was about to fully complete. The distractions of the world around me and the constant cry of my flesh needing to be satisfied in its various and sundry appetites cloud the personal clarity I need to walk in. Those clarifying principles are that I am saved by grace to accomplish works set out by the Father before the foundation of the earth, and that when my time is through all of these earthly things will mean nothing as I am destined for another place altogether.
I need to re-evaluate my focus and keep myself from being so easily distracted. As a trial period to see the fruit I will, for the next 30 days commit to the following: I will refuse to watch any TV unless I have had time of devotion with the Lord that day.
The clarity of these statements is staggering. Jesus was completely cognizant of who He was and where He came from and where He was going and of His mission, which He was about to fully complete. The distractions of the world around me and the constant cry of my flesh needing to be satisfied in its various and sundry appetites cloud the personal clarity I need to walk in. Those clarifying principles are that I am saved by grace to accomplish works set out by the Father before the foundation of the earth, and that when my time is through all of these earthly things will mean nothing as I am destined for another place altogether.
I need to re-evaluate my focus and keep myself from being so easily distracted. As a trial period to see the fruit I will, for the next 30 days commit to the following: I will refuse to watch any TV unless I have had time of devotion with the Lord that day.
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