Bible League: Living His Word You accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, so continue to live following him. You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.There is the initiation of our relationship to Jesus Christ and there is the continuation of our relationship to him. The relationship was initiated when "God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:13). We acknowledged that we are sinners, we repented of our sins, and we accepted Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. As a result, we passed from citizenship in the kingdom of darkness into citizenship in the Kingdom of God. As the Apostle Paul put it in II Corinthians 5:17: "When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!" Our relationship to Jesus, however, continues beyond its initiation. We aren't supposed to stay the same way we were when we first believed. Rather, we are called to "grow to be like Christ in every way" (Ephesians 4:15). Indeed, God takes the lead in making sure that we will grow to be like Christ. Paul tells us that "those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers" (Romans 8:29). God took the lead in freeing us from the power of darkness and He also takes the lead in conforming us to the image of His Son. We can cooperate with the work of God in our lives by continuing to follow Jesus, depending on Him only, and drawing our strength from Him. Since we no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20), we should forsake life in the power of our own strength and embrace the life of Christ dwelling within us. We should continue to learn as much as we can about this new life we have in Christ. And we should never stop giving thanks to God. Given the initiation and continuation of our relationship to Christ Jesus, we have a lot to be thankful for. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Samuel 17, 18 2 Samuel 17 -- Hushai's Warning Saves David NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Samuel 18 -- Absalom Slain by Joab; David Mourns NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 21:1-19 Luke 21 -- The Widow's Gift; Signs of the End of the Age NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.Insight Solomon summarized all his attempts at finding life's meaning as “chasing the wind.” We feel the wind as it passes, but we can't catch hold of it or keep it. In all our accomplishments, even the big ones, our good feelings are only temporary. Security and self-worth are not found in these accomplishments, but far beyond them in the love of God. Challenge Think about what you consider worthwhile in your life—where you place your time, energy, and money. Will you one day look back and decide that these, too, were “chasing the wind”? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 67:6 God, even our own God.It is strange how little use we make of the spiritual blessings which God gives us, but it is stranger still how little use we make of God himself. Though he is "our own God," we apply ourselves but little to him, and ask but little of him. How seldom do we ask counsel at the hands of the Lord! How often do we go about our business, without seeking his guidance! In our troubles how constantly do we strive to bear our burdens ourselves, instead of casting them upon the Lord, that he may sustain us! This is not because we may not, for the Lord seems to say, "I am thine, soul, come and make use of me as thou wilt; thou mayst freely come to my store, and the oftener the more welcome." It is our own fault if we make not free with the riches of our God. Then, since thou hast such a friend, and he invites thee, draw from him daily. Never want whilst thou hast a God to go to; never fear or faint whilst thou hast God to help thee; go to thy treasure and take whatever thou needest--there is all that thou canst want. Learn the divine skill of making God all things to thee. He can supply thee with all, or, better still, he can be to thee instead of all. Let me urge thee, then, to make use of thy God. Make use of him in prayer. Go to him often, because he is thy God. O, wilt thou fail to use so great a privilege? Fly to him, tell him all thy wants. Use him constantly by faith at all times. If some dark providence has beclouded thee, use thy God as a "sun;" if some strong enemy has beset thee, find in Jehovah a "shield," for he is a sun and shield to his people. If thou hast lost thy way in the mazes of life, use him as a "guide," for he will direct thee. Whatever thou art, and wherever thou art, remember God is just what thou wantest, and just where thou wantest, and that he can do all thou wantest. Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;Job 14:1,2 "Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. • "Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain. 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 Corinthians 15:22,54 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. • But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. Romans 14:8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Hebrews 10:35-37 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. • For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. • FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. Romans 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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