Day 57: Strengthen & Encourage

1 Thessalonians 3, 4, 5

We are asked to strengthen and encourage ourselves as well as those around us so that none of us would be unsettled by the trials of this world.  Even in times of distress and persecution, our faith should encourage.  We should exhibit behaviors of a love so abundant that it overflows.  We are called to love more and more and to build each other up.

¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. ¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

Given this salvation, we should all strive to be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Dear Lord, Thank you for your awesome sacrifice of your son – to cleanse us of our sins.  I ask for wisdom and strength to encourage others and to lead a life pleasing to you.  Don’t let the worries of this world grab a hold of my spirit.  I ask that I be able to be joyful always, pray continually and to give thanks in all circumstances.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 56: Understanding Christ’s Sacrifice

Colossians 2, 3, 4; 1 Thessalonians 1, 2

Do you believe that Christ is all in all and that He alone is sufficient for all life?  When we were dead in our transgressions and our sinful nature, God made us alive with Christ.  While reading Paul’s letters to the Colossians, I was humbled at Paul’s plight.  The encouragement from Paul should serve the purpose of being united in love and partake in the full riches of complete understanding with each other.

⁶So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, ⁷rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.⁸See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:6-8

Paul asks them to have Christ’s sacrifice and gift to exude in all of their actions, words and thoughts.

Dear Lord, How imperfect am I, to still be confined to a worldly life despite your sacrifice.  Help me to truly wash my hands from submitting to the rules of this earth with self imposed worship, false humility and the harsh treatment of my body.  Help me to prioritize those thing that matter – to clothe myself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Allow me to work at the sincerity of my heart and reverence for you alone, not for men.  Teach me to devote in prayer and to be thankful always.  Grant me the peace within to stand firm in your will – spiritually mature and fully assured in my salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 55: Pressing On Toward the Goal

Philippians 3, 4; Colossians 1

As someone who accepted Christ later in life, the biggest struggle I have is pressing on.  lately, as I read the instructions written by God – I realize more and more of how much I trule value worldly desires.  As guilt washed over me on a daily basis, on the worldly life I still live, I came across Philippians 3:13.

¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, Philippians 3:13

It was what I needed to know.  The thoughts of perfection and the guilt associated disappeared.  I was comforted by Paul and his humility.  He writes to the Philippians that he himself has not yet attained being perfect.  He focuses on straining towards what is ahead – to press on.  It was a great reminder of God’s awesome grace.

Dear Lord, I humbly ask you to grant me the maturity and wisdom in my faith.  Allow me to not remain focused on confidences and treasures of the flesh – to consider them as rubbish.  Allow me to truly grasp the difference between righteousness found in my own ability but through my faith in Christ Jesus.  Allow me to clearly see that the truly magnificent part of my faith is that you transform my sinning body so that one day, it will be like your glorious body.

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Day 54: Defending the Chains

Ephesians 6; Philippians 1, 2

We are all partaking in God’s grace, just as Paul had.  Even in chains and through persecution, Paul was defending and confirming the gospel..  Through chains, the brothers of Philippi were encourage to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

²⁰I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20-21

Paul instructs the Philippians stand firm in one spirit, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.  We are asked to continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

Dear Lord, I love you Lord.  I ask my love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.  i pray that I may be able to discern what is best and what is pure – so that I may be blameless.  Allow me to boldly proclaim and rejoice in my chains, for it is a mere representation of your amazing grace.  It is through my weaknesses that I become stronger in my faith.  Thank you for loving me so much.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 53: Life Worthy

Ephesians 3, 4, 5

Are you living a life worthy of the calling you have received?  While reading Ephesians, I found myself asking myself that very question.

²Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:2-6

I find myself to be lacking in this very instruction.  I find myself still engulfed in rage, anger, judgment and impatience.  It is in God’s plan to prepare his people to build up the body of Christ – as it is His plan for us to grow and build ourselves up in love.  In order to unite in Christ, it requires us to live as children of the light.  Are you living as the child of light?

¹⁸They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. Ephesians 4:18-19

Are you bearing fruit that consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth?  As I end these chapters, all instructing us on how to lead our lives, I realize how much more I have yet to learn to leave behind.

Dear Lord, Grant me the wisdom to lead a life imitating God.  I realize I need to be careful in how I live, making the most of every opportunity – to not be foolish and understand your will.  Allow me to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  Thank and in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 52: Instructions of Doing Good

Galatians 6; Ephesians 1, 2

While reading the Scripture, “doing good” is a prevalent topic.  Paul writes letters to both the Galatians and Ephesians.  Although they were different people and different churches, the message was the same.

We are called to be good to all and to carry each others burdens – especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  At the same time, we are not being asked to do this in order to boast of our abilities or of our deeds.

⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

We are one in Christ, through His blood, given access to the Father by One spirit.

[We] are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. Ephesians 2:19

This is all a part of God’s plan to redeem the world through Christ.

Dear Lord, I lack in so many areas.  While reading these chapters, I couldn’t help but feel so inadequate.  I realize that I have not yet cast aside the sins of my earthly body.  Grant me the wisdom to translate my belief about God into actions and attitudes that honor you.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 51: Freedom in Christ

Galatians 3, 4, 5

Christ freed us from our sins.  Our salvation required intervention by the Spirit, yet we end up fighting against what was started and try to accomplish it on our own accord.  Paul criticizes the Galatians for this.

³Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? ⁴Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? ⁵Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Galatians 3:3-5

We do not just live according to the Law because of our own volition, but through our faith.  “The righteous will live by faith.” Just as Paul indicated to the Galatians, he reminds us all that we are a prisoner to sin.

²²But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Galatians 3:22

The most hard hitting part of our faith and salvation is that we used to sin prior to knowing God.  Now that we do, how can we all possibly keep turning back to those sins, the very sins that bound us to earth?

¹It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

⁷You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5″6-7

¹³You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature^[a]; rather, serve one another in love. ¹⁴The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^[b] Galatians 5:13-14

We need to all remember that we all live by the Spirit and we should strive to not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

The simplest way to explain how we should live is written in Galatians 5:22-24.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24

Dear Lord, I lack so many things.  Yet, you stand by, ready to catch me when I fall.  Let your commands ring in my heart – may it spurn me on in zeal to enjoy the fruits of the spirit.  Help me to live with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Help me to crucify my sinful nature.  You are a God of promise, help me to live on your grace alone and not on my own human merits. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 50: Aim for Perfection

2 Corinthians 13; Galatians 1, 2

Paul was an amazing man of God.  In his various letters to the churches of his time, he guides, teaches, rebukes and corrects.  In reading 2 Corinthians and then the beginning of Galatians, it’s apparent of his fervor for Christ.  He explains in his 2nd letter to the church of Corinth that we as men are weak but it is through that very weakness that makes us stronger in Him.

⁴For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you. 2 Corinthians 13:4

But don’t be discouraged by your weakness.  It should encourage you to aim for perfection.  In fact, Paul instructs the Corinthians to examine themselves, to see if they are in the faith.  I know that when I reflect on the choices I make post acceptance of Christ, I get discouraged.  I’m still tempted and still have distractions in my life.

⁶And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. ⁷Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.  2 Corinthians 13:6-7

I try to disconnect myself from the various weaknesses of this earth that I still carry – and get disheartened.   My faith pulls at my heart strings and gives me a sense of guilt – since I should know better.  But I find that this guilt slowly weans me from my dependence of earthly matters.  Ever so slowly, I realize that certain weaknesses grow weaker and weaker every day.

¹⁹For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. ²⁰I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:19-21

Dear Lord, I am reminded constantly of my sins and transgressions.  Help me to lead a life aiming for perfection.  Through my faith, I ask you to develop a childlike heart, full of faith and obedience.  I have been crucified through Christ and I no longer live, but that Christ lives in me.  It is by your grace alone!  Thank you for this tremendous gift for we are undeserving creatures.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 49: Generosity

2 Corinthians 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

What exactly does generosity mean to you?  Chapter 8 begins with a heading that says: Generosity Encouraged.  In this chapter, Paul goes into an explanation in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians that their generosity is encouraged.

⁸I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 2 Corinthians 8:8

¹¹Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 2 Corinthians 8:11

²⁴Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. 2 Corinthians 8:24

Then, chapter 9 has a heading that says: Sowing Generously.

⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 6-7

Generosity in short is the surpassing grace God has given to each of us.  By exercising our generosity – that was bestowed on us who were undeserving, we show others the true power of love – the most important of God’s spiritual gifts.  By showing generosity, we show that we recognize our undeserving worth.

¹⁵Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Dear Lord:  I praise you for the indescribable gift of generosity.  I realize more and more in my development of faith, just how undeserving I am.  Yet, you covered me in your generous and awe inspiring love and forgiveness.  Help me to exude that in my own personal actions – so that others may truly see your work in me.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 48: Trouble Knows No Bounds

2 Corinthians 5, 6, 7

Have you ever felt that you just couldn’t take whatever life was dishing out to you?  Have you ever felt that you are being pushed to your limit and you might fall apart from the pressure?  Do you ever curse your sorrows and troubles?  Well, you shouldn’t.  In fact, you should rejoice in them and commend others in them.

⁴Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:4-10

Why?  I can honestly believe that it is these challenging life moments, that makes us turn to God.  When we come to a breaking point, we are faced with no other alternative but to turn to God and submit what frail body is left and earnestly beg for forgiveness – we repent.

Dear Lord, let us not come to the repenting of our sins, merely because we feel that we can’t do it alone.  Strike in my own heart, reliance on your promise of salvation.  Make me unashamedly turn to you for everything.  Thank you for allowing me to trust and love You.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.