Passage of the Day: Ephesians 5: 20 [see in bold below] … 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My Journal for Today: John MacArthur begins his devotional entry for this date in Strength for Today with a rather stark declaration: “I’m convinced that gratitude is the single greatest act of worship we can render to God.” And, of course, he is using the Apostle Paul’s exhortation in Eph. 5: 20 as support for this contention, pointing us toward this attitude of gratitude as a foundational element in our relationship with Christ.
When we have a life sustaining attitude of thankfulness (see also 1st Thes. 5: 18), it is probably one of the most “visible” evidences for the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives; and it is released by our surrender to God’s Spirit working in our heart. It is the visible evidence of God’s love working in and through the Christian (see John 13: 34, 35) which shines the Light of our Lord into a dark world and glorifies our Father in heaven (see Matt. 5: 16).
Certainly being thankful or grateful “… for everything,” as today’s verse exhorts, is not something my human, ever deceitful, heart can sustain (see Jer. 17: 9), especially in times of dire challenge, privation, or physical tribulation (see also James 1: 2 – 5 or 1st Peter 2: 20 – 21). A believer who can carry the attitude of thankfulness, which only God can provide, into and through the trials of life certainly is one who never forgets God’s goodness and mercy (see Ps. 106: 1), the gift of Christ Himself (see 2nd Cor. 9: 15), the triumph of the Gospel (see 2nd Cor. 2: 14), and Christ’s victory over death (see 1st Cor. 15: 56 – 57).
MacArthur closes his devotional for this date by pointing his readers, as I will here, to Hebrews 13: 15, which presents a perfectly apt summary of this lesson of the heart …
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SCRIPTURE: Heb. 13: 15 [NASB] Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His Name.
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I have to ask myself, “Is my life being lived out as an offering of gratitude in worship?” I’m afraid not as much as it should; but I’m bolstered by 2nd Cor. 12: 9 as always, telling me that God’s grace is sufficient, even in my weaknesses, to allow His strength to give me the attitude of gratitude which the Holy Spirit offers me continually.
My Prayer Today: Thank you, Lord! Amen
Journal Author’s Note: As with today’s journal entry above, I often cite quite a few Scripture references to support what I’m writing with the authority of God’s word. I hope that anyone who reads my writings will have the Berean attitude and motivation to check me out, looking up the passages cited if the reader doesn’t already have any of these references committed to memory. I don’t pretend to be a biblical scholar or anything but a pursuer of God’s truth; and I pray that you are equally seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we study His personhood this month. … <’BB><
Showing posts with label thankfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thankfulness. Show all posts
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
August 3, 2011 … The Love of Money
Passage of the Day: 1st Timothy 6: 10 … 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
My Journal for Today: Today’s teaching from the Apostle Paul to his younger protégé, Timothy, has become one of the classic biblical teachings to all Christians about our attitude, as believers, toward money and materialism. Yesterday, John MacArthur in Strength for Today, helped us see from verses 6 – 8 of 1st Tim. 6 that having money or things is not evil because God is the provider. However, in verse 10 we’re confronted with a self-inventory question: “Do we LOVE our money or things too much?” Thankfully, MacArthur also helps us answer this question with five indicators to help us see whether our attitudes have tipped over into sin with regard to materialism.
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#1 … BEWARE … if you are more concerned with acquiring money than using it wisely. I’ve read somewhere that it’s okay to use money and love people; but we should never love money and use people.
#2 … BEWARE … if you feel that you never have enough money or things. When the pursuit of material gain becomes our primary desire, God has been given a back seat in our heart.
#3 ... BEWARE … if you tend to flaunt or show off what you have or have bought. When you’re showing off your new car to the next door neighbors, who’s #1 … self or Savior? - Duh!
#4 … BEWARE … if you resent giving your money as God’s word teaches or to worthy causes. Do you find joy or agony when the plate is passed in church?
#5 … BEWARE … BIGTIME! … if you too easily sin to obtain money or things?
Robbing Peter to pay Paul would not be condoned by either of the Apostles.
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Forgive my glib remark following #5; but I think all too often we find ourselves looking for situational excuses when we justify handling our financial woes by doing things which clearly move into the sinful realm. How often have Christians excused their impulse or compulsive buying, feeling that they NEED or DESERVE something that is clearly a WANT or desire and not a need? How does a Christian justify obsessive shopping; or how does a Christian excuse buying lottery tickets week after week, desiring to become “rich” quickly?
Jesus clearly taught [in Matt. 6: 24] we cannot serve God and money; and today’s verse warns us what can (and will) happen when the scales of life become tipped toward the love of money over our love of God. And taking Jesus at His word (which we should always do!), our pursuit should always be things which advance the Kingdom of God (from Matt. 6: 33) rather than the pursuit of or flaunting of personal gain.
So, our pursuits need to be for the NEEDS which God will always provide; and then any blessings beyond our needs can be our gift back to God as we use His providence for His glory!
My Prayer Today: My pursuit is You, Lord! Amen
My Journal for Today: Today’s teaching from the Apostle Paul to his younger protégé, Timothy, has become one of the classic biblical teachings to all Christians about our attitude, as believers, toward money and materialism. Yesterday, John MacArthur in Strength for Today, helped us see from verses 6 – 8 of 1st Tim. 6 that having money or things is not evil because God is the provider. However, in verse 10 we’re confronted with a self-inventory question: “Do we LOVE our money or things too much?” Thankfully, MacArthur also helps us answer this question with five indicators to help us see whether our attitudes have tipped over into sin with regard to materialism.
-------------------
#1 … BEWARE … if you are more concerned with acquiring money than using it wisely. I’ve read somewhere that it’s okay to use money and love people; but we should never love money and use people.
#2 … BEWARE … if you feel that you never have enough money or things. When the pursuit of material gain becomes our primary desire, God has been given a back seat in our heart.
#3 ... BEWARE … if you tend to flaunt or show off what you have or have bought. When you’re showing off your new car to the next door neighbors, who’s #1 … self or Savior? - Duh!
#4 … BEWARE … if you resent giving your money as God’s word teaches or to worthy causes. Do you find joy or agony when the plate is passed in church?
#5 … BEWARE … BIGTIME! … if you too easily sin to obtain money or things?
Robbing Peter to pay Paul would not be condoned by either of the Apostles.
--------------------
Forgive my glib remark following #5; but I think all too often we find ourselves looking for situational excuses when we justify handling our financial woes by doing things which clearly move into the sinful realm. How often have Christians excused their impulse or compulsive buying, feeling that they NEED or DESERVE something that is clearly a WANT or desire and not a need? How does a Christian justify obsessive shopping; or how does a Christian excuse buying lottery tickets week after week, desiring to become “rich” quickly?
Jesus clearly taught [in Matt. 6: 24] we cannot serve God and money; and today’s verse warns us what can (and will) happen when the scales of life become tipped toward the love of money over our love of God. And taking Jesus at His word (which we should always do!), our pursuit should always be things which advance the Kingdom of God (from Matt. 6: 33) rather than the pursuit of or flaunting of personal gain.
So, our pursuits need to be for the NEEDS which God will always provide; and then any blessings beyond our needs can be our gift back to God as we use His providence for His glory!
My Prayer Today: My pursuit is You, Lord! Amen
Sunday, July 17, 2011
July 17, 2011 … Answered Prayer
Passage of the Day: 1st John 3: 21 – 22 … 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.
My Journal for Today: If you’re a Christian, newly converted or a mature believer, you’ve likely experienced obvious answers to your prayer(s). If so, then you know how much this is a confirmation of God’s very real saving or enabling grace. We, as saved Christians, with a retained sin-nature, certainly don’t deserve God’s love and mercy. Yet, He provides it out of His grace; and when we experience it and recognize this undeserved providence in our lives, we have a huge confirmation of the reality of our salvation. And from today’s passage, a believer can read and understand the sequence of faith and obedience which produces God’s affirmative answers to our prayer.
God waits and wants to answer the prayers of His faithful and obedient children. He wants to provide those who seek His will and follow His ways with His abundance (see Heb. 11: 6, Phil. 4: 19, and John 10: 10). However, it is also true, according to our text today (i.e., v. 22), that only those who are sensitive to God’s will and obedient to His word will be blessed by His pre-ordained answers to prayer. Unfortunately, it is the case, all too often as obedient believers, we have not because we ask not (see James 4: 2).
Therefore, if you are a Christian who is “plugged in” to (i.e., abiding in) God’s will and following His way from His word, living faithfully in a close/abiding relationship with Christ, … ASK away; and in accord with God’s heart/mind, He will give you the desires of your heart (see God’s wonderful promise of fulfillment according to His will in Psalm 37: 4).
My Prayer Today: O Lord, You bless me with the answers to my prayers. Amen
My Journal for Today: If you’re a Christian, newly converted or a mature believer, you’ve likely experienced obvious answers to your prayer(s). If so, then you know how much this is a confirmation of God’s very real saving or enabling grace. We, as saved Christians, with a retained sin-nature, certainly don’t deserve God’s love and mercy. Yet, He provides it out of His grace; and when we experience it and recognize this undeserved providence in our lives, we have a huge confirmation of the reality of our salvation. And from today’s passage, a believer can read and understand the sequence of faith and obedience which produces God’s affirmative answers to our prayer.
God waits and wants to answer the prayers of His faithful and obedient children. He wants to provide those who seek His will and follow His ways with His abundance (see Heb. 11: 6, Phil. 4: 19, and John 10: 10). However, it is also true, according to our text today (i.e., v. 22), that only those who are sensitive to God’s will and obedient to His word will be blessed by His pre-ordained answers to prayer. Unfortunately, it is the case, all too often as obedient believers, we have not because we ask not (see James 4: 2).
Therefore, if you are a Christian who is “plugged in” to (i.e., abiding in) God’s will and following His way from His word, living faithfully in a close/abiding relationship with Christ, … ASK away; and in accord with God’s heart/mind, He will give you the desires of your heart (see God’s wonderful promise of fulfillment according to His will in Psalm 37: 4).
My Prayer Today: O Lord, You bless me with the answers to my prayers. Amen
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