Faithfully Yours Forever

Passage: Deuteronomy 4:23-40
Verse: Deuteronomy 4:40 (NIV 2011)
Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.

This passage of Scripture begins by reminding us to be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you.  We have a tendency to forget how blessed a people we really are.  As we move beyond the celebration of the 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, let us remember how precious our freedom is.  Freedom to worship God, freely and openly, is not something that is available to everyone throughout the world.  We are blessed!  In addition, as believers in Jesus Christ we are free from the bondage created by sin.  This world can present us with many challenges and temptations, but verse 29 tells us if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Claim that promise in times of need for the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath [v. 31].  May we be free indeed!  May [we] live long in the land the Lord [our] God [has given us] for all time [v. 40].   (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Proverbs 16:16-25
Verse: Proverbs 16:24 (NIV 2011)
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

In this passage of Scripture we are told to be prudent.
May we, as the definition of prudence suggests,

• have good sense in dealing with practical matters
• use good judgment and carefully consider the consequences of our actions and act accordingly
• carefully manage our resources so we may be able to provide for the future.

However, in addition may we remember the words of Proverbs 16:

• How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
• Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

Where do we get this wisdom… get this insight… and get the proper instructions for us to live a prosperous life in the eyes of the Lord?  Where else but from the Holy Scriptures!  May you find time to read and study your Bible.  May you glean from your reading and study those things that, when put into action, lead to a blessed life.  Furthermore, may you learn to share the wisdom, insight, and instructions that come to you from the Lord with others… because the gracious words [you share] are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones for you and for those whose lives you touch.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Psalm 47:1-9
Verse: Psalm 47:7 (NIV 2011)
For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.

Praise God!  Our God reigns!  As a whirlwind spins around us, may we still find peace, comfort, and joy in knowing that God will be the ultimate victor.  Our ultimate destiny is in His hands.  May we clap [our] hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy [v. 1] for our God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne [v. 8].  Praise Him!  For those who are struggling with aspects of daily living, may you be comforted.  For those of you who are battling the enemy of your soul, may you find strength to resist and peace in the storm.  For those of you seeking to find the way, may the Holy Spirit guide you and fill you with the joy of the Lord.  May the wonder of God’s creation inspire you today. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:33b (NIV 2011)
For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

This passage, in some Bibles, has the heading of “The Believer’s Freedom.”  While we are free, it is written that whatever [we] do [related to eating and drinking], do it all for the glory of God [v. 31].  Many of us may claim that we have the “right” to do anything… as is written at the opening of this passage.  It states: “I have the right to do anything,” [we] say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive [v. 23]. However, verse 24 reminds us that no one should seek their own good, but the good of others.  As we seek to understand the Scriptures, remember that we are to consider the passage in the context, with the author’s purpose in mind, considering the intended audience, and with an understanding of the cultural conditions of the day.  May our choices today give glory to God.  May we not cause another to stumble, but instead may we seek the good of others so that they may be saved.  Have a blessed day. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Romans 12:1-8
Verse: Romans 12:2 (NIV 2011)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What is worship?  We worship God in many ways – sometimes through song, preaching, teaching, praying, and in fellowship with God’s people.  However, Romans 12 opens with a statement about the “proper” worship.  We are told to offer [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is [our] true and proper worship.  We must keep who we are in proper perspective.  We have been created by God for God’s purposes.  May we be about doing those things He has called us to do.  May we appreciate one another for the special gifts of God that we each may have been given.  May we come together as the Body of Christ at all levels of His church to love God and love others.  May we remember that each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others [v. 4-5].  May God bless our efforts to come together as one body in service to Him. [inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Galatians 2:11-21
Verse: Galatians 2:20 (NIV 2011)
 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Do we present the same image of who we are to all people?  Sometimes we may not appear the same to everyone.  The relationships that we have and the circumstances of our interactions with various people may differ greatly.  However, sometimes the differences in how we appear to various people may be caused because we are more open, genuine, or forthright with some individuals than we are with others.  In this passage of Scripture Paul noted that these differences can cause problems.  We may confuse those who know us or we might even appear to be acting like hypocrites to them at times.  Paul cautions us that, as Christians, [we] have been crucified with Christ and [we] no longer live, but Christ lives in [us]. The life [we] now live in the body, [we] live by faith in the Son of God, who loved [us] and gave himself for [us].  May the Holy Spirit guide us in how we relate to others.  May we grow in our understanding of how Christ would respond to people who are inside or outside of the Christian faith.  May we seek to reflect the image of Christ in all our relationships. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Philippians 3:12-4:1
Verse: Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV 2011)
Brothers and sisters… forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [let us] press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus.

As Christians, may we not see ourselves as having arrived, but instead as a work in progress.  In addition, let us not be held back by our past mistakes, failures, or shortcomings, but instead may we lay those things down at the foot of the cross as we look toward the goal of becoming more like Christ in the future.  May we claim the promise that the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body [v. 3:21b-22].  May we continue to strive to be more like Christ each day.  May we support other believers as they journey on, in Christ.  May we praise the Lord, our God, for what He has already done in us and for His faithfulness in continuing to mold us into His likeness.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV 2011)

Sometimes you need not say more.  Colossians 3:12-17 tells followers of Jesus Christ:

• Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

• And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

• Bear with each other and forgive one another. 

• If any of you has a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgave you.

• Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

• Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

• And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

May we be able to apply these truths to our daily lives.

(inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Colossians 3:1-11
Verse: Colossians 3:1 (NIV 2011)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

To live as those made alive in Christ is to:

• Set your hearts on things above [v. 1]
• Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things [v. 2]
• Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature [v. 5] and rid yourselves of all such things [v. 8].
• Do not lie to each other… [v. 9a].
• Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator [v. 10].

May the joy and peace found when in Christ be yours today.
(inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)