Faithfully Yours Forever

Passage: Romans 13:1-14
Verse: Romans 13:10 (NIV 2011)
 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

In Ephesians 5 we were told to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  In Romans 13 we are told to submit to governing authorities.  But, what does it mean to submit to someone or something… and who or what are the governing authorities we are to submit to today?  May you be guided by the one true God as you seek answers to these questions.  We know Jesus submitted to the Roman authorities, the religious authorities, and the local governing authorities of His time.  However, we also know Jesus spoke the Truth, stood up for the Truth, and was crucified for the Truth.  May we speak and stand for Jesus Christ and His example for holy living.  May we submit according to the will of the Father, in a way that is honoring to the sacrifice that was made by Jesus Christ for us, and as we are led by the Holy Spirit.  As we live our lives for Christ, let us remember love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law [v. 10]. Let us be mindful and do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed [v. 11].  May our hope, faith, and trust be in Christ… in Christ alone. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Ephesians 6:1-9
Verse: Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV 2011)
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Ephesians continues to provide us with insights into how God would have Christians live their lives.  Our featured verses note we are to serve the Lord wholeheartedly.  While people may often be the direct beneficiaries of our service, the reason why we are to do what we do is in service to the Lord, not people.  May we be focused upon the Lord and be in service to Him.  While we are not to do what we do for the rewards that we will receive, we are told that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good that we do in this life.  May we do what we do for the glory and honor of the Lord, our God.  We are also reminded that we are to treat people equally, slave or free.  Consider that slavery is not just a physical condition for some individuals, but a spiritual condition for those who have yet to accept the free gift of redemption and salvation that God offers His children, through Jesus Christ.  May we seek to “do good” for those enslaved to sin or physical circumstances, remembering to give all the glory and honor to God.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Ephesians 5:1-33 (NIV 2011)

So what is a Christian to do?  How are we supposed to live our lives?  Ephesians 5 has a lot to say on the subject.

• Follow God’s example…  and walk in the way of love
• Have not even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed
• Speak not obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking
• Be thankful
• Find out what pleases the Lord
• Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness… expose them
•  Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise… understand what the Lord’s will is.
• Do not get drunk on wine
• Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.
• Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord
• Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
•  Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

May we be able to live our lives, through Christ, in a way that is honoring to God.  May the Spirit of Christ that lives within be seen by all through our attitudes, deeds, and behavior.  May we be blessed as we follow God’s example.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Colossians 2:16-23
Verse: Colossians 2:20 (NIV 2011)
Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules…?

We are again cautioned, in today’s passage of Scripture, not to be led astray by those who have lost connection with the head, Jesus Christ [v. 19].  Remember that the reality, however, is found in Christ [v. 17].  While this passage questions submitting to the rules of the world, we must also remember that what is worldly is what goes against Scripture and the commands and laws given to us by God.  May we have a solid understanding of God’s Word.  May the Holy Spirit provide us with the wisdom needed to discern those things that are worldly from those that are of God.  May the example for living, given to us through Jesus Christ, be the path we choose to follow each day.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Colossians 2:6-15
Verse: Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV 2011)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Very wise advice!  We are to continue to live our lives in Him.  Just as a small acorn sends down deep roots and grows into a mighty oak tree, we too can grow and be strengthened in the faith as we seek Him.  When we allow ourselves the time to focus upon Him we will be filled to overflowing.  Praise God!   See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ [v. 8].  God made [us] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross [v. 13b-14].  Let’s remember what Jesus Christ, our Lord, has done for us.  We are highly favored.  Praise God!  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NIV 2011)

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

The book of Ecclesiastes is often reported to be very negative or cynical in its view of life.  However, even among all the difficult circumstances presented in this passage of Scripture the author was able to tell us to remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come [v.1].   A little later in the passage we are again reminded to remember Him while we are still among the living [v. 6].  We are to have a holy fear of or reverence for God.  While we still live, more is to be heard from God.  We have much to learn.  Let us look to our heavenly Teacher.  Not only [is] the Teacher wise, but he also impart[s] knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true [v.9-10]. We are to respond appreciatively and obediently to the instructions we receive.  May we find encouragement, even among our trials, that He is near and will continue to guide us in the way we should go.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Deuteronomy 6:1-12
Verse: Deuteronomy 6:5-6 (NIV 2011)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.

Everything we do, related to the Lord, is to be done with all our hearts and with all our souls.  Nothing is to be done halfheartedly or without enthusiasm.  The Holy Bible tells us it is all about loving… returning… seeking… knowing… serving… obeying… following… and turning to the Lord with all our hearts and souls.  A quick search of the Scriptures revealed the phrase, in reference to the Lord, with all your heart and soul on numerous occasions in both the Old and the New Testaments.  In addition, with all our strength or with all our minds are frequently mentioned as well.  Again, no halfhearted efforts would be acceptable to the Lord.  May we enthusiastically love, return to, seek, know, serve, obey, follow, and turn to the Lord in all we do.  What else is there to do?  May we do these things with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.  May all that we do be pleasing to the Lord and give Him glory.  Amen! (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: Psalm 148:1-14
Verse: Psalm 148:14 (NIV 2011)
And he has raised up for his people a horn [a symbol of strength], the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart.  Praise the Lord.

Can anyone say praise the Lord?  May all of God’s creation praise the Lord!  This psalm reminds us that all of God’s creation should give the Lord praise –

• everything in heaven… the angels and the sun, moon, and stars;
•  everything on earth… sea creatures, land creatures, birds of the sky, and the mountains, the oceans, and the sky;
• and all nations, rulers, and all men, women, and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.  May everyone praise the Lord!  May we exalt the Lord today!  May we praise the name of the Lord for at his command:

• [we] were created,
• he established [us] for ever and ever—
• [and] he issued a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord!  Amen!

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