Truth and Power April 30, 2017

Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Speaking the truth is hard enough. You mean I have to do it in love? Yes, if I am to be Christ's man or woman, I must speak to others as he did.

Thought for today: Do I struggle with being truthful?

Redeemer April 29, 2017

Job 19:25 (NIV)

25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

Beyond what these words were first meant to convey, we know today that our Redeemer will return as the Rider on the white horse in triumph and victory. Hallelujah, what a day! Then the world truly WILL KNOW that Jesus Christ, our Savior and brother and friend, is Lord of all things!

Thought for today: What does my reconciliation mean to me?

Humility April 28, 2017

Philippians 2:5-8New International Version (NIV)

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own                                                                                                advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

"Lord, humble us gently." That is one of my friend/s favorite prayers. I like it, too. But thank God Jesus was not gently humbled. While I hate he had to go through agony, his self-emptying humility was stark, bold, drastic, and outrageous. But I am to have this same attitude when it comes to reaching God's lost children.

Thought for today: Am I humble?

Lost and Found April 27, 2017

Luke 19:10 (NIV)

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

"The Friend of Sinners." Of all the things Jesus was called, I believe that was his favorite. Come to think of it, I believe it's my favorite, too!

Thought for today: Who are my friends and why are they my friends?

Standing In The Gap April 26, 2017

Hebrews 7:25(NIV)

25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Jesus didn't just come and die for us. He wasn't just raised to give us life. No, as incredible as those gifts are, he adds another blessing to all he has done for us: until he can come and take us home to God, Jesus lives to ask God for grace in our behalf. Jesus is not only our Savior, he is our defender and brother at the Father's side!

Thought for today: Do I understand the importance of an intercessor? 

Indwelling April 25,2017

Colossians 1:27-28 (NIV)

27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

Christ lives in me. Until I can become completely like him through the power of the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18), he lives in me. Until I can go home to be with him he lives in me (John 14:1-21). Everywhere I go and everything I do, he is in me. Our goal is to have him formed more perfectly in us, not just live in us. Of course, that will be done by his power and through the gift of his Spirit!

Thought for today: Do I acknowledge His presence?

Invaluable April 24, 2017

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

If value is determined by price, we are incredibly valuable. God took the most precious treasure of heaven to buy us out of sin and death and adopt us into his family. Silver and gold pale in comparison to that value.

Thought for today: Do I know my worth?