Date: September 30, 2010 9:58 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Reflecting Christ
Reflecting Christ
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 62:1-5
In my wife’s words...
“Of all my wonderful life-moments, perhaps my favorite is from my wedding. As my dad walked me down the aisle, I was fixated on my groom. The closer we got, the more brightly we beamed at one another. It was as though we were the only two people on earth. In that moment we knew our lives were about to change permanently, and we couldn't be more excited about it.”
Every day we continue to reflect our love for one another through our actions and our words. People who know us know without a doubt that we are in love.
A similar thing happens when we become close to God. As we are shining in the light of His glory, we are transformed. We are no longer alone in life - we have Christ at our side. We are His bride! Our actions and behavior should make it clear to everyone who knows us that we love and are loved by Christ. Our attitudes should reflect the changes that have happened as a result of getting to know our Lord and Savior more intimately.
Insight: Are You In A Loving Relationship With God? Do People Who Know You Know You Know God? In What Ways Do You Reflect Him?
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
+DEV+ A Swiftly Changing World
Date: September 29, 2010 10:57 PM
Topic: +DEV+ A Swiftly Changing World
A Swiftly Changing World
“I the LORD do not change...you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you...” (Malachi 3:6a, 7).
Scripture Focus: Psalm 125
America thrives on change. Although we're a relatively young country, we have seen very dramatic changes in just a few hundred years. Transportation, communication, entertainment, food preparation and even family life are wildly different than they were in the days of our founding fathers. How should a Christian behave in a world characterized by nearly constant change?
First, we must remember to keep God at the center of all we do, regardless of our surroundings. God has set us apart and called us for a specific purpose in life. We cannot fulfill that purpose if we stray from Him. Secondly, we should ask the Holy Spirit to give us a measure of discernment and wisdom so that we change only in ways that edify His church or make our personal relationships with Christ stronger. And finally, be thankful for the myriad of ways we benefit from all these changes.
Just because the world around us moves at breakneck speed, we need not fear. We serve a God who is unchanging and constant.
Insight: Do you struggle to obey laws that don't seem modern? Have any of God's laws changed? How have you changed in response to God's laws?
Topic: +DEV+ A Swiftly Changing World
A Swiftly Changing World
“I the LORD do not change...you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you...” (Malachi 3:6a, 7).
Scripture Focus: Psalm 125
America thrives on change. Although we're a relatively young country, we have seen very dramatic changes in just a few hundred years. Transportation, communication, entertainment, food preparation and even family life are wildly different than they were in the days of our founding fathers. How should a Christian behave in a world characterized by nearly constant change?
First, we must remember to keep God at the center of all we do, regardless of our surroundings. God has set us apart and called us for a specific purpose in life. We cannot fulfill that purpose if we stray from Him. Secondly, we should ask the Holy Spirit to give us a measure of discernment and wisdom so that we change only in ways that edify His church or make our personal relationships with Christ stronger. And finally, be thankful for the myriad of ways we benefit from all these changes.
Just because the world around us moves at breakneck speed, we need not fear. We serve a God who is unchanging and constant.
Insight: Do you struggle to obey laws that don't seem modern? Have any of God's laws changed? How have you changed in response to God's laws?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
+DEV+ Purifying the Heart
Date: September 28, 2010 9:03 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Purifying the Heart
Purifying the Heart
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8).
Scripture Focus: James 4
How can we begin to close the gap that yawns between us and God? The first thing that needs to change about us is that we need to come clean. Like the child who stops covering up because his mom seems to see right through him, we must realize that we cannot hide anything from God. He already knows our comings and our goings both for now and forever. He knows our innermost thoughts and secrets-things we sometimes barely acknowledge to ourselves. To come clean before Him means that we come to Him with the full realization that we are unworthy.
Submitting to God involves openly admitting we are sinners. As we lay our failures before Him, our hearts change from filthy rags to beautiful gems, purified of all unrighteousness. In forgiveness God speaks His love to us and purifies our hearts all th more, washing us in the pools of His grace.
God has so much to offer...more than our minds could ever conceive, and nothing that this world could give.
Insight: Do you feel close to God? Is your heart available to be filled with His love? What hinders your close relationship with God?
Topic: +DEV+ Purifying the Heart
Purifying the Heart
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8).
Scripture Focus: James 4
How can we begin to close the gap that yawns between us and God? The first thing that needs to change about us is that we need to come clean. Like the child who stops covering up because his mom seems to see right through him, we must realize that we cannot hide anything from God. He already knows our comings and our goings both for now and forever. He knows our innermost thoughts and secrets-things we sometimes barely acknowledge to ourselves. To come clean before Him means that we come to Him with the full realization that we are unworthy.
Submitting to God involves openly admitting we are sinners. As we lay our failures before Him, our hearts change from filthy rags to beautiful gems, purified of all unrighteousness. In forgiveness God speaks His love to us and purifies our hearts all th more, washing us in the pools of His grace.
God has so much to offer...more than our minds could ever conceive, and nothing that this world could give.
Insight: Do you feel close to God? Is your heart available to be filled with His love? What hinders your close relationship with God?
+DEV+ A Change of Heart
Date: September 28, 2010 3:06 AM
Topic: +DEV+ A Change of Heart
A Change of Heart
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).
Scripture Focus: Psalm 34:1-18
Of all the different things in life that have the potential to influence us, the ones that carry the most weight tend to be those that affect the heart. The Bible refers to the heart as the "wellspring of life," urging us to guard it above all else.
The Psalmist writes that God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A person's heart, in the emotional and spiritual sense, is a place where secrets and dreams are kept. The pain of a broken heart is as unique as its contents. We can take comfort in the fact that a God Who is so large and powerful demonstrates His love on such an intimate and personal level when He mends the brokenhearted of His creation.
When our own emotions overpower us, the Holy Spirit intervenes and changes our hearts to be more peaceful. Although we can't change the circumstances that hurt our hearts, we can cry out to God, and He will mend them like a mother tenderly mending her loved one's shirts. He is forever faithful and unchanging.
Insight: When Have You Needed Peace In Your Heart? Do You Believe God Is Faithful Times Of Brokenness? How Do Emotions Change Your Heart And Attitude?
Topic: +DEV+ A Change of Heart
A Change of Heart
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).
Scripture Focus: Psalm 34:1-18
Of all the different things in life that have the potential to influence us, the ones that carry the most weight tend to be those that affect the heart. The Bible refers to the heart as the "wellspring of life," urging us to guard it above all else.
The Psalmist writes that God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A person's heart, in the emotional and spiritual sense, is a place where secrets and dreams are kept. The pain of a broken heart is as unique as its contents. We can take comfort in the fact that a God Who is so large and powerful demonstrates His love on such an intimate and personal level when He mends the brokenhearted of His creation.
When our own emotions overpower us, the Holy Spirit intervenes and changes our hearts to be more peaceful. Although we can't change the circumstances that hurt our hearts, we can cry out to God, and He will mend them like a mother tenderly mending her loved one's shirts. He is forever faithful and unchanging.
Insight: When Have You Needed Peace In Your Heart? Do You Believe God Is Faithful Times Of Brokenness? How Do Emotions Change Your Heart And Attitude?
Monday, September 27, 2010
+DEV+ Unfathomable Forgiveness
Date: September 27, 2010 1:17 AM
Topic: +DEV+ Unfathomable Forgiveness
Unfathomable Forgiveness
"Then when I make atonement for you, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth..." (Ezekiel 16:63).
Scripture Focus: Psalm 32:1-5
Many Christians trivialize the whole concept of forgiveness. We go through each day committing numerous sins; then, at the end of the day, we quickly offer up a flippant prayer saying, "forgive all my sins." When we do this, we may fail to recognize the gravity of our mistakes and the consequences of our sins. We don't even think to ask God to help us change our sinful attitudes. After all, why should we change? God loves us just as we are, doesn't He?
God does indeed love us exactly as we are, but He also loves us too much to let us stay that way. He never stops forgiving us. He never ceases to give us second chances. He desires that we have a change of heart and choose obedience over selfishness. God is best served when we live a life of humility and give Him the glory.
When God forgives us, He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). We, however, should be humbly mindful of what He has done, and praise Him accordingly.
Insight: What does forgiveness make you think of? Do you need to change to become more humble? Aren't you glad that God allows us to change?
Topic: +DEV+ Unfathomable Forgiveness
Unfathomable Forgiveness
"Then when I make atonement for you, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth..." (Ezekiel 16:63).
Scripture Focus: Psalm 32:1-5
Many Christians trivialize the whole concept of forgiveness. We go through each day committing numerous sins; then, at the end of the day, we quickly offer up a flippant prayer saying, "forgive all my sins." When we do this, we may fail to recognize the gravity of our mistakes and the consequences of our sins. We don't even think to ask God to help us change our sinful attitudes. After all, why should we change? God loves us just as we are, doesn't He?
God does indeed love us exactly as we are, but He also loves us too much to let us stay that way. He never stops forgiving us. He never ceases to give us second chances. He desires that we have a change of heart and choose obedience over selfishness. God is best served when we live a life of humility and give Him the glory.
When God forgives us, He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). We, however, should be humbly mindful of what He has done, and praise Him accordingly.
Insight: What does forgiveness make you think of? Do you need to change to become more humble? Aren't you glad that God allows us to change?
Thursday, September 23, 2010
+DEV+ A Change in Appetite
Date: September 23, 2010 8:47 PM
Topic: +DEV+ A Change in Appetite
A Change in Appetite
"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known..." (Deuteronomy 8:3a).
Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 8:1-18
I used to hate Italian food. I didn't mind my mom's spaghetti so much, but lasagna, penne, even pizza made me turn up my nose. I could count on one hand the number of times I'd been to an Italian restaurant. Then, when I was 15 a friend took me out to Alex’s Pizza where I decided to try the chicken parmigiana. My appetite underwent a dramatic change, and I have been a fan of Italian foods for quite some time since.
God has a way of turning our spiritual appetites around as well. When we open ourselves to the possibility of trying something new, blessings await us. It has been said that hunger is the best seasoning. Instead of trying to fill our emptiness by ingesting whatever looks the most appealing at the moment, we need to hunger for the Lord. Remember that only God can provide the satisfaction and change of appetite we need.
As I have hungered and thirsted after Him, I have undergone so many wonderful changes. Let's pray that the same would be true for you.
Insight: Do You Regularly Feed On God's Word? How Does God Satisfy Your Spiritual Hunger? Has God Ever Changed Your Appetite To Seek After Him?
Topic: +DEV+ A Change in Appetite
A Change in Appetite
"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known..." (Deuteronomy 8:3a).
Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 8:1-18
I used to hate Italian food. I didn't mind my mom's spaghetti so much, but lasagna, penne, even pizza made me turn up my nose. I could count on one hand the number of times I'd been to an Italian restaurant. Then, when I was 15 a friend took me out to Alex’s Pizza where I decided to try the chicken parmigiana. My appetite underwent a dramatic change, and I have been a fan of Italian foods for quite some time since.
God has a way of turning our spiritual appetites around as well. When we open ourselves to the possibility of trying something new, blessings await us. It has been said that hunger is the best seasoning. Instead of trying to fill our emptiness by ingesting whatever looks the most appealing at the moment, we need to hunger for the Lord. Remember that only God can provide the satisfaction and change of appetite we need.
As I have hungered and thirsted after Him, I have undergone so many wonderful changes. Let's pray that the same would be true for you.
Insight: Do You Regularly Feed On God's Word? How Does God Satisfy Your Spiritual Hunger? Has God Ever Changed Your Appetite To Seek After Him?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
+DEV+ Changing Seasons
Date: September 22, 2010 7:33 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Changing Seasons
Changing Seasons
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a).
Scripture Focus: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
My natural tendency is to cling to that which is familiar while resisting the new. Granted, some things should never be relinquished, but for the most part, living a fulfilled life means learning to let go. Additionally, resistance to change can, in some ways, impede our progress in a relationship with God.
As we read in Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything. Life's seasons are characterized in many different ways, and throughout each season God has something to teach us. God is relentless in how He demonstrates His love for us, but if we are resistant to the idea of change, then we may be resisting Him, too. God desires that we focus on Him. If we are forever looking in the rear-view mirror at a season that has passed, we may completely miss out on where God is taking us next.
Seasons and situations change, but God remains the same. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him (See James 1:17). Let's welcome the changes He brings about in our lives and learn to appreciate the abundance of blessings He sends.
Insight: What Keeps You From Looking To The Future? Do You Ever Cling To The Past? Recall A Blessing God Has Given You In The Past.
Topic: +DEV+ Changing Seasons
Changing Seasons
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a).
Scripture Focus: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
My natural tendency is to cling to that which is familiar while resisting the new. Granted, some things should never be relinquished, but for the most part, living a fulfilled life means learning to let go. Additionally, resistance to change can, in some ways, impede our progress in a relationship with God.
As we read in Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything. Life's seasons are characterized in many different ways, and throughout each season God has something to teach us. God is relentless in how He demonstrates His love for us, but if we are resistant to the idea of change, then we may be resisting Him, too. God desires that we focus on Him. If we are forever looking in the rear-view mirror at a season that has passed, we may completely miss out on where God is taking us next.
Seasons and situations change, but God remains the same. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him (See James 1:17). Let's welcome the changes He brings about in our lives and learn to appreciate the abundance of blessings He sends.
Insight: What Keeps You From Looking To The Future? Do You Ever Cling To The Past? Recall A Blessing God Has Given You In The Past.
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