Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Wednesday, October 27, 2021
The apostle Paul called on Christ-followers to be heavenly minded.

Colossians 3:2-3 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (NASB)

Through Christ, you are no longer bound to this world and its ways — and neither are your thoughts. Keeping a daily focus on God & His Word — will turn the direction of your life toward the destiny God has laid out for you. After all when you became a Christ-follower your entire reason for living changed! There are many voices calling for our attention – you must be vigilant to protect your desires and thoughts from a fixation on the here and now.

Christ-followers are to live in this world, but not be in love with it – because the world culture wants nothing to do with God and the Bible! Always consider what Christ would do in every area of your life. For example, keep every thought captive to Christ: whenever your mind wanders to something it shouldn’t . . . ask the Holy Spirit to blot it out and turn the course of your thought-life in a God-honoring direction.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Tuesday, October 26, 2021
The apostle Matthew records Jesus’ command to lay up eternal treasure.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NASB)

Treasures are the things in life you are attracted to – good or bad. Carefully consider what you decide to invest your time and effort in . . . for of such things a life is made or destroyed. The Bible warns against trying to live for this world and Christ – it’s impossible to be devoted to both. Riches and possessions are for this world only – you cannot take them with you!

Jesus’ call in this portion of the Sermon on the Mount is to be busy laying up eternal treasures in heaven, which are untouchable by damage, theft, or destruction. Riches and possessions are not wrong in themselves, but a Christ-follower’s first love must be the glory of God!

Monday, October 25, 2021

Monday, October 25, 2021
The Psalmist David considers the Creator’s absolute fascination with him.

Psalm 139: 17-18 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand . . . (NASB)

God is not only interested in your life – He is infinitely, immeasurably, and continuously . . . interested! The Bible calls us His “workmanship”, or it could be translated “masterpiece”! So, as a sculptor makes many drawings of their subject, from different points of view; so, God meticulously planned your creation . . . and ever since . . . you have been in His thoughts to preserve and protect.

The Psalmist David is here considering God’s earliest dealings with him: how he was taken from the sheepfold to the palace; how he was delivered from Goliath . . . throughout his life God was there thinking of him, to guide and direct. When you feel abandoned, know that God will never leave or forsake you. His thoughts about your well-being are more than can be counted!

Friday, October 22, 2021

Friday, October 22, 2021
The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian church about following the example of Christ.

Philippians 2:5-7 Have this mind in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. (NASB)

The foremost example of Scriptural greatness was when the Son of God stepped down from heaven’s glory and voluntarily set aside His outward manifestation as Deity! He was willing to voluntarily empty Himself of all the things He loved to do as God’s Son. Then, the Bible says, let this be an example to you of humility.

There is no way anyone can ever imagine what it meant for God’s Son to empty Himself in this way! He laid aside all the wonderful things only God’s Son could do . . . like being in more than one place at the same time. It was like Superman giving up flying! He had a right to those things, but for you He was willing to give them up. Remember that next time someone cuts you off in traffic or takes the last doughnut in the break room!

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Thursday, October 21, 2021
The apostle Paul wrote his protégé Timothy to live as a role model.

I Timothy 4:12 [the apostle Paul wrote] Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. (NASB)

When you are young in the faith your reputation stretches before you like a roll of paper . . . unblemished! Determine the boundaries you will self-impose to keep you a sharp and useful tool in the service of the King. You may limit yourself in certain areas not because they are wrong, but because they don’t contribute to your ultimate goal of usefulness to God. Remember someone is looking up to you – Scripture calls us to live as a role model, and as example of right living!

Timothy was a pastoral intern who travelled with the apostle Paul. In this letter to Timothy, Paul refers to Timothy’s job to the church of Ephesus — to provide direction to spiritual leaders who were older and served longer in the ministry. It was a charge that required skillful handling! Are you in such a situation today? Take a hint from Paul’s advice to Timothy: see the impact of how you speak with others through their eyes! Do what is necessary to keep your conduct, personal purity, and walk with God credible and accountable.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Wednesday, October 20, 2021
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth to avoid the example of ancient Israel.

I Corinthians 10:5-6 [the apostle Paul wrote] Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.  Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.  (NASB)

The is a deadly mind-set that says: “if I sin and nobody knows about it” it’s no big deal!  Sin is a big deal and has devastating consequences.  For the Christ-follower, our lives should reflect a 180 degree change of direction away from sin — following hard after the ways of Jesus!  It’s an old-fashioned concept called “repentance”.

The nation of Israel had been delivered from hopeless, grinding slavery when God sent Moses to deliver them.  Instead of being properly thankful, the people lusted after the food of Egypt and murmured against God.  So, He sent a plague to punish the people.  Today, determine you will not be like faithless Israel giving into the temptation to lust for what you don’t have — count your blessings and trust the leading of God!