February 13 - Testing Ourselves

“For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.  Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” – 2 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul’s testimony giving God credit for enabling him to press on. It was a mystery for Paul. It was once, a challenge for Christ on the cross. Jesus had at his command the unlimited power of God.  It was His but nevertheless He willingly chose to follow the course of weakness to the cross.  He refused to use any of His divine nature to soften the pain and suffering while he, the Son of God, hung on the cross bearing the rejection of God the Father for the sins of all in the world.  Paul reminds us that Jesus rose from the dead by the power of God. In His resurrection the magnitude of the untapped power was displayed. The truth in this verse is that, as Jesus rose from the dead by God’s power, it is by that very same power we can live and serve Him in faith. We may feel weak and unable to live as we ought, but we know that we have the promise of God’s power available to us. In that power we can do what He wants us to do. Let’s remember that as we live this day.

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February 22 - Whole and Holy Sacrifice

“I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”  - Romans 12:1 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul is urgently telling all who believe in Jesus that God desires us to be a whole sacrifice.  Not just part of ourselves. But our whole being, holding nothing back.  This presentation is to be a living sacrifice.  It is to be a holy sacrifice.  It is to be acceptable to God.  And it will be all that because God is merciful to us.  We really have nothing God needs to accomplish his will.  His desire as revealed in our verse is for us to know that His abundant mercies are for us, and are only available through our service to God.  As the One who has given us new life He requires us to do this. Before our salvation we were dead and could not offer our bodies as living or holy and nothing we did would be acceptable to God.  As regenerated and made new creatures spiritually, we belong to him.  This is our spiritual service and it is a spiritual worship when we obediently present ourselves in this way.  It brings glory to God for it is He who has shown us mercy and given us the life we have in Christ Jesus. 

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April 15 – Faithfully Called, Faithfully Follow

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”   1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)

Over the past few days we have considered how God desires a relationship with us, His created people. We learn what he has done to provide a way and to draw us closer to Him because He wants us close and in service to His purpose.  We have a wonderful God in heaven.  He created people in this world who then rebelled against His will and separated themselves from God.  So, He sent His Son to become a Savior by providing a way to the Father.  All who choose to believe through faith in Him enter a relationship of fellowship with Jesus.  We become a part of God's family with a close relationship to His Son.  The Christian life is living in fellowship with Jesus who is living in us.  We become a part of God's purpose of reaching others about this calling.  Each day our fellowship deepens and makes our relationship closer and more precious.  One day, it will be fulfilled and made perfect with God in heaven – we can count on that because God is faithful to His word and promises. 

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February 13

“For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

This is a testimony of the apostle Paul giving God credit for enabling him to carry on. He reminds us that Jesus rose from the dead by the power of God. The beautiful truth in this verse is that, just as Jesus rose from the dead by God’s power, so by that same power we can live and serve Him. Even though we may feel weak and unable to live as we ought, we know that we have God’s power available to us. In that power we can do what He wants us to do. Let’s remember that as we live this day.