Worthy

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 14 & Philippians 1

Philippians 1:27-30, “Only let your manner of life be worthy [23] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”

 Meditate on this and pray that Christ will fill you with the fruit of righteousness to the praise and glory of God.

The armor of God

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 13 & Ephesians 6

Strength comes with preparation and victory comes from fighting the right battles.

Father, there is a battle raging and it is one I often overlook and choose to ignore. It is the spiritual battle of souls as we all seek to be worshipped instead of worship You.  Give me a heart that loves so that I will get involved in people’s lives and intercede for them.  Give me eyes to see those who struggle and give me Your wisdom to speak to them. Clothe me today with truth. Cover me with the righteousness of Christ. I have too much sin. I have done too much wrong. If I am going to be of any good to Your kingdom and to others I know it will only be because of Christ in me. Make me holy.  Make me ready. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is powerful, full of hope, and it brings new life. Make the Gospel central. Make me ready.  Place the shield of faith in my hands.  Faith is a gift from You.  Give me great faith to get into and continue in the battle. I must be saved for any of this to matter. The helmet of salvation is my boast.  Christ has done it all! Christ saves me and He keeps me. My Savior lives and I will fight for Him.  I will destroy every argument that stands against Him with the Word of Truth. I will wield the Scriptures in a way that He is pleased and His cause goes forth. Help me to pray in all of this. Make me powerful in prayer.  Father, I want You to be pleased. I want my life to count for You.  Help me to stand.

In Jesus’ name

Amen

Wisdom and Marriage

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 12 & Ephesians 5

Both chapters in our reading today focus on wisdom. In fact, together it is easy to see that marriage is one of the places where a person’s committment to wisdom is displayed.  When we are individuals it is much easier to cover our foolishness but when there is one, two, or even more people constantly around us our foolishness seems to poor forth.  But the opposite is true as well.  When there is one, two, or even more people constantly around us our pursuit of wisdom seems to pour forth.  They see if we listen to wise council.  They see our financial dealings.  They see how we treat our spouse. They see how we treat our animals.  They see if we walk by the Spirit or by the flesh. Seek to live a wise life there are great blessings for yourself and others when you do.

Father, do not be slow to show me my foolishness and be quick to strengthen my wisdom.  In all this I must have humility there is no escaping the connection between humility and wisdom.  Make me quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.  Give me faith in Christ and give me wisdom that knows the path of perseverance. My wife needs it. My children need it. The world need it. And You demand it.  Father, give me today all that I need in Jesus Christ. Give me wisdom to choose the right path, give me strength to stay on the right path, and give me humility to know this is all from You and for Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’ name

Amen

Dead

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 9 & Ephesians 2

I have thought this morning about the connection between my being dead in sins and Christ being dead because of my sins. Saturday is that dark day between the crucifixion of Christ on Friday and the resurrection of Christ on Sunday. Friday is the lowest of lows, Sunday is the highest of highs, and Saturday is the twilight before the dawn. Discipline yourself today to think much of death and Christ’s defeat of death. Dicipline yourself today to think of sin and Christ’s sacrifice for sins.

Read Matthew 27:32-66; Mark 15; Luke 23:26-56; and John 19

Father, I thank You for what this day means. In Your wisdom, love, and great might You dealt with my sin. Nearly two thousand years ago my Savior laid in a tomb; death seemed to rule the day. But thanks to Your great mercy Christ did not remain there. The light of Your power shown forth and Christ rose again.  Satan did not have the day. Darkness and sin would not rule. The resurrection is coming. The resurrection is coming.

Thank You for Jesus,

Amen

Wisdom

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 8 & Ephesians 1

It still amazes me (even when I’m tired) when God shows me such amazing and clear connections in Scripture like He has done in our reading today. Take the time to read back through Proverbs 8 and Ephesians 1 highlighting or underlining every instance of the word wisdom in both chapters. Why do you think the daily pursuit of wisdom is important?

Are we alone?

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 7 & Galatians 6

Galatians opens with what appears to be a contradiction. We are told to bear each other’s burdens in verse 2 and then we are told that we will bear our own loads in verse 5. Do we stand alone or do we stand together? The answer is quite simple. As we walk this earth in faithful pursuit of Christ we walk together. Christians are a team, a family, an assembly, or a church. But when we stand before God on Judgment Day you stand alone.

Father, unify Your church. Bring us together and help us fulfill the blessed commands of Your word.  Raise up the strong who will restore the weak. Raise up godly men who hate adultery of the heart and adultery of the body.  Help us to support each other and care for the needs of each other. There is so much to do and so much that we could do. May we sow what is best and the greatest quantity so that we may reap the greatest harvest.  Make us a church that does good to everyone and especially to each other inside the church. The cross of Christ makes me and every Christian a new creation. The work of Jesus makes Your church a Spirit-led entity. Show me today the power of the cross. I join John the Baptist saying, “May Christ increase and may I decrease.” Make Jesus my every reason for boasting.

In His Strong Name

Amen

The Offense of the Cross

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 6 & Galatians 5

Father I pray this morning that you would give me great care in how I speak to others. Give me an eye to watch how I treat others.  May I give no reason for offense other than the potent message of the cross.  May my views on politics and family be gracious. May my financial dealings and interaction with women be always pure. May I never stir up my brothers with foolishness or even with what I feel is important. Help me to be centered on the cross and always led by the Spirit. I know if I don’t then I will be led by the flesh into all manner of distructive things. As I acknowledge my need for Your grace, wisdom, and strength in Christ I pray You will make my paths straight.

In Jesus’ Name

Amen

Slaves No More

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 5 & Galatians 4

Father, because the time of Christ has come I have been made Your son. I am no longer a slave to the law or to the flesh. Raise up in me a distain for the chains of the law and the destruction of the desires of the flesh. The temptations of an adulterous woman lead always to pain and emptiness. May the disastrous end of doing things my way and filling my desires contrary to Your will play out in my mind when I am tempted. May the blessings of obedience be always on my mind. Give me faith to always trust in Your provision for all my needs. Give me discernment to know what a true need is!  The way has been set for me; I am marching to Christ in the heavenly Zion. Give me eyes today to see the glories of His presence.  Give me ears to hear the praises of innumeral angels in festal garments. Tune my voice to sing the praises of Jesus Christ along with all the redeemed.  Your ways are wonderful. Your strength is perfect. You are worthy of all praise.

In Jesus’ Name

Amen 

Seek Wisdom Exercise Faith

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 4 & Galatians 3

Father, so much already this morning is calling for my attention. Guard my heart and my mind from choosing things that appear good but in the end lead me away from You. Bless my efforts to gain wisdom. As I study Your Word give me understanding. Mold my life so that Your path becomes my path. Give me wisdom to understand faith. Make sense out of Abraham, the law, Christ, and faith. As I think about these things give me understanding.

For Jesus,

Amen

Examine Yourselves

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 1 & 2 Corinthians 13

We do not grow as Christians precisely because we do not desire to grow. And there are numerous reasons we do not grow as Christians from not being truly converted to refusing to deal with sin to refusing to seek wisdom. There is no wisdom apart from a knowledge of God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I heard this statement last week and it has stuck with me, “deep feelings about Christ are a product of deep thinking about Christ.” We often lack passion in our lives because we have grown comfortable with or even prideful about our ignorance.

Holy Father, give us a willingness to examine our hearts and ask tough questions.  May we love Christ and His church to the extent that we will not suffer the loss of one. We are told to see to it that no one fails to obtain grace. Apply that to each of us in our time with you. Apply that to each of us as we look at each other in the church. Give me and all believers humility so we will be open to such a difficult task.  We need Christ for all things. I need Christ for all things.  Come Lord Jesus.

Amen

Here are some helpful resources to guide you as you look and make sure you are in the faith.

Don Whitney gives us 10 questions from 1 John to use as we biblicaly search our souls. Read them here and examine yourself. 

John MacArthur explains what it means to examine yourself here

Watch this video as Paul Washar gets in my face about examining myself here