Are You Like a Gardenia in a Desert?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16

 

PONDER THIS

Has anyone ever asked what was different about you? I want to submit: if we’re living under the lordship of Christ, if we’re living as the Apostle Peter says we ought to be living, people will ask for an explanation of our lives. Paul and Silas were perfect examples of this. In Acts 16, they were in prison for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They were in the innermost prison, a disgusting place, and at midnight, they were praying and singing praise to God. The jailer had probably heard cursing from prisoners, but not praising. He’d often heard moaning, but not singing. He could not understand it. After an earthquake hit the jail, when Paul and Silas did not flee, the jailer came and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (v. 30). Why? He saw the difference in Paul and Silas. I hope people can see a difference in my life. I hope people who know me can say, “He is different.” I hope people who know you can say, “He has hope! She has hope! This person stands out like a gardenia in a desert of mediocrity and filth.”

Who have you seen live differently because of their relationship with Jesus?

What challenges are you facing that could be opportunities to stand out in faith and joy?

PRACTICE THIS

Encourage a Christian you know who has stood out by living differently.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Authentic vs. Phony Faith

Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28)

The question before us all is: Are we included in the “many” whose sins Christ bore? And will we be saved at his second coming?

The answer of Hebrews 9:28 is, “Yes,” if we are “eagerly waiting for him.” We can know that our sins are taken away and that we will be safe in the judgment, if we trust Christ in such a way that it makes us eager for his coming.

There is a phony faith that claims to believe in Christ, but is only a fire insurance policy. Phony faith “believes” only to escape hell. It has no real desire for Christ. In fact, it would prefer if he did not come, so that we can have as much of this world’s pleasures as possible. This shows that a heart is not with Christ, but with the world.

So, the issue for us is: Do we eagerly long for the coming of Christ? Or do we want him to stay away, while our love affair with the world runs its course? That is the question that tests the authenticity of faith.

Let us be like the Corinthians as we “wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:7), and like the Philippians whose “citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

That’s the issue for us. Do we love his appearing? Or do we love the world and hope that his appearing will not interrupt our plans? Eternity hangs on this question.

John Piper 

Bible Study

Isaiah 53:12

    [12] 

    Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,

        and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,

    because he poured out his soul to death

        and was numbered with the transgressors;

    yet he bore the sin of many,

        and makes intercession for the transgressors.

1 Peter 2:24

[24] He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Revelation 5:9

[9] And they sang a new song, saying, 

    “Worthy are you to take the scroll

        and to open its seals,

    for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God

        from every tribe and language and people and nation,

Titus 2:13-15

[13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

[15] Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Bible Study

John 6:44

[44] No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:39

[39] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

1 Corinthians 6:14

[14] And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.

1 Corinthians 15:22-23

[22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. [23] But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Humans and Animals Were Created Differently

PRAY OVER THIS

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”

Genesis 1:26

 

PONDER THIS

Man is born and given a capacity and a craving for deity. Genesis 1:26 says, “And God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image.’” And God is Spirit. Only man has a spirit. Man is made in the image of God, and the Bible says, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). And the Bible says God “breathed into [our] nostrils the breath”—the spirit—“of life” (Genesis 2:7)! That makes man different from animals. With our bodies, we know the world beneath us. With our souls, we know the world around us. But with our spirits, we know the world above us. Only people are created in the image of God.

In Colossians 3:9-10, Paul talks about what happens when we get saved. He says, “You . . . have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” This image makes us moral creatures and makes us different from animals. Ephesians 4:24 says, “you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Animals don’t know righteousness. Animals don’t know holiness. We’re created in righteousness, and our new creation brings us holiness.

How does knowing that you are made in the image of God change the way you live?

What are some things that come to mind when you think about who you are and who you are made to be?

PRACTICE THIS

Take a walk in nature and thank God for how He designed all of creation, including you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Strength to Wait with Patience

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. (Colossians 1:11)

“Strengthened” is the right word. The apostle Paul prayed for the church at Colossae, that they would be “strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:11). Patience is the evidence of an inner strength.

Impatient people are weak, and therefore dependent on external supports — like schedules that go just right and circumstances that support their fragile hearts. Their outbursts of oaths and threats and harsh criticisms of the culprits who crossed their plans do not sound weak. But that noise is all a camouflage of weakness. Patience demands tremendous inner strength.

For the Christian, this strength comes from God. That is why Paul is praying for the Colossians. He is asking God to empower them for the patient endurance that the Christian life requires. But when he says that the strength of patience is “according to [God’s] glorious might” he doesn’t just mean that it takes divine power to make a person patient. He means that faith in this “glorious might” is the channel through which the power for patience comes.

Patience is indeed a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), but the Holy Spirit empowers (with all his fruit) through “hearing with faith” (Galatians 3:5). Therefore Paul is praying that God would connect us with the “glorious might” that empowers patience. And that connection is faith.

John Piper 

Are You Rooted in God’s Word?

PRAY OVER THIS

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

PONDER THIS

The days in life are short. We need to know who we are, what we believe, and why we believe it. There are good answers to the questions that come up from the Bible and life, and we are to be ready to give an answer to those who ask about these things. It is so important that we see the Bible as the Word of God—the incontestable and incorruptible Word of God. We need to see it as the indestructible Word of God. We need to see it as the indispensable Word of God. There is so much in the world that could change radically and quickly if we had a generation of preachers, church leaders, and church members—anointed with the Holy Spirit and a heart full of love from a pure life—who would teach, “This is what God says.”

If this is going to happen, let it start in my heart. Let it start in your heart. Let it start in your church. Let’s stand up and speak up while God gives us a voice. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us, and see if there be some wicked way in us (Psalm 139:23-24). Cleanse us from every sin and set us free to live lives that show who You are and that Your Word is truth.

How has God’s Word changed your life?

When was a time you recognized the value and beauty of God’s Word? What helps you do this?

PRACTICE THIS

Take some extra time to read God’s Word today and see the beauty that is there.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers