Category: Scripture Journal

Worthy of His calling

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HIGHLIGHT

2 Thessalonians 1:11 (ESV): 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,

EXPLAIN

Paul greeted the church of Thessalonica, speaking of how he regularly boasted of their faithfulness in persecution and difficulty.

He went on to say that their suffering was evidence of God’s righteous judgment by demonstrating that they were worthy of God’s kingdom. God would repay with affliction those who afflicted them. Indeed, those who did not know God and refused the gospel would suffer eternal punishment, but these believers would marvel at Christ’s appearance.

Therefore, Paul prayed that God would make them worthy of his calling.

APPLY

We should always remember that God uses the difficulties we face, especially those caused by people who reject the gospel, to prepare us, making us worthy of his kingdom. Therefore, our prayer should be that God will help us to be faithful and to accomplish all that he has set before us.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, make me worthy of your calling. Strengthen me to serve you faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Your boss is Jesus

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HIGHLIGHT

Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV): 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

EXPLAIN

This scripture was written in the context of Paul’s exhortation and explanation for how the believer is to put on the new self, the new life that Christ provides for us.

The new life changes how we relate in our family and in our workplace, as well as in the church. In these verses, Paul tells workers – and in that day slaves or bond servants – to work hard at their jobs, not to please men, but as if their boss truly were Jesus.

APPLY

Whatever God puts before us to do, whether it be the noblest career or the most menial job, we should work at it with our whole heart, not to receive a paycheck or the kudos of our employer, but to please Jesus Christ. For Jesus is pleased with our faithful service and will reward us one day.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us work to do. Help us to work faithfully, with our whole heart, not excusing lack of passion for the type of job we may do or the employers, fellow employees, or customers we may have to deal with. Instead, help us to serve you faithfully by our diligent work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How to get ready for the day

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HIGHLIGHT

Colossians 3:12 (ESV): 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

EXPLAIN

Paul wrote Colossae Church, concerned that they were being taught that the way to spirituality was observing Jewish feasts, asceticism, worship of angels, etc.

Paul told them that in Christ we have died to this world and were raised to new life in him. Therefore, we are to put on the new life of righteousness and put to death any vestiges of the old life of sin.

Therefore, Paul began a list of things to put on as God’s people. This list does not end with this verse. Furthermore, the application of the new life is seen later in this chapter in how various family members related to each other, as well as how those in the workplace were to behave.

APPLY

When we get ready for the morning, what items are on our checklist? At the very basic… clothes, belt, shoes, watch, phone, computer/iPad and other tools of whatever trade we are in.

We probably also arm ourselves with a steely resolve to fight through traffic and get through the day with others, competitiveness to get ahead in our career, etc.

Paul wrote that as God’s people we should put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness and love.

Paul was not writing that we should be pushovers in life. Rather, these virtues are the basic characteristics of what it means to be a Christ follower. Our calling as Christians is to be like Christ… in all moments.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, equip me today with these virtues of the Christian. May I live throughout the day with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Singly Focused

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HIGHLIGHT

Philippians 3:17 (ESV): 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

EXPLAIN

Paul wrote this letter from prison, and in the context of opposition from some in the Church. Despite his circumstances, he was filled with joy for the grace of God in him and in those to whole he was writing.

He did warn his readers of those who corrupted the gospel, saying they were more spiritual or at least more confident of their salvation because of their heritage, good works, etc.

Paul noted that in that regard he had many credentials, but he gave them all up for the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ in the power of his resurrection, sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that he might attain the resurrection of the dead.

Paul had not attained all this. He was not perfect. But his aim was set. So he invited his readers to join him and others who had this passion for knowing Jesus fully.

APPLY

Despite our circumstances and what is going on around us, Christ calls us to follow him and to join with those who follow him.

We must not be distracted by the world or discouraged by opposition. Rather, our devotion must be to Jesus.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to walk according to the example Jesus left behind, as well as those of other followers of Christ. May I be singly focused on following you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For incredible asks

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HIGHLIGHT

Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV): 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

EXPLAIN

Paul began Ephesians 3 talking about the awesome stewardship he had been given by God to make known the mystery of the gospel, that Gentiles were fellow heirs along with Jews.

Paul explained that this was the purpose of God for him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and asked his readers not to be discouraged due to the suffering he had experienced.

Instead, Paul bowed his knees to pray for his readers to be strengthened with power through the Spirit in their inner being, that Christ might dwell in their hearts by faith and that they might know all the love of Christ.

This was an incredible ask, but Paul prayed this to Him who can do far more than we can ask or think.

APPLY

Sometimes we may feel like our prayers are incredibly audacious. We might think that there is no way God would answer our prayers. We know he could, but we feel intimidated to be so bold in asking. But our scripture says God can do much more that we can ask or think.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, when I feel overwhelmed by life and am afraid to believe that you could or would answer my prayers, help me to remember that you do more than we ask or think… and you delight in it! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Acceptable thoughts and speech

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 19:14 (ESV): 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

EXPLAIN

This psalm begins with a beautiful description of nature giving glory to God. David then transitions to talking about how God’s law is perfect and closes with a prayer that he might live blameless without intentional sin.

APPLY

David’s prayer in this final verse of Psalm 19 is quite breathtaking.

As James notes in the New Testament, it is incredibly difficult to control our tongue. We may speak 20,000 beautiful words throughout the day, and then at home speak a few hundred harsh words to our family.

And the devil loves to insert thoughts that should not be considered into our mind. It takes great discipline to reject them immediately, giving no lasting consideration to them.

This prayer is incredibly applicable then: Lord, may I be blameless in all that I say and think!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, I desire to honor you with all of my life: what I do, what I say, and what I think. Give me grace and strength to choose what is right. Guard my steps; guard my lips and mind. Amen.

Christ in me

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HIGHLIGHT

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

EXPLAIN

Paul began this letter by explaining how his conversion to Christ led him to abandon his previous efforts to gain salvation by good works.

Paul meticulously explained how his gospel was not in contradiction with the rest of the church, but rather supported by the other apostles.

Indeed, the validity of Paul’s gospel was obvious when Peter began to act hypocritically in one occasion, and Paul called him out. After mentioning that event, Paul transitioned into teaching about being justified by faith.

In order to be justified by faith, it was necessary for Paul to die to the law, so that he might live to God. Therefore, Paul was crucified with Christ, and it was Christ who gave him life.

APPLY

In Galatians 1:13 Paul spoke of his “former life in Judaism.” Paul was still a Jew, yet his life of trying to please God by following Jewish laws and regulations was long gone.

Each one who would follow Christ must also crucify their past life so that they might now live in and by Christ.

My life is not my own; I belong to Christ. I do not live by my own strength, wisdom or will; I live only through Christ.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you that in my life there was a BC and an AD. May I continue to live today, not by my power, but by you. May Christ live in me and animate me for your glory. Amen.

Grace to Abound

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HIGHLIGHT

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

EXPLAIN

In 2 Corinthians 8-9 Paul talks about the collection for the needy in Jerusalem. Corinth Church had begun this collection a year before; now, Paul urged them to complete it.

He told them that now in their time of abundance they could supply what was needed for those who had lack. In the future, they themselves might have need and receive from those they were giving to now.

Paul did not feel like Corinth Church was unwilling to give, but he wanted to remind them so that when he came to receive the collection they would be ready, and not be embarrassed.

Paul then encouraged them with the principle of sowing and reaping, saying that God loves a cheerful giver. And so God provides grace so that we can abound in every good work.

APPLY

It may seem like a lack of faith for us, at times, to give largely to God’s work. But if God has prompted us to do so, we can trust that God will give us the grace to accomplish the work. This should give us confidence in attempting greater things for God!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the encouragement that you provide the grace we need to do the ministry you have set before us. Help me to be faithful in serving you. Amen.

The aroma of Christ

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HIGHLIGHT

2 Corinthians 2:15–16 (ESV): 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.

EXPLAIN

2 Corinthians is believed to be actually the fourth letter of Paul to Corinth Church. From his statements in the two letters we have, it appears that a first and third letter were written, but were not preserved.

Between 1 and 2 Corinthians, Paul’s plans had changed. The letter he had written in between was very sharp, but necessary for the people to finally repent.

Now Paul defended his change of plans. He also urged the people to forgive the man who had sinned in their church and accept him back.

As Paul continued to explain his movements to Macedonia, he used the analogy of Christ as a conquering general leading the apostles as captives in a triumphal procession, through them spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ everywhere.

APPLY

This is an amazing idea – that we are the aroma, the smell, the fragrance of Christ. To those who accept Christ, we are a fragrance of life, but to those who reject him, we are the fragrance of death.

As the fragrance of Jesus, may people smell him, not me! To whatever degree I am seen, may my life promote Christ!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, make of me a pleasing aroma for Jesus, drawing others to you by the smell of grace, love, and faith exuding from me. Amen.

Your labor is not in vain

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HIGHLIGHT

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

EXPLAIN

After correcting abuses in worship in 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul transitioned to address a fallacy in what some were teaching in Corinth Church: that there is no resurrection of the dead.

Paul forcefully shared the gospel, which is capped off by Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Then Paul engaged the people with logic, asking if there is no resurrection of the dead, then how could Christ have risen from the dead? And if Christ did not rise from the dead, then what basis do we have to believe the gospel?

Paul continued to speak of the resurrection, explaining that when we are raised we will have a new body, an immortal body. Thus, while death stings today, death will one day be swallowed up in victory.

Therefore, we must remain steadfast in the work of the Lord.

APPLY

This scripture is an encouragement to us, firstly, because we can know that we have hope of eternal life. Christ rose from the dead and by his power we will also be raised.

This scripture is also an encouragement simply from the standpoint that while in ourselves we might be discouraged at times, wondering if our attempts to serve God were bearing fruit, we can know that just as God had the power to raise Christ from the dead, God has power to use our feeble efforts for his glory.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to live faithfully for you, serving you with confidence knowing that you receive my “living sacrifice” as acceptable worship, using my life for your glory. Amen.