For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
TO PONDER
Faith that is genuine will produce lives of moral goodness, but it doesn't come easy, it still requires some determination and effort. Christians faith will grow in us a desire to know more of God, and this in turn Leads us to self-control and endurance, leading to godliness. As we come to know more of God and His ways, we will love others more. We are increasingly able to to strive to possess and exhibit all these virtues; in other words, we are not to content ourselves with a single grace, but are to cultivate all the virtues, and to endeavour to make our piety complete in all the relationships which we sustain.
PRAYER
God, by your Word and Spirit you have brought me to faith in you. You have made me in your image and your Spirit dwells within me. Yet this is not all that you have for me. Help me not to be content with settling for the way things are now, but give me a hunger and desire to know you more. Help me to grow in faith, obedience and love. Grant me the strength to endure in all things and to always bring praise and honour to you. Amen
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
TO PONDER
The whole purpose, and the whole intent of God's placing people upon the earth is that we would live in a right relationship with him; a relationship in which we love, honour and obey him. All other things are dependent upon the creator and almighty God. To revere God and to obey Him is our purpose, it is the reason for our being. This includes internal devotion to him, faithfully exhibiting the fruits and gifts of the Spirit; to revere God, to love him, have faith in him, and in his Son Jesus Christ. The fear and love of God leads us into fruitful obedience of his will and commandments with a view to glorify him and lead others to do likewise.
PRAYER
Lord God, Creator of All, You created us to love, praise, worship and obey you. Help me to grow in my devotion and obedience to you and your word, and make my life one that boldly demonstrates my love of you and faith in you. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
TO PONDER
Life as a Christian can be an effort at times. As runners in a race strain to the full to win the prize, so Christians should put all their effort into whatever is fit for Christian to do. So run in the Christian race, that you may obtain the prize of glory, the eternal crown. So live; so deny yourselves; so make constant exertion, chase down all the things that God has promised to those who follow his son Jesus.
The picture of running reminds us of not only commitment and perseverance, but that we may encounter difficult terrain and other unfavourable conditions. Being a Christian is possible for all, but it is not always an easy way of life, but each step we take brings us closer to our ultimate prize, eternal life with our God and King.
PRAYER
Lord God, life with you is full of blessings. Help me not to become lazy in following you, lead me to repentance when I falter. Don’t let me be tempted or diverted from the path you set for me, and keep my eyes fully fixed on Christ, so I may run the race and win the prize. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
TO PONDER
A reminder to all who have received grace and eternal life from God that are free from condemnation of sin. It reminded us that God has a task for each of us to complete. We are overseers of the flock of God. That is not a duty we may have chosen for ourselves but a duty for which we have been chosen by God. The servants of the good shepherd must also be shepherds of the sheep. It is a tsk that is ours until God calls us to be with him.
The temptation and distraction of the world is never far away. Where truth is, falsehood ever attacks. There is a constant warfare ahead to keep the faith and finish the race. Remember, you have good news!
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, sometimes the task of proclaiming your word seems to big for me, too difficult to achieve. Help me to remember that I am safest when I walk where you lead me – even if at times that path feels dangerous and risky. Help me to overcome anything that prevents me from proclaiming your gospel message to the world.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
TO PONDER
Life isn't going to be easy because you don’t belong to this world. When you walk with Jesus Christ you are out of step with the world. The world doesn't like you because you cause them to feel shame and guilt. They are offended. Their response is that of striking out, of persecuting. Christ is our example and look what they did to Him.
In running the race, the prize of winning is the incentive, the glory that comes to the victor, the joy of victory. In Christ's case, it was the joy of being able to bring to us victory over sin, the joy of being able to redeem us from our lost condition. For us, the joy is knowing I'm doing what God wants me to do. My life is in harmony with the eternal plan of God.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, please help me to put aside those things that pull me off course and distract me from following you. Help me to endure the hardship and worry of this life, knowing the reward that awaits me in eternity with you.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
TO PONDER
Unity is the ideal among the body of Christ, a state of harmony, because it is his will for us. The purpose of such unity is that the praise and glorification of God should be uncorrupted by strife and division. "One mouth" and "one accord" are expressions forbidding that strife and contradictions should mar the praise of God by his children and that absolute unity should be the sign of their loving service. Most have experienced the joy that comes from being part of a unified and happy group. This same joy can exist in the Lord’s body, so God wants the church to be unified under Jesus’ name.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help us, your church, as we minister to each other in your love and through your Word. May all we do bring glory to you as we live this life of love, unity and patience with one another.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands...
TO PONDER:
Some of the most inspirational moments I have experienced in life have been in worship - both formal and informal worship. A few years ago I was in a conference, and the speaker played a certain song with a certain rhythm and a whole group at the conference stood up, started dancing and singing and broke out in spontaneous worship. It was awesome, majestic and a privilege to participate in. It was so infectious that everyone in the room joined in, people of all nations and ethnicities gathered around the throne of God's grace. The following Sunday we worshiped at an African American Church and the energy was breathtaking as the diverse people of God gathered together to worship God. I've experienced it in Thailand and Cambodia as the worship of God's people wraps us up, draws us in, makes us one and involves us in a celebration of who God is. There is nothing like it. It's a glimpse of heaven on earth, a foretaste of what we will experience forever in heaven. What a gift and privilege to be part of a community like this. What a joy to celebrate the oneness we have in Christ. What a victory we share...even now...every time we gather together as the family of God! Immerse yourself in it!
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the victory you have won for me. Thank you for the community you have created me to be a part of. Together may we glorify you. Amen.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,
TO PONDER
Have you ever felt like you just don't fit in? That no matter what you do, no matter how much you try to break into a group, to form deeper friendships, that deep down there is this overwhelming feeling you get that you just don't belong. If you have ever moved from a city into a small community, you may have felt it. If you have ever moved from one church to another, you may have experienced it. If your kids have changed schools, you may be acutely aware of it. But the inherent need to belong, to be a part of something greater than yourself lies within each of us. When it comes to your walk with Jesus, are you living like an insider or outsider? Are you living as one with full access and privilege to God and his abundant blessings or are you still trying to prove to God that you belong or fit in?
Paul tells us today that we do belong. We have been brought into a family where we are included, loved, and embraced by God. We are not just tolerated, put up with, or treated with politeness. We are welcomed and given access to everything that God has. He has moved us from being outsiders to insiders. He has made us privileged people. Earlier in the chapter, Paul tells us that once we were outsiders, once we didn't fit in, once the reality is that we didn't belong to God. But Christ has changed that. Christ has gone out of his way to come to us, die for us, and make us a part of his family forever. Always included. Always embraced. Always welcome. Always loved. You belong forever. May that be the reality in which you go about your day today.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank you that by your grace, I always belong to you and with you. Work through me to help those I meet today experience a love and belonging that only you can give. Amen.
If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
TO PONDER:
Droughts, floods, fires, cyclones, pandemics. We have seen it all over the last few years especially. One disaster after another. Now we are seeing inflation and the rising cost of living increase like we haven't seen in decades. Families are under pressure. Businesses are under pressure. Churches are under pressure. Things need to change. In the midst of this, these words from 2 Chronicles 7 re-centre us and remind us that God who calls us into relationship with him, desires to see restoration for our lives and our land. He is in control when the world is out of control. He is Lord over all creation, even when the created world doesn't acknowledge it. These words call us as a community of faith to return to God who has called us to him. Hear the desire of God's heart....my people are to call on my name and seek my face...and I will hear...and I will forgive...and I will heal.
As you step out into today...remember who you are before God...remember he is in control. The change we need in our lives...and in this world...begins and ends with God who so loved this world, who so loved you, that he gave his one and only Son. Let him do his work of revival and reformation in this world through you, his people.
PRAYER:
Lord God, in the midst of a stressful and broken world, you are faithful and true. Help me never forget that you are in control and help me to live in prayerful hope and trust as you use me to be a part of the healing that this world so desperately needs. Amen.