Daily Devotion Day 37

 “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." "Perfect" does not mean sinless perfection, but rather spiritual maturity. The test of your faith will drive you to a deeper commitment to Christ. Think about a time when you didn't know what to do and everything seemed hopeless. Those situations should drive you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. He has begun a good work in you and He will not fail you. As you lean on Him, your life will become more stable, godly, and righteous. Then, you will never lack what is important.

Daily Devotion Day 36

 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." The Greek word for "count" means "consider" or "evaluate." Your natural response to a trial is not rejoicing. Yet, that is exactly what James says we are to do. You will have to make a conscious commitment to be joyful in the face of an unpleasant situation. The word "trials" means something that breaks your peace, comfort or joy. God brings or allows these things as an opportunity for you to trust Him more and more. He is in charge of your test and that makes you capable of being joyful because He is there for you.

Lesson Ten of the Quarter: As Sons of God

 Today's lesson comes from Philippians 2: 3-16. This lesson contains one of the most important doctrinal passages in the New Testament. Paul deals with kenosis--the self-emptying, or self-humiliating of Christ. It is overwhelming to think that the Creator of the Universe would humble Himself to the point of becoming man, a mere creature.

The church at Philippi was established by Paul, Silas, and Timothy during Paul's second missionary journey. The church was poor, persecuted, and had withstood much trial, been faithful and they were generous. Paul will now write about the humbled and exalted Christ.

The first section is: "He Humbles Himself." (vv. 3-8) The thrust of Paul's message in this passage is that the readers would have the same "mind" as was in Christ. It starts with humility. Verses 3 and 4 state that we should:

1. Not act in strife (contention) or vainglory (conceit); and

2. Have an unselfish concern for the well-being of others.

The perfect example of humility and selflessness is the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wanted the Philippians to have the same disposition as that of the Saviour. Christ did not cling to His eternal glory and splendor, but He humbled and became a man. Yet, He was also truly God. He "made himself of no reputation." He did not assume and assert the dignity of a divine being. 

Many church disagreements and strife occur because people choose not to live a life of humility. We are to have the mind of Christ and that starts with being humble.

The summary points of this section are:

1. Be concerned with the well-being of others.

2. Stay humble at all times.

3. Having the mind of Christ starts with being humble.

The second section is: "God Exalted Him." vv. 9-11 God has exalted Christ. Christ humbled Himself and then God gave "Him a name which is above every name." The first stage of the exaltation was His resurrection from the dead in which He was "declared to be the Son of God with power." (Rom. 1: 4) Humility first, and then exaltation is the pattern God has set forth. Christ's resurrection prefigures the resurrection of the true Christian. 

The day is coming when the following will occur:

1. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow (verse 10); and 

2. Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (verse 11).

People have a choice: they can make Jesus Lord of their lives now or at a time in the future, they will confess Him Lord, but it will be too late for their eternal souls. Either way, ups will confess Jesus is Lord. 

The summary points of this section are:

1. All will confess Jesus as Lord, either now in this life or at the judgment.

2. Humility precedes exaltation.

3. The entire universe will pay homage to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The third section is: "God Working in You." (vv. 12-16) Having urged the Philippians to be humble as Christ was, now he admonishes them in other aspects of Christian living. He commends them for their obedience to God regardless of whether he was present or not. Paul stresses that they should "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Spiritual disciplines like prayer, faith, and consistency would be the practical way to work out your salvation. 

Verse 12 sets forth man's responsibility in regard to his own individual spiritual well-being. Verse 13 sets forth God's efforts in our behalf. He is working in true believers to bring about His perfect plan in their lives. 

Paul provides some specific advice to the Philippians. Verse 14 commands the readers to "Do all things without murmuring and disputing (argumentative)...." True humility is the key. When one acts with humility, one will not murmur and argue with others. As "the sons of Go," we are to be "blameless" (above accusation of wrong doing) and "harmless" (pure without guile). Since we have partaken of the divine nature, we have God's presence abiding in our hearts. As a result, we are able to live above reproach. We have the privilege of "holding forth the word of life," which is the gospel message that sets the captive free.

We are to take the message of the gospel to all who will listen . "As sons of God," we have His power working within us. It will enable us to be humble, stay humble, and as God works through us, we can reach the lost. That is being a "son of God."

The summary points of this section are:

1. We are to reflect the Son of God to a lost world.

2. We work out our own salvation through spiritual disciplines such as prayer and faith.

3. Don't murmur, complain or argue.

The Golden Text is: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 2:5) We should reflect the Christ-filled life to a lost world. To be Christ-like is to walk in humility and love. As we do, we will be "sons of God," and the world will take notice!

Next week: "Pressing Toward the Mark." (Philippians 3: 3-15)

Daily Devotion Day 35

 “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." Paul tells us that the cross spelled the final doom of Satan and his demons. When Jesus' body died on the cross, His Spirit went to the abode of demons and announced His triumph over sin, Satan, death and hell. Paul then paints a picture of Roman conquerors who, having defeated an enemy, would parade them through the streets of Rome showing everyone who had won the battle. That is exactly what our Lord Jesus Christ did. He has made an open display of His victory. We don't fight the enemy, he has already been defeated, we march along with our victorious Lord and praise His name for doing what He did for us. If you were the only person ever to have lived on the earth, He would have done the same thing (dying on the cross) just for you. Thank Him today.

Daily Devotion Day 34

 “He has made alive together with Him having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us...."  The word "handwriting" referred to the handwritten certificate of debt by which a debtor acknowledged his indebtedness. All people owe God a debt because of sin. Through Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, your debt has been paid. You are spiritually debt free. No matter what happens today, it is so good to know that nothing stands between you and the Creator of the universe. Can you imagine how you would feel if someone came and paid off the mortgage on your home or car. You would feel wonderfully blessed. However, the beauty of cars, houses and material possessions fade, but our spiritual freedom in Christ Jesus will never fade or lose its glory. Best news ever!!!

Daily Devotional Day 33

 “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him having forgiven you all trespasses." Before Jesus Christ saved you, you were dead in sin and trespasses. Things that are dead are powerless to do anything. They are dead. They can't talk, speak, or think (and by this we mean spiritually not physically). However, to the praise of the glory of His name, He made you alive. This means He sent His Holy Spirit into your heart and just like the paddles used in a hospital, He brought you back to life. When you were made new, you were a new creation in Him. Only through an union with Jesus Christ can those dead be made alive. Thank Him today for imparting you spiritual life and making you a new creation! You are alive, not dead.

Daily Devotion Day 32

 “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." Christ possesses the fullness of the divine nature. He is all God and all man. Being in Christ means you are complete. What does this mean? It means that you have been forgiven and saved from the penalty of sin. It means that you are being saved from the power of sin. And one day, you will be delivered from the presence of sin. Christ's imputed righteousness is laid to your account. This means when the Father looks at you, He doesn't see your sins, He sees His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. You have today, right now, all the spiritual resources to live a life that will be pleasing to God. It gets no better than that!!!