BULK UP

READING: EPHESIANS 6:10-20

Verse 10: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

This verse exhorts us to be strong in the Lord. In understanding how to do so, we can start with a fact about physical strength. A person naturally gets physically stronger by using the appropriate physical disciplines. However, to become strong in the Lord, a person supernaturally gains strength by using appropriate spiritual disciplines. Here are some thoughts about spiritual disciplines: We should pursue biblical understanding - It makes us complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work. We should pray - Fervent effectual prayers avail much. We should seek godly relationships - The great commandments are to love the Lord and our neighbors. When we work out physically we don’t restrict those disciplines to just one or two parts of our bodies, instead we obtain balance. We also need to be rounded and balanced as we work out spiritually. Growth in each spritual discipline will help with growth in the others. All of the foregoing leads directly to the conclusion that we need to work out spiritually to gain supernatural strength in the Lord. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Do the routines of your life include regular workouts?

2. Is there appropriate balance in your spiritual disciplines?

STARTING WHERE I AM

READING: MARK 9:17-27

Verse 24: “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’”

In order to receive victory in Christ, it is necessary to believe God at some level ---- to turn to Him in faith in some manner. We don’t have to be at the Abraham or Apostle Paul level of faith, but there must be at least some expression of faith if a connection is to take place. In today’s scripture passage, we read of a man at a basic level of faith, who was seeking deliverance for his child. Jesus promised the man that all things are possible to those who believe. The man accepted and believed what Jesus said, but then asked for help with his unbelief. It seems he was not sure his belief was sufficient for the scope of deliverance that was needed, so he asked for help with it. However, the Bible doesn’t say the Lord’s response was to provide more belief. It tells us He delivered the child. Undoubtedly an increase in faith followed, but the victory was granted immediately. What the man had was enough for the victory. We come to the same position as modern day Christians also. There are times when we are unable to have complete faith for the whole measure of need. At those times we must believe Him where we are, and for what we can. We must meet Him with whatever faith we have. When we do that, He will provide the response that will meet the need. He will provide the victory. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How did Jesus help the man’s unbelief?

2. How do we know how much faith we have or need?

DON’T DO IT

READING: EPHESIANS 5:15-21

Verse 17: “Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

This is a simple but powerful verse of scripture. Too frequently people use the gifts that God has provided for us, in unwise manners. For example, plants that have the potential for many good and  godly uses, are instead used to produce harmful addictive substances. The gift of intellect is horribly misused in order to produce steadily worsening means of sinful gratification. The freedom to make choices is abused even to the point of daring to oppose the Lord. Instead of being unwise, we should be guided into wisdom through the will of the Lord. He does not hide His will from those who sincerely seek it. His word even promises that if we seek we will find. That certainly pertains to the gifts of God including His will for us. The Bible is the Lord’s constant and clear means of the revelation of His will for our lives. The Holy Spirit is ever-present to expose the will of the Lord and guide us into it, particularly as we are available to Him in prayer and submission. Participation with Bible believing congregations and the resulting godly fellowship further positions us for discernment and understanding. Blessings are the result for those who allow the will of the Lord to make them wise. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. By what means are you best able to determine the will of God for your self?

2. Do you see need or opportunity to understand God’s will in some particular area of your life?

GOING PLACES

READING: EPHESIANS 2:1-10

Verse 10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before-hand that we should walk in them.”

Some people ride exercise bikes for their health. They get on and ride these bikes for a number of miles, but when they get off they haven’t moved in distance. Although it accomplishes the goal of providing good exercise, this practice does not move riders along to a different place. Our lives in  Christ are not like that. In Him, we do not remain stationary; we are not on bikes that don’t move. As we follow Jesus, He moves us to worthy destinations. An old saying goes: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there”. That, in terms of progress, is kind of like the bike that  doesn’t get anywhere. Neither of them effectively moves a person to some appointed location. We can look at verse 10 above, and see a much better old saying. That verse is not only about progress in getting to a different place, it is about getting to the destinations where the Father would have us go. Spiritually, it is possible to take the bike that goes nowhere, or the road that goes anywhere. Instead, it is a blessing to know that, in Christ, we can reach prescribed places to receive the good works which the Lord has prepared for us. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What can be done when a person has the feeling of being on a bike to nowhere?

2. What is a major good work prepared in advance by the Lord are you now experiencing?

AGREEMENT POWER

READING: MATTHEW 18:16-20

Verse 16: “...buy the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
Verse 19: “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
Verse 20: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

The verses above inform us of what happens when two or more Christians unite with minds that are alike in Christ. At those times, a special power to obtain results is produced. The Bible doesn’t tell us much about how that happens, but does clearly establish for us the expectation that it will occur. This is a great power that is granted when there is agreement among mere people. However, there is an even more enormous source of results that exists. This happens when we, as those mere people, come into agreement with the supernatural greatness of the Lord God Himself. At those times, we become ultimate achievers through our positioning in oneness with Him. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Do you need any change in your spiritual life regarding consistent agreement prayer?

2. What is the main result of agreement with the Lord?

BEING PREPARED

READING: ACTS 3:1-10

Verse 8: “So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them----walking, leaping, and praising God.”

One day Peter and John were on the way to the temple for prayer. At the gate of the temple, they met a man who had been lame since birth. They must have previously passed him many times since he was there every day. On this occasion, however, something very different and spectacular happened. Peter fixed his eyes on the man and pronounced him healed in the name of Jesus. The result of this encounter is described in a familiar biblical phrase that states the man went along with them walking, leaping and praising God. This event powerfully testified of Jesus, and still does so today. The testimony exists because Peter was not in a rut on the way to the temple. Instead he was flexible and sensitive to the Holy Spirit, behavior which is a fine example for all. This scriptural incident gives us the following to consider: What are you like on your way to church? Do you go along in a rut formed by routine, or are you available for a possible call to service as a powerful instrument of God? That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What are you like on your way to church?

2. How does this event testify of the Lord Jesus?

FORGIVENESS PLUS

READING: MATTHEW 4:21-26

Verse 24: “leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Most people who understand scriptural principles know that the Bible commands Believers to forgive those who offend us. Forgiveness is a response that is very basic to Christian living. However, given  human nature, people may find it difficult to consistently and promptly forgive each time they become offended. Regardless of that, Matthew Chapter 5 establishes an even more demanding expectation regarding forgiveness. Each of us is also given the responsibility to initiate forgiveness and reconciliation when we realize that others have something against us. In establishing this expectation, Jesus answers “yes” to the Old Testament question “Am I my brother’s keeper?” He instructs that each of us, in addition to forgiving others, must also reach out to others to help them to forgive. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. It seems the most important question that would come from this reading is: “Do you need to be reconciled with anyone?”

2. At what point should the un-offended person take the initiative toward forgiveness?