Category: 260 Devotional

³ I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. ⁴ As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, ⁷ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹ who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, ¹⁰ and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ¹¹ for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, ¹² which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.¹³ Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

 

Reflection

1. It’s amazing what people are willing to suffer for.  Some are willing to suffer to receive a gold medal.  Some are willing to suffer to reach a mountaintop.  Some are willing to suffer to obtain certain physic.  Others sacrifice home and family to make more money on a job that takes them constantly on the road.
2. Paul asks believers to “share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (v8).  The gospel is the expression of God’s grace, revealed in Christ’s appearance, that announces God’s victory over death and invites everyone to come to Him for “life and immortality” (v10).  Now that is something worth suffering for.  In times of suffering, if we learn to rely on the power of God, they become opportunities for God’s continued effort to transform us into his image.
3. Use this new melody to an old poem by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) to reflect on the cost and blessings of following Jesus.  “God has not promised skies always blue”    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcH0nMt-pTU

 

Proverbs for Today 24:21-22

²¹ My son, fear the Lord and the king,
    and do not join with those who do otherwise,
²² for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
    and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

¹¹ But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,¹⁴ to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,¹⁵ which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

 

REFLECTION

1. Paul talked about some of the things that can mess up a person’s life in the first part of the chapter (vv3-10).  He then told Timothy to run from them and to run toward something else: “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (v11).  Timothy is told to run hard and fast, holding nothing back, why?  To win, of course.  And why do we run to win?  Because this is a race worth winning, and therefore it should engage the whole of us – body and soul, mind and spirit, all our strength, all our time, all our attention, all our heart.
2. There is no time for detours of gossip or dead ends of speculation on the course.  The race is to the swift, not the slacker, to the one who is running hard and fast for the finish line, not the one who is wandering off course on some fanciful side trip.  How well are you running this race?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 24:17-20

¹⁷ Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
    and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
¹⁸ lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
    and turn away his anger from him.

¹⁹ Fret not yourself because of evildoers,
    and be not envious of the wicked,
²⁰ for the evil man has no future;
    the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

¹ Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

³ Honor widows who are truly widows. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.⁵ She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, ⁶ but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. ⁷ Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, ¹⁰ and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

 

REFLECTION

1. The church should care for the widows with no family to care for them.  Widows have been vulnerable individuals throughout the Scripture and God has always shown special concern for their protection. Timothy was to value and honor these windows.  They were to be kept busy and active in the church, and were involved in training the younger women as in Titus 2.
2. How many widows do you know in your extended family, or among your close friends?   How are their needs met?  How is your church doing in caring for people in need?  What endeavors should you make in this area?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 24:13-16

¹³ My son, eat honey, for it is good,
    and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
¹⁴ Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
    if you find it, there will be a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.

¹⁵ Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
    do no violence to his home;
¹⁶ for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
    but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

⁶ If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶ Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

 

REFLECTION

1. Many people go to gym to work out in order to develop themselves physically.  Christians are to “work out” to develop spiritually.  A weight lifter develops his skill by lifting weights.  A Christian develops his ability to live a godly life by making godly choices.  To grow spiritually, you need to concentrate on those acts which show your love for God and for others.
2. On a scale of one to ten – one being spiritual flabbiness and ten being spiritually fit – how would you rate your spiritual fitness?  Why?  How could you make your life a better example for others “in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (v12)?
3. Write these five words on an index card: speech, conduct, love, faith, purity.  Ask God’s help to live out these areas throughout the day.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 24:10-12

¹⁰ If you faint in the day of adversity,
    your strength is small.
¹¹ Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
    hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
¹² If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
    and will he not repay man according to his work?

¹The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ² Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

 

REFLECTION

1. In this passage listed the qualifications for elders/pastors who are charged with spiritual oversight of a local congregation.  Read this passage a few times slowly and carefully noticing the moral expectations presented in this passage.  Let each instruction direct your thoughts to areas in your life that is to be examined by the Holy Spirit.  In which areas does your life look different from the model Paul presented?  (You don’t need to work through the whole passage.)
2. Ask God to help you make small changes so that the transformation may begin in you and that you may display qualities of genuine spiritual life.
3. Pray for the leaders of your church: pastors, ministry committee members, cell leaders, etc.  Pray that their lives may continue to be transformed by God.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 24:5-9

⁵ A wise man is full of strength,
    and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
⁶ for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
    and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
⁷ Wisdom is too high for a fool;
    in the gate he does not open his mouth.

⁸ Whoever plans to do evil
    will be called a schemer.
⁹ The devising of folly is sin,
    and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

¹ First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ² for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ³ This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. ⁷ For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.

 

REFLECTION

1. God “desires all people to be saved” (v4).  This is an important verse if you’ve prayed for unsaved loved ones, and been discouraged by their lack of response.  We know from Scripture that not everyone will be saved. But we also know that God desires all to come to know Christ.  This means that when you pray for any individual’s salvation, you can be confident that what you are praying for is definitely in harmony with God’s wishes and desires.
2. The most effective evangelism is supported by the evidence of “a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (v2). The most powerful aid to the gospel is not sudden fear created by danger, but a growing hunger for the peace and goodness observed in the lives of ordinary Christian.

1. Sit quietly before God and wait.  If you will, lift up hands and pray earnestly for those people and needs that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 24:1-4

¹ Be not envious of evil men,
    nor desire to be with them,
² for their hearts devise violence,
    and their lips talk of trouble.

³ By wisdom a house is built,
    and by understanding it is established;
⁴ by knowledge the rooms are filled
    with all precious and pleasant riches.

¹² I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, ¹³ though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, ¹⁹ holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,²⁰ among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

 

REFLECTION

1. In this paragraph, Paul presented a “before” and “after” of his own life.  Before he met Jesus, he was “a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” (v13).  After he met Christ and experienced the overflow of his grace, Paul became a different man.  Violence is changed into compassion, blasphemy to praise, persecution to brotherly love.
2. This is what is unique about the truth of the gospel.  It isn’t just a collection of true facts, or a compilation of doctrinal data.  The truth of the gospel is vital, transforming, and dynamic.  It can change your life into more vibrant and more like Jesus.
3. Close in prayer by putting your own name in place of the general word sinners in verse 15. Then read verses 16-17 as your own prayer of thanks to God.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 23:33-35

³³ Your eyes will see strange things,
      and your heart utter perverse things.
³⁴ You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
      like one who lies on the top of a mast.
³⁵ “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;
      they beat me, but I did not feel it.
    When shall I awake?
      I must have another drink.”

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

¹³ As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.¹⁴ If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul requested the Thessalonians to pray for him and assured them that he was praying for them. He also encouraged them to deal with problems that needed correction in their church.
2. Some in the Thessalonian church had quit working because they thought Jesus would be back any moment and didn’t see any reason to work hard. Others were taking it easy and lived off the charity of some wealthier members in the church. Paul admonished such laziness, and set the rule “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat “.  How can our laziness affect the work of Christ? What can we do about the laziness of others?
3. Are you idle, a busybody, a worrier, or a workaholic? What is God’s word to you in this passage? Pray that like Paul you will be a good example to others in your attitude toward work.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 23:29-32

²⁹ Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
    Who has redness of eyes?
³⁰ Those who tarry long over wine;
    those who go to try mixed wine.
³¹ Do not look at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup
    and goes down smoothly.
³² In the end it bites like a serpent
    and stings like an adder.

¹ Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,² not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. ³ Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ⁶ And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, ¹⁰ and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹ Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, ¹² in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul warned them that the Day of the Lord will be marked by the appearance of a “lawless” one and counterfeit miracles.  Till then believers are to engage in “every good deed”.
2. After Paul responded to the fear of missing the joy Christ had for the Thessalonians if they died before Christ returned (1 Thess 4:13-18), someone apparently tried to convince them that the day of the Lord had already come.  So, Paul stressed the events that must take place at the beginning of the day of the Lord and the lawlessness of that period.
3. The man of lawlessness is referred to a person commonly referred to as the Antichrist. Here Paul picked up the emphasis seen in Daniel (9:25-27) and in Christ’s teachings: the Antichrist arrogantly “opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship”.  He even “takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God”.
4. Paul also warned that the end times will be marked by the sudden emergence of the supernatural into the realm of nature.  Miracles will be performed, but this time, by the Antichrist, through power of Satan. Our only protection against Satan is found in Christ.  But in Christ, our protection is guaranteed.  The Lord Jesus will overthrow the Antichrist and Satan as well “by the appearance of his coming.”
5. Even for Christians, the lawless one will bring fear and testing. What can you do to prepare yourself to withstand him?  Talk openly with God about any fears or concerns you have regarding the future.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 23:26-28

²⁶ My son, give me your heart,
    and let your eyes observe my ways.
²⁷ For a prostitute is a deep pit;
    an adulteress is a narrow well.
²⁸ She lies in wait like a robber
    and increases the traitors among mankind.

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.⁴ Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

⁵ This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,¹⁰ when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 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, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul thanked God for the tremendous growth in the faith, love and perseverance of the Thessalonians.  They kept their faith while going through much persecution, this is evidence that God is just.  God will repay the persecutors but grant relief to the believers.  Paul prayed often for them that God may be glorified in them.
2. The Thessalonians endured persecutions and afflictions.  And this became evidence that God’s judgment was right because God did not leave them to their own resources but provided strength to endure, and this in turn produced spiritual and moral character.  It also proved that God was on their side and gave a warning to their persecutors.
3. How can God’s justice encourage you when things are “just not fair”?
4. If someone were to pray for you as Paul did in verses 11-12, what is one specific way in which you would want God to change your life?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 23:22-25

²² Listen to your father who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.
²³ Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
²⁴ The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
²⁵ Let your father and mother be glad;
    let her who bore you rejoice.

¹² We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.¹⁵ See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies, ²¹ but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

²³ Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.²⁴ He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

²⁵ Brothers, pray for us.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: In view of Christ’s imminent return, Paul reminded the Thessalonians to be ready to meet the Lord at any time. He then closed this letter with various specific instructions.
2. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances”, these three teachings are totally contrary to our human nature.  However, as we learn to obey God’s word wholeheartedly, we will develop different perspectives toward people, and things, and we will then discover that to be joyful and thankful isn’t that difficult after all, but rather is the natural outpouring of our hearts.
3. Write down three things you are thankful for and offer your praise and thanksgiving to God!

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 23:19-21

¹⁹ Hear, my son, and be wise,
    and direct your heart in the way.
²⁰ Be not among drunkards
    or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
²¹ for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
    and slumber will clothe them with rags.

¹ Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, ⁵ not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶ that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. ⁷ For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. ⁸ Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

⁹ Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, ¹⁰ for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, ¹¹ and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, ¹² so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul urged his readers to continue living as they have been instructed by Paul.  They are to live with a motive to please God by obeying God’s will – to avoid sexual immorality, and to love fellow-Christians.  All who belong to Christ will be raised at Christ’s return.
2. The call to holiness is a call to sever ties with sin and follow Christ in our daily life.  As we go along our journey of following Jesus, we are called to seek after a life of holiness—one that is different than that of the world—and one that we can only live by God’s grace and Spirit at work within us.
3. Take a moment to consider your surroundings, the competitive workplace, the stressful family life, or busy studies.  Pray that the Holy Spirit work within you to teach and guide you and show you specific aspects in your life that you need to seek to live out a life of holiness in all areas of your being.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 23:15-18

¹⁵ My son, if your heart is wise,
    my heart too will be glad.
¹⁶ My inmost being will exult
    when your lips speak what is right.
¹⁷ Let not your heart envy sinners,
    but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
¹⁸ Surely there is a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.

¹ Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, ³ that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. ⁴ For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. ⁵ For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— ⁷ for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, ¹⁰ as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, ¹² and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, ¹³ so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul expressed his great desire to see the Thessalonians again and explained how news of their continuing steadfastness gladdened his heart. He said these things to encourage them further to persevere in their faith and service.
2. The Thessalonians’ testimony of faith and love comforted and encouraged Paul.  Similarly, your testimony can also provide much needed encouragement to fellow believers, your cell leaders, Sunday school teachers, and your pastors.  We can also be encouraged by the stories of other members of our community of faith.
3. Have you had the privilege of hearing the testimony of a fellow believer?  Is there anyone at church you’d like to share your experiences or reflections with?   Pray that God will use your sharing to encourage that person.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 23:12-14

¹² Apply your heart to instruction
    and your ear to words of knowledge.
¹³ Do not withhold discipline from a child;
    if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
¹⁴ If you strike him with the rod,
    you will save his soul from Sheol.

¹ For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. ³ For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, ⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵ For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹ For you know how, like a father with his children, ¹² we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul reminded his readers that he had been persecuted for his preaching and claimed that his message was true, his motives pure, and his methods straightforward.  He encouraged them not to abandon the gospel.
2. For Paul, evangelism was always delightful and exciting.  He has been a faithful servant of God with the motive not to win the approval of the Thessalonians, but to please God who knows our hearts and our motivations.  His attitude toward the Thessalonians was gentle and unselfish like a nursing mother.  Paul gave himself, not just his message, to the Thessalonians out of love for them, not for personal gain.  This is the secret of Paul’s success—the continual and selfless giving of his all to people whom he loved dearly.
3. How do you feel about telling others about your faith? Talk with God about any fears or guilt you experience.  Ask God to give you encouragement to be a gentle and loving evangelist.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

 

Proverbs for Today 23:9-11

⁹ Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
    for he will despise the good sense of your words.
¹⁰ Do not move an ancient landmark
    or enter the fields of the fatherless,
¹¹ for their Redeemer is strong;
    he will plead their cause against you.

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

² We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, ³ remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,⁵ because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. ⁶ And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. ⁹ For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul praised God for the Thessalonians’ steadfastness and evidences of their true conversion.
2. For Christians, faith, love and hope are not just abstract ideas.  We see in the example of the church of Thessalonica that their faith, love and hope were very real and were manifested through their actions.  These actions then became an example and a source of joy for Paul and other churches who heard about what God was doing among the Thessalonians.
3. What do you think your reputation is with non-Christians?  How can your faith (and the faith of your church or small group) become more of a witness to others?
4.  Ask God to make you a genuine witness, and pray for the witness of your church.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

 

Proverbs for Today 23:5-8

⁵ When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
    for suddenly it sprouts wings,
    flying like an eagle toward heaven.
⁶ Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy;
    do not desire his delicacies,
⁷ for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.
    “Eat and drink!” he says to you,
    but his heart is not with you.
⁸ You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten,
    and waste your pleasant words.

² Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: In this last chapter, Paul shows that witnessing involves prayer, living and speaking. His closing greetings illustrate many ways Christians help and encourage each other.
2. Expressing Christ in our lives is vital to an effective witness.  But it is not enough.  The gospel is a message delivered in words, and authenticated by life.  Both word and life must be shared and accompanied by fervent prayers before the Lord.
3. How well are you in sharing the gospel?  Which do you need to improve (in word or life) to become more effective in advancing the gospel?
4. Use verses 3-4 to pray for yourself, your church leaders and missionaries. Ask God to make you aware of every opportunity to encourage nonbelievers to consider Jesus.

Proverbs for Today 23:1-4

¹ When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
    observe carefully what is before you,
² and put a knife to your throat
    if you are given to appetite.
³ Do not desire his delicacies,
    for they are deceptive food.
⁴ Do not toil to acquire wealth;
    be discerning enough to desist.

 

¹ If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

⁵ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ On account of these the wrath of God is coming. ⁷ In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. ⁸ But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. ¹¹ Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

¹² Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: True spiritual reality is experienced and expressed in rejection of evil and a transformed character. We recognize Christ in the Christian’s life by the love and mutual submission expressed in every relationship.
2. Read the passage and consider these segments included in the process of putting on the new life.

–           A new life is possible (vv3-4)

–           Get rid of the old life (v5)

–           Put on the new life (v12-14)

–           Inner thoughts and behavior needed to put on new life (vv15-17)

1. Which part speaks to you most right now?  Why?  How does that idea relate to the other parts?  How does it relate to love “which binds them all together in perfect harmony”?
2. Pray to God the part that speaks to you, personalizing it.

 

Proverbs for Today 22:26-29

²⁶ Be not one of those who give pledges,
    who put up security for debts.
²⁷ If you have nothing with which to pay,
    why should your bed be taken from under you?
²⁸ Do not move the ancient landmark
    that your fathers have set.
²⁹ Do you see a man skillful in his work?
    He will stand before kings;
    he will not stand before obscure men.

⁶ Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, ¹⁰ and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. ¹¹ In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.¹³ And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴ by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

¹⁶ Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, ¹⁹ and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Understanding life in Christ, and we won’t be taken in by substitutes for true spirituality.
2. In v8, Paul criticized the Colossian false teaching that is not based on God’s revelation in Christ but the “misleading philosophy and empty deception based on traditions fabricated by mere mortals. These are sourced in the elementary principles originating in this world and not in the Anointed One (so don’t let their talks capture you)”.  (The Voice)
3. In this passage, it was clear that the “elemental spirits of this world” refer to the rituals and rules of the Old Testament (vv16-17).  The legalistic false teachers were probably advocating obedience to the Law of Moses for justification and sanctification.
4. Silently reread verses 9-15, inserting your name every time Paul says you or us. How do these facts affect your view of yourself?
5. Consider the fact that we are made complete in Christ. Let your prayer and praise to arise out of that fact.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 22:22-25

²² Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
    or crush the afflicted at the gate,
²³ for the Lord will plead their cause
    and rob of life those who rob them.
²⁴ Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
    nor go with a wrathful man,
²⁵ lest you learn his ways
    and entangle yourself in a snare.

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

²¹ And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, ²² he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, ²³ if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Without Christ, Christianity is nothing.  Paul offered prayers for the Colossians (vv3-14), and made a profound affirmation of Christ’s supremacy (vv15-23) and his living presence in the believer (vv24-29).
2. We often hear: “All roads lead to Rome. Everyone is eventually going to the same place. How can Christians say Jesus is the only way to God?” What is your response?
3. In this passage, Paul adamantly declared Christ’s supremacy over every being and every idea. It is the central truth of Christian faith.  Christ is Lord over all creation and is the reconciler between God and his creation.  Our lives are built upon it, shaped in every way by it.  Through Christ’s reconciliation we may be given back to God holy, blameless, and irreproachable.  God is the all-powerful ruler of heaven and earth.  God expresses his supreme power in this world in the person of Jesus.  God still expresses His supreme power in this world – through us!
4. Silently reread verses 21-23, inserting your name every time Paul says you. What emotion, phrases, or thoughts come to you?  What insight do you have about Jesus Christ, your new life in Him?  Talk to God, wait and listen to Him speaking to you.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 22:19-21

¹⁹ That your trust may be in the Lord,
    I have made them known to you today, even to you.
²⁰ Have I not written for you thirty sayings
    of counsel and knowledge,
²¹ to make you know what is right and true,
    that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

¹⁴ Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. ¹⁵ And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. ¹⁶ Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. ¹⁸ I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul exhorted the Philippian Christians (vv1-9), gave a most unusual thank-you note (vv10-20), and added final greetings (vv21-23).
2. Many people believe they can only be content and happy once they have reached a certain level of economic prosperity. How does their view differ from Paul’s secret of contentment?  How is your view compared with Paul’s?  How can you become a better giver? Or a better receiver?
3. Richard Foster defines “simplicity” as “an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle” (Celebration of Discipline).  According to Paul, what is the inward reality?  How close are you to experiencing this in your life?  What can you do to encourage it?
4. Pray for Christian workers you know, that they would have the emotional and financial support they need.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 22:17-18

¹⁷ Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
    and apply your heart to my knowledge,
¹⁸ for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips.

¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

² Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³ For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul had abandoned confidence in his own works (vv1-6) to trust Christ completely (vv7-11).  All mature believers will follow Paul’s example and press toward this goal (vv12-17), eagerly awaiting Christ’s return and our transformation (vv18-21).
2. Paul had credentials: his family heritage, education, and zeal.  These would have secured him a prominent place in the society.  But Paul’s encounter with Christ radically changed him.  When Paul met the risen Christ, his resume did nothing for him.  What mattered now was relationship with Christ.  Christians learn to recognize and abandon those things that must be counted as losses (possessions, credentials, attitudes, etc.) in light of our encounter with Christ (the gain of our relationship with Christ).
3. What are the things that you count “gain” but actually are “loss” and may become “weight and sin that clings so closely” (Heb 12:1) for your heaven-bound journey?  How can you change your perspective and consider everything as secondary to knowing Jesus as your Lord?
4. Sing this song meditatively as your prayer of dedication to God – “All I once held dear” by Robin Mark.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09CzdMszUos

All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you,
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, you’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love you, Lord

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 22:13-16

¹³ The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
    I shall be killed in the streets!”
¹⁴ The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit;
    he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.
¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
¹⁶ Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
    or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

¹ So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but inhumility count others more significant than yourselves.⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul urged the Philippian Christians to imitate Jesus Christ who being equal with God yet whose incarnation and life are the supreme example of humility (vv1-18).  He commended two men he was about to send to Philippi (vv19-30).
2. Here Paul encouraged Christians to look at the attitude of humility Jesus displayed, and adopt it in our relationships with others.  Whatever basis we might have for believing we are better than others, all pale to utter insignificance when we see Jesus, willing to abandon His rightful claim of full equality with God, to not only become a human being, but even to die on a cross.
3. It’s no wonder that Christians have been considered weak, dull, too scrupulous or too cowardly, to make it big in the world.  What the world doesn’t understand is that Christians choose humility not out of weakness, but out of strength.
4. How would things change if you consistently applied v v3-8 in your family? Church?  Work?  Which do you need to work on now?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 22:9-12

⁹ Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
    for he shares his bread with the poor.
¹⁰ Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,
    and quarreling and abuse will cease.
¹¹ He who loves purity of heart,
    and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
¹² The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance.  Paul thanked God and prayed for his partners in the gospel (vv1-11). He assured them that his imprisonment had been a good thing (vv12-26), and encouraged them to stand firm together (vv27-30).
2. Have any of your good friends ever told you what they appreciate about you? Have you ever listened while others prayed for you? If so, how do you feel when you are assured that others care for you?
3. As you read the passage, try to imagine yourself sitting with your whole church listening to this letter as if it’s written for your church. What emotion, phrases, or thoughts come to you?  Allow God to speak to you about what that word or phrase means and listen to what He has to say.
4. Take a few minutes to put Paul’s prayer into your own words.  Use this to pray for your church and your group.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

 

Proverbs for Today 22:5-8

⁵ Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
    whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go;
    even when he is old he will not depart from it.
⁷ The rich rules over the poor,
    and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
⁸ Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
    and the rod of his fury will fail.

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

Reflection

1. Paul examines mutual responsibilities of children and parents (v1-4), and of slaves and masters (v5-9).  Paul reviewed the teaching of this letter, picturing the resources God had provided as a soldier’s armor (v10-20), and closes with brief greetings (v21-24).
2. Ephesians is a book about the church. In it Paul presented Christ’s church as a body, a family, and a holy temple. Each of these images calls for Christians to live together in love and unity. It is this dominant theme of the book that helps us understand the nature of the devil’s schemes, and the armor God has provided us to use in withstanding them. Simply, the devil’s schemes in Ephesians are his strategies for disrupting the unity of the church. And the armor of God is God’s resource for maintaining unity.
3. Use the following as you pray about your fight in spiritual warfare.

Dear God,

Keep my mind free from worry and from being controlled by my own plans.  Instead, I ask for the mind of Christ.  (Helmet of salvation )

Thank you that Jesus died for me that I can be righteous in your sight.  Please give me a heart of love like Christ’s. (Breastplate of Righteousness)

Please help me see the truth about myself and the situations around me through the mirror of your Scriptures.  (Belt of Truth)

Help me to be aware of the nudges of the Holy Spirit today everywhere I go and help me to be ready to share the gospel on these nudges.  (Shoes of Gospel of Peace) 

Help me to trust you and believe that you are always with me. (Shield of Faith)

Come Holy Spirit and empower me today.  (Sword of the Spirit)

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 22:1-4

¹ A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
    and favor is better than silver or gold.
² The rich and the poor meet together;
    the Lord is the maker of them all.
³ The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
    but the simple go on and suffer for it.
⁴ The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
    is riches and honor and life.

⁷ But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”

⁹ (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) ¹¹ And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

 

Reflection

1. Paul encouraged them to preserve unity (v1-3), he laid down the foundation for unity (v4-6), listed the many gifts God has given to the church (v7-11), and explained how to use these gifts in love and truth in order to build up the body of Christ into maturity (v12-16). Starting verse 17, Paul began to admonish believers who have put off the old self and put on the new self to start living the new life in true righteousness and holiness. The last part of this chapter, Paul encouraged believers to live a holy life.
2. The church is a diverse body composed of many different people who must give attention to preserve their unity. The Spirit gives gifts to every believer so that, by all of us exercising these gifts, we will build each other up to be more and more like Christ, thus to preserve the unity of the church.
3. This list of gifts (v11) is by no means exhaustive.  Similar lists appear in Paul’s other letters.  Here, Paul says that the purpose of these gifts is “to train Christ’s followers, so that the body of Christ may be built up”.
4. What gifts has God given you?  How are you using them?  Thank God for the gifts he’s given you and other members of the church.  Pray that you will do your part to help build up the church.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 21:25-28

²⁵ The desire of the sluggard kills him,
    for his hands refuse to labor.
²⁶ All day long he craves and craves,
    but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
    how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
²⁸ A false witness will perish,
    but the word of a man who hears will endure.

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  ²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

 

Reflection

1. In the second half of the previous chapter, Paul looks at the salvation for the Gentiles.  Through Christ’s dying on the cross, Gentiles and Jews are reconciled and became one in the new community – church. In this chapter, Paul explained that the goal of his ministry is to display God’s wisdom in bringing different peoples into a unified church (v1-13). Since God has blessed us so greatly, Paul prayed that believers (and all Christians) would comprehend fully the extent of God’s love for them (vv. 14-21).
2. Paul repeatedly mentions “love” and “power” in this passage.  He earnestly desired that God’s people be “rooted and established in love” in order that we have power “together with all the saints” to grasp and know the love of Christ (vv18-19).  How can we grasp or understand love?  By experiencing the width and length and height and depth of the love of Christ.  What do you learn about power and love in these verses?
3. The mark of a truly spiritual church is still, “See how they love one another.”  With today’s passage in mind, pray for your church that you, as a church family, may bear the mark of “loving one another” and may experience deeply the love of Christ.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 21:21-24

²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life, righteousness, and honor.
²² A wise man scales the city of the mighty
    and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
²³ Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
    keeps himself out of trouble.
²⁴ “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
    who acts with arrogant pride.

¹ And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 

Reflection

1. Paul explained how all spiritual blessings given by God (ch 1) actually became reality to each believer.  He contrasted what the believer was before regeneration with what he or she is after. All the glory for the change goes to God who provided salvation for people. God gave us life and called us to good works, that his grace might be displayed. We do not need to do good works to merit salvation.
2. One of the best-known verses in the book of Ephesians is 2:8, “By grace you have been saved, through faith.”
3. Focus on God’s graciousness to you in the past days, weeks and months. Allow yourself to experience the depth of his goodness. Respond to him in prayer and praise.
4. Sing “Amazing Grace” meditatively and continue conversation with God.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now, I see.

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snare, we have already come.
T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far and Grace will lead us home

When we’ve been here ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’ve first begun.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 21:18-20

¹⁸ The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
    and the traitor for the upright.
¹⁹ It is better to live in a desert land
    than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
²⁰ Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling,
    but a foolish man devours it.

¹⁵ For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, ¹⁶ I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹⁸ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ²⁰ that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²² And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 

Reflection

1. Paul began the body of his letter by revealing the spiritual blessings that God has planned for believers in His Son. (v3-14) He then prayed that they would appreciate and appropriate these good things in their own lives. He moved from benediction to intercession.(v15-23)
2. Paul’s prayer for the believers is that they might come to know God intimately (v17). This is so that we might better appreciate all spiritual blessings God’s given us:
   the past: calling to salvation that gives us hope (v18), the future: inheritance that we constitute for God (v18), and the present: power of God available to us (v19).
   God manifested this power in the past in Christ’s resurrection and ascension (v20-21). He will manifest it in the future by making Jesus Christ the head over all creation (v22). He is now manifesting this power in Jesus Christ’s headship over the church (v23).
3. When you pray for fellow Christians, how do you usually pray for them? In what ways would you like your prayers be more like Paul’s?
4. Use Paul’s prayer in vv17-19 to pray for the individuals in your church.  How does praying this prayer affect your appreciation of God, yourself, the individuals you are praying for?  What will happen if your group prayed these verses every week for each other? Try it and see.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 21:15-17

¹⁵ When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
    but terror to evildoers.
¹⁶ One who wanders from the way of good sense
    will rest in the assembly of the dead.
¹⁷ Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
    he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

¹ Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. ⁵ For each will have to bear his own load.

 ⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. ⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

Reflection

1. Being free from the Mosaic Law does not mean being free from responsibility. In this section Paul explained various responsibilities that Christians have to one another to clarify the will of God for them. Manifesting the fruit of the Spirit is not a mystical experience. Paul said spirituality is evident in personal relationships (vv. 1-5) and in the use of money (vv. 6-10).
2. Reading through this passage slowly once or twice again.  At each responsibility Paul mentioned, and ask if God is speaking to you on a particular area?
3. Paul expressed a basic truth. We can now choose our way of life. But God has chosen the consequences.  What is the path you choose?
4. What can you do this week to “sow to please the Spirit” (v8)?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 21:12-14

¹² The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
    he throws the wicked down to ruin.
¹³ Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
    will himself call out and not be answered.
¹⁴ A gift in secret averts anger,
    and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy,^[d] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

Reflection

1. In this chapter, Paul moved from doctrine to practice. He taught that justification brought freedom for Christians while legalism bondage (v1-15). Genuine faith will bring good works, and  walking by the Spirit will lead not to gratifying the flesh (v16-21), and produce the fruit of the Spirit (v22-26).
2. Having ruled out the Mosaic Law as a regulatory standard for Christian behavior, Paul proceeded to explain that the indwelling and transforming Holy Spirit now leads us, but we must be careful to follow His leading.
3. Therefore, the life of discipleship, of following Jesus, and of holiness is not defined by what we do or not do.  It is characterized by vibrant, and robust living by the Spirit.  If we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit, we are free to say no to the “desires of the flesh”.
4. Have you ever asked the Holy Spirit for guidance when facing a problem?  What happened?  If you haven’t ever asked, try it today.  Watch and see if it changes your perception of the problem?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 21:9-11

⁹ It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil;
    his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
¹¹ When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
    when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.