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Sunday, March 31, 2019
Heedfulness or Hypocrisy in Ourselves? by Oswald Chambers
The Trustworthy Character of God by Charles Stanley
Whom do you trust? It isn’t easy to find many people who are true to their word. At some point, we all learn the hard way that anyone other than almighty God can disappoint us. Let’s look at the Lord’s character to discover why He can be trusted.
• He is the one true God. Back in Old Testament times, it was common for people to actually carve and worship a false god. Today, it is more typical to idolize something unseen, such as wealth, power, fame, or relationships. These can consume our passion, money, and time—and in the end leave us fruitless and empty. Jehovah, on the other hand, is alive and real, ready to be intimately involved in our lives.
• God is truth, and He is always faithful (John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Unlike sinful man, the Lord is trustworthy—and everything that He says will happen comes to pass. Our sovereign God has all power and is in control of every situation.
• Christ loves us unconditionally. How can we ever doubt His love when He willingly gave His life in our place? And His love is based not on our behavior or status but on His character alone.
• The heavenly Father is unchanging. All of the above are timeless attributes that will forever be true.
God can be trusted. So don’t give Him just the easy concerns; rely upon your Creator for everything. He desires a personal relationship with His beloved and is able to guide each believer through life victoriously. In a changing, suspicious world, you have a Friend who is 100 percent reliable.
The Greatest Gift by Xochitl Dixon
The Greatest Gift
Over the years, my friend Barbara has given me countless encouraging cards and thoughtful presents. After I told her I’d received Jesus as my Savior, she handed me the greatest gift she’d ever given me—my first Bible. She said, “You can grow closer to God and mature spiritually by meeting with Him daily, reading Scripture, praying, and trusting and obeying Him.” My life changed when Barbara invited me to get to know God better.
Barbara reminds me of the apostle Philip. After Jesus invited Philip to follow Him (John 1:43), the apostle immediately told his friend Nathanael that Jesus was “the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote” (v. 45). When Nathanael doubted, Philip didn’t argue, criticize, or give up on his friend. He simply invited him to meet Jesus face to face. “Come and see,” he said (v. 46).
I can imagine Philip’s joy when he heard Nathanael declare Jesus as “the Son of God” and “the king of Israel” (v. 49). What a blessing to know his friend wouldn’t miss out on seeing the “greater things” Jesus promised they’d witness (vv. 50–51).
The Holy Spirit initiates our intimate relationship with God and then lives in all who respond in faith. He enables us to know Him personally and to invite others to encounter Him daily through His Spirit and the Scriptures. An invitation to know Jesus better is a great gift to receive and give.
Barbara reminds me of the apostle Philip. After Jesus invited Philip to follow Him (John 1:43), the apostle immediately told his friend Nathanael that Jesus was “the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote” (v. 45). When Nathanael doubted, Philip didn’t argue, criticize, or give up on his friend. He simply invited him to meet Jesus face to face. “Come and see,” he said (v. 46).
I can imagine Philip’s joy when he heard Nathanael declare Jesus as “the Son of God” and “the king of Israel” (v. 49). What a blessing to know his friend wouldn’t miss out on seeing the “greater things” Jesus promised they’d witness (vv. 50–51).
The Holy Spirit initiates our intimate relationship with God and then lives in all who respond in faith. He enables us to know Him personally and to invite others to encounter Him daily through His Spirit and the Scriptures. An invitation to know Jesus better is a great gift to receive and give.
To whom will you extend an invitation to know Jesus better? How has He worked through others to grow your faith?
Knowing Jesus is the greatest gift we can receive; sharing Him is the greatest gift we can give.
March 31 / Streams in the Desert
The wind was contrary (Matt. 14:24).
Rude and blustering the winds of March often are. Do they not typify the tempestuous seasons of my life? But, indeed, I ought to be glad that I make acquaintance with these seasons. Better it is that the rains descend and the floods come than that I should stay perpetually in the Lotus Land where it seems always afternoon, or in that deep meadowed Valley of Avilion where never wind blows loudly. Storms of temptation appear cruel, but do they not give intenser earnestness to prayer? Do they not compel me to seize the promises with a tighter hand grip? Do they not leave me with a character refined?
Storms of bereavement are keen; but, then, they are one of the Father's ways of driving me to Himself, that in the secret of His presence His voice may speak to my heart, soft and low. There is a glory of the Master which can be seen only when the wind is contrary and the ship tossed with waves.
"Jesus Christ is no security against storms, but He is perfect security in storms. He has never promised you an easy passage, only a safe landing."
Oh, set your sail to the heavenly gale,
And then, no matter what winds prevail,
No reef can wreck you, no calm delay;
No mist shall hinder, no storm shall stay;
Though far you wander and long you roam
Through salt sea sprays and o'er white sea foam,
No wind that can blow but shall speed you Home.
--Annie Johnson Flint
And then, no matter what winds prevail,
No reef can wreck you, no calm delay;
No mist shall hinder, no storm shall stay;
Though far you wander and long you roam
Through salt sea sprays and o'er white sea foam,
No wind that can blow but shall speed you Home.
--Annie Johnson Flint
Come, Bless the Lord by David Bast
Come, Bless the Lord
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2019
Read: Psalm 134
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants . . . who stand by night in the house of the Lord! (v. 1).
The first time I sang the hymn “The Day Thou Gavest,” I remember liking it instantly.
We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping,
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.
What thrilled me as I sang was the idea of the perpetual worship of God going right around the world. So while we are sleeping, Christians somewhere on the other side of the globe are getting up to praise the Lord.
The psalmist was also thrilled by that idea. Leadership of the temple worship was entrusted to the Levites, the tribe the Lord had set apart for liturgical duty. Only the descendants of Aaron were priests, but the other Levites served as musicians and singers, gatekeepers, craftsmen, caretakers, guards, and the like. And they served in shifts, day and night, so that, as another stanza of the hymn says, “The voice of prayer is never silent, / Nor dies the strain of praise away.”
Imagine you were one of the Levites pulling the midnight to 4 a.m. shift. Maybe as your eyelids droop and your head nods, you hear the encouragement: “Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the LORD!” So you suck it up, and in response sing right back, “May the LORD bless you!” Amen to that! —David Bast
As you pray, give thanks for the church here and around the world, and encourage your pastor today.
More to Life by Ann Graham Lotz
More to Life
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.John 10:10, NKJV
There is more to life . . .
than being healthy,
than being happy,
than being problem free,
than being comfortable,
than feeling good, than getting what we want,
than being healed.
There is more to life even than living!
And the “more to life” is the development of our faith to the extent that our very lives display God’s glory!
Jesus does not protect those He loves from bad things happening but uses bad things to fulfill His greater plan. He is glad, not that we suffer, but that we have the opportunity to grow in our faith and display His glory, which is the fulfillment of the very purpose for our existence. Don’t settle for less than more!
Blessings,
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Peer Pressure by Chuck Swindoll
Peer Pressure
by Chuck Swindoll
Once a spider built a beautiful web in an old house. He kept it clean and shiny so that flies would patronize it. The minute he got a "customer" he would clean up after him so the other flies would not get suspicious.
Then one day this fairly intelligent fly came buzzing by the clean spiderweb. Old man spider called out, "Come in and sit." But the fairly intelligent fly said, "No sir, I don't see other flies in your house, and I am not going in alone!"
Presently the fly saw on the floor below him a large crowd of flies dancing around on a piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid if lots of flies were doing it. So he came in for a landing.
Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by, saying, "Don't land there, stupid. That's flypaper!" But the fairly intelligent fly shouted back, "Don't be silly. Those flies are dancing. There's a big crowd there. Everybody's doing it. That many flies can't be wrong!" Well, you know what happened. He died on the spot.
Some of us want to be in the crowd so badly we end up in a mess because we didn't listen or search out a situation.
What does it profit a fly (or a person) if he escapes the web only to end up in the glue?
Does this make you uncomfortable? by Adrian Rogers
Does this make you uncomfortable?
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Psalm 66:18
Do you know what quiet time is? Fellowship with a holy God. The reason some folks don’t have a quiet time is they feel uncomfortable. They don’t want to look God in the face because they have sin in their life.
What did Adam do after he had sinned and God came walking in the Garden? Adam fled. Before that, Adam had quiet time with God, didn’t he? Adam and God had boundless, unending fellowship. But after Adam chose to disobey God and sinned, he didn’t want to look God in the face.
Are you reluctant to have a quiet time? Maybe it’s because there’s sin in your life. Ask God to shine His light into you. Then wait for His answer so you can repent.
Endless Forgiveness by Billy Graham
Endless Forgiveness
Look at Christ’s death. In one biography of the great American, Daniel Webster, 863 pages deal with his career and just five pages are devoted to his death. In Hay’s life of Abraham Lincoln there are 5,000 pages but only 25 are devoted to the dramatic story of his assassination and death. In most biographies the deaths of the subjects are mere incidents at the close of the books. But when we come to the four “biographies” of Jesus, the four Gospels, we are confronted with a strange fact. One-third of Matthew is given to a description of the death of Christ. One-third of Mark, one-fourth of Luke, and one-half of John are given to His death. All these pages are devoted to the last 24 hours of His life. The death of Jesus Christ is a significant fact in human history, because Jesus Christ came for the express purpose of dying for sinners. When He left heaven, He knew He was going to the cross.
Daily Prayer
Lord Jesus, what agony You suffered for me upon the cross. I deserve Your judgment, yet You have given me forgiveness and eternal life. I praise Your beloved name.
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 KJV
40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Day 34
Day 34
Often we combat our evil thoughts most effectively if we absolutely refuse to allow them to be verbalized. It is certain that the spirit of self-justification can only be overcome by the spirit of grace; and it is just as certain that the individual judgmental thought can be limited and suppressed by never allowing it to be spoken except as a confession of sin…. Thus it must be a decisive rule of all Christian community life that each individual is prohibited from talking about another Christian in secret. It is clear and will be shown in what follows that this prohibition does not include the word of admonition that is spoken personally to one another. However, talking about others in secret is not allowed even under the pretense of help and goodwill. For it is precisely in this guise that the spirit of hatred between believers always creeps in, seeking to cause trouble.
Biblical Wisdom
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
Questions to Ponder
- Talking with people about someone else you are having trouble with when they are not there is called “triangulation.” In what ways does triangulation harm a community of faith?
- How can a community of faith enforce the rule “that each individual is prohibited from talking about another Christian in secret”?
- Would this be a good rule to generalize and apply to the workplace, school, families, among friends? Why, or why not?
Psalm Fragment
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not turn my heart to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with those who work iniquity…. Psalm 141:3-4
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not turn my heart to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with those who work iniquity…. Psalm 141:3-4
Journal Reflections
- Have you ever experienced being triangulated․being talked about negatively when you where not there? If so, write about the experience. How did it feel?
- Have you ever engaged in triangulation? If so, write about the experience. How did it feel?
Prayer for Today
Spirit of love, may the words I speak be the kind that build people up.
Start Believing by Bob & Debby Gass
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Saturday, March 30, 2019
Todays Reading by C.S. Lewis
Today's Reading |
| TO BEDE GRIFFITHS: On Lewis’s favorite novel by Charles Dickens; on the desire to die; on longing; on joy; on having; and on wanting. 5 November 1954 The best Dickens always seems to me to be the one I have read last! But in a cool hour I put Bleak House top for its sheer prodigality of invention. About death, I go through different moods, but the times when I can desire it are never, I think, those when this world seems harshest. On the contrary, it is just when there seems to be most of Heaven already here that I come nearest to longing for the patria. It is the bright frontispiece [which] whets one to read the story itself. All joy (as distinct from mere pleasure, still more amusement) emphasises our pilgrim status: always reminds, beckons, awakes desire. Our best havings are wantings. From The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume III Compiled in Yours, Jack The Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis, Volume III: Narnia, Cambridge, and Joy 1950-1963. Copyright © 2007 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers. Yours, Jack: Spiritual Direction from C. S. Lewis. Copyright © 2008 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers. |
Holiness or Hardness Toward God? by Oswald Chambers
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A God We Can Trust by Charles Stanley
Scripture repeatedly admonishes us to trust in the Lord. When times are good, this doesn’t seem difficult. However, when trials arise, it is much harder to rely fully upon Him.
Yet it is always important for us to place our trust in the living God, especially when everything around us seems to be falling apart. This may well have been the situation that inspired the writing of Psalm 37.
In today’s passage, David mentions several times that we should not fret (vv. 1, 7, 8). Distress over a situation is the opposite of trust, and fretting has ill effects. For one thing, it can take a toll on physical and emotional well-being. Another problem is that feeding worry can lead to wrongdoing. And by attempting to resolve the situation quickly in our human way, we may miss God’s best solution. Yet another consequence is that our angst may undermine our witness for the kingdom because we will not be reflecting God’s peace in all that we do.
What, then, is the antidote for worry and stress during a difficult time? Absolute trust in Christ. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” This means we are to lay all our burdens at His feet, believing that He is good, loving, and in control.
When trials arise, do you run toward the Lord? Or do you try to handle things yourself? He who created you can handle any difficulty and pain, even when it seems overwhelming. What He desires is your surrender and trust. It is in His arms that you will find rest for your soul.
Creator and Sustainer by Lisa Samra
Creator and Sustainer
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory . . . sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3
Working with a magnifying glass and tweezers, Swiss watchmaker Phillipe meticulously explained to me how he takes apart, cleans, and reassembles the tiny parts of specialty mechanical watches. Looking at all the intricate pieces, Phillipe showed me the essential component of the timepiece, the mainspring. The mainspring is the component that moves all the gears to allow the watch to keep time. Without it, even the most expertly designed watch will not function.
In a beautiful New Testament passage found in the book of Hebrews, the writer eloquently praises Jesus for being the one through whom God created the heavens and the earth. Like the intricacy of a specialty watch, every detail of our universe was created by Jesus (Hebrews 1:2). From the vastness of the solar system to the uniqueness of our fingerprints, all things were made by Him.
But more than the Creator, Jesus, like a clock’s mainspring, is essential for the function and flourishing of creation. His presence continually “[sustains] all things by his powerful word” (v. 3), keeping all that He has created working together in all its amazing complexity.
As you have opportunity to experience the beauty of creation today, remember that “in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). May the recognition of Jesus’s central role in both creating and sustaining the universe result in a joyful heart and a response of praise as we acknowledge His ongoing provision for us.
In a beautiful New Testament passage found in the book of Hebrews, the writer eloquently praises Jesus for being the one through whom God created the heavens and the earth. Like the intricacy of a specialty watch, every detail of our universe was created by Jesus (Hebrews 1:2). From the vastness of the solar system to the uniqueness of our fingerprints, all things were made by Him.
But more than the Creator, Jesus, like a clock’s mainspring, is essential for the function and flourishing of creation. His presence continually “[sustains] all things by his powerful word” (v. 3), keeping all that He has created working together in all its amazing complexity.
As you have opportunity to experience the beauty of creation today, remember that “in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). May the recognition of Jesus’s central role in both creating and sustaining the universe result in a joyful heart and a response of praise as we acknowledge His ongoing provision for us.
What in God’s creation has caused you to worship Him? Why?
Jesus, thank You for the ways You care for and sustain Your creation.
Is This How You Start Your Mornings? by Adrian Rogers
Is this how you start your mornings?
“My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:3
Christianity is a love relationship. You can’t love someone you don’t know. And you can’t know someone you don’t spend quality time with.
To know Jesus is to love Him.
To love Him is to trust Him.
To trust Him is to obey Him.
To obey Him is to be blessed.
It begins with a quality, daily communication with the Lord. Why is it best to spend time with the Lord in the morning? Because you are getting ready to go on a road trip through life. You don’t take the trip and then read the map, do you?
How are you starting your mornings? With a cup of coffee and the paper? Or with the pure milk of the Word and the light of His presence?
Beautiful Unity by David Bast
Beautiful Unity
March 30, 2019
March 30, 2019
Read: Psalm 133
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (v. 1)
Brothers don’t always dwell together in unity. The first brothers, you may recall, were Cain and Abel. The fact is, brothers (and sisters too!) sometimes don’t get along at all. Families fight, siblings have rivalries, people living together disagree with and aggravate one another. It’s the same in our spiritual family, the church. But when, despite our differences, faults, and failures, we actually live together in unity—well, that’s a beautiful thing.
Beautiful, says the psalmist, like the oil flowing down Aaron’s beard and onto his collar; beautiful like the dew of Hermon falling on Zion. The oil was the anointing oil used to ordain Aaron to the priesthood and consecrate his sacred vestments (Leviticus 8). It symbolizes the Holy Spirit, who has been poured out on us so we can be priests to one another, bearing each other up before the Lord in prayer. Mount Herman in Lebanon was proverbial for its abundance of water, in contrast to dry Mount Zion. The unity of God’s people is like water falling on a parched land.
A practical question: how do we achieve such unity? In Colossians 3:12-13, Paul lists three key qualities: patience, forbearance, and forgiveness. Patience is longsuffering, being slow to take offense. Forbearance is putting up with the small stuff that annoys us. And if it’s more than small stuff, that’s where forgiveness comes in. The church that lives out Colossians 3 will experience the blessing the Lord has commanded. —David Bast
As you pray, ask God to show you how you might be healing oil in your family and church.
March Madness—A Biblical Course in Anger Management: Maintenance by David Jeremiah
March Madness—A Biblical Course in Anger Management: Maintenance
MARCH 30, 2019
Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?
Genesis 4:6
Genesis 4:6
Recommended Reading: Colossians 3:8-17
Rage rooms have opened in cities around the world. The first one opened in Japan around 2008, and since then they’ve popped up in cities everywhere. These are places where, for a fee, people can go to smash things, throw things, break things, and release their stress. In New York City, a special $95 couples package is available with two buckets of dishes and two electronic items they can smash.
Maybe there’s a better way to do the needed maintenance on your anger management. Here are some suggestions.
Confess your anger to God and ask Him to show you the roots of your rage. Apologize to those who have been on the receiving end of your anger. Read all you can on the subject of anger management because the more you learn about your emotions, the more likely you’ll be able to manage them wisely. Locate and memorize a handful of Bible verses on anger and quote them to yourself often. Finally, know when to get help. God can lead you to someone gifted with wisdom who can help you mature in your reactions to life.
This March, stop the madness and learn the power of spiritual patience and divine mercy.
Without mercy, all of us are without hope.
Charles L. Allen
Charles L. Allen
Clothed in His Righteousness by Ann Graham Lotz
Clothed in His Righteousness
And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.Mark 15:24, NKJV
When Jesus finally arrived at the place of execution around nine o’clock in the morning, if His treatment followed standard procedure in those days, He was stripped of all His clothes. Possibly He was allowed to retain a loincloth.
Yet because Jesus was stripped “naked,” you and I can be clothed! The Bible tells us that all of our righteousness, including the very best things we ever do, are so permeated with sin and selfishness that they are like filthy rags in God’s sight (Isa. 64:6). But at the Cross, Jesus gave us His perfect, spotless robe of righteousness and took our filthy garments of sin in exchange (Phil. 3:9). On Judgment Day, you and I will be dressed in His righteousness before God because He wore the filthy garments of our sin. We will be clothed because He was stripped!
Blessings,
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March 30 / Streams in the Desert
Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow" (Isa. 50:11).
What a solemn warning to those who walk in darkness and yet who try to help themselves out into the light. They are represented as kindling a fire, and compassing themselves with sparks. What does this mean?
Why, it means that when we are in darkness the temptation is to find a way without trusting in the Lord and relying upon Him. Instead of letting Him help us out, we try to help ourselves out. We seek the light of nature, and get the advice of our friends. We try the conclusions of our reason, and might almost be tempted to accept a way of deliverance which would not be of God at all.
All these are fires of our own kindling; rushlights that will surely lead us onto the shoals. And God will let us walk in the light of those sparks, but the end will be sorrow.
Beloved, do not try to get out of a dark place, except, in God's time and in God's way. The time of trouble is meant to teach you lessons that you sorely need. Premature deliverance may frustrate God's work of grace in your life. Just commit the whole situation to Him. Be willing to abide in darkness so long as you have His presence.
Remember that it is better to walk in the dark with God than to walk alone in the light.
--The Still Small Voice
--The Still Small Voice
Cease meddling with God's plans and will. You touch anything of His, and you mar the work. You may move the hands of a clock to suit you, but you do not change the time; so you may hurry the unfolding of God's will, but you harm and do not help the work. You can open a rosebud but you spoil the flower. Leave all to Him. Hands down. Thy will, not mine.
--Stephen Merritt
--Stephen Merritt
HIS WAY
God bade me go when I would stay
('Twas cool within the wood);
I did not know the reason why.
I heard a boulder crashing by
Across the path where I stood.
He bade me stay when I would go;
"Thy will be done," I said.
They found one day at early dawn,
Across the way I would have gone,
A serpent with a mangled head.
No more I ask the reason why,
Although I may not see
The path ahead, His way I go;
For though I know not, He doth know,
And He will choose safe paths for me.
--The Sunday School Times
('Twas cool within the wood);
I did not know the reason why.
I heard a boulder crashing by
Across the path where I stood.
He bade me stay when I would go;
"Thy will be done," I said.
They found one day at early dawn,
Across the way I would have gone,
A serpent with a mangled head.
No more I ask the reason why,
Although I may not see
The path ahead, His way I go;
For though I know not, He doth know,
And He will choose safe paths for me.
--The Sunday School Times
Cleansed by Blood by Billy Graham
Cleansed by Blood
Blood is mentioned 460 times in the Bible. Fourteen times in the New Testament Jesus spoke of His own blood. Why? Because by the shedding of His blood, He accomplished the possibility of our salvation. He paid the penalty for our sin and redeemed us. The penalty for our sin and rebellion is death; Jesus stepped out and said, “I’ll take that death.” He voluntarily laid down His life and took the penalty we deserve. That’s what the cross is all about.
The blood of Jesus Christ not only redeems us, it justifies us. Being justified means more than being forgiven. I can say, “I forgive you,” but I can’t justify you. But God not only forgives the past, He clothes you in righteousness as though you had never committed a sin. Yet it cost the blood of His Son on the cross.
The blood of Jesus Christ not only redeems us, it justifies us. Being justified means more than being forgiven. I can say, “I forgive you,” but I can’t justify you. But God not only forgives the past, He clothes you in righteousness as though you had never committed a sin. Yet it cost the blood of His Son on the cross.
Daily Prayer
Lord Jesus, with a deeply grateful heart I thank You for Your sacrifice upon the cross. Your blood has cleansed my sin and made me worthy of forgiveness.
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”
Revelation 1:5 KJV
40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Day 33
Day 33
Every act of self-discipline by a Christian is also a service to the community. Conversely, there is no sin in thought, word, or deed, no matter how personal or secret, that does not harm the whole community. When the cause of an illness gets into one’s body, whether or not anyone knows where it comes from, or in what member it has lodged, the body is made ill. This is the appropriate metaphor for the Christian community. Every member serves the whole body, contributing either to its health or to its ruin, for we are members of one body not only when we want to be, but in our whole existence. This is not a theory, but a spiritual reality that is often experienced in the Christian community with shocking clarity, sometimes destructively and sometimes beneficially.
Biblical Wisdom
For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. Romans 12:4-5
Questions to Ponder
- What do you think Bonhoeffer means by an “act of self-discipline”?
- How can an individual’s sins “harm the whole community”?
- What are the implications of Bonhoeffer’s assertion that, “we are members of one body not only when we want to be, but in our whole existence”?
Psalm Fragment
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Journal Reflections
- Reflect on your experience in your community of faith. Does it feel like a living body of which you are a member? Explain.
- How might you better serve “the whole body”?
Prayer for Today
Holy God, thank you that you have made me a member of the Body of Christ; help me keep healthy that I may not harm the whole body.
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