Our world that prides in having endless information at its fingertips. We boast about the things we know, the education we have received, the experiences that have taught us, and strive to put our own wisdom forward to launch ourselves up the totem poles of the social structures of culture. We think we can lean on what we know and our own opinions, gain more wisdom, and somehow make a prosperous life for ourselves on this basis. Proverbs 2:6 cuts to the truth of this dangerous way of living.
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
As Christians, we learn that the only true wisdom comes from God. It is a gift from our Heavenly Father, who speaks His knowledge to us and gives us the understanding He wants us to have. All that we have, all that we know, all that we have experienced and learned and been through... all of it is from Him, and so that we can use it to serve Him.
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Do you use what God has blessed you with to bring Him glory, or to bring glory to yourself?
Are you striving to launch yourself into the world, or launch the gospel?
Do you strive to be a vessel or in the spotlight?
Today, remember where all wisdom comes from. Remember where all that knowledge you have stockpiled came from. Remember who gives you an understanding about any and all of it. Don't forget who gave you all you have, including the very information at your fingertips, in your memories, used in your workplace or at home. You name it, He gave it.
Use it all to serve and honor the one who gives it all for us.
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Growing up I don't remember being taught about Jesus' sacrifice. As I read the Bible more, I remember little blips I learned in Sunday school about Jesus dying on the cross, but I don't ever recall learning why. As I grew up I suffered a lot. Tragedy after tragedy, and I cried out to God only partly believing He was there, and I remember asking Him time and again why He would make me suffer so much. I didn't understand why anyone would want to love let alone believe in a God who could leave me like that. Luke 24:46-47 was an eye-opening passage that has been a huge encouragement and has brought immense renewal to my life.
and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
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When I learned why Jesus died I'd not only been hurt, but I'd hurt a lot of people by that time and begun living life as if there was no God. I was fighting an inward turmoil of knowing what I was doing was not right but not really knowing why.
How did Luke 24:46-47 encourage me?
Everyone in my life at the time encouraged me to live in the way I knew in my soul was wrong, but I couldn't understand the feeling. I remember being drawn to the Bible after several years of being forcibly kept from it. I went to the local bookstore and several times I went through the Christian section. I'd literally walked through it like I was just passing through.
A half dozen times later I finally built up the courage to look at the many Bibles available. Eventually, I picked out an ESV Thinline Bible with a brown and blue cover, small and discreet, I thought. ESV was basic and easy to ready. I then spent every night secretly reading it when I was alone. I don't think I told anyone I had it for quite a while.
"What?" I remember being dumbfounded and enthralled by scripture. It humbled me so much that I cried. I finally understood that I wasn't crazy, I wasn't alone, and I wasn't the only one who felt this way. I finally understood that the way I was encouraged to live was wrong. Finally, I learned that I had a choice and an ally to do what was right.
What did Luke 24:46-47 teach me about renewal?
I learned that I could be forgiven because Jesus died for me. Jesus died so I could escape the consuming darkness. He died and rose to set me free. And not just me, ALL people, all nations, all of creation.
Jesus died and rose again three days later. Christ did this to defeat the darkness we are trapped and enslaved to before we come to know, believe and accept Him. Before I learned the truth I was in darkness. When I picked up scripture and sought out the Truth I found more than I could have ever imagined. I found freedom, forgiveness, love, and light. I found my Savior, and you can too.
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Will I suffer once I'm saved?
Choosing Christ is a daily, moment-by-moment choice. Allowing Him to be our strength, our light, our guide - allowing Him to be our Savior every single day, living as though we've been saved, is really challenging.
The suffering didn't all just fade away, but ever since I accepted Christ He has flooded me with light from the inside, He chased away the darkness of depression, anxiety, and healed me from the many years of abuse. He forgave me and released me from the power of sin and darkness over me, and as I continue to choose Him He continues to strengthen me against it. Life goes on, and I am stronger through it with my Savior.
Choose Christ today. Let His light fill up all the dark spaces. Accept the salvation He died and rose to give you, and let Him be your strength through the ups and downs of life ahead. Believe in Christ, His works on the cross, and resurrection from the dead for your sake and enter into His family today, forgiven and redeemed.
Dear Lord, I pray that you enter my heart today and forgive me of all my sins against You. Against You alone have I sinned, and I pray you will wash me clean of all unrighteousness. Forgive me, heal me, and strengthen me against the darkness I face every day. Today I choose to believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as my Savior. I believe He died on the cross and rose again three days later to defeat the power of sin so that I may be forgiven and come into a relationship with You, God. I pray, Jesus, that You save me from the penalty of my sins, forgive me, and redeem me. Help me to live in a way that brings You honor and glory, giving praises to Your name always. Thank you, Lord for this incredible gift. Amen.
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For over 20 years I cried out to God not knowing if He was there, if He was real, or if He cared. I struggled to believe there could be a God who could let me go through the pain I was in. Now I can look back and see what He was doing all along.
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Jesus says "in me you may have peace". He also tells us throughout scripture to not fear, that He is with us, that He loves us - not only did He say it, but He also showed it in sacrificing Himself for all our sake's.
Jesus knew the world was a sinful broken place full of sinful broken people, just like you, me, and those who have hurt you. Yet, Jesus went to the cross and died for all of us anyway. He overcame the world, He took on the penalty - He defeated sin.
How does John 16:33 renew our spirits in times of suffering?
We are sinful people. Even so, we are called into the family of an Almighty God who loves us so much He gave His only Son to die on the cross. He did this so that we may accept Him in faith and be reconciled to our Heavenly Father. Now we may be saved through Him and have peace with God, who will guide us through this darkness.
All that we have is a gift from God and should be used in service for His great commission, out of love and gratitude to Him who redeemed us through the blood of His Son. Today, choose to be content with whatever you are facing.
Choose to rest in the peace that only the Lord can provide. See all that you have (or don't have) as a blessed gift. Turn a grateful heart to Heaven and focus your attention and devotion on Him and away from the unsatisfying things of this world that will soon pass away. Give your heart to the Eternal One, who is love, who is all-powerful - who is the One True God of all creation who has overcome the world through His great sacrifice for our sakes.
Temptation. It's a word that triggers differently for each person, yet the same for so many of us. We're not alone in our experiences fighting temptation, nor are we alone in failing to resist it. All of us, every one of us, struggles with temptation. Mark 14:38 tells us clearly how to fight temptation and seek renewal.
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
The thing about temptation is that Satan knows what you struggle with and will exploit it, and he also knows that we so often rely on our own fleshly strength to resist it, which means we fail to resist an awful lot. Only when we trust the spirit God has given us, His Spirit He has filled us with, to fight these temptations and give us His strength can we do so.
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We must remain watchful of Satan's schemes, and pray for God to fill us again and again with all we lack on our own to fight against temptation. Through this watching and praying we grow closer to Him, stronger against sin, and deeper in our faith. Keep watching, keep praying, keep trusting His Spirit to resist the temptations that lure you into sin.
Matthew 16:24 provides necessary instruction from Jesus that came right after Peter rebuked Jesus when He told the disciples about his upcoming death and resurrection. Jesus answered Peter in v. 23 ‘“Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”’
Jesus told Peter that he was a hindrance to Him because Peter was focusing on earthly things versus Heavenly things. He was in the way because he was focused on the wrong things.
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
How many times have you rebuked God for something you felt He had done wrong?
Maybe you have felt like He placed you in an unfair situation, led you to the wrong friends, the wrong spouse, the wrong place, the wrong timing, the short end of the stick.
You've maybe been tempted to cling to your own desires and plans instead of seeking His.
You might have put yourself before God, family, friends, strangers, or the needy.
Maybe you have sought what you wanted, only willing to make sacrifices for your own gains.
How does Matthew 16:24 teach us to react when life feels out of control?
Peter and the other disciples were told God’s plan. Instead of Peter accepting that it was God’s will he sought to take matters into his own hands as if he, a human being like you and I, could stop the plans of the Almighty God. Jesus then went on to teach them that to follow Jesus means to deny yourself, sacrifice your desires, carry the weight of your cross. It means to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and be willing to lay down your life for God’s will as Jesus was and Jesus did.
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To follow Christ, we must be willing to sacrifice all that we have to serve and follow our Savior. He must come first, and our hearts and minds must stay focused on things of God. Don’t let the troubles, temptations, and things of this world hold you captive and prevent you from following His will for your life and sharing His Truth with the world. Surrender it all to Him, and follow Him willingly, denying yourself, and you will find yourself in following Christ.
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Sometimes when I make a mistake, overreact, hurt someone, forget something, or blatantly sin I feel like a genuinely horrible person unworthy of God. It makes me feel unworthy of forgiveness from Him, or someone I've upset. I often feel like it can never be made right and I blame myself, overanalyze, and beat myself up. Sometimes I apologize immediately, and sometimes I stay angry and grow bitter. Other times I seek to fix it, and but occasionally I hide from it. Feeling so unworthy makes it difficult to bring it to God. Psalm 51:10 is one of my favorite verses for times such as this.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51 was written right after David had committed adultery with someone else's wife and then had the husband killed upon finding she was pregnant. The prophet Nathan then came to David to tell David to seek God and repent of his sins.
David didn't get offended at being called out or try to defend or excuse himself. He didn't lash out at Nathan for warning him and didn't try to hide his sin or hide from God.
When David realized his sin he went straight to God with a repentant heart and pleaded with God for forgiveness, asking God to "create in [him] a clean heart" and to "renew a right spirit within him." He did what we all need to do when we've messed up; humbly seek God, confess, repent, and surrender to Him knowing He is the only one that can purify and renew us.
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Just as David sought God for renewal so should we.
Whatever you're struggling to bring to God, to confess, to surrender control of, to seek His help with, to do His way… I've been there, and so has every other human being. Today, seek the renewal of your spirit that only God can give. Come to Jesus, accept His sacrifice for your sins, accept His salvation, and rest in the Father.
Lay it all at His feet and allow Him to fill you up and renew you by His grace, mercy, and forgiveness over and over again. Never forget that forgiveness and renewal awaits all who come to Him in repentance.
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Sometimes we need the reminder in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that all things have their season in this life, on this earth. We are but a blip on the radar in the eternity in which God resides. Sometimes this feels incredibly overwhelming; how could God possibly care about a speck like me? He cares because He created me, and He created me because He cares about me.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven;
There will be all kinds of seasons in our lives but one thing is certain through all of it. God cares about you and me so much that He created us. Knowing all our muck ups, mess-ups and sins He still chose to sacrifice His Son so we could receive the gift of salvation and be in a relationship with Him.
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Does God know what I'm going through?
It is comforting to know that God is not unaware of the seasons in our lives. He is working it all out ahead of us. He knows the steps we will take, the doors He will open and close, and is already preparing us for it all.
Whatever season you are in right now God is using in some way to equip you for the next, and whatever seasons you have come out of you can likely pinpoint now how they helped you get to where you are.
We are not alone in the dark winters or our seasons of loneliness. Nor are we alone in our seasons of joy, of victory, or even our seasons of rest or contentment. God is with us, and He prepares and provides for every season we walk through as our Yahweh-Rohi; The Lord is my Shepherd, and our Yahweh-Yireh; The-Lord-will-Provide.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
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The most common argument I have heard is “but what about those who have never heard of the gospel or of Jesus, or never read the Bible?” Enter Romans 1:18-32.
18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known[a] about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made.As a result, people are without excuse.21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
24 Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.
What does John 3:36 teach me about right priorities?
In Romans 1 we learn that our knowledge of God doesn’t begin when we read His Word. God makes Himself known to all mankind, His creation, and draws us to Himself, to His Word. God draws us to His Truth, His Son. Just because you have not read the gospel does not mean you have not had the opportunity to know and believe in the Son.
God has called every one of us to come to Him. Jesus goes on to explain this in the book of John, saying that “no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” God calls on every one of us to come to Him, whether we acknowledge Him, honor Him, worship Him, serve Him, believe in Him or not. We are all given the opportunity to believe in the Son.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
As we all strive to find and create balance in our lives, we should reflect on Christ and what He came, lived, died, rose again, and ascended for.
God sent His Son to save you from the penalty of your sin so that you could be in a relationship with Him. He sent His Son so that we could choose eternal life rather than eternal separation from God as we all deserve.
He sent His Son to save us, to create the balance only He can create. Not balance as we define it, but balance the way only He can create it. Come to God and find peace, rest, strength, love, and grace. Lean into God and find all that your heart truly longs for and more. Surrender to your Heavenly Father who wants to care for you as His child. Seek God who has made the unthinkable sacrifice so that you could come to Him. Come to God in faith, believing in His Son whom He sent for you.
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Lately, I have been getting really into planners. I have had an appreciation for them for a long time, but lately, I have had it on my heart to plan better. By this, I mean that God placed Proverbs 16:9 on my heart. I have started to become more aware of how I spend my time and work hard to make better use of my time in ways that He guides.
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 ESV
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 CSB
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them. Proverbs 16:9 AMP
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How has Proverbs 16:9 helped me manage my time better?
God has been reminding me day after day that while I can fill up my planner with all kinds of things I want to do, ultimately He will be the One to determine what happens. I can plan to my heart’s content but His will be done no matter what I do or do not do, and He will provide all that is needed for His will to be done.
I’ve been noticing a better balance of tasks since I gave my planning over to God and let Him set my priorities. I’ve drastically reduced the tasks I really wanted to do that God indicated were not where I should focus. He has better things for me to spend my time doing.
In this, I have not only been able to start investing my time more effectively and efficiently, but He has given me time to rest, to have some fun, to spend with my family more, and focus better on the tasks that bring Him the most glory and honor.
How can you better plan your time?
This week I see a huge shift happening in my own schedule. It makes me wonder what would happen if more people gave God control of their plans, schedules, to-do lists so He can do what only He can. I wonder how many would find more satisfaction and less worry over what did and did not get done.
We are all called to prioritize God above all else, and through Proverbs 16:9 we see that even when we plan according to our own will, God’s will be done. Set your heart’s plans and desires on the Lord and He will make straight your paths for His glory and kingdom. He will provide the stepping stones, the resources, the time, the help. He is our Provider, our Way Maker, and our loving Heavenly Father.
Entrust your plans to His will and let Him lead the way each and every day.
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One of the very first passages I ever read in the Bible was 1 Peter 4. It set me on a path to line my life up with Christ and how He calls me to live. I had been through a lot of pain in my life. God knew that 1 Peter was exactly what I needed.
I began seeking God out more often. Navigating the challenges of faith in God while living in a cruel world was lonely for a while. Again, 1 Peter was there to encourage me. God kept me going. I went through many tests at the beginning of my faith journey. This taught me that the testing would never really be over. The pain, trials, and changes were already making me stronger.
While praying for balance in our lives, the idea of suffering isn't something we'd like to include. Jesus teaches His followers that to rightly prioritize Him means that we will suffer, be insulted, and be tested for His sake. The balance comes when we stand firm in faith out of love for our Savior despite all this agony. We will find immense strength and blessings within our growing relationship with the Lord.
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12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
We belong to a God of promises and He is a promise keeper. Stand firm with Him and you will grow with every ache, pain, and trial you face in faith.
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Life has been such a whirlwind that feels like a never-ending storm. Sometimes it feels like it is just chewing us up and spitting us out to chew us up again. I was encouraged by a word God had laid on my heart, inspired by Matthew 5:6, to focus on - balance.
Matthew 5 reminded me that we need to be hungering and thirsting for Him and His righteousness. We need to remain diligently focused on things above rather than the hectic circumstances around us. Balance can only be obtained when God is our number one focus and desire.
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How can I pray for balance with Matthew 5:6?
Read through these verses, pray over the words, pinpoint the places that God might be speaking to you today. Where is God calling on you to seek His balance? His priorities? His intentions? Him?
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12 NKJV
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Jesus calls those who hunger and thirst for His righteousness “blessed” and says “they shall be filled”. Will you allow Him to fill you up, or will you fill yourself with worry, dissatisfaction, anxiety, frustrations, and impatience with things of this world?
Pray with me this month for balance in our lives, hearts, minds - as well as for our circumstances, our homes, families, communities, nations, and the world. Seek His balance for and in all things.
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Do you ever feel a bit restless? Like your heart is not quite on fire for Jesus and you're struggling to rekindle it? Maybe you've grown a bit comfortable in your faith and you don't feel like you've grown in a while.
Maybe life is crazy and you're feeling drained, depleted, and drifting away with the current. Psalm 46:10 tells us to "be still and know that [He] is God" and maybe that spiritual stillness is what's missing for you today.
Spiritual stillness for me is when I quietly sit at the feet of my savior, humbled and patient, lifting my hands and bowing my head in loving submission. It happens when I recognize I cannot do this on my own and I need His intervention and control.
I am still with God when I feel restless and life is a whirlwind around me, spinning out of control. I refocus on Jesus and remember He is my anchor to peace and rest, and even while life is crazy with Him I know I can hang on tight and not get carried away by stress and worry.
For a long time, I thought being still meant just chilling in front of the TV and being a potato. I would shut down and just veg out for a while, but when I got back up I wasn't feeling closer to Jesus, nor was I feeling rested. In fact, often I felt like I'd drifted further away and was even more exhausted.
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This is where God began to show me that stillness is about rest for my soul. Being still and knowing He is God is about resting in Christ. Sure, being a potato can help you physically, but if you're not handing yourself over to Christ for Him to work in you and restore your soul, you'll never be made into potato chips, salted and ready to bring flavor to the world.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
If you're feeling disconnected from God or overwhelmed by life, come back to Him, rest at His feet, meditate over His Word, talk to Him as you would talk to a friend, pour your heart and soul out to Him so He can pour Himself into you and give you the rest you need that only He can provide.
We are living through a very chaotic time right now. The world around us feels tense, people are experiencing heightened anxiety, anger, and frustrations, and society does not feel like a joyful place at all. How could we possibly find joy in a time like this? How could Christ possibly be glorified in all this pain, sickness, and division? How can we rejoice in the middle of all this suffering?
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. '
Lately I have been on a roller coaster. Life seems to be going up and down, and I know most if not all of us are experiencing the same in our own ways. This week has been tough, but as I struggled in moments of anxiety I realized that I have begun to understand Paul’s words in these verses. He tells us that in every situation when we seek God out, bringing every joy, pain, and all the in-betweens to Him He does not sit idly by. When we’ve emptied ourselves out to Him and made space for Him to fill us, fill us is precisely what He does.
'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. '
A vital way to make space in our hearts for more of Him is to remember what we have to be thankful for. These days it seems a bit harder to see those things, but even Paul, while he is imprisoned for his faith, points out that there are always things to be thankful for. Paul says at the end of verse 8 “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
What is praiseworthy in your life right now?
Think about that. Don’t focus on what is going wrong; focus on those bits of light, patch them together, and see that there is so much more light than you realize. There is so much more to rejoice over than it seems. Let that light fill you and overflow from you, strengthening you.
'I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
No matter what phase of life you find yourself in, whether you have much or little, whether you are in peace or suffering, whether you have more questions than answers, you can get through all of it with Christ. Christ is in you, strengthening you, building you up from the inside out. Paul is calling on you to change, to empty yourself, to be transformed by the power of Christ.
'Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. '
No matter what tests you face or waters you wade through you will always have His glory and promises to look forward to, and His love and provisions to be thankful for. You can rejoice in your responsibility to imitate Christ and bring others to Him. You have a mission while you are here, and an incredible inheritance to look forward to. Never forget how worthy of praise this is. Rejoice always, because there truly is so much to rejoice over.
'The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”'
Last week we discussed what it means to be emptied. When we are emptied of ourselves, we clear out our old selves and sinful nature, and with this clearing out we are making room to be filled up. This process of being emptied and filled is a constant process we need to repeat over and over throughout our lives. When we empty ourselves to God, we need to leave ourselves open to Him so He can fill us up with Himself; with all that He knows we need.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
When Christ came to earth, He humbled Himself in becoming a man like us. He set aside His privileges in order to prioritize the needs of others; of us. He didn’t hold His status of being one with God over anyone. He emptied Himself of His privileges and allowed Himself to be filled with the spirit of a humble servant, obedient to God’s will and glory.
'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. '
Jesus remained steadfast, humble, and obedient in all He did. He served people all around the world, loved them, did not complain or slander, and in this servitude, He was then placed in the highest place above all others. If we are called to be like Christ, we, too, are called to empty ourselves of our perceived and assumed privileges, our selfishness, our complaining and slandering, and our old, sinful selves and allow God to make us new in Christ, filling us up as well with the spirit of servitude for His Kingdom and obedience to Him.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
He calls us to love others, to display patience, kindness, humility, mercy and grace. This is what He wants to fill us up in, but we must be emptied of what our culture expects of us, what our society demands of us, the norms and stigmas we face, and instead become a beacon for Christ.
'Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky '
Philippians 2:15 says we “... will shine among them like stars in the sky”. We can choose to be a beautiful light spreading love, joy, truth, and healing or we can choose to be a broken light that spreads darkness, hurt, and harm. You have an identity in Christ and a responsibility to spread His light rather than the broken lights and darkness of this world. Empty yourself to God, let Him change your broken bulb, and be filled with His light so that you can spill over into the lives of others.
And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
The other day I found myself asking “what sin do I struggle with most?” This isn’t something people are likely to ask themselves often if at all, but it reminded me of a similar question I have been asking myself; “What have I been saved from?” It led me to explore the additional questions "what has God emptied me of?"
'In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Each question is unlikely to come up in everyday conversation, but all are questions I wholeheartedly believe God wants us to be asking ourselves often. These aren’t questions to condemn, or make you feel guilty or ashamed, but are rather questions to steer you in the direction of emptying yourself.
In the book of Philippians, we see a theme of three key principles to answer these questions. We are going to break these principles down and look at why we should be asking ourselves these questions, as well as the importance of being emptied, filled, and rejoicing always.
What does it mean to be emptied?
To be “emptied of yourself” means to cast off your old self, or your sinful nature. When we make the decision to follow Christ we undergo a transformation. We go from “believing” to applying that belief. We are made new in Christ and must empty ourselves of how we once lived before we knew Christ, of who we were before we gained our new identity as a child of God. The answer to these questions we are asking can be found within this transformation and will continue to shift and change as you continue to be transformed by God.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
In order to be emptied, it can be helpful to know what we need to be emptied of. Christ died to save us each from our own specific sins. We all face our own struggles. Some of us battle with pride and esteem ourselves higher or better than others. Some of us fight with sloth or gluttony, some with idolatry, wrath or violent behavior, lust, and even envy or jealousy. The sins we face come in different forms, depths, and names, but we all fight sin.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
I determined that sloth is my weakness. I am not intentionally lazy, but man do I lack motivation sometimes. Sometimes I just purely have a hard time correctly prioritizing tasks and then more important things can sometimes fall through the cracks or become delayed. Knowing this about myself makes it easier to give my laziness to God, empty myself of it, and strive to let that nature go.
We will always be faced with temptation for our weaknesses, but in allowing God to empty that out time and again I’m better able to resist, avoid, and become stronger against it. It's not a one and done or quick fix, but each time we lift it up our yoke is lightened.
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.
Look at where He is transforming your life as you give yourself over in faith. Lift your hands up and give it to God. Allow yourself to be emptied, so that you may be filled again, and rejoice always.
'For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; '
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
I am a wife, mom, writer, crafter, and above all, a Child of God. I love to study the Bible, fellowship with other Christians, and serve God. I am thrilled to invite you to join me in seeking to satisfy our thirsty souls with the Living Water of Christ, which is what Water On Thirsty Land is here to do.
