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Category Archives: God’s Word for Today

Monday Minute in the Word – The Quiet Game

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Note: Join me every Monday morning for a brief, but reflective look into God’s Word. There’s no better way to start your week.

Did you ever play the “quiet game” when you were a kid? Although not physically demanding, for many of us it was one of the most difficult childhood games to master. And to be honest, I still have not “mastered” it.

Over and over God’s Word talks about the power of our words. The power to help and heal. And the power to hurt and destroy. Today, let’s consider some words of wisdom from Proverbs.

When words are many, sin is not absent,
   but he who holds his tongue is wise.  Prov 10:19, NIV

He who guards his lips guards his life,
   but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. Prov 13:3, NIV

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
   and a man of understanding is even-tempered.  Proverbs 17:27, NIV

A fool’s mouth is his undoing,
   and his lips are a snare to his soul.  Proverbs 18:7

He who guards his mouth and his tongue
   keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

These four verses are just the tip of the biblical iceberg. James, the New Testament author and half-brother of Jesus, sums up the overall principle well: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” (James 1:19).

Oh, there have been so many times I wish I could take back my words. My mouth has gotten me into far more trouble and done much more to strain my relationship with God than my deeds ever have.

I am working to heed the wise advice of Scripture. Hold my tongue. Guard my lips. Carefully choose my words.

Are you good at “the quiet game” or do you need to practice more restraint? What is God telling you today about your tongue?

Every Spiritual Blessing – Ephesians 1:1-14

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This is the second lesson for an online Bible study through the book of Ephesians. The entire lesson is posted below. You can read it here and answer the questions in a journal or you can download the PDF or Word Doc and print a hard copy. Either way, I would love for all of you to interact with me and each other in the comments section of this blog page. Post insights, ask questions, and discuss the lesson. Let’s get started!

 

Imagine that a dear friend left a large package on your doorstep. The heavy box, which was beautifully wrapped, was topped with a note written in your friend’s hand.

Absolutely everything you will ever need is in this box. I give it to you freely, with much love.

What would you do? Would you bring it inside, open it and use the contents or would you simply talk about it and admire the wrapping? Most of us would begin to excitedly rip off the paper while we were dragging it inside! Then we would call our friend and profusely thank him for the indescribable gift. Next we would pull it all out of the box and begin to use it!

God has blessed us with everything we need to live an abundant life of faith in Christ. This is Paul’s focus in the first chapter of Ephesians.

“He has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (1:3, NIV).

But before we explore what this incredible promise means, let’s begin our study of the book of Ephesians at the beginning of the book!

Read Ephesians 1:1-2. Who wrote the letter? To who was the letter sent?

The first two verses of Ephesians is a conventional first-century address. Typically, the writer identified himself, addressed the recipients, and offered a traditional greeting. As mentioned last week in the introductory lesson, this letter was also likely distributed among all the churches in the Roman province of Asia. This is probably one of the reasons that the letter doesn’t seem to address a specific problem or issue. Although the content is more general in nature, it is full of deep truth about the working of God’s grace in our lives.

Read Ephesians 1:3-14.

The verses you just read are all one long sentence in the Greek. Once Paul started praising God he didn’t stop to take a breath for twelve verses! It reminds me of an excited young child who wants so much to tell you everything; she doesn’t even slow down enough to breathe. I can see Paul, hunched over the papyrus, writing with excitement and joy over what God has done.

Read 2 Peter 1:3 and compare it to Ephesians 1:3. This verse in 1 Peter helps us understand what “every spiritual blessing in Christ” means. Using the information in these two verses, describe the nature and purpose of what God has blessed us with. (For instance, are these blessings material or something else? Why does God give us these blessings?)

God has not promised us physical health or worldly wealth. His promises are spiritual in nature and eternal in scope. The blessings He lavishes on us are exactly what we need to deepen our relationship with God, grow to Christ-likeness, and fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.

Contemplating this glorious truth moved Paul to praise. Paul’s praise includes a long list (though not exhaustive) of some of the many ways God has indeed “blessed us in the heavenly realms,” centering on what the Father has done for us in Christ.

Work your way back through verses 4-14. Make a list of all the blessings we have “in Christ.”

Look back at your list. This is why Paul got so excited. Don’t you just want to shout out loud? Or jump up and down?! We are chosen, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven! God has lavished His grace on us (love this!) and sealed us with the Holy Spirit until we receive our eternal inheritance as His beloved daughters! Amen and amen!

Verses 4-14 are a beautiful description of what God does when He saves us. Before salvation, we are separated from God because of our sin. But then God intervenes! Paul’s description shows how each member of the Trinity works in our salvation. Let’s consider the vital role of each.

Describe the role God the Father has in our salvation:

Describe the role Jesus has in our salvation:

Describe the role the Holy Spirit has in our salvation:

Our salvation is based solely on the character and action of God. The Father initiates our salvation. He chooses us in love and calls us to hope in Christ. Jesus makes our salvation possible by satisfying the requirements that God’s justice demands. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). Jesus paid our debt with His own blood. The Holy Spirit applies God’s saving work to our lives. He restores our spiritual life. The Spirit’s presence with every believer is God’s promise that we belong to Him. The Spirit protects us and guarantees our eternal life to come!

God’s spiritual blessings for us proceed from the Father, are made possible by the Son, and are activated in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We’ve seen what God has blessed us with and how we receive His blessings. Now let’s consider “why.”

Why did God choose to “bless us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ?” Make a list below of all the reasons you can find in verses 3-14.

You may have really had to dig to answer that last question because there are so many treasures hidden in that passage. So, to summarize, God saved us and lavished His blessings on us because:

  • He wants to make us holy and blameless (vs 4)
  • It pleased Him and He wanted to (vs 5)
  • Our salvation will bring Him praise (vs 6)
  • He is loving and full of grace (vs 6-7)
  • To carry out His plans and purposes in Christ (9-11)

Oh, there is so much more in these verses we could dig out! But we must finish up for today or I am afraid you won’t come back! But, before we go, let’s make some personal application.

Think about your current life circumstances – physical, relational, and spiritual. Even though God’s blessings to us are spiritual in nature, they powerfully apply to every single thing God has allowed into our lives. What circumstance in your life needs to be affected by His blessings today? How can the “riches of God’s grace” work in this circumstance to bring Him praise?

Contemplate the blessings of God today and respond with praise!

Please respond to any of today’s questions in the comment section of this post. Share insights, ask questions, or simply praise our God.

Weekly Challenge

(Each week, in addition to the weekly lesson, I will provide an opportunity – for those who have the time and desire – to go a little deeper. If you are unable to do this, please don’t worry, but if you can, take the plunge!)

This week I challenge you to memorize Ephesians 1:3. I’ve been working on 1:3-6 for a couple of weeks now, so I know you can do it!

 

Why don’t you just grow up? – You’re invited

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Many of us take a hard look in the mirror this time of year. Often, what we see makes us cringe – or at least sigh. After that critical evaluation many of us commit to new diets and exercise habits. (Another course of action of course, would be to simply throw away the mirror!)

But when was the last time you evaluated your spiritual condition? Do you feel strong in the Lord and in His mighty power or is your faith flabby? Are you experiencing every spiritual blessing in Christ or is your soul undernourished?

Every Christian needs regular encouragement and strengthening from the community of faith to continue to grow. So, I invite you to join me for some spiritual encouragement through a study of Ephesians. This letter, written by Paul, is one of the most encouraging, faith-building books of the Bible. Here are a few key ways this study of Ephesians will get your faith in shape:

  • You will contemplate all the spiritual blessings God has given you through Christ.
  • You will soak in the truth of who you are in Christ.
  • You will discover how to live out your faith and grow up spiritually within the context of the church.

Won’t you join me? The introductory lesson for “Growing Up Together: A Study of Ephesians” will be posted Wednesday, January 18th with six more lessons to follow each Wednesday. It won’t be incredibly time intensive, but you will dig deep into the treasure of God’s Word. The best part is we can talk together about what God is teaching us and what He wants to do in our lives. I can hardly wait!

Now 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, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV).

Are you in? Tell me how you’d like to see your faith grow in 2012.

Fresh starts and second chances

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I have a love/hate relationship with January 1st. I love the New Year because it represents a time of fresh starts, new commitments, and second chances. I hate the New Year because it usually reminds me I need to be more disciplined, give up something in which I’ve overindulged (chocolate and ice cream for instance), and generally get back on track in several areas.

I’m going to make a few of confessions as a way to confirm my “fresh starts.” Please feel free to hold me accountable. Are you ready? Here we go:

  • I have not been eating well the last few months. It started during our move from Midland to Houston in July. I’ve been pretty much eating what I want, when I want it. It’s not healthy and my jeans definitely know what I’ve been doing.
  • I slacked off in memorizing Scripture during the latter half of the year. I started 2011 off pretty well, but I allowed our move and a big deadline to push it to the back burner.
  • I sometimes allow email to distract me from the most important communication of the day. A couple of years ago God showed me that I should make my time with Him first priority. Email, Facebook, and household chores can often become black holes for my time. What I think is a “quick minute” turns into much longer.

Now, that I’ve opened up and made myself a little vulnerable I will also share with you my commitments to fresh starts.

  • I commit to healthy eating in 2012. I will not be legalistic; I will occasionally enjoy treats. But I will regularly feed my body with the good foods God gave us to eat – fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Oh yeah, and not to excess!
  • I renew my commitment to Scripture memory. This month I will begin memorizing new passages from the book of Ephesians. I will also get back on track with regular review of previously memorized passages. (If you are interested in Scripture memory, check out the resources available on the free resources page.)
  • I also renew my commitment to make time with God my very first priority each day.

I am so thankful that God gives us chances to begin again. When we fall down, He picks us up and sets our feet back on the right path! And He also gives us each other for encouragement and accountability. That’s exactly why I shared all this with you – encouragement and accountability.

Have you made any commitments to fresh starts for 2012? Feel free to share!

 

In the beginning – Genesis 1

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Yesterday we celebrated the arrival of 2012. The new year is a time for beginnings. It fosters fresh starts, second chances, and new commitments.

Today, I started a Bible reading plan for 2012. The very first reading of the New Year was the first chapter of Genesis. Genesis records the beginning of everything – when God created the universe, our world, animal life, and mankind. Here’s part of what I read today:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.2The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.

27 So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

29 Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.30 And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.
31 Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

Genesis 1:1-5; 27-31, NLT

This passage tells us about the beginning of beginnings. Genesis does not tell the how of creation, but it certainly makes clear the source of creation: God. He created everything out of nothing! We cannot even began to understand His power and authority. (If you have time, go to your Bible and read the entire first chapter of Genesis.)

What does Genesis 1 teach us about the nature of God? What can we learn about His character and ways from what He did?

If you do not have a plan for reading the Bible this year consider joining the Facebook group “Reading the Bible Together in 2012.” Dozens of people from all over will be using the Chronological Story Bible Reading Plan and encouraging one another to keep with it. There is also a kick-off event today on Facebook. We will be reading Genesis 1 and talking about it there. You are invited to attend!