As the rain and snow

“I am the Lord your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord…

“Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean…  So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 18:1-5,24,30

“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us, or for our adversaries?’  And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped.” Joshua 5:13-14

We are so prone to looking right and left to make our choices, determining the better (or lesser of evils) for me and always ready to jump, when the Lord tilts the chin and says ‘stop, stay in the middle and look to me. Where you are with me is right.’ He operates on a dimension that is other-worldly, and as His children, we need train ourselves to consider His spiritual ways and parameters instead of earthly ones.

When we compare heathen ways with heathen ways, we can always justify some worse or some less bad. Sometimes we can even make excuses for possible good. But the Lord is clear: ‘If I’ve declared it unclean, it’s not to be considered, flirted with, gazed upon, or stroked. Stay away, and follow Me.’ He faithfully, in the process of our sanctification, leads us out of certain habits and ways of thinking, transforming us by the renewal of our minds and will. Why would we return, or jump onto another lily pad with similar stain? The flesh is weak, and too often our will cannot hold its ground. (Matthew 26:41; Romans 12:2)

So, the middle place is actually the highest place, the safe center where faith blooms and Jesus is and we are held. The world teases, pulls, and presses, but secure in Christ we are untouched. We must always revere Him as Leader and Lord. Would we cling to Him, and cherish His truth above all? Would we say a flat loud No! to unrighteousness and Yes! to His commands? Would we throw off the sin that entangles and run with eyes on Him? (Hebrews 12:1-2)

When we toy with return to former ways, or the tease of anything ahead that would entice us from Jesus, walking steadily in the middle of the Lord’s commands directs and protects our lives in righteousness.

Father, fix me in the middle of Your will, bold not to return to past sins, nor venture ahead nor away. You and Your word are the place I want to stay.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;  likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire… Continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3,8-10,15b

“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves.” 1 Peter 3:3-5

So much is made about outward appearance. Dressed and fit, accessorized and posed, we want to be perfect for the screen, the banter, the acceptance and applause of those around us. We bear the burden of baring too much story and skin, all to gain attention that is fleeting. But then we’re arrested by the admonition to lift holy hands, or to cultivate a quiet spirit, and don’t know where and how to fit that into the dressing room of our day to day. How to reconcile the Lord’s call for modesty and measured living in His flow and flourish, when habits that are opposed are now exposed?

What to do? How to turn, and proceed? First of all, pray about all these things, confessing need, with commitment. Check motives in every choice, and repent toward a pure heart and eternal perspective. Do I dress to provoke, to draw attention to anything other than Christ? Whom do I aim to please? And what about modesty of speech? Do I have to tell all? Why do I clamor for notice? Are my words authentic? What do my words betray about the status of my spirit? What drives me to reveal what I do, and who does it glorify? What makes it so hard to keep my mouth closed? The Lord will answer, and help. He’s on our side. Psalm 19:7-8,10a,12-13a,14; Romans 8:31-34)

How much do we care about and tend to the inner self? What if we took as much time and attention to refine our inner strength and beauty as we do the external? What if we made deliberate changes to our schedules and actions to promote a gentle, quiet spirit, and good works? To soak in Christ so we reflect His grace and love? To invest in the good of another’s soul? The transformation God works inside is sure to show, and in ways that reveal Him.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman [or man] who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)

Lord God, make me godly and dignified in every way, that my dress and words spoken are fitting for my King, and display the honor You deserve.

“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12 

“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. 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.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Love is an action, and action isn’t stagnant. Saying we love someone then not repeating it for years ‘ because nothing’s changed’ is no way to love. In Christ, and for Christ and others, our love should be constant, and constantly growing. It should continually thrive and increase as we grow up in spiritual maturity, in knowledge and understanding of our Lord and those He’s given us to love. If we are loving in His way and power, love will abound and multiply to spread His influence.

Love can grow when our heart soil is rich, aerated with grace, forgiveness, kindness, and courtesy. It must be cleared of stones of resentment, pebbles of hurt, nasty roots of bitterness, and weeds of remembered wrongs. Fertile soil can’t mingle with contamination and bear fruit- we must rid of the bad to make ready the good. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Hebrews 12:15; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:5-6).

Love also grows when we study and absorb the love of Christ. Learn His ways and methods of selfless asking, unrushed timing, patient discussion, speaking truth with love, humbly laying down His life. Bask in the limitless measure of His love, allowing it to sink deep, lift high, and hold tight, then begin to express that love in like measure. Acknowledge and thank Him for His tenderness, mercy, and lavish grace, then go and love likewise. (John 4:4-18; 13:1-5,14-15; 15:13; Ephesians 3:17-19; 4:15,32).

Loving brothers and sisters in Christ requires seeing them as God does, and genuinely desiring what is best for them. They are beloved and cherished, with a path marked out by God for His intended works. Loving others well calls me to prefer them over myself, and consider their interests as more important than my own. It can be transforming for both parties, eliciting transformation and promoting spiritual fruitfulness as we support one another to do God’s will. What am I doing or saying in love to encourage or free another to fulfill God’s calling and purpose? To pass along His counsel and wisdom? To refine in godliness and purity, or check error that could lead to harm? (Proverbs 27:6,9,17; Isaiah 43:4,7; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14,16-17)

What are specific ways I can love others as Christ has loved me? What one act of humble service, forgiveness, graciousness, consolation, burden-bearing, practical help, will I do this day in Christ’s name, for His sake? How can I contribute to building up the Body by multiplying my love for and among it?

Lord, root and ground me in love, striving with me to comprehend its vastness and power. Teach me to love You, and others, as I ought to love, abounding more and more in ever-increasing measure, to the glory of Your Name. (Philippians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

“On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel,  and he said to Aaron, ‘Take for yourself a bull calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and offer them before the LORD. Say to the people of Israel, “Take a male goat for a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both a year old without blemish, for a burnt offering, and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil, for today the LORD will appear to you…”‘ And Moses said, ‘This is the thing that the LORD commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you…’

“Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and came down from offering the sin offering and burnt offering and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.” Leviticus 9:1-4,6,22-24

There is a holy hush in the order, detail, and earthiness of priests offering animal sacrifices. The exactness, the blood, the stench, and the careful process of each offering blends to rise with pleasing aroma to God, even as it stirs the deepest soul response in men. In the taking, in the offering, in the mixing, the LORD appears. In the obedience, His glory shines. Our LORD receives what we offer and blesses both it and us, to the awe and praise of His people.

What can we offer Him that begins to compare with what He offered us in Christ? He gave His life so our hearts can throb with gratitude in return. He gave forgiveness, freedom, salvation, abundant life, eternal riches. Our measly portion of obedience, honor, thanksgiving, and service pales in the shadow of His infinite gifts to us. We can never out-give God. Yet, upon opening our hands, our offering is blessed. Indeed, the Lord loves a cheerful giver. (Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Ephesians 1:3-14)

We no longer come by way of priestly sacrifice, for our Great High Priest gave Himself once for all. What will we offer the Worthy One of our days, means, talents, and lives? (Hebrews 7:27)

“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” (Isaac Watts, 1707)

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.” ~Frances R. Havergal (1874) 

Father, be glorified in my every offering. Amen.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 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. 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,  so that you became an example to all the believers… 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. 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, and to wait for his Son from heaven,.. Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

Example begets example, when threaded by the Holy Spirit through willing hearts and hands. The Thessalonians betrayed no cursory mimic of Paul, but deep-rooted application of truth fleshed out in the most trying of circumstances. Paul’s shining example, including his very act of writing letters to build up the churches, rang true and abroad for every child of God as they imitated him and further spread God’s message of salvation.

Being an example has little to do with comparisons and watchers, and everything to do with the One you follow. Trying in self-effort to put on goodness and faith proves superficial. Words spoken merely to flatter or impress ring hollow. If we give or receive shallow example, all is in vain and nothing makes a lasting impression. Immersing ourselves in Christ with full surrender is the only way to be transformed, influential, and effectual. A life lived wholeheartedly for Him is one that attracts others to Him, and makes every sincere believer want to be like Jesus when we grow up. (1 Peter 1:16)

Note the noteworthy in Paul: He prays with substance and affection for his brothers loved by God, and commends them for their steadfastness and faith. His own application of God’s promises and sufficiency had been imitated by them and was bearing fruit. His bold ministry held no flattery or self-promotion, but was fueled by love and compassion for Christ’s church. They, in turn, were bold in imitation of his genuine faith and affection, theirs proving sincere and strong. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

With shared focus on Jesus over self, we can all learn to press on and pass on with persistence and sincerity. What we see, we emulate; what we learn, we teach by both word and example. In the Body, we are all enriched by the examples of others, or serving as one ourselves; by observation, instruction, and implementation; by lessons learned through success and failure.

Who has influenced me in a life-giving way, and how can I imitate their example? What in me needs to be honed to reflect Christ with vibrancy and winsomeness? Am I honest about struggles, and quick to credit God for His mercies, way-making, and help? (Psalm 73:1-3,16-17,21-26,28)

Lord, make me grateful for every Christ-like example, and gracious to be one too.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

“What a person desires is unfailing love…
The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
    but one who has insight draws them out.”

“A person may think their own ways are right,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.” Proverbs 19:21-22a,23; 20:5; 21:2

“I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 49:3-7

“The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing...
At that time I will deal
    with all who oppressed you.
I will rescue the lame;
    I will gather the exiles.
I will give them praise and honor
    in every land where they have suffered shame.
At that time I will gather you;
    at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise
    among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes
    before your very eyes,’
says the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:17,19-20

We are designed to long to be cherished, bearing both the image of Infinite God and the flesh of temporal man. In our minds are many plans, in our heart is deep yearning and purpose. It is the Lord our Maker who made and weighs and understands what we can feel with passion but be unable to articulate or express with words. He is both Maker and Lover of our souls. (Genesis 1:26-27; Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Yet, we crave many other things, objects, stuff, and experiences that fail to satisfy inner longing. We eat and drink, buy and collect, tease loneliness and medicate hurt, but living still rings hollow. Bitter wounds lie open, misdirected passion turns stale, unrequited love grows cold. We attempt to placate, soothe, and satiate with all the wrong material and methods, to no lasting avail.

But turning our eyes and hopes to the Lord, we can rest in peace knowing that we are deeply loved, that our identity and value bears a divine imprint. He treasures us more than we can even imagine. We can also be God’s instruments in communicating this eternal worth to others.

Would we fix our security in God’s love and affection for us? Only He fulfills. And what care will we invest, what patience and selfless love will we expend, to draw out another’s deepest longings, then build them up in God-given purpose? (Colossians 4:17; 2 Timothy 1:6)

Jesus, satisfy my every craving in Thee alone.

“Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
‘Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.’

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
‘As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.’

I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2

Quiet rage begets sinister plots, and insidiously, kings of earth set themselves against the Almighty. Drunk on pride and power, they scoff at God and lead people astray with every sort of immorality and greed. Eager to be their own Master, they are enslaved to idolatry of things both evil and good, and lead the nations to worship the same. Foundations are destroyed, and foolish man, riddled with self importance, no longer reveres, or even recognizes, the truth or power of God. Blinded and wayward, as Friedrich Nietzsche would describe, they “stray, as through infinite nothingness.” (Psalm 11:3-5; Matthew 22:29)

But in fact, God reigns as King on and from His holy hill, and looks down on the kings of man in derision. They who huff and bristle are doomed to face His fury, yet in mercy He calls them to account. He breaks the pride and plans of man, and offers both warning and promise if they would humbly avoid His just wrath. He invites them in for refuge from perishing, to serve and fear and rejoice in Him. He hears their earnest, needful cry. What grace! What wondrous love! One day they will bow and confess Him as Lord, and He gives them the option of tremble or praise. (Psalm 3:4; Philippians 2:8-11)

Are there ways, and areas of my personal life, where I shrug off my Maker to avoid His influence or escape His control? Do I behave like a spiritual adolescent, asserting my will against His, insisting I’m sufficiently smart and able? Do I really think the collective counsel of the spiritually ignorant is superior to the wisdom of God? Would I instead heed His warnings and the Spirit’s conviction against rebellion and idolatry?

Being broken by God is a gift when it leads to glad submission to His Sovereign rule. When we take refuge in Him who was broken for us to take the wrath we deserved, we are blessed forever. (Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 51:17; 1 Corinthians 11:24)

Gracious King, help me welcome Your breaking of my will and heart to make them wholly Yours.

“In the whole land, declares the Lord,
    two thirds shall be cut off and perish,
    and one third shall be left alive.
And I will put this third into the fire,
    and refine them as one refines silver,
    and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
    and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
    and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Zechariah 13:8-9

“But he knows the way that I take;
    when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

There are many tests in life that determine whose we are: where and when will we stand, what do we believe, how will we behave. The Lord separates His own from unbelievers and promises clear distinctions at the last day. But He also has tests for only His own, fires of refinement to purify and sanctify, to prove our faith and teach the manners of heaven. These tests identify us as His. (Genesis 22:1,12; Psalm 17:3; 66:10; Matthew 25:31-46)

How we respond to His tests reveals how devoted we are, how wholehearted in faith, how deep we are willing to go. Some choose cursory commitment, wanting to be salvation-safe, but unwilling to wear the label of Christ and bearing only anemic fruit. Too close an identification or alliance might cramp lifestyle or friendship or employment choices. Speaking up or standing out might lead to social cancellation. While these may escape eternal condemnation, they miss out on the fullness of life the Lord intends, and have ashes rather than crowns to offer Him on the last day. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 4:10-11)

Then there are those who call on God’s name with strong, hearty voice, and gratefully wear His identification for all to see. When facing trials, they persevere, developing their faith to maturity. When tested by temptation, their priority is partaking of and displaying God’s divine nature. Godliness, expressed in self-control, and love for Christ, motivate their responses. Every test is an opportunity to be chiseled and formed to be more like Jesus and to live robustly for His name’s sake. (James 1:2-4; 2 Peter 1:3-7)

Are there idols lurking in heart recesses that dilute our allegiance and passion for Christ? How willing are we to undergo holy scrutiny, and therein, how well do the thoughts of our hearts and our conduct align? How securely do we stand ‘above all’ when buffeted by criticism, slander, or trials? How courageously do we withstand the onslaught of spiritual opposition that attempts to delude us into idolatry, lies, and self-pampering? Do we fear God more than man, and if so, what is the proof in our daily decisions and interactions? Do those around me recognize I have the Lord’s DNA? (Daniel 3:14-18; Psalm 139:23-24; Acts 4:18-20; Ephesians 6:10-17)

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger
and strength to strength oppose.” ~George Duffield (1858)

Father, in every test that transpires, may I lift high Your banner and come forth as gold, so others know I’m Yours. (Zechariah 14:20-21; Malachi 3:17-18)

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you…

“Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Philippians 4:9,21-23

“I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here…

“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

“After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea… See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” Colossians 4:8-9,12-17

How fitting that Paul would close his letter on rejoicing by commending those at the church in Philippi to greet one another. In Colossae, he named several fellow servants who were also on their side, jointly struggling for the church’s growth and assurance. His M.O. was never to draw attention to himself, but to build up the church. He encouraged good will among the brothers, and gratitude, and mature faith. He commended effective Christian work in service and prayer, and urged the same. He cheered the faithful, and prayed the gospel would have its glorious way among God’s people. And always his words were laced with love, and grace.

We welcome people to the warmth of Christ when we greet them in His name. We convey the grace of His gospel when our words embrace with affection and a sense of value. When we speak, smile, pay attention, and upbuild, we deliver Christ’s welcome, and spread His benediction.

How do, and can, we communicate the greetings of Christ? What is our intention, and how is it planned? What in our schedules need we reorder to take time to reach out to the lonely, rejected, or doubting? What can we do differently at work or church to greet in Christ’s name and way?

Whom will we go after this day or week to bless with His commendation, or upbuild with truth? Who needs special prayer? Ask God to bring them to mind, then make the call, leave the message, or write the note and pray with and for them, leaving words to savor and satisfy. (Colossians 1:3-5a; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

Lord, You have welcomed me into Your love and salvation. May I be as generous and gracious to greet others in Your name, so they feel Your love, see Your beauty, and are drawn into Your gracious favor.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

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

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:1-10

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

We were dead, and have been made alive. We were buried, and have been raised. We were emptied of the debt of sin, and filled with the Spirit in Christ. We are new creatures, and always newer, as we grow and are sanctified and until we appear with Jesus in glory. (Colossians 2:10-14)

The reality that I am a new creature makes the way for always new. Without Christ in us, we would have no hope of ongoing conviction, purification, or sanctification, nor of future glory. Without His Spirit, we would have no impetus to renew our minds, or will to do His ordained works. It is He whose life now lives in us, and who compels us to put off and put on, to reconcile with others, to serve wholeheartedly, and to proclaim the gospel. (John 16:8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-20; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 1:27; 3:12-20)

So living vibrantly in Christ, we are new, and continually renewed. Our faith grows older, but is never old. We see now, but will see even better, and more. The way for each day is steady obedience, one decision at a time. It is paved with stones of truth and remembrance, with promises believed and principles applied. Our fuel is the ongoing filling of the Spirit. The destination is full transformation into the image of God’s glory- a distant but certain hope. (1 Corinthians 13:10,12; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 3:2)

How are we adding new to new? Are there old practices we have yet to eliminate? What habits have become so ingrained we excuse them as our ‘wiring,’ when in fact they need uprooting, putting off, and replacement? Which attitudes, default reactions, or desires need spiritual renewal?

Lord, I offer myself a living sacrifice to be renewed by You. May Your Spirit and love flow afresh in and through me, that Your image be reflected and Your glory magnified.