From: October 1, 2024
“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare” (Philippians 2:19-20 ESV).
Paul wrote this epistle to the believers in Philippi while imprisoned in Rome (See Phil. 1:13-14). The epistle is like a love letter, filled with affection and joy for the members of the church at Philippi. Paul was longing for an update on them, so he sent this letter to let them know that Timothy was coming on his behalf. He wanted them to know that in sending Timothy, he was sending one who was like his own son, who cared for them just as he did.
Have you ever gone on a mission trip to some distant land? I have had the privilege of going on many short term trips and I always leave part of my heart in every place. When the mission team returns home, we give a report to our church, and hopefully our members are inspired. Yet, there is a certain frustration in trying to explain to them the depth of our experience. They see the photos and hear the stories, but they didn’t go with us, so they can’t fully share our “genuine concern” for those we’ve visited. But those who have gone with us, share a special fellowship of love for those believers we have formed a bond with in lands far away.
As I reflect on this, I remember with joy our brothers and sisters in Uganda, Guatemala, Indonesia, Turkey, the Czech Republic and other far away places. These are places where we have gone or sent others. And as a result, we have left pieces of our hearts there.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray for our missionaries, those who have gone out from us to minister in far away places. And we pray for those partners that we have made in these places. For they have become so very dear to us. Now stir our hearts afresh to continue carrying the gospel to the nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 1, 2023
“We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6 NLT).
This is the problem with the idea that we can live a good enough life to please God and earn entrance into heaven–– our righteous acts are like “filthy rags.” We make the mistake of comparing ourselves to those around us and concluding that we are as good as the next person, maybe better. We look at ourselves and feel that our good deeds outweigh the bad, but we miss the fact that even our good works are polluted by sinful attitudes and motivations. We know that we have sin areas, but we also dare to believe that we have good areas too. Yet from God’s perspective, our very best deeds and thoughts are like “filthy rags” (Literally, “menstrual pads” or “leper’s bandages”).
We have chosen the wrong standard of righteousness for comparison. Only when we consider the righteousness of God as revealed in His Word, both written and incarnate, do we realize the vast chasm separating us. For the written Word revealed the holy standard of God and the Living Word revealed even more. For it was not only that Christ was without sin, but that His every word and deed shone as bright and pure as sunlight. It is this Light that reveals how we have truly lived in darkness.
Yet, God did not send His Son to condemn us, but that through faith in Him, we might be saved (John 3:17-21). When we place our faith in Christ, we receive that which we could never earn, we receive His righteousness, a righteousness that fully pleases God. Therefore in Christ, we are enabled to put off our old polluted clothes and to put on new righteous clothes (See Col. 3:5-17). We can put off our filthy rags and exchange them for His righteousness.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we put off our old life and put on our new life in Christ today. We put off earning and put on believing. For it’s by believing in Christ that we have received His righteousness. Clothe us afresh by Your Spirit with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 1, 2022
NEARER MY GOD TO THEE
The psalmist wrote on the goodness of being near to God and finding shelter under His sovereign care. He declared his desire to “tell everyone” about the “wonderful” deeds of the Lord.
Do you know the goodness of being near the Lord? Why not take a moment right now to lift your eyes above your circumstances to contemplate His holiness, to read His Word, to seek His direction, and to receive a fresh filling of His Spirit?
Drawing near to God, we put our trust in Him, making Him our shelter and telling others of the wonderful things He does. We stop trying to live life on our own, depending on our own strength and we learn to depend on God’s strength and wisdom.
Let us join the psalmist and every believer throughout the ages who has discovered the secret of living that the apostle James spoke of, namely, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we draw near to You today. We praise Your holy name and lift up our souls to You. For our souls are thirsty and our bodies are sore with grief. Comfort us and abide in us. Help us to see life from Your perspective. Strengthen us to live by Your power. Lead us by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 1, 2017
This is the problem with the idea that we can live a good enough life to please God and earn entrance into heaven–– “our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.” We make the mistake of comparing ourselves to those around us and concluding that we are as good as the next person, maybe better. We look at ourselves and feel that our good deeds outweigh the bad, but we miss the fact that even our good works are polluted by sinful attitudes and motivations. We know that we have sin areas, but we also dare to believe that we have good areas too. Yet from God’s perspective, our very best deeds and thoughts are like “filthy rags” (Literally, “menstrual pads” or “leper’s bandages”). We have chosen the wrong standard of righteousness for comparison. Only when we consider the righteousness of God as revealed in His Word, both written and incarnate, do we realize the vast chasm separating us. You see, it’s not only that He is without sin, but that His every word and deed shine as bright and pure as sunlight. It is this Light that reveals how truly we live in darkness. But God did not send His Son to condemn us, but that through faith in Him, we might be saved (John 3:17-21). When we come to Christ, we receive that which we could never earn, we receive His righteousness, a righteousness that fully pleases God.
From: October 1, 2016
After describing a coming day of the Lord’s judgment, Isaiah prophesied of a “new heaven and a new earth” (Isa.65:17), a time when the predator and the prey will no longer be at enmity. With the new creation, there will be a new order where peace will reign. This prophecy is yet to be fulfilled.
From: October 1, 2015
Do you “draw near to God” every morning? Do you take a moment to lift your eyes above your circumstances to contemplate His holiness, to read His Word, to seek His direction, and to receive a fresh filling of His Spirit? Drawing near to God, we put our “trust” in Him and we fill our mouths with His praise, so that we “declare” His works all day long. Or do you attempt to live life on your own, depending on your own strength and wisdom? Why not join the psalmist and every believer throughout the ages who has discovered this secret of living: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).