Tag: word of Christ
The power of preaching the Word!
Scripture reading for June 4th: Proverbs 3-5, Romans 10
Key Scriptures: Romans 10:14-17 “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.”
Paul taught that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the power of God unto salvation. But faith cannot come where the Gospel is not preached. Paul used the rabbinical technique of asking good questions to provoke thinking on the truths he was teaching. There must be preachers who preach the Word. These preachers must be called and sent out. They must preach whether people hear and receive or not. But faith will come to those who do hear God’s Word! It is God’s Word and God’s chosen way for faith to salvation.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, thank You for calling me to preach Your unchanging Gospel. I will wait upon You to send me each day to those who need to hear Your life-giving Word. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and boldness!
Proverbs 4:20-22 “My son, be attentive to My Word; incline your ear to My sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.”
Christ’s life in me!
Scripture reading for October 7th: Colossians 3:1-17
True Christian thinking involves identification with Christ in His resurrection. Not only have we died with Christ, been buried with Christ, but we are raised up with Christ! (Galatians 2:20) Christ also ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father and we have been raised to identify with Christ in glory! The Holy Spirit is the Gift of the Father who enables us to identify with Christ and be transformed to be like Him. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4) Christ is also coming again. When He appears, we will also appear with Him! This is how we should now think as new creations in Christ. We have the fullness of Christ given to us and can expect and think on the eternal but very real truths that Christ taught. (Colossians 2:9-10)
As we change our focus from this life to Christ’s life, we begin to put off the things of our earthly nature that displease God and cause trouble with others. Our focus is now on pleasing Christ and preparing to meet Him instead of ourselves and our fleshly desires. All the old ways of immorality, lust, greed and idolatry were put to death on the cross so we put them out of our lives. In their place, we put on the new self, “which is being renewed in the knowledge and image of the Creator.” (Colossians 3:10) Christ becomes our new identity.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have have against one another. . .Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of on body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. . .” (Colossians 3:12-16a) Christ’s life produces identity and purpose in our lives. We have a calling to live in Christ’s peace of forgiven sins. What a gift to thank God for every day!