“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.”…Ephesians 3:20. NIV
There was a small boy who wanted to go and see Jesus and hear his teachings. He was excited to be part of a large crowd of people because he knew wherever Jesus is there would be a large gathering of people. His mom packed him a lunch in case if he is going to be there for a long time. As he was walking with the crowd and listening to Jesus, a man came and grabbed his hand. He asked if he wants to share his small lunch with the large group. It was only five loaves of bread and two fishes. He did not care about the food and not felt like eating either because of his fun with the crowd and Jesus. He willingly gave it away. Then in a few minutes, the boy saw Jesus blessed his lunch and gave it to His men. Then as he was looking, he saw thousands of people were sitting down on the grass and began to eat his loaves and fish. The men who are with Jesus kept bringing loaves and fishes again to feed about five thousand men. They all ate, satisfied, and then went home. He also ate and filled his stomach when the men of Jesus brought him loaves and fish. John 6:1-14.
The little boy was awestruck by the miracle he witnessed and experienced.
Our today’s Bible insight says this, “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…”. Jesus did immeasurably more than the boy ever imagined, didn’t He?
Beloved, give what you can to Jesus as the boy did. It does not matter how small or how big it is. If you are willing to give to Jesus, he will bless, multiply for a vast number of people. In the hand of Jesus, you will see the miracle you ever thought or imagined. It says the Lord will do ‘according to His power’ that is at work within us. It is not the boy’s lunch or power, but it was the power of Jesus Christ that performed such a miracle when he gave away what he had to Jesus. There is no limit to His omnipotent power. Are you willing to give to Jesus what you have like this boy? You can give your time, your ability, your skill, your resources, your life, or whatever. Then get ready to see how the Lord is going to multiply it miraculously by using what you gave to him. You will get amazed at his divine hand and power.
Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I give what I have to Jesus. I know you can do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within me. I believe in your power. Please use what I give now immeasurably according to your mighty power and fulfill your purpose by it. I love Jesus because I believe Jesus died for all of my sins and rose again. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. I give my thankfulness for what you have done for me. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”
“In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.” Ephesians 1:7-8
John Hopkins Medicine says, “Forgiveness: Your Health Depends on It”. It says, “the good news: Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap huge rewards for your health, lowering the risk of heart attack; improving cholesterol levels and sleep; and reducing pain, blood pressure, and levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. And research points to an increase in the forgiveness-health connection as you age.” (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/forgiveness-your-health-depends-on-it).
Beloved, all people need forgiveness, and God knows this truth. This is the reason why Jesus commanded the Gospel of forgiveness must be preached to all everywhere in the world, regardless of color, race, language, gender, and social status. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. All people are born sinners. There is nothing you can do about it. When we lie, cheat, lust, fight, act selfishly, insult, hurt, and many other ways we do sin and break the law of God. Since we all are sinners, we are unable to stand in front of a holy and awesome God. Our sin nature separates us from God and results in eternal separation from the loving God. This is why each one of us needs forgiveness from God for our sins and mistakes. We need to get assurance from God that we are forgiven and clean, don’t we? Bible declares this in Romans 3:24-25, although all are sinners in one way or another, “yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins, for God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” NLT.
Take time to read the truth of the above verse again. May those words sink deep into your heart! Without God’s intervention and help, you would be lost forever from his loving presence. When you close your eyes on death, you will not experience the love and care of God, apart from God’s grace. You would be lost forever in a place where there is no presence of God but only darkness, judgment, and consequences of sins. However, aren’t you glad the loving God intervened? Thanks and praise to Him!
Bible says, when we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. You see most people would not be willing to die for an upright person. But someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially useful for them. However, do you know, God showed his great love for us by sending His Son, Christ to die for us while we were still sinners? Now we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ. He will certainly no doubt will save us from God’s coming judgment and condemnation. (Refer Romans 5:6-9).
Beloved, what you really need is what God offers you. You need God’s forgiveness. God opened the way for your forgiveness in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the savior of the whole world. Dear one, you would not get forgiveness from any other person or place in this world. There is no one out there who paid fully for your sins and shortcomings by the blood. Only Jesus Christ did it. He paid for your sins and mistakes by his divine and sinless blood. He died in your place for your sins. He was buried. He rose again declaring victory over sin and death. He is the only who can offer forgiveness.
Beloved, may I ask you to think- how many times you messed up your life in the past? If you are an honest person, you would undoubtedly say many times. However, each time didn’t God forgive you when looked to him for help? I can testify to you the loving Lord forgave me innumerable times. Without his forgiveness, I would not have been here talking to you through these daily and weekly insights. He lavished his forgiveness on me. Today’s Bible insight says, “ In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.” You see in Jesus Christ; God lavished his forgiveness on you according to the riches of His grace. Have you received the lavished forgiveness of God from Jesus Christ? If not yet, you can receive God’s forgiveness right now by a small prayer with me. Just hang with me a few more seconds. I will let you pray after me.
One other point- Beloved, it is much easier to forgive and show kindness to others when you really understand the depth and greatness of forgiveness/kindness you received from Jesus. However, you can still keep a Pharisee mindset if you want to be, although our Lord hates it. However, I do not want to be like a Pharisee. Do you? Sadly, some Christians and even a few denominations became Pharisaical these last days looking down on people and falsely anticipating somehow they are better than others. Alternatively, God is raising up grace-focused congregations in recent years all over the world for the testimony of his wonderful forgiveness and grace. They have experienced the blessings of the Lord in their ministries and many are drawn to Christ. However, the people who are still deceived by their wrong notions may read the Gospels and see Jesus in action. I hope you would be more forgiving, compassionate, kind-hearted, and loving in the days to come thinking how much you received from the Lord although you were unworthy. (Matthew 18:23-35).
Like John Hopkins Medicine says, “Forgiveness: your health depends on it.” Desmond Tutu, an Anglican Bishop, theologian and Nobel Prize winner said this, “Without forgiveness, there’s no future.”
I would say your health and future destiny hangs on forgiveness and the true source of it is Jesus on the cross with your sins on his body.
Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I admit I am born in sin, and there is nothing I can do about my sinful nature. I need Jesus Christ and God’s forgiveness. I pray to Jesus to save me now. I repent of my sins and call upon your name. Come to my life and bless me with your forgiveness. Lord help me not to develop a Pharisee mindset. May I always remember how much you forgave and showed your kindness to me? Forgive my wrong attitude. when you extend your life, may I be a channel of your love, forgiveness, care, compassion, grace, and mercy to people. I want to be your hands and feet in this world. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”
“Therefore, this is what the Lord says: If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me” Jeremiah 15:19 (a) NIV
When you are born, you born into your family as a child of your parents. In a broader scope, your first birth was into Adam’s race and genealogy inheriting his sinful nature. However, when you are born again, you are born into God’s family as a child of God. You are not represented by Adam anymore. You are now represented by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who saved you and have the Holy Spirit inside you.
Beloved, once you are born into God’s family by the miraculous work of God’s Holy Spirit, you always remain as God’s child. In other words, you cannot cause to unborn yourself from God’s family. (John 10:28-29). No one can snatch you out of Jesus’s and Father’s hands. Nothing and no power can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38-39). If and when you fall into sin, your relationship as God’s child is still there. However, your fellowship with God is affected. The joy of your salvation in the Lord is impaired.
However, remember you are only one footstep away from restoration to God’s loving fellowship again. Our today’s Bible insight says, “Therefore, this is what the Lord says: If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.” The wonderful word is called “repent”. Repentance is not a bad word. It is a beautiful word that unlocks all God’s blessings, love, and care again for you.
When Jesus portrayed the picture of our heavenly father, he used three parables. The parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost son. This is recorded in Luke 15. The owner of the lost sheep, the owner of the lost coin, and the father of the lost son – all had one thing in common. They all looked for, searched for, and waited eagerly for the return of the lost sheep, coin, and son. Luke 15:7 says, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Beloved, Peter never thought the Lord Jesus would forgive him because he denied Jesus three times in Jesus’s most painful and lonely time, the night before the crucifixion. Dear ones, the Lord knows even our failures in advance because Jesus predicted Peter’s denial in advance and also promised his intercession for him. (Luke 22:31-32). After Peter’s restoration, he became a more powerful witness and preacher of Jesus Christ. Lord recommissioned him to serve him more effectively. (John 21). In one super Holy Spirit-filled preaching on the day of Pentecost, three thousand souls were saved when they repented of their sins and accepted Christ as their savior and Lord.
If you have fallen away by sin and lost the loving fellowship of the Lord, do not think he does not care about you or would not forgive you. The blood of Jesus Christ has the power to clean any and every sin. Agree to the Lord your sins and repent (means turn away from the sinful lifestyle). It is a simple action that has profound significance for the rest of your life. God’s Holy Spirit inside of you will help you to come out of your sins. LORD says in Isaiah 1:18 “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be as wool.” These are the words of the LORD to his chosen people who went astray from Him. Like Prodigal son’s loving father, He is eagerly waiting for your return. Repent, and you would be accepted back by the Lord. Bible says in Psalms 27:10, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” May I tell you even if all forsake you and write you off (including parents, spouse, children, and friends), the LORD will receive you and bless you again abundantly when you return to him in prayer?
After you repent, Beloved, you need help, prayer, and support from true believers in a local church. Join a Bible study/prayer group where Jesus loving and grace-filled people would welcome you and you have the opportunity to serve the Lord again. Remember, our Bible insight into your heart. God promises, “Therefore, this is what the Lord says: If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.” The purpose of your restoration is you may serve Him again.
Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I repent of my sin and agree with you that what I did was wrong in your sight. Please forgive me and cleanse me by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. I believe the blood of Jesus has the power to restore me to your loving fellowship. Please accept me and I surrender my life to serve you. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
God promised quite a few amazing benefits and results if you read and keep the Bible verses in your life. God says you will become wiser than your enemies (Psalm 119:98). He says His word makes a simple fellow wise (Psalms 19:7). Do you know if you meditate on God’s word, you can become wiser than your teachers? (119:99). You would get more understanding than the elders (119:100). You see, the word of God has wisdom and knowledge from heaven and God. How much would you like to pay for good wisdom? God says it is freely available to you if you set your mind to know the Bible. This wisdom and knowledge are not originated from earth. It is God-breathed and recorded in the pages of the Bible.
Don’t you want to be wiser than your enemies? Of course, I do. How about your wisdom exceeds those of your teachers and elders?
Moreover, the word of God in the Bible can direct your footsteps (119:133). It gives light on your path to walk (119:105). Don’t you agree we all need light to walk without trembling and falling, especially when we face dark times in our lives? Besides, the law of the Lord makes you a happy person. (119:16 GW). 119:35 (NLT) says you will be happy with the word of God. During the sad and sorrow-filled life on this earth, the thing that makes you happy amid all your struggles is the word of God.
Psalm 119:28 says the word of God would strengthen you when you need strength. The word can revive you when you feel dead inside and out. (119:50). It gives you hope (Psalms 130:5), It has the divine power to make changes in our innermost being because it ministers to our thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:12 ), The listening and understanding of the word of God give joy in life (Nehemiah 8:10(b).
God promised Joshua, a young and timid man, who became the leader of Israel to conquer the promised land, (the successor of the great man of God, Moses) this – the reading, meditating and applying the Word of God would give him success in all his endeavors. Here the ‘formula’ of success in life directly given by God. Listen carefully, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Beloved, oftentimes we search for happiness, success, joy, comfort, guidance, wisdom in the wrong places. God says You don’t need to look anywhere else. Get these from My Words in the Bible.
Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know you promised wonderful benefits and blessings if I read your word and meditate on it. I want to read and study the Bible. Help me to do it. I also believe the eternal word of God, Jesus Christ, was incarnated on this earth to save me. He died and rose again for all of my sins. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. Please save and bless me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”
“I am eager to learn all that you want me to do; help me to understand more and more.” Psalms 119:32-34. (CEV).
Socrates said, “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”
The author of Psalm 119 is unknown. However, many of the opinion that David, Ezra, or Daniel wrote it. The main theme of Psalm 119 is the excitement to learn, study, and practice the word of God. Ezra was a man who set his heart to study, practice, and teaches the Torah, which contains the first five books of the Bible. (Ezra 7:10). Being the priest who devoted himself to study, practice, and teach, it makes sense to a conclusion that Ezra wrote it, although we are not sure. The primary meaning of ‘Torah’ is ‘teaching’ or ‘instruction.’ Due to God’s love toward human beings, He has given us a body of teaching and laws so that we can safely live here on his earth. The whole of the Bible (the scripture) is God-breathed. (2nd Timothy 3:16).
Our today’s insights say, “I am eager to learn all that you want me to do; help me to understand more and more.” The passion and enthusiasm of the author. He is eager to learn all that God wants him to do. He wants to understand more and more of His word. The author magnifies the dire necessity of God’s word in our lives. He uses different words for God’s word. They are the law (Torah), Testimony, Precepts, Statute, Commandment, Judgment, and Word.
The background of our today’s insight is fascinating. He is eager to learn all God wants him to do and understand more and more of God’s word amid all the difficult circumstances of his life. He describes sneering of people (22,51), insult (22,39,42), plots against him (23), point of death (25), troubles (26,153), sorrow (28), deceits (29), hurt (50), trap (61), reputation ruined by liars (69), misery (92), weariness (123) and brutal enemies (157). It appears to be a paradox. When many depart from the creator God when faced with unpleasant experiences in life, our author wants to learn all the more about God and His word.
There are several reasons why he wants to learn more about God’s truth. Verse 89 says, “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” NASB. You see human teachings and opinions change over time. But not God’s word in the Bible. It lasts forever and ever. The truth of the word of God does not change over time. It is settled in heaven forever. Verse 151-152 says, “But you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true. I have known from my earliest days that your laws will last forever.” NLT. Do you put your trust in human opinions/teachings or God’s word that is always true and will never be altered or changed?
You see, the truth of the word of God in the Bible and its eternal nature carries with it the idea of stability amid an ever-changing people and world. (Isaiah 40:6-8 and 1 Peter 1:24-25). God is behind all his words and promises. Keep this in mind when you read the Bible. The author says, “thy word is sweeter than honey to my mouth.” (103). NASB. “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path.” (105) NASB. “Thy word is pure” (140) NASB. “I rejoice at thy word.” (161). “The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” (72).
Moreover, he asks “how can a young man keep his way pure?” And answers –“By keeping it according to Thy word.” (119:9). Without knowing and understanding the word of God, the Bible, how can a man keep his ways pure in today’s evil culture? How do you see the distinction between right and wrong?
Apostle Paul testified his eagerness and passion for knowing the Lord Jesus Christ in Philippians 3:7-10. He says there is surpassing value in knowing Jesus Christ. To gain Christ, he considered all the good things in his life as rubbish. His passion was to know the Son of God, Jesus Christ intimately and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.
Enthusiasm to learn all that God wants you to do and increase the understanding of His word and Him is the most worthy one. It is a high calling.
Knowing the Bible and Christ Jesus kindles the flame of love, grace, mercy and compassion, and many more fruits inside you. A world full of wickedness and evil as we see it today, thirst for these fruits.
Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I am eager and enthusiastic to learn all that you want me to do. Please help me to understand more and more about you and your word- the Bible. I know you sent your only begotten Son to this earth to die in my place for all of my sins and shortcomings. I know I can get forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life by accepting Jesus as my savior and Lord. I turn away from my sinful lifestyle and invite Jesus into my heart. Now, help me to know more about you and your wonderful word. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”
“Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you.” Romans 12:11-12. NLT.
Benjamin Whichcote said, “the devil often finds works for them who find none for themselves.”
Our today’s Bible insight says, “Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you.” Did it ever dawn on you that God has big and excellent plans already laid out for your life? God fulfill his plans for your life through your work. Usually, it is through the hard work, you earn a living, fulfill God’s plan in serving others. (1st Thessalonians 2:9).
Jesus Christ said, “I will build my church, and the gates of the Hades will not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18). As promised he began building his Church on the day of Pentecost by the permanent arrival of the Holy Spirit into this world (Acts 2). The Church started with seven disciples and later increased to 120 people (Acts 1:15). In Acts 2 after the great preaching of Peter the number rose to over 3,000 (Acts 2:41). And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). By the time we read Acts 4:4 the number of male believers in Christ increased to 5000. When you consider women and children it could be 10,000 or more. Chapter 6:1 says the number of disciples was growing in number and the need for help in serving the people of God was pressing as an issue. Such fantastic growth was the result of the enthusiastic preaching and teachings of the disciples. They took the Gospel with them wherever they went. They could not be silent after seeing and experiencing the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.
Beloved, from just seven disciples and later 120, 3000 and 5,000 now the Church spread all over the world in all continents and countries. There are several works and opportunities in the Church today. Bible says in the immediately preceding context of today’s Bible verse that “just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. The church is portrayed as Christ’s body in the Bible; He is the head of the Church. Bible says in Colossians 1:18(a) that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church.
The church has only one head according to the Bible, and that is Jesus Christ and no other heads. The Church leaders always should keep this in mind. The congregation should remember to follow Jesus Christ as the only head of the Church, and the first allegiance of the believers must be to Jesus Christ. Second only to the Christian leaders who emulate Christ and His word (Bible) in their life and witness.
In Christ’s body, which is the Church, there are many parts. It is like different parts of our body. All believers in Christ are parts of his body, the Church. It takes every part of our body to make it complete. In the same way, it takes every one of us in the Church to make it complete. Each one of the believers in Christ has different work to do. We belong to each other, and we need all the other believers for the proper function.
Now, this is how it works. The Lord gives spiritual gifts to each of the believers. Spiritual gifts vary – serving, teaching, giving, preaching, administration, kindness, and generosity, helping others, encouraging/comforting others are included in these gifts. (Romans 12:4-8 and Ist Corinthians 12). Each believer has at least one gift. Some may have more than one gifts. It is the Holy Spirit who sovereignly distributes the spiritual gifts as He wills. (1st Corinthians 12:11) NASB. It is the Lord’s will that you recognize your spiritual gift/gifts and serve the Lord enthusiastically. God has a good plan with your unique gifts. You should not neglect or ignore the spiritual gift he gave you. Be glad for all God is planning for you when you exercise your spiritual gifts with enthusiasm.
One day, shortly, after the rapture of the Church, when you are in heaven with Him, all believers in Christ including you will stand in front of the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of the gifts He gave you. It is a sober thought. You do not be worried about another believer because you do not have a give account for them. However, you will provide an account of your gifts, and I will give an account of my gifts. (2 Corinthians 5:10 and 1st Corinthians 3:12-15). You can gain 30, 60 and 100 fold with the gifts Lord entrusted in you, while you live on this earth. You will get the appreciation and great rewards that lasts all through the eternity, from the Lord and He will comment, “well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:23).
Beloved, meanwhile, there are numerous works to be done inside and outside the Church. Two days ago we studied whatever you do, do it ‘enthusiastically’ as if you are doing to the Lord, not to men. Yesterday we talked about the ‘enthusiasm’ for spreading the Gospel. Today, are you ‘enthusiastic’ about the spiritual gift the Lord gave you? What are you doing with your uniquely given talent? TPT translates our today’s insight, “Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot!” When you step out and start doing what Lord wants you to do (which you know by your gift), then only you start discovering the great things He prepared in advance for you to do. (Ephesians 2:10c).
Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I thank you for the spiritual gift you gave me in your sovereign will. I understand you have laid out a good and beautiful plan with it. Help me Lord to serve you with enthusiasm using my allotted gift. I am glad for all the things you have planned for me. I praise you and worship you. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.”
You need the living water not water in broken cisterns.
“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jeremiah 2:13.
Personal problems that create heart-breaking pains and sorrows on this earth have only two reasons. They both are listed in our today’s insight. God says, “My people have committed two sins” First, they ignore God, the spring of the living water. Second, they continue looking for meaning and satisfaction in the wrong place apart from God. It says, “They have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”
One is the mistake of omission, and the second is the mistake of commission. They ignore, omit and forsake God, who is the source of the living water. The mistake of commission -they go after human-made idols to get happiness, satisfaction and fulfill their thirst.
Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, and it is recorded in John 4:13-14, “”Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman in Samaria looked to fulfill her thirst in relationships and relationships. She had five husbands, and she was living with yet another man who was not her husband. Once you forsake God, the source of living water, and you are hooked into addictions or any idols, one would never be enough. This is true about all types of sins.
You see, all sins make you hooked and addicted. People try to dig their own cisterns to satisfy their thirst. It comes in many forms, and fashion-sexual addictions, drug addictions, a thirst to control circumstances and people, money addiction, fame addiction, beauty addiction, and the list goes on. However, none of these would satisfy you in the end. All these would make you thirst more and more of it. In the end, all these and many more would only bruise and hurt you and your close ones deeply and dangerously. Finally, the road of making broken cisterns end in hopelessness and despair.
Water was rare, luxurious, and precious in the land of Palestine. The people held and kept rainwater in cisterns. However, the cisterns were broken with holes, and they ended losing the stored water through the leaks. Alternatively, God says, He is the source of not just water- He is the source of ‘living water.’ The living water God offers makes you fulfilled and satisfied, and it would never get lost through the holes.
Jesus said, if you would make it to Him, you would never, never thirst again. The reason is He is the source of living water.
Beloved, are you unhappy and unsatisfied? Are you thirsty? Jesus cried out in a big voice on the last day of the feast, the great day of the feast this. “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, “from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” Suppose you come to Jesus, the source of the living water. In that case, you yourself become the reservoir of living water to people around you because from your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.
It is not cisterns that hold water. Cistern holds rainwater, and when hot weather comes, it dries up. Besides, the cistern has holes through which the held rainwater leaks out. Listen! If you are unsatisfied and thirsty, Jesus gives His Holy Spirit inside you, and He becomes the source of the never-ending living water flowing from your innermost being.
Why do you want to drink from broken cisterns that make you thirstier and would only lead you on destructive paths? Listen! Only God can quench your unhappiness, unsatisfaction, and the resultant thirst in the person and work of Jesus and the provision of His Holy Spirit inside you, whom you would receive when you repent of your sins and accept Jesus as your savior and Lord.
Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, I need the living water you promised. I come to Jesus and grant me the living water to never get thirst after sinful addictions. I know you promised your Holy Spirit inside me when I accept Christ as my savior. I repent of my sins and call upon the name of Jesus. Please save me and grant me your Spirit inside me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”
Pre-requisites to test and approve the will of God.
The big picture of Romans 12:1-2 which we are analyzing in the past few days provides the pre-requisites for testing and approving God’s will in your life. People often ask the question, how do you know and do the will of God? The answer to this age-old question is given here.
In view of the manifold mercies from God- how God loved you, saved you, forgave you and bless you with everlasting life in heaven with Him, (1) Dedicate your body as a living, a holy and acceptable sacrifice to God, (2) do not conform to the present age but (3) be transformed by the renewal of your mind by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the word of God, results in your ability to test and approve the will of God.
I understand this is a mouthful of many words. Let me slice these into only three areas. Do you want to test, approve God’s will? Then read on.
God loves you and He gave Jesus Christ to pay for all of your sins. Jesus became a sacrificial lamb whose blood became the ransom for your salvation and eternal life. Therefore, in view of God’s mercies, first of all dedicate your whole being (body, soul, mind, heart, legs, hands, and all) to God by ‘living’ your life until God takes you from this world, ‘setting you apart’ for His plans and purposes and ‘developing the mind of Christ’, which is love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, patience, and perseverance.
Secondly, do not allow the present evil age and its standards and norms to drag you into its mold because Christ gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age. (Galatians 1:4).
Thirdly, allow yourself to be transformed by the renewal of your mind by yielding to the Holy Spirit who is indwelling in you as a believer in Christ (Ephesians 5:16-18) and sanctify (set apart) yourself by the truth of the word of God- the Bible (John 17:17). The two powerful tools God gave you so that you would not conform to the sinful, lustful and prideful pressures of this present age but transform to the divine plan are the indwelling Holy Spirit and the word of God- the Scripture that is the Bible.
Finally, the above three things enable you to test and approve what God’s will is.
Now the Bible reveals three different kinds of the will of God. First is His sovereign will or decree. This means God’s supreme and sovereign control over all things. Everything in this universe works and moves according to his sovereign will and decree. He is the King of king and Lord of lords. God governs from the throne in heaven according to his will. God’s sovereign will or decree is unalterable. Bible says in Acts 4:27-28, “ Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.” Jesus would die for our sins was the sovereign, eternal and unalterable will of God. Jesus Christ wraps up the whole history standing at the end of it (which is indeed His story) and embrace all who would come to him in faith by raising and transforming them, that he destroys death as the last enemy to be destroyed and that God the Father has put all things under the authority of His Son, Jesus Christ is yet another sovereign will or decree of God that would fulfill in the near future (1 Corinthians 15:24-27).
Secondly, there is the revealed will of God that includes his commands and desires for us to follow or do. He commands his will for us to do. We can do or fail to do it. (For example 1 Thess. 4:13 and 1 Thess. 5:18.)
Thirdly, there is a personal will of God in our life. Your parents, the way God brought them together, your unique DNA, the generation in which you are born, and living are all part of his plan for your personal life. Psalms 139:16 says, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Is it not a mind-boggling thought? When Jesus in his earthly incarnation, lived each moment of his life according to the direction and plan of God. He was not early or late in reaching a place or reaching out to a person in need. He moved according to God’s clock of the divine plan. It was all pre-determined. So is your life when you think about God’s will for your lives. Now we can live in obedience to his plan for our life, or we can disobey his will. This is where God’s will and our human choice either match or does not match. It always paired with God’s plan in Jesus’s life.
Jesus Christ tested and approved Father’s will in the garden of Gethsemane when his sweat became like the drops of blood falling upon the ground. In his indescribable agony and mental anguish there in the garden, He said not “My will, but yours be done.” Jesus fervently prayed there and thereby tested and approved the will of God for his life. Beloved, you would also test and then approve the will of God in your life.
Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want to know and do your will in my life. I dedicate and surrender my body and all of me to live as a holy and acceptable sacrifice to you. Help me not to conform to this present evil age because you gave yourself totally and completely to save me from this sinful, lustful, prideful present age. Lord, transform me by renewing my mind by the power of the Holy Spirit and the word of God-the Bible. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.
“but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2b).
In yesterday’s daily insight we have learned the negative command of God that says, “do not be conformed to this world.” Today’s insight gives the positive aspect of it. How can I not conform to the culture, standard, customs and ideas of the Aion- the present sinful and lustful age? You see, the natural propensity of our mind is to give in to the cultural pressure around us. To avoid following the present evil age and its standards and lifestyles, the transformation should happen inside us. And the transformation occurs by the renewal of your mind. Transformation here means a total change in your value system or the way you think and is accomplished by the renewal of your mind.
The positive aspect of the command is “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” God wants you not to conform to this world but transformed by the renewing of your mind. The question is how I can get this done?
TPT translates this verse, “but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think.”
Holy Spirit has a significant role in the renewing of your mind. The same original word for ‘renewal’ –ananéosis- is used only in one other place in the New Testament and that is in Titus 3:5 where Paul said, “He (God) saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and ‘renewing by the Holy Spirit’. You see the agent who renews our mind so that you do not be conformed to this present age is none other than the Holy Spirit. It says you are saved, not because of anything good you have done, but purely based on God’s mercy. He saved you by washing you from your old sinful and lustful lifestyle and by renewing your mind. It is the Holy Spirit of God who causes, begins and leads the transformation process by renewing of your mind.
However, Beloved, there is another side to the renewal of your mind. Jesus in his intercessory prayer to the Father said this, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” The context is Jesus is going back to heaven after his sacrificial death for our sins. However, the disciples are going to be here in this present evil age. So he prays to keep them safe from the evil one because they do not belong to this world any more than he does. Jesus Christ does not belong to this world, and they do not either. It is essential that they know the truth, which is the Word of God, the Bible. They are sanctified or set apart for him progressively by the word of God. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think by knowing the truth -the word of God, the Bible.
You see, the second agent in the renewal of our mind is the word of God- the Bible. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, ‘beholding the glory of the Lord’, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” The passage says we are being transformed into Christ’s image from one degree to another when behold the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do we beheld the glory of the Lord? We do not have Jesus Christ in his body form to look at him as the disciples looked at his glory and got transformed, do we? However, we have the Bible, the word of God- to behold the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. His glory is proclaimed from the first book of the Bible, Genesis, to the last book of the Bible, Revelation. As we continuously look at Christ’s glory in the pages of the Bible, wonder at the work of Christ by hearing the good news of the Gospel and Bible preached and taught, the Holy Spirit who is inside you renews your mind by imparting God’s value system replacing aion or present age value system.
Many true believers in Christ are conforming to the world these last days and not being transformed by the renewal of their mind not because they do not have the Holy Spirit inside them. God saved them by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. However, they do not let the Holy Spirit get control over their life. They allow the flesh and present age value system to influence them. Knowingly and unknowingly it happens as they live day by day. Secondly, the word of God-the Bible-gets dusty in their bookshelves and sanctification by the word of truth is not happening on an ongoing basis.
Beloved, if you have not accepted Christ as your savior and Lord as of yet, there is no potential for transformation by the renewal of your mind. Because the renewal of mind and transformation happens by the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of the world of God. When you come to Christ and believe in Him, He gives the Holy Spirit inside you to initiate the process.
Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, Thank you for the Holy Spirit whom you gave to me. Thank you for the word of God-the Bible you gave to me. Help me not to conform to this evil age value system. Help me to renew my mind by the power of the Holy Spirit and the word of God. I believe Jesus died and rose again for all of my sins. Please come into my life and save me today. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen. “
“And do not be conformed to this world”. (Romans 12:2 (a) NASB.
As we live in this world, all of us including our children are pressured to conform to the culture and standards of this world. No one is exempt from this temptation. The term world is used in different meanings in the original Greek language in which the New Testament is written. The first-word ‘kosmos’ itself is used in different meanings based on the context in which it appears. In John 3:16 when Jesus said, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life, the word ‘world’ means the ‘mankind or human beings.’ God loved you and the people of this world and gave his Son to save you and grant you everlasting life with Him in heaven. However, not the sinful, lustful value system of this world.
The second word is ‘aion’ which means the present age or more specifically the ways, standards, or customs of this world. Ephesians 2:2 says, “when you followed the ‘ways of this world’ and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. The present age that is fallen from the garden of Eden and the thought process behind its thoughts, customs, ways, aspirations, and standards are according to that fallen nature. The present age is under the influence of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, who is the devil. And his spirit who is now at work in the present age causes disobedience and rebelliousness. The present age is an antithesis of the coming kingdom of God.
When Bible says in John 2:15 and James 4:4 you cannot love the world and God at the same time, it means you cannot love the word’s value system- practices, norms, aspirations, and thoughts of this world -and love God at the same time. The value system of God and the value system of the present age are opposite to each other. Bible says in Galatians 1:4, “Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” You see, we needed to be rescued from the present evil age and that is why Jesus paid his blood to rescue us from its corruption and bondage.
Our today’s Bible insight says, “Do not be conformed to this world.” Other translations give a little bit more understanding of the concept. TPT translates “stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you.” GNT says, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world.” NLT says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world.” Now I hope you understood the point- it simply means do not allow this world to influence or drag you in its ways, standards, and aspirations. Do not follow the value system of this world to shape your thinking process. Because in Paul’s language in Romans 1:18-31, the present age and fallen age suppress the truth of God for they want to enjoy wicked and sinful things without restraints. Due to ingratitude to God, he gave this present age to shameful lusts. God gave them over to a depraved mind because they do not want to retain the knowledge of God. As a result of the depraved mind, they do what they should not have done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. The present fallen and depraved mindset without God in their value system became full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.”
Then the last verse of Romans 1 ends with this statement, “although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” They know God’s righteous standards and decree in their inner heart. Moreover, they also know that those who follow the present age thinking deserve death. Still, not only they continue to do these things, but also approve such people who practice them.
Beloved, is this not what we see in the USA and around the world these days? Open your eyes and see the present corrupt age in front of your eyes. This is the picture of the ‘aion’, the present, fallen and depraved, sinful, shameful age that does not honor and thank God. They hate the knowledge of God and suppress the truth of God. Every time God is mentioned, even though they know in their heart God is in existence, they don’t want to hear it and continue suppressing the truth of God.
Our today’s insight is not a recommendation or suggestion. It is a command from God. “Do not be conformed to this world (aion-present sinful and lustful age).”
Many once faithful believers shipwrecked their faith life by conforming to the desires of this present age. Paul was talking about Demas and said this in 2 Timothy 4:10, “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.” The word used is for ‘now age’ or ‘present age’. Paul said in his letter to Philemon Demas was a fellow worker with him (Philemon 24). Demas and Luke together with Paul send Christian greetings to the believers in Colossae. However, later when Paul wrote this epistle to Timothy before his departure, he says Demas sadly, because he loved this present age has left him. May this never happen to you. When flirting with the present age and its desires and aspirations, please keep this solemn warning in your heart.
“Father in heaven, the pressure to conform to the standards of the world is heavy, especially in these last days. Help me do not conform to its value system. I believe Jesus gave himself up for me to rescue me from the present evil age. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Help me every day to obey your word which would transform me into your image. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”
