October 3- Colossians 1:11

THE VERSE

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.
~Colossians 1:11

THE THOUGHT

What a wonderful prayer and promise this is! Those who trust in Jesus have been promised that all power is theirs for their strengthening- all of Christ's power that called the world into existence, raises the dead to life, and upholds the universe by the word of His power is ours by our union with Him. He has promised to throw all of His omnipotence into doing what He has promised on our behalf.

And what He has promised is this: we will be strengthened, not according to our ability (which is so small), nor according to our own strength (which is so weak), nor according to our own goodness (which is filthy rags). Everything in us is limited, feeble, and failing, but we are not strengthened according to anything in us. We are strengthened according to His glorious might. If we were strengthened according to our capacity or faithfulness, we would soon fall, but God's glorious might equips us to face and overcome any obstacle with "all endurance and patience with joy." Take hold of this promise, for this means that you can face the challenges of today with un unshakeable confidence and resolute joy, knowing that the endurance, patience, and strength for every trial comes not from you but from Him.

THE PRAYER

God, Fill my heart with the truth of this promise, so that it can become a reality in my life as I daily take hold of You and Your strength. Keep me abiding in You, for I know apart from You I can do nothing, but that I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.

EXTENDED READING

Colossians 1:9-20
Colossians 1:27-29
John 15:1-8

THE QUOTE

"Enemy occupied territory – that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage." ~C.S. Lewis

September 26- Romans 8:38-39

THE VERSE

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor powers, nor height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~Romans 8:38-39

THE THOUGHT

Today's verse is a very familiar one- so familiar, perhaps, that we miss the staggering significance of what is promised. Look again at the first phrase- "neither life nor death." As Christians, we know that death will not separate us from the love of God because Jesus rose from the dead, forever conquering death and securing our own resurrections. So we've got death covered. But what about life?

Life will not separate us from the love of God- think about that! Everything that life throws at us, every curveball, every sorrow, every unexpected tragedy, cannot ultimately pull us away from the omnipotent love of the Father. And all the stresses of the day, all our schedules and busyness and errands and meetings and deadlines- are powerless to pull us away also. There is no tragedy to great or stress to heavy that can drag us from the mighty arms of our Heavenly Father.

So if we have been promised that life is powerless to separate us from the love of God, don't let it! Don't believe the lie that the daily grind pulls you away from God or that you are too busy to spend time with Him. Don't use those things as an excuse, because Romans 8:38 tells us that it is impossible for those things to separate us from God. Run to Him, cling to Him, and treasure His promise that nothing- neither death nor life nor anything else in all creation- can separate you from His love.

THE PRAYER

Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your great and precious promise that nothing can separate me from You, and that if You have saved me, that You will also carry me through to the end. Forgive me for doubting that promise and using life as an excuse to not follow You. Grant me faith by Your Holy Spirit to believe Your word and to run after You with perseverance, knowing that in Christ You have already broken every chain that holds me back.

EXTENDED READING

Romans 8:28-39
Philippians 1:3-6
Jude 1:24-25
Hebrews 12:1-3

THE QUOTE

"What God had given us is all we need; we require nothing more. It is not a question of large supplies- it is a question of the presence of the Lord" ~J. Hudson Taylor

September 22- Isaiah 26:8

THE VERSE

Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for You; Your name and Your renown are the desire of our hearts.
~Isaiah 26:8

THE THOUGHT

Oh, that God would raise up a generation passionate about His renown! My prayer is that the cry of your heart would be this verse- "Your name, Lord, and Your fame, God-- they are the desire of my heart!" May you seek to make Him famous more than you seek to make yourself look good. May you bear His name with humility and joy as you advance His kingdom. Take up your cross, walk in the way of His laws, and start living for His renown. Honor Him in what you read at the laundromat. Glorify Him as you interact with an annoying co-worker. Serve Him as you stop to help a homeless person on the sidewalk. Seek Him as you pray desperately for Him to change your heart, change your church, change your country. Love Him as you pour yourself out on behalf of the unlovely. Trust Him as you step out in faith into new areas of service. Make His name and His renown the desire of your heart.

THE PRAYER

God, I want to see You glorified! I want to see You receive the honor due Your name; I want to see all nations acknowledge You as King and every tongue confess You as Lord! Move me to my knees in prayer and send me to the streets in action as Your Spirit leads me in the pursuit of Your renown.

EXTENDED READING

Isaiah 26:8-12
Philippians 2:5-11
1 Peter 2:9-12

THE QUOTE

“Faith has no firm footing until it stands in the mercy of God.” ~John Calvin