Devotionals for March 3, 2023
Join us this Sunday as we continue "Out of Order" sermon series at 9:00 and 10:30am.
READ
Ezekiel 36: 26-28; Philippians 4:10-13
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
REFLECT
Not many people can say they have seen a miraculous event. Most people have not seen an ocean split in two, walked on water, or seen an amputated arm grow back before their eyes. This seemingly natural world, with natural occurrences, at times leads us to doubt whether or not God is still in the business of doing miracles. But the sea splitting in two is not the greatest miracle God has done. The Bible says that we have been transformed completely into new creatures. Imagine that overnight your dog developed the ability to speak, and invited you to play chess. You would be floored! This is the type of transformative work God has done in man. It is nothing short of a miracle when a husband sacrificially loves his wife. It is a miraculous thing to see a person confess their sin to a person they've offended. It is a truly miraculous moment when a condemned prisoner says "I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Our good deeds are not a reflection of our resolve, but of a miraculous work that took place in our hearts. That any man wants to follow Christ is in itself a miracle, because it reflects a miraculous event that God has done. God has taken people who hate Him and changed them at their core to love Him. But how often do we throw a celebratory party because of this? We do not often include repentance in our praise report at discipleship group. Still, the fact that you or I have a genuine desire and capacity to obey Jesus is evidence of God's miraculous work in our lives.
APPLY
Q: What does Paul mean when he says he "can do all things through Christ?"
Q: How does the miracle of your transformation change how you think about God's involvement in your life?
Q: What are some "transformed" behaviors you can show at your job, school, or social settings?
SING
“Graves Into Gardens” by Elevation Worship
PRAY
"And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."
Lord thank you for changing us at our core. We can now follow after you, our truest longing, because of the work you have done for us. Help us to be content in you alone, believing that we have the capacity and strength to do so in you. Help us to resist the temptation to disbelieve you, and give us new confidence in our ability to weather any storm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
READ
Ezekiel 36: 26-28; Philippians 4:10-13
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
REFLECT
Not many people can say they have seen a miraculous event. Most people have not seen an ocean split in two, walked on water, or seen an amputated arm grow back before their eyes. This seemingly natural world, with natural occurrences, at times leads us to doubt whether or not God is still in the business of doing miracles. But the sea splitting in two is not the greatest miracle God has done. The Bible says that we have been transformed completely into new creatures. Imagine that overnight your dog developed the ability to speak, and invited you to play chess. You would be floored! This is the type of transformative work God has done in man. It is nothing short of a miracle when a husband sacrificially loves his wife. It is a miraculous thing to see a person confess their sin to a person they've offended. It is a truly miraculous moment when a condemned prisoner says "I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Our good deeds are not a reflection of our resolve, but of a miraculous work that took place in our hearts. That any man wants to follow Christ is in itself a miracle, because it reflects a miraculous event that God has done. God has taken people who hate Him and changed them at their core to love Him. But how often do we throw a celebratory party because of this? We do not often include repentance in our praise report at discipleship group. Still, the fact that you or I have a genuine desire and capacity to obey Jesus is evidence of God's miraculous work in our lives.
APPLY
Q: What does Paul mean when he says he "can do all things through Christ?"
Q: How does the miracle of your transformation change how you think about God's involvement in your life?
Q: What are some "transformed" behaviors you can show at your job, school, or social settings?
SING
“Graves Into Gardens” by Elevation Worship
PRAY
"And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."
Lord thank you for changing us at our core. We can now follow after you, our truest longing, because of the work you have done for us. Help us to be content in you alone, believing that we have the capacity and strength to do so in you. Help us to resist the temptation to disbelieve you, and give us new confidence in our ability to weather any storm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.