I Have Been Crucified

This week I have spent some time reflecting on Galatians 2:20.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

This is such a rich verse filled with essential truth for walking in this world day-to-day.

Take a moment to ponder these questions:

1. What truths from this verse stand out to me?
2. How could Jesus’ crucifixion affect my daily life?
3. What part does my faith in Jesus play in my daily life?

Take a moment to thank Him for His love for you.

Maranatha (Come, Lord Jesus)

What He Did

I spent some time in Ephesians 1 this morning. Though I’ve read and studied it many times, it still amazes me that the Father has done so many things for us.​

Here is the passage:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

This is such a rich passage. Take a minute to re-read and note everything He has done for you in Christ. Then spend a few minutes thanking the Father.

Maranatha (Come, Lord Jesus)

His Kindness

In these last few weeks, I have been spending time studying and pondering Paul’s letter to his fellow worker, Titus. The following passage leaves me with hope, perspective and gratefulness for what He has done for me.

Take a moment to read Paul’s words.

“For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He 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, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7)​

Here are some questions to ponder:

1. What was the Father’s role? The Son’s? The Spirit’s?
2. What did we do to deserve His kindness?
3. How does this passage give you hope?

Take a moment to thank the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for their great kindness.

Maranatha (Come, Lord Jesus)

Redeemed for Purity

I’ve been spending some time in Titus recently. This short letter to Paul’s mentee, Titus, was written to guide Titus in his mission to clean up the remaining churches in Crete which were a mess.

The following passage stood out to me this morning.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and
Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every ​lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14 )

There is so much to ponder in this short passage. Take a moment to re-read it and think about these questions:

1. What stands out to you?
2. Why did Jesus come?
3. What is the Lord saying to you from this passage?

Maranatha (Come, Lord Jesus)