Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Monday, December 27, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, In today’s Scripture, You remind us to always set apart Your Son, Jesus Christ as Lord. I confess that many times in my life I do not set Jesus apart as Lord. I want to control my life, or I allow someone else to tell me what to think or do. I ask Your forgiveness, Lord. Establish Jesus as the King on the “throne” of my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live boldly and confidently no matter what others may say or do. I pray for the strength of Spirit to stand up and speak up for You in each and every situation I face today. Thank You in advance for encouraging me, for empowering me, and for giving me the opportunity to be a faithful witness in Jesus’ name. Please draw others around me today who need to hear and see that You are, indeed, the God of all grace and glory, and that Your Son Jesus and He alone is worthy to be set apart as Lord in our lives. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
1 Peter 3:13-16
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Reflecting on God's Word
What does it take in your daily life to keep Jesus “set apart” as Lord?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
According to this Scripture what role/place does the heart have in our walk with God? (3:15)
What does Peter say about our preparations for telling others about Jesus? (3:15)
What attitude(s) are we to have as we tell others about Jesus?
Understanding God's Word
What does this Scripture teach us about our responsibility to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission in our daily lives?
Who or What challenges Jesus for Lordship in your daily life?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What do you need to do right now to be more effectively prepared to tell others about Jesus?
Thoughts...In Your Heart…
In the Bible, the heart is very rarely simply considered as the seat of the emotions, as we often consider it, when we think about it. The heart is the center of one’s being in the Bible. According to the Bible our hearts can be “hard” or “soft” toward God. When we have sinned and know that we deserve God’s punishment we become “broken” hearted. But in today’s Scripture we are commanded to set apart Jesus Christ as Lord—in our hearts. Jesus is to be in the center of our being. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t to use our minds when considering our discipleship. Quite the contrary. In fact, the Bible considers the heart as capable of “thought.” In the Proverbs we find that as a person “thinks in his heart” so he is. As we go about this day, the reality is that we MUST set apart Jesus Christ as Lord—in our hearts, or He will not be Lord in our lives. Our hearts determine our direction. They keep us true to Jesus OR they can lead us astray. The human heart can be deceived. Right now, pause and ask the Lord, Jesus, to fill You with His Spirit that your heart may be totally and absolutely full of Him, to His glory and honor as we go about today and tomorrow!