“The Lord is the Spirit who gives them life, and where He is there is freedom (from trying to be saved by keeping the laws of God). But we Christians have no veils over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him” 2 Corinthians 3:17,18

You and I can be mirrors that reflect the glory of the Lord, since we have no veils over our faces. As the Spirit of the Lord works within us and we mature, we become more and more like Him. What a tremendous truth!

Two tendencies to error occur as we consider the concept of law and grace. One is legalism; the other is license. Legalism is that means of seeking to live according to the law, trying to merit God’s favor by keeping rules and regulations in the energy of the flesh.

The other problem is license. Some Christians become so excited about their freedom in Christ that they go overboard and bring reproach and disgrace to the name of Christ. “Relax,” they say. “Do what comes naturally.” But they forget God’s warning in Romans 14. Anything we do that causes our brother to stumble is sin. Often these same Christians tell us, “Don’t witness for Christ unless you feel like it.”

Quite honestly, I would not witness very often if I waited until I felt like it. Why do I witness? Because our Lord modeled it and He commands His followers to witness, and out of a deep sense of gratitude and thanksgiving to God for what He has done for me. I do not wait until I feel like it; I have already been given the command.

Jesus said, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” The apostle Paul said, “Everywhere I go I tell everyone who will listen about Christ.” We are not to wait for some emotional, mystical impression of the Spirit. Liberty is not legalism, nor is it license. It is the privilege of doing the will of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 3:8-16

TODAY’S ACTION POINT:  With all of my heart, I want to be more and more like Jesus Christ. To this end, I will avoid legalism and license and embrace the freedom I have in Him to live a holy life and to be a fruitful witness, and to reach out to the multitudes of unchurched men and women who are hungry to know the reality of the living God.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/20/bb_like-him/

“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.� Acts 1:8

Most women find great comfort in what might be called “settledness�—all moving boxes quickly unpacked, pictures on the walls, furniture in place. For them, to contemplate the idea of uprooting family again is not only unpleasant, but fearful.

Other women—perhaps a minority?—can hardly wait to see what new people, events, houses lie around the next corner. When their job, or their husband’s, requires a move, they march ahead with enthusiasm and vigor.

Theologian John Calvin encouraged Christians to be both “trekkers and settlers.� He envisioned Christians moving with determination into population centers, commerce and education to influence all of society and then—as God instructed His people centuries earlier—“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens…marry and have sons and daughters…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you…� (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

First century Christians were scattered because of persecution. The apostle Peter reminded them that even in the midst of that danger, they were chosen by God and that their faith would result in “praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.�

We experience a variety of seasons in our lives—sometimes we are called to be trekkers and other times we are settlers. Our call as Christians is to be always alert to the whispers of God and be ready to move—or stay. Wherever God places us, we can be confident that His Spirit will supply our needs so that we can be a blessing to those around us.

How grateful I am, Father that my grandparents dared to be trekkers as they risked so much to settle here in this country. Help me express that same willingness to be your person in whatever place you call me to—for Kingdom purposes so much greater than safety and security.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/17/me_settled/

“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.�  Psalm 27:4

One Thing – What is the most important thing in life? What must be the absolute goal if life is to be worth living? Before you quickly supply an answer about the relationship with God, consider what the world would say. If you asked the average person what’s the most important thing in life, what do you think you would hear? Undoubtedly, you would listen to the same list of priorities found in Ecclesiastes – with the same result. In the very end, it’s either God or a gun to the head. With Ecclesiastes’ observation in mind, let’s look once more at David’s single-minded focus.

“One thing I have asked from the Lord.� In Hebrew: akhat sha’alti meet-YHWH. The first word is from ehad. You’ll recognize it in the Shema. The Lord is one. Of course, if we were doing rabbinic exegesis, we would connect these two instances of the word. The one thing I ask is from the one Lord. In fact, I ask for the Lord’s uniqueness in me.

Sha’ul paints the pictograph of control, strength and what consumes. In other words, to ask is to control the strength of what consumes – to have authority over someone or something that can provide what you want. If you’re going to ask the Lord, then you better know what you really want. He can provide, of course, but you are presuming on His benevolence by asking, so you must be sure that what you ask is worthy of the request. David understands this, so he asks what the Lord cannot deny – he asks for time in the presence of the One. David desires one thing. He desires to be with the One true God.

Did you notice that the most important thing in David’s life is not the accumulation of stuff, the preservation of power or the reputation among peers? The most important thing isn’t even a relationship with a personal savior. David’s one thing is to be where the Lord is and to contemplate who the Lord is. There is nothing here about asking for me. The entire focus is on worshiping God in His presence.

Our age is defined by its passionate preoccupation with self. Even in our religion, the focus is often on what God can do for me. It might not be as naive (or heretical) as the prosperity gospel crowd, but it is ever-so-subtle to turn even religious zeal into self-improvement. We want God to make us better servants for His cause or to improve our understanding of His word or to develop our spiritual gifts for the church. Even with God-language, the focus is still on us. But not for David! David just wants to be in God’s presence, to delight in God’s glory and to meditate on the goodness of the Lord. Don’t you suppose that God will honor such a request without delay? What could please Him more? I turn away from the frightening clamor of those deep, dark recesses within me by shifting my focus from me to Him. Want out of the dungeon? Follow the light.

You can comment on this devotional online at:

http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/13/sm_priorities/
Not to be reprinted without permission

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.�  Ephesians 6:12

Every time Pat tried to talk with her friend Monica about God, something seemed to interrupt them: Her cell phone rang…  Or people would suddenly disrupt their conversation…  Or loud noises would prevent Pat from getting the message across… One obstacle after another.

Pat believed there was a spiritual battle being waged for Monica’s soul.  She remembered the Bible says we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil.

So, the next time the opportunity arose to speak with her friend, Pat was prepared.  She had prayed for God’s guidance and protection, and continued to pray throughout their conversation.  And this time, Monica opened her heart to receive Christ!

Friend, don’t be surprised if you find yourself engaged in spiritual warfare.  Remember to always go into battle prepared!

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/12/vb_warfare/

“To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36

“To him be the glory forever!” This should be the single desire of all Christians. All other wishes must be come second to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in their business, but only insofar as it may help us to promote this–”To him be the glory forever!” We may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that “To him be the glory forever!”

You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than to give glory to your Lord. As a Christian, if you are “of God, and through God,” then live “to God.” Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to Him. Let this ambition fire your soul; let it become the foundation of everything you do, and become your sustaining motive whenever your passion grows cold. Make God your only goal. When I depend on myself, sorrow begins; but my joy will be complete when God becomes my supreme delight. Let your desire for God’s glory be a growing desire. If you blessed Him in your youth, do not be content with the kind of praises you gave Him then.

Has God prospered your business? Give Him more as He has given you more.

Has God given you experience? Praise Him by stronger faith than you exercised at first.

Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly.

Do you enjoy happier times than you once had? Have you been healed from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give Him more music; increase the thankful fervor of your praise. Practically in your life give Him honor. The “Amen” to your praise to your great and gracious Lord will then increasingly become your own individual service and increasing holiness.

Question: Why is it sometimes tempting to take the praise and glory for ourselves instead of giving it to God?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/04/cs_glory/