Devotion
Growing in the Knowledge of Jesus Christ
Chipo Biti
One of the best things that we can desire, as Christians, is for us to continue growing in the knowledge that we have of Christ. The more we learn of Christ, the more we learn of the nature of God and His love. Jesus Christ is referred to as the express image (the direct representation of God) - Hebrews 1:3. At the time of Jesus' arrival to the earth, humankind had adopted many misconceptions about God and His nature. Jesus came to correct all misconceptions and show the world who the Almighty God really was.
Many people believed that God was a wicked God who was to be feared. But through Jesus, we learned that God is a loving God, determined to win our affections. We learned that God truly has our best interests at heart and he desires to keep us away from the wiles of the enemy.
The Christian life is a life that if filled with constant moments of growth. The more we focus on the word of God, the more we grow in the knowledge of Christ. The Holy Spirit is also known as the "Spirit of wisdom and revelation".
Everything that we need to know about Jesus Christ is learned through the Holy Spirit. When you read through John14 and John 16, you will gain a very clear understanding on Jesus' reasons for leaving us with the Holy Spirit.
When we know more about Christ and the more we "know him better" we are also led to understand our identity as believers as well. To be Christians means that we are of Christ. In order to truly show the world that we are of Christ, we have to walk in His ways. We have to express and live according to the wisdom that He lived by as well. The only way we can do that is through the growing understanding that we have of the word of God. The word of God leads us into the deeper revelations and the better knowledge. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us understand the word of God in a better light.
To know Christ better, is great gain. When we understand our identity in Christ, and we understand what it means to be a child of God, we become stronger in our convictions and much harder for the enemy to try and toss us to and fro.
Prayer
The word of God fortifies us from the attempts of the enemy, and keeps us firmly rooted in the firm foundation of His love.
Devotion
Yahweh Has Triumphed
Frances Taylor
I understand that sometimes people think I'm nuts, but when I'm in a hurry and the lights turn green as I get to them, I thank God. When I find a parking spot right when I need it, I thank God. I even thank God each time I finish a reflection on his word. It's a habit I developed in my youth and continue. Gratitude is a habit. The Israelites were ecstatic after walking through the sea and also very pleased that the Egyptians were prevented from following them. And so they sang in praise of God's goodness. Now, green lights and parking places are not great triumphs, but as I said, gratitude is a habit. It's easy enough to develop; all we need is the will. It begins by realizing that all is gift, all we have is from God. Even the dark times give us reason to give thanks to God because it is through God's grace that we survive the dark times. When we begin to examine the events of the day we realize where God has been, where we've recognized him...
Morning Prayer
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Inspiration
We cannot be picky when it comes to who or what we love with the Lord. If it is made with his grace, if it is filled with goodness, we ought to reserve any space we can within our heart for it. For to love delights God, for these are his creations, his gifts to us. There is already so much sin and evil in the world, lets not sully it more with following after our temptations or weaknesses, but cling rather to all that is pure and good, for these are the precious and treasured things that make our spirits endure.
Prayer
God my shepherd and Father, my savior and provider, help me see the beauty and good in all you do. Help me seek out your works and all that nourishes the spirit. Let me not neglect any part of your wondrous works, but in loving them, see them all as a path which brings me closer to understanding your grace and glory. In the name of the Father I pray, Amen.
