Ephesians 2:8-10, John 3:16, Titus 3:5
Monday
Read Ephesians 2:8-9
· How have we been saved?
· Who is the giver of both grace and faith?
· What would people do if they could earn salvation?
· Pray thanking God for salvation that He has given you and for those that
you know that need to His salvation.
Tuesday
Read Ephesians 2:8-10
· In verse 10 the word “workmanship” means poem. Reread verse 10 using the word poem. What does this say to you?
· After we are saved, what are we created in Christ to do?
· What are some “good works “that you are currently involved in?
· Are all of the “good works” your involved with God honoring?
· Is there a “good work” that Christ wants you to start doing?
· Pray expressing thanks to God for the “good work” He is doing through you.
Wednesday – Read John 3:16
· How did God show His love for us?
· How do you know you have eternal life?
· What changes have occurred in your life as a result of salvation?
· Pray asking God for the opportunity to share about your new life in Christ with someone.
Thursday
Read John 17:1-3
· What is eternal life?
· Do you know Christ?
· Mentally recount your conversion story.
· Express you’re thanks to the Lord for your eternal life in Him.
Friday
Read Titus 3:4-7
· Lists the characteristics of God found in these verses?
· What do these verses say about God’s work (salvation) in us?
· What is salvation not based on?
· Pray thanking God for the difference He has made in your life because He saved you.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Friday's devotional 09.19.2008
Read Galatians 2:20
· Rick Warren in his book Purpose Driven Life, said, “It’s not about you; it’s about God.” How does Galatians 2:20 affirm Rick’s statement?
· Why is it so hard to get your eyes off yourself?
· In what areas of your life do you consistently have difficulty giving over to the Lord?
· Read Galatians 2:20 and state that area in place of the first two “I’s” in the passage. Claim Christ’s power in that area of your life by faith. You can have assurance that He will hear your prayer and will give you strength to turn from your self and instead focus on Christ living in you.
· Rick Warren in his book Purpose Driven Life, said, “It’s not about you; it’s about God.” How does Galatians 2:20 affirm Rick’s statement?
· Why is it so hard to get your eyes off yourself?
· In what areas of your life do you consistently have difficulty giving over to the Lord?
· Read Galatians 2:20 and state that area in place of the first two “I’s” in the passage. Claim Christ’s power in that area of your life by faith. You can have assurance that He will hear your prayer and will give you strength to turn from your self and instead focus on Christ living in you.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Thursday's devotional 09.18.2008
Read Matthew 5:16-17; Psalms 119:105
· In Matthew, light is an analogy to what in your life?
· According to Psalm 119:105, what should light your path?
· What is the relationship between the light from your life and the light to your life?
· To those in the dark, light is refreshing and comforting. To what degree do your good
works shine light to others?
· Do your good works point people or stir people to seek God?
· Ask the Lord to give you His ability to shine your light brightly to others for His glory.
· In Matthew, light is an analogy to what in your life?
· According to Psalm 119:105, what should light your path?
· What is the relationship between the light from your life and the light to your life?
· To those in the dark, light is refreshing and comforting. To what degree do your good
works shine light to others?
· Do your good works point people or stir people to seek God?
· Ask the Lord to give you His ability to shine your light brightly to others for His glory.
Wednesday's devotional 09.17.2008
Read Revelation 22:18-19; Galatians 1:6-7
· John is warning his readers regarding the seriousness of preserving the Word of God. He is specifically speaking of the book of Revelation but the application very much includes all of Scripture. What are the consequences of adding to or taking away from God’s revelation in Scripture?
· Is it important to understand and communicate God’s truth accurately?
· How well to you understand God’s truth?
· Join with others in an accountable relationship to help you grow in this area of your life.
· John is warning his readers regarding the seriousness of preserving the Word of God. He is specifically speaking of the book of Revelation but the application very much includes all of Scripture. What are the consequences of adding to or taking away from God’s revelation in Scripture?
· Is it important to understand and communicate God’s truth accurately?
· How well to you understand God’s truth?
· Join with others in an accountable relationship to help you grow in this area of your life.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tuesday's devotional 09.16.2008
Read 2 Peter 3:15b-16
· Sometimes Scripture is hard to understand. Even Peter, referring to some of Paul’s writing, found some things difficult. You may feel untaught and you can make steps to know God’s Word. Being unstable means not being consistent in allegiance. How would you evaluate your consistency and allegiance to the teachings of the Lord?
· Is your inconsistency intentional or unintentional?
· According to v. 16, what is the end result? If you take seriously the end result, take necessary action to adjust your actions with that of Scriptural teaching.
· Sometimes Scripture is hard to understand. Even Peter, referring to some of Paul’s writing, found some things difficult. You may feel untaught and you can make steps to know God’s Word. Being unstable means not being consistent in allegiance. How would you evaluate your consistency and allegiance to the teachings of the Lord?
· Is your inconsistency intentional or unintentional?
· According to v. 16, what is the end result? If you take seriously the end result, take necessary action to adjust your actions with that of Scriptural teaching.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monday's devotional 09.15.2008
Read Luke 24:31, 44-45; Matthew 28:19-20
· According to Luke 24:31 and 45, what is God’s role in our coming to understanding His
Word?
· In order to live for something we must first have confidence in what we believe. The Law,
the Prophets, and the Psalms are the three major divisions of the Old Testament. Christ
says that the Old Testament speaks of Him. How should this give us greater confidence
in what we believe?
· What is the goal of our belief and teaching according to Matthew 28:20?
· Ask the Lord to give you confidence in His Words and strength to obey His Words.
· According to Luke 24:31 and 45, what is God’s role in our coming to understanding His
Word?
· In order to live for something we must first have confidence in what we believe. The Law,
the Prophets, and the Psalms are the three major divisions of the Old Testament. Christ
says that the Old Testament speaks of Him. How should this give us greater confidence
in what we believe?
· What is the goal of our belief and teaching according to Matthew 28:20?
· Ask the Lord to give you confidence in His Words and strength to obey His Words.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Answers
Here are the questions from Sunday:
1. When were angels cast down?
2. When were they created?
3. What exactly was it that Lucipher did to get kicked out of heaven?
4. What was/is the purpose of angels?
I think I have been able to find good answers to these questions in Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
.
You can read most of the related text here: Google book preview of Grudem's Systematic Theology.
Question 1: When were angels cast down?
According to Grudem, we don't exactly know the time that the angels were cast down. We do know that it had to happen prior to Satan tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3.1). Grudem also suggests that it occurred after the sixth day of creation since God proclaims everything He created good (Genesis 1:31). Grudem says "but beyond this, Scripture give us no further information". (Grudem p. 402)
Question 2. When were the angels created?
Grudem says that they did not always exist but were part of the creation. Quoting Ezra 'You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host ... and the host of heaven worships you' (Nehemiah 9:6; cf. Ps. 148:2,5)Grudem 397). He goes on to explain that the angels had to be created before the seventh day because Genesis 2:1 states "Thus the heavens and earth were finished, and all the host of them" and that it's possible (but not definite) that Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 may indicate that the heavens were complete because earth is specifically called out to be without form and void.
Question 3. What exactly was it that Lucipher did to get kicked out of heaven?
Grudem points out that at the end of creation God "say everything that he had made, and behold it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). (Grudem 412) Since this is true, the heavens did not even have evil angels (demons or Satan aka. Lucipher) at that time. (412) I referenced earlier in the week the passage that best declares the reference to what he did:
Isaiah 14:12-15
12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. [a]
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High."
15 But you are brought down to the grave,
to the depths of the pit.
more to come...
1. When were angels cast down?
2. When were they created?
3. What exactly was it that Lucipher did to get kicked out of heaven?
4. What was/is the purpose of angels?
I think I have been able to find good answers to these questions in Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
. You can read most of the related text here: Google book preview of Grudem's Systematic Theology.
Question 1: When were angels cast down?
According to Grudem, we don't exactly know the time that the angels were cast down. We do know that it had to happen prior to Satan tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3.1). Grudem also suggests that it occurred after the sixth day of creation since God proclaims everything He created good (Genesis 1:31). Grudem says "but beyond this, Scripture give us no further information". (Grudem p. 402)
Question 2. When were the angels created?
Grudem says that they did not always exist but were part of the creation. Quoting Ezra 'You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host ... and the host of heaven worships you' (Nehemiah 9:6; cf. Ps. 148:2,5)Grudem 397). He goes on to explain that the angels had to be created before the seventh day because Genesis 2:1 states "Thus the heavens and earth were finished, and all the host of them" and that it's possible (but not definite) that Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 may indicate that the heavens were complete because earth is specifically called out to be without form and void.
Question 3. What exactly was it that Lucipher did to get kicked out of heaven?
Grudem points out that at the end of creation God "say everything that he had made, and behold it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). (Grudem 412) Since this is true, the heavens did not even have evil angels (demons or Satan aka. Lucipher) at that time. (412) I referenced earlier in the week the passage that best declares the reference to what he did:
Isaiah 14:12-15
12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. [a]
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High."
15 But you are brought down to the grave,
to the depths of the pit.
more to come...
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