Testing my Mind and Thoughts
How have my
thoughts glorified You, My Lord and My God?
"Whether
you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God."
1 Cor 10:31
Or have my
thoughts been swallowed up with "me" - and self-seeking?
"...if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your
hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This
wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly,
sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking
exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But
the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and
good fruits, without partiality and without
hypocrisy."
James 3:14
Did I seek
to see You, My Lord, in all the events of my day, or did I
have only eyes for myself and my desires?
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him." Col 3:17
Did I offer
up thanksgiving in everything?
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
in
everything give thanks; for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do
not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold
fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
1
Thes 5:16
When I
beheld others, did I look only to their external appearance
or did I seek to see, most of all, their hearts and the
needs of their souls?
"From now on, we regard no one according to the
flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the
flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer."
2
Cor 5:16
Did I seek
to love and bless the people God put in my life today --
including those who mock or despise me?
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those
who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do
not set your mind on high things, but associate with the
humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
"Repay no one evil for evil. Have
regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it
is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably
with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but
rather give place to wrath; for it is written,
'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord.
Therefore, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is
thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing you will heap
coals of fire on his head.'
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:14-21
Was there a
melody of delight in my heart for You today? Was I most
satisfied in You, my God?
"...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks
always for all things to God the Father...."
Eph
5:18
Where was
my treasure today? How did my heart pursue my treasure?
"...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves
do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also." Matt 6:20-21
What
thoughts did I entertain and dwell upon which were unworthy
of my Lord?
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may
prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will
of God."
Rom 12:2
Did I envy?
Covet? Lust? Dream selfish and worldly dreams with no
accountability to God?
"...whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has
already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matt 5:28
"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they
not come from your desires for pleasure that war in
your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and
covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war." James 4:1
Am I allowing
my heart to become hardened toward my Lord? Toward others?
Am I allowing bitterness to have a place in my heart?
"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil
heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but
exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,'
lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of
sin." Heb 3:12-13
"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without
which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest
anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root
of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this
many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or
profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food
sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when
he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected,
for he found no place for repentance, though he sought
it diligently with tears."
Heb 12:14-17
Have I been
judgmental of others in my heart, perhaps just to put them
down to make myself feel more superior?
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what
judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the
measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And
why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but
do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can
you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from
your eye;’ and look, a plank is in your own eye?
Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from
your brother’s eye."
Matt 7:1-5
Have I allowed
apathy, indolence, disappointment or despair to have their
way with me?
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that
the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we
are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not
forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always
carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our
body. For we who live are always delivered to death for
Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be
manifested in our mortal flesh."
2 Cor
4:7-11
Did I show
respect and honor for God's different authorities in my life?
"Let every soul be subject to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority except from God,
and the authorities that exist are appointed by God."
Romans 13:1
What opportunities
to glorify my sovereign Lord and King did I seize or lose?
"If
anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If
anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which
God supplies that in all things God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the
dominion forever."
1 Pet
4:11
"Let
your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt,
that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Col 4:6
"Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matt
5:16
Testing my Tongue and Words
How have I
spoken to others today?
"Let
your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt,
that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Col 4:6
"Let
no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good
for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to
the hearers."
Eph
4:29
Did I speak "the
truth in love"?
"...that we should no longer be rchildren, tossed to and
fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine... but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things
into Him who is the thead—Christ..." Eph
4:14-15
Did I seek to love
them in Christ and bless them?
"Be
kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in
honor giving preference to one another..." Rom
12:10
What words have I
spoken to specifically glorify Jesus Christ, my Lord?
"And
they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word
of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to
the death."
Rev
12:11
What words have I
spoken devoid of faith and reflecting only my fleshly nature?
"...no
man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of
deadly poison."
James
3:8
Did I speak words
that were evil? Words of anger? Words of bitterness, impatience
or unforgiveness? Graceless words? Curses? Impure or lying
words?
"Let
all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil
speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be
kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving
one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
Eph
4:31
"...be renewed in the spirit of your mind."
Eph
4:23
"But
fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it
not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither
filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting,
which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." Eph
5:3-4
"Have
no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of
those things which are done by them in secret."
Eph 5:11
"But
now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath,
malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not
lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in
knowledge according to the image of Him...."
Col 3:8-10
Did I offer a word
of witness when presented with an opportunity?
"...sanctify
the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to
give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the
hope that is in you, with meekness and
fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you
as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ
may be ashamed." 1 Pet 3:15
Did I speak
without thinking of how my words would sound or be received?
Were my words thoughtless, careless, even harsh? Did I speak
them to make me feel better, not caring what their impact would
be?
Did I speak words
of arrogance and pride or did I serve others with my words,
seeking to edify them? Were they words that I would want spoken
to me?
"Let
nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own
interests, but also for the interests of others."
Phil
2:3-4
"Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for
this is the Law and the Prophets."
Matt 7:12
"Let
no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good
for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to
the hearers."
Eph 4:29
Were my words
filled with myself or with Christ?
"For to
me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Phil
1:21
"I have
been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave Himself for me."
Gal 2:20
Did I listen
before I spoke or did I hastily and foolishly speak without due
thought or restraint?
"let
every man be swift to hear, slow to speak..."
Jam 1:19
"He who
answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame
to him."
Prov 18:13
"Do you
see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool
than for him."
Prov 29:20
Were my words
argumentative?
Or were they gentle, forbearing, humble and gracious to others?
"...pursue
righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the
Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant
disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a
servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to
all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting
those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant
them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that
they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the
devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
2 Tim 2:22
Were my words
true? Or were they
twisted, tainted, or colored to avoid speaking the truth?
“If
you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free.”
John 8:31
"Therefore putting away lying, 'let each one of you speak
truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one
another."
Eph 4:25
Did my words
assume responsibility for my actions?
Or did I justify and defend myself -- or blame someone else?
"For
if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is
nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his
own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone,
and not in another. For each one shall bear his own
load."
Gal 6:3
"...the
wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in
unrighteousness...."
Rom 1:18
Did I speak evil
of others, defaming or dishonoring them, spreading rumors, even
slandering or gossiping about them?
"For
men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without
self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors,
headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers
of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
And from such people turn away!"
2 Timothy 3:2
"And
besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to
house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies,
saying things which they ought not."
1 Tim 5:13
Did I deny myself
with my words to exalt Christ and His work?
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Col
3:17
Testing my Deeds and Actions
Were my deeds and
actions done for the gory of God and His Christ? Or were they
for my own satisfaction?
"I
beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly
lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct
honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak
against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works
which they observe, glorify God...."
1 Pet 2:11-12
"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has
suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer
should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts
of men, but for the will of God. For
we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will
of the Gentiles...."
1 Pet 4:1
"For you were
bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and
in your spirit, which are God’s."
1
Cor 6:20
Let the
lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his
humiliation...."
James 1:9
Did God use my actions
to bless others and portray the love of Christ in me?
"By
this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another.”
John 13:35
"For
in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
avails anything, but faith working through love."
Gal 5:6
"For
you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not
use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through
love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one
word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.'”
Gal 5:13
Did I act wisely
with prudence and integrity in all that I did?
"He
has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah 6:8
"...let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’
For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."
Matt 5:37
Was I a good
steward of the last 24 hours of the time which my Lord entrusted
to me?
"Let us hold
fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He
who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another
in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see
the Day approaching."
Heb
10:23-25
"See then that
you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore
do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord
is."
Eph 5:15
Did I act with the
gentleness, patience, and compassion of Christ? Or were my own
expectations and desires the main motives behind my actions?
"I have
no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your
state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of
Christ Jesus."
Philip 2:20
"...as
the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies,
kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with
one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a
complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so
you also must do." Col 3:12
Did I act
vengefully toward someone today? Did I seek revenge in my
actions , actively or passively, explicitly or implicitly?
"Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place
to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will
repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry,
feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.... Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Rom 12:19
Have I judged
someone else today, being critical of someone else, usurping the
authority which belongs to God alone, or without applying the
same measure of judgment upon myself? Would I want someone else
to judge me in that same fashion?
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what
judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the
measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why
do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not
consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to
your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and
look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove
the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly
to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
Matt 7:1-5
"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes
over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all
things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.... To his
own master he stands or falls.... For none of us lives to
himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live
to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore,
whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s." Rom 14:1-8
"...it
is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with
me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you
or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
... Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord
comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of
darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each
one’s praise will come from God." 1 Cor 4:2-5
Did I act in ways
that conveyed the forgiveness, love and multitude of grace which
I have received from my Lord? Were my acts motivated and
representative of my gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord for
His grace to me?
"And
be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
Eph 4:32
Did God use my actions
to bless others and portray the love of Christ in me?
"By
this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another.”
John 13:35
"But
fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it
not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse
jesting,which are not fitting, but rather giving of
thanks."
Eph 5:3
"...giving thanks always for all things to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one
another in the fear of God."
Eph 5:20
“'Lord, how often
shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to
seven times?'
"Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times,
but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of
heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts
with his servants. And when he had begun to settle
accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand
talents. ...
"Then his master, after he had called him, said to him,
‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because
you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on
your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his
master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until
he should pay all that was due to him. 'So My heavenly
Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart,
does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
Matt 18:21-24, 32-35
"if your brother sins
against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him
alone. "
Matt 18:15
Did I go to the
person who offended me -- or who I offended -- and seek
reconciliation and forgiveness? Did I fail to make restitution?
"if
you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that
your brother has something against you, leave your gift
there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled
to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
Matt 5:23
"Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord, I give
half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything
from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.' And
Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this
house....”
Luke 19:8-9
What good works
did I show a zeal for today? What act have I performed today
that was truly and purely for the good and blessing of someone
else, without a trace of self-serving?
"looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of
our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for
us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and
purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good
works."
Titus 2:13
"...be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to
be ready for every good work.... This is a faithful
saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly,
that those who have believed in God should be careful to
maintain good works."
Titus 3:1, 8
"...And
though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though
I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits
me nothing.... Love suffers long and is kind; love does
not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not
provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity,
but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never
fails." 1 Cor 13:1
"This is My
commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s
life for his friends."
John
15:12
Did I deny myself
so that I might lift up Christ in concrete, real actions toward
others? Heave I purposed today to serve the needs of others for
the glory of Christ?
"For
none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.
For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die
to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the
Lord’s."
Rom 14:7-8
"But
be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves."
James 1:22
"If a
brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and
one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and
filled,' but you do not give them the things which are
needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith
by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:15-17
"...submitting to one another in the fear of God."
Eph 5:21
"For
you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not
use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through
love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in
one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.'”
Gal 5:13-14
Testing the Care and Feeding of
my Soul
Did I joyfully
pray today?
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let
your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at
hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be
made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus."
Phil 4:4
Did I pray
spontaneous prayers throughout the day? Did I have a
concentrated time of prayer before and with my Lord? Was my
prayer time a "sweet hour of prayer"? Did I enter into His
presence? Or was He "far off"?
"One
thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek:
That I may fdwell in the house of the Lord all the days of
my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His
temple."
Psalm 27:4
Were my prayers
filled with praise and thanksgiving with my petitions?
"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us..." Col 4:2
"For
of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom
be glory forever!"
Rom 11:36
Did I pray for my family today?
"But if
anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for
those of his household, he has denied the faith and is
worse than an unbeliever."
1 Tim 5:8
"...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints." Eph 6:18
Did I spend time
in His Word today? Was it truly "bread from heaven" for my soul?
Did God's Word wash me and renew me? Did His Word draw me into
the presence of my Lord? Did I memorize any part of His Word
today? Is it hidden in my heart? Can I speak them to the Lord
right now? Did His Word instruct me or correct me or equip me
for good works?
"It is
written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
Matt 4:4
"Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the
Lord."
Col 3:16
"...that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing
of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a
glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such
thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."
Eph 5:26
"And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God..."
Eph 6:17
"All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Tim 3:16
Did I minister
God's Word to my family today?
"Honor your
father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the
land which the Lord your God is giving you."
Exo 20:12
"You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, and with all your strength. And these words
which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall
teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of
them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way,
when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them
as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets
between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of
your house and on your gates."
Deut 6:5
"So
husbands ought to love their own wives as their own
bodies...."
Eph 5:28
"do not
provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the
training and admonition of the Lord."
Eph 6:4
Did I
fellowship with other Christians today? Did I receive
their ministry to me? Did I offer my ministry to them? Was I
encouraging them form God's Word? Did I pray for them? Did I
faithfully and joyously meet with the saints for worship this
week?
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without
wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us
consider one another in order to stir up love and good
works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and
so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
Heb 10:23
"If
anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If
anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which
God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the
dominion forever and ever."
1 Pet 4:11
"But
the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the
profit of all...."
1 Cor
12:7
"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints."
Eph 6:18
Did I
exercise my spiritual gift today in actual ministry to others?
Did others minister to me in their giftedness? Did I thank God
for their ministry?
"to
each one of us grace was given according to the measure of
Christ’s gift."
Eph 4:7
"...speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things
into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body,
joined and knit together by what every joint supplies,
according to the effective working by which every part does
its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of
itself in love." Eph 4:15
Let the
lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his
humiliation...."
James 1:9
"If
anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If
anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which
God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the
dominion forever and ever."
1 Pet 4:11
"Having
then gifts differing according to the grace that is given
to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in
proportion to our faith.... Be kindly affectionate to one
another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to
one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in
tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
distributing to the needs of the saints, given to
hospitality."
Rom 12:6,
10-13
Did I
exercise my trust in God today? Did my faith grow?
Or did I fail to trust God with my needs?
“Let
not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe
also in Me."
John 14:1
"Now if
God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more
clothe you, O you of little faith?"
Matt 6:30
"...faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen."
Heb 11:1
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the
sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus...." Heb 12:1
"For as
the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works
is dead also." James 2:26
Did I
suffer with Christ today? Did I bear my cross for His glory?
Did I deny myself concretely for Him?
"Only
let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so
that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of
your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one
mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and
not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to
them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and
that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of
Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for
His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and
now hear is in me." Phil 1:27-30
"...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection,
and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to
His death,"
Phil 3:10
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’
sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you
when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of
evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be
exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for
so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its
flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for
nothing...."
Matt 5:10-12
"My
brethren, count it all joy cwhen you fall into various
trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4
Did I
experience and recognize the grace of God poured out upon me
today? Did I thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness to me?
Have I pleaded 'to know him the power of His resurrection and
the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death"
more and more today? Have I cried out to God for more grace ?
"He
said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My
strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most
gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in
persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I
am weak, then I am strong."
2 Cor 12:9-10
"I have
learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how
to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and
in all things I have learned both to be full and to be
hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philip 4:11
"Now
to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that works in
us, to Him be glory!"
Eph 3:20
"Ask,
and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock,
and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks
receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it
will be opened. ... If you then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask
Him!"
Matt 7:7-11
"Seeing
then that we have a great High Priest who has passed
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold
fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who
cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all
points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us
therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Heb 4:14
Confession and Repentance
Have
I clearly acknowledged my specific sins today?
"Only
acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed
against the Lord your God, and have scattered your charms
to alien deities.... and you have not obeyed My voice,’
says the Lord."
Jer 3:13
"If we confess
our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9
"When I
kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the
day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me...
I acknowledged my sin to You... and You forgave the iniquity
of my sin."
Psalm 32:3
Have
I recommitted my wholehearted obedience to the Lordship of
Christ by a renewed purpose and focus and specific actions, the
fruit of my repentance?
"He
said to the multitudes... 'Brood of vipers! Who warned you
to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits
worthy of repentance.... And even now the ax is laid
to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does
not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.'
So the people asked him, saying, 'What
shall we do then?'
He answered and said to them, 'He who
has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who
has food, let him do likewise.'
Then tax collectors also came to be
baptized, and said to him, 'Teacher, what shall we do?'
He said to them, 'Collect no more than what
is appointed for you.'
Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, 'And
what shall we do?'
He said to them,
'Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be
content with your wages.'”
Luke
3:7-14
"Not
that I have already attained, or am already
perfected; but I press on, that I may lay
hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of
me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are
behind and reaching forward to those things which are
ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of
the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Phil 3:12
"God,
who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of
Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the
consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he
told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for
me, so that I rejoiced even more.
For even if I made you sorry with
my letter, I do not regret it.... For I perceive that the
same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now
I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your
sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a
godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.
For godly sorrow produces repentance
leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow
of the world produces death. "
2 Cor 7:6-12
Have
I received, in faith based on His promise, the forgiveness of my
sins?
"If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9
"These
things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if
anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation
for our sins...." 1 John 2:1-2
"There
is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ
Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but
according to the Spirit."
Rom 8:1
"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the
Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way
which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His
flesh... let us draw near with a true heart in
full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an
evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let
us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider
one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together... but
exhorting one another, and so much the more as you
see the Day approaching."
Heb 10:19-25
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin
is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not
impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit."
Psalm 32:1
"...they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the
word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives
to the death."
Rev 12:11
"...this is the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law
in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will
be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall
every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother,
saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from
the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord.
For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will
remember no more.”
Jer
31:33-35
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you
completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and
body be preserved blameless at the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful,
who also will do it. " 1 Thessalonians
5:23-24
