A Mind Like Christ’s

I hear people say, “I want to be like Jesus.” When I see them live their life, their actions are not in line with their words. A more appropriate saying would be, “I want people to tell me I’m like Jesus without me needing to live like Him.”

In this chapter of Philippians, Paul says we are to have the mind of Christ. Then he lists attributes of Jesus that American Christians struggle with living. Our Constitutional freedoms conflict with our Christian freedoms and we like those better. 

Paul says we must humble ourselves and consider others better than us. That’s a show stopper for some people. But when you look at the life of Jesus, there’s no way you can justify not treating others well. Jesus had no sin, yet He took the cost of our sin on Himself. How, then, can you justify acting like people owe you something when you owe your right relationship with God to Jesus? You can’t, so don’t try. 

Live a humble life in Christ. He paid a steep price to give you that opportunity. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Philippians 2:1-4

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded,having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Today’s Reading:

Philippians 2

Memorize, Then Live It

The first passage of scripture that I remember my daughter reciting from memory is Ephesians 6:1-4. Thinking about that brought this thought to my mind. Christians emphasize memorizing scripture, but they do not always emphasize LIVING scripture. 

As a father, I lost track of the number of times I failed at living out Ephesians 6:4. Ego, lack of wisdom, and other things clouded my ability to raise my child in the way she should go. (Proverbs 22:6)

Fortunately, by the grace of God, she turned out better than alright. Probably because of her mother’s influence. 

The reality is, that’s no way to parent, nor live in general. The Psalmist writes in 119:11 that he has “hidden (the) word in (his) heart that he might not sin against (God).” 

Your obedience is made possible by memorizing God’s Word, then living it out. 

Take time today to meditate on how much scripture you both know and live. The goal is to live all that you know and to seek to know all that there is. Tough? Yes! Possible in Christ? Absolutely YES! Don’t wait, start hiding the Word in your heart right now! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Ephesians 6:1-4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children;instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Today’s Reading:

Ephesians 6

That Was You, It’s Not You

One of the most difficult things for Christians to do is leave their past behind. We hold our transgressions over our head as if God didn’t forgive them fully. We act is if God’s complete forgiveness is for others but not for us. 

That is a lie, probably from the enemy. God’s forgiveness most certainly applies fully to your life. 

The first seven verses of Ephesians chapter five paint a tough picture of living wrong. However, he starts the next section with words of hope. “For you were once darkness…” This is a clear indication that all you’ve done is in the past and now you can walk in the light of Jesus Christ. 

What lie are you telling yourself to keep you holding your past over your head? Stop saying it. Better yet, stop believing it. In Christ, you are forgiven completely. God has chosen to remember your transgressions no more. So should you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Ephesians 5:8-10

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

Today’s Reading:

Ephesians 5

The Importance of a Foothold

After reading this passage I had a thought, “how important is a foothold.” So I asked Google. This is the response:

“A foothold is important because it provides a secure and advantageous position from which to make further progress.”

The last part, “to make further progress,” jumped off the screen to me. Think about the enemy’s goal, “to steal, kill, and destroy.” In order for him to do that he must first gain access to you. Therefore, he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking (a foothold). That’s how he’s able to devour you. 

As you go about your life today, be aware of your actions. Make sure you do not give the enemy a foothold because he won’t stop there. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Ephesians 4:27

27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

Today’s Reading:

Ephesians 4

Understanding Brings Power

I cannot count the number of times I’ve read and quoted from Ephesians chapter three. I regularly use verse twenty as a reminder that sometimes we have multiple good decisions to make. In that time I encourage people to choose and trust God. 

However, this morning, God opened my eyes to the meaning of verses sixteen thru nineteen. Paul prays for believers to understand the breath of God’s love for us. Understanding that love brings an ability for us to walk in a way that brings honor and glory to God. This must be our pursuit. Nothing else matters. 

As you go about your day, make sure you are seeking to understand how wide, long, high, and deep the Father’s love for us is. That understanding will bring you a power to overcome whatever the enemy throws at you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Ephesians 3:16-19

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Today’s Reading:

Ephesians 3

But God…

Can you testify that your life would look way different, “but God” who is rich in mercy stepped in and saved you from destruction? 

I can!! I need to raise both of my hands and my feet! 

The truth is, we all owe our continued existence to God. His mercy sustains us. When we do what we want, against His word and we remain alive, that’s by His grace. 

Paul writes in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death. Our sin condemns us.

Read that last sentence again!

Be thankful for God’s mercy. Allow Him to use your story to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

Yes, you were once “drowning” in sin, but you’re not now! Go tell someone your story. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Ephesians 2:4-7 (NKJV)

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Today’s Reading:

Ephesians 2

A Righteous Prayer

The Apostle Paul was a man who had a passion for God. Initially we meet him while his passion for God was less than righteous. He persecuted believers in the Way. He approved of the killing of these believers. In short, righteousness in Jesus Christ was not Paul’s calling card. 

Then the Lord gets a hold of his heart and that same passion for God gets pointed in the right direction. Paul’s heart was rightly focused on others and their relationship with Jesus. As we read the book of Ephesians, we are going to see how much Paul loved and cared for people. His words to the Ephesians are words that we would do well to echo to others as we seek Jesus daily. 

For whom can you pray a righteous prayer today? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Ephesians 1:15-17

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Today’s Reading:

Ephesians 1

Life’s Slippery Slope

An often misquoted scripture is “judge not, lest ye be judged.” Most people use that scripture to tell someone not to point out their shortcomings. I imagine it “frees” their conscience from the conviction they get from someone pointing out their shortcoming. 

And then we read Galatians 6:1. How can you gently restore a brother or sister from the sin they were caught in, if you do not acknowledge the sin? That’s the sticking point. We do not want people pointing out our sin so we hide behind, “judge not lest ye be judged.”

That is a slippery slope that we must steer clear of. If you do not have people in your life who are able to point out your sin without you getting upset, you’re headed for destruction. 

I promise you we ALL have moments in our lives where we need someone to say, “hey, let’s have a conversation about this thing you’re doing/did.”

Be careful not to take a stand that will keep you in sin because your ego will not allow you to listen when your brother or sister seeks to gently restore you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Galatians 6:1

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Today’s Reading:

Galatians 6

Live By The Spirit

First, Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers. I pray you feel special on this day. 

In this life, we have two options, live to please the flesh or live to please the Spirit. These options are our choice. 

Galatians 5 gives us a clear picture of how we should live and who we should follow. As you look at your life, are you a person who crucifies their flesh daily? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Galatians 5:24-26

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Today’s Reading:

Galatians 5

Isaac & Ishmael

While reading Galatians 4, God opened my eyes to something I had not noticed before. Isaac and Ishmael are a picture of the fight we wage daily. 

Ishmael represents the fleshly desires that seem to overtake us. These are the desires we have that go against the Word and will of God. The sad part is, most of the time, we know this is something we should not do, yet there we are powering through anyway. 

Isaac represents the Spirit Man. Isaac is the fulfillment of God’s promise. This is the life God has called us to. One in which we seek Him first and follow His commandments. Our obedience is the sign of our love. 

It comes down to this: are you going to live an Ishmael life or an Isaac life? If you put your hands in the air and say, “I don’t know,” you’re choosing the Ishmael life. The only way to live the Isaac life is to purposefully choose God. You cannot accidentally choose God. Like my friend Ashlee Combee said on The Agape Leaders Podcast, the default is hell (Ishmael). 

Choose the Isaac life. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Galatians 4:21-23

21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law,are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.

Today’s Reading:

Galatians 4

From The Beginning

Galatians 3 got me thinking. From the beginning, God has always wanted us to live by faith. He established one law and Adam and Eve broke it. How much less could we keep the 613 laws established in the Torah? 

Our faith is what we must rely on as we live for God. There will be plenty of unanswered questions. There will be seasons of life that we wonder how God will get us through. Seasons where friends who love the Lord were not healed and passed away. We will have questions that seem like they should be answered, yet we will sit in silence with no answer coming. Living like this requires faith. 

In these times we must remember in whom we have placed our faith. Our faith is in the God of the universe; the One who created EVERYTHING. I’m confident that He has more than earned our faith. 

As you live by faith, trusting God in all circumstances, your impact for Christ will increase. God is looking for people who love Him and want to live according to His purpose. Are you that person? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Galatians 3:7-10

7 Understand, then, that those who have faithare children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Today’s Reading:

Galatians 3

Crucified With Christ

Galatians 2:20 is a popular verse in which Paul declares that he has been crucified with Christ. He says the life he is living is no longer his, but it has been surrendered to the life Christ called us to live by faith. 

Is that the way you are living? Is the grace of God the engine that drives your faith? God’s grace means we receive the salvation that we neither deserve nor earned. When that has been freely given to you, why would you do things that are contrary to the life God has called us to live. A life that was modeled by Jesus. 

Take time, today, to be alone with God. Remove all noise and ask Him if you are living by faith through grace or if you are living the life you believe you deserve. Listen for His answer and respond well. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Galatians 2:20-21

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Today’s Reading:

Galatians 2

Respond Well To The Gospel

The Greek word used for “gospel” is euangelion, which is translated “good news.” Think about how you respond to good news. You’re happy! If there’s something that you must do as a result of the good news, you do it. 

When we receive the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have just received the best news ever given. Yet, people do not receive it with joy. 

Paul is writing this book of the Bible to the people of Galatia. Initially, they received the good news well. However, false teaching confused them and they began to fall away from their belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

That can easily be you or me. That’s why it is important to put God first in everything we do. Put Him first in the morning. Put Him first in our day. Put Him first when we go to bed. 

Our lives should be so saturated with God that we will easily recognize when someone or something tries to pull us away. If we are not at that point, someone or something WILL pull us away. 

Never forget, our adversary, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Don’t be the devouree! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Galatians 1:6-8

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!

Today’s Reading:

Galatians 1

God Exalts The Humble

If you are looking for an example to follow, look no further than the life of Mordecai. He was a man of high character. He did the right thing no matter what. He followed God and cared about people. 

James writes that if we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, He will lift us up. This is what God did for Mordecai. Since God is not a respecter of man, He will do the same for you if you humble yourself. 

The “funny” thing is, it’s that simple, yet we make it so difficult. We put confidence in the wrong thing and convince ourselves of a humility we have that does not exist.

Take time out of your day and have those tough conversations with yourself. You know the truth. Allow God to prune you into the person He has called you to be. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Esther 10:3

3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rankto King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.

Today’s Reading:

Esther 10

An Enemy Of God

Of all the things a person can be, I believe an enemy of God should be the last thing they should want to be. Yet, around the world, people seem to line up to join the ranks of the enemies of God. 

It is not our place to say how God will deal with His enemies, but if how He dealt with Haman is any indication, things are going to be pretty bad for those who choose to be an enemy of God. 

The good news is you are not “accidentally” an enemy of God. It is a choice you make. Choose God! Choose to follow Him through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Your willful disobedience has far reaching consequences. Notice what happened to the sons of Haman. They were likely believers of what their father believed. And this was the result of that. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Esther 9:5-10

5 The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.6 In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

Today’s Reading:

Esther 9

When The Lord Hooks A Brotha Up

Around twenty years ago, I heard a preacher give a sermon he titled, “When the Lord Hooks a Brotha Up.” As I read this passage, that sermon came to my mind again. 

Prior to this point in the book, Mordecai has maintained a God-fearing and humble existence as he sat at the king’s gate making sure Esther was okay.  Because he was selfless in his thinking and his actions, he rises to be the king’s right hand man. 

James 4:6 says that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. We see this played out in the lives of Haman and Mordecai. 

If you were taking an honest look at your own life, would you say you’re seeking to live a humble life in obedience to Christ? If not, repent and seek the Lord. Your eternity hangs in the balance. Remember, God is not required to bring you into His presence for eternity simply because you, “never asked to be born.” Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Esther 8:15

15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.

Today’s Reading:

Esther 8

You Thought

It cracks me up when my students used to use the phrase “You Thought,” because those words alone said everything that needed to be said about the mess up somebody did. As I read this passage in Esther, those words came to my mind about Haman.

His overinflated opinion of hisself was his down fall. The people around him supported his ill advised plan to get rid of Mordecai. It begs the question, “why do people surround themselves with people who are not good for them.”

I encourage you to take a serious look at who you are allowing to advise you. Do they use the Word of God as their reference? If not, you have the wrong people guiding you. You should make a change before someone says, “You Thought” to you. And at that point, it may be too late to fix the problem. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Esther 7:5-6

5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”
Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.

Today’s Reading:

Esther 7

God’s Quiet Protection

As you read this chapter, notice how Mordecai has done nothing to draw attention to himself throughout this book. He helps his cousin, protects the king, and seeks help for the Jews. He has surrendered his life to God’s quiet protection. 

Far too often we try to protect ourselves. We believe that we are the ones who must do the “salvation” work in our lives. We make plans to do this or that “in the name of the Lord,” but the truth is, we are doing it for our own selfish desires. This is why Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven.”

Being righteous in your own eyes does not make you righteous. In fact, it probably makes you unrighteous. And that’s not a good thing. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Esther 6:12-13

12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.

His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfallhas started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”

Today’s Reading:

Esther 6

Pride Before Destruction

Proverb 16:18 is often quoted as “pride goes before a fall.” The actual proverb is, “pride goes before destruction…”

This passage reminds me of that proverb. Notice Haman’s pride has blinded him. He boasts of his riches and is angry because one person will not bow to him or show him the respect he believes he deserves. As we continue to read this book, we will learn the fate of Haman. 

If you’re a “read ahead” type person, then reread Proverb 16:18 and you will be able to guess Haman’s fate. When we let pride lead our actions and decision making, we will meet a similar fate as Haman. Don’t let pride guide you. It leads to destruction not peace. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Esther 5:9-10

9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

Today’s Reading:

Esther 5

A Serious Prayer Life

In my travels, I have been blessed to pray for thousands of people. One day, in California, I was praying over children. A little girl stepped up and I asked her how I can pray for her. She said, “I want to kill myself.”

You read those words correctly. People need prayer for life saving reasons. It is important that you take your prayer life seriously. James, the brother of Jesus, said that our effectual prayers avail much. What keeps you from taking your prayer life seriously?

Look at Esther’s request in this passage. It reminds me of Jesus’ reply to His disciples when they asked why they had not been able to heal a demon-possessed person. Jesus said that kind only comes out with prayer and fasting. Esther understood the seriousness of prayer. And so did Mordecai. 

Who needs prayer in your sphere of influence? Pray for them. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Esther 4:16

16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Today’s Reading:

Esther 4