A Beautiful Promise

The Holy Spirit has a specific, overarching mission. His task is to teach us about Jesus. The apostle Paul echoed this point: “No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it—what God has arranged for those who love him. But you’ve seen and heard it because God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

The world religions look to the teachings of their now-dead founders—Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius. Christians, however, hold to this inscrutable and beautiful promise: our teacher not only spoke, but he speaks. His wisdom is not confined to an ancient document but is part of the day-to-day curriculum of our mentor, the Holy Spirit.

Devotion by Max Lucado | The Almighty Jehovah | https://thealmightyJehovah.com

Holy Thoughts

When you see the successful, are you jealous? When you see others struggle, are you pompous? Do you assume the worst about the future? If so, you suffer from what I call DTPs – destructive thought patterns.

Oh to be DTP-free. No energy lost, no time wasted. A lifetime of healthy and holy thoughts would render anyone a joyful genius. But where would you find such an individual?

Blame DTPs on sin. It messes with our minds. So, God changes us by changing our mind. By considering the glory of Christ. To behold him is to become like him. Give him your best thoughts, and see if he doesn’t change your mind!

An Uncommon Call

Jesus’ obedience began in a small town carpentry shop. His uncommon approach to his common life groomed him for his uncommon call. In order to change the world Jesus had to say goodbye to his world. 1 Peter 1:20 (TLB) says, “God chose him for this purpose long before the world began.” Every ounce of suffering had been scripted. It just fell to him to play the part.

When you come up with a word for such love, give it to Christ. For the day he left Nazareth is the day he declared his devotion for you and me. But God, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. Perhaps we’re not so common after all!

A Beautiful Promise