Your Identity in Christ
John 10:10,28
The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full… I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Pondering Point
How would you define a full life? How does God relate to that life? What robs you of joy in life?
According to Jesus:
• In Christ I have been given fullness of life and fellowship of the Father.
Prayer
Spirit of God, help us recognize the joy of life from You and to desire to share that joy with others.
Prayer Prompt
How are you allowing the thief to steal, kill, and destroy – taking away God's version of life for you? Where have you settled for making life about lesser things? Ask God to set your heart straight (and your mind, will, imagination, spirit, and soul) regarding desires in life and desires for life.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 146:5-10
- Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God. - He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever. - He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free, - the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous. - The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. - The Lord reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Isaiah 1:16-17
Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
The Promise
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Pondering Point
From what “prison” do you find yourself needing to be set free from? Ask God to reveal areas that may be currently off your radar yet still imprisoning you?