Friday, November 10, 2006

Daily Devotions, 11.10.06, Ephesians 5:1, 2 NLT

In the first two verses of Ephesians 5, Paul tells the Ephesians to “imitate God” in everything they do and to follow the example of Christ.

If I were to tell you right now, “I want you to be just like Scott Chilson; I want you to do the things he does, did and wants you to do from here on out”, you may think I’m crazy because you don’t even know who “Scott” is. But what if I went a step further and told you that there is an autobiography written by Scott on his life: past, present and future? He’s still living but Scott is super-human and did this for you!

I know this is a silly example, but one that is real in the sense that God wants us to know Him more. He gave us the resources in written form (Bible), in physical form (mind, eyes, ears, heart) and Spirit (Holy Spirit) form to make this possible in a very real sense. But the question I have to ask is, “are you using these resources”? Do you make it a point to understand God on a regular and deliberate basis? Is your understanding of Him just on the surface or do you dig deep into Scripture and seek Him in prayer? Do God’s Words bounce around in your mind all day?

Do you know that Isaiah wrote about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Isaiah 52 & 53? Many pastors quote these chapters in Isaiah to support messages spoken about the New Testament Gospels - the life, suffering, death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus. This was written 700 years before Christ was even born!

Read and meditate on God’s Word… He knew you before the foundations of the earth and He wants you to get to know everything about him. He is wonderful, praiseworthy, and perfect. God can lead, comfort and satisfy every need we will ever have. God loves you!

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” – Ephesians 5: 1, 2 NLT

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