Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 24, 2015
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:1
I belong to the Body of Christ. I belong to Northpoint Community Church. I belong to a growing family (my wife, four daughters, four sons-in-laws and six grandchildren). I belong to a team of workers at Ministry Ventures and Wisdom Hunters. But most significantly, I belong to Jesus Christ. He is the owner of my life, the master of my eternal fate and the focus of my devotion. It’s a daily battle to fight off competing owners of my life: the world, the flesh and the devil. Like a rogue, activist investor who tries to take over a company, unseemly forces other than faith vie for my allegiance. I have to remind myself whom I belong to and what He wants for me.
Paul is writing to a group of Christians in Ephesus who faced the challenge of competing loyalties. The love of money, immoral deception, worldly worship and sin’s allure all recruited members into their belief system. In some ways modern culture looks tame compared to the openly iniquitous and secular society of the Ephesians. Yet, Paul highlighted those holy believers in Christ Jesus, who were set apart for Him. Holiness begins with our proximity of belonging to God—for God. Our high standard of moral behavior flows out of faith in Jesus Christ and His high moral standard for living. All are saints who trust in Christ alone.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8).
Security comes to those secure in their Savior Jesus. Because we are owned by God, no other prospectors can claim Christ’s claim on us. Our heavenly Father has the deed to our soul and no one and no thing has the authority to take us away from Him. Our soul’s title insurance is trust in Jesus. Furthermore, the more we rest in God’s ownership of our life—the more we are filled with inexpressible joy. Our head knows we are His, but until our heart engages in an emotional uplift we remain unmoved. Faith is a fortress for our joy’s protection from anxious warriors. When we declare our belongings belong to Jesus—we fear no unnecessary loss. Joy rests secure in Jesus.
Furthermore, where we belong is what we become. Just like members of a club tend to take on the traits of other club members, so we become more like Christ as we understand and apply our membership of faith. We pay our dues in daily devotion of love for our Lord and people. We move from duty to delight the more we delight in God’s ownership over us. Christianity is not a compartment that contains the religious part of our life. Christ is our life. What He owns—He takes care of. Thus, because we belong to Jesus—we don’t belong anywhere outside His will. All our belongings are God’s for His purposes. We become like Jesus—because we belong to Jesus!
“So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, because I belong to You—I want to become like You.
Related Readings: Romans 8:9, 12:5; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 2 Corinthians 10:7; Galatians 5:24
Post/Tweet this today: When we declare our belongings belong to Jesus—we fear no unnecessary loss. #belongtoGod #wisdomhunters
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‘Just wanted to say how much I appreciate Wisdom Hunters Devotionals. Boyd, you do a fantastic job with it. I am a 60 year old father of five and international missionary. I have read and used all the great devotionals from the ages, and I must tell you that yours is right up there with the best of them…truly. I can tell you put a lot of prayer into this. Your honesty and genuine heart that desires to serve Jesus is very apparent, and the solid Biblical nature of what you share is wonderful. God bless you Brother, and all of whatever staff you have. You are doing a GREAT job! Sincerely,
John from the Chicago area.
John very grateful for your kind and encouraging note. I am a fellow pilgrim with you following our Lord Jesus. Hope you and your family are well. It is an honor to serve you and walk with you with Christ. Have a blessed weekend!
Very prayerful and grateful,
Boyd
These daily devotionals are inspiring and so often are just what I need to start my day. Thank you for your work and faithfulness in writing these beautiful stories. God bless !