A STRAIGHT ROAD
Philippians 2:5-16
When the Jesus spirit is allowed to control us, then the mind or disposition that was in him will be found in us. We are told what he was like. We are asked to be like him. There is just the one way to do it—yielding thoughtfully, intelligently, strongly, to the Spirit’s gracious control. Then the daily quiet corner with the Book, the inner ear trained to hear, the outer life held true—these lead to Christlikeness.
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?
A PROGRAM-PRAYER
Nehemiah 1:1-11
Nehemiah’s great heart bled for his people. Above everything else he wanted them to turn to God. His prayer gives a good program. He realizes sorely the result of disobedience to God; and his heart mourns over it. Then he realizes gratefully the gracious promise of God to those returning to the pathway of obedience. Then he pleads God’s resistless power, as he presses on with the plan that has been shaping itself in his heart.
THE TOUCHSTONE OF POWER
Acts 16:6-15
There are calls for help on every hand. But as we keep quiet, with our heart absolutely willing to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, we shall know with certainty which “Come over and help” is the Master’s call, to be followed. He knows the needs. There is a “Lord of the harvest.” Except we fit into his plan, we really tangle and hinder, instead of helping. Not service but obedience is the touchstone of power.
SALTLESS SALT
Matthew 5:10-16
Salt keeps things from smelling bad and from being bad. It preserves. It works unseen. You know of its presence or absence by smell and taste. Light preserves, too, and makes the way plain. Neither of them ever talks about what it’s doing. It just does. That’s its nature. We’re to be salt and light to the crowd we touch through the Jesus fife in us. And the crowd’s quick to recognize saltless salt and rayless light.
DON’T SELL YOUR BIRTHRIGHT
Daniel 1:8-20
So much hinges on a single thing. Daniel was given a keen, understanding mind. He knew that he could keep it so or lose it. So knowing, he chose to be careful in his habits of life. “Pulse” for Daniel meant thoughtful moderation, self-control, which must have characterized all his round of life. Dainties may seem a small item, but Daniel would not sell his birthright of keenness and strength for a mess of dainties.
