Jesus Calling: March 27th
Be still in My Presence, even though countless tasks clamor for your attention. Nothing is as important as spending time with Me. While you wait in My Presence, I do My best work within you: transforming you by the renewing of your mind. If you skimp on this time with Me, you may plunge headlong into the wrong activities, missing the richness of what I have planned for you.
Do not seek Me primarily for what I can give you. Remember that I, the Giver, am infinitely greater than any gifts I might impart to you. Though I delight in blessing My children, I am deeply grieved when My blessings become idols in their hearts. Anything can be an idol if it distracts you from Me as your First Love. When I am the ultimate Desire of your heart, you are safe from the danger of idolatry. As you wait in My Presence, enjoy the greatest gift of all: Christ in you, the hope of Glory!
RELATED SCRIPTURE:
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
: God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for his children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey him. Because he wants only what is best for us, and because he gave his Son to make our life possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for his service.
: Paul warned Christians: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world" that are usually selfish and often corrupting. Wise Christians decide that much worldly behavior is off-limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world's values, however, must go even deeper than just behavior and customs; it must be firmly planted in our mind: "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our mind are we truly transformed (see Romans 8:5- "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.").
Revelation 2:4 NLT
4“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!
: Paul had once commended the church of Ephesus for its love for God and others (Ephesians 1:15), but many of the church founders had died, and many of the second-generation believers had lost their zeal for God. They were a busy church - the members did much to benefit themselves and the community but they were acting out of the wrong motives. Work for God must be motivated by love for God, or it will not last.
Colossians 1:27 (NIV)
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
: Through Christ, God's "message" was made open to all. God's secretplan is "Christ lives in you" - God planned to have his Son, Jesus Christ, live in the hearts of all who believe in him - even Gentiles like the Colossians. Do you know Christ? He is not hidden if you will come to him.
:
Dear Heavenly Father,
In the midst of our daily tasks, we come before You, seeking Your presence and Your peace. Help us to be still, to quiet the noise around us by focusing solely on You. We acknowledge that nothing is as vital as spending time with You. This time is the source of life to the fullest.
As we wait in Your presence, may Your transformative work be done within us. Renew our minds, that we may discern Your will and walk in Your ways. May we not be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by Your spirit.
Forgive us, Lord, for the times we've sought You primarily for what You can give us. Help us to remember that You, the ultimate giver, are infinitely greater than any gifts You've blessed us with. Let not Your blessings become idols in our hearts that steal attention away from You, but may You always remain our first love.
Grant us the grace to desire You above all else, for in You alone do we find true fulfillment and purpose in a life that is lived to the fullest. May Christ dwell richly within us, being our hope of glory.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
