Encouragement for Today - March 21, 2006

 

3/21/06

Encouragement for Today

 

“In Christ”

Micca Monda Campbell, Director of Outreach, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/speaker_micca.htm

 

Key Verse:

Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (The Open Bible)

 

Devotion:

“I’ve come to see the witch,” said the All-star athlete who recently lost both of his legs due to injury. He was not alone. Most of the famous people of Brazil go to see the witch for answers to their problems or to cure an illness or injury. These politicians and athletes are among those who seek magic over the power of the living God. Then, again, the God of heaven and earth is not well known in this part of the world, and magic has always been a “pre-Christian” religion. You might say it’s the Devil’s religion. For that reason, these people are in great need of a missionary.

 

The apostle Paul was a missionary. He often used the phase “in Christ” when writing to the people of Ephesus. They were much like the people who live in Brazil today. Ephesus was a religious center and famous for its temple Diana. Their economy was clearly tied to the practice of magic and this temple. Because of Paul’s work, the spreading of the gospel began to hurt the traffic of magic and caused an uproar in the area. That is because when we seek to build the kingdom of God, it always upsets the kingdom of Satan.

 

Paul was not only a great teacher of the gospel, but he was a good friend and mentor, too. Long after he left where he’d been teaching, he would write to keep his sisters and brothers encouraged and strengthened in Christ. This was true for the people of Ephesus. Paul knew that in order for them to walk worthy of their calling, lead others to God, and not to return to false teaching, he would have to remind them of who they were “in Christ.”

 

We, too, have to be reminded of the benefits we have as heirs of the King. If not, we can easily be led astray and start trusting in worldly philosophies. We may stop looking to God for wisdom and guidance and began depending on our own understanding. We might even stop believing.  May it never be!

 

Allow Paul to strengthen us today by looking at who we are “in Christ.”

 

As believers, we are in the heavenly places in Christ. We are chosen in Him; adopted through Christ; we are in the Beloved; redeemed in Him; given an inheritance in Him, given hope in Him; sealed in Him; made alive together with Christ, raised and seated with Him, created in Christ; brought near by the blood of Christ, growing in Christ, we are partakers of the promise in Christ, and given access to God through faith in Christ! (Ephesians; chapters 1-3)

 

It’s only in Christ that we can live a life pleasing to the Lord. It’s only in Christ that we can have peace that passes all understanding. It’s only in Christ that our hurts both spiritually and physically can be healed. It’s only in Christ that marriages can be restored. It’s only in Christ that the hearts of our children can be turned back toward their parents. It’s only in Christ that freedom from bondage is achieved. It’s only in Christ that we can have life everlasting and the power to witness to others.

 

When the witch couldn’t help the injured athlete, a nearby missionary invited him home to his house. It was a divine appointment for the athlete. He is now in Christ and leading others there, too.

 

Who do you know who needs to be encouraged today of their position in Christ? Who do you know who needs a Savior? If you belong to God, you are a missionary in your family, at your job, in your neighborhood, to your community, state and even the world.

 

Wherever God places you, remember that you are in Christ. And with Him, all things are possible.

 

My Prayer for Today:

Dear Lord, my heart rejoices over Your great provision and promises. In You I have everything I need. Place a burden on my heart for others who are looking for what I have in You, and then help me, Lord, to lead them to You. In Jesus’ Name, A-men.

 

Application Steps:

People all around you will one day die and spend eternity in hell separated from God forever. God has placed these people in your life because you have the greatest treasure of all to share with them…Christ. In Christ, you have all you need to lead others to a saving faith in Him. Ask God to open your eyes to those who are ready to receive this treasure, and then, share it with them.

 

Reflections Points:

In what ways can I keep myself encouraged and built up in Christ?

 

Have I fallen prey to self-help books or worldly philosophies?

 

What are some tangible ways I can be a missionary in my family, work place, school and community?

 

Power Verses:

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (KJV)

 

Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (KJV)

 

Habakkuk 3:19, “The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” (KJV)

 

Romans 8:37, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (KJV)

 

Additional Resources:

Do You Know Him?

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/knowHim.htm

 

Who Holds the Key to Your Heart, by Lysa TerKeurst

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_whoHoldsKey.htm

 

Secrets of the Vine, by Bruce Wilkinson

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_secretsVine.htm