Reflecting Christ. Scriptures, Devotions, Thoughts, & Prayers for Those Who Serve

Transcription

1 Reflecting Christ Scriptures, Devotions, Thoughts, & Prayers for Those Who Serve

2 Reflecting Christ Jane L. Fryar Scriptures, Devotions, Thoughts, & Prayers for Those Who Serve Be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1

3 The mission of CTA is to glorify God by providing purposeful products that lift up and encourage the body of Christ because we love him. Reflecting Christ in Love Reflecting Christ by Jane L. Fryar Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2 Copyright 2015 CTA, Inc Larkin Williams Rd. Fenton, MO All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of CTA, Inc. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publisers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois All rights reserved. PRINTED IN THAILAND ISBN

4 Day 1 Seeing Christ s Love More Clearly Still today, the photo remains a family favorite. Grandpa stands smiling stiffly in the WWII uniform he wore home the day of his discharge. His great grandson stands beside him, saluting. Age six, he wears the paper side cap and medals he has carefully crafted to look just like Grandpa s. Children of every time and place imitate grownups they admire, grown-ups who care about them, who love them. The New Testament uses this fact to describe and encourage believers to grow in love, in service, in Christlikeness: Be imitators of God, as beloved children, Paul writes. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us (Ephesians 5:1 2). Even as the apostle urges us on toward lives that more and more closely reflect the life of Christ, he reminds us twice in one sentence of the love our Lord has for us. First, he reminds us that we are God s beloved children, his dearly loved sons and daughters. We hear about God s love so often that this assurance can easily bounce right off, never settling down in our hearts. Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. Ephesians 5:2 So pause. Let those words, that truth, shine a light into your darkness today. You are a beloved son, a dearly loved daughter of the King of heaven. When you sleep, heaven sees. When you wake up, heaven knows. When you speak, your heavenly Father treasures your every word. He dotes on you more intently than any earthly parent ever did or ever could. Second, Paul reminds us that Christ loved us. That intense, burning love drove Jesus from heaven to earth to give himself up for you, to give himself up into death, even death on a cross. Because Jesus sacrifice for your sins removes all guilt, you need not fear the Judgment. Death cannot harm you. Satan cannot accuse you. God s wrath has been turned away. Jesus sacrifice silences even your own conscience and makes it possible for you to call your Judge, My Savior! This profound, undeserved love makes it possible for us to love, in turn. It stirs in us an untamed longing to love as we have been loved: We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 Dear Lord Jesus, you went first. When I was unlovable, your love 4 was unstoppable... 5

5 Day 2 Reflections on Christ s Love A Life Reflecting Christ s Love Day 3 Think about a time you imitated someone else. What made you do that? What aspects of Jesus love would you most like to imitate? Why? Suppose you somehow won an opportunity to travel back in time to interview one of the saints, martyrs, prophets, or apostles any person you chose. Whom would you pick? No matter which person you interviewed, you would no doubt hear an interesting life story. For instance, you might talk with... Eve, who tempted Adam Adam, who disobeyed God Noah, who got drunk Peter, who denied knowing the Savior Abraham, a chronic liar Martha, a worrier Judah, who consorted with prostitutes Naomi, who nicknamed herself Bitter Jacob, a cheat David, who had an affair and committed murder Jonah, who ran away from God s call Sarah, a schemer Paul, who persecuted Christians Be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1 Not much here to imitate! Until, that is, we remember that each person on this list received a total makeover in life. Every one of God s people down through history has needed and received that same total makeover. You and I have, too! 6 7

6 Be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1 Reflecting on My Growth in Love Day 4 Our makeover has nothing to do with new clothes or a new hairstyle. It involves something far more significant than a change in cosmetics or career. It deals with issues far more important than a financial reset or a home decorating do-over. Think about those you serve in Jesus name at home, work, church, or in the community. When is it easiest to show his love? Thank him for it! When is it hardest? Ask for his discernment and strength. No, our makeover comes as God s forgiveness, goodness, and grace have their way in our hearts. We are made new as our Savior, in love, transforms our lives, turning them inside out and upside down. Then, more and more, our lives reflect the life of love Christ himself lived. Then, more and more, we love and serve those around us. We may teach Sunday school or weed the flower beds outside the church. We may visit hospice patients or prepare children s sermons. We may make sandwiches for a homeless shelter or treat a frustrated store clerk with patience. No matter what we do, we aim to reflect our Savior s love for all the world to see. Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 Jesus, your presence makes all the difference! I want to reflect your love in every relationship... Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. Ephesians 5:2 8 9