We must put away the old and fully embrace the new.  Replacing all filthiness and improper talk; making no provision for the flesh. Instead, we embrace the purity of Christ and with grateful heart let our lips be filled with thanksgiving and praise. 

The world would take notice if we as Christians would carefully use every word for His glory rather than letting whatever come out of our mouths like a firehouse.  Not only would it take notice, but it would be blessed and uplifted. 

Reflection

Where, when, and with whom are you most likely to have improper talk?

Ask God to help you change the manner in which you speak; replacing sarcasm and filthy talk with thanksgiving. 

Prayer

Father, help us to remain focused on You in all things, especially in our speech.  For we know that it is not what goes into the man that defiles him, but what comes out of him.  May our words, actions, and thoughts be pleasing in your sight.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Prayer was not meant to be an escape from action: it precludes and leads to action.  While Jesus took time by Himself to pray, he followed it with action.   Nehemiah is yet another great example of a prayer warrior.  He prayed four months and it ended with the bold action of rebuilding the walls.  During prayer, God readies our heart for action, aligning our vision with His, preparing us to take action.

Prayer in itself can be action. There are times when we pray, when we cannot see steps of action that can be taken because our Father is teaching us to depend on His action.  He is faithful and nothing is impossible with Him.  Again He will always act in accordance with His will and perfect plan and we may not always fully comprehend that.  So sometimes our action is to learn to wait on Him.

Personal Reflection

Do you pray expecting action to be taken; by the LORD and(or) by you?  How have you seen God answer prayers in your lifetime? This year? This week?  It’s healthy to pray and praise God for His answers. Make time to thank Him out loud today!

Prayer Focus

Father, continue to align us to your vision and equip us for Your action.  Break our hearts for what break yours and fill us with your joy.  May we live for you today praising you for all your mighty works!   In the Name of Jesus, Amen!

Yesterday I shared that you must determine your identity if you are to understand your purpose.  I spent many days/years wondering if I was really doing what God wanted me to do.  Day after day I’d sit in front of my computer screen thinking about how I’m not out sharing the gospel, not having and impact and how I needed to get a job where I could do those things.

What was preventing me from doing those things where I was currently working? Nothing!  My problem wasn’t my job, it was a lack of understanding of my identity.  My activities and roles flow from my identity.  My job wasn’t preventing me from being who I was in Christ.  I was preventing myself from living out my identity based on my expectations and understanding of what God wanted me to be doing.

As children of God we were given a mission.  Matthew 28:18-20 says:

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This commission is connected with our identity as children of God through our relationship with Christ; not limited by our vocation.  The beauty of it is that how we make a living is not hugely important. We can carry out this mission in any role anywhere.  David was a king, Paul was a tent maker,and  Peter a fisherman.  They all had the same purpose…to point others to Christ.

We have the same purpose: to point others to Christ.  Disregard the constraints of your situation, working or unemployed, and carry out the mission God has given you today.  Love God and love others with Christ’s love.   Living out of our identity as children of God leads us to a life of dependence and true rest.

Reflection

How is your understanding of your identity shaping the actions you’re taking?

Is your identity leading you to a life of dependence, rest, and action?

Prayer

Father, what a blessing it is, that through Christ, we can call you Dad. Our identity is so tightly connected to you, that all our actions flow from it. Help us to truly grasp what it means to be “in Christ” so we may effectively carry out Your great commission for the sake of the gospel. We lift this all in Jesus’ name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#identity

#abundantlife

#rest