Daily Scripture Blog

Live a life filled with love, following the example of
Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice
for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Ephesians 5:2 (New Living Translation)

Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:2 (New International Version)

Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ
loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love
in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself
to us. Love like that.

Ephesians 5:2 (The Message)

Learning to love others especially during times when they
are unlovable. It is hard sometimes, but it is exactly what
he does for us all the time!

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalms 51:12, KJV)

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Over the years, I’ve misread and misheard Psalm 51:12, thinking it said, “Restore unto me the joy of my salvation.”

Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of people mis-live the verse, too.

The difference between ‘my’ and ‘thy’ may seem like simple semantics, but the chasm between them is actually so vast that the only bridge capable of spanning the gap is the blood of Jesus Christ.

“My” salvation means I do it myself. I earn my salvation. I have a right to my salvation. It is mine, and it’s all about me.

“Thy” salvation is about God – his gift, his promise, his sacrifice, his love. It is his to bestow, because it’s not about you – or me – it’s about God and his grace.

This is important, related to the good news of the Gospel: If our joy about Jesus is based on what we’ve done, then we’ll always wonder if we’ve done enough. That joy is only temporary.

But if our Jesus-joy is based on the grace of God, it’s permanent – “it is finished.” (John 19:30)

If you’re struggling to sense the joy of his salvation, perhaps you’re still seeing it as yours and not his: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalms 51:12 NIV)

What does this mean?

· Rely on God’s work – God began a good work in you and he will “carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV)

· God’s spirit sustains you – Your ability to walk as a Christian is dependent upon God’s spirit within you and your willingness to stay close to God. It is not based on your strength and efforts. “Grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12b, NIV)

· Pray – Father, I pray that you renew a right spirit within me, a spirit not born of fear, or from self-sufficiency, or from an ungodly independence. Fill me with your spirit of love and grace, as I rely upon you to restore unto me the joy of your salvation.

By Jon Walker

Something to be Passionate About

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5

The church has been called a “body” of believers with Christ at the head. And just like our human bodies, the body of Christ has many parts. But what are these parts? What does this body consist of? Is it the church building, the classrooms, the landscape, and the parking lot? No. The body of Christ consists of much more profound and important parts than physical locations or buildings.
The parts of the body of Christ are you and me.

Without each of its parts, a body will not function the way that it is designed. If your nose were missing, your body would not function to its full potential. Without your shoulder, your arm would not be as useful. For the church to function as the vehicle to spread God’s message of truth, hope and love, all of the parts of the body must be present.

But there is one more thing necessary for the body to reach its potential. The parts of the body must be functioning – they have to work. If you have ever broken your arm or leg, then you know how useless that broken limb is until it is working again. That is true with the church too. Just showing up for one hour a week to worship corporately is not enough to keep the body healthy and working. God wants each of us to use our gifts for his glory and to use those gifts to serve in the church.

Too many of us, though, put church and service at church on the back burners of our lives. We cram our schedules full of events and activities until there is no longer room for everything. And too often church is what gets pushed aside. But that is not what Christ intended. He wants us to live our lives with the church – to do life with church as a priority. And nothing should take priority over living the life that Christ wants for each of us.

This week, remember that you are a vital part of the body of Christ. Remember that you are needed in order for that body to reach its potential. Use the gifts that you have to help spread God’s message. Remember, the church is one thing that Christ was passionate about. It is something that you should be passionate about too.

For more information about this and other subjects, visit the Ed Young Ministries website: www.edyoung.org

by Ed Young

It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones.

Psalm 127:2 (New Living Translation)

In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Psalm 127:2 (New International Version)

It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know he enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?

Psalm 127:2 (The Message)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend
on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be
impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the
Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have
healing for your body and strength for your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8 (New Living Translation)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8 (New International Version)

Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!

Proverbs 3:5-8 (The Message)