[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟙:𝟙𝟚
"For
this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I
have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted
to Him until that day."
What assurance Paul has had
in Jesus Christ. And we all can say like him with full of joy in our hearts
because assurance is the birthright of every Christian. There's even a hymn
taken out from this verse! “I know whom I have believed.”
𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟚:𝟚𝟘-𝟚𝟙
"Now
in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels
of wood and of clay, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if
anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor,
sanctified, useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good
work."
We love to be great. We love
to be great even in the kingdom of God. We love to be greatly used by God.
Those desires aren't evil,
they are great! And these 2 verses reveal to us how we can be greatly used by
God: To sanctify our body daily.
God hates sin. Sin disturbs
our communion with God. Sin and God cannot work together. To be used greatly
by God is to depart from sin. To be great is to be holy.
𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 3:𝟙𝟚
"Indeed,
all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
If I am living comfortably
in this world; if I am at peace with this world, my surrounding; if the world
and people around me are okay with my lifestyle, then most probably I am not
godly at all!
Following Christ is through
the narrow gate. Not only the gate is narrow, but the way is narrow too. And
only a few find it.
Can't live like the world.
Can't mingle with the world!
𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟜:𝟙𝟞
"At
my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me. May it not be
counted against them."
Christ was forgiving.
Stephen was forgiving. Paul was forgiving.
They all prayed for those
who had wronged them.
That's moving one step
farther than forgiveness!
Job also prayed for his
bitter friends to be forgiven!