We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Nate Hemphill.
Bible Reading:
“11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.“
Colossians 1:11-14
Word:
About 18 months ago I decided to take up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I was taking up the CrossFit commandment to “regularly learn and play new sports.” It is a truly humbling experience to be choked in every possible way by men and women who simply know more than me! But over the course of time I’ve slowly begun to develop more confidence on the mat; learning by trial and error what not to do, and then putting into practice a very limited offense. Today I find myself sizing up other people in tense situations. I witnessed a man on a flight arguing with a flight attendant, almost hoping for a chance to save the day with my newfound skills… silly I know.
Maybe you are like me a little bit. You put in a bunch of time at the gym, getting stronger, developing a better gas tank, learning new skills; and you too want to put your skills to the test. I read today’s scripture with the same thoughts in mind. As a follower of Christ, over the course of time we develop endurance to handle problems, challenges, and temptations that once caused us great hardship; but not anymore. God refined us, helped us through each valley. We learned over and over again by God’s grace how to avoid attacks and how to employ a good offensive game of prayer, scripture and faith.
Now think about what a privilege it is to be useful to the Lord. After spending time with Jesus, learning from him and being transformed by the Holy Spirit, you are developing skills and endurance to be used for the Kingdom. A Godly confidence is building up in you! You should be sizing up opportunities to be used by the Lord. Don’t allow this confidence to boil up into a religious form of pride – the enemy would like nothing more than to see that. But be ready and willing to be used. Ask the Lord to show you where the opportunities lie. There is no greater calling than to be used by Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord God I’ve learned so much about your love and grace by following you. Help me to use that experience to extend that same love and grace to the world around me. In Jesus name, Amen!
Skillwork:
Spend some time journaling and reflecting:
How has your faith been developed since deciding to follow Jesus? What failures, challenges and temptations have you overcome? God wants to use these experiences to spread grace to others now. Ask the Lord to show you where these opportunities lie.
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