Your Identity in Christ
In Christ I am filled with the Spirit and will seek to always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18,20
Pondering Point
Martin Luther described Christians as both saints and sinners (simul justus et peccator in latin). If we forget that we are saints justified by Christ, we are left with a primary identity of sinner (confessed every week in worship, right?). It can be easy to let that become our focus and self-image. But God uses the blood of Jesus to make us white like new-fallen snow and tells us that we are His temples. In fact, we have His own Spirit living inside of us. We don’t just thank God that we are forgiven. It is more than that. He alters our identity, making us no longer defined as “poor, miserable sinners” but as justified in Christ, saints of the Most High God and inheritors of the eternal kingdom (Daniel 7:18). Give thanks for being His new creation in Christ, holy and filled with His Spirit.
Prayer Prompt
Lord Jesus if I were a lamp, I would say keep me plugged in. If I were a city, I would say keep me on the grid. If I were a solar light, I’d say keep me fully charged. As a disciple, it makes sense to be fully charged, connected, plugged into the Spirit.
I know that I can do nothing apart from You Jesus. But connected to You I can produce much fruit -- or in this case light that brings You glory. That is my prayer and my heart's desire. Grant it for your sake Jesus. Amen.
Journal Prompt:
The Christian who neglects the Holy Spirit is like a lamp that's not plugged in.
Journal about how the Holy Spirit is in your life.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 103:19-22
- The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all. - Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word. - Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will. - Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Hebrews 1:6
When God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
The Promise
Hebrews 1:14
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Pondering Point
Angels are sometimes identified by three categories of service: Warrior, Worshipper, and Messenger.
Similar to mankind, their acts of service, often serving people, are a service to God. Fallen angels, led by Satan, were found to be serving themselves rather than God.