Who Do You Say That I Am?
And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" So they answered and said, "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." - Luke 9:18-20
"But who do you say that I am?" As many people began to discuss and debate who Jesus really was, Jesus asked His disciples this question. Did the people closest to Jesus even know or believe in Him? Peter's answer was correct. Jesus was, and is, the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus is the Messiah, the One who came to earth to redeem us from sin and save us from eternal darkness. But even though Peter confesses rather boldly in this statement who he believes Jesus to be, not too long after this, Peter would also deny Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62). In Jesus' greatest time of need, His closest friends deserted Him. So it is not just in words that we need to know and confess who Jesus is, but also our actions testify of our belief in Him. Do your actions line up with your words?
Today, take time and pray for situations that you may encounter with others who have questions about your faith. Pray for strength and courage to speak up and stand up for Jesus. Pray that you can be His witness. Only the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of Jesus Christ to our hearts. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to those you love and to use you as a testimony as to His saving grace and mercy. Pray that your words and actions will line up with His Spirit.
~Daily Disciples Devotional~
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Tell the Truth
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6a; “When he lies [the devil], he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44b
Truth flows from the “Truth”—Jesus. Lies flow from the “father” of lies—the devil. So, truth tellers side with the Lord and liars side with Satan. With whom do we align? We are quick to say Jesus, but in everyday life, if not careful, we drift into representing the dark side when tempted to speak untruths out of fear, instead of truth out of trust.
Lying is so short-term focused. We are afraid we will lose something if we don’t lie. We may lose someone’s respect, but when we are found out to be a liar, it is compounded into humiliation. We may lose money, but when indiscretions are exposed over time, we lose more in compromised creditability. Better to lose a little with honesty than a lot with lies.
The devil is an expert in luring us away from the Lord’s desires by offering a short-term solution, lying, which leads to long-term destructive consequences. Liars are unable to remember their inconsistencies, so when confronted they sheepishly say, “I don’t remember or I can’t recall what I said.” Children who chronically lie seem oblivious; they continue to fib until the pain of not telling the truth causes them to change.
“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth” (1 John 1:6).
In paradise the first lie was presented by the serpent as he led Eve to believe she could be like God. Some things never change. Every day we are tempted to promote ourselves as someone better than our real self. But instead, Spirit-led living looks to exalt Christ and others, not self. To be honest is to take responsibility for our actions and not to blame.
“The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12-13).
Are you honest with yourself about constant exposure to a compromising situation? Are you loose with the truth, or do you speak directly and include all the information? Take responsibility for wrong decisions and going forward, seek sound advice from friends who will tell you the truth. Be totally honest with them so they can offer the best advice. Begin by coming clean with Christ, He already knows. Then be totally open and real with others.
“Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning” (Jeremiah 9:5).
Prayer: What do I need to be honest about with God and myself? Who needs my complete honesty?
~Wisdom Hunters Devotional~
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Truth flows from the “Truth”—Jesus. Lies flow from the “father” of lies—the devil. So, truth tellers side with the Lord and liars side with Satan. With whom do we align? We are quick to say Jesus, but in everyday life, if not careful, we drift into representing the dark side when tempted to speak untruths out of fear, instead of truth out of trust.
Lying is so short-term focused. We are afraid we will lose something if we don’t lie. We may lose someone’s respect, but when we are found out to be a liar, it is compounded into humiliation. We may lose money, but when indiscretions are exposed over time, we lose more in compromised creditability. Better to lose a little with honesty than a lot with lies.
The devil is an expert in luring us away from the Lord’s desires by offering a short-term solution, lying, which leads to long-term destructive consequences. Liars are unable to remember their inconsistencies, so when confronted they sheepishly say, “I don’t remember or I can’t recall what I said.” Children who chronically lie seem oblivious; they continue to fib until the pain of not telling the truth causes them to change.
“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth” (1 John 1:6).
In paradise the first lie was presented by the serpent as he led Eve to believe she could be like God. Some things never change. Every day we are tempted to promote ourselves as someone better than our real self. But instead, Spirit-led living looks to exalt Christ and others, not self. To be honest is to take responsibility for our actions and not to blame.
“The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12-13).
Are you honest with yourself about constant exposure to a compromising situation? Are you loose with the truth, or do you speak directly and include all the information? Take responsibility for wrong decisions and going forward, seek sound advice from friends who will tell you the truth. Be totally honest with them so they can offer the best advice. Begin by coming clean with Christ, He already knows. Then be totally open and real with others.
“Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning” (Jeremiah 9:5).
Prayer: What do I need to be honest about with God and myself? Who needs my complete honesty?
~Wisdom Hunters Devotional~
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Today's reading: 2 Kings 2:1-14
Elijah was a dedicated servant of God in a time and place when being God's representative wasn't popular, easy or safe. But from the time we're introduced to Elijah (1 Kings 17) until his final breath on earth, the example we see is one of a faithful worker who is bold and zealous for God. Even when he knows that his time on earth is short because God is going to take him to heaven, he doesn't pull back or let up. He continues to fill every moment with serving God. Right up until the moment Elijah is taken away, he is walking and talking with Elisha preparing him to step up and take over for Elijah.
What does Elijah's example show us about serving God well, regardless of our age or stage in life? Would you say that you are making the most of the days God has given you? Are there changes you can make or some things you can you do to serve God even more?
~Tami~
____________________________| The Outward, Upward Look "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:22).
This is a promise of promises. It lies at the foundation of our spiritual I life. Salvation comes through a look at Him who is "a just God and a Saviour." How simple is the direction! "Look unto me." How reasonable is the requirement! Surely the creature should look to the Creator. We have looked elsewhere long enough; it is time that we look alone to Him who invites our expectation and promises to give us His salvation. Only a look! Will we not look at once? We are to bring nothing in ourselves but to look outward and upward to our LORD on His throne, whither He has gone up from the cross. A look requires no preparation, no violent effort: it needs neither wit nor wisdom, wealth nor strength. All that we need is in the LORD our God, and if we look to Him for everything, that everything shall be ours, and we shall be saved. Come, far-off ones, look hither! Ye ends of the earth, turn your eyes this way! As from the furthest regions men may see the sun and enjoy his light, so you who lie in death's borders at the very gates of hell may by a look receive the light of God, the life of heaven, the salvation of the LORD Jesus Christ, who is God and therefore able to save.
~Charles Spurgeon~
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Lamentations 3:58
0 Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul.
Observe how positively the prophet speaks. He doth not say, "I hope, I trust, I sometimes think, that God hath pleaded the causes of my soul"; but he speaks of it as a matter of fact not to be disputed. "Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." Let us, by the aid of the gracious Comforter, shake off those doubts and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort. Be this our prayer, that we may have done with the harsh croaking voice of surmise and suspicion, and may be able to speak with the clear, melodious voice of full assurance. Notice how gratefully the prophet speaks, ascribing all the glory to God alone! You perceive there is not a word concerning himself or his own pleadings. He doth not ascribe his deliverance in any measure to any man, much less to his own merit; but it is "thou"-"O Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; Thou hast redeemed my life." A grateful spirit should ever be cultivated by the Christian; and especially after deliverances we should prepare a song for our God. Earth should be a temple filled with the songs of grateful saints, and every day should be a censor smoking with the sweet incense of thanksgiving. How joyful Jeremiah seems to be while he records the Lord's mercy. How triumphantly he lifts up the strain! He has been in the low dungeon, and is even now no other than the weeping prophet; and yet in the very book which is called "Lamentations," clear as the song of Miriam when she dashed her fingers against the tabor, shrill as the note of Deborah when she met Barak with shouts of victory, we hear the voice of Jeremy going up to heaven-"Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life." O children of God, seek after a vital experience of the Lord's lovingkindness, and when you have it, speak positively of it; sing gratefully; shout triumphantly.
~Charles Spurgeon~
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