In recent years, I have seen the benefit of going through a good devotional. I usually study one book of the bible in my morning prayer time and then read a devotional. I have experienced the blessing of delving deep into the word using a study bible and some additional resources. But those who have been Christians long enough know that your time in God’s word does not look the same every day.
One of the spiritual disciplines I wanted to be steady at, was being in God’s word daily. Whether it meant reading an entire chapter, a section, or even a couple of verses. I know there will be some days when you are unwell or going through a difficult trial, or you may just be physically exhausted. In these times having a devotional is quite beneficial, as there is someone to help you guide your thoughts in the right direction.
This year as I was looking out for one and I came across Alistair Begg’s “Truth for Life” 365 daily devotional. I appreciate him stating in the preface that his goal for putting together this book was that it would encourage the reader to read more of the bible. Each day has a verse at the start, and then he goes to explain it and a larger chunk of scripture to read at the end.
On the days I am not able to do my own study, or like today when I am down with the flu, these books are a blessing. I am thankful for solid Christian writers who put together these meditations to help us draw closer to the Lord. Even as I end this post, I would like to share a small portion that encouraged me this week. Have a blessed Lord’s day!
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“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” Philippians 1:27
The way we dress, the way we smile, the way we scowl, the way we carry ourselves, the tone and content of our speech… every day, we are making statements to those around us about what really matters and what life truly consists of.
So Paul (apostle & author of the letter to the Phillippians) called them to close the gap between the beliefs and their behavior – between the creed they professed and the conduct they displayed. Christ’s call to us is no different. Even so, however mature we are in our faith and however much we close the gap, there always remains more to do.
When we close the gap between belief and behavior, others will get a foretaste of heaven through their interactions with us. So what kind of statements should our interactions make? Simply this: the gospel of Christ is the gospel of love. We see this in the book of 1 John 4:10-11 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.“
So pause to think how you will dress today, when you will smile and when you will scowl today, how you will carry yourself today, and the tone and content of your speech today. What kind of statements are you making to the world? Let them be ones that are worthy of the gospel of love.
Truth for Life 365 daily Devotional by Alistair Begg
The Normal Life 