hold on

In Christ: I Have a Holy Calling
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In Christ: I Have a Holy Calling

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 4 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-nine with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, have a holy calling.

I Have a Holy Calling

“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.“
2 Timothy 1:8-9 (NIV)

What does a “holy calling” look like?  Do you think it has more to do with the task being done or with the attitude and purpose behind it?  Who first comes to your mind when you think of someone having a holy calling?  Does the idea of you having a holy calling come as a surprise?  Does knowing that in Christ you have a holy calling, change the way you look at everyday activities?

Often times we tend to look at certain roles within the church as being set apart in a holy calling while the rest of the congregation does work that is less holy.  Yet in scripture we find that every Christian has been called to a holy life!  As you pray, ask God to help you to live up to your holy calling in every activity of your day.  Pray that you would take up your holy calling in the way you live.  Pray that you would not be ashamed to represent Jesus everywhere that you go.  Pray for great wisdom in determining actions that are consistent with living a holy life.  Pray that the people around you would see Jesus clearly as you live out your holy calling.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Have a Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Discipline
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In Christ: I Have a Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Discipline

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 5 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-eight with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can have have a Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Discipline.

I Have a Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Discipline

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.“
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Have you ever done something that required more strength than you thought you had?  Why do you think God would contrast timidity with the combination of power, love, and self-discipline?  Would you consider your natural personality to be more timid or more bold?  What would the people closest to you say?

I have lived much of my life afraid of people.  I dropped out of college many years ago because I could no longer avoid a mandatory speech class and there was no way I could stand in front of the class and talk.  Yet in Christ I have been given a spirit that overcomes the fear and allows me to preach and teach on His behalf!  As you pray, ask God to help you to use the spirit He has put within you.  Pray that the power He gives you would always be used in combination with love and self-discipline.  Pray that you would have the boldness needed to always share Jesus with others.  Pray that the people around you would see Jesus and not you.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Have a Life Hidden With Him
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In Christ: I Have a Life Hidden With Him

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 6 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-seven with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can have a life that is hidden in Christ.

I Have a Life Hidden In Christ

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.“
Colossians 3:3 (NIV)

When was the last time you played a good game of hide-and-seek?  What was your best hiding place?  What made it so good?  When hiding, what are some secrets to being able to blend in with your surroundings?  What principles do you think are used in designing effective camouflage clothing?  Do you think desert camo would work well on a woodland hunting excursion?  Why or why not?

I am not a hunter so as I walk through the major sporting goods stores I am surprised at the many variations of camouflage clothing.  The manufacturers, and users, have discovered that if you want to be hidden in an environment then you must become like it as much as possible.  I have a life hidden with Him when I put on Christ and become as much like Him as possible!  As you pray, ask God to help you focus not on blending in with the world, but on blending in to the image of Christ!  Pray that your life would be so hidden in Christ that He is all that others see.  Pray that the people around you would be found in Christ so they too would be hidden in Him.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Am Raised From the Dead
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In Christ: I Am Raised From the Dead

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 7 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-six with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can be raised from the dead.

I Am Raised From the Dead

“In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.“
Colossians 2:11-12 (NIV)

How often do you think about death or dying?  Why do you think it is such a hard subject for many people to talk about?  How confident are you in the power of God to raise you from the dead?  When a loved one dies, what makes the Christian able to grieve in a way that is different than that of the world?  What do you appreciate the most about the practice of baptism that God has instructed us in?

Throughout scripture we see God giving His people physical reminders of His commands and promises.  When we reach the era of His covenant with the church, we find that He uses the practice of baptism as the point where we die to sin and in Christ we are raised from the dead to walk a new life!  As you pray, ask God to give you a greater appreciation for His current work of giving you new life.  Pray that your baptism would be a constant reminder of God’s power to raise you from the dead.  Pray that the people around you would see you as a living example to show them they do not need to remain dead in their sin.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Am Free From My Sinful Nature
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In Christ: I Am Free From My Sinful Nature

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 8 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-five with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can be free from your sinful nature.

I Am Free From My Sinful Nature

“In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.“
Colossians 2:11-12 (NIV)

What are some things that you find yourself doing that you wish you didn’t do?  Have you ever excused your own sinful actions by saying you just can’t help it?  Are there areas where you feel you are a slave to your body, desires, or thoughts?  What do you think it would take to break free from that slavery?  How often do you think about being dead to your old way of life?

From the beginning, mankind has been quick to make excuses for sinful behavior.  We have all had our own version of “I can’t help it, it’s not my fault.”  From Adam blaming Eve, to Eve blaming the serpent, and eventually to both of them blaming God for making them the way He did.  While the curse brought about by that initial sin left us with flesh bent toward sin, in Christ we are free from that curse!  As you pray, ask God to help you make decisions that are not bound by the curse of sin.  Pray that you would live as one who is free from your sinful flesh.  Pray that the people around you would be found in Christ so they would know freedom from their sinful flesh.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Have His Fullness
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In Christ: I Have His Fullness

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 9 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-four with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can have His fullness.

I Have His Fullness

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.“
Colossians 2:9-10 (NIV)

What are some family traits that you have inherited from your parents?  Do people typically say you take after your dad, your mom, or a combination of the two?  In what ways are you different from your parents?  Would you want your children to be fully like you?  Why or why not?

Some time ago I posted a picture of my dad online and the social media site suggested that I tag myself in the picture.  To the casual observer, and to some facial recognition algorithms, the fullness of my dad lives in me!  While I consider that a great compliment, an even greater compliment would be for the people around me to recognize the fullness of Christ in me!  As you pray, ask God to help you express the fullness of Christ in your everyday life.  Pray that you would daily live as one carrying the fullness of Christ in you.  Pray that all traces of the old you would continue to melt away as the fullness of Christ becomes evident in your life.  Pray that the people around you would be drawn to Christ as they see His fullness in you.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Am Built Up
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In Christ: I Am Built Up

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 10 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-three with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can be built up in faith.

I Am Built Up

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.“
Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Have you ever thought about building up your physical body?  Have you taken steps to do so?  Why or why not?  Do you wish you were in better physical shape or condition?  What would it take to get there?  Is it likely to happen overnight or simply by wishing it were so?  Are there other areas of your life that you wish you were stronger in?  How much work will you invest to improve?

I often get asked about what drew me to a focus on prayer and the writing of prayer resources.  From my perspective, the writing and ministry of prayer that I do are not all that special — they are simply the result of keeping at the work God has called me to do and allowing Him to build me up in Christ!  As you pray, ask God to help you be faithful in living out the faith that He has put within you.  Pray for the endurance to keep putting in the work that He has for you.  Pray that you would always allow Christ to do His work of building you up.  Pray that the people around you would notice Christ as you are being built up in Him.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Have His Presence With Me
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In Christ: I Have His Presence With Me

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 11 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-two with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can live with the presence of Christ in you.

I Have His Presence With Me

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.“
Colossians 1:27 (NIV)

Are you good at keeping a secret?  Are you good at hiding the fact that you even know a secret?  Other than your relationship with Jesus, what is the best thing that has ever happened to you?  How eager were you to make that known to the people around you?  Did everyone understand why you were excited or did it seem to be a mystery to some?

I have titled my blog where I initially post most of my writings “Tom’s Treasure”, based on the scripture that talks about us having the treasure of Christ held in these jars of clay — our body.  I write because God has put His treasure within me and it is my responsibility to share it!  As you pray, ask God to help you recognize the great treasure that is yours as one who has Christ in you.  Pray that you would make the most of every opportunity that you have to share that treasure with the people around you.  Pray that you would always live your life in such a way that the world can see the mystery of Christ in you and be drawn to Him.

In prayer,

Tom