The Weekly Word: In Right Relationship
The weekly verse
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 (ESV)
the weekly question(S)
As builders in God’s Kingdom, we’ve been graced with every raw material that’s required for righteousness. Meaning, everything we will ever need for building a life that honors God is freely given to us by coming to know Jesus as Lord (2 Peter Ch. 1, verse 3). In light of this revelation, we should have the mindset of Christ when it comes to stewarding our material blessings, time, energy, challenges, and relationships.
Do we see blessings and increase as a means to indulge ourselves or to invest in The Kingdom? Do we give our time & energy to “just anything”, or do we allocate it in areas we’ve been called to make a difference? And when it comes to our challenges & relationships, do we live with an ongoing understanding of how they’re meant to make us (and others) more like Jesus?
At the end of the day, God cares immensely about the kind of life we build, because it’s ultimately a reflection of the relationship (or lack thereof) we have with Him. And because we are priests & kings in this New Covenant with Jesus (Revelation 5:10), there’s no question that we have a tremendously high calling & responsibility. The real question is, will we leave a legacy that reveres ourself or reveals a righteous relationship with The Lord?
“And the Lord says, “What sorrow awaits Jehoiakim, who builds his palace with forced labor. He builds injustice into its walls, for he makes his neighbors work for nothing. He does not pay them for their labor. He says, ‘I will build a magnificent palace with huge rooms and many windows. I will panel it throughout with fragrant cedar and paint it a lovely red.’
But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king! Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink. But he was just and right in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him. He gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the Lord.”
Jeremiah 22:13-16 (NLT)
the weekly Consideration
“For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are.”
—C.S. Lewis
Perspective is powerful, and as such, God’s Word challenges us to take an honest examination of our faith in Jesus (2 Corinthians 13:5). For those who are in Christ, there should be a supernatural hope that flows from the Presence of His indwelling Spirit (Colossians 1:27). There should be a Foundation that reinforces our new identity in God and fuels the daily process of being renewed in Him (2 Corinthians 4:16). And because of where we now stand in relationship with Jesus, our thought-life should continually be refined by the realities of heaven.
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)
the weekly challenge
Occupy the high ground
“Those who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong— these are the ones who will dwell on high. The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance.”
Isaiah 33:15-16 (NLT)
In warfare, those who occupy the high ground possess a tactical advantage over their enemies. And in the realm of spiritual warfare, this principle holds true as well. There’s a “higher place” The Lord calls His people to occupy, and it’s only possessed when we pursue a life of Godly integrity.
When we abandon our integrity, we erode the foundation of our security. We fall victim to our circumstances & find ourselves living under one form of bondage after another. This is the last thing God ever wants to see, which is why we look to Jesus as our Source of victory.
Jesus is the One who guides us to the mountain of His righteous kingdom. And as we attach our faith to His Truth, we receive the provision of life that’s found in the fortress of The Father (verse 16). When Jesus is the Rock on which we build our lives, we dwell in the higher place & experience the overwhelming abundance of The Spirit’s grace.
we pray this week’s edition of “the weekly word” blesses you & the lives of those around you!
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