Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.(Ephesians 5:1)
Since most humans suffer from a lack of balance in their lives, our best counsel on this subject comes from God’s Word, the Bible. In that Book, there appears a most unusual command: “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Ephesians 5:1 NIV 1984). Maybe you never realized such a statement was in the Bible. What a strange command: “Be imitators of God!”
The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.(Mark 6:30–32)
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”(Matthew 6:6)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:6–7)
In the fourth chapter of Philippians, Paul mentioned a series of things all of us want:
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.(Psalm 90:12)
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.(2 Corinthians 4:16)
“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.”(Luke 14:33)
I must confess that I misunderstood the teaching of Jesus in Luke 14 for many years. Within the context of declaring the extreme terms of discipleship, He slips in two stories that explain why the terms are so costly.
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him—but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28:16–20)
Many a person proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy person? A righteous person who walks in his integrity—How blessed are his sons after him.(Proverbs 20:6–7 NASB)
Daniel 6:4 (NASB) says: “Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel regarding government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.”
I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.(1 Chronicles 29:17)
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