The 12 Days of Easter: Day 5, All the Days of Your Life

Easter 6

Day 5:The Days of Your Life

“And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes,

Deuteronomy 17:19

day [dey]

noun

1. the portion of a day allotted to work

2. a day on which something occurs

3. a day assigned to a particular purpose or observance

24 hours. One day. In Hebrew yowm, which means  a working day, a days journey, today, yesterday, tomorrow. In English: the portion of the day allotted to work.  We are all given the same amount of time each day to do the work God planned for us before He laid the foundations of the earth. Our tasks are to make disciples of all nations, edify the church, and bring glory to God. How we accomplish these three tasks depends on the gifts, talents, and resources God has blessed us with.

If our days are given to us to accomplish good works, and we are to read God’s word all the days of our life, God’s work and God’s word must be inextricably connected. Our good works will not be accomplished apart from the Word of God.

Please read the verbs from Deuteronomy 17:19 out loud. Each day we need to read, learn, and observe the word of God. God’s word is for all the days of our life … good days, hard days, challenging days, holy-days and holidays.

point to ponder:

How can I apply God’s word to my life today?

prayer

Dearest Father,

You have given me Your word for every day of my life, for my yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows. If You have commended me to read, learn and apply Your word each day, it must be because Your word will affect everything I do, every day of my life. In order to apply Your word, I must know Your word.  Help me to commit Your word to memory and to listen for Your word as I live each day of my life.

In Jesus Holy Name,

Amen.

previous posts

Day 1 : Breath of Life

Day 2: The Life

Day 3. Eternal Life

Day 4. The Life Which I Now Live

day. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/day (accessed: February 23, 2015).



The 12 Days of Easter, Day 4: The Life Which I Now Live

Easter 6

Day 4: The Life Which I Now Live

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galations 2:20

live1[liv]

verb

1. to feed or subsist (usually followed by on or upon):

2. to dwell or reside (usually followed by in, at, etc.)

3. to pass life in a specified manner

 

As we consider the verb live in the passage above, we see that as followers of Jesus, we don’t have to live out our lives on earth in our own strength. Rather, it is Christ who actually lives in us. The Greek word for live is zao. Exploring its meaning gives us amazing insight into what kind of life Jesus means for us to have. According to the Blue Letter Bible, zao means, “active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God.” It also means “living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul.”

During a recent vacation in Florida, I was riding with a cycling tour group. I could feel the sweat trickling down my head as I huffed and puffed my way to the next stop. Not accustomed to the heat and humidity, I felt my energy slipping away with each pedal. I finally made it to the break area and guzzled a bottle of cold, fresh water. My energy and vitality and desire to make it to the finish ramped back up, and I hit the trail again.

Too many of us are trying to live our lives without our spring of Living Water. We are huffing and puffing our way through jobs, callings, and relationships without tapping into our spiritual source of strength. Everyone has times of tiredness, but if we are not experiencing any active, powerful, blessed times of  walking with God, then we need a fresh drink of Living Water. Perhaps we are quenching the Spirit through sin, or we are just forgetting to ask God to fill us with a fresh breath of His Spirit. When we live by faith in the Son of God, He gives us strength and power for the journey.

point to ponder

Are you living in God’s strength or your own?

prayer 

Lord, we pray for your Living Water to infuse us with strength. Help us to live our lives being filled with your  Spirit and equipped for service. Grow our faith in You as we walk together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

previous posts

Day 1 : Breath of Life

Day 2: The Life

Day 3. Eternal Life

 

live. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/live (accessed: February 23, 2015).



The 12 Days of Easter: Day 3, Eternal Life

Easter 6

Day 3: Eternal Life

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God,

and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 17:3

eternal [ih-tur-nl]

adjective

1. without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing (opposed to temporal )

2. perpetual; ceaseless; endless:

3. existing outside all relations of time; not subject to change

4. timeless, immortal, deathless, undying, imperishable, indestructible.

What is eternal life? According to the dictionary definition, eternal life is ceaseless, endless, and perpetual. According to our verse, eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ. Eternal life doesn’t just originate with God, it is God.

The Greek word for know used in this passage of scripture is ginosko. Ginosko means, “to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of, to know by observance and experience, the knowledge viewed as the result of prolonged practice.” Knowing God isn’t synonymous with just knowing about God; even the demons believe and tremble. In order to truly know Him, we must accept Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for our sins. Once we have accepted Christ, the way is made for us to truly know God, by closely observing and experiencing Him as He walks with us day by day for all eternity .

Since God is infinite, we will continuously know God. We will forever discover new facets of His character and nature. With each discovery, we will glorify His name and rejoice in His holiness and goodness.

While waiting for God’s eternal kingdom, we will either live for self (the temporary), or for God (the Eternal). We will either store up treasures on earth (temporary-they will not last) or we store up treasures in heaven (eternal– they will not end). One will leave us empty, the other will fill us to overflowing.

How can you begin your eternal relationship with the only true God? By asking Him to be your Savior. What better time to become a child of God than the Easter season. We pray you will make this crucial decision today.

For step by step instructions on how to accept Christ as your Savior, please click on one of  the following links:

The Way to God

Becoming a Christian

Point to Ponder:

To whom can I extend God’s invitation of eternal life?

 Prayer:

Dearest Holy Father,

I thank you that You are the only True God and You have made  the way for us to know You through Jesus. I  have hope eternal for my challenges and concerns, because You are eternal. Nothing or no one is ever beyond Your ability to mend, forgive, or resurrect. Right now, I pray You would help me use my gifts and talents to bring eternal life to those who are in desperate need of a Savior. Thank You for Your grace, love, and salvation that will last for all eternity.

In Jesus Holy Name,

Amen

Previous Posts

Day 1 : Breath of Life

Day 2: The Life

 

eternal. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/eternal (accessed: March 10, 2015).
“Greek Lexicon :: G1097 (NKJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Sowing Circle. Web. 11 Mar, 2015. <http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1097&t=NKJV>.



The 12 Days of Easter: Day 2, The Life

Easter 6Day 2: The Life

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me. “

John 14:6

life [lahyf]

noun:

1. a corresponding state, existence, or principle of existence conceived of as belonging to the soul:

2. the course of existence or sum of experiences and actions that constitute a person’s existence:

3. anything or anyone considered to be as precious as life:

~

In today’s verse, Jesus makes a bold statement. He tells us that He is the way, the truth, the life. The Greek word for life in this verse is zoe, which is, according to the Key Word Study Bible, “the very life-force itself, the vital principle which animates living beings.” The meaning for zoe life, however, goes much deeper than physical life; we are not just living, breathing creatures. We have souls, and this definition of life permanently melds together the physical and the spiritual — imputing to us holiness and righteousness.

But that holiness and righteousness does not come from ourselves. So, where does it come from? It comes from Jesus, who according to Acts 3:15 (NIV), is the author of life to all who trust in Him to forgive their sins. I love this thought of Jesus being the author of life, not just life in general, but your life. When you ask Jesus to forgive your sins and accept His work of grace that He started on the cross and finished at The Resurrection, then you give Him permission to be the author of your life. No matter what age you are, He opens the cover and begins to write the most exciting life story that could ever be written, full of characters and plots beyond your own imagination and expectation. The author of life sacrificed His life so that you can have new, eternal life.

Point to Ponder:

Who is writing the story of your life?

Prayer:

Dear Father,

Life is so much more than a physical existence. It’s easy to forget that truth in today’s world. Help us to grasp hold of the reality of eternal life through Jesus, where we can be holy and righteous before God. May we make the choice to have the author of life write a life story for us that will never end. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 Previous Posts in This Series

Day 1: Breath of Life

 

life. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/life (accessed: February 22, 2015).
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words


The 12 Days of Easter: Day 1, Breath of Life

Day 1: Breath of Life

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7

breath [breth]

noun
1. the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
2. respiration, especially as necessary to life.
3. life; vitality.
The breath of life. In ancient Hebrew the neshamah chay. God breathed into man and he was transformed from clay to flesh; Holy CPR apart from which there is no life. The very breath of God brought man to life.
Interestingly, in Hebrew breath does not just refer to air. It also means spirit. On the day man was born, God instilled in him a spirit, which also needs to be brought to life by a breath of the Spirit. Breathe and breathe again. Born and born again. The first birth, God wills and chooses. The second birth, God wills and man chooses.
When my boys were little babies, early in the morning, I would place them in bed with me. Face to face, heart to heart, breath for breath, breathing the same air. In order for someone to breathe upon you, you must be that close; in the very breath of their presence.  Do you need God to breathe new life into the clay of your relationships, dreams, gifts, talents, and ministry? You must be face to Face, heart to Heart, breath for Breath, in His Presence, inhaling the breath of Life.
Point to Ponder:
What can you do to move closer to God today?
Prayer:
Dearest Father,
As I look forward to Easter, the day of new life, I ask that You breathe new life into my heart. As the life- giving breezes of spring freshen the rooms of a house shut tight to the bitterness of winter, help me to open wide the chambers of my heart to be renewed by the breath of Your Spirit. Melt away the icy bitterness of unforgiveness, sarcasm, and cynicism, and bring forth the fruit of your Spirit.  God, inhale and exhale life. Help me to breathe again.
In Jesus’ Holy Name,
Amen.
breath. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/life (accessed: February 22, 2015).


Coming Soon! The 12 Days of Easter

Days 1-12: Devotional Journey to Easter

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die …. ‘” John 11:25-26

At Only By Prayer, we invite you to join us for our 12-day journey to Easter. Starting Wednesday, March 25, we’ll post a short devotion every morning that will encourage you to pray, reflect, and prepare your hearts for Easter Sunday. Although the devotions will only take minutes to read, we think they will linger with you throughout the day, inviting you to draw closer to God.
Be sure to check our home page for the newest post each day. We’d  love to hear your thoughts about how God is working in your life, so feel free to comment at the end of each entry.

Easter [ee-ster]

noun
1. an annual Christian festival in commemoration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, observed on the first  Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox, as calculated according to tables based in Western churches on the Gregorian calendar and in Orthodox churches on the Julian calendar.
2. Also called Easter Sunday; the day on which this festival is celebrated.
3. the Easter season; the week following Easter.
Prayer:
Dearest Father,
As we look forward to Easter, we ask that you help us to slow down and ready our hearts to listen to what you  have for us in this season. May we not take Jesus’ sacrifice lightly, but remember all He has done so that we can have eternal life. In His holy name, Amen.
easter. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/easter (accessed: March 23, 2015).