Tag Archives: godliness

October 21
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“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV)

The Holy Spirit is not, as it is sometimes described, a gift from God; it is the gift of God. 

As finite beings, we lack the capacity to have 100 percent of an infinite God; but we should aspire (and perspire) toward the place where God is 100 percent within us. In other words, His will is our will — and we desire no other.

What corners and niches in our living are bereft of God’s holy presence?

If God’s Spirit is only an ember within us, then it is easy to see why our so-called “business life”; and our so-called “social life”; and our so-called “political life” are beyond the mere influence — let alone, the control — of the Spirit of God.

As Paul reminded his protege, Timothy, an ember easily becomes a flame when it is “encouraged.” Through prayer and practice, fan into flame (work-out) the gift that God has “worked-in.”  – Luther 

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September 20
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“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.” (Proverbs 24:17-18, NIV)

The world maintains a “dance on the ashes of your enemy” approach to human relationships because it is too short-sighted to appreciate the long-term benefit of reconciliation.

As disciples of Jesus, we are His “ambassadors”; and as His ambassadors, we represent only His interests, not our own.

His interest, according to scripture, is not the condemnation of the world, but its salvation. (John 3:17) His purpose is not the perpetuation of the world’s estrangement from God, but its reconciliation to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

In all that you do, endeavor to illuminate the path to reconciliation.  – Luther
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August 18
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“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15, NIV)

God is powerful, but He isn’t expecting us to be strong. Instead, God wants us to rely on His strength.

God is everywhere, but He never expects us to be in more than one place at one time. Instead, God wants us to be sensitive to His calling, so that we will always be at the right place at the right time to do His work, according to His plan.

God is all-knowing, but He never requires us to have all of the answers.  Instead, God wants us to temper our measure of knowledge (however large or small) with His wisdom.

In today’s psalm, David tells us that God is compassionate.  Who among us will choose to be like God in that regard?

David tells us that God is gracious. Who among us will dare to be gracious?

God is slow to anger — and so should we.

God is abounding in love and faithfulness. From the overflow of our heavenly Father’s love and faithfulness to us, we are expected to be channels of love and faithfulness to others.

Is this what it means to be like God?  – Luther

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