Present Yourself a Living Sacrifice

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: παρίστηmμί (paristemi)

PRONUNCIATION:  par-IS-tay-mee

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 3936

MEANING: to present oneself; to stand before someone; to place;

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): from two Greek words meaning "to stand" and "along side" (as in "parallel);

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV, NASB AND/OR ESV:  present; stand; yield

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 42

KEY VERSE IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED:

Romans 12:1 - "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present (παρίστηmμί) your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

When Mary's days of purification were finished after the miraculous birth of Jesus, Luke 2:22 tells us that Mary and Joseph brought their son to Jerusalem to dedicate Him to the Lord. It says, “And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord.”

Mary and Joseph came to Jerusalem with the express purpose “to present” the young Jesus to God. To make such a journey to Jerusalem required finances to pay for the journey itself and to purchase the turtledoves and pigeons that would be offered to God at the time they presented Jesus. This was no casual, accidental, haphazard, unplanned event. Presenting Jesus to the Lord in the temple was a serious occasion, as it was for all males in Israel. Such an event was planned in advance and done with great reverence toward God. Thus, it was a very hallowed, consecrated, holy moment as Joseph and Mary approached the Temple at the time set for Jesus' dedication.

Luke 2:22 says that Joseph and Mary came “...to present him to the Lord.” The word “present” comes from the Greek word ‎parist¢mi‎, which is a compound of the words ‎para ‎and istimi. The prefix ‎para ‎means alongside, and the word ‎ist¢mi ‎means to place. When these two words are compounded together, the new word means to place beside; to place at one's disposal; to surrender; to offer, as to offer a sacrifice to God; or to present, as to present a special offering to God. This word undoubtedly communicates the fact that Mary and Joseph were coming to the Temple on this day to intentionally place their newborn son into God's close care. They were dedicating and entrusting Him into God's protection. They were surrendering Him to God's supervision and making a pledge that this new baby boy was God's possession and that God could therefore use Him however He wished.

The Greek word ‎parist¢mi ‎(“present”) is precisely the same word that Paul used in Romans 12:1, when he wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” The fact that Paul used this same word sheds some very important light on Romans 12:1.

First, we know that Paul was very earnest when he wrote Romans 12:1 because he began by solemnly telling them, “I beseech you....” The word “beseech” comes from the Greek word ‎parakaleœ‎. As noted in other Sparkling Gems, the word ‎parakaleœ ‎is a Greek compound of the words ‎para ‎and ‎kaleœ‎. The word ‎para ‎means alongside, and the word ‎kaleœ ‎means to call or to beckon. When these two words are compounded together, the new word pictures one who comes alongside someone else, as close as he can get, and then begins to passionately call out, plead, beckon, beg, and beseech that other person to do something on his behalf.

In many places, the word ‎parakaleœ ‎is used to depict a person who is earnestly praying. Therefore, the word ‎parakaleœ ‎is also a word that can depict a person who is sincerely expressing his heart to God in prayer. In light of this fact, one Greek scholar says that it is almost as if the apostle Paul dropped to his knees in this verse and began to prayerfully plead for his Roman readers to hear his petition. His heartfelt request was that they would present their bodies a living sacrifice to God.

It must be noted that the word ‎parakaleœ ‎also described what military commanders did before they sent their troops into battle. After summoning the troops together, their commander would beseech or exhort them as he warned them of the realities of warfare. The commander would describe in detail what they were going to face in their battle; then he'd urge them to keep on fighting bravely until the victory was won. All of this is included in the word ‎parakaleœ‎.

This is very significant in the context of Romans 12:1. Paul was urging believers to dedicate their bodies to God. However, Paul knew that when a believer makes the decision to dedicate his body to God, the carnal nature may respond by going to war against the spirit. The flesh just doesn't want to submit to the law of God or to do what God wishes. So when Paul besought his readers to yield their bodies to God, he was also warning them that such an action might stir up a battle in the flesh.

The carnal nature has long been the driving force for what is done with the body; therefore, it will most likely rebel when it is told to submit to God's control. This is why anyone who decides to present and dedicate his body to God must be ready and willing to fight the battle with the flesh until victory is achieved.

As mentioned earlier, Paul uses the Greek word ‎parist¢mi ‎when he says we are to “present” our bodies as a living sacrifice. This is exactly the same word used in Luke 2:22 to depict that moment when Jesus' parents presented baby Jesus to God in the Temple at Jerusalem. Just as Jesus' dedication was no casual, accidental, haphazard, unplanned event, now Paul is telling us that the presentation of our bodies to God is a serious occurrence in our lives. This is no light affair, but one that should be done in a very hallowed, consecrated, and serious manner. It is a crucial, historical moment in our lives when we intentionally place ourselves in God's close care. We surrender ourselves and all that we are to God's supervision, making a solemn pledge that we are His and that He can therefore use us in whatever way He wishes.

You may wrongly assume that because you are a believer, this act of surrender has already occurred. But just because you are a believer does not mean that you have completely surrendered your body to God. If becoming a believer automatically caused this act of surrender to take place, Paul wouldn't have found it necessary to earnestly urge the Roman believers to do it.

Notice that we are to present ourselves as a “living sacrifice.” In the Old Testament, an animal sacrifice would be offered upon the altar. Because the animal was dead, it could only be presented to the Lord once as a sacrificial offering.

But in the New Testament, we are urged to present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. This implies that we must live in a continual state of surrender and consecration. Our commitment may begin with a momentous, “once-and-for-all” decision, but it must be followed with a daily decision to keep on surrendering ourselves to the Lord. Thus, we must see every day of our lives as another day — another opportunity — to yield our lives to God.

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

    

Each new day necessitates new surrender and consecration. What you surrendered to God yesterday is already old. Today is a new day and demands a new and higher level of consecration.

Therefore, as you awake each morning, train yourself to begin your day with a prayer of consecration in which you solemnly and in holy reverence present yourself and all that you are to God's purposes. Don't assume that because you did it yesterday, you don't need to do it today. What you did yesterday remains in yesterday's sphere. Each new day beckons you to take a step closer to the Lord and to make a commitment more serious than the one you made before.

Have you willfully, deliberately, and intentionally presented your body to God? Just as Jesus' parents brought Him to the Temple to present Him to the Lord, God is asking you to reverently come into His Presence to offer yourself as a living sacrifice to be used for His purposes. If you haven't ever taken this step of faith, are you ready to take it now? The carnal nature may declare war when you make the decision to surrender completely to the Lord, so be prepared to deal with the flesh. Just determine that you will not stop until the victory has been won!

Today is the day to surrender yourself into the hands of God. Don't wait until tomorrow — and don't depend on what you did yesterday. This is a new day, and God is calling you to surrender yourself anew. So don't let ANYTHING hold you back from taking this step of faith right now!

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Lord, today I am surrendering myself as a living sacrifice to be used in whatever way You choose. I know You are beckoning me to come higher and closer than ever before, so right now I approach You with great reverence and surrender myself more fully to You. With all my heart I vow to give You my soul, my emotions, my spirit, my body, and everything else that I am and that I possess. I want to live for You and to serve You for the rest of my life. Starting today, I yield to You completely. I present myself today as a living sacrifice.  When You speak, I will do exactly what You tell me to do.   I pray this in Jesus' name! Amen.

Rejecting False Teachings

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: παραιτεομmaι (paraiteomai)

PRONUNCIATION:  par-ay-TEH-ah-my

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 3868

MEANING: avoid; excuse; refuse; reject;

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): had the meaning of 'to beg off

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV, NASB AND/OR ESV:  excuse; refuse; intreat;

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 13

KEY VERSE IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED: 1 Timothy 4:7 - "But refuse (παραιτεομmaι) profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

    

The demands placed on the pastor of a large church are immense. His care for the church is nonstop. Twenty-four hours a day he must be available to the members of the congregation. Leaders must be trained; rebels must be corrected; and finances are needed to pay for the church as it grows. And in addition to church responsibilities, the pastor is most often a husband and a father as well. He has a massive church family to oversee and manage, and he also has his own personal family for which God will hold him responsible.

Timothy was just settling into the job of senior pastor when Paul wrote him the letter that became the book of 1 Timothy. At the time, Timothy's responsibilities were increasing daily. His massive church was becoming even more massive as it continued to grow. He was constantly training new leaders and replacing old, rebellious leaders who thought Timothy was too young to be pastor of such a prominent church. And in the midst of it all, Timothy was learning how to cope with being the most visible Christian leader in a large metropolitan city. It was in the midst of these developments that Paul wrote to him and said, “But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”

The Bible doesn't tell us exactly what these old wives' fables were. However, it seems that Timothy may have been so exhausted that he was starting to daydream about finding an easier and more trouble-free way to do his job (like all of us are tempted to do from time to time). I have personally wondered, Was Timothy tempted to daydream about life in the ministry becoming simpler? Was he hoping that things would eventually become a lot less hectic, undemanding, and uncomplicated? If Timothy was thinking along this line, his musings would definitely fall into the category of a fable!

When God trusts you enough to give you more and more responsibility, it always demands more of you, not less. I gave up the idea many years ago of thinking that life would eventually become less demanding. Ministry is work, and none of us should ever forget that fact!

If you are mightily anointed by God, it is just a fact that your schedule will get busier, your demands will increase, and your challenges will grow. But as long as you allow God to develop your character along the way, you will find that you're able to successfully manage anything He puts on your plate!

Paul ordered Timothy to quit fantasizing about things getting easier, telling the younger man to “...refuse profane and old wives' fables....” The word “refuse” tells us how strongly Paul felt about Timothy's frame of thinking. It comes from the Greek word ‎paraiteomai‎, and it means to reject, to refuse, to rebuff, to decline, to snub, or to decisively turn away from something. It denotes the attitude of a person who is so disgusted with something that he has resolved he will have nothing to do with it. His feelings about this issue are so pungent that he sharply rejects what is being offered to him and vigorously declines any form of participation in it. Whatever these “old wives' fables” were, Paul viewed them as extremely detrimental — so much so that he strictly ordered Timothy to reject these notions.

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

    

When you are physically or mentally exhausted, your mind may be tempted to daydream or to wander to other places. It is amazing how the mind tries to escape from reality. But rather than let yourself float away on a cloud of fantasy that doesn't help you fulfill your God-given assignment, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see things realistically. That's the only way you'll be able to put your whole heart and soul into completing your task exactly as Jesus wants it done! You can do great things for God's Kingdom, but it will require both concentration and commitment!

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

    

Lord, help me to stay focused on what You have called me to do and to embrace everything that comes with Your call on my life. Forgive me for the times I've tried to find a shortcut to avoid responsibility. I want to put my whole heart into the race You have set before me — to fulfill my assigned task fervently, passionately, and with the highest level of excellence.  I pray this in Jesus' name! Amen. 

Disciplined Disciples

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: παιδεια (paideia)

PRONUNCIATION:  pie-DEE-ah

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 3809

MEANING: chastisement; instruction; nurture;

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): the root word has the idea of nurturing a young child; also includes the idea of disciplining a young child for the purpose of teaching him or her

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV, NASB AND/OR ESV:  chastisement; discipline; instruction; nurture

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 6

KEY VERSE IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED:

Hebrews 12:11 - "For the moment all discipline (παιδεια) seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

    

As you grow in your walk with God, you will discover that one of the strongest forces you'll have to face and overcome is your own flesh! Your flesh will try to oppose you, stand against you, and coax you into believing that you can do a little but still get a lot.

If you're going to be mightily used by God, your flesh must be disciplined so it can become an instrument through which the Holy Spirit can flow. You have to pay the price of crucifying the flesh in order to have the resurrection power of Jesus Christ expressed through your life.

If you look at a child with no parental guidance or discipline, you'll see exactly what the flesh does when it has its own way. The child will probably lie around, watch television, and eat junk food from morning till evening. And any person who lets his flesh do what it wants will most likely adopt the same lifestyle! That's why dealing with the flesh is almost like chastening a child. The flesh must be controlled, corrected, and made to obey even if it wants to do otherwise. The process is painful, but the rewards are eternal!

This is what Hebrews 12:11 is talking about when it says, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

The word “chastening” in this verse is the Greek word ‎paideia‎, an old Greek word for the education or instruction of a child. It comes from the word ‎pais‎, the Greek word for a boy. However, as time passed, the word ‎paideia ‎came to signify the education of all children. By the time of Plato, the word ‎paideia ‎included not only the education of children, but also of adults. The concepts of discipline and regimen were so intrinsically interwoven in this word that in Luke 23:16 and 22, the verb form of the word ‎paideia ‎is translated as the word “chastise” and refers to Jesus being whipped or scourged as punishment.

So when this verse speaks of “chastening” in Hebrews 12:11, it refers to disciplinary attitudes and actions that lead to one's betterment in life or to one's education. The fact that this word can also be translated as a whip, a scourge, or punishment explicitly tells us that rigid discipline is required for the flesh to be chastened and changed so that fruit can be produced in one's life. The word ‎paideia  ‎describes not only the process of education and change, but also the attitude required to bring about these benefits. An attitude of discipline is obligatory if the flesh is ever to make the needed changes.

Although the benefits of disciplining the flesh are too many to list, Hebrews 12:11 informs us that when this disciplinary process is in full force, it doesn't seem joyous but rather feels “grievous.” The word “grievous” is the word ‎lup¢‎, the Greek word for pain, distress, trouble, grief, or sorrow. Although the discipline itself is good for us and provides us with the means to change, the flesh hates it when discipline is forced on it!

Haven't there been moments when your flesh screamed in disgust at the idea of discipline and commitment? It may be painful for the flesh to be crucified, but it is essential if you're going to render your flesh dead to sin and alive to God so He can transform it into an instrument through which His power and wisdom can flow!

Hebrews 12:11 says that this discipline will yield “...the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” The word “exercised” is the Greek word ‎gumnazœ‎. This word ‎gumnazœ ‎depicts radical discipline! It was the word the ancient Greeks used to portray the athletes who exercised, trained, and prepared for competition in the often barbaric athletic games of the ancient world. It is where we get the word gymnasium.

This word ‎gumnazœ ‎(“exercise”) portrays people who want to develop and change so much that they are willing to put themselves through vigorous, demanding, and strenuous discipline in order to bring about change and to achieve the results they desire. Now Hebrews 12:11 uses the word ‎gumnazœ ‎to tell us that if we will discipline the flesh, we will see great results in our lives, for we will begin to yield “...the peaceable fruit of righteousness....”

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

Let's face it — there is nothing more thrilling than to see progress in your life. But to get the kind of progress you desire, you will be required to do something more than you've been doing. You will have to say no to your flesh, denying its appetites and disciplining yourself to do what God says even if your flesh doesn't want to do it. This process often feels long and laborious, but afterward when you can see and appreciate the results, you'll be so glad you didn't quit!

So let the Holy Spirit exercise His discipline in your life. If you'll pay the price to crucify your flesh and to submit yourself to discipline, it will pay off with big dividends. You may not see immediate, tangible results while you are training and preparing. But eventually you will see the fruit of your labor, and you'll be so glad you took your flesh to school and taught it to obey!

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Lord, I admit that I need help in bringing discipline to my flesh and my emotions. Forgive me for being too easy on myself, and help me to be fiercely committed to bringing my body and my flesh under the control of the Holy Spirit. I want to be Your instrument so Your power can flow freely through me. So please help me today to submit to Your Word and to the control of Your Spirit. From this day forward, I purpose to no longer give my flesh the freedom to have its way in my life! I pray this in Jesus' name! Amen.

Take a Trip to the Defilement Dump

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: μιαίνω (miaino)

PRONUNCIATION:  me-AH-ee-no

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 3392

MEANING: defile; contaminate; taint

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): this Greek word is always used to describe defilement in a figurative sense in all five uses in the New Testament; the root word means "to be stained"

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV, NASB AND/OR ESV:  defiled

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 5

KEY VERSE IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED:

Hebrews 12:15 -  "See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled (mμιαίνω)."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

    

The Greek word translated “defiled” in Hebrews 12:15 is the Greek word ‎miainœ‎. It means to spill, to spot, or to stain. Here is what Hebrews 12:15 is telling us: If you are inwardly upset with someone and don't get rid of those raw emotions, it won't be too long until you open your mouth and begin to verbalize those ugly inward emotions. As Jesus said, “...Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).

According to Jesus, what you are full of is exactly what you will talk about! If you're filled with joy, then joy will come out of your mouth. But if you're filled with bitterness, anger, disappointment, frustration, or rage, then eventually those attitudes are going to show up in the words you speak! Like a rising river, what is inside you — if not corrected by the Spirit of God — will eventually flood out of the banks of your soul and spill out of your mouth, adversely affecting everyone around you.

This is what happens when we fail to deal with our hearts and instead allow wrong attitudes to fester inside us. Eventually we will begin to “run at the mouth” and say bad things about someone else, which has a devastating effect on those who hear us. As our negative attitudes rage out of control, our words taint, spot, soil, and ruin the way our listeners perceive the person we are speaking of. Thus, by permitting our mouths to be the spout for the mess that festers inside us, we end up sliming other people with our own stinking attitudes and destructive words.

Let me give you an example of how one person's root of bitterness can result in many being defiled. Suppose a father who has always loved his church becomes offended by something that happened in the church. Rather than go to the Lord, release the offense, and forgive, this father goes home and fumes about what happened. The longer he fumes about it, the more angry he becomes. As his anger grows, he starts venting and talking about how upset he is with that church!

Prior to this, this father's children loved their church. But day after day, they listen to their father rage about how bad the pastor is, how badly their father has been treated, and so on. The father doesn't realize it, but his words are having a profoundly negative effect on his children. Soon the children begin to feel what their father feels. They see what he sees and believe what he believes. Although no one in the church has ever wronged any of these children, it isn't long before they are carrying the same bitter feelings toward the church that their father carries.

In this case, the children have been tainted, stained, and spotted by a father who should have gone to the Cross and allowed the Spirit of God to liberate him from those bitter emotions. Instead, he opened his mouth and dumped his bitterness on his family. Now he's not the only one who has an attitude problem; he has imparted his bad attitude to his children as well. And the truth is, if his children have a negative attitude toward the church when they grow up, much of the blame will be laid at that father's feet because he didn't keep his mouth shut and act more mature.

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

    

What a pity to dump all your negative garbage on your friends and loved ones, defiling them with a spiritual problem that may hound them for years. How much better it would be for you to go to the Cross and deal with it rather than open the spout and let a flood of filth and slime defile those around you!

It may seem hard to keep your mouth shut and to go to the Lord when you're dealing with a difficult attitude challenge. But it is much easier to take this route than to spew a lot of garbage that you'll later have to clean up! So I urge you today to let the Holy Spirit help you overcome your inward struggles. As you do, you will keep yourself free of bitterness and make sure others around you are not defiled by ugly words that you are tempted to speak!

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Lord, please help me refrain from speaking words today that will negatively affect other people. I am so sorry for the times I've “run at the mouth” and said things I shouldn't have said. I realize how wrong this is and how I've stained other people's opinions because I didn't control my mouth and emotions. I am turning to You for help, and I'm asking You to help me control my tongue as I deal with these issues that have festered inside me. Holy Spirit, please help me to overcome the flesh and to allow You to have Your way in me!  I pray this in Jesus' name! Amen. 

Righteous Rebuking

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: επιτιμαώ  (epitimao)

PRONUNCIATION:  ep-ee-tih-MAH-oh

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 2008

MEANING: to rebuke; to make a charge against someone; to blame someone;

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): in classical greek this word was used to describe a punishment; it became a term to describe congregational discipline within the church

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV, NASB AND/OR ESV:  rebuke

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 30

KEY VERSE IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED: Luke 17:3 - "Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke (επιτιμαώ) him, and if he repents, forgive him."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

    

The word “rebuke” in Luke 17:3 is the Greek word ‎epitimaœ‎, which in this case means to speak frankly, honestly, and politely as you tell a person how you feel that he has wronged you. This doesn't mean you have to speak to him like he's a devil; it just means you need to directly and honestly confront him.

This issue of honesty is a big one in the Body of Christ. Many believers are dishonest about what they really think and feel. Inside they seethe with anger toward someone about a perceived offense. Yet on the outside, they smile and pretend as if everything is all right. This dishonesty divides believers and keeps God's power from freely flowing between members of the Body of Christ.

Believers put themselves on dangerous territory when they harbor hidden disagreements or secret petty grievances against other people, yet go around smiling and acting as if everything is all right. They're not just being dishonest — they're engaging in outright lying and deception!

When you refuse to confront an offense, you are just as wrong as the one who violated your rights and stepped over the line. Jesus said, “...If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him...” (Luke 17:3). That means if you are going to be mature in your relationships, you must learn how to confront others when you feel they have wronged you. It may be difficult to do that, but it's a lot less painful and leaves less scars than does a soul that is filled with bitterness and resentment.

When you have to confront someone regarding an offense that you perceive he has committed against you, I recommend that you take the following three steps:

STEP #1:

Don't confront anyone until you've first made it a matter of prayer.

Prayer resolves a lot of problems by itself. There have been times in my own life when I've been upset with someone, only to discover after getting into the Presence of God and praying about the matter that my own attitude was uglier than the actions of the one who wronged me. Once I recognized my own sinful condition, I couldn't hold a thing against the other person anymore; I just wanted to get my own heart right before God.

Prayer will put you in a position where God can speak to your own heart. After praying, if you still sense that you are supposed to confront the other person, make sure you pray for that person first. The Spirit of God may give you a strategy regarding what to say, as well as when and how to say it.

Believe me, taking directions from the Holy Spirit about how to confront someone will only help you. Confrontation without prayer is like barging into the middle of the fray with no preparation. Therefore, let prayer be a time of spiritual fine-tuning as you prepare to do what you need to do.

As you pray, spend a few minutes thanking God for your offender. This will help bring you to a new level so you can deal with the issue at hand in the right spirit. Remember the good things that person has done. Take time to reflect on all the enjoyable moments you've had with him and all the benefits you've gained in life as a result of that relationship. It's difficult to remain angry at someone when you are thanking God for him at the same time!

STEP #2:

Don't confront anyone with a judgmental attitude. Always have the motive of restoration.

We've all made mistakes — and that includes you! So assume that your offender would not deliberately hurt or offend you. Take a positive position about the other person.  Your goal in confronting a brother or sister in Christ should always be first and formost to restore them to right fellowship with God and others. 

When you do finally sit down to talk with the person who offended you, start the conversation by assuring him that you know he didn't intend to do what he did. Tell him that somehow the devil got into the middle of your relationship with him through his actions — and now you want to get the devil back out of the relationship as you get your heart right with him. This immediately removes any sense of an accusatory spirit and puts the spotlight on the devil instead of on that person. The issues will still be dealt with, but from a different perspective.

Starting from this approach is much more beneficial than taking a defensive approach that treats the other person as if he were your adversary. Remember, that person is not your enemy; he isn't on the other side of the line, fighting a battle against you. Your relationship may be going through some rough times right now, but you still need to view the two of you as being on the same side. The purpose of this time of confrontation is not to prove how wrong the other person is; it is to learn how to work together better and how to keep the channel of communication open and in the light.

STEP #3:

Remember that you, too, have been offensive in the past.

Never forget that you've probably offended people in the past. You didn't intend to do it. You didn't even know you did it until the person later told you. You were probably embarrassed or sad when you heard how the devil had used some statement you innocently made to leave a wrong impression.

When you were in this type of situation, didn't you want the person you had offended to tell you the truth rather than to walk around harboring bad feelings about you? Weren't you glad when that lie of the devil was exposed and your relationship was made right again? Weren't you thankful for the opportunity to make things right with that other person?

So when someone offends you, remember that you've stood in his shoes in the past. Were you forgiven at that time? Were you shown mercy? Now it's time for you to show the same forgiveness and mercy to someone else that has previously been shown to you.

If you still feel the need to confront the person who offended you after following these three steps, you should now be able to do it with the right attitude. You have prayed about the matter; you have been in the Presence of the Lord. Now your heart is free, liberated from negative feelings and attitudes toward that person. You are finally in a position to go to him or her in a spirit of love and reconciliation instead of in a spirit of accusation. As Jesus said, “...if he repent, forgive him” (Luke 17:3).

The word “forgive” is the Greek word ‎aphi¢mi‎. It means to set free; to let go; to release; to discharge; or to liberate completely. It was used in a secular sense in New Testament times in reference to canceling a debt or releasing someone from the obligation of a contract, a commitment, or promise. Thus, it means to forfeit any right to hold a person captive to a previous commitment or wrong he has committed. In essence, the word “forgive” — the Greek word ‎aphi¢mi ‎— is the picture of totally freeing and releasing someone. A modern paraphrase of this Greek word would simply be to let it go!

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

    

This means you and I don't have the privilege of holding people hostage to their past actions if they repent and ask us to forgive them. If they sincerely seek forgiveness for offending us, we are obligated to “let it go.” If your offender repents and sincerely asks for forgiveness, Jesus said you are to put away the offense and no longer hold on to it. You must release those ugly feelings you've held against that person. You have to let it go!

·         So are you able to let go of the offense that someone has committed against you?

·         Are you able to put away that offense once and for all instead of dragging it up again and again?

Just as God has removed your sin as far as the east is from the west (Psalms 103:12), you must now decide that this person is freed in regard to that past offense. Once you forgive him, you cannot drag up the offense again and again. You have released and liberated him completely from that sin. Therefore, you never have the right or privilege to pull out that offense later and use it against him. It is gone!

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

    

Lord, please help me have the courage to lovingly speak to those who have sinned against me. Help me know how to tell them what they did wrong and kindly ask them not to do it again. If they repent and say they are sorry, please help me forgive them for what they did and then release them completely from that grievance, never to bring it up again. Help me put that offense out of my mind forever, just as You have done so many times for me! I pray this in Jesus' name! Amen. 

Dynamite Power

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: δυναμίς (dunamis)

PRONUNCIATION:  DOON-ah-mis

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 1141

MEANING: might; power; strength; mighty works

ENGLISH WORDS DERIVED FROM: dynamite; dynamic

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): root word has the meaning of having the ability to do something;

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV, NASB AND/OR ESV:  power; strength; mighty works;

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 116

KEY VERSE IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED: 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power  (δυναμίς) is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power (δυναμίς) of Christ may rest upon me."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

    

Just like Paul, we may occasionally feel exasperated and incapable in our own strength to victoriously cope with troublesome people; nonetheless, the Lord gives us His promise: “...My strength is made perfect in weakness....” The word “strength” in this verse comes from the Greek word ‎dunamis‎, the word for dynamic power. This is a strength that always releases sufficient power and possesses the ability to make needed changes. God knew that Paul needed a new surge of divine power that would change his perspective and empower him to successfully overcome his struggles with people. This word ‎dunamis  ‎presents the picture of an explosive power that is being deposited into some type of container, vessel, or other form of receptacle. The very nature of this word ‎dunamis ‎means that there necessarily must be some type of receiver into which this power can be deposited.

God not only wanted to display His grace in Paul's life, but also His power; He not only wanted the apostle to be humble, but also strong. Because "power is perfected in weakness," it was necessary for the fires of affliction to burn away the dross of pride and self-confidence. Paul had lost all ability, humanly speaking, to deal with the situation at Corinth. He had visited there, sent others there, and written the Corinthians letters. But he could not completely fix the situation. He was at the point when he had to trust totally in God's will and power.

    

In the Christian life, we get many of our blessings through transformation, not substitution. When Paul prayed three times for the removal of his pain, he was asking God for a substitution: "Give me health instead of sickness, deliverance instead of pain and weakness." Sometimes God does meet the need by substitution; but other times He meets the need by transformation. He does not remove the affliction, but He gives us His grace so that the affliction works for us and not against us.

As Paul prayed about his problem, God gave him a deeper insight into what He was doing. Paul learned that his thorn in the flesh was a gift from God. What a strange gift! There was only one thing for Paul to do: accept the gift from God and allow God to accomplish His purposes. God wanted to keep Paul from being "exalted above measure," and this was His way of accomplishing it.

When Paul accepted his affliction as the gift of God, this made it possible for God's grace to go to work in his life. It was then that God spoke to Paul and gave him the assurance of His grace. Whenever you are going through suffering, spend extra time in the Word of God; and you can be sure God will speak to you. He always has a special message for His children when they are afflicted.

God did not give Paul any explanations; instead, He gave him a promise: "My grace is sufficient for thee." We do not live on explanations; we live on promises. Our feelings change, but God's promises never change. Promises generate faith, and faith strengthens hope.

Paul claimed God's promise and drew on the grace that was offered to him, this turned seeming tragedy into triumph. God did not change the situation by removing the affliction; He changed it by adding a new ingredient: grace. Our God is "the God of all grace" (1 Peter 5:10), and His throne is a "throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16). The Word of God is "the word of His grace" (Acts 20:32), and the promise is that "He giveth more grace" (James 4:6). No matter how we look at it, God is adequate for every need that we have.

But God does not give us His grace simply that we might "endure" our sufferings. Even unconverted people can manifest great endurance. God's grace should enable us to rise above our circumstances and feelings and cause our afflictions to work for us in accomplishing positive good. God wants to build our character so that we are more like our Saviour. God's grace enabled Paul not only to accept his afflictions, but to glory in them. His suffering was not a tyrant that controlled him, but a servant that worked for him.

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

It is when believers are out of answers, confidence, and strength, with nowhere else to turn but to God that they are in a position to be most effective. No one in the kingdom of God is too weak to experience God's power, but many are too confident in their own strength. Physical suffering, mental anguish, disappointment, unfulfillment, and failure squeeze the impurities out of believers' lives, making them pure channels through which God's power can flow.  Begin today to allow god to reveal his strength IN you and THROUGH you.  Acknowledge your weaknesses and ask God to manifest His strength through you. 

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

I thank you Father for the power and strength that You provide me to do Your service.  Help me to be more faithful in use of that dynamite power.  I also pray that I would learn as Paul did through his weakness wherein you made him strong.  May Your strength be magnified in me today.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  

Pure Prayer Partners

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: δέησις  (deesis)

PRONUNCIATION:  DEH-ay-sis

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 1162

MEANING: prayer; request; supplication

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY):

the original Greek root word literally meant "to be lacking" with the result being making a request of someone to fulfil that which was lacking; this word for prayer is not one that focuses on praise, but focuses on asking or making a request of God for a need;

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV, NASB AND/OR ESV:  prayer; supplication; request

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 19

KEY VERSE IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED:

Philippians 1:4 - "Always offering prayer (δέησις) with joy in my every prayer (δέησις) for you all."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

    

The word “prayer” is the Greek word ‎ deesis. This word describes a heartfelt request for God to answer a concrete, specific need — usually some type of physical or material need. The church of Philippi was suffering financially at this time. Considering how they gave of their finances despite their own financial struggles, it makes sense that Paul prayed earnestly for God to answer and meet the concrete, physical needs of this sacrificially giving church.

When Paul says he is “making request,” the Greek tense carries the idea of Paul continuously making requests for the Philippian believers. This is definitely not a one-shot, occasional prayer; rather, Paul makes it very clear that praying for these believers is a part of his daily pattern. The word “request” is again the word ‎deesis ‎now used twice in this verse, which categorically substantiates that Paul was asking God to answer and provide for the physical, tangible needs of this church. And notice that Paul said he made these requests “with joy.” It was no burden for him to pray for his partners; he did it with pleasure and joy.

In Philippians 1:5, Paul explains the reason he feels so passionate about these believers who had so faithfully supported his ministry. He says, “For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.” The word “fellowship” is the Greek word ‎koinœnia‎, a word that depicted partnership or a mutual participation in some project or event and often referred to a partner, a sharer, or a companion.  Paul was laying a foundation for believers to have prayer partners in the purest sense of the word, or as I would call it, “Pure Prayer Partners”. 

Intercessory prayer sometimes involves disappointment and pain. Later in this letter he counseled the Philippians, "Join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things" (3:17-19). Those false believers not only were uncharitable in the extreme but also were shamelessly worldly. They were "enemies of the cross of Christ." Their false teaching and immoral living seriously threatened the church, and that tragic state of affairs brought pain to the apostle. Paul reminded the church at Corinth that "out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you" (2 Corinthians 2:4; cf. 11:29).

But Paul's prayers for the Philippians were offered with great appreciation, thankfulness, and joy. Neither the unbelieving false teachers, such as those just mentioned, nor squabbling believers, such as Euodia and Syntyche (4:2), could rob Paul of his joyful remembrance of this cherished congregation. After beseeching Clement and an unnamed elder at Philippi to help reconcile those two women, he exults, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (4:3-4).

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

    

Like Paul, believers who possess God-given joy do not focus on themselves, even in the midst of pain or difficult circumstances. We are rather concerned about our fellow believers' pain, difficult circumstances, hardships, failures, and sorrows, and they earnestly intercede for them. As such, we need to joyfully pray for God to bless our fellow believers in every way, above all for their spiritual welfare.

It seems that throughout most of the history of the church only a minority of Christians have known the true, full joy that God gives to His obedient children. Lack of joy reveals itself in three ways: in negative thoughts and talk about others, in a lack of concern for their welfare, and in the failure to intercede on their behalf. Joyless believers are self-centered, selfish, proud, and often vengeful, and their self-centeredness inevitably manifests itself in prayerlessness.  Ask God today to restore that joy of praying for others.  May God cause you to refocus your attention this day on the needs of others.  Stop even now to think of one or two others who have had recent difficult days wherein “Thanksgiving” may not have been as much a time of thanks as it was for you and make request unto God for them. 

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

    

Lord, I thank You for allowing me to be a participant in the Gospel by praying for others and making requests unto You on their behalf. Help me to always be aware of the great impact my prayers and requests have towards the Kingdom of God.  Cause me to be more faithful in my prayer life, with specific attention on praying for the needs of others.   
I pray this in Jesus' name!  Amen.