Daily Dose 9-3-11

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

God has promised to dwell within us. He no longer chooses an ornate temple. His temple is among us, within us, through us. How should the knowledge that God lives in us change our behavior? What will we expose ourselves to, or limit from our sight because He is a part of us? Sadly, may of us continue in life as though we are just like someone who has no part in God’s daily routine. We don’t acknowledge He is there. We have become desensitized to sin before us that should make us shutter. Holy seems like an unwelcome description to us. What if, through marriage or a roommate situation, you ignored the other person’s presence? What if you never included them in the small parts of your day or huge milestones of your life? What if you forced them to listen to, watch, or be around people that were offensive to them? How long would that relationship last? How long would they live in peace with you? Chances are, not long. Why are we then so disrespectful with the Holy God of the Universe living with us? Act today as though God is in the flesh beside you. Enjoy life with Him!

Father, I am so thankful You are living with me! Help me clean my “house and yard” to make You more comfortable! I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-1-11

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (MSG) Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.

This Message translation makes this beautiful scripture hit home a bit more. We like to read about the new creation and how God made us new through Christ. However, reading this version, which changes the word reconcile to settle, takes a more practical ~ and not always easy ~ approach to what that “new creation” should look like. It’s all about relationships. Because of what Christ endured on the cross for us, He enabled us to have a relationship with God, but He also calls us to settle our relationships with one another. Settling doesn’t mean avoiding. Settling doesn’t mean pretending nothing happened. Settling requires love and sacrifice. Settling requires acknowledging, repentance and forgiveness. Are there people in your life you avoid, thinking you are keeping the peace? As a new creation you should go beyond avoidance to settling whatever caused relationship separations. It’s not always easy – but neither was dying on a cross!

Father, Make me new again. I remember what You and Your son did for me. Help me to know what I need to do for others! I love You! Amen