Produce in You
Text: Hebrews 13:20-21
Theme: God is the One who equips us and empowers us to please him.
Key verses: “Now may the God of peace–who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus…and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood–may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him” (v. 20-21a).
What God said to me: Dwayne, focus. Shut out all distractions and focus on me. The fact that you can’t connect with Slack right now may be a blessing in disguise. I see through your smoke screens. You find ways/excuses not to talk with me when you would really rather avoid me. I saw what you did last night. I saw the wicked intents of your heart. And now this morning you are trying to deny it and ignore it, hoping it will go away. But life with me doesn’t work that way. Confess your sins, and I am faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you this morning. Until you do that I will not speak with you or show you great and mighty things you do not know… I am the God of peace. I want to be your peace in the midst of every storm and every day. But peace only comes through righteousness. Peace comes from the blood of my Son being applied to your heart and cleansing your sin. Peace comes from knowing I raised Jesus from the dead and thus I can handle any situation you encounter. You should always be at peace, Dwayne, resting in the truth that I will equip you with all you need to do my will. Meditate on that awesome fact. I will produce in you every good thing that pleases me. You don’t have to grope in darkness wondering how you will meet up to my expectations and how you will live your Christian life successfully each day. I am the God of peace. As Jesus was powerful to conquer death and the grave and through his great power, I will empower you, for any and every situation and opportunity that comes your way today.
What I said to God: Holy Father, I praise You for loving me and for forgiving me–in spite of me and my rebellious ways. Please help me reckon myself to dead to me today and alive in You. I am crucified with Christ. Nonetheless I live. Yet not I, but Christ lives within me. And the life I now live I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave his life for me. I proclaim as my God of peace, and I claim Your peace and joy in my life today. It is humbling to think You can and will equip me and produce in me all that I need to please You and live for You. Please help me never take that for granted. I love You and want to live only for You today and everyday! Please help my boys and wife to do the same today.