Reset Episode
Reset Episode
Ephesians 3:20-21
Today’s focus is called the Reset Episode because it is kind of a reset for me and the devotional podcast. I want you to know, I love teaching the Bible. I’ve been teaching the Bible for thirty years, and I love it. I start leaning toward Bible teaching here, and I have to remind myself that we’re really focused on a personal interaction time with God.
And so, my prayer is that I can really help you meet God in every devotion. My hope is that you can meet God in his living Word, and by his Holy Spirit. Our goal is to have a short but real, interactive time with God, where you really hear him speak to you through his Word and by his Spirit.
And so, if I can help you learn to do that, then you’ll be able to do that in whatever scripture you’re reading on any day because all of God’s Word is living, and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) God’s Word will do its work on us if we will get into a place where we can allow God’s Word to do its work.
For the past eleven years, or so, we’ve been using three simple words to help people learn how to get into this place, and how to really be able to hear from God in their devotion time. Here are the words that we’ve used for all of these years, both in the church and in our Bible-teaching ministry called Word By Mail.
1). Meditate
2). Apply
3). Respond
This is what we’ve been teaching for many, many years. We meditate on a portion of God’s Word; we learn to do that. And then we apply that portion of God’s Word to our lives. And then, we respond to what God has shown us – what he’s impressed on our hearts – through his Word and by his Spirit.
I’ve always had these three words in mind when I’m doing these devotions. And on a number of these devotions, I’ve actually used those three words as a format. But what I’d like to do, as we move forward, is to really begin to use these words as a regular format for how we walk through these devotions together.
So, first, to meditate on God’s Word means to just slow down. Slow down. You’re moving too fast. You’ve got to take your time. You’ve got to slow down and develop a way to really consider what God’s Word is saying. It’s learning to really take in the truths of God’s Word, not skim over them like you’re reading a newspaper. Instead, it’s learning to really hear from God and his Word.
And then, applying God’s Word, is just asking the question: How does this truth specifically apply to my life, today? What area of my life is God addressing today through his living Word?
And then, responding is the big deal. Responding is where life change really begins to happen. Responding is the courage to say, “I hear you, Lord. And in response to your Word, I commit to ___________.” (Fill in the blank.) In response to your Word, I commit to “this.” I commit to do this or to not do that. I commit, Lord, to believe this, or to not believe that. It’s in some way, saying, “Lord, here’s how I respond to our time together, today.”
I’ve said to thousands of people over the years, that our relationship with God requires a response. And, if there is no response, there is no relationship. And I know that sounds pretty hardcore, but it’s true.
But, on the other side of the spectrum, your response doesn’t always have to be some kind of a huge bombshell in your life every day. You can’t take that every time we do a devotion together. But still, we must respond to God’s Word because responding to God’s Word is how God begins to transform our lives. And sometimes, the Holy Spirit will impress on you a similar response for days, and days of devotions, which is often what will give God an open door to begin to heal you and transform you in that area of your life.
So, again. Meditate, Apply, Respond. That’s what I’d like to help you do in these devotions. And so, I’m going to purposefully use those three words to kind of keep us focused on that. We’re going to do this and see how it works. And I need you to let me know. So, as we continue, would you please communicate with us somehow about this approach? You can call us, email us, write to us; all at MyDailyChurch.com.
And also, there, you can get into all of our real Bible teaching. There are about a thousand expositional messages on the Bible.
Let us know what you think, and let us know how we can pray for you because we love to pray for you.
I’m going to close this with a scripture, and then we’ll pray.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NLT)
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, all glory does belong to you. To you, God, because you are able. You are able through your mighty power at work within us. Lord, you are able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ever ask, or could ever think. And so, Lord, we give glory to you.
And may we always give glory to you in the Church as part of your Church Body, and in Christ Jesus. In the name of Jesus may we always bring glory to you, Lord. May we always give you the glory. And Lord, may we do it in a way that is generational, through all generations – from generation to generation, Lord, may we begin this “ball rolling” of always giving you glory, forever, and ever, and ever. In your precious name, Jesus, for your glory we pray, amen.
To learn more about this ministry, to support the ministry, or to contact us in any way, go to MyDailyChurch.com.
And so, my prayer is that I can really help you meet God in every devotion. My hope is that you can meet God in his living Word, and by his Holy Spirit. Our goal is to have a short but real, interactive time with God, where you really hear him speak to you through his Word and by his Spirit.
And so, if I can help you learn to do that, then you’ll be able to do that in whatever scripture you’re reading on any day because all of God’s Word is living, and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) God’s Word will do its work on us if we will get into a place where we can allow God’s Word to do its work.
For the past eleven years, or so, we’ve been using three simple words to help people learn how to get into this place, and how to really be able to hear from God in their devotion time. Here are the words that we’ve used for all of these years, both in the church and in our Bible-teaching ministry called Word By Mail.
1). Meditate
2). Apply
3). Respond
This is what we’ve been teaching for many, many years. We meditate on a portion of God’s Word; we learn to do that. And then we apply that portion of God’s Word to our lives. And then, we respond to what God has shown us – what he’s impressed on our hearts – through his Word and by his Spirit.
I’ve always had these three words in mind when I’m doing these devotions. And on a number of these devotions, I’ve actually used those three words as a format. But what I’d like to do, as we move forward, is to really begin to use these words as a regular format for how we walk through these devotions together.
So, first, to meditate on God’s Word means to just slow down. Slow down. You’re moving too fast. You’ve got to take your time. You’ve got to slow down and develop a way to really consider what God’s Word is saying. It’s learning to really take in the truths of God’s Word, not skim over them like you’re reading a newspaper. Instead, it’s learning to really hear from God and his Word.
And then, applying God’s Word, is just asking the question: How does this truth specifically apply to my life, today? What area of my life is God addressing today through his living Word?
And then, responding is the big deal. Responding is where life change really begins to happen. Responding is the courage to say, “I hear you, Lord. And in response to your Word, I commit to ___________.” (Fill in the blank.) In response to your Word, I commit to “this.” I commit to do this or to not do that. I commit, Lord, to believe this, or to not believe that. It’s in some way, saying, “Lord, here’s how I respond to our time together, today.”
I’ve said to thousands of people over the years, that our relationship with God requires a response. And, if there is no response, there is no relationship. And I know that sounds pretty hardcore, but it’s true.
But, on the other side of the spectrum, your response doesn’t always have to be some kind of a huge bombshell in your life every day. You can’t take that every time we do a devotion together. But still, we must respond to God’s Word because responding to God’s Word is how God begins to transform our lives. And sometimes, the Holy Spirit will impress on you a similar response for days, and days of devotions, which is often what will give God an open door to begin to heal you and transform you in that area of your life.
So, again. Meditate, Apply, Respond. That’s what I’d like to help you do in these devotions. And so, I’m going to purposefully use those three words to kind of keep us focused on that. We’re going to do this and see how it works. And I need you to let me know. So, as we continue, would you please communicate with us somehow about this approach? You can call us, email us, write to us; all at MyDailyChurch.com.
And also, there, you can get into all of our real Bible teaching. There are about a thousand expositional messages on the Bible.
Let us know what you think, and let us know how we can pray for you because we love to pray for you.
I’m going to close this with a scripture, and then we’ll pray.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NLT)
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, all glory does belong to you. To you, God, because you are able. You are able through your mighty power at work within us. Lord, you are able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ever ask, or could ever think. And so, Lord, we give glory to you.
And may we always give glory to you in the Church as part of your Church Body, and in Christ Jesus. In the name of Jesus may we always bring glory to you, Lord. May we always give you the glory. And Lord, may we do it in a way that is generational, through all generations – from generation to generation, Lord, may we begin this “ball rolling” of always giving you glory, forever, and ever, and ever. In your precious name, Jesus, for your glory we pray, amen.
To learn more about this ministry, to support the ministry, or to contact us in any way, go to MyDailyChurch.com.