July 15, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional, Saturday ODB Message
July 15, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional, Saturday ODB Message written by Lisa M. Samra and Insight by : J.R. Hudberg
TOPIC: Empowered for the Everyday
Bible in a Year: Psalms 13–15; Acts 19:21–41
Key Verse: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Today’s Scripture
Colossians 3:12-17
Our Daily Bread Devotion For Today 15th July 2023 Insight:
In ancient Greek, the word order of a sentence helped the reader understand its emphasis. In Colossians 3:12, the first word in the original language is the verb endysasthe, which is translated “clothe.” This puts the emphasis on the action of putting on these virtues rather than on our identity as “God’s chosen people.”
The use of the verb clothe to describe Christian virtues is also significant. Clothes are the outer layer that others see. In the same way, “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” are to be the “apparel” people see when they look at us. We put on these things to demonstrate that we’re “holy and dearly loved” (v. 12).
July 15, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional MESSAGE:
Every Moment Holy is a beautiful book of prayers for a variety of activities, including ordinary ones like preparing a meal or doing the laundry. Necessary tasks that can feel repetitive or mundane. The book reminded me of the words of author G. K. Chesterton, who wrote, “You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.”
Such encouragement reorients my perspective on the activities of my day. Sometimes I’m inclined to divide my activities into ones that appear to have spiritual value, like reading devotions before a meal, and other activities I think have little spiritual value, such as doing the dishes after the meal. Paul erased that divide in a letter to the people of Colossae who had chosen to live for Jesus. He encouraged them with these words: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (3:17). Doing things in Jesus’ name means both honoring Him as we do them and having the assurance that His Spirit helps strengthen us to accomplish them.
“Whatever you do.” All the ordinary activities of our lives, every moment, can be empowered by God’s Spirit and done in a way that honors Jesus.
Reflect & Pray
How might you reconsider your perspective on everyday activities? How can you rely on God’s Spirit for the tasks of your day?
Dear Jesus, empower me by Your Spirit to honor You today in all I do.
July 15, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional, ODB Message . Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.
READ MORE TOPICS: OPEN HEAVENS, OUR DAILY BREAD, IN TOUCH, SEEDS OF DESTINY, STREAMS OF JOY, JOEL OSTEEN, MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE, DCLM DAILY MANNA, UCB WORD FOR TODAY