Today's To Do List

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

When this happens ("anxious"), do this ("by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God") and receive this ("the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus").

Jason Cicero

Beginning the Quest

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

Paul sacrificed everything to experience Jesus. The distance between knowing Him and knowing about Him is vast. How do I begin experiencing Him? Consider these three points...

1. It is about getting far enough beyond self that we can see Him more clearly and desire Him more completely (Matthew 5:8).

2. Sin – you’re going to feel the distance – He only meets us there to pull us out of the ditch of our own ways, but He won’t stay there with us (Isaiah 59:1-2).

3. Think carefully about those things in your life that stand between you and Jesus, fall prostrate before His throne of grace, allow Jesus to mediate, the Spirit to intercede and pray Psalm 139:23-24.

I can never fully experience Jesus until I stop being absorbed with myself.

Jason Cicero

Experiencing Jesus

Philippians 3:7-11

Paul sacrificed everything to "know" Christ. The idea of ginosko is experience. He didn't count all things loss to just know some facts about Jesus. He didn't suffer the loss of all things to store up some information about Christ in is mind. He didn't count all things as rubbish to begin a new intellectual exercise that centered on Jesus. Paul sacrificed everything to experience Jesus.

Do you know some things about Jesus or do you experience Him?

Jason Cicero

Others

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Because there is...

1. Consolation in Christ

2. Comfort of love

3. Fellowship of the Spirit

4. Affection

5. Mercy

We should do the following...

1. Fulfill the Joy

2. Be Like-Minded

3. Have the Same Love

4. Be of One Accord

5. Be of One Mind

6. In Lowliness of Mind, Esteem Others Better Than Ourselves

7. Look Out for the Interests of Others

Jason Cicero

This Very Thing

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

"...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..." (Philippians 1:6).

Confidence "of this very thing" is a blessing from above. The "very thing" under discussion in Philippians 1:6 is our salvation. We can be confident that the God who has made a beginning in our lives will bring it to an end.

If God has begun the process of salvation in your life, be confident. He will complete it. You will see Jesus on His day...

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love." (Psalm 119:47; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

It’s not just another day. It’s the Lord’s Day.

It’s not just another week. It’s a new week.

It’s not just another Sunday. It’s the first day.

It’s not just another morning. It’s the resurrection morning.

It’s not just a matter of perspective. It’s a matter of attitude.

Jason Moore

Love, Light, and Wisdom

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-21

To imitate God as His dear child is the longing of God for every one. He would have me to mimic Him as a child mimics a parent. He would have me love Him as a child loves a father.

To imitate God is to arrange one's life to reflect Him. He longs for me to be like Him. He longs for me to love Him.

To imitate God is to walk in love, because He is love (Ephesians 5:2-7; 1 John 4:8). To imitate God is to walk in light, because He is light (Ephesians 5:8-14; John 8:12). To imitate God is to walk in wisdom, because He is wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-21; Colossians 2:3).

See Him. Imitate Him. Love Him.

Jason Cicero

The Seven Ones

Ephesians 4:1-6

The Father, Son, and Spirit are one. Jesus prayed that His disciples would be one. Ephesians 4:4-6 is the path to oneness.

1. One Body - the church (Ephesians 1:22-23)

2. One Spirit - the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14)

3. One Hope - forgiveness in Christ (Ephesians 1:18)

4. One Lord - Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:2)

5. One Faith - revealed body of truth (Ephesians 4:13)

6. One Baptism - water baptism in Jesus' name (Ephesians 5:26)

7. One God and Father of All - our Heavenly Father (Ephesians 1:2)

Consider the seven ones of Ephesians 4:4-6 and make every effort to be one with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Jason Cicero

Exceedingly Abundantly

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21; NKJV).

A doxology is a short hymn of praise to God. Doxologies are scattered throughout God's word. Ephesians 3:20-21 is a doxology worthy of our daily consideration.

God is not only able, He is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think." His power works in us "to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think." Because He does "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think," He is worthy to receive glory "forever and ever. Amen."

Hide this doxology in your heart and praise Him daily!

Jason Cicero

We are His Workmanship

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

"Workmanship" is the Greek word poiema. From this word we derive our English word "poem." We are God's poetry in motion.

We've been saved to serve. As we go about doing the good works God prepared beforehand, others see Him in us. Let others see His beauty in you as you serve Him today.

Jason Cicero

A Prayer to Pray for One Another

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Do not cease to give thanks for your brethren. Make mention of them in prayers. Pray specifically for them.

Ephesians 1:15-19 contains a prayer that we should pray for one another. Consider these five petitions. Pray them for your brethren.

1. "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him..."

2. "...the eyes of your understanding being enlightened..."

3. "...that you may know what is the hope of His calling..."

4. "...what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..."

5. "...and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power..."

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

The First Day of the Week - the first day of creation.

The First Day of the Week - the day Jesus arose.

The First Day of the Week - the first day salvation was preached.

The First Day of the Week - the day the church began.

The First Day of the Week - the Lord's Day

The First Day of the Week - the day the saints assemble.

The First Day of the Week - what a day!

Jason Cicero

Walk, Led, Live

Song: The Fruit Of The Spirit

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26

Walk in the Spirit: "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16).

Led by the Spirit: "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law" (Galatians 5:18).

Live in the Spirit: "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).

Jason Cicero

God Sent

Song: What Did He Do?

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

God sent Jesus from Heaven to Earth to redeem me: "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4-5).

God sent the Spirit from Heaven to my heart because I am His son: "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ" (Galatians 4:6-7).

Jason Cicero

Put on Christ

Song: Christ Liveth In Me

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27).

In baptism I put on Christ. "Put"carries the idea of "sinking into a garment, " of
putting on clothing (Strong's). I array myself with Christ when I am baptized into Him. If I have not been baptized into Christ, I have not put on Christ.

My God longs to be my Father (Galatians 3:26). My Father longs for me to put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). My Father longs for all His children to be one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). My Father longs for all His children to be heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29). Fulfill His longing in your life!

Jason Cicero

His Life, My Life

Song: Christ Lives In Me

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

If we were to ask Paul to sum up his life in fifty words or less I suspect He would say this...

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20)

These words are to describe my life too.

Jason Cicero

What He Did, Why He Did It

Song: He Loves Me So

Scripture: Galatians 1:3-4

What He Did

"...our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins..." (Galatians 1:3-4).

Why He Did It

"...that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Galatians 1:4-5).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

"give unto the LORD the glory due His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 29:2; NKJV)

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array." (Psalm 29:2; NASBU)

"Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due His name; Worship Jehovah in holy array." (Psalm 29:2; ASV)

God is For Us

Song: Praise The Lord

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:14

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." (2 Corinthians 13:14)

God is for us. The Father loves us. Christ is gracious towards us. The Spirit lives within us. God is for us.

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Jason Cicero

When I Am Weak

Song: God Will Take Care Of You

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

When I am weak I am strong because I am forced to depend upon Him: "...that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

When I am weak I must hear His words: "My grace is sufficient for you..." (2 Corinthians 12:9).

When I am weak I must trust Him to strengthen me: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Jason Cicero

He Knows

Song: Watching You

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:22-33

"The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying" (2 Corinthians 11:31).

I might not know. You might not know. But remember...He knows.

Jason Cicero

His Indescribable Gift!

Song: He Loves Me So

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).

There are a number of interpretations of 2 Corinthians 9:15. God has certainly blessed us abundantly with many gifts. Yet, one is truly indescribable.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Rejoice today in the gift of Jesus!

Jason Cicero

The Key to Giving

Song: I Gave My Life For Thee

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

The key to giving is found here: "And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God" (2 Corinthians 8:5).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

Matthew 7:24-27; NKJV

Sunday Morning Starters

Today our people celebrate independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...

Tomorrow God's people celebrate independence from the Kingdom of Sin and Death...

"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:14-15; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

I Live By Faith

Song: Living By Faith

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

"For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Figuratively, to walk is to live (Strong's). My walk is how I choose to think, speak, and conduct myself (Thayer's). It speaks to the "whole round of the activities" of my life (Vine's).

I live by faith. I am convicted in my mind about things I cannot see. I trust from the depth of my heart a God I cannot see. I surrender my will to the will of a Lord I cannot see. I live by faith.

"And whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith" (1 John 5:4).

Jason Cicero

What Are You Looking At?

Song: There Is A Habitation

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

What are you looking at?

1. Don't look at things you can see; they are temporary.

2. Look at things that are not seen; they are eternal.

Jason Cicero

Beholding and Becoming

Song: The Glory Land Way

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Some translations say, “beholding as in a mirror;” others say, “reflecting like mirrors.” One implies contemplation; the other implies refraction. Which is accurate?

Actually both. The verb katoptrizo can be translated either way. But which meaning did the Holy Spirit intend?

In the context, the Spirit paralleled the Christian experience to the Mount Sinai experience of Moses (Exodus 34). After Moses beheld the glory of God, his face reflected the glory of God (2 Corinthians 3:7). Upon beholding God, Moses could not help but reflect God. The brightness he saw was the brightness he became. Beholding led to becoming. Becoming led to reflecting.

Perhaps the answer to the translation question, then, is “yes.”

Jason Cicero