DAY 1 – June 22, 2009

TITLE: “WHAT DO WE HAVE IN COMMON?”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 6:14-15

KEY VERSE: “What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” II Corinthians 6:15

When I began to date my wife Sharon, some 30 years ago now, I was attracted by the things we had in common. There were several interests that we both had that were different, but there was a strong common bond that brought us together. We both enjoyed a lot of the same things and in many ways had similar backgrounds. We had the same or similar values which brought us together. We both had a strong faith in Christ and a burning passion to serve the Lord. This common passion to serve the Lord has enabled us to work together in the ministry our entire marriage.

Paul asks the question, “What do righteousness and wickedness have in common?” The point is that they do not have anything in common. The word righteousness is applied to a person who is right in character and right in action. Wickedness speaks of lawlessness and refers to activities that are evil. There are no shared values between the two because the righteous follow God’s will and the wicked do not, for they are moral opposites. Proverbs 4:18-19 says, “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Likewise, light and dark have nothing in common for they are opposites.

Paul asked, “What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? It is widely thought that Belial comes from the Hebrew term meaning, “worthless, good-for nothing.” Belial, as a name for the devil, is found only here in the New Testament. Believers are not to be allied with unbelievers because they belong to the sphere of Christ rather than Belial. When Christ is the love and leader of our life, He will lead us in a totally different direction, for Christ and Belial have nothing in common.

Paul asks the question, “What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” The answer is clear. The believer is following Jesus and the unbeliever is not. They are walking down two different roads heading in different directions. The life of faith in Jesus is a different life. There is a difference between the Christians and the non-Christians, for they have nothing in common. Leave no doubt by your relationships with others and your activities as to who you are.

“I’ll tell the world, that I’m a Christian, I’m not ashamed, His name to bear;

I’ll tell the world, that I’m a Christian, I’ll take Him with me anywhere.

I’ll tell the world, that He’s my Saviour, No other one, could love me so;
My life, my all is His forever, and where He leads me I will go.”

DAY 2 – June 23, 2009

TITLE: “THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 6:16

KEY VERSE: “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (II Corinthians 6:16)

Veggie Tales are popular and thoroughly Christian videos that have been part of my children’s lives and the lives of many other children. A couple of years ago, NBC Network added Veggie Tales cartoons to their Saturday morning line up. However, Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber were cut out, as well as many of the pertinent references to God. Scripture was deleted from each episode.

Initially, NBC stated that the cuts were simply a way to fit each episode into a tight, 23-minute slot. But as Christians began to investigate, it soon became clear that there was more to the story. After being pressured from several organizations to explain its taking out of biblical content, NBC released the following statement: "NBC is committed to the positive messages and universal values of Veggie Tales. Our goal is to reach as broad an audience as possible with these positive messages, while being careful not to advocate any one religious point of view." Phil Vischer, the co-creator of Veggie Tales, expressed deep disappointment in the edits. "It's a mistake to pitch VeggieTales as just values," he said, "because fundamentally it's about God."

When you take Jesus out of a Christian cartoon you are left with nothing but a cartoon. When you take God out of the temple you are left with nothing but an empty shell. The temple is about the true and living God. In other words, God really is the heart of the temple. You cannot take God out of the temple and have a temple of the living God. Good morals are not a substitute for the true living God. Positive values are no replacement for the true and living God. Religious activities are not a substitute for the presence of the living God.

Paul makes it clear that we are the temple of the living God. In other words, God lives in us. He has taken up residence in the lives of all who have responded by faith to His grace. Therefore, we are not to cut Him out of the activities of our day. We cannot be satisfied with just good morals, values, or the trimmings of religion. The presence of the living God is to be evident in all we do, for we are His temple.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20. Will you honor God today in all you do? Don’t be satisfied with being a religious temple or just a temple of good morals or values. You are called to be the temple of the living God. Let Him make His presence known in all you do.

DAY 3 – June 24, 2009

TITLE: “MAKE IT CLEAR WHERE YOU STAND”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 6:17

KEY VERSE: “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” II Corinthians 6:17

Ron Hutchcraft describes a visit to Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. “As the tour boat approached Fort Sumter, I wondered whether the guides would be dressed in blue or in gray. Sumter had been a Union Fort in Confederate Territory when the Civil War began. It had changed hands several times. We were greeted at the gate by a "soldier" wearing a blue coat and gray pants! This uniform wouldn't have worked very well back in 1861. It would have gotten its wearer shot on both ends!

As Christians our uniform should be very clear. Compromise brings confusion and hinders our testimony and effectiveness for the Lord. This is why Paul says, “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.” We are to make it very clear whose side we are on and where we stand. We are soldiers of the Lord. We cannot put on the uniform of the world and clearly represent the Lord.

The Apostle Paul talks about the type of life we are to live in his letter to the Ephesians. Because of who we are in Christ we are to make it very clear that we are followers of Christ by the life we live. Take a few moments to reflect on the following verses from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Ask God to strengthen your resolve to live without compromise so that it is clear that you are a follower of Jesus.

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person- such a man is an idolater- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:1-11

DAY 4 – June 25, 2009

TITLE: “THE LORD ALMIGHTY”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 6:18

KEY VERSE: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” II Corinthians 6:18

There are some 26 different names for God in the Old Testament. Most of these describe some characteristic of God. He is the El-Shaddai, the God Almighty. He is the Jehovah-Jireh, the God who will provide. He is the Jehovah-Rophe, the God who heals you. He is the Jehovah-Shalom, the God of Peace. He is the Jehovah Shammah, the God who is present. And He is the Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord who is our Shepherd. He is the Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who will provide. He is the Jehovah Nissi, the Lord who is our Banner. He is the Jehovah –Tsidkenu, the Lord who is our Righteousness. He is the Jehovah -Sabaoth, The Lord of Hosts. He is the Jehovah – Maqodeshkim, The Lord who sanctifies Thee.

The awesome truth of this passage is that this almighty God, who is all of this and so much more, is also our Father. He is the all-powerful, all knowing Father who promises to Father you. God is not a distant God, but a Heavenly Father. The Lord Almighty loves you. John understood the greatness of this when he wrote, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!...” I John 3:1. Yes, that is what we are. We are the children of God through faith in Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.

When you pray today you are not just praying to the Lord Almighty, but to your Heavenly Father. True prayer is always in the context of our relationship with God our Father. Prayer is the privilege and right God gives His children. Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” As a child of God you can talk to the Father who knows just what you need.

This Almighty Heavenly Father does not have the limitation and weakness of our earthly fathers. God is never selfish, tired, or distracted by other things. In his book, What Kids Need Most in a Dad, Tim Hansel, gives the comment of a fifteen year old by the name of Brian. He said, “I like to talk to my father about my problems, but when I need him, he’s not there. It’s like he’s a shadow.” This is a great contrast to our Heavenly Father who is always there for you. He is available and all powerful, for He is the living Father who cares about you. He is the Lord Almighty and able to meet your every need today. You can rest and trust in your Father’s care today, for He promises to be a Father to you.

DAY 5 – June 26, 2009

TITLE: “CALLED TO HOLINESS”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 7:1

KEY VERSE: “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.” II Corinthians 7:1

The news reported that there was quite a mix-up at the Duke University Hospitals in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina. Sometime back in November 2004, maintenance workers had drained hydraulic fluid from the hospital elevators into empty detergent drums and then didn't get rid of the drums. Through a strange series of events, the drums were mistakenly redistributed to the people who clean surgical instruments. It took two months and 3,800 surgeries before anyone figured out something was wrong.

Washing the instruments in hydraulic fluid was not an effective means of sterilization. Questions surfaced about how safe it had been for the patients, and what the petroleum residue might have done to the patients. The hospital's spokesman assured the public that the hospital cares about their patients. However, regardless of how much they cared, if their instruments were not clean and safe, they could harm the patients they wanted to help.

A church careless about holiness is like that! We may care about people, but if we are not living holy lives we may cause harm and hurt. God calls us to be a holy people. Peter wrote, “But just as he who called us is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16

Holiness has never been an option in the word of God. We are called to a life of holiness but this is only possible through a holy God. We must do our part daily to live out what God is working within us through God’s sanctifying work in our lives. Paul wrote, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” I Thessalonians 5:23-24

“Called unto holiness,” church of our God, Purchase of Jesus, redeemed by His blood;
Called from the world and its idols to flee, Called from the bondage of sin to be free.

“Called unto holiness,” children of light, Walking with Jesus in garments of white;
Raiment unsullied, nor tarnished with sin; God’s Holy Spirit abiding within.

Called unto holiness,” praise His dear Name! This blessed secret to faith now made plain: Not our own righteousness, but Christ within, Living, and reigning, and saving from sin.

“Holiness unto the Lord” is our watchword and song.

“Holiness unto the Lord” as we’re marching along.

Sing it, shout it, loud and long, “Holiness unto the Lord,” now and forever.” Leila Morris