Keywords that stand out to me in this video devo are evidence, false, training, and being marked.
When others see you, do they see evidence of Christ living within you? In 2 Corinthians 13:5 we are told to give ourselves a spiritual checkup. Seriously stop and look in the mirror and see if your display Jesus’ joy in your life, evaluate your bank account (where our money is spent will tell a lot about what we value), look at your calendar and see how your fill your time, and think about what you’ve done to show others Christ in you. Are you getting into God’s word and growing in knowledge and closer to Him? If you aren’t, then maybe your more of a “false nester” instead of a true dweller in God. God IS The Great Physician. Allow Him to give you a daily checkup. (Yes, I said daily.)
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 2 Corinthians 13:5 NLT
Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. 2 Corinthians 13:5 MSG
Dwelling…Friend, when you accepted Christ into your life, He started dwelling IN you.
Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells. Psalm 26:8 NIV
In Psalm 26:8, David was speaking of an actual dwelling/Tabernacle, yet when you read it, I want you to think “New Testament” and how YOU are His dwelling place. Love yourself, the version of you where Christ shines. I pray that His glory will radiate through you so that others will see the evidence of Christ in you.
Another Psalm mentions God’s dwelling place too. Yes, being in church and having fellowship with others is vital to our spiritual growth. Yet, again, I want you to think about the dwelling place as you. You are beautiful! When we are lacking in evidence of Christ in our lives, we become weak. I want to encourage you to stay strong, and gain your strength from God. When you rest in Him, your heart and body will know and feel much joy.
How beautiful are the places where You live, O Lord of all! My soul wants and even becomes weak from wanting to be in the house of the Lord. My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:1-2 NLV
Train yourself. When you prepare for anything in life, whether it is mental or physical, you study, practice,maybe even change some habits so that you are well equipped for your task. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we are shown the BEST place to be trained in our spiritual life.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB
Y’all, open God’s word. Learn. Grow. Show. When we are in the Bible, reading and studying it with an open heart and mind, His word will fill us up and overflow within us. I desire for you to bubble over with His goodness. Be bubbly for God.
Finally, you are marked. When you started your relationship with Christ, He marked you by giving you the Holy Spirit. You are His. You are chosen. You are loved.
In Christ we were chosen to be God’s people. God had already planned for us to be his people, because that is what he wanted. And he is the one who makes everything agree with what he decides and wants. We Jews were the first to hope in Christ. And we were chosen so that we would bring praise to God in all his glory. It is the same with you. You heard the true message, the Good News about the way God saves you. When you heard that Good News, you believed in Christ. And in Christ, God put his special mark on you by giving you the Holy Spirit that he promised. The Spirit is the first payment that guarantees we will get all that God has for us. Then we will enjoy complete freedom as people who belong to him. The goal for all of us is the praise of God in all his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 ERV
Because you are His, be free, praise Him, be joyful, and let others see Christ in you.
So…is there evidence of Christ in your life? It’s time for a checkup.
Be bubbly.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
