Month: January 2016

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Living in Two Worlds

Juneau, Alaska

Even though we live in this world, our life comes from God.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things.  You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ your life appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:2-4 God’s Word to the Nations

When you and I think of mammals we probably think of furry things that live on terra firma not those that dive to unspeakable depths in the ocean, yet that is the world of whales.

Juneau, Alaska
Juneau, Alaska

They share with us the need to breathe air, but they differ from us in their need for water. It is in the ocean that they give birth to their young, guard against predators and find food. Yet without air they could not live.

Likewise, Christians live in two worlds.

Here on terra firma we give birth to our young, protect our property and raise food that sustains our lives. But we stop living without the breath of heaven.

Our hope is not set on worldly things, though this is where we hang our hats for now. Paul reminds us that we have died to these worldly things through Christ. The real breath of life is that which we cannot see, hidden with Christ in God.

I pray that today you breathe deeply of your true life.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Imitating Reflections

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

What kind of life in Christ are we reflecting to others?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 New Living Translation

It’s obvious from this picture that the trees on the water are a reflection of the trees next to the shore, yet sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish whether you’re looking at a reflection or the real thing.

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado
Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

We have been redeemed to reflect Christ.

We are invited to imitate Paul, or as happens today, those who are mature in their faith. God doesn’t want us left to our own devises to figure out what it means to walk in Christ. He gives us godly examples for us to imitate.

My favorite baseball player as a kid was Willie Mays. I’d stand in the street and throw a baseball as high in the air as I could then imitate Willie’s patented basket catch. Like Willie, God has raised up mature followers of Christ for us to imitate. 

However, imitating other human creatures falls short because sin. Even Paul had a hot temper that got him into trouble (Acts 15:36-41). Ultimately we imitate Christ. As we imitate Christ we reflect his imagine. There are days when the reflection is better than other days. In fact, some days it doesn’t seem that we’re reflecting his image at all.

Even though we might not perfectly reflect Christ, we continue to strive to mirror him. The gift of forgiveness is that amazing gift God hands us each day that we might once again strive to display his love.

Maybe God is using our faith for someone to imitate.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Getting Lost in a World of White

Colorado Springs, Colorado

We have freedom to wander when we’re clothed in the white garments of Christ.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“All who are victorious will be clothed in white.
I will never erase their names from the Book of Life,
but I will announce before my Father and his angels
that they are mine.”
Revelation 3:5 New Living Translation

It’s easy to get lost in a world of white.

Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado

When I took this picture, frozen fog covered Colorado Springs. Those who drove in the fog probably didn’t appreciate their commute, but the frost was spectacular. It created a world of white.

The beauty of the frost that covered the plants and trees is an amazing picture of what waits for those of us who remain faithful in Christ. These white garments are a picture of something we have yet to experience. They symbolize eternity. They never fade, grow dingy or deteriorate.

The art of staying faithful to Christ is not something we bring to the table, it is the work of God’s Spirit. When we consider our lives in this broken and fallen world, a world that mocks the cross, it is easy to give up, and without the Holy Spirit we probably would.

Holy Spirit guarantees that our names will remain in God’s Book of Life. As we stay connect to Christ through his Word we need not be afraid that God will erased our names. Our names are written with his blood.

These garments are the clothing of Christ. As such Jesus declares before his Father that we belong to him. There is no reason for us to stand in fear of God. His Son has clothed us in his righteousness so that we might stand before God now and for eternity.

This work of Christ in our lives is a world of white and it’s easy to get lost in a world of white, not in fearful way, but in a state of wonderment.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner