12 comments

Kimberly Wagner

Day 26: Living Proof

Posted on 09.13.08 by Kimberly Wagner | Twitter: @KimberlyWagner7
Topics: 40-Day Heart Preparation

Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 2

“You are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” —1 Peter 2:9, NASB

Over the past two weeks of seeking God to prepare your heart, are you finding a new focus on who you are in Him? Do you have a fresh appreciation for His love in providing His Son as a sacrifice for you? Aren’t you glad He chose you?

Aren’t you glad He chose you?Ask yourself this: Why did God choose you? Why would He determine to set His affection on you and purchase you as His own possession? It’s mind-boggling to think about, isn’t it?!

God told the people of Israel why He chose them. It wasn’t because they were holier than others or because of anything special that they had accomplished. He chose them and redeemed them, simply because He loved them, and so that they might display His grace and faithfulness to the world.

The same goes for us. When our lives fit God’s design, when His purposes are being lived out in us, and when others can see the demonstration of His power at work in our lives, then we are showcasing the splendor of who He is.

It works something like this: When the wife who would naturally be a controlling nag begins to be transformed by the grace and power of Christ . . . when the domineering woman surrenders her need to be “in charge” and begins to treat the men in her workplace with kindness and respect . . . when a woman is willing to live counter-culturally in order to fulfill God’s role for her life—then the world has living proof of God’s reality.

This issue of being God’s own possession should settle a lot of our struggles. When we start to grumble and complain about the guidelines of Scripture, we need to stop and remember that we are the Lord’s possession—His personal property! That means He has all rights and authority over our lives. He knows best; we don’t. The recognition that we belong to Him should move us to wave the white flag of surrender and say, Yes, Lord!

Take Time to Reflect
Do you picture yourself as independent and in charge of your life? Do you struggle with the fact that you are God’s possession, or does that realization bring you a sense of comfort and delight? In what ways can others see the living proof of God’s reality in your life? What practical evidence has there been in your life this week that you belong to God?

Meditate on 1 Peter 2. Allow the example of Christ, His reaction to suffering, and the role that He took in securing you for His possession to give you a greater appreciation for Him. Thank Him for choosing you as His possession, and ask Him to use you in proclaiming His excellence. Determine to demonstrate living proof of God’s reality.

True Woman Prayer Focus
Monica Vaught faithfully serves Revive Our Hearts in many roles and is the True Woman ‘08 conference manager. Pray for Monica to be refreshed and encouraged by the Lord’s presence. Ask that God would to give her His sustaining grace in these final weeks before the conference begins. Ask Him to pour out His blessing on her life for her diligent and humble service.

Comments

  1. This post spoke right to my heart and my current situation. With the stresses of school, work and trying to keep things in order, I have forgotten that i am God's (first) and that He has me in his hands.

    In the midst of all the pressure, I should have known that something was up when I started to feel the frenzy of trying to keep it all together.

    THank you again for this post, and all the posts you've been doing lately. I jumped onto your blog kinda late, (day 30 or something...) But I have been blessed by whatever series you're doing.

    God bless your ministry.
    http://authentic-light.blogspot.com
    posted by Abiding in Christ,
    on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 8:35 am
  2. I am so glad that you are being blessed by this series. May you be encouraged by the reminder that in the midst of your many responsibilities and hectice schedule the Creator of the universe desires that you spend a few moments fellowshipping with Him.

    If you joined us late, you can still review past posts by clicking on the words, "Heart Prep" it will take you to the entire list of postings.

    Enjoy the presence of Christ as you abide in Him,
    Kimberly Wagner
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 1:55 pm
  3. Thank you for this time of focus and preparation for my heart. Life seems to go by at light speed sometimes, and I need to be reminded that I am God's workmanship, designed to bring Him glory. I have been making an effort slow down and look for Him in all I do, especially in my relationship with my husband. To verbally honor him and encourage him as the spiritual leader in our home. I can"t wait to see what God has in store for us at the conference and in our homes and churches!
    posted by Arlene
    on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 5:23 pm
  4. I used to think that I somehow was deserving of God's love and the salvation I thought I had at that time. I am so thankful that God opened my eyes to my utter sinfulness, broke me of my pride in that thinking--I mean utterly crushed me (and I needed it). Since I now have a better understanding of the foundational truths of my utter sinfulness and God's character and of the fact that there is NOTHING in me that caused God to choose me; I am awed that God chose to set His love on me. I can do nothing but surrender to His will for me out of gratitude and love for Him. It's all of His grace and nothing in me.
    posted by Vivian Etherington
    on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 7:16 pm
  5. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Thank You for Monica Vaught.
    Bless her with Fresh Oil;
    That she may be refreshed & encouraged by Your Presence in her life.
    Give her Your sustaining grace, fill her these last few weeks <TW08.
    Pour out Your Abundant Blessing on her life;
    for the time & effort she humbly put in.
    And Bless all Your servants in this vast endevor.
    And help us all to remember that it's You alone who is building our homes.
    Lest we labor in vain.
    Phew...What a relief...
    posted by Leslie Dawn Neagle
    on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 7:58 am
  6. Praise the Lord, Kim, thank you for this beautiful devotion. I have had an experience similar to Vivian's above and thank the Lord for crushing me, too, and working in my life to deliver me from pride. It is truly all of Him, and none of us! Any good thing we have is from Him, to be shared with others and used for His glory (our pastor taught about this last Sunday). May I truly realize that truth in my life (and my sisters too) and may this conference further His work in our lives, for His glory. Amen to Leslie's prayer for Monica above! May He bless Monica and reward her richly with His presence as she serves Him so selflessly.
    In His love,
    Leslie S.
    Philippians 2
    posted by Leslie S.
    on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 10:22 am
  7. Monica, I will be praying in the next few weeks that you

    move in a conscious awareness of God's sustaining, enabling

    presence in your life. I will also be praying that you will not

    function out of your own natural abilities (which are many),

    but that you would be always in a posture of absolute

    dependence on the One who energizes body, soul and spirit

    when we simply ASK. Love you my friend, Holly
    posted by holly elliff
    on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 4:51 pm
  8. Time and time again, through Revive our Hearts, God has had a message for me that has reached in and touched my heart right where I needed it and right *when* I needed it! This devotional today hit the mark.
    Because I am His own precious possession, bought with the blood of Christ, I must remember it is a privilege for me to, by His grace, fulfill whatever calling He has for me. It should, as you said, "settle a lot of our struggles". He is the potter and I am the clay! Recently in my heart I've been struggling against what God has called me to do in the new place in life I find myself. Your words in this devotional were a great reminder to me... I should not be struggling against but rather resting and rejoicing in being that "chosen clay", and having such a loving potter who has given me the joy of being His own. He has given me the glorious calling of "proclaiming the excellencies of Him who has called me out of darkness and into His marvelous light!" by doing what He's called me to do now.

    Please pray for me to accept with joy and a submissive heart what God has for me right now since it is His right to do with me as He pleases (and He knows best)! I want to serve the LORD with gladness and see Him glorified in and through my life and home.

    I'm looking forward with great anticipation to the encouragement I know I, and so many others, will receive at the conference. I'm praying for those of you who are working so hard to make it come together! May the work of your hearts and hands be so blessed by the LORD that they reap eternal rewards.
    posted by Mary L.
    on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 11:15 pm
  9. Holly and Leslie,

    I just wanted to say "thank you" so much for your prayers! I am most grateful.

    We are so excited about the weekend, and looking forward to being together with everyone.

    Blessings to you both!
    ~Monica

    Esther 4:14 -- "for such a time as this"
    posted by Monica Vaught
    on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 10:01 pm
  10. Kim,
    Thanks for your part in these devotionals! What a blessing and encouragement. Seeing this verse you choose for this day is amazing. I have been living in this verse lately and rejoicing for God calling me out of the darkness and into His wonderful life ... thus desiring for TW08 to proclaim HIS excellancies!
    Love you friend!
    ~Monica
    posted by Monica
    on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 10:10 pm
  11. I can't wait to join you all at TW'08. What a blessing it will be to bow together before our Father in humble adoration, learning from Him through His servants, and witnessing His Spirit transform and refresh us. In Him, Elsa
    posted by Elsa Mazon
    on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 10:11 pm
  12. Dear Holly, Monica and Elsa,
    You three are true women in my life.
    Thank you for displaying the living proof of the
    gospel.

    Vivian and Leslie,
    Hearing your testimony of God's work in your life is
    truly encouraging.
    I look forward to being with all of you true women in Chicago.
    God bless you all,
    Kim
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:17 am

Leave a Comment:

We love hearing from you, and will post your comment as long as it is appropriate, and is written in a tone that is encouraging, edifying, and loving to others. Even then, know that the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts.