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Listen while you read: "Holy Holy Holy"1 (Lyrics) |
When I think like a worm, I'll live like a worm.
Metamorphosis is an amazing process whereby a worm is transformed into a beautiful butterfly. Worms don't impress me. They crawl around, they're often slimy to the touch, and they can't leave whatever they happen to be attached to at the moment unless they are falling through the air. But a butterfly? They're different. Marked by a variety of dazzling colours, they flit through the air doing what butterflies do: supporting the pollination process, and amazing people in general — particularly those who study them.
According to God's Word, I'm like a butterfly, but it's possible for me to behave like a worm.
Colossians 3:1-3 – Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. (NLT)
Suppose I'm a slave. I'll look like a slave and act like a slave because I am a slave. But imagine that my master brings me in one day and says, "You're not going to be a slave any longer. I'm going to make you my son." Immediately, my position changes. I'm a slave no longer. I can dress better, and I should act differently. Menial tasks would disappear. My self-esteem should rise, and now, I'll have the respect of others.
Such is what God has done. He's taken a slave with a master named "sin" and made me a son. Since my identity has changed, so should my behaviour, because identity affects behaviour. If I still consider myself a sinner, I'll live a defeated life, thinking that I have no power over my old master. But when I realize that the resurrection power of Christ lives in me, I'll adopt the self-analysis that the Bible assigns me: saint. Changed thinking results in altered behaviour. I can't live the Christian life in my own power, but I can with Christ in me.
Are you living like a worm when you should be flying freely like a butterfly?
Prayer: Merciful Lord, enable us to accept our identity in You so that we can effectively live out our character. Amen.
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Saturday, April 20, 2024 – In Niger — We had some wonderful cool weather through January and February which was a real blessing as we approach the hot season in April/May. We welcomed three returning students who had been delay due to the coup d'état. Pray for a resolution to the coup, and for endurance during the hot season and power cuts. Pray for the salvation and growth of our students.
Housing: "Update April 18, 2024: The judge granted the father 4 extra days of visitation per month. T is..." 
Good word, Martin.
Good Martin,
A good way to introduce justification. Well said.
Hello Martin!
Freely flying high to the glory of God!
God bless!
Wonderful thoughts Martin! It reminded me of Psalm 22:6 “I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.” I thought this verse, in reference to the Messiah, connected well with your devotional. Jesus became a worm for us so that we can become a butterfly!
Blessings.
Good encouragement to renewal; actually worms don’t change – it’s caterpillars!
Great song “Bullfrogs & butterflies – we’ve both been born again” was one I learned at SS!
I agree with the “New life in Christ” and don’t intend to go back to the old one!
Thanks for your thoughts,
(BC, Canada)
Sinful Worm or sinless Butterfly?