Gregory E. Lang's Blog, page 3

Focus Your Goal

You have but one goal: to please the Lord. Spend your time and energy in pursuit of that goal and you will prosper with heavenly treasures. Focus your goal.

So my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Do not let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted. 1 Corinthians 15:58

So we always have courage. We know that while we live in this body, we are away from the Lord. We live by what we believe, not by what we can see. So I say that we have courage. We really want to be away from this body and be at home with the Lord. Our only goal is to please God whether we live here or there. 2 Corinthians 5:6-9

I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his.

Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. Philippians 3:12-14

Think only about the things in heaven, not the things on earth. Colossians 3:2

You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You cannot see him now, but you believe in him. So you are filled with a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory. And you are receiving the goal of your faith – the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Envision Your Future

What lies ahead for believers is far greater than anything that has or will come to pass in the present world. This is the promise of God: eternal life with a heavenly inheritance rich beyond your conception. Pray for His kingdom to come! Envision your future.

If we are God’s children, we will receive blessings from God together with Christ. But we must suffer as Christ suffered so that we will have glory as Christ has glory. The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us. Romans 8:17-18

Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart. Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times. Romans 12:11-12

I pray also that you will have greater understanding in your heart so you will know the hope to which he has called us and that you will know how rich and glorious are the blessings God has promised his holy people. Ephesians 1:17-18

But do not follow foolish stories that disagree with God’s truth, but train yourself to serve God. Training your body helps you in some ways, but serving God helps you in every way by bringing you blessings in this life and in the future life, too. What I say is true, and you should fully accept it. This is why we work and struggle: We hope in the living God who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:7-10

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Forget the Past

Your old self, the one from your past and before the time of your renewal, was corrupted by your imperfect judgment and unjust desires. Now your new self, guided by righteous obedience, should turn away from all your former sins. Look ahead, always seeking God’s will, never returning to the old ways that separated you from your salvation. Forget the past.

So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. Romans 12:1-2

You were taught to leave your old self – to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do. But you were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God – made to be truly good and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24

Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past. You did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted. 1 Peter 1:14

You know that in the past you were living in a worthless way, a way passed down from the people who lived before you. But you were saved from that useless life. You were bought, not with something that ruins like gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb. 1 Peter 1:18-19

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Remember Your Renewal

In Christ you are renewed; by his grace you were restored. Realize your dependence on him and your complete inability to restore yourself. All who come to Christ escape from sin and corruption, but sometimes your old ways resurface and tempt you into sin. When this happens, repent at once and flee to Christ! Do not forget your cleansing. Honor and proclaim the work that Christ has performed in and for you. Remember your renewal. 

Tell me this one thing: How did you receive the Holy Spirit? Did you receive the Spirit by following the law? No, you received the Spirit because you heard the Good News and believed it. You began your life in Christ by the Spirit. Now are you trying to make it complete by your own power? That is foolish. Were all your experiences wasted? I hope not! Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you because you follow the law? No, he does these things because you heard the Good News and believed it. Galatians 3:2-5

Through these he gave us the very great and precious promises. With these gifts you can share in being like God, and the world will not ruin you with its evil desires. Because you have these blessings, do your best to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness, add knowledge; and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add patience; and to your patience, add service for God; and to your service for God, add kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness, add love. If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you to be useful and productive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But anyone who does not have these things cannot see clearly. He is blind and has forgotten that he was made clean from his past sins.  2 Peter 1:4-9

Whoever does not accept the Son does not have the Father. But whoever confesses the Son has the Father, too. Be sure you continue to follow the teaching you heard from the beginning. If you continue to follow what you heard from the beginning, you will stay in the Son and in the Father. And this is what the Son promised to us — life forever. I am writing this letter about those people who are trying to lead you the wrong way. Christ gave you a special gift that is still in you, so you do not need any other teacher. His gift teaches you about everything, and it is true, not false. So continue to live in Christ, as his gift taught you. Yes, my dear children, live in him so that when Christ comes back, we can be without fear and not be ashamed in his presence. If you know that Christ is all that is right, you know that all who do right are God’s children. 1 John 2:23-29

Those who are God’s children do not continue sinning, because the new life from God remains in them. They are not able to go on sinning, because they have become children of God. 1 John 3:9

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Patiently Endure Testing

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy but works in his own time. Resist impatience, stand firm in your conviction and remain confident as you wait. Faith that endures earns the crown. Remember God’s promise: he will not burden you with more than you can bear. Under God’s plan, all things, even your sorrow, trials and persecutions, work together for your blessing. Patiently endure testing.

Be alert. Continue strong in the faith. Have courage, and be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory that is much greater than the troubles. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Only one thing concerns me: Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ. Then whether I come and visit you or am away from you, I will hear that you are standing strong with one purpose, that you work together as one for the faith of the Good News, and that you are not afraid of those who are against you. All of this is proof that your enemies will be destroyed but that you will be saved by God. Philippians 1:27-28

So do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward. You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

When people are tempted and still continue strong, they should be happy. After they have proved their faith, God will reward them with life forever. God promised this to all those who love him. James 1:12

Brothers and sisters, follow the example of the prophets who spoke for the Lord. They suffered many hard things, but they were patient. We say they are happy because they did not give up. You have heard about Job’s patience, and you know the Lord’s purpose for him in the end. You know the Lord is full of mercy and is kind. James 5:10-11

Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.  1 Peter 5:8-9

God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.  Colossians 1:11

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Strive for Justice

Seek justice not only for yourself, but for everyone. It is in seeking justice for all that you please the Lord, showing your love and regard for all your neighbors and your equal dislike of favoritism, deceit and exploitation. Strive for justice.

How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You give to God one-tenth of everything you earn – even your mint, dill, and cumin. But you don’t obey the really important teachings of the law – justice, mercy, and being loyal. These are the things you should do, as well as those other things. Matthew 23:23

Stop judging by the way things look, but judge by what is really right. John 7:24

Peter began to speak: I really understand now that to God every person is the same. In every country God accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. Acts 10:34-35

We are trying hard to do what the Lord accepts as right and also what people think is right. 2 Corinthians 8:21

You pray to God and call him Father, and he judges each person’s work equally. So while you are here on earth, you should live with respect for God. 1 Peter 1:17

So we can see who God’s children are and who the devil’s children are: Those who do not do what is right are not God’s children, and those who do not love their brothers and sisters are not God’s children. 1 John 3:10

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Strive for Harmony

In harmony with one another we share the love of Christ and become examples of the goodness accomplished in his name. But in conflict with one another we work against His purpose and distract everyone from the Gospel. Live together in peace, spreading good will among men. Strive for harmony.

Those who show mercy to others are happy, because God will show mercy to them. Those who are pure in their thinking are happy, because they will be with God. Those who work to bring peace are happy, because God will call them his children. Matthew 5:7-9

Live in peace with each other. Do not be proud, but make friends with those who seem unimportant. Do not think how smart you are. If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back by doing wrong to him. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do your best to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:16-18

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Hebrews 13:1

People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a good crop of right-living. James 3:18

Finally, all of you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Strive for Congruence

The evidence that you have a saving knowledge of Christ is loyal obedience to his commandments. Don’t be the one who speaks of himself in holy terms but then walks in dark, lowly places. A profession of faith joined with a wicked life leads no one to the Lord. Do not contradict your words with your deeds and distract from the work you are called to accomplish. If you abide in Christ, live as he did. Practice what you preach. Strive for congruence.

What about you? You call yourself a Jew. You trust in the law of Moses and brag that you are close to God. You know what he wants you to do and what is important, because you have learned the law. You think you are a guide for the blind and a light for those who are in darkness. You think you can show foolish people what is right and teach those who know nothing. You have the law; so you think you know everything and have all truth. You teach others, so why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but you steal. You say that others must not take part in adultery, but you are guilty of that sin. You hate idols, but you steal from temples. You brag about having God’s law, but you bring shame to God by breaking his law. Romans 2:17-23

So prepare your minds for service and have self-control. All your hope should be for the gift of grace that will be yours when Jesus Christ is shown to you. Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past. You did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted. But be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who called you, is holy. It is written in the Scriptures: You must be holy, because I am holy.  1 Peter 1:13-16

So if we say we have fellowship with God, but we continue living in darkness, we are liars and do not follow the truth. 1 John 1:6

We can be sure that we know God if we obey his commands. Anyone who says, I know God, but does not obey God’s commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if someone obeys God’s teaching, then in that person God’s love has truly reached its goal. This is how we can be sure we are living in God: Whoever says that he lives in God must live as Jesus lived. 1 John 2:3-6

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Deny Selfish Pleasures

Self-indulgence disgraces the Lord, for it was his self-sacrifice that gave you the promise of life. Self-indulgence also discourages other Christians who may be weak in their faith and looking to you as an encourager. Pursue what is right and acknowledge Christ with your unselfish conduct. If you know how to do the right thing and choose not to, your sin is greater because of your knowledge. But if you conquer temptation and give yourself entirely to God, he will work mightily in you. Deny selfish pleasures.

He (Moses) chose to suffer with God’s people instead of enjoying sin for a short time. He thought it was better to suffer for the Christ than to have all the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking for God’s reward. Hebrews 11:25-26

Remember this! In the last days there will be many troubles, because people will love themselves, love money, brag, and be proud. They will say evil things against others and will not obey their parents or be thankful or be the kind of people God wants. They will not love others, will refuse to forgive, will gossip, and will not control themselves. They will be cruel, will hate what is good, will turn against their friends, and will do foolish things without thinking. They will be conceited, will love pleasure instead of God, and will act as if they serve God but will not have his power. Stay away from those people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

In the past we also were foolish. We did not obey, we were wrong, and we were slaves to many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed. We spent our lives doing evil and being jealous. People hated us, and we hated each other. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was shown, he saved us because of his mercy. It was not because of good deeds we did to be right with him. He saved us through the washing that made us new people through the Holy Spirit. God poured out richly upon us that Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Savior. Being made right with God by his grace, we could have the hope of receiving the life that never ends. This teaching is true, and I want you to be sure the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.  Titus 3:3-8

You want things, but you do not have them. So you are ready to kill and are jealous of other people, but you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You do not get what you want, because you do not ask God. Or when you ask, you do not receive because the reason you ask is wrong. You want things so you can use them for your own pleasures. James 4:2-3

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Pause to Reflect

Knowledge and wisdom are the products of reflection. Pause, reflect, consider what the Lord has done for you, and become wise in the ways He would have you to live. Examine your thoughts, words and deeds, and take the necessary steps to align yourself in proper relationship with Christ. Do not compare yourself to what others do, but instead strive to please God in all that you do. Do this and you will know the Lord. Pause to reflect.

Look closely at yourselves. Test yourselves to see if you are living in the faith. You know that Jesus Christ is in you – unless you fail the test. 2 Corinthians 13:5

If anyone thinks he is important when he really is not, he is only fooling himself. Each person should judge his own actions and not compare himself with others. Then he can be proud for what he himself has done. Galatians 6:3-4

Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Philippians 4:8

Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we have continued praying for you, asking God that you will know fully what he wants. We pray that you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things so that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10

Think about what I am saying, because the Lord will give you the ability to understand everything. 2 Timothy 2:7

Remember your leaders who taught God’s message to you. Remember how they lived and died, and copy their faith. Hebrews 13:7

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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