2 CORINTHIANS 5:9-10
Church members sometimes get the mistaken idea that service to God must be an "up front" kind of activity. To their way of thinking, the preacher and the choir soloist serve God, but the rest of us are just trying to get through the day—and maybe in the future we'll get a chance to do some great thing for the Lord.
The truth is that much of our daily life is spent serving God's purpose. In fact, our greatest impact might come out of a small act of faithfulness. When I was 17 years of age, my grandfather spent one week with me. He likely did not think there was much eternal significance to sitting on the back porch swing talking with his teenage grandson. But the spiritual principles he shared changed my life. I've used them in almost every sermon, which means that my grandfather has blessed millions of people.
God's followers shouldn't underestimate the scope of ministry. If we limit our service to special "church tasks," we'll miss everyday opportunities to make a difference.
The Scriptures are full of ordinary but necessary things for believers to do: care for the less fortunate (Ex. 22:22); train children (Prov. 22:6); use Christian liberty wisely (1 Cor. 8:7-13); "admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak" (1 Thess. 5:14); and so on.
Believers make up Jesus' body on earth. We are His hands to reach out, His feet to go where the need is, and His mouth to give comfort and share the gospel. What role are you meant to fulfill today? Prayerfully commit to serve the Lord in everything you do.
In Touch Ministries
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Give Me Ears to Hear
Given the topic of the past two devotionals I have received (and shared on this blog) I think it's safe to say God is trying to get my attention. He is reaching out to me and I, frustrated, have been missing the point.
I've asked myself this question many times before but I will ask it again now. How long can one ignore the call of God before he/she forgets the sound of His voice? I've worried often that I neglected my relationship with God long enough to lose the ability to hear Him when He calls. This thought causes a desire in me to stir and I long for a better relationship with my Father. This desire is often squelched over time by other desires or mere laziness. It feels as if I am in a daily battle with myself. This aggravates me to no end but I can't imagine the frustration God must feel.
Though it is, and will always be, a battle for me to maintain my focus on God and what He is leading me to do, a great thought occurred to me this past weekend. God must have some pretty big plans for my little life for Satan to strive so consistently to distract me! What does my God have in store for me that is causing the Father of Lies to continually whisper in my ear? This bolsters my faith. It increases my spirit. It makes me want to look Satan in the eye and say "Bring it." With much prayer and with God's help I will follow Him anywhere. I want to see the plans He has for me.
The point is, God is still working in my heart. His pull on my heart is ever growing and for that I am eternally grateful. It is a testament to the fact that we are indeed saved by works. Not our works of course. But saved of Christ's works. And persevered by the Holy Spirit's works. And kept forever safe by God's works. He leads me like the sheep I am and when, despite His best interest for me, I attempt to ignore His leading, He breaks my leg so I can't wander off again. I love that about my God! I love that He knows just how fallen I am and yet He actively pursues my heart and keeps me close. He is requesting a fellowship, a relationship, with me. He knows me better than any and yet He still wants to use me. For lack of a better expression, How cool is that?! How great must His love be for me. How great is my God!
Two simple statements that ring true and hit home to me today are as follows...
"Jesus loves me, this I know." Though I can't comprehend it, I believe it with all that I am. It is evident in His pursuit of my heart. And just as simple yet, mind boggling, "Jesus knows me, this I love." And because He knows me, because He loves me, because I am His child, I am ready to hear what He would have me to hear. I covet your prayers as I struggle against my nature to hear all voices other than the Spirit's. Give me ears to hear Lord. Yours is the only voice that matters.
I've asked myself this question many times before but I will ask it again now. How long can one ignore the call of God before he/she forgets the sound of His voice? I've worried often that I neglected my relationship with God long enough to lose the ability to hear Him when He calls. This thought causes a desire in me to stir and I long for a better relationship with my Father. This desire is often squelched over time by other desires or mere laziness. It feels as if I am in a daily battle with myself. This aggravates me to no end but I can't imagine the frustration God must feel.
Though it is, and will always be, a battle for me to maintain my focus on God and what He is leading me to do, a great thought occurred to me this past weekend. God must have some pretty big plans for my little life for Satan to strive so consistently to distract me! What does my God have in store for me that is causing the Father of Lies to continually whisper in my ear? This bolsters my faith. It increases my spirit. It makes me want to look Satan in the eye and say "Bring it." With much prayer and with God's help I will follow Him anywhere. I want to see the plans He has for me.
The point is, God is still working in my heart. His pull on my heart is ever growing and for that I am eternally grateful. It is a testament to the fact that we are indeed saved by works. Not our works of course. But saved of Christ's works. And persevered by the Holy Spirit's works. And kept forever safe by God's works. He leads me like the sheep I am and when, despite His best interest for me, I attempt to ignore His leading, He breaks my leg so I can't wander off again. I love that about my God! I love that He knows just how fallen I am and yet He actively pursues my heart and keeps me close. He is requesting a fellowship, a relationship, with me. He knows me better than any and yet He still wants to use me. For lack of a better expression, How cool is that?! How great must His love be for me. How great is my God!
Two simple statements that ring true and hit home to me today are as follows...
"Jesus loves me, this I know." Though I can't comprehend it, I believe it with all that I am. It is evident in His pursuit of my heart. And just as simple yet, mind boggling, "Jesus knows me, this I love." And because He knows me, because He loves me, because I am His child, I am ready to hear what He would have me to hear. I covet your prayers as I struggle against my nature to hear all voices other than the Spirit's. Give me ears to hear Lord. Yours is the only voice that matters.
Listening Through Restlessness
ESTHER 6:1-11
When we're too preoccupied to hear God's voice, He will often get our attention by giving us a restless spirit. The book of Esther gives us a wonderful example of this. In the sixth chapter, we see that King Xerxes "could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king" (v. 1). As a result, Xerxes became aware of an assassination plot that had been foiled by a man named Mordecai. Filled with gratitude for this act of service, the ruler made plans to honor him. What Xerxes could not have known, though, is that this hero had been targeted by Haman, one of the royal advisors. Not only had Haman plotted to hang Mordecai the Jew (5:14); he was also planning to exterminate the entire Jewish population. As a result of the king's intervention, however, Mordecai and all of the Jews were saved.
Now, what started this process? It was a restless night. Xerxes did not know why he couldn't sleep, but we know—the king had insomnia because God was trying to get his attention. The Lord had something important to say to Xerxes, and His way of getting through to him was an unpleasant night of sleeplessness.
How often has this happened to you? You go about your career and activities, but a restlessness seems to hang over you, often causing sleepless nights. In such moments, dare to bow and pray, "Lord, what is it You want to tell me?" You'll discover that God can and will speak in your unrest.
In Touch Ministries
When we're too preoccupied to hear God's voice, He will often get our attention by giving us a restless spirit. The book of Esther gives us a wonderful example of this. In the sixth chapter, we see that King Xerxes "could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king" (v. 1). As a result, Xerxes became aware of an assassination plot that had been foiled by a man named Mordecai. Filled with gratitude for this act of service, the ruler made plans to honor him. What Xerxes could not have known, though, is that this hero had been targeted by Haman, one of the royal advisors. Not only had Haman plotted to hang Mordecai the Jew (5:14); he was also planning to exterminate the entire Jewish population. As a result of the king's intervention, however, Mordecai and all of the Jews were saved.
Now, what started this process? It was a restless night. Xerxes did not know why he couldn't sleep, but we know—the king had insomnia because God was trying to get his attention. The Lord had something important to say to Xerxes, and His way of getting through to him was an unpleasant night of sleeplessness.
How often has this happened to you? You go about your career and activities, but a restlessness seems to hang over you, often causing sleepless nights. In such moments, dare to bow and pray, "Lord, what is it You want to tell me?" You'll discover that God can and will speak in your unrest.
In Touch Ministries
Distracted Listeners
1 SAMUEL 3:1-10
Have you ever tried to have a serious discussion with someone who you knew was not really listening to you? It can be quite frustrating. Not only is it practically impossible to get your message across, but it also betrays a selfishness on the part of the other person that we often find irritating and disrespectful.
You see, when we have a significant message to share with someone, we naturally want his or her undivided attention. God is the same way. When He speaks to us, He always has something extremely important to say. Therefore, He rightfully expects our complete focus and attention.
When the Holy Spirit communicates with us, we will often hear His voice immediately if we have been walking in step with Him. His "voice" may be a gentle whisper in our spirit, or it could be an obvious, miraculous sign "from out of the blue." However God chooses to speak, those who are attuned to His voice will hear Him.
But we don't always walk perfectly in the Spirit, do we? At those times when we are distracted, God must do something to get our attention. He may give us a restless spirit or speak a word of wisdom through a friend. He might even do something drastic, like bring about an unexpected move or career change.
When we're not tuned in to the Spirit, God's warning signs can feel like spiritual attacks. Yet these could be the very times when the Lord is revealing Himself to us. Could He be trying to break through your distractions? Prayerfully consider how He may be speaking, and see if you can discern His message.
In Touch Ministries
Have you ever tried to have a serious discussion with someone who you knew was not really listening to you? It can be quite frustrating. Not only is it practically impossible to get your message across, but it also betrays a selfishness on the part of the other person that we often find irritating and disrespectful.
You see, when we have a significant message to share with someone, we naturally want his or her undivided attention. God is the same way. When He speaks to us, He always has something extremely important to say. Therefore, He rightfully expects our complete focus and attention.
When the Holy Spirit communicates with us, we will often hear His voice immediately if we have been walking in step with Him. His "voice" may be a gentle whisper in our spirit, or it could be an obvious, miraculous sign "from out of the blue." However God chooses to speak, those who are attuned to His voice will hear Him.
But we don't always walk perfectly in the Spirit, do we? At those times when we are distracted, God must do something to get our attention. He may give us a restless spirit or speak a word of wisdom through a friend. He might even do something drastic, like bring about an unexpected move or career change.
When we're not tuned in to the Spirit, God's warning signs can feel like spiritual attacks. Yet these could be the very times when the Lord is revealing Himself to us. Could He be trying to break through your distractions? Prayerfully consider how He may be speaking, and see if you can discern His message.
In Touch Ministries
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)