Category: gratefulness

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What will be your reward?

Matt 25 Faithfulness is Rewarded

Jesus is again teaching and He uses three examples of faithfulness in contrast to the unfaithful. The 5 virgins were faithful to prepare, yet 5 others were not prepared and wanted oil from the faithful. They heard, NO! Go and buy oil for your own lamps. Am I faithful in my preparation to meet to meet the Lord? The slaves were given talents to invest and two did faithfully but the 3rd did not. He was fearful of the Master but did not obey His instructions. The sheep and goats were separated and only the sheep were able to enter the kingdom that God had prepared for them. 

Out of these three examples Jesus is saying are you being faithful with the treasures I have given to you. Whatever your gift is use it for Him and His kingdom, otherwise you may hear, I never knew you. What gift has God given you to use for His kingdom? If you don’t know your gift, seek and find and the door will be opened to you. 

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Facing Adversity Biblically

Hebrews 10 How to Face Adversity

I am reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s biography again; yes again. I read it several years ago but was challenged by my disciple to read it again so am wading through it, all 606 pages! I am at the point where Hitler is adding insult to insult, injury to injury as he wields the sword on those who are Jews and Christians alike. Thus, this verse is a reminder of how to faced adversity, just like the believers during WWII“For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.” [Heb 10:34] 

We, who are US citizens, do not understand that verse except as we read it as part of history because we have not faced this circumstance.Yet Bonhoeffer, as he taught, and as the Hebrews author is teaching, this is how we are to face discrimination and false charges heaped upon us. How joyful would we be had we lived in the 1930’s and 40’s as to the reality of this happening? How joyful would we be today if we faced this same set of circumstances? 

Paul reminded the Ephesians: “that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind” [Eph 4:22-23]  Instead: “that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,  and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind” [Eph 5:1]

Again we are reminded:”Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” [Phil 4:4-6]

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J-O-Y!

Phil 2 Real Life Joy

Children learn an acronym and recite it: J-O-Y which translates to Jesus first, others second, yourself last. We all need to use that in our witness and our everyday life. Paul wanted his precious Philippians believers to “recite” this in real life scenarios. He wrote to the church: “each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.” [Phil 2:3b] Further, he used the example of Christ who although he had the rights to be King of Kings, he chose instead to be a servant,which he demonstrated by washing the feet of his disciples. As he finished this task he said: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet.” [Jn 13:14]

Paul continued:“You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,” [Phil 2:5] He lived by the J-O-Y principle and we are to do the same.

Where do you need to lift another up today through your humble “washing” of another’s feet? It might be fixing a meal for someone, sending a note of encouragement, calling a friend who needs encouraging. Look at your calendar and see what you could do for another.

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Be an example.

1 Peter 5 Suffering and Glory

Peter resonates with the elders in the churches that he has seen, participated in and walked in their shoes. He saw, witnessed, the sufferings of Christ, although he knew not what all of that meant at the time. Jesus came to him on the seashore and challenged him to feed his sheep, tend his flock, and feed his lambs. Peter took that charge and now speaks to those who are leading the house churches and mainline churches around the dispersion. He includes himself in this as a fellow elder and gives charge to them to lead with humility. 

As these men lead, they are to model Christ. As you look at the elders in your church, do you see their model of humility? Do you see them feeding the flock that attends? Do you see them loving one another as Christ loved them? These are the qualifications that you are to observe in those who are the leaders of your church. Pray for them, honor their position and learn from them. 

Consider yourself blessed to have seen, touched and learned from each elder who has the responsibility over you for as Hebrews says, Christ will hold them accountable. They may suffer as the early elders did but they did so looking forward to the day when their glory will be revealed. 

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What is your answer?

Mark 8 Life or Death

When Jesus came many believed because of the signs he did, but the religious leaders after seeing them wanted more and more and more. What more could Jesus do than heal the lame, open the eyes of the blind, and restore the hearing of the deaf? What did they expect Him to do to prove that He was who He said He was? How often are people today just like then? They say if God does this or that, then they would believe. God is deeply offended because He said: I sent my only Son to you to die for your grievous sins and yet that is not enough?  Where are you my friend? Are you like the religious leaders or are you like Peter who said: You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God? This is not just a question for them, it is for me as well. 

God forgive us for we know not what we have done. Your Son has given me life instead of the death I deserve. May my life reflect that today. 

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Meeting the Needs of others

Mark 2 The Sabbath

God established the Sabbath as a day of rest, but that did not mean that the people were to ignore the needs of others on that day. If these religious leaders really believed that truth, then why did they seek to trap Jesus into healing? Why are their hearts so hard? Why have they not treated this man with the withered hand with kindness? Truly, Jesus asked them is it good to let this man continue on in his suffering when you have the opportunity to help? But, Mark records that they were silent when asked. They were more concerned about their place in society than their place with God. 

Today seek to do good to those who are suffering. Job’s friends came and sat with him for 7 days silently. These Pharisees came and sat in the synagogue silently. The friends of Job had hearts of kindness, but these Pharisees had hearts of stone. The contrast is clear: when the need arises, touch the hearts of those who are needy. 

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From Old to New

Titus 3 Paul, in writing to his protege, Titus,  began by telling him the kind of people to whom he is being sent.They are the “dregs” of society. They are liars and they live their lives undermining all good things. But, something has happened to these people. They have been changed through the power of the Holy Spirit and are now righteous before God. Because of that,they are to exhibit holy and righteous behavior, but they need to be reminded over and over not to slip back into their old ways. As believers now, we too need reminding because our arch enemy is there to tell us lies for he comes to seek,kill and destroy. It was because of God’s mercy that He saved us and now we are to walk in newness of life. It will be a constant battle, not of swords, but of thoughts, ideas and values of our old life. Just as Paul reminded Titus that these Cretans needed reminding, so we need to be reminded as well. Our new lives should be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. 

So how are we doing today as we live and move through our day? 

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Gifts for the Kingdom

1 Cor 12 Looking back at the Savior’s call, we see Andrew had the gift of finding people. John had the gift of tenderness. Matthew had the gift of accounting and details. Each had a unique gift that might be useful for kingdom work, and so it is with us today. As believers, we are all blessed with the indwelling Holy Spirit who graciously shares varieties of gifts and ministries with the Body of Believers for one reason: to build up or edify the Body and glorify God. There is not one gift that is better or lesser than another. Just as the gifts are diverse, so the ministries and activities are different, but they all come from one source: The Holy Spirit. David Guzik writes: “The purpose of the manifestation of the Spirit is to benefit the whole church family, not just a particular individual.” 

Precious Ones, you are equipped or endowed with one or more of God’s unique gifts/talents to be used in his kingdom work. He has chosen you and bestowed upon you his gifts. “It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.” Further, “God has blended together the body…” This is God’s way of allowing us to share, express, and receive God’s love as we do kingdom work here on earth. Therefore, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed” by the Holy Spirit. [1Tim 4:14]

What is your gift and are you using it for kingdom work? 

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Why surprised?

From blindness to sight

1Cor 1-4 If there is one thing that amazes me, it is the lack of spiritual hunger for those whose destiny speaks of hell. Just as Paul encountered those who were jealous, angry, and refused the gospel message, we see these same kinds of people today. Paul’s letter was about the cross and the Savior who died on it, but for those who reject it, the cross is seen as foolish nonsense, yet they do not realize that they are perishing.

But, for those who hear and receive the message with joy, there is joy in heaven and here on earth. They are called saints because they call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. God was pleased to use the gospel message through preaching. Again, Paul reiterates that the ones who reject are the same as the Jews who see the message as a stumbling block and the Greeks who seek signs.

The blessing for those who receive the message is things that no eye has seen, ear heard, or mind imagined; these are the things God has prepared for those who seek Him early and those who love Him. [Is 64:4]

Where do you stand, friend? Have you received the message of hope in the risen Christ?

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Birthdays! Celebrate!

Acts 1-3 and 4-6 Let’s Celebrate the Birthday of the Church!
It’s really funny when memories of something of years ago return to remind you of something special.

In John’s gospel, we read that the forerunner, John the Baptist, prophesied that someone would come to him for baptism one day. When that happened, God said that the “one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” [John 1:33] In Acts 1 and 2, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for what the Father promised, for you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” [Acts 1:4, 5] In Acts 2, it actually happened!

God sent His Holy Spirit with violent wind blowing from heaven. Secondly, the tongues of fire spread to each one in the room. Lastly was the filling of the Holy Spirit and the ability to speak other languages. What a birthday celebration!

On Christmas, we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. On Pentecost, we celebrate the church’s birthday and the day the gift of the Holy Spirit was sent. What a celebration! Let’s all stop and praise God for the Holy Spirit upon the church and each believer!

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