Saturday, January 31, 2015

Show Up To Work


Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 

Seeing the people, He felt compassion for the, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

They He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into this harvest.”

Matthew 9:35-38

Friday, January 30, 2015

The Lord Is For Me (And You)

From my distress I called upon the Lord;
The Lord answered me and set me I a large place.
The Lord is for me; I will not fear;
What can man do to me?

Psalm 118:5-6

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Use The Scripture With Care


He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

Matthew 12:30

I think this is one of the most frequently misused scriptures.  It is used to bully opponents to support controversial and sometimes immoral actions by implying that seeking answers to lingering questions is somehow hindering progress.  The misuse of the words “If you are not for us, you are against us” does nothing to resolve conflict or promote truth.  It only serves to make people angry.

And, yes, there are people today who are enemies of the Gospel.  And, yes, we need to arm ourselves with the Truth of the Gospel and be prepared to do battle for the souls of men and women who have been misled about the nature of God by telling them about Jesus who loves them. 

Remember, Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He comes in love. 

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Soar Like An Eagle


Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.  They will mount up with wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow tired.  They will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:31

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Humble, Obedient, Christ Like


Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Philippians 2:1-10

I had a friend who was good hearted and would do almost anything to help anyone, but he was a bit of a blowhard.  He was not a big shot, but he acted like one.  This put many people off and limited his ability to serve God. 

Everybody wants to feel important, and if we hog all the glory, it diminishes people’s ability to see that we do what we do not for ourselves but because we love God and want to share His love with them. 

I think this is why the Apostle Paul encourages us to be humble, like Jesus, and give God the glory. 

Monday, January 26, 2015

Look For The Door


No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond that what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Temptation comes all dressed up in its Sunday suit.  It dangles promises of good fortune.  But temptation is a liar because what it does not say is that, when we compromise what we know to be the right thing to do, we end up with a broken heart and a broken spirit.  The consequences of un-resisted temptation can be crushing. 

When we are tempted to do that which we know is wrong but which at the moment looks attractive or to be the only thing we can do, we need to remember that God is with us and will give us the strength to overcome the temptation.  And, what’s more God promises to provide a means of escape for us. 

When tempted, look for the door.