“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:9-10 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.2.9-10.nlt
We live in a society that provides massive opportunities for people to “toot” their own horns. It is encouraged in the name of promoting a cause, business, or political agenda. In my 57 years of life I have realized people aren’t that great. We are never as good as we think we are. It’s easy to focus on verses like this that claim we are a masterpiece. In reality, God did make us into a masterpiece but it’s not through anything we have done that helped create this work of art. As a matter of fact, our lives, the sin that controls us, is like taking a crayon to the Mona Lisa. Try as I might I am more likely to destroy God’s masterpiece than create it.
We all need to praise God his grace has saved us. We have been saved to serve the Lord. We serve the Lord by serving each other in love and compassion. The order is important . We are saved first, then we are driven to do good works. We are not saved through the Good works . They are the natural fruit of our faith. God wants our hearts. Once he has us he uses us for the good of his kingdom and extending his Love for the lost, the poor, those that are suffering. Stop destroying your masterpiece!
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Arguers!
“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.”
Romans 14:1 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.14.1.nlt
I have never heard of anyone who was argued into becoming a follower of Christ. We can’t shame people into making an eternal commitment. Yet, I see more and more bold Christians trying to use that strategy. I see no where in the Bible that we are to share the gospel message with a sledge hammer. Love is the answer. Demonstrating our love with our actions, our words, and our thoughts are the only real effective method to bringing others to Christ. The hope of the world rests with our lives reflectI got the life of Jesus.
I need this reminder often. Yes, I need the boldness, the lack of fear, and the strength to fight against evil, but our care and love of the lost are our greatest weapons the growing epidemic of sin in our world. Love God first. Love ALL peoples second.
Romans 14:1 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.14.1.nlt
I have never heard of anyone who was argued into becoming a follower of Christ. We can’t shame people into making an eternal commitment. Yet, I see more and more bold Christians trying to use that strategy. I see no where in the Bible that we are to share the gospel message with a sledge hammer. Love is the answer. Demonstrating our love with our actions, our words, and our thoughts are the only real effective method to bringing others to Christ. The hope of the world rests with our lives reflectI got the life of Jesus.
I need this reminder often. Yes, I need the boldness, the lack of fear, and the strength to fight against evil, but our care and love of the lost are our greatest weapons the growing epidemic of sin in our world. Love God first. Love ALL peoples second.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Boldness - The Good and The Bad!
“I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.”
Acts of the Apostles 20:20-21 NLT
http://bible.com/116/act.20.20-21.
I have several character flaws. I’m not going to list all of them, I don’t have that kind of time. But, I share Paul’s boldness. It’s not always a positive trait. Paul was bold about sharing the message of Christ. He was focused on that singular message. I wish I could say that were always true about me. I am pretty blunt and don’t mix words. It can get me in trouble. I have been trying to be less bold. I have been quieter. I have bit my tongue do much in the past 7 months, it might fall off! I am sure I have said this a thousand times before. If I don’t have anything good to say, I just won’t say anything at all. Reminding myself of that is critical nearly every moment during the day.
Lord, help me use my boldness for your purposes. Help me be a good witness for you and your kingdom. I want nothing more than to be a strong servant to bring others to your saving grace. I love you Lord. Forgive me for the times I forget to focus on you and your message of Love. If it weren’t for your mercy and grace, I would be lost forever. Amen!
Acts of the Apostles 20:20-21 NLT
http://bible.com/116/act.20.20-21.
I have several character flaws. I’m not going to list all of them, I don’t have that kind of time. But, I share Paul’s boldness. It’s not always a positive trait. Paul was bold about sharing the message of Christ. He was focused on that singular message. I wish I could say that were always true about me. I am pretty blunt and don’t mix words. It can get me in trouble. I have been trying to be less bold. I have been quieter. I have bit my tongue do much in the past 7 months, it might fall off! I am sure I have said this a thousand times before. If I don’t have anything good to say, I just won’t say anything at all. Reminding myself of that is critical nearly every moment during the day.
Lord, help me use my boldness for your purposes. Help me be a good witness for you and your kingdom. I want nothing more than to be a strong servant to bring others to your saving grace. I love you Lord. Forgive me for the times I forget to focus on you and your message of Love. If it weren’t for your mercy and grace, I would be lost forever. Amen!
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Chosen to serve
“Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them”
Acts 6:3 NIV
http://bible.com/111/act.6.3.niv
If you have an important job to do, call on a man/woman of God. I know this first hand. I love serving with my fellow believers. There are none more dedicated than those who truly follow Jesus. They are designed to serve. They can lead and be led. They will sacrifice themselves to complete a task and will leave no stone unturned in searching for perfection. They are filled with a keen spirit and their wisdom is so valuable in all they do.
We have an obligation to work hard for the Lord. I don’t care what job you hold. Everything we do as a Christ follower is for the Lord. Every job, every volunteer opportunity, EVERYTHING is for the kingdom of the God. It is not always easy because many places of employment are not godly places. They are filled with those who fight against the faithful. But, we were placed in our jobs by the Lord Almighty and we need to persevere and continue to serve through ridicule, turmoil and pain.
Praise God for the hardworking men and women of the Lord.
Acts 6:3 NIV
http://bible.com/111/act.6.3.niv
If you have an important job to do, call on a man/woman of God. I know this first hand. I love serving with my fellow believers. There are none more dedicated than those who truly follow Jesus. They are designed to serve. They can lead and be led. They will sacrifice themselves to complete a task and will leave no stone unturned in searching for perfection. They are filled with a keen spirit and their wisdom is so valuable in all they do.
We have an obligation to work hard for the Lord. I don’t care what job you hold. Everything we do as a Christ follower is for the Lord. Every job, every volunteer opportunity, EVERYTHING is for the kingdom of the God. It is not always easy because many places of employment are not godly places. They are filled with those who fight against the faithful. But, we were placed in our jobs by the Lord Almighty and we need to persevere and continue to serve through ridicule, turmoil and pain.
Praise God for the hardworking men and women of the Lord.
Friday, December 8, 2017
Not just food programs
“So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.”
Acts of the Apostles 6:2-3 NLT
http://bible.com/116/act.6.2-3.nlt
I love serving the Lord. We are called to serve. But, our ultimate responsibility is to preach the Gospel message. We must maintain this balance in our ministry. We need to make sure we don't get so consumed by the servant mission that we forget to bring people to Jesus. At CMA we talk about earning the right to share the gospel through building relationships. Relationships are built through sacrificial service. But eventually we need to share the saving grace of Jesus, what it has meant in our lives and the power it brings to the world. During this Christmas season we can get lost in the moment and forget the purpose of celebrating December 25th. The birth of Jesus and God coming down to live with us is truly deserving of a celebration. But, this birth had a single purpose. The amazing birth of Jesus led to the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
So, yes, we need to run food programs, we need to take care of the homeless, the poor, the orphans, the widows, and the lost. That is what Jesus did and that is what we are called to do. But, we need to make sure it is clear, our purpose, our main goal is to let people know that Jesus died for them on the cross. If we confess our sins, repent and ask Jesus to be our savior, we will be saved from eternal death and live forever with Jesus in our Heavenly home.
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS POWER AND LOVE!
Acts of the Apostles 6:2-3 NLT
http://bible.com/116/act.6.2-3.nlt
I love serving the Lord. We are called to serve. But, our ultimate responsibility is to preach the Gospel message. We must maintain this balance in our ministry. We need to make sure we don't get so consumed by the servant mission that we forget to bring people to Jesus. At CMA we talk about earning the right to share the gospel through building relationships. Relationships are built through sacrificial service. But eventually we need to share the saving grace of Jesus, what it has meant in our lives and the power it brings to the world. During this Christmas season we can get lost in the moment and forget the purpose of celebrating December 25th. The birth of Jesus and God coming down to live with us is truly deserving of a celebration. But, this birth had a single purpose. The amazing birth of Jesus led to the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
So, yes, we need to run food programs, we need to take care of the homeless, the poor, the orphans, the widows, and the lost. That is what Jesus did and that is what we are called to do. But, we need to make sure it is clear, our purpose, our main goal is to let people know that Jesus died for them on the cross. If we confess our sins, repent and ask Jesus to be our savior, we will be saved from eternal death and live forever with Jesus in our Heavenly home.
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS POWER AND LOVE!
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