Text
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Philippians 2:13, NLT).
Insight
God is at work in you. What is He doing? He is depositing passion (desire) and power to do what pleases him. Every believer has a passion / dream within them. This God-given passion is designed to motivate us to action. Not only has God equipped you for impact through the Spiritual gifts, but He has also ignited you for action by giving you passion.
What is passion? It is the God-given desire that compels us to make a difference. It is the drive to live larger than ourselves. It is the burden we carry, the dream we have and the burn within our belly “to do what pleases him.” Moses had a passion for freedom that stirred him to lead the people out of Egypt. Joshua’s passion to possess the Promise Land motivated him to push ahead in each battle. Jesus’ passionate love for us compelled him to the cross. Paul’s passion for us to “live lives worthy of the calling we have received” drove him to preach, teach and write the letters of the New Testament. What is your passion? What desire / burden has God given you?
Passion gives us the ability to endure, persevere, not grow weary or lose heart. For Christ it was “the joy set before him” that enabled him to endure the cross. The writer of Hebrews challenges believers to “consider him who endured such opposition… so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb 12:3). Passion enables men to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Heb 12:1).
Our God-given passion(s) works in tandem with our Spiritual gift(s) to uniquely prepare us to serve God. You are equipped and ignited to make a difference in this generation. Yes, God is at work in you!
Prayer
Father, thank you for working in me. Put in my heart the passion and desire that please you. Ignite me for action so that I may run with perseverance. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Serve Others, 1 Peter 4
Text
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10, NIV).
Insight
What are you to do with the spiritual gift you have received? The answer is: Serve Others! God has equipped you to impact this generation. He has deposited His Spirit in you and the Spirit has given you unique abilities to serve others. When you do so, you partner with Him in administering His grace to the world.
Every believer has one or more spiritual gift(s). No child of God is left out. We have all been equipped with particular spiritual talents / endowments / abilities from God. On God’s team… nobody is sitting on the bench. There is no “second-string” or farm club. We are all called to participate with Him and He has equipped each of us with a role to play. What has He equipped you to do? What gift do you have? Are you using it?
From the beginning of time God has been at work pouring out His grace on man-kind. Nothing has changed. He is still at work today doing the same thing… What we need to understand is the way He is administering His grace. The main way God administers His grace is: Through YOU! So, when we function in whatever gift we have received we are joining Him in His work “faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). And Peter explains, “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (4:11).
You are equipped to impact this generation with His grace… Serve others!
Prayer
Father, thank you for calling me into partnership with Yourself. I recognize that You are still at work pouring out Your grace. Use me and the gifts You have given me to serve others. I commit to faithfully administering Your grace to those around me. In Jesus name, AMEN.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10, NIV).
Insight
What are you to do with the spiritual gift you have received? The answer is: Serve Others! God has equipped you to impact this generation. He has deposited His Spirit in you and the Spirit has given you unique abilities to serve others. When you do so, you partner with Him in administering His grace to the world.
Every believer has one or more spiritual gift(s). No child of God is left out. We have all been equipped with particular spiritual talents / endowments / abilities from God. On God’s team… nobody is sitting on the bench. There is no “second-string” or farm club. We are all called to participate with Him and He has equipped each of us with a role to play. What has He equipped you to do? What gift do you have? Are you using it?
From the beginning of time God has been at work pouring out His grace on man-kind. Nothing has changed. He is still at work today doing the same thing… What we need to understand is the way He is administering His grace. The main way God administers His grace is: Through YOU! So, when we function in whatever gift we have received we are joining Him in His work “faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). And Peter explains, “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (4:11).
You are equipped to impact this generation with His grace… Serve others!
Prayer
Father, thank you for calling me into partnership with Yourself. I recognize that You are still at work pouring out Your grace. Use me and the gifts You have given me to serve others. I commit to faithfully administering Your grace to those around me. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Are You Equipped?, Ephesians 4
Text
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11, NLT).
Insight
God is at work! He is at work conforming believers into the “full and complete standard of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). This is an ongoing process within individual believers and throughout the generations. In this process God desires that we have an increasing unity in our faith and our knowledge of Him and His Son. Are you growing? Are there areas of your life where you need to allow God to work? As a part of the body of Christ, are you doing your part to strengthen the whole?
God has given gifts to the church “to equip God’s people to do his work” (4:12). It is the responsibility and function of apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers to equip you for growth and maturity. They are called by God to build you up. Their job is to help us deepen our faith and knowledge of God and His Son. Are you connected with one or more of these people so you can grow? Are you connected to someone gifted to equip, and encourage you? Is there a person or group of people you spend regular time with who help you fulfill your responsibility to do God’s work?
Maybe it is time to pursue people with the gifts designed to equip you and encourage you to “do His work.” Maybe its time to grow in your faith and deepen your knowledge of God. Set your sights anew on God’s goal for your life: Conformity to the image of Christ… and partner with those who are designed to help you get there!
Prayer
Father, thank you for the gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Thank you for sending them to build me up and equip me to do Your work. Mold me and shape me into a man that responds life Jesus. In Jesus name, AMEN.
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11, NLT).
Insight
God is at work! He is at work conforming believers into the “full and complete standard of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). This is an ongoing process within individual believers and throughout the generations. In this process God desires that we have an increasing unity in our faith and our knowledge of Him and His Son. Are you growing? Are there areas of your life where you need to allow God to work? As a part of the body of Christ, are you doing your part to strengthen the whole?
God has given gifts to the church “to equip God’s people to do his work” (4:12). It is the responsibility and function of apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers to equip you for growth and maturity. They are called by God to build you up. Their job is to help us deepen our faith and knowledge of God and His Son. Are you connected with one or more of these people so you can grow? Are you connected to someone gifted to equip, and encourage you? Is there a person or group of people you spend regular time with who help you fulfill your responsibility to do God’s work?
Maybe it is time to pursue people with the gifts designed to equip you and encourage you to “do His work.” Maybe its time to grow in your faith and deepen your knowledge of God. Set your sights anew on God’s goal for your life: Conformity to the image of Christ… and partner with those who are designed to help you get there!
Prayer
Father, thank you for the gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Thank you for sending them to build me up and equip me to do Your work. Mold me and shape me into a man that responds life Jesus. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Live a Lifestyle of Worship - Romans 12:1 - 2
Text
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship…be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1 – 2, NIV).
Insight
Paul writes that worship is more than music on a CD or a segment of a church service… it is lifestyle. He says true worship is more than just inward spiritual communion with God…it is something to be lived out in daily life. Our worship extends to how we conduct ourselves, behave and treat others. God accepts this type of worship. The worship lifestyle increases and grows as we are increasingly transformed into new people by the renewing of our minds. Then we will know and do God’s will.
We worship God in practical ways as we use our spiritual gifts. “God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If you gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly” (Romans 12:6 – 8, NLT). Allow the Spirit of God in you to express Himself through you by serving others. You have a special function in God’s body. Function in your giftedness as a means of worship.
Commit to loving others by serving them. Show them your love through genuine affection, honor and hard work. Serve the Lord by serving others. “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13). Bless, pray for, live in harmony with and “enjoy the company of ordinary people” (12:16).
Prayer
Father, I will no longer conform to the pattern of this world, but I choose to be transformed. I offer my body and entire self to You. Thank You for changing me into a new person… A man of true worship. I will love, honor and serve others. In Jesus name, AMEN.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship…be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1 – 2, NIV).
Insight
Paul writes that worship is more than music on a CD or a segment of a church service… it is lifestyle. He says true worship is more than just inward spiritual communion with God…it is something to be lived out in daily life. Our worship extends to how we conduct ourselves, behave and treat others. God accepts this type of worship. The worship lifestyle increases and grows as we are increasingly transformed into new people by the renewing of our minds. Then we will know and do God’s will.
We worship God in practical ways as we use our spiritual gifts. “God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If you gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly” (Romans 12:6 – 8, NLT). Allow the Spirit of God in you to express Himself through you by serving others. You have a special function in God’s body. Function in your giftedness as a means of worship.
Commit to loving others by serving them. Show them your love through genuine affection, honor and hard work. Serve the Lord by serving others. “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13). Bless, pray for, live in harmony with and “enjoy the company of ordinary people” (12:16).
Prayer
Father, I will no longer conform to the pattern of this world, but I choose to be transformed. I offer my body and entire self to You. Thank You for changing me into a new person… A man of true worship. I will love, honor and serve others. In Jesus name, AMEN.
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