Servant of Christ

July 26

Gal. 1:10 

 

This verse really hit me hard the first time I read it and studied it. In reading it, one must be careful how to interpret it. God is not saying we shouldn't serve others. God isn't saying that we should not lend a helping hand. God is telling us to be a servant of Christ.

We can look in the New Testament and see all the miracles Jesus performed. It seems He had a servant heart for others. That isn't false - he did love others and had genuine compassion for them. However, Jesus did it by being a servant to God first. We are to help one another and lift each other up, but we must also remember to do it as servants of Christ first. Not for any kind of agenda for ourselves or gain. In fact, the Holy Spirit will lead you in service. In the end, we must try to please God as a servant of Christ. We must let Him work through us and for us. His name should be praised and glorified, not ours.

Even Now

July 25th
Phil. 1:12-15

Paul here tells us how, in his suffering, Christ is being preached. I think this is a good reminder that, even now, in our present troubles, Christ can be glorified.

Think about your testimony or about times God got you through a really difficult time. That is the story we usually tell people. By doing so, we are showing that, even now, Christ is with us. In doing so, we not only praise and glorify all He is doing, but others will see how our faith is strong and how loving and merciful God is.

Even now, He is pouring out His love, not just to you, but through you as well. Be a vessel and let others see His love in you. Even now.

Weakest Link

July 24
2 Cor. 12:9-10
(I will not be posting the verse in hopes you will go and look it up and spend time with Christ.)

There are days when we lack strength. Days when the waves pull us under and life seems empty. Days when we feel weak. We all have our time of weakness. Even in those times, God can use us. He never leaves us.

The Bible tells us not only do we have a Savior that died when we were at our weakest, but he surrounds us with others who can pull us up, dust off our shirts, and give a helping hand. We unify together to love, encourage, pray, or even tease. A group unified can be strong, faithful, obedient, and loving. However, if we see one is weak and don't help, we are weak with them.

We are only as strong as our weakest link. Just like a team needs unity, so do believers.  Thanks for being on my team and lifting me up when I am weak.

OK

July 23rd
Eph. 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Have you ever believed more in your brokenness than your security? Ever feel your past failures and sins weigh you down and cloud your vision of Christ? If you take a mirror and shatter it, you will find it's hard look at yourself through the fractures. Similarly, maybe you are holding on to something that caused some ripples in your heart. With Christ, there is grace and mercy. You are OK in all things because He is working all things for your good.

He has you in the palm of His hands. He will keep you secure and has granted you grace and mercy over the brokenness inside of you. We are OK in Him. Seek His comfort and security and rely on His strength and you will be OK.

Chosen and Accepted

July 22nd

Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

 

We have been accepted in and through Christ. With Christ, we don't have to "fit in". We don't have to be popular, smart, funny, pretty, skinny, tall, or fast. He accepts us as we are. Max Lucado says..."God loves you just the way you are, but refuses to leave you that way, He wants you to be just like Jesus." Isn't it great He chooses us and accepts us if we are in Christ Jesus? What mercy! What grace! Thank You Lord, we praise Your name.

Chosen

July 21st

John 15:16
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the father in my name, he may give it to you."

You were chosen. Remember when LeBron chose Miami or when a team picks someone first based on skills or ability. This verse shows us we were picked first. We didn't have to sit out or get picked last. We are first. Even when we fail, sin, turn away, deny, doubt, hate. Whatever the issue, God chooses us. Feeling rejected, bullied, lost, sad, depressed? God chooses you. He chose you in the beginning.  He chose you through the blood of Jesus. No matter what happens, you have a friend, mentor,  teammate,  coach, leader, forgiver, and a Savior who will always choose to love you and is always waiting with arms open for you to choose Him.
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Waiting...but not searching!!!

Wow it's been a month of Sundays since my last blog. Well do not fear loyal readers, (all 5 of you). I have decided to drop in and give you an update on things in my life and how God rocks.

First of all, I thank God for who he is. I'm thankful for His promises, His love, His mercy, His patience, and for all the blessings He gives me day in and day out. I'm thankful for a great family, and great friends.

Not a lot has been going on this summer, besides just working. However, I have felt spiritually challenged lately. I have really been struggling lately with hearing from God. However, I do not blame God for not speaking to me, or for not trying to reach me. I guess it's been a couple of months now but I felt like I was being patient with God, but not really hearing either what I wanted to hear, or hearing what He wanted me to hear. Yes, it's confusing to me too. However, the blame starts and stops with me. You see, I did good by waiting to hear from God, but I wasn't really putting the effort I needed to find His answer. Sure I read some scriptures, or prayed, but my quiet time with Him wasn't a deep one. I was basically jumping off a cliff into sharp rocks and shallow water, hoping to get a quick answer. Without realizing it at first, I was taking advantage of God. I was expecting him to just take care of the problems, or answer the questions, or show me anything.  I realized I wasn't being consistent with my time with Him.

How would you feel if someone said "I need you to solve all my problems," but when you had a problem or needed something they were nowhere to be found. I guess it really hit me tonight as I was reading some Scripture. It says in Psalms 37:7, "Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act." So it seems that I was doing the right thing by waiting...but look at the first part "in the presence"...How do you get into the presence of someone? For me it was a recommitment that I'm still trying to be consistent on. I want to search His words, feel His presence. That can't be done by just waiting...yes, being patient is great. But I need to do my part, not in a legalistic way, not by works, or by my effort. But by reading His WORD, spending time listening, and concentrating on His words to me and feeling His spirit. I admit I have a long way to go. But when I have taken the time, I feel His spirit, I feel refreshed, I feel his love, and I feel peace.

So what is it you are waiting on from God? Have you been doing your part? I encourage you to seek His word. All it takes is time, a Bible, and prayer. Again, I'm not perfect. As I always state, I walk as you walk...I have a lot of work to do. Hope this blog finds you well, and I hope the words encourage you to strengthen your walk with Christ.
God Bless.