“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” – Galatians 5:6
Ever notice how we get to fussing about things that are important, but still aren't the most important things of our faith. So often when we get to fighting the most important thing of all gets lost. In the first century, this fight often had to do with Jew/Gentile issues.
While race, culture, and heritage are important, what really is most important is showing to the world that we can value cultural diversity in each other and still find our unity in Christ. In our high tech world today, isn't it interesting that the most important issue is the same as it was two thousand years ago — faith displaying itself in loving action.
In the Middle
I don't know about you, but I find myself "in the middle"! I'm in the middle of trying to help people overcome problems in their lives. I'm in the middle of trying to figure things out for myself. I'm in the middle of ministry opportunities in the lives of people looking for Jesus. The Holy Spirit has placed me in the middle of all of this. At the same time, I'm deeply convicted that the Holy Spirit wants to put me in the middle of God's work in the world. Unfortunately, I don't always follow the Spirit's leading.
How about you? Sometimes our failure to follow is because of sin. Sometimes it is because of rebellion in our hearts when we are like Jonah and simply don't want to go. Sometimes it's because we don't believe the Spirit would take us out of one place and put us in another to do the work of God. These problems come from the devil's deception when he says that God doesn't work in our lives today as he did in the days the Bible was being written.
So I want to challenge each of us to ask God to reveal what is keeping us from letting the Spirit put us in the middle of God's work. Then, let's commit to being where God wants us to be!
Thoughts
"Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not." - Samuel Johnson
"It is a sure mark of grace to desire more." - Robert Murray M'Cheyne
"Here lies the tremendous mystery - that God should be all-powerful, yet refuse to coerce. He summons us to cooperation. We are honoured in being given the opportunity to participate in his good deeds. Remember how He asked for help in performing his miracles: Fill the water pots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves." - Elisabeth Elliot
[Message No: 6628]
Ever notice how we get to fussing about things that are important, but still aren't the most important things of our faith. So often when we get to fighting the most important thing of all gets lost. In the first century, this fight often had to do with Jew/Gentile issues.
While race, culture, and heritage are important, what really is most important is showing to the world that we can value cultural diversity in each other and still find our unity in Christ. In our high tech world today, isn't it interesting that the most important issue is the same as it was two thousand years ago — faith displaying itself in loving action.
In the Middle
I don't know about you, but I find myself "in the middle"! I'm in the middle of trying to help people overcome problems in their lives. I'm in the middle of trying to figure things out for myself. I'm in the middle of ministry opportunities in the lives of people looking for Jesus. The Holy Spirit has placed me in the middle of all of this. At the same time, I'm deeply convicted that the Holy Spirit wants to put me in the middle of God's work in the world. Unfortunately, I don't always follow the Spirit's leading.
How about you? Sometimes our failure to follow is because of sin. Sometimes it is because of rebellion in our hearts when we are like Jonah and simply don't want to go. Sometimes it's because we don't believe the Spirit would take us out of one place and put us in another to do the work of God. These problems come from the devil's deception when he says that God doesn't work in our lives today as he did in the days the Bible was being written.
So I want to challenge each of us to ask God to reveal what is keeping us from letting the Spirit put us in the middle of God's work. Then, let's commit to being where God wants us to be!
Thoughts
"Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not." - Samuel Johnson
"It is a sure mark of grace to desire more." - Robert Murray M'Cheyne
"Here lies the tremendous mystery - that God should be all-powerful, yet refuse to coerce. He summons us to cooperation. We are honoured in being given the opportunity to participate in his good deeds. Remember how He asked for help in performing his miracles: Fill the water pots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves." - Elisabeth Elliot
[Message No: 6628]
No comments:
Post a Comment
Post a Comment