A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

In 1Timothy 4, Paul instructs Timothy on how to be a good servant of Jesus Christ.  Here we find some helpful insight for ourselves in being a good servant of Jesus. 

1.      Instruct the brethren in the truth (v. 6)

2.      We need to continually be in God’s word so that we can be nourished (v.6)

3.      We need to carefully follow Jesus’ teachings (v.6) No matter what someone says or how good it may seem, if it’s not the word of God, don’t do it.  Follow the teachings carefully.

4.      Reject false information and practices (v.7)

5.      Exercise yourself toward godliness (v.7)  If you’re not going toward godliness then you are going away from it.

6.      Get a physical work out (v.8).  This helps keep the body in shape, but more importantly, put more emphasis on your godliness because it is profitable in all things.  This means however much time you put into physical exercise, you should at least double that for exercising godliness.

7.      Keep going! (v.10).  Never, ever, ever, stop serving Christ!

8.      Teach others these things!  

Excuses Are Like Armpits…

            Excuses are like armpits, everybody has them and they stink.  In Exodus 3, God calls Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.  Instead of accepting God’s call, Moses makes excuses to weasel his way out.  First excuse, Moses says, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Ex. 3:11).  God reminds him that He will be with him.  Second excuse, Moses wants to know what he will say to the people when they inquire the Lord’s name (Ex. 3:13).  God responds with, “I AM WHO I AM.”   Third excuse, Moses said, “Suppose they will not believe me” (Ex. 4:1).  God reassures him by showing him signs and wonders.  Fourth excuse Moses brings to God is, “I am not eloquent… I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Ex. 4:10).  God challenges him by asking, “Who has made man’s mouth?... Have not I, the Lord?” 

            Like Moses, God has called us on a mission to “Seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).  What excuse will you give to God in order to weasel your way out of accomplishing this mission?  God has a response for any excuse you would like to offer.   Excuses are like armpits, everybody has them and they stink.  God doesn’t want your excuses, He wants results.  

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I pray that you have a safe and happy holiday, but be reminded of the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"  May you be thankful to the one who gives all good and perfect gifts from above. 

Your Spiritual Guidence

 Proverbs 3 is filled with great insight and reminders for us.  Notice what is found in the first four verses.  Solomon says:

Verse 1 - Don't forget God's law!             Why?   (v.2) You will have long life and peace. 

Verse 3 - Don't forsake mercy & truth!    How?  (v.3)  Write them on your heart 

Verse 4 - Find favor with God & men!     When? (v.4) All the time.  (implied) 

Notice the sequential order they have.  If you don't forget God's laws then you will know truth and mercy.  If you have truth and mercy then you will find favor with God and men.  May you strive everyday to exhibit these traits!  May God bless you as you serve Him.   

Recipe for Growing the Church

In Acts 2 we have the beginnings of the New Testament church.  Right here it shows us how we can grow the kingdom of God. Here is the recipe given for how to grow the church:

1. 1 Cup of encouragement & 1 Cup of the hope of salvation (Acts 2:40).
2. Submerge a person underwater and immediately raise up saved (Acts 2:41).
3. Mix together people for fellowship, continue adding doctrine and prayers (Acts 2:42).
4. Add a handful of the fear of God (Acts 2:43)
5. Combine all things together and distribute evenly (Acts 2:44)
6. Knead Christians by meeting together, eating together, and constant contact with one another (Acts 2:46)
7. 1 Heart full of praise for God & a coating of favor with all people (Acts 2:47)

Let us be a part of the Lord's church. Let's grow!

Sure or Unsure?

The deodorant, "Sure" had a series of commercials that showed people raising their arms high in the air because they were sure that their deodorant was doing its job.  They did have a second guess it.  There would be others who were "unsure" and so they would only raise their arms half way.  The commercial was trying to show that with "Sure" deodorant you you could be confident in what it was supposed to do.  Today it is advertised as the world's number one antiperspirant.  The message it is trying to convey is that you can be confident when wearing "Sure" deodorant.

As Christians, God has given us a series of questions that we can answer to be sure of our relationship with Him and others.  1 John 5 will help us ascertain an answer to see our relationship with Him.

Questions:

1. Do you love God?                                            Y or N 

2. Do you love your brother?                               Y or N 

3. Do you keep God's commandments?               Y or N 

4. Have you been born of God?                           Y or N 

5. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?  Y or N 

According to 1 John 5 if you answered "yes" to all of these questions, then you can have confidence in your relationship with Him.  If you answered a "no" then you need to reconsider what you need to do to be in a right relationship with God.  God wants us to be sure of His promises, know who we are and where we are going.  Be the person who strives in every way to love God and keep His commandments.  Search the scriptures daily so you can serve Him properly! May God bless you as you serve Him! 

Running Up an Icy Hill

Have you every tries running up an icy hill?  Your feet are moving and you are getting tired, but you are going nowhere.  Do you ever feel this way spiritually?  We seem to be trying our best, but our best doesn't seem good enough.  We feel that we are running as fast as we can but are not getting anywhere and we get tired.  In your spiritual life, a lot is demanded of you, not counting all the demands of your physical daily life.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians and reminded the Christians how they were to "walk" or live.  Walk in Unity (Eph. 4:1-6); Walk as the New Man (Eph. 4:17-24); Walk in Love (Eph. 5:1-7); Walk in Light (Eph. 5:8-14); and Walk in Wisdom (Eph. 5:15-21).  Paul comes to chapter six and tells the Christians to "finally" be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
No matter how tired you get, you must be strong.  When you are weak, you will not have unity among the brethren.  When you are weak you will revert back to the old man and old ways/habits.  When you are weak you won't love as you should, walk in the light, or be careful to use wisdom in decision making.  Paul urges the church the be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.  It is the Lord who provides the strength.  It is God who will help you to stand against the wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:11).  When you put on the armor that God has given you, you can stand tall and withstand in the day of evil.

Pray for God's strength (Eph. 1:19).  Let that strength/power work within you (Eph. 3:20).  Be strong in the Lord and in His power and overcome the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:10).  Even though you feel like you may be running up an icy hill, keep running.  It will be God who gets you to the top!  May God bless you as you serve Him!