In summary of 1 Peter 4:10 it says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Be a good manager and generously use them to serve one another.”
Bottom Line:
God has provided you a gift from his diverse supply of spiritual gifts. As a good steward we should use them to serve others.
What this means to me:
God has provided me with particular gifts/talents when I put my trust in him. He has equipped me with these gifts from his great and diverse supply of spiritual gifts. It is gifts I didn’t deserve, but He has given them to me to serve others. I need to be a good steward and use them to bless others and to further his kingdom. In order to be a good steward it is good to remind myself of what God has given me. They are the things coincide with my heart, my abilities, my personality and my experiences. I am responsible to use what he has provided and he will hold me accountable It’s important for me to remember these gifts are not for my benefit. As I reflect this morning, I remember that God has gifted me with the ability to teach / explain what I’m learning and to lead smaller groups/individuals. I believe he has equipped me to work with and train others, help guide them. He has also given me a bit of musical talent which I use to serve in the worship team. I need to consider those that I can work with to help mentor and consider what I can do to lead a group of people to a closer walk with God. As I am thinking through my list of those I can encourage, I can consider what I can do to help mentor them.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
See Others As God Sees Them
In summary of Galatians 6:2 it says, “Share in and help carry/bear each other’s burdens, and in this way obey and fulfill and complete the law of Christ”
Bottom Line:
We are to help with other’s burdens, when we do so we are obeying and fulfilling the complete law of Christ.
What this means to me:
God wants me to look around me and help those who have heavy burdens and troublesome moral faults. When I do so I’m obeying Christ and observing perfectly his law. As a believer and follower of Christ, God’s word tells me to that I need to value everybody (even the ones who would insult me, put me down or I think may not be worthy of it.) The best way to do this is to see them as God sees them; people he was willing to sacrifice his Son for. When I can appreciate and affirm people around me it will automatically raise their value. To best practice this, I need to really listen to them; when I do so it communicates that I value them and what they have to say. I need to think and use positive, helpful words; ones that build them up and provide what is really needed in order to best bless them. Speaking positive words of encouragement will really minister to them (I always feel better after someone is positive with me or builds me up.) I need learn to complement good things I see in their lives to help them grow in that area. Next I can pray for them. This week, I will make a list of who can I encourage this week and start with affirming them via positive words, by listening or by just praying for them.
Bottom Line:
We are to help with other’s burdens, when we do so we are obeying and fulfilling the complete law of Christ.
What this means to me:
God wants me to look around me and help those who have heavy burdens and troublesome moral faults. When I do so I’m obeying Christ and observing perfectly his law. As a believer and follower of Christ, God’s word tells me to that I need to value everybody (even the ones who would insult me, put me down or I think may not be worthy of it.) The best way to do this is to see them as God sees them; people he was willing to sacrifice his Son for. When I can appreciate and affirm people around me it will automatically raise their value. To best practice this, I need to really listen to them; when I do so it communicates that I value them and what they have to say. I need to think and use positive, helpful words; ones that build them up and provide what is really needed in order to best bless them. Speaking positive words of encouragement will really minister to them (I always feel better after someone is positive with me or builds me up.) I need learn to complement good things I see in their lives to help them grow in that area. Next I can pray for them. This week, I will make a list of who can I encourage this week and start with affirming them via positive words, by listening or by just praying for them.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Making My Load Lighter
In summary of Psalm 55:22 it says, "Give your burdens to the Lord, he will take care of you and make that load lighter. He will support and sustain in these times. He will not permit his consistent followers to be shaken or to slip and fall into ruin."
Bottom Line:
What ever is weighing you down, don’t hold onto it. Give it to God. He has told us that if we do he will take care of you, he will help support and sustain you. God does not permit those who consistently follow him to be shaken or to slip and fall into ruin.
What this means to me:
Some translations state that I am to cast or pile my burdens unto the Lord for he will support me and take care of me. This means I can release the weight of burdens on him. He will sustain me and not allow me to fall due to the load. He will not let me, as one of his consistent followers to be shaken or to falter. So this morning I reflect and realize that there are some things I’m not taking to the Lord. I’m using my own strength to handle them. So I turn to God this morning and lay them at his feet and ask for his support. I am giving these to God and asking him to guide me through the appropriate steps that I will need to take.
Bottom Line:
What ever is weighing you down, don’t hold onto it. Give it to God. He has told us that if we do he will take care of you, he will help support and sustain you. God does not permit those who consistently follow him to be shaken or to slip and fall into ruin.
What this means to me:
Some translations state that I am to cast or pile my burdens unto the Lord for he will support me and take care of me. This means I can release the weight of burdens on him. He will sustain me and not allow me to fall due to the load. He will not let me, as one of his consistent followers to be shaken or to falter. So this morning I reflect and realize that there are some things I’m not taking to the Lord. I’m using my own strength to handle them. So I turn to God this morning and lay them at his feet and ask for his support. I am giving these to God and asking him to guide me through the appropriate steps that I will need to take.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Don’t Expect Heaven On Earth
In summary of Ephesians 4:22-24 it says, “Throw off, change your former way of life which is corrupted by lust, deception and deceitful desires; and take on an entirely new way - a God-fashioned life in which you let the Spirit inside you renew your thoughts and attitudes. Then put on your new nature, clothe yourself with the new person, and allow this to work itself into your conduct making you more like God’s image in justice and true holiness while God accurately reproduces his character in you.”
Bottom Line:
Change your former way of living, which was corrupted by things of this world and take on a new way to live. Allow God’s Spirit in you to renew your thoughts, attitudes and ways of thinking. Then each day put on our new nature (like you would put on new clothes), allow the His Spirit to work in your life, making you more like God’s character each day.
What this means to me:
This scripture instructs me to to get rid of my former nature (my old self / way of thinking), which characterized the way I had lived before (it was corrupted by lusts and desires that sprang from the world's ways), and instead be constantly renewed by the fresh mental and spiritual attitude, putting on a new regenerated self, one that is created in God’s image in justice and true holiness. There is a difference between taking on God’s character versus being like God. I often try to take on God’s role by trying to control my circumstances, the future or people around me. I can never be God and he doesn’t want me to be. Instead he wants me to become godly, taking on his values, attitudes, and character - “take on an entirely new way of life.” I must realize that God’s ultimate goal for me here on the Earth is not comfort, but rather character development. He wants me to grow and become more like Christ, but still within my own uniqueness. It’s about transforming my character not my personality. Life can often be difficult, it’s this way to grow me. I have to remember Earth is not Heaven! Having an abundant life is not having it easy and using God as my personal genie who grants me what I want. I must not forget that life is not about me, and that I exist for God’s purposes. My time here on earth is my training ground to build strength and character for later in Heaven. So today I will focus on taking on and displaying God’s character in my thinking, while still being my own unique personality. I will open for how God wants to use me today.
Bottom Line:
Change your former way of living, which was corrupted by things of this world and take on a new way to live. Allow God’s Spirit in you to renew your thoughts, attitudes and ways of thinking. Then each day put on our new nature (like you would put on new clothes), allow the His Spirit to work in your life, making you more like God’s character each day.
What this means to me:
This scripture instructs me to to get rid of my former nature (my old self / way of thinking), which characterized the way I had lived before (it was corrupted by lusts and desires that sprang from the world's ways), and instead be constantly renewed by the fresh mental and spiritual attitude, putting on a new regenerated self, one that is created in God’s image in justice and true holiness. There is a difference between taking on God’s character versus being like God. I often try to take on God’s role by trying to control my circumstances, the future or people around me. I can never be God and he doesn’t want me to be. Instead he wants me to become godly, taking on his values, attitudes, and character - “take on an entirely new way of life.” I must realize that God’s ultimate goal for me here on the Earth is not comfort, but rather character development. He wants me to grow and become more like Christ, but still within my own uniqueness. It’s about transforming my character not my personality. Life can often be difficult, it’s this way to grow me. I have to remember Earth is not Heaven! Having an abundant life is not having it easy and using God as my personal genie who grants me what I want. I must not forget that life is not about me, and that I exist for God’s purposes. My time here on earth is my training ground to build strength and character for later in Heaven. So today I will focus on taking on and displaying God’s character in my thinking, while still being my own unique personality. I will open for how God wants to use me today.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Obedience Unlocks God’s Power
In summary of Ephesians 4:23 it says, “Always be renewed in your thinking, let the Spirit change the way you think.”
Bottom Line:
Let the Spirit renew you and influence your way of thinking.
What this means to me:
God wants his Spirit living in me to constantly renew my mind, giving me a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. So I should let his Spirit help me each day. God’s word has taught me that the Holy Spirit releases his power the moment I take a step of faith. It is only after I take that step forward in obedience and faith that I can truly see unlock this power. God will not pressure me, he wants me to act first. So I need to learn to not wait until I feel powerful or confident, but to move ahead in my weakness, doing what is right in spite of any fears or how I feel. In the long run moving forward in obedience and faith need to become my default habitual act (what comes naturally.) So today, I really need to spend some time focusing on what area in my life I need to take a step of faith and move forward regardless of fears/feelings.
Bottom Line:
Let the Spirit renew you and influence your way of thinking.
What this means to me:
God wants his Spirit living in me to constantly renew my mind, giving me a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. So I should let his Spirit help me each day. God’s word has taught me that the Holy Spirit releases his power the moment I take a step of faith. It is only after I take that step forward in obedience and faith that I can truly see unlock this power. God will not pressure me, he wants me to act first. So I need to learn to not wait until I feel powerful or confident, but to move ahead in my weakness, doing what is right in spite of any fears or how I feel. In the long run moving forward in obedience and faith need to become my default habitual act (what comes naturally.) So today, I really need to spend some time focusing on what area in my life I need to take a step of faith and move forward regardless of fears/feelings.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Living At Peace - As Far As It Depends On Me
In summary of Romans 12:18 it says, "If possible and to the best of your ability, live at peace and to get along with everybody."
Bottom Line:
If possible and to the best of your ability, do all you can to at peace, getting along with everybody.
What this means to me:
If it is possible, God wants me to do all I can (as far as it depends on me) to live in peace and get along with everybody I encounter. This is a big “if it’s possible” not always “it is possible”. Secondly his word tells me “as far as it depends on me.” There are some individuals in which nothing I can do will bring peace with them. Often it’s directly related to their pain and their hurt. What I need to realize is that it may not always be about me. When I run into situations like this the best I can do is continue to do what I know is right and possibly just be silent / leave it alone. I can however pray for them and then leave it in God’s hands.
Bottom Line:
If possible and to the best of your ability, do all you can to at peace, getting along with everybody.
What this means to me:
If it is possible, God wants me to do all I can (as far as it depends on me) to live in peace and get along with everybody I encounter. This is a big “if it’s possible” not always “it is possible”. Secondly his word tells me “as far as it depends on me.” There are some individuals in which nothing I can do will bring peace with them. Often it’s directly related to their pain and their hurt. What I need to realize is that it may not always be about me. When I run into situations like this the best I can do is continue to do what I know is right and possibly just be silent / leave it alone. I can however pray for them and then leave it in God’s hands.
Monday, July 23, 2012
God Has Made This Day; Rejoice And Be Glad In It
In summary of Psalm 118:24 it says, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. "
Bottom Line:
This is the day which the Lord has brought about he has created it. Given that we will rejoice and be glad in it.
What this means to me:
Like all creation and everything in it, God also created today. I should rejoice in this day as in all days. He has created it and has plans for what should be accomplished in it. Because of that I need to steward well what he has entrusted me with today. This is extremely helpful for me today, especially as I struggled just to get up this morning. I just felt like sleeping and wasting the day away. So I ask you God through your power and your word to help energize me this morning and to truly rejoice and be glad in what you created today; and not just today but all my others days.
Bottom Line:
This is the day which the Lord has brought about he has created it. Given that we will rejoice and be glad in it.
What this means to me:
Like all creation and everything in it, God also created today. I should rejoice in this day as in all days. He has created it and has plans for what should be accomplished in it. Because of that I need to steward well what he has entrusted me with today. This is extremely helpful for me today, especially as I struggled just to get up this morning. I just felt like sleeping and wasting the day away. So I ask you God through your power and your word to help energize me this morning and to truly rejoice and be glad in what you created today; and not just today but all my others days.