How do we act like a servant?
Real servants make themselves available to serve and do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient. Are you available to God? Can he mess up your plans without you becoming resentful? Or are your so busy that you can't jump up and serve when called.
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.
2 Timothy 2:4
Real servants are always on the lookout for ways to help others.
Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.
Proverbs 3:28
Real servants don't make excuses, procrastinate or wait for better circumstances. They do their best with what they have been given.
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.
Ecclesiastes 11:4
Real servants do everything with their whole heart. Jesus specialized in menial tasks: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast, and serving lepers...nothing was beneath him. We need to be willing to do anything that is needed.
If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.
Galatians 6:3
Real servants are faithful to their ministry. We seem to have forgotten the importance of commitment...we need to finish our tasks, fulfill our responsibilities, keep our promises and complete our commitments.
Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!
Matthew 25:23
Real servants don't promote or call attention to themselves.
When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your father in heaven.
Matthew 6:1
God is more interested in why we do things that what we do. We need to make sure our attitude is that our a servant and this requires a change in our attitudes.
Servants think more about the needs around them than their own needs. Thinking like a servant is difficult because it challenges the basic problem of our lives: I am, by nature, selfish. I think most about me. That's why humility is a daily struggle, a lesson we must learn over and over again.
Servants think like stewards, not owners. We need to remember that God owns it all...everything! It is impossible for us to serve two masters. This goes for both our time and our money. When we realize everything we have is his then we can truly serve him.
Servants think about their work and not about what others are doing. They don't compare, criticize, or compete with other servants or ministries.
We will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
Galatians 5:26
Servants base their identity in Christ. We don't need to prove our worth. Only secure people can serve. Insecure people are always worrying about how they appear to others. They fear exposure of their weaknesses and hide beneath layers of protective pride and pretensions.
Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation. They enjoy helping people, meeting needs, and doing ministry. They serve with gladness because they love the Lord and are grateful for his grace.
The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.
John 12:26
He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians.
Hebrews 6:10
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Purpose #4 - Shaped For Serving God
We were created, saved, called and commanded to serve God. And we need to serve joyfully and with gratitude for what he's done for us. Anytime we use the abilities God gave us we are serving him.
God has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Because of God's great mercy...Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service.
Romans 12:1
Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life.
Matthew 20:28
If you aren't serving, you are only existing. God wants us to learn to love and serve others unselfishly. The Bible says that we will each have to give an account of where are time and energy was spent.
What's your excuse?
Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. (pg. 223 - Purpose Driven Life)
If God can use all these people...he can use you too!!!
God provided you with the tools you need to serve him. God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory.
We have been given all we need to discover our purpose:
1) Our Spiritual Gifts - Every believer has been given special God-empowered abilities for serving him. We can not earn these gifts nor choose them. These were given not for our benefit but for the benefit of others.
Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14
A Spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
2) Our Heart - This is our desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections. What we love to do and care about most. Our hearts reveal the real people we are. It determines why you say the things you say, feel the way you do, and act the way you do. When we are serving God from our heart we should feel enthusiasm and be effective.
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.
Proverbs 27:19
4) Our Abilities - These are the natural talents that we were born with. All our abilities come from God and can be used for God's glory. The things we are able to do are the things God wants us to do.
May the God of peace...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,...
Hebrews 13:20-21
5) Our Personality - Our personality will affect how and where we use our gifts and abilities.
6) Our Experiences - We are shaped by the experiences that we go through with our family, education, vocation, spirituality, ministry and pain. Pain is the experience that God often uses the most to prepare us for ministry. Often out of our greatest pain will come our greatest ministry.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
So now we need to discover what God intends for us to be and do. We need to begin by assessing our gifts and abilities by experimenting with different areas of service. Just start serving, you will eventually find out what you are good at. Then consider your heart and personality. Finally, examine the experiences you have been through and what you have learned from them.
Once we discover who we are and what we were designed to do we need to accept that this is who we are and recognize our limitations. No one is good at everything or called to be everything. God wants us to enjoy being who he has made us. Satan will try to steal our joy by tempting us to compare our ministry with others and conform our ministry to the expectations of others.
What right have you, a human being, to cross-examine God? The pot has no right to say to the potter: 'Why did you make me this shape?' Surely a potter can do what he likes with the clay!
Romans 9:20-21
Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
Galatians 6:4
If we use our abilities and skills, God promises to increase them. But if we don't use them, then we will lose them.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
God has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Because of God's great mercy...Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service.
Romans 12:1
Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life.
Matthew 20:28
If you aren't serving, you are only existing. God wants us to learn to love and serve others unselfishly. The Bible says that we will each have to give an account of where are time and energy was spent.
What's your excuse?
Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. (pg. 223 - Purpose Driven Life)
If God can use all these people...he can use you too!!!
God provided you with the tools you need to serve him. God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory.
We have been given all we need to discover our purpose:
1) Our Spiritual Gifts - Every believer has been given special God-empowered abilities for serving him. We can not earn these gifts nor choose them. These were given not for our benefit but for the benefit of others.
Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14
A Spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
2) Our Heart - This is our desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections. What we love to do and care about most. Our hearts reveal the real people we are. It determines why you say the things you say, feel the way you do, and act the way you do. When we are serving God from our heart we should feel enthusiasm and be effective.
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.
Proverbs 27:19
4) Our Abilities - These are the natural talents that we were born with. All our abilities come from God and can be used for God's glory. The things we are able to do are the things God wants us to do.
May the God of peace...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,...
Hebrews 13:20-21
5) Our Personality - Our personality will affect how and where we use our gifts and abilities.
6) Our Experiences - We are shaped by the experiences that we go through with our family, education, vocation, spirituality, ministry and pain. Pain is the experience that God often uses the most to prepare us for ministry. Often out of our greatest pain will come our greatest ministry.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
So now we need to discover what God intends for us to be and do. We need to begin by assessing our gifts and abilities by experimenting with different areas of service. Just start serving, you will eventually find out what you are good at. Then consider your heart and personality. Finally, examine the experiences you have been through and what you have learned from them.
Once we discover who we are and what we were designed to do we need to accept that this is who we are and recognize our limitations. No one is good at everything or called to be everything. God wants us to enjoy being who he has made us. Satan will try to steal our joy by tempting us to compare our ministry with others and conform our ministry to the expectations of others.
What right have you, a human being, to cross-examine God? The pot has no right to say to the potter: 'Why did you make me this shape?' Surely a potter can do what he likes with the clay!
Romans 9:20-21
Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
Galatians 6:4
If we use our abilities and skills, God promises to increase them. But if we don't use them, then we will lose them.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
Temptation
Why do we face temptation? God uses the opposite situation of each fruit to allow us a choice. You can't claim to be good if you've never been tempted to be bad. You can't claim to be faithful if you've never had the opportunity to be unfaithful.
Temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to an evil desire, or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. Temptation always start in our minds, not in your circumstances.
For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within.
Mark 7:21-23
Temptation continues when Satan tries to convince you about what God has said about sin.
Watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of your turn from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12
So how can we overcome this temptation? We need to refuse to be intimidated. The bible says that we will be tempted. It is not a sin to be tempted the sin comes when we give into temptation. We then need to recognize our temptations and be prepared for them.
Plan carefully what you do...Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.
Proverbs 4:26-27
We also need to ask for God's help. God love is everlasting and his patience endures forever, so we can call upon him a hundred times a day if we need to.
Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.
Psalm 50:15
Satan then replaces that truth with a lie and then we finally act on that thought.
God promises never to allow more on us than he puts within us to handle it. He will not allow us to be overcome. So with his help we can refocus our attention. Don't fight the thought, change it. We should also share our struggles with a friend who can share them with us.
You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone...If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.
Ecclesiastes4:9-10
Once we have help we need to fight back against the Devil's attacks and then we must never let our guard down and think we are beyond temptation.
Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.
1 Corinthians 10:12
Temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to an evil desire, or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. Temptation always start in our minds, not in your circumstances.
For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within.
Mark 7:21-23
Temptation continues when Satan tries to convince you about what God has said about sin.
Watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of your turn from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12
So how can we overcome this temptation? We need to refuse to be intimidated. The bible says that we will be tempted. It is not a sin to be tempted the sin comes when we give into temptation. We then need to recognize our temptations and be prepared for them.
Plan carefully what you do...Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.
Proverbs 4:26-27
We also need to ask for God's help. God love is everlasting and his patience endures forever, so we can call upon him a hundred times a day if we need to.
Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.
Psalm 50:15
Satan then replaces that truth with a lie and then we finally act on that thought.
God promises never to allow more on us than he puts within us to handle it. He will not allow us to be overcome. So with his help we can refocus our attention. Don't fight the thought, change it. We should also share our struggles with a friend who can share them with us.
You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone...If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.
Ecclesiastes4:9-10
Once we have help we need to fight back against the Devil's attacks and then we must never let our guard down and think we are beyond temptation.
Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.
1 Corinthians 10:12
How We Grow...
How can we grow spiritually? Well, we have to want to, decide to, make the effort to, and persist in growing. We then need to abide in his word and accept it as the authority in our life and let his word be our guide over all else. We need to listen to his word and let it change our way of thinking and then we need to apply it's principles.
If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.
John 8:31
Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.
2 Timothy 3:16
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24
God uses all our circumstances to develop our character. Jesus warned that life would come with problems and God uses these problems to draw us closer to him.
Joni Eareckson Tada notes, "When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus."
We need to remember that God's plan is good and that he knows best. Joseph trusted God when he was sold into slavery.
The plans I have for your are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!
2 Corinthians 4:17
We need to remember to rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances.
Be full of joy at that time, because you have a great reward waiting for your in heaven.
Luke 6:23
And we need to refuse to give up.
Let the process go on until your endurance is fully developed, and you will find that you have become men of mature character...with no weak spots.
James 1:3-4
We also have to remember that growing in Christlike character takes time. We need to worry more about how strong we are growing than how quickly we are growing. Why does it take time? Because we are slow learners and have a lot to unlearn. We are afraid to face the truth about ourselves and this growth can be scary and painful. And of course new habits take a while to develop.
So, remember that God is working in your life even when you don't feel it, journal about the lessons you are learning so you can see a progression, be patient with God and with yourself and don't get discouraged.
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Philippians 1:6
If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.
John 8:31
Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.
2 Timothy 3:16
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24
God uses all our circumstances to develop our character. Jesus warned that life would come with problems and God uses these problems to draw us closer to him.
Joni Eareckson Tada notes, "When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus."
We need to remember that God's plan is good and that he knows best. Joseph trusted God when he was sold into slavery.
The plans I have for your are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!
2 Corinthians 4:17
We need to remember to rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances.
Be full of joy at that time, because you have a great reward waiting for your in heaven.
Luke 6:23
And we need to refuse to give up.
Let the process go on until your endurance is fully developed, and you will find that you have become men of mature character...with no weak spots.
James 1:3-4
We also have to remember that growing in Christlike character takes time. We need to worry more about how strong we are growing than how quickly we are growing. Why does it take time? Because we are slow learners and have a lot to unlearn. We are afraid to face the truth about ourselves and this growth can be scary and painful. And of course new habits take a while to develop.
So, remember that God is working in your life even when you don't feel it, journal about the lessons you are learning so you can see a progression, be patient with God and with yourself and don't get discouraged.
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Philippians 1:6
Monday, 12 January 2009
Purpose #3 - Created To Become Like Christ
From the beginning God intended for us to be like his son, Jesus. God wants his children to bear his image and likeness. When we wonder why things are happening to us or why we are having a difficult time we need to remember that life is supposed to be difficult. It's what helps us grow and build character and become more like our Father.
God provided the Holy Spirit to help us make these changes in our lives. We cannot do it alone, no matter how good our intentions or how strong our willpower. We need to choose to do the right thing in situations and then trust God's Spirit to give us his power, love, faith and wisdom to do it. In other words, don't wait till you feel powerful and confident, move ahead and do the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
According to this verse we have 3 responsibilities in becoming like Christ. We need to let go of our old way of acting, change the way we think and develop new, godly habits.
God provided the Holy Spirit to help us make these changes in our lives. We cannot do it alone, no matter how good our intentions or how strong our willpower. We need to choose to do the right thing in situations and then trust God's Spirit to give us his power, love, faith and wisdom to do it. In other words, don't wait till you feel powerful and confident, move ahead and do the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
According to this verse we have 3 responsibilities in becoming like Christ. We need to let go of our old way of acting, change the way we think and develop new, godly habits.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
A Place to Belong
We all need to have a place to belong, a church family, a care group, a bible study. Somewhere where we can be committed to a group of fellow believers. This allows us to:
1) be a witness to the world...
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:35
2) have a place to practice unselfish, sympathetic love...
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 1:16
3) grow faster and stronger in our spiritual walks by learning from others and being accountable to them...
As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16
4) use the gifts that God has given us...
A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
5) have a share in the work that is being accomplished in His Kingdom...
He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
Ephesians 2:10
6) have someone to keep us from backsliding...
Encourage one another daily...so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13
If you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back.
James 5:19
When we share life and become open about our lives with others...
a) we experience genuine heart-to-heart friendships...
If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other...If we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves.
1 John 1:7-8
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.
James 5:16
We only grow by taking risks and being honest with ourselves and with others.
b) we experience the art of giving and receiving...
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part.
1 Corinthians 12:25
I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.
Romans 1:12
We are not responsible FOR everyone in the Body of Christ but we are responsible TO them. We need to do what we can to help.
c) we experience sympathy (sharing pain with others) which helps us feel understood and validated...
Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
d) we experience mercy...
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up in despair.
2 Corinthians 2:7
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13
How do we accomplish these kinds of relationships? Commitment. We need to be committed, honest (speaking in love), humble (thinking of ourselves less), courteous (respecting our differences), trustworthy (keeping confidences), and regular (frequently meeting).
We also need to protect these relationships by focusing on the things we have in common and not the differences, being realistic in our expectations, encouraging rather than criticizing, refusing to listen to gossip, working through our conflicts, and supporting the people in leadership.
1) be a witness to the world...
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:35
2) have a place to practice unselfish, sympathetic love...
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 1:16
3) grow faster and stronger in our spiritual walks by learning from others and being accountable to them...
As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16
4) use the gifts that God has given us...
A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
5) have a share in the work that is being accomplished in His Kingdom...
He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
Ephesians 2:10
6) have someone to keep us from backsliding...
Encourage one another daily...so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13
If you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back.
James 5:19
When we share life and become open about our lives with others...
a) we experience genuine heart-to-heart friendships...
If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other...If we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves.
1 John 1:7-8
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.
James 5:16
We only grow by taking risks and being honest with ourselves and with others.
b) we experience the art of giving and receiving...
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part.
1 Corinthians 12:25
I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.
Romans 1:12
We are not responsible FOR everyone in the Body of Christ but we are responsible TO them. We need to do what we can to help.
c) we experience sympathy (sharing pain with others) which helps us feel understood and validated...
Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
d) we experience mercy...
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up in despair.
2 Corinthians 2:7
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13
How do we accomplish these kinds of relationships? Commitment. We need to be committed, honest (speaking in love), humble (thinking of ourselves less), courteous (respecting our differences), trustworthy (keeping confidences), and regular (frequently meeting).
We also need to protect these relationships by focusing on the things we have in common and not the differences, being realistic in our expectations, encouraging rather than criticizing, refusing to listen to gossip, working through our conflicts, and supporting the people in leadership.
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