The Danger in Serving Others - Ephesians 6:7-8
"With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."
Today... You Only Have it Once
I Corinthians 9:24-27, Matthew 6:33, Philippians 3:12-16, Romans 12:1-2
The Key to Freedom
As we journey the roadway of life, we encounter many people and circumstances. In the process, hurt and injury often take place. Hasty or hurting words, neglect, misunderstanding, untruth and other conflicts often are not settled, and thus remain as "open sores" in the inner person. This corruption of the inner man builds and sprouts into other complications. The resulting interactions with people divide friendships, cause splits in churches, and create hotbeds for anger, irritation and physical problems. Unless these situations are handled Biblically, we can sets ourselves up for arguments and a life of bondage and torment over an "unresolved conflict."
Character is the Key to Greatness
The Key to Greatness Is not found in position or power but in character. Of course, this thought is contrary to what we hear and see in our culture. But we should not be surprised that the teachings of the Word are far different from the world. Jesus often asked His disciples, "where did you hear that?" and He was referring to some human, worldly response to a life situation.
Searching for the Right Gift?
The thrill and excitement of opening a gift can be breathtaking; but in a few moments of time, the gift is usually forgotten or discarded. Many times children play with the box and not the gift. Often we spend hours walking though crowded stores searching for the "right" gift, when we have already have "the gift" that really makes the difference in another's life. That is the gift of caring and sharing.
Living to Make A Biblical Difference Today
Often, when talking about “winning the world,” we develop complicated schemes and plans to make it happen. In spite of all the technology, methods, plans, buildings, money and success strategies, we are not winning the world. Like a runner going the wrong direction in the fog, we have worked on nearly everything but what the Scripture instructs us to do. Over and over again, we are reminded in Scriptures that believers are to be light, salt, examples, and ambassadors as we live out the truths of God’s transforming power in every day life. We should save our money and work on the way we are living each day.
God is Speaking... Did You Hear Him?
Many people are waiting for God to write on a wall, appear in a dream or speak audibly in order to know that God is trying to communicate. Although we know that God could write on walls or use any other means that He wishes, we understand that God is speaking to His children through the Word, circumstances, people, books, spiritual music and all situations of life as the Holy Spirit witnesses truth to our inner man. The problem is that many are not listening or are not in a spiritual condition to “hear” God speak. The spiritual “ear” is not really interested in hearing what God is communicating. Often people only want to hear from God when they are in deep problems and need to be rescued and helped. Otherwise, they are happy just to go on in their own self-reliance and wisdom. Another hindrance to hearing God’s voice is that the mind is filled with “corruption” of the world. Scripture reminds us that we must be careful to guard what we allow to enter and stay in our mind, for it is from these thoughts and ideas that our actions, conduct and words are created. Check Matthew 12:34-35, Proverbs 4:23 and other such passages to be reminded that “what” is in the mind is crucial to what is going on in the life. Yet another hindrance to hearing God is a limited amount time in the Word. In II Timothy 3:16 we are reminded that “all Scripture” is from God. We are holding in our hand the Word of God, and He desires to communicate His Word to us, but we MUST read, study, meditate and anchor our lives and minds in the Word. If you want to hear from God and know Him and His will, then spend time in the Word. Be careful! In our “instant society mindset,” it is easy to fall into the trap of busyness with only a few moments for God and His Word. Lack of prayer is another hindrance to hearing God speak. Prayer is not just a time to come and give God a list of wanted things. Certainly, we are encouraged to bring our requests to God, but we must be careful not to get caught up in our list and forget to “wait” and “listen” in the presence of God as He speaks to the heart. A very serious hindrance for the believer is to be involved in sin and failing to respond to the conviction of the Spirit of God to deal with these matters. These “sins” block the way for hearing and knowing the voice of God. One must obediently and Biblically deal with these sins to clear the way for hearing God. Are you in the right place, with the right heart attitude and the right spiritual condition to hear God? Henry Blackaby writes in his book, Hearing God’s Voice, “God is speaking. The problem is people have become disoriented to His voice.” (I suggest you purchase this book for more study on this subject) Yes, God is speaking to His children, but are we listening and obeying?
The Often Neglected Gift... Hospitality
In the hurried, isolated, and self-centered pace of our society, the matter spoken of in 3 John verses 1-5 is often neglected. In this passage believers are being encouraged and instructed to reach out to those in need. In Bible times, traveling evangelists, traveling missionaries and others in need were given lodging and food by caring believers since there were not numerous places to stay like today.
Wish I Had More Time
How many times have you said or heard someone say “I wish I had more time?” Sometimes a few minutes is all we think we need, and other times we long for additional days and weeks.
