As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10
Sometimes we can struggle with feeling worthless, but nothing is further from the truth. Do you know that you have a gift that helps others live out the life of Christ? You have a special gift from the Holy Spirit to serve others, and to help them experience the power and presence of God. God gives us the ability, in fact, to minister to His children through one another, and, through the Holy Spirit, this ability is truly limitless. How have you been blessed by the service of another Christ-follower? It may have been a check you received that covered your house payment, a note of encouragement, or maybe a prayer for healing. These gifts are from God Himself through members of the body. God is pouring out His grace to you and through you as you use your gifts. What do you believe God has given you to meet the needs of others? Pray that God brings somebody to you this week that needs to receive your gift.
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"...pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:16
What is prayer? Prayer is merely a person speaking to God about what God has already thought of. Clyde Cranford explained, "The prayer that starts in heaven gets back to heaven." This is the effective prayer that God answers. We are commanded to pray for each other in order for healing to occur, and God says that prayer will be answered as we draw close to Him. Scripture says that we are righteous because Jesus is, and that our prayer is effective because He thought of it. What does it mean to pray what God desires? How can you pray more effectively for those around you? "Do nothing from selfishness, or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves." Philippians 2:3
Maybe you have heard the popular phrase, "If you're not first, you're last." Unfortunately, selfishness permeates many cultures, and has absolutely invaded the western attitude and mindset. This attitude, however, is completely unbiblical. Can you imagine what would have happen if Jesus had come to this earth, and as He grew up in His humanity, never considered another soul? What if He had lived life on this earth thinking only of Himself, not willing to share or sacrifice for the sake of others? As Jesus followers, we are encouraged and instructed to honor others by considering them more important than ourselves. Today, how can you show someone that they are more important than you? "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Many people today are turning their attention to personal fitness and healthy living as a long-term strategy, and, among some people marathon running is even becoming very popular. If you're a marathon runner or you've even just thought about running a marathon, you've probably already learned that, as you near the end of the 26.2-mile journey, your legs ache, your throat burns, and it sometimes seems like your whole body is crying out for you to just stop. And that's when you don't have to be a marathon runner to know that this is precisely the time when the encouragement of friends and fans can help push you through the pain and to the finish line. In the same way, as Christians, we are to encourage one another in our journeys. A timely encouraging word for a fellow brother or sister in Christ can make the difference between their finishing the race that God has given to them, or their collapsing, exhausted, along the way. Look around you today, and think about how you can be ready to offer up an encouraging word to someone today who might be struggling in their own race. For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13
The United States of America is known all over the world as the "land of the free." The principle of freedom, in fact, is part of the bedrock that America is built upon, and the citizens of this land are given immense freedoms to pursue their dreams and desires. Similarly, but in an even deeper way, in Christ you have been given complete freedom, along with a set of new desires that influence your daily decisions and behaviors. This freedom has many consequences, but one of those consequences is an attitude of love toward others. Jesus followers desire to serve others in the community around them as family. How can you serve someone today in an attitude of love? |
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June 2018
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