Last night, an icy, miserable night, I sat in the church's Fellowship Center at tables with about a dozen ministry leaders and was I ever encouraged! The meeting was about our 2006-2007 Fiscal Year budget. Fun, right? Yet as each person talked about what their ministry was doing, who attends, and what they saw as their pressing needs, a new level of sharing entered the picture. In every case, whether a kid's focused effort, a 'whole church' effort, or work in grounds and maintenance which is often perceived as being a less 'spiritual' work; what we heard were stories of hundreds of hours, and thousands of dollars being invested in making a Kingdom difference in the world. As we wrapped it up, one participant remarked- "I had no idea what others were doing for God in this church! We should do this more often." Imagine that- people asking for another budget meeting! It was wonderful to know what God is doing with one congregation.
Washington Assembly is not a large church by any stretch of the imagination! There isn't much chance that Christianity Today will be writing us up in a feature article any time soon. But she is a church with a great heart for God and His work in the world. The amazing thing is just how much a few (relatively speaking) people who are Spirit-gifted, passionate about changing lives, and unified in mission and purpose are accomplishing under the Lordship of Jesus.
Are you contributing to the work of the Body of Christ? No, not just financially, though that is important, but in time and effort and cooperation?
Are you weaving a network of connections, a web of supportive relationships with people of like mind and heart?
Are you aware of what others in your network are doing, rejoicing in their successes, supporting them in their disappointments?
That's how we change the world.
The Church is not a place for competition. It's not a place to thump our chests and strut our stuff. It's not about who's more important, or who has a bigger chunk of the annual budget. It's about MINISTRY, making God look good and building up people at the same time.
The Word urges us to get together. Read this passage slowly, with comprehension.
Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.
We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.
There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ. (Ephesians 4:2-7, NLT)
United in purpose, different in giftedness - that's what makes Christ's church effective.
There's a world that waits for us to bring them the message of hope in Jesus Christ. There are broken, lonely people who wait for us to extend a hand of mercy. There are children waiting to be taught the Way to Life. There are marriages waiting to be strengthened by the infusion of the love of Jesus. There are men and women who are waiting to shown the way to know God's Presence, the joy of saying 'Yes,' to God's purposes.
Are you part of the need or part of the solution?
Join the Team. Let's make a Kingdom Difference together!
Friday, March 03, 2006
Thursday, March 02, 2006
In the fire
I've got a list of questions that will find their answers only in Heaven! You, too? We all do. One of those questions is - why does God deliver some from the fiery tests and trials while others must walk through those fiery trials?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faithful to God, along with their friend, Daniel. They refused the Babylonian king's demand that they worship his gods and were condemned to the fiery furnace for execution. Where was Daniel? The text is silent! Surely given his integrity he did not worship Nebuchaddnezzar's gods. We are left to wonder since the Bible gives no clue. But we do get the scoop on the other three faithful men. When they first refused to go along, they were hauled before the king who tried to convince them to submit to him with a second chance offering. That, in itself, is amazing. Kings like ole' Neb didn't give second chances! Their reply to his offer is a ringing statement of faith. They said, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18, NIV)
Their answer so enraged the king that he ordered his furnace heated up and in they went! It's a great story to read, but I am fairly certain it wasn't nearly so inspiring to be a participant! Those three men did not know if God would deliver them from the fire, or if He would allow them to perish in the fire, or if they would walk through the fire. What did they know? That God would be with them. It became an amazing moment when God demonstrated His greatness to a pagan society and a proud king. "All the important people, the government leaders and king’s counselors, gathered around to examine them and discovered that the fire hadn’t so much as touched the three men—not a hair singed, not a scorch mark on their clothes, not even the smell of fire on them! Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him! They ignored the king’s orders and laid their bodies on the line rather than serve or worship any god but their own." (Daniel 3:27-28, The Message)
Note that line - "they laid their bodies on the line!" Those faithful men were totally focused on honoring God, regardless of the cost of their decision. If God would be honored by their deliverance - Hallelujah! If God would be honored by their death - Hallelujah! Oh, that we would trust Him in that way, placing ourselves at His command, without demanding this or that or the other. God give us the depth of faith to say, without qualification or quibbling - "I'm Yours, Lord. Use me for your purposes. Gain the glory, all the glory."
Jesus' disciples wanted to draw a broad, bold line that connected 'cause and effect' in their lives. They wanted the assurance that if they did all the right things, then they would always have an easy road. They wanted 'bad' people to suffer and 'good' people to be blessed. One day when they encountered a blind man, they asked, "Who sinned, him or his parents, that he suffers in this way?" Jesus answer is a challenge to their simplistic ideas about God's ways. "“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him." (John 9:3, NLT) Fair? In human understanding, maybe not. But God asks that we let Him be God!
Are you looking at a fiery trial?
Don't fear - trust instead. And, dear Believer, ask Him to give you grace to cooperate with His plans, even if the road is through the fire, if that is what will ultimately bring Him the glory and praise.
_________________________
Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.
Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.
Some thro' the waters, Some thro' the flood,
Some thro' the fire, but all thro' Christ's blood;
Some thro' great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season, and all the day long.
God Leads Us Along
Young, G.A.- Copyright: Public Domain
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faithful to God, along with their friend, Daniel. They refused the Babylonian king's demand that they worship his gods and were condemned to the fiery furnace for execution. Where was Daniel? The text is silent! Surely given his integrity he did not worship Nebuchaddnezzar's gods. We are left to wonder since the Bible gives no clue. But we do get the scoop on the other three faithful men. When they first refused to go along, they were hauled before the king who tried to convince them to submit to him with a second chance offering. That, in itself, is amazing. Kings like ole' Neb didn't give second chances! Their reply to his offer is a ringing statement of faith. They said, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18, NIV)
Their answer so enraged the king that he ordered his furnace heated up and in they went! It's a great story to read, but I am fairly certain it wasn't nearly so inspiring to be a participant! Those three men did not know if God would deliver them from the fire, or if He would allow them to perish in the fire, or if they would walk through the fire. What did they know? That God would be with them. It became an amazing moment when God demonstrated His greatness to a pagan society and a proud king. "All the important people, the government leaders and king’s counselors, gathered around to examine them and discovered that the fire hadn’t so much as touched the three men—not a hair singed, not a scorch mark on their clothes, not even the smell of fire on them! Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him! They ignored the king’s orders and laid their bodies on the line rather than serve or worship any god but their own." (Daniel 3:27-28, The Message)
Note that line - "they laid their bodies on the line!" Those faithful men were totally focused on honoring God, regardless of the cost of their decision. If God would be honored by their deliverance - Hallelujah! If God would be honored by their death - Hallelujah! Oh, that we would trust Him in that way, placing ourselves at His command, without demanding this or that or the other. God give us the depth of faith to say, without qualification or quibbling - "I'm Yours, Lord. Use me for your purposes. Gain the glory, all the glory."
Jesus' disciples wanted to draw a broad, bold line that connected 'cause and effect' in their lives. They wanted the assurance that if they did all the right things, then they would always have an easy road. They wanted 'bad' people to suffer and 'good' people to be blessed. One day when they encountered a blind man, they asked, "Who sinned, him or his parents, that he suffers in this way?" Jesus answer is a challenge to their simplistic ideas about God's ways. "“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him." (John 9:3, NLT) Fair? In human understanding, maybe not. But God asks that we let Him be God!
Are you looking at a fiery trial?
Don't fear - trust instead. And, dear Believer, ask Him to give you grace to cooperate with His plans, even if the road is through the fire, if that is what will ultimately bring Him the glory and praise.
_________________________
Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.
Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.
Some thro' the waters, Some thro' the flood,
Some thro' the fire, but all thro' Christ's blood;
Some thro' great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season, and all the day long.
God Leads Us Along
Young, G.A.- Copyright: Public Domain
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Willing to wait
A few weeks ago, while at a meeting with a friend, she remarked, "I can feel a lot of tension in you today. You keep sighing like you're carrying the weight of the world!" I was stressed by many challenges that day - deadlines, decisions, people's needs - but I had no idea that my internal stress was so externally obvious. A few days later, I we met again and as we talked she said, "You're relaxed today. I like you better this way." I like myself better when I'm not one big knot of tension, too! It was not the circumstances that changed; it was my response to them.
Situations arise that require us to adjust our plans, that leave us wondering which way to go, that can keep us staring sleeplessly into the dark at 3 o'clock in the morning. Sometimes these times result from our own actions, sometimes they come from the choices made by other people. Yes, sometimes it is the result of inexplicable circumstances- 'acts of God,' we call them. [I find it strange that we label accidents, earthquakes, and hurricanes as 'acts of God,' but fail to do the same for beautiful sunrises and gentle Spring rains that awaken the flowers!]
Yesterday presented me with potentially stressful situations on a couple of fronts! I did not want to let these things result in tension taking hold of my heart and mind, so after the house grew quiet and everyone else was asleep, I knelt at my recliner in the darkness of the living room. I followed Paul's advice, originally sent to Believers in the city of Philippi, now sent my way: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV) As I talked with the Lord, I found His peace - just like He promised.
Are you stressed today? Has God allowed someone or something to enter your life that potentially will turn things upside down for you? You now have a CHOICE - worry and fret, or trust and rest. None of gets to choose all, perhaps even most, of our circumstances, but we always have a choice about how we respond to those situations, don't we? Make yours the choice of deep faith.
A favorite Psalm, the 37th, has great advice for dealing with life in those days when potentially stressful situations arise. The ancient wisdom is worthy of our confidence.
"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and
wait patiently for him; ...
If the LORD delights in a man’s way,
he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand." (Psalm 37: 2-7; 23-24, NIV)
Do you see all those 'choice' words?
Make the faith decision and 'present your requests' to God. Let Him share your burden today, won't you?
Then, instead being people whose faces are full of worry lines, whose shoulders ache from muscles tight with tension, with short tempers: we will be people at rest, waiting for God to reveal His purposes.
"Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. " (1 Peter 5:7, The Message)
Situations arise that require us to adjust our plans, that leave us wondering which way to go, that can keep us staring sleeplessly into the dark at 3 o'clock in the morning. Sometimes these times result from our own actions, sometimes they come from the choices made by other people. Yes, sometimes it is the result of inexplicable circumstances- 'acts of God,' we call them. [I find it strange that we label accidents, earthquakes, and hurricanes as 'acts of God,' but fail to do the same for beautiful sunrises and gentle Spring rains that awaken the flowers!]
Yesterday presented me with potentially stressful situations on a couple of fronts! I did not want to let these things result in tension taking hold of my heart and mind, so after the house grew quiet and everyone else was asleep, I knelt at my recliner in the darkness of the living room. I followed Paul's advice, originally sent to Believers in the city of Philippi, now sent my way: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV) As I talked with the Lord, I found His peace - just like He promised.
Are you stressed today? Has God allowed someone or something to enter your life that potentially will turn things upside down for you? You now have a CHOICE - worry and fret, or trust and rest. None of gets to choose all, perhaps even most, of our circumstances, but we always have a choice about how we respond to those situations, don't we? Make yours the choice of deep faith.
A favorite Psalm, the 37th, has great advice for dealing with life in those days when potentially stressful situations arise. The ancient wisdom is worthy of our confidence.
"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and
wait patiently for him; ...
If the LORD delights in a man’s way,
he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand." (Psalm 37: 2-7; 23-24, NIV)
Do you see all those 'choice' words?
Make the faith decision and 'present your requests' to God. Let Him share your burden today, won't you?
Then, instead being people whose faces are full of worry lines, whose shoulders ache from muscles tight with tension, with short tempers: we will be people at rest, waiting for God to reveal His purposes.
"Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. " (1 Peter 5:7, The Message)
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Allies and friends
Josheb, Eleazar, and Shammah are three names linked forever in the Bible. Who? No, they were not the three guys in the fiery furnace. That would be Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego! The first three were collectively known in Israel as "David's Mighty Men." They were renowned for their battle field exploits, each one having distinguished himself with a courageous stand against impossible odds. Josheb fought with a spear and in one day killed 800 of the enemy. Eleazar fought so hard and long one day that the story says "his hand froze to the sword!" Shammah single-handedly defended a position against a whole troop. They were the Special Forces of the Israeli army of that day, the kind of men you wanted on your side.
They were tough, but yet there is a tender side to them as well. Take a look.
"While David was holed up in the Cave, the Philistines had their base camp in Bethlehem.
David had a sudden craving and said, “Would I ever like a drink of water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem!”
So the Three penetrated the Philistine lines, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David.
But David wouldn’t drink it; he poured it out as an offering to God, saying, “There is no way, God, that I’ll drink this! This isn’t mere water, it’s their life-blood—they risked their very lives to bring it!” So David refused to drink it. This is the sort of thing that the Three did."
(2 Samuel 23:14-17, The Message)
Their leader expresses a nostalgic desire for a drink of water from a well near his old home. He was just talking, sort of thinking out loud. But these Mighty Men loved him so they went and got one for him! David's response is to pour it on the ground! The cost of that canteen of water was simply too high for him to drink it, so he turned it into a sacrifice to God. Was this a sign of disrespect? No way. It was a tribute to the men and their courage.
Do you have friends like that, who will give their utmost for you, who are really 'there' for you when you need them?
Are you a friend to someone in that way, where nothing is too costly, where your desire is to see them succeed?
We Believers talk about being the 'Body of Christ' and our love for each other. But, my observation is that a lot of our words about being connected are just hot air. Not many of us are dedicated to one another to the point of dying to self. A lot of us get irritated if somebody parks in our spot or sits in our pew! What a 'kingdom difference' we will make when we give up our self interest and form bonds that no one can break, that do not allow for selfish pique or unkind words or envious rivalry.
What causes people to form that kind of connection, the type of bond seen in the story of David's Mighty Men?
First, there must be a shared mission of consequence. We need to sense that we are doing something of such importance that we are willing to forget about ourselves, our personal comfort, our reputation for the sake of seeing that mission accomplished.
Second, there must be a unifying leader who demonstrates his own commitment to the team, who teaches those he leads to think of the group first, and of themselves as individuals secondarily.
Third, there must be a realized reward that all can enjoy when the effort is finished.
Believer, our mission is to save the world! Is that mission big enough to pull us together? If we're just thinking about building a church building, or creating a comfortable space for ourselves, or helping our kids be happy... we'll fight with each other. IF we take up God's challenge to establish His kingdom of love and light in this loveless and dark world, we'll die for the cause and for those who work along side of us.
Our leader is Jesus Christ and He died for the team! His example ought to be enough, don't you think?
God's reward is available to all who hang in there, who finish the battle with honor. "And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return." (2 Timothy 4:8, NLT)
Are you ready to join the team, to become one of God's Mighty's? The world is waiting!
They were tough, but yet there is a tender side to them as well. Take a look.
"While David was holed up in the Cave, the Philistines had their base camp in Bethlehem.
David had a sudden craving and said, “Would I ever like a drink of water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem!”
So the Three penetrated the Philistine lines, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David.
But David wouldn’t drink it; he poured it out as an offering to God, saying, “There is no way, God, that I’ll drink this! This isn’t mere water, it’s their life-blood—they risked their very lives to bring it!” So David refused to drink it. This is the sort of thing that the Three did."
(2 Samuel 23:14-17, The Message)
Their leader expresses a nostalgic desire for a drink of water from a well near his old home. He was just talking, sort of thinking out loud. But these Mighty Men loved him so they went and got one for him! David's response is to pour it on the ground! The cost of that canteen of water was simply too high for him to drink it, so he turned it into a sacrifice to God. Was this a sign of disrespect? No way. It was a tribute to the men and their courage.
Do you have friends like that, who will give their utmost for you, who are really 'there' for you when you need them?
Are you a friend to someone in that way, where nothing is too costly, where your desire is to see them succeed?
We Believers talk about being the 'Body of Christ' and our love for each other. But, my observation is that a lot of our words about being connected are just hot air. Not many of us are dedicated to one another to the point of dying to self. A lot of us get irritated if somebody parks in our spot or sits in our pew! What a 'kingdom difference' we will make when we give up our self interest and form bonds that no one can break, that do not allow for selfish pique or unkind words or envious rivalry.
What causes people to form that kind of connection, the type of bond seen in the story of David's Mighty Men?
First, there must be a shared mission of consequence. We need to sense that we are doing something of such importance that we are willing to forget about ourselves, our personal comfort, our reputation for the sake of seeing that mission accomplished.
Second, there must be a unifying leader who demonstrates his own commitment to the team, who teaches those he leads to think of the group first, and of themselves as individuals secondarily.
Third, there must be a realized reward that all can enjoy when the effort is finished.
Believer, our mission is to save the world! Is that mission big enough to pull us together? If we're just thinking about building a church building, or creating a comfortable space for ourselves, or helping our kids be happy... we'll fight with each other. IF we take up God's challenge to establish His kingdom of love and light in this loveless and dark world, we'll die for the cause and for those who work along side of us.
Our leader is Jesus Christ and He died for the team! His example ought to be enough, don't you think?
God's reward is available to all who hang in there, who finish the battle with honor. "And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return." (2 Timothy 4:8, NLT)
Are you ready to join the team, to become one of God's Mighty's? The world is waiting!
Monday, February 27, 2006
Wanted - World Changers!
Scanning the employment listings in the Sunday paper is an old habit with me! I'm not looking for another job, and yet most Sunday afternoons I read down the columns. The range of jobs is wide, the qualifications varied. I find the header lines used to capture attention most interesting. These appeared in the Express-Times yesterday.
-EARN EXTRA MONEY!
-HURRY! THIS ONE WON'T LAST!
-Welcome to your future.
-A real opportunity!
-Looking for a few good people.
This one, the header on an ad for a cruise ship company looking for cooks, waiters, and house-keepers is a little too cute - Don't miss the boat!
The postings offer financial security, or a sense of purpose, or the promise of fulfillment. Urgency is often implied as was the case with that last one I noted.
The Lord has posted a standing job offer, too! He is seeking men and women who will 'make a Kingdom difference' in the world! It is true! He invited you and me to join His firm named, The Church, where we can work alongside of millions of others, with the aim of changing the world.
"Ah, Pastor, you're feeling a bit grandiose today, aren't you?" No, not really. Being a world-changer does not mean that we will all become Presidents or that we will all gain national recognition. It does not require that we have access to $millions or a stage from which we speak to thousands. It means we will be faithful to serve right there in the the place where we find ourselves today, using the spiritual gifts that God provides to us today, to touch the lives of the people that we talk to and work with today. God's call to service is not just for those who would become pastors or church workers, either. It's a call to be His representative in your corner of the world.
He may use you to speak a word of wisdom to a confused person.
He may use you to extend comforting mercy to a broken heart.
He may use you to speak a prophetic word to someone who needs to be nudged back to the right road.
He may use you to be a servant who provides critical help to someone burdened down by life.
He may use you to reflect His majesty by creatively helping your work group to achieve greater things.
He may use you to build bridges of communication between people who are suspicious.
Are you starting to grasp the concept? There are opportunities to serve God everywhere, including right where you are. It does not require a pulpit or a title. God's only requirement is a willing heart that accepts His commission. And, whatever His purpose for us, God promises to make us competent by His Spirit's work. Peter writes, "As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!" (2 Peter 1:3, NLT)
Here's a line to take with you, to meditate on today. In the earliest days of the Church, the disciples began to do godly work. They attracted attention in the city of Jerusalem which led to their arrest. When they came before the leaders in the council of those who were rich and powerful, they were not afraid. And here's what was said of them - "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13, NIV) The ability to be a world-changer comes from the Presence of Jesus in us. A couple of decades later, in the city of Thessalonica, another group of people observed two men who were faithful to Christ's call and they said of them- “Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down, and now they are here disturbing our city!” (Acts 17:6, NLT)
Let's go and change the world!
-EARN EXTRA MONEY!
-HURRY! THIS ONE WON'T LAST!
-Welcome to your future.
-A real opportunity!
-Looking for a few good people.
This one, the header on an ad for a cruise ship company looking for cooks, waiters, and house-keepers is a little too cute - Don't miss the boat!
The postings offer financial security, or a sense of purpose, or the promise of fulfillment. Urgency is often implied as was the case with that last one I noted.
The Lord has posted a standing job offer, too! He is seeking men and women who will 'make a Kingdom difference' in the world! It is true! He invited you and me to join His firm named, The Church, where we can work alongside of millions of others, with the aim of changing the world.
"Ah, Pastor, you're feeling a bit grandiose today, aren't you?" No, not really. Being a world-changer does not mean that we will all become Presidents or that we will all gain national recognition. It does not require that we have access to $millions or a stage from which we speak to thousands. It means we will be faithful to serve right there in the the place where we find ourselves today, using the spiritual gifts that God provides to us today, to touch the lives of the people that we talk to and work with today. God's call to service is not just for those who would become pastors or church workers, either. It's a call to be His representative in your corner of the world.
He may use you to speak a word of wisdom to a confused person.
He may use you to extend comforting mercy to a broken heart.
He may use you to speak a prophetic word to someone who needs to be nudged back to the right road.
He may use you to be a servant who provides critical help to someone burdened down by life.
He may use you to reflect His majesty by creatively helping your work group to achieve greater things.
He may use you to build bridges of communication between people who are suspicious.
Are you starting to grasp the concept? There are opportunities to serve God everywhere, including right where you are. It does not require a pulpit or a title. God's only requirement is a willing heart that accepts His commission. And, whatever His purpose for us, God promises to make us competent by His Spirit's work. Peter writes, "As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!" (2 Peter 1:3, NLT)
Here's a line to take with you, to meditate on today. In the earliest days of the Church, the disciples began to do godly work. They attracted attention in the city of Jerusalem which led to their arrest. When they came before the leaders in the council of those who were rich and powerful, they were not afraid. And here's what was said of them - "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13, NIV) The ability to be a world-changer comes from the Presence of Jesus in us. A couple of decades later, in the city of Thessalonica, another group of people observed two men who were faithful to Christ's call and they said of them- “Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down, and now they are here disturbing our city!” (Acts 17:6, NLT)
Let's go and change the world!
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