Servant of Christ: Can Outsiders See Christ in You?

Scripture: Ephesians 3: 8-13

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus had the heart of a servant; Make yourself available to God as his servant

God will give you opportunities to tell others about Christ. It doesn’t matter if you’re an apostle or an evangelist. With opportunities he will provide ability, courage, and power. Make yourself available to God as his servant.

You may feel your role is minor. You may be right. Don’t forget the difference God makes. Draw on his power and do your part. Faithfully perform the special role God has called you to play. God has chosen us to be Christ’s representatives on earth. Paul challenges us to live lives that are worthy of being called Christ’s very own.

People are watching your life. Can they see Christ in you?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians Chapter 3

Where is the Wise? Search for Wisdom

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1: 19-20

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Scripture Commentary: Knowledge vs. Wisdom

We can spend a lifetime accumulating knowledge attending school, memorizing facts, and learning to apply data to our daily lives. We can do all of this yet not gain the wisdom that comes from a personal relationship with God.

Our society worships earthly power, influence, and wealth. Jesus came as a humble, poor servant. He offers his kingdom to those who have faith, entering into a personal relationship with him. Faith is more important than all of our good deeds and worldly things.

Come to the crucified and risen Christ to receive eternal life and the joy of a personal relationship with our Savior. Others often refer to people as “foolish” when they simply accept Christ’s offer. These “foolish” people are actually wisest of all. They alone will live eternally with God.

Skill and knowledge do not get a person into God’s kingdom. Simple faith does this. No one can boast that their achievements earned them eternal life with Our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation; we need only accept what Jesus has already done for us.

Read the entire chapter:
1 Corinthians Chapter 1

Repent and Be Baptized

Scripture: Acts 2: 38-40

Then Peter said unto them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”

Scripture Commentary:

Peter said repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. He will pardon our sins so that we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

If we do not ask God to forgive us, how can we do the work for him? God knows our weaknesses. He is willing to forgive. If we go to Jesus, ask for forgiveness and repent, He will remove the yoke that we have been carrying.

We must turn to Christ and depend on him for forgiveness, mercy, guidance, and purpose. We cannot save ourselves, only God can save us. When we are baptized we identify ourselves with Christ. We become part of a community of believers. We are saying, “I am a child of God. He is my Lord and Savior.

Go into the world and tell your story of how God has worked in your life. He is using you to build up His church.

Read the Entire Chapter
Acts Chapter 2

Believe … Even Thomas The Doubter Believed

Scripture: John 20: 29, 31

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.

Scripture Commentary: Blessed Are They Who Believe Without Seeing

Believe in Our Lord Jesus Christ. He is in every breath we take, and in every day we live when we are living for him.

When you want to talk to Jesus, open your Bible. By opening your Bible and reading the Gospel – His Gospel – He talks to us. He will answer you every time.

Some people think they would believe in Jesus if they could see a definite sign or miracle. Jesus says we are blessed when we can believe without seeing. When you have doubts, as Thomas did, Jesus will not be hard on you. He loves you and will wait for you despite your skepticism.

Some people doubt before they believe. If you are in doubt, ask questions. Questions lead to answers. When those questions are answered, and you accept those answers, your doubt has done a good work by bringing you to Christ.

It is when doubt becomes stubbornness and stubbornness becomes a lifestyle of doubt that harms your faith. Let doubt deepen your faith as you continue to search for the answer. When you study the Gospel of Jesus you will find answers to your questions . God will be there for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 20

When I Want to Do Good, Why is Evil There With Me?

Scripture: Romans 7: 21-24

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Scripture Commentary: We Cannot Overcome Our Sinful Nature and Do Good Without Christ’s Help

We have all said something like this at one time or another: “The devil made me do it.” “I didn’t do it, the sin in me did it.”

Even though these sound like good excuses, we are still responsible for our actions. We must never use the power of sin or Satan as an excuse because both are defeated enemies.

The “law at work in the members of my body” is the sinful nature deep within each of us. This is our vulnerability to sin. It refers to everything within us that is more loyal to our old way of selfish living than to God.

This inward struggle with sin was as real for Paul as it is for us. Whenever Paul felt lost, he would return to the beginning of his spiritual life, remembering that he had already been freed by Jesus Christ.

Without Christ’s help, sin is stronger than we are, and sometimes we are unable to defend ourselves against its attacks. That is why we should never stand up to sin alone. Jesus Christ, who has conquered sin, promises to stand by our side.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Romans Chapter 7

Husband and Wife: Keep God in Your Marriage

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7: 27

Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.

Scripture Commentary: Men, a wife won’t solve your problems. Likewise to women, a husband won’t solve yours.

Many people naively think that marriage will solve their problems. Here are some problems marriage won’t solve: loneliness, sexual (and other) temptations, satisfaction of one’s deep emotional needs, and elimination of life’s difficulties.

Marriage alone does not hold two people together. Commitment does – commitment to Christ and to each other despite conflicts and problems. As wonderful as marriage is, it does not automatically solve everything.

Whether married or single, we must be content with our situation and focus on a relationship with Christ before we can pursue a successful relationship with others.

Paul urges believers not to regard marriage, home, or financial security as the ultimate goals in life. As much as possible, we should live unhindered by the cares of this world, such as burdensome mortgages, budgets, investments, or debts that might keep us from doing God’s work.

A married man or woman must take care of earthly responsibilities, but they should make every effort to keep them modest and manageable. Keep Jesus in your marriage. God bless you both.

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 Corinthians Chapter 7

Let Christ Set You Free

For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sin, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Romans 7: 5-6

Commentary:

Sinners are condemned by the law, the law keeper can’t live up to it, and the person with the new nature finds his or her obedience to the law sabotaged by the effects of the old nature. When a person dies to the old life and belongs to Christ, a new life begins. Unbeliever’s mindsets are centered on their own personal gratification. Those who don’t follow Christ have only their own self determination as their source of power.

People try to earn their way to God by keeping a set of rules, attending church, doing good deeds, and obeying commandments. All they earn for their efforts is frustration and discouragement. Keeping the rules, laws, and customs of Christianity doesn’t save us. Jesus Christ will free you to serve him out of love and gratitude. Christ’s love will truly set you free, from merely any external code. We now serve not by obeying a set of rules, but out of love for God. Let the reality of Christ’s power lift you up to real victory over sin. Christ who has conquered sin, promises to fight by our side.

The Holy Spirit Will Guide You to Understanding

“In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

John 16: 16-18

Commentary:

Jesus was referring to his death, now only a few hours away, and his resurrection three days later. What a contrast between the disciples and the world! The world rejoiced as the disciples wept, but the disciples would see him again (in three days) and rejoice. The world’s values are often the opposite of God’s values. This can cause Christians to feel like misfits, as some may feel today. Remember, until Jesus died and was raised from the dead, we did not have direct access to God the Father. The disciples didn’t fully understand the promise Jesus made until the Holy Spirit came after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Then the Holy Spirit revealed truths to the disciples that they wrote down in the books that now form the New Testament.

In the New Testament it is the Holy Spirit guiding us in the truth about Jesus Christ. The Spirit also helps us through patient practice to discern right from wrong. Christ’s death made a personal relationship with God possible.

Are You Confirming Scripture or Conforming it?

Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly – and indeed you do bear with me. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows! For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11: 1, 10-14

Commentary:

First get your Bible and read chapter 11 entirely. In this chapter Paul felt foolish rehearsing his credentials as a preacher of the gospel. The Corinthians, like some of us today, fall for smooth talk and messages that sounded good and seemed to make sense. We have with us today great eloquent speakers with an authoritative sounding voice who contradict God’s word. Beware! Satan and his servants can deceive us by appearing to be attractive, good, and moral. Many unsuspecting people follow smooth talking, Bible quoting, leaders into false worship. Don’t be fooled by external appearances.

Our impressions alone are not an accurate indicator of who is or isn’t a true follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ask questions of yourself, like does the speaker confirm scripture or conform scripture? Does he or she proclaim that Jesus Christ Messiah came into the world to save us from sin, died on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God, His Father, and will come and judge us. A false teacher teaches for his own glory, not the glory of God.

God Never Abandons

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4: 14, 17, 18

Commentary:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight,” 2 Corinthians 5: 7.

We have not seen Jesus, but we know he lives. We feel the wind, but we do not know where it comes from. The disciples had Jesus with them and at times even they didn’t understand. When we go through this life with all the ups and downs, at times we ask why. Paul reminds us that though we may think we are at the end of the rope, we are never at the end of hope. Our perishable bodies are subject to sin and suffering, but God never abandons us. All our risks, humiliations, and trials are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in and through us. No matter what happens to us in this life, we have the assurance of eternal life, when all suffering will end and all sorrow will flee away. (Isaiah 35: 10)