Steel and Velvet...

Today's Readings: OT Yr. 3 - Ezekiel 25 / NT - 1 Corinthians 16

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." -- 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

My grip is no different than most men my age. I can easily crush a soda can with one hand or maintain a firm grip on the family dog who wants to chase a squirrel across the street. At the same time I can hold a new born infant tenderly or carry an egg across the kitchen without breaking the shell. It's God's creative gift to have a steel grip in a velvet glove.

The believer has much the same quality spiritually. As Paul counsels, we are to be firm and strong, doing everything in love. Our guard should never be down and our courage should never wane. We are to have a spiritual strength that confronts evil forcefully and presses on toward righteousness powerfully. At the same time we are to minister with the loving compassion and tenderness of our heavenly Father. We are born again with a steel grip in a velvet glove.

How about you my friend? Are you the kind of believer that is known to be firm and strong? Yet, is it rare that anyone experiences your loving touch? Or are you quite loving in everything and have no courage to deal with evil and pursue righteousness? The Lord created you with a unique grip physically and a similar spiritual quality. As you fully exercise all that you are spiritually, you too should have a steel grip in a velvet glove.

Think about this: "Joy is love exalted; peace is love in repose; long-suffering is love enduring; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love in school; and temperance is love in training." ~ Dwight Lyman Moody

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Yr. 3 - Ezekiel 26 / NT - 2 Corinthians 1

Never in Vain...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 24 / NT - 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." -- 1 Corinthians 15:58

Some years ago I had a rather painful experience. I decided to install a two car driveway with blue chip and Belgian block at our home. I ended up seeing the Chiropractor for the rest of the summer, but the driveway is a real honey! My labor was not in vain.

Paul's teaching on the resurrection is a great motivator. The promise of a glorified body in our future gives us hope and a driving force to press on in our spiritual lives. The work of the ministry may be hard and exhausting, but as we push ourselves for Jesus there will be a final day when our work will be complete. Then we will find, not a great driveway or some other magnificent achievement, but an imperishable body that will inherit the kingdom of God. Our labor for the Lord is never in vain.

Last week, or last month may have been grueling. You may be so tired and almost too weary to continue. Don't give up my friend. The way may be hard, but the end will be sweet. Keep your eye on the prize and be assured that your labor in the Lord is never in vain.

Think about this: "Christians that would hold on in the service of the Lord must look more upon the crown than upon the cross." ~ Thomas Brooks

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 25 / NT - 1 Corinthians 16

All Encompassing ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 23:22-49 / NT - 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

"If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." - 1 Corinthians 15:19

When you are considering new employment, benefits are a major priority. Yes, you appreciate a weekly salary that will pay your bills, but your focus is definitely on the future. If, after thirty years, all you have is a drawer full of pay stubs but no retirement, you may feel quite empty. Future hope is all encompassing.

When you take into consideration the daily blessings we have in Christ, the above verse is quite thought provoking. Isn't grace for the journey enough to satisfy? The answer may be found in the idea of "journey". Without a risen Savior we are all on a "journey" to nowhere. Future hope is all encompassing.

One day at a time is good advice, but when we come to the end of all our days what will we have? With a risen Savior we have both daily blessings and heaven as well! In light of such a promise there is nothing to pity. Future hope is all encompassing.

Think about this: "Everything antecedent in the incarnate life of our Lord moves towards the resurrection and everything subsequent rests upon it and is conditioned by it." ~ John Murray

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 24 / NT - 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Work Harder ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 23:1-21 / NT - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." -- 1 Corinthians 15:10

Ah yes, we are what we are by the grace of God. Such is a profound truth that should keep us focused every day of our lives. But, as a result, do we work harder? In another place we read, "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13). We love His grace and HIS working, but what about OUR working?

Evangelicals have battled so much over "grace alone" for our salvation that we forget about the fact of Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." God gives free grace, and we should freely work.

How about it my friend, are you working harder today because you are what you are by the grace of God? Are you so devoted to His cause that you work with unlimited diligence? In the words of our Lord, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4) By the grace of God, work harder.

Think about this: "You cannot be too active as regards your own efforts; you cannot be too dependent as regards divine grace. Do everything as if God did nothing; depend upon God as if he did everything." ~ John Angell James

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 23:22-49 / NT - 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Order to be Productive ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 22:13-31 / NT - 1 Corinthians 14

"What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church... For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." -- 1 Corinthians 14:26, 33

The first edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, whose full title was Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies, was published in February 1876 by U.S Army Brigadier General Henry Martyn Robert and is currently in its tenth edition. Robert desired a means to provide order in church and various business meetings. Over the years I have used this little treasure successfully to keep organization and peace. There needs to be order to be productive.

From the time Paul penned the above words, to church meetings conducted last week, without organization and orderly direction there can be no benefit. There are many who come to services and meetings with much to offer for the strengthening of the assembly. But like a beautiful symphony, each part must be contributed at the right time and in the right way to the produce sweet music. There needs to be order to be productive.

The next time you attend a service, special meeting or business session, allow good order to prevail. Pray for the leadership to have wisdom to guide the event in a peaceful manner. Should you have something to contribute; remember that you are only one part of the whole and are participating in a Divine symphony. There needs to be order to be productive.

Think about this: "Christians in concert are an abridgment of heaven, shining like a firmament of bright stars." ~ George Swinnock

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 23:1-21 / NT - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Obligation or Love?

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 22:1-12 / NT - 1 Corinthians 13

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends..." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7–8

With more memories of loss and brokenness than can be counted, the tragedy of September 11, 2001 always brings to mind those known as "first responders". Many were lost in the midst of saving others and many more suffered from months of selfless exposure to contamination. Were these sacrifices made out of obligation or compassion? Such actions could only come from love for their neighbors. 

The gospel of Matthew records the following in 22:36-40... “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”. The two great commandments call us to a life far greater than obligation... we are called to love our neighbors. 

Our ministry is to act as "first responders", bringing the grace and mercy of God to broken and needy lives. The Lord has sent us out into the world to care for hungry and thirsty people with love. But we can never accomplish this calling as just an obligation. Are you filled with and compelled by the love of Jesus? The world needs those who are driven with selfless compassion to provide love for our neighbors. 

   
Think about this: "Not tongues nor faith nor prophecy nor knowledge nor martyrdom nor philanthropy, but love is the Christian's mark of distinction." ~ Vance Havner

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 22:13-31 / NT - 1 Corinthians 14

Every Part is Needed ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 21 / NT - 1 Corinthians 12

"The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"" -- 1 Corinthians 12:21

Since I have had two knee surgeries I have been very cautious in how I bend. On one occasion I was so cautious that I lifted the wrong way and injured my back. Each part of my body is important and needs proper care, because each part is needed.

Paul gave wise counsel to a church family that had suffered from divisiveness. There was no member that was any more important than the next. Paul wrote in verse 27, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."  As each one is a part, each one is important. They are all needed.

As a member of the body of Christ you are important. You have spiritual gifts and purposes that have been given by the Spirit of God. While these are incredibly significant, always remember that the body is made up of many parts. We are all important and all needed.

Think about this: "Church-goers are like coals in a fire. When they cling together, they keep the flame aglow; when they separate, they die out." ~ Billy Graham

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 22:1-12 / NT - 1 Corinthians 13