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

Check it Out...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 20:33-49 / NT - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

"Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup." -- 1 Corinthians 11:27-28

There are many physical maladies that need to be detected early. The best way to discover certain problems is to do a regular "self-examination". Along with such "self-exams" are those pesky annual physicals. Over the years I have received positive medical care due to these exams and always wondered why anyone would ignore such helpful procedures. I guess some people just figure "what you don't know won't hurt you".

Paul had a very different belief. He knew that unchecked sin leads to an unsafe life. The Lord's Table is to be approached with a prepared and cleansed heart. The bread and the cup are to be received in a worthy manner by an examined people. Careless and sinful living is not a lifestyle that will just be ignored over time. A "self-examination" is imperative because, "what we don't know can hurt us".

As we come to the communion table, we are reminded of our Lord's sacrifice to redeem us and set us apart as a people of God. Moments of examination bring us back to the basics of our relationship with the Lord. Take time to check out what may have broken your fellowship and pray with David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

Think about this: "An humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning." ~ Thomas à Kempis

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 21 / NT - 1 Corinthians 12

Together...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 20:1-32 / NT - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

"Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. - 1 Corinthians 11:11-12

I well remember when we had to say farewell to my dear mother-in-law. Her home-going was not unexpected, but a sad time nonetheless.  As my wife was with me through my parents passage, I made every effort to be there for her. While our roles within the family may differ, we are never independent of each other in the challenges of life. We are always in this thing together.

Paul gave clear and distinct directions for marital roles of leadership and partnership. Over the years these instructions have either been ignored by some or misinterpreted and abused by others. Right in the middle of his instruction Paul gives the balance of dependence to protect from both extremes. And for every marriage to be blessed, the central truth is highlighted... "All things are from God".

My friend, the strength of our marriage should always be the ruling presence of the Lord and the supportive partnership of two. We should laugh together and weep together. We should grieve together and grow together. We are never independent of each other, and all that we are and have is always from God.

Think about this: "Love is not a state, it is a movement. Personal contact is not a state, but a fleeting movement that must be ceaselessly rediscovered. Marriage is not a state, but a movement—a boundless adventure." ~ Paul Tournier

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 20:33-49 / NT - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Glorify God ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 19 / NT - 1 Corinthians 10:14-33

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31

When I turned sixteen my Pastor gave me a copy of "In His Steps" by Charles Sheldon. This book, which was first published in 1897, has since sold over 30,000,000 copies which places it as the ninth best selling book of all time. The full title is "In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?" While the lingering phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" has been quite popular, the more precise and Biblical question should be: "Does It Glorify God?"

Paul led believers to live a selfless life that considered others first. The greatest focal point was the honor and glory of the Lord in everything. He never handed out wrist bands or bumper stickers that raised a qualifying question for decisions. He just stated a simple word of counsel; "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God". Life becomes so much clearer and far more simplified when we bring every decision and action into line with this mandate.

Here it is my friend... Will that purchase glorify God? Does that conversation glorify God? Is that thought or action bringing Glory to God? Does your treatment of that person Glorify God? Is your conduct at work glorifying God? You may ask; What does God have to do with it? EVERYTHING. Remember... "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever" (Westminster Shorter Catechism)

Think about this: "The ultimate end of all things that come to pass, including the ultimate end of the great drama of redemption, is found in the glory of the eternal God." ~ J. Gresham Machen

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 20:1-32 / NT - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16