Walk the talk!

"Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church." -- 1 Corinthians 4:15-17

I will always remember the man who led me to Christ and his Christian testimony. It has dramatically marked my life and my spiritual devotion. I watched his conduct and listened carefully to his witness and counsel because he was my spiritual father. I am thankful that he was consistent in his walk with Christ.

Paul noted that believers have many teachers that come along after the new birth, but only one spiritual parent. He always encouraged those who came to Christ through his witness to follow his example. Such was a bold word of counsel and quite demanding for Paul. Since children learn from their parent's lifestyle, a consistent walk is critical.

Have you ever led someone to Christ? If so, have you proved to be a faithful example for them to follow? Has your lifestyle been one of consistent study in the Word, dedicated times in prayer and passionate witnessing of your faith? Remember that other eyes are watching and as someone once said, "More is caught than taught"!

The Perfect Father

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” – Psalm 103:13-14

As a parent I had to remember the ages of my sons when they were younger. I would often expect more of them than their age allotted. When I stepped back and reflected, I backed off and just let them be the kids that they were. Being a good father demands compassion for your children.

We are all a creation of the Lord. The record is clear, “the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)  Our Creator and Redeemer is the perfect Father who always remembers that his children are dust and yet shows the compassion we need.

Before you give up the fight and conclude that all is lost, remember that you have a compassionate heavenly Father. He knows your limitations and failures, yet he’s ready to show you undeserved mercy. You have a Father who has forgiven all your sins and redeemed your life from the pit. So praise his Name and press on my friend.

Doing YOUR part

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” – 1 Corinthians 3:5-7

It’s now football season. These days take me back to when I played “Pop Warner” football. I didn’t have a very stellar beginning, as I was assigned the position of offensive tackle and I always wanted to run the ball. I was constantly struggling to accept my task and trust that the coach knew best.

Church ministry needs servants who will be faithful to their “assigned task”. Each one is important and is needed for overall success. Yet, as each worker does his or her task, God alone makes the church grow. Wisdom tells us to accept our task and trust the Lord to do his part.

While it may be hard for you to accept your place in ministry, remember that the Lord knows best. In divine wisdom God assigns your role and faithfully fulfills his. When you do your part you will be most blessed and the ministry will be most successful.

Knowing the mind of God

“However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” — but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Secret societies and fraternal organizations have existed for ages. People are drawn to them because they promise the knowledge of secrets that only members can know. We all seem to be interested in knowing secrets of the hidden past and the unknown future. But the only secrets worth knowing are those that can change our lives for the good.

From ancient times, God prepared to help his people with unheard and unknown blessings. In a real sense they are secret blessings that begin with salvation by grace. With this gift comes the Holy Spirit who reveals even the deep things of God to all his children. There are no more secrets.

Why look elsewhere for spiritual wisdom my friend? There is no church or special group that will give you that certain edge to know the mind of God. Take advantage of the truth that Paul writes, “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” (vs.12) Walk in the Spirit and know the mind of God.

Not with words

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." -- 1 Corinthians 1:17

Over two thousand years have passed since the above passage was written. Yet to this very day the average public is still drawn to the eloquent speaker. There are times that they will choose one personality over another because of well spoken words. Lack of experience or skill may be overlooked if the crowd can be wooed with fine words of human wisdom. Words may satisfy, but they can never save.

Salvation comes from a work, not words. The cross of Christ is the power of God to save the souls of men and women. When religious charlatans lead people astray by winsome words they have emptied the cross of Christ of its power. So, when a faithful preacher gives the message of the gospel it should be simple and focused on the power of the cross and not the proficiency of words.

Be careful who you listen to my friend. Be wise in your choice of preachers. Those who are well spoken may tickle your ears and make you feel good, but are you receiving the truth in all its power? Never sacrifice the life of the cross for the love of words.

Strength for the Journey

"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." -- Psalm 102:25-27

It's sad to watch age take its toll on loved ones. As the years pass their strength of body and clarity of mind slowly slip away. Ability gives way to disability. The aging process wears out everything and everyone, so what can we depend on or to whom can we turn?

It has been said there are two things that everyone must face: Taxes and death. Along with this the Psalmist tells us, while the foundations of the earth and the heavens are God's work, they too will perish. Yet, we are encouraged with the fact that the Lord remains the same and his years will never end. He is dependable.

You can be discouraged by the changes in life that rob your energy and strength. Or you can lean on someone who remains the same throughout this life into the next. Why not turn to the Lord from day to day and find strength for your journey?

Someone Greater

“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” – Proverbs 21:30-31

Genghis Khan, Ivan the Terrible, Attilla the Hun, Adolf Hitler, Vladimir Ilich Lenin and Joseph Stalin are in the top ten names listed in Martin Gilman Wolcott’s book “The Evil 100”. They were men who sought to conquer their world, but time has passed them by as nothing more than stains on the pages of history. Ultimate victory lies in the hands of someone greater.

Solomon was a great king who ruled with the wisdom and power given to him by God. He knew the limits of his authority, the source of his strength and the purpose of his reign. The Lord blessed his kingdom with peace and respect from every corner of his world. All of this came to pass because Solomon acknowledged that his throne was really God’s.

Your life and small world is like Solomon’s kingdom. While you may rule in many ways, your throne is really God’s. The best plan for any kingdom is the Lord’s plan and the ultimate victory rests in Him. If you plan to conquer your world today, make sure that you conquer for and by the Lord… this alone will pass the test of time.