1 Corinthians 13:5 – Love does not seek its own. THEME OF THE DAY: ARE YOU A CHURCH GETTER OR GIVER? There is a tombstone in the courtyard of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. It reads, “Sacred to the memory of General Charles George Gordon, who at all times and everywhere gave his strength to the weak, his substance to the poor,…
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
New Testament
John 14:15 – If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. THEME OF THE DAY: THE WORK FOR JOY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. The joy of the Lord. It is what calms our raging souls when buffeted by tough circumstances. It is what energizes us to get up in the morning and live for Jesus. It is our strength to serve…
John 17:1-26 – When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only…
Imagine this scenario and I will use me as the example. It is Sunday morning about 11:00 a.m. I am mounting the platform getting ready to preach. As is the custom in my church, I have you stand for the reading of the scripture. As you are standing, I say, “Brothers and sisters. I had a rough week. I was snappy with my wife, irritated over some situations in my life causing me to complain. My personal quiet time has been hit and miss, more miss than hit… What would you think of me after such a brutal display of my innermost struggles of the past week?
The Apostle Paul described God’s call on his life with these words, “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:7-8). It was a call to preach the “unsearchable riches of Christ.” And, we, as recipients of God’s grace, have been granted access by faith to these “unsearchable riches of Christ.”
Nothing is more attractive to a hurting world seeking truth, purpose, and comfort than a Christian who lives to model Jesus Christ, not primarily in actions, but in character. Get the character or heart right toward Christ and actions always follow. There is something irresistible about a believer exuding the spiritual qualities found in Jesus. They are magnetic, encouraging, and open up many opportunities to proclaim Him.