Change Your Mind

Serving God starts in your mind - we need a new way of thinking!

 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV)

 Real servants serve God with a mindset of five attitudes:

- Servants think more about others than about themselves.

- Servants think like stewards, not owners.

- Servants think about their work, not what others are doing.

- Servants base their identity in Christ.

- And servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation.

When you base your worth and identity on your relationship to Christ, you are freed from the expectations of others, and that allows you to really serve them best.

Imagine what could happen if just 10 percent of all Christians in the world got serious about their role as real servants. Imagine all the good that could be done. Are you willing to be one of those people?

Be wise today and always - think of Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself third = JOY!

Using What the Lord Gave You

A great lesson we learned from A Purpose Driven Life is that God deserves our best!

“Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be.” Romans 12:5 (MSG)

He shaped you for a purpose, and he expects you to make the most of what you have been given. Don’t let another day go by. Start finding out and clarifying what God intends for you to be and do.

Begin by assessing your gifts and abilities. The best way to discover your gifts and abilities is to experiment with different areas of service. Until you’re actually involved in serving, you’re not going to know what you’re good at.

Consider your heart and your personality. This is simple - Paul advised, “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.” Galatians 6:4b (MSG)

Examine your experiences and extract the lessons you have learned. Review your life and think about how it has shaped you. Moses told the Israelites, “Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him.” Deuteronomy 11:2 (TEV)

Forgotten experiences are worthless; that’s a good reason to keep a spiritual journal. In Heaven we are going to serve God forever. Right now, we can prepare for that eternal service by practicing on Earth. Like athletes preparing for the Olympics, we keep training for that big day: “They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 (MSG)

 

Be wise today and always - use what the good Lord gave you!

Waiting on God

Hope is one of the greatest gifts God gives to us. The hope of Christ's salvation, forgiveness, presence, love, wisdom, direction, provision, protection, and so many other gifts of hope that await God's children.

 

 

God hears our prayers, and will answer: yes, no, or wait. One of the hardest things to do is to wait. We lose patience quickly. Throughout Scripture we are informed to wait upon the Lord. It's for our own good, and it will help us grow.

 

Be wise today and always - wait on God - He hears you. 

Lead God's Way

God tells Israel's new leader Joshua; To be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. God will be with you and will never forsake you. - Joshua 1:9

This same statement is true for us as well. God calls all of us to be leaders, and to

 

 

Where are you leading today?

 

Where should you be leading?

 

Do not allow fear to keep you from being obedient to the Lord's calling on your life.

 

Be wise today and always - go where God tells you and do what He asks.

Ready to pass It on?

Do you remember the song from the 1960-70s called Pass It On?

 It only takes a spark To get a fire going And soon all those around Can warm up in the glowing That’s how it is with God’s love Once you’ve experienced it You’ll spread His love To everyone You’ll want to pass it on.

 

Look what Paul has to say about those who want to "pass on" the Good News in Romans 1:1-­17.  Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—  the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David,  and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power^[ by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.  Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from  faith for his name’s sake.  And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.  God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you  in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—  that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.  I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,  that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.  That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,  just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”^[

 

Three insights for those wanting to change their world.

1.Surrender - respond to your calling (vv. 1-­7). 

2. Strategize, pray, and plan for open doors (vv. 8­-15). 

3. Share the Gospel Without Shame (vv. 14-­17).

Be proud of the Lord. Boast in Him. Brag about Him. Tell others of Him. You never know what's going to happen when you share the gospel like that.

 

 

I'll shout it from the mountaintop,
I want my world to know.
The Lord of Love has come to me.
I want to pass it on.

 

Be wise today and always - be passionate about sharing the Gospel.

Application of the Word to Your Life

Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
 for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

 Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:

 

 

 Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
    he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
    he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,    because they take refuge in him. - David

 

Find yourself, your crisis, your situation in the Bible. It's there to help you grow, heal, and make the right decision.

 

Be wise today and always - apply God's Word to your life.

Ask the Questions

Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. Most people are afraid to ask the question, What must I do in order to be saved? Nicodemus, a church leader, wanted to know the answer but was afraid to ask the question. Jesus mad it easier for him by giving the answer first.

 

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:3-8

 

Be wise today and always - ask questions God will answer.