For His Glory

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

— Ephesians 4:1


Are you living your life well? That is an important question, because you never know when your life will end.

In a broad sense, life for the Christian will never end. There is an afterlife. There is a heaven. And ultimately, there will be a new earth where we will rule and reign. But according to Scripture, what we will do then is connected to how we live now. So we want to think about our lives and how we are living them today.

We all assume we will live a long life. Maybe you are a young person just getting started. Maybe you have lived many, many years. Maybe you are middle-aged. Whatever age you may be, you don't really know where you are in life's journey. And that is the thing we all have to think about.

We live our life as a story that is being told, and, for some of us, we may be further along in that story than we realize. So we have to ask ourselves questions like, "What purpose does God have in mind for me now that I have committed my life to Jesus Christ?" And, "What will the legacy of my life be? How will I be remembered?"

We are here to bring glory to God—nothing more, nothing less. So the objective is not to be the most successful or to have the biggest this or that. It is to be faithful to what God has set before each of us.

It is not for us to look at another person's success and say, "Why not me?" Nor is it for us to look at our own suffering and say, "Why me?" Instead, it is for us to simply say, "Lord, how can I best glorify You with my life?"

Dying to Be a Servant: A Parable

Once upon a time there were two grains of wheat lying on the floor of a warm and cozy barn. But one day, the farmer came in and told them, "I want to take you out of this comfortable barn and plant you in the earth. I'm going to place you in the cold ground and cover you with soil. It will be dark, and you will die. But I promise that you will multiply and become very fruitful."

The first grain of wheat turned down the suggestion. "No way!" he said. "Count me out. I like my comfort, and I don't want to die." But the second one, after carefully considering the pain and discomfort of dying, decided the promise of a future harvest was worth the sacrifice. So the farmer took him outside and planted him in the ground, while allowing the first grain of wheat to remain inside the barn.

A few days later, a small green sprout appeared over where the seed had been planted. Then it grew and became a tall stalk of wheat that produced one hundred more grains. For the next forty years, the farmer planted all the seeds that had originated from that first grain of wheat, and year after year, the harvest multiplied. However, the grain of wheat that stayed in the barn remained there by itself, never multiplying--but he was very comfortable.

Which grain of wheat are you? Are you playing it safe, or have you let Christ plant you in the world? The only way you'll ever become useful and fruitful in God's kingdom is to abandon your own selfish desires, get out of your comfort zone, and serve the Lord by serving others.

The Bible is not about you.

A powerful, potent, timely reminder of what the Bible is basically about — Jesus Christ. From beginning to end.

Let’s never forget that, because if we do then we’ve missed the point, misunderstood the message, hidden the glory.

Practical Ways to Bear Burdens

There are hurting people everywhere, but at times we just don't know what to say or do to ease their pain. Here are six practical ways to bear someone else's burden.

1. Be there. At times the best "method" of helping is simply to be present. During our darkest hours, we don't need someone who tries in vain to fix everything; we just need a friend.
2. Listen. Don't attempt to give answers or tell people what to do next. Injured souls frequently want simply a listening ear so they can express what's on their mind.
3. Share. Never parade yourself as someone who has all the answers. Instead, allow your own pain and failures to help others.
4. Pray. There is power in speaking people's names before the Lord. When they hear someone talk to Jesus on their behalf, healing often starts taking place.
5. Give. Sometimes helping others involves more than a handshake or warm hug. Maybe they need something financial or material. One of the best measures of sincerity is how much we're willing to give to others.
6. Substitute.You may know an individual who bears the burden of caring for someone else. If you step in and take his or her place for a while, you are emulating your Savior--He, too, was a substitute.

Because we were unable to do it ourselves, Jesus bore all of our sin and sorrow, even unto death. As a result, we can live happily and eternally in communion with our Father. If Christ did that for us, how can we ever say, "I'm too busy to bear someone else's burden"?

1 Thessalonians 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

 

Avoid Negativity

Avoid people who are negative.

If you want a simpler and happier life, choose your friends with care. Avoid whinners and complainers. Sometimes this goes for family too. Spend your time with friends and family that encourage you. Invest your time with people who maintain a good attitude and have a positive outlook on life.

Sometimes you have to let go of friends and family who bring you down. They may not be bad people, just bad for you.

Just because you are a believer, doesn't mean you have to accept abuse. Scripture says, "Look, I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16) I am confident God means we should know how our enemy operates and be alert to his attacks (like verbal abuse). Then stand your ground and speak up. The trick is to remain as calm and as gentle as a dove even if the enemy starts screaming in your face. Keep standing your ground without fear and steadfast in faith that God keeps His promises. Only speak what comes from Him and don't let the enemy win the floor. Make him flee. Scripture says, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

Look for the good (and God) in every situation...

Spiritual-Wellness

Spiritual-wellness is the result of being at peace with God. To be at peace with God and experience spiritual-wellness, you must first believe that He exists, “--- without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NASB).

Why is faith necessary to please God? Because we cannot serve Him unless we are convinced that He exists and that His plans for us are “good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom: 12:2). It is necessary if we are to trust in Him with all our heart (Prov. 3:5)

God has a plan for our lives whether we believe He exists or not. He gives us the freedom and power to make choices. During our lifetime we have the opportunity to make literally thousands of choices. Some are significant, some are not but all have consequences. The single most important choice that we have to make is what our relationship with God will be. The consequences of that decision are eternal.

God is omniscient. He knows every thought that we have or will have. He knows every deed that we have ever done. He knows our sinful nature. Yet He loves us deeply and stands ready to accept us as we are. All we have to do is believe his word and accept His grace to have spiritual-wellness. He paid a heavy price for you and me as individuals, which is the ultimate testimony of His love for us.

We cannot approach the Father God except through the Son, Jesus Christ. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5).

When the apostle Paul writes there is one God, he is referring back to Israel’s statement of faith (Deut. 6: 4-9). This foundational belief is not replaced – it is deepened. Jesus is not another deity, but God Himself, who has also become our Mediator. A mediator is like a priest who brings two parties together in peace. As our High Priest, we can “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16) because we know He will faithfully represent and lead us in His way (Heb. 2:1-18).

In Jesus we are set free from the bondage of the law and the penalty of death required by the law. Therefore, when we die we will be in the presence of the Lord and will enter into his kingdom. Think on this and give praise and thanks to God for His love for each of us.

In the natural world, the more that you know someone the easier it is to believe their words. It is the same with God. When you read and meditate on His Word, you will begin to realize how deeply He loves you and you will begin to trust Him in every area of your life. You will be at peace with God and have spiritual-wellness. In the words of the hymn “all is well with my soul.”

Hope....A Small Word With Big Meaning

Some people place their hope in financial security. Others hope their popularity, abilities, or connections will get them where they want to go. But only those who place their hope in God can face tomorrow without any fear of the future. When you trust in God, you do more than hope for the best. You rest in knowing God's best is His plan for your life.

If we are believers, the Bible says that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, and He guarantees that we will arrive safe, preserved from all destruction, on the final day of deliverance from sin and all it's effects. WOW!

Just think of what it will be like to actually see God face-to-face, to have no more tears, no more sorrow, no more dying...to see our loved ones who have passed on and never be separated from them again. These thoughts leave me totally awestruck!

But it is so easy to lose heart when your focus is on difficulties that persist day after day. That is why it is so important to reconnect with God every morning. Time together reminds you that an all-knowing and all-powerful God is in your corner, ready and able to help. It helps you sift the trivial from the eternal. And restores hope to it's rightful place in your life, where it can shine a light on God's goodness and faithfulness to you.

Life is not about losing. Life is about overcoming. As long as I hold tight in my heart the fact that His plans are GOOD, then I can fight through the obstacles life throws at me, to see the light of the reward that will greet me in the end.

Remember, God is bigger than your biggest problem, stronger than your most frightening enemy, and greater than your doubts and fears. WOW, WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD!

All our hope needs to be in God because He is the only One Who can make us happy.

Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future; Faith is the ability to dance to it today. I hope you dance.