Epaphras, who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:12
How do we fulfill God’s will in our lives? There are many ways to follow Christ. Allow me to mention four ways today.
**Listen to God through His Word and His Church.
**Obey God and glorify Him in your life.
**Value the truths of God’s Word and the life He has given us.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
James 3:14-16
In this passage, James teaches the Church about the failure of worldly wisdom. Jealousy and selfish ambition causes people to have an improper view of themselves and “lie against the truth.” Human beings can be deceived so easily and it’s important for God’s people to be on guard against this scheme of the evil one.
Worldly wisdom does not come from the Lord. James describes this wisdom as “earthly,” “natural,” and even “demonic” in nature. What sounds good and right to the worldly person is often diametrically opposed to Christ’s will and His Word. This earthly philosophy leads to chaos and further sinfulness when followed.
God’s people have the wisdom that comes from above. God’s Word provides us with the truth. The Holy Spirit leads us to righteousness and true goodness. And the Lord’s Church holds us accountable to the truth as we meet regularly for worship.
Let us be thankful and give praise for the wisdom of Christ. Without it, we would be tossed to and fro by godless teaching and wisdom.
Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak. Acts 27:29
This Scripture (Acts 27) contains the account of Paul’s shipwreck at the end of the book of Acts. Paul had warned the captain that travel was unsafe earlier in the trip. Nonetheless, the captain insisted on further sailing despite the treacherous conditions. Eventually, the storm overcame the ship and they were forced to abandon the vessel and swim for shore. Everyone made it to safety and the shipwreck resulted in no loss of life. You can read the entire account chapter 27 for further details.
What has always struck me about this scripture are the concluding words of verse number 29. Luke wrote they “wished for daybreak.” Other translations recount the words as they “prayed for daylight.” These words describe quite well the situations we sometimes face. We may not experience a literal shipwreck. However, this phrase perfectly illustrates how we feel when life is difficult. We simply long for the light when life is at its darkest point.
Many of you can relate to this language. You have wondered if the darkness will ever lift and if the metaphorical sun will ever be visible again. You feel as if your life is sinking and there is no hope. What is a Believer to do?
It sounds trite, but, KEEP BELIEVING. There is no magic formula to overcoming trials in life. There will be seasons when you simply must hold on and keep going. In those difficult hours, keep praying, keep asking, and keep the faith. Keep on traveling even when you don’t feel like it. Go forward even when it looks as if there is no hope. Forge ahead knowing that tears and trials do not last forever.
I know that “keep believing” is simplistic counsel when one is facing the complicated, gargantuan difficulties that this life offers. There will be seasons when this attitude is the only thing that will carry you through. Make a decision and make a choice to keep going and not surrender to fear, doubt, and bitterness. When you escape the darkness you will be glad you did not give up.
Stay in the fight, dear Christians. Better days are on the way. Jesus is coming again! Be encouraged even in your darkest hour. I’m praying for you.
Serving Jesus should be a burning desire within the life of a Christian. We are called, commissioned, and sent to serve Christ through serving others. This post will deal with concrete reasons we can and should serve Jesus every day. Why should we serve?
*He loves us. Christ loves us, therefore, we ought to serve Him. His love was manifested to us when were at our worst. Shouldn’t we be willing to give Him our best?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:8-11
*We should also minister to others because it is worth the cost. Service is never easy. We would much rather be served than serve our fellow humans. In the end, attending to the needs of others will cost us. However, it also gives us blessing, strength, and joy knowing that when we love others we are following in Christ’s footsteps. Serving Jesus is always worth the effort.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
*Finally, let us serve out of our growing love for Christ. Giving ourselves to others is an expression of our love for God. Let us serve Him because we love Him.
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. Psalm 103:21
And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. 1 John 4:21
Dear Believer, commit to serving Jesus this week. After all, it’s the least that we can do!
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
James 3:l3
The wisdom of the Christian is exhibited by two things. First, the deeds the Believer performs are an opportunity to show Godly wisdom to those outside the faith. An understanding Christian who serves God by serving others is a wonderful example of Christ’s love and grace.
Also, the Christian who exhibits humility is a wise convert. Wisdom and comprehension are revealed by the Believer through their actions. May we live with wisdom and understanding each and every day.
Serving Jesus should be a burning desire within the life of a Christian. We are called, commissioned, and sent to serve Christ through serving others. This post will deal with concrete reasons we can and should serve Jesus every day. Why should we serve?
*He loves us. Christ loves us, therefore, we ought to serve Him. His love was manifested to us when were at our worst. Shouldn’t we be willing to give Him our best?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:8-11
*We should also minister to others because it is worth the cost. Service is never easy. We would much rather be served than serve our fellow humans. In the end, attending to the needs of others will cost us. However, it also gives us blessing, strength, and joy knowing that when we love others we are following in Christ’s footsteps. Serving Jesus is always worth the effort.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
*Finally, let us serve out of our growing love for Christ. Giving ourselves to others is an expression of our love for God. Let us serve Him because we love Him.
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. Psalm 103:21
And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. 1 John 4:21
Dear Believer, commit to serving Jesus this week. After all, it’s the least that we can do!
11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
James 3:11-12
One of the great temptations that Christians face is that of hypocrisy. Believers, of all people, should strive to make sure that our testimony of Christ’s salvation matches up with our daily living. When the two are misaligned, God’s people are exposed to ridicule and are in danger of being ignored by lost people and the world alike. May God help His people!
While Christians do sin from time to time, it is imperative for all the converted to practice personal holiness and allow their “walk” to line up with their “talk.” Sin should be the exception in the life of a believer and not the rule.
“He has risen!” (Luke 24:6) That simple, powerful phrase changed the course of history and eternity at once. Jesus death, burial, and resurrection had been predicted throughout His ministry. And now it was fulfilled just as He had said. He was no longer dead, but alive forevermore.
The resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith. Without it, Paul tells us our “faith is vain and we are yet (still) in our sins.” (1st Corinthians 15:17) The resurrection, though an audacious claim, proved the veracity and truthfulness of the Messiah. It serves as verifiable evidence that everything He said was truth and that He was indeed the very Son of God.
What a difference the resurrection of Christ makes in our lives. Without it, we are lost and hopeless. Through the finished work of Christ, we are brought near to God through the wonder of reconciliation. (2nd Corinthians 5:18-19) The resurrection gives us “the hope that our sins are paid for (Romans 4:25), death has been defeated (Hebrews 2:14), and the hope of eternal life when we repent and turn to Christ, accepting what He has done for us.”[1]
How should we as believers respond to this hope? I would imagine that there would be many responses, but praise and sharing are two that come to mind. Our worship and praise should be centered on all that Christ has accomplished for us and in us through His completed work of sacrifice and resurrection.
Given that we have received so much, how can we not share it? Those early disciples centered their witness on Christ’s death and resurrection. We should do no less today.
mrtonyfrench 