Encourage (Today)

Hebrews 10:24 - "Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"

The author of Hebrews is writing, telling believers to think about ways to live out what we're called to do!

What can we be doing practically to encourage others, to build up others, to help them grow in their faith? This is something that I find really neat, because regardless of what point you're at in your walk, you're capable of encouraging someone.

Did you know that?

You have the ability to encourage someone.

Today.

It can be something as simple as sending a text message or phone call, telling someone that they are important, that God loves them, or even just a Bible verse. You could take someone out for coffee or lunch, spend time with them, listening to them and sharing life with them. Pray for someone. You could pour into someone through a Bible study, you could be mentoring someone. There are hundreds of ways!

Don't take me the wrong way, I'm not at all trying to condemn you if you aren't encouraging someone.

However, God's Word is clear that we're to lift each other up, to edify the body of Christ, so I challenge you today, how are you encouraging those around you? What are you doing to build up the body of Christ?

It doesn't have to be huge, it doesn't have to be expensive, it doesn't even have to be time consuming, but encourage someone today.

Choose This Day.

In Joshua chapter 24, Joshua is giving what will be his final address to the people. Part of his speech includes what we have all seen on someone's desk, or wall. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." but before Joshua gets to that part of it, he tells Israel of all that God has done on their behalf. He recounts to them how God has delivered them from Egypt, and fulfilled His promises to them. Then Joshua asks Israel, choose this day who you are going to serve. Choose if you want to serve the Lord, who has done all of these things for you, or if you want to give yourself to the foreign idols, who do nothing but bring death, and separation from God.


We have this same question before us today. We might not have a house to determine for, we might only be deciding for ourselves. However, the question arises, what are you going to serve?
It can also be argued that we would never serve idols like Baal or Dagon, we're smarter than that. But how often do we serve money, or our jobs, or even more common, ourselves?

Today, God is calling on you heart to serve Him, to obey His commands. Jesus said in John 14:15, that if we love God, we will exemplify that love through obedience. In James, we're told that when we seek God, He seeks us. We have been promised the power of the Holy Spirit to walk out this life we have all been called to, one question remains for us all.

Who will you serve today?

The Pursuit of...

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth on the proper use of gifts in the church. He spells it out in verses 26, 33, and 40. He tells the church first, that the gifts are for building up, that God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace, and also that the gifts should be used in a decent and orderly fashion. These verses are absolutely vital for bringing clarity to the way that these gifts are to be used, especially among the congregation. However, it is not all of the explanations of the gifts, and prophecy and tongues that sticks out to me.

What sticks out to me in 1 Corinthians 14 are the three things which Paul tells us to pursue, desire, and seek.
The word "pursue" literally means to follow, in order to overtake or capture. Pursue is a verb. To pursue requires action. Now that this is established, what has Paul commanded us to pursue? The answer to that is found in verses 1 and 12. Paul tells us, pursue love, earnestly desire spiritual gifts, and strive to excel in building up the church. I'm sure that most of us read this list and are automatically drawn to the first part. "Pursue love." That sounds so nice. Maybe someone will make a sign of that and put it over their door with "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" right? WRONG. When Paul says to pursue love, he is telling us that we are to actively hunt down ways to better put ourselves last. Now you're all thinking that the second two items sound better, but wait. Lets continue to look at pursuing love. Paul has just finished penning 1 Corinthians 13, which is widely known in churches today as "the love chapter" where new definition has been brought to love. To sum up Paul's new definition, love is putting the needs and desires above our own. Love manifests itself through humble service. This is something seen throughout the Gospels. Romans 5:8 tells us, in this we know that God loves us, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Christ's death showed His love. What we do shows our love. This death to self is something that Paul even uses as an example specifically for husbands in the way that they treat their wives. Love, as Christ loved the church, giving Himself for her. The love that Jesus Christ brought embraces selflessness. "Pursue love" might as well be read "pursue selfless living"

Secondly, Paul tells the church in Corinth that they should earnestly desire spiritual gifts. These gifts encompass every way in which the Spirit of God moves among His people. As followers of Christ, our desire should always be to see God move in our midst. Jesus calls us to love God with everything that we are (Luke 10:27). That involves seeking His face above everything, regardless of how we feel, putting His will above ours. If we have Jesus on the thrown of our hearts and lives, nothing should excite us more than God Himself coming down to our level and moving in our midst. Spiritual gifts are not only when God's Spirit moves among us, but through us. The Holy Spirit Himself moves and works in and through us. How could we, as disciples of Jesus, desire anything more?

Finally, in verse 12, we are called to strive to excel at building up the body of Christ. Paul doesn't just tell us to try to build up the body of Christ, but to excel at it. We are supposed to be professional edifiers. The church of Christ should be the most encouraging, most uplifting people on this planet. That is how God calls us to be set apart. If we aren't edifying the body, glorifying Christ, then we are not reflecting a faithful image of Jesus to the rest of the body and the world outside. When someone excels at something, not only are they the best at it, but it comes naturally to them. We as the church must be so wrapped up in who Jesus is and what He has done for us that edification should come naturally. This last item will truly be a product of the items which Paul places before it. When we are living selfless lives, fully dependent on the constant moving of the Holy Spirit, edification is the result. When we move away from this, we go from operating as a member of the body of Christ to operating in our own flesh, and it is certain that edification will not be brought to the body of Christ through one of its members walking in the flesh.

Pursue love, earnestly desire spiritual gifts, strive to excel at building up the church.

On Christ the Solid Rock.

Steadfast [sted-fast] -Adjective.
1. Fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.
2. Firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.
3. Unwavering, as resolution, faith adherence, etc.
4. Firmly fixed in place or position.

Immovable [ih-moo-vuh-buhl] -Adjective.
1. Incapable of being moved; fixed; stationary.
2. Incapable of being influenced by feeling; emotionless: An immovable heart; an immovable tyrant.
3. Incapable of being moved from one's purpose; steadfast; unyielding.

You might be wondering what these two words have to do with the old hymn, "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand."

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:58, uses both of these words together, as he encourages the Corinthian believers to comtinue because of the work of Christ in defeating death.

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

In Matthew 10:22, Jesus says that it is those who stand firm in their faith who will be saved.

This whole idea of standing firm in our faith, not being shaken, is obviously very important.
Paul brings it up in almost all of his letters, and Jesus referenced on more than one occasion for us to continue in strength, to not be shaken, to not waver. James says that the one who wavers is like a wave driven by the sea, and that they are unstable in all of their ways.

What is so important about standing firm?
Two things I see that are the product of immovable faith.

First, immovable faith, standing firm in Christ, results in our growth. When Satan attacks us, tempts us, when God allows our faith to be tested, there is temptation to give in, to allow the difficulties that arise to overcome us, but Paul and James both speak of the reward in being overcome by Christ, and overcoming our difficulties and struggles through the strength that He gives. Endurance, hope, patience, and character. These are all qualites that are worth the pursuit.
Our faith does not grow unless it is tested.
Take the example of a body builder. If a person wishes to get stronger physically, they will never accomplish their goal if they go to the gym every day, pick up the 5lb weight once, and then leave.
Strength is built through added resistance.
Our faith is the same way! When the problems grow, and the difficulties increase, it is to grow and stretch our faith. It will more than likely be painful, but we will not grow otherwise!
Difficulties, problems, struggles, and trials all serve to grow our faith, and our reliance on strength from God.

Secondly, when we stand firm in our faith, when we refuse to be shaken, it stands as a testimony to the faithfulness of God.
Things go wrong for everyone, all the time. Nobody on this world has a perfect life, free from any issue that may arise. The way that these predicaments are dealt with however, varies greatly. Some people complain and whine through them, some people fight through them, some people blame God for them and grow bitter, and some people fall on God in them, allowing the things which come against them to push them closer to the Lord.
We should strive to be like the last person. When things arise against us, let them push you to Jesus, cling to Him, and rely on His grace and power to see you through.
When we stand firm in trials, is leaves an example for other believers. Paul told the Corinthians to follow him in the way that He followed Jesus. We can set an example for other believers. When we refuse to be moved by troubles of this world, it can encourage other believers to do the same.
Also, when we are resistant to the common responses to these trials, when we refuse to complain, or accept defeat, it leaves a testimony which those who don't have relationship with Christ can see.
When you stand firm, non-Christians will notice. This exemplifies the power of Jesus Christ in ways that cannot be shown apart from struggles. It is easy to be a Christian when things are easy, but its more of a witness to remain a Christian in your actions and words when things are difficult. When people expect you to cave in, to be overwhelmed, refusing to be overcome by your difficulties is a powerful witness for Christ.

What kind of witness are you being?
Are you facing difficulties? If so, are you overcoming them through the redeeming power of Jesus Christ, or are you allowing them to overcome you?

"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." -1 Corinthians 10:12-13

More Than Conquerors

In today's society, the idea of a God who conquers and defeats His enemies is considered to be something of the past. "That's Old Testament God" people might say. Our culture, the church included, tends to lean much farther to the side of the loving, humble Jesus.
Do not mistake what I am saying. I am not saying that Jesus was not loving and humble, or that these are bad things to focus on. Jesus said Himself in John 13:35, that the way we LOVE is what sets us apart as His people. Just as it was with Christ, love is what motivates us in what we do, and humility is the manner in which we are to act. However, this only covers the how and the why. What exactly was the mission objective of Jesus?

Jesus Christ came to conquer. He came humbly, in the form of a baby, being laid in a manger. He came because of His great love for you. But do not forget that Jesus Christ came to defeat the enemy.

Hollywood loves to produce movies with heros. Often, the hero is against fighting, until an injustice happens to him. When this happens, he goes and cleans house. What Christ did for us is incredibly similar. We were overtaken by sin, our flesh had the victory, and Satan had dominion over us.

But Jesus wouldn't allow things to continue this way, so God Himself came to deal with the enemy. He came in behind enemy lines, under cover as a human. He then went to His own death. Paying the price we deserved, and in doing so defeating Satan, the world, and sin. Once and for all. What an epic storyline!!! And it didn't end there!! After defeating every enemy standing in opposition, Jesus Christ rose again on the third day. He conquered DEATH.  This means that there is nothing which can stand against us, whatsoever. (Romans 8:31)

We see in the love and humility of Christ, the example set for us, and in the death and resurrection, we have hope. We have the motivation that keeps us going. May you be encouraged by the fact that Jesus Christ came to earth, and crushed all opposition.  Also, we see in this victory, our mission objective.
After Jesus rose from the dead, in Matthew 28 He left His disciples with some final words.
He told them to GO. Share what had happened, help others to grow in their faith. We all love to share with people when we see a new movie, we love describing the battle scenes, and the drama of it all. I challenge you, reader, to go. Share the victory of Christ! He has truly defeated the enemy, crushing sin, satan, death, and sin, all in one blow.

He has made us more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37) Our mission objective is to live in the victory that Christ provided. (Galatians 5:1) and to bring others into that victory!

That is a story worth sharing.

Worship: 24/7

In the fourth chapter of John, Jesus is conversing with the Samaritan woman, and in verse 23, Jesus tells her,

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him."

This brings up a few points. First, let me say this. God is desiring you to worship Him. God is blessed by the Christian who lifts up His name regardless of circumstance.
Because of our sin, we have no access to God on our own. Jesus died that we could have right standing and relationship with God, part of that is the access to worship Him freely.

However, we can often fall into the pattern of thinking that says worship is just singing "Lord I Lift Your Name On High" during the service on Sunday morning.

This idea is incredibly false.

Jesus says worshipers who worship in spirit and truth. What this means, is that we are not called to just worship Jesus with our voices at church, we are called to worship the Lord from our hearts. It is to be a sincere proclamation, glorifying Jesus Christ with our hearts, and beyond that even, with our lives.

Paul brings this out when writing to the church in Colossae, in Colossians 3:23 Paul states, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Jesus touches on the same thing in Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven."

The definition of the word glorify, literally means "to honor with praise, admiration, or worship."

This goes to show that we are to do everything in our lives to worship God, from driving to work, to taking out the trash. And beyond that, the way that we live our lives should cause other people to worship.

That is heavy.

How we live, every minute of every day, should make people want to worship God.

Sometimes, this is easy, when things are fun, and life is great, worshiping God comes naturally. Its when things are hard, and they don't go our way, that worshiping God becomes a challenge.

However, it is when we worship God through those difficult times that it becomes a testimony of His great name.

Can you honestly say that you live like that day to day?

I challenge you to examine yourself. Is what you're doing at work, or in school, or at home alone when nobody is looking bringing glory to God?
Is your life lifting Jesus' name higher?

Let me close with a prayer that Jesus prayed in John 12. He was approaching the crucifixion, and while expressing how He is troubled over what lies ahead of Him,

in verse 28, He simply prays, "Father, glorify Your name."

I Wish I'd Waited | Teens

I Wish I'd Waited | Teens