1 Peter 4 :10 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."
Peter is encouraging Christians to use their gifts for the Lord. The implication is that every person has been given a gift to serve the kingdom.
In the past few months I have taken two personality tests. Both tests revealed similar information about who I am and what my strengths and weaknesses are. In addition, I am reading a few leadership books this summer. The tests combined with the books are causing me to really evaluate who I am and what my strengths and gifts are. I have done this before in my life. In fact I find I often evaluate myself and discern who God created me to be and how I can be aware of that and play to my strengths. My hope is to use my gifts and strengths to better "serve others" and "administer God's grace" to others.
Dear Jesus, help me this summer to continue to clarify who you created me to be and how I can use my gifts to serve. Amen.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Not Another Reptile Gardens
Romans 12: 4 "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function..."
Paul is comparing the church to a physical body. Just as there are many parts of a body and every part is essential (with a few exceptions I guess-tonsils and appendix?) so too every Christian is unique and has a specific role to play in the church.
We all have unique giftings, passions, and personalities, yet too often we try to conform to those around us. America and America's church are too concerned with being like someone else. I travel fairly often and it's interesting to see that wherever you go the same stores, restaurants, and gas stations exist everywhere. Even the same lame tourist traps are duplicated throughout the country-think Reptile Gardens and the one crazy trap where the laws of gravity do not work and balls roll up hill. What is that place called? In any event, do our churches and Christians follow the same pattern? Do I? God has called me to be me and do what I do.
Dear Jesus, help me do what you created me to do today. Amen.
Paul is comparing the church to a physical body. Just as there are many parts of a body and every part is essential (with a few exceptions I guess-tonsils and appendix?) so too every Christian is unique and has a specific role to play in the church.
We all have unique giftings, passions, and personalities, yet too often we try to conform to those around us. America and America's church are too concerned with being like someone else. I travel fairly often and it's interesting to see that wherever you go the same stores, restaurants, and gas stations exist everywhere. Even the same lame tourist traps are duplicated throughout the country-think Reptile Gardens and the one crazy trap where the laws of gravity do not work and balls roll up hill. What is that place called? In any event, do our churches and Christians follow the same pattern? Do I? God has called me to be me and do what I do.
Dear Jesus, help me do what you created me to do today. Amen.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
My Seat
Mark 10:35 "Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we want you to do for us whatever we ask.'"
Two disciples, James and John ask Jesus if they can sit at his side in His kingdom. Jesus tells them no and says instead of being rulers they should be servants. Sometimes the disciples are morons! Like really? All this time with Jesus and they still haven't gotten it.
My life should be about serving others. My life isn't about me and my glory. James and John did not understand that at this point. I need to constantly remind myself that life is about others. It's not about where I sit, it's about where I serve.
Dear Jesus, help me get off my seat and not worry about my seat so I can give others a seat. Amen.
Two disciples, James and John ask Jesus if they can sit at his side in His kingdom. Jesus tells them no and says instead of being rulers they should be servants. Sometimes the disciples are morons! Like really? All this time with Jesus and they still haven't gotten it.
My life should be about serving others. My life isn't about me and my glory. James and John did not understand that at this point. I need to constantly remind myself that life is about others. It's not about where I sit, it's about where I serve.
Dear Jesus, help me get off my seat and not worry about my seat so I can give others a seat. Amen.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Ten Minas
Luke 19:26 "He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.'"
Jesus just told the parable of the Ten Minas. Basically, the master has given three guys different amounts of money to see how they would spend/invest/save it. He gives more to the ones who invested their money, and he takes away from the man who did nothing with his.
Honestly, this verse on it's own does not sound like the kind of thing Jesus would normally say. The point is that those of us who have been blessed better do something with what God has given us. I too often squander and waste what God has given me including my time, money, talents, and energy. God does want us to be productive and do something. He wants his kingdom to increase and I need to be a part of that today.
Dear Jesus help me use what you have given me today wisely and for you. Amen.
Jesus just told the parable of the Ten Minas. Basically, the master has given three guys different amounts of money to see how they would spend/invest/save it. He gives more to the ones who invested their money, and he takes away from the man who did nothing with his.
Honestly, this verse on it's own does not sound like the kind of thing Jesus would normally say. The point is that those of us who have been blessed better do something with what God has given us. I too often squander and waste what God has given me including my time, money, talents, and energy. God does want us to be productive and do something. He wants his kingdom to increase and I need to be a part of that today.
Dear Jesus help me use what you have given me today wisely and for you. Amen.
Friday, May 07, 2010
The Truth
John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Jesus declares that he is the way, the truth, and the life. The Hebrews would say the same thing about Torah. Jesus is saying that he now is the way to the Father. He has fulfilled and completed the Law. Interesting, but that's for another time.
This verse creates problems for us in our pluralistic, post-modern society. Faith is relative today. "Whatever works for you" is the attitude many Americans have in matters of faith and spirituality. While I must learn to share the true story of Jesus in today's culture, I must not succumb to this philosophy. Jesus has made it clear that He and He alone is the way to the Father. He alone holds the keys to the kingdom, eternal life and heaven. I must proclaim this message and this message only to my world.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being the way, the truth, and the life for the whole world. Amen.
Jesus declares that he is the way, the truth, and the life. The Hebrews would say the same thing about Torah. Jesus is saying that he now is the way to the Father. He has fulfilled and completed the Law. Interesting, but that's for another time.
This verse creates problems for us in our pluralistic, post-modern society. Faith is relative today. "Whatever works for you" is the attitude many Americans have in matters of faith and spirituality. While I must learn to share the true story of Jesus in today's culture, I must not succumb to this philosophy. Jesus has made it clear that He and He alone is the way to the Father. He alone holds the keys to the kingdom, eternal life and heaven. I must proclaim this message and this message only to my world.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being the way, the truth, and the life for the whole world. Amen.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Martha Like Faith
John 11: 27 "'Yes, Lord,' she told him, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.'"
Jesus' friend Lazarus has died. Jesus arrives four days after his death and plans on raising him from the dead. After arriving, he asks Martha if she believe in him and his power as the son of God. She gives him this answer.
I first of all have to wonder if the story of Lazarus is a foreshadowing of what was to come with Jesus? I am sure it is. I also have to admire Martha for her faith and her declaration here. Even though her brother has been dead for four days she still believes. Even though Jesus could have healed him when Lazarus was sick and he didn't, Martha believes. Do I have faith like Martha? Or do I let the present circumstances in my life dictate the level of my faith? I need to see past what is right in front of me and have faith in Jesus regardless of the circumstances.
Dear Jesus, help me have faith in you today no matter what. Amen.
Jesus' friend Lazarus has died. Jesus arrives four days after his death and plans on raising him from the dead. After arriving, he asks Martha if she believe in him and his power as the son of God. She gives him this answer.
I first of all have to wonder if the story of Lazarus is a foreshadowing of what was to come with Jesus? I am sure it is. I also have to admire Martha for her faith and her declaration here. Even though her brother has been dead for four days she still believes. Even though Jesus could have healed him when Lazarus was sick and he didn't, Martha believes. Do I have faith like Martha? Or do I let the present circumstances in my life dictate the level of my faith? I need to see past what is right in front of me and have faith in Jesus regardless of the circumstances.
Dear Jesus, help me have faith in you today no matter what. Amen.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Dumb Sheep
John 10:4 "...and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."
Jesus is comparing himself to a shepherd. He argues that like a shepherd, he cares for his flock and they know his voice and follow him in complete faith and trust.
I am a dumb sheep. I know it. And because I am just a dumb sheep, I better pay attention to my shepherd's voice. And honestly, I am not sure I do that very well. I'm really good at listening to my own voice, but how long until my bleating gets drowned out by other sheep's bleating and soon who knows who I am listening to? Today I will listen to God's still small voice.
Dear Jesus, help me to shut up and listen for you and follow you in every area of my life. Amen.
Jesus is comparing himself to a shepherd. He argues that like a shepherd, he cares for his flock and they know his voice and follow him in complete faith and trust.
I am a dumb sheep. I know it. And because I am just a dumb sheep, I better pay attention to my shepherd's voice. And honestly, I am not sure I do that very well. I'm really good at listening to my own voice, but how long until my bleating gets drowned out by other sheep's bleating and soon who knows who I am listening to? Today I will listen to God's still small voice.
Dear Jesus, help me to shut up and listen for you and follow you in every area of my life. Amen.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
His Own Testimony
John 8:13 "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."
Jesus is in the temple area and is defending his authority to a group of Pharisees. Since he is defending himself, the Pharisees point out that as his own witness his testimony is not valid.
The Pharisees have a point-kind of. I can't show up at church on Sunday and claim to be the son of God and tell people to "just trust me!" "Because I said so" only works on 4 year olds and even then it has a 15% success rate! If I were there that day I am pretty sure I would have had my doubts about Jesus as well. I might have laughed at him a bit too. But in the end, Jesus backs up his claims with numerous miracles, and this little thing called the resurrection. Maybe on that day, his own testimony didn't hold water, but the New Testament and the last two thousand years has.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being who you said you were. Amen.
Jesus is in the temple area and is defending his authority to a group of Pharisees. Since he is defending himself, the Pharisees point out that as his own witness his testimony is not valid.
The Pharisees have a point-kind of. I can't show up at church on Sunday and claim to be the son of God and tell people to "just trust me!" "Because I said so" only works on 4 year olds and even then it has a 15% success rate! If I were there that day I am pretty sure I would have had my doubts about Jesus as well. I might have laughed at him a bit too. But in the end, Jesus backs up his claims with numerous miracles, and this little thing called the resurrection. Maybe on that day, his own testimony didn't hold water, but the New Testament and the last two thousand years has.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being who you said you were. Amen.
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