1 Corinthians 1:26-29
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised thingsand the things that are notto nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him.
I want each of us to spend a few moments in personal reflection. Think of where you were before you were called to Christ, by that I mean where were you mentally, in the natural vs. the spiritual.
How are you now? Are you where you want to be? Are you growing in your spiritual journey?
How did you previously deal with persistent sins...the daily sins, the every day sin... anger, negativity, desire, deceit?
How are you dealing with persistent or daily sins now?
Today, I want to challenge you to take up your calling.
Today, I want to challenge you to step out and make a difference to those who are lost. I want you to go out and make a difference that others may see He is the way, He is the way to our peace, and He is the way to our happiness.
With some practice, we can make a difference. We can make a difference with just a smile.
We can make a difference with a word of encouragement.
We can make a difference with prayer.
Today, I challenge you to accept this cost of Christ, Give of yourself, that others may see Him in you.
Give of yourself that you may see Him in you
Do something extra at home or work, before your asked.
Try to give a little bit more than you expect to receive.
Do something for an elderly neighbor.
Give of yourself, that others may see Him in you.
Today, I challenge you to find the value of Christ.
Give of yourself that you may see the value of following Christ.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect ... -- 1 Peter 3:15
My prayer today is that you take another step closer to God.
My prayer today is that you take another moment in your day to Glorify God, to worship our gracious Lord.
My prayer today is that you spend another moment in prayer, giving thanks to your Heavenly Father for all that you have.
Where are you at in your spiritual growth? Do we realize the blessings that we have?
That you woke up... how many thousands of people did not?
That you have a roof over your head... as opposed to how many millions that do not?
That you will eat today... when millions will not.
That you have a place to worship God... when millions do not.
That is what we are talking about today, accepting this cost of Christ, give of yourself...then find and understand the value of Christ. You, yes you, can make a difference in the lives of those around you. Make yourself a blessing to others, and thus grow spiritually.
Where are you at in your spiritual growth? Do you think an hour or two of church a week, with little else attention paid to God is going to get it? I am here to tell you the more time you spend with God, the more time he spends with you. The more you serve, or help others, the closer you become to God. The more you give of yourself, the more you will grow spiritually.
If you truly want inner peace, inner strength, true joy, you have to work for it. It is just like anything else, musicianship does not just happen, athleticism does not just happen, good grades, or promotions at work do not just happen; you have to work for them. The same goes for your relationship with Christ. Will you be sinless? Of course not. Will you be perfect? Of course not. Nevertheless, are you working towards that end? Are you in fact striving to sin less, to pray more, to devout yourself more, to serve more, to help more? Are you trying to move closer to God? Come on now, can I get an Amen?
It is not about a life without any problems, it is not about a life without challenges. It is about humbling yourself before our God. It is about a life of giving, it is about a life of service, it is about a life of humility; it is about a life given for a life received. It is about this old life given for a new life received in Christ.
Do we realize what it means to be on this mission? That this mission, our mission, is important to God. We are a part of His plan. We are important to God, because He uses us to reach others. Grinding out what was a tough day for you, may have been great encouragement to someone else to keep on keeping on.
In fact, if we are having problems and struggles right now, that means we are needed even more. Because how we handle those problems and struggles gives hope to others. How we persevere, how we overcome shows others they too can make it.
Our perseverance will give others hope.
Somewhere along the way we have gotten the wrong idea that the best, most powerful Christians are the ones who seemingly have no problems. But in reality, everybody has problems...all the problems they can handle. I have problems, and you have problems. I don't want yours and you darn sure don't want mine. So those people with their seemingly "perfect" lives only perpetuate a myth that, in the long run, isn't as helpful as the "survivor," the folks who just won't quit no matter what happens to them.
You see we are all on this mission, His mission and everybody gets to play. Deeper struggle makes deeper reward. Deeper struggle only makes surviving that much more crucial and rewarding. This is not about you, it's about His mission. We are not only talking about you making it. We are talking about the mission that you will have, making that journey, showing others the path. Showing others the pathway to peace goes through the valley of struggle.
Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort others. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. (2 Corinthians 1:6)
Do you remember where you were at when you were called? Where are you right now? Jesus Christ is the rock, He is the foundation from which to take your stand, He is the base from which you fight and overcome your struggles. Others see you fighting the good fight, and your perseverance blesses them, as it blesses you. Hang in there, don't quit, with Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have already won the war, and the reward for following Christ is the reward, and it just doesn't get any better than that. Where are you at in your spiritual growth? My prayer is that on your spiritual journey you are growing everyday!
irvine
