Promises, Promises (2 Timothy 1:8-11)

Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-11

I’m not sure where to begin. These four verses contain so much to encourage! But I want to focus on three great promises.

We have been saved. If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and have committed your life to Him, you are saved. The old fleshly self has died, and you are being transformed into the new creature God has designed you to be. There is nothing you can do on your own to be saved. It is truly a gift from God. He is so gracious and so merciful that He desires all to be saved—but He’s also so loving that He gives us the choice.

We have been called with a holy calling. Each of us has been called to serve God uniquely. He has blessed us with gifts that we can use to serve Him and others. Paul was a “preacher and an apostle and a teacher.” Others of us are encouragers or are merciful or are hospitable. It doesn’t matter what your gift is as long as you use it to bring glory to our God

We will live eternally with God—Father, Son, and Spirit. Oh, this is the greatest promise of all! If you’ve given your life to Christ, you will never really die. The flesh you live in now will certainly die and decay, but your soul, the true you, will live forever in the presence of the Sovereign Lord God.

I pray you’ve accepted the gift of salvation. I pray you’re using the gifts God has blessed you with. And I pray you’re anticipating eternity with God with joy.

The Hope of His Calling (Ephesians 1:18-19)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 1:18-19

God has a calling for each of His children.

Some are called to be preachers. Some are teachers. Some are encouragers.

Each of us has a place in His kingdom. Each and every one of us. No matter who you are, no matter what you can—or cannot do—God will use you.

It’s easy sometimes to think that, because we aren’t a preacher standing in front of a church, we’re just not that important. Or because we’re not a world-renowned evangelist leading hundreds and hundreds of people to know the Lord, we’re not impacting the kingdom.

But that’s not true; that’s not what the Bible tells us. The apostle Paul tells us that each gift is important—even critical—to the healthy function of the body of Christ:

But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism [division] in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it (1Corinthians 12:24b-26).

You can have hope in knowing that God will call you to use the gifts that He’s given you.

Do you believe that God has called you to serve Him? Do you know how He’s gifted you? If you do, use those gifts to serve and glorify Him. If you don’t, ask Him to reveal your gifts.
(from Hope: Devotions for Finding Hope in Every Situation © 2007 Sauni Rinehart)

Called Through His Grace (Galatians 1:15-17)

Today’s scripture: Galatians 1:15-17

It still amazes me that God “set me apart” and “called me through His grace.” That’s how much He loves me.

I'm so very flawed, and I so often fail, yet He continues to bless and use me—oftentimes, in spite of me.

I’m gearing up for a new semester of teaching, and I’m reminded of how He uses me to influence the lives of students ... which I get to do from the comfort of our lovely new Tennessee home. As I sit here in my office, I glance out the window and see an expanse of trees. It’s beautiful, and I'm thrilled that I can teach in such a wonderful, peaceful setting … in my jammies, if I want! I am blessed.

I start a new small group tomorrow, and I’m excited to connect with a new group of “sisters” and to see how God might use me to encourage them. I am blessed.

I’m back on the stage, rehearsing for a fun show, and I'm working with a great cast and crew. It’s such a gift to be able to perform, using gifts that God has given me. I am blessed.

You, too, are “called through His grace.” If you surrender to Him and let Him order your day, you will be blessed as well. In spite of you …

Supporting God's Workers (2 Corinthians 11:7-11)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:7-11

I can’t imagine all that Paul went through in order to fulfill God’s purpose through him. Not only did he face persecution from his enemies, but he also experienced rejection and conflict from those who claimed to share his faith.

In these verses, it appears that some of the Christians in Corinth were taking Paul for granted. He was working for them, expecting nothing in return. But, perhaps that wasn’t in their best interest. The Message paraphrases:

I wonder, did I make a bad mistake in proclaiming God's Message to you without asking for something in return, serving you free of charge so that you wouldn't be inconvenienced by me? It turns out that the other churches paid my way so that you could have a free ride. Not once during the time I lived among you did anyone have to lift a finger to help me out. My needs were always supplied by the believers from Macedonia province. I was careful never to be a burden to you, and I never will be, you can count on it. With Christ as my witness, it's a point of honor with me, and I'm not going to keep it quiet just to protect you from what the neighbors will think. It's not that I don't love you; God knows I do.

Sometimes, it seems those in Christian leadership just can’t win. Some complain when those workers are too self-sufficient. Others complain when ministers or missionaries ask for support.

We who follow Christ and who are not called to ministries that require financial support should be willing to give to those who are. Love offerings. Monthly contributions. We must not look at supporting these workers as a burden. They’re serving God as they’ve been called to do. And they do it out of love for God … and for those they’re serving.

Do the Lord's Work (1 Corinthians 16:10-12)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:10-12

Doing the Lord’s work …

We have been created for a purpose: to love our Lord—heart, soul, mind, and strength—and to love others (see Mark 12:30-31). How we demonstrate that love may be different as we use our God-given gifts to serve Him and others.

Some of us may preach or teach. Some of us may open our homes to encourage others. Some of us may offer mercy to the hurting. Some of us may pray without ceasing, interceding for those in need.

I’ve probably written this before, but I find it absolutely amazing—and overwhelmingly humbling—that God chooses us to do His work. We, who are weak, fleshly, flawed, are a critical part of His kingdom-building.

Amazing.

Yet, so often, we take this sacred responsibility for granted. We serve Him when it’s convenient for us. We help others when we have nothing better to do.

If it doesn’t interfere with our social lives, our television watching, our sports … well, then we can serve God, then we can do the work He’s called us to do.

The greatest commandment, according to Jesus Himself, is to love God. And the second is to love others. To show our love for Him, we must do what He calls us to do. We must do His work.

No hesitation. No “I will when I have time.” No “I will if there’s nothing better to do.”

If we all did what God’s called us to do, if we truly loved Him, if we strove to serve others with love … how different might this world be?

Let’s do the Lord’s work. Joyfully. Diligently. Humbly. And maybe we’ll change the world.

Healthy Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:18-26)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:18-26

A healthy body is one whose parts work together just as God intended. Eyes, ears, hands, feet. All working together so the entire body can function as it should. When one “member” doesn’t work correctly, the rest of the “members” often have to compensate. For example, when one is blind, his or her other senses often become more acute.

And so it is with the body of Christ.

Each member works together in order for the entire body to be healthy. Yet, just with the human body, some members seem “less” than others. We don’t think much about our big toes, for example. We don’t think they’re nearly as important as our ears, for instance. And yet, if you’ve ever had a broken toe, you know how in inhibits your ability to walk well.

We sometimes think the same of our positions in the body of Christ. I’m not a preacher, you say. I just greet people once a month. But think about it: If you’re the first person someone visiting your church sees, you can have a tremendous impact on how they view your church … and even how they view Christians, in general.

We are all important in God’s eyes. We have value. Tremendous value. And if we all work together, doing exactly what God called us to do, then Christ’s body will be healthy.

And if His body is healthy, made up of healthy members doing what they’ve been called to do, then this world will be impacted positively for Christ.

So, I guess my question is: How healthy are you? Are you strong, doing what you’ve been called to do? Or do you need a checkup?

Supporting Others (1 Corinthians 9:8-14)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:8-14

Some followers of Christ are called to full time ministry: pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries. They devote their lives to serving God, to reaching the unsaved, to supporting the “least of these,” and to equip the saints.

Those whom God has called to serve Him full time have needs, those same needs we looked at yesterday.

They need to have those needs met as well.

We who are not called to full time ministry have a wonderful privilege of supporting those who are. We can contribute to godly ministries. We can tithe to our local churches. We can financially support missionaries.

When we give a portion of what God’s given us to meet our needs, we help to meet the needs of God’s full time servants as well.

It truly is a privilege because we have a small part in growing God’s kingdom when we support those who have committed their lives to serve Him and others. When we help to provide for their needs, we allow them to focus on their calling.

What a blessing!

Gifted by God (Ephesians 4:11-13)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13

Each of us is gifted by God to serve Him in a way only we can. When you stop to think about it, God’s gifts in us are gifts to us.

God doesn’t need us to do His work. He is more than able to reach people and care for them without us. In fact, I’m sure there are times when we hamper His work.

Yet He loves us so much, He allows us to join Him in His kingdom work. He uses us to serve others, and He gives us the privilege of seeing how that service impacts them.

What an amazingly wonderful gift!

So, some of us evangelize. Some of us preach. Some of us teach. Overall, though, all of us equip the saints and build the body of Christ. Though there may be thousands of preachers, God uses each uniquely. Though there may be thousands of teachers, God speaks through each differently.

I regularly speak to women’s groups, and I’m far from the best speaker around. Yet, when I speak, God uses me in a way He doesn’t use anyone else. He gives me a unique style, unique ways of using words. By His grace, He touches lives in a unique way—through me.

How has God gifted you? Do you know? If you don’t, talk to someone you trust, who knows you well, and ask them what they think. Find a gift assessment tool. When you find out how God has uniquely gifted you, join Him in His kingdom-building plan.

Once you do, thank Him for allowing you to be a part of that plan.

Hope in God's Calling (Ephesians 1:18-19)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 1:18-19

God has a calling for each of His children.

Some are called to be preachers. Some are teachers. Some are encouragers.

Each of us has a place in His kingdom. Each and every one of us. No matter who you are, no matter what you can—or cannot do—God will use you.

It’s easy sometimes to think that, because we aren’t preachers standing in front of congregations, we’re just not that important. Or because we’re not world-renowned evangelists leading hundreds and hundreds of people to know the Lord, we’re not impacting the kingdom.

But that’s not true; that’s not what the Bible tells us. The apostle Paul tells us that each gift is important—even critical—to the healthy function of the body of Christ:

But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism [division] in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:24b-26)

You can have hope in knowing that God will call you to use the gifts that He’s given you.

Do you believe that God has called you to serve Him? Do you know how He’s gifted you? If you do, use those gifts to serve and glorify Him. If you don’t, ask Him to reveal your gifts.

(from Hope: Devotions for Finding Hope in Every Situation © 2007 Sauni Rinehart)

Firmly Planted (Psalm 1:3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 1:3

We learned on Monday that people blessed by God don’t spend time with those who ridicule God. Then we learned yesterday that they do spend time delighting in God’s word. Today, we learn that when they focus on God, he “firmly plants” them. He nurtures and helps them grow into people He can use.

When we focus on God and His will for us, He uses us in ways we cannot even imagine.

I never expected to speak for Him. I never expected to be able to mentor young women. I never expected to write a week-day devotional.

Yet, because I’ve learned to keep my focus on Him, because I’ve learned to delight in His word, He’s chosen to allow me to do things I absolutely love in service to Him.

Even more, He’s allowed me to see some fruit from my efforts. I won’t know everything He’s done through me this side of heaven, but I’ve seen enough. Comments made. Tears of joy shared. Lives changed.

By Him. Through me.

As I’ve watched Him work, I’ve seen the areas of ministry He’s given me prosper. No, not prosper financially, as some would define that word. But prosper spiritually. Emotionally.

And I am blessed.

Modeling Service (John 13:1-20)

Today's scripture: John 13:1-20

If only we lived our lives as Jesus did ...

Jesus taught love, mercy, grace, wisdom, and humility, and as the best of teachers does, He often did so by modeling behavior rather than merely talking about it. In today's verses, Jesus modeled love and humility, and by doing so, He taught us how to have a true servant's heart.

You know the story. Jesus knew His death was imminent. He knew He would soon fulfill His purpose in coming to earth. He knew He would soon be leaving those who had followed Him for three years.

He and His disciples were having dinner together. I picture them laughing and sharing stories. They'd been together for a long time, and they knew each other well. They genuinely enjoyed each others' company.

Then came a huge surprise. Jesus got up, took off His robe, and wrapped a towel around His waist. I imagine His disciples were confused ... What in the world was Jesus doing?

Then He filled a basin with water and knelt at the feet of the first disciple. What? The Master was washing feet? This is something that only the lowliest of servants would do. Peter—impetuous, foot-in-the-mouth Peter—said what the rest were certainly thinking, "Never shall You wash my feet!” After a short discussion, Jesus revealed why He did what He did: to give them an example of how they should serve others.

None of us is better than anyone else. We are all equal in the eyes of God. Therefore, we should be willing to do whatever is necessary to serve others. We're all gifted in various ways, and often we get locked into "this is what I do." When we're asked to do something outside our giftedness, especially if it seems "beneath" us, we don't want to do it.

This is completely opposite to what Jesus modeled. He, the greatest Teacher, one who spoke to thousands, was willing to do the lowliest of tasks to serve His followers. So should we be willing to scrub floors, clean toilets ... or even wash feet, if that would serve others.

If we all truly had the attitude of our Savior, we would humbly serve however we were asked. Imagine the difference we would make in this world ...