We never came with words of flattery, nor did we seek glory from people
(1 Thess. 2:5,6a)
Dr James MacDonald recently tweeted this;
"I love my church because they can listen to a hard message, receive it ,and come back for more". Encouraged!
Truth- God's people can handle it. As a matter of fact, we want nothing less than the truth.
Now let's play the role of Pilate for a second and ask ourselves, what is truth? (John 18:38)
Well, Truth is absolute and authentic. Truth is unchanging. Truth is morally good. Truth is liberating.
As Christians, we anchor our feet in Truth and stand confidently upon it.
In John 14:6 Jesus claimed to be the Truth and the Life.
Jesus IS Truth we can trust.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy spoke truth into peoples lives, and never concerned themselves with the havoc it could have created to them personally. They chose not to flatter people with meaningless words in order to gain their approval, because they're intentions were never to seek popularity or self-promotion.
They also understood that Gods Word did not need their help in any way in order to have its perfect work carried out into the lives of those to whom it was delivered.
They knew the Truth, and their job duty was to give it out boldly and practically, and then leave the rest to God.
What a shame it is today to hear people profess Christ but fail to speak the truth about Him.
True Christians speak truth even if it wounds the heart, because true Christians receive the implanted word and bear fruit because of it.
A liar on the other hand speaks words to pacify the sinning soul. A liar preaches his or her agenda using the name of Christ for their own personal gain.
Rejoice today that we have great biblical examples like Paul, Silas and Timothy. These men not only spoke the truth, but believed it so much so that they exemplified it in their daily lives to the point of becoming willing participants of self-sacrifice.
Do you have the Truth?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Are you a man pleaser?
So we speak not to please men, but to God who test our hearts. 1 Thess 2:4
One of the greatest temptations that often comes upon God’s servants is the desire for position.. This self- centered ambition is always problematic for newbie’s, and can even find it’s way among the mature.
The root of position is covetousness.
When we focus our attention upon others, we always begin to want what they have, and, want to be treated the same way. We feel that we deserve the attention, and so begins the long arduious journey of self- promotion.
Our idea’s, our plans, our vision, our goals, our gifts, our whatever, becomes our agenda.
However, our text reveals to us that we do not see a desire for position in the lives of these faithful stewards of God.
Thankfully, they willfully choose not to be men pleasers, and, the only position Paul & co wanted was to be right with God.
They took the high road, that lead to the low road. The low road never brings about popularity, and if it does, it is not the kind that self is ever interested in.
Jeremiah 17:5 says that pleasing men will bring about a curse, and it will never become what you envision it to be.. Men are sinners and men will always fail you, and the sad truth is that, if you are trying to please man, you are living a duplicitous life.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look wholly at his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
By this you will never be disappointed.
One of the greatest temptations that often comes upon God’s servants is the desire for position.. This self- centered ambition is always problematic for newbie’s, and can even find it’s way among the mature.
The root of position is covetousness.
When we focus our attention upon others, we always begin to want what they have, and, want to be treated the same way. We feel that we deserve the attention, and so begins the long arduious journey of self- promotion.
Our idea’s, our plans, our vision, our goals, our gifts, our whatever, becomes our agenda.
However, our text reveals to us that we do not see a desire for position in the lives of these faithful stewards of God.
Thankfully, they willfully choose not to be men pleasers, and, the only position Paul & co wanted was to be right with God.
They took the high road, that lead to the low road. The low road never brings about popularity, and if it does, it is not the kind that self is ever interested in.
Jeremiah 17:5 says that pleasing men will bring about a curse, and it will never become what you envision it to be.. Men are sinners and men will always fail you, and the sad truth is that, if you are trying to please man, you are living a duplicitous life.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look wholly at his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
By this you will never be disappointed.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
You know what kind of men we proved to be among you.. 1 Thess 1:5
The life of Paul, Silas and Timothy exemplified the type of men we are to follow, if we are going to make any positive impact in the Body of Christ. It is true that we have many men and woman today God is using mightily in order to bring about great advancements in kingdom work. Find them, see what makes them tick, and follow them.
In Thesssalonica, Christians everywhere were compelled to preach the gospel because these three guys had lives sold out for Jesus Christ. The result was that this infection spread so fast it nearly became impenetrable. The world could stop this Jesus who was the Christ, nor even His servants for that matter.
We understand that it is the Holy Spirit's job alone to energize the fruit production in the life of a believer, but God uses the faithful witness of His chosen vessels to help aid in His divine purpose in the lives of fellow regenerates.
Everyone influences someone.The question you need to ask yourself is, whom am I influencing, and what are they doing because of my influence?
This is a good standard for measuring your own productivity.
In Thesssalonica, Christians everywhere were compelled to preach the gospel because these three guys had lives sold out for Jesus Christ. The result was that this infection spread so fast it nearly became impenetrable. The world could stop this Jesus who was the Christ, nor even His servants for that matter.
We understand that it is the Holy Spirit's job alone to energize the fruit production in the life of a believer, but God uses the faithful witness of His chosen vessels to help aid in His divine purpose in the lives of fellow regenerates.
Everyone influences someone.The question you need to ask yourself is, whom am I influencing, and what are they doing because of my influence?
This is a good standard for measuring your own productivity.
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