living devotions

October 12, 2012 at 8:17 am (Living Devotions)

Rev. E. Anderson

CHRIST LIKENESS

Senior Living Ministries

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” – Ephesians 5:1-2

If you’ve ever had the chance to visit the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, you might’ve noticed a portrait on a wall near the main entrance with the following inscription:

“James Butler Bonham—no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom.”

In much the same way that we have no picture of James Butler Bonham, we don’t have a picture of Jesus Christ either. In fact, the earliest depiction of Jesus dates to about 200 years after his death, and doesn’t even show him with a beard!

But while no actual portrait of Jesus exists physically, His likeness can be seen in the lives of His true followers as they live their lives to emulate Him. And it’s by that depiction of Jesus that the world will know Him—the man who died for their freedom.

Showing Jesus to others isn’t about living a perfect life. It’s about letting God’s love flow through you and into others’ lives. So imitate Jesus with your life, and the watching world will know of the love that’s available to them! 

PRAYER CHALLENGE

Pray that God would show you how to demonstrate the love of Jesus to others today.

  

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leadership factors

October 12, 2012 at 8:14 am (Leadership Factors)

Rev. Jon Walker

YOU WERE CHOSEN FOR MINISTRY

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV) 

The Bible teaches that every Christian is:

  • Created for ministry (Ephesians 2:10)
  • Saved for ministry (2 Timothy 1:9)
  • Called into ministry (1 Peter 2:9-10)
  • Gifted for ministry (1 Peter 4:10)
  • Authorized for ministry (Matthew 28:18-20)
  • Commanded to minister (Matthew 20:26-28)
  • Prepared for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12)
  • Needed for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:27)
  • Accountable for and rewarded according to his or her ministry (Colossians 3:23-24)

This means ordinary people with children and jobs and mortgages and really, really full calendars — in other words, people just like you and me — are called to be ministers from God.

What does this mean?

GOD SHAPED YOU FOR MINISTRY. The God of the universe shaped you uniquely to make a contribution in this world and the world to come.

GOD WILL SUPPORT YOU IN MINISTRY. There is no way you can fail in your mission unless you fail to accept the calling of ministry that comes with being a Jesus-one.

GOD WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. Ask God how he wants you to contribute. Ask him how he wants to use the way he’s created you to uniquely serve him. Ask God, “What kind of God-legacy do you want me to leave?”

Thank God you are among “the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you” (1 Peter 2:9 MSG).

TALK ABOUT IT

What do you believe God has called you to do in ministry?

What are you doing to fulfill what you believe God has called you to do? Are you ministering with the confidence of God’s support?

 

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just a thought

October 12, 2012 at 7:41 am (Just a Thought)

Rev. A. Linford

SHOCK TACTICS

The method of massive attack with terrific momentum -blitzkrieg so successfully used by Hitler, is not as original as historians may suggest. The devil used it long ago.

Look at Job, some 3,000+ years ago. Satan came in like a raging torrent, a tornado of terror. In one fell swoop he deprived this godly man of his cattle, then his flocks, then his herd of camels. In a single day he was reduced from prosperity to penury. Worst of all, a hurricane sweeps away his whole family, seven sons and three daughters (Job 1:1-22).

What does he do? He worships God, and voices his indomitable faith in words that have been the stay of battered saints ever since: “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!”

Trust in God accepts His denials as well as His donations. Faith is victory: “Amidst the wildest storms he stands undaunted, nor quails before the loudest thunder shock.”

The secret: “When the enemy shall come in like a flood; the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isa 59:19). The Lord who permits temptation also empowers us to resist it.

 

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