MAY CARING FOR ALL
1 THESS. 5:12-15, HEB. 12:12-13
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Families are made up of different individuals with different characteristics. These individuals may be at different phases of growth and knowledge. We can use this picture to understand the people who consist of the family of God. At any given time, there are different people who are at different stages of life. The challenge is to get close to them with an aim to understand them and apply the best measures to keep them on track on the collective objective of the family. The collective goal of the family is to be like Christ (Romans 8:29).
This work is to be done by all, “Brothers and sisters.” It is the collective duty of all to help all. It is not for a selected group. Some need warnings to be careful and live right. Some need to be comforted and reassured of God’s goodness amid the chaos of their lives and the discouragement of past failures. Some need to be held by the hands and helped in order to overcome their weaknesses. We can all inspire each other and be there in times of need. Finally, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the “lame is not disabled, but rather healed.” Beloved, “…Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” (Ephesians 6:18 MSG). Are you involved in helping others towards the collective aim of the Church?
PRAYER: Lord, let Your love and glory to drive me towards joining You in Your work of helping others be more like You. Amen.
GOD’S GOOD GIFT
LUKE 11:9-13, EPHESIANS 5:18
“If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!” Luke.11.13 (AMP)
The Holy Spirit is the gift of God to the believer. Our Lord Jesus Christ compared the giving of earthly parents to that of our heavenly Father. Parents will endeavour to give what their children ask especially if they have the resources to do so. Even in their evil state, parents know how to give good gifts; gifts that are to the advantage of their children.
Our heavenly Father is the essence of goodness. He is good and gives good gifts. If earthly parents can give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father give? He will give much more; much more in every sense of the word. Dear child of God, have you earnestly asked to be filled with the Spirit? Have you yearned for the good gift of the Spirit’s fullness? Ask in faith and see the Father fill and use you beyond your wildest dreams. He is more willing to fill you with His Spirit than you are willing to be filled. He is actively seeking vessels to fill and use for His glory. Being filled by the Holy Spirit is to your advantage. Jesus said it is better that the Holy Spirit comes than for Him (Jesus) to remain here. Ask in earnest for this good gift of the Father. There is more in God! Have you asked of Him today?
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the good gift of Your Spirit. I present my vessel for filling today.
GREAT LEADERS PURSUE WISDOM
2 CHRONICLES 1:7-12.
“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7.
So, many people occupy leadership positions for different reasons. Because some are entrusted with leadership through affiliations and connections, they tend to take things for granted. Others make the necessary sacrifices to get into leadership positions just to make money or become popular. To these groups of people, leadership is not about the people but about the gains and perks.
The principal quest of Solomon was for wisdom to lead. It wasn’t about the riches, honour, or fame. He yearned for the principal thing that every leader should seek; wisdom! Wisdom to lead is the difference between the ordinary/bad leader and the great leader. Money and power are not the principal requirements in leadership. These may come but they shouldn’t be the focus. Most nations of the world are in disarray because they have leaders whose ultimate quest is money and power. Believers in different levels of leadership should shine the light of leadership marked with wisdom. We have access to the wisdom of the Lord and are encouraged to ask if we lack it. Let us build our Homes, Communities, Organizations, Churches and Ministries, etc, armed with the wisdom that our Lord abundantly supplies. “A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.” (Proverbs 24:3 NLT).
PRAYER: Lord, I thank you for your wisdom that is given to me liberally. My spheres of influence and leadership will be marked by wisdom. Amen
TIMING AND SEQUENCE
ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8
“Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;” 1 Chronicles 12:32
Time is so essential to living on Earth. Our lives and activities are time-bound. The text today is a classic on the governing influence of time over all that transpires on Earth. Whatever happens is regulated by the boundaries of a start and finish. Great ideas, concepts, products and ministry may fail if they are not situated within the context of right-timing. The appropriateness of our actions may be hinged on the timing. Understanding of times is one of the key requirements for successful living. Some people and projects fail not for a lack of vision but for a lack of proper timing.
People look up to people who understand the times and seasons. This is a skill that enables leadership to lead people to do what they ought to do when the time is right. Doing the right thing at the right time is what makes for success. Sometimes we are too slow and at other times we are so much in haste. The beauty of a thing is seen when it is its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the people missed their blessings and peace due to their lack of understanding of the times. May we be blessed with leaders and people who can discern the time so they will know what ought to be done at a particular season of life.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to discern the time properly with the help of Your Spirit. Amen.
COMMITMENT
LUKE 9:59-62, COLOSSIANS 3:23.
And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God,and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all hisheart, and prospered. 2 Chronicles 31:21
How committed are you to that service/work assigned to you? Commitment is very important to us as Christians. It is one of the basic principles of success. It shows a sign of responsibility towards the task assigned to us. As Christians, God expects us to live a life of commitment to Him first and then to the work He has assigned to us. When you live a life of commitment, you are dedicating your entire being to Him and promising not to neglect your responsibilities. God expects that we dedicate our lives wholly to Him and render services not to please men but to please Him. In Colossians 3:23 (AMP) we are told, “Whatever you do (whatever your task may be), work from the soul (that is, put in your very best effort), as (something done) for the Lord and not for men.” We must always give our best. Commitment also entails sacrifices. We must be willing to make sacrifices, render selfless services, work generously and give our best to God. It takes commitment to achieve great success in anything. We must be committed to our calling, our ministerial services, our duties, etc. Commitment is the need of the hour in these days of complacency and indifference. May our commitment be sincere.
PRAYER: Pray that God will give you the grace to be committed to Him in all things.
FIRE FOR EVANGELISM
1 CORINTHIANS 9:16-22
Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not. Jeremiah 20:9
The word of God is the only vehicle for the salvation of man. That word has been committed to us “And has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” We have been entrusted with something delicate and important. It is not a word for arguing or proving a point. It is the word of life; life and redemption for those who believe. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. Jeremiah decided not to speak God’s word again because of the people’s reactions and the persecutions he suffered. But he was not able to suppress the burden and fire of the word inside of him. The word was like fire in his bones. There was a pressing imperative in his soul to speak.
Apostle Paul was a man with a similar experience. He confessed that he would be damned if he does not preach the gospel. There was an inner compulsion that he could not shrug off. We need to pray for the rekindling of this fire of witnessing in our day. It is strange that we can go a whole month without sharing this gospel and yet be comfortable. This is a sad place to be. We need revival and we need it now. The fire that constrained and compelled men to preach the gospel. The sense of duty and urgency of the saints of old. That feeling of misery if the gospel is not preached. May God revive us today.
PRAYER: Pray and ask God for the fire of witnessing to burn in you.
GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE
MARK 10:35-45
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Mark 10:43
Jesus, in addressing His disciples on leadership, turned conventional views upside down. Whereas rulers of the world lord it over the people they lead, as disciples of Christ, we are mandated to lead by serving. Greatness in God’s kingdom will be by a willingness to become like the least and serve the lowest of the low. Worldly leaders throw their weight around and enjoy being served. When they get a little power, it goes to their heads. Others are seen as inferior beings who must bow to their every whim. These attributes are contrary to the pattern of the kingdom of God.
Jesus was as good as His words- He washed His own disciples’ dusty feet. We must understand that this is a chore reserved for the lowest servants of first-century Palestine. Let us reflect on these words by James A. Fowler: “Nothing distinguishes the kingdoms of man from the kingdom of God more than their diametrically opposed views of the exercise of power. One seeks to control people, the other to serve people; one promotes self, the other prostrates self; one seeks prestige and position, the other lifts up the lowly and despised. It is crucial for Christians to understand this difference. For through this upside-down view of power, the kingdom of God can play a special role in the affairs of the world.” Start your journey to greatness today by serving. May God help us to see things the way He sees them. Amen.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to be humble and willing to serve. Amen.
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