Gal. 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Most of us are familiar with the principle of sowing and reaping. The preceding verses here in Galatians talk about it. This verse concludes by telling us to bless (do good to) all men as we are given the opportunity (kairos).
The Greeks had two words for time, chronos and kairos. They differentiated between ordinary time and extraordinary time. Think of it as man's timing and God's timing.
God schedules appointments or opportunities in our lives. They are chances for us to sow and to bless others while at the same time fulfill God's purpose. They are times for action, times when something special happens.
We ought to be careful how we live. Not thoughtlessly but thoughfully. Redeeming the time (kairos) (Eph. 5:16). In other words, making the most of every opportunity or God-scheduled appointment we are given. Jesus took advantage of every opportunity in His life to bless others. So should we.
In due season (kairos, again), we shall reap if we faint not (Gal. 6:9).
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
God's Masterpiece
Eph. 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Musicians, sculptors and painters express themselves through their art. And when we look at the body of their work, we always find one song, one statue, one painting that we consider being their greatest achievement and the consummate example of their skill. It is their masterpiece.
In the original New Testament manuscripts, the word used for workmanship is poiema. It is a Greek word meaning masterpiece.
The apostle Paul writes that we are God's masterpiece (poiema). Considering the whole of creation, it's exciting to think of ourselves as such. We have been made new or alive again (2 Cor. 5:17) through Jesus Christ and our faith (Eph. 2:8) in Him. No longer dead to sin, we can now live to do the good works for which God always intended us.
We are beautiful expressions of His handiwork and artistry. We are God's masterpiece.
Musicians, sculptors and painters express themselves through their art. And when we look at the body of their work, we always find one song, one statue, one painting that we consider being their greatest achievement and the consummate example of their skill. It is their masterpiece.
In the original New Testament manuscripts, the word used for workmanship is poiema. It is a Greek word meaning masterpiece.
The apostle Paul writes that we are God's masterpiece (poiema). Considering the whole of creation, it's exciting to think of ourselves as such. We have been made new or alive again (2 Cor. 5:17) through Jesus Christ and our faith (Eph. 2:8) in Him. No longer dead to sin, we can now live to do the good works for which God always intended us.
We are beautiful expressions of His handiwork and artistry. We are God's masterpiece.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Know Him
Lk. 24:31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him...
After His resurrection, Jesus approached two men traveling to Emmaus. The three then continued on their way with Jesus not being recognized by them. Toward evening of that day, they asked that He stay (abide) with them and Jesus did so. What happens next is amazing! Jesus offered them communion. He blessed and broke the bread, gave it to them and they received it. At that moment of sharing, they recognized who He was.
The revelation of who He was came through communion.
Realize it or not, we have communion every day with the people we work, play and live with. We share our time and our lives with them. And naturally, the ones we love most dearly are those with whom we want to spend the most time.
Perhaps the easiest way to get to know someone is to spend time with them. God is no exception. We can gain a marvelous revelation of who He is when we receive the communion He so willingly offers us.
Make time for the One who wants to reveal Himself to you. And your eyes will be opened and you will know Him.
After His resurrection, Jesus approached two men traveling to Emmaus. The three then continued on their way with Jesus not being recognized by them. Toward evening of that day, they asked that He stay (abide) with them and Jesus did so. What happens next is amazing! Jesus offered them communion. He blessed and broke the bread, gave it to them and they received it. At that moment of sharing, they recognized who He was.
The revelation of who He was came through communion.
Realize it or not, we have communion every day with the people we work, play and live with. We share our time and our lives with them. And naturally, the ones we love most dearly are those with whom we want to spend the most time.
Perhaps the easiest way to get to know someone is to spend time with them. God is no exception. We can gain a marvelous revelation of who He is when we receive the communion He so willingly offers us.
Make time for the One who wants to reveal Himself to you. And your eyes will be opened and you will know Him.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Clothing of Humility
1 Peter 5:5 ...Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility...
It's true that we live in a fashion-conscious society. People notice what we wear. We spend a lot of time, and sometimes money, making sure we look just right. Who hasn't asked, "How do I look?" before heading off to work, school, an important meeting or a special night out?
As Christians, we are taught here, in effect, how to dress appropriately. We are to be clothed with humility by preferring and serving (being submissive to) one another. Christ Himself did just that (Mt. 20:28). He came to serve. In human form, the One most worthy to be exalted came to earth wearing the clothing of humility.
These clothes won't get us noticed except by the One who sees everything (Heb. 4:13) and they aren't expensive. They only cost us our pride.
It's true that we live in a fashion-conscious society. People notice what we wear. We spend a lot of time, and sometimes money, making sure we look just right. Who hasn't asked, "How do I look?" before heading off to work, school, an important meeting or a special night out?
As Christians, we are taught here, in effect, how to dress appropriately. We are to be clothed with humility by preferring and serving (being submissive to) one another. Christ Himself did just that (Mt. 20:28). He came to serve. In human form, the One most worthy to be exalted came to earth wearing the clothing of humility.
These clothes won't get us noticed except by the One who sees everything (Heb. 4:13) and they aren't expensive. They only cost us our pride.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Declare His Glory
Ps. 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God...
In the first six verses of Psalm 19, David writes about God's creation. He mentions the heavens, the earth and the sun. Their voices declare His glory and utter speech extending through all the earth. Obviously, these are not literal voices. So how is it then that they declare His glory? Just by being what God created them to be. And in doing so, they fulfill their God-given purpose.
God also created us with purpose. We are to be Christ-like, conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29), walking and living as Christ, our perfect example, did. We are to be a representation, resemblance and reflection of Him. And in doing so, our lives, along with the rest of creation, will declare His glory.
Unlike the heavens, earth and sun, we do have literal voices. David says (Ps. 96:3) that it's okay to use them, too.
In the first six verses of Psalm 19, David writes about God's creation. He mentions the heavens, the earth and the sun. Their voices declare His glory and utter speech extending through all the earth. Obviously, these are not literal voices. So how is it then that they declare His glory? Just by being what God created them to be. And in doing so, they fulfill their God-given purpose.
God also created us with purpose. We are to be Christ-like, conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29), walking and living as Christ, our perfect example, did. We are to be a representation, resemblance and reflection of Him. And in doing so, our lives, along with the rest of creation, will declare His glory.
Unlike the heavens, earth and sun, we do have literal voices. David says (Ps. 96:3) that it's okay to use them, too.
Monday, April 18, 2011
God the Synergist
Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
God is all about synergy (sunergeo). Synergy is when people or things work together for a common purpose or end result.
Consider the amazing human body with its many organs, nerves, muscles and so on, all functioning together. Or consider the universe and solar system with perfectly spaced planets rotating around each other at just the right speed. Each of these is remarkable evidence that God has planned and designed for things to work togther. He has it all figured out.
This verse in the book of Romans says that God also has planned for the experiences and events in a believer's life to work together. The end result is the fulfillment of His purpose for you. So no matter what is going on in your life, be encouraged and know that God has it all figured out. And He will cause the end result of it to be good!
God is all about synergy (sunergeo). Synergy is when people or things work together for a common purpose or end result.
Consider the amazing human body with its many organs, nerves, muscles and so on, all functioning together. Or consider the universe and solar system with perfectly spaced planets rotating around each other at just the right speed. Each of these is remarkable evidence that God has planned and designed for things to work togther. He has it all figured out.
This verse in the book of Romans says that God also has planned for the experiences and events in a believer's life to work together. The end result is the fulfillment of His purpose for you. So no matter what is going on in your life, be encouraged and know that God has it all figured out. And He will cause the end result of it to be good!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
God's Personality
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...
Every person has a unique personality, that collection of qualities or consistent behavior that makes us who we are. At the mention of a person's name, we think of, or see, their personality.
God says that when the Holy Spirit is active in you, so too will be His power (dunamis). This unlimited power, "the forceful expression of God's personality", becomes evident in your life. It reveals His ability, might and strength. Notice that we don't achieve it, we receive it. It is given to us.
If you have the Holy Spirit, you have God's precious, perfect, powerful personality working in and through you.
When people mention your name, whose personality do they see?
Every person has a unique personality, that collection of qualities or consistent behavior that makes us who we are. At the mention of a person's name, we think of, or see, their personality.
God says that when the Holy Spirit is active in you, so too will be His power (dunamis). This unlimited power, "the forceful expression of God's personality", becomes evident in your life. It reveals His ability, might and strength. Notice that we don't achieve it, we receive it. It is given to us.
If you have the Holy Spirit, you have God's precious, perfect, powerful personality working in and through you.
When people mention your name, whose personality do they see?
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