An example

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Desth to self is the message. We have no claim to fame as Jesus had, He was God. Yet He humbled Himself and became a slave.

I have read books about African slaves in the cotton fields in America. Their constant desire and effort were to be free. They risked their lives to be free. 

Here we have the Son of God, willingly become a baby and grow up submitting to earthly parents. Finally, at 30, He stepped into His own ministry. He preached the gospel, healed the sick, raised the dead, opposed the religious leaders, and for this was crucified on a Roman cross. Yet, God raised Him from the dead.

We spend so much of our time trying to save our lives and enjoy a good life, but Jesus’ example is to lay it down. Charlie Kirk was willing to lay his life on the line for Jesus.

What is God calling you to surrender today? Will you do it?

Go

“Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭MSG‬‬

I must live my life in a way that shouts Jesus! His glory, goodness and life must be all over me! In all I do and say, He must be Lord!

As I walk I must be praying in the kingdom of God, breaking strongholds and releasing God’s presence. As I deal with people I must shout ‘Jesus’ by my behaviour.

When asked about the joy within me I have a response, ‘Jesus!’ Jesus is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life. No one can go to heaven without Jesus. He is the door!

I cannot treat anyone in any other way that what Jesus would do. I must respect all people and honour them as His loved children. No one is beaneath me! Everyone deserves respect! 

Oh for the joy of baptising people in Jesus’ name! The joy of discipling souls for the kingdom of God!

All one

“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Before God we are souls. We do not carry race, colour, station in life, money. Praise can have us believe we are better than some. We are not!

Currently, as we college students are on an enforced holiday in Nepal I am making use of my time by creating terrariums. Whilst some plants I buy most I harvest from the rock crevices. The most humble of all is moss. In the rainy season moss is everywhere on wet brick surfaces. Even though it is not considered by many to be of worth, to me it has high worth. It is the final touch.

Our God knows what He is doing! He is creating a masterpiece. In Australia my son is involved with a group called Fishers of Men. They minister to the homeless. They consider them much like I consider moss, of high value. When last in Sydney I went to Central Starion and waited for my train. I sang to the homeless. They loved it! I watch proud people walk by with their noses in the air. They carried a different opinion. I know who our Jesus would prefer to hang out with.

Evangelist J John always carries a pair of new socks, a toothbrush and a cross in his pocket. He uses these to begin ministering to the homeless. He goes prepared.

May we go prepared today! Amen!

The pattern

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

For me, the pattern of the world that I am to resist is selfishness. The world deifies self and places it above the Lord and His kingdom.

Allowing self to make rulings,  on how I will behave to others, how I will give to others, how I will work with others, is wrong. I am a fallen creature in myself and no good things lives there. I may be able to deceive myself, but God is not fooled.

Conversely, allowing God’s word to rule is imperative. What does He say about a matter? How would He have me behave? What is He trying to achieve here? I can be guaranteed He is using my circumstances to mould my character.

Instant reactions may not be good. Always, if at possible, I must ask: God what are you doing here? 

I am God’s representative on earth. I am to bring God’s kingdom principles to earth. That is my role! Amen!

Remember

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭11‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Our foreheads indicated where our minds are and the place we process thought. Our hands represent doing. Our hands can do good or evil. Out of our mouths can come forth good and evil, we must choose to do good.

The Jews went on to forget the Lord. Although he had brought them into the promised land after the desth of Joshua and the ones who knew this experience, men did what was right in their own eyes. Obviously the people did not heed all they were told in the chapter. The second verse of this chapter warns the people that their children did not experience God like they did and would need to be taught. This did not happen.

Orthodox Jews wear little boxes called phylacteries on their foreheads and wrists that contain scripture when they go to morning prayer, so as to obey this command. We Christians study our bibles and memorise scripture. However, if we do not do what the scripture tells us, we waste our time.

Scripture must order our lives, challenge our hearts and direct our steps. We must teach our children or they will go their own way. The Bible carries a promise: ‘teach your children the way they should go so that when they are old they will not depart from it’. Proverbs 22:6.

Grass

“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse is a part of a set of verses talking about grass withering. It starts at verse 6. Isaiah heard a voice saying, “cry out!” Then another said, “what should I cry out?” The first voice continues, “all humanity is like grass, and all goodness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fade when the breath of the Lord blows on them; indeed the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of the Lord lives forever.”

How does this apply to us? To me? All the years of striving come to nothing when we consider that we will soon pass away. I am closer than some. However, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a young man in his 31st year tells me we never know when out time will come. Charlie was ready to go, as I believe I am.

Yesterday in church we heard a message about Gideon. Gideon was not a particularly righteous man or a God seeker. However, God chose him for a task, liberating God’s people. As we study the Old Testament I am constantly made aware how gracious and long suffering God is. He chose imperfect people for tasks we would never give them. He told Gideon he was a man of valour, when he was no such thing. However, by doing this He called him into His destiny.

Are things any different now? Not really, as far as God’s choices. We are not righteous unless we stand in the blood of Jesus. We are not good unless we walk in the spirit. Apart from Jesus, no good thing dwells in us.

However, God’s grace heartens me. Daily, moment by moment it is poured out on us. He makes us good enough! Amen!

Come

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Did you know the context of this verse? The Philippians had been wonderful financial supporters of Paul. No one else had done what they did. He was very grateful and ended his discourse about the matter with this verse.

We have so quotes this verse out of context. God was going to supply the needs of the wonderful givers so that they in turn would be blessed to be a blessing. This is not just about me getting!

What is The God Ask in your life? What has He been calling you to give to others? In support, in blessing?

Now is the time to lay down our selfish grasping and offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, including our possessions, and finance.

 

Come!