Together We Live and Work

For in fact the body is not one member but many. (1 Corinthians 12:14)

• Each of us has been uniquely gifted with the capacity to make a contribution to the work of Christ.
• We were never intended to live in isolation but to work together to become a great force for God and the advance of His cause.
• The apostle Paul reminded us, the body of Christ “is not one member but many”.
• All of us are to use our gifts to serve one another so that together we can make a significant difference in our world.
• Let us put our giftedness to work, joyfully cooperate with the giftedness of those around us, and let the wind of the Spirit use us for His glory!
• Lord, teach us to use our strengths in cooperation with the strengths of others.
• Help us to serve as one so that we might know the joy of the power of our togetherness for Your name’s sake and the advance of Your kingdom.
• We can accomplish more together than we can alone.

The Power of God's Care

He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing. (Job 26:7)

• The Earth is so heavy. But there is nothing supporting it.
   
• It spins on its axis at 1,000 miles per hour in its orbit around the sun. But it remains unnoticed in the midst of our concerns about health, relationships, and how to pay our bills.
   
• The OT Job did it differently. He repeatedly considered God’s creation in his struggle to make sense of the loss of his health, his wealth, and his children.
   
• The creation itself did not answer Job’s questions.
   
• But it pointed him to God the Creator, who alone could respond with help and hope.
   
• God who upholds the universe by the word of His power is in control of our everyday lives. All our experiences are under God’s power and love.
   
• God in His infinite power created the world out of nothing and uphold it by His word. But God is also in control of every part of our lives.
   
• When we reflect on the power of God’s creation, we will see the power of His care for us. 
  
  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matthew 6:30)
  
  

Play in Pain

Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. (Lamentations 3:32)

• In life, we may face sorrow, pain, and hardship.
   
• But we don’t have to sink into self-pity.
   
• The same God who allows our suffering will also shower us with His compassion.
   
• With God’s love lifting us up, we can play in pain.
   
• Along life’s pathway, many troubles will come.
   
• But God will help us bear.
   
• Our God will either spare us from suffering, or give us the grace to bear it.

Be Strong In The Lord

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)

• We try living up to the name ‘man’.
   
• We try to be strong and macho.
   
• But often it is just a façade.
   
• For all our effort, we realize we don’t measure up.
   
• Underneath the bravado, we harbor a host of fears, insecurities, and shortcomings.
   
• Much of our manliness is pure bluff.
   
• Paul was man enough to admit it: “We also are weak,” (2 Cor. 13:4).
   
• That is not pious chatter.
   
• It is a humbling fact.
   
• But Paul insisted here that we are to be men of courage.
   
• How can we be the strong person that God meant for us to be?
   
• Only by putting ourselves in God’s hands.
   
• Only by asking Him to make us that way through His power and enablement.
   
• May the Lord God give us courage through His conquering Spirit.
   
• May He make us an overcomer in power within us.
   
• True strength is the power of God in the soul.
  
  
  

Eating God's Word

How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)

• Some of us are eating too fast.
   
• We need to slow down and enjoy our meal.
   
• We need to take the time to savor every bite.
   
• Some of us rush through reading God’s Word without really savoring it.
   
• The psalmist said, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
   
• That sounds great!
   
• What are the benefits of delighting in the rich food of Scripture?
   
• A daily meal of God’s Word helps to keep anxiety, pride, fear, and temptation from plaguing our undernourished hearts.
   
• It helps to strengthens us for a victorious journey.
   
• The Word of God gives us wisdom and understanding.
   
• It helps restrain our feet from evil.
   
• Our digestive system distributes nutrients to our bodies.
   
• God’s Word, when digested, nourishes our minds, our emotions, and our will.
   
• It is important to read God’s Word at a time and in a place where we can really fellowship with God.
   
• Let us take the time and enjoy savoring the richness of God’s Word.
   
• Let us thank God the Father for the gift of His Word.
   
• Let us take the time to savor the richness of its meaning.
   
• Let us learn to listen to His voice.
   
• God’s Word provides the ingredients we need to thrive spiritually.
  
  
  

Knowing God and serving Him

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (Philippians 3:10)

• Paul’s letter to the Philippians reveals a heart and purpose that never diminished with time: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”.
   
• From the root of Paul’s relationship with Jesus came the fruit of his undiminished fervor that others be guided to faith in Him.
   
• He rejoiced to share the gospel.
   
• He was encouraged that others became bolder because of him.
   
• If our goal is merely service for the Lord, we may burn out somewhere along the line.
   
• But if our purpose, like Paul’s, is to know Christ and love Him, we will find that He will give us the strength to make Him known to others.
   
• Let us joyfully press on in the strength God gives.
   
• Let us learn to know our Father God in all His fullness.
   
• Let us love Him completely.
   
• Our relationship with our Father God is the basis for our service for Him.
   
• Let us not serve Him out of our own strength.
   
• Let us learn from Christ and then make Him known.
  
  

Abundant Life in Christ

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

• Some of us are afraid to get too excited about spiritual things.
   
• But there is nothing more worthy of our enthusiasm than who Christ is and what He did for us.
   
• Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly”.
   
• At any age, we have a gift from our Savior that is worth celebrating.
   
• Our salvation is something to get excited about!
   
• May our Father in Heaven fill our heart with the joy of Christ.
   
• May our abundant life in Christ reach out to others around us.
   
• If we know Christ, we always have a reason to celebrate.
   
• Life is never boring with Christ.