INSPIRATIONAL

The only reason we need to do right, is because it is right but often there are many reasons to do right.

The Mother Hen

Have you ever seen a chicken hawk go after its prey?
The old mother hen is often aware of the presence of
the hawk in time to gather her chicks under her wing.
With a furious fuss she squawks till her brood is safe
by her side. She fluffs out her wings and protects them
with her own body. The chicken hawk dives and the hen
turns her body toward him and cocks a wary eye without
moving from her children. The predator comes in again
for the kill and the mother spreads her wings even
wider. A third time he dives only to be thwarted by the
determined self-sacrifice of the mother hen. She is too
big to be a target and the chicks are too safe to be
seized, so he flies away.1

He [God] shall cover you with His feathers, And under
His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be
your shield and buckler" (Psalm 91:4, NKJV).
 Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com, March 2001.

Who Is Jesus? 
For the article: "Jesus Christ: Is He God or Man?"
click on: http://tinyurl.com/lu577
 Richard Dresselhaus, Sermon Titled: "Behold the
Son!"

Teacher, yes. Messiah, no?

You can speak of Jesus as prophet, holy man, teacher,
or spiritual leader, and few will object. But speak of
Him as Son of God, divine, of the same nature as the
Father, and people will line up to express their
disapproval.

A billion Muslims will say: "Prophet, yes. God, no!"
Jews scattered around the world will say: "Teacher,
yes. Messiah, no!" Liberal Protestants and religionists
of various stripes will say: "Exemplary man, yes.
Divine, no!"

Who do you say Jesus is?1

But what about you?" he [Jesus] asked. "Who do you say
I am?" (Matthew 16:15, NIV).

Who Is Jesus? 
For the article: "Jesus Christ: Is He God or Man?"
click on: http://tinyurl.com/lu577
 Richard Dresselhaus, Sermon Titled: "Behold the
Son!"

Teacher, yes. Messiah, no?

You can speak of Jesus as prophet, holy man, teacher,
or spiritual leader, and few will object. But speak of
Him as Son of God, divine, of the same nature as the
Father, and people will line up to express their
disapproval.

A billion Muslims will say: "Prophet, yes. God, no!"
Jews scattered around the world will say: "Teacher,
yes. Messiah, no!" Liberal Protestants and religionists
of various stripes will say: "Exemplary man, yes.
Divine, no!"

Who do you say Jesus is?1

But what about you?" he [Jesus] asked. "Who do you say
I am?" (Matthew 16:15, NIV).

Your Role  
 
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 NKJV

Every Christian has a role to play in God’s Kingdom. Some are like Paul, serving on the front lines of ministry. Some plant the seed of the Gospel in the lives of others. Some water these seeds, providing encouragement or supporting the work that is being done. Others are called to labor behind the scenes, getting little attention.

In the process, when everything works together, there is a harvest. Seeds develop their full potential, and lives are changed. Every part of the process is important. God knows that the harvest cannot be bountiful unless each person is fully committed and does the work to which they have been called.

Paul reminds us that each person will be rewarded based on their own labor (v. 8). If we are good stewards, completing the assignments God has given us, we will receive a good reward.

Today, ask God to show you your role in His Kingdom. You may have a ministry of sowing seeds from the resources God has given you. You may be called to be a prayer warrior or a teacher, or he may want you to focus on your role in the family.

Remember that God has given you time, talent, and treasure, with opportunities to use these gifts for His glory. But you also have choices to make. You can labor for the temporary things of this world, or invest your resources in His Kingdom.

Always remember that you can reap only what you sow. And don’t forget that you’ve been blessed so you can be a blessing.

Prayer
Father, I commit my time, talent, and treasure to You. Show me my role in Your Kingdom. Use me to impact lives. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Extended Reading

1 Corinthians 3

The Pillar of the Truth
 
   
 
I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15 NASB

Much of Paul’s letters to Timothy deal with life in the church. It is important to understand that the church is not a building or a social organization. It is a representation of “the living God.”

This group of believers has a specific purpose and a role to play in the world: It is to be “the pillar and support of the truth.”

To impact the world, the church has to have an unwavering commitment to truth. This is not based on personal opinions or interests. It is truth that is defined in the person of Jesus, who is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Without that commitment to Him, the church has no purpose or meaning.

Many people have wavered in this commitment to truth. Instead of being “the pillar and support of the truth,” they have become agents of compromise, more concerned with their personal desires or pleasing people rather than God.

Many reject the idea that there is just one way. In fact, some actually believe that there are many truths and many ways. But this is not what the Bible teaches.

Today, search your heart and mind. Make sure that you are free of compromise. Fill your life with God’s Word. Believe all of it, and put it into action. Make Jesus your Lord. Renew your commitment to serve Him. And be prepared to take a stand for truth.

Prayer
Father, I declare my commitment to You. Help me to stand for truth in everything I do. Keep me from compromise. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Extended Reading

1 Timothy 3