I encourage you to read from John’s Gospel
chapter 13 and verses 1-17 today. This is a wonderful passage where Jesus
teaches us humility and servant hood. Jesus showed us his supreme confidence in
his relationship with his Father in verse 3. This allowed him to humble himself
and show his penetrating love for his disciples in washing their feet.
God
calls us to serve (Mark 9:35) and we can only humble ourselves and do that if
we know who we are in Christ. We are his sons and daughters (2 Cor 6:18), joint
heirs with Jesus (Rom 8:17) and seated in the heavenly places with him (Eph
2:6). Nothing can ever separate us from his love (Rom 8:35). In that confidence,
we can walk in humility and serve.
In
our passage from Johns Gospel, Peter protested that Jesus should not wash his
feet (v 8); but notice Jesus’ response. He said that if he could not wash Peter’s
feet, Peter would have no part with Jesus (v 8). We have no part with Jesus if
we do not have a servant’s heart.
Jesus
established servant hood as a mark of the Christian for all time (v 12-15); He
demonstrated it for us. In the word we are told that if we humble ourselves God
will exalt us (1 Peter 5:6). We are told that we are called to serve and in
serving we will find greatness (Mark 10; 43-45). Look for ways to serve people
today; this pleases the heart of our heavenly father.
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A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
In
Daniel 11:32 we are told that: “the people that do know their God shall be strong
and do exploits” (KJV). This is great news but sometimes we get tired and plain
worn out from our busyness and efforts, often because we try to do things our
way; or is that just me.
But
be encouraged as the word says that: “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew
their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and
not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa 40:31). To wait means to
be bound together with and wait or tarry patiently for.
In
Isaiah 41:10 we are told that we should not fear as our God will strengthen us,
help us and uphold us. We don’t need to fear as God is the strength of our
lives (Ps 27:1). “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Phil
4:13). Don’t let satan steal your joy as: “the joy of the Lord is your strength”
(Neh 8:10b). So, just cast all your cares on him today because he cares for you
(1Peter 5:7).
He
is your strength, do things his way. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb
13:5). Have a strong day in him.
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
“While
the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter,
and day and night shall not cease"(KJV Gen 8:22). God’s kingdom is ruled
by principles such sowing and reaping. Like gravity, this principles cannot be
violated. If we try to get results with God and work against or outside of his
principles we will be unsuccessful and get frustrated; we tie God’s hands.
Examine
your life today. If you are fighting God in an area of your life or operating
outside of his will, direction or kingdom principles, life will be hard and
things will not go well. Humble yourself, repent and hear from God; walk in his
love and obedience and see things turn around for you. Ananias and Sapphira
tried to do it their way, thinking God would not see and this resulted in the
death of them both (Acts 5:1-11). Israel withheld their giving to God and tied
God’s hands in terms of blessing and protection (Mal chapter 3). God promised a
blessing they could not contain if they just obeyed his principle of sowing and
reaping.
This
principle applies to every are of our lives; if we abuse our bodies do we
expect health? If we refuse to forgive, God cannot forgive us (Mark 11:25-26.
In Matthew 7:2 it says that with the measure we use it will be measured back to
us.
Let
me leave you with Galatians 6:7-10: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he who soweth to his
flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall
of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity,
let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of
faith".
Wow,
that says it all! Let’s get sowing today using Gods seed.
Please pass this on. Al rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
Proverbs
is replete in its exhortation to us to get knowledge, understanding and wisdom
from God’s word (see chapters 2, 3 and 8 for instance). “How much better is it to
get wisdom than gold!” (Prov 16:16; KJV). Wisdom will keep us, we are told it
is the principal thing (Prov 4:5-7).
The three words we started with above are
interesting; although their definitions can overlap somewhat, there is a
progression with them that is important for us to know. Knowledge is when a
scripture verse jumps off the page of our bible for the first time, we never saw
it before. It could be the verse that says: “Death and life are in the power of
the tongue” (Prov 18:21). As we meditate on this verse we gain understanding.
Understanding is like putting 2 and 2 together, we see the implications of the
knowledge. Wow, my words have power, they can hurt or build up. Wisdom is
really the practical application of knowledge and understanding to everyday
life. In our example it would be to realize that I need to really watch what I
say and aim to speak only those things that bring life (Prov 25:11).
This is
why it is so critical not to just read the word in a cursory manner but to
meditate it and let God bring us a full revelation. I think that was two
thoughts for the day in one.
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
In
the Prophets and the book of beginnings (Genesis), I am particularly struck by
the awesome nature and power of our God, his might and dominion and yet his
love and compassion; it’s almost beyond comprehension for me. What a mighty God
we serve. I realize I fall short in praising and worshiping God as he deserves.
"And
mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in
fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole
mount quaked greatly” (Ex 19:18; KJV). The people of Israel were terrified.
"I saw also the Lord sitting upon a
throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple"(Isa 6:1). In
verse 2 of this passage we are told that the seraphim or heavenly beings worshipped
God most high crying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth
is full of his glory" (Isa 6:3). Isaiah tells us that God’s voice caused
the door posts of the temple to shake and his presence filled the temple with
smoke.
Reflect
on our God today; find time to just praise and worship him for who he is, not
what he can do for you.
Please
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