Daily Encouragement

APRIL 20, 2008 - Getting To Know Him

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:8, "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ."

Knowing Christ is the main purpose of Paul through his Christian life.

Certainly we know Christ through faith in Him, through His Word, and through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Often time we neglect that we can know Him through prayer, our communication with Him. As we meditate the Scriptures, we can also talk to Him. Then we will get to know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering. (Phil 3:10.)

Let us learn to talk to God more.

April 21, 2008 - Expanding the Church's Horizons - Acts 1:1-8

In Touch Daily Devotion by Dr. Charles Stanley.

The line where the sky meets the earth is called the horizon. It is the farthest point of land or water that a person can see. But, the universe extends far beyond what the eye can behold.

In a similar way, the church's vision can be limited. God's mandate is to bring the gospel to every nation. Some believers often confine their outreach to what they see as manageable. Sometimes what holds them back from fulfilling God's command is their limited experiences and understanding.

In other words, the believers frequently act according to logic. Our Father calls His children to obey in faith. Rational thought might lead people to avoid missions in a foreign country because of safety concerns or a language barrier. No excuse can nullify the truth of Jesus' statement from Luke chapter 18:27: "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God".

The Lord expects His followers to obey when He says in Matthew chapter 28:19, "Make disciples of all the nations." But He knows human limitations. So Acts chapter 1:8 tells us He empowers through His Spirit. The Holy Spirit provides guidance, wisdom, and strength to accomplish His will.

The church is to share the gospel. God will call individuals to fulfill this commission in different ways. All believers are to participate through prayer, giving, and action. Pray for direction and wisdom in communicating the good news of salvation to the world. The Holy Spirit will lead and empower you.

Source: http://www.crosswalk.com/11573728/

APRIL 22, 2008 - Pursuing the Goal

Philippians 3:12-14 "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

The Apostle Paul's deepest passion was to know Christ. Certainly this should be the highest purpose for our lives. But he said that while living he had not obtained that goal yet. Therefore we can follow his mode to live the purpose driven life.

1. He mentioned the word, "press" in this short passage twice. The original Greek word in the Now Testament has the following meanings: to set in rapid motion, to hasten, to run after a person, to follow zealously, striving, and continue pursuit. These ideas indicate to us that you and I must strife to live our purpose driven life zealously and continuously. There is no time to waste either. Are you living for God and serving Him today?

2. The sentence, "But one thing I do:" makes us realize the importance of concentration of our purpose. Let nothing distracts us.

3. Forgetting what is behind means to forget both our successes and our failures in the past. The blessings you have had in the old days are not enough for you to live the future. Neither should your former defeat stop you from growing in Christ because He is the Lord who loves you more than anyone else.

4. "Straining toward" is the picture of an runner in competition stretching with all his might to reach the tape. How do you put your effort toward Christ's goal for you?

5. According to Lenski the word "prize" is derived form the Greek word for umpire. Who is your umpire that would bestow you the prize one day?

6. There is a "prize" for you and I. We are not in competition with one another. Everyone who lives a purpose driven life for Christ will be rewarded. (2 Timothy 4:8)

APRIL 23, 2008 - Changing To New Clothes Everyday

Ephesians 4:22-24 "...in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." (NASB)

Your biggest hindrance to live a purpose driven life is yourself. God's Word tells us again and again that you and I must deal with our old nature or "old man". Yes in Christ you already has the position of a saint. But you must live accordingly.

The only way to do it is to live a Christian life daily. The Apostle Paul uses the idea of putting on and putting off clothes every day. You and I must lay off the old self like the old clothing we wear. They are spiritually dirty, smelly, lusty, and deceitful to the point that they cannot be washed anymore.

And you must put on the new self like wearing whole set of new clothes inside and outside. This process of renewal is done through your will and mind. You pray today that you will live like Christ wants you to live.

Have you changed your spiritual clothes today?

That means that you put off lying, speaking the truth, trying to control your anger, don't take things that do not belong to you anymore or ask for permission before you take it, talking nice to people with good and encouraging words, forgiving others.... (Ephesians 4:25f)

You will feel a lot better with new clothes.

APRIL 24, 2008 - Partnership With Joy

Philippians 1:3-6: "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (NIV)

Since it is God who will carry our ministry to completion, we need prayers not only our own individual prayers but also our partner's prayers. Sometimes in a subtle way, we may not want others to pray for us because we want to have all the glory of completion for ourselves. We may feel that our spiritual gifts and talents are good enough. Therefore, we do not need other's help because they may share our recognition.

I am so glad that Paul emphasizes PARTNERSHIP in the letter of Philippians. He emphasized and complimented the working together of the saints for the Gospel.

When we have done something for the Lord, we need to collaborate with our own church so to be more effective in our ministry. When we share our glory with our brothers and sisters, we will receive even more glory.

That is what partnership is all about. Are you willing to share? Most likely you are successful because someone has helped you.

APRIL 25, 2008 - Partnership With Joy (II)

Revelation 3:20-21, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." (NASB)

Revelation 3:21 has been used to apply to nonbelievers who accepted Christ into their hearts. But in the context of this passage referring to the church of Laodicea, it should be applicable to the lukewarm Christians. When we are not actively pursuing the purpose driven life for Christ, we stand the chance that Jesus is knocking at the door of our inner hearts because we have already crowded out his presence and control by too many other activities though they may be important to us.

Today when we hear his gentle knocking, we must open our heart door again and invite him to take control. Praise the Lord; he will come in to partner with us again for His kingdom.

The great joy is that he will help us to overcome the worldly hindrances and evil forces which prevent our Christian growth. And when we overcome, He will share His throne with us. Notice Jesus said "My throne." That is sharing and the celebration of partnership.

If Jesus is willing to be our partner, are we willing to be the partner with our fellow Christians in the same church?

APRIL 26, 2008 - Experiencing God

Romans 12:6-8: "Since we have the gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; If service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." (NASB)

We have learned from Purpose Driven Life that all Christians are ministers. We are to serve others with the spiritual gift or gifts that God has given to us. The question now is when and how do we start? It is simple according to the Scriptures above. We can start now by using what we have. God does not want us to do something without first giving us the ability or capital to do so.

If you like to talk a lot and tell people what to do, then study and memorize the Bible. So you will know God's word and pray to God to give you the faith to speak to others. If you have the strength, serve others. If you like to teach, learn to be a Sunday school teacher for children or adults. If you like to encourage others, carefully think of words to help others today. If you have money now, instead of thinking the next house to buy, give to the support of your local church or missionaries you know. If you like to lead, volunteer to lead or manage a project for your church. If you feel pity for people in needs, go visit them and bring them joy.

As you start serving God today, you will experience the Holy Spirit working on your behalf.