“Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand” (Jeremiah 18:6)

October 11, 2013

The Lord is the Potter and we are the clay. Does the clay tell the Potter what to make? Does it complain that some are made special and others for common use? I would rather the Potter’s hands be on my life than to be cast aside. Even when He must pound, prod and press to mold me and make after His will, I want His touch on my life. I trust the Potter’s hands.

“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!” (Psalm 80:1)

October 10, 2013

Many of the Psalms and prophets refer to God as the Shepherd and themselves as His flock. This imagery was familiar to a people who raised sheep for generations. Their beloved King David was a shepherd as a boy, so this title became attached to the coming of the Davidic Messiah as well. So, when Jesus comes announcing himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, the flock of Israel should not have been surprised. After all, they had been praying for centuries that the Shepherd would “give ear” and listen to their cry.

“Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

October 9, 2013

When we share the gospel we pray that our presentation will not just be words. But that we will have what the apostle Paul had, namely the power of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit and overwhelming passion and conviction in our voices.

“See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord” (Colossians 4:17)

October 8, 2013

These are among Paul’s final instructions to the church at Colossae to a man named Archippus (“Master of the horse”). He also mentions this man in his letter to Philemon. Apparently, Archippus was a fellow minister who needed encouragement to continue the ministry God had given him. Paul called him out on this. If Paul were writing to our church today, would he call you out to “fulfill the ministry” that the Lord has given you?

“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house” (Proverbs 24:27)

October 7, 2013

Something we often get backwards in our world today… borrowing to build and furnish our house, before we’ve established our income. Proverbs instructs us in wisdom and wisdom says, build up your business first, then build your house. This might also apply to church planting. First minister to your community, rent space, meet in homes, disciple new believers… then look for a home. It may take 19 years, but it’ll be worth it!

“Thus says the LORD:”Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16)

October 6, 2013

Jeremiah is hard reading. Not because of its advanced vocabulary, but because of its message: warning and impending judgment. Yet, it still contains much hope and encouragement for those that would repent. Here, it encourages us to stop following every new and enticing way that we see in our culture. Instead, look for the “ancient paths,” the ones where the saints have trod and left us a sure route to peace. And for us, especially consider the One who walked the Via Dolorosa to Calvary. Follow Him.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him” (Colossians 2:6)

October 5, 2013

We received Christ freely by grace, but we forget to live according to that same amazing grace. We come to Christ totally dependent on Him for salvation, but then we attempt to live for Him with human effort, which leads to frustration, burnout, and lack of joy. We say, “I will do this great thing for God.” When we should be asking as servants, “What do you want of me today Master?”

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15)

October 4, 2013

This is one of the four Christological pillars found in the New Testament (Others are John 1:1-18, Phil. 2:5-11, Heb. 1:1-4). Do you want to catch a glimpse of the invisible God? Then, look at Jesus. Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father and Jesus replied, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Do you know this song?
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out” (Proverbs 24:19-20)

October 3, 2013

Are you worried about increasing wickedness in the world? Do you envy the prosperity of the godless? Worry and envy won’t help! Entrust these things to God who holds the future. Then, live in such a way that the light of Christ within you shines in this darkness.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own” (Philippians 3:12)

October 2, 2013

Paul knew that he belonged to Christ, yet he pursued knowing all of Christ that belonged to him. We come to Christ saying, “I am His and He is mine.” Yet, we don’t fully understand either. Perhaps we partially grasp that we are His to some degree. But that Christ is ours, is mine? That all that Christ is and owns is now mine? His love, His wisdom, His relationship with the Father, His future in heaven, His resurrection, His … all mine? Like Paul, “I press on to make it my own.”