Bible League: Living His Word Some people are telling the message about Christ because they are jealous and bitter. Others do it because they want to help.— Philippians 1:15 ERV There should be no competition in kingdom work. Yet, sadly, there has always been. The Apostle Paul writes that some people tell the message about Christ because they are jealous. They saw how the Lord blessed Paul's ministry efforts and bitterly envied him. When Paul writes this, he is imprisoned in Rome. Taking advantage of Paul's predicament, his competitors did what they could to build their own reputations as successful evangelists. Strikingly, Paul doesn't condemn them. On the contrary! In verse 18, he says, "What is important is that they are telling people about Christ, whether they are sincere or not." Today, I want to draw three lessons from the attitude Paul displays here. Firstly, competition is a given fact, even among workers in God's kingdom on earth. Our verse calls us to investigate our intentions. What is our deepest motivation to be active in church or the mission? Do we only seek God's honor, or are we in because people praise us for our actions? Of course, there's nothing wrong with receiving compliments, but "Nothing can hide its evil as well as the human mind," as Jeremiah 17:9 says. Let's face it, our hearts are full of deceit. Pray to God to clarify your hearts and show your true intentions, so that all you do will magnify His glory and honor. Secondly, Paul doesn't take offense. He doesn't care about people making trouble for him (verse 17). He also doesn't complain about being incarcerated but rather sees it as an opportunity to bring the Gospel. "All the Roman guards and all the others here know that I am in prison for serving Christ" (verse 13). Paul effaces himself for the sake of spreading the Gospel. That's challenging us! How much are we willing to sacrifice in the service of Jesus Christ? Ask the Lord to detach you from whatever ties you to this world. Follow Paul's example, as he writes in verse 20, "I will let God use my life to bring more honor to Christ." Finally, Paul knows the Gospel will go further despite the people who bring it. That's because, in the end, it's God Himself through the Holy Spirit who makes His Word known. In Acts 6:7, we read, "The Word of God was reaching more and more people." The Word was reaching! My friends, furthering the Gospel doesn't depend on us. That knowledge makes us humble and grateful at the same time. It's humbling to realize that God doesn't need us. Yet, it's deeply gratifying to know that God wants to use us to tell the message about Christ to a world that doesn't know Him. Let us avail ourselves to God for the first time or anew. Let Him use our lives to bring more honor to Christ! By Anton de Vreugd, Bible League International staff, the Netherlands Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 65, 66, 67 Psalm 65 -- Praise waits for you, God, in Zion. To you shall vows be performed. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 66 -- Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 67 -- May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Romans 2 Romans 2 -- God's Just Judgment; The Jews and the Law NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “Watch out! Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” Insight Jesus told the disciples to keep a constant watch for his return. Although nearly 2,000 years have passed since he spoke these words, their truth remains: Christ is coming again, and we need to watch and be spiritually fit. This means working faithfully at the tasks God has given us. Challenge Don't let your mind and spirit be dulled by careless living, drinking, or the foolish pursuit of pleasure. Don't let life's anxieties overburden you, so that you will be ready to move at God's command. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Ruth 2:2 Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn.Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean today in the broad field of promise. Here are abundance of precious promises, which exactly meet thy wants. Take this one: "He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax." Doth not that suit thy case? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak, a bruised reed, out of which no music can come; weaker than weakness itself; a reed, and that reed bruised, yet, he will not break thee; but on the contrary, will restore and strengthen thee. Thou art like the smoking flax: no light, no warmth, can come from thee; but he will not quench thee; he will blow with his sweet breath of mercy till he fans thee to a flame. Wouldst thou glean another ear? "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." What soft words! Thy heart is tender, and the Master knows it, and therefore he speaketh so gently to thee. Wilt thou not obey him, and come to him even now? Take another ear of corn: "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, I will help thee, saith the Lord and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." How canst thou fear with such a wonderful assurance as this? Thou mayest gather ten thousand such golden ears as these! "I have blotted out thy sins like a cloud, and like a thick cloud thy transgressions." Or this, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Or this, "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Our Master's field is very rich; behold the handfuls. See, there they lie before thee, poor timid believer! Gather them up, make them thine own, for Jesus bids thee take them. Be not afraid, only believe! Grasp these sweet promises, thresh them out by meditation and feed on them with joy. Daily Light on the Daily Path Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Mark 9:24 Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief." 1 John 2:5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. James 2:20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight-- Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 1 Peter 1:8,9 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, • obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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