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1 Thessalonians 1-2 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:20.

“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2: 8).

This is what being the salt of the earth and light of the world is all about (cf. Matthew 5:13-16). Being the salt of the earth means investing ourselves in the lives of others around us. Being the light of the world means inviting them with the gospel message. I think Paul’s success might be that his desire to share the gospel with others came from a genuine care for them. He didn’t simply see others as a check off on his personal evangelism chart. (Hmmm, let’s see, yes, I met my quota of 5 invitations this week.) He didn’t just desire to preach to someone, he wanted to give himself to them. That means even if they didn’t accept the gospel, he still cared about them. However, because the gospel was part of who he was, it entailed teaching them.

That is the key I have to learn. Make the gospel so much a part of me and care so much about people that I can’t help but bring the two together. Then I’ll be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Then I’ll invest and invite.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? To add your input click the following link: Post a comment.

PPS. By the way, this probably stuck out to me because it fits so nicely with my recent sermon: Be Salt and Light-Invest and Invite.

2 Corinthians 10-11 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 10:1-11:33.

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18).

I need to read this every day. How easily I want to boast in me. I preached a sermon. I wrote a post. I put together some class material. I led a study. I baptized someone. I, I, I, I, I. Me, me, me, me, me. Someone complimented a sermon or class. Someone told me a blog post meant something to them. My head begins to swell, I start checking my stats. I start thinking I’m something.

God? Who is God?

Of course, I would never say that out loud. I would never even consciously think that. Instead, I would just not consciously think about God and His involvement. I just sometimes tacitly forget about God in my fervor to make sure you’ve heard about me. Have I told you about me yet? I’m pretty cool.

But then I remember that I am nothing. I think about where I’ve actually ended up when I was doing things my way and on my own. It wasn’t pretty. Anything I may accomplish for good is totally and completely by the grace of God. If I preach a sermon, it is because God gave the opportunity. If I actually say something meaningful and helpful, it is because God granted the words. If I get to baptize someone, it is because God caused the growth. I’m just a servant. I just go where I’m told and do what God says. Have I told you about God yet? He’s pretty cool.

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Add your input by clicking the following link: Post a Comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Acts 27-28 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 27:1-28:31.

“And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him” (Acts 28:16).

From one capital to another. The gospel started in Jerusalem, the capital of a backwater district of malcontents that were always causing the Romans problems. By the end of Acts it is in Rome. By the time Paul got there, Christ had already arrived. There were brethren there to visit him and uplift him.

I can’t help but think if God could do that with the gospel in the Middle East and Europe, He can do that with the Gospel here in Brownsburg, Indiana. He can do that with the gospel wherever you are. Why did this happen? Sure, Paul was a great preacher and a world traveler. But the real power behind this success was God.

Today, I need to remember that the Gospel can have success, not because I’m the messenger. The Gospel can have success because God is the power behind it. I need to rely on Him today and let Him be the leader that gets the Gospel spread where I live. I’m just His servant, doing what He says, going where He sends.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Acts 17-18 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 17:1-18:28.

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24-25).

Why should I serve God today? I don’t need to serve God today as if He needs whatever it is I can offer. He made me. What can I possibly give to Him that He can’t do for Himself. No. I need to serve God today because I need what He has to offer me through that service. I need to serve Him today because He deserves that service because of what He has already given me. I’m breathing today because of Him. I’m living today because of Him. Every blessing comes from Him.

On the days that I grasp that, my service is real and my connection to Him deep. When I’m trying to impress Him with my service or compete with others as if I’m giving Him more, then the connection starts to sever. God doesn’t need me. I need Him. So, today, I’m going to serve Him.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Acts 9-10 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 9:1-10:48.

“Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ And the lord said to him, ‘Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying…’” (Acts 9:10-11).

Jesus could have saved Paul on the road to Damascus all by Himself. He could have either simply declared Paul saved if he wanted or could have told Paul what He wanted him to do to be saved. He didn’t need Ananias to do this. But, Jesus wanted to use Ananias.

While Jesus could do all of His work all by Himself, He has chosen to use us. He wants you and me to be part of His plan. He wants us as a working part of the team. That means Jesus thinks we can accomplish something worthwhile. He has faith in us. He simply wants us to step up to the plate.

I need to do that today. What work can I do for Jesus today? He wants me on His team. He wants to put me up at bat. That is amazing.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is Matthew 23:1-24:51.

“And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:9-12).

I understand these are not absolutes. As a description of a role in the family or in learning, being called a father, an instructor, or a teacher is not wrong. Jesus isn’t talking about using these terms as descriptives of roles, but in the since of greatness. Don’t set anyone on a pedestal. We are all brethren. None of us is a Father. Only God is the Father. None of us is the teacher, only Christ is the teacher.

But this struck me differently today and I needed to hear it. Too often, I want to be seen as “THE TEACHER.” I want folks to praise me for my skills and abilities. I want others to set me apart as if I’m special because of my gifts and abilities. Not only must I not call others Father, Instructor, Teacher, I should not seek that kind of honor. This isn’t about me. It is about Jesus. It isn’t about me. It is about the Father. The more I strive to be exalted, the more I will be humbled.

Today, I need to exalt God. May He be praised. Look to Him for guidance, not me.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 14:1-15:58.

“But by the grace  of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me…Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:10, 58).

What great comfort. God has given me His grace and it is not in vain because I am laboring in the Lord. At the same time, I am laboring in the Lord and my labor is not in vain because God has granted me His grace. It works together. God’s grace doesn’t mean I musn’t labor and my labor doesn’t mean I am avoiding God’s grace.

Rather, I have the strength and motivation to labor because I know God is laboring in His grace. God’s grace does me good because it prompts me to labor.

Today, I’ll keep working in the will of the Lord because I know His grace makes my work meaningful. Thank you, God, for that grace.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?