Humanity is Capable of Simplicity

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Scripture: Matthew 18:2-6

And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  “And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Insights: Yesterday we learned we often times are self-serving.  Today, we turn to a more positive note and look at the capability of all humanity to be more simplistic.  I use this word simplistic in a positive manner.  I think we over analyze much in this world.  In fact, there are times we become stifled because of the paralysis of analysis that sets in on us.  Jesus’ disciples asked who was going to be the greatest in His kingdom.  Jesus responds with the visual illustration of a child.  He called a child to Himself and begins to explain that the greatest in His kingdom are those who humble themselves like a little child.  Children have an innate ability to trust others.  I joke around with my children a lot.  I will tell them fancifully crazy things and my youngest will say to her mother, “Is Papí playing?”  My story is outlandish enough she thinks something is not quite right, but it is coming from her Papí and she trusts me.  She takes my statements simplistically and honestly on the onset.  It is only after thinking through what I have said does she question my statements.  My point is she naturally trusts me.  God calls us to Him and asks us to trust Him.  The difference, God never plays a joke on our emotions, trust or sentiment.  He is always trustworthy and we can approach Him with a simple trust and faith.  If we will live life in this fashion, we will do much better in our faith journey.

Questions:

 1. Have you come to a simple saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

 2. When you look at life, do you over complicate things?

Prayer: Father, in my selfishness, I often times overcomplicate life issues.  The truth of the matter is You offer us a more simplistic life of love, joy and peace.  We find a hope in You, but often times do not live in this hope because we think it is too simple.  Lord, soften my heart to trust You.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

Humanity is Often Times Self-Serving

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Scripture: Matthew 18:1

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Insights: Today’s verse really takes us back to the Garden of Eden in some ways.  At the root of Adam and Eve’s fall was their prideful desire to be God.  They wanted to be the greatest and be served rather than to serve.  With this foundation, it is no wonder the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him, more than once I might add, who the greatest in His kingdom was to be.  They are not asking this question with altruistic means.  Rather, they are doing it as a comparison game to find out who is the winner.  Peter could look at Bart and say, “I am better than him,” but John could say to Peter, “Ya, but I am the one whom He loves.”  This question reveals their hearts desire for one-ups-menship.  Beloved, if we are truly honest, then we are the same way.  We are all individuals who want to be on top and not at the bottom.  I love the fact these stories are in the Bible because it shows the truth of humanities depraved and self-seeking motivations.  The Scriptures, however, give us hope.  The rest of the week we will discuss this hope in further detail.  Until then, let me encourage you to start thinking less often about yourself.  In other words, don’t become the center of your universe.  Start thinking more about the Lord Jesus and let Him become the true center of all things.  You will be amazed at the peace you will experience when you stop being self-serving.  May the Lord bless you this day as you live life from the perspective of service to others instead of to yourself.

Questions:

1. Is your life characterized more by self-interest or in the betterment of others?

2. Why do you think the human race battles so much with self-serves?

Prayer: Father, I am a selfish person, but I do not desire to be.  Continue Your transforming work in my life and help me to walk in Your grace.  May I become a better servant of others than I presently am.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

God's Strength through Us Molds Us into Dependent Followers Who Love the Church

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Scripture: Ephesians 4:15-16

but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Insights: We conclude this week with a better understanding from where our strength comes.  You will recall yesterday we discussed how we grew in our knowledge of the Lord, and as a result, we were able to discern the truth from the lies dispensed in this world.  With this increased strength we learn in verse fifteen the true source behind this strength.  We learn our knowledge we have gained only becomes truly powerful when we have surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus.  In other words, when we are fully dependent on Christ and not our increased knowledge do we really experience victory.  This ability leads to one last item regarding the church.  Because we are dependent on the Lord, we begin to live and acts like Him.  Now remember, He died for the church.  He is protective of the church.  The reason Jesus bears these kind of traits toward the church is because He loves the church.  When we have gone through this entire process, what happens to us is we start to see this world differently.  We then are transformed to such an extent we are able to love the church as well.  These individuals are not just nameless faces in the worship service.  If they have been born again, then they are your brothers and sisters.  You ought to love them and serve them.  When you live life like that you are truly displaying your belief in the wholeness of the church.  Let us, the church, truly be centered around Jesus and be recipients of His amazing grace.

Questions:

1. In what ways do you display your dependency on the Lord?

2. How would you describe your love for the church?

Prayer: Father, help me to be more dependent on You and increase my love for Your bride, the church, as well.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

God's Growth in Us Makes Us Strong

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Scripture: Ephesians 4:14

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

Insights: Yesterday we learned we grow because of God’s work in us.  As a result of our growth we are able to accomplish what verse fourteen tells us about our life in Christ.  We become strong in our growth and are able to discern the truth from the falsities surrounding us in this world.  Notice from our verse we are described as being mature.  I derive this concept of maturity because we are no longer children.  Children are wonderful, but they have not grown up enough to see the larger perspective to their immediate choices.  Only a mature person is capable of looking past the choice of the decision.  Paul then uses a second illustration which pertains to seamanship.  He states the strong person who has grown in the Lord is not tossed by the waves which are created by every wind of doctrine.  Beloved, the reason cults exist is because of this singular issue.  A Jehovah’s Witness or a Mormon does not wake up in the morning saying to themselves, “What a glorious day, I get the opportunity to lead someone down a path toward hell because of my doctrine which is false.”  These individuals are some of the finest citizens, employers, employees and friends you will ever meet.  Their future, however, is destined to hell unless they come to the truth of the gospel and truly meet Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  The third illustration Paul gives is that of a charlatan.  This third example is truly of one who is intentional about their deceptive strategy.  They are crafty and tricky men and they scheme on the pain and suffering of others.  The believer who is strong in the Lord, however, does not have to fear any of these illustrations.  They are not blindly innocent and therefore led astray.  They are not confused by doctrine and therefore led astray.  They are not tricked by evil men and therefore led astray.  No, for this kind of believer they are strong and their strength comes from the Lord.  Beloved, let us be strong as we grow in our relationship with Jesus.

Questions:

1. Are you able to discern the truth from a lie regarding spiritual matters?

2. What is your plan for grown in the Lord to make you strong in Him?

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your Word.  Thank You for letting me grow in strength and to have the ability to discern the truth from the false doctrines which are tossed about in this world.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

God's Work is to Unify and Grow Us

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Scripture: Ephesians 4:13

until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Insights: The reason we have been equipped to work is so we, as the body of Christ, might become unified in faith.  In other words, we walk toward glory with the same unified purpose.  If we are walking in this fashion we will be better equipped to impact this world for the Lord.  The key to our unity, however, is the relational dynamic we have in the Lord Jesus.  Notice in the verse we are to attain the knowledge of the Son, and as a result, become mature people.  This attainment is because we have grown in our relationship with Jesus.  So, the argumentation goes like this:  We grow in our relationship with Jesus and because we know Him better we start to act and think like Him more.  As we act and think like Him more, the more we see the world as He sees the world.  Our perceptions change and we become more compassionate and loving.  With this increased compassion and love we are able to be more capable of relinquishing our own personal desires.  With this letting go of personal gains we are able to work with others better and this better cooperation leads to unity.  Beloved, let me challenge you to humble yourself before the Lord and let Him draw on your heart.  Let Him do a transforming work in your life and bring us to complete unity as the body of Christ.  May such a life change bring the Lord glory and honor.  Let us praise His name in unity and love.  Let us know Him even better.

Questions:

1. Would you consider yourself to be in unity with the vision of your church?

2. Are you growing in your relationship with the Lord and are you trusting Him more each day?

Prayer: Father, too often I find myself working against unity and in rebellion to You.  Soften my heart and heal my transgressions.  Mold and make me into a true son/daughter of the King and may Your reign be fully unified on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

God's Gifts Enable the Church to Work

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Scripture: Ephesians 4:12

for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

Insights: I loved my father while he was alive on this planet.  I miss him still as days have turned into years since his home going.  I mention him because he and my mother instilled within in me and my brothers a lifelong attribute of being workers.  Each of us work long hours and when we get home the work often times does not stop.  As I evaluate the world, I find this singular characteristic is becoming harder and harder to find.  People do not have the same drive to work and sacrifice as in history past.  This truth is also just as real within the organism we call the church.  I look back at my early years and it was the men of the church who sacrificed their time in order to do many of the building projects.  Today, we would rather take up an offering and let a contractor do the work.  I fear this pattern has also crept into other areas of church life.  We want our children to have great programs, but we do not want to work in those departments.  As a result, we have overworked volunteers who get themselves burned out and they stop teaching effectively and then they quit.  At some point we also started using lines like, “That’s what we pay the pastor for.”  Beloved, look at the verse today.  The reason the Lord gives us gifts is so the body of Christ could be equipped for the work of service.  We are to work in order to build up the body of Christ.  Take a few moments to evaluate your life and work in the church.  It is my prayer you are a worker and not a pew warmer.  It is my hope you would desire to grow in maturity to be a faithfully committed follower of Jesus who works to make the body stronger.  Paul tells us in Colossians 3:23 to do whatever we do as unto the Lord.  Let our work point others to Jesus.

Questions:

1. Would those around you classify you as being a worker?

2. Do you find pleasure in working?

Prayer: Father, there are times it is difficult to work, but You are the One who designed and created work.  You have enabled me to work and for this reality I am grateful.  May my work honor You.  Amen.

God Equips the Church with Gifts

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Scripture: Ephesians 4:11

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

Insights: There are four passages in the New Testament that discuss spiritual gifts.  Those passages are Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4.  Every one of these passages are preceded or followed by a section on love.  In other words, we are to use our spiritual gift mix in love and not personal pride.  In today’s verse we see the Lord Himself is the One who appoints the gifts people have.  In today’s verse we see it is the Lord who assigns some to be apostles.  He also calls others to be prophets.  Still He sets a part evangelists.  As if these were not enough, He also administers others to be pastors and even more to be teachers.  The point I desire to make in today’s Thoughts by Scott is God Himself is the One who gives the gifts.  To further elaborate on this concept, the gift is the Holy Spirit Himself.  He manifests Himself in these various ways, but He Himself is the gift.  Considering the Holy Spirit is the gift, we know from Ephesians 1:13-14 that all who come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ are sealed with the Holy Spirit.  All believers are given the Holy Spirit and He then uses those believers to work and serve the purposes of God the Father.  There are tools out there which can be useful to help you assess what your spiritual gift mix is and I would encourage you to take those assessments.  At the same time, however, do not say something like, “I don’t have to witness because I did not receive the gift of evangelism.”  You did receive the gift of evangelism because the Holy Spirit dwells within you and He is the dispenser of the gifts.  Is it possible evangelism is not your primary gift?  The answer would be a resounding, “yes.”  But to make excuses why you can’t serve based on gift mix is ludicrous and unbiblical.  Let us serve the Lord in the way in which He equipped us and bring Him honor and glory.

Questions:

1. Do you know what your spiritual gift mix is?

2. Do you understand the Holy Spirit is the gift?

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit and thank You for having Him manifest Himself in my life the way He does.  May I be a blessing to the body and a lost world as a result of His work in me.  Amen.