Tag Archives: sphere of influence

Uncategorized

Charles Stanley – A Passion to Serve God

1 Comment

Read | Ephesians 2:8-10

Oswald Chambers, author of My Utmost for His Highest, died in 1917 at age 43. His influence, however, lives on. Almost a century later, God is still using this man’s book to speak to hearts; I am one of the many convicted by his words. Chambers’ message has lasted because he gave priority to things of eternal value rather than to things of the world.

Sadly, many people choose an existence with no enduring significance. Setting out to make as much money as possible, please oneself, and retire to enjoy the good life is unbiblical. Worthwhile living involves giving ourselves unreservedly to God so He can use us in any way He sees fit. Christians like Chambers, who make a lasting impact in their sphere of influence, have a passion to serve the Lord. They look for ways to express their love and devotion to Him.

As citizens of a heavenly kingdom, believers should see their job title as “servant of almighty God.” Perhaps you are thinking, I have a secular job or My life doesn’t matter much. Friend, if you are determined to find ways to be useful for the kingdom, God will supply tasks of eternal value. Be sensitive to people in need. Share your faith with those who hurt. Whether through your vocation or in your community, make yourself available to individuals who need help. Tell others what the Lord is doing in your life.

You are called to serve God where you are. We have all been given the work of evangelists and teachers (Matt. 28:19) as well as the task of caring for those who are in need (Isa. 1:17; Gal. 6:2). There is much work to be done.

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Entrusted with the Gospel

Leave a comment

greglaurie

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. —1 Thessalonians 2:4

As believers we have the sacred trust of the gospel message. Jesus has given us our command to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Everyone is called to do that. Everyone should get the gospel out.

In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul mentioned “the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to [his] trust” (1 Timothy 1:11). Again emphasizing the sacred trust of the gospel, Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2 that “we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (verse 4).

Here is what it means. As Christians we all have the same gospel. And we each have to ask ourselves the question, “How am I getting the gospel out?” It is not about how someone else is getting the gospel out. How are we doing it? That is our call as followers of Jesus. We need to think about our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and our sphere of influence and ask, “Am I getting the gospel out?”

Jesus said, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

That reward will be directly connected to how faithful we were in this life. We place far too much stock in this life alone. We act as though everything that is going to happen happens here. A lot of significant things do happen here. The most important decision we ever will make happens in this life: the decision about what we do with Jesus Christ.

Our faithfulness here will result in rewards there—in heaven and when heaven comes to earth, when we go home.

Uncategorized

Victory Over Guilt

Leave a comment

John 3:16-17

At times, people are bound by guilt long after the feeling should have been resolved. Some rightly live with it because they refuse to give up the sin that brought it on. Meanwhile, others suffer the weight of false guilt because they harbor shame that doesn’t belong to them. Whatever the root cause of your condemnation, the battle plan remains the same.

Victory over guilt begins with understanding that Jesus took our shame to the cross and paid our penalty. There is no way that we can pay for our own sin. But we do need to honestly identify the source of our guilt and confess before God. That means we agree with His perspective on what we’ve done. In other words, we admit when we’re wrong. Repentance goes a step further: we turn away from the wrong and choose to do right.

Confronting guilt in this way replaces the weight of shame in our heart with peace and joy, which are far lighter and more freeing. And an amazing side effect is that we have wisdom to share. Openness about our past mistakes, resulting consequences, guilt burdens, and forgiveness can reveal the Lord to those in our sphere of influence. Through our witness, God may reach others who need their guilt chains broken.

The battle to overcome guilt is one that should not be delayed. The feeling won’t just go away. Whether your condemnation is true or false, it needs to be dealt with quickly. Stop running, and face the source of your guilt. It’s time to end your captivity and start walking in the joy of God’s blessing.