So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
In this passage, it says that Christ gave us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers so that we may be equipped to do works of service. Charles Price preached on this several Sundays ago, and I found it immensely encouraging to know that works of service is the key to unlocking 1) unity in the faith 2) knowledge of the Son of God and 3) attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Have you ever wondered to yourself why your prayer life is so dry? Or why your bible readings have become stagnant? Or maybe even pondered if you need to re-commit your life to Christ in order to experience intimacy with Christ again? Well, essentially, if you are thinking these things – what Paul says in Ephesians is to start serving (aka. works of service), because serving is how God brings us into his agenda. You will find that once you start serving you won’t be just be praying for general things like “Dear God please help me outreach to the world around me.” Instead, he’ll start giving you a burden for specific things and you’ll start having a desire to pray and read more because what you’re doing for God gives everything new purpose and meaning. (e.g. “Dear God please help ‘Bob’ open his heart to your word as I met with him next Friday”).
It’s no secret that serving is how we come closer to God. So ask yourself how you can better serve God, if you haven’t already.
Lately, I’ve been struggling with negative thoughts about people. The kind, where you judge and question why things aren’t better. But I realized that these thoughts lack compassion and kindness. It is important to realize that everyone comes from a different situation and background, and that there is always a reason for everything.
I’m learning that whatever you think in your mind, will eventually surface in your actions. Some people would argue that you can think whatever way you want in private, and keep silent in public. However, all that would do is create a dichotomy between your mind and heart.
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)
Ultimately, you cannot divorce your thoughts from who you are. Your thoughts are linked with you heart, and the heart is the hidden spring that drives all our actions. If you think negatively about people, then eventually you will treat people with harsh criticism and judgement. In my case, instead of seeing a flaw and criticizing someone, I should seek to understand them and offer compassion and help where possible. My thoughts cannot just stop at criticism, or else my actions will only end up being bitter, angry and malicious.
The heart is the throneroom of your life, make sure the mind fills it with goodness and love.
It’s a little crazy (and scary) how life just gets busy and then – all in a blink of an eye – life just passes you by. Adapting into new environments, transitioning into new things, taking on new responsibilities… that has kind of been the story of my life lately.
Things that were once central to your lifestyle just gets knocked around and then you have to slowly find a way to re-organize and re-prioritize. Year 2011, this will be the year that I will organize my life.
One thing that I am thankful for.. is that God never changes. Even though sometimes I’ve failed to put Him as my #1, it’s so amazing that I can find peace in his amazing grace.