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The Call of the Cross
In "God's Word for Today" William Snider writes:
The basis of Paul's appeal for consecration is “the mercies of God.” John Bowring wrote, “In the cross of Christ I glory, Tow'ring o'er the wrecks of time. All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.” Wesley said when dying, “I the chief of sinners am, but Jesus died for me.” The cross is the epic moment of history for the world at large and the individual Christian in particular. We are forever dependent upon the cross. Because of the cross, we owe Him everything. While the theology of the cross is compelling to consider, it issues in a practical assignment. “Present your bodies.” Barclay observed that true worship is not ritual; rather, it is the offering of the body every day. The body is the instrument of service. Such an offering is not salvation by works, but rather, an appropriate response.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 65.
Give Cheerfully
Read 2 Corinthians 9:1-7
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (v. 7).
Last Sunday night after service, a five-year-old girl trotted over to where I had been sitting and thrust a wadded-up piece of paper toward me. “What do you have?” I asked.
She did not say anything. She just smiled. I straightened out the paper and discovered it was a sheet from a coloring book. The edge was ragged from where it had been not-so-expertly torn from the book. The color choices were pretty, but it looked like the artist had struggled with things like direction and keeping inside the lines. But somehow, that beautiful lit-tle smiling face above the imperfect artwork changed my view. I thanked her profusely for such a fine gift and promised it would find a prominent place on my refrigerator.
My young friend could have thrown that wad of paper away. She could have decided it was not as good as her older sister's artwork and therefore did not deserve to be shown to anyone. She could have given it to me with a frown on her face. She might have even kept it for herself and never shared her work with anyone else. Instead, she did her best, chose a friend, and gave cheerfully.
Sometimes, the cheerfully part is all I feel I can do. It is awfully easy to look at the talented folks around me and decide the world is better off with-out my contribution. But then I remember that with God as my Father, I am sure to have at least one proud supporter. After all, who knows? Maybe that silly picture of mine, when proudly displayed on His fridge, can be a witness or encouragement to someone else. (Michelle Avery)
Let us give what we have and trust God to bless it abundantly!
This devotional is the Thursday, February 9, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.
How should Christians use their spiritual gifts?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Omar Lee writes:
Remember, gifts come from God, and He in His wisdom gives them as He wills. Some are gifted preachers. Others less gifted may still preach but will never attain what the others do. The call may be the same, but the gifts differ. Others may be musicians, skilled carpenters, etc. None should look down on another, because his work is a worship to God just as ours is. His work is a service just as ours is. Let us make sure that we use our gifts so that no part of God's great building (the Church) will be built out of shoddy material! Notice that these gifts are for others, not ourselves; therefore, we have nothing to be proud of in our success. In the list of gifts, practical service, deakonia, is close to the top of the list. Do not apologize for being a practical servant. After all, these are the ones who build the building for those who serve in higher realms. They may not know, but God knows that “gifted” leaders would fall from cloud nine if it were not for the practical people who keep the organization together.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 68.
Pray for Your Community
Heavenly Father, I pray today for our community. All around our church live many people who do not know You as their Lord and Savior. Some may know much about You, but they have not surrendered their lives to Your control. Others may actually not know much about God and the Gospel. Some may hate You. But I know that You love them and want each one to trust in You as Lord and Savior.
Therefore, Lord, I pray for the good of my community. Lord, break into the routine of this community to demonstrate Your love and grace. Through tragedies that may come, I ask for Your abiding peace to overshadow us. Create a hunger for Yourself that will not be satisfied by worldly success and pleasure.
Help our local church then to provide the witness necessary to attract lost people to You. Draw them by the power of the Holy Spirit and change them by Your grace. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Life of a Christian
Lesson 11 - February 12, 2017
Focus Text: Romans 12:1-13
Central Truth: God's grace obligates us to offer our lives in worship.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list three ways they can be more diligent in service to God or others.
Lesson Outline:
- A Life of Consecration (Romans 12:1, 2)
- A Life of Cooperation (Romans 12:3-8)
- A Life of Service (Romans 12:9-13)