I pray everyone is blessed this day and that the LORD will use you to HIS glory, honor, praise and worship!!! I recently heard a good sermon series, on "Enthusiasm." How we as Christians, should walk through our lives realizing that we are greatly blessed, and showing it. There were many very good points made during them all, but one thing began to come forth out of them and today's verse will clarify it.
1 Cor. 10:24
"Let no one seek his own, but each one m the others well-being."
Now as I was saying earlier, this came from a series of sermons on "Enthusiasm," and what the LORD led me to take note of, along with the message of the sermons. The minister is young, but fairly well seasoned, even as far as having his services broadcast on TV. As he was opening up the scriptures for our study of how David, when thoroughly defeated by his circumstances, reached up to GOD, drew upon HIS strength, rallied his troops and went on to victory. I began to notice the usage of certain words, all descriptive of self. I, me, our, oneself, etc. Now I'm not an English major by far and I think these are personal pronouns. Now these were being used to describe all the things that were being done to oneself, the problem was, that they were all pointing to the fact that oneself was the one doing them and not GOD.
Now true, we can make changes within our lives, to effect how we act and are perceived by others, but the truth is that the changes that truly need to be made, from the inside out, can only be made by GOD the HOLY SPIRIT, not ourselves. For these deeply seated changes have been with us for most of our lives and are deeply ingrained into our character and not the sort of things that we've the ability to change. These are at times known as 'spiritual strongholds.' Patterns or habits that are so natural to our lives, that we don't think twice about them. Almost like our heart beating within us, they just happen naturally. For oneself to change one of these, would be like trying to stop our heart from beating, or taking the next breath. We just can't do it!
It wouldn't of been so bad, but it seemed as if these were popping into use every ten to fifteen words. This is why it came to mind, the shear frequency of their usage. As Christians we're to turn our eyes off of ourselves and unto the needs of others. Just as our SAVIOR, forsook HIS deity, became man and died upon the cross for our sins. HE truly didn't have to do this, but it was that which had been laid into motion before time began. The ultimate sacrifice that would take away the sins of the world, in the only way possible for it to be done! JESUS took HIS eyes off all that HE was, humbled HIMSELF to the point of bearing our sins for us and then taking them to the cross in our stead. Talk about humbling oneself and thinking about the betterment of others!
If we, as Christians, only look at ourselves, how are we taking on the likeness of CHRIST? We're not, even in the slightest degree. We're only looking at what we can get out of the deal, for ourselves. Our salvation and an eternity is paradise. Far from that which we're called to. For in our taking on the name and likeness of JESUS we're to resemble HIM in our total being. Giving to the point of giving our very lives for the betterment of others and/or their very lives. Seeking in all that we do, to lead others into a relationship with JESUS, so they too can benefit from HIS death upon the cross. So, who is it that we're to focus our lives on, our actions, our very fiber of existence? First and foremost on JESUS and that which HE did for us personally and then outwardly to others. Ourselves and our existence are the things that are to be left in the hands of the HOLY SPIRIT. For it is HE that is truly able to make the needed changes, lead and guide us into wisdom and knowledge of the truth and provide all the needs that we personally have.
I pray, that you'll pray and ask GOD to move within your life to make the changes needed and then to put you into service leading others into relationship with JESUS. Pickup your Bible, pray and open it up and start reading for yourself. Though listening to sermons is very beneficial, but unless you also read and study for yourself, and doing so prayerfully, can you be molded into the very likeness of JESUS. Where your attentions and focus will be off of yourself, and upon your fellow man. This is what it means to be CHRIST-like, Christian and Born Again. Seek to serve the LORD, by serving others, become as HE was. Humble and become of a lowly spirit, where the needs of all others is more important then taking that next breath or awaiting the next beat of your heart. For it is this, that JESUS truly did for the whole world!!!
Other verses to ponder: 1 Cor. 10:23-31; Titus 3:1-7; James 1:21-27, 2:5-13
Use the above scriptures to farther open your understand of GOD from within HIS WORD!!! But please don't just stop there, cross reference them and dig deeper into the truth of scripture!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial Network International
