Let’s
continue Pastor Willie message from yesterday.
(2)
Focus on the welfare of others. Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look not only to his
own interests, but also to the interests of others.” It is okay to look out
for yourself. Lord Jesus is our model and He said in Mark 10:42-45 “You know that those who are considered
rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise
authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever
would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first
among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not
to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Bottom line: Go in peace, serve the Lord and be a blessing in the lives of
others.
(3)
Guard and keep your godly moral integrity. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary
defines the word “integrity” as the
entire, unimpaired state of any thing, particularly of the mind; moral
soundness or purity; incorruptness; uprightness; honesty. Integrity comprehends
the whole moral character. Joseph nailed it on the head in Genesis
39:9, when he said, “How then can
I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” We are in the world,
but not of this world; our citizenship is in the kingdom of Heaven. All sin is
against God. It is God’s standards that we are to make our own and guard in our
heart, despite the circumstances or consequences.
(4)
Look for ways to bless others. We are “Christ-Followers”, disciples of Jesus,
students of the Lord. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “bless”
as: to make happy; to make successful; to
prosper in temporal concerns; as, we are blest with peace and plenty. To
bless others is the natural outflow of God’s love towards us. Proverbs
11:25-26 says, “Whoever brings
blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be
watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a
blessing is on the head of him who sells it.”
As
bad as it seems, there is no pit so deep that God’s love doesn’t go deeper. God’s
love and grace is there now and He is in control; even when we do not
understand it. (1) Ask God to give you sight and faith that He is at work in
your life. (2) Pray for the strength and wisdom to trust God at all times and
in every circumstance of life. (3) Strategize against not seeking revenge, not
growing cynical, not becoming defiant, and not getting discouraged. You may be
the “brothers of Joseph” types that have wronged people. Repent your sins to
God and ask Him to help you find ways to reconcile. (4) Restore your
relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord and our Redeemer. That is
the bigger plan.
2
Corinthians 9:8-11 “And God is able
to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in
all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is
written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness
endures forever.” Now may He who supplies seed to the Sower, and bread for
food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the
fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in
everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.”
In
Christ, Brian
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