Discipline My Body

Inductive Bible Study – March 15, 2013

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Interpretation

I appreciate how the greek translates this verse: ‘I pummel my body and make it a slave’

To pummel is to strike repeatedly.

So Jesus, our perfect example, was disciplined. He was led by the Spirit into the desert to fast forty days and forty nights; He regularly went alone to spend time with God because his horizontal relationships are nothing if the vertical relationship isn’t there.

Before coming to Potter’s Field I wasn’t disciplined in my morning routine. I would stay in bed as long as possible before having to rush out of bed, grab breakfast, and run to work. Sometimes I would get my devotion time in later in the day, but other times I wouldn’t. My priorities were not straight. I was valuing a petty extra 45 minutes of sleep more than quality time spent with my awesome creator in prayer and Bible study. I was involved in the sin of idolatry by putting extra sleep over devotions to start my day off. So why did I so long for this sleep? Probably because I stayed up too late the night before watching Sportscenter or Discovery Channel; not only was the extra sleep idolatry, the things that were keeping me awake longer than I should have been awake that caused that extra need for sleep were idolatry as well.

I have to pummel unnecessary late nights and make it my slave. What else is there to pummel? Things that we’re doing well and things that we’re not doing well all need to have the ‘strike repeatedly’ pummel treatment. I could decide to wake up on any given morning at 7:50am and stroll over to breakfast at 8. NO, I must pummel that. I could decide not to do my required homework or not apply myself fully to it. NO, I must pummel that. I could decide to grumble during crazy kids songs in the morning when I’m half asleep or grumble during servant time. NO, I must pummel that.

Let’s not be disqualified for the prize.

Application

Today I will pray that God will reveal any areas that I’m not aware of that need more discipline and will write down what is revealed.

Runnin' Aimless

Inductive Bible Study – March 14, 2013

1 Corinthians 9:26

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

Interpretation

Aimless – without purpose or direction.

This goes in context with the previous verse:

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. – 1 Corinthians 9:25

Paul here is mentioning that he is running for the prize. More than an unbeliever would run for an earthly prize such as the top of a business, top of the sports world, popularity. But he doesn’t run in a way that is aimless. He runs with purpose. Each step is meaningful and important. So how does this look practically in my life?

My goal is to live a purpose driven life that is based on faith in Christ. But it isn’t enough to know where you want to be. You have to be intentional daily to go to this goal. A business plans an expansion but they won’t wake up one day with that expansion completed; it takes hard work and sticking to a draft that is created.

Our draft is already created. “Abide in me, and I will abide in you”. There you have it… Abide in Christ. But we don’t do it aimlessly. We should come to our devotions expecting to hear from God. We should pray not out of repetition or memory, but out of the Holy Spirit leading us. Our service should not be something that we do when other people are around; it should be who we are in Christ.

Let’s live life with purpose, but not without going with the draft. Let’s live life with our aim on the prize.

Application

Today I will aim for something specific in the scriptures that deals with the subject I am thinking about and will right it down.

The Ultimate Prize

Inductive Bible Study – March 12, 2013

1 Corinthians 9:25

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Interpretation

The Stanley Cup has been awarded to the champion hockey team annually since 1893. It weights 35 pounds, is 35 inches tall, and has the engraving of the 117 teams that have lifted this trophy in hockey glory.

The Vince Lambardi Trophy has been awarded to the champion football team annually since 1967. It weighs 7 pounds, stands 22 inches tall, and is made entirely of sterling silver. 47 teams have hoisted this trophy in football glory.

The Commissioner’s Trophy has been awarded to the champion baseball team annually since 1967, even though the MLB has been in existence since 1869. It weighs 30 pounds, stands 24 inches tall, and is made of sterling silver with each of the 30 flags plated with gold. 46 teams have hoisted this trophy in baseball glory.

The Larry O’Brien Trophy has been awarded to the champion basketball team annually since 1977. It weighs 14.5 pounds, stands 24 inches tall, and is made of sterling silver with a 24 karat gold overlay and is valued at $13,500. 35 teams have hoisted this trophy in basketball glory.

The Olympic Gold Medal has been awarded to the champion Olympian in each respective sport every 4 years since 1884. It is made of 92.5% silver overlaid with 6 grams of gold. 5668 athletes have received this medal in Olympic glory.

If a non-believing athlete can dedicate his being and life to attain such an earthly prize that will fade away; how much more should we as Disciples of Christ run for the prize that will never fade away? Compare all of these earthly rewards to the reward we have in Christ. Isn’t it embarrassing to think that an athlete in his quest for a reward that fades away is more devoted to his purpose than so many Christians who have their hope in a reward that won’t fade away? I don’t wanna be that guy. I don’t wanna be the guy who is less devoted in my walk with Christ than champion sports leaders are devoted in their quest for the ultimate sports prize.

Guys like Joe Flacco, Lebron James, Tim Lincicum, and Jonathan Quick have reached the pinnacle reward of their respective Sports in the past year. But this year they are still trying to win the same reward because last years’ accomplishment has already faded away and they are not content just with last year’s prize. But by the grace of God we can receive a reward infinitely amount of times greater than any of these; A reward that will last not just for this year but for eternity. Let’s run for an imperishable reward.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3

Application

Today I will spend time studying in God’s Word specifically on ‘things above’ as mentioned in Colossians; and will write down what I find.

Olympic Runner

Inductive Bible Study – March 12, 2013

1 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Interpretation

I love athletic comparisons in the Bible because I can somewhat relate to them. I’ve never run track but it is a good visual of a purpose driven life.

An Olympic sprinter in a race running after the gold has to give 110% effort in order to win. He will not win by giving a 90% effort (unless you are Usain Bolt, cause he’s a boss). The sprinters are too much in a tight competition that the only way to win is a wholehearted full run.

This translates to the Christian life as well. I’m really good at giving a 90% effort in my walk. I have ministered at my church and at a local Youth Center; I love to serve at these and other places, but too often I am filled with a prideful heart which will not allow me to bump up that 90% to 100%. I am to run the race so that I may obtain the prize.

The Olympic sprinter needs to train himself and eat properly to prepare for the race.

The purpose driven Christian needs to train himself in righteousness through faith. He needs to eat and digest our daily bread. It isn’t enough to smell our daily bread or cook it, touch it, and stick it back into the fridge. The only way we can benefit from our daily bread is if we eat it through prayer and digest it through application.

The Olympic sprinter needs to discipline himself. He will not take part of foolish activities, eat certain foods, or do anything dumb if it will risk his ability to be ready for the race. He will manage his time well.

The purpose driven Christian also needs to discipline himself. He will be careful what he allows his eyes to see knowing that out of the overflowing of the heart the mouth speaks. He will manage his time well to be used for God’s glory.

At the end of the race I could be one of 2 people. I could be the person described in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians; one who strives for the prize and gives 110%. Or I could stroll in somewhere in the middle of the group simply because I didn’t give it my all, didn’t be careful what I let myself see, didn’t manage my time well. Do I really want to be labeled as someone who gave 90%? A disciple of Jesus is a follower of Jesus; one that is striving to become like Jesus. Jesus didn’t give 90% so why should I?

Application

Today I will set aside time before bed to pray for whoever the Lord lays on my heart.

All Things To All Men

Inductive Bible Study – March 11, 2013

1 Corinthians 9:22b-23

I have become all things to all men so that by all possible I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Interpretation

We are to conform to the culture that God has placed before us; to serve Christ by serving others wholeheartedly to honor and glorify God. For me personally this really hits me where I’m at right now. In a month from now I will be landed in Uganda and in a new environment. I’m stoked, but I’m here in Montana for another 3 weeks and back at home for a week. While it’s good for me to have this excitement it can easily become a distraction for what God has for me here right now while I’m still in Montana. God is calling me to be all things to all men including the people I come in contact with in Montana. Why? For the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings; Not that the blessings are the most important thing, but that we have the chance to spread the gospel. This is a miracle in and of itself. God chose to use us, imperfect, carnal humans to fulfill his purposes. What a privilege! There really is no reason apart from our sinful desire that should hold us back from serving God wholeheartedly. So in that case, I am to become all things to all men, and that, practically, continues right now with where I am at in Montana. My conduct today, my walk with Christ today, and my ability to become all things to all men today could ripple into eternity.

Application

Today I will wake up 20 minutes earlier than normal to give me time to pray earnestly that God would direct me today in the task that He has set before me today and to pray for those I’m going to rub shoulders with today.

The Lord Is My Strength And My Shield

Inductive Bible Study – March 8, 2013

Philippians 3:12

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Interpretation

It’s important to realize here what is pressing Paul to press on. He is not pressing on just for the sake to press on. He is pressing on because of what Christ Jesus has done for him; as Paul quotes it ‘Christ Jesus has made me His own’. Out of a view of what Christ has done for Paul, that drives him to press on.

When I consider that Jesus was scourged to the bone, mocked, spat on, beat, and crucified; all while carrying the burden of the sin of the world on His shoulders; and took all this to the cross willingly for me, because He loves me; how dare I complain when I’m uncomfortable while serving Christ. Christ gave all for us; in light of this why do we serve our flesh instead of Christ?

When I wake and I’m tired; in light of what Christ has done for me; I need to press on.

When someone stirs up one of my pet peeves; in light of what Christ has done for me; I need to press on.

When my flesh screams at me to obey its desires; in light of what Christ has done for me; I need to press on.

When my fears tell me to hide in a corner; in light of what Christ has done for me; I need to press on.

I could go on for a long time writing example after example, but in every case; in light of what Christ has done for me; I need to press on. Christ gave all for me, why not give what I have back?

The great thing about ‘pressing on’ in the Christian realm, however, is that we don’t have to do it by simply our own willpower and determination; for if that’s what we rely on we shall fail again and again. No, I can rest in God’s promises in every situation that comes up. ‘The Lord is My Strength and My Shield’ is more than just a made up homework project kids song (the Ignite students here were given an assignment to create a kids song based off of scripture, team Uganda based this song off of Psalm 28:7); it is a promise that we can cling onto in any situation.

When I wake and I’m tired; in light of what Christ has done for me; I need to press on. The Lord is my strength and my shield.

When someone stirs up one of my pet peeves; in light of what Christ has done for me; I need to press on. The Lord is my strength and my shield.

When my flesh screams at me to obey its desires; in light of what Christ has done for me; I need to press on. The Lord is my strength and my shield.

When my fears tell me to hide in a corner; in light of what Christ has done for me; I need to press on. The Lord is my strength and my shield.

Application

Today I will pray for 15 minutes that God will continue to transform me by the renewing of my mind.

Eyes On The Prize

Inductive Bible Study – March 7, 2013

Philippians 3:11

That by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Interpretation

Paul keeps his eyes on the prize. Paul went through, persecution, torture, lost relationships, and hardships; but still he kept his eye on the prize that was before him. Paul remembered that His Savior pressed on when he was scourged by the Romans. Paul remembered that His Savior pressed on when His own people condemned Him to death a week after worshiping Him. Paul remembered that his Savior pressed on when His cross was placed upon his back. Paul remembered that his Savior pressed on to crucifixion with the weight of the whole world’s sin on his shoulders. Paul remembered that his Savior pressed on to the goal set before Him. Paul truly was a disciple, one who follows their leader, who followed the example of his Savior to press on to what lies ahead of us. However, for you and me, we serve this same Savior who pressed on to His goal. What is the goal that Christ has set before us? ‘Until the whole world hears’.

The prize that Paul is looking at is spending all of everlasting with His savior. We are on this earth for such a short time. If we, like Paul, keep our eyes on the prize that is set before us, how much more should our lives reflect running to that prize?

A hockey player knows the goal (literally) that is set before him. But just knowing that goal isn’t enough. He has to work with his teammates to put them in the best position to succeed. Sometimes he’ll just be the setup man who makes a good pass or draws away the opposing team’s defender. Sometimes he’ll be the guy who gets an opportunity at a shot on goal. What he is called to do doesn’t really matter because when anyone scores, the whole team celebrates.

Application

Today I will pray for 15 minutes that God would give me an eternal mindset, one that aches for the unsaved like our heavenly Father aches.

To Die For

Inductive Bible Study – March 6, 2013

Philippians 3:10

That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Interpretation

Wait a minute! Hold on! I’m to share in Christ’s sufferings, even to death? This is a dagger to the ‘health, wealth, prosperity’ cult we so often see today. This cult preaches that greater faith leads to greater prosperity and happiness. However, this verse and the previous verse preach that greater faith in Christ leads to a knowledge of Christ, sharing in His sufferings even in death. What craziness.

But what excitement builds up in my heart as well. Imagine yourself in the spot where you have so much faith that God is going to glorify himself in whatever situation that you don’t even regard your own life as of any value against the will of God.

The apostles, in Acts chapter 6, left the Sanhedrin after being flogged rejoicing because they had been considered worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus.

Paul considered His life worth nothing in the light of upcoming persecution in Jerusalem in Acts 20. His only aim was to finish the race and complete the task the Lord has given him.

Hundreds of martyrs in church history had their lives taken from them and were as a stepping stone for the gospel to be presented all around the world.

Looking at all these men and women of God willing to give all for the spreading of the gospel gets my blood pumping. I want that faith! What joy there would be in not holding anything that this world has to offer dear to me! When the things of this world fade away it would have no effect on the man or woman driven by this faith.

Our walk with Christ is an ever growing relationship. One doesn’t come to a complete knowledge and radical faith overnight, but what am I doing today that is affecting my walk with the Lord? Is my faith and relationship with Christ growing today by sitting at his feet and by serving others as if I’m serving Christ himself? Or is my faith and relationship with Christ on the back burner as I serve the desires of my flesh?

Yes this extreme faith that we read about looks so exciting, but what am I doing today that is drawing or pushing me to that faith?

Application

I will memorize this week’s IBS verses (Philippians 3:8-12) by the end of the weekend.

Lessons From A Snowman

Inductive Bible Study – March 5, 2013

Philippians 3:9

And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-

Interpretation

This righteousness, which comes not of my own strength, depends on faith. Too often, I have tried being righteous in my own strength to serve God and abstain from sin. This, as I’ve learned many times, doesn’t work. Unfortunately, because I’m human, I probably am not done trying to do things on my own strength. But thank God for his marvelous grace towards us.

On Friday all of the interns here at Potter’s Field were building a snowman. Our goal was to make it huge and monstrous. But we made it so huge that 4 guys couldn’t lift the midsection of the snow man on our own strength to set it on the base section. We simply couldn’t get a good enough grip to pick up the 200 pound snowball to lift it up. Once, however, we had faith in a sled we devised to carry the midsection it was a piece of cake. We effortlessly lifted the snowball to its perch and continued on with our masterpiece creation. If one of the 4 guys carrying the sled with the giant snowball decided half way that he could go back to his own strength again and try to get a grip on the snowball without using the sled, the snowball would have come crashing down and we would be back to square one. It was the faith and trust in the sled that allowed us success. Without the sled we could grunt and flex our manly muscles all we wanted but it got us nowhere and wasted energy.

I’ve wasted a lot of energy and flexed my manly muscles a lot in my spiritual walk. But that has gotten me nowhere except to the end of myself. At the end of myself is where Christ can pick me up through faith.

·         The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him. The Lord is the strength of His people, He is the saving refuge of His anointed.                             - Psalm 28:7-8

Application

Today I will pray that God will reveal anything to me that I’m still wasting my energy on by not depending on faith for Christ to be my righteousness. I will also seek accountability.

Count Everything As Loss

Inductive Bible Study – March 4, 2013

Philippians 3:8

Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Interpretation

This inspiring verse comes from one who truly has lost all for the sake of Christ. Paul dropped all that was dear to him up to the point of his conversion for the sake of the gospel of Christ. He even didn’t consider his own life worthy of living if a martyr death was in the will of God.

What is it like to have the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, not only as Savior, but as Lord; as one who leads my life in every aspect? Because by the way Paul talks it seems like there’s nothing that can dissuade him from his relationship with Christ.

Paul isn’t the only character in the Bible with this radical thinking. David in Psalm 31:13 says ‘Praise be to the Lord, for He showed me the wonders of His love – when I was in a city under siege.” What? Put yourself in the shoes of one in a city that is under attack with no way out. Do you see yourself exclaiming ‘Praise be to the Lord, for He showed me the wonders of His love’? This is radical. How wonderful it must be to experience the wonder of His love, because it seems that this is what is driving David and even Paul.

Could it possibly be that this radical faith that we see from Paul and David would come from them actually realizing in part the love that God had for them, and allowing their lives to be a response to that love? But do we realize that Christ has the same love that he had for Paul and David as he has for us? For me? Christ came and died for you and me just as much as he came to die for Paul and David. He is transforming you and I just like he did for Paul and David. You and I are sinners saved by God’s grace, just like Paul and David.

Imagine what your life would look like if we lived in response to God’s love for us every day, every moment. Knowing that He gave all for us should drive us to give back as much as we can, even though we are scarred and broken people, as a pleasing aroma to God. This is simply what Paul and David did, and so can you and I.

Application

Today I will spend extra time in the Word, outside of class and morning devotions.

Just Doing My Duty

Inductive Bible Study – March 1, 2013

Luke 17:10

So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty.’”

Interpretation

We are saved by grace. It is nothing that we have done, only by the grace of God that we are healed. Some people will argue, ‘I made a choice to follow Christ’, but He sought us out; He laid down His own life for our sins and poured out His mercy and grace on us. We truly are unworthy servants. The only thing we can do in God’s economy is to only do what is our duty. And may I add that this duty that we talk about is a daily thing. God’s not waiting for me till I go to Uganda to do what is my duty. He is calling me to do what is my duty today. To be faithful in the little things today will increase my faith to do with boldness the big things tomorrow. We are to daily come before the Lord with the heart attitude of ‘Here I am, Lord, send me’.

Knowing that the only thing we can do in God’s economy is to only do our duty daily, how much more are we driven to do our daily duty when we consider that this life is but a vapor and what I do today could echo throughout all of eternity. This blows my mind! My personal devotions this morning could fill my heart to overflowing into someone else’s heart to change the course of eternity. The way I interact with the body of Christ, the way I interact with strangers, the way I apply myself to class and homework, the way I sweep floors, could have an impact on eternity! I don’t want to wake up one day in the twilight years of my life and say to myself, ‘because I didn’t take small risks, I wasn’t able to make an impact in my life’. What sadness there would be in this realization. Satan tells us that we will be joyful in selfishness, but pure joy in our hearts comes in being in God’s will daily.

·         However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.        - Acts20:24

Application

Today, to do my daily duty that the Lord has for me, I will write a note of encouragement for someone that the Lord has put on my heart.

Who Receives Praise?

Inductive Bible Study – February 28, 2013

Luke 17:9

Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?

Interpretation

Ok, so we, as bondservants of Christ, have run the good race. We have pressed forward the goal of spreading the gospel to the unsaved and of discipleship to the glory of God. We have done task upon task that the Lord has set before us. We have laid down our quest for the fulfillment of the American dream for the sake of the gospel. Now, where is the paparazzi? Where is the shiny award? Where is the pat on the back from those I’m serving? Where is my life of comfort and ease?

If we have to ask these questions, then we probably aren’t in the state of ‘pressing forward to the goal of spreading the gospel to the unsaved and of discipleship to the glory of God’, as mentioned earlier. If we serve God with the intent to get something out of it for ourselves, then we aren’t truly serving God. We’re simply doing good works to receive a good reputation and also to receive something back in return. We aren’t to be like the Pharisees, who prayed loudly in the streets where they would be seen as ‘more righteous than you’. We are to be humbled by the cross of Jesus Christ; who by coming to this world as a baby in a manger, into the lowest of towns, who lived a sinless life full of wonders, miracles, teachings, and servant hood; did not expect any type of thanks or praise on this earth. It could be that some in the same crowd who shouted ‘Hosanna’ in the triumphal entry were those who shouted ‘crucify Him’ in front of Pilate a week later. This shows that praise, from fleshly man, has little value. If earthly praise did have true value then those same people who shouted ‘Hosanna’ would not have called for Jesus’ crucifixion. I’m not saying this to limit our encouragement to one another because the Spirit will use us as an encouragement to others as He leads.

So ask yourself a question today, as I will ask myself throughout the day: In what I am doing right now amongst others, am I doing it out of a pure heart to honor and glorify God; or am I trying to bring praise and thanks for what I’m doing? Christ paid the full atonement for our sins. If we receive any praise or thanks for serving Christ, that praise or thanks should not stop at us; it needs to go to the One who truly does deserve all glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving.

Application

Today I will thank as many of those in leadership above me as possible for the things that they do on a daily basis that serve the Lord.

Slave To What?

Inductive Bible Study – February 27, 2013

Luke 17:8

Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink and afterward you will eat and drink’?

Interpretation

We all are a slave to something. During Jesus’ day even if you weren’t an actual slave, you were a slave to the law or a slave to sin. Today, through Christ fulfilling the law, there are 2 types of slavery one can be in; a slave to obedience or a slave to sin. What are the differences between living for one and not the other? Romans clears it up nicely:

·        

      What benefit did you reap at the time from the things you are now ashamed of (from living as a slave to sin)? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness. – Romans 5:21-22

So living as a slave to sin, and doing whatever your flesh desires; rather than being the good slave that obeys to master; has no value. What benefit is there to live in your flesh? Is there any benefit? No, to quote Solomon, ‘it’s all meaningless’.

Living as a slave to obedience benefits in many ways; It gives glory where glory is due. God created this earth and the human race to bring honor and glory to Himself; Anything short of obedience from His children robs His children of the joy of glorifying the Creator. It reaps a harvest that leads us to holiness. What joy there is living in the promise of Christ also in Romans 6:

·        

      For we know that our old self was crucified with Him (Jesus) so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.- Romans 6:6-7

When living as a slave to obedience we will joyfully, and with full hearts serve whatever the Master asks of us. When we realize what our Master has done for us, He deserves nothing short of a bondservant life from us.

Application

Today, to be dead to my flesh, I will choose a project during servant time that no one else wants to do.

The Good Servant

Inductive Bible Study – February 26, 2013

Luke 17:7

Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’?

Interpretation

Jesus here is describing the proper role of a servant. What is the role of a good servant? A good servant does not seek for benefit for himself, he will serve as wholeheartedly when his master is not watching him just as much as when the master is watching. He serves to lift up his master, not himself. A good servant will serve his whole life to carry out whatever task his master has for him. A good servant does not want to reflect poorly to his master so he will be disciplined to live a life of integrity to represent his master.

What drives a good servant to serve his master in this way though? It’s so much easier to just try to get by isn’t it?

The good servant is driven to serve his master the best that he can because he loves his master. Take this to thought though: An earthly master may not be filled with integrity enough to be considered worthy to be served in love. We are to serve him in love anyway. But God, our master, is worthy to be served in love. He has saved us from the pits of hell. He is transforming us into His likeness. He feeds us daily bread. He comforts us. In all reality it should be much easier to serve a perfect and righteous God than an earthly master.

But why do we fail to always serve God in love? When we know in our heads that God is worthy of our wholehearted service, why do we still stray from wholehearted service? If we (A) live with the mindset of what God has done for us out of love, and (B) cling to His promises to us in His word. There is no reason we shouldn’t serve Him wholeheartedly. But Satan is going to try to derail this wholehearted service by (A) telling us lies that, when we believe the lies, make us forget what God has done for us out of love, and by (B) telling us lies that, when we believe the lies, keep us from living in God’s promises.

I have, in the past, allowed myself to believe in the lie that my flesh should rule my conduct. I have not believed in the promise in Colossians 3:3,5:

·        

For you have died! And your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Put to DEATH therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire and greed, which is idolatry.

But by the grace of God, when realizing His love for me, God can continue to transform me into His likeness when I rest in His promises, and let the love that God has for me drive me to love others the way God would love them and to serve God wholeheartedly.

Application

Today I will spend 20 minutes writing down numerous ways that God has shown love to me to help my service be driven out of love for God and not my own selfish ambition.

Help My Unbelief

Inductive Bible Study – February 25, 2013

Luke 17:6

And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it would obey you.”

Interpretation

Notice the verse preceding verse 6:

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” – Luke 17:5

·         The apostles came to an important conclusion in this statement. They had realized through their life experiences they could not increase their own faith merely by will power or extra disciplined determination. No, they came to Christ, realizing that He is the Bread of Life who alone can increase our faith.

We also see an example of this realization in Mark chapter 9 which reads:

·         A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “Unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled aroiund foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “’Ifyou can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

The boy’s father realized that he couldn’t have enough faith to believe Jesus could do what he had the power to do unless he received increased faith from Christ himself. I need to remember that my own willpower and determination alone is not enough to increase my faith. The Provider and Maker of the universe is also the Provider of my faith.

Application

Today I will pray that God to ‘help my unbelief’. Everything that we are held back from a lack of faith comes from an unbelief that God can do what he promises.