Don't Play The Sorry Game

John 18:36, "If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews."

Jesus told Peter not to fight in the garden and we know from the rest of the story that it really through Peter off his game. In this verse, He said that his followers were not going to fight because His Kingdom was not of this world.

We "do not wrestle against flesh and blood", but every Christian sometimes feels like we have to defend Jesus. I have never liked the word apologetics because it sounds like we are apologizing for our beliefs. It comes from the defense standpoint.

Jesus does not need us to defend Him, but to proclaim Him! Let's not argue with people, instead love people and proclaim Jesus.

Looking For Loyalty - S.O.A.P.

S - II Chron. 16:9 "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."

O - King Asa was a pretty good king. He went wrong (disloyal) when he went to Syria for help instead of God. He did not repent when confronted, even when he became sick, he only sought doctors and not God.

A - Disloyalty is trusting anyone more than you trust God. God is constantly searching for someone that will trust Him! (apparently there are not many who do). He is just waiting to show Himself strong for you and me!! Trust Him, not people or jobs or things... LET God show Himself strong on your behalf. He wants to!!!

P - Lord, help me to trust You and step out in faith. I am tired of playing it safe. I will step out in faith and watch You show Yourself strong! Amen.

The Ministry Machine

Often times, people are treated as though the reason for their existence is to serve the machine of ministry. People serve as it's fuel, not it's purpose. The machine must continually be fed so it can continue to perform. Families and even one's personal walk with the Lord are sacrificed so that the show continues on. The problem is that God never called anyone to build a ministry. God wants us to build people and to make disciples.

I am not speaking of an unhealthy self-focused Christianity, but the opposite. We are to have two main focuses. In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus responded to the question: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” We must love God like crazy and love people like crazy.

Whenever I meet with someone who is beginning to serve in the church, I always tell them, "I care more about you than what you do for me." The person is always more valuable to God than any need they may meet and should be more valuable to us as well. When people exist to serve our need, whether it is cloaked in ministry or not, we are selfish and not expressing God's love.
Are ministries bad? No. Ministries can be great when their focus is not the machine of "ministry". When we exist to love God and people, we become self-LESS and a wonderful example of what Christianity is supposed to be.

II Cor. 5:15 “...and He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
-Pastor John Eldredge