"Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst" ( 1 Timothy 1:13-15). Becka answered the knock at her front door. There were three nicely dressed women. Becka was from a Middle Eastern country and didn't have many friends.
She opened the door and spoke to the women. Becka explained that she didn't speak English very well. Then to her surprise, one lady spoke to Becka in her language! She asked if she could tell her about Jesus. Becka said, "Yes."
The woman opened her Bible. And Becka was amazed to see that the woman's Bible was written in Arabic! But she was more shocked by the words from the Bible. The words opened Becka's heart to God's love. She invited Jesus into her heart through prayer. Becka believed God sent the ladies to open her eyes to His truth.
Friend, use the abilities God has given you to reach others for Christ.
Showing posts with label time talent and money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time talent and money. Show all posts
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Stewards - Not Owners! By Bob Gass
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
John 3:30
When the crowds left John the Baptist to follow Jesus, he said: "This is the assigned moment for Him to move into the centre, while I slip off to the sidelines" (John 3:30 TM). John thought like a steward. A steward simply manages something for the owner until he comes to take it back. John knew that the crowd leaving him for Christ was never his to begin with. God had simply placed them under his care for a period of time to accomplish certain purposes. With John this was apparently just fine.
John's view of stewardship presents us with an important principle. For his crowds may be our careers, our assets, our natural and spiritual gifts, etc. Are these things owned or merely managed in the name of the One Who entrusted them to us? Your answer depends on whether you're called or driven. Driven people consider them owned; called people don't. When driven people lose things it's a major crisis; when called people lose them, nothing's changed. Why? Because their calling is not to a position, it's to a person - the person of Christ. Knowing who he was not was the beginning of John knowing who he was. And who was he? A steward! And he didn't aspire to anything beyond that.
What is success, as God counts success? It's when others hear you, but follow Jesus. It's when others see some quality in you that causes them to fall more in love with Him. Only when that happens, and you feel like you've lost nothing in the process, can you truly say, "Father, I've done what You called me to do."
John 3:30
When the crowds left John the Baptist to follow Jesus, he said: "This is the assigned moment for Him to move into the centre, while I slip off to the sidelines" (John 3:30 TM). John thought like a steward. A steward simply manages something for the owner until he comes to take it back. John knew that the crowd leaving him for Christ was never his to begin with. God had simply placed them under his care for a period of time to accomplish certain purposes. With John this was apparently just fine.
John's view of stewardship presents us with an important principle. For his crowds may be our careers, our assets, our natural and spiritual gifts, etc. Are these things owned or merely managed in the name of the One Who entrusted them to us? Your answer depends on whether you're called or driven. Driven people consider them owned; called people don't. When driven people lose things it's a major crisis; when called people lose them, nothing's changed. Why? Because their calling is not to a position, it's to a person - the person of Christ. Knowing who he was not was the beginning of John knowing who he was. And who was he? A steward! And he didn't aspire to anything beyond that.
What is success, as God counts success? It's when others hear you, but follow Jesus. It's when others see some quality in you that causes them to fall more in love with Him. Only when that happens, and you feel like you've lost nothing in the process, can you truly say, "Father, I've done what You called me to do."
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