Missional Living

May 23, 2014

Die to self and live for Christ

Die to Self  Wherever You Go 

Matthew 7:12, In everything, therefore, treat people in the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Golden Rule)

 

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

Romans 12:9-14 “Let love be  without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;  not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,  contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

 

James 1:22, But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

 

{the way a believer deals with personal words, thoughts, and actionsthrough the transition points of each day. we are not to delay serving others until we reach our destination but, instead, we are to serve both before and during the journey.   J     **being a blessing to others**

Pray daily that the Lord would help you recognize situations in which you can die to self in order to bless others.                                        These situations can be as simple as opening a door for others, helping lift a heavy load, picking up and returning a fallen or lost item, allowing others to board transportation ahead of you, greeting others cheerfully, or handing a Gospel tract

 

Better planning and time management can enhance one’s dying to self and being a blessing to others. Yet, without a servant’s heart and perspective, a believer will not die to self as a way of life}

** wordtruth.orgImage

 

May 21, 2014

Sticky Notes!

The very fact that you are still breathing is a good indication that God has good stuff for you to be involved with that He is doing in and around you….to welcome you into this I want to encourage you to remember the people who are & have shaped you to be the person you are today. Imagine if you would who each person is by name & put their name on a sticky note and post on your body….My professor Bob at Harvest Bible University encouraged us to list those who have influenced us in our walk with God and what did they inspire us to do.  As I am considering who these people are, at first it was difficult as I was hitting a wall….I then realized that there were people I needed to forgive as some not so good influencers came to mind and blocked the good stuff…I then had the great opportunity to choose forgiveness over bitterness. So that broke down the wall for me to consider the great men and women of faith who make me who I am today.One sticky note would have to go to Dawn Bovenmyer as she was the first leader in my college days at MSU that spoke confidence in me in a very simple way…she showed me I had value even before I knew Christ…It is interesting that her sister-in law Virginia Biang is another key leader to inspire me up to pursue a strong faith in God rather than what the world has to offer. In her circumstances Virginia was determined to honor God and build into the body of Christ. So who had built you up and inspired you? What have they inspired in you that you could teach others? Hebrews 13:7 says “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” I plan to affirm & remember those by way of a simple hand written note as a spiritual discipline on my Sunday nights as I am thankful for them {Proverbs 25:25}….and also live out their faith & teach others what they have taught me…come and join in the journey of building the body as YOU are a valuable part of what God is doing!!!! You have the potential of being a “sticky note name”Image on many people’s heart (Picture from Media4.picsea)