Reflecting Christ

 

Whom do we serve daily?

 

Are we willing to give from our needs?

 

Be prepared today!

 

More like Jesus?

 

Where is YOUR God?

 

Holy, Holy, HOLY

 

Holy Week'24 . . . praying that others may know.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:3-5)

In the first two verses of this letter from Paul, he challenges us to live sacrificially each day and to allow God the Holy Spirit to change or renew our minds to be more like His. In these few passages, he goes on the remind us that neither of us is more important than the other. If we are to function as one Body, and be impactful in this world for Christ, than we must realize that each of us has an important contribution to make.

👈Check out the verse to the left. . . I pray this day of Holy Week '24 that through our love and respect for one another, that we can show those on the outside what it is like to be one in Christ. I am praying that others may know Jesus because of how we treat one another . . . then if necessary we can use words.

Let's examine ourselves...

Paul is reminding us here to be careful how we conduct ourselves, in all situations, because the world is watching and the world needs to hear and see Jesus! Paul is also writing from prison! The Colossian church was under attack from false teachers much like we are today. They doubted the deity of Jesus . . . was He really God?

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:5-6)

So let's examine ourselves today. Are our churches not under attack? Let's face it, we were forced to close our doors recently due to a pandemic. Many have not returned. Many are following false teachers on the internet and other sources . . . promising prosperity and good fortune. Others have simply lost hope due to the economy, disasters, and the threats of war and terrorism. Satan is on the attack . . . to kill, steal and destroy!

Jesus is still our Hope! He is still the only way to eternal life . . . abundant life! (John 10:10) People need to see and hear Jesus through us! How else will they know?

Let's examine ourselves!

Christ in us . . . .

. . . . the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:26-28)

It is so crazy . . . that God would allow us to even know Him, much less to allow Himself to be present in us to show the world Who He is! The God of the universe places His Spirit in every believer to represent Himself to the world. He could easily just do miraculous things day after day for the world to see, yet He chooses you and me! 

So my prayer, as was Paul's in the following verse, is that we will experience that hope . . . that joy . . . that peace within us today so that others may experience Him as they are in contact with us. May we reflect Jesus to others today!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

see, hear and feel Jesus!

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

In a world facing disasters, disease, emotional stress and more, more than ever it needs to see, hear and feel Jesus! One of my mentors shared with me that in order to really impact someone for Jesus, I had to be Jesus with skin on. In other words, people to to see, hear, and feel Jesus from me. If the Spirit of God truly lives within me, then I must allow Him live and breathe through me so others can experience the genuine Jesus.

To reach others we need to know what they need. We must pray for wisdom! God promises to freely give us wisdom without any animosity. He knows what has happened, what is happening and what will happen. He knows all about everything and everyone. Why not ask?

If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; (Proverbs 2: 4-7)