The Encourager
God's Power - by Jeff Curtis
Saturday, August 10, 2024God’s Power
By Jeff Curtis
The book of Ezekiel depicts God’s great power. Although some doubted that God would act, He caused His holy city to be destroyed, sent His people into captivity, and then led them back to the Promised Land. Even though we live under the new covenant and God works differently than He did under the old covenant, He has not lost any of His power.
Through the power of God, the spiritually dead can live. Paul saw the Jews’ acceptance of Jesus as “life from the dead” (Romans 11:14-15). And also, the Ephesians were dead in their trespasses and sins until they were made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:1-6). Let’s not join the faithless exiles in denying God’s power to raise the dead. Jesus taught the possibility of passing out of death into life (John 5:24-25).
Through the power of God, the physically dead will live. The book of Ezekiel doesn’t deal specifically with the resurrection of the dead at the last day, but, the same power of God, which restores the spiritually dead will affect the resurrection. The people living under the Old Testament were not without information on the resurrection of the dead (Job 14:14; Daniel 12:2). To us, God has given the words of John 5:28-29; “28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” Promising “a resurrection of life” to those who did good deeds and “a resurrection of judgment” for those who did evil.
The power of life and death are in God’s hands. He uses His great power to supply all that we need; “For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:32). Faith in that power will allow the Christian to overcome.
Meditate on these things:
Psalm 119:9-10
9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Last week I was asked to speak at the Port Royal congregation that meets in Spring Hill, Tn.
They asked me to speak on the topic of “Answers to Prayer.”
They received the message well, good comments from the ones I was able to speak with. Made several connections with the good people there to other people that I know from other areas.
I appreciate our elders allowing me the opportunity to speak at different locations when the invitation comes.
I have one more series that I have been invited to speak at.
The Westvue congregation on Kings Hwy. in Murfreesboro has invited me to speak September 29 (Sunday) through October 2 (Wednesday) in just a couple of weeks.
Let me say that I also appreciate the men who step up in my absence to fill a void when the preacher is away. Several churches don’t have this luxury and I’m thankful that we do have these men.
Spiritual Direction - by Jeff Curtis
Saturday, August 03, 2024Spiritual Direction
By Jeff Curtis
The Holy Spirit didn’t look for people to spread the gospel, i.e., missionaries from among those “waiting for something to do”; instead, He made His selection from those who were already active in the Lord’s service, that is, Barnabas and Saul. If you haven’t found your special niche in the work of the church, maybe it’s because you’re not involved in doing what you can. God calls busy people.
The Holy Spirit no longer speaks directly to us as He spoke to the Christians in Antioch (Acts 13:2), but we believe that God still has a plan for every Christian’s life. The general will of God for every man’s life is found in the Word of God. We’re speaking of the special plan for a Christian’s life. It may not always be easy to discover the plan for your life, but it’s worth the effort. One way of discovering His will for you is to see what talents He has given you for personal aggrandizement, but to glorify His name. Another way to discover His will is to look for open doors of opportunity, (1Corinthians 16:9; 2Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3).
It is a blessing to find some special tasks in God’s service. The task doesn’t have to be big or impressive, it may be as simple as being God’s cold-water dispenser; “…whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (Mark 9:41). But it needs to be your special task. It’s a great feeling to find your special work.
Godliness
by Stan Cox
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
Paul’s words here contrast with bodily or physical exercise which has a much more limited profitability to a man. While it may make his body strong, it has no effect whatsoever upon his standing with God, making it a much less profitable action.
However, consider godliness. The term (eusebeia) is well defined by Vine as “piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him.”
Doing what is “well-pleasing to God” is good in every way. It impacts your relationships with others, you’re standing with God, and your hope of eternal life. In effect, it is good for right now, and for eternity as well!
I like the phrase “Godward attitude” in Vine’s definition. Godward, looking and acting in the direction of God. That really is the definition of discipleship! One who desires to be a Christian should have as a characteristic behavior an effort to do God’s will always!
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Meditate on this:
Psalm 119:93
I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.