The Encourager
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.
All is Vanity - by Jeff Curtis
Saturday, July 27, 2024“All is Vanity”
By Jeff Curtis
When Solomon wrote that “all is vanity,” he was describing a condition of life without substance of essence. He said nothing has lasting value. This is a really bleak view of life. Is there nothing that we have or do that is meaningful? The point Solomon is making teaches us two truths.
Much in this world is of no value. Our priorities can get out of balance. We major in minors. We “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24). How hard is it for men to discover what is really important. Lifetimes have been spent in building empires, amassing great piles of money and receiving the praise of men. “Vanity!” Solomon replied, in effect. “It is all vanity!” Why? Is all that hard work not worth something? Does the accumulate wealth not count for as a testimony for one’s greatness? “No,” said the Preacher. These are merely examples of misplaced priorities.
Only God can define and determine what is valuable. We need to remember that God sees the eternal. He knows that the earthly priorities can often distract us from the eternal. He knows that wealth (Luke 12:13-21), family (Matthew 10:37), or lust and pride (1John 2:15-17) can keep us from salvation.
We are unable to distinguish between the valuable and vain without divine guidance. What did God declare to be valuable? The ending of Ecclesiastes tells us: “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, KJV). Out of all that a person can do in this life, fearing God and keeping His commandments are the principle of existence.
Nobody wants to feel like a failure. So, it is crucial for each of us to prioritize our lives, our loves, and our interests. We have to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). If we don’t do this, then Solomon’s summary will be correct. Our lives will be “vanity.” If we put God first, however, our lives can be summarized with these words; “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).