The Daily Dose

His Comfort

Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4

Have you ever wondered why?  Why is this happening to me or why do things always go in a certain direction?  What about wondering why things are the way they are in the world around you or why disasters and tragedies come, sometime one right after another?

Well, wonder no more.  Today’s scripture is the answer to all the “why we go through things” questions.  It says that we go through things so that we can experience the comfort and peace of God and then we can relate with and comfort others who are struggling and suffering.  It actually says that we can comfort others with the very same comfort that we were comforted with.  Wow, that would mean God gives us His peace and comfort for us to share with others.  It makes sense though because He gave us comfort in the form of the Holy Spirit.  That is the evidence that it is His will for us to not suffer, but to be comforted and consoled.

This passage goes on to say that ultimately, as we trust God through our troubles and tribulations, we are empowered to strengthen and encourage others, resulting in their salvation.  Glory to God!  If we learn to receive His comfort as we go through things, we can watch as He uses those problems to bring others to His great salvation.

So, I actually had an opportunity this week to see this process displayed.  I have been through many hurts in my life which had resulted in me being very guarded and expectant of more hurt.  In the past, I have been afraid to let others into my life because I didn’t want to be taken advantage of or hurt again.  I didn’t realize that by keeping this wall up, I was actually empowering people to hurt me because I was expecting it.  My responses to others were always defensive and repelling because I didn’t want anyone to get too close.  The Lord comforted me where I was, and then He brought me out.  He showed me that if I released all the pain of the past and receive His love in the place of the pain, I could go on to love others never worrying about them hurting me in return.  Freely giving love to others brought such freedom.  Now I don’t worry about being taken advantage of or hurt because my focus is no longer on me, it is on the person who needs to know the love of God.  There have been some opportunities for me to be tempted to take a rejection or ulterior motive to heart and have hurt feelings.  However, when I turn it to God, He quickly shows me that they are the ones loosing and I have lost nothing.  I did all I could do to love and comfort them and when they are ready to receive that, the Holy Spirit will be the one to open their eyes to that love.

So when I could see my friend taking every word she heard to heart and letting them pierce her heart again, I told her how I was comforted when my heart was hurting.  She knew that she was being defensive and that was holding her back from being free from those hurts.  We prayed together and now she is able to be comforted with the same comfort that I was comforted with that resulted in my freedom.

Today I want to encourage you to be comforted.  Whatever you are going through and whatever is stressing you, turn it over to God and receive His comfort and peace.  Know that He will get you through way better than you could do along.  Then go on and let Him lead you to someone that you can share that very same comfort with.  Keep sharing it with all He brings your way and bring them into God’s family by giving them the comfort that you were comforted with when you were comforted.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-7

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

A church at home

And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 16:3

The final chapter in 1 Corinthians has Paul’s closing remarks to the Christians at Corinth.  They apparently asked a question about giving and he gives them instructions on collecting and delivering.  He goes on to tell them his plans for visiting and where he will be until then.  He talked about some of his friends and ask that the people be encouraging and receive them when they come to Corinth.  This chapter seems to only be relevant to the current day when it was sent. 

Verse 19 is where I find something that can be related to today’s world.  It says: The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

I don’t think we fully grasp the concept that the first churches were in people’s homes.  I have to remind myself of this fact often when I am reading the New Testament books.  I have to remind myself that they didn’t have church buildings they could go to for worship.  They were not welcome to worship the Lord Jesus at the synagogues nor was that the place they could tell the good news that Jesus came to save all people.  The first Christians met in homes, and it was usually the home of the people leading the group.

This is what makes small groups today so inviting.  When you host a group in your home, you can invite neighbors and friends in that may not already know the Lord Jesus.  It is one of the greatest ways to reach those who would not consider going into a church building.  Yes, there are actually people out there who feel that way.  However, small groups are widely frowned upon in many churches today because of fear that people will leave their church community, when the truth is that small groups can actually grow a church or make a large church seem small.

By gathering in groups in your home, you have the opportunity to encourage and grow with those who want to live their life by faith.  You can watch videos on certain subjects in God’s word that you want to understand better that may not get so much attention in your weekend service.  You also gain a sense of accountability that others are there to walk with you through life and to help you overcome things you are struggling with. It is the coming together during the week that fills the churches on the weekends.  It can be easy to lose those who only come together once a week or month.

Lastly, we come to Paul’s farewell, verses 20-23. If he were posting his message today on social media, I believe it would look like this:

#Allthebrethrengreetyou #Greetoneanotherwithaholykiss #Thesalutationwithmyownhand—Paul’s #IfanyonedoesnotlovetheLordJesusChristlethimbeaccursed #OLordcome! #ThegraceofourLordJesusChristbewithyou #MylovebewithyouallinChristJesus #Amen.

Today I want to encourage you, in all seriousness, to consider leading a group of people in your home to help strengthen their relationship with their heavenly Father.  Put together a study on the things you are interested in knowing more about His love for you.  It could even be an activity group that you meet up to hike or play games, just add a time of devotional and some prayer with it and just like that, you have a church in your own home to get you through the week until the next weekend service meets at the church building.  We need to stay connected and encouraged all week long, not just on the weekends.  Make this happen by inviting others to meet at your home through out the week.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 16

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:

2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.

4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia).

6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go.

7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.

8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.

9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.

11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

14 Let all that you do be done with love.

15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—

16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied.

18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

20 All the brethren greet you.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Follow up

So, they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.  Acts 16:40

  Have you ever had a friend or even someone from your past randomly come to your thoughts?  Maybe it was someone you hadn’t talked to in a while or maybe it was a person that seemed like they had it all together and never really seemed to need encouragement.  It happens to me quite often.  For many years I didn’t know what to do with the thoughts when they came, but then the Holy Spirit showed me to pray for those who come to mind.  As I began to pray for those seemingly random people coming into my memory, I would feel inspired to reach out and encourage them.  Sometimes I would think: “they are doing fine and don’t care what I have to say to them.”  Other times I would consider that I hadn’t spoken to that person in years and now I am sending them a message out of the blue?  Wouldn’t that be weird? 

Despite my reservations, now I am determined to reach out and encourage whomever I have random thoughts about.  I now recognize that the person whoever it is was put on my heart by the Holy Spirit to pray for and encourage them.  I cannot even remember a time that I reached out randomly to someone, and they didn’t respond with something about my encouragement being exactly what they needed at that time.  But even if there was a time, I still continue to follow that leading because I know that is why the person came to my mind in the first place.  Then after a couple days have passed, I circle back around and check in again to let that person know I am still praying and thinking of them.  It’s just a follow up message to check back in to let them know they are not alone.

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul and Silas were released from Prison after being wrongly accused.  However, they didn’t just up and leave town, huffing and puffing about the mistreatment they received in Phillipi, the circled back around to check in the with the church at Lydia’s house.  Not so that the people there could encourage them as they continued on their mission, but so that Paul and his team could encourage the brethren there and tell them to keep up the good fight of faith.

Can you imagine going through a terrible set of circumstances that were no fault of your own, but then turning around and encouraging someone else who wasn’t even really going through anything traumatic.  I imagine Paul wanted to let the church know that everything turned out for good and they should not be afraid to continue in the work they were doing in the region.  It was the right thing to do so that the people there would be strengthened in their faith for the impossible.

So today I want to encourage you to check up on those you have been walking through life with in the good and the bad.  Send out a message of support and let them know you are praying for them.  Regardless of what you are going through or have been through, let others know God is still at work and miracles still happen.  You may not see your prison chains fall off in the physical world, but you can for sure see them fall in the spirit realm.  Share your miracles and victories with those who are afraid and worried and assure them that God will never let them down when they put their trust in Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:35-40

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”

36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, un-condemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”

38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 

39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. 

40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

At the midnight hour

 Have you ever been at a low point in life and felt like there was no hope for things to get better?  Maybe you have been in situations that you needed a breakthrough, and you were down to the last few minutes that you need that breakthrough to come, but it didn’t look like anything was going to change.  Life can be full of “midnight hours”, times when you are down to the line and need God to come through for you. Times when you felt things could not possibly get worse.  How do you handle those time and what plan do you have in place for when those times come?

In today’s reading, Paul and Silas were having one of those “midnight hour” moments, quite literally.  They had been accused of stirring up trouble in Phillipi and because of that they were put in prison.  Not only were they locked up, but they had been badly beaten as part of their punishment.  As they sat in prison together, they didn’t talk about how they were going to get out of that place.  They didn’t complain about how badly they were beaten and what part of their body hurt most.  They never even mentioned devising a plan for what they were going to do next.  Instead, they prayed and sang songs to God! Praising and worshiping Him.  Then when it didn’t look like things could get any worse than they were, there was an earthquake.

I have read this account many times, but never really considered that an earthquake was not really a good thing to happen.  Earthquakes are usually destructive and dangerous. Sometimes people die in earthquakes, and they can be very frightening to experience.  However, this earthquake had a purpose as they always do when God is involved.  But Paul and Silas did not know it was going to happen and they certainly didn’t know what the results were going to be.  When it looked like all hope was gone at their midnight hour, they praised God and sang to Him.  He responded with an earth-shaking releasing of their chains and all those who were imprisoned.  Their breakthrough came when they turned their focus to heaven and the greatness of the heavenly Father.  They turned their attention from the bad circumstances surrounding them and gave glory to God right in the middle of the place of no hope.

This is a great example that we can follow still today.  When we are up against a wall with no hope of escape or help, we can praise God for His faithfulness and His great love for His family.  Thank Him that you are a part of His kingdom and pray about how you can be a blessing to Him and others in your “midnight hour.”  Midnight hours will come at times in life, but you can have a plan ahead of time to be prepared.  Ask the Holy Spirit today to remind you when those times come to pray and sing songs to God.  Then when you are up against it, you can rejoice in the Lord and in the power of His might.  I’m not saying you will experience an earthquake each time you do, but I guarantee you He will answer when you call on Him.  He will send you the strength and encouragement you need to get you to that new day.

Today I want to encourage you that no matter what you are going through, you can praise God in your hours of hopelessness and trouble.  Praise is a weapon that will chase your enemy far from you.  Praising God brings Him close in good times and bad.  Doesn’t it make sense that when you need Him most that you call on Him with thanksgiving and know He will come rushing in to save you.  He gave His only Son to save you, why would He hold anything else back from you now?

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:25-34

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 

26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 

27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 

28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 

30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 

32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 

33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 

34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

Get rid of it

And this she did for many days.  But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.  Acts 16:18

  We all have voices that talk to us each day.  Not in a insane kind of way, but voices of doubt, fear, or anger.  If we listen carefully, we can also hear the voice of reason and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit that speaks within our heart.  There are also external voices that are around us continuously.  Voices of media, friends and the people closest to us.  We hear these voices through a filter that has been built up over years of practice.  Maybe you listen through a filter of hurt and offense.  You could be hearing these voices through the filter of shut down and you don’t let anything get into your heart.  Ideally, we hear the external and internal voices through the filter of God’s word, and let the scripture be the standard that we make our decisions by, not the influence of this world’s words.

In today’s passage, Paul and his team were hearing an external voice of a young girl that was possessed by an evil spirit.  She followed them for many days and loudly proclaimed their mission for being there.  She was not wrong in what she said.  However, Paul was greatly annoyed with her proclamation and did not want her to be associated with God’s ministry (since the people of that region knew who she really worked for).  He called that spirit out of her in the name of Jesus and the evil spirit left her that very hour.  What a wise move, but even Paul allowed that voice to go on for many days before he did anything about it.  I suppose he was hoping she would go away on her own, but when she didn’t, he finally had enough.

How many times do we let voices in our heads or around us go on as if we have no control over what we hear and think.  Whether you are being haunted by a past memory or a current media post that seems to be replaying in your thoughts, you do have the power to get rid of it.  The key is in speaking to that voice and get it out.  Get rid of those unwanted thoughts, memories, and hurts that try to continuously plague you.  Speak the word of God’s promise to deliver you from your enemy and call it out in the name of Jesus!  Then when those ideas try to come back into your head, replace them instead with praise and thanksgiving that you are free and it is gone.

Today I want to encourage you to remember the vivid picture of the apostle Paul calling out the spirit of divination and follow his example when facing your own doubts and fears.  Call the spirit out in the name of Jesus and replace it with a promise you find in God’s word over the situation.  Then stop going to the place that brings you those memories or hurts and slam that door shut never to be open again.  You do have control over you thoughts and your words so start taking your authority over them by casting out every imagination that is against what God, your heavenly Father says about you!  Get rid of those unwanted voices today whether internal or external and then take the steps necessary to never let them haunt you again.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:16-24

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 

17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 

18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. 

19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 

21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 

22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 

23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 

24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Faithful to the Lord

And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us. Acts 16:15

I love this passage about Lydia.  In fact, it is one of my favorites.  I know I say that a lot, but I especially like this account because Lydia is one of the first women talked about who had a church in her home.  We know she was wealthy because the passage says that she was a seller of purple which was expensive and mostly sold to royalty.  No doubt she had a home big enough to have gatherings of significant size and most importantly, the text also says that she was faithful to the Lord.

Being faithful to the Lord cannot be evident if it doesn’t show up in every area of life.  In this reading, Lydia’s faithfulness shows up most in her hospitality and generosity.  On the very day that she met the apostle Paul and his team, she invited them to stay at her home.  In fact, she pleaded with them to come right then and there.  It implies that she was ready to host and take people into her home at all times, a very gracious and giving quality.

This gives me a lot to think about.  As I consider my own faithfulness, I have to ask if I am also willing to take people in? Yes, we host many events and groups in our home, but if I am being honest, I really like having my own space and quiet place.  However, faithfulness includes being prepared.  Am I stewarding my home to be ready at any time to invite others in?  Am I using my time to be making preparation for the things and people I don’t know I need to be ready for?  Is my heart open to giving recourses of generous amount to bless those God would bring my way? This is not to say that I need to be constantly striving and stressing about everything being perfect, it simply means that I create a space that is welcoming, comfortable and ready when opportunity comes.

Today I want to encourage you to approach each day with an open heart.  God’s timing is perfect and His transforming power can touch your life in unexpected ways.  Your faithfulness, like Lydia’s has the power to impact not only your life, but the lives of those around you.  Be ready to welcome others into your home and into your space.  This is part of showing others God’s great love and generosity.  Then your journey will be filled with the joy of knowing Him more deeply as you serve others every chance you get.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:11-15

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 

12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 

13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 

14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 

15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

Alternate Endings

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  Acts 16:9

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had made some different choices along the way?  Maybe it was a decision you made or maybe it was someone else that made a decision that altered your world.  Today’s text is about the apostle Paul who had a dream (vision at night) of someone calling for him to come over to Macedonia to help.  Wow!  This “dream” completely changed the direction that his ministry team was heading.  They were on their way to Asia, but they were forbidden to go by the Holy Spirit.  Two times they tried to go in one direction, but the Holy Spirit stopped them.  How interesting!  If Paul had pressed through and ignored the Holy Spirit, Paul’s life would have had an entirely different outcome.  Instead of going to Europe and planting churches there, he would have gone to Asia to plant churches instead.  This decision had lasting effects that we are still seeing results of today.

There are many examples in the scriptures that also could have had alternate endings.  Because of life choices, we can see that Moses, Joshua, Jonah, and just about everyone else in the Bible could have made different decisions in their lives if God had not intervened.  Moses was content to stay on the back side of a mountain, never considering that God was going to lead him to deliver His people out of bondage.  How different would his life have been if he had chosen to stay there instead of following God.  Joshua was forced to stay an extra forty years in the wilderness because of a group of other people that were unwilling to follow God’s direction.  His life would have look very different if he decided he wasn’t going to stay under the leadership of Moses and wait for God’s promise. Jonah flat out ran away from God instead of obeying Him.  The list could go on and on.  It’s no telling how differently their lives would have ended up if they had not stayed their course, but one thing is for sure, they probably wouldn’t have made it into the Book.

Be encouraged today because no matter how far Moses was from Egypt, and no matter how far Jonah ran away, as soon as they repented, God faithfully got them back on track. Even Joshua who was knocked off course by other people, remained faithful until it was time to pick up God’s plan again. God’s plan for the space of time that these were on the earth was completed because they chose to follow God’s “alternate ending”.  I recognize that I spend a lot of time trying to encourage everyone to seek out what God has planned, but the reason is because it is the purpose you have been given in life and the only thing that really matters. My point is that at some point in your life, you will come face to face (so to speak) with God.  A life choice will be placed in front of you and you will be forced to choose a direction with or away from God.  You may not even realize that you are facing Him, but that doesn’t make you any less responsible for the choice you make.

Today I want to encourage you, if you have had an encounter with God and may have passed on His plan and initially said, “No, that’s not for me”, there is still hope!  Repent and turn back to God and He will graciously get you back on a recalculated course.  Maybe you’re a victim of someone else’s rejection of God’s direction.  Don’t stay there, God is willing to move you back to your planned course and He will as you listen and follow.  Persevere and hang on until the path comes back into view.  If you don’t remember ever having this encounter with the Father, ask Him today to show you any place you may not have recognized His call and thank Him for empowering you to accomplish all that is in His heart for you to do.

Today’s scripture reading:  Acts 16:6-10

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 

7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 

8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 

10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Abounding in God’s work

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Always abounding in the work of the Lord.  Existing and living in God’s work.  This seems excessive to me.  Always?  I mean, I understand if you’re a pastor, missionary, teacher or something like that, but always immersed in God’s work?  How is it even possible for me?  After thinking about it some, I realize that my “work in the Lord” is my example and attitude.  Whatever I am doing, I am doing it as unto the Lord.

Colossians 3:17  says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  So, whatever we are saying and doing, as a child of God, we are doing it for our Father, God.  Keeping in mind that everything I do is for God will keep me on track with Him.  Today’s verse says to be steadfast and immovable and the way to do that is to keep God in my heart and thoughts as I walk out my daily life.  Keeping God in our heart and mind will also keep us far from sinning against Him.  Whether it’s reaching out to someone sick or hurting, or maybe it’s just taking someone to church with you.  It can even be just singing a song or saying a prayer of thanks to your Father God during the day.  “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,” (Colossians 3:23)

Lastly, when you do all things unto the Lord, these things will last for all eternity.  Your labor is not in vain.  Nothing you do on God’s purpose will be a waste of your time and effort.  It is worth everything you put into it and He will get you to the rest you need when the work is done.

Today I encourage you to be steadfast and immovable in the work of the Lord.  Whatever you are doing today and going forward, do it as unto the Lord and not for yourself or others’ approval.  Then you will know that all the work of your hands will not be useless, but a God work that will last forever in the Kingdom of heaven.  Keep in mind and be thankful throughout your day as verse 57 says: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?”

36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.

37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain.

38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.

43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.

47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Everyone did their part

So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.  Acts 16:5

This is truly a demonstration of the body of Christ working together as was intended from the beginning.  Everyone doing their part within the body and producing the results that Jesus died for His people to have.

I am referring to what the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthian people.  In 1 Corinthians 12:12 he said: For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.  God supernaturally connected His people by appointing Jesus as the head and through the Spirit of God He (Jesus) would remain in the world in His body of believers.

This is so beyond us and I struggle daily to remind myself that I am not my own, I am part of a body that occupies the entire planet.  In the reading today, we can see how that body is supposed to be growing in the world each day.  The church, at its inception, began spreading like wildfire because each person was doing their part.  They didn’t depend on the apostles to let the world know, they all were talking about the love and God and the salvation He had provided for all, everywhere they went all day long.  It was the good news then and it still is today.

So what is our part that we are to be doing in the body of believers today?  Are we all to be packing up our homes and traveling around the world to get the message out?  Is every one of us to become ordained ministers and start a church to lead people in our area to weekend services?  Paul told the Corinthians that each person had a part, but he didn’t tell them what their part was.  What he did say was that God set each member in the body as He pleased. (See 1 Cor. 12:18)  Paul also said that there should be no schism or division within the church but that we should care for one another always.

Lastly, 1 Corinthians 12 says that we should earnestly desire the best gift for the times that we need them and only the Holy Spirit knows what those gifts are.

Today I want to encourage you to operate in your gift and ability within the body.  The only way to truly know what your part is will be by hearing and following the direction of the Holy Spirit in your heart.  You are truly on the honor system.  No person can tell you what you have been called to do, but you do need to submit to the authority that His Spirit has placed you under.  We also know that our main job is to care for one another and share the good news of salvation with those around us each day.  Even though we may never preach the gospel around the world, we should always be praying for and supporting those who do.  Only then will we see the results that the first church did and be fully operating as Jesus in bodily form in this earth.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:1-5

1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 

2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 

3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 

5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Faithfulness

Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;  Acts 15:39

 This has always been a hard part of Paul’s story for me to handle.  We read back in chapter 13 how the Holy Spirit separated Paul and Barnabas to be a team to go out on these missionary journeys.  Now in chapter 15, because of a disagreement, they were separating.  There is no indication that the Holy Spirit said that they could now go their separate ways, but they did anyway.  Paul took on a new partner in Silas and Barnabas took Mark.  Paul didn’t want to take Mark with them because he left then when things got tough.  He just wasn’t there yet in his faith and didn’t understand the determination needed to be faithful in this mission no matter what they faced and let’s face it, these were not easy trips.  The team was constantly up against trouble and tests.  When they went to a new city, they didn’t wonder about the amenities at the best hotels.  They were more concerned about the conditions of that city’s prison because most likely they were going to end up there. Faithfulness was not an easy thing especially when they had no idea how bad it was going to be.

The scripture doesn’t say that this split was against God’s will, but it does say God’s work continued.  These men didn’t give up on their mission, they just went in different directions instead.  Later on, they did work together again and eventually, Paul recognized that Mark had grown into a faithful member of a mission team.  The scripture follows Paul’s story, but Barnabas and Mark still had a story.  They continued in the work of the Lord and ministering to the church everywhere they went.

This may happen in your mission some day too.  For whatever reason, people you work with in one season may move in a different direction at times.  That doesn’t mean your mission stops.  You continue on following where He leads, and you remain faithful to your calling.  If others leave or decide to go another way, God will send you help from another place.  Don’t worry about how you are going to get your mission accomplished, just be faithful to follow each step and He will bring you the people and resources you need to get the work done.

Today I want to encourage you in whatever season you are in to learn faithfulness.  It is the first step in any mission.  It’s not about others and it is not about being right or wrong.  It is about being determined to stay where He puts you until He moves you on.  Doing your best work and having your best attitude no matter what the circumstances are around you.  You can only control one person in this life and that is yourself.  Be the best “you” wherever you are in every season.  Faithfulness is the foundation that will go with your through your whole life and it will be put to the test every step of the way.  Determine today to be the best you can be and when you fall short, He will give you the boost to get up and do it again. And don’t worry if you miss it. the requirement for faithfulness never goes away. If you fail the faithfulness test one day, you can get up the next day and be faithful again. It is required in a steward that one be found faithful. Always! (1 Corinthians 4:2)

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 15:36-41

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 

37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 

38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 

39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 

40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.