If you have problems in your life, the most common result is a wrong order of priorities in your life. From time to time if you're at all like me, you can begin to feel guilty for not sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, or even worse begin to be so zealous you begin to compare yourself and tell others they are lukewarm and need to be witnessing. I've done both and both cases I had to be reminded of my God given priorities. Yes we are called to proclaim the gospel but that doesn't mean we don't with our family, our friends and then with strangers.
(The Adventures of Roman and Jorge)
"Most of us desire to live a well-balanced life. To this end it is important to realize that a man's life exists on two planes - horizontal and vertical. On the horizontal plane we relate to one another. On the vertical plane we relate to God. These two planes are on a fixed, center axis...The answer lies in correcting the vertical plane of our lives. A right relationship with God will affect every other relationship we have and, thus, bring the horizontal plane into balance." Pastor Chuck Smith
My Pastor Sam Allen often says "At the heart of every problem is a problem of the heart". How true he is, and when we have problems in this life they are most likely due to the priorities of our heart. As a Christian you must be sure you grow in your personal relationship with Christ. One of the best things I have found to help keep me on track is to have daily devotions and Bible scripture reading. As a Christian you need time alone with God daily. Once you have a consuming love for God you will then begin to have a consuming love for others. We want to be an example, so we must back up our spoken witness with our life.
Not that I have it down perfect, but here's how I try to prioritize:
First I'm a Christian (Allow the Lord to lead in all areas of your life not just in sharing the gospel),
then a Husband (My wife needs to be encouraged and renewed with the gospel just as much as me),
a soon to be Father (The next generation needs the gospel just as much as ours does),
and lastly a Servant/Minister of God (Everyone needs Jesus, and to know the gospel).
1) Christian, a follower of Christ (Christianos)
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
4) Servant, an underrower, subordinate assistant (hypēretēs) / Minister, the servant of a king (diakonos)
Read the post about being a servant from our November 2010 newsletter by clicking here.
May the following eBook encourage you in the further study of God's Word where the commands of God and the promises of His many blessings are found. Click here to read: Christian Family Relationships an eBook by Pastor Chuck Smith.
Seek and save that which is lost and press on in Love,
Tim Molter, bondservant of Jesus
(The Adventures of Roman and Jorge)
"Most of us desire to live a well-balanced life. To this end it is important to realize that a man's life exists on two planes - horizontal and vertical. On the horizontal plane we relate to one another. On the vertical plane we relate to God. These two planes are on a fixed, center axis...The answer lies in correcting the vertical plane of our lives. A right relationship with God will affect every other relationship we have and, thus, bring the horizontal plane into balance." Pastor Chuck Smith
My Pastor Sam Allen often says "At the heart of every problem is a problem of the heart". How true he is, and when we have problems in this life they are most likely due to the priorities of our heart. As a Christian you must be sure you grow in your personal relationship with Christ. One of the best things I have found to help keep me on track is to have daily devotions and Bible scripture reading. As a Christian you need time alone with God daily. Once you have a consuming love for God you will then begin to have a consuming love for others. We want to be an example, so we must back up our spoken witness with our life.
First I'm a Christian (Allow the Lord to lead in all areas of your life not just in sharing the gospel),
then a Husband (My wife needs to be encouraged and renewed with the gospel just as much as me),
a soon to be Father (The next generation needs the gospel just as much as ours does),
and lastly a Servant/Minister of God (Everyone needs Jesus, and to know the gospel).
1) Christian, a follower of Christ (Christianos)
The first duty of a Christian is to know God (1Jo 4:8).Matthew 22:36-40
The second duty of a Christian is to love God (Deu 6:5).
The third duty of a Christian is to serve God (Mat 6:24).
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
2) Husband, of one wife (anēr)
The first duty of a Husband is to know God, and then dwell with his wife (1Pe 3:7).Ephesians 5:25-29
The second duty of a Husband is to love God, and then to love his wife (Col 3:19).
The third duty of a Husband is to serve God, and then to provide for his wife (1Ti 5:8).
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
3) Father, one advanced in years, progenitor of a people (patēr)
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain .2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward .4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
4) Servant, an underrower, subordinate assistant (hypēretēs) / Minister, the servant of a king (diakonos)
The first duty of a Servant is to know God, his family, and then minister to others (Mat 20:25-26).
The second duty of a Servant is to love God, his family, and then love others (Mar 9:35).
The third duty of a Servant is to serve God, his family, and then serve others (Eph 6:5-8).
Colossians 3:22
22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
Read the post about being a servant from our November 2010 newsletter by clicking here.
May the following eBook encourage you in the further study of God's Word where the commands of God and the promises of His many blessings are found. Click here to read: Christian Family Relationships an eBook by Pastor Chuck Smith.
Seek and save that which is lost and press on in Love,
Tim Molter, bondservant of Jesus
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Please be mindful of your words
(Eph. 4:29; Matt. 12:37; James 1:19; James 1:26).
Always exercise Christian love
(Col. 4:6; Rom. 12:10; Eph. 4:15, 25).
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