Posts in 31 Days of Prayer
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And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Hebrews 4:11-12 NASB)
Paul urges the Church in Ephesus to use their varied gifts to build and strengthen one another up in love. Often times, there is a temptation to remain on the sidelines and leave the work of ministry up to the “professionals.”…
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2 NASB)
You have likely heard someone say that Christianity is a Team Sport, and in large measure, this is true. Maturity in Christ cannot be achieved in isolation, neither does it come by simply knowing propositional truth. Maturity comes when we seek to live out that truth in the context of biblical community as a part of “the team.” This is especially true as we consider the sinful fallen world in…
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42 NASB)
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. (1 Timothy 3:1 NASB)
In our passage today the Apostle Paul writes to help Timothy, a young pastor, select quality leaders in the church. Paul begins by saying that church leadership is a noble responsibility. Then, over the next twelve verses, he shares a demanding list of requirements for those who would serve. Solid character and holy living are non-negotiable requirements for those…
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 ESV NASB)
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12 NASB)
In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul urges believers to keep striving toward Christlikeness, pressing on toward the heavenly reward — eternal life with God. And yet, because of our imperfections and failures, we may easily become discouraged in our mission as disciples of Christ.
Because we belong to Christ, however, we can…
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7 NASB)
Many great men and women of God have set examples of extreme faith in Christ. Some have even paid the ultimate price with their lives. These men and women have a faith in God that most do NOT understand. They are confident in God’s plan and provision, and they believe that the One who holds their lives in His hands can be fully trusted. These people do not set their minds on earthly things, but rather, on things above. This heavenly mindset allows them to have a faith in Christ that sees past current situations…
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22-25 NASB)
As a Christian, you spend time in God’s Word because of your desire to walk with the Lord. We close…