Good word

Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. You’ve already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don’t understand why you don’t join in with the old gang anymore. But you don’t have to give an account to them. They’re the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself. Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.
He’ll Promote You at the Right Time (1 Peter 4:1-5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 19 MSG)

Spoke To Me This Morning

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16 NKJV)

All For Love

According to the worlds standards, everything that we put effort or work toward is for the outcome of payment. Today I'm sitting here thinking about the efforts that we put toward kingdom purpose. Why do we labor? Is it for money payment? Is it for the outcome of seeing our churches grow? I feel like my heart is free of motive. I serve to see people added to the kingdom of God not for money however, in doing a self evaluation I heard the Spirit say, "Would you labor if there were no outcome? Would you labor if all that you strived for was because of your great love for me?" I know that the Lord wants people added to the kingdom but in saying that, I believe that He wants us to get back to the organic state of our first love. It's in giving our lives from the place of love that laboring for him no longer wears you down. It's in that place that you can give love and receive love to the point that you no longer exist.... It's Christ in the world completing all that He set out to do through you as a vessel. Keeping ourselves in the organic state of love, everything naturally falls into place.

Today's Devotional

"None of us lives to himself..." Romans 14:7

This is the devotional that I read today from "My Upmost From His Highest" by, Oswald Chambers I had to share:

Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible spiritually to God for other people? For instance, if I allow any turning away from God in my private life, everyone around me suffers. We set together in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6). If you allow physical selfishness, mental carelessness, moral insensitivity, our spiritual weakness, everyone in contact with you will suffer. But you ask, "Who is sufficient to be able to live up to such a lofty standard?" Our sufficiency is from God... and God alone (2nd Corinthians 3:5).
"You shall be witnesses to Me...Acts 1:8. How many of us are willing to spend every bit of our nervous mental, moral, and spiritual energy for Jesus Christ? That is what God means when He uses the word witness. But it takes time so be patient with yourself. Why has God left us on the earth? Is it simply to be saved and sanctified? No it is to be at work in service to Him. Am I willing to be of no value to this age or this life except for one purpose and one alone- to be used to disciple men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. My life in service to God is the way I say thank you to Him for His inexpressively wonderful salvation. Remember it is quite possible for God to set any of us aside if we refuse to be of service to him... Lest when I have preached to others I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Powerful! We are not made to be sheep that only sit in the seats. God called us to go! Great word!