Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)
"Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control" (Hebrews 2:8).
What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?
When you look at the world, perhaps even when you look at how life's going for you specifically, do you ever wonder why things aren't quite "right" or what you might be able to do to make things "better" than you find them? Here's a thought -- as the old song lyrics go, "We have the power." That line has been running through my head since re-reading this Scripture from Hebrews.
Amazingly, God has put us, us sinful and fallible human beings, in charge of things on this great Earth and we truly have the power to do the right thing or the wrong things to make the world and all of our lives better or worse. That's the concept of "stewardship" which runs throughout the entire Bible.
So how do we handle such power? How can we, how can I and YOU, make things better?
By focusing constantly on Jesus. The last part of today's Scripture reading turns the focus of what God is doing and has done in our world on the Source of both inspiration and real-life power to accomplish God's will: our Lord Jesus Christ!
Maybe comedians have trivialized the phrase with sarcasm and parodies, but the truth is still there for us today: Constantly ask yourself as you go through the day, "What would Jesus Do?" Live that answer in your life today!
Seeking and knowing God's will means we must be following God carefully and closely every day.
Read Numbers 9:15-23
"Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, resting upon it, the Israelites would remain in camp and would not set out; but when it lifted they would set out" (Numbers 9:22).
What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?
I once knew a woman who insisted that God guided every tiny, day-by-day part of her life. She wouldn't even pick up a washcloth to bathe herself in the morning until she prayed about it and became convinced that God was "telling" her what color washcloth to use that day.
Does God really micro-manage our lives THAT totally? Must we be concerned about knowing His will about what color washcloth to use, which shirt or dress to put on, etc., or does He leave a lot of life up to our judgment and allow us to make decisions without the anxiety of thinking He might not prefer blue stripes in a necktie??
When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He was not only leading them to freedom and to form a nation for His specific plans, He was using them as an "object lesson" for all time. He was creating sacred history every step of the way. As a result, God gave them clear "signs and wonders" to take them exactly where He wanted them, at the exact time He wanted them there, to teach all mankind about His faithfulness and His way of life for us all.
We are doing God a disservice if we demand His voice to tell us what color washcloth to use or what necktie we should wear. Of course He has a plan for our lives, but He has also given us the presence of His Holy Spirit and brains to think with. We can be confident that our trust in Him and our acknowledgment of Him as our Lord will give us the guidance we need as we go about living.
We must follow God carefully and closely -- but we also have the confidence to take daily steps in our walk with Him. As we trust Him, we need not fear we will suddenly somehow lose our way!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16).
What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?
"... I can't come to the phone right now, so leave a message -- and by the way, John 3:16!"
A friend of mine always ends her voicemail message that way, which I've always found a bit odd. But the fact is, John chapter 3, specifically John 3:16, is one of the best known passages of Scripture. I would bet that Christians and non-believers alike who call my friend have at least a good idea of what "John 3:16" means and says.
There's a story that an aging, well-known European theologian of the last century was asked as he approached the end of his life to sum up the most important truth he had learned about God and mankind. The story is that he smiled and recited the children's chorus that's based on John 3:16 -- "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
We need to spend time today and every day praying and meditating on the awesome, profound truths of that chorus and of these Bible verses. What an incredible foundation for all we know about God and about living -- God sends His love to us in His Son, our Lord Jesus!
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2).
What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?
One of the most natural of human reactions is to pass judgment on others. We very naturally weigh people in terms of what we believe, what we think, what we prefer in friends and those we hang out with.
Sometimes, as Christians, we fall into a pattern of assuming we have an obligation to judge our brothers and sisters in Christ. Be honest: When you meet a believer or attend a church that's very different from your church or the believers with whom you fellowship, your initial reaction is at least caution, and perhaps criticism. We often are wary or uncomfortable with those who worship Christ or serve Him very differently from the way we do, aren't we?
But we are not bound by what may be the "natural" reaction to our brothers and sisters and the way they behave or the way they worship. We are "in the Spirit" through our relationship with Christ. Our family relationship with God and with each other is this: We are not called to judge, certainly not to "condemn," others in Christ. We are called to love each other and show the unity that Jesus himself prayed for His followers (John 17:20-23).
Love each other today. Let God sort our the differences and make any judgments that need to be made. He can handle it -- and he always gets it right!
Since my days as a teenager (approximately back in the Dark Ages; okay, in the 1960s), Campus Crusade for Christ has been very special to me and holds a special place in my heart. I recommitted my heart to Christ in the early 1960s as a result of Bible studies and fellowship with Campus Crusade groups. In 1965, I looked across a crowded room at a Campus Crusade weekly Bible study and saw a beautiful young lady with a beautiful smile. Two years later, the second greatest thing in my life happened when that beautiful young lady married me.
We've been married for 42 years (May 26 was our anniversary), and we've had close friends who did full-time ministry through Campus Crusade. We currently contribute a small amount of monthly support to a young man who is full-time with Campus Crusade.
So when I discovered this beautiful little video summary of Campus Crusade for Christ "history," I felt I had to share it with you. Enjoy:
The men and women who serve with Campus Crusade share a passion for bringing the love of Christ to our world and everyone in it, regardless of race, color, or background. They come from a wide range of churches and Christian traditions. They share a common love for Christ, love for those who need Christ, and love for the Bible. I highly recommend them to you and urge you to pray for them and get involved with local Campus Crusade ministries wherever you may be.
