Serve God with Zeal and Intensity

Romans 12 provides us with one of scripture’s clearest pictures of practical Christ-like living. We see scripture’s exhortation to live a life marked with action. I believe a healthy understanding and practice of these things help us “put to death” the old self and actively “put on” the new self, helps us in the practice of “setting our minds on things above”, helps our transformation by the “renewing of our minds”, helps us to “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus”.

Here is what scripture teaches us in Romans 12:9-13:
• Allow love to be genuine
• Utterly detest evil and hold on to what is good
• Love the body with brotherly affection
• Excel in showing honor
• Activate zeal and show intensity in spirit in service to God
• Rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, constant in prayer
• Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek opportunities for hospitality

Oswald Chambers, when writing about our purpose in serving God, said this, “Beware of going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been.”

Read more...

The Christmas Challenge

I love Christmas time.  At par value, it is one of the more sentimental, family-oriented of the holiday seasons.  The simple things like a lit tree, hot chocolate, a good movie, giving gifts, seeing family ... you understand I'm sure.  In fact most people probably share similar sentiments as I do regarding this joyous holiday.  But do we honor this occasion as we should in the way we celebrate?

I'm afraid that as a society we have grown to love too much the traditions and the comforts this holiday affords us.  Ever wonder how we have gone from a celebration of the most significant event in history to a largely self-centered holiday with a Santa Claus headliner? The clues may be in our understanding of 'the Claus' himself.

Read more...