A Christians Job Description

Exodus 8:1 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me".
Many people, throughout time, have wondered what is their purpose and role in this world?
As Christians, the purpose is very simple and clear: serve the Lord.
It was so during Adams time, and it is now. 

How do we serve the Lord?
1. Take care of Gods world around us. - He entrusted it to Adam and thereby to us.
2. Take care of people around us. - Jesus entrusted people to us.
3. Thank, Praise and worship God. Why? Because Praise diverts our focus from ourselves to God. A very logical and clear explanation of this can be found here
4. Implement His principles, wisdom and advice in our lives.
5. Talk to Him. - no one likes to be ignored, including our creator. He likes to talk to us, laugh with us, cry with us. He wants to be let into our lives and be part. He wants to do good things for us. He wants to have a relationship with us - not only on Sundays and during devotions but throughout the day, everyday. Remember, He walked and talked with Adam every day. 

Sunday Quotes

How wonderful to know that Christianity is more than a padded pew or a dim cathedral, but that it is a real, living, daily experience which goes on from grace to grace. Jim Elliot

The Gateway to Christianity is not through an intricate labyrinth of dogma, but by a simple belief in the person of Christ. Norman Vincent Peale

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. C.S.Lewis

If only Jesus' followers shared his personality. That one shift alone would correct so many of the ridiculous and horrifying things that pass for popular Christianity. John Eldredge

The great redemptive religion which has always been known as Christianity is battling against a totally diverse type of religious belief, which is only the more destructive of the Christian faith because it makes use of traditional Christian terminology. John Gresham Machen

For Christians, they need to access the power of Jesus and not look at Christianity as a religion. It is our Lord Jesus that makes you change, and Christians need to actualize it and put it into practice. Erwin McManus

Revival- A Fire in the Belly: By Pastor Rajiv

Revival refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. It need not necessarily mean a movement but can be personal as well. Most, if not all, of us need a revival from time to time. Pastor Rajiv shares his thoughts today on revival.

The first question is "why revival"? What is the need? 

First let’s refer to this verse from ‎2 Chronicles 7:14

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”.

This verse answers the "who", the "why" and the "how". It is extremely crucial especially at this point in time for the world we are living in because we all need healing. We need forgiveness. These are words said by God on the dedication of the temple by Solomon, and yet, it is so distant from our world today when churches are empty, church attendance is on a steady decline and church buildings have been converted into pubs and B&Bs. 

So today, is when revival is needed most, and this verse is a key as it describes the steps.

Now let's discuss the "who". Who needs revival? God’s subject here is people. His people – "if my people". God desires revival in His created world and He desires it in his people who are called by his name.

It clearly means that revival starts with us; you and me who are God’s family; you and me who are called by his name. It is an individual responsibility and not that of a movement. If we look at the great revivals that have taken place in history, we will find that it was always one-man, or one woman who came under deep conviction and shook the world.

O.S. Hawkins, in his book “The Prayer code” holds that the problem is not with the current world culture but with God’s own people who are called by his name. Again, you and me. Today, if you are looking for revival, are convinced you need it, then the question is how? How do we create revivals in ourselves and subsequently the world? The answer lies in the quoted verse which we will discuss in the next post. 

Course Correction

Not many of us like to be corrected, whether by a true friend, a parent, a partner or even God! We also do not like "change". We are happy to continue in our state of ignorance, rather than correct ourselves.  

Chipotle Biti has this to say about correction. 

"It is far better to be smarting from the correction of a friend who cares for you, instead of being led on the wrong path by people who try to deceive you with false approval. If you choose to base your life on positive feedback only and you block out any form of correction, you will end up with the wrong people advising you". Such a situation has been the ruin of many a leader, and many Christians. In fact, it is equally harmful to always give false feedback which a lot of us do in the name of "motivation".  It's tantamount to "bearing false witness". 

She goes on to say - "Correction is necessary for our growth as Christians. We need correction in our spiritual lives in order to ensure that we are reflecting God and His love and righteousness. 

We also need correction in other aspects of our life. We can never know everything or get everything right. When we are corrected, we are alerted to the areas in our lives that we need to work on. When we work on those areas, we become better people. If we don't receive that correction, how will we grow?". 

If we are open to correction, the best advice we can get is from God's word. It covers every aspect of life - both spiritual and everyday human life. Sometimes God puts people in our lives who provide us the guidance. God loves us and will always desire the best for us, no matter how wrong we are. 

Correction may be hard to receive, especially from the people we love, and more so when we are chastised by God, but it is worthwhile. The people who love you will always desire to see you become the best person you can be. In order for that to happen, they have to correct you when they see that you are headed in the wrong direction. For a Biblical perspective consider Proverbs 3:12 (NET): "For the Lord disciplines [corrects, chastens, punishes, scourges] those He loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights."

People who are trying to use you will not care about what is best for you. They will only be concerned with how you can serve their hidden agenda. They will take advantage of your shortcomings in order to gain a one up on you.

What part of the word did you put into practice today?

Joshua 1: 7-9

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

What part of God's word did you put into practice today?

You have read your Bible, said your prayers, meditated and possibly taken notes as well. Of all God's word that we read and quote, which ones have we actually put into practice? It is important because that "practice" is called obedience. And that is what the quoted verse is talking about.

Second, let us not interpret Gods word, because we often interpret it to suit ourselves. For example, a lie is a lie. It's not a small lie, nor a big lie, nor a harmless lie, and so on. As the quoted scripture says, " do not turn from the word to the left or to the right".

The motivation to "bend" the word is often fear. Following Gods word has its own responsibilities which can overwhelm us. For example, telling the truth about something may get us into temporary trouble or discomfort. Most people who get pulled up for speeding will deny and argue, to avoid the penalty. Again, the quoted verse encourages us to not let fear overcome our resolve to obey. For as long as we are willing to obey, we have God with us, each step of the way.

The difference between the man who built his house on the rock and the one who built it on sand is essentially this: both heard His word. One obeyed and one did not.