7/09                 Ephesians 4:7

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 

CULTIVATE

We cultivate our spiritual gift or spiritual gifts in the presence of the Lord.  Spend time with Jesus.  Spend time in His Word.  Then you will become more like Him and be His emissary in this world.  Tell people about what the Lord is doing in your life. 

7/08                 Ephesians 4:4-6

4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. 

LIFE

Life has responsibilities.  We are responsible to grow in Christ.  We are called to be obedient.  We grow and develop obedience by keeping the Word of God and the Lord God on our heart and on our mind.  Spend time with Jesus, time in prayer and time in the Word.  Jesus is Lord. 

7/07                 Ephesians 4:2

2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 

CARE

Truly care for those in your life.  Be gentle and understanding.  Listen to them.  Help them.  People need the Lord and people need you.  Be a people person.  Jesus loves you and calls you to love those in your life. 

7/06                 Ephesians 4:1

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 

YOU

You are a minister.  You are the one that the Lord calls to share the Gospel, the Good News, with everyone you meet.  Simply tell them about Jesus.  What He is doing in your life.  It is critical that we understand that we are responsible to proclaim the Good News.  You are a minister.  Be about the Lord’s business. 

07/05               Acts 6:8

8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. 

GRACE

We can seek to be filled with grace and power.  It is simple enough-spend time with the Lord.  It pleases the Lord to give us grace and power.  It is part of those things that we need to accomplish what He has called us to do.

07/04               Romans 1:1-5

1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.  5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. 

JESUS

He is Lord.  He is God’s everything.  Go to Jesus for wisdom, mercy, grace and understanding.  He will lead you on the path of living life under the Father’s direction and in growing in spiritual maturity.  We want to know Him.  We want to be like Him.  Follow Jesus.

07/03               John 1:14
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. 

WITH
Jesus is with us.  He isn’t off some where over there He is with us.  Next problem you face, today or tomorrow remember that Jesus is with you and waiting to be consulted by you as to what you should do.  He is Lord of all including your life.  Consult Him and He will tell you what to do. 

07/02               Romans 3:20-24

20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 

FORGIVEN

We recognize our sinfulness.  We proclaim our allegiance to Jesus.  He forgives our sin.  His forgiveness cleanses us and brings us into the family of God.  We belong to Him forever.  Jesus is now always in our life, always present always seeking our freedom from our self the sinner. 

07/01              2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 

GRACE

Grace is the Lord giving us what we need and cannot earn.  His grace is always sufficient.  Let Jesus have his way with you.  His grace will meet your need.

6/30            Philippians 1:12-14

12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. 

SUFFERING

Suffering is part of the active Christian walk.  When you share Jesus you will suffer the hate and reaction of the lost.  That reaction is at times physical but here in the US so far mostly ostracism.  Our courage builds a relationship with the Lord that equips us spiritually to grow in Christ and to be better equipped to grow in courage.  Serve the Lord.  Stand with Him.