As we talk about being the hands of Jesus, someone might be misled to think that we intend for Christians to do the impossible. There were quite a bit of things Jesus did that we are not capable of doing.
We must seek to be gentle people, even in the most trying times. Not because we are weak or cowardly, but because we are humble, we have placed our strength under God's control.
The heart of Jesus will only begin to develop in our lives as the Holy Spirit causes His fruit to grow within us. Would you say that you are someone who is faithful? Can those around you depend on you, can they trust you, are you reliable? Would God consider you as someone who is faithful?
Such good works flow from a heart filled with God’s goodness. Does this describe your heart? Is it filled with God’s goodness? If not, is it because you aren’t growing in the fruit of the Spirit? Is it because you are still living in Satan’s domain of darkness? Do you need Christ to set you free?
How do we grow churches in the twenty-first century? Simply put, we look back at the first century and learn from the men who started churches all over the Roman world. Those men put their lives on the line to plant churches throughout the Mediterranean.
We see enough bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor (shouting) and slander in our world today, not to mention the physical, mental and emotional injury which goes along with it. We who are Christians are to have no part in such things. Instead, we should be known as those who are kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other.
Being the hands of Jesus requires us becoming people who are known for our love, our joy and our peace, but also people known for our patience.
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists for us that which he calls the “works” or “deeds of the flesh.” He tells us that those who practice such things will not inherit…
We all have just enough time to do God’s will. We must be intentional with our time, being good managers and stewards, who build our schedule around the goals, vision, and mission we have in life.