"He must increase, but I must decrease." - John 3:30
This verse is short, sweet, and to the point. This verse shows how we are to humble ourselves before the Lord. Acknowledging that He is God and that we are man. His greatness is infinite.
[Be on the lookout for a new devotion entitled "God Is Greater Than Our Highs & Lows COMING SOON]
I've known of and heard of this verse for most of my Christian life. I've used it in sermons, lessons, and devotions. It always amazes me to see how God can use one verse to explain numerous ideas. Not just this verse but any one verse. Recently this verse came back into my head during a "worship-session" with some friends of mine. We get together when we can and just play/sing worship music. This last time we discussed having our group write a song together (something that some of us had done solo, but never in a group). We attempted to find scripture for the song but nothing was coming to mind. Then all the sudden it hit me..."He must increase..." The song is not finished yet, but it still lingers in the back of my mind.
It seems like in today's world we don't have enough time for God. We push Him aside and spend our time doing things we want (texting, facebook, twitter, instagram, etc). Or we put other people before God (parents, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, friends, teachers, preachers, etc). Although all these people may be great people, they are still just that [people]. Which means they are human and that they aren't perfect. Yes respect them, yes love them, yes listen to them, but put God first.
We (believers) are left on Earth for one purpose after salvation...to make HIS name known to everyone! We are to live for Christ, do everything for the glory of God. In order to do this, we must subject ourselves to His Will, understanding that He knows best.
Bro. Austin
Monday, March 31, 2014
Lukewarm Christian?
"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." - Revelation 3:15-16 NKJV
Who was this verse meant for?
Why did Jesus say it?
Does this verse mean anything to us? If so what?
These are the questions to ask when faced with a set of verses like these.
1) Who was this meant for?
Directly it was meant for the Church of the Laodiceans.
2) Why did Jesus say it?
This church was going nowhere and fast. This is why God steps in, because we are headed down a path of destruction. Although He allows us to do as we choose, Jesus doesn't like to see any of His children fail.
3) What can we take away from this verse today?
Click Here to read Francis Chan's list of Lukewarm Characteristics. If you can answer yes to any of them, then you are most likely a lukewarm Christian.
If that is you, don't fret! God still loves you. However, He is disappointed in us when we fail and wants to see us learn from this and succeed in the future. It's crazy to think that God would prefer us to be cold (against him) rather than lukewarm (kinda for him). But it's not just for individuals, this can be used for an entire Church body (as was with the Laodiceans). If our church is not "ON FIRE" for God (hot), then He would prefer that we shut the doors and go home (cold). He can't stand it when we (the church) are lukewarm. In fact, it disgusts Him.
Look at Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission):
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
This is what the "ON FIRE" (hot) Christian should be doing. 1) Going out into the world. 2) Making disciples [teaching God's Word to a lost and dying world]. 3) Baptizing the new disciples. 4) Teaching them to obey God's commandments. This is the job description for the believer. Are you ready?
Bro. Austin
Who was this verse meant for?
Why did Jesus say it?
Does this verse mean anything to us? If so what?
These are the questions to ask when faced with a set of verses like these.
1) Who was this meant for?
Directly it was meant for the Church of the Laodiceans.
2) Why did Jesus say it?
This church was going nowhere and fast. This is why God steps in, because we are headed down a path of destruction. Although He allows us to do as we choose, Jesus doesn't like to see any of His children fail.
3) What can we take away from this verse today?
Click Here to read Francis Chan's list of Lukewarm Characteristics. If you can answer yes to any of them, then you are most likely a lukewarm Christian.
If that is you, don't fret! God still loves you. However, He is disappointed in us when we fail and wants to see us learn from this and succeed in the future. It's crazy to think that God would prefer us to be cold (against him) rather than lukewarm (kinda for him). But it's not just for individuals, this can be used for an entire Church body (as was with the Laodiceans). If our church is not "ON FIRE" for God (hot), then He would prefer that we shut the doors and go home (cold). He can't stand it when we (the church) are lukewarm. In fact, it disgusts Him.
Look at Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission):
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
This is what the "ON FIRE" (hot) Christian should be doing. 1) Going out into the world. 2) Making disciples [teaching God's Word to a lost and dying world]. 3) Baptizing the new disciples. 4) Teaching them to obey God's commandments. This is the job description for the believer. Are you ready?
Bro. Austin
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