Used for a Season

History is littered with one-hit wonders. Whether in music, sports, business, or politics, some people rise quickly and fade even faster. It’s no different in ministry. An author/speaker bursts onto the scene, and their platform explodes. Then just like that, they disappear. They were used for a season by God to reach the masses. John the Baptist was used for a season to ready the people for Jesus.

‭‭JOHN‬ ‭5:35

“He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.”

It would be easy to think this verse standing by itself is about Jesus. He is described as the “light of the world,” but this is actually about John the Baptist. Jesus is telling the crowd that he doesn’t need man’s witness or testimony to validate His ministry, but God did send John the Baptist. While he was alive, the people basked in the brightness of his light. He was new and was willing to challenge the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

Striving Together

The precision and synchronization needed for sports like rowing always amaze me. You watch as up to eight people row in unison. They are serving together to achieve one objective, victory. Paul calls the church to have the same purpose in mind striving together for the faith. If we all work in unity, it will be an unstoppable force against Satan.

‭‭PHILIPPIANS‬ ‭1:27

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

The church in Philippi has unity issues. Some people were in it for themselves. They preached the gospel for personal gain and wanted their way in particular issues. It was tearing at the fabric of the church, so Paul encourages the saints in what he would like to see them accomplish. I love how Paul spends little time addressing issues and offers solutions instead. He wants their conduct to be worthy of the gospel, stand firm in the Spirit, and strive together for the gospel. In this encouragement, he addresses the unity issues and what needs to be done.

Courage to Speak

Public speaking is still one of the biggest phobias. Ask someone to get up in front of a group of people, and their palms begin to sweat. It takes courage to speak in front of an audience, and only a minority of people are comfortable with the task. The same can be said for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but you can pray for the courage to speak.

‭‭PHILIPPIANS‬ ‭1:14

“and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from prison. His imprisonment had caused his haters to use that as proof that he wasn’t a real apostle, while his supporters used it to be bolder in preaching the Gospel. Tribulation will cause people to act like this. Some will do anything to prevent pain or suffering, and at the first sign of trouble, they bail, while others will see the trouble as confirmation that what they are doing is on track. Paul rejoiced at those who had the courage to speak.

Called to Harvest

Things change around a farm when it’s harvest season. The activity increases one hundredfold, and the day the farmer gets paid draws closer. If they reap a bountiful harvest, his wages will reflect that, but they often lose money if the harvest is weak. Christians are called to reap a harvest as well. The fields you are called to harvest is the place God has you right now. Those who do will receive their wages in heaven.

‭‭JOHN‬ ‭4:35-36

Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.
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Jesus uses the analogy of fields that need to be harvested to get His point across. He starts by describing how the fields are ripe, to the point of going bad. If you take too long to harvest your crops, you run the risk of rotting. Then Jesus says that those reaping are receiving wages and storing up fruit for eternal life. If you are evangelizing the lost, you will receive a reward in heaven. Jesus is encouraging every believer to share the Gospel.

Living a Fruitful Life

Do you believe that Jesus can change people? I mean those types of people you move to the other side of the road to avoid because they are dangerous. God can take the hardest heart and transform it into a new work. He is the Almighty God. Nothing is too big. He wants to do a work in your life as well. He desires to see you living a fruitful life.

‭‭GENESIS‬ ‭35:11‬

“God also said to him, “I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you.”

Right after Jacob wrestled with the Lord and had his name changed, God spoke over him that “A nation and a company of nations shall come from you.” This was referring to the nation of Israel and some other small ones that would fragment off. The twelve tribes would be named after his twelve sons. God was going to bless Jacob by making fruitful and multiplying his offspring. This was being done to a person whose name means “scoundrel.” He changed a scoundrel to a prince when he changed his name to Israel.

Be Strong in the Lord

One of the lingering side effects of recovering from COVID is that your energy is sapped for months. In the process, your muscles atrophy, and you find yourself weak and without energy. It is a long process of recovering the strength and stamina you had before. As a Christian, you can find yourself without strength when it comes to spiritual battles. Paul tells you to be strong in the Lord.

‭‭EPHESIANS‬ ‭6:10-11

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

Every disciple wages a daily battle against an unseen enemy. This enemy is deceptive in his ways, and his goal is to distract and derail your faith. You have to prepare yourself to battle this formidable foe with the proper weapons and in the right strength. This will enable you to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Equip yourself with the full armor of God.

The Source of True Love

Every Valentine’s day, flowers and chocolates are exchanged to symbolize a person’s love for another. They may do something romantic like going to dinner or taking a sunset walk. The gestures are usually heartfelt, but people go back to the way things were the next day. You can live with the assurance that you are loved every day. Jesus is the source of true love.

‭‭JOHN‬ ‭3:16‬

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

By far, this is the most famous verse in the Bible. More people know this verse than any other, which is a good thing because it is the Gospel wrapped up in a neat package. God so loved the world. That love was before we loved Him. It was there before He created the heavens and the earth. That love propelled Him to fix man’s greatest problem. God the Father sent His only Son to pay the price for your sin. He willingly gave up what was most precious to reconcile man.

Called to Live Differently

Have you noticed that people’s morals and language have taken a downward trajectory over the last few years? Language has become more angry and insulting, and people’s focus has turned toward inward pleasures. We now live in a time where divisiveness and conflict are the norm. A disciple of Jesus Christ is called to live differently.

‭‭EPHESIANS‬ ‭5:3-4

“But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”

The Apostle Paul had been all over the known Roman Empire. He had seen different cultures and behaviors. He has to remind Christians that they are not to emulate the culture. They are to stay away from immorality and impurity, prevalent in places like Ephesus and Corinth. Worshipping at the Roman & Greek Temples often included sleeping with a temple prostitute. Living for Jesus made you stick out like a sore thumb in these places.

Teach Me Your Way Lord

No one will argue the importance of teachers in the lives of children. They pour into the children of a nation, teaching the basics necessary to become an adult. Most families emphasize education. Often we diminish the importance of learning Scripture. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, your heart needs to plead, “Teach Me Your Way Lord.”

‭‭PSALMS‬ ‭86:11-12

“Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.”

A recurring theme in the book of Psalms is “Teach me your ways.” The Psalmist signaled to God that they wanted to learn God’s lessons. The Psalmist asks God to teach him how to walk in truth and glorify His name. David was famous for having this heart. He wanted to learn from God and grow closer to Him. We need to replicate this model in our lives and churches. In a world where everyone wants to be an expert, we need more disciples begging God to teach them His ways.

No Endorsement Needed

Every politician scrambles for certain endorsements from important organizations and businesses. Some want the local labor unions and newspapers to support their campaign while others look to law enforcement and the chamber of commerce for theirs. Jesus knew the heart of man and there was no endorsement from anyone. He got His instructions from the Lord.

‭‭JOHN‬ ‭2:24-25

But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”

Jesus kept His wits about him when His popularity was at its highest. People not only clamored for His healing touch but they wanted to be associated with His ministry. They were clamoring for His coattails and Jesus was having none of it. He knew the heart of man and the was no endorsement needed from them. He didn’t entrust Himself to them or rely on their testimonies.