God's Mission
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
~ Apostle Paul
Pondering Point
God's mission for His disciples as reconcilers works much better when we are not at odds with people. Of course, God is the real reconciler and we are His vessels, holding out Jesus like a light in the darkness. But these vessels are more effective when emptied (or maybe cured!) of unhealthy and ungodly attitudes toward those with whom God is seeking to reconcile through Jesus. For many people in this world, we Christians – His disciples – are the face of Jesus. Let's put our best face forward (His!). I'm reminded of an old camp song lyric, do you know oh Christian you're a sermon in shoes. As we go about ‘preaching’ with our lives, let's not stomp on people but instead go the extra mile to help even those not on our favorites list.
Prayer
Lord God, as Jesus’ disciple, as one of Your reconcilers, let me be a sermon in shoes, sharing the good news of life in and with and under You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119:145-152
- I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
and I will obey your decrees. - I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes. - I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word. - My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises. - Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws. - Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
but they are far from your law. - Yet you are near, Lord,
and all your commands are true. - Long ago I learned from your statutes
that you established them to last forever.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask… and it will be given to you;
Seek… and you will find;
Knock… and the door will be opened to you.
The Promise
Matthew 7:7-8
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Pondering Point
Who first taught you to call on God? To learn and obey Him? Whom are you teaching to call on God? Whom are you teaching to know and obey His Word?