If you are born again and dying to self daily---then God has set you apart for HIS divine purposes! You are His. He needs a witness in this earth and He has chosen you. Dying to self every single day is a must, just as Apostle Paul had to die daily--so do we! However, let that not be the only thing we focus on day after day. The point is to die to self not focus in it.
Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 3:1-3, (AMP) "Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 3 For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God."
How do we set our minds on things above? We seek the Father daily on what He is doing and what He is a saying--making it our purpose to be About My Father's Business (Rev. Connie tag line) every day.
What is His business? I think Apostle Paul summed it up pretty good in Romans 15:1-3 (Message), "Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out."
This strength is not a physical strength--it is strength in faith! We are to help those around us who need help and especially those who falter or are weak in faith. Every man has been given a measure of faith and those who are weak but are wanting to believe--God wants us who are strong to pull up, lend a helping hand. The thing is we, of ourselves without God, will only help as we can see from our perspective and it will probably have a whole lot of self or simply knowledge or religion in it. However, when we seek God and what He wants to do then we can be sure the help they get is exactly what they need. This is why we need to be About His Business and not our own. God is for us--He is not against us enjoying life. As we begin to allow Him to work through us to help another person in need--we will find greater joy in life than we have known simply living for ourselves.
Let's Discuss!
Did faith increase in your life during this particular service? If not, do you know why?
How does faith come? What do you need to change if it has not come?
Strength for service not for status--what does this mean to YOU?
What was your aha, ouch, or oh my--did you even have one?
