Weekly Protein (06/18/22)

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25, NASB 1978)

Paul taught here that regeneration (“live by the Spirit”) should be followed by sanctification (“walk by the Spirit”). Wonderful as it is to born again, the Christian life doesn't stop there. Continued transformation is expected, though not inevitable. Don't claim to be a Christian, wrote Paul, if you have no interest in a crucified life (Gal. 5:24) or fellowship with the Holy Spirit (whereby “the fruit of the Spirit” - Gal. 5:22-23) is developed.

Here is your weekly protein.

1.  Answer these questions.

• What is the difference between regeneration and sanctification? (If you are unsure, then include this question in number three below.)

• What is taking place in your life right now to indicate the Holy Spirit matters to you?

2.  Read Galatians 5:16-26.

3.  Communicate with your pastor. Ask him or her, “What does it look like to “walk by the 

     Spirit”?

Verse Of The Week (06/17/22)

 

photo: https://bit.ly/3HnH7S7

My Prayer (11/09/16)

Read Luke 11:46; Galatians 6:2.

Lord, today I want to be a burden-helper, not a burden-maker.  May  my words and deeds lead to helping, strengthening and encouraging Your people.  May people be glad that I was around.

Get Your Heart Back (Gal. 6:9) (Part 3)

Translation:  "Now, we should not lose heart doing that which is good, for in due time we shall harvest if we do not give out."

IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR HEART, YOU CAN GET IT BACK.

 

In this post we will consider this question:  What can you do to regain your heart?

• Remember that there is a guarantee of judgment.  You will bow before the Bema Seat (2 Cor. 5:10 cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15). Though this judgment will be for believers, though this judgment will be to test your work to determine reward, you want to exit with something.  Here's the point:
•  God cannot reward the effort you didn't make.
• God cannot reward the faith you didn't implement.
• God cannot reward the prayer you didn't pray.
• God cannot reward the time you didn't invest.
• God cannot reward the check you didn't write.
• God cannot reward the strength you didn't exert.
• God cannot reward the work you didn't do.
• Remember that there is a promise of reward.
• Gal. 6:9 > "...we shall harvest..."
• 1 Cor. 15:58 > "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
• Heb. 6:10 > "For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints."
• Rev. 22:12 > "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done."
• Mt. 25:21 > “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’"

(Is it just me or does keeping the reward front and center seem selfish?  Is being motivated by reward an ungodly response?  It might not be the highest motivation, but it is not an ungodly one. My actions don't earn my salvation, but salvation is not an invitation to inactivity.  Read Eph. 2:10.  Titus is only 3 chapters, but there Paul emphasized good deeds 7 times.)

• Remember that the window of opportunity is closing quickly.  Jn. 9:4 > “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work."   Live today to have no regrets tomorrow.  Serve today to have no regrets tomorrow.
• Remember the One who called you to serve.
• 1 Thess. 5:24 > "Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."
• "I will serve Thee because I love Thee..."
• You don't serve just the pastor or just the church.
• Col. 3:23-24 > "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."

Get Your Heart Back (Gal. 6:9) (Part 2)

Translation:  "Now, we should not lose heart doing that which is good, for in due time we shall harvest if we do not give out."

SOME BELIEVERS HAVE LOST HEART.

In the last post we defined "heart" and its importance.  This post will investigate why people lose heart.

What causes loss of heart in Christian work?

• Loss of heart is caused by delayed harvest.  You hear about the harvest, speak about the harvest, and work toward the harvest.  You read about the harvest, believe in the harvest, and even sing about the harvest.  However, you don't see the harvest.  At least not the way you've dreamed about it.
• Loss of heart is caused by disinterested workers.  You work toward the harvest, but you wonder why others don't. While you are fully engaged in the harvest, you can't figure out how some can remain detached and disinterested when so much is at stake.  They nod their head in agreement when you mention the seriousness of the harvest, but rarely do anything except talk.  At least that's how you interpret it.
• Loss of heart is caused by depleted energy. You realize quickly that spiritual work, while it is a great joy and privilege, takes something out of you. There are many fatigued workers in God's Kingdom.  It is said that the church runs on the shoulders of tired people.  Don't stop working, but do take time for refreshing.  A burned-out you is not a win.

Get Your Heart Back (Gal. 6:9) (Part 1)

Translation:  "Now, we should not lose heart doing that which is good, for in due time we shall harvest if we do not give out."

SOME BELIEVERS HAVE LOST HEART. 

What do I mean by "heart"?  Your heart is your innermost being.  It is the place of passion, desire and initiative.  Your heart is the place of relationship, resolve and courage.  According to Proverbs 4:23, everything begins in the heart.

Is your heart active in pursuit of God and ministry or have you checked out and given up?

In the next post we will investigate why people lose heart.
  

Measuring Spiritual Growth

Roaring Run Trail, Apollo, PA

One tree grew up but the other grew out.  One went toward the sky while the other went toward the water.  Both trees grew, but only one grew correctly. 

A tree is supposed to have downward roots and upward fruit (foliage).  The purpose of spiritual growth is not to make us extraordinary or weird.  It is to make us become what we're supposed to be in Christ. 

Just because you're extending yourself doesn't mean you're growing correctly.  The measurement of spiritual growth is not in externals (involvement, church attendance) alone.  Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) is a better  measurement.

Grow up or reach out -- which is easier?  Why?

Report Cards

Ashley's report card arrived yesterday. Josh and Aaron's will come by the end of the week. I will sit with my children and evaluate academic progress. Where there is diligence and excellence, I will praise them. Where there is negligences or trouble, we will develop a plan for improvement.

Students get grades as an evaluation of their academic progress. Being Christ's disciples, we are to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 3:18). There should be fruit or evidence (Jn 15:5, 8, 16) of this growth. That evidence is the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

If I had to be graded on each part of the Fruit of the Spirit, how would I fare? How would you fare?