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“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”   --John 13:34-35 If being a servant to others is such a simple concept to grasp, why don’t more people actually do it? The answer is because we’re too focused on ourselves and our own needs! And in a culture that celebrates self above all else, it’s easy to understand why this is. Yet the Bible doesn’t let us off the hook because the culture we live in doesn’t embrace humility or serving others unselfishly. The Scripture says that Jesus made himself nothing and took the form of a servant. And if Jesus who was God incarnate did this, so should we! Think about the people with whom you live life. Think about your neighbors. Which of them could use your help? Who needs their yard mowed? Their trees pruned? Their leaves raked? Think about work or school. Who needs help with their workload? Who needs a smile or word of encouragement given in the name of Christ? Think about your home life. How could you help your spouse out today? How could you serve your children? It’s one thing to say you’re a Christian. It’s quite another thing to show that you’re a Christian. Genuine love shown through humble service is a sure-fire way to turn people on to Jesus Christ. As he says in today’s verse, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” So my challenge to you is simple: Put on your badge as a believer by displaying a sacrificial, steadfast, and selfless love expressed in acts and deeds of kindness and ministry to the body of Christ and to the people who do not know him. By this all people will know that you are his disciple! IT’S ONE THING TO SAY YOU’RE A CHRISTIAN. IT’S QUITE ANOTHER THING TO SHOW THAT YOU’RE A CHRISTIAN

Use It or Lose It

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.”
Luke 8:17–18
Though D. L. Moody was a greatly used evangelist, he had little formal education, and it frequently showed in his preaching. It is said that after he finished a sermon in London, a critic came and said, “You made several grammatical errors in your sermon today.” Moody admitted with regret that his language was often faulty. Then looking the man in the eye he said, “I am using all the grammar I know for God. What are you doing with the grammar you know?”
The Lord has given every one of us differing talents and spiritual gifts for use in His work. His plan is that as each of us use those gifts together, the church will be built and strengthened. “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:18–20). Without each one doing what he can for the work, it will suffer and be hindered.
If we refuse to put what we have been given to work, God is under no obligation to give us gifts in the first place, and if we refuse to use what He has entrusted to us, we run the risk of it being taken away. The knowledge that we only have our gifts and talents as a result of His grace should make us even more willing to use them in any way that we can for His glory.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Every day look for an opportunity to use the gifts and talents God has given you for His work.