Category: From Pastor

This week’s devotions are based on Week 1 of Building Together: “It Takes ALL of us”  (WATCH HERE)

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Romans 12:4–8 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 

 

Imagine a body where every part decided it wasn’t really needed. The eye says, “I don’t need the hand.” The ear says, “I’m not important.” The foot says, “Someone else can do my job.” Before long, the body wouldn’t function the way it was designed to function.

Paul uses this picture to describe the church. We are not a collection of independent Christians who happen to worship in the same place. We are the body of Christ, and every member has a place.

Romans 12 says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Notice where those gifts come from: grace. God gives them. They aren’t trophies we earn or abilities we develop so that we can become more important than someone else. They are gifts entrusted to us so that we can serve others.

That means there is no room for comparison.

The person who teaches shouldn’t look down on the person who serves. The person who leads shouldn’t think the person who encourages is less important. The person who gives generously may never stand in front of the congregation. The person who quietly prays for others may never receive recognition. Yet each one is contributing something the body needs.

Paul says, “The body is not made up of one part but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:14).

Different gifts. Same purpose.

We can also fall into the opposite mistake. Sometimes we look at someone else’s gifts and think, I could never do that, so I must not have anything to offer. But God never intended you to be someone else. He didn’t give you someone else’s gifts because He has given you gifts of your own.

You don’t have to do everything. In fact, you can’t. No single person can carry the entire mission of the church. That’s why God gives gifts throughout the body.

Your gift may seem ordinary to you because it comes naturally. But what seems ordinary to you may be exactly what someone else needs.

An encouraging word can strengthen someone who is struggling. A meal can remind a family that they are not alone. A willingness to serve can make ministry possible. A generous gift can provide an opportunity. A listening ear can help someone see God’s grace in the middle of a difficult season.

A gift doesn’t have to be impressive to be important.

The question isn’t, “Do I have enough to offer?”

The question is, “What has God placed in my hands, and how can I use it for someone else?”

Christ has made you part of His body. He has given you a place. Nobody does everything…but, everybody does something!

Reflect

1. What gifts, abilities, experiences, or opportunities has God given me that could be used to serve and strengthen others?
2. Is there a gift or ability I have been keeping on the sidelines? What is one specific way I could put it to work this week?

Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for making me part of the body of Christ and for giving me gifts according to Your grace. Forgive me when I compare myself with others or convince myself that what I have to offer isn’t important. Help me recognize the gifts You have placed in my hands. Give me a willing heart to use them, not for recognition or praise, but to serve others and build up Your Church. Show me where You are calling me to do my part, and use even the smallest acts of service for Your purposes. Amen.

This week’s devotions are based on Week 1 of Building Together: “It Takes ALL of us”  (WATCH HERE)

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Philippians 2:1–11 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 

         6      Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 

         7      but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

         8      And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— 

         even death on a cross! 

         9      Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 

         10      that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

         11      and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

 

Yesterday we were reminded that unity is a gift. Through Christ, God has brought us into one body, given us one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one hope. But if unity is the gift, what protects that gift? Paul points us to humility.

Humility is not weakness. It is not thinking less of yourself or pretending that you have nothing to offer. True humility is recognizing that life is not ultimately about getting my way, protecting my reputation, or making sure my preferences are honored. Humility is the deliberate and courageous choice to consider the needs of others because I know I belong to something bigger than myself.

Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3–4).

That is a challenging word. It is easy to value others when they agree with us, appreciate us, or treat us well. It is much harder when someone disappoints us, misunderstands us, or does something we would have done differently.

Then Paul gives us the ultimate example: Jesus.

Jesus had every right to glory. He is the Son of God. Yet He willingly humbled Himself, took on human flesh, entered our broken world, and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. He didn’t cling to His rights. He gave Himself for people who could offer Him nothing in return.

Jesus’ humility wasn’t weakness. It was love in action.

And that same humility changes the way we live with one another. Sometimes guarding unity means choosing to listen instead of defend ourselves. It may mean having the difficult conversation instead of allowing assumptions to grow. It may mean apologizing even when we think the other person should apologize first. It may mean giving up a preference because preserving the relationship matters more than getting our way.

Division often begins quietly. A hurt goes unspoken. A story gets repeated. An assumption replaces a conversation. A preference becomes a demand. Before long, pride has built a wall where Christ intended there to be a connection.

The good news is that Jesus doesn’t simply give us an example to imitate. He is our Savior. The One who humbled Himself for us has forgiven our pride and continues to shape us by His grace.

So today, ask not simply, “Who needs to be more humble?” Ask, “Where is Christ calling me to humble myself?”

Because pride fights over the pieces. Humility builds with the pieces.

Reflect: 

1. Where might pride, hurt, or a desire to have my own way be affecting one of my relationships? What would humility look like in that situation?
2. How does remembering the humility and sacrifice of Jesus change the way I respond when I feel overlooked, hurt, or frustrated by someone else?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You humbled Yourself for me and gave Your life for my salvation. Forgive me for the times I have put my own interests, preferences, and pride ahead of others. Give me the humility to listen, the courage to seek peace, and the love to put others before myself. Help me guard the unity You have given Your people. When I am tempted to protect my rights, remind me of Your cross. Shape my heart to become more like Yours. Amen.

This week’s devotions are based on Week 1 of Building Together: “It Takes ALL of us”  (WATCH HERE)

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Ephesians 4:1–6 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

Unity is not something we manufacture through clever programs, perfect agreement, or sheer willpower. Unity is a gift God has already given His people through Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us that there is “one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.” Before Paul tells us what we should do, he reminds us of what God has already done.

Through Jesus, God has brought us into one family. We may have different personalities, preferences, backgrounds, ages, opinions, and abilities, but those differences do not change what we share in Christ. We have one Savior. We belong to one body. We have been joined to Christ through one baptism. We share one hope.

That changes the way we look at one another.

When we forget that unity is God’s gift, we can begin to treat people who disagree with us as problems rather than people Christ has placed alongside us. We can become more concerned about getting our way than building up the body. Personal preferences can slowly become personal battles.

That’s why Paul says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Notice that he doesn’t say make unity. He says keep it. God has already given the gift; our calling is to guard it.

This applies far beyond the church. The same temptation can creep into our marriages, families, friendships, and workplaces. We can allow a disagreement, disappointment, or difference of opinion to become a dividing wall.

Jesus prayed for His followers, “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:21). Christian unity is a powerful witness to the world because it shows what the Gospel does. Christ takes people who are different and brings them together around Himself.

So today, don’t begin by asking, “How can I get everyone to agree with me?” Begin by remembering, “What has Christ already given us?”

Then ask how you can protect that gift.

Perhaps it means listening before responding. Maybe it means letting go of a preference. Maybe it means seeking forgiveness or offering it. Maybe it means remembering that the person who frustrates you is also someone for whom Christ died.

Unity is not something we build. Unity is something Christ gives. And what Christ gives, we are called to guard.

Reflect: Is there a relationship in which my pride, preferences, or expectations may be creating division? What might it look like to guard the unity Christ has given? How would remembering that another Christian is part of the same body of Christ change the way I respond to them?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for making me part of Your body and for giving me brothers and sisters in Christ. Forgive me for the times my pride, preferences, or selfishness have created division. Give me a humble and patient heart. Help me recognize the unity You have already given us and faithfully guard it through forgiveness, patience, peace, and love. Keep our families and congregation centered on You, our one Lord and Savior. Amen.

This week’s devotions are based on Rooted – Week 6 “I am Called” (WATCH HERE)

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“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10

God has called you personally, but he has never called you privately.

From the beginning, God’s plan has been bigger than any one person. Throughout Ephesians, Paul has reminded us that God is creating a people who belong to Christ. We are chosen together. We are brought near together. We are built together. We are the Church together.

That means your calling is connected to the calling of others.

Peter says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” Notice that word received. The gifts you have are not ultimately something you created for yourself. They are gifts from God. And God gives those gifts with a purpose.

To serve others.

You may have abilities that seem ordinary to you. Perhaps you are good at organizing, listening, teaching, fixing things, encouraging people, welcoming others, working with children, preparing food, leading, creating, giving, or simply showing up when someone needs help. Because those abilities come naturally to you, you may not even think of them as gifts.

But God can use ordinary gifts in extraordinary ways.

Think about a body. Your hands, feet, eyes, ears, and heart all have different functions, yet none exists for itself. Each part contributes to the health of the whole. In the same way, God has placed each of us in the body of Christ with something to contribute.

You don’t have to do everything.

In fact, you can’t.

And you were never meant to.

Someone else has gifts you don’t have. Someone else may be able to reach a person you cannot reach. Someone else may have the words you don’t know how to say. Someone else may notice a need you would have missed.

And you have gifts that someone else needs too.

This is why Christian calling is personal, but not private. God doesn’t simply call us to accomplish our own individual purposes. He calls us into a family where our lives and gifts become blessings to one another.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

There is great freedom in that truth. You don’t have to compare yourself with someone else. You don’t have to wish you had their gifts. You don’t have to prove that your contribution is important.

Simply ask, “How can God use what he has given me to serve someone else?”

That question can change the way you see your church, your family, your workplace, and your community.

Christ has called you.

He has given you gifts.

And he has placed you among people who need what you have been given.

As we live our calling together, Christ builds his Church through ordinary people faithfully serving one another.

Your calling matters. Their calling matters. And together, we belong to Christ.

Reflect: What gifts or abilities has God given me that I could use more intentionally to serve others? Who is someone God has placed in my life who might need the gift I have been given?

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for calling me to belong to Christ and for giving me gifts to use in service to others. Forgive me when I compare myself with others or believe that what I have to offer is unimportant. Help me recognize the ways you have equipped me and give me a willing heart to serve. Connect my calling with the calling of others so that together we may encourage one another, strengthen your Church, and make your grace known. Amen.

This week’s devotions are based on Rooted – Week 6 “I am Called” (WATCH HERE)

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“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”
Philippians 1:12

Paul wrote those words from prison. His circumstances were not what he would have chosen, yet he could see that God was still at work. His calling had not been canceled by his circumstances. In fact, God was using the very situation that seemed to limit Paul to advance the Gospel.

We often think our calling begins when life gets settled. We imagine we will serve God better when we have more time, fewer responsibilities, better health, a different job, more money, or fewer problems. We can begin to see our circumstances as obstacles between us and the life God wants us to live.

Paul saw them differently.

He understood that his calling was not dependent upon having ideal circumstances. He belonged to Christ, and therefore wherever he was, he could live as Christ’s person.

That is an important lesson for us. God does not call us only when life is going according to plan. He calls us in the middle of real life.

You are called in your workplace, even when your job is frustrating. You are called in your family, even when relationships are difficult. You are called in your neighborhood, even when you feel unnoticed. You are called in seasons of uncertainty, disappointment, and change. You are called in the ordinary routines that sometimes seem insignificant.

Paul’s words remind us that God is able to use circumstances we would never choose to accomplish purposes we cannot yet see.

“What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”

That doesn’t mean every difficult circumstance is good. Scripture never asks us to pretend that suffering doesn’t hurt. But it does remind us that suffering does not put us outside God’s care or beyond his ability to work through us.

Perhaps today you find yourself somewhere you never expected to be. Maybe your plans have changed. Maybe you are carrying responsibilities you didn’t ask for. Maybe you are waiting for something to change before you feel useful again.

Remember your calling.

You belong to Christ.

Your life is his.

And wherever he has placed you today, you have an opportunity to live as his person.

Sometimes calling looks like something dramatic. More often, it looks like faithfulness in a place no one else sees. A kind word. An honest decision. A patient response. A prayer. An act of service. A quiet witness.

You don’t have to wait for the perfect circumstances to live faithfully.

Wherever you are, Christ is with you. And wherever Christ has placed you, you are called.

Reflect: What circumstance in my life makes it difficult to see that God can use me where I am? What is one simple way I can live faithfully for Christ in my circumstances today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that my calling does not depend upon perfect circumstances. Help me trust that you are present and at work wherever you have placed me. Give me eyes to see the opportunities around me and a willing heart to serve the people you have placed in my life. Use even the ordinary and difficult parts of my life to point others toward your grace. Amen.