If you’ve been following along with the weekly blogs, you know that last week my wife, Tammy, wrote a blog titled, Misalignment. Knowing her intimately means that I have a front-row seat to seeing what the Holy Spirit is doing in and through her. It’s truly beautiful because it is a living manifestation of God’s promises. And she’s not the only one in the congregation who’s being used by God the Holy Spirit to sow amazing fruit in others.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
– 1 Peter 4:10-11
Every one of us has received a gift from God, empowered by His Spirit, to build up the Body of Christ. This means that every last one of us must reject our own self-doubt and the lies from the kingdom of darkness telling us we’re not capable of having impact, that we’re not “good enough” to be used by the Holy Spirit to God’s glory.
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
– Isaiah 58:10
When you answer the call, as Tammy did last week, wonderful things happen. She has received so many encouraging responses from every walk of life, both men and women, young and old! A significant number of responses came from outside the church, even from as far away as Kenya! It just goes to show that God can and will use any of us to accomplish His good work in His children.
Never underestimate your impact in this world! Others need your love.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Galatians 5:13-14
You, yes you, my friend, have a tremendous opportunity to serve others to God’s glory. Don’t be afraid, “For there is no fear in love,” (1 John 4:18a). Abide in God’s love and watch as your love for others flows freely out of you. Could there be anything better than that? I don’t believe so.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
– John 15:7-13
My friend, use Tammy’s example for inspiration. Though she didn’t even want to write the blog in the first place, in retrospect, she sees what walking by the Spirit can accomplish through her and for others, to God’s glory! All it takes is humility to serve.
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you.
But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
– Mark 10:42-45
When we serve others out of love we are like beacons on a hill, saying, “Come and see the glory of the Lord!” Our lives often speak louder than even our words!
Love is an action word. This is how others know you are Christ’s own.
“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
“A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.“
– Matthew 5:14-16
Please be encouraged, knowing that God the Holy Spirit is using you. And here’s the icing on the cake – when you step aside, allowing Him to use you for His purposes, you are blessed!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
– Galatians 5:22-25
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins