Ian's Messy Desk
One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. -A.A. Milne
Monday, September 30, 2002Cliche of the Day
Cliché: Knock on wood
Explanation: 1. Thankful that something did not or will not happen.
Origin:
Country: United States [Cliche of the Day]
2:29:07 PM # Speak Up []
By T. M. Moore and Charles Colson
Lord, turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and give me life in Your ways. Ps. 119:37
As new creatures in Christ Jesus, we must not use the gifts He gives us in self-serving ways. Instead, they should be exercised for the purpose of building others up in the faith, and strengthening the Body of Christ as a whole. Paul calls all who are zealous for spiritual gifts to "seek to abound for the edification of the church" (v. 12). Whatever our spiritual gifts may be, or however many such gifts we might desire, they must all be used toward the twin ends of making disciples and building the Church. Any other uses—for self-fulfillment or self-advancement, for example—are a misuse of God’s gifts and unbecoming those who are new creatures in Christ. We cannot expect God to bless us if we insist on serving ourselves with His precious treasures. This way lies spiritual arrogance, church strife, and church splits. What gifts has God given you? How are you using them? Who will benefit today from your ministry of grace and truth to them? As new creatures in Christ Jesus we must earnestly desire spiritual gifts (v. 1), but only so that we may be able to have means to strengthen others in the Lord.
T. M. Moore is a fellow of the Wilberforce Forum, editor of Scripture Union’s daily Bible reading guides, and pastor of teaching ministries at Cedar Springs Church in Knoxville, Tenn.
A Thought from Chuck Colson:
For the Christian, there must be no dichotomy between the sacred and the secular because nothing lies outside of God’s created order. Our task is to reclaim that entire created order for His dominion
9:49:52 AM # Speak Up [] - See Also: Devotional * gifts
"Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." [Motivational Quotes of the Day]
8:01:26 AM # Speak Up [] - See Also: QOTD * Quotations
concatenation: Dictionary.com Word of the Day. concatenation [Dictionary.com Word of the Day]
7:59:39 AM # Speak Up [] - See Also: word * WOTD
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