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“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

1 Corinthians 14:40

God is not the Author of confusion but of peace and unity. He takes those who are poles apart on earth and brings them together in Christ, to belong to the same family, to sit at the same communion table, to pass through the same waters of baptism, and to worship and serve side by side. It is unimaginable that we should be able to do these things effectively and with unity and peace except that God leads us.

His leading us is first within our hearts. He changes our priorities, our feelings, our values, our perspectives, and our temperaments. He softens that which is hard and creates compassion in hearts that were previously cold. We find ourselves moved by the needs of others and not just consumed by our own interests. We begin to have a vision of what He can do through our lives and get excited about the possibility of making a difference. The first need for a people that will become generous and giving to others will be a spirit of compassion and knowledge of the will of God.

His leading is also experienced in the practical working out of problems. This is possible because of a new respect and appreciation for one another He plants within our hearts. The Spirit enables us to resolve things, to see solutions where before we saw none, to find peace with one another where there was conflict previously. He keeps us on track in terms of vision and priorities when we follow Him.

From time to time people ask me what is my vision for the church. Let me be clear that as pastor of the church I have no right to assert my own vision for the church for this church does not belong to me. The only right I have, and really this is an obligation, is to pray to receive and perceive and share the vision that God has for our church. The members also do not have the right to choose their vision over Christ’s vision. Church is to be all about knowing and doing the will of God. And in so doing we find unity, vision, peace, divine enabling, love, excitement, anticipation, and joy.

Prayer.

Lord, we lift up those individuals in our churches and in Christian ministries that deal with the finances. Often they see the worst in people and face daunting and seeming insurmountable challenges in the realm of finances for ministry. We pray for wisdom and peace and patience and a vision of Your will. Meet the financial needs of ministry that Your work may continue. Amen.

Evening Devotionals finances, treasurer, unity, vision

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me. Don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Mark 10:14

The world children live in today has become increasingly different from previous generations. When I was a child I remember a group of us boys got in serious trouble with the principal of our elementary school. Do you know what our offense was? Running in the hall!

How different it is today. Roughly half of the children come from divorced homes. Drugs, violence, and internet pornography find their way all too easily into a child’s world today. Our children also face the same amount of distractions that teenagers face that challenges their capacity to focus on one thing at a time. There has never been a generation of children that needs to know about the love of Jesus more than this generation.

The future belongs to the children, and this is one of the reasons Christ emphasized the importance of ministering to them. If you want to be influential in the world, touch children for God. They need not go through the misery of live spent running from God. They can receive Christ early in life and give the remaining years of their lives over to service to Christ. They need to be protected from harm and abuse by others. They need to know right from wrong and be inspired by the love of God for them. They need also to know that God redeems and when they err God is still there to forgive and cleanse them from their sin.

We are reminded that Christ also taught about the childlike simplicity required to receive the gospel. Jesus said, “I assure you: whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15). We are all called to follow Christ in simple faith in His word and childlike obedience to His command.

Prayer:

Lord, we thank you for the privilege of ministering to children. We pray for a glimpse of Your vision for their lives. Let us do what we can to protect, to teach, to love, to direct, and to encourage, under Your loving hand. Amen.

Evening Devotionals children