Mid-Week Encouragement September 18th, 2024
I've been thinking this week about how many people I know who are out there trying to make a difference in the name of Jesus. Many are great people genuinely concerned with the wellbeing of others and making an effort to fulfill the Law of Love Christ has placed within us through His Holy Spirit.'
Sometimes, among those, there are ones who have other motives behind their feigned concern and service—a heart not for walking in the ways of Christ but for self. It can be difficult to know the difference when you meet them, but sometimes, it is clear. The challenge comes when we must decide to either listen to the spirit of discernment warning us, or feel the need to "trust" no matter what as a sign of faith. Not faith in the person deceiving others. Instead, we believe if we question or mistrust, it is somehow a slander against God Himself.
We read in scripture some of the signs to look for in others. Is there selfish ambition behind their motives? Are they doing things to "get" something out of it for themselves? Even glory and praise from others are vain and selfish. We see this with some television "evangelists" who make outlandish claims, preaching everything around the motivation of getting money while hiding behind scripture and God's supposed purpose.
Who is being served, if anyone? Are the efforts they claim truly for the benefit and interest of others?
Jesus emptied Himself, becoming a servant in the likeness of men. Humble and obedient unto death to serve others, never gaining an advantage or having selfish ambition.
If we truly serve the Lord and others, we don't "come out ahead." Rather, we give, we serve, and we are emptied for other's interests. That is 1 Corinthians 13: love, sacrificial action, not for reward, but duty to the Lord.
The sacrificial action of godly love lifts others up. It does not buy mansions, cars, and fatten bank accounts.
Philippians 2:3-8
"doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves, 4 not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
SERMON FROM LAST SUNDAY
Here is the audio if you prefer to listen.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
With Hebrew Scholar Chad Bird from 1517, a nonprofit organization that exists to declare and defend the Good News that you are forgiven and free on account of Christ alone.
PRAYER REQUESTS
For Pastor's right eye
House Flipping Mission (Herschelman's)
Our Country turns to God
Prayers for seasonal headaches
Praise Kurt's shoulder is better
Prayers for a friend who fell
THIS MONTH'S BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
None in September!
If you need anything added, such as an announcement, birthday or anniversary, or prayer request, send it by email to Contact@PS127.org.
SUPPORT
To give, please visit: https://www.ps127.org/tithes-offerings
To give through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/AARR79FG22QN8
Scan to Support
WATCH / LISTEN / READ
Or grab our App: https://www.PS127.org
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
HOFC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseofFaithChurch
Pastor Shields Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBAShields
GET PLUGGED INTO HOUSE OF FAITH MINISTRIES
Join HOFC Blog: https://www.ps127.org/members
Mid-Week Encouragement: https://www.ps127.org/blog/categories/mid-week-encouragement
Get our APP: Invite code: HOFCHURCH
BOOKS
Purchase books by Rev. Bruce A. Shields
Latest Book: Drowning in Milk (Amazon): https://a.co/d/d4ZvWFO
All books of faith by Pastor Shields (Amazon): https://amzn.to/3WlmT4T
Other books by B. A. Shields (Official Website): https://shorturl.at/bgoGN
The House of Faith Church is organized to establish and oversee places of worship, conduct the work of evangelism worldwide, create departments necessary to support missionary activities, and license ministers of the gospel as instructed in Matthew 28. The House of Faith Ministries is an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) & 170(b)(1)(A)(i)—tax ID:35-2206435.
To give a 501(c)(3) & 170(b)(1)(A)(i) non-profit religious charity donation, go to Give.
Comments