For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay. Acts 13:36
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now …. Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Philippines 1:3-5, 27
You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8
Today's thoughts from today's verses:
Each generation of believers has the opportunity to impact their world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we look back, we can see both good and not so good examples from generation to generation. God has His purposes in each generation, and we must serve those purposes. There are always conditions and needs present in our world and as we impact people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must remember that we do so in the context of those conditions and needs. We need to embrace people, right where they are in the middle of what they are going through, with love, compassion, and help. When this is done in a genuine way the message of the gospel can be shared with greater receptivity and thus there exists the very necessary and wonderful blend of both the words and deeds of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
May it be that when future generations of believers look back to us, they will see that as “God’s Agents” we truly served his unique purposes for us in our time. Every generation has the privilege and responsibility to reach people for Christ and to impact society. In week one of this series, we said that the work Jesus does in us and the work he does through us goes beyond transforming the hearts and lives of people to transforming the very fabric of society itself. Each generation of Christians must address the needs and conditions of the world of their day and so contribute to making the world into the amazing place it was meant to be. The work of making the world into the amazing place it was meant to be will happen in part over the course of time (generation after generation) as God accomplishes the work of making people into the amazing people they were meant to be. But making the world into the place it was meant to be will always and only be an “approximation of the consummation” (quoted from David Bryant, author of “Concerts of Prayer). When the fullness of God's mission of redeeming people and filling them with his glory is complete (consummation), he will then fully fulfill in his final earthly kingdom all the amazing purposes he has for mankind on planet earth and the world will be totally filled with his glory. Thus, “the Kingdom Plan of God” will be completed.
Today's prayer response from today's thoughts:
Lord, help me embrace people, right where they are in the middle of what they are going through, with love, compassion, and help. I confess I get so caught up in myself that I routinely choose to bypass people who are impacted by conditions that make me uncomfortable and have needs that I’d rather not be involved with. Change me, Lord. Show me how to give myself to others so that my words and deeds serve the Gospel and accomplish the unique purposes of your kingdom plan for today. Amen!
