"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

 

When Jesus commissioned his disciples to tell people about him, he pulled out all the stops! Not only were they to witness in their own country where the religious leaders had just arranged Jesus' murder, but also in despised Samaria - and even into the great unknown. It was out of their comfort zone, but they did it. Will we?

"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43-44

 

Jesus' disciples were heavily influenced by their culture, just as we are. We think being served by others makes us a great and special person, but Jesus taught that the culture of his Kingdom is much different. It's time that we become great and special in God's eyes by serving others. 

"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and His Son, Jesus  Christ."  1John 1:3

 

We normally think of fellowship as a bond between people, but the New Testament repeatedly uses the word koinonia to also describe our relationship with God. The Apostle John makes clear that the closer we are to God, the closer we will also be to one another. Let us nurture our human fellowship by growing in our love for Christ!

We live in a world full of corruption, immorality, and all manner of evil.  But as children of God, it is important that we learn to live in the world without being of the world.  Jesus gives us strength to be holy while surrounded by unholiness.  In what area of life do you need to take a step away from the ways of the world?

 

"Dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence fro God." 2 Corinthians 7:1

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

2 Peter 3:18

These days in which we live are hard. The temptation is to tuck our heads in the sand and wait for better days.  But God call on His people to keep growing in the likeness of Christ - even in times of hardship! In what areas of your life do you need to take a step toward spiritual maturity? Make a commitment to start today. It's time to live like you believe!