We live in a world that has become extremely self-centered. People are preoccupied with themselves, what will benefit them, their wants, and desires. We must ask ourselves as believers have we fallen prey to that kind of thinking or are we concerned about others? Are we willing to lend a helping hand? Are we interested in the affairs and well-being of others? If we are truly yielded to Jesus Christ then we will serve others because that is how we enter into the fullness of the life that He has for us.
Philippians 2:3-4 “ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Life is full of choices and opportunities to help others. OTHERS should always be at the forefront of what we do. We need to think of OTHERS. This means that our eyes are turned away from ourselves and focused on the needs of others. We need to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus. He thought of others not himself. He had compassion. Our attitude and outlook determine our outcome. If our attitude or outlook is selfish then our actions will follow suit.
A great example of living a life in this manner is Nehemiah. Nehemiah never read Philippians, but he indeed practiced it. During his term as governor, he used his privileges for helping the people; he did not use the people to build a kingdom for himself. In that day, most officials exercised their authority in order to promote themselves and protect their personal interests. They had very little concern for the needs of the people. How do we use what the Lord God has given us, our talents, treasure etc.?
We often think we have nothing to give but all have something to give we have ourselves. We should be eager to help, always looking for ways to help and a place to help. The Gospel is not selfish but it is to touch other people’s lives for their good and benefit.
Thinking of others involves our prayers also. Do we only pray for ourselves and our needs or are we lifting others up in prayer? If we would think of others and not ourselves we could solve a lot of problems, marriage problems, family disputes, and problems in the church and on the job. Thinking of others involves our treatment of others. Do we treat others as important? We should love our neighbor as ourselves.
Copyright @September 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
Philippians 1:6 (AMP) "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." At salvation, a good work begins in us. The work continues in us daily by the Holy Spirit. We need to realize what the Lord God starts, He always finishes. The Lord God desires to transform our lives, and it is a continual work. Even when we feel discouraged and we are not making progress in our walk with the Lord. We must remember that the Lord God never gives up on us. He promises us that He will finish the good work in us.
When we feel distressed by our shortcomings, we need to remember and be confident in the Lord God's promise, provision, and power. We cannot let our present condition rob us of the joy of knowing Christ, keep us from growing closer to Him, or to be more like Him. Romans tells us the Lord God's goal for believers is that they are to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that [Jesus] might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Copyright @September 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
What causes issues in our lives? Is it truly the situations, circumstances, or could be a lack of knowledge of God's Word? When there is a lack, it means something is still needed. We have some knowledge but not enough. We know God's Word, some but not enough. Hosea states my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Also, what causes us issues is a lack of perception. We think in our understanding, not according to God's wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Our human insight is never enough.
Another thing that causes us issues is lack of appropriation. We might have knowledge of the Word of God, but it does not abide in our hearts. We do not live the Word. James 1:22 (NKJV) "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Hearing the Word is only the beginning. We deceive ourselves into thinking hearing is enough. It is only by appropriating God's Word that we will be to withstand the storms of life.
Also, many people lack the desire to change. They are not yielded to the Lord God, so His Holy Spirit can change us. We are to be transformed into the image of Christ by the Holy Spirit, as we spend time in His presence.
Another lack that causes issues in our life is a lack of humility. We are not submitted to the Lord, but think we can do it ourselves. James tells us we need to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord. When we humble ourselves, we acknowledge that we need the Lord God's help. We need Him in every aspect of our lives.
Copyright @August 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
In the Book of Esther, Mordecai tells Queen Esther, Esther 4:14 (AMP), “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?” The Lord God had placed Esther in a place of influence for that time. Esther stepped forward and became that influence that saved her people. The Lord has each of us living at this time, so that we can be an influence. We often need to be reminded that the Lord has a plan for us and that each of us is valuable, and we have a purpose. He did not call us to sit on the sidelines. We need to serve the Lord God, where we are. He has called us to be an influence. First and foremost, we need as believers to pray.
Yes, we live in an uncertain time, but how are we making an impact, bringing encouragement, inspiring others, or making a change. We need to be a light in these times. Spurgeon wrote, “ I believe that in dark times God is making lamps with which to remove the gloom.” We need to bring hope to those who are floundering. We need to be peace amid fear.
Ponder this:
My Life shall touch a dozen lives
Before this day is done,
Leave countless marks of good or ill,
E’er sets the evening sun.
This, the wish I always wish,
The prayer I always pray;
Lord, may my life help other lives,
It touches by the way. —Author Unknown
Copyright @August 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
We sing this song in Church, “Hear these praises from a grateful heart. Each time I think of You the praises start. Love You so much, Jesus. Love You so much. Lord, I love You, my soul sings. In Your presence, carried on Your wings. Love You so much, Jesus. Love You so much.”
The question arises how often do we think about the Lord God during the course of our day. How often do we praise Him during the day? Are we so busy with our daily routine and obligations that the Lord rarely enters our thinking? Is our heart grateful or full of complaints about life? Are we continually entertaining and conversing about things that we are upset about, disagree with, or complaining about others, etc. In our daily life, are we considering the Word of God and how we should apply it to the things we are encountering? Are we instantly praying about these things? Are we trusting the Lord by putting things into His hands, or are we trying to solve things in our own understanding?
We have been called to a life of praise. Psalms 34:1 (NKJV) “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
An elderly gentleman at a midweek meeting offered this prayer: “O Lord, we will praise Thee; we will praise Thee with an instrument of ten strings!” People wondered what he meant, but understood when he continued, “We will praise Thee with our two eyes by looking only unto Thee. We will exalt Thee with our two ears by listening only to Thy voice. We will extol Thee with our two hands by working in Thy service. We will honor Thee with our own two feet by walking in the way of Thy statutes. We will magnify Thee with our tongue by bearing testimony to Thy loving kindness. We will worship Thee with our heart by loving only Thee. We thank Thee for this instrument, Lord; keep it in tune. Play upon it as Thou wilt and ring out the melodies of Thy grace! May its harmonies always express Thy glory!”
Psalm 40:3 (NKJV) “He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.”
Copyright @August 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
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