John 13:34… “Love one another deeply. Just as I have loved you, you

should love one another. Your love for one another will prove to the

world that you are my disciples.”

Serving through love:  When I think of a servant, my mind immediately

runs to my Lord Jesus. He  chose to serve me by offering me the gift

of salvation, of unconditional love and forgiveness and countless

other treasures for my soul. To think that Christ would endure all

that He did simply because he loves me and wants to bless me with true

life, not just existence, simply amazes me. Because He encompasses

perfect, pure love, and because he chooses to make his home in me, I

too, am offered the opportunity to serve others by loving them as

Christ loves me. How often do I serve my Lord that way? How often have

I denied his power in me to serve and bless others. Sadly, I often

choose selfishness over the service of love.  I need only remember his

last prayer (John 17), his last breath (Luke 23:34) to bring my heart

to a place where the only option is to live my life in thanks to my

Lord and to make him known. I want His love to compel me to live a

life of service to my King, that He alone would be glorified.

Carolyn

Good Morning!

This morning I want to share a thought with you from the Treasury of Bible Illustrations . . .

Jesus was the greatest servant who ever lived. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Christ came to serve and to give, and God desires the same for us. “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Matt. 20:27, 28).
The finest model of serving, except Christ Himself, was the Apostle Paul. Almost without exception he begins every one of his epistles with words to this effect: “Paul, a servant. . . .” or “Paul, a bond slave. . . .” He was indeed an apostle, but he conducted himself as a servant.
Very few of us want to be known exclusively as a servant. We want to be known as a servant and a great preacher, or a famous missionary, or an outstanding elder, or a well-known business man. What we fail to realize is that true servanthood does not have hidden aspirations to be great in the eyes of men.
When we think of our relationship to Christ, can it be said of us that we want only to serve Him?
Although his religious philosophy was questionable, Albert Schweitzer was a man willing to abandon a great career in order to serve his fellow man. In 1913, he sailed for Africa, having turned his back on fame, money and prestige. His first hospital was an old abandoned hen house and his first operating table an old campboard.
On a trip to the United States, a reporter asked, “Dr. Schweitzer, have you found happiness in Africa?”
 
“I have found a place of service,” he replied, “And that is enough for anyone.”
This does not represent the feelings of many of us who are members of the church. It is not sufficient to simply have a place of service. Many of us want a place of recognition and a road to fame.
All of us need to do some serious thinking and praying about this matter of being a servant.
We need to make this prayer ours: “O God, help me to be the master of myself, that I may be a servant of others.”

Just a thought . . .

Jeremy 

Colossians 1:13-22 

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16, 17, NASB.

Why has God called us to service? Does He need our service? Or, is service an integral part of God’s character transferred to us in creation? After all, He made us in His image, did He not? (Genesis 1:27)

As you meditate on these creative and redemptive acts of God think of these things as the greatest acts of service specifically for you! God created a place containing and sustaining the necessities of life: air, food, water, love: within a hostile universe where life would not be possible otherwise. This is all for you. He has no need for such things. God serves because it is the nature of His being. Our service is simply a reflection of God’s character in this world.

Not only does God create and sustain life but also as you can see from today’s scriptures, He reconciled us to Himself. Not because we are cute and adorable, in fact, in our sins, the only time we need reconciliation, we are quite the opposite. This is purely His act of service on our behalf. We have nothing to do with it. Our only duty is to receive it and reflect it. 

Ed Herford

Good Morning!

Today’s Reading:  2 Timothy 2:20-21

“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”  2 Timothy 2:20-21

The verses from 2 Timothy tell us that even a common bucket or clay pot become useful when purged and made holy.

Joni Eareckson Tada once told a story about one of her art coaches. During one of their art sessions her coach Jim brought in some of his own brushes. She was startled by their condition. The paint on the handles was worn and chipped. The brushes themselves were discolored and bristly, having obviously seen incredible wear and tear. In fact Joni expressed that if she hadn’t known better she would have thought them to be useless…not fit for painting anything of real beauty or value. But then she had the chance to watch Jim at work with those very brushes.

Suddenly, in his hands, the brushes became not only useful but priceless. As she watched him swirl and sweep the paint on the canvas she marveled at how each brush had its own purpose, one brush for a certain kind of line, another for a special stroke.

The artist knew how to use each one of his brushes. He knew what each could do in his hands. Even the ugliest brush- stiff and with ragged bristles – was reserved for a special duty as Jim continued to paint. He knew his tools well.

Someone once said that a tool unto itself is of little importance.  But placed in the proper hands it can create a masterpiece.

In a similar way, perhaps, you may find yourself thinking you are unfit for service in the kingdom of God. Your potential, you tell yourself, is small ; maybe you feel it is non-existent.  You feel you’ve gone through too much, wandered too far, or seen to much wear and tear for God to use you.

Ah, but that is the problem if you focus on the tool. No tool, in and of itself, has any great use. But placed in the proper hands it can create a masterpiece.

Will you be encouraged with the knowledge that God has created and reserved you for a special task in His great Masterpiece?

In His hands you are not only useful…but priceless!

A tool in the Master’s hand,

Donnis Pallaoro

Good Morning!

Today’s Reading: Mark 7-8, 1 Corinthians 3-4

A devotional thought from Mike:

There is so much that God wants to teach us from His Word. Two things will hinder that from happening. The first is spoken of in our reading in Mark 8—the leaven of unbelief.  

(A small amount of yeast can affect a large amount of bread dough when they are mixed. Yeast was a common Jewish metaphor for an invisible, pervasive influence. It often, as here, connoted a corrupting influence. In this context the yeast referred to a gradual increase of unbelief. This lay behind the Pharisees’ request for a sign even though their minds were already made up (cf. 8:11-12; 3:6). So it was with Herod (cf. 6:14-16; Luke 13:31-33; 23:8-9). As indicated by Jesus’ question (Mark 8:12), this attitude had affected the whole nation of Israel, and He warned His disciples against it. In contrast, He called them to faith and understanding without signs (cf. vv. 17-21).
— Bible Knowledge Commentary)

The second hindrance to our growing more spiritually mature is “carnality” or “fleshly” living.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (NKJV)
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

As you read today, ask the Lord to show you any leaven (unbelief) or fleshly behaviors or attitudes. Then ask Him to grant you repentance so that His Word will produce much fruit and bring reward and growth to your life. 

Good Morning!

Greetings in the name of the Lord!  I pray that today finds you more in love with Jesus than you ever have been before.  Refresh your spirit today as you wash it with the Word of God.  Truly soak in His presence this morning as you read!

Today’s Reading: Mark 5-6, 1 Corinthians 1-2

Devotional thought:
Mark 5:25-ff 25 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. 26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. 28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.  

How desperate are you to encounter Jesus?  This woman was willing to do whatever it took to get to Jesus.  She new that just touching him would mean the healing of her body and the satisfaction of her soul.  Oh that we would be like this woman, desperate to have an encounter with Jesus.  That we would have the faith to believe that just one true encounter would change our lives.  Are you desiring Jesus today?  Do you want nothing except to “touch the hem of His garment”.  Press in to the Lord this morning!  Desire Him above all else!  Jesus will not deny those who earnestly seek after him! 

Good Morning!

Reminder:  If you have just joined the NTC but would like to see all of the daily emails that have been sent you can follow this link: http://www.agapeoutpost.org/?page_id=7 and it will take you to the Agape blog where you will find every day’s email!  Make sure you check the website for the testimony help that Mike mentioned on Sunday.  You’ll find it on the NTC page.  Blessings to each of you as you continue the challenge!

Today’s Reading: Read Mark 3-4, Romans 16

A Devotional Thought from Mike:

If you joined us at the beginning of the Challenge, by now you have read the New Testament every day for just over two weeks. I commend you! I pray that God’s Word is beginning to bear fruit in your life. But notice a second step required for the Word to bear fruit in your heart:
Mark 4:20 (NKJV)
20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
What does it mean to accept God’s Word? Let’s see what the Word tells us. In the parable here in Mark, the constant is the seed, the Word of God. It is always “good seed.” But it only bears fruit in one kind of soil–”good soil.” How is “good soil,” or a “good heart” defined by the parable? 1. Broken up (plowed, not hard) 2. Cleared of rocks  3. Cleared of “thorns” (cares of the world). So, to “accept” the Word, we need to be sure our “soil” (heart) is “good.” It becomes good when we allow God to plow it up through repentance (initial obedience to the voice of God). It becomes good as we ask God to take out, or break up the “rocks.” It becomes good as we ask God to remove our thorny cares.
How is your soil this morning? Are you bearing fruit?
Here is another question: why did Jesus speak in parables (earthly stories with a heavenly truth buried inside) instead of speaking plainly?

Mark 4:33-34 (NKJV)
33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.
34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

So the answer is He only reveals spiritual truth to His disciples (when they get “alone” with Him). You will only truly understand the Word if you make the commitment to be Jesus’ disciple and by the ministry of the indwelling Spirit:

1 Corinthians 2:13-14 (NKJV)
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

This morning I challenge you to move beyond just “believing in Jesus” to “following Jesus” as an obedient disciple. It is then that you will understand and accept His Word bear much fruit!

Thoughts on Romans.
You have “flown” through Romans in six short days—kind of like a quick tour. The book of Romans is a short course on the great doctrines of our faith: the cause of depravity; justification by faith; faith and works; the person and work of the Holy Spirit; old and new nature; election and free will, etc.., After the Challenge is over I would encourage you to go back to Romans for a more in-depth look to go beyond “reading” to “studying God’s Word.

Note: Paul wrote, better yet, “dictated” Romans to his scribe, Tertius.

16:22. “Tertius” was a Roman name (often used for a third child), sometimes used by Jews. Most of the ancient world was too illiterate to write letters, certainly letters as sophisticated as this one; they depended instead on scribes. Those who were highly literate were also wealthy enough that they could dictate letters to scribes as well, sometimes their own secretaries, who were usually literate slaves. Paul’s host may have lent him his scribe, or Tertius may have been a professional scribe; in any case, Tertius seems to be a believer, because scribes did not normally add their own greetings. That Paul followed the common practice of signing dictated letters (1 Cor. 16:21; Galatians 6:11; Col. 4:18; 2 Thes. 3:17) indicates that he used scribes regularly.
— Bible Background Commentary
Mike 

Good Morning!

Blessings!  I pray that this beautiful morning finds you well!  Day fifteen is here and we are very nearly 1/4 of the way through the challenge!  If you’ve gotten behind, that’s ok, take some time today to get caught up and back on track.  God wants to use this challenge to change us so our commitment is very important.  Keep it up.  Now is about the time when Satan starts attacking, lying and causing you to despair.  Don’t listen to him.  Renew your mind with the washing of the word and press on toward the goal!

Today’s Reading: Mark 1-2, Romans 13-15

Devotional Thought:  We begin reading Mark today.  Mark was written by John Mark, the young man who traveled with Paul for part of his first missionary journey.  Probably the words of Peter, the book of Mark is the Gospel of action.  Notice as you read how Mark uses the word immediately.  No soaring prose in this book, just action.  I hope that you get a fresh picture of our Savior as you read this book.  Blessings.

Good Evening!

Sorry that this email didn’t make it to you until now.  We had quite a morning at Agape!  I hope that you were able to join us but if you weren’t, please take some time to listen to the message.  It will be loaded on the website tomorrow.  Mike spoke on the Challenge of Generosity and we had a wonderful day of ministry and hearing from the Lord.  Blessings to each of you today and we’ll talk to you first thing tomorrow!

Today’s Reading: Matthew 27-28, Romans 10-12

A Devotional Thought from Mike:

Matthew 27:39-44 (NKJV)
39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads
40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,
42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.
43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Jesus had a choice to make. He could have saved Himself, and then rightly condemned the mocking crowd (and the rest of the world). But that is not why He had come. He came to save the sinful, mocking, undeserving world (you and me), not Himself. “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, despising its shame.”

You have a choice to make each morning. You can save yourself (live for your self) and avoid the cross. Or you can “reckon your self dead,” “crucified with Christ,” and save others by your testimony (words and actions) that Jesus is Lord. What’s it going to be today, live for Me? Or, live for THEE?

Mike

Good Morning!

I hope that you have some time today to rest.  Rest is so very important in our lives.  Jesus took time to get away and rest and spend time with His Father.  I pray that you will do the same today.  

Today’s Reading: Matthew 25-26, Romans 7-9

Devotional Thought:
Much of our reading this morning and yesterday concerned the end times.  In Matthew, Jesus tells several parables as to what the kingdom will be like in the end times.  He also explains the final judgment.  Often, this talk of end times, whether in Matthew, Daniel, Revelation or any of the other books where this talk is found, tends to make us uneasy.  There is so much talk of destruction, famine, war, death . . . that it sometimes makes us uncomfortable.  But look with me at the book of Romans this morning.  Notice what our reaction should be to the imminent return of Christ.  

Romans 8:19-ff: 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,​*​ including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope​*​ for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

When we are in Christ, the end times should not cause fear in us but an eager expectation.  Just as all creation groans as in childbirth as it awaits the day when it will join US in “glorious freedom from death and decay”, we should be living expectantly, longing for that day as well.  Paul tells us that our salvation is what gives us hope that this day is coming.  As we are conformed into the image of Christ we will long more and more to be released of this sinful, dying body.  We will long to be united with Christ in Glory.  Friends, don’t let the coming of Christ make you uneasy!  Rejoice! For when that day comes, we will be freed from death and decay and we will finally be perfectly united with Christ!  Look forward expectantly!