Works God Requires

Posted on June 7, 2013 by KD Manes under Service

School is out and for the summer. My kids are electrified.

Wish I felt the same. Actually, I am excited to go biking and camping with Eric and the kids, and visit relatives. With baseball season extending through June, then swim lessons and basketball camp, summer will come and go all too soon. I began planning my next posts, afraid my writing will become jumbled with my kids being home. (My desk is the kitchen table. Sigh.) So please be patient if I become more scattered—makes for a good excuse anyway! 🙂

Since I haven’t written much about “Service,” I thought I would explore there. And I am, but not sharing what I envisioned in terms of hands-on ministry ideas and examples, at least not yet. The Lord keeps reminding me of the following passage:

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.” – John 6:28-29

In this passage, pisteuō is the Greek word for believe. It means not just to credit as real: “Even the demons believe (in one God)—and shudder,” James 2:19. But this term also means to trust; be persuaded of; place confidence in. It implies reliance upon.

God’s satisfaction with us is based on our trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, not on the works we do.

Yes, “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26), but our service, obedience, and following God are not substitutions for salvation or earning God’s favor. Rather, our service to God verifies our faith in Christ.

My next few posts will center on God’s saving faith through Jesus, the eternal God.

I have been blessed and challenged in sharing God’s truths here, as well as encouraged by reading several others’ posts. THANK YOU to everyone who has encouraged me in this pursuit. The Lord laid this blogging thing on my heart when my husband was sick in the hospital last winter. After some prayer, He made it clear what I should write—which I’m thankful. (Trust me, you don’t want to read about my daily tasks or what we ate for dinner.) 🙂 Anyway, I enjoy digging into God’s Word. I love how the Holy Spirit speaks personally to the sincere seeker.

Is there a topic you are interested in? What are your summer plans? Anyone planning a vacation? Camping? New job? New hobby? Old hobby? Any prayer requests? I would love to hear from you!

Even The Demons Believe (thehallowedpath.wordpress.com)
Meaning of Life? (joequatronejr.wordpress.com)
Popular Bible Verses About Surrendering to God (christianity.answers.com)
The Answers as We Step Ahead (mdshields.wordpress.com)
Faith, or Works, or Faith and Works? (rethinkingtheology.com)

Wandering

Posted on May 24, 2013 by KD Manes under Service

Last weekend, Eric (my husband), took me for my second ride on my dual sport motorcycle. (My first experience riding is posted under Driving Knowledge.) This time I drove down a gravel road.

My boys are better riders than I am. . . . But I’m getting off track.

And that was my riding problem. I found my bike dancing on parts of the gravel, unsure of which track to take at times. Eric calls it wandering. (Don’t worry, Mom, I didn’t crash. I just felt like I might.)

I learned the following tips when caught wandering:

Don’t fight the bike as it moves. Speeding up helps. (I kept slowing down, which made it worse.)

Pick your riding line, (more compacted car tracks), in the distance and follow it. (I wanted to look down.)

Keep your arms relaxed, but firm. Don’t over-correct steering. (Pliers might release my grip from the handlebars!)

Transfer weight to the foot pegs, like you’re going to stand up. (My position? Hunched forward; tight.)

Lastly, don’t over-think it. (What does that mean?!)

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen? I know . . . but don’t worry, I won’t be riding near you—at least not on purpose.

If the following spiritual analogy wanders a bit from my motorcycle 101 lesson, I’ll be on track with my theme, right?

Peter’s Wandering

After Jesus fed the 5,000 plus people on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, He sent His disciples ahead of Him by boat across the lake so He could spend some time alone in prayer (Matthew 14:22-32). Several hours later, the disciples found themselves caught in a storm and tossed about by large waves.

It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. – Matthew 14:26, NIV

Jesus said: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” – vs. 27

You know the rest of the story. Peter said:

“Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

I imagine Peter experienced a fair amount of wandering as he got out of the boat and walked toward Jesus on the water.

But to his credit, he got out of the boat.

Look to Jesus

When Peter’s vision transferred from Jesus to the surrounding high waves, he panicked and began to sink.

But to his credit, he reached out to Christ, the only One who could help.

Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’” -vs.31

When we become serious about following Christ and join Him in His kingdom work, we will eventually run into some rough places. Although the disciples lost sight of Jesus, He did not lose sight of them. Recognizing Jesus’ presence is the cure to fear.

When we find ourselves wandering, let’s look to Jesus–not our inadequacies–or we may also despair and sink.

Bread, Anyone?

Posted on May 17, 2013 by KD Manes under Service

When God calls His children to follow and serve, He often tests and stretches our faith.

(This post article is also posted in the Gospel Blog by FEBC at http://bit.ly/123dYn7.)

Evaristo Baschenis – Boy with a Basket of Bread – WGA1404 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee, a great crowd followed Him because of His miraculous signs.

“Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with His disciples. . . .When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do.” – John 6:3, 5-6 (NIV)

Knowing there was no human solution, Jesus highlighted the miraculous act He was about to perform.

Philip answered Him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” – vs.7

Enter Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother:

Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” – vs. 9

Can’t you see, Jesus? We don’t have enough!

Wait. . . . . Rewind. Didn’t the disciples just witness Jesus’ miracles, healing sick people? (John 6:1-2)

Incredible!

And yet, how many times does my faith waver, as I take stock of my own limited resources when facing seemingly impossible circumstances?

Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ . . . . The men sat down, about 5,000 of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” – vs. 10-11

After they were stuffed, Jesus told his disciples to gather the left overs—twelve full baskets!

Jesus wanted to teach Philip that financial resources are not the most important ones. The disciples most likely had more resources than the boy, but their reasoning probably kept them from giving. In contrast, God used what little the boy gave, and turned it into something spectacular.

I love that God not only abundantly gives, but also uses what we offer Him—resources, time, ability—and multiplies its effectiveness beyond our wildest dreams. Age is also no barrier to Christ.

Is there some impossible task you believe God wants you to do? Don’t let your analysis keep you from taking it. If you take the first step in making yourself available to God, He will not only meet you, but also greatly use you to further His kingdom.

Where God guides, He provides.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

God’s Masterpiece

Posted on April 5, 2013 by KD Manes under Service

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

While our efforts can’t earn salvation, our gratitude for Christ’s free gift should result in acts of service. We are not saved just for our own benefit, but to serve Christ and build up His church.

You are special! In Christ, you are God’s work of art, His poem. And God had you in mind for a specific job(s) when He created you.

God has blessed you with abilities and, (if you are His child), spiritual gifts. No one will ever possess your unique set of talents, ideas, abilities, feelings, and exact physical traits.

God’s plans for you are as unique and special as you are. God knows you inside and out (Psalm 139). He will not only use your strengths, but also use your surrendered weaknesses for His glory (2 Corinthians 12:10).

From Jacob’s 12 sons to the 12 disciples, it’s clear: God specializes in using ordinary people in extraordinary ways. And in God’s economy, the seemingly insignificant tasks―when done with the right attitude―honor Him (1 Corinthians 12:22-25).

The Christian life is full of paradoxes. In a society where self is glorified and competition reigns, the idea of serving God and others fly contrary to our selfish desires and comfort zones. But when we place Christ first and follow His lead, we position ourselves to experience His abundant life; the greatest fulfillment. If that isn’t enough, God also uses our obedient faith steps and rewards our efforts, even though He knows we’ll mess up at times (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Reading the Bible, prayer, trust in Christ, and listening to godly counsel are the keys to knowing God’s directives.

What are some of the good works God has prepared for you?

Training or Trying?

Posted on March 8, 2013 by KD Manes under Sanctification

Congratulations to the WA 1B State Champs―again! Their win marks five consecutive state championships. Although they possess much athletic talent, anyone who observes this team knows their success is crowned through their commitment to train.

DISCIPLINE … TIME … SACRIFICE.

A discipline is something you do even when you don’t feel like it. These girls played 80-plus games each summer. Their time spent practicing has resulted in smooth, automatic teamwork during pressured game situations. They are a lot of fun to watch.

I don’t know of an easy road to success. Consistent, hard work of correct training builds a strong framework in any arena, including spiritual growth. The apostle Paul admonishes us to train ourselves to be godly.

Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” – 1Timothy 4:7-8

How do we grow spiritually and pursue God’s holiness? Although God is never limited, He uses the following three things:

Circumstances – We will have trials. But …

In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him … to be conformed to the image of His Son.” – Romans 8:28-29

Relationships – (Hebrews 10:24-25)

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

Spiritual Disciplines – Our growth isn’t automatic (Philippians 2:12). Our growth is:

intentional and incremental
personal and seasonal
relational and practical

What are the training habits of spiritual growth?

PRAYER – Mark 1:35

SCRIPTURE – Matthew 4:4

INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS – Mark 3:14

FAITH – Matthew 9:29

God calls us to surrender to Him in order that we might become the person He desires. I love that, although we are told to “take up our cross and follow Christ” (Mark 8:34), His yoke is easy and His burden light (Matthew 11:30). And the blessings of being in Christ far outweigh being “out of Christ.”

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5

Meek simply means to be under God’s control.

The following video shows a horse trainer taming a wild mustang, a great illustration of God’s gentleness and patience as He works with us and within us.