Good day everyone. Today I am going down a road that will open some eyes and hearts. The road may be a revelation to some and a source of irritation to others, or it may not have an effect on some at all. Wherever you find yourself on this road, let God lead. I have shared this message in past years and I feel it should be repeated today. It has to do with Kingdom work and discipleship.

Today’s Prayer

Father, worship can be holy, sacred, uplifting, and filled with “Praise the Lord” and hosannas. Salvation can be free – accepting Your grace, then repenting and turning Your way. But discipleship is costly, isn’t it?You called us, not just for our own salvation, but to be cross-bearers,” to share someone elses burden, to love the unlovable, and to lead others to You!Oh Lord, for this we were chosen, so fill us with Your Holy Spirit and equip us for this task that we can’t accomplish on our own. In JESUS’ name we pray. Amen.

Let’s eat.

The Spirit of Competition

I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. – John 17:23

I was reading and praying on a situation in my life and asking God for guidance a few days ago and after presenting the facts of the situation I closed the prayer and went about my day. Two days later I was reading and came across a story told about F.B. Meyer, the great Bible teacher and pastor who lived a century ago. He was pastoring a church and began to notice that attendance was suffering. This continued until he finally asked some members of his congregation one Sunday morning why they thought attendance was down. This kind of mirrored my prayer of a few days previous.
A member of his flock volunteered, “It is because of this new church down the road. The young preacher has everyone talking and many are going to hear him speak.” His name was Charles Spurgeon. Meyer, rather than seeking to discourage this, exhorted the entire congregation to join him and go participate in seeing this “MOVE OF GOD” as he described it to his congregation. “If this be happening, then God must be at work.” Meyer, even though he was an accomplished preacher and teacher, recognized where God was at work and joined him in it.[The author heard this on a radio show from Key Life Ministries with Steve Brown, based in Orlando, Florida.]
Can you imagine this story taking place in our competitive world today? Competition has penetrated the Church so much that many churches and Christian organizations approach ministry like a sports event. They view their mission as a business that seeks to gain market share among Christians – donors, members, influence – all under the name of God. I’m sure God looks down at us and asks, “Whatever happened to John 17:23?” Sometimes we must remind our fellow servants that we are all on the same team! We should be seeking to impact the Kingdom of God, not increase our own market share.
When Jesus made this statement about unity in John 17:23, it represented the key to bringing salvation to many. He was saying that when His Body is unified, the non-Christian would be able to see who Jesus really is – the Son of God. Are you contributing to unity in the Body of Christ? Or are you contributing to a spirit of competition? Ask God where you can be an instrument of unity in His Body.

Quote of the Day

Having fully realized that the whole world is dissolving before our very eyes, it is impossible to ask a more far-reaching question than this: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

Dr. Charles Malik – Past Secretary General of the UN

WITH HOPE AND FAITH

REV. ELDER G E STERRETT

FOUNDER

GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY