Unveiling Purpose and Motivation From Ephesians, 1Thessalonians, Philemon, 1Peter and Revelation
Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Bible & Bible Studies, Christianity, Christian Life
| Author: | Kayode Crown | ISBN: | 9781524205782 |
| Publisher: | Kayode Crown | Publication: | January 31, 2017 |
| Imprint: | Language: | English |
| Author: | Kayode Crown |
| ISBN: | 9781524205782 |
| Publisher: | Kayode Crown |
| Publication: | January 31, 2017 |
| Imprint: | |
| Language: | English |
This is part of a series of books in which particular verses are picked from books of the bible, and the issues of Purpose, Pursuit and Motivation are explored, in the light of the mind of God for us.
In this book, we explore seven topics from different verses in the books of Ephesians, 1Thessalonians, Philemon, 1Peter and Revelation. They are: Fullness of God, Steadfastness, The Principles of Love, Lusts of Men versus Will of God, Love Covers a Multitude of Sins, Attitude of Shepherds, and Assignments from God.
Excerpts:
Fullness of God
“The bible says that for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). The love of God covers all of humanity, and daily we are on the receiving end of his love as he shows his mercy on us, and we can eternally enjoy the love when we believe in Jesus and pass from death to life, from loss to surplus, from empty to full, in the experience of all-round restoration. His love fills us.”
Steadfastness
“Your devotion to Christ and commitment to his cause is not in vain. It may come with pain now but the reward is coming, whether in this life or in that which is to come. It is God who said that he has not asked you to seek him in vain (Isaiah 45:19). Paul did not want the Thessalonians to say, “What is the point to becoming a Christian if one would be severely persecuted for it, as Apostle Paul was?” Do you ask the same question or a similar one? Saying, “What is the point of serving Christ if….?” Lift up your eyes from that situation; maintain your steadfastness because no matter what, you are designed to overcome (1John 2:14, 4:4), but that is only if you do not move away from the steadfastness of your faith. Your labour will not be in vain.”
The Principles of Love
“Therefore, another way love is expressed is when you pray for others; take them to God in prayer, the one who is the ultimate healer, who is able to do for them what they cannot do for themselves. It takes some effort to pray for others especially when they are not directly related to you; it takes the love of Christ beating in your heart. ”
Lusts of Men versus Will of God
“When time and time again you are confronted with the futility of your own devices, that is the grace of God, the discipline of his love, and this ensures that afterwards you are better primed to follow his will for you.”
Love Covers a Multitude of Sins
“Meditate on the truth of God’s love in you capable of manifesting in that situation. Never say never, don’t be so rigid in your way, allow the Holy Spirit to work to express that love to that individual through you, no matter how little.”
Attitude of Shepherds
“The shepherd goes in front and sheep follows. What God is interested in is creating prototypes of his Son, Jesus, all over the world, in leaders of the church; so that when you follow them it will be the same thing as following Jesus. And just as Jesus said when the disciples see him, they have seen the father (John 14:8-12), in the same measure, when the people see the leaders in the church, it should be as good as seeing Jesus.”
Assignments from God
“Because of their work, Paul and Silas were beaten up, bloodied and imprisoned. But they would not shut up. In the prison they sang and prayed (Acts 16:20-27), and there was an earthquake. The presence of God invaded the prison, the chains of all the prisoners broke off and rather than run off for their lives they led the jailor to Christ. It was an eternal testament of what it means to be true and faithful. They were not focused on their pain, but they were fixed on Jesus, the true and faithful one, to do his will.”
This is part of a series of books in which particular verses are picked from books of the bible, and the issues of Purpose, Pursuit and Motivation are explored, in the light of the mind of God for us.
In this book, we explore seven topics from different verses in the books of Ephesians, 1Thessalonians, Philemon, 1Peter and Revelation. They are: Fullness of God, Steadfastness, The Principles of Love, Lusts of Men versus Will of God, Love Covers a Multitude of Sins, Attitude of Shepherds, and Assignments from God.
Excerpts:
Fullness of God
“The bible says that for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). The love of God covers all of humanity, and daily we are on the receiving end of his love as he shows his mercy on us, and we can eternally enjoy the love when we believe in Jesus and pass from death to life, from loss to surplus, from empty to full, in the experience of all-round restoration. His love fills us.”
Steadfastness
“Your devotion to Christ and commitment to his cause is not in vain. It may come with pain now but the reward is coming, whether in this life or in that which is to come. It is God who said that he has not asked you to seek him in vain (Isaiah 45:19). Paul did not want the Thessalonians to say, “What is the point to becoming a Christian if one would be severely persecuted for it, as Apostle Paul was?” Do you ask the same question or a similar one? Saying, “What is the point of serving Christ if….?” Lift up your eyes from that situation; maintain your steadfastness because no matter what, you are designed to overcome (1John 2:14, 4:4), but that is only if you do not move away from the steadfastness of your faith. Your labour will not be in vain.”
The Principles of Love
“Therefore, another way love is expressed is when you pray for others; take them to God in prayer, the one who is the ultimate healer, who is able to do for them what they cannot do for themselves. It takes some effort to pray for others especially when they are not directly related to you; it takes the love of Christ beating in your heart. ”
Lusts of Men versus Will of God
“When time and time again you are confronted with the futility of your own devices, that is the grace of God, the discipline of his love, and this ensures that afterwards you are better primed to follow his will for you.”
Love Covers a Multitude of Sins
“Meditate on the truth of God’s love in you capable of manifesting in that situation. Never say never, don’t be so rigid in your way, allow the Holy Spirit to work to express that love to that individual through you, no matter how little.”
Attitude of Shepherds
“The shepherd goes in front and sheep follows. What God is interested in is creating prototypes of his Son, Jesus, all over the world, in leaders of the church; so that when you follow them it will be the same thing as following Jesus. And just as Jesus said when the disciples see him, they have seen the father (John 14:8-12), in the same measure, when the people see the leaders in the church, it should be as good as seeing Jesus.”
Assignments from God
“Because of their work, Paul and Silas were beaten up, bloodied and imprisoned. But they would not shut up. In the prison they sang and prayed (Acts 16:20-27), and there was an earthquake. The presence of God invaded the prison, the chains of all the prisoners broke off and rather than run off for their lives they led the jailor to Christ. It was an eternal testament of what it means to be true and faithful. They were not focused on their pain, but they were fixed on Jesus, the true and faithful one, to do his will.”
