Bobby Leonard Podcast

Overflow

Serving One Another

Ephesians 5:21  

Serving One Another

Jesus went with his disciples to Gethsemane and asked them to sit while he went and prayed. He fell on His face, and prayed, saying O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup passes from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. (Matthew 26:36, 39)

Jesus perfectly submitted himself to do his Father's will.

The idea of submission does not have anything to do with someone being smarter or better or more talented.

It has to do with a God-appointed order. Anyone who has served in the armed forces knows that rank has to do with order and authority, not with value or ability.

 In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Paul mentions to the Corinthian Christians to submit to his authority and to do something.

Hebrews 13:17, which says Obey those who rule over you and be submissive.

Being filled with the Spirit is what Paul explains in this verse as submitting to one another in the fear of God. The word “fear” refers to reverence for God that affects how we relate to other Christians.

Paul says Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

As written in 1 Samuel 12:24, Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for considering what great things He has done for you.

Fearing God means that we have awesome respect for who God is. We have no debate with the God of the universe.

We should submit our way, will, affection, thought, desires, and understanding to God, so the conscience guides us to obey Him.

Christ submitted himself to God for our sake. He laid down his life for us. Today with the power of the Holy Spirit we are called to lay down our lives for Christ for the sake of the Gospel.

We must be reminded of two things. First, the Christian must never forget that in every relationship of life, another person is present. Also, in every relationship, the apostle reminds us, a third Person is present—the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we are in a strange situation with another person, we must not fail to see that Christ is amidst us as a third.

It is only when we forget ourselves and devotes ourselves to another's the fulfillment that we find our own hearts running over with grace and satisfaction.

This is one of the fundamental mysteries of life, and it is confirmed to us every day.

But, those who try desperately to satisfy themselves are the ones who end up hollow inside. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it (Matthew 16:25).

Ask yourself:

Have you ever gave in to others?

What is the hardest thing about submitting to someone else?

Do you acknowledge that God is present in your conversation with another?

 

Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, Help us to serve one another and walk in your will. we pray that our life may be one of self-sacrifice and humble praise, for the benefit of our brothers, sisters-in-Christ and to the praise and glorify your holy name - Amen.

Giving Thanks

Ephesians 5:20

Giving Thanks

One morning back In the late 1800s an orphanage with nearly 1000 orphans operated by George Mueller had no food to eat.

He called all the children and staff together and prayed to thank God for the provision of food, even though no food was on the table.

A few moments later a baker knocked on the door. He told Mr. Muller that God had led him to bake bread the night before and give it to the orphanage.

Later, a milkman knocked on the door and said that his milk truck had broken down and he wanted to give the milk to the orphanage.

It took lots of faith for Mr. Muller to thank god even when situations are bad.

We must have the attitude of thanksgiving for all things since these are directed to God the Father in the person of Jesus Christ. 

 

We were born into this world as ungrateful people (Rom. 1:21), the Holy Spirit’s work of transformation includes changing us to grateful people. 

 

In contrast to those in this world who are never content with God’s provision, the true Christian is thankful for everything, even the smallest joys. 

 

Believers understand that we deserve nothing but the Lord’s wrath, so we are thankful for all of our blessings.

In other words, we surrender to the will of God no matter how it hurts. Only a Spirit-filled person can do this.

Our gratitude should take place at all times. We are not to do this once and forget it, as we receive each mercy, we are to give thanks for it.

In Hebrews 13: 15 it says, Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

This is how we are to give thanks. We give thanks by everything that represents who and what Jesus is and did.

Without Christ there is no genuine thanksgiving, Jesus  intercedes for us; therefore, we can give thanks. It was He who earned anything we have.

God’s design is that we thank Him when things go well and when things go wrong.

A Spirit-filled person neither complains nor is sour in his spirit. He is thankful and grateful for what God provides.

Ask yourself :
Are you speaking only the bad that happens to you and forget the good?
Do you complain and murmur for the things that you don't have?

Lets us Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you so much for everything that is in our life. Mold us to become a person that is filled with gratitude for all that we have. Amen.

The Overflowing Life

So then, Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6,7.