October 31st 2009
Useful In Christ
“Formerly he (Onesimus) was useless to you (Philemon), but now he has become useful both to me and to you.”
Philemon 11
8th of a series of studies from Philemon
Have you ever felt useless?
I know I have. They have been times when I have felt completely worthless and of no use whatsoever.
It is God who gives us our sense of worth. It is because God values each of us that our life on earth takes on meaning. The biblical authors refer frequently to ideas about how much we mean to God. For example, God delights in us and we are excellent in his estimation (Psalm 16:3), and we are his “treasured possession” (Malachi 3:17). “God is for us” (Romans 8:31).
Onesimus was a slave who had deserted his master, Philemon. Interestingly, the name Onesimus in the Greek means literally “useful”. Paul is explaining to Philemon that this runaway slave has his worth in Christ, and that therefore he is now useful both to Philemon and to the community of the church.
Let’s remember that no one is useless. We have been made in the image of God, and we have all been accepted by Him through the sacrifice of Christ. No matter what anyone says to you or calls you or does to you to bring you down and make you feel like nothing, God lifts you up in Jesus. Jesus did not die for you because you were nothing to him: he died because you were and are someone very special to Him and to the Father and to the Spirit.
We have become God’s children in whom He is well pleased, and we are of great value, of wonderful use in the work of the Lord.
Just like Onesimus, we have become useful.
Prayer
Our Father, thank you that Jesus died for me because you valued me as a person and wanted me to be Your child. Help me, Father, through the Holy Spirit, to be always useful, helpful in the work of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Study by James Henderson
October 30th 2009
Suffer Little Children
“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.”
Luke 18:16 (KJV)
What was Jesus’ life like as a young boy?
He was born into a violent society and the violence continued as He grew older. People, who knew Mary, but were ignorant of God’s plan of salvation, must have always thought of Jesus as being illegitimate. And, of course, their children would have picked up on a word like illegitimate and told the young Jesus to His face.
Children can be very cruel as we’ve seen in the news just lately. Sadly though, it’s nothing new, there have always been children who have killed other children and children who have abused other children.
Much of the crime committed by children in this society is blamed on poverty and deprivation. There is a point in what is said, but it is no excuse. Many poor people depicted in the Bible went on to do great deeds.
Jesus’ childhood is a wonderful example to us. Despite His life being difficult and often sorrowful, sin was never an option for Him. Anyone who does not have a human father in this world has a Heavenly Father who loves him. Children have amazing character traits. They are original thinkers and can be very honest, which can be a little disconcerting at times.
Jesus said ‘Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not’. His boyhood must have been hard, but He knew the worth of everyone, even those who mocked Him. He knew the worth of every child and they were very precious to Him.
Prayer
Father, thank you for the example of the child Jesus, and thank you that our children are precious to him.
Amen
Study by Paula Loveridge
October 29th 2009
Because You’re Worth It
“Again the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field… Again the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great price…which a man sells all that he has to buy.”
Matthew 13:44-46 (NKJV)
So many today have a problem with self worth. We live in a nation where most of us grow up feeling inferior. We live in a competitive world where only one is accounted worthy or receives the prize or comes first. This leaves all others feeling less valuable or less accomplished. Many authors who write about damaged emotions see the connection with our lack of self esteem. Many advertisers claim that their product will improve self esteem or that you should buy it “because you’re worth it”. Many weight loss and fitness programmes are aimed at making you feel better about yourself. This is a massive industry turning over millions if not billions of pounds each year.
If only we knew the truth about ourselves we would recognise just how much we are worth to the one who knows real value — Almighty God.
The two short parables mentioned in the title, sadly, are often misunderstood being read as an encouragement to us to give all that we have for the kingdom of heaven. While there is nothing wrong with that sentiment it is not the lesson of these parables. In these stories the man who sells all to gain the prizes is God and the prize that he gives all to gain is you.
God gave all that there was to give to buy you. His very own son was the ransom that was paid to redeem you to God. Words fail, therefore, to express the value that you are to God. You are precious beyond belief to our Father in Heaven, and he continues working with us, perfecting us for his heavenly kingdom.
The world may from time to time make us feel inadequate, inferior or even worthless, but to your heavenly father you could not be more valuable.
Prayer
Father in heaven, thank you for having such care for me for holding me in such esteem for the incalculable value that place on me. Help me to walk as one of such worth, as a son of God.
Study by David Stirk
October 28th 2009
David And Shimei
“As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones….As he cursed, Shimei said, ‘Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!’…
But the king said…’Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.’”
II Samuel 16:5-11 (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39, NIV)
It is not easy to answer when someone claims you’re a bad person, you grabbed your position against the will of God and it’s your fault you’re now headed for disaster. We don’t all get the same charge of explosives that David got, but we all get visited by the demolition crew at some time or other. Someone detonates in your face for a mistake you made, and suddenly remembers all your previous mistakes as well. Or you know something’s being whispered around behind you, but you don’t know what it is until it comes out publicly. Or someone genuinely believes they’re giving you helpful advice, but they’ve been saving it up for so long that they end up vivisecting your whole personality and putting it out for the birds.
What do you do when you hit a Shimei moment? The options are limited. You can (a) get defensive, (b) get defeated, or (c) trust in God to vindicate, if not your current position, at all events your ultimate worth. From a psychological as well as a biblical standpoint: when someone channels Shimei, it seems you’re best to let them rip until they run out of steam and start to feel embarrassed.
The lesson is not about being a doormat, helpless and powerless. It’s about calmly relying on God, who paid a high price both for you and for whoever doesn’t like you—and considers it worthwhile.
Prayer
God our Father, who redeemed us, apart from you I really am as useless as sin, but I believe that when I trust in you, you treasure me even when I look worthless. Please, Jesus, say something nice about me up there in heaven, where it matters.
Amen
Study by Fiona Jones
October 27th 2009
Fellowship With Jesus
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20 (KJV)
When we meet together in His name, Jesus Always attends the meeting.
He observes all that we do and listens to all that we say. Jesus loves us so much He wants us to love one another.
God can only work through us effectively when we walk in love.
Before we think or speak we need to ask ourselves: will this be pleasing to Jesus? When we do this His love will flow through us, for it is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
When we call on the name of Jesus he is always there.
We are His followers; we depend on Him to lead us in the way that we should go.
He died on the cross and paid the price for our sins.
We receive the gift of eternal life because Jesus Christ won the victory over death.
God sees us as holy because our sins are removed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
We manifest the Fruits of the Spirit in our lives because Jesus lives within us.
We will win the victory because Jesus has won the victory.
We depend on Jesus for everything.
Prayer
Father God, help us to realise that when we have Jesus we have everything and we can look forward to a wonderful eternal future with you in glory.
Amen
Study by Allan Frankcom