2023-06-14
Philippians 3:20 NIV
Let’s recap. As an ambassador, you must have the following qualifications and characteristics:
(1) Be a citizen of the country you represent. “Our citizenship is in heaven.”
(2) Your character and conduct must reflect the highest values of your country. “That our God may make you worthy of his calling” (2 Thessalonians 1:11 NIV).
(3) You must be equipped for the job. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4 NIV).
(4) You must be loyal to your country.
Now, let’s look at two more qualifications: (5) An ambassador must be an effective communicator. The best ambassadors are bilingual; they speak and understand the language of those around them. Can you do that? In order to have the right answer, you must understand the question, the questioner, and where they’re coming from. The Bible says, “If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way” (1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT). Note the words “always be ready.”
(6) An ambassador must be a good diplomat. Ambassadors are most effective when they’re winsome as they go about their work. You wouldn’t want someone representing your country who was arrogant and abrasive in dealing with others. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35 NKJV). Our message is the gospel, and our strategy is love! What’s our message? “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV).
Soul food: 2 Kings 4:18-6:33; Matt 18:1-9; Ps 80:1-11; Prov 13:11-12
2023-06-13
Ephesians 6:10 CEV
A decade ago, our ideas about being an ambassador were radically altered when the U.S. ambassador to Libya was murdered by terrorists. It takes a special person to be an ambassador in a combat zone. And that’s what you are in! Paul writes: “Let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist and let God’s justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit. Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert” (vv. 10-18 CEV).
As an ambassador of Christ, your first loyalty must be to Him in all your dealings; to be disloyal is treasonous. You say, “That’s a high standard!” Yes, it’s a “high calling” (See Philippians 3:14). It’s also the most rewarding life you can live.
Soul food: 2 Kings 1:1-4:17; Matt 17:14-27; Ps 143; Prov 13:9-10
2023-06-12
2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV
Your job in the kingdom of God is that of an “ambassador.” What a privilege! And what a responsibility! Over the next few days, let’s look at some of the qualities of an ambassador: You must be a citizen of the country you represent. And “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20 NIV). Exiled, John said, “I… was on the island of Patmos… On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit” (Revelation 1:9-10 NIV). John knew it was not where he was but whose he was that counted the most as he represented his Lord.
Your life is the only Bible many people will ever read. From your lips they will receive the only gospel they ever hear. And your attitude may do more to win them than all your arguments. Before He was crucified, Jesus prayed this prayer for His disciples: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:15-18 NKJV).
Before an ambassador is appointed, he or she goes through the closest scrutiny imaginable. Their moral integrity, their financial interactions, their family life, their work record, their every word and action come under the microscope. Shouldn’t it be more so for ambassadors of the King of Kings? Never forget whose side you’re on. Never forget what kingdom you belong to. Never forget who you represent. You are Christ’s ambassador.
Soul food: Rev 19-22; Matt 17:1-13; Ps 132:11-18; Prov 13:7-8
2023-06-11
Luke 24:49 NKJV
You may be educated, experienced, and talented, but you will never fulfill God’s purposes for your life until you’re “endued with power from on high.” Read these two Scriptures: (1) “I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (v. 49 NKJV). (2) “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting… And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:1-2, 4 NKJV).
The transformation was amazing! Peter, who had just denied Jesus, stood before the crowd and preached the gospel to them. Did he get results? Yes. “That day about three thousand souls were added to them” (v. 41 NKJV). And the power they had just received was also their source of strength when they faced hardship and persecution. “When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31 NKJV). This wasn’t a onetime experience; they were continually filled with the Holy Spirit.
You say, “I’m not good enough to be filled with God’s Spirit.” Jesus said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13 NKJV). Today ask God to fill you with His Spirit, and He will.
Soul food: Exo 16:1-35; John 6:30-40
2023-06-10
Genesis 45:27 NKJV
If the dream you believe God gave you seems dead, read this: “And they told him, saying, ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.’ And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. But… when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived” (vv. 26-27 NKJV).
For years Jacob believed his son, the dreamer, was dead. But it was a lie. In his old age, wagons loaded with riches came to carry him back to see his son who was now the prince of Egypt. Notice, when Jacob first heard it, “he did not believe them” (v. 26 NKJV).
When you have lived in defeat and discouragement for years, it’s hard to anticipate victory. No problem; God is patient. He will keep working with you. He will demonstrate His grace and goodness in such a way that you will start to trust Him again: “When he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived” (v. 27 NKJV).
Don’t believe your dream is dead and will never be fulfilled. And don’t believe those who tell you that you’re too old to fulfill the dream God gave you. God can pack more into the last chapters of your life than all those that preceded them. “Your old men [and women] shall dream dreams” (Joel 2:28 KJV). God is the giver of dreams. And He doesn’t just give them, He resurrects them and empowers you to fulfill them. It’s not too late. You’re not too old. What God did for Jacob – He can do for you.
Soul food: Rev 15-18; Matt 16:13-28; Ps 132:1-10; Prov 13:4-6
2023-06-09
Genesis 2:20 NIV
The blessings and benefits of a good marriage include such things as companionship, sexual fulfillment, and the joy of having children. However, its primary purpose is to provide both parties with everything that’s needed in order to fulfill God’s charge to “have dominion” (Genesis 1:28 KJV).
Marriage is a covenant designed by God to strengthen the capacity of each partner to succeed in the sphere where He placed them. A “suitable companion” simply means “an essential contributor.” And when a husband or wife rejects the helpful input of the other, they limit what God can do through them as a couple. What a loss! Sometimes it’s hard for men in particular to acknowledge that they need help – and when you don’t reach for help, you don’t get it. That means you don’t succeed to the extent you otherwise could have.
A woman’s point of view isn’t inferior information; it’s essential information. Her presence wasn’t designed to be ornamental; it’s vital to fulfilling your shared potential. When a man consistently makes decisions without consulting his wife, he is making them without all the necessary components for deciding wisely. Men tend to think logically. But women have a plus, because they’re programmed to think intuitively as well. They give the relationship a perspective it wouldn’t otherwise have, so when a husband fails to utilize his wife’s God-given capacities, he is robbing himself of God’s best.
Once you grasp that principle and start operating accordingly, your relationship will be greatly enriched, and you will experience the joy of walking in God’s blessing every day. So the question is this: Why would you settle for less when you can have more?
Soul food: Rev 10-14; Matt 16:1-12; Ps 48; Prov 13:2-3
