God’s Instruments

Bible Reading

Mark 14
Romans 14

Devotional thoughts

In our discussions with our new students, one of the first thing we talked about was how to be a better team player. Patrick Lencioni in his book “The Ideal Team Player” said, “humility is the single greatest and most indispensable attribute of being a team player.”

Jesus is our example of humility. Hebrews 5:8 says, “Even Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered.”
What did Jesus learn? He learned to say, “Not my will but yours be done. (Mark 14:36-38) He asked for the cup to be removed. In his humanity he didn’t want to go through the pain. Thinking about that, then what does James mean when he says, “Count it all joy..” (James 1:1)  Does that mean we jump up and down and shout for joy when we face trials? Is that what Jesus did? Jesus was exceedingly sorrowful. (Mark 14:34) He sweat drops of blood over what he was going to face. (Luke 22:44) But still he said, “Not by will..” I love how Hebrews described this scene; “For the joy that was set before him, He endured the cross.” (Heb 12:2) Jesus was looking for the greater reward!

Romans 14:7-8 reminds us that “If we live, we live for the Lord, if we die, we die for the Lord. Whether we live or die we are the Lords.” When the Lord is our focus, we can face life like Jesus did. Sometimes I think we get this picture that rejoicing in suffering means that we should be excited and happy for suffering. Is that the picture of Jesus in Mark 14:36-38? And yet, scripture says, “for the joy set before him.. He was living out Rom 14:36-38. To quote the movie “Facing the Giants,” coach Taylor said, “If we win, we praise him, if we lose we praise him.” Except here Paul says, “If we live, we praise Him, and if we die, we praise Him!” Isn’t that what Paul said in Phil 1:21? “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain!” We are the Lords! 

What does it mean to you when God says of you, “You are the Lord’s” If the God who created the earth, who flung the stars in space and gave them each a name. If he says, “I got you,” shouldn’t that produce joy and peace, no matter what the circumstances? He is the one who has you! You are His! What have we to fear?  

As we continue to seek the Lord for how to mentor and disciple these new church planting missionaries, I continue asking God, how do we help them to live like this? How do we help them prepare for disagreements with their coworkers or leadership? Instead of living for themselves when they are responding to these trials, to face those challenges remembering they are the Lords, and that God doesn’t do anything without a purpose. Therefore, if I am facing conflict with my coworker, then it’s because I have something God wants me to learn… not God has something for me to straighten out in my coworker! That’s God’s job!  

For me to live is Christ..If I live, I live unto / for / as a slave of God! whether I live or die, I am the Lord’s… I am his slave to live and act like he does. Actually it’s more than a slave… I am just a tool, an instrument in God’s hands! my hands his hands, my feet, his feet. my mouth and ears his to do as He pleases, instruments to do His work!  

Declaration

1. I belong to God! I am his instrument to be used to do His work! My hands are his to use do do his work.. feet go… mouth speak.. ears to listen for those who need Him. Am I available?
2. To live is to live for christ! Like Jesus, I want to live for the greater reward of living unto God so He can change the world through me, one person at a time
3. For our e2/orientation students, I pray they will become the elders God wants them to be, image bearers of him, but first and foremost, God’s instruments.