 We are His
|
Last weekend, I had a wonderfully edifying time at a three-day discipleship ministry conference at The Hope Center in Dallas, Texas.
The Hope Center is a facility donated five years ago to partner, and to provide offices for, 28 biblical, Christ-centered ministries, including Child Evangelism Fellowship, Joni & Friends, Josh McDowell Ministry, The Navigators, Hope for the Heart, and Operation 220.
Operation 220 (based on Galatians 2:20) is a sister ministry of Journey in Christ.
This Rest Stop is inspired by a devotion at the conference on Ephesians 2:10 by Bob Allen of Living from His Life International. Below is a breakdown of this verse as Bob presented it, along with quotes the Lord gave Bob and related truths the Lord further impressed in my heart.
Be encouraged!
WE ARE HIS...
Wow. Don't miss these three words. We are His. I'm so glad Bob broke down this verse initially in this way.
We belong to God! We no longer belong to this world, sin, and Satan. We were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). We were redeemed by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7. Yes, we are His, and His alone!
God is more interested in you personally than what you do professionally [Bob Allen]
God is more interested in you being with Him more than you doing more for Him. [Bob Allen]
...WORKMANSHIP...
God is the Workman. And we are His. We are in His strong, loving, and creative hands.
The Greek word for workmanship in the original biblical manuscripts for the word means "poem." So, we are God's poem! What does a poem do? It communicates a beautiful message from the poet.
 What is the beautiful message God is writing upon your life? It is the beauty of Christ Himself in and through you!
Galatians 4:19 refers to this as Christ being formed in you. And Romans 8:29 says, God is conforming you to the image of His Son.
How is Christ formed in you? By the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, through preachers and teachers of the Word of God sent by God to equip His church, and through your loving Father's chastening of His children.
The Father delights in you and delights in molding you in an abiding relationship with His Son.
Learn to enjoy the Father enjoying you! [Bob Allen]
...CREATED
IN CHRIST JESUS...
In Christ Jesus are three of the most important and precious words in the entire Bible. We are nothing apart from being in Christ Jesus, that is to say, being vitally connected to Him (John 15:5).
We were born in Adam. Who we used to be in Adam was not conformable to the image of Christ.
However, through the cross and resurrection, the Father re-created us in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Now we are conformable to the express image of Christ Himself!
Ministry not done in Christ is imitation ministry. [Bob Allen]
Satan promises success. Imagine dying a successful failure. [Bob Allen]
God promises life...life in Christ. God promises victory...the victory of Christ, no matter how successful or unsuccessful the world judges you to be. Remember, however, that you no longer belong to the world.
...FOR GOOD WORKS...
If you are God's workmanship, and you were re-created by God the Father in Christ Jesus, what (or who) is the source of your good works? Not you. But God Himself.
God didn't create you to do things apart from Him, as if you are a robotic top wound up and spinned away to work by God.
You were re-created by God for an abiding relationship with Him. Trust God as the Source of all your needs. My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
God has called you to a receiving ministry, not an achieving ministry. [Bob Allen]
God's work is always good. He created the world and mankind, and "He saw that it was good." [Bob Allen]
...WHICH
GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND...
This part of the verse affirms that God is the ultimate source of good works. Wow! Don't fall for the enemy's temptation to believe the circumstances of your life are random and meaningless.
...THAT
WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.
Wow. We don't produce good works, we walk with Christ in them! What a beautiful relationship!
Good works are promised by God. Good works are manifested through us in Christ. This is the only way Christ is glorified.
We don't produce good works for Christ. Be aware of the temptation to bask in the glory of "your" good works.
Hebrews 12:1-2 likewise says, Run with perseverance the race set before you, fixing your eyes on Jesus.
Trust God for the pace of your ministry life. Be drawn to His life, not driven by the flesh. [Bob Allen]
Ministry is simply loving Jesus publically! [Bob Allen]
CLOSING
I hope you are encouraged, as I am, to resume your daily walk with Christ after this Rest Stop with a deeper realization to work out your own salvation in fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12b-13).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About 
Biblical discipleship thru
Counseling
Teaching
Training
Gregg Gibbons
Pastoral Director
Michael Chalmers
Training Director
Kellie Boggs
Fellowship Director
Joy Gibbons
Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator
Carole Blyth
Board member and women's ministry coordinator
Paul Crews
Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church
Florence Colby
Board Member and Exec Assistant
at US Endowment of Forestry
Dave Loser
Board Member and Chaplain with Corporate Chaplains of America
Carolyn Kennedy
Staff discipleship counselor
Randy Garrick
Board Advisor and
CFO Engineered Systems Inc.
Dawn McClendon
Board Advisor and
school teacher in Durham NC
Marty Price
Board Advisor and Pastor
Pendleton Street Baptist Church
|
Partnership
I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).
YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.
Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!
|
Ministry News
Teaching
Gregg is teaching at the Haven of Rest mission in Anderson on Monday evenings.
Joy, Carole, and Carolyn are teaching weekly Bible studies for all female employees on-site at a heavy equipment manufacturing company.
Gregg and Michael are teaching weekly discipleship Bible studies for employees on-site at a textile production plant.
Gregg and Michael are following the Lord's leading for the opportunity to teach a weekly discipleship Bible study at a law firm.
Training
Michael and Gregg recently started our 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training class with 5 students.
Announcement!!!
Board member Dave Loser has launched a Spartanburg, South Carolina ministry office for Journey in Christ!
Dave will be teaching a Grace Life Conference May 1-3. Call Dave or contact me for more details. See flyer below.
|
Archives
Link for Rest Stops
since August 2010:
|
Contact Info
JOURNEY IN CHRIST, INC.
655 Fairview Road
Suite H-188
Simpsonville SC 29680
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
|
|
