Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Patience”
Our Bible verse for today: “…so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:2-3 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Just be patient and live a good life.”
It’s easy to get caught in the trap of thinking we have to do big splashy things for God in order for our lives to be meaningful. Many times we can feel that if we’re not caring for lepers in the gutters of Calcutta, or witnessing to drug addicts in the dirty back alleys of New York City, then we’re obviously not doing much for the cause of Christ.
But that’s just not true. God doesn’t call most of us to be career missionaries in some remote corner of the world, or even to inner-city ministry right here in the USA. For the most part, for most of us, we’re called to live quiet and simple lives right where we are, but to do so in a way that clearly marks us as the people of God. We’re to be faithful witnesses making a difference in our homes and neighborhoods and work places.
The editors of “The Mission of God” study Bible, in their introduction to the book of Romans, as they’re explaining Paul’s purpose for writing the letter, write this: “Here is your part in God’s mission: live as one transformed.”
That’s pretty good. You are to live – right where you are – as one who has been transformed. Everything about you should be different from the world around you. Your quiet sense of peace, joy, and serenity; your obvious displays of kindness and compassion; the way you use your words to build up and encourage others; the fact that you are known as a man or woman of integrity, one who is completely dependable and trustworthy. Your lifestyle itself is a witness to the world around you. That’s your part in God’s mission.
Don’t get frustrated or impatient with yourself because your life isn’t the subject of inspiring magazine articles or movies. It isn’t supposed to be. There may be times when you will go overseas on a short-term mission trip; or on a weekend trip to Eastern Kentucky to minister to impoverished people living in a remote region of coal-mining country; or to your local rescue mission to serve a meal. But most of the time, for most of us, we are to patiently and faithfully live quiet and godly lives that are a living testimony to the love and compassion and mercy of God. Be content to patiently and faithfully live a good life.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 