July 11, 2013 … Where Do We Fit?

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 192

Passage of the Day #1: 1st Corinthians 12: 8 [Where and how are we called to follow Christ?] [NLT] …  
8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another He gives the gift of special knowledge.
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Contextual Study involving today’s passage found in 1st Corinthians, Chapter 12 … Go to this link …
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Reference Passage of the Day #1: Ephesians 4: 15-16 [We all have a place to follow Christ in HIS plan for our lives.] …  
15 Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, Who is the head of His body, the church. 16 Under His direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Reference Passage of the Day #2: Luke 9: 23 [Yes, we hear it again?] …  
23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow Me. …”

Reference Passage of the Day #3: Matthew 5: 14-16 [Where to shine our light?] …  
14 You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15 Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Today, please take the time to use this link to hear my friend Clay Crosse and two of his buddies, Bob Carlisle, and Bebe Wynans sing, “I Will Follow Christ!” where they lay out our pursuit of Christ as being our primary direction in life … where Christ will lead us to find where and how HE wants us to serve in HIS kingdom.

My Journal for Today: Sometimes we drift in life as Christians, not knowing how and where we fit into God’s plans for our lives and how He might use us for God’s glory. We’re seeking (as it says in Matthew 5: 14-16) where and how we can shine our personal light for God’s kingdom and for His glory.

Fellow Christian, can I get an “AMEN” that we want to follow the Luke 9: 23 calling of Christ to follow Him … to become more like Him … and to be His witness in this world (as I’ve cited in the past from Acts 1: 8)? We know from His word in today’s highlight passage in 1st Cor. 12: 8 copied above, that God’s Spirit gives us at least one – maybe more – special gift to use in our lives as Christians to shine His light through what we’re called to do for God’s kingdom.

But what is that gift and where do we use it? That becomes our quandary in life, doesn’t it? Well, as my friend Clay Crosse sings, along with two of his friends (linked above), really our only pursuit should be to fulfill Christ’s calling to follow Him in life; because, as Os Hillman refers in his devotional today, referencing Henry Blakaby, … in our pursuit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, Who dwells in the hearts of all Christians, will show us the way, i.e., HIS way, … through God’s word, prayer, and the Body of Christ, to follow the Lord with purpose … HIS purpose. And as we engage in this head-long, surrendered, pursuit of becoming more like Christ, the Lord, Himself, will reveal where He wants us to follow and how we can use His Spiritual gifts for the Father’s glory.

So, my friend, just be inspired by the song above and from God’s word to follow Christ, more today than yesterday … and even more tomorrow than today. And then be assured that He will lead you to where you can be used for His kingdom.

My Prayer for Today … Every day, and prayerfully in every way, I will follow You, Lord. … Amen