Eccl 12:1
12:1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living. NLT
-While there is still time. Joel 2:12;
Eccl 12:2
2 It will be too late then to remember him, when the light of the sun and moon and stars is dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among the clouds. NLT
-There is a “too late”. Your window to acknowledge and turn to your Creator is limited. What are you doing with the time that you have been given? Have you turned to God or are you waiting? If you are waiting, what are you waiting for? James 4:14 tells us that our life is but a mist, here for a moment and then it is gone. Heb 9:27 tells us it is appointed once to die and then judgment. Have you turned to God while you have time?
Rom 1:1
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus (A), called to be an apostle, set apart (B) for the gospel of God, ESV
A) Paul calls himself a servant of Christ. In fact, the NKJV translates it bondservant, the ESV renders the Greek as bondservant too. Paul frequently refers to himself and others who follow Christ as servants of Christ. Gal 1:10; Col 4:12; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1; Rev 1:1. These verses use the Greek word 1401 doulos = 1. One who gives himself up wholly to another’s will. 2. Those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men: used of the apostles. 3. Devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interest. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Somehow we have found a way to skew Christianity into being about God serving us. Yes, Jesus said He came to serve not to be served, but in that He was our example. Jesus laid down His life for us and now it’s our turn to lay down our lives, our interest, and be completely devoted to His. This is how Christians use to identify themselves: Paul, James, Peter, Jude, and John all called themselves servants of Christ. Sure it is easy to call yourself a Christian in America, but can you accurately describe yourself as a servant of Christ, as someone who lays down their will to do God’s will instead? God, help me to be a servant for life!
B) Paul declares he was called and set apart. God has a plan for you. He made you with a purpose (Jer 1:5). What purpose are you living for? Are you living to please God or to please yourself? God, help me to remember the purpose you have for me. I don’t want to live for myself. I don’t want a selfish existence. I want to see your will done in every area of my life and in the world that I live in. God use me to do your will.
Gen 12:1
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. ESV
- The call of Abraham. The first part of his call was instructions to leave things behind. I think that following God always requires leaving something behind. Are you willing to leave things behind? It may be your friends, it may be your pride, it may be your time, or habits that you have had or just simply doing things your own way. Are you willing to leave behind your old life? 2 Cor 5:17;
Gen 12:2
2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. ESV
- “And” is a conjunction. It ties Abraham’s leaving to his receiving the benefits of the promise. If we want to receive the blessings God has for us we to will have to leave some things behind.
- God will bless you. Gen 13:2;
