15 lines
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15 lines
4.8 KiB
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<html><head><title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">December 12</div></div>
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<h1>Courageous, Selfless Ministry by the Grace of God</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>But <b>none</b> of <b>these</b> things <b>move</b> me; <b>nor</b> do I <b>count</b> my life <b>dear</b> to myself, so that I may <b>finish</b> my <b>race</b> with <b>joy</b>, and the <b>ministry</b> which I <b>received</b> from the <b>Lord</b> <b>Jesus</b>, to <b>testify</b> to the <b>gospel</b> of the <b>grace</b> of <b>God</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act', 20, '24-24');">Acts 20:24</a>)</div>
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<p>Paul was <b>given</b> ministry by the grace of God. <i>"I became a <b>minister</b> according to the <b>gift</b> of the <b>grace</b> of God <b>given</b> to me"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph', 3, '7-7');">Ephesians 3:7</a>). To put it another way, he <b>received</b> his ministry from the Lord: <i>"the <b>ministry</b> which I <b>received</b> from the <b>Lord Jesus</b>."</i> Paul's bountiful ministry was <b>developed</b> by the grace of God. <i>"I <b>labored</b> more <b>abundantly</b> than they <b>all</b>, yet <b>not</b> I, <b>but</b> the <b>grace</b> of <b>God</b> which was with me"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr', 15, '10-10');">1 Corinthians 15:10</a>). Also, his ministry was to <b>declare</b> God's grace: <i>"to <b>testify</b> to the <b>gospel</b> of the <b>grace</b> of <b>God</b>."</i> Paul's life demonstrates that such "<b>grace-saturated</b>" service leads to <b>courageous</b>, <b>selfless ministry</b>.</p><p>Paul's ministry was <b>courageous</b>. <i>"But <b>none</b> of <b>these</b> things <b>move</b> me."</i> The things that Paul faced were formidable. <i>"The Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that <b>chains</b> and <b>tribulations</b> await me"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act', 20, '23-23');">Acts 20:23</a>). Down through the centuries, matters less substantial than these have moved many a professing Christian from completing his calling. Yet, by leaning upon the sustaining grace of God, Paul courageously endured great hardship and danger in the service of the gospel of grace. <i>"But in <b>all things</b> we <b>commend</b> ourselves as <b>ministers</b> of God: in much <b>patience</b>, in <b>tribulations</b>, in <b>needs</b>, in <b>distresses</b>, in <b>stripes</b>, in <b>imprisonments</b>, in <b>tumults</b>, in <b>labors</b>, in <b>sleeplessness</b>, in <b>fastings</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr', 6, '4-5');">2 Corinthians 6:4-5</a>).</p><p>Related to this courageous service was Paul's <b>selflessness</b>: <i>"<b>nor</b> do I <b>count</b> my life <b>dear</b> to myself."</i> Paul's ministry was not motivated by self-interest. Rather, it was motivated by the blessings that others could receive and, ultimately, the glory that the Lord would receive. Paul was content to have his service be no more than a spiritual enhancement to the godly service of others. <i>"Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl', 2, '17-17');">Philippians 2:17</a>). Even more, Paul served for the honor of the Lord Jesus: <i>"according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also <b>Christ</b> will be <b>magnified</b> in my body, whether by life or by death"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl', 2, '20-20');">Philippians 2:20</a>). Such renouncing of self allowed Paul to <i>"<b>finish</b></i> [his] <i><b>race</b> with <b>joy</b>."</i> Thus his final testimony would become, <i>"I have fought the good fight, I have <b>finished</b> the <b>race</b>, I have kept the faith"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti', 4, '7-7');">2 Timothy 4:7</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Jesus, my Lord and Master, You know the things that threaten to move me away from Your calling for me. You know the times I am tempted to hold my life dear, wanting to shrink back in a self-serving manner. Please saturate my life with Your grace that I might serve courageously and selflessly, Amen.</div></div></div><div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/12/1211.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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