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Selah - March 1, 2008 - “The Postage Stamp” Part 1 As I write this Selah I am very tempted to figure out how to move my desk outside to enjoy the beautiful day God has created for us to enjoy and be glad with. I decided I will be glad inside my office. Today I was writing out cards and letters, you know the mode of communication, where a person uses a pen, paper, envelope, and a stamp. Yes, a stamp, a postage stamp, now worth more than last year’s edition, but very necessary. As I placed that stamp on one of the envelopes, I paused and looked at it. What I saw reminded me of a Christ-like Disciple’s life. Please picture a stamp in your mind, or if you happen to have one near you look at it. A postage stamp, like those I keep in my office desk drawer, is always ready to serve me. I pulled it off the roll and placed it on the written item I was sending in the mail. It is not a hard task and the stamp simply sticks to the item being sent. A Christ-like Disciple is also always ready serve Jesus Christ because we passionately want to be like Him. Acts 10:38 states, “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Jesus Christ told His disciples that in John 13:15, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done.” Also in John 14:12, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to the Father.” As a simple stamp is ready to serve us, so should a Christ-like Disciple be always ready to serve Christ Jesus in the kingdom of God. Always on alert like the Minutemen of the Revolutionary War. Please return to our Selah section later this month because there will be more teaching from the simple postage stamp. Pause and think on this teaching – Selah
Do you have a simple postage stamp? If you do, would you please pause and look at it a moment because within this little item is a beautiful picture of a Christ-like Disciple’s life. I mentioned earlier this month that the stamp was ready to serve me at any time, just like a Christ-like Disciple is always ready to serve Jesus Christ at any time. This stamp is always ready to go where it is sent. Phillip was a wonderful example of a Christ-like Disciple. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Phillip was ready to go where he was sent. Acts 8:4-40 reveals Phillip’s availability to serve and go where he was needed by Jesus. Just like the postage stamp sticks to its job until it gets there so a Christ-like Disciple does the same. Living a Christ-like Disciple’s life, we will face sufferings but we will not face them alone. Jesus will not abandon us, and fellow disciples will be there to support us. We will experience bumps and bruises along the way too, just like this simple little postage stamp does in its travels. The postage stamp’s destination may bring joy because it brings mail filled with encouragement, connection, an expression of love and care. I think you get the idea. But it may bring heartache, sorrow, frustration, fear; so now just make your own list from this point. A Christ-like Disciple’s destination is a place of wonderful joy, happiness, no sin, no tears, and more. It is Heaven. I believe the best way to say what I want is to let God’s Word in Revelation 2:10 state it for me. Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid what you are about to suffer… if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.” If you have not asked Jesus into your life, I invite you to ask God to forgive your sins. Trust Jesus Christ to be your Savior. Jesus took the punishment for your sins by dying on the cross for you because you are precious to Him and He loves you very much. Jesus then rose from the dead to give us eternal life. Jesus has a “crown of life” reserved for you. Pause and think on this teaching – Selah Pastor Charlie |
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Copyright © 2007-2008 - Church of the Nazarene, 29 Palms, CA USA |
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