Christian A.C.T.S.: Steps of Faith~24th Sunday ordinary times

Jer. 18:1-11:God is the potter & the nation of Israel is the clay. Like the potter God can change what he is doing with the nation if it does or does not obey God.

Ps. 139:1-6, 13-18: The Lord formed me in my Mother's womb & knows everything about me. God's thoughts are many and precious to me. God is always with me.

Philem. 1-21: In his prayers, Paul rejoices in the fact that Onesimus and those who meet in his home show great love to the brothers in Christ. Then Paul asks Philemon to take Onesimus back as a brother in the Lord and no longer as a slave. In doing this, Onesimus will be showing love to both Paul & Onesimus.

Luke 14:25-33:Jesus tells his followers that they must love him more than anyone , or life itself. Count the cost of following me before you do so. Just like a man who plans to build a home. Otherwise you will not finish the task. Or like a king who is preparing to go out to fight figures out if he can beat the army he is going against. If not he will choose to send a messenger to talk peace with the other king. You should be willing to give up everything to follow Jesus. Otherwise,you cannot be Jesus' follower.

God created each of us to do a job here on earth. We should seek to know his plans for us and do them (Ps. 139:1-6,13-18). Now when we do not follow that plan, God has to put us back on the potters wheel and reshape for another job (Jer. 18:1-11). Often God has to do this because we do not love God above all else (Luke 14:25-33). That makes us like the Israelites, and like them we can become slaves to sin. But when we come back to God, he encourages His people to receive us back into the fellowship (Philem. 1-21). There is a cost to following Jesus and he encourages us to count the cost & then move ahead in the job he has given us to do in his kingdom (Luke 14:25-33).

Challenge of the week:

This week, take the time to seek God in what your job for him is & make the adjustments that need to happen to get it done. Maybe it is to welcome someone who has been a slave to sin into fellowship & encourage them. Take the time to get so close to God that you love Him more than anything else including your own life.

Accomplishment of the week:

So my friend, what did you & God accomplish this week?