Gregory E. Lang's Blog, page 2

Be Not Boastful

Do good deeds simply because good deeds need to be done, not to gain recognition from men or rewards in heaven for your good deeds. It is the deed motivated by grace and humility that shines and pleases God. Take an honest look at your motives and choose to humble yourself before others, for God lifts up the humble. Be not boastful.

So when you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know what you are doing. Your giving should be done in secret. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4

Because God has given me a special gift, I have something to say to everyone among you. Do not think you are better than you are. You must decide what you really are by the amount of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3

Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves. Romans 12:10

He chose what the world thinks is unimportant and what the world looks down on and thinks is nothing in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. God did this so that no one can brag in his presence. 1 Corinthians 1:28-29

If someone wants to brag, he should brag only about the Lord. It is not those who say they are good who are accepted but those who the Lord thinks are good. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Celebrate Every Win

You are an evangelist. Rejoice in the Lord and serve him in your daily battle, for every new believer marks a triumph over darkness. Celebrate the power of the gospel to comfort one who turned from evil and to Christ. Thanks be to God for the victory over sin and death through Christ! Celebrate every win!

In the same way, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner changes his heart and life. Luke 15:10

We had to celebrate and be happy because your brother was dead, but now he is alive. He was lost, but now he is found. Luke 15:32

When the Jewish believers heard this, they stopped arguing. They praised God and said, So God is allowing even those who are not Jewish to turn to him and live. Acts 11:18

Sin will not be your master, because you are not under law but under God’s grace. Romans 6:14

But we thank God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy. Philippians 4:4

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Turn From Darkness

One cannot both indulge in the deeds of darkness and wear the armor of light. Light represents truth, knowledge and holiness. Darkness represents ignorance, error, falsehood and sin. Darkness will cause you to worry about your salvation, paralyze you with guilt and keep you from being a productive Christian. Dishonesty thrives in the night, but children of the day will walk honestly. An honest, upright, pure life needs no hiding place. Love the Lord, shine, and bring others with you into the light. Turn from darkness.

Your eye is a light for the body. When your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But when your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. So be careful not to let the light in you become darkness. Luke 11:34-35

I have come as light into the world so that whoever believes in me would not stay in darkness. John 12:46

I will keep you safe from your own people and also from those who are not Jewish. I am sending you to them to open their eyes so that they may turn away from darkness to the light, away from the power of Satan and to God. Then their sins can be forgiven, and they can have a place with those people who have been made holy by believing in me.  Acts 26:17-18

The night is almost finished, and the day is almost here. So we should stop doing things that belong to darkness and take up the weapons used for fighting in the light. Romans 13:12

Have nothing to do with the things done in darkness, which are not worth anything. But show that they are wrong. It is shameful even to talk about what those people do in secret. But the light makes all things easy to see, and everything that is made easy to see can become light. This is why it is said: Wake up, sleeper! Rise from death, and Christ will shine on you.  Ephesians 5:11-14

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Use Your Gifts

You cannot do everything, but you can do something. Do something, even if it seems small. Your deed may well be a huge thing to someone else. You are blessed with gifts as you are best able to use them, just as others are blessed with different gifts for different uses. God’s gifts to us vary in manner and form, but all should be committed to the service of the Lord. Use your gifts.

We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us. The person who has the gift of prophecy should use that gift in agreement with the faith. Anyone who has the gift of serving should serve. Anyone who has the gift of teaching should teach. Whoever has the gift of encouraging others should encourage. Whoever has the gift of giving to others should give freely. Anyone who has the gift of being a leader should try hard when he leads. Whoever has the gift of showing mercy to others should do so with joy. Romans 12:6-8

And Christ gave gifts to people – he made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to have the work of caring for and teaching God’s people. Christ gave those gifts to prepare God’s holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger. Ephesians 4:11-12

There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve. And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do. Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person, for the common good.  1 Corinthians 12:4-7

It is the same with you. Since you want spiritual gifts very much, seek most of all to have the gifts that help the church grow stronger. 1 Corinthians 14:12

God also proved it by using wonders, great signs, many kinds of miracles, and by giving people gifts through the Holy Spirit, just as he wanted. Hebrews 2:4

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Honor Your Promises

If you are of Christ you must be truthful in your words and deeds. Just as you expect God to honor his promises, so should you honor your promises, not only your promises to Him but your promises to others as well. To willingly lie and betray brings shame to the Lord whom you represent. Honor your promises.

You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, Don’t break your promises, but keep the promises you make to the Lord. Matthew 5:33

Say only yes if you mean yes, and no if you mean no. If you say more than yes or no, it is from the Evil One. Matthew 5:37

He never doubted that God would keep his promise, and he never stopped believing. He grew stronger in his faith and gave praise to God. Romans 4:20

Do not lie to each other. You have left your old sinful life and the things you did before. Colossians 3:9

My brothers and sisters, above all, do not use an oath when you make a promise. Don’t use the name of heaven, earth, or anything else to prove what you say. When you mean yes, say only yes, and when you mean no, say only no so you will not be judged guilty. James 5:12

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Share Good News

Jesus instructed his disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations, and they, in turn, instructed us to share and teach the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit works within you as you share the good news, therefore have faith, speak publicly, and good words will come from your mouth. Faith in the gospel, nourished in the heart and openly confessed, will secure your salvation. Your belief must be more than a mental exercise; it should bring all your fiber into a loving trust and willing obedience to Christ. As often as you can, share good news.

Then Jesus came to them and said, All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:18-19

Jesus said to his followers, Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone. Mark 16:15

I will give you the wisdom to say things that none of your enemies will be able to stand against or prove wrong. Luke 21:15

He told us to preach to the people and to tell them that he is the one whom God chose to be the judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets say it is true that all who believe in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins through Jesus’ name. Acts 10:42-43

Until I come, continue to read the Scriptures to the people, strengthen them, and teach them. 1 Timothy 4:13 

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Share Good News appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Embrace Every Opportunity

Opportunities are placed in your path every day, not to test your faith and will, but to reveal your faith and will to you. Use every opportunity to share your faith, for the more often you do, the easier it becomes to do. Let your conduct be tactical and wise, do not provoke criticism, annoyance and rejection, but say what is relevant and best for each occasion. Embrace every opportunity.

When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17

Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5

Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? Then they should show it by living right and doing good things with a gentleness that comes from wisdom. James 3:13

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Ask For Help

You cannot save yourself, nor can you conquer your own sin. But Jesus can, and he waits patiently, listening for you to call on him. Make your requests in his name, depending on the merit and mediation of Christ for God’s answer. Ask with willing submission to the Father’s will, saying in your heart, Thy will be done. Eagerly grow dependent on Him who can do all things. Ask for help.

Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened. Matthew 7:7-8

So I tell you to believe that you have received the things you ask for in prayer, and God will give them to you. Mark 11:24

And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you so that the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son. If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14

But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom. James 1:5

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Embrace Your Responsibility

The work of evangelism is hard, but to shy away from it is to leave room for lies and chaos to fill the spaces where the truth should be. Boast of the Word and its teachings about Christ. Fear no evil, fight the good fight and defend the truth. Embrace your responsibility.

I use this example because this is hard for you to understand. In the past you offered the parts of your body to be slaves to sin and evil; you lived only for evil. In the same way now you must give yourselves to be slaves of goodness. Then you will live only for God. Romans 6:19

We ask you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who do not work. Encourage the people who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

But you, man of God, run away from all those things. Instead, live in the right way, serve God, have faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, grabbing hold of the life that continues forever. You were called to have that life when you confessed the good confession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Lead by Example

The business of the church is not only to save, but to enlighten. Christ is the light, and his disciples must also be light. To fit in with the crowd is to miss an opportunity to be an example of Jesus and show his goodness and mercy. Always reveal Christ by your words and deeds. Be a beacon, shine like stars so that others can see what you do for your Lord. Lead by example.

You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)

Do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be innocent and without any wrong. You will be God’s children without fault. But you are living with crooked and mean people all around you, among whom you shine like stars in the dark world. You offer the teaching that gives life. So when Christ comes again, I can be happy because my work was not wasted. I ran the race and won. Philippians 2:14-16

Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life. 1 Timothy 4:12

In every way be an example of doing good deeds. When you teach, do it with honesty and seriousness. Speak the truth so that you cannot be criticized. Then those who are against you will be ashamed because there is nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7-8

Dear friends, you are like foreigners and strangers in this world. I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that fight against your soul. People who do not believe are living all around you and might say that you are doing wrong. Live such good lives that they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again. 1 Peter 2:11-12

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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