1 Corinthians 4:7 “For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” NLT

Life Lesson: We have all been given gifts by God. We should develop our gifts for the glory of God and to bless others.

“Well, if it were me, I wouldn’t have done it like that.” “Why does he do it that way?” “What’s up with that?’ God has uniquely gifted you in special ways because He has special things for you to do. Enjoy the calling God has gifted you with, but be careful where your eyes wander. It can be easy to begin coveting another’s gifts. Be careful of that, my friend. When we get wrapped up in envy, we can neglect our own calling, thus pridefully telling God that He gave us the wrong gifts. Ask yourself, on who does pride misplace your reliance? Pride is a dangerous thing and it has wrecked many a man despite the best intentions.

Romans 12:3 “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” NLT

So, how do you explore your gifts? You won’t unearth much sitting on your rump. Jump in and serve others! Through serving, you will begin to identify those things God has equipped you to do. As you use your gifts, you will discover and develop skills you didn’t know you had. Gifted musicians spend hours practicing; the more you use your gifts the more gifted you become. Are you faithfully using your gifts?

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me. Thank You for uniquely gifting me with talents and resources. Lord, I want to use my gifts for You. I want to experience the joy You have for me. Lord, I know I have been ungrateful for the gifts You have given me. Forgive me. Forgive me for being so distracted by what others are doing and not focusing on what You have blessed me with. I offer You all of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
Twitter.com/CCOT
336.996.6880

Matthew 2:10-11 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” NKJV

Life Lesson: You are precious to God.

Gold, Frankincense, and myrrh…these were the first Christmas gifts ever. These three things were precious and valuable. But more precious to God, was the three people who fell in worship of Him.

I love Christmas. I have fond childhood memories of trees, carols, wreaths, lights, feasting and the joy of family and friends gathered together. God wants us to enjoy this season and He wants to bless us with good things including grace – God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.

What do you desire?

You know what God desires? His desire is for your heart. Christmas is an opportunity. Not an opportunity for selfish gain, but an opportunity to give God the gift He desires. Maybe you gave your heart to Jesus years ago and wandered. Maybe you’ve never given your heart to God.
As we celebrate Jesus giving Himself to us, won’t you take the opportunity to give yourself to Jesus?

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You that You would leave heaven to come, suffer and die for me. You are such a precious gift. I have neglected the gift that You paid and I am sorry. Lord, I have been blessed by You. Thank You for Your incredible plan of my salvation. I give all of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
Twitter.com/CCOT
336.996.6880

1 Chronicles 21:3 “And Joab answered, “May the LORD make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?” NKJV

Life Lesson: Our real friends will warn us when they think we are doing something wrong.

We have a real enemy. Satan is not the ambivalent deviled-ham-can cartoon he has tricked people into thinking he is. He wants to take you out. He will do whatever he can to derail you in serving God. Your adversary, Satan, operates in the darkness of selfishness and pride, and he will try to get you to do the same. When you walk in generosity, kindness or blessing others, you walk in the Spirit.

For reasons we don’t know, David wanted to number the people of Israel. Surely counting people is not the sin, but the motive of David’s census was. We see Joab, David’s friend, warning David against his decision. Had David heeded to his friend warnings, many lives would have been spared.

Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” NKJV

Are you willing to speak into the life of a friend? Are you willing even when it’s uncomfortable or difficult? Do you love your friends? People who always speak easy-pleasy things to you may not have your best interest in mind. Are you willing to hurt a friendship to prevent a friend from falling into Satan’s trap? Are you willing to allow a friend likewise speak hard things to you?

Dear Father,

Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Lord, I recognize that I am in a real battle and I have messed up. I have opened the door to the plagues in my life and hurt others and myself around me. Help me to put away all selfishness and pride. Lord, I do not want to live my life blaming others or making excuses for decisions I have made. Lord, forgive me. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for speaking to me and giving me victory through the blood of Your Son, Jesus. I am so grateful that my sin does not have to count me out. Strengthen me with determination to fight in the battle for the souls of others around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
Twitter.com/CCOT
336.996.6880

1 Corinthians 4:1 “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” NKJV

Life Lesson: Our lives may be the only Bible someone ever reads.

In this verse, the Greek word huperetes (translated as minister) means under-oarsman. Under-oarsmen were men who worked under the main deck of a rowing boat. (As seen in Viking movies) A minister is a servant. The under-oarsman doesn’t know where the boat is going, but continues to row until he reaches the final destination. He has an oar, and he knows what to do with it. You, my friend, have been handed an oar…

“What oar,” you may ask? The oar of salvation. You are a steward of the mysteries of God. As Paul mentions, you are a living epistle (2 Corinthians 3:1-2). The message you send each day you live your life has the power to lead someone else from death to life. God has invested in you expecting a return. I look around here and see hundreds of people who contain this message. Many are rowing while some are sitting idle expecting others to do the rowing. Take a moment and reflect…What are you doing with your oar?

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the gifts, talents and resources You have given me. Lord, I have been blessed by You. Help me to lay down my fears. I know I am not living for Your Kingdom as I should. I have complained and been ungrateful for the blessings You have given me. Forgive me. Forgive me for being so distracted by what others are doing and not focusing on the gifts You have given me. I want to give all of my life. Empower me to be a mighty person of valor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
Twitter.com/CCOT
336.996.6880

Matthew 6:1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” NKJV

Life Lesson: Jesus should be the central focus of worship.

Worship is so much more than the music and singing that come before a teaching. Worship is a lifestyle. It’s a decision to walk a path that most people will not walk. It is self-denial as a way of life; putting God and others before you. Worship is intentional and is expressed in praise, admiration, joy, love, mercy, forgiveness, giving and serving. It is doing the things that God has told us to do.

Sometimes, worship can be uncomfortable, and other times, it’s grimy and dirty. Sometimes, it is dangerous. Jesus was the example of worship lived out loud and as we follow Him, we should reflect His life to others.

Worship is telling others about Jesus and showing them the goodness of God. Worship is our commission, from Jesus, to show and tell the world the Good News of Jesus Christ. Are you a worshipper?

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me. Thank You for allowing me to worship You. Lord, I want to live out my life as an expression to others of Your grace and mercy. I want to be sold out for You to serve others regardless of how uncomfortable it may feel. I want to accomplish all of what You have called me to do, and leave an eternal impact on others around me. Help me to do this. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,

Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
Twitter.com/CCOT
336.996.6880

1 Corinthians 3:19 “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;” NKJV

Life Lesson: To be truly wise, read and apply the Bible in your life.

People search the stars and nature and, according to the Bible (Romans 1), God does express Himself in His creation. Seeking the face of God in His work is appropriate, but do not forsake unity of fellowship in church (Hebrews 10:25). God has designed the church to meet the needs of the world, both spiritually and physically. The church should not meet these needs in the ways or wisdom of the world. It is when we seek man’s wisdom that we fall into error; when we accept man’s knowledge over God’s wisdom.

What God calls wisdom and what the world calls wisdom are two very different things. The world looks to academia for wisdom. That is a trap. Pride loves the appearance of wisdom, but it is always rooted in self-deception. The wisdom of God; however, is viewed as foolish to the world.

Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” NKJV

So, where do we find true wisdom? My friend, it’s in the Bible. Search within those pages and find that God promises to give you wisdom. The Bible, above all other books, can be trusted. The difference is the Author. Walk in the wisdom of God’s book and you will walk in the intentions of God for your life.

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Lord, You know my thoughts. You know that I want to be made well and victorious in my struggles. At times, I know I have listened to the wisdom of the world rather than trusting in You. Empower me to rely on You. I know I have made mistakes. Thank You for Your forgiveness and revealing Your love toward me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
Twitter.com/CCOT
336.996.6880

1 Chronicles 20:1 “It happened in the spring of the year, at the time kings go out to battle, that Joab led out the armed forces and ravaged the country of the people of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. And Joab defeated Rabbah and overthrew it.” NKJV

Life Lesson: Being on the sidelines is a dangerous place for a Christian.

Being on the sideline is a battleground, not a playground. It’s a dangerous place to just hang out there. In an early battle of the Civil War, many of Washington DC’s elite gathered around the battlefield to picnic as they watched the battle play out before them. To their horror, the Union Army was defeated and began to retreat. In the mass hysteria, they were hindered by civilians fleeing from the battle; they realized they had become targets. What if those prideful elite had been in the battle instead of gathering around their picnics?

When Christians laze about doing nothing or seek their own rather than the good of others, not only do they hinder their own blessings, but they hinder the blessing of others. The laziness among the church is even more horrifying because it puts others in harm’s way.

Do you understand the power that God has given us as a group for the Kingdom? Are you on the sidelines or in the trenches with the army? A team or an army is a powerful thing. Be part of the team. Don’t be picked off of the sideline. Go in a blaze of glory fighting on the front lines with the best of the battle.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your goodness and mercy. Thank You that I am in a battle and that You have allowed me to see the victories! Lord, help me to realize that I am not alone in my struggles. I know You are with me and you have surrounded me with others who are there for me. Thank You for that. Help me to wage a mighty war and fight for the souls who are lost. Strengthen me with determination to do battle for those who have no hope and who do not yet know You! Lord, give me determination and ambition to answer to the call to do battle. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,

Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
Twitter.com/CCOT
336.996.6880