Spoken Word

“Be filled with the Spirit by speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (singing and making music with your hearts to the Lord), by always giving thanks for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by submitting to one another in reverence for Christ. ”

— Ephesians 5:18-21

For millennia, Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs have helped to encourage and to lift spirits. Here, Paul tells the Ephesian church to take what's helpful personally and offer it to one another. The Church is a distinct, called-out body that's in the world but not of it. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs remind us of where we're really from and whose we really are. Over the next few weeks, can we be generous with one another in this way?

Evangelism and Re-evangelism

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you.”

— 1 Peter 3:15

So often we think of this verse as a call to evangelism. People outside the faith may be surprised by your hope in dark times and wonder where it comes from. But in these times, it's helpful to share the reason for our hope with others inside the faith too — with one another. The gospel is good news and we need some good news right now. Let's re-evangelize our hearts regularly.

Exchanging Gifts

“God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will overflow in every good work. You will be made rich in every way so that you may be generous in every way, which produces thanksgiving to God through us”

— 2 Corinthians 9:8,11

So much of bending culture toward God's kingdom involves seeing differently. The world around us tends to be impersonal and transactional. Here's a small way we can disrupt the prevailing system. Next time you need a product or service, see that commodity as a gift of love to you or your family—God's provision. Someone (probably several people) conceived, designed, manufactured, shipped, and delivered it to meet a need. In exchange, you will bless them and their families with your money—also God's provision. This can be more than just a transaction. It can be an exchange of love.

Is this just semantics? Maybe sometimes. But this way of thinking can shape attitudes in our work. And it can help form our hearts toward gratitude and away from entitlement. It may even influence who we 'do business' with. God's kingdom consists of giving and receiving, not buying and selling.