Stewarding Lives for God's Kingdom Purpose
Stewarding Lives for God's Kingdom Purpose
Zechariah and Elizabeth, after years of waiting, were given a son with a profound, costly calling. Their role was not to shape John into their own dreams, but to steward him toward God's specific purpose. This means understanding that our children, and indeed our own lives, are borrowed, meant to be given back to God. Success in the Kingdom is measured by faithfulness to God's calling, even when it involves hardship or unseen paths, not by worldly achievements. It's a surrender that says, "If You gave him to us, he is Yours."
Luke 1:65-66 (KJV): “And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.”
Reflection: In what area of your life, or perhaps in the lives of those you influence, are you being called to shift from pursuing your own dreams or worldly success to stewarding for God's specific, perhaps costly, purpose?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Zechariah and Elizabeth, after years of waiting, were given a son with a profound, costly calling. Their role was not to shape John into their own dreams, but to steward him toward God's specific purpose. This means understanding that our children, and indeed our own lives, are borrowed, meant to be given back to God. Success in the Kingdom is measured by faithfulness to God's calling, even when it involves hardship or unseen paths, not by worldly achievements. It's a surrender that says, "If You gave him to us, he is Yours."
Luke 1:65-66 (KJV): “And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.”
Reflection: In what area of your life, or perhaps in the lives of those you influence, are you being called to shift from pursuing your own dreams or worldly success to stewarding for God's specific, perhaps costly, purpose?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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2026
2025
January
The Essence of God's HolinessGuarding Against FamiliarityThe Transcendence of God's HolinessReflecting God's Holiness in Our LivesEmbracing the Fullness of WorshipTimeless Truths for Today's ChurchUnwavering Faith in AdversityThe Majesty of Jesus RevealedLoving Jesus and His ChurchThe Urgency of Salvation
February
Shifting Focus from Self to JesusPersevering Through Tribulations with Christ's StrengthWorshiping in Faith Amidst StrugglesServing the Church with Love and DedicationEngaging in Spiritual Warfare with AwarenessPerseverance Through Shared StrengthWorship Beyond CircumstancesBuilding the Church Through ServiceEmbracing Jesus' Priestly RoleLiving Fearlessly in His PresenceGod Places Us in Strategic LocationsGood Works as a Reflection of FaithHolding Fast to the TruthPerseverance in TrialsReturning to Our First LoveTruth and Love in HarmonyGuided by the SpiritChoosing Compassion Over ContemptThe Call to Personal RepentanceEmbracing Jesus as a Living Person
March
Faithfulness Amidst TrialsBeauty Through SufferingThe Cost of CompromiseThe Promise of Eternal LifeLiving SacrificiallyThe Subtle Drift of CompromiseRecognizing the Reality of Spiritual WarfareSteadfast Faith in the Face of PersecutionGuarding Against Worldly InfluenceThe Timeless Truth of ScriptureFaithfulness Amidst AdversityNo Justification for SinThe Perils of CompromiseThe Urgency of RepentanceEmbracing a New Identity in ChristDiscernment in ToleranceRecognizing Christ's AuthorityAvoiding the Pitfall of CompromiseEmbracing the Call to RepentanceThe Promise of Eternal RewardSpiritual Vitality Over Religious Activity
April
Personal Responsibility in FaithThe Danger of RoutineRecognizing Modern IdolatryThe Mission Field at Our DoorstepFaithfulness Beyond CircumstancesReturning to the BasicsStrength in WeaknessAttentiveness to God's PrioritiesEndurance for Eternal RewardTrue Wealth Lies in Spiritual RichesThe Peril of Lukewarm FaithEmbracing Correction as an Act of LovePersonal Responsibility in FaithSharing in Christ's Sovereign RuleForgiveness Beyond GuiltResurrection and New BeginningsGrace Overcomes Sin's SeverityFulfillment Through ForgivenessJesus, Our MediatorJoy Anchored in Christ, Not CircumstancesThe Emptiness of Cultural PromisesThe Pitfall of Superficial Religion
May
Identity and Joy in ChristThe Communal Joy of the GospelLoneliness Is a Spiritual Wound Needing Divine HealingGrace and Peace Flow from Repentance and ForgivenessGospel Fellowship Unites Beyond All DifferencesChrist Redeems Our Painful MemoriesJoy Is a Settled Confidence in God’s GoodnessFaith Is Forged in the Fires of CrisisObedience Precedes the MiracleGod’s Ways Transcend Human LogicSelfless Faith Becomes a Channel for BlessingSurrendered Resources Become Miraculous ProvisionJoy Grows Through Gospel-Driven PartnershipFaithfulness in the Ordinary Matters Deeply to GodGod’s Transforming Work in You Is Unfinished but CertainReal Fellowship Means Sharing Both Grace and StruggleJoy Flourishes When We Lean on God in WeaknessFreedom’s Cost Echoes in Every Liberty We HoldRemembrance Guards the Heart of Our ValuesGod’s People Are Called to RememberLove That Crosses Every BoundaryThe Cross—Our Everlasting Memorial of Grace
1 Comment
John the Baptist left the 'religious' world of his earthly father. He forsook prestige & wordly comforts. He went out into the wilderness to take the gospel of his Heavenly Father.