Here, we'll be sharing inspiring excerpts from The Daily Nugget by Pastor Ed Chidester, our founding pastor. It is our prayer that these daily nuggets of truth will encourage, strengthen, and inspire you as you walk with Him each day.
Thank you for joining us, and stay tuned for more daily inspiration to come!
The question is often asked, “Why am I here?” The Word of God tells us we are created for His pleasure, and we are laborers with God. Every person who becomes a Christian, through the blood of Jesus, is a minister of the good news of the kingdom of God. We are equipped with special gifts from the Holy Spirit and empowered to be the true representative, witness, and expression of Jesus on earth. It is necessary that every born-again child of God understand the importance of his/her responsibility as a part of the body of Christ.
There are three basic duties for each Christian, which we would like to consider. The first is the responsibility we have to God in prayer and worship. This is the only thing we can give directly to God. When we lift our hearts, hands, and voices in praise and worship, it brings joy to God Himself. We are to offer up spiritual sacrifices with the praises of our lips. Praise and worship become the pleasure and joy of all born-again believers. Songs, prayers, obedience, and the way we live before Him represent the family we have become.
Secondly, we have a responsibility to our fellow believers. We all became members of one body, one church, and one kingdom when we were born again. The biblical symbol of this unity is the physical body, which Paul describes in detail in 1 Cor. 12:13-27. Because of this relationship, the Bible teaches us how to treat our fellow believers. We cannot judge them by church or denomination. We are taught, “He that hath the Son hath life.” So we must receive every man that proclaims Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and bear one another’s burdens, forgiving one another, praying for one another, honoring one another, suffering with one another, loving one another, speaking no evil of one another, submitting ourself to one another, and treating one another as family. We must recognize our brother in Christ and be kind to him, encouraging him and ministering to every need. This is one of the reasons we congregate and have fellowship together.
Thirdly, it is our responsibility and joy to represent Jesus Christ to the unbelievers of this world. This means we are all to be ministers of the great gospel of the kingdom of God and to proclaim it to all those we can. We may very well be the only Bible or the only Jesus that they will ever read or see. If you do not show them Jesus Christ through your life, then you may fail to fulfill one of the reasons God placed you where you are.
It is a great joy to know that we have something to do that is most important to God’s kingdom. We are not here just to exist or look after ourselves. We must ask ourselves the question, “What am I doing here today to fulfill the responsibilities God has given me?” May the Lord enrich our lives to consider all of our deeds in the light of eternity.
Words from Pastor JoAnn Chidester: As Disciples we wear faith, hope and charity; Serving with joy, strength in every opportunity. Going in God’s love and care.