USED UP!

            When everyone in a church uses their spiritual gifts for the glory of God, the church is able to function as God intended.—Paul Chappell

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:23

            Being used up for the Lord is not a bad thing. It means that you have given everything you have in order to see men, women, boys, and girls saved! It means you want to honor the Lord with the gifts you have been given! It means you love God more than yourself!

            Are you being used for God’s glory? If not, why are you wasting your time—Get Busy!

READY SET IGNITE!

            Nothing will ignite your passion for ministry and your joy in the Lord more than using your divine enabling for His glory.—Paul Chappell

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10

            Oh that everyone that walks through the door today would get a grasp on this thought of serving in their church! If more than the ten percent would get active in every church in the world, revival would come and we would see a multitude of souls saved for God’s glory and man’s good!

            How about you? How are you serving in your church? Are you being faithful opening up avenues of other service? Have you talked to your Pastor about areas of need? Don’t just sit there! GET UP, GET READY, and ignite the passion of service by GOING to Sunday School and then church today!

I DON’T WANT A BROKEN LEG!

Sometimes God must break some legs in order to get us to follow him.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Hebrews 12:6

It would seem mean and or evil to some that God would punish those that run from him. But truth be known, if he didn’t love us, he would just let us run wild in this world. I am so glad my father in heaven loves me enough to correct me when I am going astray. Even with a broken leg if necessary!

            Are you walking and or running away from God’s leading in your life? You’re standing in a dangerous place friend! Please heed to his word, letting him work in you and through you for his glory and your good.

LOOK AHEAD, BEATS LOOKING BEHIND

            Quit looking behind you, you can’t do anything about it!

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

            Get your eyes fixed on Jesus and you will not have to worry what happened in your past! As a matter of fact, if your eyes are truly fixed on Him, you will not have to worry about your future either!

Got Questions

            There is only one dumb question and that’s the one that’s not asked.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7

            The deep longing questions of life can be found in the Word of God! I believe, “Where you came from?” and “Where are you going?” are two of the most important underlining questions everyone has. Both of them are answered in the pages of God’s Word.

            Psalm 139 clearly tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. In Romans, we see that everyone has sinned and come short of the glory of God. In John, we see the only thing we need to do to go to hell is nothing. In Ephesians, Jesus is proclaimed to be the only One that can save us from our sin. Romans says, if we call upon the name of the Lord we will be saved! In Ephesians 4, we see we are sealed unto the day of redemption.

            Still got questions? Pick up an old King James Bible and begin to dig for the answers!

SERVING WITH A SMILE

            If you don’t have a smile while you are serving the Lord—you’re missing out on the reason to serve in the first place.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:2

            Have you ever been in a place that you lost the smile in your service? You begin to serve out of obligation rather than joy? You lose the desire to see souls changed for eternity? If you ever get to that point, stop, get alone with the Lord, and let Him have His way! Let Him search your heart and get to the root of the issue. Maybe it is sin in your camp. Maybe you have a problem with another Christian. Maybe someone hurt your feelings. Maybe God didn’t answer a prayer the way you wanted.

            Whatever the reason is that you have lost your joy, follow David’s lead in Psalm 51:12 when He said, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

NO GAMES

            No time for games, we have the Great Commission to accomplish!

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:16-18

            Some people want to argue over what color the carpet should be in the church. Some people want to complain the Pastor didn’t acknowledge their service. Some people would rather fuss and fight over simple things in the ministry rather than doing what God has commanded us to do! There isn’t any time for that mess! Grow up and get over it! Get busy sharing the Good News! People are lost, dying, going to Hell! Love your Saviour enough to set aside the petty differences you may have with someone so you can tell someone about the Him!

YOU JUST NEED TO COMMUNICATE

Good words are worth much, and cost little. –Herbert

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11

            Any relationship will remain healthy with the lines of communication open. The employer communicates to the employees work responsibilities keeping quotas. The general communicates to the soldiers the importance of the mission keeping a good moral. The Mom and Dad that communicates to their children will have a happy home.

            Our Saviour saw the need to communicate to us. He does it through His Word. He has given us everything we need in it matters of faith and practice in it. All we need to do is read it and apply it to our lives. When we do we can communicate back to Him how blessed we are because of His Word!

HEADED TO CHURCH!

            Will there be anything that keeps you from church today?

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. Psalm 22:22

            Is there something so important that it will keep you from GETTING UP, GETTING READY, and GOING TO CELEBRATE MOM while worshipping your Saviour this morning? If so, get rid of it! Head to church so that Mom will be the happiest she has been in a very long time! Very few things put a smile on Mom’s face than to look over seeing her kids sitting beside her in church! Or looking down from heaven seeing her kids in church! So don’t make excuse why not but make them why to go to church!

JESUS IS ALL THE HELP I NEED!

            To the man who himself strives earnestly, God also lends a helping hand. -Aeschylus

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Psalm 146:5

            The world will tell you it can help any need you may have but leaves you empty and used up when put to the test. Real, lasting help comes from the Lord. It is found in His Word, doing His work, following His will. When we do things His way, He sends help His way! When we leave Him out… we miss out on the blessings of the Lord!

WHAT ARE YOU TRUSTING IN?

             You may trust the Lord too little, but you can never trust Him too much. –Anonymous

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2

            Some people trust in their riches to give them peace of mind always coming up empty. Some trust in their own wisdom only to find out they don’t always have the right answer. Some trust in their own strength failing to press their way through life’s obstacles. Those who put their trust in the Lord are those who make a difference in the world for God’s glory!

            What and or who are you trusting? Are you really making a difference according to the Word of God? But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM ATTENDING CHURCH?

            Unless there are people who are responding to the love of God as revealed in Christ and who are worshipping Him, the Church is not very important. –Blake

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

            One of the barometers of your love of the Lord is your attendance to the House of God. I realize some people cannot be at the services due to health issues, occupations requiring them to work, or a missed day here or there for vacations or family events but when you make excuses missing Wednesday or Sunday services week after week… there is a heart problem.

            Heart problems must be taken care of Biblically. If there is an issue with the way you get to church—ask for a ride. Don’t let pride keep you from worshipping the Saviour. If you’re sick, be responsible and let the pastor or someone know so they can pray for you during the service. If there is a problem between you and another church member or the Pastor, go to them and work it out like Christians should. If Satan has robbed you of your joy of attending church—GO ANYWAY! God will bless you and give you something to keep on keeping on!

A GOOD NAME

            Protect your name; it will be all some people will ever know about you.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

            In owning your own business, one of the most valuable things you can have is a good name. Your name will go before you into new ears in which could potentially become new customers. This good name will help your new business grow into a thriving competitor.

            While making money is important, it’s not what is most important; a good name is! It comes by having the Good Saviour, reading His Word, and following it! It comes by serving Him! It comes by sacrifice! It comes by being faithful!

            If you were to die this week, what would they say at your funeral about you?

SMILE WHEN YOU GIVE

  The problem with our giving is that we give the widow's mite, but not with the widow's spirit. –Anonymous

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

          I heard a preacher once tell the congregation of a story of a man giving his tithe check and he was laughing when he did it. Someone asked him, “Why are you laughing?” He said, “Because God loves a cheerful giver and I want Him to know how much joy it gives me in supporting what He loves! 

            Wouldn’t it be great if we all had that type of attitude when we gave unto the Lord?

JESUS LOVES ME

            Dandelions do not determine God’s love in our life!

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9

            I don’t know if kids still do this or not but when I was growing up we would pick the petals off dandelions to determine if someone loved us or not. She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me, she loves me not. Until we got to the last few petals and either we stopped because we saw the outcome coming or we manipulated the petal count to our favor. That’s no way of determining love!

            I am so thankful for the Word of God. I am thankful we have God’s Word that we don’t have to pluck the petals off of a dandelion! We don’t have to question, guess, or go to some psychic. We have concrete assurance that God loves us in His Word. For He has said, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

If you’re doubting God’s love toward you, just look to the Cross of Calvary! He gave His all for He loves you!

DO THE RIGHT THING

Do right even when no one is looking!
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17

            When I first started working with the state, my boss told me to go around and get acquainted with the facilities and systems in them. So, I went around and surveyed what we had. In several of the buildings there were all kinds of stuff; furniture, appliances, and even some sound equipment. That’s when old Satan started working. Temptation set in. You see, we needed some sound equipment for our church. This wasn’t being used. No one would know. (Yes, Pastors, preachers, and church leaders are tempted too.) Praise God for the presence of the Lord in my life because there was a day in my life I would have taken that equipment and justified it for good. But not that day!

            How does one get to a point in their life when they do not succumb to temptation every time it pops its nasty head up? Do you get it when you get saved? Do you get it when you read your Bible? Do you get it by going to church? The answer is yes to all of them! When you get saved you have the Holy Ghost living in you. He goes before you when you are tempted making the way for you to have the way of escape from the temptation. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Every time you attend church you get strength from the fellowship of God’s people, (Iron sharpeneth iron). When you read, study, memorize, and meditate on God’s Word you have the ammo in your life so when temptations come, you can flee. (Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11)

            What’s great this morning is you can get all three in one trip. So GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH this morning! Go seeking the will of God for your life! Go, seeking to do the right thing!

BE THE LIGHT!

            A Christian should be a lamp, and not a damp.  He should cheer and enlighten his brethren, and never act as a wet blanket to their zeal. -Spurgeon

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Ephesians 5:8

            God didn’t take us to Heaven when He saved us so we could be light in the Lord for this world! If we have sin in our life, our light will not shine bright! We will not be someone who the lost will find spiritual guidance in. We will not be the example to this lost, dying, and hurting world we need to be!

            Do you want to be a dim light or a bright shining light for you Saviour? Clean the lens of your heart by confessing sin and be the light God wants you to be!

HELP IS THERE

            Many reject the help they truly need when it is available.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:11

            I have family friends that are in “Helps Ministry”. They will go wherever God calls and provides the means to get there. They fill in for missionaries on furlough or needing a break, small churches in need of a pastor, and they will do work projects for the church and the pastor. They have been a blessing to many, including myself, over the years! But what if I never asked for help? What if pastors and missionaries reject the help God has provides?

            When Jesus came to the Jews, scripture says, “… his own received him not.” What they needed was the Saviour and He was right there in front of their face and they rejected Him. So many today have what they need right in front of them but they reject what God has given! The help is there but they shut the door on the help God has provided.

            Child of God, don’t be that stupid! Open the help of God’s Word. Use the help of God’s people! Obtain the help through prayer! Attend the help of God’s Institution—the church! Don’t forsake the help God has provided you! It’s there if you want it!

HIS LOVE COMPELS ME

            A little love goes along way—now imagine what the love of God can do!

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

            If the love of another human has the potential to inspire an individual to go to college, serve their country in the military, or serve in their church—imagine what the love of God can do. According to 2 Corinthians, it will cause them not to live for themselves but live for Jesus. It will cause them to sell everything and serve on the mission field. It will cause them to serve in their church. It will cause them to give of their time, talents, and treasures.

            Living for Jesus is simply recognizing Him in every aspect of life. Not only in church on Sunday, not only when others are around, but every day and in every situation. Living for Jesus is dying to self daily and surrendering your life to His will.

            Does the love of Christ prod, compel, cause, push, or have you surrendered to live for Jesus? If not, there isn’t a problem with His love—it’s yours!     

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU!

There will not be a wagon following you on the way to Heaven… or Hell for that matter!

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;  For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Psalm 49:16-17

            I’ve heard the saying, “You can’t take it with you when you die”, many times. I’ve even said it many times myself. I have read Psalm 49 many times as well, but the other day this thought stuck out like a sore thumb! You can’t take it with you!

            Friend, no matter how rich you are, you can’t take your riches with you! You will not be loading your little red wagon pulling it behind you when you take your last breath! You won’t be able to make a withdrawal from the ATM! You won’t need any cash, debit cards, or a Visa! If you don’t repent and trust Jesus as your Saviour, you will just be wanted a cool cup of water and you won’t be able to buy one!