I have a reason to praise the Lord in my life, I have reason to worship the Lord in my life I have a reason to praise the Lord. Whenever I see another breaking of the day, I say Thank You Lord, thank You Lord. Let the living praise the Lord, let the living praise the Lord.
Our Father in heaven we came to You with a heart full of gratitude. We bow at Your feet and we reverence You the Most High God. Let Your Name be praise forevermore. Amen!
Beloved, we are at it again, our Merciful Father has done it again, With an outstretched Hand He delivered them that were oppressed, healed the sick, the captives were set free, hindrances were removed, gates were lifted in your life; in my life, Praise the Name of the Lord.
By His divine guidance the Lord have showed us what ‘grace’ can do in an individual life’s both the saved and the unsaved. As laborers in His vain yard, the Lord has called us to partner with Him especially as the end is drawing near. Our message this week bothered on those that are redeemed by the grace.
Oftentimes, we desire to serve God but the conflicts usually lies on what and where God has predestined us to work for Him and how He want us to go about it.
I strongly believed that our message today will clear some misconception if not all. Prayerfully go through the message as the Holy Spirit will open your eye of understanding and grant you insight on what to do.
I pray that your heart be illuminated through this message to know exactly what the expectations of God on you are. Come along with me as we go through to discover more:
How Do You Know If You Are On Target With God?
Here’s a check list to help you evaluate your true values and commitments:
- What do you want most?
Peace? Security? Safety? Recognition and respect? All of these are natural concerns. Are they your primary concern, or are your principle concerns for the Kingdom and Glory of God? (John 17:4, 10, 22, 24; Matthew 6:9-11; Luke 10:41, 42)
- What do you think about the most?
Survival? “Success”? Building your financial portfolio? Your golf handicap? Or how to win those neighbors down the street to Christ? Or how you can get more quality time with God and your family? (Colossians 3:1, 2)
- How do you use your money?
Would an objective observer conclude that you are greedy and self-indulgent? Or generous and self-sacrificing? Do you see your resources as God-given, and yourself as His steward in managing His resources? (Deuteronomy 8:18) Or do you view your resources as the product of your genius and sweat – to be dispensed of as you so please? (Luke 16:10-12; Deuteronomy 8:17)
- What do you do with your leisure time?
On the evenings you go out for entertainment, would Jesus be comfortable tagging along? How would he feel about your late night T.V. and internet viewing? Does the focus and tenor of your leisure time match up with Paul’s criterion in Philippians 4:8: Think on whatever is “true… noble… right… pure… lovely… admirable… excellent… or praiseworthy… “?
- What kind of company do you enjoy?
Are you traveling with the “mediocre middle” spiritual couch potatoes? Or with people of vision, discipline and excellence? Are you compassionately relating with the lost in your world or are you limiting yourself to your “holy huddle“? Are you blending in with compromising Christians? Or are you calling a spade a spade when sin is involved? (Proverbs 13:20; Matthew 9:9-13; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; Ephesians 5:11)
- Whom and what do you admire?
Are your heroes the self-proclaimed great ones? The power brokers? Those over whom the world ogles and awes? Or are your heroes the people who have chosen the less traveled path of service, sacrifice and humility? Interesting that a major publication devoted 17 pages to Princess Diana and 4 to Mother Teresa the week of their deaths. (Luke 16:15)
Beloved did you notice that “how do Jesus tagged along with you in your entertainment venue” that is, will you be where Jesus will ordinarily chose to be or do what Jesus will do especially in the midst of sinners or unbelievers.
Are you poised to taking kingdoms for God? Is your heart beating after the loss? Have you enlisted among the end time reapers? Early in the week, we has discussion on ‘passion’, ‘hold not back’. What did you make out all those write up? Never be like a stagnated water or else you stink. Trade your talent, knowledge, skill, someone needs it to get along. God blessed you to be a blessing to others, you just read it above (How do you use your money). You get better when you impact other people’s life.
Arise and reach out to someone. Be nice to someone. Be kind to that pepper seller down the street, don’t be rude to conductors or other road users, give a smile to someone you might have just save soul by doing just that. A telephone calls that will impart life and most importantly touch life for Christ either by reaching out in the Word or through your giving. The Owner (God) knows how to replenish it, so don’t be afraid. Let’s continue:
“He arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights.” 1Kings 19:8
All the strength supplied to us by our gracious God is meant for service, not for wantonness or boasting. When the prophet Elijah found the cake baked on the coals, and the cruse of water placed at his head, as he lay under the juniper tree, he was no gentleman to be gratified with dainty fare that he might stretch himself at his ease; far otherwise, he was commissioned to go forty days and forty nights in the strength of it, journeying towards Horeb, the mount of God.
When the Master invited the disciples to “Come and dine” with Him, after the feast was concluded He said to Peter, “Feed my sheep”; further adding, “Follow me.” Even thus it is with us; we eat the bread of heaven, that we may expend our strength in the Master’s service. We come to the passover, and eat of the paschal lamb with loins girt, and staff in hand, so as to start off at once when we have satisfied our hunger.
Some Christians are for living on Christ, but are not so anxious to live for Christ. Earth should be a preparation for heaven; and heaven is the place where saints feast most and work most. They sit down at the table of our Lord, and they serve Him day and night in His temple. They eat of heavenly food and render perfect service.
Believer, in the strength you daily gain from Christ labour for Him. Some of us have yet to learn much concerning the design of our Lord in giving us His grace. We are not to retain the precious grains of truth as the Egyptian mummy held the wheat for ages, without giving it an opportunity to grow: we must sow it and water it. Why does the Lord send down the rain upon the thirsty earth, and give the genial sunshine?
Is it not that these may all help the fruits of the earth to yield food for man? Even so the Lord feeds and refreshes our souls that we may afterwards use our renewed strength in the promotion of His glory.
Beloved, you can see that Jesus wants you to do likewise to others especially those who are yet to come to the full knowledge of Him.
No ‘Egyptian mummy’ or will I add ‘Egyptian daddy’ in Christendom hence forth, “Go” and bring in the sheaves for the harvest is ready so that both the laborers and reaper shall rejoice (Tit 3:5-9).
I love you. Enjoy your weekend but let Christ be in charge not just tagging along with you. See you next week, God’s willing.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
