IF GOD SAVED YOU, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION?

SCRIPTURE:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and
you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”  
(Matthew 25:35)

MEDITATION:
When Jesus said, “It is finished”, 
one of the things it meant was that His earthly ministry was over.
While He walked the earth in human form, 
He had a ministry obligation to fulfill.
However, after He was crucified and He was resurrected, 
He would no longer walk the earth and continue His earthly ministry.

Does that mean it was the end of all earthly ministry?
No, it meant that others would have to take the baton 
and continue spreading the good news to the lost.
Think about how His ministry would die out 
if there weren’t believers dedicated to continuing what Jesus began.

He expects those who have been blessed with salvation 
to carry on His mission to the lost.
Some have been called to specific positions such as pastors, missionaries, 
and teachers, but all Christians are called to participate in some way.
What an awesome responsibility (and blessing) to know that the Lord 
is depending on believers to continue what He started.

During the war, a church in Strasburg, Germany, was totally destroyed, 
but a statue of Christ which stood by the altar was almost unharmed. 
Only the hands of the statue were missing. 
When the church was rebuilt, 
a famous sculptor offered to make new hands, but, after consideration, 
the members decided to let it stand as it was—without hands.
Their rationale: Christ had no hands but our hands to do His work on earth. 

If we don’t feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, 
entertain the stranger, visit the imprisoned, clothe the naked, 
and take the message to the lost, who will? 
If we don't support and encourage 
those who have been called to preach or teach, who will?
If we don't get on our knees 
and pray for the lost and the hurting, who will?

ACTION:
Has the Lord blessed you with salvation?
If so, what are you doing to contribute to His earthly ministry?
Are you doing anything to continue the ministry of the One you follow?
If those who know you were asked what you are doing 
for the ministry of Christ, what would they say?
When you meet Jesus, will He say, “Well done good and faithful servant?”
James said, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims 
to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the ‘good news’ message to all mankind. 
Thank You, Jesus, for showing us the importance of Your ministry to reach 
the lost and encourage those who believe in You. Forgive me if I have been 
lackadaisical or lazy about participating in the continuation of Your 
ministry on earth. Show me how and where You want me to serve. Give me 
confidence and encourage me to start participating now. I am thankful that 
You have saved me and participating in Your ministry is one way of showing 
my appreciation. You have a heart for the lost and if I am a true follower 
of You, then I should have a heart for them as well. Make me conscious of 
those who are lost and those who are hurting.”