HOW DO YOU FEEL? (part-09)

DO YOU EVER FEEL YOUR LIFE ISN’T VERY IMPORTANT? IT CAN BE!

BIBLE PASSAGE:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and
this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works,
so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created
in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance
for us to do.
(Ephesians 2:8-10)

MEDITATION:
Oswald Chambers, author of “My Utmost For His Highest”, died in 1917.
However, his influence lives on. God still uses this man’s book to speak
to many hearts, and to convict lost people that they need the Lord, and
they need the salvation that only He can freely give. The message God
gave Chambers to share, has lasted through the years because he gave
priority to ‘things of eternal value’, rather than to ‘things of the world’.

Sadly, many people choose an existence with no enduring significance.
We can have goals to achieve; things such as, make as much money as
possible, please ourselves, and retire to “enjoy the good life”. Although
they sound good, none of these goals are biblical.

Worthwhile living involves giving ourselves unreservedly to God
so He can use us in any way He sees fit. Christians like Chambers,
who make a lasting impact in their sphere of influence, understand
God’s desires for them, and they have a passion to serve the Lord.
They actively look for ways to express their love and devotion to Him.

Believers are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, which means that
part of our identity is, being a “Servant of Almighty God”. We may
think:
      “I have a secular, and not a ministry job”
  or
      “My life doesn’t matter much”.
However, when we are determined, and have a passion to find
ways to be useful for His kingdom, God will provide us with
tasks of greater, and eternal value.

As followers of Jesus, we need to be sensitive to people in need. We
need to share our faith with others, and give special attention to
those who are hurting, and/or searching. Whether through our
vocation, or in our community, we need to make ourselves available
to any individuals who need help.

In order to do that, we need to be prepared to tell others what God
is doing in our own life. We should spend some time thinking about
our own testimony (or testimonies) about the Lord’s activity in our
lives.

Our focus should not be trying to align ourselves with the actions of
those God has called to full-time ministry. Instead, we should reflect
on how God has impacted our lives in terms of “where the rubber meets
the road”. In other words, when we belong to the Lord, all of us have a
time (or times) in our lives where we know God was involved.

It could have been when we were in a valley, when He blessed us in
a special way, when He answered our prayers, or any other incident
when we had no doubt of His presence and activity in our lives. God
may not have called us to full-time ministry, but we are all called to
serve God where we are. Satan wants to convince us that we have not
been called to serve God, but look at what we are told in God’s Word.
We have all been given the work of evangelists and teachers…
    Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
    baptizing them in the name of the Father and
    of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
    (Matthew 28:19)
…and we have been ‘tasked’ with caring for those who are in need;
    Carry each other’s burdens, and in
    this way you will fulfill the law of Christ
    (Galatians 6:2)

ACTION:
Have you made yourself available to the One who has saved you?
Do you have a passion for serving God? Have you developed a
sensitivity for the lost? Are you busy doing whatever God wants
of you? There is much work to be done by God through each and
everyone who has committed to following His Son, Jesus.

Doing something worthy can be fuel for our self-esteem. Not only
does serving the Lord provide us with a self-gratification that cannot
be found anywhere else, but we will also leave a legacy to be proud of.
Like Chambers, our impact on others can live on.

It might not be the result of any book we have written, but it could
be through those we have impacted. What would others say about
us and our life when we are gone? Will they say something like,
    “I think he or she was a good person who believed in God”
    “He or she was faithful in worshipping God and singing praises”
or will they say something like,
    “I don’t know how they found the time to do all they did for the Lord”
    “They were concerned about the salvation of all people”
    “They faithfully used the spiritual gifts given to them by God”

As followers of Jesus, we need to understand His purpose and goals.
wouldn’t you agree?
    For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
    but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
    (Mark 10:45)

Jesus had a purpose, didn’t He? He didn’t come for people
to cater to His needs. Jesus came to meet the needs of others
in accordance with God’s purpose. Satan would want us to
believe something like,
    “That was God’s Son, and God sent Him to serve
      but I am not Jesus, so I am not called to serve”
When we have thoughts like that, we need to ask ourselves,
    “Am I God’s son or daughter too?”

As believers, we are God’s adopted sons and daughters aren’t we?
    He predestined us for adoption to sonship
    through Jesus Christ, in accordance with
    His pleasure and will
    (Ephesians 1:5)

How did that happen? How did we become adopted by God?
    For He chose us in him before the creation of
    the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.
    (Ephesians 1:4)
Before we were even born, God selected everyone to have
the opportunity to become holy and blameless in His sight
(to be sons and daughters who belong to Him).

Why would God choose to do that?
    “to the praise of his glorious grace, which
     He has freely given us in the One He loves.”
     (Ephesians 1:6)
He did it out of His grace (giving us what we do not deserve)
and the love He has for us (which is the same love He has for
His Son, Jesus).

When we chose to receive His gracious gift, He gave us a unique
understanding of the things we need to know as His newly adopted
children.
    With all wisdom and understanding, He made known
    to us the mystery of His will according to His good
    pleasure, which He purposed in Christ
    (Ephesians 1:8b-9)

With this new understanding, we know that He has a plan for us
which fits into His overall mission for the salvation of all mankind.
    In him we were also chosen, having been predestined
    according to the plan of Him who works out everything
    in conformity with the purpose of His will
    (Ephesians 1:11)

In summary, God has given us the opportunity to receive salvation
and become His adopted children. When that happens, we receive
a special understanding of His purpose, and how we fit into His
plans. Just as He called His Son to serve, He has also called His
adopted sons and daughters to serve (that means you and me).

It is our responsibility to find His will for us so we can be contributors
to His mission of making others His adopted sons and daughters. Even
if the area where He calls us to serve seems overwhelming, we should
not be fearful, because He equips us with all we need to serve in the way
He has called us. He gives us a special spiritual gift, and He has given us
the Holy Spirit to encourage and guide us in our efforts.

The final question we should ask ourselves is,
    “How do I feel about God expecting me to serve Him
      in the same manner He sent His Son, Jesus to serve”
God had a plan for how and where He wanted Jesus to serve, and
He also has a plan of how and where He wants You and me to serve.
The question for us is,
    “As God’s adopted child, will I actively seek to
      find how and where He wants me to serve Him?”

If our answer to that question is, “No”, then should do a
self-examination and determine why we would refuse to
answer the call of the God who has freely given us salvation.
More than likely none of us want to add something else to our
responsibilities, but God has given us an opportunity to express
our love and appreciation to Him for what He has given us, right?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for being selfish about
all You have given me, and especially Your promise
that I can spend eternity with You. Develop in me a
passion for the lost, and a willingness to do whatever
You ask of me that will help point others to Your Son.”

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