Good morning. I would like to take
this opportunity to thank those of you who take time out of your busy schedules
to stop and read these. It is an honor to be able to share with you what God has
laid upon my heart. Just to be able to speak a word for or about our Lord and
Savior is a blessing.
Today's topic is one of those where
people say something like “not again”. We don't like being reminded of what we
haven't done. So many today are looking for a pat on the back and as long as you
are doing that, they will stand around all day long and soak that up, but if you
point out somewhere someone is falling short or missing the mark, they turn you
off like muting a TV show. I cannot do that. I have to do my best to listen to
God and share what He wants disseminated. So, here goes. We are going to see
some of what God's word has to say on the issue.
Matthew 9:37-38 says,
“37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly
is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the
harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." John 9:4 says, “ I must work the
works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can
work.” 1 Corinthians 3:14 says, “ If anyone's work which he has built on it
endures, he will receive a reward.” 1 Peter 1:17 says, “ And if you call on the
Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct
yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;” Matthew 25:19-21
says, ' 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled
accounts with them. 20 So he who had received five talents came and brought five
other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have
gained five more talents besides them.' 21 His lord said to him, 'Well done,
good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you
ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' James 4:14 says, “
whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is
even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Revelations
22:12 says, ' "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to
give to every one according to his work.”
Well, there it is from the word of God. We are told
that there is much work to do, but the “laborers” are few. We are told that we
must be busy working now, while we have day light, for night is coming when no
man can work. We are told that if we do a work for our heavenly Father, that it
will endure and He has a reward in store for us. We are told that God will
reward us according to our work, or lack there of. We are told that God expects
us to use the talents He has given each of us to do His will and if we do, He
will reward us for that, but if we do not, He will take that talent away and
give it to someone who will. Then we see that God reminds us that our time here
on earth is very short and that we may never see tomorrow, so we must have a
sense of urgency and do whatever it is that we are going to do for God today.
Finally, we see God's promise that He is going to come quickly, and His reward
will be with Him, to give to everyone according to his or her
work.
Now,
with God's word revealed to us and then broke down to us, we have to conduct a
self evaluation and do a thorough honest examination of our “works”. What have
you done lately? What have you done for God today? Can you think of anything?
What did you do yesterday? You see, so many of us may have done something for
Him in the past and we think, “well, at least I have done something”, and we
tend to rest on those laurels and feel like we are in good shape because at
least we've done something. Many cannot even make that claim of doing something
in the past. The real fact is, what was done yesterday and before are in the
past. God knows of them and He will address those when the time comes, but God
gave you life today, to be doing something more today.
Let
me put this in relational form. If you are married or dating, and you told your
significant other that you loved them, or they told you that they loved you, but
neither of you did anything to show it, how long do you think the relationship
would be healthy and stay in tact? When we first date, we bring flowers, candy,
write little love notes, we give back rubs and take the time to do something
special here and there. Then after the honeymoon is over, we tend to stop these
things and then before you know it, it has snowballed into a divorce. If we are
truly saved, and one of God's children, there can be no divorce, but if the
“courting” process stops, God has to chasten us and get us back in line. Some of
us are “thicker headed” than others and it takes a little longer to get through
to us, but be assured that God will get our attention and draw us back, one way
or the other.
What's done is done, as I said before. God will
address that when the time comes. We do not get credit, for what we intended to
do tomorrow, next week, next month or in a year or two. All we have is today,
the hear and now. We must look around us and discern what it is God would have
us to do and be doing it, while there is still day. For night is coming when no
man can work.
Remember: What is done for God, earns eternal
rewards. What is done for the world will do nothing for us when we stand before
the King of kings, Lord of lords and Judge of judges.
Until next time, please continue to pray for each
other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in
CHRIST,
Brian Hanvey
Associate Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church
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