Monday, March 12, 2012

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?”


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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