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It is important that we always keep our focus on the right things. So many times we are tempted to only focus on the physical aspects of life looking at what social media calls “Success” and we wish to have those same things so that our joy might be full. What I and many others have found to be true is that the material possessions that so many seek after bring with it only a temporary happiness. There is no long-lasting joy or all indwelling peace that will fill our hearts by owning something that will only be with us temporarily. Instead we should invest our time and efforts into our eternal reward. When we dedicate our time and energy into doing the things that will be pleasing to the Lord, I believe the time we spend will not only be beneficial to us now and in our future to come, but it will also be a blessing to our fellow man who was positively impacted by our good works. (1 Timothy 6:6-10) (2 Corinthians 4:18)
When the Lord Jesus was on the earth and He was with His disciples almost all of the lessons He taught was about serving others, elevating others and being there for one another. The apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5:13-14 “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself.” We are shown that indulging in worldly lusts won’t bring lasting joy and happiness, but when we esteem others higher than ourselves we will not only be making a lasting impact upon our fellow man, but we will also be filled with joy and gladness because we were privileged enough to the used by the Lord to start a simple ripple that will continue on far longer than we can ever think or imagine. (John 13:12-17) (Philippians 2:3)
Be encouraged to take some time and think about how you can use your life to impact someone else in a good and positive way. What can you do to be a blessing? What kind words, acts or deeds can you do to show someone else that you love them and care for their well-being? Our loving acts don’t have to be elaborate, they don’t have to take a lot of our time or cost us a fortune because love is shown in the simplest of ways. A kind word, a loving gesture, time spent focusing on them are all simple and easy ways to make our care and love known. I pray that you think about your eternal impact and spend some time dedicated to loving your neighbor as you love yourself. (1 John 3:16-18) (Luke 6:31)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to make an extra effort to invest more into your spiritual life than you do in any material thing that seems so important right now.
MATERIAL vs. SPIRITUAL
“'The silver is mine and the gold is mine', declares the Lord Almighty.” - Haggai 2:8
Isn't it ironic that man works so ardently to own his own home and a shiny car, when, try as hard as we may, what we so-called “own” is not really ours anyway!
“What?” you say, “How can that be?”
Here is the scoop.
Everything which God created, from the silver, diamonds and gold, our Heavenly Father owns. For that matter, we owe our very life, not just to our parents, but to the Savior Himself, for without His divine intervention mankind would not even exist.
You see, you and I are not on this planet to make a name for ourselves in the business world, or to gather all the material items we can afford, nor even to eat, drink and be merry. Certainly, God wishes our ultimate joy and happiness, but our greater purpose is to worship God and love one another.
Again you say, “What? How can I worship God when I can't even see Him?”
Everything we do and say is a testament of our faith in God. Either our deeds will glorify Him, or bring Him shame.
“Yes, but is it realistic to expect us to also love one another,” you then say, “I mean, are we to also love those who murder, steal and rob us of our freedom?”
Love can take many shapes and forms. Certainly, love can be warm and mushy, and consist of hugs, kisses and kind words, but love also stands for truth and justice. The truth Can be spoken in love, and although truth may sometimes sting, that pang may save someone's soul.
The next time you are thinking about keeping up with the Joneses, and worrying about how to get your next raise so you can buy that great vacation home in Hawaii, think of this little story and then ask, “What can I do to better glorify God?”
By Melanie Schurr
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 Timothy 6:6-10 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
1 John 4:10-12 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”
Galatians 6:1-4 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem84.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: THE DAY THE ANGELS REJOICED
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony133.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
