Never Useless – March 30, 2009

Never Useless

1 Corinthians 15:58

Jim Stephens

03-30-09

 

Scripture:

 

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT)

 

Observation and Application:

 

Paul worked hard for the Lord.  He served, suffered, and sacrificed.  He accomplished much, but the extent of his success in serving the Lord was never apparent in his lifetime as it is to us today.

 

There were times in the night in jail cells, sleeping by the roadside, or clinging to the wreckage of a sinking ship when the success and effectiveness of his ministry was hard to quantify.

 

But Paul knew by revelation from the Lord himself that nothing he did for the Lord was ever wasted.

 

I need to be assured sometimes and reassured at other times that nothing I do for the Lord is ever useless.  I don’t always reach my goals, I don’t always please those I’m serving or serving with.  I don’t always please myself.  It’s often hard to quantify my success and my successfulness.

 

Here’s the assurance:  If I do it for the Lord, it is never useless.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, this morning I reaffirm that my service is for you and not for success or accomplishment or status or pleasing myself or others.  I labor for you.  And it is never useless to labor for you.  Amen.

 

Their Abilities – November 26, 2008

Their Abilities

Matthew 25:14-15

Jim Stephens

11-26-08

 

Scripture:

 

14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. (Matthew 25:14-15 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

What an amazing example of “low control – high accountability” leadership!  “The man” was going on a long trip and would be away for a long time.  During that time, communication would be limited, so he carefully and correctly assessed his servants’ abilities and entrusted amounts of his wealth to them accordingly.  In proportion to their abilities.  When he returned, he held them to account for what they had done with resources that had been entrusted to them “in proportion to their abilities.”  In another place, Jesus said, “To whom much is given, of him much will be required.”

 

Application:

 

In a few weeks I will have completed 28 years of reading through the Bible in a Year.  I started when I was 37 and now I’m 65.  Lately as I get to this time of year, I think of the knowledge I’ve gained in 28 years of reading God’s Word and for much of that time journaling in various styles and forms.

 

I can see that one of my abilities (there are many things that are not my abilities!) is to consistently read God’s Word and journal daily.  So at this time of year for the past couple of years I’ve asked God how to best use that ability during the coming year. 

 

Some of my questions are:  Is it best to continue the Ready, Set, Go Reading plan for another year?; Is it best to continue the S.O.A.P. journaling style for another year?; How should I use or share the product of my reading and journaling?; Is there an altogether different approach I should be using?

 

If you’re reading this, I would appreciate your thoughts, recommendations, and input.  I realize this decision is not about me alone.  Thanks.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, thanks for your Word and for the ability you’ve given me to thoughtfully read it daily and consistently.  Help me in the next year and in the coming years, however few or many they may be, to use that ability and the product of that ability in a way that pleases you and benefits others.  Amen.