Faithful is Your Only Option
Some News You Can Use from Shelby Center
When was the last time you took inventory of yourself? It’s a good practice.
It can also be painful. An inventory of to what we’re faithful can awaken us to some things that need to be replaced.
Some things take up “shelf space” in our lives, collect dust, and prevent us from making room for what is worthwhile.
A wasted life is a worthless pursuit, especially when we stand before Jesus. Two options only on the shelf, serving God or serving self.
Consider some inventory clearance so you can stock the shelves with things that really matter and are worth being faithful (From 1 Cor. 4:1-5):
When this life is over, we’ll not be answering to people we esteem, but to Jesus exclusively.
Live faithfully for things that please the Lord, not men, as one who will answer face to face to the Lord, not men!
How might your life improve if you took inventory of what your life is about and adding up to;
Then removed the waste to make room for what is worthwhile in the end? Here’s a couple things to help you evaluate:
1. Be Faithful to Jesus (1 Cor. 4:1-2).
· Ministry is stewardship under Lordship of what God has given you. All that we have, He’s given (7). He deserves our allegiance. Take living to please others off the shelf – serve to please Jesus.
· It helps to admit you cannot be faithful to everything, nor should you be. Do these to take stock:
1) Recognize. Not everything has eternal value at the judgment seat (ROI). Identify what needs to be put on / off the shelves, then faithfully make the changes (Rom. 13:14).
2) Reduce. Less can be better. Spend more time with things that reveal/magnify God’s mysteries in all their facets - it will keep you enthralled, excited, and enriched (1 Cor. 2:2, 10:31-33).
3) Rearrange. Place within reach goals to learn the Bible, pray, exhibit Spiritual fruit, bless others, share the gospel/gifts, serve others… Keep front & center: Engage, Edify, Equip, Evangelize.
2. Be Forever Before Jesus (1 Cor. 4:3-5).
· Live in the constant presence of God. You’ll be more committed when you do what you do as though Jesus is your judge, not men, and He’ll judge in the end. Write some good new chapters (Mt. 6:33).
· We all have things collecting dust that we once couldn’t live without. Invite Jesus to point out what stays and goes. Prayer, His word, and a desire to please will guide you. Take inventory of your:
1) Passions & Pursuits. Create a God serving mission that directs what is worthwhile. Eliminate whatever conflicts with or does not contribute to that mission (Phil. 1:20-21, 3:7-8, 13-14).
2) Possessions. We make a life by abounding in generosity, not accumulating goods. A generous life will keep the shelves well stocked because we can never out give God (Phil 4:18-20).
3) Priorities. As stewards you have only two options. Time and Jesus will reveal your motives and the value of what you spent your life on. Start today, put Jesus first in everything (Lk. 17:7-10).
Taking inventory of yourself doesn’t have to be painful. When you put Jesus first it will be a pleasure. Start today and reduce the excess and waste and make faithful your only option
All that you have God has lent. Be a faithful steward and when this life you won’t answer to people you esteem but to Jesus exclusively.
When you add it all up, you have only one option: you’ll want to be faithful.
It can also be painful. An inventory of to what we’re faithful can awaken us to some things that need to be replaced.
Some things take up “shelf space” in our lives, collect dust, and prevent us from making room for what is worthwhile.
A wasted life is a worthless pursuit, especially when we stand before Jesus. Two options only on the shelf, serving God or serving self.
Consider some inventory clearance so you can stock the shelves with things that really matter and are worth being faithful (From 1 Cor. 4:1-5):
When this life is over, we’ll not be answering to people we esteem, but to Jesus exclusively.
Live faithfully for things that please the Lord, not men, as one who will answer face to face to the Lord, not men!
How might your life improve if you took inventory of what your life is about and adding up to;
Then removed the waste to make room for what is worthwhile in the end? Here’s a couple things to help you evaluate:
1. Be Faithful to Jesus (1 Cor. 4:1-2).
· Ministry is stewardship under Lordship of what God has given you. All that we have, He’s given (7). He deserves our allegiance. Take living to please others off the shelf – serve to please Jesus.
· It helps to admit you cannot be faithful to everything, nor should you be. Do these to take stock:
1) Recognize. Not everything has eternal value at the judgment seat (ROI). Identify what needs to be put on / off the shelves, then faithfully make the changes (Rom. 13:14).
2) Reduce. Less can be better. Spend more time with things that reveal/magnify God’s mysteries in all their facets - it will keep you enthralled, excited, and enriched (1 Cor. 2:2, 10:31-33).
3) Rearrange. Place within reach goals to learn the Bible, pray, exhibit Spiritual fruit, bless others, share the gospel/gifts, serve others… Keep front & center: Engage, Edify, Equip, Evangelize.
2. Be Forever Before Jesus (1 Cor. 4:3-5).
· Live in the constant presence of God. You’ll be more committed when you do what you do as though Jesus is your judge, not men, and He’ll judge in the end. Write some good new chapters (Mt. 6:33).
· We all have things collecting dust that we once couldn’t live without. Invite Jesus to point out what stays and goes. Prayer, His word, and a desire to please will guide you. Take inventory of your:
1) Passions & Pursuits. Create a God serving mission that directs what is worthwhile. Eliminate whatever conflicts with or does not contribute to that mission (Phil. 1:20-21, 3:7-8, 13-14).
2) Possessions. We make a life by abounding in generosity, not accumulating goods. A generous life will keep the shelves well stocked because we can never out give God (Phil 4:18-20).
3) Priorities. As stewards you have only two options. Time and Jesus will reveal your motives and the value of what you spent your life on. Start today, put Jesus first in everything (Lk. 17:7-10).
Taking inventory of yourself doesn’t have to be painful. When you put Jesus first it will be a pleasure. Start today and reduce the excess and waste and make faithful your only option
All that you have God has lent. Be a faithful steward and when this life you won’t answer to people you esteem but to Jesus exclusively.
When you add it all up, you have only one option: you’ll want to be faithful.