GET BUSY SERVING

When your will is God's will, you will have your will. –Spurgeon

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

Not everyone is called to preach, but every Christian can tell someone of Jesus. Not everyone can teach Sunday School, but every Christian can teach someone about the Word of God. Not everyone can drive the church bus but you can support the Bus workers with prizes for the kids. Not everyone can lead the choir but you can sing in it. There is one thing that every Christian can do and that is to pray. We have a lot of work to do—time to get busy serving!

MADE TO DO HIS WILL

There is but one question, and that is the will of God. That settles all other questions. --William E. Gladstone

Hebrews 13:20-21, Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I am sure you have heard that God equips the called. What that means is that while you may have some natural talents; God doesn’t necessarily need any of them in order for you to do what God desires for your life. He will give you everything you need to do His will. And don’t think for a moment that God cannot give you the abilities you need for you to do His Will.

            You may be able to naturally sing, but if God wants you to build churches; He will give you the talents to do such. You might be able to keep the attention of a group of kids for hours, but God may want you to teach the adult Sunday School class. You might be able to build houses, bridges, or install HVAC equipment, but God may want you to preach the Gospel to this lost, dying, and hurting generation. He will call you, equip you, and give you a place to serve Him! Be patient Child of God; He is still working on all of us! But serve right where you are at!

NOT MY WILL BUT THY WILL BE DONE

            There is but one question, and that is the will of God.  That settles all other questions. --William E. Gladstone

James 4:14-15, Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

            Friend, we do not know what tomorrow holds for us. It could be filled with joy or devastated by death. Whatever tomorrow holds, it will not surprise the Lord. Whatever you are going through right now, God knew about it long before you did! He was preparing you for the trial. He is preparing you for the next trial as well! We may not like the trial. We may not enjoy the trial. It is only our responsibility to give thanks in everything that comes into our lives.

            So, this morning, take some advice from a great man of God, Dr. David Gibbs; “Finish this life in the Will of God, with the joy of the Lord in your heart.”

YOU BETTER BE THERE

            There is but one question, and that is the will of God.  That settles all other questions. --William E. Gladstone

Ephesians 5:17, Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

            I have had people ask me in the past, Bro. Jay, how can I know this is God’s will for my life. I always go back to what a friend of mine shared with me several years ago; He said, Bro. Jay, if God opens a door for you go through it, if He closes it, don’t force it back open. I have had to apply this to my life a few times in the past 15 years. From leaving a job I held for over ten years, to leaving a church I had been at for over 25 years, God always gives a clear path.

            Child of God, if you are questioning whether you need to make a change in your life, don’t do anything until God give you the green light. Don’t quit that job, buy that new car, go on that trip, take on another responsibility, or anything else before you consult with your Heavenly Father! You better be there where He put you until He moves you. If you don’t, you are making the biggest mistake of your life!

OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE

           A Sunday School teacher once asked her class 'How is the will of God done in heaven?' One child answered, 'Cheerfully.'  Another, 'By everybody.'  A third 'All the time.'  But the best answer was, 'It is done without asking any questions.'" -D.L. Moody

            And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

            Obedience is better than sacrifice in dealing with your salvation- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9

            Obedience is better than sacrifice in dealing with your sanctification- That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

            Obedience is better than sacrifice in following the Lord is service- I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

It’s not our way but God’s so follow His way!

It’s not our will but God’s so follow His will!       

It’s not our work but God’s so do His work!

DOING GOD’S WILL IN A SELF-CENTERED WORLD

Man thinks, God directs. –Alcuin

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

            When we become a living sacrifice it means we willingly lay down our lives for the will of the Father. As God directs us here or there, all we are to do is obey. When we are so wrapped up in self, we cannot discern His will. We over think the situations and we make a mountain out of a mole hill. When we place our will above His will, we are living in a dangerous place. When we are willing to follow His leading, it is then we can know confidently we are doing that good, acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

            Having problems discerning God’s will for your life? Be still and know He is God. Get to reading the Word of God that never returns void. Pray and pray some more. Fast and fast some more. Seek godly counsel from men and or women that have proven themselves a workman.  And if you still don’t hear from God, remain right where you are at until you do. That may be your answer or it may be God is teaching you a valuable lesson in patience. Nevertheless, wait on the Lord.

THERE’S PLENTY TO DO, GET BUSY!

When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need. –Brunner

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

What has God been pushing you to do? What area of service does He want you to serve in that you have been avoiding? What will it take for you to surrender to His will?

Friend there is no better feeling than knowing you are doing exactly what God wants you to do. On the flip side of that is there isn’t a worse feeling in knowing you are so far out of God’s will! But the greatest thing about it is He will let you come back to Him…if you repent and go back to where you left Him at. He’s willing, are you?

YOU NEED TO TAKE THE HARDEST PATH…SAY WHAT?

Keep us, Lord, so awake in the duties of our callings that we may sleep in thy peace and wake in thy glory. –Donne

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:23

Many people do not like nor want a challenge any more. They want their instant potatoes, books read to them, and groceries delivered to their door. Man what’s wrong with cutting yourself while peeling 5lbs of potatoes, a good nap while reading a book, or fighting the lines at the local grocery store? You can learn a lot about life by just taking the hardest path!

 

So on this Sunday morning how about doing something that is hard for a lot of people, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Trust me when I say you will learn a lot about life when you get there!