Staying Within the Lines: Faithful Stewardship and Purpose

God loves everyone. He wants a relationship with everyone. He has given blessings to everyone. The bible says, the just and the unjust. In different ways, we're all blessed. We all have potential to do something in this world. And all God wants is for us to be in relationship with him and use that potential in service to him. [01:21:00] (32 seconds)  #ServeWithYourGodGivenPotential

And with this in mind, as a new year begins and we await Jesus' return, I would like to use this parable to give you three times when you can expect the Holy Spirit to get your attention if you start to veer off the road of faithfulness. K? So let's begin. Number one. When you begin thinking you are insignificant and have nothing to contribute, expect the Holy Spirit to get your attention in order to help you realign your focus. [01:22:21] (49 seconds)  #HolySpiritSaysYouMatter

When you look at your life and consider how God has blessed you, what do you see? Do you have money? Do you have hands and feet? Can you see and talk and hear? Do you have the power of thought? Can you sing? Can you teach? Can you pray? What kind of personality do you have? The point is it doesn't matter if you have a lot or a little, limbs or no limbs, eyes, speech, or hearing or not. The message in Jesus' story is God has a reason for your life. [01:24:55] (48 seconds)  #GodHasAReasonForYou

The message in Matthew 25 is this, As a servant of God, which we are, be a nail in a sure place, the place you were created to be in. See your potential, Live out your God given purpose. And if you don't know what that purpose is, ask God. Get some help. Find out and discover what your purpose for being here is because you have one. And one day, we'll have to give account for how we've lived out that purpose so it's a good idea to find out what it is. [01:31:51] (59 seconds)  #FindYourGodGivenPurpose

Now, how do we know this is important? Well, in verses 14 to 18, Jesus said, now notice that although each servant had ability, only two had motivation to put effort into the opportunity. The one with the five gained five more, the one with the two gained two more, the one with a one talent gained nothing. Not because he didn't understand his ability, but because he devalued his opportunity and shirked his responsibility. [01:33:22] (46 seconds)  #UseYourOpportunity

I know life can get exhausting and tough. The bible's full of stories of wonderful godly people who at times became fatigued and fearful and discouraged, who faced situations that were unfair and unrewarding, who struggled to keep going during illness and financial problems and difficult circumstances. The bible's full of stories of people who felt like giving up and quitting. [01:40:32] (35 seconds)  #KeepFaithWhenDiscouraged

Let's say you're facing a major crisis right now. You could say, I quit. I've had enough. I'm tired of these tough times. I'm done with everything. Nothing works. Or you could say, I'm down but I'm resilient, I'm getting back up. I'm hurt, but I'm resilient. I'm gonna forgive. I'm in need, I'm resilient. I believe God will provide. Yes, it's a big loss, but I'm resilient. I can still be strong and carry on. Sure. I failed, but I'm resilient. I can learn from this mistake, and I it's gonna make me a better person. [01:46:29] (59 seconds)  #ResilientAndRising

Concerned, I looked at him and took him aside and tried to think of what I could say to him in that moment. I tried to think of something helpful and was quite surprised when I said this. I said, sir, people have come here today to worship God. Part of that worship involves hearing from the bible. You are the speaker. You have a job to do. Now go in there and do your job and leave the outcome with God. [01:50:07] (58 seconds)  #DoYourJobLeaveItToGod