Tag Archives: worth

It is finished…?

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When I was growing up, Saturday mornings were not structured. Sleeping late was common. I never really worked early on Saturdays so the mornings were free.

Many times that my dad would be out running his errands on these mornings. Almost every time he was gone, a note would have been left on the dining room table. He would have instructions or chores for us to do.

It was on one of these notes that I first learned a particular word.

Now imagine a 14-year-old boy who is supposed to do his chores. Let’s pick vacuuming. Nothing would ever get moved. I would just hit the large, open areas of the floor. It seemed that I only would hit roughly 50% of the carpet!

Ironically, my son vacuums the way I used to. Anyway…

So on this specific morning, my dad included a word that described how I am supposed to do my chores. I was instructed to be diligent.

The Word – Diligent

The Worth – Here is the definition from Dictionary.com:

adjective

1. constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything:

2. done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking:

My dad was frustrated with my chores because I was cutting corners and taking shortcuts. Yes, I would vacuum but certainly not with any care or diligence.
Transition with me here. Diligent can be used to describe God. The work that he accomplished through sending His son to die on a cross and then be resurrected was an amazing thing. He took attention to detail. Every little problem or issue was taken into account. God did the job and saw it through unto completion.
Hebrews 1:1-3 says, “1In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” NIV
I added the underline because those words tell me that the job was complete. I do not have to work for my salvation. I do, however, continue to work out how I live for God. It is a maturing process. But my soul is saved! He loved me enough to send His son. He was diligent enough so that the work of salvation is finished.
Jesus said so on the cross. It is finished!
The Work – By all means, keep seeking God in your life. He will answer prayer for you. He will guide and direct you. You are not alone! But sometimes there can be sad or discouraging times. Be encouraged as I close with some familiar verses.
Philippians 1:3-6, ” 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” NIV
it-is-finished

 

Bacon and Eggs

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A chicken and a pig were talking one day. They were expressing their joy of living on the farm. Specifically, Farmer Joe’s farm. Having Farmer Joe take care of them was really a joy for these animals. So much so, they decided to throw a big breakfast in the farmer’s honor. Upon reviewing menu options, it was decided that Bacon and Eggs would be served. The chicken said that he was in support of this idea. After realizing what this breakfast would mean, the pig replied to the chicken saying, “You may be involved but I am committed!”

bacon-and-eggs

 

The Word – Committed

The Worth – Does this word scare anybody? People say men are afraid of commitment. As a minister, I talk with couples about marital commitment. My dad told me a long time ago that commitment is the most important aspect of a marriage. Are you committed to your family, your job, your passions?

Did you know that God is committed? How many times does the Bible talk about His grace, forgiveness, mercy, and unfailing love? This blog would take hours to read if I put all those verses in the post. So I am going to narrow it down to two verses.

Click on the verse to read the whole chapter.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God did not do salvation half way. He didn’t just provide enough to barely pass. He was committed! So much that His own son hung on a cross for you and for me. Our sins were paid for by the blood of Jesus. Everything you and I need for life (and even abundant life!) is found in the cross.

God loves us too much to be less than anything other than 100% committed!

The Work – So how is it even possible for me to live for God in return knowing I cannot repay Him?

You can’t. Accept the gift and live for God. Do your best for Him. Daily apply grace and mercy to your situation and keep moving forward. The Holy Spirit is right along side of you. Even after Jesus left this earth, the Holy Spirit was sent so we would not be alone.

God is fully committed. Are you?

commitment-quotes

 

 

Gasp!!!

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Has something ever been so amazing or frightful that you could not even speak!?!? Have you witnessed something so incredible that the air in your lungs escaped with a whisper?

Is there anything in your life that you would qualify as breathtaking?

 

If you remember my last post (click here to read it), I mentioned a new series and a new format. This is part 2 in that series and here is a quick refresher on the new format:

The Word – The topic of the blog in one Word.

The Worth – This part contains my thoughts about the Word.

The Work – I conclude with a practical application of the Word.

The Word – Breathtaking 

The Worth – I simply typed in Google the word “breathtaking” and here are a few of the images that I was able to enjoy.

Our creation is really and truly breathtaking. But I am not really speaking of the creation more so than I am referring to the Creator!

Check out these verses from I Kings 8,

“6The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. 7The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles. 8These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today. 9There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt. 10When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. 11And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple.” NIV, Underline mine.

Notice verses 10 and 11.

It was only when the priests got out of the way, that the Lord got in the way.

The Work – I want God to take my breath away. I want to see miracles like I read about in the Word. I want God to do such awesome things that my breath is stolen away.

Do you? Are you working to please men or our Lord? Is He your priority?

My prayer is that I may be like those priests;

“Lord, help me to get out of the way so you can get in the way!”

Take my breath away!!!

Something new for 2017…

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Hey all! Happy New Year!

Well, for me, a new year usually brings something new. 2017 is bringing a new series to my blog! And along with the new series, there will be a new format!

And there was much rejoicing!

best-day-ever

I know, all this new stuff is crazy right? Generally, I don’t like change. But sometimes, change is good.

So here it is. The Word, the Worth, the Work.

The Word – The topic of the blog in one Word.

The Worth – This part contains my thoughts about the Word.

The Work – I conclude with a practical application of the Word.

And without further delay…

The Word – Absolute

The Worth – So many people today do not have absolutes in their lives.

“If I feel like it…”

“I don’t want to…”

“One drink is okay…”

“But I am a good person…”

Even in the church, people sway between ideas.

It is as if people do not read or know their bible.

It is my opinion that any one would fall short of that goal.

But here is the good thing.

Jesus is absolute. His existence is not dependent upon anything else. He is the same now as he has ever been. The same will be true a million years from now. He never changes! See Hebrews 13:8

The Work – With the knowledge that Jesus is always going to be the same, we can have peace in the middle of our storm. He is the rock to which we can anchor. In all things good, he is the source!

  • Quote that verse everyday for a week and see if you start to believe it.
  • Read your bible everyday and start to see God doing things in your life.

Remember, He does not change. We must change. And He will give us the courage to start, the strength to continue and the grace to finish.

hebrews-13-8