In HIS Eyes—YES, in GOD’s Eyes—A Success!
It is so amazing how God gives to each of His children a skill, a talent & then how He provides a way to allow His children to use them to honor God. Let us think about this for a moment—We are the hands and the feet of Jesus Christ!
God provides the way for this to occur.
Our Part—To Walk in Communion with God’s Holy Spirit leading us toward such opportunities.
Wow! Oh my, praise the LORD! Thank You Jesus!
- What a promise!
- What a privilege!
- What an honor!
- What a love affair we have been graced with from our heavenly Father!
We have distinct personalities, special gifts, unique skills, and special talents to use daily as we worship God.
Right now (for the next two weeks), my brother-in-law is serving in Africa, using his skill of welding at a trade school. There, while at the school that will train young men to learn a trade so they will be able to provide for their families. When he arrived, his luggage did not, so he is now serving with two sets of clothing that he packed in his carry-on backpack. Not only that, but God led my brother-in-law to place his old tennis shoes that were suitable for welding in this same carry-on backpack. He was ready to teach, to weld—as soon as he landed (even though the majority of his clothing and supplies was “lost” during his long journey there). The welding rods stowed away in his checked bags have been replaced by shopping at the local market. Oh my, thank You God for the skill of welding.
This morning, my nephew has boarded a plane for Panama on a medical missionary journey where he will use his knowledge of pharmaceuticals to serve the people who come to the missionary clinic. People across the world need opportunities to become healed, to become healthy. My nephew has much “on his plate” here in America that needs to be accomplished, and the timing is probably not the best time for him to serve on the mission field, but God has opened this door & has given him an opportunity to use his training & his career to serve God. Oh my, thank You God for the training and knowledge of medicine.
This week, I read these words: “We are all missionaries, purposed workers for the Kingdom of God. It’s important to let our minds marinate with their Creator. He may have a quick response prepared for us today, or a slow mulling over. However He chooses to work in our lives, His timing always trumps our gut responses.”
Today, the Holy Spirit led me to read two Scripture passages—about “success,” and about “being ready to speak Jesus when someone asks.” In reading these two passages, I recalled how these two members of my family are serving on this day as the HANDS & FEET of Jesus, and I could only exclaim—”Thank You, Father God, for gifting each one of Your children with special talents & unique skills & special gifts & distinct personalities. Yes, Thank YOU—GOD!”
SEE WITH ME A BIBLE PASSAGE FOUND WITHIN GOD’S HOLY & INFALLIBLE WORD.
“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”
(1 Peter 3: 13-15)
The Word of God says—“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts”—WE ARE TO SET APART JESUS CHRIST AS LORD IN OUR HEARTS! That means we are to look, to be, & to live “differently” in the world’s eyes because we are children of God. It is God Himself who has set us apart, who makes us new creatures through Jesus. Distinct. Different. Unique.
The Word of God says—“always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to”—WE ARE TO BE READY, PREPARED TO SPEAK TO OTHERS ABOUT JESUS! That means we are to be verbal witnesses in the world: at our workplaces, in our homes, where we play, in our communities, and as we go throughout all of our days. Verbal & Different—Living for Jesus!
The Word of God says—“give an account for the hope that is in you,”—WE ARE TO SPEAK JESUS, TO SHARE THE HOPE THAT ALMIGHTY GOD HAS GIVEN TO US THROUGH HIS SALVATION! That means we are to be ready to share the “why” for our HOPE when others ask & that means when the world surrounding us sees us “cling to the solid rock,” we can tell them WHY! Peculiar. Different. Trusting in the Hope found in Christ.
The Word of God says—“yet with gentleness and reverence;”—WE ARE TO SERVE OTHERS WITH GENTLENESS, WITH RESPECT, & WITH OUR EYES FIXED UPON OUR LORD! That means we are to serve others as if we are caring for our own children. That means we are to serve others as if we are caring for our own grandmother. That means we should look to Jesus—Always!
Truly, we each have been given distinct personalities, special gifts, unique skills, and special talents to use for God’s Kingdom work as we worship Almighty God.
- We know our personality.
- We know our gifts.
- We know our skills.
- We know our talents.
- We know us.
- Almighty God knows us BETTER!
Are we serving God? Are we walking with God, ready? Are we meditating upon God’s Word, seeking to know how HE wants us to serve? Are we missionaries “purposed workers for the Kingdom of God”?
I do not know where God will have us go, but I do know God is leading us!
I do know that as we immerse ourselves into His Word, as we seek His will, & as we talk with God, listening to Him speak—HE WILL FAITHFULLY LEAD US WHERE HE WANTS US TO GO! There are three things that cause us to be successful in God’s eyes.
- We must daily study God’s Word.
- We must meditate upon God’s Word.
- We must obey God’s Word.
Then, God promises that we will be “spiritually prosperous,” a success!
YES, this is a PROMISE of GOD! HE will look at us and declare, “You are a success—in MY EYES” (in GOD’S eyes).
So, where should we serve our LORD?
- Maybe we should go to our Jerusalem.
- Maybe we should serve within our Judea.
- Maybe we should travel to our Samaria.
- Maybe we should be always willing to even go the remotest part of the earth.
Wherever we go & Whatever HE leads us to do & However HE equips us to serve—We will be “spiritually prosperous,” a success in HIS Eyes—YES, In GOD’S Eyes—A Sanctified Spiritual Success—When we Serve Him!
After the death of Moses, God’s man of the hour—Joshua was led to prepare the children of Israel to go into the Promised Land. They are getting ready to cross the Jordan River, and Joshua says to them—
“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1: 7-9)
- May we not “trust our guts,” but may we TRUST in HOLY GOD.
- May we not seek worldly success found here on earth, but may we SEEK SPIRITUAL SUCCESS.
- May we not forget, but may we ALWAYS REMEMBER—“We are all missionaries, purposed workers for the Kingdom of God. It’s important to let our minds marinate with their Creator. He may have a quick response prepared for us today, or a slow mulling over. However He chooses to work in our lives, His timing always trumps our gut responses.”