Taking on a new year by doing my best!
I will never forget Field Day at Elementary school! I was the fastest runner in the 100 yard dash that day, brought home the blue ribbon, but I wasn’t the fastest runner at the school. Every day Philip beat me at recess and I was always second. The day of the big race (Field Day) at school he slipped and I won! I always simply did my best and that day my best was good enough.
I want us to think about doing our best for God. We have all found out that in this world that at times no matter how hard we try our best it doesn’t seem to be good enough. Studying for a test, in our relationships “I can’t be perfect” The good news is that Jesus Christ makes us the best through His blood and imputed righteousness!
Revelation 1:5-6-NKJV
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The real challenge we face daily is to live our lives in subjection to God’s will. Paul in writing to the Philippians said:
Philippians 2:5-8-NKJV
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Paul was telling them that we must live for Christ, and have the mindset of a servant. Are we doing our best as a servant of God? Someone once said that more people would do their best if they had to put their names on the products they produced. In God’s economy this is exactly what happens.
Romans 14:12-NKJV
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Matthew 12:36-37-NKJV
36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Isn’t this incentive enough to do our very best? Many people underperform because they are spiritually lazy, some are content and some have lost their first love. God hasn’t called me to be more than I can be, so our best shouldn’t be just getting by, our best should not have a mediocre or quitters spirit. A lost world deserves to see the best spiritual life that we can live, for the Lord! We must:
Matthew 5:16-NKJV
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Think about it with me if we are not at least striving to do our best then, God, our family, our relationships with others, our workplace, the world will only see and get a half- hearted effort which could lead to our worst.
Ecclesiastes 9:10-NKJV
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Remember that God is most interested in your faithfulness than your successes or failures
So how can I be my best?
1. By example- 1 Timothy 4:12-NKJV-Take Heed to Your Ministry
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity
2. In Love- Ephesians 5:1-2-NKJV-Walk in Love
5 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
John 13:34-35-NKJV
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
3. Study-2 Timothy 2:15-KJV
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Are we doing our best? As a friend, a soul winner, encourager, servant and if not why not?
In our Spiritual life are we doing our best in attendance, exhortation of others, singing, praying and giving. Do you want to help build a great church for the Lord at Little River, or are we complacent. Your answer is either yes, or no! Well I’ll attend when I’m not going somewhere else, when it’s convenient or when I feel like it.
The word “church” means “the called out.” It is used to describe God’s people who have been called by the Gospel. They have been called out of the world and into the service of Christ. The word “church” is used in the New Testament in only two senses. First, it refers to the called out people of Christ in all the world. This is the universal sense. When Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18: “upon this rock I will build my church,” He was including all believers in all the world in His church. Thus, He was speaking of the universal church. Second, the word “church” is used in the local sense. When Paul addressed the First Corinthian letter to “the church of God which is at Corinth,” here he was speaking to a group of Christians in Corinth who met together to worship and serve God. Churches of Christ are autonomous (having the freedom to act independently). So each of the Lord’s churches is independent of all others. Each one has its own leadership. Each one is made up of the Lord’s body striving for a common purpose, to provoke unto love and good works, to exhort (encourage) one another. Are we taking part?
Hebrews 10:24-25-KJV
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
If you want to be stirred up, motivated read the Bible and what some of devoted individuals did! Esther, Daniel, Moses, Noah, Deborah, Hannah, Elijah, Mary ,Martha the disciples, etc. When I read about the fervor that those men and women had for God I feel like I could take on Hell with a super soaker!! We must stay on path, in line doing our best to accomplish God’s will for our lives and for His Church. We must stay dedicated, determined and disciplined not Round to it Christians. I’m going to get around to pleasing God when I feel like it, when I have time! The time to please God in Today, Tomorrow and every day we live!
One time a pianist played a great work of music and after she had finished, a man came up to her and said ma’am I would give anything, anything if I could play like you have just played, in fact I would give my very life if I could play the piano like you do. The lady replied in a solemn voice, that is exactly what I have done, I have given my life to this!
Jesus gave His life so that we might live a life free from sin, free from guilt, full of hope because of the forgiveness of sins we receive as Christians when we obey the gospel.
The world is full of people, ordinary people, everyday people, and average people. Let us dare to de different to give our very best, to give all we can to dedicate our lives to God. Our best is ourselves.
Romans 12:1-2-KJV-12 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. 2 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.
Are we doing our best?
