Taking On A New Year By Doing My Best!

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.