Used of God

In a small eastern community, a man named MacDonald was a one-man taxi service.  People quickly learned that all they had to do was to call him and he would get them to their destination on time.  Despite traffic jams, he knew the back roads, and no matter how late your plane was to arrive, Mr. MacDonald was there waiting for you.  He boasted that he had never had an automobile accident.  McDonald noticed his vision and reflexes were getting bad, so he decided to give up driving.  “I don’t want to be a menace to anyone”, he said.  And then he dropped out of sight.  No one saw him for quite some time.

One day a lady from that community had an appointment.  She couldn’t find a place to park on the street, so she had to park in the community parking ramp.  She didn’t like the thought of the ramp because it was known for “fender benders.” but she had no choice.  When she entered the ramp, she noticed that things were different than they were the last time she was in town – they were orderly.  She soon discovered why.  Mr. MacDonald was there directing each driver into a suitable space. Leaders of the community recognized that MacDonald’s safe driving experience could help them, so they asked him to take care of the parking ramp.  He was happy to do so, and they were happy that he agreed to help.  No one minded waiting in line because they knew they would be well cared for.  Thanks to MacDonald, the lady learned a valuable lesson.  God can always find use for a person’s talents if they are open to new directions.

Some people think that because they are not perfect, they might as well step aside and let others who are more qualified handle tasks.  However, one of the great mysteries of Christianity is that God uses imperfect people to accomplish His will.  Notice the service factor from the following verses.

1)    Example.  Jesus set the example of service.  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

2)    Age.  There is no age requirement on a person’s usability.  “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

3)    Use.  God wants us to serve.  “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (I Peter 4:10).

4)    Intensity.  Our service should be characterized by total commitment.  “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord
” (Romans 12:11).

What is it that you can do for the Lord?  It may be that God has an activity for you to do of which you had not previously thought.  Where are you when it comes to the service factor?  I trust that you will be open to being used of God – even as you grow older.

The Glory Due His Name

What is it that God wants you and me to do?  More than anything else, God wants us to live our lives so that He receives glory.  Three verses of scripture express this thought through the phrase “the glory due his name.”

1) "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.  Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” (I Chronicles 16:29).

2) Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness” (Psalm 29:2).

3) “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts” (Psalm 96:8).

The underlined words in the above verses indicate exactly what you and I need to do to give God credit for who He is and what He has done for us.  We are to:

• “Bring an offering” – No one should come into God’s presence without bringing something.  This gift acknowledges that everything – including oneself – belongs to God.
• “Come before Him” – To come is God’s call suggesting that He is a personal God and desires that people enter His presence.  Because Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, we become the righteousness of God when we put our trust in Him.
• “Worship Him” – Since God is worthy of all praise and honor, we should acknowledge his graciousness and goodness as we lift his name in praise and thanksgiving.
• “Come into His courts” – To be in God’s courts means to be in His presence, and we can do so no matter where we are.  However, in a gathering of God’s people (like at a church) we corporately worship him.

Each action above is an extension of oneself to God to lift the Lord up and give Him the glory that is due His name.  As you reflect on these thoughts ask yourself:

1)      What action have I taken that ascribes to the Lord the glory due his name?

2)      Have I brought an offering that suggests that I belong to God?

3)    In what ways have I worshiped God through expressing my praise of him?

4)    Have I come into God’s presence to simply spend time with Him?

We ought to think carefully about God and act each day to make sure that we ascribe to the Lord the glory that is due His name.

Change in the Works

Innovation is a process that discovers new and better ways of doing things, or just doing things differently. Many innovations take place quite regularly.  For example: TV programs change; Logos of companies receive upgrades; Long-standing food menus are revised; Styles of worship vary. When personal things become mundane or feel like they do not meet needs, we may want to innovate.  Consider personal innovation from the spiritual realm.  Are you satisfied with the direction your spiritual life is heading? Are you pleased with your devotional life?  Are you happy with your prayer life?  What about your Bible reading or Bible study regimen?  We need to have a willingness to change the way we do things if the innovation will provide personal improvement.  However, as we innovate, we need to make sure that the message of love, grace, and hope in Jesus Christ remains constant.

Scripture reminds us that each of us should conduct our lives in an excellent way.  Why?  Because God is aware of everything we do.  The text says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). Notice four aspects of these verses.

(1)   “Whatever you do” suggests Activity.  We ought to be concerned about any and every activity in which we are involved.

(2)   “Work at it with all your heart” implies Action.  The things that we do ought to be carried out with a willingness to be fully engaged with all the effort we can exert.

(3)   “As working for the Lord” entails Method.  We need to realize that there should be a spiritual dimension to the actions or activities that we undertake.

(4)   “An inheritance from the Lord as a reward” points to Motive.  As we work for the Lord, we should do so because of our love for Him.  However, when the work is rewarded, that becomes an additional blessing.

Nothing but the best is required for any activity in which we participate.  The degree to which we put forth effort to do our work should be no less than one hundred percent.  So, innovate and make changes which will help you be your best for the Lord.