I thank God that the Word is always on time and on point! In the last year, our families have experienced a lot of loss. It's been overwhelming at times and I have had to look to the Word of God for comfort and solace.
Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "Find You A Cause!" Please forgive the slang and or Ebonics, but the message is very clear. If Jesus delays his return, we all will have to die. There is hope in the Word, "And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (Message) Of course, we would love to go in the Rapture and not face death. But if you don't, what legacy will you leave in the earth? What will people have to say in your eulogy? Will any one even know you are even gone? Will anyone care?
We live in a self-promoting, self aggrandizing, and selfie taking society. In this culture, a person can become famous for doing nothing at all! Singers don't have to really be able to sing to sell Cd's, writers don't have to be able to write to sell books, and even motivational speakers can motivate with cliches and plagiarized snip-its from the Greats. Our society is consumed with being more than we are! But who are we really? Bishop said, "You can't wear other folks armor to your own fight!" We must see ourselves as Jesus sees us and rest on what he has given us.
Find You A Cause! God created you with unique abilities and capabilities. The enemy blinds us by encouraging us to look at what others are doing and comparing ourselves to them. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "For we would never dare to compare ourselves with people who have based their worth on self-commendation. They check themselves against and compare themselves with one another. It just shows that they don’t have any sense! So we will carefully limit our boasting to the extent only of what God has done in and through us, a reach that extends as far as you." 2 Corinthians 10:12-13 (Voice) Comparing ourselves to others shows our lack of knowledge. And you remember what happens to people who lack knowledge, don't you? "My people are destroyed because they have not learned." Hosea 4:6 (New Living Translation)
Bishop referenced the book by Malcolm Gladwell, entitled the "Outliers: The Story of Success". Gladwell researched and found that successful individuals generally spend at least 10,000 hours perfecting their crafts. Bishop reminisced about being a ball boy for the Phoenix Suns. He recalled hating Larry Bird. He hated him because he never missed a shot and contrary to popular belief, that white man could jump! LOL! Bishop was enlightened one day when he heard an interview. In the interview it was reveal that Larry Bird shot hundreds of practice shots prior to each game. So what some may have considered luck, was really hard work and determination.
Find You A Cause! Maybe you will save hundreds of lives from a raging fire, or rescue a drowning man from an icy lake, but more than likely not! But everyday you have an opportunity to share your testimony and save one person at a time from a burning hell! You have been equipped by God to do wonderful things, "The people who know their God shall be strong and do great things." Daniel 11:32 (Living Bible) Make a decision today to make a contribution to another person's life! Don't be selfish. The enemy is not likely to encourage you to do good. So when you feel a tug on your heart to be a blessing...do it! We are created to be channels, not reservoirs! As I recently told a loved one, "I never lose by giving!" Whether it's time, kindness, money, or love...I never lose by giving!
In case you need a little more encouragement to be unselfish..."Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." Luke 6:38 (Message)
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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