Life is most rewarding when it is given away!
Jesus said whoever tries to keep his life all to himself will one day realize that he has missed out on life completely, but whoever gives his life away will discover what life is really all about! If you are looking for ways to invest your life into the lives of others, this Sunday will be a spectacular time for you. It is our Ministry Faire following each worship gathering. It will be an opportunity to see several of the ministries we offer you and teams in which you can use your gifts and talents and make your life count. If you are already investing then come and rejoice with your team and encourage others to join in the call God has placed on each human being - to not only know Him and enjoy a relationship with Him but to serve Him and to serve others. Today's bible reading in Exodus 6, 7 & 8 underscore the call of Moses to make his life count. It is packed with difficulty and insecurity and yet, God ultimately is allowed to use Moses to fulfill His plan and to have Moses life count.
“For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are those, ‘It might have been.’”—John Greenleaf Whittier
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” —Ecclesiastes 1:2
Make your life C-O-U-N-T:
1 / Consider the End from the Beginning
Solomon urges us to view life with end in mind. This past Sunday night we enjoyed watching Bill Hybels share on making your life count. His presentation on sharing our faith with others was incredible. (we will repeat it again this Thursday Night at 6:30 PM). As we consider our lives by viewing them from the end rather than beginning we must do the same for our family and friends who do not know the Lord. What will their end be?
What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; the wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to theplace from which the rivers come, there they return again. All things are full of labor; man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new?” It has already been in ancient times before us. —Ecclesiastes 1:3-10
Without God in our lives and without an understanding that we get 'one crack' at this life and that our lives our vapors that are here one minute and gone the next (though we would attempt to convince ourselves we are here forever and when we leave we will not be forgotten) we must make the most of our days, our breath, our resources our time and our influence. How I wish all of humanity could look at the final days of their life and then to see ourselves standing before the Creator - God Himself. How it would change our existence, our focus and our hearts to serve the Lord and others.
2/ Observe the Experience of the Experienced
Solomon goes on to say: And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. —Ecclesiastes 1:13-14
Others have tried to live their lives for themselves or as in Solomon's case, have everything his heart desired and yet live with nothing in heart. We can learn from the shipwrecks of others and also the triumphs. Jesus used a parable of a great servant to allow us the experience of one who looked at the end of a servant rather than his beginning.
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
- Matthew 25:23
As Paul comes to the end of his life he makes it clear:
"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness," - 2 Timothy 4: 6 - 8
3 / Unlock the Secret to the Unlimited
There is a repeated phrase used throughout the book of Ecclesiastes: “under the sun.”We look "under the sun" ( a reference to things earthly and temporal) when we need to look beyond the sun or to the heavens. This life will not bring us the joy we long for until we fully connect with our God through Jesus Christ and use our lives for His glory and service.
Make your life C-O-U-N-T:
1 / Consider the End from the Beginning
Solomon urges us to view life with end in mind. This past Sunday night we enjoyed watching Bill Hybels share on making your life count. His presentation on sharing our faith with others was incredible. (we will repeat it again this Thursday Night at 6:30 PM). As we consider our lives by viewing them from the end rather than beginning we must do the same for our family and friends who do not know the Lord. What will their end be?
What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; the wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to theplace from which the rivers come, there they return again. All things are full of labor; man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new?” It has already been in ancient times before us. —Ecclesiastes 1:3-10
Without God in our lives and without an understanding that we get 'one crack' at this life and that our lives our vapors that are here one minute and gone the next (though we would attempt to convince ourselves we are here forever and when we leave we will not be forgotten) we must make the most of our days, our breath, our resources our time and our influence. How I wish all of humanity could look at the final days of their life and then to see ourselves standing before the Creator - God Himself. How it would change our existence, our focus and our hearts to serve the Lord and others.
2/ Observe the Experience of the Experienced
Solomon goes on to say: And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. —Ecclesiastes 1:13-14
Others have tried to live their lives for themselves or as in Solomon's case, have everything his heart desired and yet live with nothing in heart. We can learn from the shipwrecks of others and also the triumphs. Jesus used a parable of a great servant to allow us the experience of one who looked at the end of a servant rather than his beginning.
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
- Matthew 25:23
As Paul comes to the end of his life he makes it clear:
"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness," - 2 Timothy 4: 6 - 8
3 / Unlock the Secret to the Unlimited
There is a repeated phrase used throughout the book of Ecclesiastes: “under the sun.”We look "under the sun" ( a reference to things earthly and temporal) when we need to look beyond the sun or to the heavens. This life will not bring us the joy we long for until we fully connect with our God through Jesus Christ and use our lives for His glory and service.
“The meager satisfaction that a man can extractfrom reality leaves him starving.”
—Sigmund Freud
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them.” —Ecclesiastes 12:1
The summons is to focus on our creator before we become old and life escapes. Find the Lord now, seek Him now, desire Him now and serve Him now.
4/ Navigate from a New Reference Point
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. —Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Our navigation points change as we put our trust and hope in the Lord. Our values change and this radically shifts our compass.
“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.—Jeremiah 9:23-24
The summons is to focus on our creator before we become old and life escapes. Find the Lord now, seek Him now, desire Him now and serve Him now.
4/ Navigate from a New Reference Point
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. —Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Our navigation points change as we put our trust and hope in the Lord. Our values change and this radically shifts our compass.
“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.—Jeremiah 9:23-24
“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” —Blaise Pascal
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” —John 14:6
I sure love that! Jesus is the fulfillment to our hearts and souls. He changes the course of our lives, the priorities of our days and the way in which we give, serve and dedicate ourselves to God and others.
5/ Take the Road Less Traveled
If you want your life to matter, respond to the truth. Not everyone will and some will be so blinded to truth they will attempt to squelch your desire to follow God and live in the truth - but go for it anyway. Solomon’s conclusion? Your life will matter when you live for the God who made you! Go ahead, live for God - love Him and serve Him.
Prayer:
Dear God, Make my life count for you as I focus upon your glory and your power and how you would have me serve you. Help me to be your servant, living for you and allowing you to live through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
5/ Take the Road Less Traveled
If you want your life to matter, respond to the truth. Not everyone will and some will be so blinded to truth they will attempt to squelch your desire to follow God and live in the truth - but go for it anyway. Solomon’s conclusion? Your life will matter when you live for the God who made you! Go ahead, live for God - love Him and serve Him.
Prayer:
Dear God, Make my life count for you as I focus upon your glory and your power and how you would have me serve you. Help me to be your servant, living for you and allowing you to live through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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