Bloom Where You Are Planted

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

“Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.” - 1 Corinthians 7:24

The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence. Each of us have a yearning for a perfect situation. We have a longing for the perfect job or ministry. Yet there is nothing perfect in this imperfect world.

The temptation is to pack up and move when things get tough. When there is a barren season of ministry, other harvest fields seem so alluring. Even there, the work can be very demanding.

There are times God does call someone to relocate. He called Abram to leave his home. He called Moses to return to Egypt. He called the Apostle Paul to go to the Gentiles and preach the Gospel. Today, there are some who are called to a mission field in a foreign land. At times, a pastor will be led to go to a new church. The Lord does call some people to change locations and vocations.

Most of us are called to stay where we are at. We are given a harvest field to labor in. Yes, at times it may seem unfruitful. Such a situation requires hard work and diligence. Yet it is important to bloom right where God has planted us.

I've known people who continually change jobs. Every six months or so, they are working someplace new. Others are, what I call, “church hoppers.” They hop from church to church, looking for the most exciting experience or the most “cool” church. They seem to have itching feet, never content to stay at one place very long.

Rather than looking for a new job, perhaps the Lord is challenging you to remain faithful in the job you have. Instead of looking for a bigger ministry, work the harvest field you are in right now. Although you are tempted to find a new church, perhaps you need to be faithful to the church you're currently a member of.

In Luke 16:10, Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” If you're not obedient with the job God has given you, why look for another? If you aren't working for the Lord in the church you're attending now, why go elsewhere? If you aren't a faithful witness for Jesus in your community, why long for the mission field?

Bloom where God has planted you. Be faithful where you are. It could be that, in His timing, God may lead you elsewhere. Perhaps He'll open doors for greater ministry. Maybe He'll lead you to a foreign country as a missionary. One day He may give you a larger church. In the meanwhile, be faithful where you are at.

Joseph probably didn't feel like he was in the right place as he served in Potiphar's house. He certainly didn't feel like he was in the right place when he was falsely accused and thrown in prison. In spite of his horrible circumstances, he remained faithful wherever he was at. Ultimately, everything led to the lofty position of being second in command of Egypt. His faithfulness in the small things led to his faithfulness in larger things. In God's own time, He moved Joseph from the prison to the palace. All along the way, Joseph remained faithful.

Your journey may not lead to a lofty governmental position. Maybe you'll never pastor a mega-church. You may never climb the corporate ladder. It's important to be surrendered to God's will, wherever He may lead. Serve right there where you are at. Until He moves you elsewhere, you need to be faithful where you are.

Bloom where you're planted.

Ambassadors for Christ

 AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” - 2 Corinthians 5:20

The United States government has an embassy in most countries of the world. The person appointed to lead the embassy has the title of ambassador. Our country has an ambassador for each foreign embassy. Having the title of “ambassador,” sounds rather prestigious, but it is more than a title. An ambassador is entrusted with great responsibility.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “... we are ambassadors for Christ...” An ambassador lives in a foreign land, representing his home country. Christian friend, we are ambassadors. We are living in a foreign land. This world is not our home, we're just passing through. Our citizenship is in heaven. Each day we live, we are representing our homeland, serving our Lord in this sinful world.

If you ever visit a foreign country, the American embassy is the place to go if you have problems. The Ambassador is available to render aid to citizens of his home country who happen to be visiting or working in that foreign land. Similarly, as Ambassadors for Christ, we are called to render aid to other citizens of heaven. Other believers should be able to count on us to pray and help when they have problems. Can other believers count on you when they are down?

Next, an Ambassador is a spokesman for his home country. Sometimes you will hear that an American ambassador will speak to leaders in that foreign land when adversity arises. As Ambassadors for Christ, we are called to speak to the residents of this fallen world. We have a powerful and needed message. You and I are called to spread the Gospel. As Ambassadors, it is our unique privilege to share the Good News with those who need it most. It is our job to make the message known. What others do with that message is their responsibility. God has given us a message. Let's be faithful in spreading it!

Even though an American ambassador lives in a foreign land, he maintains his American citizenship. He is only on assignment in that foreign land. Technically, as Christians, we have dual citizenships. We are citizens of the United States of America. But more importantly, we are citizens of heaven. Our American citizenship is temporary. Our heavenly citizenship is eternal.

On my Facebook and Twitter home pages, here's how I describe myself: “I am citizen of heaven, on temporary assignment here on earth.” I am an ambassador for Christ. This is true for every believer.

When things get too hostile in a foreign country, the President will order the embassy closed and call the ambassador home. Hostility continues to multiply against Christians in this world. There will come a time (and it may be very soon), that our Commander-in-Chief will call His ambassadors home. Our Lord will soon return and our assignment will be over. All of His ambassadors will be taken home in the twinkling of an eye.

Until then, let's labor to represent our Lord in an honorable way --- as ambassadors for Christ.

Eternal Investments

ETERNAL INVESTMENTS

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” - Galatians 6:9

We are living in a fast-pace culture. We are accustomed to getting immediate results. We use the drive-thru at a restaurant, expect quick shipping on an order and avoid long lines at the grocery store checkout.

Yet there are certain things you cannot rush. You cannot speed up the process of growth. It takes time for a garden to grow. While we'd like to enjoy a harvest in springtime, we must wait until summer for the full harvest to arrive.

The same thing is true spiritually. As we ask God to use us to positively impact the lives of others for His glory, the actual process may take a long time. When God uses us, eternal investments are being made, much of which will not bring dividends until we get to heaven. While we desire immediate results, often results don't come until the future.

God sometimes blesses us with an immediate answer to prayer or positive conversation with an unbeliever. While we are thankful for such grace, we must recognize that there may be a vast harvest yet ahead for us.

In Galatians 6:9, Paul encourages us to never give up, because, “in due season we shall reap.” The Bible never specifies the duration of the “due season.” It may be a month, a year, a decade or long after we're called to glory. While it is exciting to hear others boast of immediate results, we should not let the barrenness of today tempt us to quit. The harvest we seek could be a prayer away.

George Mueller once said, “I have been praying every day for fifty-two years for two men, sons of a friend of my youth. They are not converted yet, but they will be!” The last of these two men was converted soon after Mueller's death. Mueller was making eternal investments and the harvest came!

Perhaps you invest in a 401k program at work. You make financial contributions with the intent of having plenty of money available in that account when you retire. When you make a contribution to a 401k plan, you are investing for the future.

When you share the Gospel with an unbeliever, give away a Gospel track or invite someone to church, you are making eternal investments. These investments may bring forth a spiritual harvest at some point in the future. God may reveal the full harvest to us in heaven some day.

In this life, we need to concentrate on sowing. Sow good seed every day. Sow generously, because the more you sow the bigger the harvest will be. Sow expectantly, trusting God to bless the seed with growth. Sow continuously, making it a habit to invest in the lives of those around you.

Don't get discouraged when results don't seem promising. Don't quit when times get tough. Continue sowing. Keep on investing in others. Pour your life into those God has placed around you.

God never promised immediate results, but He did promise that we'd reap what we've sown. We can trust Him with the seeds we sow.

Ultimately, God deserves the praise when we enjoy a harvest. He is the only One who can use our feeble efforts in the process of producing a harvest. Like Paul wrote, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

If God chooses to use me to make an eternal difference in someone's life, He definitely deserves the credit. I long for Him to use me to make eternal investments in the lives of others. Each day, I want to sow good seed with a future harvest in mind. I want to make eternal investments.

What about you?

Be A Lamp Lighter

BE A LAMP LIGHTER

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:14-16

John Maxwell has often said that leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less. Every person has a certain degree of influence. Sadly, many people waste their influence. Rather than making their homes, businesses, churches and communities a better place, they selfishness pursue goals and dreams at the expense of those who love them.

Several years ago, I read about the great British preacher, Charles Spurgeon. He lived in the 1800's, before electricity became a way of life. He was looking out his window at the close of day. Nighttime lighting for the streets was accomplished by lamps. Every evening a man would come to each lamp stand and light the lamp on top, then move to the next lamp stand.

Mr. Spurgeon watched the man light these lamps once evening. Slowly, the man made his way up the hill, then disappeared as he walked down the other side of the hill. The great preacher then said, “That's what I want to be. I want to be a lamp lighter. I want God to use me to light the lamp in people's hearts so that, when I am off the scene, the lights will continue to burn.”

I believe God has called every believer to be a lamp lighter. Like the man that Spurgeon saw in London that evening, one day you and I will fade from sight. How great it would be to leave behind many lives set ablaze with spiritual passion, people touched and helped because God worked through our lives. Like Spurgeon, I want to be a lamp lighter, what about you?

How can we be lamp lighters for God?

WE MUST BE SAVED

Of course, before this can occur, God must first of all place a fire within our own hearts. You can't give away what you don't have. You can't share what you don't possess. You can't light a candle without fire.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” When He comes to reside within us at the moment of salvation, the light of His presence begins to shine forth from our own lives. The Bible refers to salvation as being an experience when a person goes from living in darkness to walking in the light.

To be a lamp lighter for God, you must be saved.

YOU MUST BE SERVING

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Notice that Jesus said to, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works.” The light shines through our good works. No, we don't do good works to be saved, but we do good works because we are saved. The presence of the Lord in our lives prompts us to serve in His Name. While much of our piety is private, it is impossible to keep the light inside of us. Light is most prominently displayed in an atmosphere of darkness. Too many people believe in armchair Christianity. They want God to use them --- as long as it doesn't require them to get out of their recliner. While it is good for our light to shine, it should be our desire that our lives be used to set others aflame with holy zeal. We need to be lamp lighters. While many believers want to win souls to Jesus, they want to do this as long as they don't have to say anything. Do you see the problem with all of this? To be a lamp lighter, you must get close to other lamps.

To be a lamp lighter, you must be serving.

YOU MUST BE STRATEGIC

We need to be strategic with a basic goal in mind. There is a reason we should be lamp lighters: “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We want God to be glorified as we seek to light the lamps in the hearts of others. Doing works for our fame or glory is nothing more than idolatry. The spotlight needs to shine on Jesus and not ourselves. He is the source of the light. He is the difference maker, not us.

My time on earth is limited. When I move off the scene below, I want to leave behind many people who've been positively impacted by my influence. In the days I have left I want to be a lamp lighter.

What about you?

Christian Civility

CHRISTIAN CIVILITY

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” - Matthew 7:12

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. Looking back, I've often asked people for a shortcut as I've traveled. Most of the time, the “shortcut” seemed longer and took more time than my originally planned route. I've learned that “shortcuts” are to be avoided.

If you want to have strong, healthy relationships, you can't take shortcuts. Taking shortcuts in relationships have led to countless divorces, nasty lawsuits, church splits, corporate turmoil and hard feelings. Scandals and corruption in the business world have cost innocent investors millions of dollars.

Let's be honest about it. Relationships are in a mess right now. We could easily list dozens of issues that plague our nation, many of them stem from relationship problems. How can these problems be resolved?

Obviously, I can't resolve all the problems of the world. Neither can you. Yet I am responsible for the network of relationships God has entrusted to me. The answer to our woes is very simple. God has given us a tried and trusted way to treat other people. We refer to it as the golden rule. Jesus taught this in Matthew 7:12: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

When I was in the first grade (way back in the last century), our public school teachers taught pupils to obey the golden rule. As adults, we have someone gotten away from the Lord's teaching on this subject. We consider it appropriate to teach children the golden rule in Sunday School, but as adults, we aren't serious about obeying this rule ourselves. We don't treat others the way we want to be treated.

We need to consider a few facts about the golden rule.

IT'S A PRECEPT

First of all, the golden rule is not an option, it is a command. We are commanded by Jesus to treat others the way we want to be treated. Modern day Christianity has become so weak that church members pick and choose the Biblical commands that they intend to obey. That is not Biblical Christianity, instead it is paganism wearing a Christian label. For some reason, we have turned Biblical commands into options to consider. Yet it is a command to forgive others. The Great Commission is a command. The golden rule is a command. If we are serious about our faith, we need to obey the commands of Scripture rather than overlooking them.

IT WAS PERSONIFIED

Secondly, it was personified by Jesus. If we claim to be followers of Jesus, we need to practice the golden rule. If you read your New Testament, Jesus did not treat people the way they deserved. If we received what we deserved, all of humanity would be in hell right now. Instead, Jesus showed compassion. He demonstrated mercy. Yes, at times He was blunt when the situation required it. Yet He was love personified. If we claim to love and follow Jesus, let us learn from His example. Often we need to give people what they need instead of what they deserve. When you are hurt by someone, just remember this old statement: “Hurting people hurt others and are easily hurt themselves.” Rather than hurting someone in an act of revenge, show them mercy and grace instead.

IT IS POWERFUL

Next, the golden rule is powerful. Practicing the golden rule would radically change marriages, homes, businesses, churches, communities and even our nation. The fact is that I can't force others to do what is right. You can't either. However, I can treat people the way I'd want to be treated. You can do the same. Rather than being part of the problem, let's be used of God as part of the solution. In this world of “political correctness,” deep political and social divisions and universal mistrust, we are called to be difference makers. So, treat your spouse the way you want to be treated. Practice the golden rule with your boss and coworkers. Rather than seeking to have your own way at church, do to others as you'd have them do to you. Quit treating your neighbor like an enemy. Instead, be a good neighbor to him.

We need to show the world that our faith is more than mere words. If we claim that Jesus is Lord, it needs to be shown by our loving obedience to Him.

Our treatment of other people is a reflection of the heart. Extend to others the love, mercy and grace you'd want shown to you.

An Upbeat Outlook

AN UPBEAT OUTLOOK

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” - Psalm 118:24

I must confess that I am not a morning person.  I've often accused my alarm clock of bearing false witness.  Waking up in the morning is more like a resurrection.  It takes a long time for me to get the cobwebs out of my brain. 

Since I am not a morning person, it would be easy to get up feeling grouchy.  I can identify with the cartoon I once saw of a person awakening from a long coma, saying, “Give me just 5 more minutes of sleep.”  A few years ago, I had some minor surgery.  My family got rather concerned because I didn't come out of recovery in a timely manner.  You guessed it.  I wanted the extra few minutes of sleep.

Because it is tough to wake up each morning, it is challenging for me to start the day with the right attitude.  Yet I need to begin with a positive outlook and embrace the blessing of a new day. 

Personally, I don't enjoy being around pessimists.  You know the people I am referring to.  These individuals can find a cloud for every silver lining.  They complain about thorns rather than enjoying the roses.  For them, the glass is always half empty, plus they want a better glass.  Since I don't enjoy the company of pessimists, it is important for me not to be a pessimist myself. 

If you're like me, it can be difficult to have an upbeat outlook each day.  As I get older, I have new aches and pains.  It is more challenging to accomplish basic tasks.  My hair is getting gray and thinner.  Yes, it is often tough to have an upbeat outlook.  Yet this is my daily goal.

It is hard to make a positive difference when you spread negativity along the way.  Most people gravitate to positive people.  In fact, God seems to use positive people to make a positive impact. 

So how can we embrace an upbeat outlook each day?

GRACE

First of all, we need to recognize that we are recipients of grace.  If we got what we deserved, we'd be in hell right now.  Each morning we wake up, we receive a new gift from God that we refer to as a new day.  We don't deserve this gift.  It is a love gift from the Lord.  We need to recognize each day as being a gift.  What we do with this gift is up to us.

 

GRATITUDE

Secondly, we need to count our blessings.  If you're like me, there's a lot of things I can't do as well as I did when I was younger.  Rather than focusing on this, I need to focus on the things I am still able to do.  To be rather honest, some of the things we complain about are the very things others are praying for.    When you get up on Monday morning and head back to work, be grateful for the job you have.  Many people would love to have your job.  Be grateful for the portion of health you have.  Some yearn for the degree of health you enjoy.  When there are little household problems that arise, remember that there are homeless people who would love to have the problems you complain about.  Gratitude has a way of improving our attitude. 

GLADNESS

In Psalm 51, David prayed, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.”  One reason some Christians seem sour is that they have lost their joy.  Sin has a way of robbing us of our joy.  Yet this joy can be restored with genuine repentance.  In Luke 10:20, Jesus told His disciples, “... rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”  There is joy in knowing that your sins are forgiven and you now belong to the Lord.  Furthermore, there is joy in our continued fellowship with Jesus.  Psalm 16:11 states, “... in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”  As we cultivate personal time with Jesus, our joy grows deeper and sweeter.

The Psalmist wrote, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  We can't relive yesterday.  Tomorrow may never come.  Yet we do have today.  Let's live it fully for God's glory. 

Even though there are difficult days here on the earth, there is a better day coming.  A day that will never end.  A day of gladness for all of God's people.  We'll spend eternity in the presence of our loving Lord.  There will be joy in heaven.  The future is looking brighter for us.  To paraphrase an old quote, if you look around, you'll be distressed.  If you look within, you'll get depressed.  If you look up, you'll be blessed. 

Look up.  The best is yet to come.

Intentional Living

 INTENTIONAL LIVING

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” - John 9:4

Most people take life as it comes. They live reactionary lives. There is little planning involved. If they were honest, they'd admit that there are important things they need to do “someday.” The problem is that “someday” never comes.

When it comes to the most important things in life, we must be intentional. We must be intentional about cultivating healthy relationships. We must be intentional about our walk with God. We can't be haphazard about the critical issues of life. Rather than living reactionary lives, we need to live intentionally.

I have found that there are certain things that I must be intentional about or they simply don't get done. If I am not intentional about exercise, I will live a sedentary lifestyle. If I am not intentional about giving, I will be stingy. If I am not intentional about reading my Bible, it will easily go unread.

Many people “fly by the seat of their pants,” when it comes to life. They don't invest in life insurance, make out a last will and testament or plan for their burial. Worst of all, they have not planned for the afterlife. They are not prepared to die and they're certainly not prepared for Judgment Day.

We must be intentional about the vital things of life. Jesus is our model for all things. He lived an intentional lifestyle. In John 9:4, He said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Note three things about Jesus and His future:

HE LIVED WITH PASSION

First of all, Jesus lived with passion. He said, “I MUST work the works …” (emphasis added). Jesus didn't say, “I should do the works,” or “I ought to do the works,” instead, He said, “I must do the works.” He had a work to do and was very passionate about getting it done.

I get inspired when I encounter people of passion. I guess one reason I get so inspired is because there are so few who have such passion. Of all people, shouldn't Christians be excited to be alive and serving God? Shouldn't we have a passion for God and the things of God?

Live intentionally. Like Jesus, live with passion.

HE LIVED WITH PURPOSE

Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me.” Jesus had a mission to fulfill. He came on a divine mission. Jesus came to do the will of His Father. He lived with purpose.

Generally speaking, all Christians share the same purpose. Our purpose is to glorify God by knowing Him and making Him known. The specific accomplishment of this may vary from person to person. For one man, it may be accomplished through preaching. For another man, it may be expressed in the business community. For a housewife, this purpose may be fulfilled by teaching her children about Jesus and sharing the Gospel with her neighbors and friends. Another person may be uniquely called and gifted to write or sing. Regardless, every Christian has a God-ordained work to accomplish.

Don't belittle the harvest field God has given you. Perhaps you'll never conduct an evangelistic campaign in a football stadium, but you may introduce a co-worker to Jesus. Maybe you'll never be a professional singer. Yet God may use your talents at your local church and bless many. You may never pastor a mega-church, yet you may lead a Bible study during the lunch break at work. When God gives you a job to do, it is a great work. Be faithful in that work.

Live intentionally. Live with purpose.

HE LIVED WITH PERSPECTIVE

Finally, Jesus lived with perspective. He said, ““I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Jesus knew that His time was limited. So do we. We don't have time to waste. Moments are passing. Eternity is at hand. If we intend to get anything done for the Lord, we need to be doing it now.

Unlike Jesus, we don't know how much time we have left on earth. We just know that our time is running out. The wise person lives with this perspective. Jesus did. We must be intentional about the things we need to get accomplished before our death. Be intentional about expressing your love to your family. Be intentional about attending church. Be intentional about prayer. Be intentional about sharing the Gospel. Be intentional about making a positive difference.

Time is running out. Live intentionally in the time you have left.