Your Part

Gtcotr/ws092921 

Acts 16 NKJV

11  Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis,

12  and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.

13  And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.

14  Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.

15  And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

v. 14 – The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.

Three great truths of the Gospel

1.   No one comes to God except through Jesus.

a.   John 14:6

2.   No one comes to Jesus unless the Holy Spirit draws them.

a.   John 14:6

3.   How shall people know unless someone tells them.

a.   Romans 10:14

The Holy Spirit left us this account on purpose so that we might see the elements and actions it takes to accomplish the Great Commission.

·        God has a part

·        Paul has a part

·        Lydia has a part

·        Lydia’s household has a part

·        So many other nameless people have a part

Just like Cornelius, the Roman Centurion whose salvation is recorded in Acts 10, Lydia was faithful to what she knew, and God made a way for her and her household to hear the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved.

Let’s review:

Acts 16

13  And on the Sabbath day …

we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made…

and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.

14  Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us.

She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira,

who worshiped God.

The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.

15  And when she and her household were baptized,

she begged us,

saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.”

So she persuaded us.

Notes:

A certain woman …

·        We know God did His part to prepare her heart …

·        We know Paul did his part to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with her … first in the group setting and then in a personal witness, water baptism, and then in a continuing growing relationship.

·        We also can easily see the scriptures pointing out that Lydia did her part as well.

o   Lydia was not a Jew but rather she was a wealthy Gentile businesswoman from Thyatira in what is now the country of Turkey.

o   Lydia, much like Cornelius in Acts 10, was evidently impacted by the dedication of the Jews around her who worshipped Jehovah. We know this because:

§  Lydia observed the Sabbath, which would have been a regular workday for everyone else.

§  She gathered, as was customary, outside of the city by the river where prayer to Jehovah took place.

§  She even took her household with her to Church.

§  She segregated herself with the women as was fitting for the day and the doctrine.

§  Lydia worshipped God.

§  Lydia listened to the teachers of the Bible.

§  Lydia acted on the Word and included her household under her spiritual leadership.

§  Lydia participated, she was not just a spectator

§  Lydia was hospitable to strangers

o   We can easily see that Lydia did her part and made it easy to

·        Lydia forever became the first convert by the ministry of the Apostle Paul on the continent of Europe.

·        Lydia led the way for us today …

What can we glean from this account in the scriptures?

The Holy Spirit inspired and guided the writer of the book of Acts to include such detail of the conversion of Lydia and her household so that the generations to come might see and know how to do our part as well. What does the Lord expect from us?

If you imagine yourself to be the Apostle Paul in this story, your part should be plain. Share the Gospel of Jesus with people you meet … and meet some people on purpose …

If you imagine yourself to be Lydia in the story … bring your family to Church, listen, pray, worship, and be hospitable.

If you imagine yourself to be neither then you must be identified with those people living around Lydia either in Thyatira or in Philippi whose life witness provided encouragement and hope for Lydia to act like they acted, live like they lived, worship like they worshipped, pray like they prayed, and go where they went. We all make an impact on others … what is yours? If people follow you, where will they go? Only God can open a heart, but we can be used by Him to help get them into the right place to hear.

Not Yet …

Gtcotr/ss092621

Waiting is perhaps one of the most difficult demands we face in life. It seems that most people could use a bit more patience … the only problem is, they need it now. Waiting doesn’t seem to be near as hard as long as we believe something is really going to happen. But at times, waiting can begin to tax your faith.

When people hear “not now” they often imagine “never” … but that’s not always the case. There is a big difference between a mother telling her children that they can’t have a cookie right now and the kids believing that mom means never. For the child however, and sad to say for many adults as well, “Not now,” feels like “never!”

Reading through the Bible you will come across several “Not now” realities. Instead of saying “not now,” the New King James Version of the Bible says, “Not yet.” I have come to realize that Jesus has a “not yet” answer for several concerns. Out of the 39 times that phrase is used in the Bible; 10 times it is used in just the Gospel of John and 4 of those times in only 1 Chapter. That’s right; more than 10% of the “Not Yets” in the whole Bible are said by Jesus in only 1 Chapter. Let’s take a look at that chapter and see how it applies to us right now.

John 7

1  After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.

2  Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 

Note: Expound on the Feast of Tabernacles

·        Feast of Sukkoth – Feast of Booths – Feast of Ingathering

·        The last and greatest of 3 major feasts each year (Deuteronomy 16:16) – Even though it is actually celebrated at the New Year time of the Year on God’s calendar.

·        God does not think like we think:

o   The day begins at sunset, not sunrise

o   The year begins at harvest time not in the spring

o   Man’s first day of life was God’s day of rest

·        The Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated after the harvest

·        Commemorates the protection and provision of God for the Children of Israel for the 40 years they were in the wilderness

·        This Feast is to be celebrated with much joy and rejoicing, with family, friends, and neighbors, a lot of food and fellowship.

·        Solomon dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem on this day (2Ch 7)

·        Ezra resumed sacrifice after the return from Babylonian captivity

·        The Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Temple by King Solomon on this day, and the glory of God was so powerful the priests could not even stand to minister. (1Ki 8)

·        God commanded the Children of Israel to make booths, tabernacles, tents, temporary shelters outside their homes and celebrate the feasts in these booths, tabernacles, for 7 days of joy and rejoicing.

·        The 8^th day is the “Great Day” of the feast in which a special gift is to be presented to the Lord. (Exo 23; Deut 31)

·        The book of Leviticus 23:33-44 describes how the celebration is to be observed.

·        Many believe, as do I, that Jesus was born at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. (John 1:1&14 – dwelt = tabernacle)

·        The Feast is a forerunner of the great harvest of the earth unto Christ - both the 7 years of joy, rejoicing and feasting in the heavens, as well as the 1000-year reign of Christ on the earth when, according to Zechariah 14 and Revelation 20, all nations which survive the great tribulation will come and worship the Lamb in Jerusalem.

·        And even after the 1000-year reign, on the 8^th day, the Feast of Tabernacles points to a new heaven and a new earth wherein we will tabernacle (dwell) with God forever

·        By the way … your body is the current Tabernacle of God in the earth

Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

·        On top of all of this … Tomorrow, Monday, September 27, 2021, is the is the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles this year.

·        Then at sundown tomorrow begins what is known as the 8^th day, or the “Great Day” in which a special gift is to be presented to the Lord.

Well anyway, as John continues to give His inspired account in verse 2:

2  Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.

3  His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.

4  "For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world."

5  For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

6  Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.

7  "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.

8  "You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come."

John 7: 14  Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

See … not yet does not mean never …

Remember I told you that the feast lasted 7 days and the 8^th day was a “Great Day” in which a special gift was presented to the Lord? Well, let’s follow John’s anointed account a little further -

John 7

37  On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

38  "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

39  But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

I believe, just like He said 2000 years ago, Jesus has something special planned for us. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the historic “Great Day” of the Feast in which we present our best gifts to the Lord. What would a special gift look like? What does God want? Of course, God wants you to trust Him. It’s really the only gift a person can offer to God.

Faith in God … trusting Him, is the only thing a person has to give the Eternal Creator of the universe. Your trust in Jesus is the only gift you can give God that He can get nowhere else. He gave us His Son as a special gift to you, now it’s your turn to give Him the one thing He cannot manufacture Himself … will you trust Him?

That’s all God wanted from the Children of Israel and that’s no doubt one of the biggest reasons why He wants them to celebrate what He did for them in all the years they lived in tents in the wilderness depending on His daily provision and nightly protection. He wants us all to remember that no matter what it looked like, He never failed, and He never once forgot about their needs.

Jesus told His brothers who did not believe in Him …  "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.”

Perhaps you are waiting on Jesus for something only He can do.

·        In your personal life

·        For your family

·        Concerning your nation

Don’t imagine that His “not yet” answer means never. Perhaps God’s answer is simply “not yet”. However, it is always your time to trust Him.

·        Trust God for your personal needs.

·        Have faith in God for your family.

·        Believe that God has a plan for your nation, and trust that His plan is the best.

We are closer to the end than ever before. This is a unique time in the history of the world, and we were born for such a time. Give God the only thing He cannot get without you … give Him your trust.

Have faith in God … it is not even possible that He will let things continue as they are forever … it’s just that His time is not yet come. If it was time … this would be over … and soon, I believe, it will be … but for now … I’ll trust Him. This is my special gift to God … How about you?

Amen

Gtcotr/ws092221

This evening it is my hope to conclude our study of the Gospel of John as we read the last verse together. We have learned so much from this elder Apostle. He was such a man of love and grace. He knew and understood Jesus better than any of the other disciples.

John 21:25  And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

You know, God did so much to get you to this point. More than we can imagine and more than will ever be written upon this earth. He has a lot invested in you and it could be that you are one of the biggest reasons your ancestors made it through all the things which would have otherwise taken them out.

God is more intricately involved in our lives than anyone could ever imagine. The lengths God went through to orchestrate the moments in which we live and the opportunities we have been afforded are fathomless. It is often difficult to imagine, with all that is going on in the world at any one time, that God knows my name, He knows my every thought and the intent of my heart, and He even knows the number of the hairs on my head at any given moment. (Hebrews 4:12; John 10:3; Luke 12:7)

That kind of detail and the abilities God possesses with such ease seems absolutely impossible … and it is except for God. His designs cannot be duplicated, and His ways are past finding out. Yet God gave us knowledge of Himself, and He calls us His children. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. All that God has is mine, and it is reserved for me at just the right time. (Romans 11:33; Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 1:4)

There are times when I may think things are ready or when I think I am ready but only God knows when the time is ripe, and when everything will work together as He planned. He is the Master Planner. Scriptures tell us the blessing of the Lord will make a person rich and will add no sorrow. (Ecclesiastes 3; Romans 8:28; Proverbs 10:22)

One day, when the world was filled with wickedness and evil had spread across the earth, Noah was instructed by God to build an ark for the salvation of all who would enter in. This ark would be a boat made out of gopher wood. At just the right time, some 120 years later, animals from everywhere came to the ark two by two until all things were just as God planned, and then God shut the door by His own hand. He told Noah:

·        Genesis 6:16  “You shall make a window for the ark …”

Genesis 6, 7, & 8, records the account of Noah and the Ark.

·        Noah and his family, plus all the animals, were in the ark for 7 days when it began to rain and the fountains of the deep were unleashed.

Genesis 7 NKJV

11 ¶  In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

12  And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.

·        It rained for 40 days and 40 nights

·        Waters prevailed over the earth for 150 days (7:24) I don’t know if that is inclusive of the 40 days of rain or not.

·        But, when it stopped raining, it took about 100 days for the waters to subside (8:4&5)

·        Noah waited 40 more days and sent out a raven and a dove. (8:6)

·        Then Noah waited 7 more days and sent the dove again (8:10)

·        Then he waited another 7 days and sent the dove a third time (8:12)

·        Then, on the first day of the first month, which was the first day of the New Year – Rosh Hashana – Noah looked out of the window God told him to make and he saw the surface of the earth was dry. (8:13)

·        Then God had Noah wait almost two more months, until the 27^th day of the second month, before God saw that the earth was really dry. (8:14) Sometimes what looks right to us is not quite right from God’s standpoint. He sees a little deeper and farther down the road.

·        All in all, we are told Noah and his family, and the animals, spent 365 or 366 days … one whole solar year … on the ark. Don’t you know they were ready to get off that boat.

There is a difference between things looking dry to us (man) - things being dry on the surface - and things looking dry to God … really dry. Noah had a window God gave him to see through, but he could still not see what God saw.

Genesis 8

13 ¶  And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry.

14  And in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dried.

15  Then God spoke to Noah, saying,

16  “Go out of the ark …”

It looked dry … vs … it was dry! Not everything that looks dry, is dry!

If Noah would have gotten off the ark when things looked good to him, from the window God told him to make, he would have no doubt bogged down in the miry clay instead of enjoying his new day. He and his family and the animals would have had such a difficult time enjoying life while trudging through the mire of their new day. Despite what he saw from his God-given position, Noah was very wise to wait for a specific word from the Lord before taking such a giant, life changing step for him and his family. What to eat for dinner is a little different than a life changing family decision. The critical giant steps of life need to be taken with great prayer.

God is the God of dreams, the God of seeds, and the God of the harvest. But only God knows when it is time to take the next critical step.

When the mercy of God is ripe, the fruit will be sweet and without sorrow.

Proverbs 10: 22  The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

God consults us and informs us and directs us according to our benefit and not according to our desire. Noah wanted off the boat, but he didn’t want back into a world without God. Where God points, He provides. But God is not obligated to pay for something He didn’t order.

Back to our conclusion of the Gospel of John this evening. I don’t know how many weeks we have been studying this Gospel but this evening we hope to conclude. So, let’s read this last verse again as we close.

John 21:25  And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

1.  You don’t know what you don’t know.

a.   But we do know what we do know, and we know what the Bible says.

b.   We don’t know everything, but we know enough.

c.    Hopefully we know enough to wait on the Lord. He sees things so much better than we do. His timing is perfect, and our dreams are secure in His hands.

d.   Remember, not everything that looks dry, is dry!

2.  The world cannot contain a full account of the works of God.

a.   Angels

                                         i.    Earth was made from rocks and dirt and water and minerals and such.

                                        ii.    Humans were made from the dust of the ground.

                                      iii.    Space was made from plasma and electricity and whatever else we haven’t fully discovered yet.

                                      iv.    From what were angels made?

1.   Maybe light? (2 Corinthians 11:14)

2.   Fire? (Psalms 104:4; Exodus 3:2; Revelation 10:1))

3.   Spirit? (Hebrews 1:7 & 14)

                                       v.    The first Adam was made a living soul … the second Adam, Jesus, was made a life-giving Spirit. (1 Cor 15:45)

                                      vi.    Anyway … God doesn’t tell us all that much about the creation of angels or when that took place according to our imagination of time.

b.   God doesn’t tell us about life on other planets.

c.    He didn’t divulge what it was like before He made the earth

d.   There is just so many things we don’t know that God has done to get you to this place in life.

e.   He even guided Noah and his family through the flood so that you would have the chance to be here today.

f.    And, God is doing more today, things we may never know, to give us a hope and a future that is out of this world. (Jeremiah 29:11)

3.  Amen

a.   The last word in the Gospel of John

b.   The best-known word in human speech. Amen in every language.

c.    “Believe” “Affirm”

d.   An expression of absolute trust and confidence.

Greek/English Lexicon:

The word "amen" is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated

directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then

into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is

practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word

in human speech. The word is directly related  —  in fact, almost

identical  —  to the Hebrew word for "believe" (amam), or faithful.

Thus, it came to mean "sure" or "truly," an expression of absolute

trust and confidence. (HMM)

When we don’t know everything … we still know God … Believe, hold firm, and be faithful to Him. There is so much more to it than the whole world could ever contain.

Let’s get into the habit of Amening God. When we hear His Word spoken and His will proclaimed, let’s make sure to say a hefty amen right behind it so as to ensure everyone knows where we stand on the issue of God’s Word.

We may not know everything, but we know enough. God is a good God with a wonderful plan for our lives. He loves us and He will never hurt us or let us down. Amen!

Can I get an amen? Do I hear an amen? Will somebody give the Word of God a big Amen!

Mary, Judas, and an Alabaster Jar

Mark 14:3-11

“3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head. 4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly. 6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

What a beautiful story.

You have here two different people: Mary and Judas.

Two different people with two different responses to their encounters with Jesus.

Snapshot of Mary:

•    Mary lavishes expensive perfume on Jesus

•    She breaks the alabaster jar/box and pours it on Jesus

•    In Bible times, alabaster boxes were made of a rich marble-type stone (alabaster). Alabaster was a stone commonly found in Israel and one of the precious stones used in the decoration of Solomon’s temple. These alabaster boxes or jars would be filled with expensive perfume to keep them pure and unspoiled, and sealed with wax to retain and preserve the scent. The perfume in the alabaster jar would be sealed inside, when the owner wished to use it the seal or neck had to be broken so that it could be used. The particular perfume mentioned in this passage could have cost a year’s wage. 

•    This is a picture of worship and devotion lavished on Jesus

•    This was the best she had to offer and she willingly poured it out as an act of worship. Traditionally anointing someone’s head with oil was to sanctify, to set the anointed person or object apart as holy. It was a symbol of honor. It symbolized that the person has been chosen by God.

Snapshot of Judas:

•    A snapshot of humanity and carnality

•    Judas scorns Mary for “wasting” the perfume

•    If Judas wasn’t exaggerating, this eleven-ounce flask of nard was worth about $30,000 (three hundred twelve-hour days at our minimum wage, a denarius was a simple, full day’s wage).

•    Judas felt nothing in his heart except that he loved money more than he loved Jesus

Proximity does not guarantee intimacy.

Judas was with Jesus. He was around Jesus. He talked with Jesus. But Judas did not know Jesus. Proximity does not equal intimacy.

Mary treasured Jesus. Judas contradicted Jesus.

Both had been around Jesus. Both had encounters with Jesus. Nevertheless, they had completely different responses.

1.        What we do for Jesus is never a waste

Mark 14:4
4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked.

John 12:4-6
“4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.”

Judas called Mary’s act of worship a “waste”. Judas saw things only from the natural. Judas said that it should have been sold and given to the poor, but he was really just thinking about himself. He was mad because he missed out on making more money! Judas was only consumed with what he wanted and what he thought would benefit him.

That is not the way Mary saw it. For Mary this was not a waste. Instead, this was worship. Mary lavished the expensive perfume on Jesus as an act of devotion. A whole year’s wages, gone in a moment just like that. She gave God her best, and did so with no hesitation. In view of Jesus’ mercy and grace for her, this was her reasonable act of worship toward her savior.

Romans 12:1 - “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” (Or reasonable service)
What we do for Jesus is never a waste. Our lives are “LIVING” sacrifices for God. We pour our lives out on the altar as a drink offering and tell God, “have your way in my life!” The world may not understand. People may think you are wasting your life. But what we give for Jesus will never be wasted and will never spoil.

Every dollar we give toward missions is worth it.
Every minute we spend in prayer is worth it.
Every person we talk to about Jesus is worth it.
Every time we inconvenience our life to say “yes” to God is worth it.
Everything we do for Jesus is worth it!

2.        Choosing anything else over Jesus will always disappoint

Mark 14:10-11 - “10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”

Judas cared about money more than anything. So much so that Judas traded Jesus for money! He was willing to give up the relationship he had with Jesus for a fleeting moment of satisfaction. The only problem was that Judas was not happy at all. In fact the Bible says that he was full of remorse and regret. Trading his relationship with Jesus was not worth it in the end.

Mary, on the other hand, gave up what could have been the most expensive, most valuable thing she owned for Jesus. Judas traded Jesus for money, but she traded money for Jesus!

There is nothing that this world has to offer that is worth choosing over our relationship with Christ. It may look good, it may seem worth it, but it will always leave you feeling empty and regretful.

My wife Melinda is a living example……

3.        Jesus is available TODAY!

Mark 14:7 - “7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.”

Jesus knew that He would not be around for much longer. He knew the hour was coming that he would no longer be with the disciples. While selling the alabaster jar of perfume and giving it to the poor would have been a “good” thing, devoting it to Jesus and giving it to Him was much better. Mary chose the “better” thing! There was a window of opportunity for Mary, because Jesus was not always be with them. So she struck while the iron was hot! She devoted herself to Jesus while he was still around.

Today is a good day to devote our life to Christ. Today is a good day to give all you have over to Him. Why? Jesus is available today! If you have not placed your faith in Christ, today is your day!!

Romans 10:9-10 - “9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

If you don’t know Christ as your Lord and Savior, the window of opportunity is open for you today! If you are born again, the window of opportunity is open for someone else in your life! Jesus is available today! But there will be a day when that window of opportunity will be closed.

John 9:4 - “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”

Let us be like Mary and choose Jesus while the door is open!

Takeaways:

I.          Give God your best - What we do for Jesus is not a waste. Jesus deserves more than just our leftovers. He deserves our lives. Therefore, give God your best! Aim to be extraordinary for God! We all want to be extraordinary. I know that I do! As our senior pastor, Ron Hammonds once told me:

“Being extraordinary is being great in your ordinary."

Be faithful in the small things. Be consistent in your daily devotion. Trust God in the big and small. And God will use you through it all.

II.         Remain steadfast through Trial - Choosing anything over Jesus will always disappoint. When trying times come, which they will, stand strong in your faith.

1 Peter 5:8 - “8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Therefore, stand strong in the truth! Persevere through trial and temptation.

III.       Choose Jesus TODAY - Either for yourself or for someone else. Jesus is available now!!