Monday, October 23, 2006

Invest, invest, invest........... in others

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt. 6:19-21


Lord Jesus, we had another great and awesome day at church on Sunday. Wayne absolutely hit it out of the park and then Rummage did a wonderful job too preaching. It was great and i was so blessed to be there. Thank you!

Our church has started this emphasis on Stewardship. I have to say I was not excited about that because that refers to money and our big church "looks" like it is doing fine and more than blessed. But it is so much more than that. Like yesterdayy we talked about investing everything in others. We can not take anything ($$$ specifically) with us so why not invest in eternal things - the Kingdom of God. Taking the monetary resources He has blessed one with and using that to invest in others either very tangibly with a mission trip or very vaguely in tithing - trusting the church uses it wisely. I think the reason this rings so true to me is because this has been true of my whole life in Charlotte. Being at such a huge church i have had so many opportunities to be invested in through sermons, teachers, SS classes, mentors, wise people, programs, even employed, etc. The Lord has filled, and filled, and filled us to the brim and now it is time to possibly pour it out.

Every time i lead a discipleship group over here at the house, i am always telling them the main reason you are here is to take this information and investment and find someone else that you can fill up or pour into. I am not about soaking and i am not about hoarding all the investments poured into me and others. Give, give, give! Wayne said, "You can tell what you truly treasure by where you invest." That is the greatest thing i learned from Rae Deal so many years ago. She took the time to invest in others and made a HUGE impact on my life. I am forever grateful!

Lord, thank you for calling me to live beyond a life of just hanging out in church and just soaking up all the information and Your Word. Church is not about me and what i can take from church - the whole church, New Testament Church - but what i can give back as i have been poured into and invested in. Thank you giving me the heart to invest in others and using me to deliver Your blessings from time to time. That is such a privilege and honor. Following You is always so exciting and adventurous. I don't see it as a sacrifice, but an honor to obey a calling.

You know i was thinking about sacrifice the other day. As we are invested in over and over again, we might even come to a time in our lives when we are asked in church, in a Bible study , or even well meaning friend, "How far would you go in your relationship with Jesus? Are you willing to risk it all, are you willing to give it all up? Are you willing to live out mediocrity?" I think until you are given that opportunity we can always answer yes. Yes i want to live out of the norm, yes i want to risk it all, even some have said yes i will die for Him. Our Lord Jesus hears those responses before the opportunity has been presented, but of course knows our true heart and intentions. So the time comes and He grants the opportunity to see how far you will go from Him - He can trust that you will say yes, and so He gives you the chance to come true on your "promises".

My friends have said yes and are going to live in a country that has never heard the gospel. Very little resources, very little food, very little of anything - even hospitals to have babies, yikes!!! To me that is real sacrifice. But the coolest thing is that they do not even see it as sacrifice. It is just part of their everyday living - a real walk with Christ - a walk to remember. Lord, i pray i never see any opportunity You have placed in front of me as sacrifice - only a privilege of responding to Your calling.

Lord, i love you - grow my love and increase my faith! Thank you for your eternal investment in me! May i deliver great dividends for You and You alone!

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