FAITH SUPPLEMENTS

                             

WHAT IS YOUR NEXT STEP 

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP & SERVICE 

TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.                  -2 Peter 1:3-11 (ESV)

Why do people take supplements?   Is it not to improve or enhance their health and performance?  We take vitamins, minerals and other supplements to increase our strength, stamina & minds.   We also take supplements to assist in the prevention of or to resist sickness & disease.  In short, we take supplements to improve our physical and mental       well- being as we travel this life.

God does not want His people to become complacent and lazy but desires for them to be productive and attuned to the tasks He has prepared for us to do.   Yes, God has a work for you to do!   He not only expects you to use the abilities He has given you to serve and honor Him but He also expects that you growth and increase in your service as He blesses you to do.  Did you notice the phrases underlined in the Scripture text above.

"supplement your faith"

"if these qualities are yours and are increasing"

"be all the more diligent"

"if you practice these qualities"

Not only does God expect the inward qualities of your faith and character to improve He also expects your good works and acts of service to improve as well.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

 Are you using your faith supplements?  

Is your Christian character becoming more and more holy?

Are you striving to abound and increase in your service to the Lord & His Church?

So...WHAT IS YOUR NEXT STEP?

BE A COMFORTER

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ -Matthew 25:34-40

You were created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Some of those good works are to be a comfort to others. God sends you out each day to be an encourager and comforter. He uses your arms to hold the hurting person and your smile to cheer their heart. You help Jesus by helping others. Your faith shows up in your actions, so act out. Bring God glory by the way you comfort and serve.

God works all things out for the good of those who believe in Him. When someone is hurting they may need to vent, to purge their raw feelings and thoughts out. Slapping them with bandages of Bible verses on their wounds is not always the most effective means to comfort. However, if there is a Scripture that has brought you comfort it may be useful for them as well, so share it. Offer to pray with the person right then and there. Don't simply say,"I'll pray for you" and then later forget to do it. Place a gentle hand on them and pray for them right then and there in their presence. Your prayer will have a much stronger impact to bring comfort. Too often you may think that prayer is the last thing we can do when it should be at the top of our list as a way to comfort.

People appreciate knowing they're being thought of. With all the technology and means of communication today there is no reason we can't stay connected with someone. So use the phone, email, text or social media to stay in touch as time passes.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. -2 Corinthians 1:3-4

ARE YOU A FAN OR A FOLLOWER?

One of the most sobering passages of Scripture tells of a day when many who consider themselves to be followers of Jesus will be stunned to find out that he doesn’t even recognize them.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

                                                              -Matthew 7:21-23

Is your relationship with Jesus just a casual weekend thing or are you fully committed? Fans often confuse their admiration for devotion. They mistake the knowledge of Jesus for intimacy with Jesus. How many think they can have a relationship with Jesus without having to make any real changes? Jesus wants complete renovation. Belief in Jesus is not the same as following him. When we decide to believe in Jesus without making a commitment to follow him, we become nothing more than fans.

There is no forgiveness without repentance. There is no salvation without surrender. There is no believing without committing. Jesus is the one who defines the relationship, not you. He is clear that being a fan who believes without making any real commitment to follow isn’t an option. At some point you will be in a position to have to decide between being a fan or a follower of Jesus.

Are you going to remain simply an admirer of Jesus or are you going to follow Him? Can you give up whatever it is that has hindered you to follow Jesus thus far?

So…

PLOW ON!

"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." -Luke 9:62

Back in the day, to plow a field required crude tools and a mule, if you were fortunate enough to own one.  No motorized or electrical equipment with GPS to mark the rows for you.  To use a hand plow took strength and concentration to guide the plow and animal at the same time.

To "plow" implies work and effort. It takes concentration on where you are in the field at that moment so you don’t stumble. You also must keep your focus on what lies ahead so the rows are straight while watching for obstacles up ahead. Sometimes you may hit a rock or stump that stops you in your tracks. What are you going to do? Turn around and go back through the rows you've already plowed? That doesn’t even make sense!

We cannot return to the past and be honorable to God. Why would we ever want to? That doesn’t make sense either! Our desire should be to concentrate on the task at hand and keep our focus on where He is leading us. Sure, there will be “rocks” that try to get in the way and stop our progress. “Keep plowing!”

What “rock” have you hit today? Ask God to help you move it or get around it so that you can continue to honor Him. God has great plans for you and your blessings may be just the other side of that rock!

PLOW ON FOLKS!