Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008

TWG - July 16, 2008

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TWG - July 16, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Leviticus 3; Psalm 55; Acts 12

Today is July 16, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. T You are part of a devotional community where we put Christ first and our commitment is to spend time with each other and Time with God every day.

Here, there, everywhere… that’s the sum of my day yesterday. I was late to the office. Marcia called to say that the time with God blog didn’t match the email. That’s because #1 I messed up the email yesterday (sorry) and #2 I always post the blog about 15 minutes after the email, so if you catch the email soon enough, the blog has not yet caught up. Next I began work on the upcoming David Harsh Concert. That didn’t last long as I had to run to Glide to meet Pastor Mike Miller at his new home building site! Wow! God is blessing him with a new home! That’s a nice perk! Then I spent a few hours with Doris about Don’s upcoming memorial service. She fed me a delicious cinnamon roll! Pray for her. It is a lonely adjustment. Soon it was back to the office where I gave the grand kids a whirl wind drive around the parking lot. After work I ran home for dinner and checked on Susan. She is doing a bit better. Then it was to our “12” men’s meeting. A great time. I put a picture of Dangerous Dave on the Blog at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Dave broke the band on his sandals and is holding a great treasure – a Christmas star – he hopes to inflict on some unsuspecting family this Christmas! So look out!

This week’s theme verse is 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

Just do the important stuff! That’s how to live life. Whatever you do, make sure you do the stuff that is essential. Most of us spend far too much time on trivia and before you know it we are having a mid life crisis because we doubt the value of the sand castles we have built. One of the guys came to me recently and said, “I don’t know what I need to be doing, but I think it’s time I did something that mattered; Something that makes an impact... Something important!” Hey that’s the spirit. A life well lived is one that is tightly focused on “gold, sliver and precious stones.” Make a note of it, there is a progression here. Gold is the highest preferred type of life Silver is next, and precious stones is the initial rung of the good stuff. Kind of sounds like some of these direct marketing companies… are you a “Solid Gold Christian” yet? Or are you a “Silver Christian?” Maybe you haven’t even got your “Precious Stones” pin! Hey get to work on the important stuff… It’ll come. To be honest, I don’t exactly know how to differentiate between the Gold, Silver and Precious Stones, but God does. He’s got a “Heart O’ Meter” in Heaven which evaluates your work for the Lord. And I think you know where you stand in your motivations if you really spend time examining your life. But I do know some of the things that will win you a jewel in your crown. I do know some of the things that God considers the “important stuff.” For a life well lived for Christ right up until the end, you get gold! (1 Cor 9:24-27) For those who are passionate about the return of the Lord and love his coming there is a Crown of Righteousness awaiting. (2 Tim 4:8) For those who overcome temptation there is a Crown of life waiting (James 1:12). The same is true for those who are faithful through persecution (Rev 2:10). For those who lead the flock well, there is a pure gold Crown of Unfading Glory coming (1 Peter 5:1-4). For those who lead others to Christ and disciple them there is a living Crown of Rejoicing set aside (1 Thess 2:19). So here’s a few suggestions about the important stuff. Determine to live every moment for Christ. Start praying “Lord Jesus come!” Rise above temptation, endure persecution, develop a heart for Christian leadership, begin winning people to Christ and help them to Grow. That’s the important stuff for the Christian. Any questions?

Dear Lord Jesus, I want to live for you. I want to do the important stuff. I want to live a life that is pure gold. Please help me to get my heart wrapped around what really matters so that I will be fulfilled, and yet more important that you will be pleased with my life because that is all that really matters!

Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:53 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

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