Living up to our Potential

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV)

Everyone is built to do good things. Doing good is not just reserved for christians. I've seen many non christians do great things. We are all design to encourage, to serve, to listen, to do good works. These verses make that clear. I certainly believe that's true. So why aren't we ALL full of goodness? That goodness, for some people, is locked deep inside their heart. It is buried under lifes trials, poor circumstances, and sin. The only way that goodness reaches others, is through Jesus. The fullness of our potential is only reached through the power of Jesus Christ. Even those that do good works before receiving Christ will change when they change their motivation for doing good works. When we receive Jesus, a humbleness fills our lives and our good works explode like a volcano. We couldn't keep them inside even if we wanted to. The works flow from love and out of efforts to evangelize the lost. Service, showing love is the greatest way to convince the lost to turn to Jesus. 

The good works of a Christian has more meaning mor evalue than just doing good. If we want others to live with us in eternity, we need to actively demonstrate the love of Jesus through doing good!

Handiwork!

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

I like to feel I'm sort of a handiman! Given the right tools I can fix just about anything. For years this skill lie dormant. I was a little intimidated by my father-in-law who had a career of fixing and designing machines as a tool and die maker. My own father didn't have the time or the desire to do these things. So growing up, fixing things, or working with my hands, was not a part of my life. But, as I grew older, owning my own homes, cars, and motorcycles, I realized I really enjoy working with my hands, building things, taking things apart, and fixing them. I've gotten quite good at it! 

With this verse, I can relate to our loving creator. I take pride in the things I build, my handiwork. On a much grander scale God takes great pride in us, his greatest creation. He loves to see us used for our primary purpose, to do good works. He grants so many opportunities to do good works. Many we just ignore and they pass us by, unfulfilled. When we do GET IT, he loves to watch and admire!

What am I doing? Do I take advantage of the great opportunities to serve and do good works? Do I even look for those opportunities?

Dear Lord Jesus, help me to recognize the blessings I get from serving others. Help me SEE the chances I have that appear every day. Lord I want to do your will, not just talk about it. True service is doing your will in the lives of those I meet everyday. I praise you for your patience with me! AMEN!

I promise!

Psalm 132

A song of ascents.

 ¹ LORD, remember David
   and all his self-denial.

 ² He swore an oath to the LORD,
   he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
³ “I will not enter my house
   or go to my bed,
⁴ I will allow no sleep to my eyes
   or slumber to my eyelids,
⁵ till I find a place for the LORD,
   a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Have you ever made such a promise to God? Did you follow through?

It is so easy to  make a vow to God, but it is much harder to follow through. David was completely dedicated to providing God with a home, the Temple. God didn't ask for the temple. But, David felt uncomfortable living in a palace while God lived in a tent. So, he dedicated his life to build a grand home for God. God did not let him build the temple but his son, Solomon, did. David was weak at times and lost focus on the Lord. But, he worked hard to make sure he honored God even in his weakness. He never saw the fruit of his efforts but his efforts were behind the eventual completion of the temple. God was proud of him and chose to dwell there. 

It was Davids dedication handed down to his son that made this happen. David followed through for God. He was not perfect, but he continued to try to honor God and finally accomplished it though he was not alive to see it. 

How serious am I about my oath to the Lord? What lengths would I go to follow through for him?  Sometimes I am absolutely on fire for the Lord. I am dedicated to his will and to honor him. Other times, I am weak of heart and I don't even remember to talk to God, let alone follow through with my oath.  

God is not impressed with our words. He is not impressed with our "Oath" to him. He is impressed with our actions. He is impressed with our willingness to work until the end of our days for him. 

Lord, Help my weakness. Give me strength to stand up for you. Help me to do your will every day of my life and every breath I breathe. Lord, I love you is just words if I don't follow up on that Love with doing your will. Forgive me for my weak heart and give me the strength to work for you! Amen!

Do a favor for Christ!

Philemon 1 (The Message)

 ^17-20......Do me this big favor, friend. You'll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.^21-22I know you well enough to know you will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written. 


The past two weekends (Saturdays) I have had to ask a couple of co-workers to do me a favor. Last weekend we had the Christian Motorcycle Association State Rally and I had a Soccer game that needed to be covered. This past weekend I was asked to help out at a Ride for Recovery event and had another soccer game.  Because they were willing to take time out of their schedule, I was able to work for a couple of great organizations in Christian Service. They may not know it, but they were doing a favor for Christ.
I have such a great group of people to work with. I can't remember a time when asked, a fellow coach or co-worker didn't help out where they could.  More often than not, they go way beyond what was asked. It really does my heart good to know that people in this world still care.  When someone does a favor for you, how do you react? Doesn't it make you feel like you need to do something nice for them? That's exactly how it makes me feel. Wouldn't this be a wonderful place to live if we all started doing favors for each other. Serving each other, "Loving your neighbor", is one of the great commandments. Loving your neighbor starts with selfless sacrifice.  It starts with doing a simple favor. It might be just watering the flowers while they are on vacation. It may be taking meals when they are sick or in the hospital. It may be working for them so they can serve at church. If we all put our neighbors and friends first in our lives, If we are willing to give a helping hand, this world would be a much better place. It would do our heart good and Christ would love it! Do someone a favor this week! Commit some act of selfless sacrifice for a co-worker! Love your Neighbor! You'll be doing it for them, but you'll also be doing it for Christ!

Thanks Bob and Bob for helping me these past two weekends. I appreciate it and so does Christ!

Dear Lord, Thank you for great friends and co-workers. Thank you for people who still care enough they are willing to sacrifice to help. Open our hearts and our minds to serving others.  Help us to not just say we love our neighbor, but to act on that Love! Amen!