Never Too Late

Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. (Matthew 20:14)

• It is never too late for us to know God or to be used by Him.
  
  
• Jesus’ parable of workers in the vineyard told us so. (Matt. 20:1-16)
  
  
• The earlier the hire, the more labor they were able to give the vineyard owner.
  
  
• But those hired later discovered they had equal value in the owner’s eyes and would be rewarded equally.
  
  
• The vineyard owner chose to be gracious to them all.
  
  
• No matter our past or present, God longs to show us His grace and bring us into relationship with Him.
  
  
• Oh Heavenly Father, we are amazed at Your grace! Thank You that we can come to You at any time for forgiveness and be restored to relationship with You. Thank You that we can now be used by You to touch the lives of others.
  
  
• To give your life to Christ now is to keep it forever.
  
  

Turn To The LORD

There are many who say, "Who will show us any good?" LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. (Psalm 4:6)

• We often develop a pessimistic outlook in our world today.
   
• The front page of the newspapers and the top stories on the Internet or television are often filled with crime, accidents, politics, the economy, and prominent people behaving badly.
   
• Our conversations at work and home often dwell on difficulties and problems.
   
• Often we get discouraged and despair in the thought that nothing will ever change, and that what we do doesn't matter anymore.
   
• We said, “Who will show us any good? Where can we turn for better news?”
   
• Psalm 4 told us that David was different.
   
• In the midst of his troubles, David turned to the Lord.
   
• Instead of hoping for temporary good from altered circumstances, he found unceasing encouragement in God.
   
• David prayed to God, “Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us” (Psalm 4:6).
   
• The result was a gladness of heart that surpassed any earthly prosperity or success.
   
• Throughout David’s life, before and after he became king of Israel, he was never without opposition.
   
• But at the end of the day, he could always say, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8).
   
• The conviction and faith that “God cares for us” is always a good way to begin and end our day.
   
• Let us confide in God, knowing that He will always keep us safe and prosper us.
   
• God is always our dwelling place in our life’s storms.

Our Position and Calling

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

• It is much easier to see the greed of others. It is more difficult to see our own greed.
   
• We often want the blessings of others. We fail to see that all blessings come from God, and God’s supply of blessings will never run out.
   
• God has prepared us a table. He is able to give us enough of everything for our work and successes.
   
• But we continue to desire what others have, causing us more sorrow and resentment.
   
• We fail to see the importance of our position and calling.
   
• We are not grateful for the opportunity to serve God by serving others for Him.
   
• Let us learn to be content with our position and glorify God.
   
• Resentment and jealousy will come when we compare ourselves with others.
   
• But contentment and love come when we set our hearts and minds on God.
  
  

Handling God's Word

You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2)

• Words matter.
   
• Especially when they are the very words of God.
   
• Moses warned Israel, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God”.
   
• Moses often reminded Israel of God’s mercy and faithfulness to them in the past.
   
• But he also stressed the importance of obedience to God’s commands as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
   
• He told them that obedience would result in blessings of life and a rich inheritance.
   
• Every command and regulation mattered to God.
   
• The value His people placed on God’s Word showed their view of Him.
   
• Today, when we value God’s Word, handle it with great care, and obey what it says, we give God the reverence He truly deserves.
   
• God’s Word needs no additions or subtractions.
  
  
  

Stay Connected With God

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

• We keep our connection with God alive by spending time in His Word and in prayer.
   
• Then we are to be doers of His Word.
   
• The writer of Psalm 119 recognized the importance of a connection to God.
   
• He asked God to teach him His statutes and give him understanding of His law.
   
• Then he prayed that he would observe it with his whole heart, walk in the path of God’s commandments, and turn away his eyes from looking at worthless things.
   
• By meditating on God’s Word and then applying it, the psalmist stayed connected to God.
   
• God has given us His Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path to lead us to Him.
   
• May the mind of Christ our Savior live in us from day to day,
   
• May His love and power controlling all we do and say.
   
• Let us stay connected to God every day.

Handling God's Truth

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

• We are human.
   
• We sin and we make mistakes.
   
• We will make mistakes sometimes as we share God’s Word with others.
   
• But we have an obligation to diligently seek His truth.
   
• We must exercise care when we talk about God’s Word.
   
• Then we must boldly proclaim Him.
   
• And we pray that His Spirit will guard our hearts and the hearts of those we seek to serve.
   
• We pray that God will guard His truth.
   
• God and His Word are deserving of our greatest care.
   
• May God’s Word fill our memory, rule our heart, and guide our words.
   
• May we be God’s diligent workers rightly dividing His word of truth.
  

Show Our Love

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15)

• It is easier and faster to tell others what to do.
   
• Showing others how to do require time and effort.
   
• In teaching, it is easier to tell students what is wrong with what they did.
   
• It is more difficult to show them how to do it right.
   
• But the latter is more effective.
   
• For many years, the Jewish people had only the law to tell them what to do and what not to do.
   
• But then came Jesus Christ.
   
• He showed them how to live the life God had been telling them about all along.
   
• Jesus didn’t just say, “Be humble”; He humbled Himself.
   
• Jesus didn’t just say, “Forgive others”; He forgave us.
   
• Jesus didn’t just say, “Love God and your neighbors”; He demonstrated love by His actions.
   
• Christ’s perfect example of love shows us how great God’s love is for us.
   
• It also shows us how we are to show His love to others.
   
• Love is God’s will in action.
   
• Let us show our love than talking so much about it.