T.G.I.M.

Today as we move out into our spheres of influence, into our work spaces and into the new week, I pray we take the lessons of Sunday with us. Yesterday at my church Harvest Ministries, we devoted the service to praising the Lord and to prayer for our pastors, staff, each other, for Israel and for the nations. It wasn't planned by us, but by the Spirit. 

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all." ( John 6:63 ) 

So we cried out to God. It was a time of humbly serving each other and seeking the face of God which acknowledges our dependence upon him and not on ourselves. It puts us in a right posture for the rest of the week. It's that "upside-down kingdom" thing again where in God's Kingdom the way up is down. 

It is in this same servant spirit that we must move out into our Monday. What does that look like? Instead of thinking we have to begin some "big" work of God, like we so often do in this country, where fame, flashy, and fruitful seem to be emphasized, even from the pulpit at times, I think it simply means this:

"Do what's in front of you."

Now, good fruit is biblical to be sure. We are called to bear much healthy fruit. In fact, the Scriptures tell us that good fruitfulness is assurance that we are children of God and that we are growing. 

But I don't believe our eyes should become too focused on the fruit we are producing. Maybe we should glance at it from time to time, do an occasional fruit inspection, but if our eyes and heart are concentrating on how much fruit we think we are creating, we will miss what's in front of us. 

And God is more concerned with our faithfulness than our fruitfulness. 

Are we being faithful with what's in front of us? 

For one thing, we can't produce the fruit anyway. 

In 1 Corinthians 2:5  Paul writes to the immature, jealous church members, "What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each." 

"Servants" Paul says that he and Apollos are "servants." 

"I planted. Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." 

Let's focus on being faithful then with what's in front of us and leave the fruit production up to God. 

"For even the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." ( Mark 10:45 ) 

People were hungry. Jesus fed them. People were sinful. Jesus forgave them. People were lost. Jesus found them. People were ignorant. Jesus taught them. People were dirty. Jesus washed them. 

Make your family breakfast. Forgive your friend. Send the missionary. Teach your child to pray. Wash away bitterness and envy from your relationships. Have patience with the slow driver in the left hand lane. ( Welcome to the Farmer's world. ) Invite your co-worker to church. Attend the counseling session with your spouse. Linger a bit longer and with more intensity as you listen. Care for the poor and for aging parents. Influence your grandchildren for the gospel. Consider others better than yourself. 

When we die and stand before our Father, we will not hear the words, "Well done good and "fruitful" servant." 

No, what do we long to hear?  

"Well done, good and "faithful" servant.

You have been faithful over a little; 

I will set you over much. 

Enter into the joy of your master." ( Matthew 25:21 ) 

T.G.I.M. 

D.W.I.F.O.Y.

Happy Monday!