Quote by A. W. Tozer

"God always used men of courage down through the years.  It requires a great deal of courage to stand for god in an hour like this -- to be a son of God among the sons of men'; to be a citizen of heaven among the citizens of the world; to be a good man in a bad world and have faith in a world of unbelief; to be good in a world that loves to be bad.  It takes courage, and God is waiting for us to rise up with something of the fearlessness of Elijah."

Tozer, A. W.  Voice Of A Prophet.  Ed. James L. Snyder.  Minneapolis, MN:  Bethany House, 2014.  pp. 101-102.

Get Your Heart Back (Gal. 6:9) (Part 3)

Translation:  "Now, we should not lose heart doing that which is good, for in due time we shall harvest if we do not give out."

IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR HEART, YOU CAN GET IT BACK.

 

In this post we will consider this question:  What can you do to regain your heart?

• Remember that there is a guarantee of judgment.  You will bow before the Bema Seat (2 Cor. 5:10 cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15). Though this judgment will be for believers, though this judgment will be to test your work to determine reward, you want to exit with something.  Here's the point:
•  God cannot reward the effort you didn't make.
• God cannot reward the faith you didn't implement.
• God cannot reward the prayer you didn't pray.
• God cannot reward the time you didn't invest.
• God cannot reward the check you didn't write.
• God cannot reward the strength you didn't exert.
• God cannot reward the work you didn't do.
• Remember that there is a promise of reward.
• Gal. 6:9 > "...we shall harvest..."
• 1 Cor. 15:58 > "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
• Heb. 6:10 > "For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints."
• Rev. 22:12 > "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done."
• Mt. 25:21 > “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’"

(Is it just me or does keeping the reward front and center seem selfish?  Is being motivated by reward an ungodly response?  It might not be the highest motivation, but it is not an ungodly one. My actions don't earn my salvation, but salvation is not an invitation to inactivity.  Read Eph. 2:10.  Titus is only 3 chapters, but there Paul emphasized good deeds 7 times.)

• Remember that the window of opportunity is closing quickly.  Jn. 9:4 > “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work."   Live today to have no regrets tomorrow.  Serve today to have no regrets tomorrow.
• Remember the One who called you to serve.
• 1 Thess. 5:24 > "Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."
• "I will serve Thee because I love Thee..."
• You don't serve just the pastor or just the church.
• Col. 3:23-24 > "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."

Get Your Heart Back (Gal. 6:9) (Part 2)

Translation:  "Now, we should not lose heart doing that which is good, for in due time we shall harvest if we do not give out."

SOME BELIEVERS HAVE LOST HEART.

In the last post we defined "heart" and its importance.  This post will investigate why people lose heart.

What causes loss of heart in Christian work?

• Loss of heart is caused by delayed harvest.  You hear about the harvest, speak about the harvest, and work toward the harvest.  You read about the harvest, believe in the harvest, and even sing about the harvest.  However, you don't see the harvest.  At least not the way you've dreamed about it.
• Loss of heart is caused by disinterested workers.  You work toward the harvest, but you wonder why others don't. While you are fully engaged in the harvest, you can't figure out how some can remain detached and disinterested when so much is at stake.  They nod their head in agreement when you mention the seriousness of the harvest, but rarely do anything except talk.  At least that's how you interpret it.
• Loss of heart is caused by depleted energy. You realize quickly that spiritual work, while it is a great joy and privilege, takes something out of you. There are many fatigued workers in God's Kingdom.  It is said that the church runs on the shoulders of tired people.  Don't stop working, but do take time for refreshing.  A burned-out you is not a win.

Get Your Heart Back (Gal. 6:9) (Part 1)

Translation:  "Now, we should not lose heart doing that which is good, for in due time we shall harvest if we do not give out."

SOME BELIEVERS HAVE LOST HEART. 

What do I mean by "heart"?  Your heart is your innermost being.  It is the place of passion, desire and initiative.  Your heart is the place of relationship, resolve and courage.  According to Proverbs 4:23, everything begins in the heart.

Is your heart active in pursuit of God and ministry or have you checked out and given up?

In the next post we will investigate why people lose heart.
  

Felix Baumgartner's Jump

Some things are too good to pass up and not share.  Even if you're not a National Geographic fan, you'll find this interesting.  For preachers, this story is loaded with illustrations.  http://tinyurl.com/8o4a6b6