Do Not Waste What God Has Given You

1 Samuel 17:32–37 ESV

And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Source: Colossians and Philemon: The Supremacy of Christ, R. Kent Hughes

A missionary to Africa told the story of an elderly woman who was reached with the gospel. Though she was blind and could neither read nor write, she wanted to share her new found faith with others. She went to the missionary and asked for a copy of the Bible in French. When she got it, she asked the missionary to underline John 3:16 in red and mark the page it was on so she could find it. The missionary wanted to see what she would do, so one day he followed her.

In the afternoon, just before school let out, she made her way to the front door. As the boys came out when school was dismissed, she would stop one and ask if he knew how to read French. When he said “Yes” she would ask him to read the verse that was marked in red. Then she would ask, “Do you know what this means?” and tell him about Christ.

The missionary said that twenty-four of the school boys that lady led to the Lord became pastors.

We need to be faithful where we are at. What we see as limitations, God sees as opportunities. Never underestimate what God can do through you.

David was faithful as a shepherd. He did not know as he was out watching sheep and writing songs and then singing those songs to the sheep that he would one day be the king.

If we are faithful in little things, God will give us big things.

We are not faithful in little things to get big things. We are faithful in little things because it is who we are in Christ. We want to honor God in all things.

If God has called you to something and it seems small in your eyes, it is actually the greatest honor because God has called you to it. It does not matter if it is big or small, it is not based on the calling, but who is doing the calling.

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It is a matter of perspective.

We all want to hear that we are doing a good job. But it is far better to hear:

Matthew 25:21 ESV

His master said to him, ‘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.’

There are those who may have been hurt by others in the church. Sometimes it was innocent and was taken the wrong way.

We all know that if the enemy can take something and build it up in our minds to something alienating and destructive, he will. Before long we think this person who we thought was a close friend is now perceived as an enemy.

Matthew 18:15 ESV

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

This applies to misunderstandings also.

Ephesians 4:27 ESV

and give no opportunity to the devil.

Conclusion:

It is so easy to be pulled in so many different directions. It is easy to lose sight of our first love. We have to remember what brought us to the cross and never lose sight of what we have been forgiven of. There are numerous voices and as promising of happiness as they may sound, only Jesus gives true fulfillment. Jesus gives glory for ashes. Today, if you have ashes and you want to exchange them for glory. I have great news. Today is your day.

Jesus has already done the hard part and He makes it as easy as knowing your A, B, C’s.

A - Acknowledge

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

B - Believe

Acts 16:31 (ESV)

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

C - Confess

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.