November 5, 2018 (Monday)
Here’s a few paragraphs shared with me by an online service that provides material that one may use in sermons. It is a sample that I was invited to use. So here it is:
In the book Second Calling, Dale Bourke writes that years ago, she attended a conference. When it was over, her friend Bruce offered her a ride to the airport. As they were about to leave, another man asked if he could join them.
As they drove away from the hotel, she and Bruce asked the man where he worked, and he mentioned a Christian organization. Bruce said, “I have fond memories of that group, because I attended a retreat of theirs one time, and that’s where I became a Christian. It was in 1972 in New Hampshire.” Bruce went on to explain that eventually his whole family became Christians and went into Christian work. His sister was a Wycliffe missionary and Bruce himself became publisher of a major Christian publishing house, which brought many significant Christian books to the public. Bruce finished the story with a flourish saying that the retreat had had worldwide impact when you think about it.
The man was silent. Dale and Bruce though that maybe they were boring him. Then the stranger quietly said, “I led that retreat. It was my first time as a conference leader, and I felt like a total failure. Until this moment, I have always believed it was one of the biggest failures of my life.”
Dale Bourke wrote, “What had seemed like the simple act of offering a ride to a stranger had turned into a powerful reminder that God uses our efforts whether we realize it or not. I may spend the rest of my life doing things that don’t seem at all successful. Yet only God knows the purpose. I am called simply to be faithful.”
“It is required of stewards that a man be found faithful” (I Corinthians 4:2).
Right now, you may feel like a failure in what you’re doing. Just be faithful. It’s not your job to figure out if what you do (or what you did in the past) matters. That’s the work of the Spirit. Your job is to do your part. Doing what we are called to do is the point.
Let us obey the Lord when He says, “This is the way; walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:31).
Sing with this B.B. McKinney song, accompanied by music from the Baptist Hymnal:
1 Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely; He sees and knows all the way you have trod. Never alone are the least of His children; Have faith in God, have faith in God.
Chorus: Have faith in God, He’s on His throne; Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own. He cannot fail, He must prevail; Have faith in God, have faith in God.
2 Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered; Your earnest plea He will never forget. Wait on the Lord trust His Word and be patient; Have faith in God, He’ll answer yet. [Chorus]
3 Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow; His heart is touched with your grief and despair. Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him; And leave them there, oh, leave them there. [Chorus]
4 Have faith in God though all else fail about you; Have faith in God, He provides for His own. He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish; He rules, He reigns, upon His throne. [Chorus]