a pretest before the final exam…

let me ask a very serious question – a pretest before the final exam.  one day GOD is going to ask you, “what did you do with what i gave you?”  GOD is going to do an audit on your life one day.  what’s the bottom line going to show?  when HE says, “what did you do with the talent i gave you?” what are you going to say?  “i made a lot of money and i had a lot of fun and i developed a reputation among other people in the community.”  so what?  wrong answer!  it doesn't count. 

GOD's going to look at you straight in the eyes and say, “did it ever occur to you, that i might have given you your talent, your freedom, your ability, all the things I’ve given you, that I meant for you to not just use it all on yourself?  did it ever occur to you that maybe I made you for a purpose greater than just to retire?  did it ever occur to you that maybe I wanted to use you to bless other people?” 

george gallup did a study a few years back all across america and asked 40 questions to discover the spiritual commitment level of america. he compared the lifestyles of spiritually committed people with uncommitted individuals.  after he had done this all over america he classed 19 million americans (there are 250 million of us) as spiritually committed.  he said these are the results of the spiritually committed lifestyle.

1) they are far more happy and much more satisfied with their lot in life than anybody else. 

2) their divorce rate is far lower and their families are far stronger than the population in general.

3) they tend to be more tolerant of persons of different races and religions than persons who are less spiritually committed.

           

4) they are far more involved in service activities and put a high priority on improving society.

there are benefits.  all that you're looking for, you're looking in the wrong places for it.  it comes through ministry, giving your life in service. 

are you a spiritually committed person?  what's your level of commitment? 

if you haven't committed your life to CHRIST, that's the first step.  open your life to CHRIST.  say, “JESUS CHRIST, i want to be in your plan.  you made me for a purpose.”  if you’ve done that, find a church family and commit to it.  once you've found a church family, get committed to the disciplines for spiritual growth. 

my challenge to you is very specific.  what's the next level of commitment you need to make?  what's the next step GOD wants you to take? 

just a thought from the front porch…