there are lots of benefits…

you and i need to be patient because GOD rewards patience.  james 5.11a (niv), as you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.  

notice the word, blessed.  the second half of job’s life was more blessed than the first half.  GOD doubled everything he had.  it pays to be patient.  there are all kinds of rewards.  your character grows, you get along with people better, you’re more happy, you reach your goals.  there are lots of benefits of being patient.  GOD rewards it.  you’ll be honored by others.  they’ll say, “he’s a patient person.” 

but not just on this side of eternity, but on the other side you’re going to be rewarded.  matthew 5.11-12 (niv), blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of ME.  rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

when people put you down, when they criticize you, be patient, because there’s going to be a reward in heaven. 

it is our natural tendency – one of the strongest desires in life – that when you’re hurt, you want to get even.  you want to retaliate, get revenge, take matters into your own hands.  when you get criticized, you want to criticize back.  if you get insulted, you want to insult back. 

revenge, retaliation are the natural thing – but that’s the opposite of patience.  james says that the next time someone criticizes you, before you strike back, think about this, is it worth giving up the reward i’m going to have in heaven?  i’m going to enjoy that a whole lot longer than the temporary pleasure of revenge. 

you need to be patient because GOD’s going to reward patience.

just a thought from the front porch…

there will be rewards…

some of you are going through some tough times right now.  it’s pretty hard.  GOD cares.  HE cares about you very much.  GOD sees everything you’re going through.  HE’s got your number!  the very hairs of your head are numbered.  HE knows exactly where you are.  HE hasn’t lost your number!  HE cares.

GOD has the power to do something about that problem.  HE could change it in a snap.  HE’s a miracle working GOD.  so why doesn’t HE?  because there is a greater purpose.

the greater purpose is what HE wants to do in you.  GOD is more interested in building your character than in making life comfortable and once you’ve learned those qualities, HE may be free then to remove that situation.  but there are some things in life we’re never going to be free from on this side of heaven.  they are thorns of the flesh.  we will deal with them and carry them.  nothing comes into your life without the FATHER’s permission.

there is a fantastic promise in james 1.12 (niv), blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that GOD has promised to those who love him.

GOD says there will be a reward.  i don't think when we get to heaven the rewards will go to the pastors, and evangelists and the billy grahams.  i think the rewards will go to the people who quietly put up with difficult situations and developed the character of JESUS CHRIST in their life.  he says, there will be a crown of life.  cast all your cares upon HIM.

just a thought from the front porch…

you will be rewarded…

compensation.  if i use my talent wisely i will be rewarded.  matthew 25.23 (niv), his master replied, “well done good and faithful servant! you have been faithful with a few things, i will put you in charge of many things.  come and share your master’s happiness!” look at the rewards you could have. 

1) affirmation.  well done good and faithful servant!  how would you like to get to heaven one day and have GOD say that to you?  “good job!  you did the best you could with what you had! good job!”  that’s what i’m living for.  not for anything else. i’m living my life for an audience of one.  i want to stand before JESUS CHRIST one day and have him say, “well done, bill you good and faithful servant.”

2) promotion.  you've been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.  I’ll give you greater responsibility.  you’ve used what you had, I’ll give you greater responsibility.  the bible teaches that earth is a testing ground.  the amount of time on this side of eternity is nothing compared to the amount you’re going to spend on the other side of eternity.  how you use your life during this time will determine what GOD entrusts to you later on.  if you’ve been faithful in a few things, you’ll be given much.  you’ll be given more or less responsibility. 

3) celebration.  come and share your master’s happiness!   it’s party time in heaven.  celebrate.

the fact is the happiest people in the world are those who are giving their lives for the purpose that GOD made them.  GOD made you for a ministry.  GOD has a ministry for you that is based on who you are.  we’re all part of the body of CHRIST and it’s all important.  it’s like a jigsaw puzzle. 

just a thought from the front porch…

how long, whose fault, and why?...

an important question to ask in the midst of going through difficulties is “what does GOD want me to learn from this difficulty?’ 

2 cointhians 4.17 (ph), these little troubles, which are temporary, are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.  

there is a line between troubles and temporary and then permanent and reward.  paul is saying that the problems you have in your life are not going to last.  the problems are temporary but the reward is permanent.  the purpose is permanent. 

when we go through difficulties, the first thing we try to do is blame somebody else.  whose fault is this? 

it doesn't matter where your problem came from GOD still has a purpose for it in your life.  HE wants you to grow as a result of it.  even when you do stupid things yourself, GOD can use it.  even when other people hurt me intentionally HE can use it.  even when the devil plans bad things for my life, GOD can bring good out of it. GOD’s purpose is greater than your problem and your pain.  GOD has a plan behind your pain, your problem.  HE’ll use it.  you need to look past the temporary pain and look at the long-term benefit, the results in your life. 

romans 5.3-4 (tlb), we can rejoice when we run into problems and trials for we know ... they help us learn to be patient.  and patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust GOD more each time. 

the result?  GOD wants you to learn something.  that's the whole purpose for the problems and difficulties you're facing.  every storm is a school.  every trial is a teacher.  GOD wants to teach you through your troubles.  every experience is an education.  every difficulty is for your development.  GOD says, “I want you to learn something from this difficulty – that's the purpose, the result.

just a thought from the front porch…

it is going to get better…

our suffering will pale in comparison to what GOD has in store for HIS followers. i don’t say this to minimize your pain or your suffering. i know many of you have gone through much things worse than i ever have.

but look at this verse and remember it was written by the apostle paul who suffered beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonments, hunger, thirst and homelessness – far more pain than most people ever go through.

he says in 2 corinthians 4.17 (niv), for our light and momentary troubles [this was a guy who five times in his life was whipped by a whip made of leather and bone that shredded his back. he was whipped 39 times at five different times, three different times people took rocks and beat him to a bloody pulp and this guy says, light and momentary troubles] are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

he’s saying, “when i suffer, especially since i'm suffering for JESUS CHRIST, the glory that awaits me far outweighs whatever i'm going through.”

look at romans 8.18 (niv), i consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us. how can we understand that? let me give you an analogy that might help.

let’s say on january 1, 2010 that you had a horrible day – the worst day of your entire life. you went to the dentist for a root canal and half way through it the anesthesia wore off and they didn’t have any left and you’re in horrible pain. then you get in the car and drive home. you crash your car, totaling it. and to make it worse, you crash into your wife’s car. so both cars are now totaled. your stock market portfolio takes a nosedive. your wife gets sick. your friend betrays you and spreads false rumors about you. this was the worst day you ever had.

but then imagine every other day of the year 2010 was absolutely fantastic. on january 2 your rich uncle you didn’t even know about decides to give you your inheritance in advance and he gives you a check for 42 million dollars. you get promoted at work to the job you always dreamed of having. the new york times puts your photo on the front page under the title “person of the year”. your first child is born and he’s healthy and strong and your wife insists that he be named after you. your marriage is ideal. you’ve never felt better in your life. you take a two-month vacation on the beach in tahiti.

so the next year, 2011, a guy comes up to you and asks, “how was your year 2010?” what are you going to say to him? “it was great!” but then the person says, “but didn’t you tell me once that the first day of the year was really bad for you?” and you say, “”you’re right. i don't want to minimize that. it was a very difficult day. but when i look at the totality of the year, when i put everything in perspective it was a tremendous year. the 364 tremendous days far outweigh that one day of pain and suffering.” it just sort of fades away.

just a thought from the front porch…

do you want to be great?...

so do you want to be great in heaven? you can make fame the goal of your life, and you get it for one week. you get it on the cover, and the next week somebody else is going to be on the cover of some magazine. fame does not last in this world, so i wouldn’t waste a penny or a moment of your time trying to become famous. it doesn’t last. HE says if you want to be great in heaven, if you want to be great for eternity, if you want to be rewarded for all eternity, you’re going to need to rearrange your priorities and rearrange your schedule to allow more time for serving because that’s what GOD’s going to evaluate.

did you serve? did you give your life away in love to help other people? so HE would say, “do you want to make your life count? stop envying people and start serving them.” and GOD says, “i’m taking notice and you’re going to be rewarded eventually.”

GOD has given you certain abilities, spiritual gifts, passions and experiences. you’re unique. GOD gave you those talents and strengths not for your benefit; HE gave you your talent for the benefit of other people. if you use it on yourself, you miss the point. if you use it on other people, to serve others, GOD says good going. you’re doing exactly what you’re put on earth to do. so use it for the benefit of others.

life is about serving, not acquiring. it’s not how many toys you pile up, it’s not how big a house you get. it’s about: are you a lover? are you a server? are you like JESUS CHRIST and kind to others? and do you give your life away in service to others?

here’s the amazing lesson. if you start giving your life away in service to others, studies have shown you’ll live longer. studies have shown that people who do volunteer service regularly are far more likely to live longer and are less likely to experience a major illness during the course of their lifetime. several other recent studies have shown that volunteering to serve others boasts your level of endorphins, the brain chemical that give you a natural high, and endorphins also play a role in lowering your blood pressure, boosting immunity, which may account for why people who volunteer to serve live longer than those who don’t.

i would add to that that when you’re busy serving others, you don’t have time to envy them. in your weekly schedule, is there any time during your week that you’re doing unselfish, volunteer service in the community, in the church, in the school? anywhere that you’re serving voluntarily? you say, “i’m too busy!” yes, you’re too busy. you need to change your schedule. because when you get to heaven, you’re not going to be evaluated on the stuff that’s filling your schedule right now. it’s going to be on, did you learn to love? you say, “i don’t know where to start.” just look around. there are opportunities all around you..

love is something you do. and JESUS said if you want to be great, you’ve got to focus on this one. because it’s the ultimate antidote to envy.

just a thought from the front porch…

what is going to matter in heaven?...

let me give you a couple practical ideas of how to stay focused on the life that GOD has for you to live.

one, i encourage you to get a SPIRITual partner. somebody you can trust that can say to you, “you’re getting a little off track here. why don’t you focus on the life that you need to live?” get a SPIRITual partner.

two, memorize some bible verses. GOD can bring those verses that you’ve memorized to mind at just the right time to say, “get back on track!” james 3.16a (cev), whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble. that’s an honest verse, isn’t it?

JESUS concludes this story with a shocking statement. matthew 20.16&26 (nlt/cev) says, and so it is that many who are first now will be last then. HE’s talking about in heaven. and those who are last now will be first then. if you want to be great you must become the servant of all the others. this is the great reversal.

GOD says when we get to heaven, the tables are going to be turned upside down. all those celebrities, all those people of talent, famous people that you envy – all the people that you envy – HE said, they’re going to be at the back of the line because the line in heaven is not about wealth and fame and possessions and all those things.

the point HE’s making there is this: none of the things we envy on earth are going to matter in heaven. not one of them! not success, not wealth, not talent, not beauty, not fame, not accomplishments, none of the things we envy most on this side of eternity are going to matter one bit those billions and billions of years in eternity. what GOD is going to evaluate in your life and what GOD’s going to reward in your life is not how much money or accomplishments or talents or beauty or whatever you have here on earth.

what GOD is going to evaluate and reward in your life is your service to other people. HE says if you want to be great, you must learn to be the servant of others. HE’ll ask how much did you serve the people around you in love. HE’s not going to ask, “how many businesses did you build? how big did your bank account and your ira and your retirement fund get?” HE’s not going to ask, “how well known did you become in your neighborhood?” HE’s going to say, “how much did you serve?” listen, love is something you do, and the bible tells us serve one another in love. service is love in action.

just a thought from the front porch…