Energize: December 31, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2013.

ENERGIZE

DEFINITION:

Strength; might; vigor; intensity; excite; stimulate.

SCRIPTURE:

When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 20:1.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Today is the last day of our old year. Are there lessons and principles that we learned in 2013 that we need to be reminded about today? We need not glory in days past but we need to move ahead into a new year energized anew to serve our Lord. Do you have a game plan or will it be the same old schedule day after day. What do you have planned to do for the Lord in 2014?

Helen Keller once said, “I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” Are you prepared to do something new and fresh for the Lord in 2014?

You may have issues you are facing physically or spiritually that you have used as excuses in 2013 but God still expects you to give Him time and to serve Him. He expects you to spend time daily reading His Word and communicating with Him through prayer. But it does not end there. He expects you to serve Him daily with new energy if you are one that believes in Him.

As you begin 2014 tomorrow you need to be energized anew with a strong desire to serve your Lord. How can you get the most out of your time? Here are three suggestions for you to meditate on as you begin a new year.

VIEW YOURSELF AS A SERVANT. In Matthew 25 we read that Jesus came to this earth not to be served, but to serve and He instructed us to adopt the same attitude. You need to be a servant to your spouse, to your family, at your workplace, in your activities and in your church. The best pathway to promotion in real life today is servanthood. If you want to be a leader in your home, workplace, neighborhood or your church the best pathway to promotion is servant hood. Never doubt the impact of your servanthood attitude on everyone around you.

SECONDLY REALIZE THAT YOU WORK FOR THE LORD. Colossians 3:23 tells us, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as to the Lord rather than for man.” But let us warn you, as we warned our children and now our grandchildren, when you have a servant attitude and set out to do things for the Lord you will face a battle with the evil of the world we live in.

Read God’s words of warning that He gave to the Israelites concerning the challenges they would be facing as written in the verse from Deuteronomy above. God was telling the children of Israel that they would be in places where the horses, the chariots (the armor of the day) and people were overwhelming to them.

We, like the Israelites will face overwhelming opposition in life and we need to remember the words that God gave the Israelites because they are for us today. He said do not be afraid because, “Your God is with you.” God spoke these words to be an encouragement to the children of Israel to prepare them and to energize them as they faced the battles ahead of them.

So, remember you will face many battles but when you are in the will of God He will be with you, protect you and lead you to victory. Our battles are won with God’s power, not ours. Your faith is the energy and driving force in serving the Lord.

Do not make the mistake by segmenting your life. You may think that Monday through Friday you go to work or school, Saturday you play and Sunday you worship. God has not designed life in these segments. Serving Jesus with energy demands a life that puts Jesus first and a desire to minister to others wherever you are each and every day.

FINALLY, REALIZE THAT YOUR PAY COMES BOTH NOW AND HEREAFTER. In Colossians 3:24 Paul tells us, “From the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.” We may not receive an immediate compensation or reward for our energetic efforts and hard work but the Lord ensures us of a just and eternal compensation for our faithful service. Our labors may go unnoticed but God is watching and will award all those who are faithful and enthusiastically serving Him. The scriptures tell us that He is storing up a glorious reward for us in heaven.

Do you see yourself as a servant energized to enter 2014 with excitement and a plan to serve the Lord?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work.

PRAYER:

As we enter a New Year in a few hours it is my prayer that in this New Year You would give me energy to serve You in a new and fresh way. I pray for your blessing on me and my family as we endeavor to worship You daily and serve You with a renewed energy fueled by a desire to see more people come to find You as their Savor.