The Productive Life!
Theme: Works, Devotion, Caring of Others, Productivity
Scripture: Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
Titus 3:14 - Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
Observation: Living a productive life does not come naturally. What comes naturally because of SIN is selfishness, laziness & self centeredness. If we want a productive life then we must learn how to develop a productive life & that is only done by learning to devote ourselves to do good & meet urgent needs in others. Productivity comes when we follow Christ's example of laying down our life for others. Jesus said I did not come to be served, but to serve others and give my life as a ransom for the eternal safety of others. No-one has lived a more productive life than Jesus for he has made a way for people to escape the enemy of death & hell and secure eternal life in heaven.
Application: If we want to be at peace in ourselves and live productive lives then we must start to care for others around us & start to meet urgent needs. Isaiah gives us a few suggestions about the kind of things we should be involved in.
He says:
Seek Justice for people who are being unfairly treated - know your bible & what God says is just & unjust,
Defend those who are being oppressed by others - do not sit back and allow bullying at any level in society,
Fight for the Fatherless & the Widow,
God expects us to look after those who are vulnerable in society. We must learn to do good & meet urgent needs in the world around us & if we do we will never feel like our lives are unproductive!
Prayer: Father help me to live this personally & then help me to teach our people to devote themselves to doing good & meeting urgent needs in the neighbourhoods where they live. My desire is for us all to live productive lives before you all the days of our lives! Faithful ambassadors representing You in a correct way. Teach me how to lead well!
Created 11 months ago
