Are You Watching Others Live Their Life, Or Making The Most Of Yours?

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2002
(James 1:22)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Are you watching others live their life, or making the most of YOURS? One of the saddest things to me about the incredible success of the new genre of "reality based" TV programs, is that it reinforces the fact most people are sitting on the "sidelines of life" and living vicariously through the lives of others. This has always been true since God created man. There has always been a large percentage of people that have "lived their lives" through others. That is why movie stars exist. That is why pop music stars exist. Most sad, that is why "Christian stars" exist!

My friend, just because Michael W. Smith uses his great musical talent for God, just because T.D Jakes uses his great oratory skills for God, just because Benny Hinn uses his special gifts for God, just because Billy Graham uses his gift of evangelism for God, ....that does NOT make them the "Christian stars" that so many have put them up to be. These are just ordinary men like you and I that have answered the call of God on their life and are serving HIM as they have been led. The fact that they do it in large arenas, on television, does not make them any more special than the pastor of that country church in the backwoods of Ohio who has 12 members. Just because they do it in front of the national media does not make them any more special than the person who visits the local nursing home every Friday.

IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, THERE IS ONLY ONE "STAR", AND THAT IS GOD. GOD IS JUST AS PLEASED WITH THE FAITHFUL PASTOR OF A CHURCH OF 20 AS HE IS WITH THE FAITHFUL PASTOR OF A CHURCH WITH 5,000 PEOPLE. GOD IS JUST AS PLEASED WITH THE FAITHFUL SERVICE OF A TEEN WITNESSING TO THEIR FRIENDS, AS HE IS THE EVANGELIST THAT HE CALLED TO WITNESS TO MILLIONS VIA THE INTERNET EACH DAY! GOD IS NOT IMPRESSED WITH WHAT THE WORLD JUDGES AS "GREAT". HOW MANY TV STATIONS YOU ARE ON, HOW MANY RADIO STATIONS YOU ARE ON, HOW MANY PEOPLE COME TO YOUR CHURCH, HOW MUCH MONEY YOU RAISE, HOW MANY COME TO YOUR CRUSADES AND CONVENTIONS. THOSE ARE SIMPLY GUIDELINES THAT "THE WORLD" HAS SET-UP. GOD IS ONLY IMPRESSED WITH ONE THING.... OUR FAITHFULNESS TO DO WHAT HE HAS CALLED US EACH TO DO WITH OUR LIVES!!!!

The sad fact is, so many Christians are content to live their lives through others. Rather than being part of God's plan, they sit on the sidelines and watch God's plan unfold through others. Let me share this with you. YOU have only one life. This is it. MAKE IT COUNT! Don't waste it away watching others live their lives. LIVE YOURS! God has a specific plan and purpose for each one of our lives. However, to fulfill that plan and purpose, we can't be sitting down, watching others, but we must be LIVING OUR LIFE!

I love you and care about you so much. I want to encourage you today, to challenge you today, to make sure that you are LIVING YOUR LIFE and not simply watching others live theirs. God loves you so much. You are just as special to God as ANYONE. You are so special, that He has a specific plan and purpose for your life, things that He wants to do through YOU! However, to have that happen, you must be willing to let Him use your life. The only difference between your life and those that the world may view as "Christian stars", is that those people allowed God to use them! Throughout the recorded history of man, we see how God has used many to further His Kingdom, His plan and purpose. The message today is that He is talking to YOU! YOU are part of His plan and purpose. All He is asking you to do today is yield yourself to Him, allow Him to work through your life.

In the end, when this life is over, God is not going to be concerned with how many people attended your church, or how many TV shows you were on, or how many people saw you during your life. The ONLY thing He will be interested in is this. WERE YOU FAITHFUL TO THE WORK THAT HE GAVE YOU TO DO IN THIS LIFE? CAN YOU STAND BEFORE HIM ON THAT DAY AND HEAR HIM SAY, "WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!" My challenge to you today is to quit sitting on the sidelines, quit watching others serve God, and go fulfill the work he has for YOU to do. Be a "doer of the word"!!!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at bkeller@liveprayer.com.

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