Friday, January 4, 2019

"Productive Year"

"Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." 1 Corinthians 3:12,13

We have just begun a new year. Many people have been making resolutions. Some plan to start a diet, get in shape, make more money, read their Bible more often- they have their list of things they either will or won't do this year.  I told you that I don't make resolutions, but I do reflect on the past year and look back to determine just how much of my year was fruitful. Did I waste the year or was it productive?


When I say productive, I define it by what was accomplished for Christ and His kingdom, not by personal gain. It's like the old saying- "One life will soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last". What did I do for Christ this past year? Was what I did considered wood, hay, stubble? Or was it gold, silver, precious stones? If my "works" were put in the fire today, which ones would stand the test? Which ones would be burnt up?

He has blessed us with one life, and one life only. What we do here is important. What we do for Christ is more important. I don't want to come to the end of a year- or the end of my life- and discover that I did not make a difference for His glory. I don't want to waste the time I have been given. I want to gather eternal treasures. I want to have something to lay at His feet one day. I want to touch lives that need to be pointed to Him. I want to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" now as well as when I stand before Him on that day.

They say that you aren't to look back. You don't look back with guilt and condemnation over the things you did or didn't do, or the mistakes you made. But you look back to learn from it. If there was more "flammable" material (works/deeds) in your past year than there was "non-perishable" ones learn from it. Then ask God to help you be more productive for His glory in the year ahead.

Have a great day. Was last year full of wood, hay or stubble? Then work on making this year productive- full of gold, silver and precious stones.

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