I retired tonight May 18, 2021 at 10 pm. I had two naps today; one about noon during the time I was doing my weekly vacuuming, sweeping and moping usually performed prior the weekend but it was missed prior since my two brother in laws were here, so I did it today as the house was quiet. Only Loretta’s mother, Eileen was here. And it was a short nap as my phone soon dinged. The second occurred this evening after supper and my 30 minute stint in my micro lab. Suddenly I was exhausted so upon coming back into the house, I spread out in my all-purpose leather recliner chair in our house office that has also served as my bed since my devastating crash landing because of wet slippery snow on the yet green grass back on 1/15/21 breaking up my left side rather well including three ribs, a clavicle and even the scapula. The recliner is simply more comfortable yet than my bed. I slept an hour and not having utilized my sleep machine, both Larry and Loretta watching TV in the adjacent solarium, were well aware of my presence and reminded me of the fact and I noted I should always hook up before I am tempted to relax and travel beyond.
I can see now writing you of why I simply crawled out of my recliner at 11:10 pm to start a more personal approach to my blog writing is going to get much more complicated than I ever intended. But the first point I want to make is, if you want your prayer time to be a creative adventure you must not be exhausted. Otherwise, sleep will do you in and you’ll have to regroup in the morning. However, I am experiencing that my evening reflective prayer times can be absolutely delightful adventures and springboards to numerous other spiritual escapades God is preparing for me if I were just seeking his presence more fully.
Let me share a revelation I experienced this evening while trying to wind down and go to sleep before I finally realized I could no longer quench the Spirit so I got up and began writing. Actually the revelations of all that had happened to me the past few days that I think may make interesting reading (you’ll be the judge of that) were coming so fast I was realizing I really need to try dictating but that will require better equipment than my Apple phone and a whole lot of practice on my part.
Earlier in the evening while in the micro lab 30 minutes I was listening to John Bevere’s last book, for the second or third time, “X – Multiple Your God Given Potential.” In recent months, I’ve been giving this Chapter Four, “Stewards,” considerable traction time while evaluating my life; especially since I floundered badly. Bevere identifies three clear aspects of stewardship from both the Greek and English definitions:
1.) Oversees what belongs to another,
2.) Carries authority to manage what has been entrusted, and
3.) Is responsible: he or she will give an account to the owner.
Suddenly mere stewardship has been supercharged in that God created and owns everything! Psalms 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” (NKJV). This makes us stewards over everything in this realm. We are to manage the earth – all land, water, air, resources, animals, fish, and fowl. We are responsible to care for the good of human beings spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. This includes all godly and beneficial knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Paul writes of being “stewards of the mysteries of God.” The New Living Translation says we have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries,” hidden truths that had not yet been revealed. Therefore the exact stewardship he refers to is not merely managing money, time, resources (all valid stewardship), but rather the gift (charisma) on his life. I am continually reminded how contrary the globalist’s current agenda and narrative is in comparison to God’s laws and truths as revealed in scripture; ageless, timeless, and regardless!!!
So, how does this apply to us as Christ followers today under the influence of current culture? As Peter writes: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:10 NKJV). All our highlighted words are found in this one verse (gifts: charisma; stewards: oikonomos; and grace: charis). If you are born again, you have a gift or gifts that have been imparted and entrusted to you. These gifts are specific endowments of grace that empower you with special and unique abilities.
May I refer you to another scripture, I Cor 9:16-17 where Paul says, “Yes, woe is me if I do not preach the Gospel!” The Greek word for woe is defined as “disaster, horror.” Here is the sobering truth: If Paul didn’t administer his gift properly, then others would not experience the benefit, and even suffer the loss, of what God intended them to receive. Paul knew the gift wasn’t given for him; it was given to others through him. Realize the gifts of God on your life are not for you; they are for others to benefit through you.
Realize I’ve drawn heavily from John’s words above and he then goes on to give three examples of persons very uniquely gifted and although they used their gifts memorably, they did not generate God’s expected fruits; Adolf Hitler, Whitney Houston, and Freddie Mercury. To answer the question whether any of these three used their gifts well, and some may argue that the musicians did, but consider the question through the words of Jesus in Matt 11:19 “Wisdom is shown to be right by its results” and Luke 7:35 which states “Wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.”
In the event you were a fan of either Whitney or Houston, lets add another perspective. Lets view their legacies from the vantage point of ten million years from now. Examining their eternal perspective may change your original 80 year view. The sobering reality that I am continually facing is that my gifts will be examined in light of God’s eternal Word that commissions us to build His kingdom. Will our legacy be enduring (by either results or lives) or will they be consumed in the fire as straw & stubble and pass away with all the other world’s latest and greatest inventions and solutions to end racism and restore peace and prosperity?
We all have three choices: You can steward your gift at any given time in one of these three ways:
1.) You can use it to build the kingdom
2.) You can use it to benefit yourself.
3.) You can neglect it by not using it at all.
For additional perspective, later in the chapter, John brings forth two more pertinent scripture for these tumultuous times, first for the believer, and secondly, for the unbeliever In I Cor 1:1 as stated earlier, Paul says, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God” immediately followed in 3-5 “As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord Himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time – before the Lord returns. For He will bring our darkest secretes to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each whatever praise is due.
The following Luke 12:2-3 passage is thought to be referencing the unbeliever’s judgment – the great white throne judgment – where unbelievers will give an account for their sins due to not receiving the saving grace of Jesus Christ “The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secrete will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark (our private motives and secrets) will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”
Folks, I had no idea when I began writing 3 hours ago I would end up here saying we have three choices. It was not at all my intention. I was just going to share a few of the ideas that God has literally littered across my mind the past few days that I want to develop with you. Perhaps next time, I won’t preach so much.
Blessings as you Go Forth Aware and Assured of Making Wise Steward Choices>>>> merlin