Get Close To The Lord

CHRIST DIRECTED SERVICE # 3

Haggai 1:6
“Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.”

Don't look back – don't look back, you've come too far to turn back now. What a difference it makes when we see the leadership of the Lord.

Luke 9:62
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Take a close look at Christians today. There are those who have hidden their talents. Going on in their own self-styled way. Seeking to gain all they can in this world in any way they can.

Matthew 25:14-30
"For the king­dom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to an­other two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straight­way took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

There are far too many Christians like the third servant. God has given them a talent, but they have hidden it and are pursuing their own desires. Oh, they say they want to serve God, but only if it is convenient and does not interfere with their plans. They don't really believe that the Lord could come at any moment and ask for an accounting.

II Corinthians 5:10
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

Then there are those who are honestly trying to do what is right. The only trouble is they are trying without the leadership of the Lord. They labor long and hard, but nothing turns out right. They are honest. They are sober. They are sincere. They seek peace and find none. They seek satisfaction and find none. Their nets are empty for they have caught no fish.

Mark 8:36-37
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Then there are those who have the peace of God in their soul.

John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giv­eth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be trou­bled, neither let it be afraid."

Phillipians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understand­ing, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Jeremiah 33:3
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

Galatians 2:20
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

May God help us while pursuing the things of life that we make sure we are doing it in the strength and bounds of His will.

Russell Stolp
Chaplain, CFO

Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.