“Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Matthew 24:46).

1. Fulfill our Purpose! (Matt 24:42,43) – “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.”

Watching and waiting while serving is the ultimate goal.
Are you serving? Will you serve the Lord until He comes?

2. Fight with Passion! (Matt 24:44,45) – “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?”

We’ve been entrusted with much. Our Lord has delegated His will on earth to His servants. Much is given…..much is required.

3. Forthtelling to Prepare! (Matt 24:47,48) – “Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming.”

Jesus is not willing that any should perish. He will descend from heaven in a day when many will not be expecting. Therefore, we must stay ready! Are you ready? Are you preparing others to be ready?

Introduction: If we used the same PASSION in serving our Lord as we do other things, it would make a huge difference! Are you PASSIONATE about having the privilege of being a part of God’s plan and purpose for the world? If so, watch out for being “weary in well doing”!

1. Weariness can zap us of our PASSION! (Gal 6:9) – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Doing good and working hard thru serving the Lord can get a CHRISTIAN tired. Are you tired? Do you need renewing?

2. Worthlessness can zap us of our PASSION! (1Cor 1:26-29) – “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

Remember our worthiness is not dependent upon our performance. Instead, it is dependent upon our relationship with Jesus Christ and His worthiness that He imputes to us.

3. Worldliness can zap us of our PASSION! (Rom 12:2) – “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

We must be in the world but we do not have to be of the world.
The problem is not when a ship is out in the water. The problem is when the water gets in the ship!

4. Waywardness can zap us of our PASSION! (Rev 2:7) – “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

Although the CHRISTians in Ephesus were busy they had become backslidden. Therefore, Jesus called them – along with us – to repent and return to their first love. Have you slipped alittle bit? Do you need to return to your first love?

Introduction: If you want to be great, learn to be a “servant”! Those are the words of Jesus Christ. In fact, He came to seek and to save, but also to serve.

1. Jesus demonstrated Servanthood! (John 13:4-5) – “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”

Get the picture. Just before laying down His life for the sins of the whole world, Jesus sets the example by getting a towel and washing the feet of the disciples. Then he explained to them that they were to go and do the same. 

“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:13-15).

Have you washed anybody’s feet lately?

2. Jesus described Servanthood! (Matt 20:25-28) – “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

After mildly rebuking the mother of James and John who requested that her sons sit on the right and left hand of Jesus in His kingdom, He revealed His purpose for being in the world, namely, to give His life for the redemption of mankind. But at the same time, He would influence countless millions by setting the example of servanthood. 

Are you being a servant?

Conclusion: Our world has reversed the secret to being great. Instead of counting how many people are serving us, Jesus made it clear that we should be serving others. You want to be great in the eyes of our Lord? Learn to serve others.

Introduction: According to the Word of God, we were all in darkness. Until, Jesus brought us into His light. Remember. Light dispels darkness. The light emanates from God – for God is light (1John 1:5).

1. Darkness Hides! (Eph 5:8) – “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.”

Instead of hiding in the dark, as believers we are to come out into the light. Are you attempting to hide in the darkness?

2. Light Reveals! (Eph 5:13) – “But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.”

The word “reproved” is ἐλέγχω, which is pronounced – el-eng’-kho. It means to expose, or convict. In this case, it describes the process of bringing to light. The Holy Spirit turns on the light. Light reveals truth. Light uncovers lies. Jesus calls us to come to the light.

Introduction: Walk outside. Listen. You can hear the buzz of thousands of insects called Cicadas. Is this apocalyptic? While it is not a direct fulfillment of Bible Prophecy, there is a parallel with both the Old and New Testament.

1. Locusts in the days of Moses! (Ex 8:12-15) – “And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt”

Out of these terrible plagues God sent an east wind and these locusts consumed the Egyptian’s crops. Locusts, unlike cicadas, devour everything – trees, crops, etc. Do you believe that God can still send judgments upon the earth? What about today?

2. Locusts like creatures in the tribulation! (Rev 9:3-5) – “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.”

Technically speaking, this will be during the tribulation – a terrible time on earth when Jesus Christ pours out His wrath in the form of trumpet judgements. While cicadas are not a fulfillment of this prophecy, it is a reminder of this horrific judgment that is yet to come. Therefore, as CHRISTians we need to be warning others today to flee from the wrath to come. Are you doing that?

Introduction: Where’s the fruit? What is the best way to produce fruit? Does Christian character Count?

Listen to the parable of the sower:

Then GO & SOW!

“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold” (Luke 8:5-8).

Consider 3 parts:

1. Plowing the Soil! (Luke 8:5,12) – “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.” 

“Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

If the ground is not prepared to receive the seed, it will not sprout. Therefore, plowing is necessary. It breaks up the soil enabling the seed to germinate and then develop a root system. The Holy Spirit is the plow agent! Does your heart need plowing? If it’s like this writer, then it usually does. 

2. Planting the Seed! (Luke 8:11) – “The seed is the word of God.”

When the Bible is being taught either it falls on deaf ears or it is taken in with a glad heart. Which is it with you?Probably, it depends on when? Right? Remember. Reading, hearing, studying, meditating, and memorizing are all ways to take in the Word of God.

3. Producing the Sprout! (Luke 8:4-12) – Did you notice the 4 responses to reading or hearing the Word of God, even reading this devotion?

* Stealing the seed

* Scorching the seed

* Squeezing the seed

* Sealing the seed

The devil will take it. Persecution will wither it. Worry will choke it. But a good heart (plowed & ready to receive it) will embrace it!

Conclusion: Since our heart needs to be plowed constantly in order to receive the Seed (Word of God), let’s let the Holy Spirit plow it.

Then pray for a receptive heart. Allow the SONSHINE, the Holy Spirit to rain, and respond with wise decisions. Then we can GO and SOW!

Introduction: How do Israel’s festivals “Passover”, unleavened bread, and firstfruits relate to the Christian life? This devotion will discuss what is going on in Israel this week, namely Passover. What is the origin? What is its meaning? How can we identify with this annual event in Israel?

1. Passover’s origin? (Lev 23:1-2) – “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.”

TIME OUT! That is what these Festivals are all about. Israel was to take a TIMEOUT. It does us all good to STOP and take a TIMEOUT. Remember this was God’s plan for Israel.

Do you need to take a TIMEOUT?

2. PASSOVER’S Meaning? (Lev 23:3) – “On the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S passover.”

When we take Communion or the Lord’s Supper, we are looking “back” at Israel’s deliverance from Egypt with the Passover lamb. At the same time, we are looking “in” at our relationship with Jesus Christ being a part of His body, the Church. 

3. How do we identify with the PASSOVER? (Matt 26:29) – “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

The best is yet to come! 

Are you looking forward to celebrating the marriage of the Lamb and then the marriage supper of the Lamb?

Conclusion: How do you like this TIMEOUT? PASSOVER. Take a TIMEOUT today and thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for what He has done, what He is doing and what He will do.

Remember: Where there are trials, there are blessings! (James 1:2,3)

Introduction: Have you ever seen a scare crow? What did you think? Did it scare you? Actually it is a fake version of a human being. The purpose of a scarecrow is to scare animals off one’s garden or crops.

Does it work? Do the animals get used to it? Usually if it is left out long enough, some of the smarter animals or (dumber), according to which way you look at it, will figure it out.

Jeremiah writes concerning this matter: “They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go” (Jer 10:5).

One other translation puts it this way: “They are like scarecrows in a cucumber field; They cannot speak; They have to be carried, Because they cannot walk! Do not be afraid of them, For they can do no harm or evil, Nor can they do any good.”

The Hebrew word is תֹּמֶר: (to’-mer), which means palm tree, or a post. He is talking about idols the heathen build (ex. totem poles). Of course, today we have more sophisticated idols. But in the end they cannot help us!

Jesus Christ should not be substituted for idols of this world. 

Do you have any idols?

Conclusion: Just like a scarecrow is fake and cannot talk, CHRISTians can build their idols (scarecrows), which are not real (fantasy world). Ultimately, they will fail, but Jesus will never fail!

Introduction: How can we Rock our World? Have you ever set up any “Ebenezer’s”? You ask, “What is that”? In the book of 1 Samuel, God had His people to establish some Ebenezers.

It was during a time when Israel was at war with the Philistines. In fact, the enemies of Israel had not only defeated them but also took their Ark of the Covenant. However, bad things happened to them. Boils began to spread across their camps until finally after seven months they got two momma cows to take the Ark away on a cart back to Israel.Next, twenty years passed by and once again they attacked Israel. So what is an Ebenezer? It is a commemorative stone: אֶבֶן הָעֵזֶר, (eh’-ben haw-e’-zer). By definition, it is a stone of the help.

How can we Rock our World?

1. By Resisting the devil’s DECEIVERS! (1Sam 7:1-4) – “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”

Time to clean house! Here was a call for a spiritual awakening. And the people obeyed. Do you think our nation needs an awakening?

Will you pray?

2. By Remembering the Lord’s Ebenezers! (1Sam 7:5-12) – “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.”

Have you set up some spiritual stones where the Lord has helped you?

3. By Reaching out to UNBELIEVERS & BELIEVERS! (1Sam 7:12) – “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.”

Conclusion: The way to Rock your world is to set up some stones. Go back and reread this devotion and passage to get the gist of what our Lord is saying.