Investment

Matthew 6:20,21

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

As we close out 2020 today, I want to share with you one of my favorite New Year’s messages and devotions from the past.  God has used this message in my life to challenge me and I have also been encouraged by how others have been blessed by it as well.  As we look back on this unprecedented year, and look forward with hope and anticipation to the New Year, we must remember that each day brings us opportunities to invest in spiritual treasures.  2020 has brought many changes, but there are some things that will never change.  Your Savior will not change.  Your salvation will not change.  Your eternal destination will not change.  God’s Word will not change.  God’s desire to use you will not change.  Let us make 2021 a year of investment.

I do not know if I am like most pastors or not.  In some ways I hope I am.  One of these ways is this.  I consider the people I pastor my friends.  The main source of my social interaction is with my people.  I am in their homes.  They make up the majority of my contact list in my phone.  They are who I text, call, and talk to in person.  Outside of my wife and children, the congregation of Bell Creek Baptist Church is who I am connected with in my social life ninety percent of the time.  Why am I bringing this up?  Several years ago, I brought a New Year’s message from this passage of Scripture.  To go along with it, I made up cards to place in the areas of our lives where we would see them and continue to be challenged by this message.  I have seen these still hanging on refrigerators and placed in cars.  A few days ago, one of my congregation shared with me that they have one of these cards placed at work where they would see it every day.  This person is my friend.  I was overwhelmed by the fact that what I preached several years ago was still having an impact in their life.  Because of that, I want to share this with you.  I am going to give you the points to consider with a verse or passage to back it up.  Maybe I will make a few comments, but I hope you will take the time to read these verses.  They will strengthen your faith.

1. Invest your Prayer. 
   I Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:6-7; Hebrews 4:16; Jeremiah 33:3
2. Invest your Presence. 
   I Thessalonians 3:12; Proverbs 17:17; Psalm 133:1; Proverbs 18:24
   I know what you’re thinking.  “Presence?  We can’t be together right now.”  Remember, church, we are not the building, we are not the location, we are not the appointed time and place.  We are the BODY of Christ, we are the FAMILY of God, we are the UNITY of the Spirit.  Please, go beyond the boundaries, go beyond the restrictions, go beyond your limitations.  Let your brothers and sisters know that you are thinking of them and praying for them.  Be present.
3. Invest your Participation.  Ephesians 4:15-16
   Even in this time of isolation, we can participate.  Reread the second point, please.  Your FAMILY needs you. Participate.
4. Invest your Promotion.  Acts 1:8 
   Let me share with you two things that I believe.
   1. The world at large is open to the Gospel.
      With all the negativity, people are longing to hear a positive message of love, grace, and redemption.
   2. It has never been easier to share the Gospel.
      Technology has given each of us a wonderful outlet to proclaim our faith.  Share it, Like it, post it, and believe this:  God will honor it.

I hope you will take the time to read the Scripture that I listed next to each point.  The Word of God will change you, not my words.  God will honor His Word in your life if you will simply read it.  Please, read it.  Then, believe it and receive it.  Finally, act on it and live it out daily in your life.  You will be amazed at the transformation that will take place.