Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Score a Legacy

Leading others to Christ can be our legacy.  God will always do great things with people who arewilling to be faithful in the small things.  – Lysa TerKeurst
When you think of leaving a legacy, what comes to mind? Some people may automatically think of leaving a gift or money to their family after they die. Other people may hope to be remembered as someone who “did something big” like...
climb up the corporate ladder, write a book or play major league baseball. “Forbes” magazine says, “Your legacy is putting your stamp on your future. It’s a way to make some meaning of your existence: ‘Yes, world of the future, I was here. Here’s my contribution, here’s why I hope my life mattered.’”

In this series, we’ve learned that in order to live a Home Run Life, we must run the bases in order with gratitude and humility, placing God first 24/7, so that God can use us for His glory. We will not only change our lives and those around us, but also leave an eternal legacy for future generations. What a great thing! However, when we ignore God’s way and choose to run the bases out of order, there is a price to pay. We are all accountable for our actions and one day we will stand before God and answer to those actions.

God says that the most important legacy we can leave is to lead others to Him. Mark 16:15 says, “And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.’” This verse may seem overwhelming, even crazy, but what if we start by spreading the Good News in our own mission field? We can “go into all the world” together – whether that means at work, at the grocery store or when we are talking to our neighbors. Suddenly, when we, as Christians, team up to spread God’s love, the world doesn’t seem quite so big anymore.  

READ and THINK… What does the Bible say?
In this verse, Joel is referring to the invasion of locusts God allowed as a judgment and call to the people of Israel to repent of their sins.

Question: What does God promise to redeem for His people if they turn back to Him and glorify Him through their lives?

Joel 2:25-26 (New Living Translation)

25 The LORD says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you. 26 Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the LORD your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced.”


Answer:
In this passage of Scripture, known popularly as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is speaking to the multitudes about how to live, turning what were commonly accepted ways to “rightly” live, upside down.

Question: Who should receive the honor and praise for how we live our lives? What impact does living and glorifying God have on the people around us?

Matthew 5:16 (New Living Translation)

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.



Answer: 
This passage was written by Paul to explain how the message will be spread throughout the world. It was revealed that the Gospel should be preached to the Gentiles and to nonbelievers everywhere.
Question: While it is up to us to share the Gospel and Good News, who must accept it?

Romans 15:21 (New Living Translation)

I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard about him will understand.”


Answer:
LIVE… What will you do now?

Read Matthew 5:13-16. These verses talk about how Christians are the salt and light in the world. 



After reading, consider:
How am I truly being a light for Christ in this world with everything I do?
Where is my mission field? 
Who are three people I can think of right now that I could spread the Good News to by serving or being a part of their lives?
What kind of legacy do I want to leave? 
One of my own selfish desires that will end shortly after I die? 
Or a legacy of God’s love that will continue on from generation to generation even after I leave this earth? 
If you are blessed to live to a ripe old age, what would you want people to say about your life after you’re gone? 
In which areas of your life do you want people to say that you gave God the most glory? (Hint: How you did your job? 
How you raised your family? 
How you gave? 
How you responded to God’s promptings?)

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do?

Thank God for the amazing opportunity that each of us have to leave a legacy for Him. Pray for Him to reveal those around you who need to know the Good News. Pray also for strength, courage and knowledge when the opportunities arise.

1 comment:

  1. Hi Jan, this is great. We don't realize that each day and all we do, adds to our legacy and our walk in Christ. May it lead others to the cross. Hope you are doing well and enjoying a good week. Hugs to the pups and BIG hugs for you too.
    CM

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