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Dec. 29-30, 2001 “As Good As It Gets?” by Guest
Speaker Mark Briggs Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 (NLT) What do people really get for all their hard work? I have
thought about this in connection with the various kinds of work God has given
people to do. God has make everything beautiful for its own time. He has
planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole
scope of God’s work from beginning to end. v. 11 (NIV) He has made everything beautiful in it time. He
has also set eternity in the hears of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has
done from beginning to end. 1) Get out of the comparison game. Galatians 6:4-5 (The Message) Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you
have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with
yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take
responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. 2) Get out of the comparison game. Matthew 25:24-29 (The Message) The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you
have high standards and hare careless ways, that you demand the best and make
no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good
hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the
last cent.’ The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s
criminal to live cautiously like that!
If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least?
The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the with
the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. 3) Put Your talent in The Master’s hands. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (The Message) After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s
what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good
time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God fives life.
And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what
God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given
and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present,
the now. John 10:10a (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy… Psalm 57:2 (NLT) I cry out to God most high – to God who will fulfill his purpose
for me Philippians 2:12-13 (NCV) My dear friends, you have always obeyed God when I was with
you. It is even more important that you obey now while I am away from you. Keep on working to complete your salvation
with fear and trembling, because God is working in you to help you want to do
and be able to do what pleases him. John 10:10b (NIV) … I have come that they may have life, and have it to the
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