YOU HAVE A JOB TO DO

¹⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: ¹⁸ When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Ezekiel 3:17,18 NKJV

God's watchmen warn the wicked. Every believer has the responsibility of a watchman. As watchmen, we are to warn others of the dangers of wickedness and sin. I think about those I have encountered who are lost. I think about the opportunity I had to share the gospel, but for whatever reason, chose not to do so. I now ask myself, “Where are they now.? Did someone come along and do what I should have done? Has someone told them about Jesus?" Yes, I often wonder about the impact my lack of responsibility has made in the lives of others.

We have the responsibility of sharing the gospel with those who are lost. Jesus told all believers to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15 NKJV. There you have it. We have received our instructions. So let us get busy doing what we know we ought to do. Let us go out and preach the good news.

Be blessed.

YOU SHOULD COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

How many people actually have everything they want in life? Even the wealthiest of men still desires something in his life. It is okay to have desires, but it can be a problem when you begin to focus on what you do not have and complain about it. When you choose to dwell on what is missing from your life or what you do not have, you become ungrateful for the blessings the Lord has given you.

Learn to count your blessings. Each time you find yourself complaining or worried about what missing from your life, think of a way the Lord has blessed you. Over time, you will soon realize just how bless you are without having everything you desire. Each day, make a list of 5-10 ways God has blessed you. Then look over it and thank God for what He has done for you. Before you know it, you will have a book of blessings to cherish and to remind you to always count your blessings.

Be blessed.

TRUST GOD WHEN LIFE SEEMS UNFAIR

Have you ever felt life is unfair? For those who choose to serve the Lord, it's not easy to watch those who don't do well in life. In fact, it can be very frustrating. Maybe you question what seems fair about a man who manipulates his way into a promotion while another works hard and is loyal, but is overlooked on the job. What is fair about a woman who abuses and misuses her body to get what she wants and remains healthy, while another makes every effort to respect her body and keep herself healthy yet is constantly ill? Circumstances such as these can cause one to question why continue to be "good" when life seems to go so well for those who are not so "good”.

This feeling is quite common among believers. Instead of contemplating giving up on living in a way that pleases the Lord, you should trust Him even more. Do not compare yourself to nonbelievers, wicked, or evildoers. Instead, spend time with the Lord and you will see things from a different perspective. The prosperity of the wicked is temporary and their wicked ways lead to destruction.

 ¹ Truly God is good to Israel,
         To such as are pure in heart.
 ² But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
         My steps had nearly slipped.
 ³ For I was envious of the boastful,
         When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
     
 ⁴ For there are no pangs in their death,
         But their strength is firm.
 ⁵ They are not in trouble as other men,
         Nor are they plagued like other men.
 ⁶ Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
         Violence covers them like a garment.
 ⁷ Their eyes bulge with abundance;
         They have more than heart could wish.
 ⁸ They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
         They speak loftily.
 ⁹ They set their mouth against the heavens,
         And their tongue walks through the earth.
     
 ¹⁰ Therefore his people return here,
         And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
 ¹¹ And they say, “How does God know?
         And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
 ¹² Behold, these are the ungodly,
         Who are always at ease;
         They increase in riches.
 ¹³ Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
         And washed my hands in innocence.
 ¹⁴ For all day long I have been plagued,
         And chastened every morning.
     
 ¹⁵ If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
         Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
 ¹⁶ When I thought how to understand this,
         It was too painful for me—
 ¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
         Then I understood their end.
     
 ¹⁸ Surely You set them in slippery places;
         You cast them down to destruction.
 ¹⁹ Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
         They are utterly consumed with terrors.
 ²⁰ As a dream when one awakes,
         So, Lord, when You awake,
         You shall despise their image.
     
 ²¹ Thus my heart was grieved,
         And I was vexed in my mind.
 ²² I was so foolish and ignorant;
         I was like a beast before You.
 ²³ Nevertheless I am continually with You;
         You hold me by my right hand.
 ²⁴ You will guide me with Your counsel,
         And afterward receive me to glory.
     
 ²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but You?
         And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
 ²⁶ My flesh and my heart fail;
         But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
     
 ²⁷ For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
         You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
 ²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near to God;
         I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
         That I may declare all Your works. Psalm 73 NKJV

Be blessed.