BIFOCAL LENSE? NEVER DIE EASY, ALWAYS GET UP
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
BIFOCAL: lense with two parts normally one for distance and the other for near vision. We seriously need clear vision in the church today. We die for a lack of vision. Many want to ride the ride, few see the need to help push and do what needs to be done.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24 (MSG) Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, 25 not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU KNOW?
Can we remember years ago: THE FIRST THING YOU KNOW, JED’S A MILLIONAIRE? KIN FOLK SAID, JED MOVE AWAY FROM THERE. SAID CALIFORNIA IS THE PLACE YOU OUGHT TO BE, SO THEY LOADED UP THE TRUCK….
Our enemy has a strategy and it is so simple. Keep God’s people so busy that they FORGET THE SIMPLE THINGS THEY KNOW… It is possible to forget heaven.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
MY FRIEND: DON’T FORGET HEAVEN! Have you ever been so busy that you forgot something important? Many years ago, I forgot my wedding anniversary. The man that forgets his anniversary should be taken to the highest tree and hung? That is not the worse, the next year I forgot our anniversary again. Wow.
I fear we get so busy doing the things we have to do and rushing here and there that we have the tendency to forget many things. We can forget what we know.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
HOW DID YOU GET IN THE RECORD BOOK OF THE GREAT? DO WE ACCIDENTALLY ACHIEVE GREATNESS? HAVE WE EVER DISCUSSED THE COST OF GREATEST?
I have a hero. Many times I have pondered how do great people get great? Was it, I just happened to stumble on my greatest? Did God play favorites and make me great? Let us study one great person?
• He died at 45 on November 1, 1999 of a liver disease. What can you accomplish in 45 years? Greatest?
• Jerry was a black man from Mississippi, sort of doomed him? What happened?
• Walter Payton was an ordinary high school student. He played in the high school band his freshman and sophomore years in high school. Seems he was not interested in football? What happened?
• MIKE DITKA, Chicago Bear Coach said of Walter Payton: WALTER WAS A GREAT FOOTBALL PLAYER, BUT HE WAS A GREATER MAN. What happened?
• Walter started playing high school football his junior and senior year in high school.
• Jackson went to JACKSON STATE UNIVERSIITY, in Mississippi. October 1, 1972 while in college Payton set the best single scoring records, 7 touchdowns, a 2 point conversion, for a total of 46 points as Jackson State beat Lane College 72 to 0. What happened that ignited him?
• The reporters said Payton was a little guy for a little nobody place and he could not make the NFL? His nickname was “SWEET.”
• Payton was drafted by the Chicago Bears to play in the NFL.
• Payton had a SUPERBOWL RING, and he played 13 seasons for the Bears.
• Payton was the greatest running back of his time.
• 9x’s elected to the Pro Bowl. What happened?
• 2x’s the (MVP) Most Valuable Player in the NFL. What happened?
• 16,726 Rushing yards! 3.8 yards per carry! (A record at the time) What happened to the band student?
• 4,538 Receiving Yards on 492 receptions. What happened to a little southern boy from Mississippi?
• 110 TD, Touch Down, 8 Touch Down passes. How did you do Payton?
• A famous reporter was talking to Walter Payton and said: HOW DID YOU GET SO GREAT? WHERE DID THIS ALL START? Payton was silent awhile and thought. Then he replied: WHEN I STARTED PLAYING FOOTBALL MY HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR YEAR MY HIGH SCHOOL COACH TOLD US TO RUN UP AND DOWN THE HILL BEHIND THE SCHOOL 25 TIMES. Most of the players ran up and down a few times and then went to the locker room. I started to go with them and then I thought: NO MY COACH SAID RUN THE HILL 25 TIMES, SO I WENT BACK AND I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WOULD RUN THE HILL 25 TIMES. THAT WAS MY TURNING POINT.
• PAYTON RUSHED 16,726 TIMES, RECEIVED 4,538 YARDS FOR A TOTAL OF 21,264 YARDS.
• HE WAS BRUITALY TACKLED BETWEEN 7,088 TO 9,000 TIMES, 9,000 TIMES HE WAS CRUSHED.
• WALTER PAYTON’S MOTTO WAS: NEVER DIE EASY… ALWAYS GET UP … NEVER QUIT… KEEP ON TRYING… Can we understand WE NEED A PLAN AND A PURPOSE to BEAR FRUIT for Jesus?
Matthew 6:19 (MSG) "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. 20 Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars.
WE SERVE A GREAT AND MIGHTY GOD THAT IS SO MERCIFUL AND KIND. GOD LOVES HIS PEOPLE SO MUCH HE EXTENDS THE GIFT OF SALVATION PLUS MUCH MORE.
THE NEAT THING ABOUT GOD IS HE EXTENDS AN INVITATION TO COME INTO A PARTNERSHIP WITH HIM. WE CAN INVEST IN THE TREASURES OF HEAVEN. My friend the Father of the Universe is faithful and true and He desires us to open the door to give Him the opportunity to reign. God’s partnership plan is a GREAT TREASURE CHEST. While grace is free, we can get serious and work His work. The more we exert effort and give love we can see there are benefits serving God…
Psalm 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:2 (MSG) O my soul, bless GOD, don't forget a single blessing! 3 He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. 4 He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. 5 He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.
HAVE WE EVER BEEN SO BURDENED AND HEAVY WE FORGET HEAVEN?
WHAT IS YOUR CLAIM TO FAME? SAY THE MOST FAMOUS THING YOU EVER DID WAS DIE?
DORCAS, THE SOWER THAT NOBODY KNEW? HOW MANY STITCHES HAVE YOU SOWN? HOW MANY THANKS DID YOU RECEIVE?
Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
MY CLAIM TO FAME CAME: SURE I WAS ON TOP OF MOUNTAIN, MY CLAIM TO FAME IS SWEAT ARMPITS
Exodus 17:10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
MAKE A CLEAR TARGET, we cannot do this alone… GOD MINISTRY IS ABOUT BIFOCALS… NOT TROPHIES, NOT APPLAUSE, BUT PURE MOTIVE TO REFRESH AND ENCOURAGE… WE MUST SEE MINISTRY THROUGH BIFOCAL LENSE… SEE THE JOB, SEE THE SUPPORTIVE ROLE BEHIND MINISTRY.
1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
THE GREATEST GIVE OF SUPPORT IS FAITHFULNESS…
The bombs were exploding all around, many soldiers ran. Winston Churchill was asked: ARE YOU RUNNING? He answered: I WILL NOT TAKE DO THE COWARDLY THING, I WILL STAND AT MY POST OF DUTY.
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful..
TO ACHIEVE GREATEST IN GOD WE MUST HAVE PATIENCE/LONGSUFFERING.
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
TO GROW AND BEAR FRUIT WE MUST HAVE UNITY AND MOUTH CONTROL.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (MSG) I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I'll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.
Colossians 3:13 (MSG) Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Romans 12:16 (MSG) Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
TRY LOVE, IT NEVER FAILS…
John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
CONCLUSION: IF YOU DESIRE TO BE GREAT IN GOD’S KINDOM, IT IS NOT AUTOMATIC PIE FROM THE SKY. We must dig the well deep to have good, cool water. Go the second mile, the first mile is compelled, the second mile is above and beyond what is expected.
Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Mark 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Be like Dorcas and Hur, be willing to lovingly serve for no other motive than to please God! We need BIFOCALS TO SEE GOD’S PLAN CLEARLY!
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
