Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Oct. 3, 2011

“The Good Life”
“For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD.” – Proverbs 8:35

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. – John 10:7-10

I have lost count of the number of times that I have referenced the above passage from John 10. There may be those who may think that this is the only verse of Scripture that I know or maybe it is the only passage that I care anything about. They would wrong on both accounts but I will be perfectly honest in saying this that when it comes God’s Word I have found fewer passages that carry as much meaning as this one for a couple of reasons. First, it describes perfectly my personal philosophy that you get out of life what you put into it!! You want a full life? An abundant life? Give it over to Christ and you will find abundance. Second—how can you argue with the two wisest men who ever lived? Beginning with Solomon and then completed with Jesus. Want more—I like this particular illustration. Several years ago the United States Army adopted this recruiting slogan. It’s plain and simple: “Army Strong.” Personally, I liked the former slogan: “Be All You Can Be.” It reminds me of a story about a mother whose teenage son was not performing well in school. She obtained a bumper sticker at the Army Recruiting Office with those words on it. She edited it and posted it on her son’s bulletin board in his bedroom. The revised version read, “Be All You Can Be, or You Will Be in the Army.”
I think the Apostle Paul would have embraced the “Be all you can be” concept. He personified it in his own life. Listen to what he wrote to his friend, Timothy (2 Timothy 4:6-8):

“The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.”

While we are at the threshold of a new year, Paul was at the threshold of a new life with God in heaven. Reflecting on his past life as a Christian, Paul did not waver in his testimony. This is what he meant:
“I have fought for good and important things in my life. I did not waste my life on non-essentials.”
“I have finished what God helped me to begin years ago. I have completed the tasks he gave me.”
“I have been faithful. I did not fail God. I have remained true to the end.”

All Christians would like to be able to duplicate Paul’s testimony at the end of their lives. The question is, what can we do to be all we can be? Be Focused. In his letter to the church at Philippi Paul said that he was not yet perfect, but that he was pressing forward “toward the goal to win the prize for which God (had) called (him) heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) He had one goal above all other goals. And he was pursuing it.
Be Patient. Isaiah wrote in 40:31, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Patience is giving God the time it takes to prepare us for the tasks he has in mind for us.
Be Prayerful. Paul was clear on this subject. He said: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17). I have discovered that my spiritual growth is primarily dependent upon two things: the time I spend in God’s Word, and a vital prayer life. There are no substitutes for these two disciplines. Everything else we do for God flows from these two disciplines.
Be Faithful. In his first letter to Timothy (6:11-12) Paul wrote: “But you, man of God, flee from all this (the obsession with gaining wealth—v. 9) and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith.”
The legacy I want to leave to my family is the memory of a husband, a dad, and a granddad who was faithful to God, to himself, to his calling, and to his family. I want them to know that I lived life to the fullest and did it God’s way!
Pastor J. T. Carnell