Welcome to Monday, Memorial Day! We will be taking a look at God’s Honor Roll.
In Honor of Veterans
Before we do, Memorial Day is a special day in the United States of America set aside in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our country. Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in military service. It is particularly in memory of those who died in battle or as a result of the wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
To all of our United States of America veterans, thank you for your sacrifice and service!
Speaking of honor for the sacrifice of veterans, today we are going to look at how to make God’s Honor Roll. And yes, we are once again looking at these two crucial verses:
I Chronicles 4:9-10
9 And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. (KJV)
10Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: “Bless me, O bless me! Give me land, large tracts of land. And provide your personal protection—don’t let evil hurt me.” God gave him what he asked. (NIV)
Jabez Was a Man of Honor
So does God have an Honor Roll? Does God have favorites? Sorry, but my brain goes to Heath Harmison’s (comedian) skit about kid’s sports and not keeping score. I didn’t provide the link so you’ll have to look this one up if you want to see it. This part of the verse for today’s focus is saying that Jabez was more honorable than his brothers.
So in researching verses on God’s favor, it’s evident that we can be favored. One day, before God, what do you want to hear Him say, number 1 or 2:
- “Well done good and faithful servant….”
- “Well, let me show you what I really had for you if….”
Okay, so answer number 2 is my made-up version – yikes. I, like you, want to hear answer 1. But what if, what if we really don’t “press toward the prize” as Paul puts it in Phil. 3:14? What if we decided that what we did to get by was just “good ‘nuff?” Did you ever have a job or project or task that you thought, “well, that’s good enough,” when you finished?
Leadership of the Heart
I was chosen to go to leadership training in one of my past jobs. It was called Leadership of the Heart. There were 12 of us who attended and we were put on the spot right away by having to give an unprepared speech of who we were. We had to all do it in front of the group to start the training. The presenter gave us all F’s. Then he proceeded to teach us about passion, effort, and enthusiasm. He taught us that if we were going to be a part of this training, that “good nuff” was not good enough.
What Level is Your Enthusiasm?
I remember when the trainer called one of our peers out because she wasn’t “all in” on the training. He told her, “either you get on board, or there’s the door!” What he was saying to her and us was that she wasn’t giving it her all. He pushed us all beyond our comfort zone, that’s for sure. We were pushed beyond our limits.
I was picked to start our graduation from this training. The graduation was in front of our co-workers, family, and friends who were all in attendance. So with great enthusiasm, I was yelling and screaming at the top of my lungs to a room full of people I didn’t even know. My message, be passionate and sold out on who you are and what you want to accomplish. I got a passing grade that day, but it was one of the most uncomfortable things I had ever done.
Favor is Not Talent Driven
The nice thing about God’s favor is that it is not talent-driven. It’s ordinary ‘every-day-walkin’-around’ kind of people who have faith in an extraordinary miraculous God. He favors those who step out (of their comfort zone) and act on His word. Follow the progression here:
- Without faith it is impossible to please God.
- Faith comes by hearing, and by hearing the word (both written and spoken) of God.
- Faith (God’s word) without works is dead being by itself (Scott’s translation – the Word of God is dead without action because it’s just talk – even the devil believes and shutters).
God’s Honor Roll
Hebrews 11 is full of ordinary people who did just that (walked by faith) and earned a spot in God’s Hall of Faith – God’s Honor Roll.
God wants to expand His territory and reach out through you to a lost world. When you step out in faith God extends His blessing and favor through you. This is Him allowing His favor to extend through you, in impacting others for Christ.
Challenge for today – Pray for God’s favor – be a part of God’s Honor Roll. Pray for it in all you do. His favor will open up opportunities for you to be a blessing to others beyond what you thought possible. This will begin to open up more opportunities than you can handle, so be careful what you pray for today. And make it a point to say thank you to a veteran every time one crosses your path. So be it!
