Matthew 10:42 (ESV) 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
The title to my message is a phrase that I hear at least fifty times a day. Shell Shell is the name given to my wife Shelley by the little pipsqueak as I call her,Chloe.Whenever Chloe is talking, and especially when talking to Shell Shell, she ends almost every comment with "Right Shell Shell?" A statement of fact, a question about anything, an opinion ALWAYS is followed by "Right Shell Shell?" "The sky is blue,right Shell Shell? The sun is hot,right Shell Shell? Ronnie just needs to leave us alone,right Shell Shell?" You're gettin' my drift here right?
Well, that set me to thinking. Chloe loves Shell Shell and trusts her implicitly.As I thought about that today the above verse came across my mind.You see Shell Shell has never written a book. As far as I know,she has never gotten into a pulpit and preached to a congregation.I have never seen her on TBN or Daystar being interviewed or whatnot.God has not to my knowledge given her a new "revelation" to be shared with the church world over the airwaves. No,no.
But....BUT.... Shell Shell has made more of an IMPACT on a life than me or anyone else I know. No, I am not preaching about the greatness of Shell Shell. The Lord Jesus is the cause of it all, and herein lieth the lesson.
You see,I have listened to preachers in mega churches deliver great messages to hundreds,even thousands,but would not know my or your name if we walked through their front door. No,that is not a criticism by any stretch. It is just a statement of fact. It's well nigh impossible to know the thousands in their churches on a first name basis. And that is my point today. Ministry,.. true,effective ministry is one on one isn't it?
The enemy of our souls will try to discourage us in our walk with Jesus.He will whisper to us in the midnight hour that we aren't doing anything for the Lord. He will tell us riding down the road what is the use, we have failed. He will scream at us on the job that God is not pleased with us and why don't we just give up and throw in the towel. Nobody sees nor even cares about what we are doing. Does that ring a bell with you?
Yeah I feel ya' But, those words and accusations are lies from the pit of hell.
Zechariah 3:1 (ESV) 1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
The accuser of the brethren.This is what the enemy does best. He's had a lot of time to get it right, and he's very good at it.
Listen brothers and sisters, your efforts and labors in the Lord are not going unnoticed.As much as the devil may tell you that you are worthless and wasting your time, the Lord Jesus sees it a little differently.Even the small,seemingly insignificant kindnesses are recorded aren't they? Your efforts ARE having an impact in the lives of others, whether you realize it or not.
I can say with a certainty that it was not a big gift,or a handful of money that impacted the life of that little girl. No, no. It was all the hugs, the "I love you's"a trip to the ice cream store and all the other "cups of cold water"that touched that child.
Let this verse sink down into your spirit.
Hebrews 6:10 (ESV) 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
God does not forget. Your labors are not in vain. Jesus is coming back and He is bringing His reward with Him to all that are looking for His blessed return. Keep doing what you know to do.
Right Shell Shell?
Psalm 128:1-2 (ESV) 1
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
God Bless
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