Saved As If by Fire
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
“By the grace God has given me, I [Paul] laid a foundation as a wise builder, & someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, & the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) (emphasis mine)
Am I Living Like 1 Corinthians 3 Is True?
It is frustrating for me looking at a large majority of American Christianity.
… Until I realize I am a part of it.
There is a little phrase in a verse that I never really understood & so just breezed by in the past, until recently.
“… the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:15) (emphasis mine)
How Often?
How many of us just live our lives, letting whole days or weeks go by without asking for insight from God into God’s plans?
Filling the time with jobs, hobbies, errands, chores, responsibilities, busy auto-pilot living….
And how often do we recognize that God has good works that HE has planned in advance for us to do? (Ephesians 2:10) … That He has an agenda that is not just “get through this day, get through this week, get through this year, the end.”
God Has Even Better Plans
Have you ever heard of the term, “Divine Appointment”?
The idea behind this is that God sees every heart & every need & hears every cry & sees every tear.
He also has a planned way to serve those needs & bless those hearts.
And oftentimes, we get to be a part of it, if we are willing to be a vessel of HOPE for Him.
Are you willing to trust HIS plan over your own?
What Are We Modeling? What Beliefs Do Our Choices Reflect?
And how often do we feel we “know enough” from church or maybe a Bible Study we go to, that we don’t really take time to bother with personal reading, studying, or praying? Because we “just don’t have the time”?
What are we modeling for children? For other believers? For those who are still lost?
In whom do our actions say we have our faith? Others? God? Ourselves?
Who?
Getting Honest with Yourself
Reflecting on your current priorities, do you think your lifestyle will be described as being ”a good & faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) trusting God’s lead?
Or… “saved as if by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15) aka barely making it by the skin of your teeth, doing the bare minimum to live for God?
I want my life to represent a life of joy & faith, trusting & obeying God, letting Him use my life to bless those around me, letting Him have the lead of my life. I want His abundance!
Redeeming the Time, for the Days Are Evil
I want to be a part of the plans HE has for my life…
… a life as SALT & LIGHT in this world.
… redeeming the time because evil will keep on happening (Ephesians 5:14-16) even if I don’t.
… letting God’s goodness shine hope into it!
What Will Our Legacy Say?
What do you want your legacy to say about you? About God? About JESUS?
And if, like much of my routine, you have everything out of order or feel you just “don’t have the time for anything else,” remember that for that reason, the verse says to REDEEM your time. Give all of your schedule to God & say, “God, I know this is all out of whack, but I am too busy & I don’t know what needs to go or how it needs to shift or how to create the energy I will need to do what honors You….
… But You are God. And You can help me know what to cut or move & how to do it. You can give me more energy to do what honors You….
… Your capacity & power, dear God, far exceeds my own. So, take my time. Redeem it for a better way. AMEN.”
Saved As If by Fire?
I have had to pray something similar throughout the years for my scheduling in general, but I need to learn to pray this way every moment… to be willing to let Him take the reins of my life moment-by-moment.
Because I want to honor Him.
I want to be His vessel of Hope.
I don’t want to just live & then die… I want to LIVE FOR HIM, through Him.
I want my life to point to Him & give Him glory.
I want to add His light more into this evil-filled world.
I want to be His light, edifying, building up, & making this life fuller & richer, by our Victor’s design.
I want to make the most of the days I have, no matter how many or how few. My life is a vapor, here today & gone tomorrow.
Shine HOPE by living as an intentional legacy of HIS GRACE & LOVE & HOPE in this world.
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.
As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
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A Note from Michelle:
This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Truth Earrings
These incredibly light earrings are made with genuine local capiz shell.
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How You Can Help:
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